THE FOLLOWING DAYS passed easily. I never expected to ever live on a boat and like it, but with each passing day, the experience grew on me. On the boat, Cassian, Noah, and I had created a routine that worked well for us to pass the time.
During the day, I would typically busy myself with tasks that Noah had requested me to do. Simple things to keep the boat in order such as sweeping, doing small repairs, and the adjusting sails. Additionally, I would use Noah's supplies to prep our meals for the day. Not because I was the only woman, of course, but because Noah was steering the boat and Cassian was part fish.
Truthfully, meal times were the only times that all three of us would be in the same place together. Noah would stop the boat, and we would all meet out on the deck, so that Cassian could eat with us from the water. After we would finish, Noah would help clean up before going back up to the captain's room where he would continue to navigate the boat. According to him, we would be arriving at Oahu any day now.
I had already called to let my father know we were coming, which he was above the moon about. From how surprised he sounded over the phone, I suspected he was beginning to think I would never come back to the island. Honestly, I never thought I would either. It's crazy how much can happen in a few weeks.
Meeting Cassian undeniably changed the course of my life. He saved me, in more ways than one, and being here with him was a dream come true. Part of me never wanted our time on the boat to end.
After the first night on the boat, Cassian and I slept beside each other for the first time. I think it was the best sleep I had in years.
The following morning, however, I awoke to an empty bed. Panicking, I searched everywhere only to find Cassian had switched back to a tail and was swimming alongside the boat. Apparently he could only go a little over a day with legs before he had to switch back. So, while I was busy on the boat, Cassian would spend his days in the water. That way, come nightfall, he could be with me.
Thus, it goes without saying that night quickly became my favorite part of the day.
Tidying up our room before night came, I glanced over the sea shell collection I had set on the dresser, smiling as I remembered how I had gotten them. After the first night, Cassian had brought me a beautiful conch shell as some form of an apology. It was the most beautiful shell I had ever seen, and I was so happy with his gift that I hugged him.
So, every night he would bring me a shell, watching my face light up at each new intricate design. I never asked him to keep bringing me shells, but he did. In his own way, it showed that he cared and wanted to make me happy. That's why I treasured each shell, and the memories that came with it.
I treated tonight like all the previous evenings, and as the sun began to set, I put out some clothes for Cassian on the balcony to change into before coming inside to sleep as he usually did. As I waited, I finished tidying up the room and laid on the bed, watching the sunset from the balcony window.
However, unlike previous nights, the sun had fully set and yet Cassian was still nowhere to be seen. Just as I was about to go look for him, I heard something hit against the glass balcony window.
Quickly, I got up and walked over to open the window. Stepping outside onto the balcony, I saw a small rock at the foot of the window. Frowning, I looked out at the water.
It was dark, but the lights on the side of the boat illuminated the water enough to see Cassian floating among the waves, smirking up at me. I could only see a bit of shoulders and his head, which meant that he most likely still had his tail.
I grinned. Walking to the edge of the balcony, I gripped the bar, looking down into the water.
"What are you doing?" I called down to him playfully.
In response, Cassian swam up to the boat, stopping just short of the balcony's railing.
"Will you join me?" He asked from below, lifting his hand out of the water to hold it out to me.
My eyes widened. "In the water?" I asked incredulously, and Cassian nodded.
I bit my lip.
"...but it's so deep." I said, looking out at the endless black water surrounding the boat.
Cassian's expression softened. "I will not let you drown." He promised, holding my gaze.
My lips lifted into a smile, "I know." I replied warmly, grasping the balcony railing.
I didn't have time to pack my own clothes since we had left California so soon. All I could do was hire a cleaning company to clear out my apartment before I left. I brought nothing with me, which is not something I regret. I would be starting over, back at home.
However, it meant that I had to wear Noah's clothes. Specifically, Noah's white button up shirt and a pair of men's black sweatpants. Which was not the best swimming attire, but with how excited Cassian looked for me to join him, I didn't want to disappoint him.
Carefully, I lifted one leg and then the other as I moved over to the other side of the balcony railing. Once I was on the other side, I slowly began to slide my body down the balcony towards the water.
As I put my legs in the water, Cassian moved closer, grabbing me by the waist.
"You can let go." Cassian said, looking at my death grip on the balcony railing.
I let out a breath, giving him a nod as I released my grip on the bars. My body immediately fell forward, and I gasped, placing my hands on Cassian's shoulders to steady me. His grip tightened around my waist as he held me in the air, slowly lowering me into the water beside him.
I sucked in a breath, feeling the cold water rush up my body. In response, Cassian held me closer to him, and I moved my arms to circle the back of his neck as he pressed our bodies together.
Once I was fully in the water, I looked up at him to see his gaze already on me. His blue eyes were intense as he looked down at me. His eyes twinkled as he regarded me and within his gaze I could see something warm, something affectionate. It made my heart flutter, and my cheeks flush with warmth.
I could feel his fingers flex against my waist, making me gasp. His skin burned icy hot against mine, making me shiver.
I couldn't even feel the cold. Though it must have been freezing by the way my body shivered. However I paid it no mind. Instead my focus was set in front of me, on the beautiful man who held me in his arms as if I was the most precious thing in the world.
In his arms, I felt safe. I was floating in the middle of the dark ocean, but I wasn't afraid. Not even slightly. The realization that I no longer feared the ocean washed over me. I could not pinpoint the exact moment my fear left me, but I knew deep in my heart it was gone. I also realized it had been days since my last hallucination. It felt euphoric, like a huge weight was lifted from me.
A relieved smile formed on my face as I leaned forward, placing my head on Cassian's shoulder as I hugged him. His arms moved to wrap around my waist, pressing me to the smooth planes of his chest.
I wanted to cry. Not because I was sad, but because I was irrevocably happy. I never thought I would even be happy again, let alone happy enough to cry. And it was all because of him.
My Cassian.
After a few moments, I blinked away the tears that had begun selling up in my eyes and leaned back. Cassian let me, releasing me slightly so I could look at his face.
He was always so beautiful. Water droplets peppered his skin like diamonds that glimmered under the light of the boat. His silver hair was wet and slicked back from his face, running down his back to float around him like a halo in the water. Long regal nose and sharp jawline, with his bright blue eyes that seem to glow like starlight even in the dark of night.
Just then, I felt something brush against my legs in the water. Peering down into the water, I could barely make out his tail beneath the dark ocean. In response to my staring, Cassian shifted, brushing his tail against my legs once again.
I bit my lip, looking up at him. His blue eyes studied my face curiously.
"Are you afraid?" He spoke after a moment, breaking the silence.
I smiled, shaking my head. "Not anymore, not when I'm with you." I answered, moving my arm to touch his face.
Cassian closed his eyes as I trailed my fingers down the side of his face to his neck, swallowing hard. I took the opportunity to lean forward, placing a chase on the smooth skin of his neck.
Leaning back, I looked at Cassian to see that his expression was pained.
"Is this okay?" I breathed,
"Very okay." Cassian ground out, his voice sounding strained.
"Good." I replied before grabbing his face, and pulling it to mine. I closed my eyes, pressing my lips delicately against his, giving him the softest most featherlight kiss, before pulling back.
My eyes flicked up to his face to see his reaction. Cassian's eyes fluttered as he processed the feeling, and I felt his grip tighten, pressing me closer to him as he licked his lips.
"More..." Cassian hissed, pulling my face back to his. His fingers gripped my chin as pressed his lips to mine, kissing me back roughly. I gasped, taken aback by his sudden roughness as he ravaged my lips.
I could no longer feel the cold. I could only feel us in this moment. The rapid beat of our hearts as his breath mingled with mine. We're both panting, desperate for air but unable to stop.
His lips copied my movements from earlier, trailing hot kisses down my face and to my neck. I shivered as he dipped his head down into my neck, feeling his warm breath against my skin before his lips laid their claim. I gripped onto arms digging my nails into his biceps as his fingers moved to dig roughly into my hair, pulling my head back for better access.
Suddenly Cassian broke away, breathing harshly. "You taste so good." He groaned, pulling my face back to his to continue his beautiful torment before I could even utter a response.
I brushed my leg against his tail and he made a strangled noise, kissing me harder. His mouth opened against mine as he sucked on my lip before biting down on it. I moaned, and taking advantage of my open mouth, Cassian's tongue explored my mouth, kissing me like he was starving for something he has never known. Like it was the first time he ever felt anything but pain and he didn't know how to pace himself, taking all that he can get.
I took all that he gave. I opened myself to him fully, and kept taking until he finally ripped himself away from me. My lips were swollen and bruised when we parted, leaving both of us panting, our breaths mingling in the cold.
My face was completely flushed, and my breathing was ragged. I struggled to catch my breath, barely managing to hold onto Cassian. If it wasn't for his firm grip on my waist, I would have sunk into the water by now.
"Wow." I spoke finally, letting out a breathy laugh as I looked up at Cassian.
"Wow." He repeated curiously, clearly not fully understanding the term but knowing it was probably a good thing. He didn't seem to care, his eyes were alit with such emotion as he looked at me with nothing less of pure adoration.
Overwhelmingly happy, I couldn't help the smile forming on my lips. In return, his lips quirked into a smile, the first real smile I had ever seen him give. It only made me smile wider.
Letting out a content sigh, I leaned forward to rest my head on Cassian's chest. I felt so safe with him, it was so peaceful. After a moment, I felt his hand on my head, running his fingers through my hair as I closed my eyes.
~*~
When I opened my eyes, I was laying horizontally on the bed. My body was splayed across Cassian's chest, and my leg was tangled with his.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes as I looked out of the window just in time to see the sun rise. As the sun rose into the sky, light spread across the water, illuminating something large off in the distance.
We were home.