Trust Is Dangerous

The siren didn't let the Elf turn around before she said, "Leaving so soon?" She felt her chance slip away when he replied, "I have to get back to town. No offense, but a swamp isn't my favored place." She said as he started to walk away, "I could guide you out of the swamp if you'd like." He didn't turn around. He just stopped. The Elf's sideways gaze came with the tiniest smirk. "Something tells me that you just want to follow me." She couldn't keep from smiling back. "And why would I want to?" He broke the eye contact and said, "I know how the curse is passed. You're hoping to catch me off guard, aren't you."

Her acting was in vain because he was no longer looking her way, but she still searched for sympathy as she looked down sorrowfully and said, "Actually… that's not it. You see, I want to go back to my home, my real home, but I need someone to protect me. Walking alone in this area is dangerous." He finally turned around and said, "Do you really think that I could protect you? I wouldn't be alive right now if you hadn't sung your lullaby." She pulled herself a little closer to the grass and twittled with a blade. "True. But we wouldn't be looking for danger. We could play it safe this time." She looked up at him with a simper, and he reacted with a sneer. 

  The Elf replied, "I would love to help you, but you can't expect me to carry you all the way there." She said casually, "You don't have to. I can just follow you." The swamp water was clouded with mud, but he could still see her tail unmerge and turn into pale, blue-tinted legs. She stood up and walked out of the water with a smile, but his look of concern darted sideways. He said without giving a second glance to her, "Not with that attire, you're not." The skirt and top were thin and ragged, and she hardly had enough. But she said, "Well, what do you expect from me? I've been living in a swamp." Keeping his gaze down, he replied while removing his vest, "Well, I expect you to be decent. And if you don't have anything better-" The Elf gestured the vest forward. "Then I can lend you this until I can find better." 

  The siren was very hesitant to take it. "Do I have to…" He didn't take the vest back. "If you want to follow me, then yes." She sighed as she took the vest. "Alright, then. But I don't plan on wearing it forever."

She almost took back her words as she buttoned it up. It felt so comfortable and well-crafted, and it smelled like charcoal and pine forest. She said, "Thank you. I'll tell you where my home is as soon as we leave the swamp." The Elf said as they started walking, "Actually, could you tell me where the nearest river is first?" 

When they reached the river, the siren sat under a tree for shade while the Elf approached the river. She was a little surprised when he unbuttoned his shirt and took it off. He knelt down by the river and attempted to wash out the blood stain. But that wasn't what surprised her. 

He didn't have great mass, but he had defined muscles. She smirked and asked, "Do you work out often?" He smirked back and replied with another question. "Why are you staring." Her gaze drifted to the side as she answered, "No reason..." She decided to brush away the awkward moment and said casually, "You wouldn't happen to have a name, would you?"

  The Elf ringed his shirt out as he answered just as casually, "I might." She rested her chin on her knees as she questioned, "So why haven't you revealed your name yet? Are you some dangerous, wanted criminal?" He raised his eyebrow a little as he shook out his shirt. "Not necessarily. You have a great imagination." The siren twittled with her hair and said, "Maybe. So do I get a name or no?" He looked at the curious siren for a while, then answered, "Name's Ren." She continued to twirl her hair as she said, "Ren, huh." He said before slipping on his green long sleeve shirt, "Yup. Don't wear it out." 

  Then Ren said, "So do I get a name as well?" She looked up, saw his gaze, and looked back down so her vague blush wouldn't redden further. "It's Pearl." He was quiet for a second. "Pearl.. a siren with a sea name… have you always been a siren?" She shook her head and said, "No." He was quiet for a moment longer, then said, "So.. you mind telling me how you became a siren? Or is that too personal?" Pearl held a longing look in her emerald eyes as she said, "It's fine- I'm sure you won't want to hear it…" He looked down as he bit his lip, then she found his hazel studying eyes as he said, "I'm sure your story has been on your heart for years, and without a soul to tell. It's not like we have a limit on time." He sat right next to her and silently promised that he wouldn't move. She couldn't say no to that look.

Pearl sighed. "It was all because of a mistake. My heart was broken, and I longed for someone that understood my pain. So when my wish came true, I didn't realize that it was too good to be true. The siren I met had listening ears and the sweetest silver tongue. Before I knew it, my lips were his, and my freedom was no longer mine. Now, I belong to the water, all because of a hasty mistake." When the river became the only thing that chattered, Ren said, "If sudden trust is so dangerous, then why would you put so much trust in me?" She smiled a little and said, "But I'm not defenseless this time. I'm not the one that can be cursed." 

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Imagine her just quietly smelling the vest and appreciating the charcoal and pine scent the entire time they're walking to the river 😌🤤

Oof she got it bad 💓🤣

But will she betray him? Or can his charm change her mind?

💕Thanks For Reading!💕

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