#also her hair is fins like betta fish fins so ye

[fahbev]

More shit for my dpxdc merfolk au!

No I’m not censoring boobs. I have Opinions TM on this matter, don’t get me started. Basically: If mermen don’t get their nipples censored by unnecessary clothing, neither do mermaids.

I’m trying to have some diversity with body types in these designs, for no reason other than wanting some variety.

For Cass [Sting Ray] I can’t really decide on a body type I like for her. I’ve drawn her before with the “conventionally attractive girl body type” (bc that was my reference pic and I turned it into Cass lol) and I liked it bc she’s fine like that. But I also love her being more bulky/muscular like she is in WFA. But for this design, I am spreading my Chubby Cass Propaganda TM. Okay, she’s not that chubby, but I like the idea of her moving past her whole living-weapon thing and gaining some weight bc she’s not training 24/7 anymore. Obviously she’s still very physically fit ofc; she’s the best fighter in the world.

Steph I kept exactly how she is in canon bc she’s already perfect just the way she is. Though I am considering making her a bit more muscular.

Dick’s also pretty similar to canon, but I made him a bit slimmer. I always imagined him as more of a lean muscle kind of guy but dc loves giving all of it’s characters of the same gender the same exact body type.

Duke I made more square. He’s based on an eel so the rectangle body just made sense to me.

Jason’s just huge and Damian’s just small.

Next up is Babs. Then comes Bruce and Tim. Danny’s last bc I haven’t figured out what fish he’s gonna be yet lol. The rest of the fentons are human so I don’t really need to redesign them so much besides maybe different clothes.

FURTHER RAMBLING UNDER THE CUT bc i put a lot of thought into these

Steph is a betta fish. Ik that doesn’t make much sense bc they’re tropical (i think?) and domestic and like super aggressive and only the male ones have those pretty fins— but suspend your disbelief! She a mermaid. I’m using some real science but some of it’s just me playing with fish like dolls. ANYWAY! The reason she got fired in this au was bc her long, beautiful fins were way too fragile and Bruce stopped it bc she got hurt too easily. Nowadays she binds her fins close to her body and attaches fake ones for swimming as Spoiler. Either that or they’re not vigilantes at all in this au, I’m still deciding. I also based her hair on her Robin look.

Dick is a flying fish, bc of COURSE he’s a flying fish. What else would he be, huh? I have visions about him jumping out of the water and sailing over or onto the Fentons’ boat. The transition on his waist is supposed to mimic the nightwing symbol if you can’t tell. That’s another design element I’m trying to vary— fish to flesh transitions.

Cass is a Sting Ray. She was originally gonna be a manta ray, but when i looked it up, sting rays were the ones with the more round shape i wanted. Mantas had much bigger wings, which were absolutely not gonna fit on this paper. But sting rays are cool! They’re super friendly, some aquariums have little “petting zoos” where you can pet the sting rays! And also, yk, stinging. I’m betting the ones at the aquarium didn’t have stingers that can affect humans tho. I may have to do further sting ray research. Yes that bigass thing is attached to her back everywhere except for her neck and the base of here head (bc i love drawing hair too much). Her arms are, ofc, not attached to it. I made her a ray in the first place bc they have very good camouflage at the bottom of the ocean. I saw this picture of a ray blending in but it was ominous af. It felt perfect for her.

#dpxdc #dpxdc merfolk au #cassandra cain #dick grayson #stephanie brown #batfam #merfolk au #batgirls

[torchstelechos]

Betta fish Niki for the win!!

#Osmp #osmp niki #niki nihachu #my art is trash #mcyt #this is my first time drawing niki in any form so im sorry its a tad strange #the horns are the cat ears?? I think she has?? on her mc skin?? #also her hair is fins like betta fish fins so ye #hope yall enjoy #Why did my tag decide to go to my art is trash when i went to put just my art #for tagging purposes??? #eh im lazy im not fixing it #my art

[sunnyoldbear]

Luca Headcanons Part 3!

I can’t fucking stop please someone help me

Luca:

All seamonsters have a lot of fish qualities and different sea monsters take on different fish qualities, even within a family.

While Luca isn’t as equipped to handle the deep as his uncle is, his father does have some traits that would help him out. Luca doesn’t know this, but he can survive deeper pressure than most others can. Like, significantly deeper, but not to the point of the Deep. He’s have to get accustomed to it and he might not have even survived.

His species can also echolocate! He also doesn’t know he can do this even though it’s from his mom’s side. He just thinks he clicks and squeaks when he’s happy, he doesn’t know he can also echolocate. Since, again, he hasn’t been to the Deep, the ability is very diluted and he can’t locate things very far but… he can, if he tries hard enough. He won’t, though, cause he just thinks his clicks and squeaks are just that.

He loses his shit when he finds out about dinosaurs. He loves them.

If you even mention a museum he will practically beg to go and he will be in there from opening to closing and still come back for more. He takes in every bit of information he possibly can

He doesn’t flip people off, he just sticks his tongue out

Cloud watches! He thinks it’s cute :)

Is cold blooded. They found this out when he passed out in the middle of class one day during the winter. Winter months are very hard for him at school because of it, so he treasures the break and stays under a bunch of warm blankets.

Talks with his hands a lot

One day when he was swimming to the surface after seeing his family, a fisherman who wasn’t too approving of sea monsters tossed their harpoon at him. It grazed his arm and it hurt like hell, but he still tried to hide it. Of course, since he was clutching his arm and there was blood between his fingers, the Marcovaldos panicked and healed him tot he best of their ability, but Luca simply smiled, turned to Alberto, and said “look, we match now!” (If you see Alberto standing beside Luca so that their scarred arms touch since they’re on opposite arms, no you didn’t)

He finds out about bubble wands and thinks they’re the coolest thing!

Avoids every kid named “Bruno” at school like the plague because he doesn’t want them to think he hates them

Whenever something cool happens he instinctively turns to tell Alberto and his face drops when he doesn’t see him

Definitely the kid to accidentally say “mom” (and)or “I love you” to a teacher and then stare in horror

Grabs Alberto’s arm, wrist, or hand when they’re doing something together if he’s not grabbed first just so they don’t lose each other. It’s just instinct.

Once sobbed for an hour because he saw a dead frog in a pool

Falls asleep if his hair is played with

Still gets made fun of for smelling like fish but due to being a fish he can’t really bathe so Giulia and her mom just spray him with perfume. It makes him feel better.

Forgives Guido and Ciccio with no hesitation, will never forgive Ercole. In fact, he’s terrified of Ercole.

Technically canon, but he is the biggest mama’s boy. She learns from her mistakes and fixes her relationship with him and he becomes super close to her

Only lets those close to him call him “Bubble” like his grandma does

Loses his mind when he sees fireflies

He keeps his hair pretty short

Refuses to eat fish

Is more of a prey fish

That being said, he develops a few survival markings, such as a spot on one of his fins to look like eyes

For some reason I feel like he’d be like clownfish and be able to swim through anemone without getting zapped

Was never good at making friends. The Branzino kid often tried to befriend him but he was too scared of disappointing his parents since Daniela and Mrs. Branzino don’t get along

Wears a seashell anklet

His grandma taught him to read secretly when he was little

Never stops talking. Never.

In class, he’s always the kid raising his hand, even if he doesn’t know the answers, just because of his eagerness

Calls Alberto all the time, more than he calls his family

Carries Alberto’s drawing with him everywhere. Used to be in his pockets and then transferred to his wallet.

Is definitely more of a writer than an artist! With his vivid imagination he can write for days, and Alberto is more than happy to draw them out for him

Lets his hair grow out a bit towards the end of his final school year. The stress of school means he doesn’t quite care for his appearance

Can’t sit still. When he’s at school he’s always fiddling with something but when he’s in Portorosso he just grabs Alberto’s hand and plays with his fingers

Definitely a teacher’s pet

Gets bullied a lot. You can’t expect the world to just be okay with sea monsters overnight. A lot of the world will never accept him. There are kids that make his life a living hell at school.

As much as he loves school, he aches to be free sometimes

Gets super flustered super fast

Sits at Alberto’s side and talks about anything and everything and Alberto will sketch it

His scales are more like a duck’s water-resistant feathers. Water rolls right off.

Loves taking Nerone for walks

Definitely wears skirts and dresses in secret! He just thinks they’re neat :)

Loves romance movies but will never admit it

Literally bites his tongue to hold back from rambling. Giulia and Alberto constantly have to tell him it’s okay and he can talk all he wants, but he’s bullied so often for talking too much that he still holds back if he catches himself

Alberto:

Similar to a Betta Fish! His kind of sea monster aren’t known for bonding well and tend to fight.

When healthy, his scales are long and gorgeous just like a Betta’s! (Giulia is mesmerized by them)

You know how dolphins get high with puffer fish? It’s not just dolphins.

His teeth are a little sharper than most other sea monsters. Yes, he bares them at Ercole every time they see each other. No, he won’t stop

Definitely the “he ask for no pickles” friend

No one knows what he’s talking about half the time except for Luca, Giulia, and (sometimes) Massimo. They just kinda go with it.

Has his own words for everything. Only Luca and Giulia know what he means.

He’s actually super, duper close to Giulia, but they do fight pretty often. They’re siblings.

Likes to put his hat on Luca

Everyone thinks he’d be a bad flirt/get flustered super easily but the opposite is true! He’s a big flirt! He just knows what to say to make others fluster around him! Even if he’s not into you, if your his age or he’s trying to charm you, he’ll flirt up a storm. Living on your own from such a young age means you need to pick up survival tactics, and charm and streetsmarts were the ones he picked up.

Sometimes he faces small boats he sees just for the fun of it

He also sometimes grabs a rope or a net from Massimo’s boat when they’re fishing and just zooms to land to get them there quicker

Loves playing games with the kids when he’s on lifeguard duty, even if it can get him in trouble with his boss

You better bet he makes fun of those school uniforms. He laughs his ass off. He thinks they’re the funniest things.

If he sees or hears even a hint of danger, he is shoving his loved ones behind him and will protect them with his life.

Prefers to be barefoot

Heals surprisingly fast. Something about them fish genes.

When he’s fifteen he jokingly tells Luca he should become a teacher and then Luca’s eyes get all big and excited and Alberto regrets opening his mouth. But he still supports him every step of the way.

Whenever he hears Luca click or chirp, he calls out for him if he’s a distance away or grabs his hand since he recognizes it as echolocation before Luca does

More of a predator fish

Keeps his hair long and growing

I think he’d probably grow a mustache. Giulia hates it so much which is why he keeps it. Okay, he kept it to annoy her, but then he actually started to like it. But when Luca said he liked it, that solidified it

He’s so strong it’s kinda scary. Definitely stronger than the average fisherman, but was stronger even beforehand.

Sometimes just eats fish live and terrifies those around him

He’s super fast! Since he’s based on a tuna or swordfish, he’s pretty quick

Unlike Luca, he’s warm blooded. So when he heard Luca has to keep really warm during winters, he offers most of his clothes

His father abandoning him may seem cruel, but for his kind of sea monsters, it was what had to happen. Still, Alberto is a child and it shouldn’t happen.

Mainly a night eater

Can see further than most of his fishy friends

Good night vision too!

Was taught to read and write as a kid by his father but it’s not perfect so he asks Massimo to do it

Loves playing cards

Fins are sharper than average

Squishes Luca’s cheeks

Sword fights with Giulia except they’re sticks

Whenever Luca falls asleep on him (often), he just stays still and refuses to move

Scoops Luca up sometimes

Grabs Luca’s face and blows raspberries instead of kissing it. (Can be interpreted as platonic or romantic!! Italians kiss on cheeks as greetings)

Protectively wraps his tail around those he loves

Water clings to him a bit more since his built-for-speed scales are less water repellent

Every year he gets scared Luca won’t return

Paints the Hideout to look like Luca’s dream fish-stars after he’s told about it. The ceiling, anyway. Don’t ask how he did it, no one knows.

Changes his last name to Marcovaldo

Thinks pet fish and aquariums are hilarious and will poke fun at the fish (“haha, losers! No freedom!” “Alberto!” “What?!”)

LOVES DINOSAURS

He and Luca share a bed when Luca comes over!

The Vespa poster hangs in his room on his door

Calls Luca’s nightlights “light fish” as a nod to stars

Has Giulia and Luca’s names tattooed onto him because they’re his best friends

Tried to take Caligola and Machiavelli on walks… yeah that goes as well as you think

Giulia:

Is a fast reader

Isn’t a massive poetry fan but does have a few favorites

Also keeps a few drawings from Alberto in her folders

Also scoops Luca up randomly

Can and will bite you

Wears dresses as much as she does shorts

Ties her hair up when serious

Rubs her nose against her family’s as a sign of love. It’s just something she did as a kid, so sometimes she’ll just rub her nose against Alberto’s and he gets really confused

Is low key a little jealous of her brother and best friend being sea monsters

Is a bit of a builder! She makes a bridge from her room to the treehouse

Rarely starts fights with Alberto, but she’ll sure finish them

Half regrets teaching Alberto to swear

Though she seems pretty calm, she’s gotten into her fair share of fights at school. Mainly punches kids who bully her and/or Luca. Also sexists.

Although this is 1950/60s Italy, I imagine she’d be very accepting of homosexuality and not hide it, even if rumors of her being one start spreading and she gets hurt. She has a strong sense of justice and she doesn’t care about consequences.

She’s the only person allowed to make fun of Alberto. No one else is. She’ll quite literally attack anyone who dares.

Her parents were surprised she didn’t take after them in fishing or painting

Honestly I can see her mentoring the kids for the race every summer! Once she hits 18 and is no longer able to compete, she holds practice sessions and loves seeing the kids have fun

She definitely runs the race when she’s older. She moves to Portorosso since her marine biology career is helped by her sea monster brother and the town’s closeness to water

Teaches the boys to make sandcastles

Holds such strong resentment for Alberto’s father and Daniela. Lorenzo and Luca’s grandmother she’s fine with, but Alberto’s biological father abandoning him pisses her off more than she can put into words, and Daniela manipulating her son and sending him away makes her want to break something.

Her “santa (cheese)!” comments slowly change into “Santa (fish)!” exclamations. Like, “Santa Goby!” for example. 

Is more close to Alberto than he wants to let people know. She can read him like a book. He’s honestly her best friend. She tells him everything, they go to each other after nightmares, they share everything, all the fun cute stuff that Alberto would rather die than admit.

Still has no idea what “Silenzio Bruno” and “Piacere, girolamo trombetta” mean and at this point she’s too afraid to ask

Though she loves the Portorosso kids, she’d rather die than be a mother. Her parents understand, but secretly hope she changes her mind so they can spoil a grandbaby. 

Begs Massimo to coverup his sea monster tattoo, which he does

Also a “he ask no pickles” friend!

Is super patient with Luca and Alberto’s adaption to the human world (though she doesn’t like it when Alberto shoves his feet on her-which he loves to do because it pisses her off)

Secretly saves money up for the boys to get a Vespa

While she isn’t the best cook, her pasta meals are pretty damn good! 

Has the trophy from the Cup in her room next to a picture of the three of them on the Vespa

#Luca #luca movie #pixar luca #Luca Paguro #Alberto Scorfano #Giulia Marcovaldo #luca headcanons

[soulmate-game]

Upon further consideration. Even though it is entirely the wrong ecosystem and I know I already said that Merman!Adrien was born in the coral reefs. But. He totally looks like a betta fish. This guy is colorful and has long, beautiful fins and he totally has little neck fins that pop out when he’s angry (but just make him look even more adorable to everyone else). Like, if the mer-community cared at all about photography, he would still be an underwater model. Does everyone forget the fact that he’s one of the fastest swimmers in the School and definitely a vicious fighter when he needs to be? Yes. Yes they do.

Meanwhile, I don’t know you guys caught my little Easter egg before. But I totally want to make the Gotham Sirens all actual sirens in this AU. Because it works, and it’s funny. So here’s the rundown;

Selina Kyle: I want her based on an iridescent shark— which isn’t a shark, it’s a species of catfish. Which is... maybe partly why I chose it. Because of this, her tail is all her black, but in the right light some of her body is iridescent and shines with soft blues and purples. This isn’t bioluminescence like with a deep sea mermaid, it’s just the color of her skin shifting in the right light like glitter. I say skin, because she doesn’t have scales (iridescent sharks have no scales). So her tail is smooth and slippery. Great for escapes. Being a siren, some of her features are exaggerated even on her fish half. So, her tail fin is more flowy and feathery, almost like a beta fish’s but not nearly as long, and the edges of the tail fin are extra thin, so that they shine and are extra iridescent even in dim lighting. She doesn’t have whiskers, but she does have minor control over her hair. She can control how it floats or falls in order to evoke a certain aesthetic, and the tips of her hair do act as weak sensors. She can’t grab anything with it though, it’s kind of like if you can wiggle your ears. You can move it, but you can’t really... do much with that.

Harley Quinn: totally based off a Mandarinfish/ mandarin dragonet. She has a shorter tail than most mermaids, but it’s much wider and rounder. She has a long torso though, with a decently large, rounded dorsal fin on the middle of her spine. She is very, very colorful. You can tell she is meant to be a siren that captivates immediately, whereas Selina is more of a siren that was meant to allure with mystery. Harley is all bright blues and reds and the occasional dash of pink, supplemented by a few black spots and outlines to bring the other colors into sharper focus. She isn’t fast like Selina, but she is small and agile and very hard to grab ahold of. Her fins are very thin and delicate, but soft and incredibly flexible so they are almost impossible to grab and keep hold of. She is also scaleless like Selina, and her tail naturally produces a mucus that is enhanced by her Siren genes. Instead of being a smelly deterrent, Harley’s natural mucus is actually a quick-acting toxin that can be absorbed by the skin and induces hallucinations. She can control when she does or doesn’t produce it. She still keeps her hair up in pigtails (her hair is mostly blonde, but her fish half does color the tips of each side of her hair so she still has the split blue-and-pink look. Only natural this time). Don’t underestimate her just because she is much more compact in size than a normal siren/mer-person. She has a surprising amount of strength in her upper body to compensate for her lack of easily maneuverable tail.

Poison Ivy: I couldn’t quite decide which species I wanted most, but I knew immediately she had to be an eel mermaid. She’s still very environmentalist and all about protecting the oceans, she will straight up terrify to death anyone she catches dumping in the ocean. Litterbugs, beware. But we’re gonna go with a mix of a dragon moray eel and a snowflake moray. Her main body is dark green, but she has black-and-orange spots down her body and tail. Some look like leaves, others look like skulls. Really, it’s like an ink blot test so it mostly depends on whether or not she’s trying to intimidate the people who see her. Scared people will see skulls, people who are on her good side will usually fondly pick out leaf-patterns (Harley). And she still lives up to the nickname Poison Ivy (humans have this name to her, and she liked it) because she entire body is riddled with different toxins. Like Harley, her body can produce a toxic mucus— but Ivy’s mucus-toxin just makes the victim very drowsy and uncoordinated. Her kiss is also toxic, and is boosted by her Siren powers. Anyone she kisses, as long as she wills it, is temporarily mindlessly in love with her and will work to please her even without her having to say anything. This can be as simple as saving her from a tough situation to... more. Ivy is also the largest of the three infamous Sirens, clocking in at right about ten feet long from head to the tip of her tail, and she is the most physically strong. She suffers a bit in the mobility department purely because of how big her body is, but she is still extremely agile and quick-striking. She often hides amongst kept forests and dense seaweed because she likes plants more than people, but also because her body easily camouflages amongst the similar shapes and colors. Both a captivator and a mysterious beauty in her own right, she has skills that match both Selina and Harley in the Siren department, but it’s tempered by the fact that Ivy is the most quick to attack. Harley enjoys playing with her prey much more, Ivy just does what she needs to be able to get to the violent part. She is picky in her prey, however, in that she really prefers only preying on those who harm the ocean.

General siren information for this AU (or my take on it, anyway). Sirens do have a few common traits that solidify them as one distinct race of Mer-people even with each one usually taking on very different fish-traits. The most well known is a siren’s Charm ability, in which they can use their voice to captivate an audience and perform minor hypnosis. This can be done through both singing and regular speech, as long as their voice is in use and they are putting care into the types of tones they are using. The Charm ability becomes entirely ineffective on other mer-people once they realize that a Siren is not a normal mer-person and even if they don’t know, other mer-people are resistant to the Charm effect. It can only be as potent as social manipulation on other sea dwellers, and cannot make a mermaid or merman do something too far out of their normal character. For humans, knowing they are being Charmed allows them to slowly build up a resistance to the charm’s effect. If they build up enough resistance, then they become effectively immune unless caught off guard. A Charmed human will do almost anything the siren demands, as long as it is not drastic enough to shock the human out of the mind control (i.e telling them to kill a loved one or jump to their death knowingly).

Sirens are largely carnivores, where normal mer-people are omnivores. Some sirens (Ivy) do participate in eating humans, but it is known to be fairly unhealthy (like eating junk food) so it is now done mostly in moderation. Sirens have two sets of teeth, but unlike Deep Sea mermaids, neither set is retractable. The set that is visible is human-like, while behind those human teeth hides a set of needle-like teeth that can slightly extend further out of the gums when necessary for hunting but cannot be completely hidden. These teeth are backward’s curving, like giant snake teeth, and it is notoriously difficult to escape a Siren’s bite.

Sirens, unlike other mer-people, actually do have a need for air and cannot breathe under water. They can hold their breath for hours at a time and speak under water, much like dolphins, but they need to break the surface for air at least once or twice a day. This, of course, leads to more contact with humans.

Sirens are the only mer-people who can develop legs. This happens when they let themselves completely dry out, and if they desire to they can morph their tail into two legs. Their legs will never look human however, as their toes will be webbed and everything below their bellybutton will still be the same colors and pattern as when it is a tail, along with any scales or armor plates they might have remaining. A siren can only maintain this shape for a maximum of forty-eight hours before their skin dries out too much and they start to get dehydrated. Immediately upon contact with water over three inches deep, their legs will begin to re-morph into a tail. Splashing the skin with small amounts of water will only delay dehydration for a maximum of an extra twenty-four hours, as the body consumes water faster than it can be replaced by splashing or small amounts of rain.

That’s what I got :) hope you like it!

#maribat #ml x dc #mlb x dc #mermaid au #more mermaid!au stuff #jason todd x marinette #jasonette

[gottawriteanegoortwo]

Mermay - Dilliam - An Introduction

Happy Mermay!

William discovers that Mark’s girlfriend is hiding a secret known as ‘Damien’. He’d never guess the truth.

Word Count: 2,807 (I got a little carried away, and this wasn’t even what I intended to write!)

-

Even if William had known Mark and Celine for two years, he always felt like he was on the outside of the group.

(Aside from feeling like the third wheel as Mark and Celine had been in a steady relationship since Mark first introduced his childhood friend to his girlfriend)

Mark, Celine, and her family seemed to have a secret. Whenever they would chat, there would be mention of "Damien" in passing. But when William tried to ask for context, he was never given it. Mark and Celine would conveniently slide the topic elsewhere to avoid answering the question, while he was in no position to ask her parents. All William could gather was that Damien travelled but occasionally returned to the family home. Was he a businessman, forever on the roam? Was he a soldier like William? Was he family or a friend? After several years of being left in the dark, he had accepted that he'd never learn the truth.

In January, he had been sent overseas with the military as part of a peacekeeping mission. Even if there were opportunities for video calls, the three decided to write letters to give William something to do while on duty and to make the time go by a little faster. The young Colonel realised something interesting - by Celine's fourth letter, she had mentioned Damien. He guessed that the vagabond must have returned while the soldier was overseas. He noted in his next letter that he was surprised Celine willingly mentioned this mysterious figure (William? Bitter? Of course not!). As though adding to the mystery, the letter he received in reply was a curious one:

"I'm sorry I couldn't explain it before. Damien is my brother, but he's very shy. He doesn't like others knowing about him without being told first. I have told him about you and he's rather interested in what you're doing."

William was FLOORED. He'd known Celine for two FULL years and there had never been mention of a sibling?? He didn't remember a family photo with unfamiliar faces. Deciding it was a better argument to have when he was home, he instead crammed two letters into the one envelope - one for Celine, one for Damien. If the brother was secretive, it might be best to prove that William was a trustworthy friend. Friendly, short letters would be a good way to start.

--

For the next two months, the letters became a great distraction from his duties. Mark was asking William for advice on how to propose. Celine was updating William on the house she and Mark had bought, including sending photos of the ocean just at their doorstep. Damien, while proving that he was a secretive individual, wrote short letters about himself. The mysterious brother kept to himself, and it got William wondering about how shy Damien was. It was endearing, in a way. William accepted that he was wrong to take the news so harshly at first. Celine was merely doing right by her brother. 

It wasn't long after William sent his letters in response that his squad was ambushed. The attackers were defeated, but not without William having his leg broken in the process, among other things. He was sent to a local hospital before it was decided that getting him home would be more beneficial. Any letters that arrived at the base for William were instead returned to sender, as the soldier was being transferred too frequently while being treated to determine where he would be at a given moment.

-

It was June by the time William arrived home. Not even a medical boot and a crutch could dampen his spirits. Mark's hug of relief nearly knocked them both down, but Celine joining the hug successfully toppled them over William's rucksack as they erupted into laughs. The couple gave William the grand tour of their new home. It was as charming and elegant as Mark would like, while secluded from frequent public activity as Celine desired. Not only that, the house was near a cliff edge, which allowed a beautiful view of the ocean. William took in this view as he sat in the living room with a glass of water.

"Will?" Celine's voice stirred him from his daze. "I know you've done a lot of walking to get here and you're likely tired but… Would you like to meet Damien today?"

"Would I like to what?" William repeated blankly, a dumbfounded expression on his face.

"Your idea of sending him letters worked a treat. He asked me every day if there was a new letter for him. He's very curious about you."

"From what you told me, I thought he would have been gone by now." William's observation had Celine shaking her head.

"He waited to see you. I think learning about your injuries worried him." Celine's gaze lifted briefly to the water before she added, "He'll understand if he needs to wait until tomorrow -"

"No, no. I'll admit I've been curious to meet him as well. All this time you've had a brother and no one could tell me. What time will he arrive?"

"Actually, he's already here. Come on. I'll show you. There's one more part of the house you haven't seen."

-

William was fully expecting there to be a secret basement. Instead, he was led out to the back garden. It was small and neat, complete with a small wall to give some semblance of shelter. It looked like it belonged to a farmland cottage, especially given the gate at the bottom. Celine unlocked it and went first. William could see a path that led down to the ocean. The steps were man-made and weren't too steep. It would be a slow walk down but he could manage it in the medical boot.

"Damien is my twin brother," Celine began as she guided William down the steps, "and nearly everyone who knows my family doesn't know he exists. You and Mark are the only one of my friends who know and, well, you'll understand soon."

At the bottom of the steps was a seating area protected by some large rocks that created a safe area to swim in without worry of sudden tides whisking you out to sea. William hobbled over to one of the large rocks so he could sit down, gather his energy and curse the boot. Celine followed, climbing onto a neighbouring large rock.

"Damien? Are you here? I have my friend William, the Colonel!"

Ripples began to spread through the still water. William watched with wide-eyed curiosity when he caught movement below the surface. He had been watching the water while coming down the stairs, and there weren't any items or clothing strewn about. Before he could ask Celine, a head popped out of the water in front of him.

It was a man, or what looked like one. His smooth skin was as white as porcelain and shimmered in the sunlight. There were tiny bubble-like markings that William swore looked like scales. His hair was as dark as Celine's, but with a blue tint with the right light. It appeared to hold its shape by being stylised into smaller 'chunks' to form larger strands of hair. The ears were finned and had a pale blue along the edges. His face, despite not looking fully human, reminded William of both Celine and her father. The eyes were a different shape to the rest of the family - presumably more rounded and large to help with hunting - but the 'nose' and mouth were a perfect match. Even the eye colour was the same as Celine's.

"Damien, I take it?" William thought it absurd, but his hunch to ask immediately proved to be a good thing. The head ducked back under the water. Celine gave a knowing smirk and stepped back. In a flash, a large blur pounced for the rocks and climbed up with surprising agility, revealing what was actually a merman in full display. From head to tail, the skin kept that white tone, unlike what William would have seen in movies. There were fin-like protrusions emerging from his collar bones and his upper arms, which went from that pale blue on the edges to a dark purple at the base, almost like a sunset. This coloration was also on the frills that went down his stomach and on either side of his tail, before all three trailed off at differing points to allow the splendour of the large tail tip. William did remember Celine having posters of betta fish in her room when they met, was this why?

"The Colonel, yes? Oh, it's such a pleasure to meet you! Celine has told me so much about you! I'm so sorry I wasn't able to meet you sooner." Damien had snatched up William's left hand with both his webbed ones and shook eagerly, until he caught himself and quickly pulled back. "I'm so sorry. It's not often I get to meet new people." As quickly as he had sprung forward, Damien pulled back as his sister sat down beside him, ears flattened in embarrassment. The twins had such a likeness once the obvious differences were put aside.

"Don't apologise. I've been looking forward to meeting you too. I can't believe no one told me before I left. I'm offended!" William put a hand on his chest and dramatically sighed, only to erupt into cackles when Celine reached over and slapped his arm.

-

The three sat on the rocks for the afternoon. Celine and Damien took the time to explain to William about their genetics. Their father's grandfather was a merman who had decided to leave the life of the water behind and marry their great-grandmother. The merfolk genes became a passive trait. Their descendants had natural aquatic talents but all were completely human. Their mother, however, had magic in her bloodline, and this strengthened the recessive merfolk gene. When she was expecting twins, one was a regular human pregnancy, while the other was cocooned in water. In that regard, Damien was a miracle that he survived and had a healthy childhood...

"- but it meant no one outside a small circle knew I existed," Damien sighed. "Celine was able to go to school, make friends, while I was taught by our grandparents, as well as Celine who showed me what she learned in school. Because I'm not human-passing like movies show, I couldn't use a wheelchair and a blanket like I wanted." Not only that, there wasn't a large community of mythical creatures that they knew of. "But don't take this to be me lamenting my fate. I've had a wonderful life and have made connections with many merfolk communities around the world who welcomed me in while I am studying."

"Studying?" William looked confused, but Celine took the moment to wrap her arm around Damien's shoulder.

"You are looking at one of the top merfolk experts on culture and tradition, as well as a general fish expert. Speaking of," she patted Damien on the shoulder as she rose to her feet, "I should go back up and help Mark. We're having dinner down here." With that, she hopped off the rocks and began the ascent back up the house. Damien and William watched her go, before the soldier turned back around.

"So, an expert, eh? I happen to be rather unintelligent compared to your sister and Mark, so I'm afraid you'll have to tell me everything." He rested his elbow on his good leg, and propped his chin on his hand as he grinned at the merman. Damien's eyes darted aside and his ears flattened in embarrassment.

"Well, I wouldn't call myself an 'expert'," Damien admitted quietly, "but actually… I'd rather hear about you. I really enjoyed receiving your letters while you were away. Is that why you wear those clothes?" 

"Oh these?" Whoops. William had forgotten to change when he arrived. He barely had a moment to drop his bags to the guest room. "This is my military uniform. It's commonplace to wear it when you're on duty, even if you're simply being sent home. It's not the normal battle uniform, not anymore. That's just regular camouflage. This is an everyday uniform that shows off any badges you have earned and -" William stopped as he felt his hat being plucked off his head. He hadn't noticed Damien crawl over until it was too late. Instead of snatching it back, he ruffled his hair so that it lost the 'hat hair' look.

"How can you wear this? I've never seen anything like it!" Damien, after a brief examination, decided to try it on. The strange shape of the hat meant that it kept falling forward on him, no matter what he did to try and keep it in place. Instead of helping, William simply laughed at the merman's misfortune.

-

When William eventually agreed to help Damien wear the hat in a way that wouldn't fall off, he began to share stories of his early days in the army. Damien was enthralled, asking questions in a bid to learn more. It was no wonder that both were startled by the arrival of Mark and Celine with lanterns and all the necessities for a feast by the sea. Damien returned to the water while the humans set up, only to resurface when they were ready. His skin needed to be rehydrated for what he knew would be a long evening ahead.

Food, drink and merriment were had that night. Damien had hoisted himself onto the bench so he could fully join in. William honestly couldn't remember the last time he'd had such a good night in the company of his dear friends. Perhaps not having to worry about a secret made it a lot easier to converse. For the first time in a long time, William didn't feel like an outsider amongst his own friends; but he didn't dwell on it much. Instead, he gave witty commentary during Mark's dramatic retelling of events the pair went through as youths.

At some point, Celine had fetched blankets from a sturdy, weathered box hidden amongst the box and wrapped one around herself and Damien. The twins nestled together as time passed, and Damien was content to enjoy being in the company of Celine and all her closest friends at last. 

The low flickering of the lanterns was the cue for the humans to return indoors. With William staying for a few days, Damien was content to let them go without feeling too sorry for himself. There would be plenty of time to chat. He sat on the rocks as he watched Mark help William back up the steps. Even from a distance, he could hear William barking something about how "this means nothing and I'm still stronger than you" and "I swear to God I'll push you down the stairs if you keep laughing at me Mark". 

"He's a good man, that Colonel." Damien jumped when Celine spoke. When did she move to sit beside him?! "When Mark introduced me, I was worried that his loud voice and brashness meant bad things, but he's been such a good, loyal friend over the last few years. I hope that he wasn't too 'much' for you today."

"N-no, no. I… he's exactly like you said he'd be." His eyes were on the two men as they disappeared out of view. "He's not angry that he didn't know about me, is he?"

"Nah." Celine leaned back, enjoying the light sea breeze. "He knew we were hiding something. I think he's happy to know he can be trusted. And he'll be stuck here for at least a day or two while Mark and I are working thanks to that broken foot. I'd bet he'll make it his mission to come down here alone just to show he can."

"I'd like that. He has a lot of stories to tell… Would it be weird if I ask him to keep talking?"

"Not as weird as it is that you've caught some sort of feelings for him. Did you get bitten by a love-bug, brother dearest?"

"Shut up, darling sister," Damien quickly nudged her, only to receive a counter-shove in response. "Just… don't tell him, alright? I know better than to interrupt a human marriage like that." He'd content himself with the company of the man who had captured his attention from the first letter. Celine slid off the rock and stretched. She glanced over her shoulder with a knowing smirk, gesturing to her left hand, which Damien knew was the hand with her engagement ring.

"His ring is on the other hand, Damien. It's a birthday present from his father. Goodnight, brother~" And off she went, gleefully ignoring her brother's confused questions.

"What do you mean he doesn't have a partner??"

#mermay #dilliam #mayor damien #wkm the colonel #writersofmark #(disclaimer: it's one in the morning. My friend is yelling at me to go to bed) #(but I refuse! This needs to be posted first!) #(so ignore any possible errors. It's super late) #(but now I sleep goodnight)

[blankdblank]

Fin Pt 5

Pt 1  - Pt 2 - Pt 3 - Pt 4

Tags –

@himoverflowers, @theincaprincess, @aspiringtranslator, @sweeticedtea, @ggbbhehe4455, @thegreyberet, @patanghill17, @jesgisborne, @curvestrology, @alishlieb, @jogregor, @armitageadoration, @fizzyxcustard, @here2have-fun, @abiwim, @jotink78, @c-s-stars, @evyiione, @sweetlytenacious25, @evyiione, @deepestfirefun, @thequeenoferebor, @cd1242,  middle-earth-sindaelf

 …

Across your back a set of lilac ribbons settled for a moment before twisting around your sides as you turned for yet another swirling motion across from Tauriel who was standing in as your partner in Thorin’s absence. Your day had started with an eager squid that gently swayed above you between taps on the Prince’s nose stirring him from sleep and you along with him. Over the soft melody playing on the wind up music box along the wall you listened to Prince Legolas in his latest spin around you both taking the place of your passing partner for turns when you and Tauriel would split. In a slightly bored tone he continued his repetition of the proper etiquette and traditions for the upcoming welcoming feast for the long lost Princess they had found.

With a sigh you accepted his hand and teetered a bit through your nest twist under his raised arm Tauriel helped steady you through, “Is a party really necessary?”

Legolas couldn’t help but smirk watching you lower your hand to flick the long strips of ribbons hanging from the braided ribbons forming your halter top at Tauriel’s suggestion of aiding you in trying their traditional tops. It was far more comfortable and supportive than you had assumed at first with how they were knotted into place down the top half of your back leaving your midriff bare. After a chuckle he replied, “Ada is insisting we celebrate.”

“Can’t he find another reason to throw a party?”

Legolas’ smile grew as he replied, “He would, I’m certain, should you mention you were uncomfortable with being the center of attention.”

Teetering between them you tried to make the elegant S path to accept Tauriel’s hold again for your swish backwards then together again earning an awkward giggle from you at your bump against her chest making her giggle in return. “Sorry, again.”

Her smile grew, “You are getting better.”

You nodded as you three spun and twisted together while you sarcastically replied, “Oh yes, leaps and bounds. My long lost adopted family will be proudly watching me slam into the chest and sides of my partners for the night.”

Legolas chuckled again, adding playfully, “Well, Dwarvish dances at least would fit better with that.” Your eyes met his and he chuckled, “There’s a few with bumping involved.” Making you giggle again.

Tauriel replied, “Leaps and bounds Princess. You’ve had a tail for barely a week now, it takes our young at least two years to master theirs completely.”

“Oddly comforting somehow.”

In the doorway the velvety voice of the King sounded as you led the next S motion again only to swivel and catch yourself by grabbing Legolas’ shoulder making him chuckle when he helped you from falling over into Tauriel in your turn to face the King. “Impressive. You’ve made great strides already.”

Playfully you quipped back, “You are a terrible liar.”

With a playful glare he swam closer to you saying, “Lord Elrond and Lord Celeborn will be here by dinner.”

“Will it be the malta worms or the kelp wraps?”

He chuckled lowly accepting your hand to guide you in a spin of his own taking Tauriel’s place as he quickened your pace adoring the flaying ribbons and long braid joining your sheer fins swaying and settling around your softly glowing form and shimmering white and lilac scales. “They are bringing some of their prized salmon for us, and we are preparing the opening mackerel courses. I did think of trying for lobster, but they wader too far for us to search enough out in time.” His eyes scanned over your face after steadying you again once you’d accepted Legolas’ hand after he S formation, “What is that look for?”

“I um, I’m actually allergic to lobster.”

In a pause he turned his head to you, wetting his lips as the thought had completely slipped his mind about Land Elves having weaknesses to certain foods. “What else are you allergic to?”

“Oysters, clams, and certain types of snails.”

Tauriel, “Snails?”

“Um, they’re kind of like land oysters. They live in shells and slowly work their way around looking for food.”

Legolas, “Do they make pearls as well?”

“No. But their shells are beautiful inside.”

Thranduil, “I will ensure my cooks know those allergies.” Taking hold of your waist again his hand settled a bit firmer on your side locking his eyes with yours, “Are you nervous?”

“Honestly?” He nodded, “I’m more nervous about making a fool of myself in front of all your guests through the dancing. I don’t know Lord Elrond and, we’re not actually related my what you’ve told me. I don’t expect much past a friendly hello and a few questions.”

Legolas chuckled as he quickly spun in front of you accepting your hands for the hold to guide you through your motions with him, “You will be pleasantly surprised then at Lady Celebrian giddily clinging to you as her new baby Sister.”

Scoffing at his reply you turned to the King who grinned playfully stealing an extra brush of his tail against yours silently loving the tingling it caused through his body while his palms smoothed against yours. Tauriel turned eyeing the messenger arriving to claim the message as the King stated, “Blood or not, you are our kin and they will enjoy every chance to get to know you better.”

“So, what do they look like then?”

Thanduil smirked replying, “Elrond has dark hair, blue eyes. His Twin Sons and Daughter have the same while Lady Celebrian has white hair and silvery blue eyes after her Father.”

You nodded, “Are their tails like ours?”

“Celeborn, Celebrian have beta tails, and two of Elrond’s Children have tails similar to their Mother’s in varying shades while Elrond and his Eldest Son have Seahorse tails.”

Your body froze and your eyes locked on his causing him to stare at you blankly until you repeated, “Seahorse tails?”

He nodded, “Yes.”

“So, so does that mean he carried the Children, or does it not work like that with Elves?”

Thranduil couldn’t help but smile guiding you through the next dance, “He carried them.”

“So, how does that work with two different kinds of, excuse the term, fish halves?”

He chuckled lowly and wet his lips, “Betta females tend to have difficult pregnancies so they pair with Seahorse males often. There’s a, liquid, the female lets out that is absorbed by the male in the opening above his-,”

“Penis?” Thranduil couldn’t help his smirk as he inhaled trying to reign in his reaction, “You can also say secretion, I am a scientist. The terms don’t frighten me.”

He nodded shallowly, “Then the males carry them and eventually birth them.”

“Is it strange?” His brows rose, “My asking about the makeup of everyone?”

He chuckled lowly as Legolas answered, “Nope. In fact we all love the chance to help you learn more about our kin.”

Thranduil added after spotting Thorin in the doorway, “I am certain even the Durins would be grateful to be your subjects as well.”

Thorin playfully rumbled nearing you, “Subjects?”

With a giggle you accepted Thorin’s hold for his claiming your third partner’s place in the dance, saying, “Lord Elrond has a Seahorse tail.”

Thorin couldn’t help but smile at your ecstatic growing smile, “I am certain he will be thrilled to help you learn about his line, just as Master Baggins and his have been.”

You nodded, “Everything go alright?”

Thorin nodded, “Yes, Adad called a formal announcement for Dis’ third pregnancy.” His smile grew, “And yes, I did ask if she would be willing to guide you through it to sate your curiosity on it. Plus, my Cousin Gloin and his Wife Gorgo are expecting in a matter of weeks. Once your stay here is done they have gladly invited you to the birth of their Son.”

In a nip at your lip your hands left his hands to rest on his shoulders to lift up claiming a kiss on his cheek making him chuckle before you turned to join Legolas in his turn while he said, “Thror must be thrilled, two new heirs and an incoming Granddaughter in law.”

Thorin nodded, “He is. Whole clan is. Amad is also taken to embroidering our cushions for our beds.”

Thranduil glanced at you both, “Your clan is enforcing the boundaries of halls between fiance’s?”

Thorin smirked, “No, My Nephews and Dwalin are insisting on having them after sharing Jaqi’s bed in our shifting days.”

…

On the other side of the large front gates you shook your tail fins to settle properly, your hand curled around Thorin’s elbow to steady yourself through it before your eyes rose to the opening gates. The tall dark haired Lord led the way with his deep green curled tail similar to his eldest Son’s while his Daughter and Son’s were long silver shimmering scales with pale green flowing fins wrapped around nearly their entire tails matching the same billowing tail on their Mother. Her’s however being a silver and Pink mixture taking after her Father’s Maroon and black tail with fins fanning out on either side of his tail with a frill down the back of his tail striped in red and black. Before any words could be said you wet your lips at Celbrian’s approach readying to think of something to say only to have her crash into your chest pulling you into a tight hug earning a nervous giggle from you.

Pt 6

#Thorin x Reader OC x Thranduil #Hobbit #lotr

[shy-violet-soul]

Overrated

Title: Overrated Pairing: AU: Merman-Castiel x OFC Binda, Dean & Sam Prompt: merpup Summary: In her world filled with annoying, overbearing boys, Binda just wants something of her own she doesn’t have to share.  Will a kind, quiet merman have the answer? Warnings:  Salt-water fluff.  A couple of curse words. Word count: 2,200-ish

A/N:  I’m so tickled to take part in my first writing challenge!  Thank you to @siren-kitten-his for hosting “Kitten’s Mermaid Challenge”.  This is also my first AU, so I hope I did the characters proud.  A big thank you to @thesassywallflower for being my beta on this one.

Binda - “deep water” (Aboriginal Australia)

This is a work of fiction based upon characters created by CW.  The character “Binda” is my own creation.  Please do not repost without my permission.

(photo: Robert Harding, Getty Images)

With one final grunt of effort, Binda flopped onto her belly and sighed in contentment.  Creating the perfect resting spot took more fussing than a mama sea turtle digging a nest for her eggs, but it was worth it!  The gentle hill of sand she had studiously constructed curved her spine into a gentle arch as she pillowed her face on her crossed arms.  Sheltered here from the currents, Binda smiled as she felt herself sink into a welcome nap.

It was damn hard to get any peace with those two around.

“Bee!”

Damnit.

“Maybe she’s not here, Dean.”

“Nah, Cas said he followed her here.”

DAMNIT!  Binda growled as their voices echoed above her.  She should have known those dumb gobies wouldn’t leave her be.  She also should have known that nosy codfish was going to tail her.

“C’mon, Bee, come out, come out, wherever you are!”

Maybe if she just kept quiet, they’d go away...a clam dropped onto her head and frantically skittered away.

“Ow!” she squawked, flopping upright and glaring upwards as she rubbed the sore spot.  

“Hiya, princess!”  Bright green eyes glinted down at her above Dean’s trademark smirk.  Sam drifted into view, his gaze apologetic, as both brothers blocked out the sunlight drifting into her precious coral cave.  Luckily, her gargantuan brothers were too big to fit through the opening.

“I tried to stop him, Binda.”

“Obviously not hard enough,” she grumbled as she plunked herself back onto the sand.  The poor terrorized clam was struggling to bury itself, and Binda crooned to it soothingly as she sluiced a handful of sand on top of it.  

“Aw, don’t be like that, Bumblebee.”

The childhood nickname grated on her already raw nerves.  “It’s ‘Binda’, Dean.  Go away.”

A chunk of dead coral thunked on her head next, getting tangled in her gypsum-white hair.  Days of being pestered, bedeviled, and hounded suddenly burned like sand in a fresh coral scrape.  Binda snarled, a snap of her tail shooting her straight to the cave’s mouth.  The groans from both her brothers as her skull slammed into their noses was worth the sudden headache.

“What. Do. You. WANT?” she roared into their faces.

“Great Whites, Binda, what the hell?” Dean groused, rubbing between his eyes gingerly.

“I didn’t even do anything this time,” her taller brother whined from behind his hands.  

“Sorry, Sam,” she huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.  “Seriously, just leave me alone, guys!  What’s a girl gotta do to get some peace and quiet?”

“Calm your clam shells, toots.  Geez,  Binda, are you heading into your egg-laying season?”  

Red.  She literally saw red.  Dean literally never saw her right hook coming.

“Son of a bitch!” Blood ribboned into the water from Dean’s nose as Binda turned to glare at Sam.

“Don’t look at me! Chasing you was his idea!” Sam yelped, his gold-striped grouper tail scrambling him backwards.

Binda ignored him, stabbing one slim pointer finger towards her brothers.  “You two listen to me!  If you follow me, I will harpoon you in the Amazon in the middle of a piranha colony!”  Infuriated beyond belief, Binda spun and waved her powerful tail, surging away from them.  “And don’t think I won’t do it!”

Weaving amid flurries of fish, Binda ignored Sam’s shout as she swam away.  It’s not that she didn’t love her big brothers; she did, truly.  With their mother gone and their father always away, they’d practically raised her.  From the first toddling flip of her dorsal fin, her brothers had been there for her through it all.  No mermaid in all the seven seas ever had better brothers.

They were always there for her.  Really.  Always frickin’ there.  

If it wasn’t Dean needling her to go treasure hunting, Sam had his latest scroll he just couldn’t wait to share.  They were there in the mornings, eating her favorite North Pacific krill.  They were there to swim her home after her lessons, glaring off any cute mermen she even blinked at.  They were there in the evenings, arguing over which lagoon to hit for dinner.  As much as she loved them, Binda felt like she couldn’t breathe sometimes with how always...there...Sam and Dean were.

Distracted by her thoughts and frustrations, Binda didn’t check the corner before banking around a coral outcropping and plowed headfirst into something.

Someone, actually.

The someone in question flailed backwards at the force of their collision, straight into a swarm of visiting electric eels.  The alarmed critters sputtered and thrashed, snapping great sparks into the unsuspecting soul thrust into their midst.  Binda shrieked, darting forward and grasping a wrist to yank him out of the spitting, arcing tangle.  The merman collided heavily into her, his face smashing into the curve of her neck and shoulder.  Hissing with displeasure, the eels hurried on their way.

Gasping to catch a breath, Binda leaned back just as the mystery merman did.  She found herself snared by a pair of astonishingly blue eyes.

“Castiel?” she asked dazedly.  The merman straightened and moved away, rotating his shoulders a bit stiffly.

“That was unpleasant,” he rumbled in that deep voice.  

“Oh, my gosh, Cas!  Are you okay?”  Binda’s gaze flitted over him, searching for injuries.  

“I’ve sustained no permanent damage.”

“What are you even doing here?” she quizzed the merman, her brows twitching with confusion.

“I, uh -” the dark-haired mer glanced downwards, rubbing the back of his neck a bit sheepishly.  “I followed you.”

Binda’s eyes popped open at the remark.  “You followed me?”  Exasperated anew, Binda flung her arms up.  “Of course you did!  Everyone follows me!”

Cas cocked his head to the side, squinting at her.  “I do not think everyone follows you, Binda.  There are many species in our cove who aren’t…” His voice dwindled off when the mermaid levelled a hard glare in his direction.  “Nevermind.”

“Oh!  What is it with you mermen?!  Can’t you leave me alone for even a second?” Frustration rolled off the maid in waves, and Cas couldn’t help but stare.  The current washed around them just so, billowing her white, waist-length locks around her in tantalizing tendrils.  Her gorgeous tail, the bright gold and orange of a fan goldfish, gleamed about her in delicate, flowing fronds.  It reminded him of the fancy dress adorning a human woman he’d seen on a distant shore long ago.  Her green eyes, different from her oldest brother’s, shone brighter than any anemone, like a gem he’d spied in a wreckage.  Practical soldier though he was, Cas was convinced Binda’s smiling gaze could soften the hardest of hearts.

That gaze wasn’t smiling at him now.  

“I’m sorry, Binda.”

“No, you’re not!”  She advanced at him, wagging a finger under his nose.  “If you were sorry, you wouldn’t have told those two yahoo brothers of mine where I was!  For carp’s sake, Castiel!  You three are gonna be the death of me!”  Her ire growing with each moment, Binda began swimming a line in front of Cas, arms gesticulating wildly.  “When I wake up, there they are!  When I go out, there you are!  I can’t even go browsing for new top shells alone!  Can’t I, just once, have a moment to myself?  Have something that’s only mine that I don’t have to share?”

“I just...”

“What, Castiel?  Just - what?”

“I just....want to make sure you’re safe.”  With those words, all the ire drained out of her like air out of a puffer fish.  This amazing, strong, handsome merman wanted to make sure she was safe.  Binda would be lying if she said her heart didn’t flutter about the serious Castiel.  While the other mermaids fawned over Dean’s vivid green and black cichild scales, or Sam’s bright gold stripes, Castiel’s midnight blue and black betta tail had always caught her eye.  Different from any other mer, Cas possessed an extra set of fins separate from his tail.  Thin, nearly translucent, the two long slender fins hung from his shoulders like wings.  Chest muscles she’d blushingly admired bore an intricate tracery of gold in some ancient script - Enochian, Binda had heard Sam call it once.

Yes, Castiel was altogether quite the catch, pardon the phrase.  But it was his quiet, gentle presence Binda most enjoyed.  He often joined her as she tended the Pearl Reef, sometimes sitting with her as she rested in the quiet away from the busy-ness of cove life.  He’d point out some bright flag of seaweed that made a picturesque splash against the rocks, or tell her about the seahorse hatchlings he’d seen the day before.  Binda had always hoped she might catch affection in his gaze one day..

But his gaze held only duty, just like always.

Binda’s shoulders sagged at the thought.  It wasn’t Cas’ fault, really.  Her father or her brothers had probably told him to keep an eye on her.  Trying for nonchalant and failing, Binda drug up a half-assed smile for the merman.

“It’s alright, Castiel.  I’m sorry for yelling.  I think I’ll head on home now.  I’ll see you later.”  With a wave of her side fins in farewell, Binda took herself off for the family caves.  

Castiel sighed, brow creased in frustration as he watched her go.  This wooing was much more difficult than he anticipated.  He didn’t dare ask Sam or Dean for advice.  He needed help from someone who wouldn’t laugh at him.  And he knew just the one!

In a flurry of blue-black fins, Castiel took off for the friendliest corner of the cove.

Curled up under a large network of seaweed fronds, Binda lay quietly, staring up at the surface.  The sun above shimmered like hammered silver in fleeting glimpses between the leaves.  She huffed a sigh as she rolled to her side, twitching when something tickled her.  One, then two, then five little pink seahorses poked their wee heads up above her fins.  Binda smiled as she held out her hand to let them weave between her fingers playfully.  

The boys had mercifully left her alone, and Binda had it in her heart to feel bad.  Almost.  At least for making Dean bleed. Although, she wasn’t going to waste the peace and quiet gifted to her.  And if her smile looked a bit mopey - well, her peace and quiet were the only ones there to see.

“Shhh!”  The muffled sound barely caught her attention, but it did that of the seahorses.  The little creatures bobbed forward curiously, and Binda waved herself upright.  

“Hello?” she called out.

“Uhhh…” Binda would know that confusion anywhere.

“Castiel?”  She swam a bit higher to see over the seaweed; the merman seemed to be hunched weirdly backwards, like his anal fin was caught in his wings or something.  “Are you alright?”

“I - I consulted Garth about my quandary,” he spouted out, his cheeks a bit flushed with...what?

“Oh.  What quandary?  Can I help?” Binda asked, her eyes tinged with concern as she swam nearer.  

“No.  Yes.  I - I -” The poor mer couldn’t seem to make up his mind; the expression on his face looked like he might spontaneously combust.  Was he ill?  He suddenly lurched, his features contorting in discomfort.

“Cas, did those eels hurt you?  Let me see!”  Binda demanded, approaching him determinedly.

“No!  Uh - this is for you!”  The poor soul looked almost green as he thrust something into her arms.  Binda’s arms instinctively closed around it, and the mass came alive as it wriggled and whined and…licked?

The merpup was all white, fur soft as the sand from a place called Puerto Rico her father once visited.  His gleaming scales were iridescent green, showing hints of blue and purple in the light.  And the black eyes that looked up at her had her falling in love in a heartbeat.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, cuddling the little pup under her chin.  Her happy laughter splashed out when sweet puppy kisses found her jaw and cheek.  “Oh, Castiel, thank you!”

“Please accept this canine as a token of my affection for you.”  Castiel thought he spoke out loud but he wasn’t sure.  His heart was pounding so hard with nerves, he honestly thought he might throw up, but Binda’s blinding smile distracted his queasiness.

At Castiel’s mumbled proclamation, Binda’s heart skipped and skipped again.  Without thinking, she wrapped an arm around those broad shoulders and smushed a happy kiss to his lips.  A spark that had nothing to do with any eels leapt between the two, painting matching flushes on both faces.  

“Th-thank you, Cas, I accept!” Binda managed to stammer out.

“That’s...reassuring to hear.”  Binda’s smile widened as Castiel’s shoulders sagged with relief.  The pup continued to whine happily, yipping as he craned his head to swipe more kisses on Binda’s face.  “I don’t know how much peace and quiet you’ll find with him”

“Peace and quiet are overrated!  What should we call him?” she cooed, reaching up to scratch the little ears.

“Garth said his name is Mr. Fizzles.  Which I find confusing because this canine emits no effervescence of any kind.”

Pure delight echoed in the chuckles Binda couldn’t hold in, and she beckoned the merman with a bob of her head as she cradled the merpup closer.

“Come on!  Let’s get him settled!”  

Snared by that blinding smile, all for him, Castiel couldn’t help but follow.  The two spent a lovely hour getting Mr. Fizzles comfortable, and Binda eagerly waited for her brothers to return home so she could show him off.  Her pup and her Castiel. 

(very sad photo editing by me of a very cute puppy)

#siren-kitten-his #mermaid challenge #castiel #castiel x ofc #castiel fanfiction #supernatural #supernatural fanfic #supernatural au #castiel au #mer!castiel

[tveit-for-me]

Dream a Little Dream of Me (HS): Chapter One

I was definitely not a morning person… especially without my usual cup of coffee. I cradled the steaming mug in my hands and rested back against the kitchen counter. The strong smell of espresso livened my senses, making the early hour more bearable. My boyfriend, Damiano, had already left for work, which left the small apartment strangely quiet. I absentmindedly found myself glancing at the microwave clock and deducing the amount of time I had left before I had to leave – forty minutes. Reluctantly, I dragged myself away from the cozy kitchen and into the shower.

As predicted, I emerged from my bedroom forty minutes later, ready for the day. Before I ran out the door, however, I made sure to grab my second cup of coffee and a couple of the leftover profiteroles that my boyfriend had brought home from his bakery last night.

The crisp morning air caused me to shiver slightly as I rushed out the door. The soft breeze pushed my hair into my face. I groaned and slid into the warm seats of the waiting Honda Civic. Once out of the breeze, I attempted to tame the curls that had been disheveled from the wind. Realizing the time, I quickly peeled away from my townhouse apartment and merged onto the busy suburban highway.

It wasn’t until I was parked outside the high school I taught at that I had let myself think about the day ahead. It was Friday (finally!), and I knew that would make my students harder to handle. My mind instantly shifted into teacher-mode as I climbed out of my car and entered the school building. The sound of my heels clicking on the linoleum was drowned out by the student’s before-school commotion as I made my way towards my classroom.

Once in my classroom, I exchanged my purse and cup of coffee for fish food. Noel and Nina, the class betta fish, shared a tank near the front of the room by the whiteboard. They greeted me by fanning out their beautiful pink and purple fins and swam to the nibble at the food I had sprinkled onto the water’s surface.

“Ms. Anderson?”

I jumped slightly at the sudden voice coming from the doorway and laughed at myself before glancing up at one of my students. “Yes, Jessica?”

“I had a couple questions about our cellular respiration project that I was hoping you would answer…”

***

My planning period was the last hour and a half block of the day. I pushed aside my notes and lesson plans, which were starting to give me a headache and rubbed my temples. I went to the teacher lounge to grab a soda from the vending machine. I pulled the Dr. Pepper from the dispenser tray at the bottom of the vending machine and twisted the cap off with a fissss.

“How’s it going, Willa?” A tall blonde entered the teacher lounge, and her red-painted lips turned up into a friendly smile.

“Hey, Jenny. I’m so ready to go home!” I laughed before taking a sip of my soda.

Jenny snorted as she made her way past me to the refrigerator, which caused us to laugh harder. “I am, too, girl!” She opened the door of the refrigerator and returned with the characteristic red and white of a Chinese food take away box. “Since we’re off Monday, the hubby and I are sending the kids to Mom’s and then away we go to the beach.”

“I’m sure you guys will have fun doing that, just don’t come back sunburned!” I raised my eyebrows at her, playfully hinting at the time she came back from a previous getaway burned head-to-toe. The image of her waddling into school, blonde hair white against her red skin, was forever engrained in my brain.

“Shut up, Willa!” She warned, attempting to be serious. We both knew that act wouldn’t last, and we both erupted into laughter. “So, do you and Damiano have any plans?” She stabbed a piece of orange chicken with her fork and popped the bite-sized piece in her mouth. Her question seemed like innocent curiosity; however, as her best friend, I knew she was trying to pry her way into my personal life.

I took another sip of my Dr. Pepper and sat on top of the small table. “Nope. Dam’s really busy with work this weekend. They’re opening up another bakery in Agoura Hills.”

“That’s really awesome, Willa!” Jenny smiled and reached over to squeeze my shoulder. “I know you’re proud of him.”

A goofy smile spread across my face, and I played with the cap of my soda bottle. “I am. He came here from Italy three years ago with twenty dollars in his pocket, and now he’s accomplished all he’d ever dreamed of.”

“Except just one thing…” Jenny trailed off, setting her container of Chinese food down on the table. I shot her an inquisitive look before she continued. “His ass needs to marry you!” she half whispered-half shouted.

I laughed and playfully smacked her hand away from me. “I don’t think that’s going to happen for a while, Jen!”

Jenny sighed and returned to her orange chicken. “Yeah? Well I’ve seen how much he adores you, and I just know it’s got to be right around the corner!”

A bit flustered, I opened my mouth to argue with her. I closed it in defeat, however, when the beep beep beep of the intercom sounded for the afternoon’s announcements. I mouthed a “have fun this weekend” to Jenny and waved goodbye and exited the teacher’s lounge. The afternoon announcements were generally for only students, so I found myself ignoring the voice of the principal as I made my way back to my classroom.

TGIF! I chanted as I gathered all of my notes and lesson plans and headed out to my car. The usual four o’clock traffic didn’t bother me as I navigated the jam-packed roads home. My students were working on a project that wasn’t due until next week, and I had miraculously managed to finish grading all my other assignments during the first half-hour of my planning period. This was the first weekend this school year that I had managed to have completely free, and to top all of that off, it was a three-day weekend as well. TGIF indeed!

Excited to finally have a weekend to myself with no work, I flew into the car park and carefully parked my Honda in its usual place outside my townhouse. Once inside, I tossed my black leather messenger bag onto the floor near the couch and slipped out of my red, peep-toe heels before making my way into the kitchen.

I was perusing the collection of fresh fruit in the large, crystal bowl on the kitchen island when I felt a pair of warm arms wrap around me. I jumped and gasped at the contact, clearly startled. My head swiveled around to glance at the person holding me from behind. The pair of striking blue eyes and raven black hair provided such a stark contrast that I had only seen on one person – my boyfriend.

It was always a blessing and a curse when Damiano came home from working at the bakery. After his shift, he would always smell of pastries, chocolate, and coffee – AKA everything I could ever crave. It was the same now. Damiano smelled heavenly.

“Jesus, Dam! You scared the shit out of me!” I laughed, relaxing against him.

He buried his face in my neck, the scruff from his unshaven face scratching me slightly. He chuckled at my words before peppering kisses from my ear down onto my shoulder. I shivered under his lips and somehow managed to pull away from him, grabbing an apple from the bowl of fruit.

“How was the bakery?” I asked around a bite of apple.

“It was pretty good.” He laughed. “Actually it was great. Massimilano dropped a hundred croquet-en-bouche in the dining room today. “He was pretty embarrassed.”

I giggled and turned around to rest against the countertop, wiping a bit of apple juice from the corner of my mouth. “I would have been mortified.”

“I know you would have.” He smiled at me, and his sky blue eyes practically twinkled. “I also know you ate all the profiteroles I brought home last night.” His thick Italian accent usually made me melt. When he was teasing like this and his eyes shone as bright as they did now, however, it made me want to jump him right now in the kitchen.

I swallowed with restraint and instead focused on what he had just said. I mustered up all the strength I had to make myself appear angry and not incredibly turned on. “I can’t help it if my boyfriend is a fucking amazing baker and brings home treats! That’s like telling a dog not to chase a cat!” I argued in an attempt to defend my dignity.

Damiano cracked a knowing smile but dropped the subject. His hand found mine, and he pulled me into his chest. “It’s Friday,” he said, voice deep and accent thick.

“Yeah,” I managed to croak out. His voiced combined with the feel of his warm arms around me and the smell of chocolate and sugar from his day at the bakery seemed to intoxicate me.

“Let me take you out for dinner?” His statement ended more like a question, promoting me to look up until my gaze was sealed with his.

I smiled and stood on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek. “Where are we going? How should I dress?”

He shot me a playful smile. “If I had my way, nothing. But I think Americans don’t like nudity, yeah? So why don’t you wear something casual.”

I slapped his arm playfully before giving him a quick kiss. “You probably need to shower. You smell like a bakery.”

He scoffed, and his expression told me that he was clearly annoyed by my statement. “What? That’s not bad. Just let me change my shirt.” He lifted his black uniform polo over his head, revealing his taut muscles and inked skin.

“Damiano,” I said sternly, causing his eyes to snap to mine once again. “You need to shower.” I threw him a flirty wink. “Who else is going to wash my hair?”

At my suggestion, he quickly changed his attitude and immediately pressed my body against the kitchen wall. Who knows if we would even make it to dinner…

Next Part --->

#harry styles #harry styles imagine #harry styles fanfiction #dream a little dream of me #one direction