#shiverme

[fantasy-fields-bitty-center]

Leviathantale bitty: UnderTale Papyrus

Leviathantale bitty:

Au: UnderTale

Character: Papyrus

Name: Manta

Size(Normal variant): 7 - 8 inches tall, 15 - 20 inches total(Mini), 3 - 4 feet tall, 6 - 8 feet total(Fullsize)

Size(Leviathan variant): 6 - 7 feet tall, 15 - 20 feet total(Mini), 14 - 16 feet tall, 25 - 30 feet total,

Species: Manta ray mer

Personality: Calm, caring, patient,

Likes: Helping, Shell's(their brother type), coral, coral reefs,

Dislikes: Over fishers, plastic in the water, nets, people who hurt their shiver,

Compatibility: These bitties are often cautious of shark and orca mers! They can be friends and shivermates with them, but are iffy on them at first!

These bitties are often a little hot headed when people get hurt! This can lead them to getting a little loud but they wouldn't hurt anyone, but they often apologize for loosing their temper once they manage to calm down,

These bitties love jumping out of the water and making a big splash!

These bitties will let smaller btities ride along their 'wings'! Happily helping them get from one place to another in their tank/body of water!

These bitties becomes rather irritated or annoyed of you litter or don't properly dispose of your trash!

Feeding habits: These bitties love plankton and are mostly filter feeder!

Additional info: The Leviathan variant only effects size and magic output!

Leviathantale bitties can live in both fresh and salt water! Unlike other kinds of mer bitties!

Leviathantale bitties are luminescent! They have glowing markings and even glow in the light!

Zone: Ocean, Lake,

In Universe: These bitties are seen as great for beginners! If not on the larger size,

Difficulty: Beginner

[thefeyreblogs]

Know what? Tell me about your rarepairs!

I'll start.

MurderFarm: Dust x Farmer

and

MurMerLust: LeviathanTale Dust x LeviathanTale Lust

I am sensing a pattern here..

I enjoy Murderfarm simply for the fact that we all ADORE Horror and Farmer but we often see when Dust tags along. I love the idea that Dust is more standoffish with Saejun, thinking he would be overstepping, since clearly Horror/Axe is so skull over heels for the precious farmer, though eventually Axe, being as blunt as he is, places a heavy hand on Dust's shoulder, guides to him sit beside a very surprised Farmer on the couch one movie night and informs Dust to 'Sit' in that no nonsense tone of his.

Axe then squeezes in next to Farmer, wrapping an arm as best he can reach behind Farmer and Dust and pulls the pair nearly onto his lap while they watch tv. Not that Dust notices the show much, him being their own personal glowing amethyst nightlight at that point.

From there it is a weirdly adorable courtship, now that Axe has set the ground rules that he is very much ok with Dust courting Saejun.

I see lots of lazy days in a sunflower field with the three of them. And yes, Killer will be added to the mix at some point, heck the entire crew in my personal opinion , will just adopt Farmer into their little poly and spoil the hell out of him whenever they visit. Each in his own unique way.

As for the MurMerLust pair,

While I absorb as much LeviathanTale content as I can get my grubby mitts on, I am not evening going to pretend to understand how siren courtship would take place. But to rough sum it up, I think Dust would meet Lust on a hunt and it would become, as Dream puts it (I forget the Artist who drew the lovely comic!) 'Chase and Bite'

Lust being the bundle of energy he has, stays just out of Dust's reach and it becomes a bit of a .. You try to hunt me, and I like your face, type of situation. Lust always just out-of-reach while Dust is becoming more and more annoyed.

What changes things between them, is when Lust nearly is dusted by a (a team? what is a group of orca called?) , and Dust has to rush in to rescue Lust, perhaps with Killer or Axe's help in the process, either way, he brings a very wounded Lust home and snarls at his shivermates who try to get a nibble, thinking at first that Lust is a nice, tasty snack their mate brought home.

As Lust recovers slowly, the pressure in the deep a bit much for him so it takes a good amount of his magic to just sustain himself, he and Dust grow closer and by the time arrives for Lust to leave, there is a reluctance to do so.

Dust will be extra grouchy and snappy for a few weeks, though he eventually settles, at least till the warmer waters return and guess who shows up. Lust.

:3 I really like this pairing.

[thisonfilm]

170707 Blackpink Lisa. Powertime Radio

COLORINGTHECAGE Do Not Edit

[the-enby-bird]

Mermay Day 3- Shiver

This one is really short and I don't really like it but it was sort of an experiment so yk Anygays

These Mermay prompts and Leviathantale itself belong to @/skumhuu

(Destined Masterpost)

(AO3 Link)

Word Count: 264

Horror twisted in his nest, dragging a sleepy complaint from his mate- mate!- as he moved. The two warm shapes on either side of him pressed closer, purring softly. The bigger mer chirped happily, returning the purr tenfold. The soft tails intertwined with his wrapped tighter, warming his soul. A soft flush covered the skeleton’s skull, rusty magic casting a soft glow on his mate’s faces. Dust rumbled happily, snuggling yet closer to press a kiss to Horror’s cheek. The mer returned the kiss, his rusty car engine of a purr growing at the dopey smile on his mate’s face.

Dust laughed softly, his raspy voice the embodiment of home. Cross chirped from Horror’s other side, oozing to rest his torso on Horror’s. He sent a pouty glare at Dust, stealing a kiss of his own from the biggest mer. He churred sleepily at the smile he got in return, draping himself dramatically across Horror.

Home. Safety. His precious shivermates, who could laze around him, who smiled, and laughed, and overflowed with joy because of him.

Stars, he loved them.

He loved them, so very much, in a way no words could describe. 

Love, love, love, love, love.

He loved them, and they loved him. He made them happy, he kept them safe, he made them let out their rumbly little purrs. 

Love.

Dust giggled the look Horror gave him, running a hand along the base of his skull.

“Yeah, love ya too big guy.”

They loved him.

Cross murmured his agreement with Dust, pressing another kiss to Horror’s cheek.

He loved them.

[calmchapsart]

Leviathantale Mermay Day 7 - Mine

Tfw your shivermate wants your sword. Leviathantale belongs to @skumhuu

[quintessencea]

Thinking about mersharks, and how to capture them. Hmm... So here's a short drabble.

---

The sound of screaming, short lived but full of agony, cut through Killer's peaceful nap. He came awake with a start, his eyes wide and alert. His body went rigid as he prepared to attack the intruders who had dared to disturb him while he slept. But as he looked around, there was no threat, the waters around him as barren and calm as they had been when he'd laid down to sleep. The screaming came again, carried on the current, and with a start, Killer recognized Cross' voice.

Without a second thought he took off in pursuit.

"Cross! Hang on, I'm coming! " Killer shouted as he swam for all he was worth, cold fear gripping him at the sound of his shivermate's pain-filled cries.

He followed the sounds of Cross' screams up, towards the surface. As he ascended he could see a dark shadow that resolved itself into the shape of a boat as he drew near. Beneath it, a cage with blacked out sides was hanging in the water, rocking back and forth gently. The cries were coming from inside the box.

"Somebody!" Cross screamed again. "Please help me! Please help me!"

Killer swam hard, gaining speed as he did so. He hit the cage with force, gripping onto the bars with his claws. He didn't bother wondering how or why Cross had gotten himself into this situation, those were questions he could ask once his friend was free.

"I'm here, Cross," Killer said, tearing at the stout material of the box with his teeth and claws. "Hold on."

"It hurts," Cross wailed. "No more!"

He managed to rip a hole in the side just large enough for his head to fit through.

"Come on, Cross," Killer urged, reaching into the hole with one arm as he fought to rip more of it apart. "I've got- ...what?"

The cage was empty.

"Doctor, please, no more!" Cross' voice came again, from a small device set into the cage's ceiling. Some kind of recording? Killer pulled back in shock. Cross wasn't here at all.

This was a trap.

A splash from above him caught his attention, as something large and metal dropped into the water from the boat above. It began to sink, attached to the boat by some sort of cable. Killer instantly turned tail, taking off at full speed.

He hadn't gotten more than a few body lengths away from the thing before the sound hit him.

PING!

The noise hit him like a physical blow, sending Killer spinning helplessly in the water. He twisted around, trying to get his bearings. His head rang with the sound and his eyes wouldn't focus.

Another PING!

Killer tried to swim away, but his body wouldn't cooperate, the spastic movements of his tail doing little more than twisting him around further. Distantly he was aware of more splashing as other things entered the water from the boat. He thrashed about wildly, unable to tell up from down, or left from right. His panic grew as he realized that he wasn't alone in the water anymore.

Something grabbed his tail from behind, hauling him backwards. A second later, he felt himself being dragged upwards. Blindly he lashed out, trying to find the source of the grip, but it was no use. His head continued to ring with echos of that horrible noise. More hands grabbed him, and something was lashed around first his chest, pinning his arms, and then his tail.

With surprising speed he was hauled to the surface, and in a few moments he was out of the water, and lying on his side on the deck of the boat, gasping in shock as the brutal efficiency of his captors. Something was wrapped around him from shoulders to tail fin, holding him tight. His vision cleared slowly, and he saw the creature looming over him.

The monster stared down at him with pitiless black eyes, the expression on his cracked porcelain face showing nothing but contempt.

"Well now, had I known it was going to be this easy to capture one of you I would have just hung some fishing lines out and waited," the monster said, his mocking tone making it clear that he considered Killer to be something far beneath him. "Project X would never have fallen for such an obvious trick. Or, perhaps you're rather stupid for your kind."

"Screw you," Killer growled, trying to keep his anger under control. He didn't know what was happening, but, though he couldn't fight back in this condition, he would never let a creature like this intimidate him. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"

"You can call me Doctor Gaster," the monster said, his voice oozing superiority. "And I am here for science."

[undertalefanforlifethings]

here is red the dad and shivermate to sans XD under fell dont belong to me

[ghostmoo]

Another great shimmer metallic from the @loraccosmetics #piratesofthecaribbean palette, this is #shiverme a pale rose quartz shade. This looks great but is one of the worse for fallout. #makeup #makeupcollection #makeupjunkie #makeupaddict #makeupartist #mua #motd #motd💄 #motd💋 #beauty #beautyinfluencer #beautyblog #beautyblogger #like #comment #follow #followme #influencer #swatches #eyeshadow #rosequartz #lorac #loracpro #loracpropalette #aesthetic #photooftheday #followmeplease #eyeshadowswatches (at Charlotte, North Carolina)

[faithlovemakeup-blog]

AND FINALLY, @urbandecaycosmetics @disneystudios #PiratesOfTheCaribean #MODlipcream in 6 new shades. A creamy lipstick on one end with a complimenting gloss on the other. Each one will sell for $26.00 -------------------------------- Another 👀 @urbandecaycosmetics #PiratesOfTheCaribean #eyeshadowpalette TOP ROW L-R: #ghostly #starrynight #compass #arrgh #blackpearl #yoho MIDDLE ROW L-R: #bones #silvermist #treasure #tellnotales #shiverme #cursed BOTTOM ROW L-R: #mattiey #lostatsea #pirateschest #seahaze #menace #saintmary ------------------------------ FOLLOW ME FOR MORE UPDATES, RELEASES, SWATCHES AND ALL THE MAKEUP NEWS YOU CRAVE @FAITHLOVEMAKEUP #FAITHLOVEMAKEUP

[thatmermaidbook]

Character Profiles: Selene and Yanna

These two get to share a profile because I don’t want to have to repeat myself or have half on one and half on the other. Sometimes, you’ll hear people refer to a couple as “an item,” and that has never been more true than for Selene and Yanna. 

Selene and Yanna are members of the main shiver. They are life partners bonded in the Cergamen “marriage,” which I’ll explain in depth later, probably. 

Yanna 

ENTJ, Scorpio

Yanna is one of those people who effortlessly looks good no matter what she’s wearing. She is tall-ish at about 5′9″ and relatively slender, so her figure is one valued in modern times. She has very dark, very curly hair that she keeps cut short, close to her head. She is creative and likes to take plain pieces of clothing and embellish them herself for individual flare. On her right upper arm, she has a wave design tattoo, which she got decades ago while at a conference at the Citadel from a Drake tattoo artist who had developed acren tattoo needles. 

Yanna’s aquatic form is a blue shark, and her Key is a rose quartz point pendant. 

Having a lot in common with Azar, the two sometimes get along very well, but at times, clash over their differences. Both are confident to the point of competition, which can either fuel them in fun or lead to house-shaking disputes (verbal or physical). Like Azar, Yanna has a strong personality, but she is more comfortable standing out only among her friends and doesn’t normally seek the spotlight when in larger groups or public. She is charismatic, imaginative, and fun-loving. Selene likens Yanna’s laugh to the stars: it shines through, even in the darkest times, and sparkles in a way that captivates your ears. Selene often teases Yanna because she loves to hear that laugh. 

However, Yanna also has her cold side. When she isn’t playful, she’s impatient. She is easily frustrated by the bad ideas of others and doesn’t give criticism gently. 

She’s a lesbian.

Selene

INFJ, Capricorn

Selene is similar to Yanna in height, around 5′9″, but she has a stockier build. Selene is very muscular, almost looking like a body builder. She likes to be strong so she can pick Yanna up and swing her around. She doesn’t like to dress too flashy, preferring simple, comfortable clothing. She has dark, wavy hair almost to her shoulder on the right, and the left side of her head is shaved. Yanna loves to rub the fuzz of the shaved side and get her fingers tangled in the waves.

Selene’s aquatic form is a tiger shark, and her Key is a shell earring, which she wears on her left. 

Selene is a very passionate person. She will sometimes pick up a hobby and find a topic that interests her and throw herself into it. She is also fiercely protective of those close to her, Yanna first and foremost, then her shivermates, then others she feels responsible for in a situation. She champions the causes of underdogs. She doesn’t see herself as particularly wise but is considered so by her friends, who often look to her for insight or advice. Her word has weight because people feel they can trust her judgement. She is goal-oriented and can sometimes become overly critical of herself when her goals are not met, progress is too slow, or results less than perfect. She can also be a private, overly sensitive person at times. If she doesn’t get adequate time to relax alone and recharge, she can get snippy and take things to heart that drag on her for a long time after. 

Selene is bisexual, though she has been with Yanna all her life. 

Backstory

Selene and Yanna originate from a shiver with an interesting view on making and raising mermaids. Both were 22 when they became mermaids, which was 184 years ago in the year 6662CP. They were born in Greece, and started dating in their teens. They met a shiver of mermaids, two of which were the couple Hesper (a thresher) and Petrina (a tiger). In this shiver, lifelong romantic bonds were highly valued. Hesper and Petrina took Selene and Yanna in, giving them protection and a refuge in which to feel comfortable and welcome, a place where they could be themselves. They taught them about mermaid culture, lore, and history. After a few years, Yanna and Selene decided to let Hesper and Petrina turn them into mermaids.

The two stayed with that shiver for a decade or so, but then decided they wanted to set out on their own and find their own way. They travelled the world together, meeting all kinds of different humans and mermaids from all countries and clans. They returned to their original shiver 55 years after becoming mermaids (a third of an orbit, as is customary) to be joined in the Cergamen marriage bond. They stuck around for a few years after that but then set out on their own again. Typically, Teeth stay in shivers of six to twelve mermaids, but groups of fewer than six do occur on occasion, so it was odd for them to live and travel alone, but not totally unheard of. 

Yanna and Selene never saw Hesper and Petrina or the rest of their shiver again. It was about fifteen years ago that Yanna and Selene got word that Hesper and Petrina’s shiver had been attacked and killed by Pirates. Yanna and Selene set out to avenge their original shiver. They discovered which crew of Pirates were responsible, those who operated out of a small port in Croatia on a ship whose name translated to the Wolf-Reaper. They attacked the ship but found themselves outnumbered and outgunned and barely escaped with their lives. Yanna had been willing to fight to the death, and it was Selene who had to pull her out of the fray kicking and screaming. 

Yanna was upset but didn’t hold it against Selene for long; they had to move on. It was after this that they decided they wanted to join a new shiver. They ended up meeting Nur and Geri at a coffee shop in France and hit it off. Nur and Geri brought Yanna and Selene back to their France den to meet the rest of the shiver (them plus Azar, Kiran, and Alice), and they clicked. The shiver had actually been on the lookout for new members at the time, feeling like they were too small of a group for comfort, so it worked out nicely. 

[hellove101-blog]

LORAC Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales Eye Shadow Palette **swatches to come** #live #love #makeup #eyeshadow #palette #eyeshadowpalette #piratesofthecaribbean #deadmentellnotales #treasureinthestars #lorac #loracpropalette #ghostly #starrynight #compass #arrgh #blackpearl #yoho #bones #silvermist #treasure #tellnotales #shiverme #cursed #mattey #lostatsea #pirateschest #seahaze #menace #silentmary

[the-enby-bird]

Destined-- Discovery PT 2

Am I in any way satisfied with it? No. Was most of this written while I had a fever of 107? Yes. Am I posting it anyway? Yes.

Leviathantale belongs to Skumhuu

Enjoy (:

Cross slammed full-speed into Horror, panting softly. Horror looked down at him in amusement. “Hey, lil’ pearl, ‘sup?” He held Cross at arms length, lone eyelight trained on his face.

Cross immediately began speaking, almost too quickly for Horror to process. “Nightmare got sick, and now he’s- tiny? Sure, but anyway we found him and we need your help- oof!” Dust pulled Cross up against his chest, smiling at the puff of bubbles he released.

“Mkay tiny, we get it. We’ll head back as soon as you’ve calmed down an’ got yer head on straight. Well, as straight as it can get, little gay shark man.” He poked Cross’s nose, a joking smile on his face.

“...That is a worse nickname than tiny.”

“Yeah, I know. That was my goal.”

“Oh. Why?”

“Again with the why,” Dust faked a sigh, “I felt like it. And It’s not like you can deny it~”

“I can deny being little!”

“Nuh-uh, can’t deny the truth little man~”

“C’mon you two, quit bickering like babybones. Cross is small, but Dusty is too. You are both very small. Now let’s get goin’, if Night needs us.”

Cross sighed, a blush sparking up on his face. “I don’t agree with that, but fine. Night’s more important. ...Can you let me go now, Dust?”

“Mmmmm, nope~”

“Dust.”

“C’mon tiny, let me have my fun~ I just wanna cuddle you all the way back, is that too much to ask?”

“Yes. It’s a waste of time and energy.”

Dust’s expression turned serious, and he flipped Cross around in his arms to be facing him. “Cross.”

“What.”

“What’s wrong?” He softened his voice, gentling his hold on Cross.

“Nothing.”

“Did I say something wrong?” Dust probed.

“What? No! What made you think that?! I said nothing’s wrong!”

“Look me in the eye and say that.”

Cross didn’t make eye contact.

“Cross.”

“Cuttlefish.” Horror joined in, swimming up and holding Cross’s face. “It’s okay to feel things. Okay? Jus’ talk to us so we can help you.”

Cross tried to shy away, tears gathering in his eyes.

“Cross. Please.”

The tears in Cross’s eyes threatened to spill over. “I just… don’t like… being helpless. I want to be able to help but I can’t, and I just. Don’t…”

“Hey, I get it. It’s okay. But you’re no help to Nighty like this, so just calm down, relax, and we can bring him some food when we go back. That’s helpin’, right?”

Cross sniffled. “Y-yeah, I guess…”

“‘Kay then, we’ll take a minute to relax then we’ll get goin’.” Dust pulled Cross back against his chest, purring slightly. Cross relaxed, his own purr starting up.

~~~

About five minutes later, Dust let Cross go, their twin purrs dwindling off to nothing. Horror had disappeared a short while earlier to collect the catch he and Dust had left behind. Dust had promised as soon as Horror got back they would leave, so Cross began looking around for his mate. The entire shiver had a habit of sneaking up on him when he wasn’t looking, and he wasn’t going to be caught off guard this ti… me… He turned around and was instantly pulled into a hug by his shivermate.

“Aw, damnit!”

“Pfft, we’re too sneaky for you, pup boy!”

“Stars, these nicknames just keep getting worse.”

“Good.”

“No. Not good.”

“I disagree.”

“I disagree with that disagreement.”

“...What.”

“I don’t know either, honestly.”

“I figured.”

“We should get going.”

“And lose my pillow?” Horror complained.

“And lose your pillow, big guy. Sorry.”

“I’M NOT A FUCKING PILLOW!”

“Say, is your pillow talking?” Dust teased, holding in laughter.

“Dunno, but maybe a kiss will make it quiet down~” Horror smiled, catching on quickly.

“WHO THE FUCK KISSES A PILLOW?!”

“People who have no clue what a pillow is or how to use it?”

“Fair enough. ANYWAY-”

“Yes, anyway. I got food for Night.” Horror smiled, gesturing to a woven net behind him. It had a variety of fish and crustaceans in it, to the point that it was almost overflowing. Well, overflowing as much as a net can.

“Wow big guy, that’s a lot of fish!” Dust smiled and pecked a kiss on Horror’s cheek.

“It is! Good job, Horror!” Cross mimicked Dust’s action, twisting around to kiss Horror. Horror purred happily, returning both their kisses.

Dust giggled slightly. “C’mon you two, enough cuddlin’. We can’t let Killer have all the fun with Night, now can we?” He picked up one end of the net. "I wanna see Mr. Big Bad and Evil as "tiny." Whatever that means."

Cross smiled, replying, "Very. Small. And cute. And grumpy."

"My interest grows with every word~ C'mon H, let's get going!"

~~~

Merry Chrispmoose

[waddlebouncefloof]

Leviathantale MerMay 2021 - Day 2: Shark

Here's Day 2! Some fluff that happens between Chapter 15 and 16 of "Little Selkie"

The upside of being able shift into different creatures is the experience. Blank is able to swim in different ways, eat different food, and access different parts of the sea! But then there are downsides.

Like cleaning time.

“Blank, it’s time for your grooming session,” Horror calls.

“Nah!”

Dust gives the toddler a flat look. “Blank.”

“Naaaaaaaaah!”

As much as Blank loves all the adults in their life, they don’t like are the cleaning sessions. From their Mama’s tongue baths to Kelp’s tiny ocean cleans with strange-smelling bubbles, all adults are too interested in Blank’s cleanliness. It’s terrible.

After an impressive chase, Killer – the fastest out of all of them – eventually manages to catch them, flip them over, and hand them off to Horror.

“It’s for your own good, Blank,” Horror reminds them as he checks them over for any parasites or algae. Blank whines as the Great White grooms their tail. They only manage the lightest of wiggles in their flipped over position. “Why do you always run?”

“Tickles,” Blank pouts. “Likey, nah.”

“Well, if Horror doesn’t do this, some nasty, nasty bugs will suck up your blood and make your tail itchy,” Killer cautions, trying to make Blank feel better. “When Crossy first came to us, he was covered in nasty wormies and barnacles since he didn’t have any nice shivermates to help groom him. Cross would be heartbroken if you went through the same.”

Blank looks at Killer dubiously. ”…Weally?”

“Yes, really.”

Blank looks thoughtful. Then, they look back at Horror. “…Okie. Bwank be good. Howa cwean pwease. Thankee.”

Horror pauses for a moment to nuzzle Blank’s nose. “’Course, pup. I’ll make sure you’re the cleanest pup in the sea by the time I’m done.”

- Mod Berry

[waddlebouncefloof]

Leviathantale MerMay 2021 - Day 11: Seal

There's a reason why the Shiver stopped eating seal.

[Warning: Seal Death, Breakdown, Grief, Cross has a Bad Time]

Seals are not usually a common catch amongst the shiver. Too quick and often a waste of energy to pursue. Fish of all kinds are the main staple. But today, Horror and Dust managed to come upon an injured seal. It’s a young one too. Proud with their catch, they drag the entire carcass into the trenches to present it to everyone.

Horror and Dust doesn’t expect Cross to scream. He pales at the sight of the carcass in Horror’s grasp and looks as if his entire world was ripped away from him in that single moment. It’s because of that expression and the terrible, awful sound he made that neither Horror nor Dust put up any fight when their newest shivermate darts forward and snatches the catch from them.

Cross pokes and prods at the corpse, desperately trying to wake the seal. When none of that works, he lets out a grief-stricken wail that makes everyone shudder. Then, before Nightmare, Dream, or Killer could catch him, he takes the carcass and flees into the darkness with it.

It takes hours for them to find him. When they do, they find him curled protectively around the corpse, sobbing inconsolably over it. Cross snarls and nips at anyone who tries to come near. In the end, Nightmare manages to drag him away from the dead seal as the others get to it. “GIVE THEM BACK!” he shrieks, scrabbling against Nightmare’s grip. “NO!”

Dream tries to comfort him, but Cross is completely inconsolable. He sobs as the others quickly disposed the carcass. “Give them back. Give them –” he sobs and covers his face with his hands. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Cross eventually tires out enough for his shivermates to safely bring him back to their section of the Deep. It takes him days before he eats properly again. He doesn’t talk about his episode. No one asks.

After that, the Shiver unanimously decide that they would never bring seal in for a meal ever again.

[waddlebouncefloof]

Leviathantale MerMay 2021 - Day 18: Treasure

Nightmare guards his treasures.

Once upon a time, Nightmare used to jealously guard his territory as if it was a precious treasure. In the present, it’s more of a chest that keeps the true jewels safe. At first, it was simply Dream, who he had both despised and loved fiercely ever since he came into existence. The shining star of the sea – a perfect crowning jewel to defend and keep.

Then came Horror with his garnet eyelight – injured, starved, and alone – who was then carefully polished through time and care into the perfect provider and nurturer of the Shiver that would come to be.

Dust followed soon after with his ‘brother’ flitting around him like a ghostly string of pearls. Though initially soaked in apathy from old hurts and grief, he would break out of his emotionless shell for the sake of his new family.

Killer came next, buzzing with the ruby red of LV and spilling pretty words from his silver tongue. For all of teasing and pranking, he would be one of the most devoted in the protection of his shivermates.

Cross, with his wild, amethyst magic, came into the Shiver completely unpolished and mishandled by his past. Though unfamiliar of the ways of his own kind, his loyalty would become unquestionable and would even win over Nightmare’s suspicion.

His treasures. His mersharks. His family. Nightmare loves and cherishes them all.

Blank is different than his jewels. They are softer, smaller, and sweeter. They don’t quite sparkle like his Shiver – no, they’re too young and new for that – but they make his jewels shine even more with their presence and laughter. They make Nightmare shine brighter and want to be better.

“It has recently come to my attention that a selkie child we have been fostering belongs to you.”

So that’s why, against all of his instincts, Nightmare – with Dream at his side – opens up his borders to his fellow Leviathans for the first time ever since the lines were erected.

“Thank you,” the selkie – Geno, Blank’s mother – expresses earnestly. Most likely, he’s heard of Nightmare’s pickiness and territorial nature. “I hope taking care of Blank wasn’t too much of a burden.”

“Not at all,” Nightmare says softly, “they’ve been an absolute treasure.”

[waddlebouncefloof]

Leviathantale MerMay 2021 - Day 30: Mermaid’s Kiss

Even after Kelp returns to land, he longs for the sea, the Deep, and the Shiver.

(Continuation of Day 10: Kelp & Day 23: Grotto)

Even after his return to land, Kelp longs for the sea. He longs to return to its depth and return to the deep where it felt so right. It makes him guilty whenever he thinks about it since the last time he disappeared on his family and friends, it sent them all into a panic. But the guilt doesn’t make the longing disappear. It stays.

Horror still visits his dock. The Great White takes care not to mention what happened on the beach and in the Deep, much to Kelp’s disappointment. He doesn’t let it show. He smiles and pretends along with his friend, afraid of breaking their normalcy and making things awkward.

Dust doesn’t come with him anymore. Kelp asks after the quiet and reserved Whitetip, but Horror always has excuses for why his shivermate couldn’t come.

“Dust wants to see you. He really does,” Horror assures Kelp every time. He sounds earnest, at least. “He’s just not feeling too well.”

“Did he regret it?” Kelp doesn’t ask. “When the heat broke and the eggs were laid, did he regret what he said to me? What we did?”

“I hope he feels better. Tell that to Dust for me please.”

As the months roll by, the longing gets worse and worse. Kelp’s mind drifts to memories of his time in the Deep. Classic notices, of course. He looks sadder and sadder whenever he sees the look on Kelp’s face. “Buddy, sometimes, I feel like you’re not here anymore.”

Kelp isn’t. By the time an entire year rolls around, he’s made his decision. After an emotional phone call with his little brother and a conversation with Classic, Kelp quits his job and leaves his house keys to his friend. He gives away some things and wraps things up. In the end, there’s only him and his fishing boat.

Kelp sets out to the ocean. He goes out farther than he’s ever gone before. He goes to where all ships sink and never return.

“Kelp?”

Kelp stops mid-row and stares at Dust. The mershark floats uncertainly near the side of Kelp’s boat. Slowly, Kelp smiles at Dust. “Hey there. Long time no see.”

It’s like a breath of relief, seeing Dust again. The Whitetip mershark flushes grey at the sight of the smile and hides into his hoodie. Kelp’s hands twitch with the instinctive urge to reach out and cup Dust’s cheeks. Instead, he sets aside his paddles.

"Where's Horror?"

Dust shifts uncomfortably. "It's clutching season and he doesn't want to be careless again. Sorry that he couldn't come to visit."

"And you?" Kelp gently prods. "Are you feeling better? I haven't seen you for a very long time, Dust. I missed you."

Dust, normally so impassive and apathetic, looks so vulnerable.

"Me too. I missed you too," his voice breaks. "But it wouldn't have been safe for you if I came. Horror agreed. I wasn't in my right - I wanted to keep - I wished -" Dust stops and takes a breath. Kelp waits patiently for the mershark to gather the right words, feeling as if he's at the edge of something important. "I couldn't forget the sight of you with us...heavy with Horror's clutch...happy. It made me want to keep you forever."

Kelp shivers. "I couldn't forget either. I was so happy there."

Dust floats closer until he’s close enough for Kelp to touch. He looks at Kelp with such longing but stops himself at the last second and shakes his head. “You’re too far out, Kelp. It’s too dangerous. I’ll help you back to your island.”

“No.” Kelp does reach out to touch Dust this time. He cups the side of his face and runs a soft thumb over his cheekbone. The mershark outs out a shuddering sigh at the contact and leans into it. “No, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”

“But your life on the Surface…”

“I’ve said my goodbyes and closed that part of my life. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and Horror and the Shiver…if all of you will have me.”

Dust lets out the most adorable chirp at Kelp’s declaration, eyelights blown wide. “You choose us? Really?”

“Yeah. I choose you.”

Dust pushes himself up at the side of the boat and captures Kelp into a kiss. Giddy and happy, Kelp returns it and lets the Dust slowly pull him down into the water. Down, down, down they go into the Deep where the rest of the Shiver would happily welcome Kelp home.

The waves eventually push Kelp’s boat back to the island and its shore. It remains empty.