Chapter Text
It was a gray misty day on the water and the world seemed too quiet. All that could be heard was the gentle lapping of water against the boat’s hull and the wood of the old mast creaking in the soft breeze. The crew sat in silence, looking out at the eerie fog dancing across the bay as they waited for fish to pile into their nets below.
But then there came a tug that rocked the whole boat.
The men grunted, looking around at each other with confused expressions. Perhaps something bigger than a fish had knocked into their nets? They stood to investigate but as they did, the vessel began to shake violently as the once calm waters beneath them stirred.
“Anhhh!” One of the men cried out as the thrashing threw him overboard.
“John!” The captain screamed, watching a splash of water replace their crewmate. “You two, pull him out!” He commanded, “Everyone else, pull up those nets!”
The deck exploded into a flurry of action as everyone went to work. It was difficult as the heavy rocking never stopped, disorienting the crew and making them unsteady on their feet. Others fell into the darkened water, unable to maintain their balance, but each were fished back out by the men still on board.
Eventually when the final net was raised, the cause of the commotion was revealed. The metal pulleys whined under the strain of something large and everyone gathered around curiously to see exactly what was caught. The men couldn’t believe their eyes as the first thing they saw was a human arm and head. They panicked thinking they’d pulled up a body but the person was very much alive. They gasped in disbelief as they saw a glittering tail like a beautiful tropical fish. It was large, certainly powerful enough to shake their boat, and it was attached to the man at the waist!
“Fuck me… it’s a mermaid…” the captain murmured in shock.
“No, a merman!” Someone corrected.
Slender fingers with sharp, intimidating nails gripped onto the net as it climbed high enough for the merman to see them at eye level. He had long, dark black hair that cascaded down his body, sticking to his skin like glue now that he was no longer in the water. It trailed down the merman’s face, partially obscuring it like a horror movie character because the only thing showing was one, dark purple eye, filled with malice for the humans who’d caught him.
“Hello, can you understand me?” The captain asked, reaching out for the creature but the merman lashed out like a cornered beast. He attempted to bite the human with a screeching hiss like a warning. This revealed sharp, dangerous teeth that no one should go near.
The mermaid began to thrash again as he screamed, it was a strange unnatural sound that bounced along the top of the murky water like a skipping stone. But his struggle got him nowhere he was stuck in the nets and there was nothing he could do about it.
“What do we do with him, captain? Let him go?” The creature finally settled for a moment as he listened to the conversation. Clearly he was able to understand them and was waiting expectantly to be released, but the captain wore a sly smile on his face that didn’t hold any mercy.
“No. This is a rare opportunity to get in the boss’s good graces. If we gift him a pretty little mermaid, he might pay us for it.” The captain hypothesized. Understanding his words, the merman began to scream and struggle, agitated once again. In any other situation he would probably be terrifying but the crew knew he was no threat while still tangled in the net. “Bring him in the boat and sedate him, we’re going back to shore.”
“Boss, boat 3 is returning with an unusual catch they want to show you.” One of the men informed as he walked into the main office.
“Like what?” The boss muttered tapping his cigar on the edge of the ash tray before returning it to hang between his lips
“A person.” The man replied, catching the boss’s attention finally.
“One of our bodies? Tell them to sink it again!” He snapped, the crews know what happens to the mafia’s enemies, they should know better than to expose what’s down there.
“No sir, this person is alive and… not human.” The blond mafia boss looked up at his servant dumbfounded. Not human? What is that supposed to mean?
“Is this a fucking joke?”
“No sir. They should be docking soon.”
With his curiosity piqued, the mafia boss rose from his chair and walked through the office to the door. The front for their mafia business is a small shop sitting across from the marina at the heart of the bay. He crossed the street and kept walking until he reached the docks where the crew was already tethered. The captain was striding towards his boss with an excited grin on his face while his crew dragged something behind them.
“You better have a good reason for making me come out here, Captain.” The boss grumbled, waiting to see what all the fuss was about.
“Oh, I think you’ll find this worth the trip, sir.” He replied, “Put him down.” He instructed his men and the boss watched in shock as they dropped the creature on the ground at his feet.
“What the… is this real?!” He gasped, looking quickly between the captain and the merman.
“Yes sir, we pulled him up in a net by accident.” The captain replied, “I thought you might be interested in him.”
“Is he dead?” The boss asked, sounding concerned that the merman hasn’t moved since he was dropped onto the dock on his stomach.
“No, knocked out. He’s aggressive.” The captain explained.
The boss couched and reached out to touch the merman on his back. His skin was cold and moist to the touch, but incredibly soft. It’s pale and drawn taut over well defined muscles and a slim waist where the skin transitions into scales. They start out translucent and skin colored until they gradually turn pink, to fuchsia, to dark purple. The scales shimmer breathtakingly under the light of day and the delicate fins on his tail are a mixture of pale pink and gold, translucent like sheer fabric stretched between spines to keep it fanned out.
But to the boss’s dismay, the beautiful tail was muddied with spots of blood. Marred with scratches and drag marks from where the crew had manhandled him and dragged him across the old wooden dock. The blond boss frowned as he finally turned the merman over to further observe him.
He had long black hair that was now a tangled mess with purple and fuchsia in the under layers and strands of blond near his face. More fragile, webbed fins sprouted from his shoulders and neck like bat wings and jewelry adorned his neck, chest, and almost human looking but pointed ears.
The boss noticed that his eyes were slightly parted like he was just barely conscious but unable to move or control his body due to the drugs coursing through his system. He could see the glimmer of dark purple in his irises and admired how long his thick, beautiful lashes were. The blond had never seen anything like him and he couldn’t stop staring at the alluring creature.
But the sight also made the boss sad. The merman was such a beautiful, ethereal sight and now he was ruined by the touch of man. He was never meant to be on land or handled so roughly which is why he was so aggressive. The merman was most likely fighting for his life and terrified to suddenly be thrust into the human world above the surface like this.
“Well? What do you think boss? Do you like him?” The blond didn’t have to look up to hear the smirk in the captain’s voice and it angered him.
“No. He doesn’t belong on land and you had no right to remove him from his home. If you ever pull up another like him you better cut them loose, that’s an order!” The boss growled, glaring up at the surprised looking crew.
“B— boss I didn’t mean to anger you, I’m sorry!” The captain sputtered, “I can take him back right now!”
“No. You injured him, we can’t set him free like this!” The boss argued, “Get out of my sight, I’ll handle him.”
“Yes sir!” They replied, quickly running back down the dock to their boat. This left the boss alone with the merman finally.
“I’m sorry for what they’ve done to you.” He said remorsefully, hoping the creature can understand him, especially in such a dazed state. “I’m Luca, I’m going to take you down to the beach.”
The boss stood up again and hoisted the merman into his arms, slightly stumbling under the weight.
“You’re heavier than you look.” Luca chuckled, but it makes sense considering the tail on his lower half is one big, heavy muscle.
He slowly and gently walked the merman out of the marina and down to a secluded stretch of beach he could lay down and recover on away from the prying eyes of other humans. Once Luca put him down in the sand, he balled up his jacket and placed it under the merman’s head to use as a pillow, then he started checking the wounds on his tail. There were a few missing scales that he couldn’t do anything about but he also found splinters from the wooden dock so he painstakingly pulled each one out, getting a whimper from the merman each time.
“I’m sorry, I’m sure it hurts but I swear I’m helping you.” Luca promised. Once they were all out, Luca stared at the deeper gashes from his missing scales with a frown, “I wish I could could something about these wounds but I doubt wrapping you with gauze would do much for you.” The blond sighed. “I’m really sorry about all of this.”
“S’wed.”
“Hmm?” Luca hummed, thinking he heard a tiny voice come from the creature. “Did you say something?”
“Seaweed.” He repeated in a hoarse, dry voice.
“Will that help your injuries?” Luca asked, realizing the merman was more awake now. The merman nodded. “What’s your name?”
“Shu.”
“Shoe?” The blond asked, making the merman snort. “What? Did I say it wrong?” Luca chuckled with him. The mermaid reached over and grabbed Luca’s arm before tracing the letters S, H, U softly across his forearm with one of his long nails. The feeling of it against Luca’s skin made the mafia boss shiver.
“Shu… got it.” Luca nodded, “Stay here, I’ll go find some seaweed.” He said, standing and running down to the water’s edge while stripping out of his clothes down to his underwear.
Shu watched as the strange blond man waded into the water until he dived down and disappeared under the surface. When he’d been caught, the men were horrible, jeering at him like some monster and tossing him around like he meant nothing. Shu honestly thought he was going to be killed once they’d injected him with something, but then he was dropped at the feet of this man.
When Shu was turned over and got his first look at Luca, he saw the same amazement in his lavender eyes as the others, but these eyes were kinder. They held a warmth and sadness like this person actually cared about Shu’s condition. To hear him tell off the fishermen for their actions was a relief because it meant this human wasn’t an unfeeling monster.
Shu took a liking to Luca when he was brought down to the beach and set down gently. The blond started first aid and was doing his best to help with the merman’s wounds which really surprised Shu. This one is nice, he’s that 1% of humans that merfolk don’t have to fear and Shu was incredibly lucky to run into him.
With nothing else to do, Shu started taking in the boss’s appearance, enjoying how Luca’s tongue poked out slightly when he was totally concentrated on Shu’s splinters. His shiny, golden hair was shaggy, hanging around his face and in his eyes as he looked down at Shu. He was tall, bigger than Shu and more muscular which the merman could tell from how his black button up was parted to show off his large tattooed chest.
As Luca worked on Shu’s tail, the merman could feel so much heat radiating off his large hands, it was sort of comforting with how cold Shu was getting from laying on this beach. Despite their size, his touch was gentle and caring, treating Shu with a reverence he’s never been shown by anyone before.
After Luca got up to run down to the water, Shu couldn’t help but watch how Luca’s body moved and his muscles flexed as he discarded his clothes. Shu has always been intrigued by humans and their strange anatomy but this is the first time he’s ever gotten to properly observe a human up close. Luca seems like a good specimen of their species.
“Alright, I got a handful, hopefully this is enough.” Luca said, dropping the seaweed into the sand as he sat next to Shu again, “How are you feeling? Are the drugs wearing off now?”
“Yes.” Shu replied softly.
“Good, glad to hear it.” He said, flashing Shu with a bright, toothy smile. He began gently draping each piece of seaweed across the bloody spots on Shu’s tail, “This is okay right?”
“Yeah.”
“If im doing something wrong, let me know.” Luca added with a look of concentration on his face again. Shu didn’t reply, instead just watching Luca’s face and the way his hands moved. “How long should these be left on? Should I tie them around your tail?” Luca asked, focusing on caring for Shu but instead the merman sat up.
The two suddenly came face to face, making Luca blush as he looked into Shu’s large, fully opened eyes now. But then Shu’s gaze turned downwards as he placed a hand over Luca’s calf muscle and gave it an experimental squeeze.
“Oh, I bet you’re curious about legs, huh?” Luca chuckled, stretching his legs out next to Shu for the merman to examine. Luca could only describe Shu as cute, seeing the look of wonder in his eyes as he touched and poked around at Luca’s leg muscles and joints. Shu even flexed his big toe, making Luca giggle from how ticklish it felt.
Shu smiled as he tried to get the reaction again. His fingers slipped down the inner sole of Luca’s left foot and suddenly Luca was jumping off the sand, letting out a barking laugh as he wriggled away from the merman. Seeing such a big human be reduced to a giggling, wiggling mess from a touch to his foot made Shu laugh, a noise that Luca appreciated because it sounded so soft and musical.
“I’m ticklish there.” Luca giggled.
“Sorry.” Shu answered, even though he really wasn’t. His hands then slipped up Luca’s leg, feeling his knee and blinking in awe as Luca lifted his leg to show off how knees flex. “Wow…” Shu murmured, “Legs are quite complex.” He examined.
“I guess.” Luca shrugged. He thinks Shu’s tail is more amazing than his regular old legs.
“Hairy.” Shu also commented, making Luca chuckle.
The blond allowed Shu to touch and examine every bit of his legs while Luca just looked at his hands. His nails were sharp and black like claws and there were soft pink webs of fin between his finger tips. Luca also noted bracelets made of pearls wrapping around each wrist. It makes the boss happy those barbaric fisherman didn’t try to steal anything off Shu while he was unconscious because he had quite a few pieces of pearl, shell, and what looks like bone jewelry on.
As Luca looked over Shu’s elaborate necklace, he didn’t notice Shu’s hands roaming higher until he let out a squeak from feeling one in his inner thigh. Shu blinked, pausing to look up at Luca due to his reaction.
“S— sorry, sensitive.” The blond giggled shyly. He went to grab Shu’s wrist and remove the hand but then it slid up to cup the soft bulge in Luca’s underwear. This time Luca jumped, almost levitating off the sand as he cried out, getting a curious expression from Shu as the blond pushed his hands away. “Not there!” Luca whimpered, his face bright red now. Shu didn’t seem very sorry as his next move was to grab Luca’s jaw and stare inside his open mouth.
“Why do your teeth look like that?” Shu asked.
“I could ask you the same thing.” Luca countered, noticing how sharp Shu’s look.
“How do you chew through bones like this?” Shu murmured thoughtfully.
“Uhh, we don’t?” Luca replied.
“How do you eat meat then??” Shu gasped.
“By taking the bones out.” Luca answered.
“Even fish? How strange…” the merman whispered, turning Luca’s head to the side to examine the side of his jaw.
Luca finally grabbed his wandering hands and pulled them away from his body.
“I think that’s enough for now.” The blond chuckled awkwardly, shifting to hide what Shu had caused.
“You’re weird.” Shu declared, making Luca gasp.
“What?! W— why? What did I do??”
“Well, I guess not you, your people are weird.” Shu explained, looking Luca up and down once again.
“I could say the same about you guys.” Luca laughed. “Your mouth looks like a horror movie.”
Shu gasped, his lips setting into an annoyed pout as he shyly covered his mouth with his hand. Seeing this reaction made Luca realize he may have messed up.
“No! I— I didn’t mean to offend you, I didn’t mean it!” He apologized. Shu watched his face drop and his eyes sadden like a cute animal, he couldn’t help the small smile growing on his face due to Luca’s expression.
“It’s okay.” Shu said, “I guess it makes sense for both of us to think the other is weird.”
“No, I think you’re gorgeous.” Luca blurted out, unable to hold back his real thoughts while staring down into Shu’s sparkling eyes.
“You too.” Shu answered instantly, making Luca blink in shock. He’s never had anyone call him gorgeous before. Usually he’s described as scary or charming at best.
“R— really?” Luca stuttered. Shu nodded with a sly smirk.
“If you were a merman I would mate you.” Shu replied, making Luca choke on air,
M— mate?! Does that mean what I think that means?! Seeing Luca completely stunlocked, Shu giggled, his eyes crinkling as his face completely lit up with a smile.
“You’re cute.” He cooed, leaning forward to kiss Luca on the cheek. “But it’s about time I get going. Thanks for your help Luca, it was fun meeting you.” When shu started shuffling down the beach toward the water, Luca finally broke out of his daze, realizing Shu was leaving now.
“Wait! Let me help you!” Luca called out. The human stumbled to his feet and then scooped Shu up into his arms again. “I don’t want you scratching yourself up by dragging your tail on the sand.” He reasoned, making an excuse to carry Shu to the water.
The merman smiled and held onto Luca’s neck until he walked into the water up to his waist. The human gently set him down into the sea and watched as Shu flicked his tail, effortlessly gliding further out until he was treading water. From this view all Luca could see was his head and his long hair floating in the water around him like a veil.
“Thanks again.” Shu said, giving Luca one last smile.
“Will I see you again?” Luca asked, feeling like an absolute simp now for this merman, he doesn’t want to let Shu go.
“Probably not. But I hope you live a long and happy life, Luca. And I hope you stay this kind to all the creatures you meet.” Shu replied sweetly.
Luca’s heart felt a mix of emotions, sadness for the fact this may be the one and only time he meets Shu, but also soft over the merman’s kind words. He’ll take them since Shu doesn’t know he’s the reason for all the dead bodies in the bay.
“Thanks… uh, you too.” Luca replied, unsure what else to say. Shu giggled one last time and then suddenly his head disappeared below the surface. “Wait! Shu!” Luca called out, not wanting him to go just yet but the merman never resurfaced.
The last glimpse Luca got was a flash of shimmering tail fin much further out in the water. It was like a final wave goodbye and the sight made Luca’s heart heavy. The mafia boss stayed rooted in place for a long few minutes, his eyes trained on the horizon as if Shu would suddenly come back to him, but it never happened.
“You too…” Luca scoffed, recalling the dumb final words he’d spoken to Shu when there was so much else he could’ve or should’ve said. Mentally kicking himself, he finally left the water, returning to the beach where his jacket was still lying in the sand.
Today his life had been changed by someone extraordinary, but in the flick of a fin he was gone for good, never to be seen again. What is Luca supposed to do now with the knowledge that Shu is out there? Or with the knowledge mermaids in general are out there?
The truth is, he’ll probably dwell on the beautiful creature for years to come, but eventually his memory will be lost to time as most human memories are. One day Luca will probably look back on this day and scarcely remember anything about Shu. The realization made him sad because he wanted to remember this day and everything about the mermaid for the rest of his life.
As Luca gathered his things, something shimmering in the sand caught his attention. He picked it up, holding the sand coated item between his fingertips and smiled. It was a bracelet strung with pearls of random, assorted sizes and colors, one Shu had worn on his wrist.
Shu had left something behind to remember him by and Luca would treasure it for the rest of his life. With this little bracelet, he’ll always know this day was real, that Shu was real.