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

Re: BIRTH (because)

[disassembling]

[It's a different kind of pressure in his pelvis, not just a settling of weight or a generalized discomfort of being unable to find a comfortable position to sleep in. His nesting need had picked up considerably in the last few days, destroying any semblance of order to the apartment. When he woke from a light uncomfortable sleep, he knew with a grunt and shift that the low longing for the sea had spiked to a desperate necessity.

It hadn't taken Steve much to be convinced that this was the real thing, not a questionable false alarm. The SUV was better than trying to straddle the motorcycle, though he had been prepared to do so and cling at Steve's back with hissing threats of encouragement. Instead, he was settled down in the back seat breathing hard and feeling the pressure building to a painful degree. He had been practicing with muscles that would be used in this process, but it seemed so much more difficult when he had legs to spread.

He gripped the seat with his mismatched hands, arching with a groan in the back.]

Hurry. It's coming. [And yes, he knew it would take time, but it all felt like it had to happen 'now' rather than 'later'. His body was ready and clearly the baby was ready, so there was no choice but to sit and be in pain while Steve drove.]

[163]

[ Steve drives at top speed, jaw tense when he can practically smell the baby coming, the curious mix of seawater and blood and something else muskier, older. He makes sure Bucky's comfortable when the contractions start; they still have quite a way to go, and as much as he wishes he could be back there holding his mate and helping him work through it, he knows that this, too, is something that his mate needs to do on his own. ]

I know. I know, baby. You need to hold it in for me for awhile longer. Breathe. In and out. Slowly.

[ But he reaches the sea in half an hour, and he doesn't hesitate when he kills the engine and practically throws open the car door, reaching in to carry his mate out. ] You still okay?

[disassembling]

[His breathing was deep and even, only hitching during a particular contraction which were getting stronger and heavier. His fingers clenched in the seat as he shifted in an attempt to find a comfortable position, but there was none. Every instinct was confused over the fact he had a full pelvis and no tail.

They made it though, the smell of the sea coming on stronger, and the moment that Steve stopped, he was twisting to shove open the truck door and dragging himself to his mate to be helped out.] I can walk. I need to walk.

[He breathed deep the sea air, the cry of the gulls even at this early hour and the feel of sand on his bare toes, and he took steps towards the dark waters. His home. He was going home to have a baby. He made a sing-song sound as he just began to pull out of his clothing and leave it behind, his eyes fixed on the sea. He tottered awkwardly and groaning with contractions for about half away and then any idea that he could do this under his own power was lost when his water broke and he was left staring at the wet sand.]

Okay, carry me! Hurry, hurry!

[163]

[ He was going home, and a part of Steve was mortally afraid that Bucky would leave him and never come back -- he had heard tales of selkies who slipped back into the sea and never returned, and even though a lot of them had dealt with selkies being cheated into coming onto land (which Steve had never done for Bucky), the fear still stood.

Still, he hadn't thought twice. His mate was giving birth and this was the only thing to do. He picked him up, gripping him tightly and pressing a kiss to his forehead before he practically sprinted to the shore with his very pregnant mate in his arms, waded into the cold sea water with him until it reached just above his chest before he released Bucky.

He would let him go anyway, because he trusted him, he trusted in the promises; Bucky would come back to him. ] Go.

[disassembling]

[Swept up in those strong arms earned a rumble of appreciation as Steve sprinted them to the water's edge. He expected to be set to his feet to totter in the rest of the way, but no, his mate was ever thoughtful and took him right into the water. His tail emerged faster than usual, the physiological changes of his lower half a relief as he twisted and dove under the rolling waves.

The water made carrying the child's weight easier, and even though the contracts were still painful, every bit of the experience switched to a sensation of rightness. He swam slow, his muscles stronger and pushing as he circled back to where his mate was still waded chest-deep in the water.

Birth happened in the shallows, and he returned to set his hands on Steve's shoulders so that he could lean in to kiss the blond. And then he breathed into his mate and used his tail to sweep Steve's feet out so that they could both enjoy being under the waves and the safety of the depths in which he would bring their child into the world.]

[163]

[ The kiss was still a jolt to his system after all this time, bringing back memories of days gone by, the nostalgia of them both in the sea again. There was a glorious lightness that filled him, the joy of being in the sea that he was sure was inspired by his beautiful mate.

He could see in the darkness now, and he shifting to swim towards him, unwilling to let him be alone as he birthed. It was a moving few moments as he watched the little hint of a fin poking out, and he touched his hand, his arm, reassuring him that he was loved, that this was a good thing.

God, Bucky was so magnificent here. ]

[disassembling]

[He twisted in the water, letting Steve get acquainted to the newness of being free to swim and breathe. For his part, he moved his tail slowly, feeling the pressure building, stretching muscles and straining scarred scales. It felt right though, this coming home to the sea after so long gone.

His hips undulated, his upper half stilling and concentrating on what was happening internally. He issued a soft musical trill, and he turned into Steve's touch, sliding his metal arm around so that he could press his mate to his back where he could wrap the end of his tail around one leg.

A few contractions later, the finned tail had emerged, trailing as he moved slowly in the water, the pain and joy escalating at the same time. He rode through them, more tail emerging.]

Steve...!

[163]

[ Oh, look at him -- the sweet trills and the swirling, the struggle to bring new life into this world. Steve watched him, swam with him and pressed close, kissing his neck, his shoulder to soothe the pain somehow. ]

You're doing well, Buck. Slowly, easy. [ He soothed, shifting instinctively as he watched more of the tail wriggling out, their baby, their new little life. He was excited, and he held Bucky tight. There was nothing else in his life that compared to this, the primal, rawness of birth, the fact that he and his lover both made something that was coming into this world, borne of the both of them. ] Push, just a little more.

[disassembling]

[His body flexed and rolled under Steve's, working on a level that was all instinct, all passed down through his blood and his bones. He dropped his flesh hand down, groping and touching at the smooth scales on their baby's tail. He hummed a low tune in his throat, a song for himself and Steve as well as the welcome their child into the open waters with them.

There was a time of little activity, just the strain of muscles and his wiggling against his mate. And then, almost abruptly, he gave a sharp kick of his tail and a twist of his body and the little one was free with a blossom of blood in the water. For a moment, he was in shock, that all the pressure had suddenly cut off.

Yet their infant was a precocious being and kicked around to swim while issuing a sound to call around for the welcomed arms of a parent.]

[163]

[ Steve had never been privy to such a thing before, the wonder and naturalness of it, the violence of birth, the triumph of another soul knitted together in Bucky's womb, his mate had birthed their child, a small, small bundle of joy that had taken to swimming, and Steve held his mate briefly, squeezing his arm to reassure him before he moved to take their infant's hand, to draw their baby into his arms.

He was beautiful, their boy; a little small, but he couldn't help the burning behind his eyes when he held the wriggling little thing. ]

You did it. [ He said softly, keeping his mate close, rubbing circles on Bucky's back with his hand, soothing him, grounding him. He could taste the blood in the water, but he had watched enough videos of dolphins giving birth to know that it was only natural. ] Look, Bucky. Look how beautiful he is. Are you all right?

[disassembling]

[He twisted around, his body tingling to view the miracle that he and Steve had created together, and he was instantly taken with the small creature that was held in Steve's arms. Their boy, he hummed as he slid an arm across the back of Steve's shoulders, admiring the pale scales, the translucent fins that would gain colour later in life, small grasping fingers that caught on Steve's shirt and that small angelic face.

He slowly drew them away from the area of birth, away from the taste of blood, his forehead coming to rest against his mate's temple and his hand reaching out to cup the back of their boy's head.]

Fine. Everything is perfect. He's got your eyes.

[163]

Is it normal that his fins this pale?

[ Their baby was an energetic little thing, wriggling along with Bucky, instinctively learning from him. Steve let Bucky draw them away from the blood as they swam; Steve's movements not nearly as graceful as Bucky's. But he was protective of the both of them, fiercely so; and he kept them close, crooning quietly into his lover's ear to soothe him.

He had never been happier, and this had never been more perfect. His mate, their baby -- he had thought that this was out of his reach when he had emerged from the ice, but to be gifted this again... Bucky was right, everything was perfect. He gently reached out to tickle the newborn, who sang so loudly for his parents, smiling. ]

We should name him.

[disassembling]

Yes, they'll get colouration in a few months.

[He couldn't keep the smile from his lips, tired though it was but beaming with a sense of pride at the wiggling creature learning to swim and keep up with them. He leaned in to kiss Steve on the lips, so deeply in love with his mate and feeling like no matter what, things would be just fine with them.

He trilled a laugh at the baby's call, slowing his motions so the infant could swim up along his belly, clumsy but determined. Such a handsome voice; it would draw in so many in their boy's lifetime.]

What about after your father?

[163]

[ Steve paused. He never really knew his father; with an arm bracing his mate so that they could swim together, he smiled as he watched them both together, their baby and him. He kissed him back, long and slow and tender, endlessly grateful for Bucky and their life together now.

He smiled. ] What about James? [ Their little guppy was enjoying the water but still staying close, gently bumping against Bucky and letting the current generated by Bucky take him along too. ] Little James.

[disassembling]

[Their newborn son floundered slightly at a shift in the currents around them, and he reached out a hand to catch the thrashing delightful creature, drawing it up to his chest. Little fins caressed his skin and small arms gripped onto him even as he kissed Steve quite thoroughly.

They had never been able to agree on a name. How many conversations had they had on the matter? It was amusing, but he was instantly taken with the love and adoration in Steve's voice than the name itself. He sighed and then made a surprised trill when the baby found a nipple and latched.] It seems he likes the name same as you. James it is. But he's keeping your last name.

[It seemed worthwhile that they again immortalize Steve's dead best friend with that name.]

[163]

[ Steve was lucky that his Bucky was not much of the jealous type in that regard, and he allowed himself a bittersweet thought; what would his Bucky have grown into, if he had the chance? What could they have been? But he had not allowed it much room before he nuzzled his mate. He loved this Bucky, he loved everything that he was, and he had never been a luckier man.

He smiled when their baby latched, their James, and he held Bucky close, whispering Bucky's real name in his ear to show him how much he was loved. He grinned, humming softly. ]

Not yours? He is your son, too.

[disassembling]

[His swimming motions slowed to a lazy flick of his tail, instead sliding his body more against Steve's to feel the strength of his mate's body. With his flesh arm, he held the baby up against him to nurse freely but his metal one craned back to cup the back of his mate's neck affectionately.

He shivered in delight at the whispering and turned his head to regard his mate.]

If he's taking my first name, he's taking your last name. You know I'm greedy for many things, but with you, there is only fairness. And you're not allowed to argue with me; I just gave birth.

[And according to many of the books he had read, it seemed like he earned some free card to do whatever he wanted after that event. Time to play it.]

[163]

[ Bucky.

Then again, Steve was very much more willing to give him free rein over pretty much about anything. He laughed at that, realising that his mate had apparently pored through the books Steve had brought home after all. He shook his head and leaned forward to kiss him, watching James nurse with all tenderness. James clung to Bucky happily, oblivious to what they were evidently all talking about. ]

Yes, yes. Of course. James Rogers, yours and mine. Does this mean you're taking my name too?

[disassembling]

[The sound of Steve's laugh in the water was musical to him, a healthy burst of sound that caused their newborn and nestle deeper against him and suckle harder. Safe in their mate's arms, the water rich and salty around them, and he slid his hand up into Steve's blond hair which was darker in the water.]

Does this mean you want me to take on your name? That's a human tradition, is it not?

[163]

[ Steve enjoyed the view of their baby suckling, of Bucky caring for their little one with such tenderness. His Bucky was a predator through and through, and there was something just so poignant about seeing him take care of something so small.

He leaned into his touch, darting in to kiss his mouth softly, playfully. Steve had never gotten the chance to ask him that before, but now, he would not let that opportunity slide. ]

Would you like that? Bucky Rogers.

[disassembling]

[Despite the sore exhaustion that came with such an event, he care for nothing else but the mate holding him and the little being that was theirs. It was too bad that there were so few small islands to bask on in the area, and they couldn't slip away for weeks at a time or risk all of SHIELD coming looking for Steve.

He kissed Steve back, a hint of teeth on his mate's lower lip as he twisted them around in the water, careful not to dislodge the suckling baby. He nuzzled Steve's face with his nose and cheeks.]

You know that I like anything of yours. Does this mean we get one of those vacation weeks out from under the watchful eyes of SHIELD on some warm tropical beach?

[163]

I'll call in for a month off. Get Natasha to get them off our backs.

[ Steve offered as he gently guided Bucky further from the shore, onwards to where they could find a place for themselves, to rest and recuperate and attend to their baby. Steve had never dwelled so long before, but he was much, much stronger and hardier now, able to withstand long periods in the water.

The breath Bucky had breathed into him helped insulate him against the sharp coldness of the water -- in fact, it was positively welcoming. James, in the meantime, had stopped suckling, and was cooing for something else to do, tiny hands reaching for Bucky as he demands attention.

Steve laughed softly, an arm wrapped around his lover still. ] We could tend to him in peace. Make sure he's all right and coping. Do you guys have... I don't know, doctors?

[disassembling]

Good because I'm tired of living in the bathtub. A month with no need to hide... can you imagine it?

[When he realized that Steve was drawing them further from shore, he hummed and helped in that, pushing them further into open water. He had once known these waters well, but now, it had been so long that he was getting used to them the same as Steve as they moved around away from where predators may be moving to investigate the scent of blood.

He trilled a soft noise at the baby, releasing his hands and letting their little one have to keep up with their motions. He still reached out to hold onto one of those tiny hands, pressing into his mate and having eyes only for the both of them.]

We have people of our species that can mend injuries, sickness and the like. Birth tends to be... a family affair. Our matriarchs oversee it and keep us safe. [He had no idea where his matriarch was or even who she was anymore. It was just him and Steve.] He's a strong boy. The two of us can handle him.

[163]

Nothing but you and me and the wide, wide ocean.

[ And the thought thrilled and excited him -- he would go where he had never gone before, led by his mate with their baby in their care. He would be with him for that long, shown the depths of oceans and seas; it was so tempting to just disappear with Bucky, to be with him and their baby always. It would be so much less complicated, he knew, when he watched Bucky trill at James, so sweet and warm that it made his heart swell with happiness and bliss.

But he knew, too, that he had duties to perform, things that he had to fulfill before he could truly disappear into the horizon with his loved ones. James giggled and tried to keep up, evidently developing faster than normal human babies would. Perhaps it was also survival; babies who developed slowly were almost always eaten, prey for bigger, stronger creatures.

Steve kissed the side of Bucky's head, nodding. ] Yeah. And I'll protect you. We can be the first family who's never needed a matriarch. [ He smiled at him. ] Because you would be on par with them. My lifegiver.

[disassembling]

And some beach, since your skin can't take salt water for more than a day or so.

[Not even his power to give Steve the ability to exist under the waves could completely stop the degrade because his mate belonged out of the water. However, the sooner their baby learned to exist on both land and in the sea, the better for them both and how they could exist themselves. This would all be a very large learning curve for them all.

Little chirps filled the water as James struggled along with them as they moved further out, Steve warm and hard at his back. He leaned into the kiss before drawing little James up to him when it was clear the baby was getting tired and then offered the little one back to his mate.]

I haven't had a matriarch in a very long time. Neither have you. It's always just been us together for the longest time. [And that was probably why he could never fully return to the sea. He was too different to obtain anything permanent here.]