Chapter Text
Tommy had to run no matter how tired he was. They were following him after all and he had no choice but to book it. If only he hadn't tripped on that damn cat when he finally got that money bag from those assholes that had been hanging around the port. Then he wouldn't be in this stupid situation.
But it didn't matter now, he had to run. They were right on his tail and though he was a fast 10 year old, he was still a 10 year old and these were grown ass men who've lived at sea longer then he's been alive. You'd think it would give them wobbly legs due to being on boats and ships that swayed on the sea but for all intents and purposes, it did the exact opposite. Which was shit luck for Tommy Innit, as he was the one they were using those legs to run after, and if he was really unlucky, used to kick the shit out of if they caught him.
And that was an 'if' because Tommy was not planning on being caught today thank you very much.
There weren't a lot of places he could run and hide in, not unless he could disappear from their sight for just a minute but that was something almost impossible to do. Goddammit.
So his only choice was to go there. No one in their right mind would head to the place he was going to. It was known to be cursed, known to be the territory owned by beasts only imagined in nightmares.
Sirens.
Everyone that lived near the sea or had been to the sea has heard of the tales about Sirens. Creatures of fish tails and scales, who's upper bodies looked human but weren't. They would have sharp teeth and sharp fangs that could tear a person's throat out.
Their voices would echo in your mind and your entire being would be under their control. Their songs could captivate an entire ship of sailors and in moments you'd hear nothing but silence as the men would fall to their graves as they would throw themselves off, captivated by the Sirens song.
No one survives a Siren attack but Tommy planned to be the first.
That's why he went to that cave. A cave known to be a death bed for any humans who enter since it's known to have Sirens inside.
But Tommy has confidence this would work, be hoped it would. It was a stupid impulsive decision he would regret if he was caught by either human or Siren but desperate times called for desperate measures.
So he passed the threshold of the cave's walls and entered it's rocky planes.
He heard the men shouting at him stop at the entrance, obviously knowing this place well with the rumours and stories bouncing around.
"The kid actually went in?!".
"Come on let's leave em, we can let the beasts deal with the brat".
"No way, that gold almost cost an arm and a leg to get, we are getting it back. I'm not gonna let some bullshit stories of Sirens or some shit stop me from beating that little shit".
So they determined and dumb, good for them.
He soon hears their footsteps enter but Tommy was already ahead. There weren't any good places to hide yet but he would find it.
And found something he did, entering through an almost narrow crack, he entered a wide space. At the centre was a pool of water that obviously went down into an underwater cave that led out to sea. On the other side, the pool seemed to keep going down, a gap where the water rushed through on the other side. That's probably where the cave kept going and it was large enough for Tommy to slip through.
Excellent hiding spot.
Tommy did have to go around the pool and shuffle a little on a narrow path to said opening. He slipped through easily and found another smaller pool on the other side connected by the hole he slipped through.
It was a lot darker in this area of the cave than the other but it didn't matter. He just had to hide and hope they would give up the chase or thought he had been killed by the allusive Sirens.
It wasn't minutes later that he heard footsteps.
"Fuck, where'd the little shit go?". One screamed, he was the one who was set on going in the cave after him.
"I dunno mate but we should really go, this place is unnerving, too many damn rumours about it I hear". Another one shakily spoke. It was obvious the two of them feared the cave due to rumours but the third had no care.
"Stop being fucking babies, those are just rumours, let's just find the kid and get that gold back". He heard one pair of feet walking on the cave's surface, approaching the pool. The two others followed hesitantly.
Tommy, due to hiding against the cave wall, keeping a close eye on the crack he slipped through, did not notice the movements in the water.
"There's a crack there, the brat probably slipped through it". The angry one spoke.
He heard them coming closer, his heart beating in his ears.
And that's when he heard it. It was subtle at first, just a quiet tune but in minutes it kept getting louder. Tommy knew what this meant, and what was happening.
He instantly threw his hands to his ears, blocking as much sound as possible.
The last thing he heard before chaos started was the men saying "Do you hear that?"
It was a silent attack, the men going quiet as the music and singing became louder. And then that's when he heard the bones snapping and wet sounds of crunching. Tommy whimpered, curling into himself as he pushed his hands further against his ears, blocking the horrid sounds.
And then it stopped.
For a few moments Tommy listened through the beating of his heart and the ringing in his ears. The cave was silent.
Was it over? Did they leave? Were the men dead?
The only way those were answered was if he left the cave. But he doesn't know if he could handle seeing dead bodies, he was only 10.
But he was a big man, he could do this. He could handle this. Hopefully he could. He slowly stood on shaky legs, his knees popping from the movement.
Maybe the bodies weren't even there, maybe they were gone. Maybe they had been taken away.
His breath was shaky, it hit him that he caused the death of 3 men just for some gold. He didn't notice the tears until they were already falling but he was too filled with fear to fully notice.
He made it to the crack, peeking his head through. He saw the blood first but there were no bodies. Only blood, some guts and what looked like a hand or two. The image made him sick.
He really did cause the death of 3 men. If Tommy wasn't empty of anything in his stomach, he probably would have thrown up.
Still, he needed to leave, he didn't know if those creatures would be back or not. And he wasn't willing to find out.
As he rounded the corner again, he eyed the dark void of water before him, searching for any ripple or movement. He saw none so he continued. Shuffling close to the cave wall, his legs were shaking badly.
It was hitting him more and more how terrifying and horrible this situation was. He caused the death of 3 people for a bag of gold coins, was in a cave known to be filled with Sirens that eat human flesh and he thought it was a good idea to enter. How foolish.
While his mind raced, his trembling became worse. That was a mistake.
Due to wet walls and slippery rocks and floors, Tommy slipped.
He yelped and didn't have time to save himself or any grip to hold onto. Falling back, he went straight into the water.
He kicked his feet to the surface for air but there is one thing you should know about little Tommy.
He can't swim.
Kicking and thrashing, his fear climbing, his head going under and up. He couldn't even tell where he was in the pool. The void of the water was taking him, it was so deep and never ending, he hated it and feared it.
"Help…. Help me…. Anyone?!". He shouted between breaths as he tried to keep his head over water. He knew he couldn't be heard, no one was around…. Except.
He felt hands under his arms and in moments was pulled up. With his head over water and finally stabilised, he breathed and coughed the water that had entered his lungs.
Catching his breath finally, he blinked his eyes open. He was still in the water but was being held above it, someone had saved him. Looking behind him, he met the eyes of something that made his breath catch in his throat.
This wasn't a human, it wasn't a human. It had golden amber eyes and it's ears moved unnaturally, swiveling the fins around. Golden scales trailed it's cheekbones and temples. Tommy could even see the slightest bit of fangs protruding from its mouth.
It tilted its head slightly at him, its brown curly hair flopping wetly at the movement.
Tommy screamed.
"No, let me go, please please, don't eat me, please don't eat me. Please let me go, let me go". He thrashed and cried, salty tears falling from his eyes as he tried to escape the grip of the creature. Water went everywhere, soaking them both further but neither of them cared.
Tommy's energy was running out however, his desperate cries and desperate struggle made no difference in the grip the beast had on him.
"Please, please, don't eat me please, I don't want to die, please". He had no way of knowing if this thing could even understand him but he didn't care. He begged, pleaded, and really didn't want to die. He was 10.
The creature moved its arms, one wrapping around Tommy's waist while the other moved to his head. Tommy was confused and even more scared of what it was doing. It kept him above water still but Tommy wondered if it was just going to slit his throat or bite his head off or tear his limbs.
It did none of that though, instead, the creature carded it's clawed hands through Tommy's hair, pushing his head back to lay it on its chest. A soft hum echoed through the cave which made Tommy's body relax in seconds. Tommy could even feel it's head resting on top of his own.
His cries had stopped but he still hiccuped here and there, sniffled as well, trying to keep himself calm. The methodical stroking and low humming that rumbled the chest Tommy's head was leaning on, was almost enough to make Tommy fall to sleep.
His breathing had finally caught up with his heart at a reasonable pace. The creature caught onto this as it's humming soon stopped.
"Are you calm now, little one?". Tommy gasped, looking up at the creature now looking down at him. "You… you can talk?". It was a surprise, Tommy had never heard these creatures could talk like people. He only knew they could sing and possibly scream so loud it could burst eardrums.
Those were rumours though, stories, not many could be true. This thing giggled though, not at all offended by Tommy's question.
"I can, we all can actually".
"We?".
The thing nodded, smiling kindly at Tommy.
"Of course, there are a lot of our kind after all".
That made sense, the ocean was a vast thing, taking up probably more of the Earth then the land did. Sirens were probably everywhere.
"May I ask why a small one like yourself is in this cave? Were you with those men?". Tommy's heart stuttered at the thought of the 3 men he led to death, he was their murderer, their reason their souls are now heading to the afterlife. It made him shudder.
"I… I was running from them. I stole their gold and ran to this cave. I didn't think they… that they would follow. The rumours about this place spread everywhere, no one goes here." Tommy hiccuped, his emotions rising again out of what he had done plus the fear.
"Shhh shhh, it's okay, you're okay, calm down little one". The creature stroked his hair again, holding him tighter. Tommy found it oddly comforting.
"I… I killed them, I led them here to die…. Why did I…? I didn't… I didn't want to". Tommy hiccuped again, his words choking him as he admitted his sins. Tears fell again, staining a path down his face.
Without even thinking, Tommy buried himself closer to the creature, it being the only comfort right now. He cried and sobbed into the creature's neck which it had no trouble allowing. He continued carding it's claws gently through his hair, scratching at his scalp.
"Hey, don't say such things, you did no wrong. You were only trying to protect yourself, saving yourself to have another meal for the day. There's nothing wrong with that, you had no choice didn't you? It's already happened anyway, you can't change it, you can only move forward".
Tommy knew it was right, he couldn't change that fact. He hadn't thought of the consequences until it was too late. He couldn't change what had already happened, even if he wished he could.
His cries died down soon after, going through the motions once more of calming his breathing to his heart. The whole time the creature was comforting him. It was a strange situation. Not once did Tommy think he'd be comforted by a Siren of all things.
Maybe he should stop calling it a thing. It can talk after all.
Still, he had a question burning in his mind now, one he wasn't sure he wanted the answer to.
"So, are you… gonna kill me?". He'd given up fighting at this point, the thing had him wrapped in a hold he couldn't escape from. Though it was nice to be comforted while freaking out over the fact he caused the death of 3 people, this thing holding him had more power over him.
The thing stilled for a moment, until the hand that had curled gently in his hair wrapped around his chest and shoulders. The creature's head resting on his left shoulder right beside his head.
"No, I won't do that, I promise you".
Tommy short circuited for a second there. He wasn't gonna kill him? Or eat him? He promised, so was it true?
"But… why?". Why was he questioning this? If he wasn't going to be eaten then holy shit that's good right? Then why was he so curious? Was it because he's a kid? Probably.
"Well, we don't eat kids for one, that's the number one rule my Dad made for us".
Okay that would make sense, but at the same time, they have a preference? Or was it morals?
"Also, I don't know why, but I don't feel like hurting you at all. Probably because you're an adorable gremlin". Oh this bitch.
"I am not adorable bitch, I'm a big man". This made the creature laugh, it was a nice laugh, Tommy would like to hear that laugh again. "Sure child, sure". Tommy pouted though the thing couldn't see it. He's had his back to it the entire time. Floating half way in the pool for several minutes now.
Both remained quiet though, Tommy didn't know what to say and the thing seemed content just holding Tommy and resting its head on his shoulder. It was weird but oddly comforting. Tommy's never had anyone hold him like this before. It felt nice.
However, the peace soon broke by something else rising from the water. "Wil, what are you doing mate? We've been waiting forever, Techs getting pretty impatient".
Swiftly, the thing turned to another Siren, another creature in the water behind them.
This one looked older, he had shoulder length golden hair, as bright as his own. Ocean blue eyes danced like the currents in the water, it was mesmerising. He had spots of green scales, both dark and light added with a spot of black scales here and there in the same areas the golden Siren had, just a lot more than him. Definitely pertained to his image of being older.
Tommy could see part of its upper body thanks to it being in front of him unlike the one holding him.
The majority of his shoulders and neck had green scales mixed with black all across them. At his neck, Tommy could see the outline of closed gills, probably due to him being above water and not below. And if Tommy looked down into the dark water, he can see the long green and black scaled tail the Siren has in the water. Moving ever so slightly to keep him above water.
It's eyes landed on Tommy immediately and there was a moment he just stared. "Wilbur, is that a child?". Tommy glared at the thing, still pouting.
"Not a child". He mumbled, looking away from the beast. He was both intimidating and mesmerising to look at. It confused his head a little.
The golden Siren - Wilbur - chuckled. "Yeah, he fell in the water and almost drowned. Apparently he was being chased by those humans we dealt with and ran into this cave hoping they wouldn't follow. Those rumours we've heard have spread, which is probably why no one comes in here, besides those 3 fools".
Tommy avoided looking at the shore where blood and human remains still litter the floor. Red blood slowly dripped into the very pool he was floating in.
"Oh you poor thing, good thing we dealt with them then? They won't be troubling you anymore". Tommy's frown deepened because no, it wasn't a good thing. He still felt dread in his stomach knowing he led those men to their deaths. All for some gold coin. He hated it.
"It's best we don't speak about it Dad, the kid feels guilty for leading them here to their deaths, even though I told him it isn't his fault". He knows that was directed at him, Wilbur probably had some way of telling Tommy was eating away at himself with the thoughts. Such a strange thing to know though, he only met this thing like what, 10? Maybe 20 minutes ago?
Should he still be calling them things?
"Oh, I apologize then". Tommy didn't expect that, an apology from a Siren? What is his life right now?
"You can call me Phil, little one, may I know your name?". Tommy blinked at the green creature, Phil, and thought the question over. He could tell them his name or not. He wasn't sure if giving his name was a bad idea or if it was not. He feels like he's heard that somewhere but he isn't sure it applies to Sirens so it couldn't be bad right?
"Tommy". He mumbles a minute later, the happy smile Phil gives almost makes Tommy want to smile back, almost. "Well, Tommy, it is very lovely to meet you". Out from the water, Phil's clawed hand covered in green scales with claws longer than his pinky slowly reached over to his face.
Tommy's heart stutters and beats faster in his chest. Is he going to kill him? His claws could easily rip his throat out or even an eye. He knows Wilbur promised not to hurt him but this thing definitely didn't.
Tommy shut his eyes, turning his head away. At least if he goes for the eyes it'll be harder for him and Tommy thinks it would be a quick death for the throat wouldn't it?
But none of that happened, no pain at all came. Instead, Tommy felt very gentle hands move a stray piece of his hair behind his ear. "You poor thing, so small, where are your parents? They must be worried about you".
What?
Okay
Okay
He was asking about his parents. Just asking about his parents. He didn't like being called small but he's still in a bit of shock about being surrounded by 2 Sirens he didn't register the comment.
He swallowed heavily, eyes darting this way and that. "I don't have any parents, died a long time ago". He mumbled, the truth coming out harder than it ever has before.
Wilbur made a strange sound at that. Almost like a wobbly whine.
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, do you live with another family member then? Maybe an aunt or uncle or grandparents?". Phil questioned, head tilted, his hand gently carding through the side of Tommy's head.
Tommy shaked his head. "I live in an orphanage where I was taken after my parents died. I sometimes steal because they don't have much food or money for us". He mumbles out, remembering the terrible living conditions of the Orphanage he lived at.
They were shit, the caretakers and the other kids were both annoying and cruel. Tommy avoided being there as much as possible, only hanging around the streets and the port of the town he lived in, Pogtopia.
Phil made a low humming noise at that but his expression wasn't happy about the news. They seemed to be both thoughtful before another movement in the water forced Tommy to snap his head towards it.
It was another Siren, this one had scales of pink and red. And it was huge.
Way bigger than both Phil and Wilbur. His hair was long, pink and braided. He looked wilder, more mer then the other two who looked majorly tame compared to the newest arrival. Even through the water, it's tail had more fins protruding of its tail then Phil had and maybe even Wilbur even if he hasn't seen his yet. But his eyes got the most attention out of Tommy.
Blood red.
Whilst Phils was a mesmerising ocean blue and Wilburs was a fascinating amber gold, this one was blood red and piercing. It sent waves of shivers down his spine.
"Seriously you two, what's taking you both so long? It shouldn't take you both 30 minutes to-". The newest one, Tommy thinks is named Tech, stops at the sight of Tommy.
"Wil, why do you have a child in your custody?". And Tommy, he would have screeched about the child bit but he was a bit preoccupied with how terrifying but alluring this particular siren was.
"Oh sorry Techno, I forgot you were still outside the cave. Uh, this child is Tommy". Phil introduced, smiling at his friend, that Tommy thinks is a friend who is still staring at Tommy. Tommy wants to squirm, hide within the arms of the golden Siren still holding him. He did not like this new one, even less so then Phil or Wilbur.
"He fell in the water and I just barely could feel his struggle before I left. Came back and found this little guy almost drowning so I saved him". Wilbur explained, shrugging momentarily which Tommy moved with the motion.
"Right, okay, was he with those guys?". Techno pointed to the shore, somewhere Tommy still avoided looking at.
"Kind of, they were chasing him because he stole from them and he came in here hoping they wouldn't follow. Which they unfortunately did and well… you know the rest".
Techno listened with no real emotion showing. Just completely blank and monotone. "Huh". Was all he had to say and Tommy was pretty grateful for the lack of it. He did not want to be reminded.
"So, uh, what do we do with him?". Phil and Wilbur stared at the pink mer for a moment, meanwhile Tommy was frozen because… what were they going to do with him? They've established they weren't going to kill or eat him which was great but what other things could they do?
He just hoped it wouldn't be as bad as his mind kept making up.
The silence however, Techno didn't seem happy about. "Wilbur, what are we going to do with him?". His tone got lower, accusing and maybe bordering the line of anger. The tone my Tommy shrink slightly, avoiding looking at the pink mer even if the anger wasn't towards him.
Wilbur however, looked slightly sheepish. "Uh, well, I was thinking… maybe we… ya know… can take him with us".
… what?
Techno sighed heavily while Phil just chuckled. Techno stopped his look of utter disappointment to point a look at the green mer. "Hold on, you're not seriously going to agree with this right? You have to have some sense Phil".
Phil looked as well… quite sheepish, his amusement fading slightly. "Well…".
This made Techno groan.
"Both of you… no, no we are not taking a child home with us, no, no way".
And Tommy was inclined to agree because he didn't want to either.
"But, come on Techno, look at him. He's adorable and he's got no family. Plus, look at his hair, it's gold. And I know you can see it, he almost looks like Phil, look at him". Wilbur slightly brought Tommy forward towards the pink siren which Tommy did not like at all.
And Techno did give Tommy a good look. His face, his hair (which he lingered too long on) and everywhere else.
Tommy scowled at the mer, hiding as much of his fear as possible. This makes the mer huff. Almost amused.
"Okay, maybe I see it but you forgot one important thing Wilbur. He's human, they can't live underwater because they can't breathe it".
And that's the other thing, Sirens live underwater. If they really want to take him, he would most likely drown. No he'll definitely drown, there is no way they can just magically make him able to breathe underwater.
"But what about the Nautilus shell? I know Niki has a bunch and they'll work on helping him breathe, see and do anything underwater. You know how strong her magic is".
Okay maybe they can, holy shit.
Is he about to be adopted by a bunch of Sirens?
Phil's not even bothered over the fact Wilbur and Techno compared his looks to his own. Tommy never thought in his life he could get the attention of Sirens. He could never get the attention of potential families. Not that he was trying anyway.
But this was just… surreal and incredibly terrifying.
Techno hummed, stroking his chin momentarily in thought.
He was fucking thinking about this??!!
"I guess that should work maybe. I even found a book on turning humans into Mers somewhere".
Okay that's it.
"Do you fishy fucks ever think to ask my opinion on this? I'm right fucking here ya know".
Tommy yelled out, voice echoing off the walls of the cave. He breathed heavily from his beating heart going a mile a minute and the fact he yelled as loud as a 10 year old could.
The 3 sirens froze, staring wide eyed at the boy who just screamed at them. It was maybe a moment or two Tommy started to regret that. Because yelling at Sirens you were at the mercy of would never be a good thing.
He was about to apologize before Phil all of a sudden started to cackle. Techno huffed again, a slight smile gracing those lips and he can feel Wilburs chest shake which probably means he's laughing as well.
"Fishy fucks? Holy shit, that was a good one Tommy. I don't think I've ever heard something like that before".
He could hear Wilbur giggle, going slightly forward in the water with Tommy since he was still holding him.
Okay, they were amused over Tommy shouting an insult at them. Tommy could do more, he's got a whole arsenal of things to say to these guys.
"Oh yeah? Well I got a whole lot more to say you giant piss baby. You 3 ignorant fucks should fucking listen. I maybe a 10 year old but I don't know if Sirens know this, but humans don't like it when people talk about them when they're right fucking there. Seriously, people may peg you to be terrifying monsters but you can at least have the decency to know manners with that type of shit".
"Also, I am not a fucking child, I've taken care of myself and only myself for years which doesn't make me a child ya got it. Also, I don't think if you fucking know this but maybe you should control your damn children or whatever they are to you, got it old man with scales the equivalent to dried snot?".
Tommy didn't even bother looking at the reaction Phil had at that, turning immediately to Techno.
"And you, ya pink haired fuck, I thought for a moment you'd have the sense these two apparently don't have even if I do like you the least then these two which is a pretty fucking low bar because I don't like any of you. But nooooo, you, the pretentious motherfucker I've ever laid my eyes on, apparently doesn't. Not only that but ya name fucking sucks and I hate you".
"All 3 of you can honestly go fuck yourselves, because I am not letting myself be whisked away like some helpless damsel in distress because you fucks want some adorable little pet".
At the end of Tommy's raging speech in judging each and every one of them, he's heaving heavy breaths. He doesn't think he's ever insulted people so much before, even at the worst of people he keeps it down low. But mixed with fear, adrenaline and anger, he didn't give a shit about his lack of filter and completely obliterated it by insulting the actual fuck out of all of them.
Yeah, he may be dead soon but right now, he does not care.
The Sirens are all silent, the only sound being the water dew leaking from the caves, dripping onto the cavern floors and the buzzing of flies now buzzing around the blood and remains of the 3 human men he just led to their deaths.
"Wow". Wilbur says after a few more moments. "You'd make a pretty good siren with a voice like that".
Oh my fucking god.
"I hate all of you". He's said as a finality. Fuck being grateful for saving his life, he loathes these 3 the most now.
"I do apologize Tommy, we may have gotten excited over the idea we didn't think to ask your opinion or permission".
Well, at least Phil's decent enough. And the pointed look he puts on both Techno and Wilbur, definitely makes Tommy's assumption as him being a dad true.
"Yeah, sorry ki- I mean Tommy".
Okay good, good.
"Yeah, sorry Tom's, we didn't mean to be that selfish".
Alright, they at least apologized and he'll be slightly forgiving now.
"Thank you, god this has been ridiculous".
This earns a chuckle from Phil. "Yeah, it sure has been". Tommy sighs after that, leaning against Wilbur a little as he's beginning to get exhausted from the day he's had.
Wilbur accepts this immediately, wrapping his arms around Tommy more.
Staying in water for so long, Tommy feels cold and Wilburs skin is also cold which doesn't help but he doesn't care.
"So, if we're all done and dusted here, I'd very much appreciate it if you can let me go back home now. I'm tired as fuck and would like to sleep for the next few days".
Tommy sighs out, feeling exhaustion pull at him, the cold probably being the only thing keeping him aware and awake. He doesn't, however, notice how Wilbur tightens his hold slightly.
That should have at least been the first warning sign.
"Oh we're not letting you go. You're still coming with us mate".
… excuse me?
"Huh? What? No, wait, you can't just do that. I just fucking told you I don't want to go with you fucks".
Tommy struggles in Wilburs hold, twisting in the Sirens grip but he's unrelenting. He won't let go so easily.
"I know but Tommy, what you said was quite worrying. You've got no family and the orphanage you're staying at doesn't seem like a good place if you have to steal to survive everyday. We can take better care of you".
Hold on, hold on, hold on. No this was… this was not what he wanted at all.
"No! Fuck you, fuck you. I don't want to go with you. Fucking no! I've taken enough care of myself for years, I don't… I don't need you guys to fucking take care of me. I'm not a child!".
He shouts, he thrashes and kicks but to no avail. Sirens, especially after eating a full meal, are way stronger than a 10 year old.
He hates this. This was not what he wanted. Never what he wanted. Yeah family sounded appealing but no one would even look Tommy's way nor did he trust anyone. He especially didn't trust 3 sirens who kill and eat humans.
Tommy had other plans, he was going to wait it out. Wait until he is old enough then leave. Finally leave this godforsaken town and move more inland. Find a job and live his life.
Definitely not this.
But his thrashing and fighting came to no progress. He was already exhausted from running, to almost drowning, to fighting Wilbur, to being absolutely scared out of his mind, shouting at the Sirens angrily and then when he finally thought he could settle down, he's fighting again.
Except he's not fighting for his life, he's fighting for his freedom.
This however, doesn't seem like something he'll win.
Exhaustion hits him fast, and he's breathing heavily. His eyes droop and he doesn't even think the cold can keep him awake.
"Please… don't do this… I don't want this…. Please just let me go".
He feels a hand card through his hair and he knows it's Wilbur. "I'm sorry bubs but I can't. You'll be okay, we'll take care of you sunshine. You'll be safe and warm at our home. I promise".
Tommy can't fight anymore. The soothing hands carding through his hair, the voice that started singing finally becomes the last straw.
Tommy's eyes finally shut, the last thing he sees is pink and green coming closer and then darkness.
-------
Tommy awakens to his entire body feeling light. To feel the air around him move and shift, like something rippling, like water.
Tommy's never been underwater before, besides what happened earlier… oh shit.
Tommy shoots up as memories come flashing back.
The cave, blood, singing, drowning, 3 sirens, and then being taken. Just darkness as he's compelled to sleep by a Sirens song.
Fucking Wilburs voice he would guess.
Tommy looks around, he's in some strange room made of white rock. It looks to have been carved, all edges smooth, the entire thing round like half a semi sphere.
There's a window and door, and other such items around. Pots with what look like seagrass and coral sprouting out. Sea shells lining the windows sill. Storage compartments that look like shelves and a desk beside the door. Where the fuck was he?
If he remembers correctly, they wanted to take him to their home which should be underwater. They would give him a Nautilus shell filled with magic and just… make him into a mer later?
He thinks that's what was going on. Before he can check, the long kelp that hangs from the door like a screen shifts and something enters.
It's another Siren but one he hasn't met. A female one by the look of it.
She's also pink like Techno but it's brighter than his own and she also has spots of black mixed with it.
She's humming sweetly but the humming stops as soon as her eyes lay upon Tommy.
"Oh, you're awake". She says cheerily, a smile on her face as she approaches him. He would have thought her friendly but after everything that's happened, he is not willing to let his guard down in front of another potential threat.
"Who the fuck are you and where am I?". He asks with no kindness in his voice. It seems a lot more booming underwater even though he's sure it should be muffled. Guess the power of that shell is working.
The Siren freezes before she can get closer, some of her cheeriness faltering at Tommy's demand.
"Oh uh, I'm Niki and you're in L'Manburg, the Kingdom of Sirens".
Fuck, so he really was taken to the Sirens home. Though the name of the place is cool, he hates the thought of being here. Especially since it was forced.
Also that name.
"So you're the bitch with the Nautilus shell shit. Did you give me one then? Because if you did, you can have it back. I don't fucking want it and I want to go home. I didn't have a choice coming here so I'll take my leave and you can have your stupid shell back".
He says, inching close to the edge of the bed, ready to bolt or at least swim to the surface and make his way home. If he can.
He doesn't care, he'd much rather die than stay here any longer.
"Well-". She starts but Tommy goes to get on his feet before she can continue.
But something's wrong, his feet feel different or at least not there. He stands but immediately falls.
Which is a slow fall due to being underwater. But when he finally touches the ground, his heart skyrockets because that isn't normal.
He doesn't care another Siren is looming above him right now. What he cares about is what is going on with his feet.
Looking down to them, he regrets it immediately.
Because he has no feet or legs. He has a fucking tail.
It's bright red with speckles of golden scales mixed in. It would be beautiful to his eyes if not for the sheer panic now entering his system.
His legs are gone.
He screams.