A series of annoyed mumbles escapes you as you read and re-read the list in your hand. Upon it were the myriad names of townsfolk who you had promised deliveries of fish to, some were your usual customers while others you don’t even remember making such promises.
Were you drunk… sleep deprived… or…?
Regardless, you now found yourself in the conundrum of having to deliver more than what you’d typically catch. And you weren’t keen on the idea of making yourself even more of an outcast by snubbing them.
Sighing, you toss the paper back onto your desk before shoving yourself away from it. Eyes looking out the window you notice the sun beginning to just break out over the horizon, lighting up the overcast skies in a fiery blaze. Looking back to the desk, you snuff out the gently burning candle upon it before turning away.
Gathering your wool coat, you grab a neatly folded fishing net that sat beside the door, fumbling awkwardly with it for a few moments due to its size you manage to wrangle it into something approaching carriable before heading out the door.
Shuddering as the early morning air washes over you, you step outside. Frowning slightly, you can already see the town beginning to wake up below you as a combination of light both magical and mundane lit up the windows of the other early raisers.
The town of Graywater was something of an oddity, despite its position along the coastline those who lived within it wanted little to do with the ocean. Superstitious to a fault, generation after generation had been raised being told of the dangers that lurked off their shores until eventually few bothered to venture out into the waters.
Instead, the town was notable for the alchemical properties of its surrounding flora resulting in an economy propped up almost entirely through trade.
It is within this already odd town that you stand out as something of an enigma. Living somewhat distanced from the town itself, your home was perched atop a cliff directly on the shoreline, it also afforded you an unobstructed sight over the town itself.
This, of course, didn’t help how they viewed you.
Not being a native, you had arrived some time ago; the relative isolation that Graywater enjoyed appealed to you. And though they looked at you funny none of them were openly aggressive to you.
Just passive-aggressive.
It wasn’t long before you moved into your current home, proving to be something of a small miracle due to how cheap it proved to be. Although you swiftly learned that was because none of the locals wanted anything to do with it, however, after some fixing up it turned out to be a rather comfortable living space.
Although you never did figure out what happened to the last owner…
What truly drove an awkward wedge between you and the locals was, instead, your willingness to go out into the ocean. Styling yourself as something of an angler you had no quarrels about setting sail into the waters beyond.
You still suspect some of them were placing bets on how long you’d live.
But, in the end, you wound up being somewhat successful in your endeavors. Becoming Graywater’s one and only fishmonger, you sold fish, people paid you for it, everyone otherwise left each other alone.
Making your way down to the shore you eventually came to where your skiff lay grounded on the beach. Carefully placing the net down within, you begin to push it out to sea.
While it wasn’t the biggest or most impressive boat you’ve ever seen it was… Good enough. Probably. It does occur to you that there’s almost certainly a better way of maintaining the damn thing, but you equally doubt you could convince anyone to let you build a viable dock.
At least the waves were calm today. Besides, if everything goes well you wouldn’t even need the thing soon enough.
As it hits the water you clamber inside and sit down, grasping at the pair of oars you begin the tedious task of rowing further out to sea.
A while later you finally manage to push yourself a far enough distance from shore to escape the attention of anyone who’d spare the ocean a casual glance, placing yourself at an awkward angle relative to the shore as an extra layer of security; hopefully making it too much effort if someone really did want to try and see what you were doing out here.
Standing up, you look down to the water below. The sun had risen further enough to allow for you to scan the ocean’s surface, your head on a swivel, but after several moments you still failed to find what you sought. Almost deciding to give up on this location and row somewhere else you perk up as you hear the water part behind you.
Shit-
With your attention faced forward you cry out as your boat is suddenly tilted heavily to the rear. Failing to keep your balance, you stumble backwards and fall. Knocking your head hard against the wooden planks, you groan pathetically for a moment before slowly opening your eyes, which immediately widen upon spotting the sight looming over you.
Hovering over you and your small boat was the visage of an unusual woman. Her eyes, a deep blue that glowed faintly, locked squarely onto you, her small smile only widening at your reaction, slowly revealing her razor sharp teeth in the process.
Her hair, long and dark, slowly detached itself from her wet form to drape down around you. A few drops of water falling from the giant’s teal skin onto your face, a small amount of the salty water landing squarely against your mouth. Grimacing, you sputter slightly in response which nets a series of giggles from the giant above.
The melodic sound causes you to smile slightly as well.
“Hello darling,” She greets you fondly, lowering herself until her face is roughly level with you. Watching you pick yourself up, the shift in angle allowed you to make out the last few details on her face. On her cheeks were a set of fine blue scales, their shimmering iridescence catching in the sunlight. Finally, notably, on her neck were a pair of similarly colored gills that outed the woman as one of the merfolk.
You warmly return her greeting, taking a few steps closer to her you brace your feet on the boat’s edge. Lifting yourself up you press yourself against the giant in the best approximation of a hug that you can manage, nuzzling yourself against the bridge of her nose. Nevertheless she hums contently in response, closing her eyes as the two of you remain like that for several quiet moments.
The mermaid, Marilith, was in truth the real reason you were out here. She too was something of an enigma to her people. As one of the Leviathans, exceptionally rare whale-sized merfolk, Marilith was no exception to the tendencies of Leviathans to live away from any society.
After your first few excursions out to sea she decided to make herself known to you, apparently being part of the “danger” that the locals fear mongered about, you were ready to accept your death right there and then.
Yet, it never came. Rather, the two of you engaged in casual conversation instead, during which one fact made itself fairly clear to you.
She was lonely.
Perhaps you were too, in hindsight, given how readily you accepted making a friend of her.
It was from there that the rest became history, with you coming out to visit her every few days for the past several months.
It would probably be obvious, if anyone else knew, that this was turning into something more.
The thought caused you to blush.
Marilith pulled away from the makeshift embrace, shifting her position, she slowly began to circle your skiff, “How are you this morning?” Her voice was song-like and soothed you down to your soul. You sat back down, her movements allowing you to see the rest of her just beneath the surface. The fish-like lower half of her body was coated in a fine layer of blue scales as well, her fins and tail were long and flowing almost akin to some of the fancier curtains you’ve seen before.
You also catch sight of her bare breasts, already proportionally big on her; the weighty orbs were nothing short of massive in your eyes.
It did nothing to help your blush.
Coughing, you finally respond to her that you’ve been fine.
Marilith doesn’t miss this, reaching under your boat she slowly pulls it towards her, “I’m glad to hear that,” Came her soft reply. Bracing the ship against her chest, you rock slightly from the impact, but you can only awkwardly avert your eyes somewhere else when she lowers her head directly next to you. An attempt was made to try and not meet her sidelong gaze.
“And yet… you seem so tense,” She added teasingly, her warm breath washing over you, “Do I have that effect on you? Would you like me to give you space?” Though Marilith’s tone was playful there did seem to be an edge of genuine concern to it.
You remain silent for a few more moments before slowly shaking your head, and although you don’t verbally answer her you do scoot closer. Leaning against her cheek, the smooth scales feeling cool on your face, you give Marilith all the affirmation she needed. Her smile widening yet again.
Pulling her head slowly back up, she lifts a hand out of the water, leaving it hanging in the air for a moment to allow for any ocean water to fall away, before slowly bringing it towards you. You look at her hand and then back up to her face, giving her a small nod of your own as you allow her fingers to gently wrap around you. The digits sliding over your form with great care, making every effort to avoid hurting you with the sharp nails on each finger.
Fitting snugly into her palm you’re lifted up and away from your boat, brought closer to Marilith’s face, she cradles you within both hands now. Seemingly determined to continue your action from just a moment before, you’re brought up against her cheek again. The giant nuzzles into you as if she were cuddling with a stuffed toy, which you try to return as best able by pressing yourself against her. The soft skin was surprisingly warm for an aquatic being like her, your breathing slowing down while the two of you remained silent and simply embraced once more.
…You realized that your woolen coat, though dampened, probably did make you feel like a stuffed animal.
Eventually she begins to slowly pull away her hand, with the pressure easing off you, you slump off her cheek and onto your back. Laying against her palm as she brings it closer in front of her face, her eyes gaze lovingly down at you.
“I’m glad you came out this morning, dear,” Marilith says with a happy sigh, “It does get oh-so lonely sometimes.”
Lifting yourself off your back, you shift into a seated position within her hand. Smiling back up at her, you tell her to think nothing of it. That you’re always just as happy to see her as well.
Gesturing back to your boat you likewise inform her you brought her net back, which she notes with a quick glance, before your voice shifts to one of embarrassment. Unable to maintain eye contact you slowly, awkwardly, begin to explain to Marilith your predicament. The unfortunate situation causes her to chuckle, closing her eyes she sighs in exaggerated exasperation.
“My… what would you do without me?” Eyes opening halfway, she smirks upon seeing you squirm in discomfort at being called out, “But it’s no worry, I had a feeling something like this would happen…”
Her voice trailed off as Marilith shifted her attention down towards her tail, lifting a small portion of the limb out of the water. You could see another net tied firmly against the tip, “I can give this to you whenever you desire to return back.”
Immediately you begin to profusely thank her, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off your shoulder. But Marilith only brushed it off, bringing her other hand closer to you she ran a finger down your hair, enjoying your involuntary shudder, “Think nothing of it,” She echoed back to you, “It’s always but a simple task,” Though intending to ease your worries you couldn’t help but notice the brag behind her words.
But that was the truth of it, wasn’t it? You never were the angler the townsfolk thought you were, in fact, you barely caught much of anything on your own. All this time all of “your” hauls were in fact purely based on the efforts of Marilith. You simply came out here and returned the mermaid her nets and then brought another batch with you back to shore, and all she ever desired in return was your company.
The reality of it causes you to slouch slightly, lost in your own thoughts at the obvious imbalance at play you only snap out of it when she calls your name. Shaking your head, you tell her that everything’s fine. Although it’s obvious from the look she gave you that she didn’t truly believe it but decided not to push the point.
“Do you need to head back now? I’m sure they won’t be happy to be kept waiting.”
You think about it for a moment… While, yes, you’d almost certainly catch shit should you take too long… But at the same time…
You eventually ask if you could stay with her for a while longer.
The mermaid seemed surprised for a split second at your choice to shirk your job, but just as quickly it was replaced with a beaming smile, “Of course! You hardly need to ask.”
As she starts to return you to your boat, presumably assuming it’d be preferable for you, you hold your hand up to stop her. Quietly asserting that you’d rather be with her, as in, close with her. Although you struggle to maintain eye contact for long upon seeing her smile widen yet further, her sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight, “You’re quite direct today, aren’t you dear? I wonder what brought this on…” Her voice trails off before she chuckles to herself, “Not that I’m complaining…”
Pinching you between two fingers, an act that, while gentle, still manages to elicit a small squeak from you, Marilith begins to lower herself backwards until her body is parallel with the ocean’s surface. Depositing you onto her stomach her hand returns to her side, going slack as it’s allowed to simply float upon the water. Likewise, with closed eyes she faced skyward, relaxing silently in the moment.
Not that you could see her face, braced down on your hands and knees against Marilith’s stomach you struggled for a moment as you sunk slightly into the soft surface. Not helped by its gentle rise and fall with every breath she took. But it was easy enough to stabilize yourself, what caused your own breathing to hitch was what sight greeted you upon looking up. Both of the Leviathan’s breasts loomed over you now like miniature mountains, each easily capable of smothering you wholly beneath them should the woman desire it, and without her hair covering them they were laid bare for the whole world to witness.
Gathering yourself together you cast them out of your mind for now, although you realize she almost certainly placed you here on purpose, lowering yourself onto your back you too take up a relaxed position on Marilith’s stomach.
Looking down past your feet, you notice her tail curling its way around your boat, holding it gently but firmly against herself to prevent it from drifting off. Though she was as careful as ever, doing her utmost not to damage it at all, it was obvious all it would take was one errant twitch and she could reduce it to splinters in a heartbeat.
Lowering your head back down you shut your own eyes, joining Marilith in the comfortable silence as you both simply enjoy being in the proximity of the other, your breathing eventually matching hers.
Soon enough a combination of the gentle rocking, ocean ambiance, and the soft “bed” beneath you threatened to lull you to sleep. Just as you were about to drift off did Marilith’s voice snap you back to reality with a jolt. Sitting up, you scoot upwards a few paces to try and hear her better, replying that you were there when you heard her call your name again. Frowning at the concern in her voice.
“I can’t help but think…” She begins, still staring off into the sky, “Would it not be better for me to join you on land? It would be a simple matter for me to shed my tail… and… we could spend more time together…” The mermaid’s voice drifts off, her tone having a level of uncertainty you haven’t heard since you first met her.
There was a kernel of truth to it, you were aware that merfolk were capable of shifting the fish half of their bodies to more human-like legs. But from what you understood, it was both an uncomfortable process and something typically only done if an individual’s position forced them above water for an extended period of time.
And, of course, there was likewise the issue of the sheer size of her. While she wouldn’t technically be wholly unique, matching the size of some larger land bound giants and dragons, you can’t imagine the townsfolk being keen on a giant emerging from the very ocean they feared.
Breaking your silence, you tell her that you don’t mind coming out here. Slowly brushing a hand over the smooth surface beneath you in some effort to comfort her, you continue to offer what reassurances you can.
You halt yourself upon noticing Marilith begin to move her hand, reaching it over to you to grasp you bodily once more. Hoisting herself back up, you were yet again face to face with Marilith, the mermaid opened her mouth to speak before stopping multiple times, finally huffing in annoyance at herself. Her usual smug confidence was all but gone in the vulnerable moment, but she did manage to give you a small smile.
“Thank you… truly…”
You began to try and respond but instead cried out in surprise when she brought you close against her, only managing to widen your eyes and brace yourself before her lips crashed into you. Locking you into a one-sided kiss as you were pushed against her palm by a pair of lips that easily overwhelmed the upper half of your body with their plush warmth.
Yet you didn’t struggle, instead melting into it in some effort to give back as much as possible. Though still one-sided, her content hum seemed to confirm she felt your efforts. Eventually pulling away with a satisfied sigh.
She giggled upon seeing your shocked expression, eyes widened as all you could do was lay there for several moments while trying to shake yourself back together. Babbling incoherently, but happily, while she brought you back to your boat.
“But that’s enough doom and gloom for one day.”
Perking herself back up Marilith lowered herself in the water, bringing herself to eye level with you once more, “So, tell me. How have things been on land? I hope those cretins haven’t been giving you too much trouble…”
Listening intently to you as you begin to speak more of your thoughts on recent developments within Graywater, adding her own commentary here and there, the two of you slip into a casual back and forth. The topic eventually drifts to whatever it is that comes to both your minds as the day begins to slowly slip by, each too captivated by the other to truly care for much else in the moment.
You couldn’t even try to deny it any longer; this was certainly “something more”. There was no way to pass any of this off as simply being friendly with her, and both of you clearly yearned to be with the other as much as possible.
Something that may become reality should your plans come to fruition.
But in the here and now you two were simply limited by the realities of your shared situation… A reality that hit you like a brick once you looked up and noticed the sun directly above.
Cursing, you apologize but inform her that you should really be getting back. She frowns for a moment but it fades away from her face just as quickly, “I understand, you have responsibilities you must attend to,” She says with a nod, “Ah… if only I could steal you for myself,” The mermaid continued with an airy sigh, teasing you while she curled her tail closer to herself; you could see her reach her arms down to untie the net, “Although, I suspect you would like that, hm?”
You blush but slowly nod your head, getting a series of giggles in response as she simply plonks the net full of fish down in your boat while taking her other net back. You look at it with no small amount of surprise at the sheer amount she had managed to catch, it was easily more than enough for what you needed. Stammering over your words you eventually manage to spout out another round of thanks.
“Any time, darling,” She replies, turning her gaze towards land, she looks back at you, “Allow me to help you return, I’d hate for you to suffer any more grief.”
You hesitate at her offer, though it would help tremendously you also worry about her potentially being spotted… Yet, you knew she was more careful than that. Nodding, you agree with her offer.
“Do hold on then. This may be a bit quicker than you’re used to,” With that warning hanging in the air she dove beneath the surface, a wave of uncertainty washing over you before you felt something grip the bottom of your skiff.
And with that did she begin to swim back with you in tow, a cry of surprise leaving you at the sudden movement, you shut your eyes and brace yourself on the boat’s floor. Just hoping you don’t get sick while the world seems to fly by around you.
Soon enough things begin to slow down once more until it comes to a gentle stop, groaning quietly to yourself you hear her surface above the water. Opening your eyes you’re greeted to the sight of Marilith peeking slightly over the boat’s edge, keeping herself as lowkey as possible.
“Oh my… and here I thought you’d have a stronger stomach than this…”
You try to fire back with a snarky response but a soft laugh cuts you off, netting a small chortle of your own as you push yourself back into a seated position. Grasping the pair of oars once more, you prepare yourself to finish the final stretch alone.
Sighing, the mermaid gives your boat one final soft shove towards shore, jolting you in the process, “Stay safe… I hope to see you soon,” Raising a hand just above the surface she gives you a small wave goodbye, which you return with your own goodbyes, before submerging one final time. Leaving you alone.
Staring off into the ocean you remain there in silence for some time before you begin to row back to shore, eyes drifting to the heaving mass of fish in front of you… A small grimace forming on your face upon realizing that you’d have to be the one lugging this around.