The Sea Queen
Stages of grief
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an amazing commission by @libby-for-life!! I’m both guilty for always running to her for works, but she just breaths such life into my silly ideas. Please check her out if you’d like one. ———
Adam stood by the cave window, his heart heavy as he gazed at his children, a blend of emotions swirling within him. His lips formed a tight smile that failed to reach his eyes, mirroring the conflicting thoughts crowding his mind. Before him were his adorable offspring, each one a miniature Kraken, their skin glistening with vibrant hues of teal and deep purple, and their tentacles elegantly drifting through the water as they played. They had inherited their father Lucifer’s enchanting features, yet all Adam could feel was a surge of unease.
These were his children, undeniably a part of him, and the reality of their existence weighed heavily on his conscience. He couldn't escape the guilt gnawing at him—why didn't he love them more, cherish them as any mother should? Instead, their very presence brought forth waves of anger that crashed against his heart, a visceral response not just to their existence but also to the man who had helped create them.
Lucifer loomed in the shadows of his thoughts, a tempest of unresolved emotions. Adam's chest tightened as he wrestled with his feelings toward his partner, the darkness that seemed to seep into their lives, and how it colored his interactions with the children. They were innocent, yet every gurgle of laughter and swish of a tentacle reminded him of the bond he shared with Lucifer—one that he was struggling to accept. In that moment, Adam felt trapped between love and resentment, searching for a way to embrace what was undeniably his, even if he felt unworthy.
"Momma! Look what I can do!" Cain exclaimed, his sharp-toothed smile illuminating his face with a mixture of mischief and pride. Adam leaned back by the cave wall, hair tousled by the gentle water, as he watched his son perform daring flips in the shimmering blue sea, the sunlight dancing off the surface like shards of glass. Cain's tentacles swirled around him, creating playful whirlpools that disrupted the mirror-like expanse of the ocean.
Adam struggled to suppress his concerns, forcing a cheerful smile as he called, "That's great, baby!" The words came out sweeter than honey, but inside, he was wrestling with a storm of thoughts. Cain beamed with joy, oblivious to the trepidation swirling in his mother's mind; to him, this moment of freedom was everything.
Every fleeting glance and lingering moment of eye contact brought Adam back to the piercing gaze of Lucifer, that unsettling familiarity sending shivers down his spine. It was a reminder of a darkness he couldn't shake, one that made him want to retreat from the very presence of his own children. Each time that urge rose within him, guilt would wash over him like a cold wave. He loved his children—there was no doubt about that. Their laughter filled the cave, their innocence a light amid his turmoil. Yet, buried deep within, a shadow loomed; a part of him harbored the impossible wish that they had never been born. If they hadn't come into his life, everything would be simpler, the weight of motherhood a burden he wouldn't have to bear. The guilt throbbed in his chest, mingling with a longing for peace over the chaos that seemed to follow him.
"Momma? You okay?" A small voice broke the silence, and Adam glanced down to find his second-born son, Abel, gazing up at him with wide, innocent eyes. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the water, casting gentle shadows across the lush of his face where Abel stood. Despite his tender age, Abel possessed an uncanny ability to sense when something was off and when the world felt heavy with unspoken burdens.
As their eyes met, Adam couldn’t shake the eerie familiarity; in Abel’s bright, curious gaze, he saw the striking red eyes of Lucifer and Adam felt an ache in his chest, a swirl of emotions he struggled to articulate and— "I'm okay, baby. Go on and play," he said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Abel tilted his head, skepticism etched across his innocent face, though he ultimately chose to obey his mother’s gentle nudge. With a reluctant step back, he swam off toward his siblings, the sound of his laughter mingling with the water—a temporary balm for Adam's troubled heart.
He let out a weary sigh, the weight of his responsibilities pressing down on him, before he turned his attention to preparing lunch. Gathering the remainder of the fish he had skillfully caught that morning, he inspected each fillet with meticulous care, ensuring that no stray bones were left behind — a precaution he took so his children could enjoy their meal without worry.
As he worked, he cast a glance at his lively Kraken offspring, who splashed and giggled nearby. How many did he have now? Six? No, maybe eight? Adam found it increasingly challenging to keep track of their myriad colors and personalities as they darted around, full of energy. He could already hear Lucifer, ever the enthusiastic one, chattering about wanting to add to more—
But he quickly shook his head, pushing that generous thought aside. Not now, he reminded himself — he had lunch to finish. He focused on the task at hand, hoping to create a meal that would nourish both body and spirit, encapsulating the love he felt for his unique brood.
As he carefully set down the last shimmering fish, Abel burst into the sea cave, panic etched across his face, and his tentacles thrashing wildly in his distress. "Abel? Baby? What's wrong?" Adam asked, his voice filled with concern. Abel took a deep, shaky breath, his gills flaring in agitation. "Cain is gone!"
Adam felt his heart stop for a moment, a cold rush of dread washing over him. Gone? What did he mean by gone?! Hadn't they all been playing together just moments ago, their laughter echoing through the watery halls of their home? He took a quick, frantic scan of his children, and Abel was right—Cain was nowhere to be seen.
"Stay here with your siblings!" Adam ordered firmly, urgency tightening his tone as he propelled himself out of their cozy sea cave, the familiar moss-covered stones slipping behind him. His mind raced as he swam through the vibrant luminescent garden outside, eyes darting around in search of his lost son. Where could he have gone?
“Cain?! Where are you?!” Adam screamed, his voice trembling with panic and desperation. The cold, dark waters of the deep sea surrounded him, each current crashing against him like a reminder of his worst fears. “Please answer me, Momma’s calling!” His heart raced as he frantically swam, straining his eyes to pierce through the murky depths in search of his beloved Kraken child.
“CAIN!” he cried out, the sound echoing in the vast expanse of the ocean. Memories flooded his mind—how carefree Cain had once been, gliding through the water, his laughter like music in the salty air. “PLEASE, JUST ANSWER ME!” The weight of regret pressed down on Adam like the crushing water around him. Why hadn’t he watched more closely? Why hadn’t he wrapped his arms around Cain more often, ensuring he felt safe and loved?
‘You selfish creature. You let Cain wander. And you call yourself a mother?’ A haunting voice whispered in his mind, filling him with guilt and anguish as he continued his desperate search. “CAIN!” he shouted again, his voice cracking, tears mingling with the saltwater as he fought to stay afloat in a sea of despair.
"MOMMA!" A familiar voice pierced through the murky depths, and Adam's head snapped towards the sound faster than he thought possible. His heart raced as he recognized that voice—Cain! Panic fueled his urgency as he propelled himself through the dark water, desperation guiding his every movement.
"CAIN!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the watery expanse as he followed his child's distress. The ocean around him felt cold and unforgiving, but nothing could deter his determination.
Then, his heart sank as he spotted the horrific scene unfolding before him. Cain was ensnared in a thick, tangled net, struggling helplessly against its grips. The net was tightening around him, gradually being reeled in toward a looming ship that cast a shadow over them like an ominous predator. Cain's loud cries for help were muffled by the water, but Adam could feel their weight, a desperate plea that shattered his composure.
His body froze for a moment, the terror of the situation clouding his mind. It was only when he saw his child’s small limbs—tentacles writhing in a frantic attempt to escape—that he snapped out of his trance.
"CAIN! MOMMA'S COMING!" he shouted, his voice filled with fierce determination as he surged upward, propelled by the primal instinct to rescue his child from the grasp of the unknown.
"MOMMA! MOMMA!" Cain cried, his small hand reaching out through the tangled fibers of the net that ensnared him, eyes wide with a mix of fear and relief as he caught sight of Adam. The moment Adam saw him, a rush of determination surged through him. He swam forward, his heart pounding, and began tearing at the net with frantic urgency, desperate to free his child before the dark silhouette of the looming ship swallowed him whole.
"Momma, I'm scared..." Cain whispered, his voice trembling as he peered through the gaps in the net, and Adam's heart shattered at the sound of his son’s quaking voice. The sight of Cain’s small, vulnerable figure encased in the coarse mesh twisted painfully in Adam's chest, igniting a fierce resolve to rescue him from this nightmare.
These nets...they were designed to capture Krakens...made to shred through skin...
"Don't worry, baby. Momma’s got you." Adam said as he began to tear at the net, ignoring how it tore through his sensitive skin as worked on freeing Cain. He didn't have a lot of time. If these sailors were like anything he had ever seen, they wouldn't see Cain and think of a child. They would see a monster and they would kill him. Adam knew what they were like. He knew because Adam had done the same thing.
With a brutal cry, Adam ripped open the nest, his mangled hands grabbing onto Cain as he rushed away from the ship. He didn't want to be around when the owner of the ship saw that their net was now empty. Adam didn't stop swimming away until they were in the deepest part of the ocean. Cain just hugged his Momma closer, trying to get himself to stop crying.
"Baby...sh...see? You're going to be okay." Adam said as he looked over Cain. He was covered in small cuts from his tanglement in the net and Adam let out a choked sob once he saw his tentacles, knotted and writhing in pain. Adam immediately got to work on gently untangling his tentacles, Cain occasionally sniffling when their was a particularly stubborn knot.
He gently cradled Cain in his arms, swimming with the utmost care toward their secluded underwater cave, where shimmering fish darted about in the gentle currents. As they glided through the water, Adam noticed dim swirls of light filtering through the surface, casting a warm glow around them. Back at the cave, his siblings had already devoured the delicious fish Adam had prepared earlier, but they thoughtfully left a small portion for Cain, a gesture that warmed Adam's heart more than he could express.
Once safely inside the cave, Adam placed Cain on a soft bed of seaweed and coral, arranged just for him, and sighed deeply as he looked down at his tiny baby. Cain's big red eyes sparkled with a mix of sleepiness and affection, gazing up at his mother. "I knew you'd come for me..." he whispered, his voice barely above a breath.
Caught off guard, Adam halted for a moment, his heart catching in his throat. "What?" he replied, his voice filled with surprise.
"Because you love me..." Cain murmured, his eyelids fluttering as if he were drifting into sleep. At that moment, Adam felt a tidal wave of emotion wash over him. Love? He had struggled to show his children the depth of his feelings, but now, as he looked at his dear son, he realized he wouldn’t make the same mistake again.
"That's right, Cain." Adam whispered softly, leaning down to press a tender kiss against his cheek, feeling the warmth of his little body against him. "Momma loves you." The words broke free from his heart, carrying with them a promise to cherish and protect his son always. "Momma always will.”
XxX
Lucifer sighed deeply as he glided through the shimmering waters of his underwater realm, the vibrant luminescent corals guiding his path to the cave he called home. The bioluminescent flora pulsed gently with hues of blue and green, casting an ethereal glow that danced across his sleek body. He had been tirelessly spreading the word of the Sea's new Queen, working diligently to ensure hid reign was acknowledged. However, some stubborn creatures remained resistant, and he felt the familiar weight of his responsibilities; a harsh reminder was sometimes necessary to reaffirm why he held the title of King of the Deep.
With each powerful stroke of his massive tentacles, he propelled himself forward, their movements both graceful and formidable. His keen eyes scanned the surroundings, instinctively searching for his wife and children. The thought of them brought him solace and warmth, a comfort that eased the burden of his royal duties. His babies, their laughter and playful curiosity always filled the cave with joy, transforming it into a sanctuary amidst the chaos of the ocean.
“Adam?” Lucifer called out, his voice echoing softly in the underwater cavern. “Dear? I'm home.” Silence enveloped him, thick and unsettling. For a fleeting moment, a wave of panic washed over Lucifer, and he feared that they might have left him. However, he quickly calmed himself as he glided into the children’s cave bedroom.
The scene before him was a heartwarming sight. Nestled in a cozy nest of shimmering coral and lush, verdant seaweed, Adam lay sleeping peacefully, surrounded by their children. Each little one was entwined in soft blankets woven from delicate strands of kelp, their gentle breaths creating tiny bubbles that floated to the surface. A warm glow emanated from bioluminescent corals lining the walls, casting a magical light over the sleeping family. Lucifer couldn’t suppress a smile at this serene tableau as he gracefully swam closer, his heart swelling with love and contentment at the sight of them all safe and sound.
He gently glided through the cool, dark water, his sleek body effortlessly navigating toward the bed of soft seaweed nestled in the corner of the cave. As he settled in, the moonlight filtered through the cave's entrance, casting a serene glow around him. His fangs glinted softly, a reminder of his fierce nature, yet all that was evident now was the tenderness he embodied as he pulled Adam closer, cradling him against his warm, scaled chest while he slept.
Adam, his beautiful wife, was truly a sight to behold, his delicate features illuminated by the shimmering light. He looked even more radiant when he was surrounded by their children, who would play joyfully in the background, laughter echoing throughout the cave as they splashed in the water. It filled him with pride to see Adam showing them love and affection like this.
“Oh, Adam...I always knew you’d eventually see things my way…” he whispered softly, a smile playing on his lips as he felt the warmth of his family enveloping him. With a sense of peace washing over him, he closed his eyes, succumbing to slumber, surrounded by the tender chaos of his children—a perfect life captured in this enchanting sea cave.
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Pervs:
Pride -short story- There were days Adam could recall more vividly than others. When outside business compelled Lucifer from their nest, r
I’m… so tired. Work has me up at 12am… I want to draw to destress… and I’m too tired to move. But if I sleep… what if I sleep the whole day away…?
So.. I’m sorry if my arts sucks a bit. I’ll do better next time!
@adamsapple-angst-week-2025
(but now I have jealously, day 6 and day 7 to do!