#murky luminescent seas

[weepinglilvessel]

Wait, what happened to Seven Murky Seas that caused her to be stuck between states?

Man this ask is a month old sorry!

Been procrastinating on this so much cuz I didn’t want to give just a simple text answer and made a mini comic instead :D (and since I figured out how to post more then 10 images I’m happy)

anyways yippe

You can tell I love my Ocs :D

COUGH anyways to put it simply, Murky Luminescent Seas tried to transfer herself into a vessel, a scug, and get outside of her can. She only has one chance to get it right. If she messes up she, she messes up

And that is exactly what happened. Getting stuck between the connection of both her structure and that now rotting scug. Unable to move, speak, see, or feel.

She can only hear…

#weepingask #weepingart #rain world iterator #rw comic #rain world comic #rw oc #rw iterator oc #rw iterator #rain world fanart #rw fanart #murky luminescent seas #oc comic #that took so long #krilling myself

[hana-no-seiiki]

HELLO??? WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT THIS MASTERPIECE??? especially the last line holy shit im scared yet excited at the same time 😬😬

YANDERE! AQUAMARINE HOSHINO x REINCARNATED! READER x YANDERE! RUBY

Guess I gotta do a full fic about it huh. Here we go. Link to previous part in the ask!

tw/cw: yandere themes, gaslight tactics courtesy of aqua, girlkeep tactics courtesy of ruby, girlboss [y/n]. mentions of suicide. reader is gn but gets described as beautiful.

is this really a yandere fic when both the twins are canonically insane tho-

IT WAS SAID THAT DURING THE NIGHT OF YOUR BIRTH THE SUN WAS AT ITS HIGHEST POINT AND FULLEST BLOOM.

Its rays buried humanity under a blanket of heat and devastation. Fortunetellers would wax on and on of the disasters you would soon bring upon the world.

That was your experience in your first life.

Many could only wish of being born to a worldwide pop-star, but to you it was a reality. You resented those that vied for your place. How could they romanticize such a life when every single day was torture for you. Some predicted you to be world-class singer before your first cry. People knew you before you could even speak to them. Everyone already idolized you, expected you to do great things before you’d even learn the alphabet.

The pressure had already been insurmountable the moment you took your first breath.

Your second life was terrifying to say the least. It didn’t matter that way you died before, just the thought of experiencing the same motions again frightened you to your bones.

And so you pretended. A shining star to a dim moon that barely reflected any light. Ever so meticulously making sure none knew of your so called genius. The last thing you wanted was to be labeled a prodigy even with the more lax nature of your new family.

But art will always call to you, a sunflower drawn to its source of energy.

You kept everything as lowkey as you could, reconnected with contacts you knew would keep their mouth shut, and even kept your identity away from prying eyes.

To the world you were just this masked musician that was oddly reminiscent of their previous luminescence.

You were satisfied with that life. Fame wasn’t something you agonized about or wished for. But now that veil had been taken away, it’s as if everything was crashing down yet again. Emails, messages and articles about your success as a young star was beginning to show its true weight. Stress began accumulating further and further as you had distanced yourself from your family and threw yourself to work as a distraction.

On one such ‘productive’ night, you were met with a face you didn’t expect.

“Aqua-niisama! Nice seeing you here. Thought you would be staying at that director’s place for the night—“

“Why didn’t you tell me? Didn’t you promise to tell me everything? Don’t you trust me?”

Aquamarine had this knack of being utterly terrifying without meaning to. He had the talent to frighten at a glance. His beautiful sea-like eyes turn dull, murky. Capturing all the light, and drowning you in the same pressure your old family would throw you under repeatedly.

With his arms caging you between his form and the wall, you knew there was no escaping this. So in spite of the crippling anxiety, you gulp it do

“I wasn’t confident enough with my skills. Your mom is the Ai Hoshino and Ruby is so talented I—“

He lowered his face, nestled it right beside yours. You could swear he was breathing in your scent. “You looked anything but ‘not confident’ up on the stage.”

“Liar.” His hands then moved from the wall to encircle themselves around your body; his face to your the top of your head and nose between your hair. Yet even in this tight embrace you still felt chills down your spine. “I scare you don’t I? You were worried that I would stop you like I did with her.”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry. I’m a terrible brother.”

“No, I understand you. You just wanted to keep her safe and I—“

“Not for that.” He pushed himself away for a couple of moments, and for that short amount of time you were ashamed to say that you felt utterly relieved until— “This.”

— he kissed you.

You’ve seen Aqua kiss Akane before. Both on and out of camera. You respected their relationship despite knowing of how unhealthy it truly is. They’d eventually break up and things would go smoothly you thought.

Pfft, as if. You knew shit would hit the fan. You were just too much of a coward to get in his way. Akane could suffer for all you care, she chose to date your psychopath of an adoptive brother anyways.

But you didn’t expect him to fall for you.

He never seem interested. Despite your mother telling you time and time again that Aqua cared deeply about you, you just couldn’t see it.

He was the deep, dark ocean. You were at the highest point of the sky, sailing across the cosmic sea. There was no way you two could meet eye to eye much less love normally.

You did the only thing your body could muster at the moment and slapped him.

“You’re right. You are a horrid brother.”

As you ran away, sobbing, Aqua couldn’t help but feel aroused.

Oh, how charming you looked with tears streaking down your cheeks.

It felt like hours when you first started crying nonstop. You never cried in your original life. You had no time or energy to. You never expected that your second, mundane life would be the one that shattered you.

And shattered you it did. You felt sorry for the future you who had to wash off all the tears and snot on your pillows and bedsheets, but it had to be done. You knew if you didn’t let it all out that day it’d happen sooner or later at a more inconvenient time.

Aqua only entered once to leave a tissue box and water bottle before he left. The sounds of typing outside of your room never ceased however, indicating he never actually went too far.

Ruby arrived far earlier than you expected as well. Her schedule that day should have had her busy til midnight but you had the feeling Aqua told her what he’d done.

“Ruby-nee—“

“Ssshhh…” Ruby silenced you with a kiss to the forehead.

“Why would he do that— he - he has a girlfriend.” You stuttered and hiccuped throughout your speech, still crying as hard as you did back then.

“Do you really think he loves her?”

“No.”

“But that isn’t what you’re worried about isn’t it?”

Ruby brought you up to her shoulder, massaging your back in a circular motion. “Trust me, nothing will change. He loves you very much. We both love you. I’m just sorry we didn’t make you feel comfortable enough to share your passion with us. You’re amazing [Y/N] in every shape, way or form. You don’t have to be the brightest to the world, you have no obligation to.”

“To us you’re already perfect.”

You never knew she had the capability to be this comforting in a mature sort of way. She always radiated a loud vibration; refreshing most of the time, though it did get tiring.

Never have you been afforded this kind of consolation. It was always you against the world. Being reminded that there are other stars in the sky beside you gave you a strange sense of solace. An odd variety of relief borne out of being insignificant in the sky.

“This incident just means he loves you in a different way alright?”

“But what about Aka-neesama?”

“I’ll talk to him about it.”

“You should thank me. I left them all vulnerable for you.” Aqua spoke, his right hand quickly moved across his laptop’s keyboard and his left held a can of Monster.

“You felt it too didn’t you?” Ruby exhaled. It took a while to get you to lull you into sleep; a necessary step to have the conversation she was partaking in.

“Yeah. . . I did.” Aqua took a sip from his drink, his starry eyes laser focused on the recording of your performance. He had set up several fan accounts and gotten footage from all sorts of angles. He couldn’t wait for your next stage. May it be from sheer excitement or the caffeine in his blood, but the man was absolutely shaking all over over in anticipation. “We have a second chance, don’t mess things up.”

“I should be saying that to you. Break up with Akane by next week. And be careful with how forward you are with your feelings.”

“Already done.” Aqua held up his phone without breaking moving his head at all, in his phone were a few texts between him and a panicking Akane. “and no promises”

Ruby sighed one last time that night, leaning her head back to your bedroom door. “. . . You were right.”

“Hm?”

Both of her eye’s stars hard turn tar black, a blush covered her cheeks.

“[Y/N] does look enticing when they cry.”

#more sadist yun era posts because yes #oshi no ko #yandere #yandere x reader #yandere imagine #yandere aquamarine #yandere ruby #yandere oshi no ko #yandere oshi no ko x reader #yandere fic #yandere x you #yandere oshi no ko reader insert #reader insert #aquamarine x reader #ruby x reader #yandere aquamarine x reader #yandere ruby x reader #aquamarine hoshino #ruby hoshino

[failed-inspection]

@weepinglilvessel hii if you saw an anon about how for some reason Murky luminescent Seas just, appeared in my dream for some reason, that was me, hello!

Speaking of which, I wanted to draw her, her story is really fascinating in all honesty... trapped in the space between a decaying husk of an animal and her own sunken structure... poor girl, she deserves some ice cream I think

#rain world #my art #art for others

[pan-perkozeq]

{ AN ART TRADE & ART CHALLENGE WITH/BY @weepinglilvessel }

[Iterator - Murky Luminescent Seas]

Apparently the idea came before the recent comic about her and it fits to the story kinda well

So I guess it can be called a cannon XD

PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS COMIC I BEG YOU

This piece contains a week of forcing myself to do anything more about it but sketching and lineart XD

[ HK Vessel - Hex ]

ALSO A PART OF AN ART CHALLENGE

⚠️ BLOOD WARNING BELOW⚠️

That's one of the old OC's before Weepingvessel (a.k.a. "Stel") made Tumblr account so that's a bit of nostalgic vibes .

Besides that I really wanted to test my skills with limited colour pallette to see how much I've improved. You tell me, I don't think I should judge my stuff

I did it in less than four hours just because I really wanted to finish it...

(Sometimes I don't understand myself...)

Also the references:

So yeah that's all!

I hope you enjoy it, especially Stel! ❤️❤️❤️

Check them out please they're doing a great art

#weepingart #hollow knight #hk #hollow knight fanart #rw iterator #hollow knight art #rain world #rw iterator oc #hk vessel #vessel oc #oc art trade #art trade #rw art #rain world downpour #rw downpour #rw dp #hollowknight #hollow knight oc #rain world original character #oc art #oc artwork #other artists #art challenge #color palette #colour palette #color challenge #the sillies #hollow knight vessel #cw bl00d

[dennis7231]

Hi hello it's like 2am where I am rn yummers, anyway-

I have some sillies I drew(and tried to incorporate my style srry if I got some things wrong) for three of my favorite artists that have inspired me, I luv you guys, y'all are so cool and talented ough..,,

Murky Luminescent Seas(and da slup(idk if they has nam srry))- @weepinglilvessel

Flickering Nightfall(and Wayfarer)- @flickering-nightfall

Four Shiny Reeses Wrappers((?) and Shithead)- @kakyogay

Sorry for tag and shit ton of procrastination for a drawin that looks terrible augfnnfnn

Btw I fucking love all of your oc designs, okii it late I go sleepy now baii!!! :33

#rain world #rainworld iterator #rainworld fanart #iterators #iterator #iterator oc #rainworld oc #rain world oc #rw oc #rw iterator oc #rw slugcat oc #weepinglilvessel #flickering nightfall #kakyogay #i fucking love yall thank you for being so fuckignb cool. omfhjjgkmmm...

[purestxblood]

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 –

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬, 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 –

beauteous, breathtaking, comely, dazzling, divine, enchanting, exquisite, fetching, gorgeous, handsome, heavenly, incredible, iridescent, lovely, luminescent, luminous, lustrous, magnetic, magnificent, opalescent, radiant, ravishing, striking, stunning.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 –

alert, attractive, beady, blazing, bloodshot, bright, bulging, compelling, crusty, dancing, droopy, drowsy, empty, expressive, filmy, flashing, glazed, gleaming, glistening, glittering, glowing, goggle, gooey, googly, guileless, hard, hardened, heavy, heavy-lidded, hidden, hypnotic, icy, limpid, narrowed, peering, penetrating, piercing, pretty, puffy, red-rimmed, rheumy (red & watery), riveting, runny, scrunched, shaded, shimmering, shining, shiny, shuttered, slit, soft, soulful, sparkling, sparkly, steady, swollen, sunken, tear-filled, teary, tired, twinkling, vapid, watchful, watering, wide awake, wild-eyed.

𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐝𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 –

ablaze, alluring, angelic, beguiling, bewitching, captivating, come-hither, consuming, devouring, dreamy, enticing, entrancing, erotic, inviting, irresistible, liquid, love-struck, loving, luscious, sensual, sensuous, sexy, swooning, sultry, tantalizing, tender, worshipful

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞, 𝐬𝐢𝐳𝐞, 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 –

almond-shaped, asymmetrical, bug-eyed, close-set, cross-eye, deep-set, doe, down turned, elongated, enormous, hooded, huge, large, lidded, minuscule, mono-lid, moon-eyed, oval, prominent, protruding, round, slanted, sloe-eyed, small, symmetrical, tiny, uneven, upturned, wide, wide-set.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 –

all-knowing, angry, anxious, appealing, astonished, astute, bewildered, blank, brooding, candid, cold, commanding, compassionate, confused, cool, convinced, cruel, curious, dazed, dead, dopey, disappointed, disappointment, disapproval, disapproving, disbelief, disbelieving, discerning, disdainful, dull, dumbfounded, emotionless, expectant, fearful, fierce, fiery, frightened, genuine, grave, hollow, honest, hopeful, impassioned, impassive, imploring, innocent, intelligent, intense, intent, irritated, jovial, judgmental, keen, knowing, laughing, lecherous, let down, melancholy, mischievous, mocking, mournful, pensive, playful, pleading, proud, puzzled, questioning, quizzical, rebellious, reflective, remorseful, restless, resigned, resolute, sad, sarcastic, sardonic, seductive, shocked, shrewd, skeptical, sleepy, startled, sorrowful, stern, stunned, surprised, sympathetic, teasing, thoughtful, trusting, trustworthy, unreadable, unwavering, veiled, weary.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 –

amber, black, blue, blue-green, blue-gray/grey, brown, clear, cloudy, copper, dark, deep, emerald green, golden, green, gray/grey, hazel, heterochromia, light, murky, pale, pearly, pink, red, sky blue, steel blue, violet, yellow.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 –

bat, bawling, blink, close, cross, crying, darting, exploring, flecked, flicker, flutter, focused, follow, glaze over, inspect, linger, motionless, open, pry, rapid blinking, roll, scan, searching, shift, shut, squeeze, tracking, unblinking, unmoving, wander, wandering, weeping, winking.

𝐅𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬/𝐩𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 –

bedroom eyes, cat-like, child-like, deep as the ocean, elevator eyes, feline, foxy, hawk-like, laser-like focus, owlish, pie eyed, puppy dog eyes, raccoon-like, raven-like, reflected in the pool of someone's eyes, saucer-like, shimmering like the sea, tiger-like.

𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬/𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 –

allergic, burning, dry, farsighted, itchy, jaundiced, matter, myopic, nearsighted, obscured, pinkeye, scratchy, sensitive, visual impairment, visually impaired.

#editorials #writing tips #fiction writing #writing #fan fiction writing #words #words when writing #body parts #eyes

[diversewatches]

Conquer the Depths with Seiko Prospex King Turtle: The Ultimate Diving Companion

For avid divers and watch enthusiasts, the Seiko Prospex King Turtle is a timepiece that combines robust functionality with impressive design. Crafted specifically for underwater exploration, this remarkable dive watch from Seiko's Prospex collection has gained a reputation as the ultimate diving companion. In this blog post, we will delve into the exceptional features that make the Seiko Prospex King Turtle SRPE05K1 an indispensable tool for conquering the depths of the ocean.

Uncompromising Durability: The Seiko Prospex King Turtle is built to withstand the harshest underwater conditions. Its rugged stainless steel case, coupled with a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal, ensures superior durability and protection against the challenges encountered during diving expeditions. This timepiece is designed to resist water pressure up to an impressive depth of 200 meters, making it a reliable companion for both recreational and professional divers.

Reliable Automatic Movement: Powered by precise automatic movement, the Seiko Prospex King Turtle guarantees reliable timekeeping without the need for batteries. The self-winding mechanism harnesses the wearer's natural motion to keep the watch running smoothly. This eliminates the worry of running out of power during long dives and ensures accurate time measurement even in the most demanding underwater environments.

Exceptional Legibility: The King Turtle boasts a dial designed for optimal legibility, even in dimly lit or murky underwater conditions. The large luminescent hands and markers provide excellent visibility, allowing divers to read the time at a glance. The addition of a magnified date window further enhances convenience and readability, ensuring that essential information is easily accessible during underwater explorations.

Dive-Ready Functionality: Seiko Prospex watches are renowned for their dive-specific features, and the King Turtle is no exception. It features a unidirectional rotating bezel, allowing divers to accurately measure elapsed time underwater. The screw-down crown and case back ensure water resistance, while the robust strap or bracelet options provide a secure and comfortable fit during aquatic adventures.

With its exceptional durability, reliable movement, exceptional legibility, and dive-ready functionality, the Seiko Prospex King Turtle SRPE05K1 stands as the ultimate diving companion. Whether you're exploring vibrant coral reefs or embarking on deep-sea expeditions, this timepiece is engineered to accompany you on your underwater conquests. Embrace the spirit of exploration and dive into the depths with confidence, knowing that the Seiko Prospex King Turtle is there to guide you every step of the way.

#Seiko Prospex King Turtle #Seiko Prospex King Turtle SRPE05K1

[fish-whisper]

What Color Saltwater Lure is Best?

Fishing in saltwater is an adventure that rewards the prepared. And when it comes to preparation, selecting the right lure color can be as crucial as the tide itself. Let's dive deeper into the colorful world of saltwater lures to ensure your tackle box is as ready as you are. Understanding Water Conditions - Clear water: Subtle, natural colors like silvery blues and greens often mimic the local forage, making them irresistible to predators. - Murky water: High-visibility colors such as chartreuse and hot pink stand out against the dark backdrop, drawing strikes from curious fish. Depth Matters - Light absorption: As you go deeper, colors fade. Reds disappear first, followed by oranges and yellows, leaving blues and purples as the last hues standing. - Color retention: For the deep dwellers, blue and purple lures maintain their appeal, while luminescent materials can add an extra allure in the abyss. Targeting Specific Fish - Species preferences: trout may fall for gold, while flounder fancy green. Knowing your target species' predilections can tip the scales in your favor. - Variety is the spice of life: An array of colors can keep you prepared for whatever the ocean throws your way. Local Knowledge is Key - Ask locals: The old salts at the dock or the chatter in tackle shops can offer a treasure trove of lure color wisdom. - Community insights: Online forums and fishing reports are your eyes and ears on the water when you can't be there yourself. Experimentation Leads to Success - Try new colors: Sometimes, the best catches come from the least expected choices. A splash of purple in a sea of greens might just be the ticket. - Log your trips: Document your lure choices and the conditions under which they were used. Over time, patterns will emerge that can guide future selections. The Influence of Weather Conditions - Sunny days: The glint of a silver lure can mimic the flash of a fleeing fish, grabbing the attention of predators from afar. - Overcast days: In dim light, a bright or glowing lure can be the beacon that leads fish to your line. Lure Size and Shape - Match local prey: A lifelike imitation not only looks the part but moves like it too, compelling fish to commit to the chase. - Combine factors: The right color in the wrong size might as well be invisible. Ensure your lure's profile matches what's on the menu. Seasonal Color Choices - Spawning seasons: When fish are on the nest, they're on edge. Colors that mimic an intruding species can provoke a protective strike. - Seasonal awareness: As the water temperature changes, so do the feeding habits. Align your lure color with the seasonal shifts to stay ahead. Insights from Experienced Anglers - Community wisdom: There's no substitute for experience. Seasoned anglers often have a sixth sense for the right color on any given day. - Strategy refinement: Take the advice of those who've reeled in countless tales and let their insights refine your approach to lure selection. Conclusion The quest for the best color saltwater lure is a journey of learning and discovery. It's a dance with the elements, a test of wits against nature's finest swimmers. By blending science with art, and data with intuition, you'll craft a palette that's as effective as it is personal. And beyond the catch, it's the stories, the camaraderie, and the connection with the great blue that make every cast worthwhile. Here's to tight lines and tales worth telling. Read the full article

[broccolitown]

If you'd ever wondered about

How much it took to fire the flames of doubt

The fear in her eyes as you whispered

One day you'll stop being revered

Your angled smile and the way you spoke

Was like luminescence in a crowd evoked

You thought it was gorgeous

But everyone could see the way it's burning bridges

Your deliberate attempts to curate the divine

Has made it harder to truly see you shine

Be it the nostalgic fragrance or the perfumed breeze

Know that you picked the murky seas

It won't last forever

We'll see through it so surrender

Like a war where you have to pick your battles

End up wounded or end up belittled

#2am things

[cloudycrystalkpop]

Serpentine

pairing: Leviathan! I.M x human! gender neutral reader

summery: drowned by an eldritch creature, you awaken confused, at the feet of an envious demon.

warnings: death and drowning, Christian mythology, occult themes, mild nudity, creature!Changkyun????

words: 753

notes: I've been playing a lot of Obey Me... don’t ask. should also probably read some Lovecraft if I wanna continue this story

~

drowning, that is now where you found yourself. suffocation was not an ideal way to die, but all the same, you didn't think it would be so... calming. the panic fell to the back of your mind, heart racing and lungs burning, in your focus however, was the creature in the water before you. 

you wondered if they would eat you. the shimmering rows of teeth could slice your flesh like razors. to spite death laying heavy on your tongue, you let your eyes wander over the creature. they were as beautiful as they were horrifying. 

serpentine, scales shimmered in the slanted rays of light. the spines of the creature glowed, bio luminescent in the murky water. they moved gracefully, easily the size of a large navel ship, every feature perfectly symmetrical. 

the taste of death was that of salt water, as it plunged into your lungs. 

~

wet. filth. the scent of dead rotting fish invaded your sense. you bolted upright, coughing and sputtering black putrid water. it tastes like a sewer, only serving to gag you further. 

“better out than in.” growled a deep masculine voice. 

your body shivered, suddenly aware of your own nakedness. your hair stuck to your skin, an overwhelming feeling of some kind of goo coating your flesh. 

raising your head you found a pair of boots in your line of sight. trailing up, torn and faded trousers, mold and rot practically sewn into the garment. above them, an equally distressed navel jacket, pins and badges also scraped and torn. a pair of arms crossed over the chest, and finally the man’s face. 

a feeling a shame came over you as his eyes trailed over your nude form, nothing but vague amusement in his eyes. he was beautiful, his hair dark as ink. it lay limply, faint curls weighed by dampth, framing his cheeks. 

“...who are you?” the words were choked from your abused throat. he quirked an eyebrow, eyes trailing over your body slowly. 

“... I am what I am.” he grinned. your breath hitched as rows of sharp teeth greeted you. a forked tongue peeked out to wet his lips as he chuckled darkly. 

“...God?” the man let out a rumbling laugh at your confusion. 

“oh little human, he won't help you down here.” his eyes twinkled with amusement. 

“are you Death then?” you asked again. he smiled, this one less twisted than the last. 

“one form of it to you.” he leaned down, placing his palm on your head. “it isn't often I find a human bold enough to drown in my lair.” you flinched, his skin cold to the touch. 

lair... a memory crawled back to the forefront of your mind. 

your arms tied, mouth gagged, thrown into a pit, a portal as the occult called it. you were scarified. thrown into the Lair of the Leviathan. 

“...Leviathan... the prince of hell... a sea serpent...” your eyes widened as it dawned on you you’d spoken out loud. 

“you are quicker than most humans. I'll give you that.” the hand on your head was gentle as it stroked your scalp. “those occultists who threw you down there to die, intended to offer you as a sacrifice to me.” he purred, now leaning down on one knee. 

“now tell me, little human, should I except?” tilting your chin up with one finger. 

“...no sir. they simply intend to use you as a stepping stone... to grant power from your brothers.” you spoke, pleased with the confidence in your voice. 

“of course they do.” the creature before you growled in anger. the air around him became cold, causing you to shiver once more. “greedy, stupid humans. they lust for power. I am never seen as anything but an after thought. the lot of you to seduced by my brothers and their stupid parlor tricks.” 

the venom of jealousy dripped from his words. 

“you understand you will gain nothing from this. your life is already forfeit at my claws.” his attention fell back to you once again. now gripping your chin, nails sharp against your skin. 

“yes sir. that is why I have no reason to lie to you.” your voice was soft as you finally raised your eyes to meet his. pools of purple and green greeted you, swirling like whirlpools. 

“...well done little human.” he stood, now pulling you to your feet as well. “you are an unappetizing sacrifice, however,” he circled you, movements fluid and graceful. “...you will make an amusing little pet. come with me.” 

#idk wtf this is but id like to imagine reader and IM are now buddies #he's just amused by how unfrightened they are and their honesty and keeps their soul rather then turning it over to the rest of hell #and now they have a slightly grumpy and easily jealous snake man as their guardian #could go totally yandere and full monster fucker or this could just be a cute inhuman and human buddies story #anyway this was inspired by a dream I had with changkyun last night #Monsta x #monbebe #Monsta X au #im changkyun #changkyun au #monsta x x reader #gender neutral reader #changkyun x reader #demon au #monster au #inferno au

[weepinglilvessel]

wait, now that you've done overseer designs, what about inspectors?

Oh? *scribbles a bit*

Had a lot of fun making these.

The only one who doesn’t have one is Distance cuz well… their structure is kinda destroyed ahem

But anyways, enjoy some lovely designs I made for my Ocs

#weepingask #rain world iterator #rw inspector #rw ocs #stare of thirteen stars #murky luminescent seas #time of spiraling essence #devoid in golden trails #rain world fanart #rw fanart #art doodles

[powdermelonkeg]

Zora headcanons please?

There's so many kinds of Zora; how about I do them all? :D

River Zora

So, the River Zora were the first kind of Zora we were ever met with in the LoZ series.

Capable of shooting fireballs, this variant of Zora is EXTREMELY territorial and defensive of their domain. And with good reason; their eggs are a rarity--a River Zora might lay only two eggs in their entire lifetime, which can reach up to 800 years. And monsters, especially water-based monsters, tend to be scavengers, meaning that if a Zora isn’t careful, their nest can be raided and the eggs devoured before they have a chance to react.

The River Zora are vibrantly colored, with the ability to puff up to three times their normal size and possessing side-fins to use as flashy warning signs against potential predators. Living in a place like Hyrule means you have to have all kinds of tricks up your sleeve!

But all that flash isn’t just for show; when they’re stressed, their skin releases a toxic substance that can cause paralysis in nearby enemies.

You can see it here in Queen Oren’s fountain, how the water’s gone dark purple (along with the size magnification mentioned previously).

Their mouths contain special glands that secrete a kind of organic napalm. When creating a fireball, they gather some of this substance in their cheeks and ignite it with a spark of electricity, similar to an electric catfish. This ability takes time for them to develop, and fireball accuracy is a point of pride among their soldiers.

Their diet consists of mostly trout, and their domain is hidden in a waterfall beside Death Mountain. However, by BoTW’s time, the River Zora have fled Hyrule for distant Holodrum, where there’s remarkably less threat of extinction.

Zora Warriors

These are actually the result of River Zora adapting to salinity! Also called “Geozards” to differentiate them from their ancestors, these Zora have lost their toxicity and pufferfish-like abilities in exchange for denser muscle mass and near-impenetrable scales. The frill atop their heads is their only biological sex indicator; frill means male, no frill means female, and the sex of a Geozard is determined by the temperature their egg was kept in, like alligators!

They also have an increased capacity for firepower compared to their more docile inland counterparts, an adaptation developed in the presence of more aggressive waterlife out in the open ocean. The napalm they produce is a LOT harder to get off of yourself, so watch out!

Lake Zora

Most famous for their queen, Ruto, Lake Zora are blue-white in coloring and have fins that mimic the patterns clear water would create on the seafloor. Unlike their vibrantly-colored firebreathing cousins, these Zora are stealth hunters, blending in with the water and staying very still before darting out to catch their prey in a split second.

The well-known fondness for jewelry that Zora have started with this subspecies, where earrings, necklaces, and gemstones were first utilized as bait, similar to metallic fishing lures. Since then, the fondness for shiny decoration has only grown, peaking when the Zoroyal family was entrusted with the Spiritual Stone of Water. Since receiving it, the gifting of sapphires between Zora has been a token of engagement, similar to how rings are in our culture.

Early stages of Zora life strongly resemble tadpoles; upon hatching, they’re little more than eyes and a sharklike tail. As they mature, however, the rest of their body develops, tucked into the curve beneath their faces, before eventually emerging into a Zora guppy.

Zora guppies are...clumsy, to say the least. Their bodies haven’t grown quite enough to support their heads yet, so they need neck support at all times. It’s just like human babies! It takes a Lake Zora about three years to get to the point where they can support their own head weight, so during that time, the parents have to be extremely diligent with their baby’s safety.

Bay Zora

The Zora that live in the Great Bay of Termina are almost identical to their Hyrulean counterparts.

Almost.

These Zora have had to adapt both to salt water and the presence of predators larger than them, so on top of the skills the Lake Zora possess, they also have a faster swimming speed, a tolerance to acid, and the ability to create a weak electric field around themselves to ward off potential attackers.

Falls Zora

This subspecies of Zora actually marks an evolutionary transition point between the Lake Zora and the Sea Zora. They still possess muted coloration to blend into the water for stealth attacks, but they’re starting to branch out; sunset-colored fins and bioluminescent spots on their headtails mark the development of several key traits BoTW Zora possess.

It’s also the point where we first see sign of the red and purple color mutations.

But by far the most interesting point of this particular era in Zora history is their cultural development.

This is the point in time where they start decorating their domain with the trademark Zora silver we know them for in BoTW, with intricate lacing designs in semi-see-through walls.

We also see the first use of Zora spears, along with masks worn by soldiers and metallic jewelry, signifying that the Zora have begun to develop the means to forge tools.

This is huge, from a worldbuilding perspective. Aquatic races tend to get locked into a stone-age level of tech, because it’s insanely difficult to forge metals without fire and without cooking yourself. The techniques they use to make these weapons and decorations, though they remain a carefully guarded Zora secret, are the reason they can make grand palaces like we see in BoTW.

This era also marks the appearance of Zora armor; as in, clothing created from Zora scales.

Magical garments for breathing underwater existed before, but the presence of this here means that Zora can both shed and craft their scales into a kind of chainmail mesh. In later years, this kind of garment would become the equivalent of exchanging sapphires, specifically for inter-species relationships in Hyrule.

And, finally:

Sea Zora

These are probably the Zora you all were expecting. I’ve covered the reasoning behind their coloration and physical variation here, so let’s get to the stuff I haven’t quite covered yet, shall we?

The Zora of BoTW are highly adapted to salt-water conditions, capable of breathing in both fresh and seawater. Their scales, however, are thinner due to generations of enjoying a peaceful lifestyle, making them highly susceptible to burns, frostbite, and electrical nerve damage. This makes elemental arrows a huge threat to the Zora population; it’s an ongoing debate in their kingdom on whether or not it should be banned.

A Sea Zora’s lifespan consists of about 20 years of being a guppy, at which point, they develop their “sea legs.” As you’ll notice, this is much longer than the standard infancy of their ancestors; while Lake Zora matured at a similar rate to humans, Sea Zora more closely resemble the lifespans of River Zora, which can lead to generations of Hylians passing by in only one Zora lifetime.

After growing out of their guppy phase, Sea Zora stay at a relatively small size, even into adulthood, until they hit their growthspurts. This final stage of Zora maturity is triggered by environmental factors, such as temperature, abundance of resources, and emotional stability, though some Zora take longer to reach that finicky balance than others. The growth stage takes about two years to finish; Mipha, a hundred years prior to BoTW, was right in the middle of hers, thus making her much smaller than other fully grown Zora at the time.

On a cultural note, Zora from this era participate in neck elongation, like many human cultures in Africa and Asia.

In this practice, coils of metal are wrapped around the neck to give the appearance of it being longer than it actually is. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t actually dislocate the neck and vertebrae; instead, it works by pushing the collarbones down and the chin upwards.

We can see this practice on Zora of any age, and all walks of life; it’s even present in the Zora Armor, to a lesser degree.

Notably, though, Royal Zora and Zora in direct service to the Zoroyal family haf elegant frames rather than coils, as a secondary indicator of status.

Luminous stones are popular with these Zora, and it’s believed that this started as a mirror to their developing bioluminescence. And they have a lot of it; unfortunately, however, it’s on a scale humans don’t perceive very well, as to us, the most glow we get is right above Muzu’s eyes.

But for Zora? They see A LOT.

Sidon, for example. We see him like this:

But Zora night vision isn’t as good as ours, so they’d see something more like this instead:

(Not an accurate depiction, a rough estimate done by someone with little art skills)

The spots on his head, the brightly colored edges of his fins, and the luminous stones all stand out, letting Zora identify each other in murky waters easily.

Sea Zora eyes possess special cells in them specifically for detecting luminescence. These disappear in strong light:

But are visible in darker settings, like rainy Zora’s Domain, in the form of tiny dots on the outer edge of the iris.

These cells work by catching miniscule amounts of light and color and reflecting them, causing weak dots to become much more pronounced, at the cost of their night vision overall.

Hope this answered your questions about the Zora!

#loz #zelda #headcanons #botw #worldbuilding #guys there are so many subtypes of zora #SO MANY #bioluminsecence tho...i wish I could draw it better #zora #also i just realized i wrote 'takita' instead of 'tottika' in the last post so press f in the chat #i refuse to proofread this

[dragonsndoodles]

Seawing time!!

Seawings are undoubtedly the best swimmers of all the dragon tribes, with flat, wide arms and legs that make pushing through the turbulent seas look easy. They are only slightly taller than Mudwings while standing, and find the act of walking on land challenging. Seawings are considered clumsy, but that is only when out of the water - in the ocean they twist and turn more gracefully than even the best Skywing flyers.

They are often decorated with a myriad of fins and bright luminescent lures, and use their brilliant lights to attract prey in the murky depths where they reside. The Seawing’s deep sea fortress is considered the most well protected kingdom in Pyrrhia, as no one but a Seawing could make the trek down to it. When entertaining visiting dignitaries, the Seawing royalty will house in their beachfront villas.

Seawings are only slightly better flyers than Mudwings, mostly because they have a better trick for getting into the air at high speeds. Seawings taking off in flight will pick up speed in the water and then jettison themselves out directly into flight. This display is often used in joint water/aerial shows that the Seawing royalty put on.

Seawings tend to think most highly of themselves, and take great pride in polishing and shining their scales and using oils to make their luminous spots glow brighter. They tend to hoard and collect shiny, beautiful shells and corals to decorate their homes.

#seawings #seawing #wings of fire #wof #dragon #dragons #sketch #dragonsndoodles #redesign #feel free to use these ideas in your own designs

[lanshappycorner]

Capturing The Merman

Pairing: Deuce/Ace ♠️❤ || Word count: ~2.2K || Synopsis: Ace went out to the ocean super early in the morning, went whoosh and fell in, suddenly hamsome merman Deuce saves him and hes oolala in love ✨

Ace wasn't sure what had prompted him to wander out into the docks so early in the morning. Dawn had just broken, and the sky was an ethereal orange pink hue, fading into the vast cloudy, blue sky. He stood in his spot, unsure of what to do. To sit, to stand, to swim? He wasn't sure.

He settled for sitting at the edge of the dock, setting his slippers aside as he dipped his feet in the water, shivering as his feet was submerged in the cold icy waters, cooled through the night's chilling temperatures. There was a comfortable silence as he kicked at the water lightly, enjoying the crisp sea air. Wind raked through his orange locks gently, and he couldn't help but stare off into the sea.

He wondered what secrets it held, what lurked beneath those dark stormy waters. He recalled his brother telling him tales of beautiful creatures dwelling underneath the sea, half human, half fish. Such creatures lured innocent humans to their deaths with their alluring voices, although there were various other versions of the story, where they lived in hiding, more peaceful than not.

Letting out a sigh, Ace spoke to himself, unsure of why exactly he was even bothering to voice his thoughts, "I wish I could see a mermaid...just once in my life would be enough."

SPLASH!

Ace felt his body jolt at the sudden noise, and he retracted his feet back onto the dock. What the hell was that? It was probably some type of fish right? Or a bird had swooped into the sea. Or perhaps it was a....

...No. He was growing paranoid. He was never the type to believe in the supernatural anyways, how could anyone live in the sea? Ace laughed, standing up as he shook his head, letting his thoughts dissolve to the sound of crashing waves.

"Who am I kidding? There's no way mermaids exist—whoa!" Ace's eyes widened for a fraction of a centimeter as he felt himself slipping on the puddle that had begun to form around his feet. He fell back, plunging into the ocean with a deafening splash.

He felt as if time had momentarily paused, suspending him in the sea, his world turning dark with the murkiness of the ocean, which abruptly had taken his breath away. It was not because of the water that had begun to fill up his lungs, no, it wasn't quite that simple.

As he felt himself sinking into the depths of the ocean, his limbs failing him from swimming to safety, a soft humming, a gentle lullaby reached his ears, the most enchanting voice he had ever heard. What soon greeted him after was the feel of slender, yet strong arms wrapping around his body, and a luminesce pair of teal eyes.

"Mer...maid...?"

—✨✨ line break ✨✨—

Ace had woken up in a fit of coughs, forcing water out of his system. He laid on his back on the dock, his sight still blurry, and he felt himself growing teary as he attempted to adjust his vision. There was someone beside him, a blurry blue figure. Once they had noticed him looking to them, they quickly dove back into the ocean, and it didn't take Ace very long to figure out what exactly had saved him.

However, by the time he'd regained his bearings entirely, the figure was long gone, and he fixed his eyes onto the sea, a certain feeling welling up in his chest. Excitement? Thrill? He couldn't be sure. Grabbing his bag, he ran home, sopping wet, yet a wide grin was plastered all over his face. He'd come back tomorrow, and this time for sure he'd catch the mermaid.

The next day, he came back again, however this time, with full intentions of finding the mermaid that had saved him. He couldn't be sure that it would appear again—perhaps that was only a one time thing, who knows, but he wanted at least one good glimpse of it. It was truly a shame his sight had been messed up the other day.

He recalled yesterday's incident, and how shortly before he'd fallen, he had mentioned wanting to see a mermaid. If the splash really had been it, then it probably understood human language. If anything, maybe if he called out for it again, it would respond.

It was a long shot, but worth a try.

"Hey! I don't know if you're out there...or if you can hear me, but...it's me! The person who fell in yesterday," His cheeks burned in embarrassment as he realized what he was doing. It was quite early in the morning, so no one was around, but he feared that if someone saw him talking to himself, they'd think he was out of his mind. "I-I wanted to thank you. So if you're out there...please show yourself, I'd like to properly talk to you."

An uncomfortable silence lingered in the air as he stared off into the unmoving waters, and sighed once more, sitting back on the docks, dipping his feet in the water. Yeah, he expected just as much. It wasn't like the creature would just show itself if he politely asked—

"For someone who fell in yesterday, it's quite bold of you to come back. Aren't you scared?"

Ace gasped as he straightened up in his seat, looking around. There was no one there, and the sea...it was still, yet he had a feeling there was something lurking underneath. The voice was somewhat muffled by water, but it was clear to tell that it was not the voice of a woman. So...perhaps...a merman? Ace supposed that made sense.

He tried to keep the excitement out of his voice, and attempted to reply calmly, "I'm not scared. I can swim, that was just...a one time thing."

There was an amused tone in the merman's voice as he replied, yet Ace found himself glued to every single one of the male's words. "What if I drag you in?"

"You saved me yesterday, it would make no sense to kill me now." Ace swiftly responded, "Anyway, I'm here to offer my thanks, but I don't appreciate talking to the air, so if you could come out, that would be great."

The water shifted, and Ace found his breath hitching as a figure rose from the water. Its body leaned against the front of his legs, propping its arms on his knees. There was absolutely no distance between him and the creature, and at that moment, Ace realized.

Oh my god, I like men.

Before him was what he deemed to be the most beautiful being he had ever seen in his life. The merman was fair skinned, with delicate yet sharp features. He had small, dainty lips, and a pair of gorgeous teal eyes, and dark blue hair, dripping with water, a couple of strands sticking to his face. The merman was quite lean, but it was clear that he did have some muscle, at least that was what Ace could discern from the feel against his legs. If Ace hadn't known any better, he'd have described the merman to be a fanfiction love interest come to life.

Nooo haha don't look at me like that or I'll have to kiss you <33

Jokes aside, the merman's eyes truly were striking in every single way. Ace found that his cheeks had grown red as the creature stared at him, waiting for him to say something, "I uh...I'm Ace. Ace Trappola."

The merman smiled at him (and Ace's heart soared), "Ace Trappola...I've never heard anyone named that before. It's a good name. I'm Deuce Spade."

"Then...thanks for saving me Deuce." Ace said, carefully reaching out as if he were about to pat Deuce's head. He flushed, would that be appropriate? Did Deuce mind being touched? No, if anything, the merman was the one close to him right now, so it was fine right? Or was Ace overthinking?

Deuce noticed Ace's distress, and tilted his head, "It's okay, you can touch me." Normally, Deuce wasn't a very touchy person, however, he found he quite liked this human, he was interesting. Then again, Deuce had never actually met a human, so he supposed he was just fascinated with Ace.

Ace nodded, resuming what he had intended to do originally. He paused, "I've never met a merman before." His fingers trailed down to the light scales on Deuce's cheeks, and brushed against them briefly, "I didn't think..."

"—We existed?" Deuce hummed, leaning into Ace's touch. It was warm, unlike how cold everything felt in the ocean, Deuce found he liked that too. "Most merfolk live very deep down, where it's impossible to see them, even if you attempt to send some kind of bot to illuminate the way and take pictures. It's rare that we'd ever come up to high waters, and even rarer that we'd come up to above waters."

"Then I must be lucky you were around to save me back then." Ace laughed, "But...why are you here then, if it's not something common?"

Honestly? Deuce was just young, dumb, and curious, but he wasn't about to admit that.

"Hmm...I just want to know more about the human world." Deuce shrugged, "It was only going to be a one time thing, but after what happened yesterday, I wondered if you'd come back, so I went to look. We're often told to not trust humans but...you're different." There was a twinkle in his eye as he smiled, "I trust you."

Ace found himself once again flustered as he thought about Deuce's words. So Deuce had come back again for him...and he trusted him? That made Ace a little happy, he admitted. Something about Deuce made Ace feel...secure, safe. "I trust you too." His expression dimmed as he came to another realization, "Are you...after this, are you not coming back again?"

Deuce had swam up on a whim, and came back just to check a second day. Ace had thanked him, and there was nothing more to discuss. But still, Ace was a selfish person. He had said that one glimpse was enough, but he had lied. He was a greedy human, always wanting more. He had only met Deuce for a short while, yet the merman had already enchanted him so. He wanted to become someone more important to Deuce, he wanted to hide Deuce away, to keep the knowledge of Deuce's existence to himself.

Deuce remained oblivious to Ace's thoughts, and merely rested his head on his arms, his voice nonchalant, "Well...do you want me to come back?"

"I do." Ace nodded firmly. He moved to lace his fingers with Deuce's, looking at the merman earnestly, "I want to get to know you."

The merman blinked. Was it normal for humans to be so straightforward? There was something about the way Ace had said it that made him feel like they were a little more than friends. Or maybe he was imagining it? This was the first time he'd actually talked to Ace, so he wasn't sure why it felt so weird.

"Then I'll come back again for you." Deuce reached up, prompting Ace to bend down closer to him. He brushed his fingers against Ace's cheek, leaving tiny droplets of water to run down his skin before he pulled back, "I'll come back again at the same time as often as I can, but for now, I'm afraid I must leave." The sky was growing blue, drowning out the soft pastel hues of dawn. It wouldn't be long before the dock grew busy, and people would come out, Deuce couldn't risk being seen.

Ace frowned, "...Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then. But before you go..." Oh god, was he really about to do this? "Do you know about the human customs of greetings and partings?"

Deuce shook his head, "No...what is it?" He looked to Ace with round eyes, curious as to what human customs Ace spoke of.

"To say hello and goodbye...we do this." Ace tucked a strand of hair behind Deuce's ear as he leaned down, brushing his lips against the merman's. He knew that perhaps he was moving too fast, perhaps it was terrible of him to trick Deuce like this, but...

Ace was a selfish person to the core. He swore that he'd capture this mermaid, and that was what he'd do.

Meanwhile, Deuce had to take a moment to realize that he was just kissed. Honestly, he had heard about the action of kissing from his studies, but it wasn't like merpeople were touchy, so he'd never felt one before...until now that is. Actually, it felt quite nice. He supposed that a new thing was learned everyday.

Deuce pulled Ace by the collar, bringing him into a deeper kiss, although it was quite clumsy. He moved back, smiling happily, "I'm the one leaving, so I should be giving you the kiss right?" Well, he had no clue, but it felt nice and Ace didn't seem to mind, so whatever.

He slipped back into the ocean, somewhat missing Ace's warmth already. Giving Ace one last glance, Deuce waved, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Ace waved back, hardly able to reply through his onslaught of embarrassed thoughts. He watched as Deuce disappeared into the dark waters of the sea, and waited til he could no longer feel the merman's presence. Standing up, Ace picked up his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he spared the sea one last glance.

He wondered what tomorrow would bring him.

#please read it i swear it isnt as wonky as the synopsis makes it out to be <3 i think #twisted wonderland #deuce spade #ace trappola #twisted wonderland deuce #twisted wonderland ace #deuceace

[kth1]

Crosscurrents [Hoseok x Reader] Part 1

Crosscurrents - Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

Genre: The Little Mermaid AU | Fantasy AU | Series Pairing: Mermaid!Hoseok x Princess!Reader Featuring: BTS Princes Warnings: Angst, fluff, rated G, sorry no smut, mentions of pain, eventual character death, it’s just a fantasy story. W/C: 6k Summary: Hoseok is a carefree middle child among seven princes, each running one of the seven seas. With a curious nature to study the world above, he makes several routine visits to the surface, once even saving an alluring princess who he grows very smitten by. With a strong determination to meet his lovely princess, Hoseok makes a risky deal with the ocean’s enchantress to become human. Author’s Note: This fic is something I was utterly happy and exited to write. Mermaids and fantasy stories, yippee. Thank you all who support me. Portions of the fic is unedited. 🐚🧜‍♂️

Credits: Story includes strong elements from Hans Christian Andersen’s ‘The Little Mermaid’; Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’; and Michiko Yokote’s manga ‘Mermaid Melody’. Beta Reader: @shadowsremedy​ has helped me with a handful of passages throughout the course of this story, thank you so much.

☀ CROSSCURRENT MASTERLIST ☀

Miles away under the sun-kissed surface of the ocean, where the water is clear as crystal and blue as the contrasting sky above – resided populations of beautiful mythical creatures. Down in the lowest depths, the most scarce of areas that no human would ever dare to scavenge, lived the Mer-people.

Underwater forestry, plants, organisms of wondrous visions illuminating the deepest pits of the oceans. Fishes of all sizes and shapes occupied the area, weaving through the stems and leaves of charted trees along the motion of the currents. Just as birds fly among the surface. Gorgeous sands decorated the floor along with seven separate kingdoms enriched with enchanting palaces, each declaring a claim to their own sea.

Each palace, unique in their own way. Accommodating their surrounding habitats. Each of the seven districts ruled under the marvelous Mer-King, and each sea acquainted a heavenly, handsome prince. Kingdoms decorated with coral walls, sculpted sandstone slates and amber pointed windows. Roofs made from the finest and largest of mussel-shells, clams and hidden glittering pearls and jewels. Stones of riches, easily the most expensive gems that belonged in the pits of the hidden worlds.

The Mer-King seeded the realms with seven little princes who were all very beautiful children in their own distinctive ways. For each Prince, were given a household to look after, to grow up with, and study in practice to control their provinces.

Within the Arctic Ocean, where merfolk varied in shades of murky indigo and dotted with black spots was inhabited by the eldest of sons, Prince Seokjin. The Indian Ocean decorating the waves with scales of vibrant oranges complimented with a singular stripe of white down the backside, consisted Prince Yoongi. The cold of the Antarctic rested Prince Namjoon, along with his kingdom of deep purple-to-silver tailed scaly family. Tails irradiated a glow just like the moon reflecting on water.

Creatures in the North and South Pacific diverse in tropical colors, salmon pink beings belonging to Prince Jimin in the north, and bright crisp yellow folks ruled under the south’s youngest, Prince Jungkook. The last two kingdoms lay in the Atlantic Ocean. Beautiful deep green tails of the north, quipped with touches of holographic shine belonged to Prince Taehyung. Lastly, the region in the South Atlantic was full of rays of aqua blue and speckled with gold – is where Prince Hoseok lives.

Throughout their childhoods, given brief age gaps and the stretch of locations between another, the brothers all grew up together. Frequent visits, family gatherings being a constant presence with the young boys. All merfolk belonged to another, they took after another and populated the sea floor. Fishes would swim up, gently being held, feeding out of the hands of mermaids and mermen. Eventually within a mer-person’s life, they will be acquainted with a creature of any species. A forever buddy that becomes their pet, their friend, and family.

The beauty of the South Atlantic Ocean kingdom with a magnificent palace that had astounding flowers growing between the cracks of the walls in each apartment and room, was decorated with a large garden in the front. Full of dark and iridescent baby-blue trees with fruits that glittered like gold. Matching the specs of gold that embellished the tails of the locals. Flowers blazed with hues of butterscotch yellows, resembling the bright and burning sun from the surface above. Bushes and smaller shrubs matched the color of sulfur.

Hoseok was certainly a singular child, one who was quiet and thoughtful in group settings, but was the loudest and most careless when it came to freedom. His skin was soft and delicate, like the touch of a sunflower leaf. His eyes sparked a deep blue, twisted with an almond mix of brown. His tail was no doubt the most stunning in his sector, outshining others around him, a tell-tailed sign that he was of royalty. But the most notable of signs that screams royalty was the unique earring that never left Hoseok’s lobe.

Each handsome prince was given a dedicated pearl at their coming of age ceremonies, each identifying with their tail color. To which they must protect and kept safe for the sake of their empires. For the fact that these pearls harness great mystical powers, such power compacted within one tiny jewel. But this power could completely destroy a nation if given to the wrong hands, and if their owners neglect their duties.

Nothing pleased Prince Hoseok more than hearing about the unreachable world from above. Human beings who lived on land, not within the sea. Stories fascinated the curious mind of Hoseok, constantly being riddled with tales of these notorious humans. Over time, with the help of Nannies and families, Hoseok’s knowledge grew when it came to the world that was simply out of reach. Ships, towns, land animals, you name it.

Over the course of his younger days, he ventured out into the sea, accompanied by his trusty companion, Kiko – a leafy sea dragon. Together they collected a handful of unknown knick knacks, thingamajigs, and doohickeys that they forged for from shipwrecks. To this day – Hoseok still makes these trips, ventured out further into the sea without supervision, even breaking the surface of the water to catch a glimpse of the amazing world.

Nights where he could sneak away, rise to the surface and lay under the moonlight in the clefts of the rocks. Watching lights from the shoreline flicker dimly, the casted stars sparkling the sky in beautiful constellations.

“It’s so beautiful up here, isn’t it Kiko?” Hoseok spoke towards the leafy sea dragon that circled around his fins which remained dipped in the water. He sighed, breathing in the foreign air, the dryness cutting into his lungs. The wind played with his shaggy hair, his earring dangling along. His eyes set firmly on the coast, waves easing in and out at the ridge of the bay. Everything up here was so unfamiliar to Hoseok, so tempting and entertaining.

“There’s beautiful places all over. And under.” Kiko mused back. Skeptical and cautious as she grew accustomed to Hoseok’s nightly adventures. There was no way she could talk the Prince out of his plans, ever.

“But up here is so – is so,” he pauses. Noticing a small child holding an elder woman’s hand, probably enjoying a nightly walk on the beach. “… Amazing.”

The high church-towers were in view within the town that lined the coast. Carriages and music playing in the distance, even the chime of bells ringing. The simple fact that he could not go there himself caused him to yearn for it more, wish for it to happen in his dreams. This Prince was indeed passionate about the land before him, stretching his hands towards the air.

“Careful yourself, Hoseok.” Kiko warned. “It’s late, shouldn’t we be heading back before someone notices your disappearance?”

He nodded, with his eyes still trained on the silhouettes of the strolling humans. Watching them turn up a set of stairs and disappearing behind the curve of the walkway. He was fascinated, the kinship between humans wasn’t much different from his to his folks. Humans were so distant, but they seemed so similar to him.

A small tug on his fin caught his attention, seeing his little buddy pulling him. “Let’s go, you have a busy day tomorrow.”

On the swim back, descending down into the dept of the sea, Hoseok reminisced his favorite times above water. The early mornings, the midday views of seagulls flying high above in flocks, the sunsets were clouds scattered the sky and painted in violets, reds, and oranges. Watching the Sun extinguish into the horizons plane as the cool of the night sky took over.

Hoseok loved the upper world and all its inhabitants so very much.

Daybreak tickled the waters, reflections of lights bouncing and refracting off another in the clear-cut liquids. It shined through Hoseok’s large amber window, casting a ray on his slumbering face causing him to wince. His body curled tighter in his clam-based bed; a thicket of woven blankets made of the finest kelp keeping him comfortable. Bio-luminescent decorations that drifted within his quarters losing their dim glows.

Shortly, his door would be knocked upon. Guards prepared to assist him along his daily routines, breakfast, taking a swim through the gardens, fitting for dresswear. Today, his brothers were due for a visit – since his kingdom was hosting the annual Festival of the Arts this year, as the event rotated between each realm every year.

It was always a delight to seek comfort from his siblings, to talk among another with similar thoughts and feelings as each and every single one of them were in the same shoes – in this case, fins. They were close to another regardless of the actual distance of their homes. And he was more than happy to celebrate the festivities and provide his best hosting service.

Prince Jungkook was the first to have arrived along with his party, very atypical of the youngest who outshines the mer-world quite frankly with his beaming yellow tail and natural abilities. His excitement to see his older brother urgently was overwhelming as he searched throughout the Aqua realm’s palace for Hoseok. Wittingly enough, he knew Hoseok’s patterns, the layout of the entire home.

“Hyung!” Rang through the water – not sounding quick enough for Hoseok to process before the bulldozing clash of his body into another’s. Tough arms circled Hoseok, tightening in a rush just in time for him to tilt his head to catch the sight of jet-black hair and a flash of canary yellow.

“Ah, Jungkook. You nearly gave me a heart attack!” Hoseok hollers. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

Jungkook laughs, holding his brother tight and against his will, “I’m sorry Hobi – it won’t happen again.” The scrunch of Jungkook’s nose and the teasing smile made his quick apology sound completely fake.

“You’ve filled out more I see.” He notes the stature of Jungkook from the last time he’s seen him. Chest expanding further, his hair longer and pulled in a half bun with loose ends spilling out around his fringe. The twinkle of Jungkook’s yellow pearl lays just between his clavicles on a threaded necklace. But his youngest brother still adorned his childlike smile, large eyes popping out with animation.

“Indeed, I have.” Said the yellow tailed man.

“Have you prepared well for the ceremony tonight?” Hoseok questioned while shifting out of the other man’s clutch, fluttering his fingers through his case of human books. Careful not to tear the thinned papers that were not made for the water.

They were in the secondary study – dedicated to Hoseok’s cherished collectibles of human items that drifted down to the sea floor. It was a private area, filled with wonder and intertwining plants. So many new and beautiful objects decorated the interior of the room along with the drifting innocent fishes that floated around like fruit flies.

Jungkook grabbed hold of his brothers’ hand, tearing him past the seaweed curtains and out of the room. “I need help with a part of the choreography – I’m not sure what to do.”

Each of the seven princes were a part of the annual festival, performing their own pieces of art. Music surrounded their lives, and each prince specialized in one of the three professions: Singer. Dancer. Composer.

In tune with another – they create a perfect melody, a rhythm they cast into the waters. And all together they grow stronger with the help of their pearls.

“Let’s not head to the ballroom – I’m sure they are still setting up.”

“Jungkook! Sir!! Prince!” A peep of a scream came from the corner, a frantic Moorish Idol fish bee-lining towards the two still Princes. “Don’t you bolt off like that again! I can’t catch up with your speed!” it pants as it swarms around Jungkook’s face.

“Gotta be quicker, Pip!” Jungkook giggled, using his fingers to brush against his tuckered-out buddy.

Pip eyed Hoseok, recognizing the older Prince and jumped in embarrassment. “Prince, I apologize! I didn’t greet you properly, please I am so dearly sorry!”

“No need for formalities.” A wave of Hoseok’s hand hushed Pip’s words. “It’s nice to see you again. Now – about that choreography…”

The rooms were lit to the high-nine. Capacity of several variations of flourished colored tails decorated Hoseok’s palace – events like these are his favorite. Not only is he surrounded by his school, he’s encircled by his glorious brothers. The only thing that stressed out the aqua tailed prince, wasn’t the planning of events, fitting for costumes, dresswear, or deciding the best dishes to cater. The performance he practiced for day in and day out alike his brothers – what stressed Hoseok out was the company of his father, the Mer-King himself who only showed his presence for special occasions.

Each Prince were presented in front of the crowd of hundreds, their titles in all. Dolled up to accommodate the affair with engaging chains that wrapped around their waists and wrists, extra clam and shell accessories added to decorate around their loose arms and tail. Designed capes, hip skirts, and sheer fabrics that moved with the waves as they would do with the wind from above. Crowns made from wreaths of white lilies with bejeweled opal white pearls dangling down the band.

One by one they presented their acts along the stage, an entertaining uproar surpassed through the crowds from the Royal’s concert. The dancers who weaved like fluid coil to the cords of music were nonother than the feisty topaz yellow Jungkook, the carefree aquamarine dazzled Hoseok, and the flirtatious yet ditzy salmon pink royal, Prince Jimin.

Contrasting the dancers were the stunning vocalists of the group, Seokjin and Taehyung. Together they crafted a harmonious aura with their lyrics and tones. Entreating voices far sweeter than any human or mer-folk around.

Princes Namjoon and Yoongi of the Antarctic and Indian Oceans were strong composers, masters in a range of musical instruments. Their wits, knowledge, and pure love for the magical symphonies poured out of their bodies through devices and tools. Drafting tunes for songs every breathing moment.

It was late once again as Hoseok frustratedly swam up to his usual cove. Hoisting his body up on a smooth rocky islet that broke through the surface. Up here, Hoseok felt light and at ease. Repressing the tensions that bellowed below in the pit of his realm. The breeze was steady and refreshing, toying with the stands of his dampened hair and drying off the droplets of water that trickled down his skin.

He shed the tokens that deemed his high rank prior to wondering off from the palace, only keeping his stationary earpiece securely in. The clouds floating are coated in golden and rosy shades, evening stars piercing the sky in the dimming east. The nearing night looked extraordinary in Hoseok’s eyes.

A large ship with three white masts settled still on the water with only one sail unraveled. People littered the deck, music and song resounded from the vessels, and soon after when the night casted over the sky, the light of hundreds of lamps burst into view.

It was odd for a ship to be sailed far out during this time, even more peculiar to have a scatter of lights beaming from floating lamps that hovered into the air.

He swam close to the captain’s cabin being cautious to stay low in the water, and with every rock of the waves Hoseok was able to look through the clear windowpanes. Kiko stayed close to Hoseok, wiggling herself into his hand for security as they drawn near the scary object that rested on the water.

There were many richly dressed humans within, gowns and suits decorating each member in a fashion. The most bewitching of them, a person who stood out of the crowd and stared into the far distance of the water was a young princess with flowing thick hair. No doubt in Hoseok’s mind that this beauty was no younger than him, and he felt completely captivated by her looks.

A festival was being celebrated on the same day Hoseok’s home celebrated his. In honor of this princess’s birthday the crew were dancing and singing on the upper deck, similar to how Hoseok’s family just partook on a stage deep below. It was fascinating his wondering eyes, activities so alike to his own. And the moment the princess appeared among the lively bunch, rockets shot up into the air, turning the night into day.

The loud boom of cracks sizzling into the air scared Hoseok and Kiko, forcing him to dip his head back under the surface.

“Let’s go back! This isn’t safe!” Kiko chimed in, shaking her frail leafy body.

Hoseok looked up through the plane of water, eyes wide with shock. Not once has he ever seen this lightshow before. These weren’t cracks of blue zigzags that dressed the sky like lightning, theses were bright loud bangs of noise that sparked fire.

Through his perception, he watched the glows vanish. Until another boom ripped through the air along with another flash of light. “Hold on.” He says.

The curious merman raised his head above water again to witness a scene of falling stars upon him. A fiery shower he surely has never seen before tonight. It was like large suns revolved around his head, the brightest of fishes swam in the air that reflected on the clear glass-slate of water of the sea. Who knew humans could have such power.

The princess could be seen distinctly throughout the sailors that laughed and jested with glee. Her face adorned with a wide smile, one that shined so bright. “Oh – she’s so beautiful, isn’t she?”

It was later now, but Hoseok couldn’t take himself away from the ship and the beautiful young princess. She remained looking through that cabin window, rocking to and fro by the motion of the sea. He was enchanted by her, charmed by this unique being. There was something about her.

“Would you look at her?” Hoseok examined, smiling to himself. “She’s breathtaking.”

Kiko fluttered around Hoseok, a nervous wreck of a fish as she sensed an unnerving suspicion. “Please, we must go back. We’ve overstayed too long.”

“Oh poppycock. The palace is in perfect condition. Nobody will notice me missing.”

“Sir – “

There was foaming and fermentation in the depths beneath causing the ship to tilt faster. Waves rose high and violent in a span of minutes. Sails were spread, a commotion coming from the desk resounded. A distant thunder was heard, rumbling through the space above.

“Ah – father…” Hoseok snapped his head, “He’s angry.”

“I told you we must go!”

Hoseok and Kiko both swam a few meters down after once last glance at the ship that furled their sails once more. Until a sudden pound echoed through the waves. The great vessel tossed and turned on the volatile waters like a rowboat as the waves rose to an extreme height. It towered over the ship, clashing forcefully into the deck and submerging the manmade object. Water filled the cavities of the deck, the stout masts bent under the swirling billows.

“Hoseok!” Kiko shouted at the stunned merman who watched with wide eyes. An internal struggle inside him to tell him to go back to the Mer-King or to help the sinking ship. “We need to go!”

“I can’t! It’s going to turn over into the sea!”

Just as he guessed, the crew among the vessel was in terrible danger; since he himself had to beware the shattered beams that tore away from the vessel and splashed down above him. Wreckage both floating and sinking, causing hazards to think twice about.

“Get him to stop Kiko, tell him I’m fine! Just stop the storm!” Hoseok shooed his seahorse away, heading himself to the surface and ignoring the pleading screams.

It was pitch dark above, so dark that he could not distinguish anything until a flash of lightning disclosed to him the whole of wreck. Burning flames above the water. Hoseok only felt urgent for his wondrous princess as he sought her out the instant the ship kissed the bottom of the seafloor.

Hoseok knows no human can breathe underwater, he knows the only times he’s seen a human up close were the bodies of corpses that drifted down into the depths. He did not want that fate for the princess.

He dove himself through the shards and fragments that sprinkled within the water regardless of the danger he was inducing but with his steady swim he found the princess having difficulty holding her head high. Her eyes already closed while clutching her frame around a piece of driftwood, inevitably would have drowned completely if it wasn’t for the aqua blue merman who came to the rescue. Bearing the force of the heavy current, holding the princess above the water’s surface.

The sun rose in the horizon towards morning, by then the ongoing storm had seized and there weren’t any traces of remains from the shipwreck. Rays of lights restored color to the princess’s cheeks, though her eyes remained closed. Her dampened dress riddled with sand and stray leaves of seaweed.

They lay off in a secluded cove far from the casually populated beach. Surrounding cliffs hiding them away. Hoseok laid gazing up at the arresting princess, stroking the strand of wet hair away from her face. Her skin was soft like a rose petal, and a slight pink undertone hid beneath its expanse. “Please wake.” He whispered as he studied her features.

This was the first time Hoseok laid about the land, just shy of the waters reach. He could see the dry green wood that extended along the coast, cliffs and mountains drawn clearer. Firm quartz sand which he now occupied along with his new companion. He turned her face towards the rising sun that was illuminating the world.

A quiet sound escaped the mouth of the princess, surprising the merman suddenly. He leaned back, head blocking the sun from direct view of her face while she sleepily opened them. The haze of her eyes coated her sight, looking at the figure that was in view. She grumbled, blinking rapidly to readjust the image before her. A stranger hovered over her, a concerned look across their handsome face as they looked down at her in curiosity. Golden brown hair flowed around; a glint of blue entrapped into his brown almond eyes.

“Hello,” Hoseok whispered, lifting the corner of his lips up.

“Who-“

Hoseok shifted the moment he heard of loud barking noise coming from the side of a cliff. His movement caused the piercing rays of light to shine into the princess’s eyes, blinding her some more.

The merman jolted away from the shore in a panic, hiding behind some stones further into the sea. Hoseok watched from afar with unyielding attention, a black four-legged being running towards the reviving princess. A small group of men followed suit to the black figure who alerted the humans of its findings.

“Oh Princess!” one shouted as they ran over. They smiled kindly down at her, assisting her off the sands and into a blanket. “Princess Y/n, are you hurt?”

She was dazed and confused, checking her surroundings for the other person she just saw. Did she see someone or was it her imagination? Who had saved her from the previous night? “Where’s the man? The one who saved me?”

The surrounding men gave another a questioning look, looking quite confused when they eyed the area around them. “Miss, nobody is here besides us? You must have swallowed too much seawater – it’s a miracle you survived.”

The black hairy creature spotted Hoseok out, yapping towards him and trying to get the humans attention. The animal saw him, no doubt, and Hoseok ducked for cover under the waves as they passed, waiting for his moment to come back up.

The princess was taken back onto the land with the assistance of the furry creature and humans, leaving Hoseok distraught behind the stones of the bay. But he was relieved that she survived, her beauty could live on longer, and he couldn’t wait to share his story about how he saved a human. Immediately, when the princess was finally out of view, he plunged beneath the water to return back to his palace.

“Y/n…” He hummed, repeating the sweet name that rang his ears. “Her name is Y/n.”

“Where did you go last night?” The Mer-King shouted in the dining hall. Hoseok floated in front of his father, eyes trained to the seabed below their fins. The six other brothers hovered off to the side in a stationary line, motionless as they watched the scolding unfold. Each accompanied by their personal pets who too drifted in the silence of the water.

“Answer me, Hoseok!” the King’s voice resembled the same boom of the magical fire show from last night.

“I – I was… I went...”

“Don’t you dare tell me you escaped up to the surface.”

Hoseok fell silent. His words lost in his throat when he made eye contact with his father. The King stood still with the length of his graying hair exceeding past his shoulder blades, a crown sat atop his head made out of coral and angulate wentletrap shells. Spikes of eelgrass flowing from the tips of the multicolored crown. His slimy tail was ombre from a berry red into a sandy brown – dorsal fins displayed wide and drifted just how a beta fish would, flared up just how a beta fish would. His steel gray eyes stared down at Hoseok with intensity, waiting for a response.

Voiceless silence. Hoseok could not speak another word without distressing his father any further. In defeat he hung his head down to the floor, sinking his shoulders.

“You are not to leave the palace.” The King’s voice broke through. “You are not to enter the surface of the water. Do I make myself clear?”

“But Fath –“

“Am I clear!?” He shouted. Voice echoing through the quiet halls of the palace – hand clutching his beloved trident tight.

“Yes, Sir.” Hoseok grimaced. Kiko fleeing into the middle of Hoseok’s back.

The Mer-King departed the dining hall, leaving the seven brothers to themselves. It was when Hoseok looked up seeing the concerning looks crossing each of his brothers, did he feel guilty for his actions.

“What are you doing? You know you shouldn’t meddle around up above. What if someone saw you?!” Namjoon spoke, the cool tone of his voice chilled through the water. The purple scaled man swam closer to Hoseok, the slate of silver shining through his hair and the tip of his fins. His purple pearl shimmered in the arm cuff on his right of his crossed arms, his crab responding in the same gesture. “Hoseok, think of the dangers.”

“I know. But hear me out – I did something so amazing last night!”

“Namjoon’s right, you know this.” Seokjin stepped in with a pointing finger embellished with his pearl, “And to pull that stunt, especially when father is visiting, you’re asking to be yelled at.” His small, very animated manta ray wiggled around Seokjin’s mannerisms, copying the same movements as he did.

Hoseok’s mouth formed a triangle frown. Resentment settling in the pit of his stomach along with a mix of emotions. “Can you just listen to me?”

“Then speak.” Heads turned over to the aloof green merman who seated himself on top of the turquoise sea-glass table. The side of his hair clipped back with a white barbed clam, allowing the rest of his deep brown wavy hair to flow naturally. Under his ear shined the dark pine colored pearl, just how Hoseok’s did. Taehyung’s fingers twirled around his pale jellyfishes’ ruffled tentacles, staring off into the distance in deep thought. “What was amazing?”

Hoseok scanned the eyes around him, taking in a strong breath before telling his otherworldly experience. The merfolk knew of legends, myths and facts about the land above. Artifacts that fallen down into their domains created curiosity but there were fears of the stories about merfolk traveling far too close to the coastline. Humans may be mystical to mer-people, but it was never wise to breach the surface to study them.

“And the lights started falling down after the loud bang! Fire burning and sizzling out in beautiful streams! It was so bright!” He exclaimed with his audience listening in. “But then the storm demolished the ship! It happened so fast!” Hoseok continued his dramatic story with such immense passion, comparing how humans and merfolk celebrated in similar ways.

It infatuated the listening ears, well, some more than others. “And then I saved her from the wreck! I saved her guys! I brought her to the shore and – “

“You what?”

Yoongi, with a tail of vibrant marmalade orange cut his younger brothers train of thought. His narrow coal cut eyes shot angry towards Hoseok. A menacing stare emitting from the shaggy dirty blonde-haired male, questioning his brother’s reckless behavior. “You went on land?!” His pet lionfish flared its fins at the tone of his owner’s voice, grumbling something about idiocy.

“She lived because of me!” Hoseok retorted, leveling up to the stinging tension that was rising quickly.

“You’re troublesome, really.” Yoongi chided. “She would have been fine if you were here in your palace! That storm wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for you!”

“You’re setting a bad example for the younger ones.” Seokjin nodded towards the wafting men who innocently drifted in the background of the conversation.

Hoseok fumbled over his words, mouth gaping open looking for words to fill into it. He knows his brothers aren’t wrong, they were just being cautious. But Hoseok felt like they looked down upon his widened spectrum, his drive to expand the knowledge about the world above. It wasn’t fair with all the limitations merfolk had, and even more restrictions for a Prince.

Hoseok grew quiet and reflective as days passed by. Obeying the tolls and jobs of his prince duties, being kind to other fish folk and leaning a helping hand for many in need. He stabilized his environment, praised the coral reefs that skirted his territory, even assisted with gathering the ripened fruits that sprouted from the gardens’ trees.

Though each and every day Hoseok pondered about the princess who lived above. Questioning to himself about her whereabouts, how she was doing and what she was doing. He dared to stare at the new statue that became his favorite décor in his luxurious field of flowers. A beautiful stone chiseled and sculpted to look like the princess, partially broken from the wreck of the ship, now stood in the middle of his oyster paddock.

When Hoseok wanted to be a daredevil, he succeeded in slipping away from the eyes of his staff and even his personal buddy. Rushing himself back to the surface where he loved so dearly to catch the linger of the air that dried his face and scales. Many times, he rose to the place where he had last seen Princess Y/n, where he left her on the sands before scurrying away. He always returned to his subterranean abode with a bit of sadness when he never saw her.

It was dawn when the first light creeped through the panels of Hoseok’s second study where he was toying around with one of his thingamajigs, trying to understand the use of it. He had an unexpected visitor in the middle of the night, a slither of a reflective shine catching his eye. An oily slick tinted film in the moonlight when he angled his tail in the right way.

“Taehyung.” Hoseok breathed, “You should have told me you were heading here; I would have arranged a genuine greeting for you when you entered the gates.”  

He seemed cheerier during the night hours, maybe it was the relaxation of the disphotic zone or the cool temperament of fishes relaxing. Whichever excuse it may be, Taehyung always glowed better during the evening. “I’m sorry hyung – I wanted to check in on you. I was worried.”

They spent the entire night in deep thoughts, conversing to another about their worries and provinces. A few discussions about trades between regions, assembling plans and arrangements for brotherly gatherings. Taehyung found a fascination with a particular utensil from Hoseok’s study, a metal tool that had spikes at one end and a smooth handle on the other.

Throughout the night Hoseok confessed his sorrows to his younger brother, revealing his secret about the princess he had saved. How her beauty enchanted him, imprinting on his mind, how her statue now lays in the greens of his garden. The embarrassment crept up to him, distracting himself from his feelings as he showed Taehyung around his collection of human things.

“If my memory is correct, I believe I might know who your princess may be, because I have seen a castle above the waters.” Taehyung twirls the man-made gizmo around his fingers as he speaks. “When you mentioned her before in your story, I grew curious.”

Hoseok was caught off-guard from Taehyung’s words, stunned even. “Y – You know where she lives? You need to show me!” The aqua tailed man fluttered around with a sense of emergency, he held Taehyung’s hand pleading to him. “Please brother, show me what you know. It’s a wonderful morning already, the current is leveled, and the waters are clear!”

Embracing their arms together, Taehyung and Hoseok swam out past the palace walls into the blue of the ocean. Together they rose out of the water after miles of swimming, just in front of a tall bend in a cliff. They remained far off from the cost, deep enough to be unnoticed from the naked eye. But from their point of view they were able to see a castle with bright yellow stones, a flight of marble steps that led straight into the sea. Statues topped the pillars that outlined the walls, the building crowned with a Caspian blue. A great bay window faced toward the sea, the windows expanding long and wide.

The area was farther out from Hoseok’s natural comfort spot, he would pass this sector many times when he would visit up north to Taehyung’s realm.

From a closer look the two mermen can see silken curtains that hugged the frames of large bay windows, the walls inside decorated from top to bottom with magnificent paintings. Blurred bodies of servants walking across the tiled floors and expensive rugs. Deep within one of the larger rooms there was a fountain glittering with dancing water which sprouted from several areas surrounded by long stems and tendrils of plants.

“It’s so beautiful.” Hoseok whispered, creeping himself closer towards the castle that was built on the edge of the cliff. It was a real delight for the royal mermen to witness an abode so lovely, so riveting.

“This is the only castle I know of. I’m hoping this could be her palace.” Taehyung swam down, toying around with his small jellyfish in a fit of giggles. Dangling strands of seaweed around as if he’s forging the same motion as his buddy’s tentacles.

Hoseok dipped his head under, meeting up with the green tailed strides. “Thank you, Taehyung!” Hoseok’s arms entangled around Taehyung’s waist, spinning the two mermen in circles.

“It’s not far from the area where I saved her. Oh, I do hope this is her home!”

Taehyung beamed back a boxy smile, noticing the wild spirit of Hoseok shine. He was aware of the consequences of going to the surface, aware how enraged father could get when the sons acted up. But he was very happy to help out his brother – he saw something in Hoseok that he didn’t see in the others.

“Please, whatever you may do. Just be safe.” He petted the side of his brother’s hair, flicking his finger over Hoseok’s pearl earring.

© All rights reserved under @kimtaehyunq​ - do not copy, repost, modify, edit, or translate any of my work without my direct consent. This tumblr is the ONLY place my fics are posted.

#ficswithluv #btsbookclub #bangtanarmynet #armysource #bangtanhq #magicshopnet #crosscurrents #crosscurrents part 1 #hoseok x reader #mermaid AU #mermaid hoseok #bts fanfic #series #jung hoseok #hoseok #jhope #hobi #bts

[captainillogical]

Distant Lands Ch.14

Stranded on a planet with toxic conditions and nothing but the clothes on your back, your only means of survival lies within the gem that got you here in the first place.

Spinel/Reader

collab with my lovely wife @firstofficertightpants​

You quickly grab her by the arm and pull her with you as you move over and behind another injector pile thirty or so feet to the left of the one you were currently at. Your mind is racing as fast as your heart as you place one hand over your chest to ground yourself, feeling your heart hammer underneath your fingertips. In your other hand you hold hers - and herself as closely to yourself as you can as a means to not let her wander.

The sound of metal scraping against rock echoes throughout the dome, causing small tremors through the ground and some debris to fall from the top of the ceiling in certain places. You can feel the vibrations in your teeth. What in the everloving FUCK could that be? You’re trying to not panic, and it’s one of the hardest things you’ve ever had to do in your life. Of course, the only person that could be indispensable to this entire situation is basically incapacitated and completely useless to you. This is just your fucking luck.

You pull in a deep breath to suck up your nerves, and take a small chance to peek around your makeshift cover and look in the direction of the noise. In the darkness, you scan around the large room looking for any sign of what could have been making those noises so you can assess the.. situation properly. 

You’re not seeing anything out of the ordinary, just piles of injectors, dirt, and an endless sea of murky, sparkly darkness. Spinel is tugging on your arm, so you turn to look back at her to tell her to hold on, seriously are you kidding me right now - and you almost miss the shift of movement on the ceiling. You freeze - heart pounding in your ears, eyes glued to the spot you thought you saw shift. 

You think at first your eyes are playing tricks on you, and that it might be some of the luminescent dust falling off the ceiling.. but a weird shift in light makes you think otherwise. Something.. something large slowly hangs down from the high ceiling of this room until it finally drops to the ground deliberately with a loud rumble that shakes everything around you - and you slap a hand over Spinel’s mouth before anything comes out of it. You’re holding your breath as you watch this.. 

Oh you’re much too terrified to deal with this basically alone. You’re not equipped to deal with this at all, and if there were some kind of higher being out there, watching you? You’d flip them off right now if you had the mental capacity for it. Your brain is having a hard time comprehending what it’s seeing, honestly. Light shimmers again, but there are so many piles of injectors out in the middle and you’re still on the outer edge of this room that you’re having to squint to really make out anything. 

Before you, maybe about fifty or so feet away is a dark shaded, large.. vaguely insect like creature. You don’t think it’s actually insect like at all but it’s the most earth-like thing you could compare it to, considering the only thing you can actually see from it between all the pillars of garbage is a long moving midsection taller than you at full height as it drags itself against the dirt floor. It’s covered and dripping the same exact shit covering the walls, floors, and ceiling - leaving a fresh trail of whatever the hell is all over everything else.

It’s.. it’s fucking huge. 

Your hand is trembling against Spinel, still holding it against her mouth. You do not dare to move. It’s basically physically impossible for you anyway because you’re too frozen in fear. You’re praying it cannot see or sense you or Spinel in your current location.  

You can hear more than see anything as it’s dragging its body in loud thunks coming from what you’re guessing is it’s legs, sending vibrations everywhere. It’s clearly secreting a glowing fluid as it moves to the direction of the pile of injectors that Spinel had made noise from earlier, a mere dozens of feet from you now. You still have no idea what the front half of it even looks like. 

Seconds that feel like minutes go by with the rumbling, and you feel your hand get disgustingly wet.

“Wha-” You pull your hand from her mouth briefly to see that she had licked it - goofy grin covering her face. You school your face into more of a stern expression, wiping some of the fear from it and lean into her space closely.

“Spinel, I need you to shut the fuck up and stay as still as possible.” You whisper harshly, as quietly as you can muster. “Do you understand? Otherwise I’m gonna keep my hand on your mouth.” You look at her, waiting for the gem to nod any kind of acknowledgement before uncovering her mouth again. 

“What is that?” She practically slurs her words as she attempts to whisper, breath tickling your face, eyes brimming with curiosity as she tries to get a better look at that thing.

“I have no idea, but I’m starting to think one of your earlier guesses was right.” You quietly reply, taking a look around the other side and seeing a sharp pincher-like end to a tail drag behind a pile of injectors. What the fuck is this thing.. and how big is it..

You watch it drag itself to where you and Spinel once were, coming around the side of another pile of junk - and it finally exposes the front of itself to where you can see it.

Your stomach drops in fear as your limbs freeze up.

It leans down on these angular, folding legs that are in front of several more, as it’s head tears into the pile, grabbing a large rock from the bottom of it in what your guessing is its mouth. Spinel is utterly quiet as you stand there in terror, and a familiar noise starts to echo out around the walls of this cavernous hell hole.

A whirring noise. One you’ve heard before.

You see its head turn slightly, and you taste bile in your mouth. There are several segmented torso pieces in the front of this thing that’s just got a bunch of legs attached to it, and its long body trails behind it much like a centipede. You cannot count how many white eyes are on its hideous, marred head. Your heart cannot pump blood any faster as it’s all you can hear in your ears besides this horrible noise it’s making. It’s mouth is more hole than anything, as you see mainly teeth as it grinds this large rock down to dust. 

Like a fucking blender.

Your brain stutters to comprehend what it’s seeing. Slowly.. the pieces start to fall together in place. You think you know exactly what happened to all those missing gems on this planet.. You shudder, seeing gem dust on your fucking clothes - and nearly vomit on the spot. Gems! It ATE GEMS. 

Oh, god this could be the end of Spinel too - your mind panicking already - you need to get the FUCK out of here, and FAST. You were scared for your own life, but now you think you have to worry more about your companion beside you.

You don’t know what you were expecting to be down here, on this planet very far from home, but you weren’t expecting a fucking gem eater. Or to walk directly into its lair. 

As if it couldn’t be any more horrifying, it pushes itself back up after it’s finished with what was in it’s mouth - and it extends its torso and head into a height of over ten feet at the crown of its ugly head. Spinel gasps from beside you - you see it whip its face to your direction, rumbling sounding out all around you as its sharp legs turn to move the front of its body.

“Are you fucking kidding me,” You look at the idiot beside you, and grab her by the upper arm as you stumble - dropping your walking stick, dragging her with you as the gem eater turns it's attention to where Spinel made noise from. It starts to scuttle over, its legs moving disgustingly quick as it worms its way across the ground.

You manage to pull Spinel quickly around another pile several yards away, barely able to cut the corner fast enough for it to not see you. Spotting a small opening in the pile, you shove Spinel in the crevice and squeeze in right next to her, injector pieces digging into you from all sides.

Maybe about ten feet from you, you can hear it's legs making loud thuds as it searches the area you were at previously, small vibrations at your feet. You hold your breath and look at Spinel, who's trying her hardest despite her altered state of mind to stick her head out to look at that thing outside where you're hiding. You're pressed up against her, her gem painfully pressing against your sternum - any other time than this, you'd be screaming at this kind of close proximity. 

You hear a weird clicking noise coming from the other side of the injector pile you're in. Spinel's pupils are drawn to yours, and you slam a hand over her mouth before she can kill you both. Your heartbeats are pounding so loudly in your ears, and while your hands shake in fear you do your best to steady them. Panicking will not help you. Panicking might kill you, actually. 

Your inner monologue is mainly filled with YOU'RE GOING TO FUCKING DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH DOWN HERE AND NO ONE WILL EVER KNOW on repeat like a mantra. The clicking is clearly coming from the gem eater, and it's incredibly unsettling to hear the noises accompanied by the sounds of it dragging it's large, horrendous body. You're frozen in fear. Your eyes are locked with Spinel's in a silent plea for her to be as quiet and unmoving as possible.

Thump. Thump. 

The clicking gets closer. The scent of sweet rot wafts around you.

You can't get yourself to stop shaking.

Despite not wanting to die, your mind settles on a single thought, and focuses on it. You.. you need to leave here, alive, and with Spinel. You know you don't really have much, sure Steven and the gems would be upset if you died, if they haven't already given up on finding you by now, but..

You want Spinel, so badly, to be able to experience a regular life. She's been through too much, and hasn't had the chance at any kind of happiness. You don't want her to die with you being the only one to know she existed.

It feels like ages before it moves on, going to check out another pile of who knows what as you hear the clicking move past you.

You let out your held breath in relief, and wait for it to continue to drag itself away.

You have a feeling the gem eater is probably blind. It definitely should have seen you two when you came in - neither of you had been tactful about being seen, and it was on the ceiling.. almost like it was waiting. You hear a couple more clicks, and you’re thinking it has to be some form of echolocation. This should make it easier to get out. In theory.

Once you think it's far away enough, you remove your hand from Spinel's mouth, and lean in close to whisper.

"I need you to be still, right here, for a couple seconds while I scout out an exit. Please just shut up and stand there." You try driving home the point with a stern face towards her. 

She opens her mouth and you slap your hand back over it.

"Spinel. I'm serious. Just don't move for a couple seconds, and I'll be right back." You whisper harshly at her, trying to put on a brave front for yourself. You don't need her sabotaging your plans just because she's stupid right now. She nods at you.

With the gem eater busy searching for you two many yards away, you squeeze out of your hiding place to attempt to find a way out of your potential graveyard. There are piles and piles of injectors as far as your eye can see, the luminescent glow of the cavern just barely emitting enough light for you to make out the outer edges of this room. Off in the far corner, you think you can spot an area that leads to a different tunnel. Which is the only other exit in this room beside where you came from, and you can't even go back to that because that's close to where the gem eater is currently searching for you.

The only thing between you and freedom is just a large, hungry, gem-eating monster currently stalking around for you.

No biggie.

You turn back around to squeeze into the crevice again, nearly scraping half your arm off in the process.

“Alright, here's the plan.” You whisper at her, and she turns her head to focus on you. There’s a bit of drool coming out the side of her mouth, and if there wasn’t the current problem at hand you’d find it almost stupidly endearing. “The only way out is all the way on the other side of this room.” You make sure to point in the direction you’re speaking of so she can kind of understand, but she’s just smiling stupidly at your face instead. “We’re gonna have to sneak over there as quickly as we can, okay? I need you to be able to follow me.”

“Sure thing, doll.” Spinel replies, grin never leaving her face. You stare at her.

“Don’t call me that. Take this seriously.” You say, knowing she’s only like this because she’s not right in the head currently.

“Whyyyy not? You’re pretty.” She blinks at you dumbly.

“Oh my fucking god, I’m covered in filth and dirt.” You sigh, and pray that this goes well. You ignore the heat rising on your face, and pull the ditsy gem by her arm and out of the hiding place you’re both in. 

You take a quick look around you in the murky darkness, peering past all the piles of injectors. You can hear the gem eater move a bit further from you in search, its clicks echoing out in the chamber. You grasp Spinel’s hand in yours and ignore your aching foot to dart out and around another large pile, gem in tow. You hear a couple more prominent clicks, and a crashing sound beyond you a bit further. 

It sounds like it’s pissed it can’t find you, and your heart beats wildly in your chest as you try to calm your anxiety to your best ability. 

Peering around the pile, you see half of it disappear behind another pile much further up, sharp pincer-like tail trailing behind it. Holy fuck, you weren’t expecting the thing to be so large. It’s clearly longer than twenty feet. The sound of it dragging its body along, scraping against your ears plus the clicking is driving you insane in terror. You squeeze Spinel’s hand in yours to calm your nerves, and you feel her squeeze back.

She’s watching you like she’s almost.. studying you. Your eyes are tethered to hers for several moments before you tear them away. You have no idea what’s going on in her head right now, and you don’t have the time to figure it out. 

You tug her hand again, and try to make a bit more forward towards your exit. Your progress is painfully slow, but thankfully the gem eater seems to be distracted by something else. You hear another crash, and more metal scraping against metal before that whirring noise echoes everywhere around you again.

You stumble a bit more further, and get about half way when Spinel stops in her tracks, halting you as well.

“Spinel?” You pull on her arm slightly. “Come on, we’re almost there.” Your whisper comes out panicked and harsh, anxiety bubbling in your gut.

If Spinel hears you, she doesn't respond. Her face is turned alarmingly towards the sounds the gem eater is making.

“Spinel?” Your voice rises slightly in fear. “Spinel, we gotta get the fuck out of here right now. We can’t linger.” 

The gem takes a step forward, pulling you the opposite way of where you’re supposed to be heading. The pungent smell of rot grows thicker and you nearly feel like you’re asphyxiating. You hold back a gag as you pull on your friend's arm. 

“Spinel!” You tug on her arm harder, trying to pull her back as you dig your heels into the ground. “Spinel, STOP.” You shout in alarm, and it echoes out all around you. 

You realize maybe a little too late of what you had just done. There are a couple beats of silence that are followed by rumbling.

“Oh, we need to GO RIGHT NOW.” You say just as you hear it bellow out a roar, sound unlike anything you’ve ever heard before.

You yank on her hand - pulling her sharply to run with you as you make a dash for the exit. Your ankle screams in agony as you put your full weight on it, but you don’t exactly have a choice here. 

Chancing a look behind you, the gem eater screams again before you see it pop in between the piles of injectors. Panic fills you as you run, the ground shaking underneath you. It sounds so close, now. You are screaming inside your head.

You see the opening for the tunnel out in clear view, and there is daylight emitting from it. Hope fills you.

And then off to your left, you see the gem eater catch up to exactly where you’re headed. You almost don't manage to stop in time - Spinel slams into your side with an oof, and it rears its hideous head to your direction, sliding in the dirt to stop in its tracks. It opens its mouth slightly, like a hole - and makes several clicking noises. A blanket of fear washes over you. Several of its eyes blink, head twitching to your exact location.

You realize that if you want out of here, you're probably going to have to fight. You need to think fast. You clear your throat.

“Hey, fuckface,” You say to the gem eater as it extends out its legs, standing to its full height twenty feet from you. It’s over twice as tall as yourself, and utterly terrifying. You pick up a rock at your feet. “Eat this, you piece of shit!” You yell out, sounding so much more braver than you feel - and throw the rock right at the gem eater’s face.

You were trying to aim for its eyes, but the rock goes a little low and smacks against its segmented torso fucking comically, bouncing off like hail on a car.

“Fuck.” You say as you pull Spinel with you and dart to the side, having never let go of her hand, behind another pile of destroyed and eaten injectors. You drag her with you and you attempt to run in any direction far, far away from the thing behind you.

It screams that horrible cry again, and you hear its legs maneuvering towards your direction. Trying to form some half-assed plan in your head, you push Spinel hard - and she stumbles for a moment, looking at you. 

“GO!!!” You yell at her and turn away, hoping you can get the monster to follow you if you split up. 

You get maybe fifteen feet into a sprint while you scream to make noise, and to your absolute horror, the rumbling of the gem eater heads after Spinel and you curse yourself as you make an abrupt turn back her direction and follow it. You do take note of the fact that it seemed to have had a hard time turning, lifting its body to break hard before falling onto its front legs and going after your gem companion. 

You shout for Spinel's attention as she seems immobilized by the monster's pungent smell again.

Luckily due to its inability to turn well, you manage to reach Spinel before it does and you body slam into her, flinging her out of the way and screaming. The beast attempts to turn again, going after Spinel still. 

Thinking quick, albeit a bit stupidly for any kind of distraction - you reach into your pocket, pulling out your blade that you stole from the Spire and lunge for the gem eater’s side. You scream what you feel like is the most pathetic battle cry - it slams its legs down to stop itself as it hears you, crashing headfirst into a giant pile of injectors. You put as much force into your hand as possible, slamming the blade against it’s hard carapace. Your blade doesn’t even chip it's hard outer shell, splitting into pieces as you almost tear your hand open.

“FUCK!!!” You stumble as your ankle gives out and you fall onto your rear. 

It only hesitates a moment, and then scrambles to get itself unstuck from the pile - it makes horrendous noises as injectors fall down, crashing on it and next to it on the ground. You quickly get back up on your feet, using this distraction to get to Spinel as a plan forms in your mind. 

“Be fast and follow me.” You grab for her hand and pull her towards the nearest wall, keeping your exit in sight as you both run for it. 

You hear it cry out behind you, and your anxiety and fear spikes into overdrive. A few more crashes of broken injectors falling, and then you feel the rumble as it slams its legs into the ground, getting free of its prison.

You grab another rock off the ground, and pray that this works. You scream out again to make as much noise as possible, and hurl the rock in the general direction of the gem eater.

Unfortunately your plan works as you look behind you - its head whips to your direction, letting out another ear piercing roar and charges straight for you. Panic wells inside you as it gets closer and closer, gaining speed with each step. The sound of its body dragging on rock hurts your ears, and your foot hurts so bad you’d tear it off if you could. 

Just before it reaches the two of you, you jump out of the way - pulling Spinel with you. Like you had hoped, the thing couldn't turn in time and runs right into the wall with a loud BANG that sends cracks up the side. Quite a few injectors fall from the piles around the room due to the sheer force of it.

You don’t even wait. Gripping Spinel’s hand tightly, you sprint for the exit as fast as your foot will let you. You hear its loud, angry cries, but you do not look back.

The exit is actually an exit out of here, much to your surprise, and horror. This tunnel is maybe only a hundred or so feet, and you can see the kindergarten beyond the end of this. You’re running at this point, foot shooting sharp pains up onto that half of your body. 

Just as you get outside and into the open air, the ground starts to rumble like a quake beneath you.

“WHAT IS GOING ON?!” You hear Spinel shout from beside you, gripping your hand like it’s the only thing clinging her to reality. You’re surprised and relieved she came to her senses so quickly. It’s pouring out, and the thunderous roar in your ears is either from the howling wind or from the gem eater. 

“OH THANK GOD YOU’RE BACK,” Your hair is whipping into your face, and you almost slip - Spinel and yourself running about thirty feet outside of the entrance and stopping suddenly when you realize there that giant drop into the ravine below, and you’re a mere three feet from falling to your death altogether. “AND I’LL EXPLAIN EVERYTHING LATER.”

Her eyes are boring into yours, full of bewilderment, rain pelting against her face. “We’re in the kindergarten? What’s-” 

There’s a roar, and you grasp Spinel’s arm to steady yourself from the heavy tremors under your feet. 

“WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT.” She says, in full blown panic as she whips her face to where the gem eater is coming from.

“I DON’T KNOW BUT WE CAN’T OUTRUN IT.” You yell, mind working in overdrive. It clearly only wants Spinel. You take one last glance at the cliff drop behind you.

You see it finally coming out of it’s entrance, disgusting legs and long body dragging behind it. The quakes it’s causing is straight up causing rocks to fall all around you, several smashing down a few feet off to your side.

“Y/N, WE NEED TO GO!” Spinel yanks on your arm in terror.

“WAIT.” You say, holding your ground more so than you’ve ever done in your life. You only have one shot at this.

The gem eater is twenty feet away. Your heart is pounding. Spinel looks at you in fear, ready to bolt.

“Y/N-”

You grab her by the face and kiss her, and time stops for a brief second. Her lips are cold from the rain.

And then with the rest of your strength, you slam your hands on her chest and shove her away - roaring loud in your ears - and you jump the opposite way with a twist of your ankle. 

It all happens too fast as something slams into your leg, and you’re airborne for a second before your body slams back onto the sopping wet ground, and then you’re sliding. 

The gem eater shrieks along all the tremors, sounds of rock and metal clashing and colliding as it tries to stop itself from going off the cliff - you grasp the muddy soil all around you, failing to make a purchase on anything. You see its tail whip around out of the corner of your eye.

Spinel yells out for you.

Suddenly feeling white hot pain piercing your stomach, and then you’re being torn off the ground. You’re airborne again for just a second when you feel something grabbing your arm - the velocity of your fall nearly yanking your arm out of its socket. You hear the gem eater’s cries as it plummets below, heartbeats pounding in your eardrums.

Spinel pulls you back from what would be a long fall, and she’s screaming at you in a frenzy, gripping both of your upper arms - but all you’re hearing is white noise. 

You choke out a laugh of hysteria, and attempt to shrug free from her grasp to stand on your own. In your haze of adrenaline, you put your full weight on your foot - and nearly collapse, planting one of your hands on her for support. Your eyes glance down and see red. Too much red - you see blood pouring out of a plate-sized wound in your stomach and feel a wave of nausea immediately.

“-ELIEVE YOU’D DO THAT, Y/N, WHAT WERE YOU EVEN THINKING, THROWING YOURSELF IN HARMS WAY WHEN I-” She stops herself and looks down to your wound, and the color drains from her face instantly. “Y/N-”

“Uh.” You interrupt her, swallowing to attempt to stop yourself from vomiting. “It’s fine.”

“No it’s not you idiot,” You can see the fear in her eyes. “There’s so much blood here and I don't know what to do, you humans are so fragile-”

“Spinel, I just gotta stop the bleeding, shhhh.” You say, putting a hand over your bloody side, the warm blood oozing against your fingers. Your brain is working too hard in overdrive and you’re trying to not panic to make everything worse.

“STOP THE BLEEDI- Y/N, how exactly are we going to do that!?” She exclaims, shaking fists on her head like she’s about to tear her hair out. “YOU’RE LOSING SO MUCH BLOOD ALREADY!”

“I, uh,” You stumble with your words, feeling woozy. You need to do something - anything to stop the bleeding. You suddenly remember all that unused cloth up on the Spire. “I think I can make a staunch with those supplies from the Spire.”

“You THINK?!”

“Do you have any better ideas!?” You shield your eyes from the rain, even if you’re already fucking soaked. It’s pelting against you both.

“No,” She replies frettingly, bits of water soaked hair sticking to her face. “I’m fuckin’ useless here.”

“You’re going to have to carry me. I can’t walk on this leg,” You reply. Spinel bends down enough so she can easily give you a piggyback, and you hold on to her with a single arm - other hand gripping your wound, trying to keep any kind of pressure there at this point. You’ve only got your shirt sleeve to help. She holds you tightly, glancing at you like you’re made of glass and that she’s going to be the one to somehow break you.

“I’m gonna be as fast as I can okay?” She says, her worried, urgent tone playing at your heart pathetically. All you can do is nod. “We’ll talk about what happened back there later.”

You’re hoping she means the shit with the gem eater, and not that kiss back there as she takes off at a decent pace. The howling of the winds whip around you nearly deafeningly, and you can hear Spinel ream into you under her breath. Your brain wants to focus more on what happened with that kiss and not the increasingly worrying wound in your side.

She nearly slips on a rock - struggling to hold you for a moment, and you groan in agony as it jostles you. She cranes her neck to look at you in stressed worry.

“Y/N, I’m sorry-” 

“Just keep going.” You cut her off, head spinning. The blood loss is making you queasy.

She keeps going, and within a minute or two you’re out of the kindergarten, and you can see the Spire about a mile or two away. No biggie, it ain’t that far, you’re sure you can make it.

The terrain of the jungle is much rougher on you, and every step bumps you enough to make blood flow more freely. You think if you go on like this much longer you’ll bleed out before you get to the Spire.

“Spinel,” You clear your throat. She stops in place, and looks right at you.

“Yeah?” You hate seeing her face the way it looks right now.

“You’re going to have to go get the supplies for me.”

“What?” She replies in alarm, eyes wide. “Without you?!”

“Yeah. I’m bleeding too much to keep going like this.” You say as the rain pours against you at an angle with the wind. You’re in so much pain that you don’t even feel half of it anymore. She studies your face for a moment.

“Okay.” She says with a frown after a few seconds, like that was the most difficult decision she could ever make. “I’ll be so fast you won’t even realize I’m gone.”

“Get the cloth, needle, and thread up on that one floor I showed you. You know, the stuff in the crates.” You say, with a fair amount of difficulty.

“I can’t just set you down here.” She looks around anxiously, distress clear in her posture. You look around you for a moment, and then spot a little hill with a single tree on the peak next to a clearing a hundred or so feet away.

“Over there, Spinel.” You point, and she tightens her hold on your legs. She makes quick, painless work of getting you over there, and clears a spot against the trunk of the tree to set you down against.

Your back hits the tree, and another wave of pain flows over you enough to affect your face, and Spinel sees it clearly. You keep your hand on your injury, flares of pain lighting up your nerves.

“Don’t move. I’ll be back before you know it.” She says, gently, leaning into your space. 

“You really think I’m gonna just get up and waltz around?” You reply jokingly, and Spinel gives you an anxious look.

“Stupid, you know I’m just saying..”

“I know.” You cough, and it hurts you. You bite your tongue to deal with the worst of the pain. She’s looking at you like she doesn’t know what to do.

“I really don’t want to just leave you here.” She says shakily, looking at how much you’re covered in your own blood. 

“Well, it’s either that or you fly us over there.” You reply with a tinge of sarcasticness.

“You’re still sassing me even now, I can’t believe you.” You see the corner of her lip turn, but the rest of her face still looks grim.

“It’s in my blood.” You state.

She gives you a long look, the lines under her eyes strikingly bold, hair dripping with water. There are a series of emotions that pass through her face like she’s working up how to say something, and her face gets serious. 

“Um.. listen." 

“Whatever you’re going to say, save it for when you get back.” You interrupt her, and her eyes widen a bit.

“But-”

“Save it. I’ll see you again soon, I promise.” You say, and her eyes waver between yours uncertainly.

“Okay.” She says, eyes never leaving yours. She reaches out to give your hand a reassuring squeeze, and then turns away to leave.

She gets to the bottom of the hill and looks back at you for another moment, posture hesitant. And then after several seconds of what looks like her trying to convince herself, she turns and sprints away faster than you’ve ever seen her move.

You watch her run to the Spire long enough to see her disappear into the treeline completely, and then you really feel like you’re alone.

The tree you’re leaning against only kind of shelters you from the rain, as if that matters. Looking up, you can see some of the rain clouds clearing and it seems to be a late afternoon. You’re trying your best to remain conscious, but if you’re going to be honest with yourself you’re not sure how much longer you can. You’ve lost way too much blood.

You.. you’re pretty sure you’re going to bleed out before Spinel gets back at this rate, you’re starting to feel sleepy and your eyes are getting heavy. 

Fuck. You never planned on telling her your feelings, but you wish you could’ve told her that she has worth far beyond her status as a gem. And that being stranded here for the last month on this planet might have sucked, but you were grateful that you met her regardless.

Minutes pass slowly as you blink in and out of consciousness. The wind dies down to nearly nothing, and the rain is now just a mist. It’s quiet all around you. Peaceful, even. 

You don’t know how long it’s been since she left. You hear trees rustling, and then a noise in the sky.

You blink your heavy eyelids, and when you open them again, you see something pink hovering in the sky that looks vaguely familiar. You can barely squint your eyes.

Your eyes slide close no matter how hard you try to keep them open, consciousness fading. You hear something land in the clearing next to your hill, a hundred or so yards away. 

It feels less painful, now. Your body. There’s a weightlessness to it. Almost like you’re floating.

You hear voices. Frantic voices. 

You can’t seem to grasp why the voices are familiar as they get closer. You can’t muster the strength to open your eyes. 

You’re so tired.

The voices get louder, and there’s shouting you can’t exactly comprehend before you feel multiple hands on your body. Rushed, anxious words, and crying.

You’re being moved, carefully and quickly, and you feel like you have no strength over your body anymore.

You hear doors of a ship open, and the only thing you can think of in the last bits of your fading consciousness is Spinel.

#spinel #spinel x reader #su #steven universe #distant lands #my fic #tw: blood #tw: dark themes