- Sliding in right at the end of the month with some Mer Team Free Will 😁
Fun fact, this was just supposed to be a quick little doodle so I didn’t look up any references, just started drawing and hoped for the best… aaaaaaannnnnnddd that’s why I redrew Sammy’s face 6 times (but I also wanted him to have long flowing seaweed hair and all I kept going overboard on the hair 😂). Also Dean decided to be an annoying big brother only after I started drawing 🤷🏻♂️ but what am I gonna do about it? Gotta follow the muse 😁. And if you are interested, Cas is some electric eel variant and he is bioluminescent in the dark 😄
Timelapse painting video. Drawn in procreate 4hrs 30mins (not such a quick doodle 🤷🏻♂️😄).
Rating: Gen | Word Count: 607 | Pairing: Sam & Dean
Sam’s body drifted in the gentle current as he hid amongst the kelp. Trying to keep his giggles to the bare minimum so Dean wouldn’t have a trail of bubbles that would lead directly to the little merboy. Sam flicked his tail, as he tried to maintain his current position, while he and Dean played his favorite game, hide and seek.
Sam looked around his world with wide eyes, just before he ducked behind a thick cluster of seaweed that slightly swayed to and fro, his tail swishing as he kept himself hidden from view. Little hands reaching out to steady himself, grasping at the coral that had grown up from the sunken Spanish Galleon, a long-forgotten remnant of the humans of old. A means to move about what they considered a rather hostile environment, but one that Sam called home.
A school of purple basslets erupted out of their hiding spot and swam past Sam, causing a burst of delighted laughter to push up and out. Sam watched as the bubbles swirled towards the surface, and he realized his error. He quickly dove further down into the seaweed, hoping to avoid detection. But alas, he was caught.
Hands reached out to capture him and gathered him close, just before Dean’s chuckle surrounded him. “Heya Sammy.” Sam giggled, as his small arms wrapped around Dean’s neck, just before he made his long-standing request.
“Up! Up!” Sam’s giggles turned into bouts of joyous laughter as Dean cradled him close and then shot towards the surface, not stopping until he erupted out of the sanctuary that the sea afforded them. The bright sunlight glinting off all of the myriad scales that covered their tails. The iridescent coloring came to life as Dean twisted in a spiral, while he held Sam close. Sam’s little hands clutching onto Dean’s neck as they dove, Dean’s form gracefully arching as it cleanly broke the surface, and they drifted back down, his tail being used to guide their descent.
They spent the remainder of the afternoon that way, Sam trying to hide, but always being caught when he would marvel at the natural beauty that surrounded them. Dean holding him tight as he would give Sam all that he asked for, and rocket them up, until Sam was red-cheeked from laughter. As the water grew darker when the night settled in, Dean steered them towards their home, a large cave at the foot of the coral reef in which they wiled their days away.
Dean held Sam close, rocking him gently as his tail swished back and forth, while he told him an inspired bedtime story. A fantastical tale where they grew up and got their legs. How they would emerge from the sea and walk upon the land. Helping those who needed their assistance. Sam always tried to stay awake, some nights he managed to, but other nights he would immediately drift off to sleep and awaken in his half of the giant clam shell that served as their bed. His seaweed blanket having been tucked carefully around him by the brother that he loved with all of his heart. The one who would protect him, guide him, and ensure that he grew up to be big and strong.
Yes, Sam loved his watery world and all the games that he could play every single day, but he could hardly wait to grow up.
But for now, he would learn, and frolic in equal parts, while he reveled in all of the glorious bounty that surrounded him. Knowing that as long as Dean was near, he was safe.
And would remain so, forevermore.
Art by Threshie that inspired this joyous fic
@threshie Thank you for your wonderful gift to the fandom!
Omg @gemini-sensei I'm thinking about Poly! Mer!Daniel and Mer!Amanda who falls for a lone fishermen woman.
Reader believes in mermaids and mermen even though all the other fishing boats don't. She believes that are out in the California waters. She doesn't care if they don't believe her, be just has a feeling they are out there.
One day she has to go farther out, pushing the boundaries of the fishing border. The tides are pushing out huge schools of fish. And she definitely needs the money. So she drives out to a more secluded area she has heard talk about. Known for being more quiet and packed with fish.
She's out for hours trying to bag some fish. Throwing multiple nets. She's lucky enough to get just over her normal catch.
She grins as she starts to haul up her last fill net of the day before she heads back to the docks. Hoping to sell off her load by mid-day.
But then suddenly her net feels heavy, way heavier than it should for just some fish. She fusses with the net trying to get it back into her tiny boat. Her back aches as she pulls.
Then as she pulls it up something slaps out of the water inside the net. Hitting her hand and flailing about.
It's a giant purple and amber tail fin!
She instantly drops the net and falls back into the boat. Her but meeting the hardwood of the boat floor. She's so taken aback but she gets up and looks down at where the net fell. She has no idea what going on but she knows something is wrong. She'd quick to pull out her pocket knife and hack away at her net. She sadly sacrifices one of her nets to free whatever creature is stuck in her net. As she cuts she feels terrible, accidentally snagging the poor thing.
Once the net is cut wide open the creature makes a break and goes straight down into the dark waters below. Not even attempting to surface. Reader is stuck standing there for a few minutes. In complete shock about what just unfolded. She didn't get a good look but she knows that she just witnessed SOMETHING unknown.
After a few minutes she finally gets herself back together.
She grabs a few of her fish, ones that are definitely gone by this point. She places them on some near by rocks in a pile. On clear display. She shouts out to no one in particular.
“I'm so sorry for getting you hooked up and stuck in my net! I hope I didn't hurt you by accident, I didn't know you were down there. I'll try not to do it again. But be aware because of the tides going out more people are coming out here to fish. There will be more nets out here with en the week! Please take my offering as an apology gift! I'm sorry once again!”
Once she retrieves her ruined net she heads back in to the docks.
She doesn't even notice Sam who picks at the pike of fish. Ripping into one before taking the rest back home to her parents. Who she later explains what happened.
Daniel and Amanda are upset at first, at the fact their daughter was out in the open water but also the fact she ended up caught in a net. But when Sam explains the woman apologized and even warned her of the threat of more fishing boats, even the fish she shows them that the woman offered as a gift. The couple is questioning at this point. After a long talk between them they decide to venture out the next few days to see if they could get a look at this woman.
The next day they go out and happen upon Reader’s boat. In the exact spot Sam told them about. They watch as she goes about throwing the nets out, pulling them back up, and repeating this process over and over again. Both of them are captivated by her. She's beautiful for a human in their eyes.
She's soft and round unlike most merfolk. So different, so exhilarating. Just from afar they wish to touch her and caress her, to feel her up close. They stay for hours just watching her work.
They take note that before she leaves she places a pile of fish on a rock. Then she is off I'm the boat driving away.
The fish an obvious gift to their daughter.
They rip into the fish, all while hoping that she will return and they may have the opportunity to greet her.
I promise you, even the most stick figured mermaid art that comes from someone's own brain and hands is better creatively than any polished-looking art theft generated mermaid
Summary: It's her first mating season and Y/N has her eye on one of the strongest warriors in the colony but she knows Sam would never choose her when he could have anyone else.
Warnings: Mermaid!AU and all the stuff that usually comes along with that
Written for an Archangel request.
---
Your hands are shaking.
The other dancers from your season are spread across the arena. Some are stretching, far better prepared than you are. You’ve never been much of a dancer but you’re even less a warrior, so here you are. Glancing over, you see Sarah and Ruby shooting each other competitive looks as they stretch. Both of them are much better dancers than you and part of you wishes you hadn’t been placed next to them.
Honestly, you’ll be surprised if any of the warriors choose you. You doubt any who do will be the kind of potential mates you personally have your eye on. If only you’d found someone to court you before now. You wouldn’t have to go through this and could be an audience member like Charlie and Jo or Meg with her older mate, Castiel. Instead, you’re stuck between gorgeous Sarah with her dark curls and eye-catching blue-green tail, and Kevin, who looks just as nervous as you feel.
“Ready?” Sarah asks with a brilliant smile.
You force a smile in return. “Sure.”
She gives you a friendly nudge with her elbow. “You’re going to do great.”
You’re sure your smile isn’t reaching your eyes. “Thanks.”
“Are there any warriors in particular you have your eye on?”
“No,” you lie, keeping your gaze from landing on exactly which warrior you’re interested in. “Not really.”
“Well, you never know what will happen!” She’s so cheerful. How is she not nervous? Probably because she’s almost guaranteed to entice exactly who she wants as a mate with her dance.
And when that happens, any chance you have will be gone.
Before Sarah can say anything else, the low rumble of drums fills the arena. Sarah flits back to her spot and your stomach twists in anxious knots. You close your eyes and draw a deep breath as the watching crowd falls silent and the drums pick up their rhythm. You try to focus on what Pamela always said - to feel the music and move with the vibrations in the water.
Easier said than done but you’ll do your best. It’s all you can do.
The vocals begin with a low chant of just male voices. You draw a deep breath, water cool through your gills, and begin to move.
The female vocals come in next, a higher harmony to the low melody. You know somewhere in that sound is your mother with her clear voice but you can’t focus on that right now. Not when you’re so intent on feeling the music, moving your body in a way that’s enticing as well as true to yourself.
You keep your eyes closed through the whole dance, unwilling to see the reactions of the warriors. It seems to go on forever, the song rising and falling around you. You have to remind yourself to keep breathing because you know otherwise you’ll stop and that would be bad. So you breathe with the rhythm, bringing it into your body and letting it settle in your lungs.
When the music finally stops and you settle into a resting position once more, hands slowly coming down to your sides, you keep your eyes closed. Now you’re too nervous to see any warrior who may have taken an interest in you. Did any? You can’t bring yourself to look.
The arena is quiet, dancers catching their breath while also processing who was drawn in by their display. You breathe steadily and deeply, trying to force calm into your bones. You know you need to look - you can’t avoid it forever - but just one more second of unknowing. Just one more. Just-
“Y/N.”
That voice. You know it.
“Y/N,” Sam says again. “Open your eyes.”
You do and there he is, hazel eyes smiling at you from just a few tail strokes away. Beside him are two other warriors, one you recognize as Sam’s friend Brady and another you recognize from an older season who’s remained unmated until now.
Three but only one matters.
“Oh,” you exhale, bringing your eyes back to Sam’s face. Sam, second son of clan leader John and his mate Mary. Sam, best in his class, future general and second-hand to his older brother, Dean, the only warrior you’ve had your eye on and the only one you never thought you could possibly have.
--
You’re still struggling to process things as the dancers are ushered to the edge of the arena to make room for the fights. Sam sticks close to you, as do Brady and the other warrior, a mer from Dean’s season you now know is named Benny. Sarah and Ruby are shooting you filthy looks despite the large groups of warriors already surrounding them and you know exactly why. They both had their eyes on Sam but here he is, drifting tentatively closer with a surprisingly shy smile on his lips.
You have so many questions - why you? Why now? - but there’s no time. The drums have started again in a new rhythm and Sam is putting his back to you, expressions hardening into something you can’t interpret as he turns his attention to his two opponents.
Benny circles to the right, one hand on the hilt of his short sword and the other hand on the net looped around his waist. You’ve seen mers fight with nets before and know he’ll have to get in closer to really be effective. Getting in closer, though, will put him in range of Sam’s dual blades and he seems to be weighing his options.
Brady is a distance fighter, though, with his spear held ready. He could do some real damage if he wanted to without ever getting close enough to hit his opponent.
Benny makes the first move. He’s big, almost Sam’s size in bulk but not as long. They’re both too fast for you to follow what’s happening and you back up further to stay out of their way. Brady is circling, clearly looking for an opening and trying to decide which opponent he would prefer to face. He keeps flicking a look at you and something in his eyes makes you shudder.
You really don’t want him to win.
You can turn him down if he does but something about him tells you that he wouldn’t take the rejection well. Benny would, you know. This is his third mating season and none of the dancers he’s fought for have accepted his advances. If he wins and you turn him down in favor of Sam, he’ll respect your wishes.
You want Sam to win, though.
You hope Sam wins.
Brady is in the fray now, darting in and out. You can’t tell what’s going on exactly but the three warriors are doing a dance of their own now. Sam is long but quick, completely in control of his body in a way that reminds you of the dancers. His gorgeous red and brown tail propels him along, fins slicing through the water. He knows what his body can do and how to use it to his advantage. The others are good fighters - Benny in particular - but Sam is clearly the superior warrior in this situation. That knowledge doesn’t calm your nerves, though. It’s two against one and the tides could change at any moment.
You’re not expecting Benny to back off. He does exactly that, though, lowering his weapons with a respectful bow to Sam. He’s bleeding from his nose and one eye is already swelling shut. His right arm, his sword arm, is hanging funny and you realize after a moment of confusion that his shoulder has been dislocated.
Brady is still holding his own, surprisingly. Probably because his spear keeps him out of the range of Sam’s swords. Sam has several wounds on his torso, none of them major but all of them bleeding red clouds into the surrounding water. Sam is calm, though - a sharp contrast to Brady, who seems to be growing more manic with every stab of his spear. Sam keeps dodging out of reach, moving more freely now that he doesn’t have to worry about two opponents at once.
Brady cries out, jerking forward awkwardly, and you realize that Sam has both swords in one hand and the end of Brady’s spear in the other. He pulls Brady closer, the other mer apparently too surprised by what’s happening to let go of his spear right away, and by the time he does, it’s too late.
Sam has dropped the spear. It drifts to the soft sand below and your gaze follows it a moment before jumping back up to see that Sam has captured Brady in a one-armed hold you’d never be strong enough to do. The dark dual blades of his swords are held to Brady’s throat.
“Yield,” he growls, so low you can barely hear it and yet the words still send a pleasant shiver down your spine.
Brady grits his teeth, silent for a long moment, before finally raising his hands in an “I give up” gesture. “I yield.”
Sam releases him and Brady whips away with a snarl. Something about his posture puts you on edge even as Sam turns towards you, expression softening and lips curling into a smile. You return Sam’s smile but can’t help glancing back at Brady and it’s a good thing you do because Brady is diving for his spear.
“Sam, look out!”
The warrior whirls, swords swinging, and the head of Brady’s spear falls to one side. Brady freezes, caught.
“I thought you were better than that,” Sam sighs as an official rushes over to relieve Brady of his ruined weapon.
You feel a little awkward standing to the side, unsure of what to say or even if you should speak. Before you can decide, though, Sam is turning back to you and offering a hand. You take it without hesitation and he smiles once again. The sight ignites a familiar warmth in your chest, the same one you always feel when Sam pays you the slightest amount of attention.
“Y/N,” he says softly. “Will you accept my battle and allow me to court you?”
You’re smiling now, probably looking like a bit of an idiot as you do. “Yes!”
Sam’s grin widens and he bows low, pressing a kiss to the back of your knuckles. Your cheeks burn and you duck your head shyly. You never expected anyone to show you this kind of attention, let alone Sam.
--
The anxiety doesn’t hit you right away but it does start to creep in over the next week. Sam visits regularly, bringing gifts and spending time getting to know you. Each gift is carefully selected, things Sam clearly knows you’ll enjoy. You have a feeling your mother might have a hand in that but all she does is smile knowingly and change the subject if you ask.
Sam’s surprisingly easy to talk to. The two of you have never interacted much over the seasons, being from separate friend groups, but Sam has always been kind. Now as you get to know him better, you learn that kindness is a primary aspect of his personality. He makes friends easily, pays attention to what people tell him, and makes an effort to remember everyone he meets. So having his focus turned on you feels both amazing and stressful. You never imagined yourself worthy of his attention and yet here you are, with him lounging next to you on a rock, listening intently as you explain your weaving process to him.
Which is where the anxiety comes in. You can’t help but think that you must be boring him but he never complains. Instead, he listens and asks questions, and when you hand him a few pieces of rope to try out weaving himself, he frowns adorably in concentration and follows every instruction as carefully as possible. Still, though, your thoughts find their way to “what ifs” and statements like “he’s just being nice”.
“Y/N,” your mother says firmly when you mention these thoughts to her. “He fought for the right to court you.”
You have to admit, she has a valid point.
—
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Team Forever: @mrswhozeewhatsis @manawhaat @books-and-icecream @laughing-at-the-darkness @tumbler-tidbits @emoryhemsworth @imsuperawkward @onethirstyunicorn
The story of a merman named Dean who got caught in a fishing net, and the human named Cas who saved him. (This is the audio version of my fanfic Seashell Hearts, read by me!)
Podfic, Destiel, Length: 0-10 Minutes, Fluff, Feels, Merfolk AU, Hurt Dean Winchester, Human Castiel, Merman Dean, Baby Merboy Sammy
