#and Myle for green-ifying photos

[daydadahlias]

fic concept moodboard for Teresa’s ( @merry-the-cookie ) birthday based on Swamp Squad (in which Ashton is a lake monster and Michael is smitten). ily 💚

Ashton’s mother always warned him since he was young to stay away from humans. “Don’t get too close,” she always said, “or they’ll catch you in one of their horrible nets and try to sell your scales for silver.”

Ashton would have been wise to heed her warnings but he’s never been good at following directions for here he is, ensnared in the rope of a fisherman’s net, webbed fingers desperately trying to undo the knots to no avail.

He can see a bipedal figure approaching from the shore and he helplessly twists in the trap, wishing he’d listened—if only he’d listened. His mother is going to be distraught.

“Oh my god!” The human exclaims as he comes into view, footsteps starting to grow louder as he picks up pace, boots slapping the wood of the dock.

His voice is soft and awed when he sees Ashton, “are you—?” But he doesn’t finish. Instead, he produces a blade from his back pocket.

Ashton braces himself for impact, screwing his eyes shut and hiding his face behind his palms. This can’t be happening. Why didn’t he listen?

And then, all so suddenly, he notes the sound of rope being gnawed through by a knife and the net is opening all at once, dropping Ashton back beneath the stagnant surface of the swamp.

Oh!

He thrashes his tail, quick to escape into the deepest recesses of safety, heart pounding, staring up through the curtain of water that divides him and the boy on shore. His heart has never beat so fast.

He stares at the boy, gills heaving, and it takes a second for it to fully dawn on him. The boy saved him.

Oh?

He hesitates, swiping his tail in the water, blinking up at the blond figure that’s staring right back at him through the rippling surface.

Noticing he’s being watched, the boy flushes and waves at Ashton timidly.

Oh.

Maybe humans aren’t so bad after all.

#I’ve literally been fighting for my life over this #I am NOT made for moodboards #I’ve been at this since 8 pm ahdjsjsja #I have so many mermaids in my camera roll #and the ONLY reason this is presentable is because of Emma and Myle thank you guys #and thank you yali for letting me show off a bunch of mermaid photos #I will never be attempting a moodbaord ever again thanks so much 💙 #but Teresa I love you #and I love these guys!! #so I really wanted to talk abt them on ur birthday #and I wrote this teeeeenssssyyyyy tiny little snippet #okay I love you I hope you have the bestest birthday #💙💙💙 #Emma I love you thank you sm for ur help #and Myle for green-ifying photos