Story extract from siren AU
Swap swam down to the cave. Even just looking at the dark, foreboding entrance gave him the shivers. Killers lair.
But now was no time to be scared. Killer needed to learn that what he did wasnât okay. So he called out. âIs anyone home?â
A swish of water came from the cave, and Killer emerged from the darkness, his everpresent smirk already irritating Swap.
âAwh, came to see me?â Killer teased, fllicking his tail so he was in a more upright position to match Swap.
âWell, yes, but to talk to you!â *Swap crossed his arms over his chest.* âYou..you hurt Murder.â
âHumans have different ideas of soulmates to us, Swap. Heâs not bonded just to you-â
*Swap snarled and bared his teeth, but Killer didnât stop.*
âBut to who knows how many others?â
âAwe, did I make lil Swap mad? Just by telling the truth?â
âYou- youâre just trying to rile me up, and itâs not going to work.â
*Killer smiled a sickly sweet smile.* âWell if youâre so sure.â
Swap shook his head, causing little ripples through the water. âYouâre avoiding the point! You hurt Murder, you- â
âI did.â Killer got a bit closer to Swap, but Swap didnât back off.* âAnd what are you going to do about it?â He put his hands on Swap's shoulders when Swap didnât answer. âNothing. Exactly. Because he-â
Swap swam back a few paces, giving himself some space to maneuver. What had he just gotten himself into? Killer could certainly kill him. He was bigger, stronger- a bite to Swaps tail would put him out of action and unable to escape. âDonât touch Murder again.â Swap warned, his voice conveying a bravery he lacked.
âWhat, youâre gonna bite me again?â Killer got closer. But Swap didnât move. He held his head high, eyes scanning for what Killer might do. âI might. Donât hurt him.â
Killer made a grab for Swaps arm, but Swap quickly darted behind Killer and grabbed onto his ribcage from the back, holding him firmly behind Killer, where Killer couldnât reach to bite.
Instead, Killers powerful tail thrashed against Swap, making him wince and dig his nails further into Killers bone. Killer took the chance and pried his fingers away from his ribcage, pulling Swap around to the front by one arm. He snarled, swimming quickly down to the seafloor and roughly shoving Swap against the sandy bottom. Swap scratched at Killers arms and thrashed as much as he could- but when he hit the ground, he stopped for a second. His head had hit something. A rock maybe? And shocks of pain shot through his body.
While he was still, Killer got his face close to Swaps neck and opened his mouth. A decapitation would make this quick and easy-
Until Swaps fist went into his eye socket. Killer yelled some profanities and swam up quickly, using both his tail and his arms to try and push Swap away. Swap kept his claws firmly against the inside of Killers skull for as long as he could- and when he was eventually pushed away, there was a big scratch on the inside of his skull. Unpleasant.
Killer swam back and shook his head, trying to reorient himself. When he was done rubbing his sore eye socket, he rushed right at Swap, who made a squeaking noise. He hadnât expected Killer to come at him so suddenly- and couldnât get out of the way in time.
âYou *idiot*.â Killer snarled at Swap. With Swaps arms pinned to his side, he couldnât really move. Swap flicked his tail desperately, but against Killers bulk, it was barely hurting him at all. âYou really thought you could win? No wonder Murder doesnât really like you. You canât even win a fight..â He laughed. âThatâs okay though. Heâs going to be mine.â
Swap bared his teeth and snarled, to which Killer just laughed again. He leaned in to try and bite Swap- to which Swap headbutted him hard enough it cracked both of their skulls.
Taking his chance, Swap swam behind Killer once again and grabbed onto his back fin, just above where the pelvis sat. Killer certainly packed a punch, but if he could just avoid getting hit- keep evading like this-
Killer flipped himself upside down, making Swap lose his grip and tumble off. Swap spun to get himself upright again, but by that time, Killer already had his teeth around Swaps dorsal fin. He flicked his tail to get himself out of the grip, but Killer didnât unclamp his teeth. Ripping through the flesh as Swap swam away.
Blood clouded the water in front of Killers face for a moment. He paused to take in the delicious scent. âYouâre not going to escape.â He warned.
âAnd youâre not going to hurt Murder again!â A voice came from close behind Killer. Killer didnât have a chance to react before Swaps sharp little teeth sunk into his shoulderblade. Killer shook to get Swap off.
But Swap had bitten down so hard that when he was shaken off some of his teeth were ripped from his jaw from how deeply they were embedded in the bone. He swam underneath Killer to avoid getting grabbed again, but was hit by Killers tail into a spin. Killer took the opportunity while Swap was disoriented to slam his whole body weight into Swap- and into a rock.
Barnacles left gashes and dents along Swaps bone and tail where heâd hit the rock and scraped down. Red seeped through the water. He wasnât going to be able to fight much longer. And if he couldnât fight, he would die. And then Murder would get hurt.. âYOUâRE NOT GOING TO HURT HIM!â He tried to smash his head against Killer again- and hit his target head on.
Killer froze in place when Swaps head hit his exposed soul. He sort of justâŚfell down to the sandy floor, curling up as pain shot through his whole body. He couldnât move. He couldnât think. It just hurt. Making his body feel heavy and fuzzy, like it was simultaneously full of bricks and cotton wool.
Swap took his chance and began to swim away. But when he couldnât feel any movement behind him from a chase, he turned around and paused.
KIller just lay there, both hands clamped over his soul, and tail curled up in an almost defensive position.
A small line of bubbles escaped Swaps mouth as he sighed..and swam back down to Killer. When Killer didnât immediately respond, he shook his shoulders, careful to avoid the wounds heâd caused just minutes before.
Killers eye sockets blinked a few times as he came back around with a quiet groan. â...You really are stupid.â
âI just wanted to make su-â
âWe were *just* in a fight, and now you want to make sure Iâm okay?â
â....Youâre so fuckinâ weird.â Muttered Killer, before he swam away. Ignoring his injuries as best he could until he could examine them in private.
Swap sighed to himself. But he didnât have time to contemplate. His own body grew heavy and tired as blood and magic continued to seep from his wounds. If he didnât get help fast enough, heâd be in trouble. And there wasnât much of a chance of fighting off a shark like this either..
So he started swimming back home. Trying his best to ignore the throbbing in his whole body.
