Ahem, I also needed this. I may have… written a little spur of the moment thing, omg. But this was very inspiring, OP, omgggg. Hope you like?
The shoal was calm in the midday sun, the surf breaking upon the rocky reef in gentle caresses. Overhead, the gulls cried and the albatross soared and the winds splashed along the surface of the sea.
And below?
Below, a mer swam in unrelenting circuits, weaving in between the jagged crests in a daredevil’s dance. He rode the currents with a masterful poise, his strong tail adeptly navigating each pass, his clawed hands grazing the moss-covered stone. But though he swam with a carefree delight, a troubled look rested upon his face. Ever now and again, he would swim nearer to the surface, squinting up at the shining sun overhead with brows drawn tight. His agitation was apparent in every flick of his fins, in the nervous way he wrung his hands together, in the way he would dive back down, speeding through the crags with a single-minded determination.
He would stop now and again, retrieving his spear from the sandy floor and catching a fish or two to sate his hunger. But he would never stop for long, not even as he heard the echoing trills of his kin in the distance, their cries begging him to return, to swim with them, to play. The mer cast each a wistful glance but, with yet another glance skyward, he would continue his relentless circuit through the rocky maze.
It was only as the sun drew high in the sky, it’s shining rays casting down shimmering beams that diffused in the shallows, that he finally stopped. A new call had sounded through the deep, one rougher, harsher, than that of his kin, but seemingly welcome nonetheless. With alacrity, the mer swam for the surface, his powerful tail cutting through the swirling tide like his spear through the hearty pike. And as he neared the surface, shining caustics slanting across his monochrome skin, he did so with a toothy grin stretching his maw.
With a powerful push, he breached the surface, springing up into the air for a few breathless, exhilarating moments, before crashing back down into the surf. And he let his echoing call ring out, the whale-song of his people blaring out across the inlet.
He twisted left and right, eager brown eyes squinting in the sun as he surveyed the whole of the bay. And there, off in the distance, a second figure crashed into sight, his copper scales gleaming in the light. That same harsh bellow followed him as he swam nearer, melding with the whale-song in a rumbling concord. I am here! it seemed to say, I am here and I see you!
Nearer and nearer the two of them drew, singing and splashing in the midday sun. They came together like the whirlpool, circling round and round each other, their long, sinuous tails tangling, copper upon grayscale. And when at last their dance ceased and they held each other in their arms, they did not hesitate to sing their affections in a different way.
Sea foam and salt coated their tongues as they tasted each other, the scent of their ocean home clinging to their skin. Here, there were no shallows or depths, no sea forests or sandbanks. The enmity of their peoples rolled off them like gentle waves as they savored the fruits of their tryst.
Beneath his hands, the mer felt along the jagged scales of his companion, the rough ridges so foreign and so welcome. He felt the other’s deadly claws tracing his skin, too, across the smooth surface and the dotted scars. His lover’s hand lingered there at his side, at the raised furrows there, a momento of their first meeting. Likewise, his own hands mapped the gnarl of skin at the other’s back where his spear had struck true. Each touch was an apology and an assurance all at once. That they were stronger than their differences. That they were stronger together. And together, they savored them as they finally drew back from them intimate embrace.
As one, they leaned in, noses nuzzling against each other, smooth skin against sparse beard. And they grinned once more, delighting in their reunion.
The copper-scaled mer grumbled again, resting his head upon the other’s shoulder. I missed you. I am glad you’re safe.
And the whale-song sounded in reply, I am safe. I am here. We are together.
He could feel his lover grin against his shoulder as he nuzzled yet closer. And the mer responded, wrapping him tight as they both sank beneath the waves.
We are here. We are together, they sang out in unison. And nothing will tear us apart.
It’s too beautiful to be true ><
Thank you! It was so unexpected and sweet and tender oh my god!
