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

[163]

The guy killed it for me on the spot.

[ Steve did not harbor any illusions as to where his food came from, but still. He loved the child-like, innocent way Bucky brightened; the man was the light of his life, the apple of his eye despite the challenges, and he watched him go and return before he frowned. ]

No, not here. No feasting in the nest, or you'll get it dirty.

[disassembling]

[He wished that he had been there at the market when the fish had moved its gills one last time. Those were the best times to eat, but this was still very fresh and filled his mouth and his belly in all the right ways as he padded back to where Steve was still in the bedroom near his nest. Right where he wanted his mate.

He paused from taking another bite of scales and muscles at the frown and looked at his nest.]

That's where feasting is supposed to take place. It'd the ideal place where I'm safest and least likely to be disturbed while I feed. You are welcome to join me in it. [In fact, he might insist on it.]

[163]

Bucky, you know the house rules.

[ Steve said patiently. House rule #5: no eating of raw, bloody food in the bedroom. And #6, no getting blood over washed clothes. He could deal with the nesting, he really could (he just had to buy more new clothes for himself and keep it out of his mate's reach). ]

And you know you're safest in this house.

[disassembling]

They should be nixed while I'm pregnant.

[He wanted very much to settle into his nest, to curl up with the fish and eat it down. He frowned unhappily when it seemed that Steve was going to hold him to the house rules even now when he was starting to get heavier. He stared longingly at the nest, chewing the fish flesh and taking another bite immediately after he had swallowed.]

I'm safest in my nest with you. Are you sure I can't eat in there?

[163]

How about I cuddle with you while you eat out here?

[ See? A compromise. Steve saw his frown and his unhappiness, and the last thing he wanted to do was to upset his guppy mate. He stepped closer and took his other hand, kissing his cheek briefly and carefully avoiding the blood. ]

You can sit in my lap while you eat.

[disassembling]

Or we could cuddle and eat in the bathtub?

[Though, with his girth, the bathtub was dangerously cramped with the two of them, which was displeasing. He still allowed himself to be placated and drawn away from his nest with the touch and the kiss. He swallowed the last bite of meat in his mouth and swayed after Steve.]

Your lap is acceptable.

[163]

There's another fish on the table. [ Steve smiled at him -- he was going to make Bucky brush his teeth before kissing him, but it was okay, he liked it when Bucky chose to cuddle. Taking his other hand, he made his way to the couch, settling on it.

His mate was already very heavy with their baby, and if Bucky stepped closer towards him, his hands would come to smooth over that belly, and he would be pressing kisses over it, warm with pride and happiness. ]

Does she still kick?

[disassembling]

[Steve was very, very diligent about keeping him so well fed, and he hummed as he was drawn to the living room and over to the couch. He stepped up and his eyes fluttered as those warm hands spread over the stretched skin of his belly, and he sighed contently.

Slowly and a little awkwardly, he maneuvered onto the couch to straddle Steve's lap. He sat far enough away that his mate wouldn't have to endure fish in the face, which he was back to taking bites out of and chewing quickly.]

She was kicking my kidney when you were out, but she may be asleep. [There was a new kick at Steve's hand, and he huffed noisily.] You're her favourite, it seems.

[163]

[ A well-fed Bucky was a relatively harmless Bucky, and that works out for innocent neighbors, really. Bucky was slower now, heavier, but that was to be expected when his body was nurturing a small life inside of him -- something always has to give. But he adored him all the same, endeared by his thoughtfulness. He kissed where their little girl kicked, laughing softly. ]

Nonsense. She loves you as much, too. [ He hummed softly to their baby. ] Isn't that right? Be nice to your daddy's kidney, he's the one feeding you right now.

[disassembling]

[Between feedings, they were spending more and more time together, and it triggered old memories and instincts inside of him. Now that he was at the point of nest building, he would no doubt be now spending considerable amounts of time and energy convincing Steve to come and settle into the full formed nest with him.

Of course, he had to stop eating first. He set into the salmon with a renewed vigor as Steve's hands and mouth lavished attention on him.]

She loves me when I feed her, but she comes awake for you. [He hummed a deep trill in his throat as little kicks were aimed towards Steve.] She doesn't need my kidney to get a meal. Mmmm, and papa brings you food, doesn't he?

[163]

[ There was something distinctly attractive about his mate tearing into the fish. Most others would look away, of course, but Steve has been around him long enough to be accustomed to it, to see the beauty in the way Bucky consumed his food.

He rubbed gentle, soothing circles over Bucky's belly, humming to the baby inside to calm her down -- Papa was here, see? ] She just likes the stories I tell her about us.

[disassembling]

[His jaw worked insistently, teeth slashing and reducing the flesh in his mouth to easily swallowable amounts. As soon as he finished one mouthful, he was taking another and another was he watched Steve fondly tend to their hidden and well-protected daughter. He ate the entirety of the first fish without slowing, but he found himself rather full and unable to yet consider the second. His digestion worked so fast that it wouldn't take long.

He leaned in and nuzzled the side of Steve's face with his nose and cheek, careful not to kiss his mate with his rather distinct fish-breath.] I like those stories too. They remind me of how much we did together back then.

[163]

And how much more we can do together now.

[ Steve reminded him, because they had their entire future in front of them, with their family and their lives, and he was never going to let Bucky fall into the wrong hands again, even if it was SHIELD. He nuzzled him back, smelling fish and blood, and loved him all the same, as he wrapped an arm around his mate's waist.

He couldn't quite reach around him the way he used to, but it didn't matter. ] I never thought I could have a family until now. I love you.

[disassembling]

We are limited for the time being. Are the agents who watch this place or try to listen in wondering why I am leaving the apartment less?

[He could protect himself even now, but Steve had taken up that role with a vigor that caused a flush of warmth for his mate. This was exactly as he had begun to imagine it was supposed to be like, and they had each other for everything that they needed and wanted.

He shifted down Steve's thighs, nestling closer to his mate's body but still some distance away with his girth. It amused him that Steve's attempts to hold him were far more unsuccessful now.]

I never knew I wanted one until now. You will be the first to hold her when she comes into the world. That is my love for you.

[163]

[ It really wasn't his fault that you are like a very small whale, guppy. Steve loved him anyway, happy to watch him nestle close, and warmed to know that Bucky couldn't stay away from him even if he wanted to. The fish Bucky had was quickly getting finished, and he rubbed at the swell of his belly all the same, loving every inch of him, no matter how round he was.

He was flush with life, resplendent like a creature born to be worshiped, radiant, even and he smiled, running his fingers through Bucky's hair. ] I'd love that. We'll hold her together after that.

[ Because that was his love for him, too. His smile widened. ] And then we can look at having another one.

[disassembling]

[It actually was Steve's fault entirely, and it was the story that he was sticking to when especially frustrated he couldn't get his arms around Steve's shoulders. He had to shift backwards slightly so that he could lean his own shoulders in all angled in order to get close enough to actually hold his mate in return, to stroke his metal hand down the back of Steve's neck.

He hummed at the rubbing, the taut skin itchy at times, but the glow of new life softened him. He sighed at the response of their baby, pressing at Steve's hand insistently.] Yes, though... will she be raised in the sea more? It might be difficult to explain a newborn in your apartment.

[Yet, he growled softly at the suggestion. Cheeky mate.] Another one? This is not a limitless service I provide, you know.

[163]

[ Steve would gladly, happily take the blame if it meant that his lover would cuddle up and roll over all the time like this. Not that he didn't like the lethal, deadly way he was before. He leaned in to kiss his cheek briefly, careful to keep away from his mouth until he brushed his teeth, and he rubbed circles over his belly, trying to soothe their baby, too.

See, Daddy was always going to be here. He thought about that for a moment -- he didn't want to be separated from Bucky and their baby, but this was a good point. ] We could just say we adopted her.

[ He commented, leaning into Bucky's touch in return and smiling when he growled. Oh, yes, he was thinking about them having more. ] No, not limitless. Maybe four.

[disassembling]

[It was not entirely surprising how easily they were both soothed under Steve's touch, and his nose nuzzled his mate's cheek. He was skeptical of the adoption story given how little he had been seen the last few months, though as if anyone would consider the possibility that either one of them was biologically sound enough to have a family.

He huffed softly, one hand shifting between them to settle over Steve's to follow the stroking motions with his own.] And where would you adopt a newborn? Say you found her on the beach?

[His growl cut off in a soft squeak of indignity. He was a predator of the sea and land, the ultimate killer across the planet! Four babies would... well, if they looked like Steve, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.] You are pushing your luck, Rogers. What are we going to do with a school of babies?

[163]

Why not?

[ Because it was not like anyone would believe Bucky capable of bearing a child for him. It just took a little creative spinning, and he was sure Natasha would help out with making it more convincing. His lips trailed to Bucky's throat, gently sucking a lovebite on his skin before his smile widened. ]

Love them, of course. If they look like little yous, I would want a dozen. We could teach them how to live in this world, how to make it a better place.

[ He ran his fingers through Bucky's hair, eyes lingering on his cap. ] C'mon, let's go brush teeth. I want to kiss you. Maybe see if we can make twins if I make love to you enough times.

[disassembling]

No one will believe you.

[He understood that no one could entirely prove it wasn't true until DNA testing was done on the child and it became obvious that Steve was a contributing half of the child. Then the questions would really start. He was not prepared to be a science freak again nor have their child subjected to any of that kind of treatment.]

A dozen! I am not swarming this planet with more you! [Of all the indignity turning him into some... some... well, he was certain humans overbred things. The planet could use more of Steve, but that wasn't the point.

He was up and out of Steve's lap faster than a pregnant merman had any right too. He was growling a threat in his throat, a soft few cusses in his own tongue as he glared at Steve from under the brim of his cap.] I'm eating your neighbour the moment you turn your back. [He stomped off silently to the bathroom to brush his teeth all the same.]

[163]

[ Steve laughed softly before he went after his pregnant mate, coming up behind him in the bathroom to wrap his arms around him. He was joking with the twelve, of course -- pregnancy took a toll on Bucky, and he would never make him have more than he would want to. ]

This planet could do with more of you. [ He said quietly, kissing the curve of his neck briefly, fondly. ] But I'm glad there's only one. [ And that one is all his. He's possessive, territorial, and there was no way Steve would allow anyone to run DNA tests on their little girl.

He would be the enemy of the world for the sake of his beloved mate and their baby; he would protect them and keep them safe, and he gently nipped at his ear. ] You're adorable with you're flustered. You're not really going to eat her, are you?

[disassembling]

[The Soldier was still growling his threat when Steve found him in the bathroom, but he couldn't exactly discuss it either as he was forcefully brushing his teeth and glaring at his mate. He knew that Steve was joking, but he had his own difficult front to put up in reply and rumbled and grumbled at the kiss.

He shifted his weight on his feet, leaning over and pressing his ass into Steve's groin so he could spit. He pointed his toothbrush at the little shit of a mate that he had taken on like it was some kind of deadly weapon.] I'm not flustered. I'm indignant about the prospects of being pregnant the next thirteen years because you can't keep your hands to yourself.

[Not that he minded really. Steve was definitely making up for lost time. He stuffed the toothbrush back into his mouth and returned to that activity, not saying one way or another about the idea of eating someone.]

[163]

We're going to have a big problem, I can't keep my hands off you at all, and it's not just going to be for just the next thirteen years.

[ And oh, Steve's breath hitched when he pressed his ass into his groin like the little minx that he is, the seducer, ever tempting and tantalizing. He knew when his lover was making a fuss for the sake of it, and he wrapped his arms around him to hold him close, lips pressed against the blade of his shoulder. He'd always loved the musculature of Bucky's body, the way he seemed carved out of granite, made with so much grace.

He looked in the mirror and breathed him in, hands sliding down to gently rub Bucky's bare cock. ] I want to spend my whole life with you.

[disassembling]

Then we had best home any kind of fertility that I have is very short lived.

[Because the other suggestion was unthinkable in his mind, and he had no plans on suggesting any kind of protection. He was old-fashioned that way, and he'd rather take the risk than stop the smooth glide of Steve against him and inside of him. That was out of the question.

He paused in the act of brushing his teeth at the way that Steve's hands wandered, and he shifted his legs apart both to brace and balance himself as well as offer a little more of himself in reply to that touch. He turned his head to peer at his mate and his metal hand reached over his own shoulder to tangle in Steve's hair.]

And so you will. We aren't being parted again. We failed last time because of our youth, but we know better now.

[163]

We do.

[ Steve said thoughtfully, quietly, feeling the way Bucky accepted him, yielded under him so sweetly like he was made just for him. He didn't hesitate, pressing closer, aroused and wanting -- and the sight of his full, pregnant lover in the mirror did more to rouse his libido than to dampen it.

Bucky was still so very responsive, and his hand pressed between the cheeks of his ass, a finger tentatively testing, pushing inside of his ass. ] We'll always be together.

[ He promised, nipping at his bottom ear, whispering softly. ] Do you miss having me deep inside you?