This isn't the Little Mermaid

[nonfrangible]

Who: James "Bucky" Barnes & Steve Rogers
When: Various
What: Mermaid AU - Bucky is a mermaid, an apex predator with a curiosity of humans and grows fond of Steve Rogers.
Warnings: Gore, killing for the purpose of feeding, Steve getting into trouble.

Starters inside.

Comments

[assailments]

[ Taking him below the waves? Steve blinked, feeling the slippery, scaly slide of Bucky's tail around his legs, the gentle rubbing of those fins -- Bucky wouldn't hurt him, wouldn't let him drown, and he was very aware of his own nakedness when pressed up against him.

Cuddling up against him to keep his own balance, Steve nodded. He trusted him, of course, and Steve was always up for something new, something exciting. He had glanced up carefully, nudging Bucky to head towards more open water where no one could see them. ] But I can't breathe underwater.

[nonfrangible]

[He nodded his head, still taking them further out despite knowing that he had to be very careful of how cold Steve was. His temperature was lower naturally than his friend's because he was at sea, and his skin was extremely good at holding in what heat he did produce. Humans were just not made to be at sea.]

If this works... you will. For a little while.

[He gave a lopsided smile because he had no idea if this would work. He was going to try though, gather what little magic of his own to try this so that Steve could be exposed to his world more.]

I'm going to take us under. If you need air, tap me hard on the shoulder okay?

[He gathered in a deep breath as if he were going to sing and then he suddenly kissed Steve hard and breathed into his friend as he took them beneath the waves. His magic was intended to give Steve the ability to breathe temporarily under the waves, but he had never done it before, so he curiously watched Steve's expression as they loitered beneath the surface.]

[assailments]

[ Steve hadn't hesitated. He kissed him back just as hard, the spark of magic, whatever it was, warming him up from the inside, filling him up with something else that he couldn't put his finger on.

It felt light, good, and Steve followed him down, unwilling to let go. He blinked, and it was comfortable, if a little strange at first, and finally he nodded. He didn't know how long it will last, but he trusted Bucky, tapping his shoulder to remind him that they shouldn't go down too quickly, either; humans weren't built for the underwater pressures. ]

[nonfrangible]

[He peered at Steve and when his friend made no motion to indicate that breathing was difficult below the waves, he uncurled himself from around the other boy. Instead, he moved around behind Steve, curling his arms across his friend's chest and began to take them leisurely through the water, which was murky this time of year. He moved easily and without hesitation in the water, slowly taking them lower.

The keels of boats were overhead to indicate the harbour, but most of the motors were off. He twisted around in water, looping Steve around him as he rotated and then began to sing a two-toned tune. It reverberated in the water, drawing fish in the area closer to investigate, but because he wasn't hunting he simply glided through their midst and carried on.

He decided to take Steve to one of his special places, an old sunken ship just beyond the harbour. He didn't think it would be too deep, not with his magic in play, and it came from the murky waters like an old ghost, a skeleton of the past. A large part of the wall was missing, and he dipped inside, scattering a school of fish that had taken residence there. He still sang as he let go of Steve, grinning toothily at his best friend.]

[assailments]

[ Steve was all right; whatever Bucky gave him was powerful -- it was working, and it was easy to gradually go deeper and deeper with him. The water wasn't too cold anymore, not at this comfortable level, and Steve was delighted with the lovely, alluring song Bucky was singing underwater, the two-toned beautiful melody that entranced, captivated.

He followed after him, guiding by Bucky's patient hand, and he stared, wide-eyed at the sunken ship. It was old, grand and rotting, but it was one of the best thingshe'd ever seen.

Taking his hand, Steve came in after him, drawn to the glistening fish that swam past, and to his friend's song, the one he felt right down to his bones. What a thrillingly gorgeous sound, he thought, even as he smiled back, helplessly drawn to him. ]

It's beautiful. [ He tries to speak, and is surprised when he can actually do it underwater. ] Almost as beautiful as you.

[nonfrangible]

[He twisted away from Steve, the fins of his tail brushing the barnacle encrusted wall as he let his friend figure out the art of swimming in a space that wouldn't put Steve at risk for being swept away by any currents. He flirted by twisting and shivering his fins so they danced in the murky water.

His grin become even more toothy at the compliment, preening as he continued his song a few moments longer and then dropping it. He beat his tail once to bring him closer, able to twirl around Steve close enough to brush his scaled body against his friend's legs.]

So full of compliments. I want to give you something that I found. [He darted down to the bottom, pushing aside debris that had gathered there of rotting wood.]

[assailments]

[ Steve held on to the closest wall that he could, gripping it tight and quietly nervous at a stray current would sweep him away -- but he's more occupied with what Bucky wanted to show him, peering into the dimness at the bottom, admiring the way the colors shimmered on Bucky's beautiful tail, the elegance of his movements.

He was captivated, hopelessly drawn to his fins, the way he twisted and turned -- and Steve has never been more proud of the fact that Bucky was his. ]

Be careful! [ He called out, before he inspected the barnacles on the side of the ship, the fish that were swimming past. ]

[nonfrangible]

[He searched around, sending disintegrating wood into the water until he found the little leather pouch that he had kept here. It was covered in barnacles as well, rotting away but enough remained to hold his treasure, which he removed and swam back to Steve clinging to a wall of the ship.

He twisted close and held out his hand shyly as he gifted his friend with a shiny of his own, one he had collected far from here but for a lack of a better place to keep it, had settled it here. It was a gold coin, heavy and pure, though he had no idea nor care what gold actually was. It was shiny and thus that staged its importance.]

Humans like shiny things too, especially yellow things like this.

[assailments]

[ Steve stared down at what Bucky had given him, wide-eyed and taken aback -- it was obvious that it was extremely expensive, and precious, and the weight of it, even underwater, was clear in his hand.

He pressed closer to him, unwilling to take it. ] Buck, this is very expensive. [ He pauses, clarifies. ] It costs a lot.

[nonfrangible]

[He was very pleased with himself, issuing a pleasing trill until Steve refused and then all of his excitement seemed to collapse for a moment before the set of his jaw changed from excited to stubborn. He pushed the golden coin more aggressively at his friend, holding it out as much as gift as a weapon.

He had found this and he wanted Steve to have it, especially after all the shiny things that Steve had brought him. Why just thinking of the mirror made him very excited to have it in the water.] No, it costs nothing. I found it at the bottom in a collapsed ship. It's pretty, and I want you to have it.

[assailments]

[ Oh, oh. Steve liked that adorable little trill Bucky always made when he was pleased with himself; and he practically pinpointed the moment when Bucky's crestfallen expression became something stubborn. His fingers, smaller than Bucky's claws, close gently over his as he presses near to kiss his cheek. ]

It costs too much for me to take, Bucky. Your gift is very, very beautiful, but I know you love how shiny it is, too. Why don't you keep this so you can look at it whenever you want?

[nonfrangible]

[He subsided in his aggression, letting the current catch his tail and urged it in close to where Steve clung to the wall. His tail twisted around his friend's legs as much for security as to simply hold Steve again. He hummed a musical note at the kiss before taking Steve's hand and pressing the coin into it.]

No, I am giving you a shiny like you give me shiny gifts. I can find more, you know, so I want you to have this one. I can look at you whenever I want, and that's all I care about.

[assailments]

[ There, Steve couldn't help but relax when Bucky looked happier, when he relaxed and sang so sweetly that he couldn't help but fall in love with him all over again. A part of it was the lure, he knew, but the other part -- the other larger part was truly genuine.

He loved Bucky with all his heart, his soul, and when the other boy embraced him and held him close, pushed the gold piece in his hand, Steve reluctantly closed his fingers around it, leaning forward to kiss him deeply. He would keep it safe, keep it hidden as a gift from Bucky to him. ] Really? Is that all you want?

[nonfrangible]

[It pleased him immensely when Steve took his gift, and he stroked his fingers down the length of his friend's arm as he drew them both away from the wall of the ship. He twirled them in the open underbelly of this private place, using his tail to keep Steve close as he directed their motions with his arms and fins.

He smiled and began to take Steve back towards open sea, out of the safety of this place. There was so much to show.]

Well, I like the shiny gifts and oranges you bring too, but those come with you, so it is you I'm still looking at.

[assailments]

[ Steve followed him easily, trusting Bucky not to let him drown in this vast, vast stretch of sea; it was terrifying and exhilarating all at once, and he clutched the coin tight. Not because it was worth a lot of money, but because it was something beloved by Bucky, something that he treasured.

He nuzzled him warmly, his cheek rubbing against his jaw as he clung tight, watching the different sea creatures swim past them. He thought he spotted a shark, too, but the water was too dark for him to make it out. ]

I'll bring you more of them. [ He promised. ] All the shiny gifts and oranges you can ever have. You can come and live with me, too.

[nonfrangible]

[He had no idea how long his magic would last in the other boy, but he was confident in his own swimming ability to get them to the surface before it was a struggle for Steve to breathe. He took them beyond the many harbours of Brooklyn into clearer waters, twirling and sliding his hands along Steve's body as he went.

Being at sea was important to him, pointing out which fish were good to eat, which to avoid for various reasons. He even had them brush the keel of a boat heading out, heavy in the water and pinned Steve there so he could kiss his friend deeply.]

Live with you? Know what a bed is like?

[assailments]

Pretty much.

[ The spell, whatever it was, seemed to be holding strong so far, and Steve swam together with him, slower, but Bucky was always patient with him. He was getting tired, but Bucky's kisses made things better, especially when he got pinned against the boat.

It was dangerous, it was wonderful, and Steve had kissed him up, opening up as he wrapped his legs shamelessly around his waist. ]

Mmm. We could kiss there, too. But in secret.

[nonfrangible]

[His tail moved to keep them in line with the boat, so there was little to no risk of Steve's back scraping. It also allowed him to take the other boy's weight so there was less effort for Steve to have to maintain swimming. This was a lot to ask of someone who lived only topside. The sea required all muscles to be working well.

He kissed Steve harder, practicing and lavishing attention on his friend as they swam in time with the shadow of the boat above them. One hand dropped down to stroke along Steve's thigh, his hips bumping against his friend's as he moved them.]

Because I'm not human like you or because I'm a boy too?

[assailments]

[ Steve's smile faltered -- he'd loved Bucky's world, no matter how brutal and cruel it was. At least it made some sort of sense. This one, not so much. He twined with him, a little clumsily at first, and never as graceful as his beautiful companion could be, moving so easily through the water.

His gaze was drawn to his scales, and he felt Bucky bump up against him, sleek and cool. He groaned softly at the way his hand felt, and he gently moved his hand, urged it between his legs. ] Because you're a boy, too. I know the rules are unfair, and I hate it. I'm going to change it one day.

[nonfrangible]

[He twisted them, taking them away from the boat and letting it go about its way as he took them a little deeper below the surface. The water above them was light and glimmered with the rays of the sun, and he wasn't worried about any manner of attack because Steve was so pale as were his under scales. They were practically invisible.

He hummed in the water, moving with Steve and keeping his friend plastered against his chest and hips, savouring those skinny legs around his waist. He shifted his hand too, palming over Steve's testicles.] You're going to make it so that anyone can love anyone else then? Is that the goal?

[assailments]

Yes.

[ Steve decided, because he couldn't imagine the many other couples, shamed and afraid, hiding what they were and who they loved -- not being able to be with each other the way normal couples were. What more himself and his beloved Bucky? He groans softly, eyes lidding in pleasure when he felt him stroke him so sweetly, like he'd always belonged in his arms.

His fingers stray, too, curiously pressing over the front, rubbing over his scales to figure out just where his sex was to try to return the favor. He was lazy, playing with him as he gently nipped at his jaw. ] I don't want other people to keep the people they love a secret, too.

[nonfrangible]

You are a strange boy. Why do no other humans strive to change the world like you do?

[His own race was content to live within the confines of well worked tradition, though a few strayed from the general opinion. They were not looked down upon because their knowledge and experience was important to pass on, to retain for learning and impression. Humans seemed to fear everything, even themselves, which was such an odd and destructive way to live. Humans didn't even eat their dead, just put it in the ground or threw it in the sea. Very strange.

His fingers cupped the silken package before sliding up to caress Steve's length carefully, mindful of his claws. His tail lazily undulated to take them further from the safety of shore where the currents were stronger, the pollution less, the water clearer. He held Steve more protectively, unwilling to lose his friend and curious of the exploring fingers.

They slide over the topmost slit, caressing the sensitive small scaling until it bulged with renewed excitement. Below that slit was a second opening, and he stilled his tail at any exploration over it, watching Steve closely.] I will horde you like the treasure you are.

[assailments]

They're afraid. [ Steve shrugged a little -- the question hadn't actually occurred to him, and between squirming happily at Bucky touching him and curling up against him, exploring that interesting little slit that had caught his attention, he exhaled a soft, keening little moan.

His voice wasn't as beautiful as Bucky's, but he tried anyway; made his pleasure known as he continued to explore his best friend's sensitive spots, attention caught on the bulging slit, wondered what it was, exactly. ]

Not if I do it with you first. [ He challenged, rubbing up against Bucky's hand. He noticed when Bucky stilled when his small fingers eased over the second opening, and he looked back at him, playfully wicked. Steve gently rubbed over the second opening, the scales that seemed softer around it. ]

What's this, Buck? Do you like it?

[nonfrangible]

[He contemplated that answer as his hand stroked up Steve's penis and then back down again, tracing over the other boy's testicles before groping his friend's ass. He had to lift that hand away though, unwilling to damage Steve because of curious exploration with his claws.

Instead, he raised his hand to his mouth and chewed off his own claws to the start of his flesh, removing part of his natural defenses without a care in the world. As he was doing so, he was keenly aware of Steve's fingers exploring the second slit, the muscles behind it clenching even as the small smooth scales remained the same.]

It feels strange. That's... I don't know the human word. [He dropped his hand and inserted his smooth fingers between Steve's cheeks to stroke his friend's ass.] There, yes? Above is my sheathe so I don't go all withered in salt water.

[assailments]

[ Steve watched with amazement as Bucky bit his claws off, easy as you please, as if he didn't care if he'd just removed a part of his own natural defenses. It was oddly, powerfully moving, and he felt his own cock twitch, his shaft filling out with more blood, arousal that tingled in the base of his spine.

His Bucky was beautiful, curious, and Steve's mouth parted, startled at the way the other's fingers pressed against him; not quite yet breaching his hole. But Steve would not be deterred or distracted from learning his friend's secrets. ]

Is this... where you could let boys mate you? [ He continued rubbing little circles around it, before he dipped his fingertip into the the little slit, delighted when the muscles tightened as he pressed in a little deeper. ]

Does it hurt?