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]

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.]

[163]

[ Steve was more than happy to scoop up baby James, cuddling him close as he kissed his forehead, feeling the baby snuggle and yawn, disinterested in playing catch and more likely to settle down for a moment, safe in the harbor of his parent's arms.

He smiled at Bucky then, nudging against him as he wrapped his free arm around his waist. He knew he couldn't stay in here long, but the freedom of it filled him with a sense of exhilaration. Here they were, carving out a new way of life for themselves, and everything was new and uncertain aside from one thing: that Steve would do absolutely anything for Bucky and James. ]

It will always be us together, until the end of the line. Remember?

[ He cherished those words, loved uttering them to him like a promise as they swam out further and further, out of the city and beyond, towards a small, empty island. ]

[disassembling]

[With Steve's hands full of baby, the Soldier flipped around so that he could press himself stomach-to-stomach with his mate, and while still rather sore, he used the opportunity to use his tail to push them further out to the open sea. He knew where there were small uninhabited places, and he began to direct them there as their little James was protected between them.]

I haven't forgotten. I will kill for you, Steven Rogers. And I will kill for our child too.

[His predatory and now protective nature generally ended with some threat being killed, and he had no problem with that. If anyone came so close to the partner of his life and their newborn, they would meet with claws and teeth and perhaps even an alluring song to draw them in close.]

And our James had better have your stubborn nature. I will be displeased otherwise.

[163]

[ Steve laughed, but he knew that Bucky meant well, and he pressed closer still, helping to propel them further forward. Their baby fell asleep in good order, so small, so precious in Steve's arms that he couldn't believe that he had just become a father.

He lent his strength to his mate, knowing that he was tired too, and needed the rest. There was land spotted in the distance, and perhaps soon, Bucky would be given the much needed chance to rest and recuperate. ] Be careful what you wish for. What if he started out-stubborning you, Buck? You're gonna have to deal with both of us.

[disassembling]

[He couldn't help but stare in absolutely fondness for the little life held secure and sleeping in Steve's arms. He hummed his pleasure and allowed them both to work to move through the waters that they found themselves in. Despite how tired and sore he was, he was immensely pleased as well.]

I'll just hand him to you and you two can butt your stubborn heads together. [He said it with great dignity and took them into a new current that brought them closer to their reprieve, and he directed them into the shallows without hesitation.] Perhaps if James is so stubborn, you'll take back your want of more than one child.

[163]

Oh, you'd still love him, just like the many others that could come after James.

[ Steve hummed as they moved into the shallows, guiding his mate to what was clearly land. He studied him with an incredible fondness, coaxing him to where they could rest -- he wasn't sure if their baby could adapt to land yet, and he frowned. ]

Would it wake him, if he transitions from his tail to legs?

[disassembling]

You're still determined about that, are you?

[Steve was an excellent mate and clearly an excellent father with how he already simply got his hands in there and helped out. Most males were long gone by now, shooed off after the successful birth for the matriarchal family to take care of and raise.

He settled them up on the limited sand available, resting there as he curled his arms and tail around Steve's legs.]

I don't know if he can change being so young. Normally newborns stay close to their mothers for a few months before they are taken anywhere close to land. I suppose it is possible he can change.

[163]

[ Bucky could never drive him away -- not even when he was brainwashed and told to kill him. Steve loved him too much to let him go, and he frowned as he looked down at their slumbering baby. He didn't have the heart to test it, to wake him up, and so he settled in the surf, making sure the water covered their baby's head. He shifted to cuddle Bucky too, kissing his mouth softly and tugging him close, appreciating the cold slide of scales around his legs.

He could get used to this, he knew, and he shook his head. ] No, we'll keep him in the water for these few months. I don't want to hurt him. [ He smiled softly. ] Thank you for giving us such a beautiful boy.

[disassembling]

[He snuggled close to Steve, enjoying the rise and fall of the water as each wave washed onto the shore. There was a distinct comfort of being home after a long time away, and it was made better with their kisses as his left arm curled around Steve's shoulders to hold himself to his mate. His tail kept a good grip as well, and he doubted he would lose either mate or baby to the rocking water.

Despite the exhaustion of birth combined with the uncomfortable nights previous with little sleep, he nuzzled Steve and would change nothing about any of this.] At least a few weeks and see how he develops. He may have confidence for land early given his father will be going up and down on it. [He glanced down at the slumbering baby, feeling the caress of tiny fins and sighed.] It was your fault. You got me pregnant; I just carried the child around for some months.

[163]

[ Steve was wildly protective with him, arms wrapped around his Bucky and their baby to keep them safe, settled in the surf and away from the rest of the world. James slumbered on in his parents' arms, so very tiny and peaceful, and Steve smiled down at him before snuggling closer, keeping James between them. ]

And you nourished him and loved him. [ He said quietly. Bucky had made so many sacrifices for him, had gone through so many changes to keep him safe, and it's a story to tell James when he came of age. He settles to snooze.

It stays largely the same for the next few weeks and months, when Steve extends his break once he realizes that James stubbornly doesn't want to come out of the water. He'd become a precocious little infant at six months, clinging on to Bucky most times, but becoming quite the adventurer as he started exploring the sea around him, chasing fish with little giggles. Steve had to stay out of the water from time to time so that he didn't get sick, but he always stayed close, trusting Bucky with him.

Today, six months on, Steve sat on an empty outcropping of rocks and watched Bucky and James play in the water beneath, fond and loving. ] We should really try to coax him out of the water.

[ And get used to the angry wailing. ]

[disassembling]

[The month had turned into many with Steve slipping off with whatever excuse was necessary to be close to them. For his part, he disappeared from the world like the ghost he was said to be, kept to the ocean waters and even the fresh water of the inlets or rivers where he could meet Steve. He never shied from taking James around the waters, though their little one often just clung to him peering around the waters and making fussing sounds at too much travel.

Life in the sea was hard, and he urged James between the need to suckle to chase fish, to develop hunting skills. It was all fun and games for now, learning to swim and be agile, to giggle at situations where the fish slipped away or issuing wailing sing-song cries when smacking into a rock or tangle in sea grass when a fish got away. He was pleased with the progress.

And yet, James was showing his Steven stubborn side when it came to leaving the safety of the water. Aside from poking a head out to watch daddy on the beach or a rock, James remained clinging to him when it came time to try to encourage leaving. He was a tough love kind of force, and after six months, it was time to get James out of the water and realize a change wasn't so bad. Water was safety but land could be exciting.

Bucky huffed and disentangled himself from James, watching their little one flit after a tadpole, and he simply hauled himself out of the water to lay on the beach. He rubbed himself on the sand, drying off as quickly as he could much to the wide-eyed sudden frantic calls of their infant. He ignored James, even going so far as to turn his back on the child in the water and letting Steve be the 'good' parent.]

Come up on the beach or be alone. [His scales shimmered with colouration, the scarring still present but faded with his time in the water all the time. Still, he didn't go even when the wailing started. He was immune to the natural magic of song after all.]

[163]

[ And obviously, even the stubbornness of a thousand Steve Rogerses could not override their little guppy's overwhelming instinct to be close to his mother, having been at Bucky's side for so long that to be alone so suddenly was as traumatizing as it was defining. James wailed much louder, in distress and panicking, and in his panic Steve leapt off the rock to go to their baby, realizing just what his mate was doing.

It was tough love, evident of their species, but before Steve could reach his little one, James flailed in the surf and struggled to reach Bucky, crawling out of his with his tiny fins splashing wildly, clawing for him. Bucky was resplendent, beautiful with his fins, and it was obvious that James was going to take after him, scales already starting to fill in with a hint of color.

James was still wailing, angry and upset at being left alone, and he was clumsy on land, not understanding how Bucky could have legs, demanding the attention of both parents. Steve stepped beside Bucky and moved forward to pick their crying child up in his arms, James' tail flopping wetly over his arm, not entirely dried yet. He was inconsolable, and Steve hurriedly whispered to him, soothing words, kissing his forehead and it took awhile for the loud, sing-song wailing to become muted little sniffles, and it was only then that Steve sat next to his mate, lightly running fingers through Bucky's hair. ]

Buck, that was traumatizing for him.

[disassembling]

[The tugging of his heart strings was minimal as he based this on a matter of survival and thus a requirement. They had been very patient with James, encouraging when it came to peering up above the waves and waving at daddy. It had been six months; it was time to either come to the shore or wallow in the waves and endure separation. He knew instinctively what choice little James would make despite all the fussing.

He watched Steve though, his golden mate even as he rubbed the water off of himself on the sand and rocks. The sooner he was dry, the sooner he would be able to assume his human form. He hadn't been able to do it since James had been born, and it was odd to think that he missed his legs for all the good things it could bring him when it came to Steve. His fins were drying and his scales softening.

He still lay on his belly, turning enough to regard the angry wailing baby and sire with a fond expression. Steve was such a sucker for those antics, so doting and in love with their son. He was pleased that the pair got on so well, and he reached out when Steve sat next to him to curl arm around his golden mate's waist and pulled himself closer to Steve.]

It got him out of the water, and he will learn that fussing about will not get him what he wants. He has to take charge of his life and that involves having legs. [He leaned in to nuzzle Steve's arm, peering up at their sniffling son.] He's going to be a going concern when he realizes he can walk and swim.

[163]

[ Steve laughed softly and leaned down to kiss Bucky the moment he could reach him, cuddling their son close as he calmed, chubby little fingers grabbing a hold of Bucky's hair with a giggle. Evidently, their baby had forgotten about being abandoned, only knowing that both parents are with him now, and that was enough for him. His tail kicked around, drying in the warm breeze. ]

We'll worry about that when we get there. [ James was an energetic, healthy baby, with Bucky's green eyes and Steve's blond hair, complete with Bucky's lovely, pouty lips and that little dimple on his chin. James gurgled and tugged on Bucky's hair while Steve admired the way Bucky's beautiful scales softened to turn back into legs. ] You know, we need to think about maybe enrolling him into preschool.

[disassembling]

[He sidled in against Steve, still rubbing his tail against the said to speed up his transition. It was breezy enough in their choice spot where the water was quicker than usual to dry off, even if he was leaning in towards their baby's eager little fingers and nipping at Steve wherever possible.]

We should wait until he's passed the biting stage, since his teeth are sharp. [Long ago Steve had just accepted his oddness in appearance, but children could be vicious and James would no doubt reply by biting and perhaps eating the bully. He hummed as his legs formed, still speckled with scaling but parted and able to wrap around one of Steve's legs. He drew a finger down James' tail, feeling how it softened and little chubby legs were starting to be obvious.]

[163]

[ Steve's hand came to rub gently over Bucky's scales, his leg, intimate as a lover and a partner would, affectionate and loving. He was studying his mate while their baby made little gurgling noises, rubbing happily against Bucky's forehead as his tail dissipated into chubby legs. James giggled when he felt Bucky's finger run down them, instinctively kicking out before he paused, staring down at it.

Steve pulled Bucky near, pressing against his pelvis as he looked down in wonder at their baby's legs, and James involuntarily kicked, learning how to control them, fumbling and trying. ]

Or maybe we should consider homeschooling. Where the syllabus does not involve eating the neighbor.

[disassembling]

[His scales were gradually absorbing into his skin, and that just made him cuddle even closer to Steve, rubbing his smooth skin against his mate's. He glanced down at the little chubby legs as they appeared, making a soft pleased cooing noise at their sweet but dangerous little baby.

He cuddled closer, moving his lower half as much onto Steve as he could feasibly get away with. Ah, it had been a long while since they had skin to skin contact.]

If they pick on him, they deserve to be eaten. It's a learning lesson, important to those of our kind.

[163]

Mmm.

[ Steve doesn't deny it, doesn't want to dissolve Bucky's proud heritage because he loves all of him, sharp teeth and beautifully deadly nature and all. He's proud of their little son, a product of the both of them; Steve is reminded of it when Bucky sidles close and slides his smooth thigh against him. His hand moves down to splay over the curve of his ass, welcoming his mate's affections.

James giggles again when Bucky coos, shrieking sweetly before kissing his parent's nose, wiggling about and enjoying the feeling of having legs. Steve presses snugly against him, a tingle of desire flickering up his spine. Ever since they had James, they barely had a moment of alone time together, and he's missed him.

He sighs softly. ] And people would take him away from us if he ate them. I won't let that happen.

[disassembling]

[Since James, their affection had been limited given how much time a baby took up. Besides, when they were sometimes attempting to be intimate, James often wedged in between them overjoyed at their closeness and wanting to be apart of it. It made having Steve difficult and only now perhaps if their little baby slept on land could they sneak off to have some time to themselves.

Slowly - sneakily - he slid ever closer to his mate and settled his weight straddling Steve's hip. His flesh had smoothed up James' back, smiling fondly at the pair as he tucked in his legs against Steve's and leaned over to kiss the blond.]

As if you or I would allow anyone to take James away. I will kill anyone who stands in the way of our family. And you will help me, won't you? Ah you covered in the blood of our enemies... I would lick it off of you....

[163]

Is it turning you on? [ Steve asked him when it sounded like Bucky was working himself up into a whirlwind of passion. He loved those moments -- well, not so much the brutality of it -- but he loved when Bucky was excited, when he regained more and more of himself as the day passed. Underneath the ferocity and viciousness was a particular brand of kindness, too; a loyalty that Steve adored.

As James slowly began to slow and snooze, Steve shrugged off his shirt to bundle it under their baby, wrapping him up nicely. He was sure James didn't catch colds, but it didn't stop him from caring for him anyway. He kissed James' forehead fondly before he felt Bucky press up against him.

He shifted their baby into a comfortable position on the cool sand; James only stirred, but was lapsing into a familiar sleepiness that usually overtook him during the daytime. He smiled and leaned to kiss Bucky back, a hand coming to trail through his dark hair. ]

I'll always be on your side, Buck. You and me. [ He smiled and kissed him again, tugging his mate atop him. ] I've missed you.

[disassembling]

You covered in blood will always turn me on. [With their time occupied with a baby, there had been far too little for the two of them. Normally he was perfectly content with James sticking close to him, but now he had Steve here on dry land and it was far too much of a situation to not take advantage of.

He cooed a soft tune to their baby, luring James into a deeper sleep even as his fingers crawled and caressed their way up the entire length of Steve's chest until he was gripping his mate's shoulders as they kissed, and he applied more tongue than teeth after maintaining it for more than a few seconds, testing and teasing for Steve's interest.

He rested his forehead against Steve's when the kiss broke, grinning to show all of his sharp teeth.] We haven't been parted long enough to miss me. However... I have missed being physically close to you without a baby wedging in between us...

[163]

[ James is happy to be lulled into deeper sleep, curling into his swaddle and enjoying Bucky's soft cooing, safe and sleepy from the day's stresses. He yawns and settles down, while Steve watches their baby for a moment, distracted from Bucky before his mate captures his attention in a heartbeat, with lazy kisses, tongue sliding against his own to tease and play.

He has Steve's full attention, and he kisses him back with a soft groan, smiling back at him and leaning up to run his fingers through Bucky's hair, appreciating the fact that despite Bucky's sharp teeth, he's never hurt him with it before.

He reaches down Bucky's naked form, sliding his hand possessively over his chest, his stomach, to the way his cock hangs between those powerful legs. He strokes him briefly once, twice, sighing softly at how much he's missed this, how deprived he had been of his Bucky's affections, his favor and his touch. ]

Mmm, so have I. I was going mad not being able to touch you. Or to hold you.