fishiefishieluvr

[fishiefishieluvr]

hiya! this is my first contribution to the fandom… i used inspiration from the song daddy was a sailor by marina diamandis. if you wanna give it a listen, here is a link! i recommend listening during the read! the reader’s backstory is entirely based off this song… well. at least waaaayyyy in the past.

i used myself a bit for inspiration because i have a sea creature tattoo t_t

there’s no warnings aside from slight angst and mentions of brief injuries. rafayel continues being a shithead in the fic… i wanted to depict his lemurian form accurately so i tried to utilize good interpretations of mermen and mermaids lmao. this is just a mere interpretation of what could’ve happened! afab reader so she/her pronouns!

word count: 2.3k

🪸

would she, could she, be home when the stars came out to party?

His fuschia gaze darts to her petite, bony shoulders. Wearing a t-shirt in 90 degree weather… What is wrong with this woman… And thus, he feels compelled to point it out. Rafayel was never one to bite his tongue. He’ll state what needs to be said, regardless of what it pertains to.

“Aren’t you brave, huh? Wearing a t-shirt, risking the idea of getting a farmer’s tan…” He clicks his tongue and smirks as he sees the glare etched into her eyes.

Y/N playfully sticks her tongue out, rolling her eyes. Her fingers tug at the hem of her thin shirt, yanking it off of her form. A tight charcoal hued bikini hugs her features.

Almost immediately, Rafayel’s gaze flitters over the curvature of her waist — right over the tattooed flesh. His jaw goes slack when he sees precisely what it is. A seahorse, an inadequately drawn one, at that.

His head pangs as his jaw is clenched tightly. As much as he wants to desperately think that now is not the time to reminisce, the memory still is etched into his mind.

🐠

The morning rays of sun were tortuous on Rafayel’s scales, drying out the cool flickers of fuschia pink and turquoise blue. Webbed hands curled around the sand, wincing as the burning sand sizzled into his scaled skin. His gaze travels down, eyes widening as he peers at the new burn wounds. Rafayel doesn’t want to call out for help, as his heartbeat is pounding in his ears at the mere idea of entrusting a human to help him return to the seas.

But it’s futile. The Lumerian boy will certainly perish if his wounds persist without aid.

So, he swallows his pride. His jaw is clenched tightly, the pang of his wounds and dried out scales aches throughout his entire body.

“Heeeeh…” Rafayel shakes his head. God, that was a pathetic sound, his voice cracking as he called out hoarsely. “Help, please..” It’s a quiet plea, hardly even audible.

His vision is fading in and out, only seeing the blurriness of the sand and the sunlight shimmering down onto the beach. The Lemurian boy hardly even notices the approaching silhouette.

“Oh my goodness! Are you a-alright?” It’s a feminine voice. He can hardly even see straight, but he feels the sensation of… Softness beneath him. A guttural groan slips past his cracked lips.

Rafayel hears the noises of shuffling, then nails… Tapping along something metallic? Before he even knows it, the cool metal is brought to his lips, water spilling down his throat. It feels… Peculiar, this isn’t the same water of the sea. The lack of saltiness sends a shiver down his spine. Then, the freezing water hits his tail and abdomen. He harshly flinches and winces.

That’s when his vision returns to normal, his head cradling upwards. His fuschia and sea blue eyes widened. It’s… A human. Not like any of the other humans he’s seen. Her shimmering (hair color) hair shines beautifully underneath the morning sun, lips parted revealing the loss of her front tooth. She has to be around his age, young… No older than 11 years of age. And, that’s not even the worst part… His head is cradled upon her thighs.

The Lemurian boy sharply pries himself away, stumbling back as his tail flips around with the movement. Humans aren’t to be trusted, not after the torture they thrusted upon Lemurians. He’s heard all different types of horror stories from his people…

He holds up his injured webbed hand, his claws out and ready if needed. “Get… Away from me. You’re a human. I won’t accept your help. Your kind slaughters my people mercilessly. How am I to expect you to be any different?”

The girl’s eyes widen, her features shifting into an expression of brief panic. Her hands wildly flail in the air. “I-I don’t want to hurt you! I.. Need to wrap that, uh… Hand of yours. You have to trust me. Please, I’ll do anything for you to believe me..” Her shoulders sink, a frown creasing upon her lips.

Rafayel’s eyes narrowed into slits. As much as he wants to believe her… The things he’s heard echoes throughout his mind. He shakes his head, his lilac tresses slightly swaying. “Swear it.” It comes out as a hiss, face contorting into one of firm seriousness.

“I swear on everything I love. Now..” She shifts forward, rummaging through her bag, pulling out some wraps of gauze. “Let me see that, uhhh..” Her gaze lingers down. Can these… Be considered hands? Webbed fingers and all?

He rolls his eyes, letting out a pfft. “You humans are so stupid. Lemurians have hands too. Don’t be dumb.”

The girl lingers forward, delicately taking his hand within her own. Despite being the same age, his hands… Are larger than hers. “Lemurian?” Her head tilts to the side. “I…. Thought you were a merman.”

Rafayel feigns offense, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he lets out a gasp. “The audacity of this girl. We are, very much, different from mermaids and mermen.” He lets out a contented sigh as the gauze wraps around his palm.

Her expression shifts into one of… Guilt? Shame? He can’t quite put a word on it. “S-sorry… Good, your hand is all wrapped up.” She clasped her hand over it briefly, Rafayel’s heart skipping a beat at the intimacy of it. “I dunno much about Lemurians. But my mama is a mermaid. Well… Turned into one.” She shakes her thoughts away. “Anyways! I should probably introduce myself. I’m Y/N.”

“Rafayel. And do tell me more about this… Mermaid mother of yours.” His eyebrows are knitted together in curiosity. This all sounds so incredibly… Unreal. There’s no way her mother is a mermaid, right?

She bites down on her bottom lip, contemplating on explaining. Y/N’s gaze seems to blossom into one of pain. “My grandma said she died, but my aunt — who took me in… She said she turned into a mermaid when she got really sick. I don’t know what to believe, but I don’t think my aunt would lie to me. I like to think my dad is searching the seas for her, and that explains why he’s away all the time on a ship.”

Rafayel’s heart clenches in his chest. He knows the truth, but he can’t bring himself to hurt her further. Even if they had just met mere minutes ago. He’s not exactly the type of Lemurian to crush someone’s fantasy that helps them sleep at night. “I haven’t seen her down near where I live. I mean… That’s assuming she looks anything like you, like I’d imagine.”

Y/N’s eyes soften, her cheeks tugged into a grin. “I’m sure she’s off being mysterious somewhere in the deep ocean. And yeah, I’ve been told that I look like her.” Her hands retreat downwards further into her lap, her gaze lingering on the glistening scales adorning his tail.

He notices this, playfully rolling his eyes. He might as well lighten the mood. Well, at least attempt to. “Wanna draw a picture of me while you’re at it? I can guarantee you I’ll outdo you in that regard. My mother taught me the refined arts at a young age.” Rafayel smirks, revealing his pearly white teeth.

Her face flushes red in humiliation. Immediately, she breaks her gaze away from him. This seems to make Rafayel pout a bit in disappointment. “I-I’m sorry… Are, uhmm, all Lemurians artistic? I wanna know more about you and your people..”

Rafayel shifts, gnawing at his inner cheek. He’s having an internal debate with himself. As much as he’d typically deny it, he desperately wants to feel her skin brushing along his scales. “Most of us, yes. I happen to be exceptionally gifted of my kind, though. A prodigy, if you will.” He acts on his better judgement, his webbed hand gently wrapping around her palm. “C’mon… I know you’re curious. I’ll play nice and indulge, I won't bite… Hard.”

“R-Rafayel!” She squeaks as he brings her fingertips to his scales. Her mouth is hung open, the pads of her fingers brushing along the scales. They’re softer than she expected… Almost silk-like, smooth to its very essence. “So you’re an artist…? I always wished I was creative like that.”

Rafayel lets his head fall back, a pleased hum vibrating in his throat as her fingers caress his scales. “All of us are talented in our own, unique and independent ways. I happen to be very talented at art. My mother taught me at a young age. I scavenge for stuff for my paints at the bottom of the sea. I’ll have to show you sometime.”

Y/N’s heart swells within her chest at this, giddy at the thought of seeing his art firsthand. “I’d be honored, Rafayel. I’d love to learn how to properly draw. I’ll be pretty lousy at first… I think I wanna draw my favorite sea animal..”

He quirks up a brow, feeling her soft, tiny hands still graze along his tail. “What’s your favorite sea animal, then?” Rafayel’s head tilts to the side, his interest piqued.

She hesitates for a moment. Her hand freezes its movements on his tail. “Seahorse. I just think they’re cute… And it’s especially adorable how the male seahorses carry the babies. I like…” Her cheeks are tinted an adorable pink hue, and this only makes Rafayel’s heartbeat quicken. “I like how they mate for life. I’ve always been a sucker for true love.”

Rafayel feels… Scorching hot. And it’s not because of the sweltering, morning sun. He shakes his head as the air runs through his lilac tresses. “Alright, you’ve had your curiosity with me. Now is my time.” Rafayel states. It’s not like he’s entirely unaware, he’s seen many humans before… But he’s taking this as an opportunity. The lavender haired Lemurian gently peels her hand away, raising her fingertips to brush along his cheek briefly. The sensation of her touch running along his scales is almost too intoxicating. Rafayel allows her fingers to brush over his lips. His breath tickles her skin as a contented sigh slips past his lips.

“I’ll show you a seahorse in person. You can come, see my homeland for yourself. We’ll find a pair of mates, and you’ll be mesmerized not only by the beauty of where I live, but by my dashing good looks also.” He murmurs against her skin, noticing the slight tremor in her hands. “And I’ll teach you to paint, to create, with these small, pathetic human hands of yours.” Rafayel playfully snickers.

Her eyes narrow and she flicks him on the cheek, which causes him to whimper. “You ruined the moment. Are all Lemurians this rude?” Y/N mocks him, grinning widely at him.

Rafayel doesn’t seem to be too impressed with that, crossing his arms over his chest. “Only when an irritatingly kind human stumbles across them.”

“Y/N! Where are you, my dear? Have you gone to secure some seashells?” The sound of an old lady’s voice calling out causes Y/N to harshly flinch. She scrambles back, her hand reaching for her leather backpack.

Her eyes are wide and she wraps her arms around Rafayel’s neck. “I have to go. And you should too. My grandmother can’t see us, can’t see you. I’ll be back at dawn this time tomorrow. I hope you get home safely…” A warm, tender smile crosses her lips.

Rafayel’s hand reaches upwards, his clawed fingers scratching against her scalp. Her hair is so delicately soft.. He wonders if it’ll maintain its softness under the sea. “You better make it tomorrow. I’m looking forward to that, y’know?” As she pulls away, her feet wobble into the sand. Y/N brings her index and middle fingers to her lips, kissing them and holding her fingers in the air as she pulls away.

And with that, she grins toothily, giving him one final glance before she darts off. Rafayel’s heart sinks in his chest slightly at her farewell. He yearns for her fingers to instead be his, to feel the sensation of her lips on his scaled flesh. His body staggers slightly as he retreats into the sea, his tail flailing in the air.

As he swims away, gliding through the bright water, he grins. Rafayel has decided — when he arrives home, he’ll paint a small portrait of the image of her in his quarters back home. His heart races in his chest as he wonders precisely what tomorrow will entail.

The same heart that has already set its sights on her. She will forever be etched into his memory, his heart belonging to her the moment her gentle hands caressed his scaled skin. And just like her beloved seahorses, he plans to do precisely the same. After all, who isn’t fond of a story of true love? It always prevails until the very end.

🌊

“Are you going to catch up, Raf? The water is going to be cold by the time we get there!” Her voice shouting out is enough to bring him back to reality. Y/N turns, flashing him a grin, and it’s exactly the same as the one he had once seen before. Except, obviously, this time all her teeth are intact. Adult ones, at least.

Rafayel snorts, jogging behind her. “Last one to the ocean is a shriveled shrimp!” His hand reaches over, fingertips gliding over her inked flesh. “Maybe we’ll find a seahorse in the water?” His brow quirks up, yanking her gingerly into his bare chest.

Y/N gasps, looking up at him with widened eyes. “If only! I always loved them.”

I know you have, cutie. Rafayel thinks to himself, his lips tugged into a wide grin.

[fishiefishieluvr]

new to the lads fandom…. am planning to upload a super cute rafayel x reader i have been writing ;)