I wonder if I would ever notice water, had I been born in the ocean with fins for limbs. I suppose then it would have been my air and I would have moved within it more easily than a bird in the sky.

I had always loved the sea, my father was a pirate and when I came of age I followed in his steps. I joined a new young captain named Jin and was with him for years. We sailed the open seas not answering to anyone but ourselves.

I followed him where ever he lead us because not once has our crew been let down. I trusted him in his every order but I also trusted the sea. She always set the precedent for the day, she would tell us the outcome of events if only one was smart enough to pay heed to her warnings.

Yesterday the waves were choppy, the surface like a mirror turned half liquid, breaking and flowing all at once. Worry sat in the pit of my stomach as we sailed to a lone cave floating in the middle of the Atlantic in search of the Heart of the Sea.

No one could have prepared us for what the Heart of the Sea was, the rumor had been floating around the ports that a beautiful mermaid was guarding a chest for the last few months and that inside was the Heart of the Sea.

Many had tried and failed to lay claim to said treasure but the monster mermaid had slain any who dared get close. But that didn't stop Captain Jin from plotting with his first mate, Joon.

Yesterday their plans went into effect and, after a struggle and losing more than half our crew, we managed to slay the mermaid. But as we all gathered around the chest and Captain Jin sprung it open, all I could think was 'what have we done?'

It's true the chest held the Heart of the Sea and it was indeed a treasure to behold but none of us were prepared for the sleeping merbaby laying inside the chest.

"Fuck," I hear Yoongi curse under his breath.

"What do we do?" Joon questions Jin as he looks from the slain mother and the baby we have caused to be an orphan.

"We leave it," he murmurs and my head whips in his direction.

He can't be serious!

"Captain Jin, we cannot leave the babe here alone, she has to be no more than a year old," it's our youngest that speaks up.

Jungkook had joined the crew less than a year ago, he was a timid boy who hardly spoke a word and never once went against Jin's orders, but it was said boy who now spoke up in defense of the little life asleep in the chest.

"Where would we take it? It's not like any of us know how to take care of a baby, let alone a merbaby," Jimin says trying to speak some sense into Jungkook.

"Maybe we could take it to port and one of the ladies could keep it?" Hoseok suggests.

"And then what? Once people find out what and who she is you think she would be safe? It's best we let nature handle this and, if it's meant to survive, it will," Yoongi argues back.

Jin and Joon are whispering amongst themselves not paying any heed to us. The others start to argue and I notice the little one squirming in the chest. Her eyes open and connect with mine. I'm drawn into her aquamarine gaze, the look like the sea on her most magnificent days, like the calm ocean with the light of the sun reflecting from them.

I crouch down to the chest and carefully extend my hand to the babe. She takes my finger in her tiny hand and smiles up at me. And I know then and there I could never leave or abandon this innocent child.

"I'll take full responsibility for her," I say and all heads snap in my direction as I scoop up the small thing from the chest.

"Tae, you can't," Jimin steps up to me and I press the small girl closer to me.

"You lot can take my share of the plunder we have already gathered. All I ask is you give me and it safe passage to the closest port and enough to survive for a while," I say standing with the baby

"Deal," Captain Jin speaks before anyone can protest.

︵‿︵𖠳︵‿︵

The others stayed away worried about having the babe on the ship. I could hear them mumbling about how it was a bad omen. Jimin came and spoke with me trying to get me to reconsider my choice but I knew I never would.

In the dead of night, the small child began to cry in my arms and I had no idea how to soothe her. I had no breast for her to suckle on and we had killed her only source of food.

But to my surprise, it was Yoongi who trudged from below deck holding a coconut. I at first was weary, but he stood before me and cut a small hole into it. A small amount of liquid dripped slowly from it and he mumbled for me to offer it to the baby. When he saw she had taken to it, he smiled and rushed back below deck.

"What shall I call you?" I cooed to the small girl in my arms as we rocked with the waves. The others were still asleep except for Jungkook who was manning the wheel.

"Nixie," I hear from beside me and look up to find Jungkook hovering above the two of us.

"Why Nixie?" I ask curiously.

"It means water sprite and since she comes from the ocean it just seemed fitting," he says with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Nixie," I say it a few times and the small girl smiles.

"I guess she likes it also."

Jungkook takes a seat beside me and pulls out some coconut shavings from his pocket, extending them to the girl who happily takes them.

"I'm so glad you decided to take her," Jungkook says softly.

"Can I?" he motions to the girl and I gingerly hand her over to him.

He looks comfortable holding her and pulls her close snuggling into her black hair and inhaling deeply.

"I used to have sisters," he murmurs sadly.

"I'm sorry," I soothe as he continues to cuddle Nixie.

"Do you think I could go with you?" he asks looking at me with hope in his eyes.

"Why?" I ask skeptically.

"I have enjoyed my time with you all...but when the others were ready and willing to just abandon her, I knew I would never fit in. If you hadn't stepped up, I would have. Just...I know Nixie isn't a replacement but she is a comfort," he says rocking the small girl as she clings to him and her eyes close.

"It's not my choice to make, Jungkook. But if it is truly what you want, I will welcome the support you are offering," I say and he smiles at me so brightly.

"Thank you, Taehyung," he says as he smiles down at the babe.

I yawn and offer to take her back so we can go cuddle up in a hammock down below but he says he doesn't mind watching her so I can get some shut-eye. After double checking he's sure, I take the offer and head down below.

︵‿︵𖠳︵‿︵

I wake up and, by the position of the sun, I can tell it's past midday. I jolt up instantly filled with worry. I stumble out of my hammock and rush up on deck to find Nixie.

"Where is she?" I ask loudly as the others look at me.

"She's below with Jungkook and Jimin," Yoongi informs me turning his back and getting back to rigging up the sails.

I ignore everyone's looks as I rush back down in search of them, but it's empty. I head back to the storage area and hear mumbling.

"I knew she'd have a damn tail."

"It doesn't matter. Isn't she just the cutest thing you've ever seen?"

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion as I push open the door. Jimin and Jungkook quickly turn around, they are standing in front of a barrel, shielding my view.

"What are you two doing?"

"Testing a theory," Jimin answers and my brow furrows once more.

"Where's Nixie?"

"She's safe, I promise Tae," Jungkook answers timidly and moves away from the barrel.

I sigh in relief as my eyes take in my small girl happily swimming in the water. She's all smiles as I step close and, when she sees me, she rushes to me with enough force to shoot right out of the water and into my arms.

"She was frying up on deck, Tae. She is a mermaid so I figured she might need some water," Jimin shrugs. I nod at him as I struggle to keep her in my arms while her tail flops around.

But she holds on to me tightly soaking my whole front. She hums in contentment and then extends her arms toward Jimin.

He quickly steps up and takes her from me. Her small hands cup Jimin's face and he smiles at her. To my utter surprise, he rubs his nose against hers before giving her a soft kiss.

"I've decided she's not so bad," he says as he turns, finally taking in my shocked face.

"What?"

"Well, I figured I'd have to get to know this little one. Especially if I planned on joining my best friend when he leaves the ship."

"You can't be serious, Jimin. You love the ocean and sailing," I try and reason with him and he shrugs his shoulders.

"We can live close to the ocean. And as she grows bigger we can sail, but you didn't really think I'd stay here without you, did you?"

I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Jimin and I have been best friends since we could walk. His father died during a raid and my father took him in. We have been inseparable since then and the thought of leaving and maybe never seeing him again was weighing heavy on me.

I rush to him to hug him close with Nixie snuggling between us.

"Thank you, Jimin."

"Can't get rid of me that easily," he laughs.

"Looks like it will be the four of us then," I say letting go and looking at Jungkook who's been quiet this whole time.

"Four?" Jimin questions confused.

"I decided to join him last night," Jungkook says quietly and Jimin smiles widely.

"Looks like you're officially one of us," he says pulling him closer to our group.

A throat clears from behind us and we all jump and spin around to see Joon standing there.

"Are you three actually going to do some work today?" he questions sternly and the two move quickly. Jimin passes me, Nixie, as they rush up on deck.

"Fascinating," Joon mumbles as he takes in Nixie's tail.

"Her mother's colors were not this shade," he says motioning to Nixie's purple and blue scales.

I hold my girl closer, nervous under Joon's watchful eye. His hand reaches out and he carefully runs his fingers along her tail. She squirms away from him in laughter.

"Interesting. Seems like she is ticklish,"

I step back desperately trying to figure out how to get her legs to come back so Joon loses interest in her. He must notice my worry because he steps back giving us space.

"I will not hurt her, Taehyung. I'm merely trying to understand," he says with a smile. "Captain Jin would like to speak to you."

I nod and go to move past him but Nixie whines and reaches back toward the barrel. I frown realizing she needs to be in the water a little longer.

"I'll watch her," Joon offers and I bite my lower lip debating if I can trust him.

Joon has never once been out of line with any member. He's always been a fair but strong and firm leader. I find myself agreeing and slipping her back into the water.

"I'll be quick," I say and press a kiss to her forehead.

"She will be safe, I promise you," he says patting my shoulder before I rush off.

︵‿︵𖠳︵‿︵

"You wanted to speak to me, Captain?" I say as I step into his room.

"Yes, sit down," Captain Jin motions to the seat in front of his desk not looking up from his work.

I nervously take a seat and anxiously wait for him to address me.

"It's come to my attention that my men have grown soft towards your situation and are now planning on abandoning ship," he says still not bothering to spare me a glance.

"I beg your pardon?" I say nervously.

"Then beg," he says finally looking at me and standing from his desk.

"Beg me to spare your life and that of the little monster you have insisted on taking in," he says stepping in front of me.

"Captain Jin, I would never conspire against you. Then men wish to leave of their own free will," I plead but he looks at me unbothered.

"I've followed you for 10 years, Captain Jin. Loyally, never once have I gone against you or spoken out. Please allow me and Nixie to have our safe passage and I will never bother you again," I drop down to my knees praying he allows me this one favor.

His features soften and I feel hopeful so continue on my rant.

"Please, Jin. If our friendship meant anything, please, don't do this."

His face contorts back into a hard blank canvas and his fists clench at his sides.

"Leave my face, Taehyung. I do not wish to see you until we make port and then I wish to never see you again."

I nod and quickly scramble out of his office rushing back to find little nixie.

I find her on top deck squirming in Hoseok's hold as Joon laughs at him.

"What's going on?" I asked rushing over to pick her up. It's then I notice her legs are back.

"It turns out if you leave her in the sun she is fine and her legs will gradually switch back," he says proudly.

"Also look at this," he gently takes her from Hoseok and dips her in a small basin of water but her legs don't switch. "Distilled water has no effect on her, it's only seawater that seems to trigger her tail."

"I don't know how I feel about you experimenting on her," I say as I take her into my arms and hug her close needing comfort after my talk with Jin.

"I was very safe and did not upset her once. I just wanted to help since you will be dealing with her alone once we hit port," he offers with a gentle smile.

I nod and Hoseok stands to tickle the girl in my arms as he coos at her.

"I don't see why we can't just keep her on the ship with us. She fits right in and sure is cute," he continues to play with her but then freezes as a voice sounds from behind me.

"She cannot stay because a ship is no place for a little monster that will surely bring bad luck," Jin says, his voice laced with hatred.

I say nothing as I make a hasty escape below deck. I can hear Jin barking orders above and the men grumbling about his attitude.

Nixie snuggles close to me yawning and I decide I should probably feed her and turn in for the night so we are out of the way. I go to the stash of coconuts Yoongi showed me and open one for her to give her some of the liquid before carving out the meat inside.

she eats happily babbling in my lap before I lay us both in my hammock.

"I'll always protect you, little Nixie," I mumble as I hold her close in my arms.

︵‿︵𖠳︵‿︵

Today the sea was laid flat and my emotions also, as if one were a reflection of the other.

I could see port off in the horizon, we would make it there by midday and then we would have to say goodbye to everyone.

Jimin and Jungkook had informed Jin they would be departing from the ship also once we docked.

It had not gone over well with Jin and he was only going to allow them to part on the condition that they could only take a quarter of their shares with them.

Both men had agreed much to Jin's dismay and caused him to become quiet and angry for this past week.

The guys had all become smitten with Nixie and she was usually being carted around the ship in someone's arms.

She really did fit in with everyone and had a good temperament on the boat as long as she had her daily swim.

Yoongi had carved her a small fish out of a piece of driftwood he fished out of the sea.

Joon had spent a lot of time with her finding out things she enjoyed eating and how she would handle different situations.

Hoseok had become a frequent addition to Joon's tests, always making sure he didn't go too far and he kept my little girl happy.

Jimin and Jungkook doted on her every chance they got. She had them both wrapped around her little finger and neither seemed to care or want it to be any other way.

I was truly sad that we would have to say goodbye but I knew it was for the best and so did the guys.

Jin avoided her and I like we carried the plague. It was made abundantly clear we were not welcome and I would not push his understanding any further.

When we docked, I quickly rushed around to grab the remainder of our stuff and, when I arrived on deck, I looked around at the guys but noticed the absence of my little girl.

"Where is she?"

"We thought she was with you?" Jimin answered confused also and my panic set in.

"Fuck," I hiss out and we all scramble around in search of her.

I make it toward Jin's room and see the door cracked open. I nervously peek inside just in case she has crawled in and freeze when I see her in Jin's arms.

"I'm so sorry for what I have done to you, little one," he says softly as she looks up at him quietly.

"A ship is no place to raise a child. Taehyung will treat you well, please keep him happy," he says giving her forehead a tender kiss.

When he gets close, Nixie wraps her little arms around his neck and rests her head against his shoulder.

He sighs in contentment and stands with her still secure in his warm embrace. "Let's get you back, little monster before they notice you're missing. This will be our last secret meeting."

I'm so dazed I don't move in time, so when he finally opens his door fully, he catches me.

"Captain Jin," I start but he simply hands me Nixie and moves past me.

I follow him up on deck and he acknowledges the others as the ramps are lowered.

"I've decided that you three shall keep your full plunder. For your loyalty and hard work. I wish you all the best in your future endeavors," he tosses a bag of coins and Jimin is quick to catch it.

"Thank you, Captain Jin," Jungkook says happily.

The guys all say goodbye to us and Nixie while Joon whispers to Jin. We four make our way down the ramp and up the dock to the shabby town to start planning where to go from here.

We make it into a run-down tavern instantly taking a seat. Jimin goes to request some ale and food for us while me and Jungkook wait with little Nixie tucked into the booth between us.

"What do we do now? Where do we go from here?" Jungkook asks as Jimin comes back, passing him a tall mug full of ale.

"I suppose we need to find a place to live before anything and then work?" I suggest.

"But who is going to hire a bunch of pirates?" Jimin questions and I frown at his statement.

This is going to be harder than I thought. My life choices will affect Nixie and I might not be able to give her the life she deserves because of the stigma I carry around with me.

"I'll hire you three," our heads jolt to the figure standing next to our table and my eyes widen in surprise.

Captain Jin is standing there nervously looking at the three of us.

"I own a home of the coast that needs a few hands to maintain its upkeep. In exchange for you promising to do the labor required, I will offer you all room and board," he says and the others look to me for an answer.

"We don't know how Nixie will grow, Captain Jin. We don't want to cause any more problems than we already have," I explain, his face softens and he offers me a sad smile.

"I owe her," he says motioning to Nixie. "My land is secluded away from town and I will be able to dock there easily, to supply food and anything else you all may need. She may grow away from prying eyes and be close to the sea."

"This might be our best bet," Jimin suggests and Jungkook quickly agrees.

"Are you sure?" I ask Jin and he agrees immediately.

"I guess it's settled," I say and the two happily down their ale before we all stand and follow Jin back out to the ship.

︵‿︵𖠳︵‿︵

"She's calling me," Nixie whispers beside me as we sit in the sand.

"Who's calling you, baby?" I ask gently already knowing the answer.

"The sea, Daddy. She keeps telling me to come home," she answers pulling her legs up to her chest.

We have been living at Jin's for the last twenty years. The guys docked here any chance they got.

Always bringing back gifts for my little girl. Clothes and toys from all over the world. They ate up any time they could get with her.

Especially Jin, who never could get past killing her mother. He doted on her and offered her everything and anything she could ever want or need.

Nixie grew to be a wonderful girl, she was as loving and caring as Jimin and as brave and adventurous as Jungkook.

True to their word, they never left us. They helped me raise her through thick and thin. We were well and truly a family and I had never been happier in my whole life.

But within the last few months, I had noticed a change in my little girl. She had become anxious and jittery, her swims lasted longer and longer and it became harder and harder for her to come back to land.

"We are your home, baby," I answer and she frowns.

"I know that but...she needs me."

"Needs you for what?" I question not fully understanding why she needs to leave.

"The sea is missing its heart, Daddy. She needs me now that I'm old enough."

"But you are my heart," I whisper as I tug her closer to me afraid to let go.

"I have to go, Daddy," she cries and holds onto me.

"I'll be here whenever you are ready to come back, baby," I whisper against the top of her head as my tears roll down my face.

"I'm scared," she mumbles and I feel two more pairs of arms engulf us.

"No need to be scared, my little water pixie," Jungkook says gently.

"We will always be here waiting for you, sweetheart," Jimin soothes as we all stay huddled together.

"Thank you all for taking care of me," she says when we finally pull apart.

"I love you," I say wiping her stray tears.

"I love you too, Daddy, I love you all so much," she says rushing to give us all one last hug before she nervously steps into the sea.

She is far out, and I can barely see her, but I don't miss her turning around to wave at us one last time before she dives back into the water, her beautiful tail coming out before she disappears from our sight.

"Be safe, my heart," I whisper out a small prayer to the sea hoping she hears my call.

︵‿︵𖠳︵‿︵

I've visited that beach every day for the last 30 years hoping to see my little girl one more time.

But she never came. The others were heartbroken not being able to say goodbye to her.

Jimin and Jungkook eventually moved on and had families of their own, but I could never bring myself to move away from Jin's home.

My body has grown weak, my bones old and my memories have started to slip. Almost all but the memory of her. My little girl of the sea, I have never forgotten her.

My feeble hands take the small row boat and I push with all my might so it can slip into the water.

I spend a few hours trying to row out to sea against the waves but, when my muscles start to ache so bad I can no longer hold the ores, I allow them to slip into the sea.

I feel the waves rock the boat as I lay along the bottom, no longer able to move. I fall asleep but wake up when I hear some splashing around me.

I quickly try and pull my frail body up and look over the boat only to see some dolphins. I frown at the sight of them wishing they were what I was looking for.

"Daddy?" I hear from behind me and turn so fast I almost tip the boat but she stops it before it can.

"Baby," I whisper not believing my eyes.

"You're so old," she says as she pulls herself up and into my boat.

"You haven't aged at all," I say.

"She keeps me young and healthy," she shrugs.

"I've missed you," she says before throwing herself at me.

"And I you," I squeeze onto her tightly.

"Daddy, you're sick?" she says concerned.

"It's almost my time," I confirm and she starts crying right away.

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."

"It's okay, you're here now," I say wiping her tears.

"Will you take me with you?" I ask and she looks shocked.

"You won't make it, Daddy."

"I know. It's okay. I want it to be this way."

"Are you sure?"

"Very. I can die happy and content now that I've finally got the greatest treasure in the world," I say.

"What's that?" she asks with a sad smile.

"My heart."

︵‿︵𖠳︵‿︵