“I wanna show ya something.”

Eduard had virtually no time to react when Christian took him by the hand and together they swam through the vast ocean. Up ahead was a famous spot amongst their kind, a graveyard for sunken ships where many treasures could be found. They had come here many times together, sometimes with friends, and had found interesting items that they had never seen before. It was strictly forbidden to go to the surface and communicate with humans so these ships were like a window to an unknown world.

“What are we doing here? We were just here yesterday,” Eduard said.

“Just trust me! You’ll see it in just a second!”

Sure enough in the distance, Eduard spotted a large wooden ship that was clearly new to the graveyard. A massive hole on the side of the ship served as the entrance. Eduard had wondered if a battle ensued on the surface as the hole was large enough for the two of them to go through together. It was not the only one on the ship as he quickly noticed multiple spots where the ship received damage. Some of the holes on top allowed some light flow through and reflected off Christian’s bright red tail. Eduard found it hard to look away from such a stunning sight and it was enough for him to ignore some of the bodies floating lifelessly around them.

But his daydream was not to last when Christian broke away and went towards a door tucked away near the corner of the ship. He used his strength to push it open and waved him over.

“Over here! Hurry!”

Eduard couldn’t imagine just what had gotten Christian so aroused over such a mediocre ship but he gasped when he was greeted to a glorious sight that was an open chest filled with coins and jewels. Two closed ones were also sitting nearby in the same room but were impossible to open.

“Oh wow...”

“Nice eh?” Christian smiled. “Never seen so much of this kind of treasure in one spot before. Maybe that’s why this ship went down. Someone else wanted the goods.”

Eduard loved the feel of the treasures against his fingers. He loved the jewels the most. The coins came in gold and silver while the jewels came in all colours of the rainbow. Eduard had learned to appreciate the sight of these things as they quickly dulled or broke apart in their environment.

“But that isn’t the reason why I brought you here.”

“It’s not?” Eduard replied in a confused tone as he looked up towards him. His eyes followed Christian swimming towards a desk and pulling one of the drawers open. Christian pulled something small out and quickly returned to him looking as if he was about to burst from all the excitement.

“I saw this inside and it was kept away from the chests. I think you’ll like it.”

Eduard took the box curiously and fidgeted with it before he figured out how to open it. His eyes went wide when he discovered the ring inside. He had seen treasures like these before, but none as beautiful as this. The ring featured a silver band while the jewel on top was dark blue. The colour reminded him of their home, the ocean itself. He was left speechless by such an astounding gift.

“I heard humans give gifts like these to the one they love the most! That’s why I found this for ya!” Christian said cheerfully. “See? It even matches yer tail! Just as I thought!”

Eduard was touched by the gesture and couldn’t stop smiling. He tackled him into a hug and Christian held onto him tightly when he pulled Eduard in for a lingering kiss. Whenever they kissed, their tails always seemed to appear intertwined with one another. But their moment together was not to last when a booming noise startled them and quickly moved apart. Though this was a popular spot for merfolk to spend time at, it wasn’t the safest. Sharks were known to roam freely around these parts and other merfolk from rival communities would come looking for a fight. They wasted no time in leaving the premises, zooming as far away from the graveyard as quick as they could. Neither of them noticed at that moment that the ring was gone, forever lost to the ocean floor.

Eduard mulled over the loss of such a precious gift but Christian was only thankful that the love of his life was still by his side. He would find another just like that. Perhaps even a better treasure. All he needed was another sunken ship.