spaces_between | This isn't the Little Mermaid

[He who was named James stilled at the sudden aggressive-like declaration, though it did not surprise him at all that Steve was going to take that tone with him. At first, he considered it this new role as playing the aggressive female-like persona needed to make any kind of male-male relationship work.

Of course, he considered the content of the message, rolling it back and forth in his mind as he eyed Steve curiously. He had never heard such a proposal before, a dedication of two males together and neglecting - no refusing - the companionship of a potential female mate.

A part of himself that he didn't particularly acknowledge as existing was overcome with a thrill. Steve wanted him as a female wanted a male, a dedication of a bond that sounded far long-standing than the brief period of mating and protecting until the child was born and then leaving again. It sounded... far longer.]

You are willing to give up all prospects of a female mate and children? You want me to give up my potential in the same way?

Only if you want to.

[ Steve quickly made it clear -- it was his choice; Steve Rogers never used people, never wanted them to be stepping stones for another agenda, and he would never have kissed someone if he hadn't ultimately meant it. He wanted the right partner, not a whole list of substitutes until he got the perfect one.

And Bucky, he knew in the pit of his stomach, was the perfect one. He might not be Steve's kind, but there was a connection there, and he knew it. ] But if you want to leave because you've found your potential, it's okay, too.

[ Okay for Bucky, at least. Steve would be ultimately devastated if he did, but he'd discovered very recently that he loved Bucky more than his own well-being, and if he was happy, Steve would be happy too. Even if he wasn't a part of that equation. ]

[He made no move to get in or even to get out of the clothing that he had been provided because he wouldn't perform a wasteful action when he was not going in without Steve. It didn't matter that his skin felt like it itched all over, that an aspect of his being strained to be closer to the water. He was in control, even if that might not entirely be true.

Only when Steve stripped did he do the same, but he folded his clothing neatly to set aside. The scarring up and down his legs was faint, long white lines that criss-crossed from the balls of his feet all the way to his ass and hips. They were faded into his skin, but he was aware of them as he was in everything of his body.

He stepped into the water and seated himself into Steve's lap, the water rising dangerously high, but he let out a sigh that was almost - almost - musical. He parted his knees to opposite sides of the tub and watched the slow rise of darkness from hips down, the colour bleeding into his legs as scales slowly rose through, flat and dull. The scarring was more obvious.]

[There were an awful lot of things that he wanted, the least difficult of which was bathing on hot sand and the most difficult so far was getting access to Barnes. He was incomplete and unable to be close enough to Steve without that, but neither of them seemed pressed for time on either endeavor.

He carefully considered Steve for another long moment. The other boy intrigued him and drew parts of himself out that no one ever had before. He liked being beyond the waves with Steve, because of Steve and to be with Steve. He admitted to caring and wanting to protect the other boy in his own way, even if that generally involved trinkets and food. Steve handled fighting just fine without him.

However, he had a loyalty and dedication that had never been appreciated before.]

I will dedicate myself to you under one condition. [He gave Steve a fierce look.] You show me my namesake. Just the ground he is locked in. I need to see his resting place.

[ Steve stared in growing, mute horror when Bucky sat in with him, when the scales started to come back, revealing the scars, the pieces of him that were missing. He grasped his waist a little tighter, unable to help a quiet, distressed noise.

No. No, definitely not. ] Oh, Bucky...

[ He exhaled, pressing his lips to his shoulder and closing his eyes, as if that would keep the horrid truth of it out. ] What have they done to you?

[Tension bled out of his back and from his shoulders as the water immersed his skin completely, giving him a freedom that had no existed save on missions that he couldn't remember. Only one part of it, the deck slippery with blood on a navel ship, bodies everywhere and everything eerily silent.

Was that the first mission he had done nude? He had jumped over the railing once the objective was complete and swam fast and hard back to the rendezvous point. An old man in a wheelchair had been there, smiling praise as he returned...

He sighed and leaned against Steve's chest, keeping his legs as wide apart as he could because it was required outside of missions.] I think they liked my blood.

[ Show him where the other Bucky was? The thought of it made his heart clench, a swell of guilt rising in him -- what would the other Bucky think, that he had named this beautiful, stunning creature after him? What would the other Bucky think if he knew that Steve had fallen in love with him?

He exhaled, knowing that Bucky meant it this time -- he could see it in his eyes. He'd asked before, often, but Steve had always gently changed the subject, told him 'soon, maybe'. It felt like a strange sort of betrayal to him, but Steve swallowed it. He had to honor the promises he made, especially to Bucky. ]

Okay. [ He would show it to him, of course. ] What does it mean, when you dedicate yourself to me?

[ Steve was not sure that he wanted to see the rest of the transformation, but he had to. For both their sakes, to heal, to get Bucky back to where he was originally, a creature of the sea, they had to get through this.

He stroked his hair softly, gently, an arm possessively locked around Bucky's waist. He would kill them all -- for Bucky, he would slaughter all of them for it. ]

Put your legs together, please.

[It would be a sign of Steve's good faith to him to agree to finally show him to his namesake. For him, it was one of the most important details since taking on that name, a need that was constant within him. He would honour the name with a tradition apparently only followed by his own kind.

He reached up and slipped his arms around Steve's neck, pulling the other boy closer to him and nuzzling their noses together.]

I will be yours like you are mine. I will provide for you, and you will provide for me. I will defend you, and you will defend me. We are mutual in dedication. [That was the idea anyway; he had never done anything like this before, but Steve inspired him to take the risk. He did care very deeply for this boy.]

[ They were so very young still, boys of sixteen who were just discovering themselves, their own bodies, and despite this Steve feared little -- he'd recognized in Bucky what he hoped the other would recognize in him; a lifelong friend, a soulmate. This was the other half of his heart that was missing, and he climbed onto Bucky's lap, settling on him before he coaxed him into a soft, sweet kiss.

His heart was pounding with excitement, with a happiness that came with first love -- they would have a difficult future together, but Steve didn't care; they'd make do. ] I like that. Mutual in dedication. [ He pressed his nose against his, smiling. ] I would always defend you, Bucky. And provide for you.

[His mismatched hands reached back and caught on the back of Steve's head, stroking his fingers there awkwardly, as if he had forgotten how to show such affection. Yet, something about the simple act of touch settled him more, the ability to be this close to Steve, who impressed him as his most important person.

Yet, he turned his head to regard the blond at the request. He looked at the black rough hide that made up his scarred legs and slowly moved them together. Within seconds, the change completed and his hide rose completely in hard scaling, pale underside and dark scales on the back and sides. They lost their dullness, though scars marred his hide. The dark scaling was streaked with hints of colour in the light, mostly red.

His fins were full but frayed at the edges. The fullness of his tail pushed out of the tub and rested against the tiles above. He let out a soft sound as his eyes closed, an instinctive note that he used only for Steve in this form, a musical note of inquiry, of call for his soulmate.]

I'm here, I'm here.

[ He knew that sound, that heartbreaking, aching sound, and he answered with a soft hum that would be so crude to Bucky's ears, but he gripped him tighter when he saw his tail, his face buried in the curve of his throat. And if Bucky felt hot drops on his skin right there, well.

Steve had seen everything now, the things that HYDRA had done to his soulmate, the way they had hurt him. The red streaks hadn't been there before, they were never there, and his hands came to smooth over his torso in comfort as he shuddered under him.

Bucky, his Bucky... ]

I'm sorry. [ He said quietly. ] I'm sorry I couldn't save you. [ His tail had been so very beautiful, but now... his hand smoothed over those scales, as if he could massage the color and vibrancy back into it. ]

[So very young and reckless, not caring for anything but the thrill of the moment and the sheer notion that someone could love him in such a way. It was beyond family this, beyond anything he had experienced since he had been gently but firmly left behind by his female members of his family to fend for himself. He finally belonged again with someone as curious, young and odd as himself.

His hands dropped down to catch Steve's hips in the scramble to get into his lap, though under a bridge was surely not the best place, not with the smell heavy of blood and death. Still, his fingers gripped Steve's ass with the kiss, a thrill thrumming through him that he couldn't describe in English.]

I will not stand in your way, but I will kill for you. You provide me with the land-side of things, and I will provide you with the sea-side.

Ah. I missed you. I think.

[The hum was the note that struck with him in a manner that he hadn't entirely knew he longed for until it had come. Found. He was found, and they were together, even if it was just in a small cramped bathtub in the middle of a giant city. Here, in the wet and the cold bathtub, he was at peace for the first time in so long.

His fingers smoothed up the back of Steve's head, caressing and searching, exploring with increasing desperation. He touched everything from Steve's ears and forehead to the back of his mate's neck, needing to feel and memorize it all over again. And he knew he had never, ever given up their secret, the depth of their bond.

He rolled his scales into Steve's hand.] There is nothing to apologize for. You're here with me now; I found you again.

[And suddenly he knew.] Steve... I want to see the sea.

Like fish.

[ Steve smiled, and this time it was genuine and meant completely for Bucky. They were reckless and young and it didn't matter, because they loved each other, right? And everything would sort itself out after that. They belonged together, two peas in a pod.

Bucky belonged to him now, and he gently nipped at his bottom lip, playing with him. Settling in his lap, his breath caught at the way those hands gripped his ass. ] You're all mine.

I missed you too. I love you.

[ He hummed again, the way they'd discovered the note a long time ago and had both decided belonged to Bucky. He'd hummed it to himself even when he woke from the ice, and he pressed against him, kissing his fingers, leaning close, determined to be pressed into him.

He would never give up their secret, never betray Bucky, and he kissed his shoulder, his jaw, nuzzling against him until he realized what he was saying. ]

We will, soon. [ He sighed softly. ] Do you miss that, too? It was your home.

And treasure.

[He knew a few spots where he had horded some shiny objects, places where he had gone into sunk ships to just wonder at human ingenuity. The sea was not so easily mastered, but he still like the see all the objects that humans brought with them and left at the bottom of the sea when they sank.

The smile earned a toothy one from him, and he felt like he belonged for the first time in many years. He thrust his chin at the nip, a playful threat in return, and his hands remained a steadying force so Steve would slip off his lap and take the jacket down into the dirty cement.]

Yes. I like it when you say that too. How long can you stay today?

Is this what love is?

[Yet, he was plainly assured at the note that Steve sounded, and his back flexed against the rumble of Steve's chest in response. His tail, though scarred, shifted easily in the limited space, vibrancy gradual to return to the scales that hadn't been scarred up. He hummed his own sound to Steve.

Slowly he shifted, flipping himself over so that they lay chest to chest, his arms curling around Steve's shoulders. Everything of his own sex was internalized for the time being, but he was aware of the maleness of Steve against his pelvis.]

I might. Being here in the salt water makes me think I should be at the sea. With you.

And treasure.

[ Bucky was uncomplicated most times, his emotion written so plainly on his exquisitely handsome face, that young, boyish grin with his sharp teeth is both endearing and dangerous, and Steve couldn't help but be entirely charmed. He loved the other boy's innocence, the sweetness that this world with all of its worst things couldn't touch.

He nuzzled, lips having found their way to his collarbone to tease gently, a hand on his jacket over where his crotch is to gently, shyly pet him. ] Three hours, at most. Ma wants me home a little earlier. What do you wanna do?

What is?

[ Steve blinked, but his attention was drawn to the color that was slowly filling his tail, the fins that were starting to look more vibrant. But nothing could clearly be done for the ones that were discolored and scarred, and he bit his lip.

And when Bucky shifted so that he rested on his chest, Steve was momentarily embarrassed by the way he was pressed, his cock half-hard against those smooth scales. He knew Bucky knew it, too, but he hadn't said a word, and Steve wouldn't, too, not when he was too busy wrapping his own arms around him, hands stroking over his torso, his shoulders, over the smooth scales, as if to remind himself that his Bucky was home, right there in his true form. ]

Let's go soon. [ He said quietly, after a moment. Fury was still watching them closely, and Steve had their secret to keep. Steve nuzzled him, fingers tangled in his hair. ] We'll go to where the waters are warm.

[He didn't think that life needed to be complicated at all, that there were always the simple things to enjoy: eating, sleeping, exploring, surviving, seeing Steve. His life was nothing that he would currently change, especially not the part of Steve coming to visit him.

He tipped his head back slightly before twisting it around to nibble very gently at the top of Steve's earlobe. He stiffened at the very strange warm sensation that came with the shy petting to the jacket, stirring something instinctual but confusing in him.] I could... come home with you? I've never been in a land dwelling before. You could show me how humans sleep?

[He dropped his mouth to be right over Steve's ear.] Or I could show you the sea.

[ Oh. Steve filed that little reaction away, concerned if it hurt him, if he knew what it was. Well, he probably would know what it was, wouldn't he? He drew it away all the same, sensing that Bucky probably wasn't ready to explore that.

He brightened at the prospect of Bucky showing him the sea, and taking him home, and Steve's arms came to loop around the other boy's broader shoulders. ]

What if we did both? You show me the sea, and you can come home with me after that. I'll show you how humans sleep.

This. Being together in the bath, rubbing skin and scales.

[He was keenly aware of Steve in this form more than any other. The fins along his spine rose on their spines, looking almost translucent in the clear water, a simmer of a rainbow of colour to them that came with adulthood for his race. He was able to shiver them along alluringly.

His hips shifted, the scales on his underside smaller and far more smooth than the armour along his back. He slowly rubbed them against the sign of his mate's interest, the corner of his lip twitching in a faint but failed attempt at a smile. He was secure here in the bath, here with Steve's arms around him.]

Yes, just the two of us. I want to swim with you again, to feel what it's like. [He began to lip at Steve's chin affectionately.]

[He also brightened at the prospect of having both things, and he suddenly rolled to his feet from his kneeling position, holding Steve tight against him. In his motions, the jacket fell away to the rocks, leaving him bare, but he was too excited to care much about it right now. The jacket had passed out of his notice.

Instead, he hugged Steve tightly to his chest and approached the water's edge to scent it and listen for signs and sounds only his ears could hear. Then he gently slid Steve down his body to the ground again.]

Out of your clothing. It will only hinder you where we're going. [He was playfully nipping at Steve's neck and ears, nuzzling as if such an action would encourage the other boy naked the same as him.]

Yes. Skin and scales in the water.

[ Steve said quietly, gently moving his head so that he could catch his mouth in a slow, loving kiss -- he was not immune to Bucky's allure, not really, drawn to him when he saw the shimmer, his cock jumping, filling in response to his beloved's display.

He felt Bucky shift, and it was almost playful, the way he encouraged it, and he groaned, his hand stroking along Bucky's spine. ] And more than that, too. Love is much more than that. It's you and me, together all the time. [ He nudged against him. ] How about next Wednesday? I'll get a flight out for us.

This isn't the Little Mermaid

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