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It's nearing the end of the hottest season when they finally meet face-to-face.
There’s an incessant hum vibrating through the water. Even from the sea floor, with his belly grazing the rocky ground, Wolfwood can feel the pulsing waves tickle his dorsal fin. He huffs, facial fins flaring in mild annoyance. Despite the intrusion he’s grown a bit used to that human’s presence, even if the fins of its boat create odd currents in the water. He stretches out, getting cozy and staring at the water above him, as he remembers.
The first time that human brought its rumbly machine into his territory, he decided to forgo his midday hunting to observe from afar. A brief peek around a cluster of rocks revealed the object of his annoyance: a pale little thing fussing with a net inside its even paler floating-shell.
‘A ship,’ his mind corrected. A rather small one, though. The human was by itself with little room for anyone else. It'd been a while since any human had hunted in his waters. It would‘ve been easy to slash the side of its ship and send the little thing scampering away, hopefully never to return like the previous ones. Or slap the damn thing back to shore with his tail. The sandy beach was only a speck on the horizon from where he was, but he could get the ship pretty close to it.
With a chuff he slipped underwater and swam away. ‘With any luck,’ he thought to himself, ‘they’ll leave and never come back if they get what they’re looking for.’ Despite the optimism, he still chittered anxiously to himself that night, humans can never get enough after all.
Who’s to say it wouldn’t just come back the next day?
It didn’t, actually. Wolfwood went about his day as usual; hunting at sunrise, basking at sunhigh, cooling off at sundown and stargazing at moonrise before returning to his cave to sleep.
The day after that, their second meeting, was somehow worse than the first one.
The incessant hum thrumming through the water returned earlier than before, the sun still hanging low. The blue sky was streaked with the last of the night, slowly being chased away by the sun and waking the world.
Wolfwood had been floating on the surface, letting the current carry him after his morning meal. The water was pleasantly cool and still at the time, until it started minutely sloshing and wavering around him. He slipped underwater before the tiny-excuse-of-a-ship could get close enough to see him. Safely beneath the waves, he let out a frustrated growl and drifted in a large circle around the ship. Close enough for his senses to pick up scent and sound, but too far for the human to see his shape in the water.
The human was chattering that day. Quite noisily, might he add. It was chirping happily to some gray box with a long rod that was spewing an awful noise, like claws on rock. But he’d seen that same device on larger ships. Humans use it to communicate across long distances to make up for their shorter-ranged clicks and warbles.
“Yes!” The human cheered. Its gray box had quieted, a mellow voice swam through to replace the gnarled screech of the device, though he was too far to hear exactly what it said.
Wolfwood slunk closer. The human stuck out like a wounded fish among the school; bright red, high-collard cloth hugged its upper body in a way he could only describe as gaudy. He’d thought the sun was just reflecting off the human’s hair, but it really is that bright. Yellow like the sun, aside from the shock of black creeping up the sides, and stuck up like an urchin. A display like that practically screamed ‘here I am! Come get me! ’ Although, to openly announce one's presence to possible predators takes courage, and strength to back it up. Not that there’s any real predators aside from himself out here.
He finds himself more intrigued than annoyed with this human.
A particularly tall rock juts out of the water close to the boat, the perfect spot for…investigating. ‘It’s not eavesdropping, ’ he told himself, ‘if the human invaded his territory in the first place.’ Now behind the rock, he sank beneath the waves, leaving half his face above the water to watch and listen.
“Nai? Can you hear me?” The human spoke to its gray box. It pulls out a long rod, wire and a pointy hook attached to it, as a smooth voice floats through the device.
“ Yes, yes I can hear you fine.”
The blond smiled, sitting back as it tossed its wire out into the water. “Good! I’m glad these radios still work. They were a pain to find..” The human trailed off, rubbing at the back of his neck with a gloved hand.
“I don’t know why you insisted on me holding onto this one.”
“Because I know you’re already awake having your precious plant time. Luida and Brad are still asleep at this hour.”
“ You know they would still do it, though.”
“Haha yeah but..I didn’t wanna bother them this early.” It said sheepishly, fiddling with a loose red thread with one hand.
“ Vash… ”
Wolfwood’s ear fins twitched. He had a name to match the face, or semi-side profile rather.
Vash whined, “Okaay, I didn’t want to freak out here and worry them. You already know what…know why I…” Vash sighed and hunched his shoulders.
A sigh drifted through the device—the ‘radio .’
Vash perked up and readjusted his grip on the rod. “But I wanted to get back out here! On my own terms this time.”
The other human, this ‘Nai‘ character, was quiet, static crackled through the radio.
“Fine. I will keep the channel open until you get back just..” it pauses. “Just be careful, Vash.“ the voice bled into something softer, gentler. Worry. Like scolding a Mer calf to stay out of the deep trenches to keep them safe.
“I will, I will,” Vash chuckled. Wolfwood’s facial fins drooped. Something about that exchange, about Vash’s hesitance, made him uncomfortable. Memories get dredged up in his own mind; flashes of white hair and sad eyes, another calf in the pod.
He dove below the water, an itch prickled just beneath his skin. He probably shouldn’t have investigated after all.
Today though, the third time Wolfwood’s noticed the man in his territory, he’s gonna do something about it. He pushes himself up from the ocean floor, swerving in the direction where the vibrations were strongest.
Wolfwood surfaces a little ways away. He swims in a slow circle around the boat, assessing the human before approaching.
The human— Vash , he reminds himself—is alone in his boat. The radio is present but seemingly not in use. That red cloth is tied around his body again, hugging his arms and drooping over his legs. The midday sunlight casts a halo around his pointy blond hair. He hums to himself as he casts his line into the water.
Wolfwood decides to mess with the man.
He slips beneath the water, circling until he’s floating directly in front of the boat. In front of that lowered hook. He’d never be dumb enough to eat the bait off these things. Not again, at least. With a smirk, he grabs the wire just above the hook and tugs.
The wire doesn’t move, Vash likely waiting for his catch to truly trap itself before reeling it in. Wolfwood tugs harder, keeping a firm grip on the wire as he almost yanks the damn thing. He’s finally met with slight resistance, the wire going taunt between his hold and Vash trying to reel him in.
Wolfwood hears a swear and the creak of the boat, Vash must be readjusting his grip to pull him above water. He laughs. There’s no way for his several-ton weight to be reeled in with a hook this small. The wire groans with the effort of opposing forces, and he doesn’t want to break the man’s pole, so he lets go.
A heavy thwump followed by a low groan comes from above.
Wolfwood resurfaces in front of the boat, his upper body mostly out of the water as he exposes himself to the man who is…flat on his ass on the floor of the boat. His fishing pole rests beside him, held loosely in his hand.
A chittering laugh rips through him, his fins swaying gently.
“Whuh?!” Vash scrambles to the side of the boat. He squeaks out a gasp as he takes in the man before him. Or, man-enough. A mop of curly black hair frames his face, shading two gray eyes with white marks underneath. Very human-looking dark skin fades to very not-human black skin with a white underbelly. Two large fins jut out from his elbow, with smaller wiggly fins poking out from his cheeks. His growing smirk reveals rows of sharp teeth.
“Y’know I’m ‘bout tired of ya, Spikey.”
“Spikey…” Vash mumbles. “Wait, what did I do?”
Wolfwood points to the back of the boat. “Those fins on the end ‘a yer ship. They ain’t movin now but I can always feel them churnin’ up the water when you get here. Messin’ up the currents.”
It doesn’t really mess up the currents, he just feels like venting his frustrations. This guy has been mildly annoying but persistent. Like a small rock between the layers of his nest he can’t get out.
“Do you, ah..live around here?” Vash awkwardly asks.
Wolfwood swims forward, leaning his own weight against the boat as he holds the sides and lifts himself up. His dorsal fin pokes out of the water, giving Vash a full view of where his humanoid torso fades into a thick tail.
“Oh, you’re…”
“Not what ya expected?” Wolfwood smirks.
“…Quite interesting.” Vash smiles, still a little offput by the situation.
Wolfwood pauses, pushing off the boat to leisurely circle the vessel. “Well yer a lil interesting yourself, Spikes.”
“Yeah?” Vash turns to keep Wolfwood in his view.
“Yeah ‘yeah .’ Not many humans are willing to come out here lately, yet here you are.”
Vash watches as Wolfwood circles around to the front of the boat. “Just felt like coming back out here.”
Wolfwood notes the guarded tone in his voice. He won’t press the issue.
Vash flashes him a tight lipped smile. “Also I have a name. And it’s not Spikey or Spikes.”
Wolfwood motions to his hair. “Well if yer hair was all black I’d confuse ya for an urchin.” He says with a laugh. “I think it suits ya better than ’Vash,’ at least.”
Vash pauses. “Just how long have you been stalking me?” He asks nervously.
“It ain’t stalking, I’m not hunting you or anything.” Wolfwood sputters. “Besides I live here, you don't.” He flushes, waving the question off.
“That’s fair, I guess…but I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.” Vash hums. “Maybe you could keep me company?”
Wolfwood pauses. He hadn't planned on sticking around, he wasn’t even sure what he was doing here now. “Don’t you have your radio to talk to? Thatone voice with his ‘plant time.’ ”
Vash chuckles nervously, a strained smile pulling at his lips. Wolfwood chuffs lightly, ’that isn’t a good look on him.‘
“Didn’t know you heard all that.” Vash rubs the back of his neck. “That was my brother, Nai. He wakes up early and takes care of the honestly ridiculous number of plants we keep at home.”
Wolfwood chitters to himself, thinking.
“It’d be nice having someone to talk with out here! I don’t want to bother him too often with this.” Vash grabs his fishing pole again and resituates himself on the seat of the boat. “But since you’re already out here, feel free to bother me.”
“..I don’t really need permission to be around here.”
Vash hums. “You don’t. But I’d appreciate the company.”
Wolfwood is silent.
“I’d also appreciate a name, since you know mine.”
“…Wolfwood. Nicholas D. Wolfwood.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you, Wolfwood.” Vash says cheerily.
“Nice? Yer oddly trusting of strangers yknow.“ He clicks. “Ain’t you heard of the attacks out here in the last few moons? How do ya know I won’t slap you and your ship around?”
Vash turns to him and smiles, no strain pulling at it to mar the expression. “You’ve got kind eyes.” Vash says. “Besides, I doubt your diet includes humans. Everyone from those attacked ships came back alive.” His smile falters a bit, “Albeit with mild injuries of a typical shipwreck, no claw marks or teeth indents.”
Wolfwood frowns. Of course he left them alive, he only wanted them gone, not dead. But having this information thrown back at him leaves him...flustered? Annoyed? His fins sway and fan out as he fights back the heat rushing to his face.
Vash only gives him another smile.
He’s never stared down a human and not made them look even a little frightened.
“..Maybe if the wind blows the right way I’ll come back.” Wolfwood mutters and dives below the water, swimming back to his cave.
Maybe having this human around wouldn’t be so bad.
Wolfwood found himself hanging around Vash a lot more than he’d planned to.
The hot season gave way to the cool and eventual cold season, in which Vash didn’t use his fishing rod as much. Wolfwood had asked what’s the point of being in the boat if not to fish, and got a rather cheerful response.
“I just like it out here. It’s peaceful, and not everyday I can talk with a merman.”
He’d said that with his saccharine sweet grin and Wolfwood’s mind twisted that into Vash wanting to see him . That same moment, Wolfwood realized the sun didn’t just bounce off his hair. It shone in his eyes and his smile, brighter than the actual sun in the sky.
He’s getting all mushy again. From his perch on a rock, flat enough for him to rest on while keeping half his tail submerged, he sighs. Frustrated at himself. He leans back, slightly on his side to avoid crushing his dorsal fin, and lets the still-rising sun warm him.
He’d noticed this happening a lot lately, whether Vash is there or not, his chest flutters like the delicate fins of coral reef fish. It’s light, but it’s heavy. He’s confused yet understands all too well what this is.
He’s in love with this human.
He should’ve known when Meryl and Milly had last visited him in the cool season. Meryl telling him he seemed happier as of late and Milly straight up asking if he’d met someone. The way she said it, with a hopeful twinkle in her eye, should have tipped him off to what kind of someone she’d meant. He’d told them about Vash; about bright hair and even brighter smiles. He didn’t miss their shared giddy look, just brushed it off.
He should’ve known his feelings about Vash had changed when he found himself searching for things to give the human. He usually searches the ocean floor and shipwrecks for himself, for things he wants to take back to his cave. But every other item he scavenged produced some kinda Vash-thought, which he can’t shake away nor stop. It’s like some yellow-black urchin stuck itself to his head.
He’d started sorting his scavenged items into different categories; things to keep, things to show Vash, things to give Vash. One of the first things he’d shown the man was a flat rock, smooth along one side and three dull points poking out the other. A weird shape that matched his friend. He’d held it up next to Vash’s head and had a good laugh about it. Vash was less amused.
He’d given the man a handful of things; a sea glass shard to match his greenish-blue eyes, traveled just outside his territory to gather clay beads and small shells for a bracelet. A friendly gesture. Giving him jewelry with materials from his own territory held a different meaning, and had different feelings behind it. Which he wasn’t ready to acknowledge at the time.
During the cold season when Vash didn’t use his fishing pole, he’d taken to hunting for both of them. He’d gnaw on his fish while chucking two more into Vash’s boat, saying he shouldn’t go home empty handed after being on the water all day. He always does his best to squash the warm swimmy feeling in his chest. His ability to provide fills him with some kind of pride, which swells dizzyingly when Vash accepts each fish with a smile.
Eventually Vash had started giving him things in return.
He got to try cooked fish for the first time. The meat was warm and tender, though it lacked the blood of a fresh kill it was still delicious. He’d started giving Vash three or four fish so the man could bring him back a cooked one the next day.
Vash had also made him a clay bead bracelet, decorated with shell fragments. Wearing a bracelet made of his own territory’s material was fine, no special meaning like if someone else wore it, but since Vash made it he still felt flustered accepting the gift.
Wolfwood sighs, scrubbing a hand over his face.
He should’ve known better than to get this close. There’s only one thing he can do about it. Sweep it under his nest and toss it out with the scraggly sea grass at the end of this moon. Forget the feelings are there and carry on like a normal functioning, well-adjusted Orca Mer.
And maybe stay away from Vash for a while.
Solitude isn’t exactly nice, but he’s grown used to it. He’s learned to like it despite his nature yearning for companionship. For his pod. To hunt and live and defend as a complete unit. Solitude doesn’t suit an Orcamer well, that’s why the Hopeland pod had formed in the first place; so calves separated from their families could still live in a community.
Community is essential for an orcamer’s wellbeing, especially in their juvenile years. Maybe that’s why he’s so jaded now; left behind by his first pod, ripped away from his second and now he’s left adrift. But he gets through, he manages. He’s…
‘Surviving, but not living,’ Meryl’s voice echoes in his head. That had been one of the first things she said to him. Right before taking her mate’s—Milly, a cheerful Mer’s—hand and swimming away. His chest ached something fierce that night, curled up alone in his nest.
That ache had gotten much lighter as of late.
With a growl Wolfwood rolls onto his belly, using the scrape of the rock to ground himself. He needs to think less, it’s ruining his sunbathing.
Wolfwood is going stir crazy. The cold season has loosened its grip on the world, his waters have warmed considerably and that left him with a deep itch beneath his skin. Like his veins are buzzing, vibrating like the water does when Vash’s boat comes by. Whom he hasn’t gone to visit in days, actually. He’s hardly left his cave to hunt. He can’t stop fussing with his nest; rearranging and reweaving the thick sea grass, fervently checking each piece for trapped rocks or debris, rubbing his horribly itchy wrist glands all along his cave. It leaves him drained and keyed up at the same time.
It’s exhausting.
He hates mating season.
He slumps into his crumpled nest, slapping his tail against the low tide lapping at him. He’s no stranger to these instincts; the urge to create a safe space for him to hunker down, to claim or keep safe what he sees as his. That feeling sits right next to the dull ache of missing someone to call his own.
Although it typically doesn’t bother him this much.
In seasons past, it felt like ripples and gentle currents, nothing his several-ton self can’t handle. This time he’s being swept away by crashing waves and faceplanting straight onto a yellow-black urchin.
A whine bubbles in his throat. This influx of feelings is likely something he’d have been taught to handle back in his pod. He chuffs, forcing back memories of those white-coat humans who snatched that away from him.
Thinking about that won’t help, but maybe a leisurely swim would.
.
.
.
.
The warm water feels cool on his overheated body. The bright coral reefs— color, something those human dens were lacking —keeps him grounded. He’s here in his beautiful bountiful waters, nowhere else.
Feeling much more relaxed, he crawls onto his sunning rock, freezing when he hears something strange. A light tune caught in the wind breezes by, smooth warbles, melodious sound of a familiar voice. His own supportive notes stutter out of his chest before he can stop them, he’s never been one for singing but something about the voice or the season puts him in the mood for it. His deeper croons and warbles melt with the lighter notes to form a harmonious melody.
It’s nice, singing with his mat—
He cuts himself off with a sharp click, his face flushing and fins wiggling. The other voice tapers off. He knows exactly what— who —he’ll see if he looks to the side. Despite his better judgment, he does so anyway.
From this distance, Vash’s boat is no bigger than his fist on the horizon. He raises an arm and waves it wildly, as if Wolfwood can’t see him. He hasn’t ditched his oversized coat, and he knows Vash’s latest addition to his wardrobe makes him stand out even more.
Wolfwood slips into the water, moving with intentional slowness towards the bobbing boat. He knows Vash is no siren but he still finds himself hopelessly drawn to the man. Vash sets down his fishing rod and leans casually close to the water, his green-blue eyes are hidden behind a large pair of orange lenses.
Gifted to him by Wolfwood.
It had been somewhat of a joke during the cool season. He’d been grilling Vash on his ridiculous getup and presented the scavenged, minutely cracked glasses to him. To make his outfit worse, he’d said. Vash wore them that day and they laughed about it. But then he kept wearing them. Sometimes perched on his head or tucked into his jacket, but they were always there. They dim the brightness of his eyes and sometimes hide them entirely when the sun hits the lenses just right.
Now they reflect the light of the sun and the blue of the water. And Wolfwood’s own flustered face when he gets close. Seeing him wear one of his gifts gets him hot between the gills in a way he’d rather not think about right now.
“Hey Wolfwood! Haven’t seen ya in a while.” Vash lifts the glasses onto his head, his green-blue eyes sparkling like the ocean around them.
That was intentional.
“I’ve been busy.” He says instead. Vash flashes him a patient smile.
“Busy with what? Not like you had to travel since you don’t migrate.”
While OrcaMer pods tend to migrate, either with the season or following the migration of their prey, Wolfwood chooses not to. There’s plenty of fish year round and migrating solo never sat right with him.
“You’re not hurt are you?” Vash asks when Wolfwood remains silent. His eyes dart over his body, from his elbows up since that’s all he can see.
“I'm fine, Needles, just took some time for myself. It's what the season is for, after all.” He mutters the last part to himself.
“Merfolk do Spring cleaning too?” Vash jokes with a laugh.
Technically yes. When you remake your nest in preparation to lay with another Mer, and toss the soiled bedding out when the season’s over. Thinking about it does not make his blush go away.
“Sure, fixin’ up my nest and redecorating my cave and such.” Wolfwood says flippantly. “But that’s all done now, so here I am.” He tacks on a smirk in hopes of hiding his nerves.
He’s absolutely not done with his nest, he’ll be fussing with it til either the season ends or—
Vash pokes his nose.
“You’re here physically, maybe.” Vash chuckles, voice smoothing into something serious. “Are you alright, Wolfwood?”
Wolfwood jerkily nods. “I’m fine, really, just..not a big fan of the warm season.” He rolls onto his back and lets the gentle current hold him. He doesn’t miss how Vash’s eyes flick down to his exposed underbelly, he ignores the spark it sends through him.
“Somehow this mild heat is worse than the hottest season.” He doesn’t want to explain why. “And Meryl n’ Milly ain’t gonna be around for me to bother for a while.”
Vash tilts his head. “How come?”
Wolfwood stares, he’s got a real nice view of Vash’s sharp swoopy jawline from here. “They’re, uh, spending the season alone together.”
“Are you going to explain why? Or keep giving me vague answers?”
Wolfwood can’t help but grumble. “C’mon Spikes, don’t make me say it. It’s…ah whaddya call it… spring . Surely land animals got somethin’ goin on around this time..”
Vash’s eyebrows furrow as he thinks. Wolfwood watches the gears turn in his head. Suddenly a pretty pink blooms high on his cheeks and his eyebrows shoot up. “I didn’t know Merfolk have heat cycles.” He laughs sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Mhm.” Wolfwood fully sinks underwater, twirling to the other side of the boat before resurfacing and reclining on his back again.
Vash is quiet for a while. “Are you sure you wanna be here, then?” He scoots over to the other end of the boat, leaning his arms and head on the edge.
“Ain’t got nowhere else to be.”
Wolfwood meets Vash’s gaze. Something burns in his greenish eyes, a swirl of emotions Wolfwood hopes aren’t visible in his own. His stomach flutters, Vash’s…fierce? Passionate? look has him blushing again. But whatever moment they have is pulled taunt, snapping them out of their reverie when Vash blinks and turns away with an “alright then.”
The water sloshes around them and the boat creaks loudly in their quiet.
Vash grabs his fishing rod and sits back down, hooking bait onto his hook. “Will you sing with me again?” He asks as he casts his line out.
What?
“That song from earlier, it’s one I learned from my mom.” Vash continues, glancing at him from the corner of his eye.
Wolfwood should say no. It’s probably not healthy to feed the part of himself that wants to harmonize with a potential mate. Pssh, ‘potential’ his tail fin. As if there could be anyone else.
Vash asked so sweetly too.
“Sure, Spikey.” A smile tugs at his face. “You start.”
.
.
.
.
The sun dips lower in the sky and Wolfwood finds himself getting antsy all over again.
Vash and him passed the time in peace after their charged moment from earlier, although something still buzzed in the air between them. It felt like a waiting game of who would acknowledge it first. Wolfwood mostly ignored it as they sang though.
Vash’s mother’s song is quite beautiful, he'll admit. Gentle like the pitter-patter of a morning drizzle on the water, honeyed like Vash himself who sang with an uplifting coo. Wolfwood’s own notes fit so well with his. Low coos flitting between Vash’s higher hums. Swirling around one another into a beautiful melody.
Outwardly, Wolfwood is fine, twitchy maybe.
On the inside he’s leaping out the water, flipping around and splashing back in. ‘Ecstatic’ is a good way to describe this feeling, considering he’s fighting for his life to keep his grin small and unassuming.
“Are you sure you’re alright, Wolfwood?”
How long had Vash been talking to him...?
“My humming was so good it left you speechless huh?” He chuckles with his hand propped under his chin. Wolfwood’s pretty sure he’s joking, but the glint in his eyes makes him wanna ask if he can read minds.
“Yeah...” Wolfwood shudders as a wave of heat takes over him. “I mean that like— yeah I’m fine, Spikes. Don’t worry ‘bout me.” He sputters, fighting to keep his composure.
“Hm, can’t help but worry when you care about someone right?” Vash leans very far out of the boat, and very much into his personal space. Wolfwood zeros in on his hungry grin. “And I imagine you get lonely this time of year.” He says, eyes shining in the dying light. “I could keep you company.”
Wolfwood croons, gently bumping his forehead with Vash’s. “We’re not just gonna be sittin’ and chattin,’ y'know."
Vash cups Wolfwood’s face, one hand burning hot and the other pleasantly cool. The boat tips dangerously to one side, Wolfwood steadies the boat with one hand and wraps the other around Vash’s cool wrist.
Vash lets out a breathy laugh. ”I know that, Wolfwood.”
Jumping jellyfish the way Vash purrs his name. A trill crawls out his throat in response.
It’s not that he doesn't want Vash in his cave, he’s worried he’ll make a complete clown fish of himself. He might be wet and whiny the second Vash’s scent mixes with his own. Not to mention he’s never— oh cod , what if Vash expects him to take the lead? He’s never done this before. Mating season usually goes by in a haze of unsatisfying self-wrought orgasms. He’s never laid with another Mer, much less a human.
Vash’s warm hand leaves his face. He drags his index finger down Wolfwood’s nose, snapping him back to the present.
“Well?” Vash cocks his head.
“We can,” Wolfwood swallows thickly. “We can head to my cave.”
“Right now?”
Wolfwood’s trills, his fins flutter in delight. “Yeah, yeah now ‘s good.”
“Alright.” Vash slowly pulls away, going to the end of the boat to start the engine. Vash turns back to him with a smile. “Lead the way.”
The familiar yawning mouth of his home looms over them. Vash docks his boat at the mouth of the cave and, at Wolfwood’s own beckoning, climbs onto his back as the Mer swims inside. The floor is low at the front—low enough that the current tide would drench Vash’s thighs, hence why Wolfwood ferried him—and disappears into the water. The ground slopes upwards at the back where his nest and trinkets are.
Wolfwood pulls himself mostly onto land and lets Vash climb off his back. He looks around as he trudges further into the cave. The rocky floor, walls and ceiling are all brownish with flecks of gray. The walls curve inwards and up, creating a dome with a nicely sized hole at the top. His woven sea grass nest is close to the wall, placed just underneath the ceiling hole. A weak beam of sunlight lands on it.
Wolfwood suppresses a shudder as Vash pokes around. He kneels in front of the right wall, inspecting the trinkets laid out. An array of sea glass, tiny shells, fish bones, and human items from shipwrecks, Vash takes them in with a dizzying smile.
“It seems cozy here.”
Wolfwood bites back a whimper. Something about Vash happily chattering and being in his cave makes him feel all tingly. Like grazing past a jellyfish’s limbs.
This feels so right might actually swoon.
Vash turns to him, chuckling at whatever he finds in Wolfwood’s face. “C’mon, Wolfwood.” He sits at the edge of Wolfwood’s large nest, briefly wincing at the squishines. “Can’t do anything if you’re still in the water.”
Wolfwood shuffles up next to Vash, taking up the rest of the nest and curling his tail towards him. His fins twitch, his tail fin wiggles. He’s nervous, and the way Vash looks at him, he knows it too.
A warm hand holds the nape of his neck and Wolfwood looks over at Vash’s patient smile. Filled with a sudden warmth, he curls into Vash, letting the man wrap his arms around his larger form. They must look ridiculous, Wolfwood thinks, a towering orca mer held by someone about half his size. The thought dissolves into sea foam when Vash nuzzles their foreheads together. Wolfwood rumbles, purring as he returns the gesture.
“Spikey, I’ve…” He fiddles with a button on Vash’s coat. “I’ve, uh, never done anythin’ like this before.”
“Then let me take care of you.” Vash coos. “You won’t have to worry about anything except feeling good.”
Wolfwood pulls back, giving Vash a look. He didn’t even stop to think if their junk was compatible for this. “Whaddya even know about Merfolk..” He waves towards his lower half.
“Nothing at all!” Vash says cheerfully, his voice dips sultrily as he rubs Wolfwood's shoulders. “So show me what makes you feel good.” Vash leans over to Wolfwood’s ear, warm breath puffing against his sensitive fins. “Can you do that for me?”
Wolfwood blushes furiously and nods.
He leans back in their nest, wary of his dorsal fin, and motions for Vash to sit on the thickest part of his tail. Vash straddles him, setting both hands on his body, and Wolfwood can feel him buzzing with excitement.
Wolfwood takes Vash’s flesh hand in his. He almost whines at the difference between them. Vash’s hand is large like his—large for a human he thinks. Wolfwood’s hands still dwarf his—but with longer, thinner fingers than his own. Complete with stubby, non-lethal nails. Perfect .
Wolfwood slides Vash’s hand down his body until his palm rests over his slit. It doesn’t look any different from the rest of his tail, just a hidden dip of his underbelly. He presses down hard then soft, sighing at the relief and lets go of Vash’s hand, letting him take over. Vash watches with rapt attention at Wolfwood’s clenching muscles as he rubs his slit.
“Feels good?”
“haah..mhm.” Wolfwood nods. “It’ll take a bit for my body to get the message and open up for you.” He whines. He’s not used to having someone to spend this season with, aside from his own hand wringing weak orgasms from himself.
Vash smiles, “That's alright, I’ll be here as long as you need me.” He presses on the center of the slit, his other hand caressing Wolfwood’s side.
Wolfwood whimpers, rubbing the top of his slit with two fingers. A wave of heat crashes over him, pure desire burning through his body. His tail fin slaps the ground, he tilts his head back and keens. Tingly pleasure swirls in his core, burning hot like beach sand, splitting him open like a clamshell.
“Oh, how pretty.”
Wolfwood cracks open his eyes— when did he close them? —and looks at Vash. His greenish eyes twinkle, crinkling at the edges from his wide smile. Wolfwood follows his gaze downward. Vash’s fingers rest on either side of his slit, now parted to expose his pussy. His chubby clit stands tall, about half the size of his pinkie. His cunt clenches around nothing, slick pouring out of him.
Wolfwood grunts, bucking upwards impatiently. Vash chuckles and circles a finger around his slit. He pauses and looks up at Wolfwood. There’s a swirling mixture of hunger and desire in his eyes.
“Wolfwood, can I try something?”
Wolfwood blinks. Wolfwood feels too casual for this. They’re about to mate for flounders sake. He wants to hear his real name in Vash’s honeyed purr
“..Y’can call me Nicholas.” He thinks his fins’ frantic wiggling gives away how happy that would make him. “And, yeah, go ahead.”
Vash cups Wolfwood’s face, capturing his lips in a chaste kiss before pulling away. He quickly unbuttons his coat and drops it to the ground. He shucks off his pants and leaves them with his coat.
Wolfwood stares. This is what that damn coat had been hiding? Vash’s legs are long, his thighs meaty and defined. His pale skin is speckled with jagged scars. And sure he felt the man’s legs on him but seeing them is something else. He swallows back a mouthful of saliva.
Vash watches Wolfwood’s reaction as he fiddles with the hem of his black undershirt. Wolfwood meets his gaze and drops it to his shirt. Vash chuckles nervously.
“Yknow I was a worker on a large ship once.” Vash starts, “Got into a pretty nasty wreck, though, and this is the result.” He motions to his body and wiggles his metal fingers.
Wolfwood is sure humans have different opinions on scars, but to him? To go around with physical proof of surviving previous challenges is a sign of strength. He can’t help but blush, being presented with such a capable partner.
“Ya didn’t let that stop you, though?” Wolfwood says unsurely. He doesn’t know what Vash’s life was like back then, but he knows the man has been relatively fine on the water in the past several moons.
“I did, for a while.” Vash hums, “I avoided the ocean like the plague. But I don’t want to be scared forever.” He pulls his shirt over his head and drops it, revealing the tapestry of scar tissue on his torso.
“And here you are.” Wolfwood says, raking his eyes over Vash’s expanse of skin.
“Here I am.” He smiles and shucks off his underwear. “Wouldn’t have believed it if someone told me I’d be right here, holed up in the middle of the ocean, just a couple years after it all happened.”
Wolfwood reaches for Vash, cupping his face and bringing him in close. The press of their lips is salty, as expected, but sweet because it’s Vash he’s kissing.
“Everything I learn about ya makes it harder to resist.” Wolfwood goes back in for a chaste kiss. “Makes it easier to fall into ya, angel.”
“That's very sweet of you Nicholas,” Vash smiles, lightly brushing Wolfwood’s fins before pulling back. “You treat me real nicely, let me return the favor.” He shuffles up behind Wolfwood’s head. Vash leans back, nearly flush against the wall, his knees bracketing either side of Wolfwood’s face.
Wolfwood’s eyes widen. “This whatcha wanted to try?”
“Mhm.”
Wolfwood sucks in a breath. Vash’s flushed cock dangles just above him; long shaft curving upwards, a thin vein running along the underside, complete with a rosy, leaky tip. He has to cross his eyes to see Vash’s balls, hanging heavy and dotted with blond hairs. Vash’s thick heady scent rolls off him in waves. Wolfwood bites his lip, craning his head up just a bit for his nose to graze Vash’s balls. He distantly registers Vash’s soft gasp.
Wolfwood’s mouth falls open, tongue lolling as he lets out a throaty whine. He wants to flick his past self for being too damn stubborn, for all the time he wasted avoiding Vash—avoiding this .
Vash chuckles and runs his hands over the Mer’s fins and cheeks. He pats him twice. “If you want me to stop, just pat me like that alright?”
Wolfwood nods hurriedly. He reaches back, careful with his claws, as he grabs Vash’s plush ass and pulls him closer.
Vash leans over Wolfwood, bracing one arm on the Mer’s powerful body while the other guides his cock to his open mouth. He hisses as his length enters the wet heat, pushing until he’s flush with Wolfwood’s face. The Mer’s muffled trill sends a jolt of pleasure through him.
“Haah…ah..” Vash pulls out, letting his tip rest against plush lips before rocking back in. His cock glides along Wolfwood’s wiggly wet tongue, the appendage laving his shaft with each thrust in.
Wolfwood chokes and tries to swallow as Vash’s cock bumps the back of his throat. He tenses and inhales sharply.
“Relax your body, Nick.” Vash coos, hands roaming Wolfwood’s broad chest until his breaths even out. “You okay?”
Wolfwood hums and gives a small thumbs up.
“Can you suck your cheeks in for me?” Vash pats Wolfwood’s cheek, smiling when the Mer hollows them. “Good boy.”
Wolfwood’s tail fin slaps against the ground.
“Eheheh, you like that, huh?”
Wolfwood lets out a muffled whine and nods.
“Well it’s true, you’re so good for me Nick.”
Vash leans his full weight on Wolfwood’s body, his face hovering just above the Mer’s cunt. He tongues his clit, sucking the sensitive bud in his mouth.
“ Nngh ! mmn..” Wolfwood jolts, hips jumping off the nest. Vash presses him back down.
Vash mouths at his clit, suckling and grinding his tongue into the bud. He pulls off and sloppily kisses the tip. He flattens his tongue, licking a broad stripe to his dripping core. He folds his tongue inwards, lapping up the wetness like a man starved. Wolfwood twitches, claws pinching Vash’s ass and pulling a groan from the man.
Vash circles his tongue around his hole, moaning as sweet slick clings it. He flicks his tongue at it, relishing in the low moan Wolfwood lets out, and starts rocking his hips again.
Wolfwood groans around Vash’s cock, humming whenever the tip bumps his throat. He tastes so salty-sweet, precum and spittle pool in his mouth. He moans when a finger slips into his cunt, eyes rolling back as it pokes around and curls. The digit drags against his sweet spot, drawing muffled keens and trills out of him. With each thrust into his mouth Vash pushes his finger in, only to pull back out as his cock leaves his mouth.
Vash adds a second finger, the digit gets swallowed into his sopping cunt with ease. Warm lips wrap around his clit, suckling hard and grinding his tongue along the nub. More slick pours out of his core, urging Vash to give him more. He adds a third finger, they rub against the spongey patch that sets his body alight. Vash moans into his cunt everytime Wolfwood gropes his ass. Wolfwood breathes heavily under Vash’s hips, the man’s balls rub his broad nose with each thrust.
Vash feels so good in his mouth, so hot and heavy, deliciously salty, his curved tip catching on his tongue with each thrust. He loves it, loves Vash , and needs more. There’s a deep ache in his core accompanied by a burst of heat. Vash’s mouth feels so good, but he needs..
He needs-
He taps Vash’s thigh twice.
Vash lifts himself up and slips out of Wolfwood’s mouth.
“Vash..” Wolfwood gasps, one hand reaching for his folds to spread his pussy open. Vash’s zeros in on it. “Need you here, please.”
Vash grins. “Of course, Nick.” He straddles Wolfwood again, facing him this time, and drags his cock between Wolfwood’s folds. Groaning at the obscene wet sounds filling the air. Wolfwood lets out a sharp whistle, looking frustratedly up at Vash who only chuckles at him. He grabs Wolfwood’s hips and presses into his cunt.
A cool shudder wracks Wolfwood’s body as Vash enters him, his cock acting as a balm to his overheated eager body. Finally. A sense of belonging flows through him, pieces of himself firmly click together making him complete. He gives into his heat addled brain, letting out high whistles and clicks as Vash thrusts into him.
Electricity sparks through his core, zapping him each time Vash hits his sweet spot. He lets out a watery cry and reaches his arms out for Vash, for his mate . Vash sinks into his embrace, wrapping his arms around his Mer’s torso just above his dorsal fin. Wolfwood smooths his hands down Vash’s back. They press their lips together, Wolfwood can taste himself on Vash’s tongue. His own longer, slimier tongue wraps around Vash’s, the man returning the motion before pulling back. They pant into each other's mouths, each of Wolfwood’s breaths coming out as a whine or stuttery trill.
“You feel so good, Nick.” Vash pants, rutting into Wolfwood’s cunt which flutters at the praise, pulling a low groan out of Vash.
Wolfwood whimpers. Vash’s cock rubs deliciously along his walls, jolts of pleasure shoot through him with each thrust. He lets out full-throated moans when Vash angles at his sensitive spot. Hitting it directly instead of grazing it. Vash fucks into him like a man possessed, hips loudly slapping his underbelly.
“Fuck, Nick.” Vash kisses him sweetly, hips still pistoning and grinding deep into his core. “I’m so glad you‘re letting me spend the season with you.”
Wolfwood coos and squeezes Vash. He's more than glad about their arrangement. Never would he have thought he’d be beneath anyone like this, much less Vash . Such a radiant man rearranging his life and his guts. Reduced to primal instincts and pleasure as he pounds Wolfwood’s cunt. Driving his cock into him faster and faster. His rhythm slips, going from hard thrusts to deep grinds and back again, letting out gutters moans all the while. Wolfwood feels a coil settle hotly in his belly. Winding tighter and ready to snap.
Vash nuzzles their cheeks together. “I love you Nick.”
Wolfwood keens. He clings to Vash as he lets out a series of moans and trills. His abdomen clenches almost painfully as his cunt spasms, slick gushing around Vash’s cock. His orgasm crashes over him like a stormy wave, hard pressure swishing him through the current, tinged with pure ecstasy.
“Fuck, Nick! Haahh !”
A sudden heat floods his cunt, thick fluid coating his walls. Vash ruts deeply into him as he floods his insides, claiming him from the inside. Wolfwood whines at the thought of being Vash’s, at Vash being his . His mind is fuzzy, he’s barely present when Vash pulls out, their combined fluids spilling out with him.
Fuck he’s never felt so good.
When he comes to, Vash is slumped on his chest, caressing his face. He coos and leans into the touch. He rubs small circles into Vash’s back. They lay together, gross and sticky yet satisfied and sleepy. Wolfwood feels the excess heat seep out of him, the crisp cool air flows over him.
…Crisp? Cool?
He looks around the cave. The sunlight has faded, plunging the cave mostly in the dark. Dim moonlight spills onto them, Wolfwood sees how beautiful Vash looks in the low light; Droopy eyes shut, his cheeks squished against Wolfwood’s chest. His arms are wrapped loosely around his neck. Wolfwood pokes Vash’s beauty mark.
“Spikey, wake up. It’s moonrise.”
“Mmm..‘s pretty late..” Vash mumbles.
“Don’tcha hafta head home now?” Wolfwood tries to keep the dejection out of his voice. He's lucky Vash’s night vision is poor, otherwise he’d see his fins droop sadly.
“D’ya want me to?” Vash asks sleepily. He makes no move to get up.
Warmth blooms in Wolfwood’s chest. He wants nothing more than to spend the night with Vash. The man doesn’t seem ready to leave either. Still, just to be sure.
“It gets cold out here, well for a human I’d imagine it is.” Wolfwood mumbles, shuffling onto his side while holding Vash.
“Mm…you’ll keep me warm, right?” Vash nuzzles into him, Wolfwood nuzzles back and wraps his arms and tail around his mate.
“Yeah,” Wolfwood whispers, affection bleeding into his voice. “I’ll be right here with ya.” Vash hums in content, lazily kissing Wolfwood’s cheek before falling asleep.
Wolfwood watches the slow rise and fall of Vash’s chest for a bit longer. A purr rumbles from his chest as he pulls Vash in closer and lets sleep wash over him.