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koolkat9 · 3 years

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In the Deep (Ch. 5)

How Does He Know You Love Him?

In a matter of days, I was right as rain again. Although it was nice for Ludwig to come to visit me in bed, I was excited to get out of that room and back near the sea. Also, knowing I wouldn’t have to worry about Ludwig drying up was another benefit of our regular spot. I still couldn’t shake the sounds of his gasps from my mind. Unfortunately, there was more than that to worry about. Ever since that night with Ludwig in the tub, ignoring my feelings for him had become difficult and there was no more hiding of the fact that I had fallen in love.

“Have you ever been in love?” I asked Francis carefully over breakfast. Francis was the last person I wanted to be talking to about this, but it wasn’t like I knew anyone else around. Though, the sight of him almost choking on his water made it a bit more bearable.

“What has brought this on?”

“Fine…” I gulped not wanting to say what I was about to. “You were right,” I whispered.

“Quoi? I didn’t hear you.”

I groaned, burying my face into my hands. “You were right. I think I love Ludwig.”

“Ah! C’est bon,” Francis exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat. Maybe I should have just suffered in silence. Now the frog could brag and tease me to his heart's content, knowing he was right and possibly.

“Yeah, Yeah. Now about your love life. Do you have a partner?”

Francis’ smile faltered slightly, his eyes becoming somewhat sad. “Oh..oui. Two to be exact. We’re all engaged actually. Hopefully, they’ll keep their damn promise and sit down with me to plan the wedding once they get home from their fishing trip.”

“You miss them?” I asked without really thinking. It wasn’t like I cared for Francis, it was only a natural question. Seeing him sad definitely didn’t make me feel bad. Not at all.

“Yes. Very much. But that’s what it's like when you’re in love.”

I tried to push back a smile, but I still felt the corners of my mouth twitch. Who knew he could be so...sentimental...dare I say sweet. But this talk about missing people was bringing up some unpleasant feelings of my own so I figured it was best to move on. “I guess. So...How exactly did you guys end up together?”

“Oh, it's such a romantic story!”

So the first of the two he met was his childhood friend Antonio. They apparently had shared their first kiss, but didn’t actually start dating until after their schooling. Shortly after that, they moved in together as Francis had inherited the inn from his parents and Antonio had started a fishing business. While out on one of his fishing excursions, Antonio came across their other partner, Gilbert, who was shipwrecked. But there seemed to be more to it. When Francis talked about this part of the story, he seemed hesitant, almost like he had to think about what he had to say. It felt off to me, but I didn’t say anything. I just needed to see that he wasn’t just all talk when it came to love. Francis went on, explaining how Antonio and Gilbert got close during that trip and they fell in love. Antonio brought Gilbert home to introduce him to Francis and the three became instant friends. Soon enough Francis also started to fall for Gilbert and he eventually confided in Antonio about it. Antonio who had also started with feelings proposed they try and court Gilbert together.

“One thing led to another,” Francis sighed dreamily, “and we started dating and got engaged about a year and a half later.”

“That’s...quite the story.”

“Yes. They come home in about two weeks.” Francis suddenly sprung up. “Oh Arthur, you’ll be able to meet them. We could even have a double date with you and Ludwig.”

I rolled my eyes. “Ludwig and I aren’t even dating so don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“Ah, right,” Francis said, taking a seat once more. “Well if you want my advice-”

“I don’t.” I did. And he knew it.

“Just be honest with him Arthur. I’m pretty sure he likes you too.”

My cheeks went warm at the comment. It's not like I hadn’t considered Ludwig returning my feelings, but it couldn’t be that easy. Could it? Francis must have picked up on my hesitation as he went on to add, “All you can do is try.”

---

The salty sea air filled my lungs as I took a deep breath. ‘All you can do is try,’ echoed through my mind as I cautiously made my way across the rocky path. Ludwig turned towards me, practically glowing in the sunlight, stopping me in my tracks. I probably stared for a bit too long.

“Guten Abend,” he greeted with a small smile.

“Ah...y-yes good evening,” I stuttered out.

“Are you going to sit?” Ludwig asked after a moment.

Mentally kicking myself for being so awkward, I sat down next to him, but I was unable to meet his gaze.

“Everything okay?”

“Just peachy.”

“Okay…” He didn’t seem to believe me, but at the same time, he didn’t ask further. “So...any questions for today?”

Thank goodness, something normal. I had welcomed the distraction until I realized I had nothing to ask except for one topic. That topic was part of what had me so on edge in the first place. Then again, asking about mating rituals of his kind would be educational, normal, and possibly give me the confidence I needed.

“Y-Yes...we’ve covered almost everything b-but...there is one more thing...we talked about it a little bit a few nights ago-”

“Just spit it out Arthur,” Ludwig interjected sharply.

“Mating Rituals. Does your kind have any mating rituals?”

His cheeks flushed and shoulders stiffened. “M-Mating rituals?” he sputtered.

“Yes...You don’t have to share anything you don’t want to. I just…”

“It's okay.” His voice was too high-pitched for me to believe that, but I let him continue. “Well...There’s..um...Sorry...I’m not the most experienced with this stuff.”

“Don’t worry. Just do what you can.”

With a breath, Ludwig went on. “Well...I better start at the beginning. Usually the more...I guess...masc-...wait no...dominant ones of our species will start building nests with all kinds of plants and coral they can find. Some go for comfort, some make it more decorative, or a mix in between. It's all to attract a mate. It used to be used as...y-you know…” His gaze shifted awkwardly down to his lap, his blush creeping down his neck. “To have babies. But it's not like that anymore. At least not solely...for childbearing I mean but-”

“I get the picture,” I coughed awkwardly. Not that the idea of having sexual relations with Ludwig never crossed my mind (if anything it crossed my mind a little too much), but to talk so openly about it gave me anything but confidence. “Anything else?”

“There is a calling in our language. It is a certain pattern of chirps and clicks that also attract potential mates. Once we find someone, we further engage in conversation and go from there.”

“Do you mind showing me?” I asked, “the call I mean.”

“Oh...uh...s-sure.” Ludwig looked a bit unsure, but proceeded anyway. He sounded almost like a dolphin, but it was still distinct enough. I found my cheeks heating up, my mind thinking what it would be like if he was calling to me like that. I shook my head, patting my cheeks to get rid of their colour. I didn’t need him getting suspicious.

“What about you?” Ludwig questioned.

“What?”

“What kind of rituals does your kind have?”

I was surprised that he was asking now too. He never asked for prior questions. For a moment I allowed myself to hope, to think that this meant he liked me too. And I answered: “Hmm...there are a few though not everyone uses the same ones. But basic ones? There is the ritual of giving gifts like flowers, chocolates, jewelry…”

“Like my bracelet?” Ludwig’s eyes met mine. I felt like I just backed myself into a corner and more words got trapped in my throat. My gaze fell to the water.

“I...um...ah...tech...I…well…”

“Arthur?” His hand found my shoulder, constricting my throat further. This was my chance, I had narrowed a confession down to one word.

“N-No,” I said instead. “Gifts can be for a variety of reasons. This one was out of guilt and...friendship.” At least it wasn’t a complete lie.

“Oh…” His face fell, looking almost disappointed. “Anything else?”

“Well, then we go on a date which means we go to a restaurant or some other venue and get to know each other. Then there is the first kiss.”

“First kiss?” Ludwig asked with a quirked brow.

“Uh...Yes...Like, when you press your lips together and…”

“I think you need to show me.”

I swore I almost broke my neck when I turned back to him.“What?”

“Show me.” There was this intense fire in his eyes as he bore into me. My heartbeat quickened and my breath became short. That sly bugger.

“I-I guess it can’t be helped,” I squeaked. I cautiously leaned forward, eyes closed, too scared to look. Ludwig ended up meeting me halfway just as I was about to give into my nerves. My eyes snapped open as his lips softly pressed against mine. They were cold, wet, but made me feel warm inside and out. It was like I was on fire, just like that moment from a few nights ago. As the kiss continued, I let my eyes slip closed and pulled him closer by his neck. Oh God, it was better than I could ever imagine.

Unfortunately, we had to pull away, both of us gasping for breath. I didn’t move far, however, letting our breaths mingle. “I thought you didn’t know what a kiss was,” I joked, pressing my forehead against Ludwig’s.

“Maybe that was a lie,” he laughed sheepishly.

“So...are you going to make me a nest?”

“Shut up,” He hissed before going in for another kiss.

Author’s Note: I’m so sorry this chapter took so long. I had bad writer’s block for it, then I got caught up in ship events here on Tumblr and then university started which is taking up a lot of my time. That being said, updates won’t be as consistent as they once were, but don’t worry, I would never discontinue this story.

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#hetalia #hws #gereng #engger #geruk #hws engand #hws france #hws germany #mermaid au #in the deep #mermaid!ludwig #privateer!arthur #fanfiction #hetalia fanfiction

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bubbletimestories · 4 years

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Come back (Aquaman&Reader ft.Ursula)

Summary: To put it simply, you have unfortunately walked on Ursula and you must now send her back to her lair with the help of your childhood friend Aquaman. The problem is, the witch may not want to part with your body.

Warnings: sad ending

Themes: mind manipulation, transformation, friendship, lies

A/N. "Rolling dice" is a series of more or less short fictions made by rolling dice. That's all. I have no control ^^'

Translated with Google traduction, sorry ^^’

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24143224 (eng)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/24134458 (fr)

********************************************************

Ursula wiggles before the helpless hero who steps back as your legs twist, split into long, black-black ends covered with suction cups like boils. Trapped in your own body, you can't even scream in pain or call for help, struggling not to be drowned in nothingness. Aquaman has no idea how to free you from this cruel curse, he needs to help you get back, regain control before being completely engulfed.

"Y / N ... I know you can hear me and you still have strength, don't let that old bitch get you so easily."

He reaches for you, his golden eyes looking at you seriously and with all the determined hope he can do. He trusts you, it is out of the question for him to let you get lost.

- I'm not done laughing with you, drinking and singing out of tune so come back. This is your body, you are not Ursula, you are my friend, my best friend and I love you. - Arthur…

Installed on the pontoon, you watch the sea come and go in weak waves as the sun sets on the horizon, coloring the aquatic landscape with gold and purple. A sigh lifts your chest and you frown at the idea of looking like one of those damsels who cry after their lover while waiting for him in the harbor. This is absolutely not your type, you just took advantage of the view to think. Annoyed by your own thoughts, you get up and wipe the sand stuck to your pants with a hint of rage. Once again, Arthur didn’t come but you can’t blame him, he’s the king of Atlantis and a member of the Justice League. Blaming him is getting harder and harder, the days when you were playing together are long gone.

"It's always an arrogant nag," you say with conviction.

Picking up your shoes, you turn on your heels to take a walk on the beach before it gets too dark. Your childhood friend has become sovereign of the underwater world, a hero known all over the planet and you ... you are a simple waitress in a bar to pay for studies that you have already finished a long time ago. We cannot say that the comparison plays in your favor and even if you would not want for nothing in the world to exchange your place for that of "Aquaman", you cannot help but dream that you are a little more than one simple human. Your friend would not understand it, he appreciates so much these moments to simply drink a beer with you without worrying about his duty. As usual, contact with the cool sand helps you to find a little calm, your feet sinking into the moist soil with delight. The waves come to lick your toes from time to time and you close your eyes enjoying the silence, knowing you are alone on this beach little known to onlookers.

" Oh shit… "

Something sticky suddenly places itself between your sole and the sand, causing you to utter a disgusted curse while opening your eyes. A grayish algae stuck to you, the kind that immediately makes you want to stack. Slowly, you catch the tip of the plant between your nails, balancing on one foot. This horror is frozen and the shadows seem to draw it a grimacing face which look at you in the deepest.

"Yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck, yuck ..."

A shiver runs through your leg as you pull on the seaweed to take it off, without succeeding. You struggle for a few moments, the dirt remaining gripped to your skin by increasing your nausea. Then it drops by itself into a soft noise, as does you, staying frozen for several seconds. Without being able to say what, you sense that something has just happened and your reptilian brain blows you to be afraid. Although a tiny part of you quivers with excitement, as if you were going to experience something interesting.

You put your shoes on and go home, carefully avoiding looking at the abandoned plant, you don't even want to throw it back into the sea, it was too disgusting. If you had taken the time to look at it more closely, you would not have seen the strange grimacing shadows drawn on it anymore but it does not matter much.

***

Even after several hours, the feeling of cold continues to haunt you, going back and forth along your leg up to your back, to believe that this seaweed really disgusted you. In desperation, you decide to fill your old flaking bathtub with hot water, even if it means ruining your efforts so as not to spend too much this month. As expected, the feeling calms down once you immerse yourself and close your eyes in relief, unless it is tiredness after a whole week of working overtime at the bar. With your knees folded against your chest, you feel relaxed as you take advantage of the soothing and warm embrace around you, there is really only water to provide you with such well-being.

My dear child

The murmur touches your ear, so light that you hardly notice it, repeating itself in a soft, muffled voice until it takes shape. Blurry images cross your mind, underwater visions, a woman with an octopus body which undulates among the corals. Since this is only a dream, you let it all caress you, sinking into a pleasant sleep, lulled by the imaginary voice. As it is written that any body submerged in water hears the phone ringing, you are woken from your reverie by your cellphone, left in the bedroom and which sounds "Toss a coin to your wizard" before interrupting. With an annoyed growl, you get out of the tub and wrap yourself in a towel without even noticing that you fell asleep with your head underwater. The screen of your cellphone indicates an unknown number, surely some operator trying to sell you an excruciatingly expensive subscription.

"It wasn't worth leaving my bath" you throw with a raging sigh

You really appreciate the water, don't you?

This time, you’re perfectly alert and looking around for the voice, your half-defeated towel around your defenseless body in the event of an intrusion. Although, maybe it can scare the thief from seeing you run at him naked. But there’s nobody around you, which is both reassuring and terrifying. Well, in doubt, you still try:

" Yes and so ? What can it do to you, creepy female voice? "

A laugh answers you, ringing not outside but inside you, at the base of your neck, at your fingertips. Unaccustomed to having your acoustic-verbal hallucinations respond to you, you hold your breath without managing to think properly.

Perhaps you are destined to evolve not on earth but under the waves.

The absurdity of that answer, just as much as knowing you were talking to an invisible person, tears a nervous laugh out of you. You drop on your bed without looking around, convinced that you are just doing a burnout.

"Are you an alien?" A parasite from space that needs my body to survive like in this movie with Tom Horny? "

You say what goes through your head. You are the type very open considering your frequentations so much not to go there by four ways. It doesn’t take long for a new laugh to be heard and answered.

No, my dear sweet child, I am a sea witch who simply wishes to find her lair.

"That was straightforward. What is my role in this? "

Without really knowing why, you can't really worry about chatting with an aquatic entity probably nestled in your head. It’s as if the fear and alert signals get lost along the way. For a short moment, there is silence, as if the other was searching for his words. Then she quietly declares.

My envelope was destroyed, I just need someone to take me home. There, I will have a body again to move freely. I have been looking for a host for many moons, but I could not find anyone to transport me or even hear me, trapped in a foul-smelling alga. Up to you. You must be special ...

The last part slightly tickles your ego but you are not paying attention, more focused on the rest of the information. All this is totally surreal but you are in a bad position to judge since, once again, you are friend with a sovereign superhero of the oceans. In addition, you may finally have an opportunity to have a little fun, to live an adventure far from your dreary daily life.

- Will it be dangerous? - Not if you're careful. - Once there, can I leave quietly? - If you express the desire, yes, obviously. - How can I be sure I won't be hurt?

A feeling of warmth answers your question and you feel yourself fall back as if someone was taking you in their arms, although the embrace extends all over your body. The voice becomes smoother to put your suspicion to sleep, insinuating itself into the depths of your being like tentacles to guide your thoughts.

My dear, my survival depends entirely on you, I will not let anyone hurt you. You can trust me ... Well, I have an idea, we will make a deal: if you agree to take me to my house, I promise you that you will not suffer any damage. I'll let you go as soon as you ask. It suits you ?

Useless question since you are unable to think properly and understand what trap is about to close on you. You have such a thirst for adventure, to feel that you can be more than a transparent girl dedicated to a miserable and gray existence ... you accept immediately.

- Concluded. Now can you tell me what your name is? - Ursula, my little one. - Ursula ... everything is explained. My name is Y/N.

***

So, you made a deal with a witch that you thought was completely fictitious. A witch who is housed inside you for a reason that is still slightly obscure. You’re going to have to venture out into the ocean to find a cave probably in a dark and potentially dangerous place.

“An ordinary Saturday…"

Since yesterday, you have not stopped thinking about what is happening to you and Ursula is kind enough to stand back to let you think at ease and digest the information. Anyway, now that you have made a deal, you can hardly see yourself backing down but there is one little question that is running through your head and on which you cannot decide: do you have to inform Aquaman?

Even the witch, deep down, is not entirely sure what would be best. As sovereign of the Atlanteans, the hero could well warn the descendants of Ariel and make everything fall into the water - no pun intended. But the young man was raised by humans, he is above all a rebellious spirit and who might be able to prefer to help his friend rather than protect his people ... Humans act with their heart and not their reason, there may be his chance.

"Why were you banned? "

Lying on your bed, you ask your question without bothering to spare the witch or to be polite, you share the same body and what you know of her does not play in her favor. Failing to feel her as a threat, you are very curious to hear her history and especially her origins of which you know nothing. Ursula takes the time to think before answering you and you close your eyes imagining her next to you.

A long time ago, I lived among the mermaids in the kingdom of Atlantica. I was a smart merman and eager to learn as much as possible in all areas. Yes, you understood me correctly, I was born as a male. But it sounded wrong, I found myself feeling foreign to my own body, not recognizing my reflection in the mirrors. As I read, I started looking for a way to transform myself, to become something else that would suit me better. To achieve this, I used magic and King Triton had a bad eye for breaking rules on witchcraft. Fearing that I would pervert his people, he sent me far into the abyss. I had become a mermaid like I secretly dreamed of, but I had lost my place. Obviously, that made me embittered, I don't hide that I sought revenge on Triton, but I also used my powers to help those who, like me, aspired to something else.

A beautiful story well put together, a heart of truth wrapped in a good layer of sweet lies, ready to be swallowed. Indeed, the one who was to become Ursula had been banished for having learned magic but it would be forgotten to say that Triton had used the power of the trident to offer her a new body. It happened long before the mermaid became a witch, long before she decided to make pacts with the people of the sea, promising them a thousand wonders and then turning them into pathetic and slimy creatures. But it was so long ago that no one could contradict her side of the story. You nod your head, feeling a deep sympathy for the witch after hearing her story, even if that doesn't make it possible to excuse what she did next.

"I didn't think you had gone through so much ..."

Pensive, you straighten up and put on simple clothes without paying attention to the pallor of your face, before putting on a touch of red lipstick.

"I'm going to ask my friend Arthur for help. He can guide us to your lair to avoid the dangers. And then, he will be notified of your return and can monitor you. "

That is fine with me, my child. But better that it remains a secret, the Atlanteans might want to kill us.

You nod, having already thought of this bleak prospect. You know little about the people ruled by Arthur but they are not known for their gentleness and open-mindedness. However, you trust your friend to protect your life and support you, you have always supported each other. More confident, you leave your house to go on the pontoon to find the young man; even if he spends a large part of his life under the water, you know that he will receive your SMS. Don't ask me how, I have no idea.

The hero is already waiting for you, two cans of beer placed near him on the wooden floor (it is possible that others are already enthroned in a nearby trash can, but hush). Seeing you arrive, he smiles happily and gives you a sign, making light on his many tattoos. How can a man so carefree at first be the king of an entire people? Already more comfortable, you sit by his side and let him take you in his arms for your usual hug.

- Sorry for yesterday, a meeting with the council dragged on, I couldn't take it anymore ... - No big deal, I didn't sit around doing nothing.

Quickly, you explain the events of the previous day to him, trying to catch your breath as little as possible so that he avoids interrupting you with curses. He's going to take you for a madwoman, that's for sure, but you put forward the terms of the contract, the fact that Ursula can not try anything against you without her body and that he will be there to protect you. When you finally let him react, Arthur remains silent for a few moments, which is rather surprising when you know him.

- You seem to have thought a lot about the question. - …Yes.

The young man is far from stupid and he knows that your hands were already tied long before you made this pact with the witch. By the time you became a single entity, you had no choice but to dive into adventure. Arthur also knows that he cannot count on his relatives and counselors to help him, that would be putting you in too great a danger. Then he sketches a smile and nods, causing his hair to wiggle.

"You can count on me, Y/N, no way you're having fun without me. "

He gives you a pat on the back with a laugh and then drinks his beer before talking about everything and nothing to lighten the mood. Among Aquaman’s many powers, there’s one that people often forget: his ability to make things lighter. Before being a hero and a king, he's a warm man who stands by you remembering your childhood stories. When you decided to leave, the apprehension that gripped your heart was completely gone.

- Come to think of it: how are you going to breathe underwater? Ursula's lair is very far and very deep. - It won't be a problem.

You give him a mysterious look and dive head first into the cool water, dashing to the bottom without taking the time to be afraid. It's a risky bet but you open your mouth to suck in air, looking your friend straight in the eye and praying not to flop. But no, you feel your lungs react normally and you breathe with a big ecstatic smile. To say that when you were little, you wanted to be a mermaid... Before the shocked look of your friend, you shrug your shoulders as if it were all natural.

- I told you it wouldn't be a problem. - When you're done showing off, give me your hand, Arthur answers with a laugh.

You slip your hand into his and let him train, knowing he is a much better swimmer than you because of his Atlantean genes. Now that he's there, it's more like an adventure with friends than a perilous expedition.

***

Located in another kingdom far from Atlantis, the lair of Ursula reveals itself to several days of swimming and if Arthur knows many ways to make your trip shorter, you must go through secret routes so as not to make you spotted, him as a king and you as a human and intruder. Despite all your good will, you tire quickly and your friend is forced to hug you to maintain a constant pace. Besides, it is not certain that the white strands which streak more and more on your hair are only due to exhaustion or to the aquatic world. Fortunately, you are getting closer and closer to your goal and if this adventure is not as fun as you would have liked, you are happy to live it with your childhood friend, the one with whom you played so much many times as pirates or adventurers.

- Do you catch your breath ? - Under water ? I'm doing my best.

Mechanically, you scratch your thigh through the pants, pressing your head against the sovereign's shoulder. When all this is over, you promise to invite him to swallow a good dozen pints in your favorite pub, in compensation.

- I understand better why you have abs in concrete, by dint of swimming… - And I have other secrets in stock. Y/N?

You don't answer him, sleeping without even realizing it. Arthur rolls his eyes and keeps you against him as he descends to a sandbar to let yourself rest a little. This is not how he would have liked to make you discover his world, not by bringing you to the lair of a millennial witch and whom everyone believed dead. Sometimes it feels like she takes over you for a fraction of a second, in the way you twist your lips with disgust, when your voice suddenly becomes rougher and brittle. It’s time for you to be rid of this parasite, it is obvious that you arrive at the end of your endurance.

After a few hours of rest, you set off again and finally reach your goal, hidden in the most murky waters, behind curtains of hot steam. When you see the skeleton of a sea monster taking the place of entry, you accelerate with an impatient smile, sliding down the pinkish throat without getting lost. On your heels, Aquaman has a more critical look at the murky decor, just like a certain crab having one day followed a little mermaid. He watches you spinning, chasing the shells that have settled everywhere over time, a broad smile drawn on your scarlet lips as you admire the dressing table, the closets abandoned.

- We have arrived, it is time to separate the two of you. - Yes, of course, dear king. I'm taking care of it.

You let Ursula guide your hands to grab this or that bottle, she knows what she is doing and you feel an intense jubilation teeming in your limbs as you throw everything in a carved stone vat. For so long that Ursula has been waiting to find a body and her powers, she gets rid of your pants while continuing her preparations, exposing your legs, which have turned black with mauve reflections that bring out your drawn features. When the parasite leaves your envelope, will you find a more human appearance?

"Finally ... it's high time to bring me back for good"

An intense purple glow escapes from the cauldron, casting shadows on your face bringing out the gleam of dementia in your pupils. Her mouth articulates words you do not understand, sometimes in Latin, sometimes in an old and forgotten language. Faced with this flow of magic, you feel yourself drawn inside yourself as a current would push you away from the shore, as if hundreds of hands were pulling you back. So you understand that the witch never intended to set you free. The same dismayed shock appears on Arthur's face and he pushes your body away as a column of pure magic slides from the tank into your throat, too late alas to prevent the spell.

"You said you would only need her until you find a body!" "

Mad with rage, Arthur presses you against one of the walls of the cave, so fast that you barely have time to understand what's going on. However, far from being intimidated, a loud and disagreeable laugh escapes from your mouth, twisted with joy as you look down on the king with contempt.

- I never said that this body would not be hers. - You made a commitment to let her go! - If she expressed the desire ... but do you hear her ?

"Y/N ... I know you can hear me and you still have strength, don't let that old bitch get you so easily. "

He reaches for you, his golden eyes looking at you seriously and with all the determined hope he can do. He trusts you, it is out of the question for him to let you get lost.

- I'm not done laughing with you, drinking and singing out of tune so come back. This is your body, you are not Ursula, you are my friend, my best friend and I love you. - Arthur…

Your voice is shaking slightly and your eyes are filling with tears even if they are not very useful underwater. Your hand takes the young man’s and you feel him squeeze your fingers forcefully to tell you that everything will be fine. Then a mocking laugh escapes your lips as the witch stops her comedy and you disappear forever in the darkness of your own envelope, consumed by the magic of Ursula. The latter smiles at the hero, triumphant.

"It was a very beautiful moment. Too bad… "

She emerges from Aquaman's embrace, her tentacles lifting her above the ground as she contemplates the defeated king before her with undisguised pleasure.

"So, my dear sovereign ... are you going to kill me? Or are you unable to harm this body? "

The young man's solar face darkens and the sagging of his shoulders alone answers the cruel witch's question: he will not be able to save or avenge you.

#fic #little mermaid #aquaman #reader #crossover #Ursula #mermay #possession #manipulation #magic

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ask-elementalhermitcraft · 5 years

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A Sun-Warmed Love

(1.8k, fluff, mod seagrass)

Anyways, it doesn’t matter. He’s just here for the warmth and the safe space where nobody bothers him. Not the cats. Definitely not the cats. [an evilxisuma/Z centered fic where he finally gets to be happy.]

tw: cursing

He’s not sure when it started, really.

He’s noticed a lot of other hermits on the server have pets—some have dogs, some have cats (some have too many cats, Cleo, he’s looking at you), and some have the odd parrot or other tamable mob. It’s nice, sometimes, to go over and visit them, he guesses. Better than doing nothing with his time.

But it doesn’t matter. It’s just to occupy his time. Just something to keep him not bored out of his fucking mind, he tells himself day after day.

He repeats it as he finds himself at Scar’s place more and more often, hanging around his weird base or lounging about in little magma-water-heated alcoves in the cave or especially, in his Room O’ Cats.

It’s so weirdly mesmerizing to stay there, just perched on a little block of wood that he’s got on a high place and watch the cats run around and over their own feet. They meow, he throws them some more salmon, they meow for some more, he meows back in a more angry tone and feels fucking stupid. Rinse and repeat.

Scar drops by sometimes, re-fills the salmon chest, says hi to him and then goes to do whatever kinda world-destroying terraforming he’s going to do next. Probably going to destroy an entire ecosystem for a palm tree, or whatever he does in his spare time.

At least he gets to use the catroom.

It’s really nice in there, he’s loath to admit. There’s a little room out of the way with glass windows and smooth stones that heats up in the winter and stays cool in the summer, where the cats love to take naps. He’ll never admit it, but sometimes when he’s overwhelmed he’ll take refuge in there with a cat curled up on his lap and snooze the day away.

Ah, to live life as a cat. No worries, except getting salmon. Must be a nice life.

Anyways, it doesn’t matter. He’s just here for the warmth and the safe space where nobody bothers him. Not the cats. Definitely not the cats.

—

Xisuma eventually finds him, when he’s taking one of his Designated Nap Days, and he’s very angry about being disturbed. “Woah, didn’t expect to find you—”

“Just want you to explain one thing. Just one little thing.” He’s angry now. He’d been looking towards his—HIS NAP TIME, not his cat time, thank you very much, and Xisuma had somehow found him out.

“Uh, yeah, what did you—”

“Why the hell are you here? Disturbing my Specific Time For Sleep? Just curious,” he says. He hears a hiss from below, looks at the cat he’s petting perhaps a little too hard, and forces himself to relax his tension. It helps him feel better, maybe, in a weird way.

“Just wanted some coral Z, no harm meant. Although, I didn’t know you liked cats…” Xisuma trails off. Probably just realized the dozen or so cats who were staring at him hungrily, smelling the salt of the sea still on his skin and by extent, fish. “Y’know what? Think I might leave you to it. Take off for the day. Exit the premises. Vacate the—”

Xisuma leaves in a dash, trying not to further anger the cats. Z laughs, anger almost completely dissipated. “Hey, kitties, don’t take it too hard,” he calls out, tossing another one onto a dish for them to tear apart. One small grey one creeps up to him, licking around his hands for anything it might’ve missed. He holds up his hands in surrender. “Nope—nothing. Too bad for you.”

That’s when it decides to sit down between his legs and stare at him like that might magically make the fish appear. “Cat, no,” he chuckles. The sun’s pleasantly warm on his skin. He kinda feels like one of those cats stretched out in a puddle himself.

“Not gonna give you any. Don’t fuck with me.” It still stares at him.

“You don’t understand the English language, do you? Don’t have a quite firm enough grasp of the Queen’s English?” He smiles. It’s nice to talk to something that can’t really understand nor really wants to.

Z lets out a steady stream of how he’s been doing, how other hermit’s bases are going, how much he hates the sheer Ugly of this one makeshift build that Wels had made because, really, he understood it was makeshift but couldn’t he at least put in the effort to make it look nice? Just a little?

He lets all of the casual small talk he’d wanted to make for so long but didn’t know how to spill out to the cat still sitting patiently between his legs. It’s blinking slowly at him, and the setting sun is golden and warm and kinda lovely out the window, and the whole room seems to be relaxing and sinking down into a kind of subliminal space.

His voices trails off, his hand stops petting, and the cat has long since curled up at his side against the wall.

In other words, he’s fast asleep.

—

Z wakes up the next morning in a slow, steady kind of way—quite unusual for him. He’s wondering why he doesn’t feel his bed beneath him, when he scans his surroundings and realizes—Oh. He’s not at his bed.

Son of a bitch, he’s fallen asleep in the cat room. And Scar’s standing in front of him, chuckling. “So, got a good rest in there?” he says.

“So what if I have?” It’s unnecessarily defiant, probably, and he knows that but he’s been caught sleeping in the cat room. His dignity was on the fucking floor. Oh, the horror.

“Not anything against you, just asking: did you want to take Boo with you? The one cuddled against you? She’s a sweetheart, and I think she likes you, and also I have too many cats. Please.”

Z scrambles for words. “I—uh—what—”

“Cat or no cat, Z?”

In his defense, he was panicking at the time. Also, he did not make good decisions when he was panicked. Two very important factors, he thought, that led up to him doing two things:

1. Teleporting away with the cat still snoozing in his arms, and

2. Avoiding Scar for the next couple weeks. Which unfortunately meant no Cat Room.

He’d panicked, and now he had a cat in his little base with no way to feed it or take care of it.

Fuck.

Cats liked salmon, he knew. So he asked around, borrowed a fishing rod, and spent hours fishing to nab some fish. Turns out that he could get some pretty decent fish when he focused, he thought. Luckily enough, the cat seemed pretty happy with whatever fish he managed to catch—although, he did notice an odd preference for just straight up stealing his apples from his hand and nibbling on them just enough that it was annoying. (Or endearing. He didn’t quite know.)

He got a nicer bed for the cat than his own, grabbed some wool from Joe, talked to him (which he didn’t really want to do but was a necessary evil and, as it turns out, not so bad after all), and it turned out the damn cat liked his bed better anyways. Whatever.

Z got the cat some nicer toys, some new contraptions to mess around with. He contacted Mumbo for some help with it, and Mumbo rushed to the tiny little base like hell was on his heels. He then proceeded to spend the next hour cooing over the cat who was soaking it up like a sponge. Annoying, to be sure, but he was helpful and the cat seemed to like him so Z let it slide.

And throughout all this, he avoided Scar like the plague.

—

And of course, when he least expected it, he saw him.

“How’s Boo treating you? She’s being a well-behaved girl?” Scar said, nodding to him from across the shopping district where he was doing some weird stuff involving floating water blocks and gray crumbling plants.

“What? She’s not my—I don’t—Boo’s not my cat!” Z sputtered. This was why he had avoided Scar, he thought, to avoid the embarrassment.

“You sure? She seems to like you, and you seem to like her as well, don’t you?”

“I mean, she’s a cute cat, but I shouldn't be in charge of a cat! I don’t even like them that much—Wha—WHERE’D YOU COME FROM?” Z cried out. For Boo herself, the demon of a cat, was twining around his ankles and mewing for food.

“See, she likes you!” Scar laughed. Sounded a little messed up, but. A Laugh.

Z hopped from ankle to ankle, shifting his weight in the hopes that Boo—no, the CAT—would leave. She just purred more determinedly. “No, she likes my food.”

“Well, if you’re that determined not to admit it…Godspeed, friend. May you rest in peace.” Scar gave him a mock salute and spun back around, but not before adding one last comment. “Oh, also, bring her by again to the Cat Room! Her siblings miss her.”

“What—SHE’S NOT MY CAT!” Z called to his retreating form. “I—Fuck.”

He looked down. “Cat, why must you make my life a living hell.” She just meowed.

“Oh, alright. I’ll grab you some food. Hold up,” he sighed.

—

It’s about two months later, and he’s pretty sure he’s got a cat now. She follows him everywhere, meows at him constantly, and sleeps next to him.

It’s surprisingly…not that bad. She keeps him company when he’s lonely, lets him rant to her without a word, and demands love and attention in the way only cats can. It’s kinda nice to have something like that.

It’s still annoying, yeah, but Z’s starting to think it’s edging on the side of endearing now.

Her fur’s super soft, probably from all the brushing, and if she were a person, her dating profile would probably say “likes to take warm naps in the sun.” They’ve been stealing away into Scar’s Cat Room together sometimes now, to visit her siblings and to take a nap every now and then. It’s starting to form a new kind of normalcy in his life that he’s actually kinda liking.

The only truly frustrating part is her name.

She won’t respond to anything else besides Boo. It’s like she’s been goddamn trained, despite the fact that she’s a cat. He’s been trying out name over name, trying to find something cool that sticks, to no avail.

“Enderman?” No meow.

“Blade?” No meow.

“Slasher?” No meow.

“Ghast?” No meow.

“...Boo?” Furious meowing. He begs for mercy to whatever heavenly beast cursed him with a grey cat that only responded to Boo.

Better than no cat, he reasons. Better a sweet, cuddly, talkative, soft cat than no cat.

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cjworthington · 3 years

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The Spirit of Alola - Chapter 5

My Slimy New Friend

Slowly moving down the beach, I run my fingers along the rocky wall lining the stone-filled sand. As I amble carefully on, I call out a few times, trying hard to make myself heard over the din of waves on the shore. My hope is that someone will hear my periodic shout and head to my location to check out the noise.

I try to think about how wonderful this island is, with its exciting new sounds and exotic new smells. But, my mind would instead stress over the fact that I am alone, no one knows where I am, and, despite my assumptions, I could be completely lost and never know it.

I have a general idea of the direction I should be heading, but I have no way of knowing if the path I'm on will lead me to my neighbors home, where I can find help, or if I'll find an impassable section and have to turn back. I also run the risk of slipping into the sea, and I can't swim.

In truth, I can tread water, and when I know what direction to go, I'm decent at paddling forward. Due to my lack of sight, though, I run a high risk of drowning if I were to slip into the water. Since I cannot see the land, I would not know which way to travel towards. Even with my innate sense of direction, without solid ground beneath my feet, I wouldn't even be able to tell where I'm facing, especially in water as rough as the sea beside me is growing.

"Oh curses," I say aloud, my words muffled by the crashing waves, furthering my irritation. "Not only am I not fully certain of where I'm going, but I can't even hear my surroundings because of this noise."

I pause my walking and pull in a large deep breath, releasing it with a long push through my nose, hoping to calm the anxious storm brewing inside of me.

The air still smells fresh, but there's a slight chill coming off the windswept seas. The sun seems weaker, though it doesn't feel like it has gone down very far from the start of my trip. Usually, that means clouds are covering it. However, I notice an all too familiar, very slight scent coming off the water. It smells as though there may be rain soon.

I set my slow pace once more, determined to keep moving when I feel a rock fall to my feet, hitting the ground with a sand softened thump. Reaching down, I pick it up and roll it over in my left hand. It's rough and jagged, not something that would easily slip on its own.

Why did it fall? I ask myself. Another, larger stone falls onto my shoulder, further adding pain to the already throbbing injury.

Raising my head, I sense rather than feel more objects moving towards my face. I cover my head and wait for the rock slide to hit me, but it doesn't—just a light sprinkling of dirt, dust, and a few more minor rocks. Instead, I hear a muffled cry, though I don't recognize the voice over the sound of waves.

"Hello," I call, my head raised to the source. I hear no response, though the clattering of debris continues falling over me on the rocky floor. "Is somebody up there?" I call again.

I do not receive any voice in reply but rather a louder rattling of rocks and dust than a large, heavier thump in front of me.

"Nya-" a Delcatty calls by my feet.

"Wait, Hop, is that you?"

In response, she pushes her soft head into my leg and chirps happily.

"Hop, can you go get Sashi or Tinsel for me?" I ask. I feel her sit down next to my leg, nowhere near the response I was hoping for.

"How about my bag?" I say, a bit desperately this time. "Can you make it back home and grab my bag for me?"

"Nya?" she mewls back.

"Come on now; you're smarter than that, Hop. Go back home and get me help, please."

In response, she walks up to the wall and scrapes her claws against it.

"Yes," I say encouragingly, "climb the wall and get help."

She scratches a few more times then sits back down by my feet, a bit more heavily now.

"Oh," I sigh, finally understanding. "You can't. That wall must be pretty steep and tall if you can't get up there."

It's a wonder I didn't come out with more severe injuries. I think to myself.

To no one in particular, I speak aloud once more. "I sure wish Rebel or Boreas were here. They'd be able to get us out of this mess." I say, thinking about my bag with all my Pokèballs in it, still sitting by my wife and guide Pokémon. "I really should know better by now than to leave the house without help."

"Even my cane would have been useful," I comment, recalling how this all started when my foot missed the ground. "If I'd been using that dark thing, I would have noticed the drop in earth and maybe even felt the broken fence." I shake my head despondently.

Hop stands and rubs her body against my leg, wrapping her tail around my knees and softly mewling, seeming to try to cheer me up.

"You're right, Hop," I say, giving her head a gentle scratch with my left hand. "Well, we can't keep standing about like Dunsparce on a rock. If help can't find us, we'll find help instead!" I force optimism into my voice.

I place my fingers back onto the rock wall and shuffle my bare feet through the sand. The wind begins to gust cold and hard but dies down just as quickly. I can feel the spray of saltwater more and more as I continue to push ahead. It won't take long for me to get soaked if this continues. The sea must be drawing closer to the wall. That worries me a bit.

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about this area, so I have no way of knowing if it's high tide, a smaller amount of beach, or if the water is pushed so far against the sand because of the wind.

"Hey Hop, can you see anyone's house," I ask. No response. "Hop!" I call again.

This time I hear her mewl loudly, sounding aggravated. Worried she might be in trouble, I stumble forward towards her cry, away from the abysmal comfort of the wall.

"Kyu kyu," I hear the yell of an unfamiliar Pokèmon. It sounds small and low on the ground.

I click my tongue and reach into my pocket for my stash of treats, hoping that whatever it is, my offering will keep it from wanting to attack. Then, pulling one out, I crouch down next to the source of the sound.

Hop comes up beside me and lets out a low hiss, followed by a small, defiant spit. She sounds more irritated than protective. I allow my fear to slip away with a push of breath through my nose.

"Hush you," I gently chide at the Delcatty. "You know better than to go fussing with other Pokèmon." I feel her tail slap me irritably in the back. "Stop that, Hop," I say mildly. "That hurts." The heat from her warm body leaves my side once more as she patters away, snorting in annoyance at being chastised.

I reach down again to where I heard the small Pokèmon's sound and tap my finger on the ground. I don't feel anything but sand, so I tap a few more times in a couple of different places. My last tap gets me a result.

I feel a slimy spiky creature below my hand.

"Pyu pyu," it says, wriggling in surprise at the touch.

"Hey, little guy, what are you doing out here?" I coo softly. "Do you have any friends nearby?"

Listening carefully to my surroundings, I don't notice the sound of any more creatures, though the noise of the rising tides would be drowning out the small voices anyways.

"Pyu kyu," it repeats.

"See here, little bud, I have a treat if you want." I hold the pellet on the tips of my fingers and press it closer to where I hear the sound of its voice coming from. I feel a tiny form shuffle over to it, poke it a couple of times with a spiky little tongue, and then I feel the familiar touch of a piece of the treat leaving my hand.

The mysterious little Pokémon chews noisily on the treat, chirping happily as it takes more bites from my offering. I reach out and stroke my hand along its spines. It stiffens under my touch until I reach behind the spine closest to my feeding hand and give, what I assume, must be the head, a rub. This causes the tiny creature to stop chewing and push back against my hand at what I can only believe is pleasure.

Once the treat is gone, I plop another down by its face and stand back up to leave. My small new friend crawls onto my toes, treat in mouth, and returns to eating.

"Hey, little guy, I've got to get moving." I scold gently. I carefully remove my foot from underneath it and reach for the wall again but feel the slimy thing crawl onto my toes once more.

"Kyu kyu pyu," It protests back at me.

I stand for a moment and consider my strange situation.

"How about you come with me," I say, locating the spot that got the original happy response and giving it another scratch.

"Kyu." It purrs back.

I crouch down and pick my slimy new friend up. It's not very heavy, about the size of a book, and feels almost like a smooth, wet coral, but for the spikes lining its top. Then, reaching my hand back out towards the wall, I scoot back up the coast and place my sore fingers on the rocks once more.

"Hop," I call. "Come on, girl. We need to get moving."

I hear her feet patter up to and then past me, heading in the direction we need to go.

"Huh," I say to the creature in my hand. "I have two Pokémon with me now, and neither of you is able to help. Hop has no attention span, and you, my friend, are rather small."

"Pyu pyu," It says back. I guess the meaning of this response and grab another treat from my pocket. It settles down into the crook of my arm and starts to munch away happily, unconcerned by my situation.

"Guess we should be off then." I sigh, happy for the company but worry still twisting into a knot in my stomach.

#pokemon #fanfiction #story #pokemonfanfiction #pokemonstory #alola

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