#excuse me i just. needed to get this out lest i'd explode

[cononeillbreastingboobily]

Deranged Steddyhands headcanon time:

In the original story by Hans Christian Andersen, the Little Mermaid was in pain with every step she took, on top of the fact that she couldn't talk. And the story ended with her jumping to her death in the sea after she refused to kill the prince and his fiancée.

Y'all. What if this time, the little mermaid falls for the prince AND his fiance?

Except she doesn't die, not really. What if it's not death? What if it's just... Starting over?

Aka Izzy leaves after Stede and Ed reconcile, and the latter two go after him, after realising they both have feelings for him?

[noneuclideanwhimsy]

I uh

Regulus opened the door for his guest and offered to take his coat. Ga-men refused. The two touched foreheads.

"Thank you so much for coming, Ga-men. You're the only one I could ask for help, my star-mates think I've gone insane."

Ga-men chuckled.

"Oh, I am no stranger to that. Especially with this…situation you find yourself in."

The two walked together to Regulus' workshop. It was there he felt the safest.

"I couldn't help it. She was injured. No, not just injured…someone had cut pieces of her off that she couldn't regenerate. They hurt her that badly."

"So you took her in. You are a very brave person."

Regulus picked up a small, thin screwdriver.

"More like crazy. I always wished to be like my caregiver, capable of infinite love but they don't have predators! They don't fear what we do!"

Ga-men watched as Regulus paced.

"I completely understand the fear. I…I feel the same about my son. That when they grow up they might…give in to their natural urges. You watch your back lest teeth are sunk into-"

Ga-men was cut off by the doors of the dresser near the entrance of the room bursting open. A one armed child exploded out. Ga-men was reminded of his mother Kuria, the two looked quite similar.

"I wouldn't hurt Regulus! Not ever! Why would you say that?"

Regulus' eyes widened.

"Oh, Piper. You weren't supposed to hear all that, I am so sorry…"

He went to comfort Piper but stopped when she glared at him. Ga-men adjusted his tie and turned to the child.

"I apologize, little one. I was yet to finish."

"You started by saying I'd hurt Regulus! You don't even know me, why would you say that? He…he's nice…I'm not heartless!"

A flicker of sadness passed over Ga-men's face.

"I never said you were. It's simply a biological fact. Your species is made to hunt ours. If you are raised improperly you may hurt him when you grow up."

It was Regulus' turn to be upset.

"You think I'll raise her wrong?"

"I didn't say that either! You need to get over your fear of what she could be! If you raise her being terrified of her the entire time you will raise her wrong and she'll be a danger because she expects to be! Don't make the same mistakes I did, Regulus. Don't…don't be scared. Both of you need to trust each other."

Ga-men hadn't meant to start crying but he had.

"Don't fail her like I failed my son."

Piper suddenly deflated, looking like a scolded dog.

"Sorry for getting mad…"

Ga-men shook his head.

"You had every right to be. I said something cruel."

Ga-men awkwardly pat Piper's head, then took a deep breath. Before he could speak, Regulus kneeled near Piper.

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't be scared of you. You're a child, a hurt child I have taken into my care. You're not dangerous, and…I truly believe you'll never be. I'll do my best for you, ok?"

Piper nodded.

"I'll do my best not to be scary for you."

"You don't have to. You just focus on being a child. It's a very important and serious job, but I know you can do it."

He gave her a playful grin, and Piper smiled back. He hugged her, then stood back up.

"Thank you. Now you go play with the others, alright? Mr. Coolatta and I have something to discuss."

Piper scrutinized Ga-men.

"Your last name is Coolatta? It doesn't fit you."

"Piper."

"Sorry…"

Piper left the workshop, closing the door behind her. Regulus turned to Ga-men.

"Are you alright? I didn't expect you to cry, is…is everything ok with Benrey?"

Ga-men looked away for a second, then suddenly his posture shifted. He looked Regulus right in the eyes.

"I made him think he was a monster. I was so scared of what he could be, I was always so scared of him and in the end he thought that was all he was. I am a poor excuse for a father."

Regulus wasn't sure how to answer.

"I'm sure that it wasn't all bad…I'm sure that you did good things as well."

Ga-men's face was stone, but Regulus knew this was just to keep his from crying.

"Does it matter?"

"I think it does."

Ga-men now looked angry.

"You think that you can rationalize me making my son think he's a monster?"

Regulus felt himself prickle up.

"No! Matron forbid I try to make you feel better!"

The two Worms stared at each other for a few minutes before their anger abated.

"You're right. Thank you for trying to make me feel better."

"It's the least I can do. You've always been the one training me in the ways of our species, huh?"

Ga-men shrugged.

"I have a soft spot for kids. I like imparting knowledge."

"You really can't be that bad of a father."

"I doubt it. You be better."

"I will."

The two touched foreheads again, then stepped away from each other.

"Thank you for all the advice."

"Thank you for letting me vent. Best of luck to you."

Ga-men chirped something out, moving his arms slightly. Regulus smiled. The older Worm then left, leaving Regulus to think over what he had found out.

I…. Orchid, I… I never thought any idea of mine could inspire something so touching.,,