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He was born to be on a ship. There was no way Tommy hadn’t had seawater drying out his skin since he said his first word. He couldn’t confirm this, of course, being an orphan meant you had no idea about your past, bound to starve or end up some sadly abandoned casualty to someone desperate for even the smallest amount of coin.
Tommy was lucky enough to have been dragged onto this ship even if this was the worst season to be sailing. The weather was too unpredictable and often at least one person on each trip would suffer frostbite or hypothermia. The latter was not fun to experience so, regardless of how much he hated this crew, he wouldn’t wish it on his worst enemy.
He would have been draped across the crow's nest if not for the horrid chill that enveloped their current route. Even if it wasn’t there, he’d probably be stuck where he was now, fastening the sails and occasionally scrubbing the deck. He wasn’t even supposed to be here, legally at least, 10-year-olds weren’t even old enough to be a Cabin boy but he was lucky enough the captain took pity on him. She was one of the greatest of her generation but, after the sea took her son, Puffy refused to allow anyone to lean overboard when they weren’t at a dock. She never talked about Foolish but, Dream did.
If Tommy was honest, he’d rather the two have switched places. From the stories, her oldest was a remarkable young man while Dream seemed like hell incarnate. Dream wasn’t really her child, he was orphaned and once he was old enough to be a cabin boy, he was beyond small.
Just like him.
He tried to get along with him, honest, but Dream was dick and he refused to lie. He was well aware he needed to earn his keep on the ship but he wasn’t even big enough to do half the things he was made to. Puffy had told her son multiple times, that he could just clean up the cabins, and help their cook but Dream never did that.
He never argued, he never complained. Tommy was lucky enough to even be alive so he refused to abandon this crew. Dream made it torture but, he knew deep down, that he had earned his place here. He was supposed to be helping Niki with dinner, she and the captain were beyond kind, but they believed their son.
If he was honest, he was curious as to what Dream had said to make them believe he wouldn’t be able to help. They had a good diet to prevent scurvy and other deficiencies but that didn't stop him from developing pneumonia because of his bad lungs. Maybe he said something about a flare-up or his asthma?
Either way, he wasn’t getting out of this stupid chore. Dream didn’t even care if his pneumonia did flare back up, or if his coughing got worse from the bitter cold, all he cared about was not having to handle his chores.
His hands ached and his back hurt. The pressure building in his lungs was hell on earth. The doctor before they left told Puffy and him that he needed weeks of rest and to keep on that antibiotic, but Dream refused to let him have this. The medication was long gone, having been used up, but he still had signs of his pneumonia which meant they’d probably need more once they got to another dock, but that was months away.
Tommy no longer had such a harsh cough, the crackling sound and wheezing had faded into the occasional shortness of breath but he was doing a lot better. He stopped coughing up bloody phlegm and it was a very light yellow color, no longer such a heavy infection. He was eager to get it away since that meant his asthma would start to clear up maybe even go away. Regardless he was no longer as sick, his fever had disappeared and he no longer had waves of confusion or pain.
He stood up, brushing off his black pants that were too big for his small frame and adjusting his weathered shirt that seemed to follow the former's footsteps. It was no longer the bright white it had at first now a gross beige that seemed more stain than fabric. He lacked a belt so instead the bunchy leggings were held by a blue cardigan he’d turned into a pirate sash. The bright blue fabric was too important to be left behind so he’d turned it into something he could wear but he hadn’t considered his coat would get in the way.
The brown trench coat was the only thing he had left to call back to his family and his stuffed cow Henry. The left sleeve had some patches, one of a forgotten flag he couldn’t identify, a blue sheep, two crows, and a crown. Other than these personalizations, no other signs of his past existed other than his first name, not his real name, sown into the internal collar. The orphanage had found the name Theseus, Tamsyn, too strange so they called him Tommy, Tammy. He clung to the coat like a lifeline, even if it may never lead him to his family, the fabric was a sign of his family. A sign of his past.
If he could have exchanged the trench coat for a good life, he wouldn’t have even considered it. All he wanted to do right now was curl up in his hammock and cover his body with it, it was a good blanket alright, plus the comfort it brought sounded nice on his sore form.
Tommy felt another cough rack his body, the sound disrupting the crashing of waves and ideal chatter as he made his way into the hold, wanting to eat a little bit before heading to bed. Everyone seemed eager to hang around each other as some of them spent time making sure the ship was stable for the night. He was lucky enough to not run into Dream since the man would have forced him to either not eat at all or have such a small amount of dinner it didn’t even help hunger.
The warm soup was delicious even if it didn’t have much flavor, he was just glad to have a full stomach. The noises were nice and reminded Tommy he wasn’t alone but… If that was the case, how come no one noticed how badly Dream treated him? Even Sapnap and George didn’t even comment on what happened, despite the fact they were right next to them most time. He tried to force the bad thought away, instead heading towards his courtiers.
Tommy clambered into his hammock, kicked off his boots, and wrapped his arms around the stuffed cow. He burrowed his head against Henry, wanting to disappear and forget about his current state. His cough was still racking enough to cause discomfort but he was content to simply sleep and forget about his place.
After a little while he finally dozed off, letting the black void absorb his consciousness.
_____
The last few days had been decently bad. Just as he expected, his illness had gotten worse. The doctor had told them he needed to completely use the antibiotics and keep to himself not only to heal but keep from spreading it to others. His coughs were growing harsher and using more of his diaphragm. His breathing was getting wheezy again and his mucus was turning pink again.
He’d told Dream and ever since then he’d been all over him, not giving Tommy a moment to catch his breath or clear his lungs. He would try, honestly, he would try, to get to Puffy or Niki. Tell either of them how hard it was getting, breathing felt more like a battle and every second made it worse. The salted air was sore on his lungs and he could taste blood in every swallow which was never a good sign.
Tommy was leaning over the edge of the boat, he was light-headed and his chest was beyond tight. He wanted all of this to stop as another coughing fit enveloped his small form. He was small for his age, which came from sickness and malnourishment. He was able to feel the way his body trembled, his muscles wanted to fail him. The desire to give into his sickness and fall asleep where he was in a desperate attempt to catch his breath.
The waves crashed, a storm brewing in the distance. He didn’t want to be caught in it and risk another case of hypothermia on top of his rebounding pneumonia. He leaned over the edge and watched the foam splash against the wood and wash at the barnacles. He continued with his struggling breaths, trying to give himself any leeway for oxygen to sneak in past the inflamed and harsh parts of his lungs.
“Tommy, you’re supposed to be scrubbing the railings, not leaning on them.” The normally goofy and well-meaning tone no longer had the same effect it had months ago. He could hear the malice that set under it as he turned to look over his shoulder.
“I’m sorry Dream… It’s just hard to breathe.” He found himself responding with a loud cough escaping after he attempted to speak. It was soft and extremely weakened with the sores in his throat. Every swallow felt like hell and even attempting to speak would send spikes of pain down his trachea and into his lungs.
Tommy didn’t even have time to flinch before hands shoved him against the wooden banister pain erupting through his lower back. The tench coat, for once not stuck in his hammock, didn’t even cushion the blow. He whimpered, feeling it dig into his back as he moved to support himself. His body trembled as he sweated, the moisture not helping how clammy his skin looked.
“You know full well that isn’t an excuse! You’ve had this ‘disease’ for months now. Nothing is wrong with you!” The man seethed into his face. Tommy moved a hand up, pressing it into the older blonde’s chest.
“S-stop.” He said simply, the man towered over him. He, himself, barely reached four feet on a good day while Dream was a solid five foot six. He could feel his weight shift, displacing his hold and causing his hand to slip. Tommy could feel the rail brake under his body, a crack resounding in echo to the vast ocean they rode.
His mouth opened, a scream threatening to rip from it. He wasn’t surprised when it faltered from how horse his throat was and how much phlegm had built up. The wind had filled his ears and, just as fast as it did, water enveloped his body. Chilling cold enveloped his body as his lungs tried to pull in water.
Tommy knew better than to do as such, holding your breath was a better way to stay alive than to just suck down the salty liquid. Regardless, with the state his lungs were in holding his breath would have only delayed the inevitable for mer seconds. His body screamed as his extremely limited oxygen became invisible.
His sight was blurry but the bubbles above him were obvious.
The shadow of the ship continued to move away from him, no doubt because his fall went unnoticed.
His desire to scream faded as he sunk deeper into the dark his own eyes fading along with the light. Tommy knew nothing of his family but the brown fabric that swished into his lacking line of sight made him think of them.
Of who they were.
Who he could have been.
_________
Tommy wished he could have said he woke up without any struggle but, when you can't breathe, that didn’t happen. One moment he was floating in the dark without any awareness and the next his eyes opened to see nothing but he could feel cold against his back. His body shot up, water being forced out and through his lungs as he heaved. His head hurt as his body trembled. He didn’t know where he was, barely able to tell he was awake and alive.
His entire world was flipped upside down as he tried to sit up. He was coughing loudly as his hand pressed into his chest, feeling as more liquid slid out of his mouth. The sound of water managed to reach him, considering he couldn’t see anything he could only guess he was in some kind of water cave. His coat was heavy on his back but he didn’t care. His small body was shaking as he felt his eyes tear up.
Tommy didn’t want to show weakness and crying would just make his body produce more mucus which wouldn’t help him breathe. He gasped as sobs began to slip out, his body collapsing forward as he trembled. He could feel his hand touch something wet before he heard something move under the water. He shot upwards, shaking more as he felt his warm tears drip past his freezing cheeks.
Something disrupted the liquid near him and a chirp sounded out, he yelped, moved backward, and put a hand on his chest. The boy had been just about to cry out only for a gasp to leave him instead. The darkness began to fade, small lights building before the cave was visible. He blinked in quiet confusion as his eyes anxiously turned to explore the sights.
The walls were glowing, well... Something on the walls was glowing. He was a little confused but the small noise that seemed to echo around the space had to come from something. Tommy shook as bright blue eyes bore into his body. He tried to quiet down his nerves, not wanting to break the eye contact.
Water-soaked blonde hair floated in the water, pointed and fin-like ears tucked out of the pale strings as he continued to look toward the strange thing. Green flecks speckled its cheeks and grew in propinquity seeming to turn into a sheet of emerald scales. His brain told him with had to be some form of folk tell. A siren perhaps? Either way, he didn’t want to show any signs of weakness.
A chirp left the creature as it moved closer. Tommy forced himself back, feeling his body press against the cold wall. The siren stopped at his action, its head moving from the water as it dripped down its chin and from its hair. Their jaw looked strong and, if it wasn’t for the blue eyes, he wouldn’t be surprised to compare them to Dream. The thought caused coughing to envelope his form as he leaned forward on habit.
The creature let another noise out, a worried trill leaving it as it brought its body up onto the ledge. Tommy tried to stop the crackling cough, wanting to get away from the Siren as blood-red phlegm slipped from his mouth. “G-go away!” He yelled out, trying to scare it away.
His eyes stared as a large tail was thrown into the stone. It was green closer to the torso, black blending into it as it got closer to the tip. The fins that decorated the fishy tail were a brighter green and fairly transparent. It seemed to resemble a Bird Wrasse… The form towered over his body, maybe 8 feet long in total. The creature had a human torso, around 3 feet or so, they appeared male and had a few scars littered over his body.
As his cough called down he took notice that the siren had something in his hands. It was a fish, carved open, the delicate flesh covered in water. The man began to pull it into pieces, chirping once more as he held the cutlet in front of him. His hands moved forward, wanting to grasp it since any kind of food would kill the pains in his gut but…
He shouldn’t trust this... Thing.
It chirped again, reaching further so it was inches from his face. The siren tilted his head, showing no signs of malice and smiling. Smiling with his lips and not his teeth.
Tommy reluctantly grasped the meat, shoving it into his mouth. It was slimy and gross but having anything was better than nothing. The creature kept giving him the meat in small amounts, almost treating him like a child. He would burst into coughs on occasion, worried chirps and trills leaving the man as he hovered.
His stomach filled faster than he’d like as the siren gave a purring sound. He was anxious about it but more movement caught his attention. He trembled as another siren poked its head from the pool in front of him. His eyes widened as brown hair, despite being soaked, curling around his forehead and eyes. His eyes were glowing as well, a golden yellow color making his mind calm down just from the sight of them.
A loud chirp startled the green siren in front of him, his head throwing back to catch sight of the other one. The pupils narrowed as his blue eyes lost their glow. He growled in response, causing Tommy to flinch and pull away from the blonde. The brunette was quick to tuck back under the water, whether it was from his flinch or the mer’s clear show of distaste.
His curiosity peaked and belly full, considering that was just how Tommy always tried to react to new situations, he couldn’t help but give into his nerves. The merman may have fed him but he was sick. Tommy was currently not healthy and animals- was it fine to call them that?- were very well known for abandoning their young when ill. He wasn’t a mer-child but, despite how much he hated it, he was a kid.
The uncomfortable silence they’d built was quickly interrupted as Tommy burst into loud soul soul-crushing hacks. He felt tears swell in his eyes as his coughs began to sound winded blood dripping past his lips. His body trembled, panic swelling as he swore he felt his lungs pop and crush under the pressure his illness was causing. The mer got closer, his arms moving to support his body as he fell forward.
Tommy let his gaze drift up, eyesight fading as he fought to get down oxygen. The mer let out an audible chirp as the tip of his tail shifted the water. Within seconds the mer from earlier was pulling himself up onto the rock, something dangling from his mouth. Dispute his fear he let his eyes drift, trying to make out more of the extra figure.
He felt something lift up the front of his shirt, causing his heart to race as he panicked. He squirmed, trying to get the touch to leave. Something cold and slime-like suddenly pressed against his ribs spreading and seemingly melting into his torso. The pain in his chest and the discomfort began to fade. Tommy gasped, breathing properly for the first time in months. He was light-headed from the lack of oxygen but after a few moments, he could see once more.
The mer from earlier was now in front of him while the other was behind him, his back pressed against something cold and wet but he wasn’t very bothered. He was quietly gasping, happy to not have as much respiratory resistance. The mer had a black back that faded into yellow or gold near his belly. It was honestly pretty but Tommy was more interested in his fins. The ones on his abdomen and under his lateral line and tail were that same golden color with a black line on the tips while his dorsals were pure black with golden accents.
He had a hand on his chest, the webbing between each finger that matched his fins. The same had been done with the other man and his fins but he just hadn’t paid enough attention to it.
“T-thank you.” Tommy whispered only to look away as pleased-seeming chirps left the two creatures. The two of them seemed to fuss over him for a few minutes or so before the water began to shift, the motion brought his attention and, to Tommy’s surprise, a third mer peaked its head up and began to glance around. This one was the largest of the three, He could tell just based on the size of his torso.
His hair was bright pink and if it wasn't for the scars that adorned his chest, and the lack of breast, Tommy would have assumed he was a woman. Now Tommy was one for ignoring gender roles, for fucks sake he had been born as a woman. Originally he’d chosen to present as a boy to be allowed on Puffy’s ship. She probably wouldn’t have cared if he’d shown up as a she but he hadn’t wanted to risk it. After the first month, he realized how much being called Tommy instead of Tamsyn (Tam-zin), tickled the part of his brain that made him happy.
That wasn’t really what he should be focusing on now, but here he was, considering the ways he could be seen as himself instead of what he’d been born as. As the third mer pulled himself onto the ledge the smallest of them was quick to move to the side. His fear peaked as the pink-haired man leaned over him. Within seconds his gaze met the largest mer’s blood-red eyes his nerves screaming to hide away. Tommy didn’t take long to realize the reason for his fear.
His tail was brightly colored a common trait of poisonous or venomous animals in nature. The part that faded into his human torso was a heavy neon color. It seemed as a strange mix of purple and pink but he couldn’t tell which was the most powerful. Closer to his fins it turned into yellow the point where both colors met seemingly bright orange. Tommy would have found it beautiful if not for how much he knew about how animals worked so this mer had to be dangerous.
There was no other answer.
The other two were still fretting over him, the brunette pretty much pulling him from the blonde and tucking him against his chest. Tommy found himself confused, the hold these two wanted to have on him seemed far too familial to be done to a random human child. It didn’t take much before the pink-haired… Pinkette? Seemed to relax. His head tilted, the crimson eyes resting against him and on his own eyes.
The largest mer gave a trill, clearly saying something that he couldn’t understand. The other two looked toward him before glancing down towards him. The lap he was in wasn’t comfortable, that wasn’t much of a surprise since it was wet, scaled, and cold. Tommy wanted to hide at having all three of them glancing at him feeling the pressure. It didn’t take long before he felt himself break out into a cold sweat.
Mermaids or sirens, had always been a part of sailor tales. Everyone knew of how they would draw people off boats or from shores to capture humans. If their victims were lucky they’d be drowned before the monsters tour into their flesh and eat them while others had to suffer through this alive. He shivered, moving to pull his trench coat closer, trying to hide from them. He couldn’t pull himself from the mer’s hold so even though he was doomed, he had to try to get even a single layer of protection.
The blue eyes of the oldest, at least he looked the oldest, bore into him the pity and faint remorse causing Tommy to glare in response. That wasn’t fair! They didn’t get to stare at him with sorrow when they were going to kill him! His tears were bubbling back, soaking his cheeks as they began to drip down his face. They were warm in comparison to his skin as he shivered before he looked forward watching the pinkette pull himself closer.
The blonde was quick to lift his arm, trying to block him from getting closer but a quick click seemed to cause him to back off. He felt himself shake, his tears increasing as he felt his body curl closer to the smallest siren. He was well aware that this one wouldn’t be of any help, considering he was a part of the group he’d been saved by.
Just because they saved him didn’t mean he’d get to live. Tommy knew that from all the stories he’d been told and the books he read in the orphanage. The large mer continued to get closer, the stern look on his face making his hulking form more intimidating than it needed to be. Now that he was close enough he had to guess this one was maybe closer to 8 and a half feet, not much taller than the oldest but it was enough to count. He could feel the one behind him and, considering it was so much smaller than these two, he was screwed regardless.
He forced his eyes closed, not wanting to watch him smile or see anything similar but the expected pain never showed itself. Instead cold, dripping hands cupped his cheeks, lifting his head up as a coo left one of the three mers. He felt his trembling continue as he shakily tried to pull away. The hands held firm though, carefully whipping his tears from his cheek. He felt as the cough began to grow in his throat and from his chest again, whatever they had used to soothe it was wearing off.
He fell into another coughing fit, turning his head away as his lungs screamed in pain. The mer he was being held by made a concerned chirp, his hand resting on his back while the other braced his front. He wanted to push him away, after all, he shouldn’t be trusting a predator to help him.
His body continued to shake as cough after cough left him tired and sore. He continued to be covered in this sensation, his body breaking into uncomfortable sounds and motions. After what felt like an eternity his body finally calmed down, blood dripping down his chin. It wasn’t a lot but it was more than his body normally forced up.
Tommy wanted all this to end but he wouldn’t be surprised if his pneumonia would be getting worse. Falling into the ocean, no doubt inhaling water, and being exposed to the elements is bound to cause some serious damage and, at least, hypothermia. It’s possible his shaking in fear has hidden the shaking of illness and cold. He could feel the siren rub his back and he wanted nothing more than to lean into it.
His chest was rumbling, the sensation of his lungs pretty much imploding on eachother was horrid. At least he assumed that was what he was feeling. The scared mer was quick to pull away, Tommy could swear he could see a bit of concern in his eyes but his attention was stolen by the blonde once more. He cooed, hands cupping his face as he leaned forward. The siren kissed his forehead, the action causing his tears to bubble up.
These creatures were giving him conflicting feelings. They shouldn’t be treating him in such a way and he shouldn’t be having a reaction that showed his lack of love growing up. He leaned into his touch, whimpering as the mer moved to pull him towards his chest. The mans hands, despite how cold they seemed, were warm and honestly gave him a comfortable sensation. He felt his body give out, a chin resting in his hair as clicks, trills, and coos filled the air.
For once in his life…
Tommy felt safe.
The soft sounds continued for a while before he began to feel his eyes flutter close. It was almost as if the three of them were trying to get him to give into his body’s needs and to doze off. Either way… He wanted to take a moment to forget about the place he’s been in. He deserves to have a break.
______
His chest felt free for once…
Tommy wasn’t worried about anything right now but something that was nagging in the back of his brain. This sensation was practically screaming for him to open his eyes and glance around. He wanted too, really he did, but this was the best sleep he’s managed since his pneumonia started up. He moved, shifting as he felt his nose nuzzle against something. There was this sensation bleeding into him as he felt a coo rumble in this throat.
Wait. A coo?
Why the fuck was he cooing?! Tommy wasn’t some fish thing or anything of the sorts!
He let his eyes creep open, feeling a strange sensation flood over them. He blinked a few times before his sight managed to focus. Bright yellows, greens, reds, and pinks were in front of him, matching the coral that healthy and thriving around his home. He moved his hand, reaching out for it.
It only took a few seconds before he gasped. His nails were sharper than ever, black near his cutical and fading to red towards the tip. His fingers were pale and his webbing was longer, fading into fins between where his normal hands had gaps. His arm was bare other than a fleckling of white, red and black scales. A scream built in his throat only to lead to nothing other than a distressed squeal.
The moment this sound left him, something flooded his head, screaming towards him. ’Guppy? Safe! Safe.’
His eyes shifted, looking around where he was. The cave he was in had to be full of water and not air. Kelp swayed in the current and he could see barnacles and shells living off the walls. He gave a very small sound as he held his head up and tried to get up. Within a moment he squealed again, feeling off blanence as his feet slipped up. Well.. He can’t call them feet anymore.
Suddenly in front of him Tommy could see his torso as it bleed into creamy white scales which faded into red near his tail fin. His fins followed this pattern but the furtherthest away from his head had black accent lines and bases. He brought a hand forward, pushing against his waist. The tecture was strange but the shifting from skin to scales was surprisingly pleasing. It didn’t feel slimy like a fish would but instead it reminded him of rubber.
He was so infatuated with his tail that he didn’t even notice the mer behind him. Hands were quick to grab him, causing another squeal to leave him. His arms began to flail as he was held, his tail following his attempt at freedom with the sudden touch.
’Sush. Safe. Guppy. Home.’
A voice suddenly filled his head as he moved, tilting his head back. As he did this he made eye contact with the mer from earlier. Within a few seconds his own head supplied him with an answer for what he was. Shoal. A coo formed in his throat at the sight of him, feeling himself melt as sea blue met sky blue.
Tommy’s brain was begging him to reach and adore the man in front of him. He wanted to give into it. He’d always been called a child of the sea after all and it wasn’t like he had anyone waiting on land. A trill built in his chest as he smiled, hands reaching for the large man.
’Dad?’
Phil is a Green Bird Wrasse -
Wilbur is a Golden Domino Damsel -
Techno is a Royal Gramma -
And Tommy is a Firefish Goby!
