Artist: @alliando (Art under the cut)
Beta: @spoopyendergirl
Word count: 23090
Rating: PG
Genre: Mermaid AU, Angst, Fluff
Warnings: Animal abuse/neglect (Dan’s a mermaid so I’m not really sure how to class it. If you want some clarification just send me a message)
Summary: Dan is a ten year old merman who has been cruelly ripped away from his home and family to be put on display in a far from adequate tank. Phil is a ten year old boy who is obsessed with merpeople and thinks it’s a dream come true when the local aquarium rescues one from the English coast. However, things aren’t quite as they seem and ,as the two grow up together and get closer, Phil discovers the truth and becomes disenchanted. Dan has to struggle to survive while Phil endeavours to save his friend from a miserable, humiliating life performing himself to a premature death.
Based on the mistreatment of orcas and dolphins at SeaWorld and the piece ‘Confined’ by Joshua Dunlop (His Portfolio and DeviantArt)
Also, I got a bit too into the world building I created a wikipedia page I created about the merpeople species in this story, which can be found here (There are plot spoilers at the very end but they’re clearly marked and easy to avoid)
A/n: So, my first big bang fic and I’m so so proud of it. I’ve been working on it for a long time and been so invested in the universe. I want to thank Alissa my beta because she was a pinch hitter so joined the fic very late but has been incredibly helpful and given some great advice. Also a huge thank you to Alice for her amazing art (which she finished super fast), it’s perfect. Finally, thank you to @gatsbys-old-sport, my usual beta who helped me a lot with the planning and before the team was put together as well as when I was between betas. I love you all and this fic wouldn’t be what it is without you <3
