Jay / park Jongseong

It was never supposed to become a routine.

At first, Jay told himself he'd only watch until you left.

Then he started timing his evenings around yours.

If you arrived late, he'd find himself swimming circles beneath the pier, wondering if you weren't coming. If you smiled at one of the gifts he'd left behind, he'd spend the rest of the night feeling oddly accomplished.

It was ridiculous.

He was the future king of the Eastern Sea.

He attended royal councils, trained with the palace guard, studied centuries of maritime law...

...and still found himself wondering whether you'd like a white shell or a pink one better.

The palace servants noticed.

"So..." one of them said as Jay returned carrying another pearl. "The human again?"

Jay froze.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Mhm."

"You don't."

"You've reorganized the royal shell gardens three times because she likes to draw flowers."

"...That's a coincidence."

"And you've personally scared away three sharks from her favorite pier."

"They were getting too close."

The servant sighed.

"Your Highness."

"What?"

"I think you're courting her."

Jay nearly dropped the pearl.

"...I am not."

"You bring her gifts every day."

"..."

"You watch her for hours."

"..."

"You smile whenever she smiles."

"..."

Jay buried his face in his hands.

"...Oh."

Unfortunately for him, the entire palace realized he was hopelessly in love long before he did.

The only person who hadn't noticed...

...was you, still convinced the sea simply had a strange habit of leaving treasures at your feet.