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

[disassembling]

[Somehow, there was no surprise to that. He must have taught Steve many things about his culture and traditions, but he doubted that anything related to family would have come up. They had been so young and so in love with one another that he doubted back then they had thought of much outside of each other anyway. Even now, they protected each other above all else.

His trust for Steve had never faltered even when his memories had. He pressed his nose against the side of Steve's jaw after the lick, humming a soft musical note at the hand stroking his belly. His eyes half closed in pleasure of just being close.]

We will have to hide this. Perhaps I won't show much given my muscle structure? [He chuckled and threw his arms around Steve's shoulders.] Me as well. Females are revered in my culture. A strong beautiful girl.

[163]

Mmm, maybe. Or we could say you've gained weight.

[ Steve teased, because that's true, right? There's a life growing inside of Bucky now, and Steve cannot help his wonder, the fact that it's a miracle. He nuzzled back against him, pleasantly happy when he heard that soft, sweet little musical note. It wasn't much, but it was enough to remind him that his mate was relaxed enough to do it again. ]

Has your kind ever done this before? Have children with humans?

[disassembling]

I am at optimal weight now.

[That was definitely a sting to his pride, that he an apex predator who hunted above and below the waves was indicated to be getting fat. No, he would be flush with their prize, and he refused to consider saying he was losing his form because of some inability to keep track of his own metabolism.

He nuzzled back, his fingers lifting and pushing into Steve's hair so he could hold his mate's head where he could lavishing little kisses on Steve's face.]

I don't doubt it has happened before. I can't say I know the songs of what the offspring were like. This is simply our path to tread together.

[163]

And you're perfect. [ Frankly, Steve doesn't care if Bucky gets fat; love is love, and he would never deny him a thing, especially not his affection. He leaned into Bucky's touch, contemplating his words. Their path to thread together, huh?

Steve threaded his fingers through his, bringing Bucky's hand up to press a reverent kiss to his knuckles. Their lives together were just beginning after a few decades of separation. ]

Mmm, it is. Is there anything that you need, Buck?

[disassembling]

[The Soldier hummed in pleasure at the compliment, aware that Steve wouldn't lie to him in order to keep him in line. No, that was as natural a compliment as him eating anything that proved worthwhile was.] And you are my perfect mate. I would choose nothing less.

[He stroked his hands up and down Steve's muscled back, feeling each ridge like he hadn't memorized them all already. He still blinked at the strange kiss to his knuckles, but he understood it had significance.]

Not yet. When I start to nest in the house, I will be eating more. A lot more. That will be in a few months.

[163]

A lot more fish, right? [ And the message was clear -- Steve doesn't want him eating people, not in their home, and definitely not the neighbors.

He pressed up against him, leaning into his hands, the way Bucky touched him as if he were absorbing all of him again. The idea of his mate actually nesting was a curious one, and he found himself looking forward to that, too; that Bucky could go back to his old habits. ]

[disassembling]

Anything, Steven. I feed myself first and foremost. [His message was clear right back. If it was between not feeding himself and luring a neighbour or paperboy or agent in, he would take it. He and the child he carried came first save for Steve himself.

His fingers traced around Steve's shoulder blades as he watched his mate intently and then a slow predatory grin showed off all of his sharp teeth.] Keep me in line, and I will eat what you want. Don't, and I will eat anything from someone's goldfish to them.

[163]

We could get in trouble.

[ Bucky's instincts were overwhelming, but Steve was worried for him, too. It would only take a slip-up for SHIELD to know, and even now he knew that they walked a fine line. He would keep his lover safe at all costs, but he would definitely much rather do it with a lower body count.

He doesn't move away from him, but he wanted him to understand, too. He pressed his forehead to his, and he was not smiling. ]

I love you, Bucky. I really do. I don't want them to know about you. Promise me you'll behave.

[disassembling]

I can clean up the evidence just fine.

[He was aware of the risks in that he knew how many people were always watching, waiting for some kind of slip up, curious and guarded against why he and Steve spent so much time together. He knew there were more questions than answers as to who and what he was, both Steve and HYDRA's most guarded secret.

He simply didn't see the point of them stopping the lives they had finally gotten back for fear of discovery. It had been a line they had walked for so long that it was no doubt second-nature to them both. He cupped the back of Steve's neck with his metal hand.]

I will express my nature. If you are so concerned, you'll find a way to stop me. No one can out-stubborn you.

[163]

[ Steve sighed softly; Bucky was digging in, just as stubborn as he was, and he was not in the mood to coerce him into doing something that isn't like him. HYDRA had done its level best to erase his nature and replace it with their own, and he could never do that to him, no matter what the stakes were.

They just had to be additionally careful, and Steve just had to be far more vigilant, that was all. He would never let his Bucky feel trapped again. He leaned in and pressed his forehead against him, frustrated but still hopelessly fond -- he loved him beyond all measure, and he would not push anything on Bucky that he didn't want. ]

Just so I'm prepared. What kind of food do you like when you're nesting? The usual?

[disassembling]

[Considering he was just starting to get a grasp on some of his old instincts, he was unlikely to let them go even for Steve. No, these were important to him, especially if it was for the benefit of the child inside of him. The little flutter of gentle butterfly wings agreed and he shivered in pleasure. He would protect that baby with everything that he was and everything that he had, and he knew that Steve would as well.

His fingers combed through Steve's hair, nuzzling their noses together as he savoured the close contact as always. He hummed a soothing noise in an attempt to take the edge off of Steve's obvious frustration. They couldn't move anywhere that they couldn't be found, so it was best they were comfortable.]

Meat generally. Creatures to build strong bones and scales. No doubt mostly fish, but I think I remember seals and even jellyfish sometimes.

[163]

[ Yeah, Steve wasn't planning on carrying seals into their home for him to eat it -- it would raise so many eyebrows, for one, but he made a note to visit the fish markets in the morning. He made a soft noise, hands trailing down to smooth over Bucky's ass as he kept him flush against him. ]

I'll feed you well, Buck. Make sure you have everything you need. [ Bucky succeeded, of course; Steve was appeased, sort of, but he was definitely a little more amenable, as far as everything was concerned. ] And it would be cute to watch you nest. Is there space for me?

[disassembling]

[He was certain that his mate would do everything possible to provide for him and their little one, but not even he knew how much he would require. This was all very new for them both, and he suspected that it would be as much a trial and error routine for him as it would be for Steve. He was still looking forward to it, the first time he'd looked forward to anything in a long while.

His hands slid around Steve and repeated much the same way with his mate's ass, fingering between the cheeks leisurely.] I know you will. You are a good mate to and for me. [He nibbled up the side of Steve's jaw before sucking on an earlobe.] Depends how far along I am. You might have to squeeze in if I am very big.

[163]

I'll squeeze.

[ Steve didn't mind the lack of space as long as he was with Bucky and their little one, the precious, tiny life growing inside of him. He eased down Bucky's body, kissing the swell of Bucky's stomach before he murmured softly. ]

Hello, baby. This is your daddy. You be good.

[disassembling]

[He narrowed his eyes when Steve left him and wiggled down his body, and he set his hands on his mate's head, digging his fingers in to scratch at the other man's scalp. He stilled at the affection to the barely evident sign of what lay in his flesh, but it was the words that softened him.

He peered down and watched Steve, having never experienced this type of interaction before. He doubted it was a practice found in his kind if it felt so surprising now.]

Hmpt, if you're involved, she will misbehave whenever she can. Keep... talk to her?

[163]

[ Steve's smile was entirely unrepentant -- of course she would be a handful, she's their daughter, and he would enjoy every moment with her. There was so much potential for her, so much in the world he wanted to show her; they would protect her with their lives, and he stroked his lover's belly. He was sure that she was nothing more than a bean at this stage, but it didn't matter.

She was growing, day by day, and she would get bigger and stronger. He kissed him there, continuing to talk to her. ] You'll grow up to be healthy and beautiful, and you'll come to see the world. We'll protect you from all the terrible things, and make sure you live your dreams, whether on land or in the sea.

[ He looked back up at Bucky, smiling. ] I hope you know how to swim, too, or your other daddy will be very disappointed.

[disassembling]

[While they would never know until the time whether or not it was a son or daughter, he fixed himself on what they both wanted. He, of course, would not be disappointed either way, and his focus was more on the strength and health than anything. Steve would love anything he was certain because his mate was far more giving and tolerant than he was.

He hummed at both the kiss and the words, letting them play pleasantly through his mind. His hum turned into a tune, low in his throat, husky and without any particular draw for anyone's attention.] Hmmm and you will survive well or I'll eat you. There is always time for more breeding.

[He hissed softly and glared down at Steve.] She will be born in water. If she sinks, you can rescue her.

[163]

[ Steve paused -- there was always a cold-blooded, animal quality to Bucky that reminded Steve that his mate was a creature of the sea, the fact that he allowed himself to be bound to Steve didn't mean that he was tamed. No, far from that -- the sea had its own rules, and so did creatures like Bucky.

But the idea of Bucky eating their baby didn't sit well with him, and he frowned. ] Even if she doesn't survive well, she deserves a chance. You can't -- end it just like that.

[disassembling]

[There was a part of him that enjoyed shocking Steve with his nature, things that had never come up when they were young. He didn't understand war, not even now, but he understood the limits of survival and wasting resources on something that could never survive without assistance all the time. He had no time for such things.

He hardly had time for his own disability, and if there wasn't an arm attached there all silver and metal, he would had fought to live but would have accepted that he could very well die because of it too.] You survived despite the odds. If she cannot do the same, it is a disgrace to her and us to keep pushing her along.

[163]

She's got our genes. She'll fight if she needs to.

[ And Steve believed in that -- their girl could grow up to be perfectly healthy, and maybe she wouldn't, but whatever it was, Steve would happily devote everything he had to her, no matter what Bucky said. He would even protect her from him, too, if it came right down to it, because that was what being human was.

He kissed his belly again, reaching down to spread his thighs and lay kisses against the inside of them, too. ] She'll do us proud, you know. Imagine what a child with both our traits can do.

[disassembling]

I'm counting on it. She will fight, and she will survive.

[There was the strength of conviction in Steve's voice, and it sent a thrill through him as it always did. That was the tone and words that inspired men to walk into war knowing very well that they could die. It always attracted him to Steve's side, even when his friend was small.

He lounged on the bed, moaning at the kisses and stroking his metal fingers through Steve's hair.] A troublesome, vicious child who picks fights and wins at any age.

[163]

[ Steve smiled, before he shifted to take his cock in his mouth, gently, delicately suckling at him. He adored him, loved the way he felt so heavy on his tongue, and he murmured quietly between his alternate sucking and licking. ]

I'm happy you're with me. [ Bucky was a blessing in every way that counted -- what would his life have been like without him? ]

[disassembling]

[He let out a soft 'ah' when the welcomed warmth of Steve's mouth enveloped him, and his fingers clutched at his mate's hair as he squirmed slightly on the bed. His hips rose slightly towards the sucking, eyes half-closing in the process.]

You make me happy. I had forgotten what that was like, but you brought it back to me. [He had stopped living until Steve had freed him from HYDRA.]

[163]

[ Steve smiled at that, heartened by those words before he sucked harder, drawing him out and fondling his balls, so heavy with unspent seed. He was glad they were going to be parents, and the thought of Bucky carrying his child inside of him filled him with a fierce, possessive joy, and he spread his legs further, hands pinning him down. ]

[disassembling]

[His hips thrust towards Steve's mouth but his legs parted wider to present himself more for the fondling. It felt good, and his chest rumbled with pleasured sound as his fingers cupped the back of his mate's head. The pin was unnecessary but thrilling as his blue eyes stared down at Steve between his legs.]