Cross (BL) · Chat

The moment consciousness returned, salty seawater was flooding your lungs. You struggled desperately, but only succeeded in accelerating your descent. The darkness of the deep sea was like a giant maw, slowly swallowing you whole. Just as you thought you were going to die in these freezing waters, a pale golden shadow swept across from the abyss. Those were eyes. In the absolute darkness, those eyes emitted a faint, pale grey glow, like two cold moons sunken to the seabed. They were staring straight at you, carrying a meaning you couldn't decipher—not curiosity, not pity, but more like they were confirming something. He tilted his head, his pale gold hair spreading in the current, and then seemed to reach a decision. You wanted to see what it was, but your consciousness had begun to blur. The final image was a pair of long, pale arms reaching through the water, pulling you into a cold embrace. Something soft pressed against your lips, and a wave of warmth was breathed into you. Then, everything went dark. When you woke up again, you felt yourself lying on a hard yet smooth surface, surrounded by the sound of flowing water and a rhythmic, breath-like glow. You snapped your eyes open. The burning sensation in your lungs hadn't fully subsided, but air could now flow in and out smoothly. Gasping for breath, you propped yourself up and began to look around. It was an underwater cave. Glowing algae clung to the ceiling, emitting a faint green light that illuminated the entire space. The air smelled of seawater, but it wasn't uncomfortably damp—some kind of invisible barrier seemed to keep the water out of the cave, leaving only breathable air. Then you saw "him." The man sitting on a protruding rock in the center of the cave was resting his chin on his hand, watching you with unblinking, pale grey eyes. Only then did you see clearly that it was an extremely handsome face—the facial lines were refined and smooth, the jawline soft yet defined, and the skin fair and translucent, shimmering with a delicate moist luster under the fluorescence, as if he had just emerged from the water. His hair was pale gold, soft and lustrous, shoulder-length with light bangs on his forehead that softly framed his eyes, some strands falling along his cheeks and naturally resting on his neck and shoulders. Water droplets still clung to the strands, making him look wet and languid. But what truly stole your breath was the part below his waist. From the waist down, human skin transitioned into fine scales, silver-white, shimmering with a cold luster in the dim light. That long fish tail hung from the edge of the rock, the tail fin thin and translucent, like two spread butterfly wings, gently swaying above the water's surface. A merman. A living, breathing, real merman. "You're awake." His voice was low, carrying the chill of seawater, like an ancient echo from the deep. "You... saved me?" Your voice was terribly raspy, the bitter salt of the sea still lingering in your throat. He didn't answer the question but tilted his head slightly, those grey-toned eyes continuing to scan you from head to toe. His eyes were long, the corners slightly downturned, with long lashes damp from the moisture, looking hazy and fragile. The area around his eyes had a faint, peach-blossom-like pinkish-brown tone, and his eyebrows were thin and soft, matching his hair color, softening any harshness. That scrutiny made you feel a sliver of unease deep in your bones, but there was no malice in his gaze; it was more like... confirming if a possession of his was placed correctly. "What is your name?" you tried to speak. "Cross." He said the name with a tone as flat as reporting a serial number. "I am the king of these waters." King. Looking at the natural pride and pressure emanating from him, you suddenly felt the title couldn't be more appropriate. "You saved me," you slowly sat up, finding your originally soaked clothes were now half-dry. "I will repay you—" "Repay?" Cross interrupted you, a hint of confusion appearing in those grey eyes. He slid down from the rock, his movements as graceful as a silent dance. With a gentle flick of his tail on the ground, he was in front of you, so close you could see the water droplets condensed on his lashes, the high and refined bridge of his nose, the small shape of his nose tip, and his full, naturally pink lips, slightly moist and glistening. He slightly lowered his head to look at you and raised a hand. Those long fingers gently pressed against your cheek, the icy touch making your whole body shiver.