#Merskeleton

[maskedmayhem14]

Remember these babies I designed?

Well… I’m working on a thing… 👀

(Under the Sea cover by VoctaveSings)

[solusminds]

Some Mer designs

[dinofelissnow1985]

I just finished my seventh and final part of my take on this year's Mermay Bingo. This will be a special treat. Have a taste.

"I thought, i trained you better, X," the land dweller condescended and Cross turned his face away. "I tried to protect my friend and took the risk of getting injured willingly, doctor."

Killer bristled. Why allowed Cross this land scum to treat him like that.

Killer took a deep breath and tried to analyze the situation. The land skeleton that was called 'doctor' by Cross, called him X and they seemed to know each other, even if not in a good way.

@skumhuu

[lemurcat]

Kustard Week: The Little Mermaid

[snowy-bones]

it’s baby kraken hours!!!

[a-chaotically-small-lunta]

Ah yes Mermay. Making your fav characters, yourself, and OCs into Mers. Cause why not

[ilexlio]

[aceutfox]

[velvetwyrme]

doozi's undertale fic recs round THREE

As requested, here are EVEN MORE FIC RECS. This round is mostly reader inserts, with a dash of platonic and non-reader fics at the end.

As usual, this is really really long, so take your time and enjoy! Some of them are uhhhh, pretty spicy, so please make sure to check the warnings and tags and act accordingly.

Please tread carefully while reading, check tags, take breaks, drink water and HAVE FUN <3

The STATUS of each fic is labelled as such: Finished, Ongoing/Unfinished, Discontinued. (Unless the author specified that the fic is Discontinued, on Indefinite Hiatus, or otherwise abandoned the work, I will mark it as Ongoing/Unfinished. Oneshots are also marked as such.)

Spicy (Explicit) and/or Dark fics have also been labelled if relevant. (I won’t mark ones with just suggestive themes/moments, since I cant guarantee I’ll catch all of them. Similarly, unless there is consistent graphic death, gore, or otherwise prevalent upsetting topics, I [probably] won’t mark it as dark.)

MULTICHAPTERS

Ghost Hunting With Skeletons - Various/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

ONE OF THE FICS OF ALL TIME!!!

Go "ghost hunting" with Cash while looking for machine parts! Become Sans' weird coworker! Lie and keep secrets with Red! Get tangled up with a mysterious shadowy figure who spontaneously spawns in your house- wait, what was that last one?

Tilikum - Various Sanses/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

I'm sure everyone and their dog knows of this fic by now but listen. If you haven't read this, somehow, please do yourself a favour and read this immediately.

I love mer fics and I especially love CEPHALOPOD SIRENS. (Blue and Red are very good in this fic but SKULL!!!! MY PRECIOUS BOY!!)

The Mirror Bay Depths - Various Sanses/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

And speaking of MER FIC- if you like merskeletons, mysteries, manipulation and mmmmmmmmmm...magical workarounds for linguistic difficulties (i made the alliteration work, see?) Then you'll LOVE this fic!

Dive into The Mirror Bay Depths and get charmed by a buncha mers! It's super cute and also has a serious undertone of "UH OH" once the mystery begins to come to light.

Got Crabs? - Underfell!Sans/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Got crabs????? Hilarious soulmate AU where you and have some of the stupidest words written on each other's bodies and it all goes GREAT.

You do in fact, got crabs.

It's Just A Game - Sans/Reader - Finished

CYOAs my beloved. This was recced to me recently and I got caught up with all the new updates and it's sooooo good auugugjhfkgh,, I love existential crises and weird metafiction.

cat ~/.zsh_history - Sans/Reader - Finished

If you enjoyed It's Just A Game, or other fics like it, you'll probably like this too!!!! Player-character reality simulation existential angst all wrapped up into a neat little fic <3333 It feels like a weight on my heart.

The Understudy - Sans/Reader - Finished

THE anti-harem fic. As in, THE anti-harem fic that inspired the structure of every other anti-harem fic. It's a piece of fantastic storytelling and is a literal pioneer of a genre.

It was a fic that was intended to flip a genre on it's head, and it's fascinating to me that it became a genre of its own. Splendidly written and is the cause of 99% of my confusion during my return to the fandom because all of a sudden there were a buncha anti-harems and I was like WTF ARE THESE jkdhfgkjdfk,,

I went into it intending to find out the history behind anti-harems, and then got sucked in completely. You can guess the general premise, but MAN does plot hit hard!!!!!!

And speaking of anti-harems...

The Eye of a Judge - Various, Swapfell!Papyrus/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

[Warning: Contains Dark/Heavy Themes]

What if anti-harem fic, except the terrible GF was EVEN MORE terrible. Really really fun concept with what happens to the reader, and oh so fucked up just in general. Make sure to check the tags on this one.

The Faults in Our Souls - W.D. Gaster/Reader - Finished

This fic is super sweet, the reader falls into the Underground and gets taken in by Gaster and his two boys, eventually falling in love and becoming a parental figure for the skelebros. But then the incident with the core happens...

Pros & Cons - Sans/Reader - Finished/Series

[Warning: Contains Explicit Content.]

I try not to put too much NSFW in the lists on this blog but uhhhh *looks at the rest of the list* it's fine. I like these fics too much not to add them.

This one in particular is AMAZING and really funny to boot. The reader wakes up after a one night stand with very few memories of the night before and debates the pros and cons of checking who they slept with thsjfbbfkfbk

The fic right after is ALSO hilarious because it gives so much more context and life to the world I love it dearly. Also the smut is great but yknow gbflgbkf I'm TRYING to keep this relatively SFW

Eau de résistance - Underfell!Sans/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

[Warning: Contains Dark/Heavy Themes]

Underfell flavoured slave AU which gets really, really complicated emotions-wise. It's one of the few UT fics I still keep up with pretty actively atm, and it's because the mystery has me hooked. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

Other than the obvious premise, it gets into some darker topics, so if you're sensitive to that sorta stuff, please read the tags and tread carefully if you decide to read! Otherwise, enjoy!

The Party Incident and Other Embarrassing Anecdotes - Sans/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

[Warning: Contains Explicit Content.]

Takes a deep breath. Ok so, I debated adding this fic. Not because I don't like it, but because I haven't actual read this in years, so I don't know how it stands up to the test of time.

I don't usually like adding fics that I can't certifiably recommend, but I also feel like if you haven't read this, you haven't Really experienced Undertale reader inserts. It's like. a classic.

I still remember vividly cringing from secondhand embarrassment SO many times while reading BUT I wouldn't trade in that experience for anything- I fucking loved this fic. It was wonderful and terrible and so incredibly fun, and honestly I kinda don't want to reread it so I can keep it in the shiny veneer of nostalgia forever.

Smells Like Chalk and a Cockatoo - Sans/Reader - Finished

[Warning: Contains Explicit Content.]

Uhhhh, I don't actually have a good segue for this, but this one also has really complicated relationships. There is a happy ending! It's a fucking rollercoaster to get there though.

It's kinda in the same vein as The Party Incident for me, I consider it a classic, and it's also... very 2016/17. Take that how you will. I don't know if I'd recommend this fic, but I definitely think you should read it, if you know what I mean. I'm VERY fond of it despite my extremely conflicted emotions. It's definitely not for everyone though.

Oh, also it has the most fucked up form of skeleton reproduction ever <3 That's okay though, because it results in one of my favourite fankids ever. I'm love my boyyy Impact ;w;!!!!

Bonetrast - Papyrus/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

The reader in this is terrible and I'm fascinated. I like reading about characters being antagonistic towards each other sometimes, so I really enjoyed this and I wanna see where the author takes this. Make sure to read the tags.

A Drink That Hits Right In the Bones - Various/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

This one... the reader in this kinda sucks too jhsfjkdf but in a different way. Once again fascinating as hell!!! Drunk, gay, in denial and homophobic, this reader is NOT having a great time.

I, however, reading it, am having a fantastic time!

breakfast combo - Sans/Reader - Finished

Veryyyyyy cute! The reader gets bothered about their crush on Sans by UF!Sans. Love the banter. Oneshot turned twoshot, it's a nice little read :D

Penned to you - Horrortale!Sans/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Penpals!!! I'm loving this so far <3 Horrortale Pap and the reader become penpals and subsequently friends. Sans is... around, probably not being spooky and weird. I'm excited to see where this one goes >:00

Grounding Your Ego - Underfell!Papyrus/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Soulmate AU again!!! The reader has a set of REALLY terrible words written around their neck, and... they're mute. :]

ALSO the little snippets of world building are so delicious and have stuck in my mind like the- wait fuck I just realised the title is a pun what the fuck how'd I miss that before- LIKE THE GROUNDS IN PAPYRUS' COFFEE.

The Sacrificial Skeleton and the Labyrinth of Gods - Various/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

[Warning: Contains Explicit Content.]

:] *points vigourously at the warning* The smut is a pretty ingrained part once it gets to it, but I couldn't NOT add this fic.

Anyway I'm a little obsessed with this fic. There's a skeleton reader, who's a necromancer! The skeletons are thought to be gods, but actually they got isekai'd! It's a WILD RIDE and it's surprisingly good??? It feels like one of those webtoons or manga that you look at the cover/summary for and go *??????* at, but then you start reading it and go "OH, THIS IS REALLY FUN ACTUALLY."

There's pretty intense language barriers between the skeletons and the reader for a lot of the fic, but I love that sorta stuff, so that just makes it better for me lol. I adore the dynamics between the characters, they feel so diametrically opposed sometimes it's great.

Nothing to see here. - Various/Reader, Various Sanscest - Ongoing/Unfinished

Oh this one!!! Should probably actually go under misc but it's okay. This fic asks the question of: What if there was a MASSIVE multiversal mashup and some of the residents shared an apartment building where they now live completely normal domestic lives?

It's got /Reader stuff as well as a fun selection of Sanscest and platonic roommate content, and each chapter is semi-self contained and really fun.

Magic Bitty Bits™ - Various/Reader, Various Sanscest - Ongoing/Unfinished

Another one that should technically be under misc. I love bitty fics... and I love really fucked up shit happening to characters <3 Take are to note the warnings at the beginning of chapters, but hhrhghh I'm on the edge of my seat every time something happens/is revealed. LIKE WHAT!! WHAT!!!!!!! AHH-

The Monster Who Will Always Wait - Nightmare!Sans - Finished

Small kraken mer becomes BIG KRAKEN MER!!!!!! Leviathan sized drama, with some sweet romance. I followed this one from the day it was posted to the day it finished and I loved every second.

Dire Wolf - Horror!Swapfell!Skelebros/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

You get two new coworkers, who have some unusual habits surrounding food, leading you to make them lunch!! As you grow closer, their histories and rivalries come to light. It's hella good and I love the character dynamics.

Uncomfortably Similar Situations - Horrortale!Sans/Reader - Finished

Horrortale!Sans brings you home like one would a starving stray cat. There are ups and downs but everything turns out alright :]!!

The Sound of the Sea - Underfell!Sans/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

More mer content!!! But Underfell Sans this time ! There are only 3 chapters so far and it has me wanting more!! I love this so much...

Sweet Deceptions - Swapfell!Papyrus/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Fake dating!!!!! What more can I say ;D Well, I can say a lot more, like how fantastic this fic is with the escalation of the fake relationship, but I'll leave yall to find that out for yourselves :]

Dream Catcher, Nightmare Snatcher - Nightmare!Sans - Ongoing/Unfinished

HRHHGH Nightmare gets stuck in a Venom-esque situation with you, and you both suffer the consequences. You're both menaces to each other in this, it's great.

Coffee and Chaos - Underfell!Skelebros/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Reader ends up inheriting their mom's tenants, a pair of skeleton brothers. It's a nice slice of life!! Also, he/they reader ftw \o/!!

Canids love bones - Bad Sanses/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

In this, the reader is a monster with a really fluffy tail and a tragic past. They just keep getting bothered by these skeleton dudes and eventually end up joining them. Fun read! I like monster readers.

Train Station Blues - Mafiafell!Sans/Reader - Discontinued

Sadly discontinued :( Still a really solid fic and an enjoyable read!!! I adore the 1920s as a setting...

What is This, A Hallmark Movie? - Underswap!Papyrus/Reader - Finished

Christmas fic!! The reader does not like Christmas, and Stretch tries his best to get them to enjoy it regardless. It doesn't work out too well... but everything is alright in the end. I loved Stretch's determination jkfdhgkjdfg hes trying so hard...

Story of the perfect vessel - Various Sanses/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Really interesting premise!!! You're a parasite that took over this dying human's body and are now puppeteering it around. Then you meet a buncha skeletons, but you're still a parasite with no sense of what being human is like!! Love me some weird concepts.

America's Unluckiest (Luckiest) Almost-Astronomer - Various/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Yaayyyy! You get isekai'd into a hot mess of a universe, brimming with skeletons, skeletons and more skeletons! There's some weird stuff going on, but surely it'll be fine.

All is Fair in Love and Prank Wars - Sans/Reader - Finished

Hey! Another 2016 fic! The reader starts a prank war with Sans. Gets angsty but everything gets better in the end. I really enjoyed it :> Reader is named in this, but for some reason that didn't bother me like it usually does lol

Mr. Fear - Underfell!Papyrus/Reader - Finished

This is an interesting one. It's set in a mashup of various AUs (e.g. Swapfell Alphys and Underfell Papyrus) but not in like. a multiversal machine malfunction sorta deal. Anyway, it's got a fun plot and I really enjoyed it :]

Cheshire Kitten - Underswap!Skelebros/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

The reader is a shapeshifter who prefers to be a cat! (Mood) And they use that to deal with problems large and small. It's real sweet and makes me also want to be able to turn into a shapeshifting cat.

it's just me and an overly enthusiastic skeleton; trying to solve a murder. - Underswap!Sans/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

Ah, I love ridiculously long titles. Saves me time. The title also acts as a summary, and it's really fun!! Monster murders must be horrible to make a case for, since you can't inspect the body for evidence...

Ship of bones - Various/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

PIRATES!!!!! I love the action and drama in this one, it's so fun! Also features a lot of scary skeletons. I loved reading about the reader giving them the slip >:3c!!

A Sea of Hope - Various/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

MORE pirates!! This one features a skeleton reader <33 I love the backstory and lore... also the reader is so teeny compared to Axe :DDD

You Know Where To Find Me - Papyrus/Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

I am so invested in this premise (Papyrus is the mascot of monsterkind and you are his assistant) and both of you are tired after having a string of terrible employers/employees kjhkjdfg,, I'm so excited to see where this goes, it's been fun so far.

=========================

ONESHOTS

Seeing Double - Swapfell!Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

Twin shenanigans. TWIN SHENANIGANS AT COFFEE SHOPS! I can't say more without spoiling things so just go read it!!! Reader(s) are named but moreso for Twin purposes.

Somethin' Special - Underswap!Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

More coffee shop AU! Very cute. SO cute. They're both awkward and silly and its SO sweet.

Daguerreologue - Sans/Reader, Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot/Series

Actually a oneshot that's part of a series, but I just liked this one the most (you should also go read the rest of the series, it's really good too!!!)

Feels like a little snapshot of a soft, warm life, worn by time. It's just a really nice fic! Good for feelin fuzzy inside.

Looking for Something - Sans/Reader - Oneshot

The reader loves to people watch, and draw the people they see. Some of which, are monsters ;)! Superrrrrrrrrr cute. Suuuuuuuuuper super cute.

FIGHT ME!! - Sans/Reader - Oneshot

Not to be mistaken for Fight Me! by MsMK or Fight Me! by Little_old_lady (both of which are very good!!!!!!!) This fic DOES however use the same basic premise/prompt except with Sans as the nurse and it's SIMILARLY fantastic. I love nurse Sans in this.

If yall know of more UT fics with this title/concept please tell me so I can make this stupid joke a third time.

Dates are dumb - Sans/Reader - Oneshot

Sans has a really bad blind date, but his server comes to the rescue!! Really cute!

This was supposed to be smut, idk what happened. - Swapfell!Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

As the title says, notably not smut. Sexy and very charged? Absolutely.

It's a soulmate AU where the reader is a mob boss making a trade of sorts with their rival, Sans. He shows off the goods before the trade is accepted.

Light of My Life - Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

Very sweet!! The reader has magic that allows them to hear magic, and they let Papyrus listen in.

and i will love you on purpose - Horrortale!Sans/Reader - Oneshot

As you've probably noticed, 99% of the oneshots I rec here are super cute, and this is no exception djkfgkjgfh 5+1 of kissing Horror, it's bitesized and adorable.

Stargazing - Sans/Reader - Oneshot

A little slice of happiness set before the barrier went up. Sans and the reader are kids and it's very very sweet.

It's Raining Right Here (They/Them Edition) - Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

Veryyyy cute snapshot of romance with Papyrus <3!!!!

General Misconception - Megalosomnia!Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

I love the Megalosomnia AU and I also love Papyrus. This has both :] I won't spoil things, but General just wants to be helpful :))

And speaking of Megalosomnia...

Delirious - Megalosomnia - Dr. Baggs/Reader - Oneshot

[Warning: Contains Explicit Content.]

>:3c I usually try avoid too much explicit content for these lists but listennnnnnnn I love good and fun characterisation MORE than any conviction I have to that, plus I've broken that rule already.

Anyway senseless justification aside, I freakin loveeeee how much characterisation gets packed in here, it's delicious!! You get to know so much about the dynamics and workings of the relationships in this universe it's great.

Relearning - Ink!Sans/Reader - Oneshot

The reader breaks her arm and has to relearn how to draw. Cue Ink! It's really sweet!!

Turn The Page - Swapfell!Skelebros/Reader - Oneshot

This one is actually part of a series but I just really like this one hjsdfgjhf,, I love festivals and markets!! The reader is so awkward and jumpy and I'm like. ah. a kindred spirit.

Meet Cute Oneshots - Various - Oneshot/Series

Cheating again by linking a series. As the title implies, it's a bunch of meet cutes!! My favorites (as of writing) are the second, fourth and fifth in the series ^^!!

the thing about axe - Horrortale!Sans/Reader - Oneshot

You go for a nice walk in the woods with Axe :) I love how it this one plays with emotions and atmosphere for the audience, because the reader (character) is mostly oblivious to Axe's history.

hottie hotline - Underfell!Sans/Reader - Oneshot

Really sweet and funny. Red gets stuck in an elevator. THE FUCKING ENDING GOT ME. HRHFKFJFKDNDK

A Conversation Starter - Swapfell!Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

First times for both of them! A snapshot of these two stumbling through a conversation with a human/monster for the first time. It's adorable.

Soulmate of the Century - Nightmare!Sans/Reader - Oneshot

Soulmate AU where you can't harm your soulmate. You really just wanted some ramen, man.

Kabedon - Swapfell!Sans/Reader - Oneshot

Kabedon the skeleton!!! Razzy doesn't get the appeal, so you explain it to him ;))

Cuddles of Doom - Underfell!Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

DOOMYYYYY!!! I love the dialogue here. Doomy is the most precious kitty ever and Papyrus is very cute.

Café - Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

Short and sweet!! (Lightly) tsundere Papyrus is very cute dfjkghkfjg <3

A Blue Valentine - Underswap!Sans/Reader - Oneshot

It's Valentines, and you're crushin'~ Both of them are soooooooo sweet in this.

You'd Be Goo Where You Stand - Sans/Reader - Oneshot

True to the title I am goo where I stand. I'm all gooey and gushy it's so cuteeeeeeeeeeeeee. THEY'RE MARRIIIIIEDDDD,,,,, and there's a sequel??? SO cute.

First Meeting - Underfell!Papyrus/Reader - Oneshot

UF!Papyrus is a very worried parent and the reader is sweet as hell. I just think there's also something really funny about Papyrus calling Frisk a SLIPPERY SNAKE jkdhfjghfdg

=========================

MISC. / OTHER

Full Deck - ? - Ongoing/Unfinished

Hysterical flip of every reader insert ever written. Can be simply summed up as "skeletons desperately dodging various reader's advances", but that is nowhere near close to describing this fic. It's really funny, and if you haven't read it, you should.

Not quite a /reader, so it goes here lolol. The reader is more something that happens to the skeletons.

No fin new about it - Bad Sanses||Nightmare's Gang&Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

SUBNAUTICA AU!! With timeline fuckery! I just like big mer skeletons. And Subnautica. It's a real fun time.

Bits Of Spaghetti - Various&Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

This fic treats bitties in a really interesting way!! Veryyy cool origins, and very interesting dynamics between characters. Reader is an old man, and he just kinda wants to make puppets and dolls and have a nice quiet life. Unfortunately, skeletons.

Don't give up, Y/n! - Various&Reader - Ongoing/Unfinished

[Warning: Contains Dark/Heavy Themes]

I do not have any kids but this fic makes me feel like a worried parent. It also makes me feel like I need to smoke an entire pack of cigarettes. It's great, really. Just makes me so stressed. They're just a kid... definitely heed the tags for this one.

Down The Mountain, Under The Door - Underswap!Papyrus&Reader - Oneshot

Monsters are giant sized !! Or humans are tiny. Either way, Underswap Papyrus comforts the reader after accidentally spooking them pretty badly. I love myself some good ol' unintentional fearplay and intentional comfort.

The Bucket List - Various&Reader - Finished

[Warning: Contains Dark/Heavy Themes]

Hoo boy. The reader creates a bucket list, intending to die at the end. It's story about depression and recovery and it's really really good.

Heart on the Table - Ongoing/Unfinished

MADE ME CRYYY,,, Sans and Pap end up taking care of Frisk and honestly just go read it it's very sweet and sad and good. Frisk is just a kid!!!!!! AHHH

Broken Bones (and Sticks and Stones) - Finished

CRIES!!!!!! You know Handplates AU. I know Handplates AU. Featuring: extremely complex familial feelings!!!! Papyrus has a kid, and she is the SWEETEST. Another of my favorite fankids!! FLORAAAAAA <33

This of course, with Gaster being Gaster in this AU, makes everything even more complicated. It's really good and made me cry. Please read it. Papyrus is the best mom.

Jamais Vu - Oneshot

HGH... this one is like a punch to the gut but in a really good way. Both because of the absolutely incredible writing and also because it was the first Undertale fic that this author has posted since 2017, and gave me a scare when I opened my email.

Letters to a Friend - Oneshot

Another by the same author, but from 2016. My HEART?????? The King Papyrus ending always hurts me so... hhhrhhhhghjkdf,,

OH, I WAS BEING SARCASTIC - Finished

[Warning: Contains Dark/Heavy Themes]

It's more Papyrus Angst! This is just going to happen every time I do one of these, probably.

He would never take a vacation for any reason...

Sonata - Finished

[Warning: Contains Dark/Heavy Themes]

More Papyrus Angst. Sometimes a melody can say more than words.

Broken Trust (Re-upload) - Finished

What's this!! Even more angst?! You bet! It's Swap flavoured this time though.

Sans is not actually a monster, and Papyrus is horrified when he finds out. Very very good and sad, with a happy ending. Paps is not great in this, but he comes around :( I really really love the concept of this fic, and I think it was executed really well.

I'm Feeling Fine, Kid - Finished

[Warning: Contains Dark/Heavy Themes]

Soooooooooooo fucked up but it's also like. one of the formative fics of my existence. I could've sworn this was in one of my other lists, but apparently not. Fucked me up big time back when I first read it sdjkhjhf, read this if you wanna hurt and then get tentatively put back together.

If you've read Flowey Is Not A Good Life Coach and you liked that, you might like this too. Lots of Papyrus Angst, but this one has even more Sans Angst!

Stones and a Glass House - Oneshot

[Warning: Contains Discussions of Explicit Content.]

Want a break from the sudden deluge of angst??? Try this, it's kinda a crackfic, and very funny.

Love when brothers get to tease each other mercilessly. They talk pretty candidly about explicit content, so heed the warning LMAO. Very very funny though.

=========================

SANSCEST/PAPCEST

AH SURPRISE! I didn't want to make a whole new list since I have way less of these on hand, but I also really wanted to recommend them lol. If this ain't your thing, then this list ends here -u-)b

fox in the coop - Sanscest (Dust/Horror/Crop) - Ongoing/Unfinished

Ouuuhhhhh I am so unwell over this fic. It hurts so good. Hidden identity bullshit to the max!! I don't even know where to begin with this one, but it's fantastic, go read the summary at least. Dust is so normal about everything. Totally.

Also, Dust gets chickens!!

Colors - Papcest (Spicyhoney || Underfell!Papyrus/Underswap!Papyrus) - Ongoing/Unfinished

Ahhhhh language barriers my beloved. Falling in love despite language barriers my beloved!!!

It's got some real good drama and lovely lovely writing. I love it a whole lot :]]

VILLAIN HOTLINE - Sanscest (Bad Sans Poly) - Ongoing/Unfinished

Bad Sans Chatfic. Wait wait wait hear me out!!! COME BACK. THERES AN ACTUAL STORY.

The chatfic parts are pretty fun, and the developing horror plot even more so! Universes and people are glitching, which spells a bad time for everyone!!!

You Have One (1) Unread Message - Sanscest (Bad Sans Poly) - Ongoing/Unfinished

Similar to the one above, this fic has a similar concept (crack chatfic that devolves into plot and horror)

Genuinely quite terrifying, even when viewed through Killer's strange apathetic POV (which is ALSO fascinating in it's own right).

Little (NOT LITTLE) Red Riding Hood - Papcest (Spicyhoney) - Finished

Really fun twist on Little Red Riding Hood!! Red also gets to wear a frilly nightcap and nightgown in this, which is a fun image.

So You Didn't Want to Marry a Mage - Papcest (Spicyhoney + BG. Mapleblossom) - Ongoing/Unfinished

Ahhh I love fics where a character gets to learn magic from another character... this one is hella cute!!! I love a lot of this author's works but this one in particular is one of my favourites :>

=========================

Did you have fun scrolling forever? I had fun putting this together.

There are a total of 90 fics here! I wanted to do 99 since it's the 999999999th anniversary of Undertale this year, but I'm tired so 90 will do. That's already so many. 90 in fact. Also my phone started to lag while scrolling so perhaps it's for the best.

If yall have any recs for ME, please drop them by my askbox, I (obviously) love reading jkshdgjkfh,,, I'm generally up for rereading stuff, so dw if you reckon I've read something before :]!!

Also, if you haven't already, you should check out my FIC REC MASTERLIST for previous (and future) fic rec lists (from me, specifically).

[g0nefischin]

MERSKELETONS

I did these three because I Immediately knew what I wanted their aquatic halves to be

Sans is a ocean sunfish, Red is a bull shark, and Killer is a orca

Ill put my explanation of why under the cut cause its a little long :')

So Sans is an ocean sunfish/Mola mola, if you've heard of them you probably know of their reputation of being incredibly weak. Younger ones sometimes just get chunks ripped out of them by dolphins or seals just for funsies, while putting up zero fight. They used to be thought to be some sort of megaplankton that just never moved unless the currents carried them. However, they actually do move around quite a bit! They can dive to depths around 660 ft and travel up to 16 miles daily. They've also been recorded to be able to make incredibly quick movements, like in one case leaping clean out of the water, which is impressive considering how giant they are.

I thought that they would be perfect for 1 hp easiest enemy in the game Sans, A "lazy" fish that is very good at what it does. they are also known to be very slow and enjoy sunbathing (that's how they got their name actually) so hay double points!

Red is a bullshark, mainly because of how aggressive they are. Bullsharks are very territorial leading them to attack anything that comes into their space, this makes them one of the more dangerous sharks for swimmers. Bullsharks are known to be a bit solitary only really coming together to mate, however some recent studies found that they may be more group oriented than originally thought having social bonds that they maintain through out their lives.

SO They are pretty big and bulky animals who are pretty aggressive to anything that comes into their territory, bites all the time, and may be a bit more social than originally thought. They made me think of red instantly.

And lastly Killer is a orca because well, Killer whale, I mean I don't think I could pick anything else haha. Besides the name orcas are extremely intelligent apex predators, they have no natural enemies (Besides humans) and often do surplus killing (where they kill more than they can eat) and are also known to toy with their prey. A good video about this is here if you want to learn more about it.

Orcas are also extremely family oriented, and have a very complex social structure. They are also very talkative and communicate with a variety of clicks and whistles. I felt like all this fit Killer pretty whale well, a very smart powerful boy who toys with prey and is apart of a group with a goopy boss.

[dinofelissnow1985]

Peas in a Pod

by DinofelisSnow1985

Summary:

The wonders of life, a first time ever and something new.

----

Cranberry groaned and rubbed his belly.

He felt absolutely bloated, his flesh strained from the stretch.

It's been almost a year now. The next mating season was just around the corner and he was yet to give birth to the pups he conceived last year.

He didn't understand.

Not the long pregnancy, this was normal for his kind. When he still had been with his shiver he always dealt with the ones that had gotten pregnant during the season one year prior.

What he couldn't get was why he was so big. His kind only had one or two pups at once. Yet he felt like he was carrying as many as Cross had.

The laughter of the pups, playing oustside, supervised by Cross, Lust and several of Dust's pilot fish, floated in to him, light and bright like sunlight, playing in the waves at the surface.

While lively and impossible to ignore, the audible delight and happiness of the little ones soothed him and lulled him to sleep.

 

Back then, when Cross had his eggs, Cran had slipped back into his role as midwife easily.

Later, when everything had calmed a little, the pod as well as the resident couple had realized that they were stuck for at least a few years.

You don't go wander with a bunch of hatchlings. Even if the pod decided to stay in the area, which hadn't been decided on yet, it would take a few years for the pups to grow strong enough. That's why most wandering mer species had established travelling routes they hardly ever changed or wandered off, including nurseries, where the expecting parents could stay and raise their pups until they'd be old enough and join the pod with their parents when they came by again.

Two days after Cross, Lust had his clutch of seven, making it a total of nineteen eggs, later pups, for nine adults to look after.

Well, not instantly. Until the pups hatched it had mostly been Cross, Lust and Cran who watched the eggs while one or two of the pod kept watch and the others were hunting and exploring with Dust, learning everything he knew about the territory.

Cranberry chewed him out when one day Horror brought him back home after he passed out from exhaustion.

Like when he'd nursed Cranberry back to health, he'd ran himself ragged since the whole pod had been exhausted and hungry, gone a long time without enough food before they arrived at their territory.

Dust had insisted that he was fine but Cran wouldn't have any of this. "Th' others 're g'nna be okay. Ya nee' ta res'. Cr'ss 'n' Lus' have f've ma'es ta take care a'em, i've 'nly you!" Cranberry had broken down in tears, being emotional and afraid of what might become of him if anything happened to his beloved, strong, wonderful mate. He didn't say it but he doubted the pod would burden themselves with a shark that couldn't kill and, probably, two additional pups to feed and protect.

He got a little hysterical and it took a long time for Dust to calm him down. Cranberry only stopped crying when Dust eventually promised to stay with him for a while to recover and keep watch in the meantime. Cranberry allowed the watch under the condition that Dust would cuddle with him. Dust smiled, wiped the residual tears from Cranberry's face and kissed him gently, sealing the promise.

The both of them had lain pressed to each other as close as possible and traded sweet kisses and soft touches.

Nightmare had approved of Cranberry's insistence, having gotten worried for Dust. He patiently convinced Dust that he and his pod were in good enough shape to take care of things for a while, knowing every nook, rock and algae in the territory by now.

Dust had only sighed and nodded, begrudgingly admitting to himself that he was running on fumes and was in need of a rest.

Cross and Lust, knowing Dust well enough, helped Cran keeping an Eye Socket on him, teasing him as being the first pup they watched in the crevice.

Of course Dust puffed up, protesting that he wasn't a pup. "But you act like one. Little brat," Cross teased, he, Lust and Cran snickering.

"Three against one is unfair," Dust huffed, pouting like a brat. "Awwwww, ya c'n tak' i', b'lov'd. Ya are so s'rong. An' han'sum. An' brav'. An' ya tak' s'ch goo' care a' me. S'ch a goo' ma'e. Da bes' ma'e," Cranberry purred and cooed, wrapping his arms around him and nuzzling and scenting him. Dust melted. His body went lax and he lay down with his cute little shark to wrap himself around him and snuggle with him.

Cross and Lust's expression softened at this display of affection and they cuddled next to the nests.

When Dust had recovered about a week later Killer asked him about Cran when they were out hunting. "Dude, Cranberry's pregnancy is going a while now. Cross and Lust had the eggs something about three weeks ago. Are you sure everything is alright?"

Dust nodded. "Yeah, it's normal. Cranberry told me that sand tiger sharks have one or two pups after about a year. So they'll be born around next mating season."

Killer had stared at him as if Dust had suddenly grown a pair of legs. "Are you fucking serious?! A year?! You gotta be kidding me."

Dust shook his head no. "Cran explained it to me. Sand tiger usually grow pretty big, every pregnant shark, or mer, produces a bunch of eggs in each uterine horn. The eggs develop and hatch inside of the mother, the first one to hatch in the respective side eats the others and the unfertilized eggs while they keep growing inside of the mother's womb. When the pups are born after roundabout a year they're already pretty large and full developed. For the long pregnancy they don't stay as long in the nursery as other species."

Killer was astonished, he never heard of anything like that. On the other hand, he'd never left his reef before it got destroyed and Nightmare and the others found him. So, what did he know.

"Does that mean he doesn't have as many siblings as we have?"

Dust shrugged. "As far as i know there's only his brother. You know, Mr. big and ugly. But i guess we could ask him. More than him turning us down won't happen."

In hopes to make him more talkative they brought him his favorite, crabs. After they shared their catch with everyone Dust and Killer settled close to Cran and, while opening the crab shells for him, Dust asked him, "Babe, Kills brought something up that we would like to ask you." With his words came a piece of crab meat, offered by Dust.

Cranberry ate it straight from Dust's hand and nodded for him to go on.

"Cran, beside your brother, do you have any other siblings, i don't know about yet?"

Cranberry looked at them with wide Eye Sockets. "Wha' brough' tha' up?"

Killer explained since he brought it up. "I asked Dust why you hadn't had your pups yet and he explained to me how pregnancy works for your kind. That made me wonder how much siblings you might have." With his last words Killer offered him a piece of crab meat as well. Instead of eating it from Killer's hand, like he did with Dust, Cranberry took it before eating it. They weren't each other's after all.

"Th' ans'er 's s'mpl', 's jus' me 'n' 'im. Ou' moth'r neva go' pr'gn'n' ag'n."

"There a reason?" Killer asked before shoving a bite into his own mouth and giving Cran another.

Cranberry took his time, chewing the delicious crab meat, before answering. "'Ccord'n' to mah ment'r i shou'n' exis'. When mah modder was s'ill young she go' 'ttacked by a bigg'r hun'er. Tor' open de side of 'er belly, bar'ly s'rviv'd. Mah ment'r wasn' jus' de midw'fe o' mah shiv'r, bu' th' closes' th'n' we 'ad ta a heal'r. Patch'd 'er back up, tol' 'er she migh' neva 'ave a pup from da 'urt side.

When she was ol' 'nough she go' a ma'e. Go' pr'gn'n only sum years la'er. Go' me 'n' mah bro'er. Eld'r said 'm from da scarr'd side, tha's why 'm a run'. Mah bro'er was pre'y big an' 'avin' me from da scarr'd side and mah bigass bro t'k a toll on 'er. She neva go' pr'gn'n eva ag'n. An' dey kep' tryin'. 'Ntil pop died. 'N 'cciden' durin' a hun'. Mom died few years 'go, in a figh'. Th' bull wi' mah bro'er ya 'now 'lready."

While Cranberry had told them the story of his mother, Dust and Killer had kept feeding him.

"Huh, you've got quite a story to tell with your life and family background, Cran-Cran," Killer mused.

"Yeah, bu' mom 'n' pop were no' so ba'. Pop was a goo' hun'er an' made s're i go' mah share. Mebbe 'e hop'd i woul' s'ill grow big wi' 'nough food. 'E din' know wha' ta do wi' me when i s'ayed smol an' 'e foc's'd on mah bro'er, taugh' 'im 'ow ta hun'. Mom taugh' 'im 'ow ta figh'. An' i was dum'd on de el'er tha' b'c'me mah ment'r. Bu' dey fed us. 'T leas' 'nt'l i learn'd ta hun'. Guess dey though' i woul' ge' ova mahself an' kill mah own pre' soon'r or la'er. We know i' neva happ'n'd."

"There's nothing wrong about it, i hope you know that, sea cutecumber," Dust told him and snuggled close.

"Of course there's nothing wrong," Killer agreed. "You are you, Cran. If you were like any other sand tiger you weren't something special. You would've probably never met Dust, never become his mate. He would've either travelled on or got killed, and we would be in deep shit, coming here, hungry and tired and easy pickings for your shiver. Maybe not all, but some of us would be dead by now, including Cross and Lust and our eggs. You being the way you are made a big difference. For each of us. Please never change."

Cranberry blushed and didn't know what to do or say.

Suddenly Dust snorted. "Good currents, did Nightmare rub off on you? That sounded like something he would say." Killer only grinned.

---

The pups, after they hatched several weeks later, turned out to love Cranberry the same as they loved their actual parents.

Over the course of the following year, while they grew stronger and livelier by the day, Cranberry got rounder and heavier, until he decided that it was safer for him to stay inside.

That had been four months ago.

Now he could barely move without help and felt utterly useless.

And the longer his pregnancy went on, the more afraid he got of the day he would go into labor.

---

Then mating season started.

The whole pod, except Cross and Lust, went into heat and how things looked, this might be for Dream, Error and maybe Killer to carry offspring.

A few days in, Cranberry woke up one morning having contractions. They became stronger and closer after each other and Cran had to fight down his panic.

He was an experienced midwife, dammit. He had helped dozens of pups to be born, he knew what to do.

Yet he had never given birth himself before.

He tried to remember what his mentor, and later he himself, always told the first-timers when they went into labor.

So he focused on his breathing and tried to not fight the contractions. He knew he had to endure them to loosen his entrance so the pups could fit through.

When the pain heightened to agony he gritted his teeth and wished his mentor would be with him to help him through this ordeal.

Eventually, just when the others began to stir, he failed to contain a cry of pain, alarming everyone else immediately. Dust was at his side in an instant.

"Cran? Babe? What's wrong? Talk to me starfish." Gently he cupped Cranberry's cheeks and pressed his teeth softly to his forehead. Cranberry whimpered and gripped his mate's wrists hard like a vice.

"Pups... 're comin'," he got out past the pain. "S'ay?.... Pl'se?" He sounded meek and small.

Dust kissed him again. "Won't even think of any other place, love. You're stuck with me, if you want or not." That wrung a gasped out laugh from Cranberry and he kissed Dust's knuckles, grateful for having him.

"What's wrong with Cran-Cran?" Killer asked worried. "The pups are coming. I don't know how long this will take, so can you take the little ones outside and hunt without me?" "Course we can," Horror said and went to gather the yearlings to take them outside.

Cross and Lust looked at each other and, in silent agreement, decided to help Cranberry like he had helped them one year ago.

Killer and Error followed Horror outside to keep watch over their pups and the crevice while Dream and Nightmare went out to hunt.

After hours of painful contractions, assisted by Lust and Cross and comforted by Dust, Cranberry finally felt the urge to push.

He pushed as hard as he could, but somehow a part of his abdominal muscles didn't cooperate with him.

The pressing contraction went by without making much progress and Cran dissolved into fearful tears. "I can' do i'... can' pr'ss hard 'nough... can' push 'em ou'..." he started to panic.

Dust kissed Cranberry's tears away and murmured soft reassurances. "You'll be fine, love. We'll help you. Breathe, babe, and then tell us what you need. Calm down, you're safe. I'm here and Lust and Cross are with us to help too. You're so strong, starfish. Just breathe."

Cranberry gulped down water and tried to breathe through the haze of pain and panic. "M-mah mus'les... dey won' func'ion... when i pr'ss... mah ol' woun's 'member?"

Yes, Dust remembered. He remembered Cranberry having a deep gouge reaching from right beneath the side of his lowest ribs slightly diagonally to somewhere near his slit. The scar was still there, deep and ugly, the torn flesh never reconnected right, causing Cran trouble moving. And seemingly not being able to contract to push the pups out.

Cross gently massaged the taut flesh, feeling for the place where to press to help Cranberry to give birth. When he found the not-functioning parts of the muscles he took Lust's hands and guided him to the right spots. Lust just nodded when he understood.

Cross took the lead. He was a fast learner and had assisted Cranberry when Lust had his clutch. He kept massaging Cran's belly, feeling for the pups and guiding the first one towards Cran's entrance.

When the next pressing pain rolled through him, Cranberry pushed as hard as he could while Cross and Lust helped him along, taking over for the damaged muscle to do the work.

Cranberry felt something inside him move downward and with the next contraction he pushed his firstborn out. He slumped, exhausted.

Cross frowned. "Cran, dear, i think there are more than one still inside. I can feel..." Cross felt over Cran's womb for the pups, furrowing his brow in concentration, "at least three more, maybe even more."

Cranberry hissed in tired disbelief on the thought going through this several times again.

---

It took most of the day until Cranberry had given birth to a total of five healthy pups, each one as big as the yearlings. They were two sharks and three Mackerel looking, but with sharp teeth.

Cranberry was utterly spent and fell asleep as soon as the contractions and the pains wore off.

Dust was so proud of his astonishing mate. So small and gentle yet still so strong, capable and managing to bear not two, but five pups at once. Obviously they hadn't eaten each other, most likely only consumed the unfertilized and undeveloped eggs. The newborn pups snuggled close to their mother and fell asleep as well, just as tired.

While Dust watched over his exhausted mate, the pod took care of the pups when they woke up an hour later. They were hungry and chirped to signale they wanted to be fed.

They turned out to be as developed as the yearlings of the pod and mingled with them quite natural. They were groomed by the adults just like the others and got familiar with them.

This night they all gathered around Cranberry and the pup pile of twenty-four, and slept closer to each other than ever.

While the mating season went on for most of the podmates, Dust sent out his pilot fish to watch out for dangers and cared for his mate and the two dozens of pups with the help of Cross and Lust.

From time to time one or two of the others would show up to bring them food. Once Dream brought a fat crab and clams, gave them to Dust, then nuzzled him and pressed a kiss to Cran's forehead.

Dust was dumbfounded. And Cross and Lust blushed heavily while some of the pups giggled, not understanding what was going on. Well, they weren't the only ones.

On another occasion, when Cranberry finally had woken up, Killer and Horror returned, giving most of their catch to the pups and then chirping and purring at Cran, making sure he was fine and feeding him what they brought for him. They'd happened to come across a school of sea breams, managing to catch several fat ones.

Dust didn't know what to make of the behavior of the pod. They doted over his mate like he was theirs, and didn't leave him left out either. They offered him food as well. Dust began to think his friends might be a little too driven by mating instincts. But, he didn't complain. He felt a little flattered, if he was completely honest.

 

The days went on, Cranberry slowly recovered from the strainous birth and he and Dust got used to the small affectionate gestures from the others, be it food offerings, nuzzles, chaste kisses or napping cuddled up to each other.

On one of the last days of mating season the whole pod, including Cross and Lust left to gather a special feast. They left the pups in the care of the couple.

Later when they returned they fed the pups and put them to sleep in a big shared nest.

Then Nightmare took the word, seeming a little nervous. "Dust, Cranberry. It's been about a year now since the two of you took us in, helped us in any way possible and accepted us without caring about everyone of us being a different species.

Before we came here, everywhere where we met other pods we were shown that we weren't welcome, while you, after that first misunderstanding, took us in unconditionally, not caring about if we were prey or predator. You, Cranberry, helped Cross and Lust during delivery without hesitation.

Our pups make no difference between you two and our pod. And, uhm... we would like to make it official. If you want to."

Dust and Cranberry stared, stunned to silence. After several seconds Killer rumbled lowly, "great, i think you broke them, Nighty."

The couple blinked, looked at each other, blinked again. Finally Dust found his voice. "You want WHAT NOW?"

"We want you and our pod become one. We all talked about it and we all agree. We want you two become ours and we want to become yours," Nightmare elaborated.

He came closer and offered each of them both an Oyster. When he retreated Dream came forward, blushing heavily and offering two Oysters as well. After him came Cross, then Lust, Horror, Killer and Error. Dust and Cranberry didn't know what to say. They looked at each other, then at the pup pile, then at each of the podmates.

They saw nothing but open affection and hope. They looked at each other again, and when a hopeful smile spread across Cran's face Dust had his answer.

He slung an arm around Cranberry's shoulders and grinned at Nightmare. "Yeah. We accept. Happily. To be honest, we have grown quite fond you lot too. And of the little shrimps as well."

To seal the courting bond they gathered their Oysters and began opening them.

They both gasped when each of them found a pearl in their first Oyster.

They inspected the others, each one hasn't been opened before so there was nothing manipulated. Yet each and every Oyster carried a pearl. This was unheard of. They all were in awe. And faced with such a miraculous blessing Cranberry began to cry happy tears.

Instantly the whole pod, their whole pod, huddled around their newest additions and showered them with affection.

They collected the fourteen pearls in a clam shell and Dust made the first move, loosening the flesh from one of his Oysters, keeping it between his teeth and pulling Nightmare close, sharing the morsel in a passionate kiss. The whole pod blushed at the display and Dust grinned wolfish at them after he and Nighty broke the kiss.

He grabbed Killer with one hand, an Oyster with the other, scraped the meat from the shell with his teeth and captured Killer's mouth in a deep breathtaking kiss.

Lust wrapped his arms around Cranberry's waist and pecked him on the cheek before grinning at him playfully. Encouraged Cran mimicked Dust, biting the meat out of the Oyster shell before sharing it with Lust in a kiss.

That way they shared kisses and the courting gifts with their new mates, accompanied by soft noises and sweet, affectionate touches.

After the Oysters were gone they shared the food, hand feeding each other to deepen the fresh bond.

The crevice was filled with unconditional love, soft, gentle and passionate.

This mating season might be at its last days, soon Cranberry would have three expecting mer on his hands again. And Error could be quite a handful of his own.

But there would always be the next year.

They weren't a couple and a pod anymore, they were one strong pod. And their future was bright and full of hope and love.

Notes:

I actually looked up how sand tiger sharks reproduce when i settled on this species for Cranberry.

I have the HC that mer deliver the same way their 'natural' counterparts would in regards of laying eggs or giving birth. Only that, since mer raise their pups, they have less. Partially depending on the species and the size of the mother.

When two mer with different ways of delivery mate, the pregnant one will deliver depending on their nature.

So, Dust is a Rainbow Mackerel (egg laying) and Cran is a sand tiger (life birth) and since Cran is the pregnant one he gives birth to living pups instead of laying eggs.

And yes, Pipefish are related to sea horses, carrying their offspring in a pouch until they hatch, but i have decided that Lust still lays eggs but keeps them in a nest bc he's a mer, not a common Pipefish.

[lemurcat]

random merskel i drew on tablet

[skyedancer2006]

Fuck It- *Mermays Myself*

I had a ton of fun making this piece! I tried doing texture for the first time, and discovered some very fun and useful brushes that IbisPaint has.

[flowerscentedartist]

Mer-Skele Olive

Spotted Sea Horse

[snowy-bones]

I am so happy to be able to finish this baby! I am making a charm of Seabble and I wanted to share the design! I can’t wait to have a little kraken with me every where I go!

[lucyhblack]

When life gives you lemons...

Resume: The solution to XGaster's problems comes to him.

(my attempt to contribute to mermay) 

Inspired by @skumhuu Leviathantale.

As the newly appointed chief biologist at a prestigious marine life research facility, there were high expectations for Dr. XGaster, none greater than the monster's own on itself.

Having assumed the position of his mentor, the biologist wanted not only to prove himself worthy of his mission, but to surpass it. But reality was a little different from expectations and he had no idea what he had to do to achieve them.

Oh of course, he was absolutely convinced that he would be able to fulfill to the letter everything that his new position demanded... No, it was his own ambition that was the problem, more precisely in how to achieve it.

XGaster wanted to be recognized and not only by his peers, but by the world!

He wanted to be the best and he knew he had the ability and talent for it, but the problem was how to show it. All the ideas that emerged seemed to him already explored, without creativity or an easy path.

He had several projects, both in his work and personal, that could yield him good results, including the possibility of discovering something new or unraveling a dark detail that his fellow researchers left unanswered, but that was not what he wanted.

He wanted something unique, something grand! Something that would not only get the attention of his peers, but of the world. Something new and unique to him and not something already done, whose results could be the same as those found by his colleagues or so that his discoveries were just another piece of data to be repeated in lectures to a select group of science.

It was by chance that the answer to his problems came to him, or more precisely that he came to the answer.

He'd borrowed Gerson's little dinghy (of course he had speedboats full of fancy equipment ready at his disposal, but he'd have to sign documents, give explanations, check the equipment, sign more documents... an endless hassle to just walk around the bay) that afternoon with the intention of collecting some shellfish samples from the cove.

(And if some ended up on his plate, what's the problem? He was just testing their nutritional level!)

Honestly he didn't know what went wrong. One minute he was hauling in the net and the next the sea was hauling him.

Somehow the net got caught in his hands and summoning more only ended up wrapping him more in it. He began to sink as he struggled to free himself, increasingly desperate as he watched the shape of the boat's hull shrink and its surroundings darken.

He cursed himself for his carelessness, for not warning anyone he would be there.

As he sank, he couldn't believe that his end would be that. That he would die at the bottom of the bay, out of an idiotic desire for shellfish and petty not to go to the market to buy them. Alone, without any great deeds and completely unknown to the world.

He woke up a while later, still tangled up in the net, at the bottom of the stall.

As he blinked to adjust his lights to dim lighting, he was glad he hadn't informed anyone that he was going out to sea that afternoon. How pathetic it would be if anyone found out that the cold, serious biologist had fainted from panic at the thought that he was going to drown when he was a skeleton and therefore had no lungs for it.

He realized how cold the water was as his cheeks burned with embarrassment.

A move to his left made him alert and completely forget about his embarrassing feelings and reminding him that he was still at the bottom of the sea, trapped by a stupid fishing net.

He looked at the marine flora that surrounded him carefully, trying to catch any movement that wasn't caused by the sea currents themselves.

There were no big predators in the bay, so it was probably just some fish or a crustacean among the seaweed (he told himself, trying to control the fear instinct. He'd made a fool of himself enough for his entire life).

A pair of white lights glared at him, half hidden by the aquatic plants.

It was only because he was actively telling himself not to freak out and not act like a teenager in a horror movie that he didn't scream. His entire body froze in shock and either from his total paralysis, or the creature's curiosity, the owner of the lights moved a little closer, revealing a small, round skull.

This time he couldn't contain the shock of surprise and a column of bubbles came out of his mouth. Immediately the skull disappeared. Mentally cursing himself, he started fighting the net again.

By the Angel! If that was what he thought it was, he couldn't lose sight of it! Such a discovery could be his long-awaited find in life!

He almost thanked, distracted as he was, when a small pair of hands joined his and pulled away an annoying section of the net. He paused, staring at a hand that was equal to his in constitution but on a much smaller scale. Slowly he shifted his vision and faced the owner of the tiny hand. Holding his breath (metaphorically, he hadn't been breathing in quite some time) he stared at the mermaid cub.

Its skull was almost like his, but its eye sockets were small, narrow, and devoid of any light (was he too young to manifest them, or did he not need them?). At first glance, despite their smallness, the bones looked strong and immaculate. His spine disappeared into a long, slender tail. A Alopias Vulpinus, or more popularly called thresher shark, according to that long and tapered caudal fin.

As he studied him (and was studied back) the little one smiled with tiny pointed fangs (was it a smile or a threat?)

A flutter in the seaweed beyond the baby (or is puppy a better term?) caught her attention. Another merskeleton was farther back, one hand resting on the end of the baby tail, as if ready to tug at it if XGaster showed any violent reaction.

The second's skull was larger and more rounded, with large eye sockets and simple white lights that studied him with caution and curiosity. His bones looked as robust as the first one, but the plants around him hid his tail.

(but he would bet his collection of marine fossils that it was also a fox shark)

Surprising!

Not only had he found one, but two merskeletons!

Stars! If his colleagues saw him now they would death be jealous of him!

Merskeleton were a species shrouded in mystery. Despite having known these beings for thousands of years, there was very little information (that were not wrapped in legends and fantasies) about them.

They were shady beings who actively avoided surface beings and very, very difficult to find much less studied.

Despite all the technology, until today there were only small glimpses of these creatures. Legends and tales of fishermen, blurred photos and videos from a distance. Sometimes just the image of a colored fin or a face that quickly sank, disappearing into the depths of the ocean without a trace.

(it was ridiculous, but the best images of these creatures were paintings, statues or ancient mosaics, many exaggerated by the creative mind of ancient peoples)

Finding a merskeleton was only possible by luck!

For that very reason, this was the chance of a lifetime! It was like a sign! He had to study a species with virtually no data in its own habitat!

XGaster could feel his bones vibrating with excitement at the realization.

Emboldened by its immobility and lack of reaction, the second puppy moved closer, letting go of the tail of the first one who was now patting his shirt, curious about the unfamiliar material.

After a minute of exploration, the clothes lost interest of the little one who looked at something amid the seaweed and turned to leave.

The biologist screamed and a new jet of bubbles appeared. The little cub turned in surprise and the second bared its teeth, sharp as the first (definitely a threat), backing away with a brisk flick of its tail. He grabbed the first cub, and tried to tow it away.

Without thinking about what he was doing XGaster used blue magic to keep them both still. Immediately the pups began to struggle. Still instinctively XGaster flipped them onto their backs and immediately the fight died.

(So tonic mobility also worked for “half” sharks. Fascinating!)

With his "heart" in his throat, XGaster quickly thought of what he could do. He couldn't let them go. It would be letting the chance of his life slip through his fingers. He would have to abandon the initial idea of studying them in their habitat and taking them to his laboratory.

Yes, that was the best course of action, he thought as he went back to working the net with new conjured hands.

After all, it would be a very big risk, not only could he lose them (they could be migratory!) but they could be killed (were merskeleton at the top of the food chain or would they be prey to other creatures?).

With one last tug he managed to free himself from the net and began to swim to the surface towing the pups with him.

As he watched the world around him clear, his mind filled with shadows.

If he took those babies out of the ocean he would be breaking many moral laws (and certainly some legal ones).

Merskeletons were not an protected species. There were no laws against capturing these beings (at least not that he knew of, or at least not in his country).

Maybe because they were simply so rare to find them, that no one stopped to worry about it, or maybe it was because they were considered magical beings (at least the legends let it be understood that they were. And taking into account their ability to stay hidden, the chances were high that they really were magicical, or at least possessed some kind of magic) and could fend for themselves.

(the truth was that many didn't even believe in their existence, so why create laws for creatures that couldn't even exist?)

For a moment he wondered if he would even do that. If he was really going to get them out of the sea.

There could be a family waiting for them (mermaids took care of their young? There were many sea creatures that raised their offspring, but others didn't. Sharks included), or they didn't adapt to captivity...there were so many species simply died when confined. ..

On the other hand, they could be alone, or orphans. The chances of small cubs surviving on their own in the immense blue were slim. They were more likely to survive in captivity. And if they didn't adapt, XGaster could always return them to the sea.

(and just to think what he might learn! What he would discover could be of immense importance, not only to science, but to the merskeleton themselves. It would be worth the sacrifice!)

Convinced by her logic, he pushed away his fears and pushed himself more vigorously to the surface. He now only had to climb into the raft and haul the pups inside (or drag them alongside the raft with blue magic if they couldn't be pulled out of the water) and then head back to the lab.

Taking them inside the research center would be more complicated, but he would manage (thankfully, it was a day off from the team). He already had the perfect tank in mind for the two of them.

He couldn't wait to get to the lab and get to work!