Y/N awakens groggily, rubbing her eyes to chase away any lingering sleep. She feels decently warm given the fact that she's in an underwater cave. The fishing net works surprisingly well as a blanket.

Turning her head, Y/N sees Lysanthir, curled up in the water next to the rock she is on. He looks peaceful as he sleeps. With his black eyes and sharp teeth hidden from sight, his beauty is even more striking.

The sensation of her parched throat brings Y/N out of her thoughts. She's thirsty, and her stomach aches from hunger. She has no way of knowing how long it's been since she's eaten or drank anything.

Glancing across the cavern, she spots a small cascade trickling down the rocks. She wants to head over and check if it's fresh water, but is worried Lysanthir will wake up and think she is trying to make another escape. She doesn't exactly appear trustworthy.

Better safe than sorry.

She thinks as she bends down and gently prods the sleeping merman. His black eyes flutter open, latching onto her. His gaze shakes her to her core. She doubts she'll ever be able to get used to it.

Though hopefully, I won't have to.

"Yes, my darling?"

"I'm going to see if there is fresh water over there," Y/N says softly, pointing to the waterfall.

With one deft manoeuvre of his tail, Lysanthir sits up, fully awake. This sudden movement makes her flinch, her eyes going to the sharp spines now protruding from the water.

Y/N stands, spreading her arms to balance herself as she hops from rock to rock. Reaching the waterfall, she dips her hands into the cool stream and cups them. She takes a sip, and pure, sweet water greets her dry throat. She sighs, gulping down more of it until her thirst is quenched.

Turning back to the pool, she jumps in fright. Lysanthir is perched right in front of her, somehow having managed to silently swim over.

"I'm sorry," he purrs, not sounding sorry at all, "I didn't mean to scare you."

His pointed teeth emerge as he gives her a sly smile.

Y/N raises an eyebrow. As scared as she is, she opens her mouth to say something snarky. She stops herself at the last moment, thinking better of it. Everyone knows not to play with fire.

"Could you bring me something to eat?" she asks instead, adding a please onto the end so it doesn't sound so rude.

"You see, I would be more than happy to go get you something if I could trust you," the merman says pointedly.

Y/N doesn't know how to reply to that.

"But since I evidently cannot, we will be going together," he continues.

"Where to?"

"Today, we begin the journey to my home," he states, "I will find you things to eat on the way."

Y/N didn't realise murdukann had homes. She had just assumed Lysanthir lived in this barren cavern. Admittedly, she is relieved that isn't the case. After her encounter with the goblin creatures, she's eager to leave the cave system.

"I wanted to wait for our bond to grow stronger before I brought you to my home," Lysanthir reveals, "But since you are being difficult, you leave me no choice."

No choice?

Y/N has a bad feeling about this. What awaits her at this home of his?

He rises out of the water, reaching up to take her hand in his own. She reluctantly lets him take hold of her, pulling her down into the pool.

Lysanthir holds Y/N's body flush against his, one hand at the small of her back while the other caresses her cheek. His tail lovingly brushes up against her legs, spines carefully folded away. The scales are smoother than she thought they would be, almost soft in their caress.

Y/N is frozen, thoughts racing through her mind. When she tries to pull away, an unmistakeable glint of hurt flashes in his eyes. Fearing that this hurt will turn into anger if she resists him again, she reluctantly gives into the embrace, laying her head on his chest.

She listens to his heartbeat, the steady pulsing almost human. Almost. A wolf in sheep's clothing.

Lysanthir closes his eyes in content, a quiet sigh escaping his lips. Y/N feels a light thrumming. It emanates from him, an undulating purr.

They stay this way for a while, unmoving. Finally, the murdukann breaks the silence.

"Isn't this better?" he murmurs, "You see, you belong with me."

Again with that phrase. But does he think she belongs with him, or to him? Y/N isn't fooled. She knows the answer.

~~~~~~~

They travel through the cave system. Lysanthir carries Y/N in his arms, luckily remembering to regularly rise so she can breathe.

During these pauses in the air pockets, he will occasionally leave Y/N at the surface, diving back down into the depths. Lysanthir emerges a few moments later, small bunches of underwater plants grasped in his hands. These are edible, he tells her.

Not like I have much of a choice.

She warily accepts the gifts. The slimy kelp slides down her throat, and she tries not to gag at the saltiness. The woody reeds are better, chewy but slightly sweet.

At one point, Lysanthir presents her with a fish, the helpless creature wriggling in his hand as pointed nails pierce its scales.

Strange plants she can do, but there is no way she will eat a live fish. The mere thought of it makes her stomach turn.

The merman looks disappointed at her refusal, but surprisingly doesn't press the issue.

He brings the fish up to his own mouth. His jaw opens, and sharp teeth tear into raw flesh as he devours his meal. Blood drips from his maw, trickling down his chin.

Seeing Y/N's horrified expression, he gives her a wide smile, showing off his teeth stained with red. She shudders. It's almost like he enjoys scaring her.

Considering he's a monster, he probably does.