Prompts stolen from @justshance. all pieces are up for grabs if anyone wants to take them further or rework them. @shancemermay
dark shiro again. goes with 21 and 26
warnings are : dark shiro, kidnapping, sexual undertones, nudity.
The tales of the powers mer held were not rare. But they were old. Noted in old books, reports, and the occasional letter. Tears of pearls, scales that could subdue the pain from the most gruesome of wounds if ground and consumed. Healing magic, power to move the very waves, extended longevity and health to anyone who could possess one alive. A great strength if you sulled one. Other than ancient anecdotes, no such evidence of any has been documented in nearly 400 years. The closest, is the dark kingdom of the dragons. Where their nearly 1000 year old ruler was claimed to have gain much of his own power and extended life even for a dragon. But for their own records human or nature born, a mer hasn't been seen on land for nearly the same amount of time. Sightings at sea or the coast are a plenty. They are not hiding their extinse. But to take one alive is near impossible, the few passing within days of capture. Dead their scales the only thing left of value. And not worth the risk to hunt them actively.
And yet here cowering in the corner of the royal carriage of atlas, was a mer who had taken the risk that none of it's race had for hundreds of years, to sprout legs and traverse the land.
Traverse being used liberally. As Keith had witnessed at their last stop. The mer faking sleep to be left in the carriage. Keith had exited with his brother wanting fresh air and to stretch his own legs after being out for so many with his aliments before the meeting had healed him. returned to the commotion of the scale only clad mer trying to run away. And that is also a liberal use of the word. He barely moved better than a newborn colt or fawn. His long tanned legs gangly and shaking under him. He made it barely 3 steps from the carriage before a soldier grabbed him up and subdued him. Keith had gotten to witness the tears of a mer transform into pearls. Just as shiro had described them. All of them a pearlescents of white, blues and browns. Some round some tear dropped shape as was a popular jewel of nobles. Rare as they were. Keith couldn't stop himself from reaching out to touch one as it tracked down the boys face. A sob escaping him. Trembling like a leaf in a storm in the soldiers arms. His eyes so different from the ones Keith remembered from when he was Ill. Fevered till he thought it was a hallucination, till he awoke to see the mer asleep, head pillowed on the king's lap.
Shiro had ordered the mer released. Catching him, himself as fell once released. The king had wasted no time shushing his pearl as he had been calling the boy since Keith had awoken. Carrying him back into the carriage to be drenched once more in collected sea water for the last leg of the journey home.
A creature, part nature born, part more. With strength and powers long coveted on land, spoken of as an unparalleled danger in the water. Reduced to a shivering damp ball in the furthest corner of the carriage from him and his brother. Covered only in one of his own meager shirt carefully draped over his shoulders. Ducking away from the now opened door where thace addressed the king of the servants progress before they had arrived at the castle.
Keith waited for shiro to exit before following himself. "Do you want me to collect your mer?" Keith asked. Shiro had not allowed anyone, even servants to touch the mer without his eyes on him. A tainted mer wouldn't hold as much value to his king.
"No. You should build up your strength still. You were on the brink of death Keith." Shiro said softly.
"But I feel perfectly fine now shiro. Like I've spent these past weeks resting. My wounds have scarred over already even. No openings to risk straining." Keith countered.
"I know." Shiro said, turning back to the open door on the carriage to cast a soft smile at the mer still cowering within. He extended his hand into the carriage towards the mer. "Thanks to you my precious pearl. Would you like to come out under your own power? Stretch your legs a bit? See your new home?"
"I want to go home. I want hunk." The mer said lips quivering over delicately sharp teeth.
"Lance, this will be your new home. I'm sure this is very frightening now. But I'm not going to hurt you. Nor will anyone else. Not after you did so well to care for my little brother. It's safe to come out." The king addressed the mer.
"You were going to kill hunk. his family, children." The mer sobbed tucking in tighter.
"That was only a threat for cooperation." Shiro responded. Only sparing a glance to Keith at his flinch at the mers words. Even hearing it from shiro himself had jarred the prince. Such tactics to get what the crown wanted more associated with their father than shiro. But their father would not have waisted such tactics for Keith's sake. "It is not a worry you should have. I kept my word they were left all well, and even a large monetary gift for their troubles. I kept my word to you. I… I was not of sound mind when I sought out the Garrett's. I am now. I won't harm you."
The mer shook his head. "Then why did you take me?"
"To keep you safe my little pearl. The Garrett's couldn't protect you after you had been found. Your kind has so much power for others to take. They'd have been killed and you taken by far more evil men to be used if I hadn't whisked you away." Shiro spoke to the mer like a frightened child. "It's for the safety of all of you. Come on out now and we will get you settled. Don't you want to get into some nice ocean water? Not just splash from an old bucket?" The king coaxed again bringing both hands towards the mer, like a mother awaiting a hug. "It will be alright. You're safe. Just come on out now, you can't stay in there forever."
The mer apparently read into that subtle threat. Come out on your own. Or you will be collected. He slid himself carefully along the floor sticking his legs out first to hang down on the steps gripping the opening to pull himself forward. His feet sitting just on the stairs. Keith's eyes trailing just inches down to the area where the mers sex would be. A dense smattering of glittering blue scales there thinning out across his tan skin, to cluster again at his knees, elbows, heels of his feet and hands. The mer's shaking shoulders reflecting light to dance over the carriage and ground. Keith only catching himself when the mer pulled his legs up in an attempt to cover himself. "Absolutely, no one will hurt you my little pearl." Keith's eyes shot to his brothers own darkened stare. The direction received. Keith giving a nod in understanding before casting his own eyes away. Till the delicate webbed toes came into view as he stared at his own feet. Bringing his eyes back up. The mer hunched in on himself and shaking on unsteady legs a step away. Keith reached behind him to grab the shirt that had fallen away. Redrapping the wet fabric over the mers shoulders. The flinch sending him off balance to tumble forward into the king's chest.
"Easy there. Keith's just giving you a bit of modesty for the trek into the palace." The king said softly to the mer who was looking up at him from the king's chest. The tears hadn't stopped their flow just yet, but they were slowing.
Keith cast his eyes down quickly, and his brother was correct with his amount. The shirt stopping just below the mers bottom. "If you put your arms in the sleeves it will cover more." Keith spoke directly to the mer for the first time. Looking to shiro to see if he overstepped. Getting a small smile of approval Keith continued once Lance was looking at him. Shiro moved the mer upright again and steadied him as keith held out the sleeves one at a time. Shiro guiding his arms into them before pulling the front closed. Keith frowned as the kept his arms out. “Put your arms down. It will hang lower.”
“They pull.” the mer said still holding his arms away from his body. “I don’t like clothes.” He flapped his arms a bit letting out another sob. Eyes squeezed shut.
“It’s just for a little while. Till we get you in some water. It’s alright.” shiro consoled him. Stroking a hand through the mers hair.
“You don’t like the staring you need to be covered.” keith stated bluntly to the mer. He was getting a bit frustrated. It was a simple shirt. Nothing to fuss over.
“Mers don’t stare. Neither did the garrets.” The mer said coldly staring at his own feet still keeping his arms away from his body but not as wide.
“Curiosity brings the eyes of many.” Shiro cooed at the mer tilting his head up.
“Modesty will shield you from leering.” keith finished. “So will prompt movement out of site.” Keith noticed a gathering of court peeking out to see what was keeping the kings attention. Turning shiro’s attention to it. Ulaz waiting at the door for them.
“Yes. let’s head inside now.” Shiro said to the mer. Taking his arm and leading him like a lady in court. However after the first step even shiro and the guard had to stop. Mer missing timing and pitching forward dragged to far by shiro’s hold on his arm. The leg he tried to catch himself buckling. Keith reached forward to grab his other arm before he fell lifting him up.
“Too fast.” the mer cried. “I can’t…”
“Shhhh,” shiro whispered to him. “It’s alright. Take a deep breathe. Keith, we’ll support his weight.” shiro spoke to both of them. “You just need to make big steps. Big as you can. This will go quickly.”
Keith nodded and followed his king’s lead easily. Only every other step of theirs was met by the mers as they entered the castle. The mer had managed to stop crying, to focused on walking to keep his toes from dragging.
“My lord we welcome your return, and the great joy it brings me to see prince keith up on his feet once more. The court will be ecstatic to hear of your success.” ulaz said with a deep bow. “The preparations you asked for have been completed as well your majesty.” he then stood up right and followed along beside the king in the procession of the guard following them. Skimming right past those who had gathered to see the kings return. Keith doesn’t doubt shiro left the nobles astir in his whirlwind to save him. Not to mention the buzz caused by the assassin keith had slayed and been injured fighting to protect his brother that lead to their hunt for a healer. Many of there eyes going straight past the royals to barely clad boy between them.
“Thank you ulaz. Send word of a late dinner gathering and i will make an appearance to assuage any worry the people have. And to answer i’m sure a many curious inquiries.” Shiro cast his smile down on the mer who was now showing signs of heavy exherstian. Panting and red faced, his body trembled in their arms. Their pace slower as they went up the main stairs. “Just a little further. You’re doing so well, lance.” Shiro whispered to the mer.
“Of course your majesty. I assume you will be indisposed till then to settle from your travels and get your guest situated?” ulaz cast a quick look to the mer and keith.
“Yes, I wish not to be interrupted till such time.” he answered. Ulaz bowed in acknowledgement then left to handle carrying out his commands. They made it just out of sight of any nobles in the entryway before the mer collapsed. Legs completely giving out to hang limply from the royals’ arms. A cry of pain leaving him. Shiro wasted no time scooping him up completely in his arms. Keith releasing his hold on him. “You did so well, my little pearl. Shhhh. Just relax. I got you.” keith watched as the healers legs twitched and spasmed like a hooked fish in his brothers arms. The mer burying his face into shiro’s shirt crying, knuckles white and buried in his vest.
“What… what’s wrong with him?” keith dared to ask. Keeping his voice low.
“I believe his legs are weak from disuse. The muscles haven’t been worked enough to support him. It’s the same for long bed ridden soldiers when they first get up to use their legs again.” kolivan answered. “The muscles are cramping from over working.”
“That’s alright. You won’t have to walk like that again. Just relax. You’re alright.” Shiro consoled his precious prize.
“Hurts.” The word muffled in the king's chest.
“I can massage the muscles while we walk.” keith said looking to his brother. “To help ease the pain.” he shifted to look at the mer before looking to his brother again. “A small gesture, of gratitude.” keith looked away, their father would have been disgusted by such a notion, or platitude coming from the prince. But the boy had saved his life. And it was a small way to show his thanks.
Shiro nodded at him. “Try a small bit now. See how it’s taken.” shiro spoke to him. Keith took one of the mers legs by the calf, a more intentioned jolt at the touch. He gave the mer time to get used to his touch. The scales rough under his hands. The edges catching on his calluses when he went against their direction. He switched his method to avoid doing so when the mer squirmed at the feeling.
“Hurts. Stop please. I just want to go home.” the mer cried trying to pull his legs away. “Let me go please.” the mer pushed at the king trying to get away from him. Shiro kept a solid hold on him while keith took his hands off him.
“It’ll help if you let me.” keith snapped.
“Worry about that later.” shiro started down the hall again. “He’s getting dry.” he looked at the mer to catch his eye. “We’re going to get you into some water. You’ll like that.”
“No. just let me go.” the mer argued back pushing both palms to the king’s chest.
“I don’t plan to ever let you go my little pearl.” shiro said holding tight to the mer. He smirked at keith when he grabbed the mer’s hands to settle the boy. The group reaching the doors to the king’s rooms. Antok opened the door for them allowing them to pass inside easily. Shiro head directly to his private bath. The large window inside giving a beautiful view of the mountains in the distance. Before them open fields and a few scattered buildings. “Here. look at this? I have a nice cool pool for you to rest in.” shiro said drawing the mer’s attention to his large sunken walk in bath. The servants had done well filling it. He could smell the salt just like the ocean. It had seats around the edge and opened up deeper at the legs. Easily allowing shiro to stand and be submerged to his shoulders. The mer looked around the room taking in his soon to be lavish cage. Lance pouted his lip at the sight. He did very much want to get wet and shift into his tail. But it wasn’t big enough for him to really get away from the humans. He’d just fit in the deepest part of the black stone pool. He'd be trapped till he shifted his legs back.
Shiro slowly lowered both of them down to the edge of the tub. Carefully watching the wide eyes of his mer. "This is just temporary." The mer's eyes snapped to his bright and hopeful. "Till I have something built. Bigger and more worthy of your beauty." Lance's eyes glossed up at the words. Tears starting to well up again. "Let's start by removing your shirt. You want it off right?" He asked voice soft. Lance's tears dropped to the granite floor bouncing away as they turned to pearls with his nod. He slid his legs into the tub as shiro helped him out of the shirt leaving him bare once more. Shiro placed his hands his mer's shoulders. They had a good span abroad but the king's palm curled from his shoulder blades to allow his fingers to crest to his collar bones. "That's it. Your doing so well my pearl. I can't wait to see you at your full beauty."
"Wha… what… are you going to do to me?" Lance whispered softly hunched in on himself. Only willing to look at the humans surrounding him through their reflections on the water. The horrors his mother always warned him would be inflicted on him should he flounder to the surface and be caught, playing on loop in his mind. Fears that had been plaguing him from the moment he had seen them.
The king brought his head to behind the mer's ear frills to answer back in a gentle voice. "I'm going to take care of you my treasure. I promise you will want for nothing once you've relaxed into your new home." He nuzzled the side of the boy's hair ignoring the flinch. "You saved my brothers life. I would never let harm come to you." He placed a gentle kiss to Lance's hair. "But I think it would please both of us if you would grace my eyes with your true beauty."
"You don't want me to turn so you can skin me right?" Lance asked squeezing his own arms in his hands.
Shiro gave the mer a light squeeze before pulling back to give him space. "I would never do that. You have my word as king, Lance. No harm will come to you."
Lance looked over his shoulder at the king before he pushed himself into the water. Wasting no time to change. His sides split into his gills fanning out to move the water. His legs fused together and slightly elongated. His fins sprouting out into the paper thin pearleacant membrane. The ends fine and feathered slightly. Matching at his hips and fluke. His scales spread to cover nearly all of the skin from his human form. Larger towards his tail smaller and more delicate towards his limbs and face. His coloring book blew away the king. Many shades of blue, mostly royal blue, some white and his tan skin tone gradient along his front back. The shine took his breath away as he stood to get a full look at his mer. The light from the windows reflecting off him like a crystal charm. Dancing blues, purple's, and greens across the room and water. A single kick of his tail had him pressed against the floor of the tub. Shiro watched as his mer curled up on his side pressed to the floor. He didn't even look back up at them. But shiro was smiling bright next to his just as enamored brother. His mer's true body and color was more enchanting than he had imagined. Far from the lifeless corpses at market. Or the flat mat pictures in books.
