#minimermccree

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13837683/chapters/32995014

Huge shout out to "Lady", Marinus and Anon who helped sponsor this fic on Ko-fi.com/batkatbrown

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven| Part Eight | Part Nine | Part Ten | Part Eleven | Part Twelve | Part Thirteen | Part Fourteen | Part Fifteen | Part Sixteen

Jesse sobbed in relief as Hanzo woke and threw himself down in a hug. He tangled with the tiny human and hid his face against Hanzo’s soft hair. “Don’t you ever fuckin’ scare me like that again.”

“It was worth it.” Hanzo’s voice was so soothing, right next to his ear and barely audible. “I wanted to see you. To talk to you, without going cross eyed.”

“I’m right here, darlin’,” Jesse managed to take his weight back on his stump and hand. Hanzo was dazed looking, smiling up like the moon had just been hung in the sky. “Shit, ain’t you a brave fool.”

“It was a calculated risk.”

Jesse couldn’t help but smile as Hanzo’s hand came to cup his cheek. Loving brushes sent little shivers of bliss through his veins and he curled his tail to hug Hanzo’s legs. He couldn't stop staring, soaking up the sight of high cheekbones and dark lashes and the endless pools of the man’s eyes.

“Nearly gave me a heart attack,” Jesse murmured as he hesitantly touched the man’s cheek. It was warm and smooth. He followed the curve down to his neatly trimmed beard. He scratched at the thicker patch at his chin and when it made Hanzo laugh, he thought it might have died and gone to heaven.

“I think it was your turn to be scared.”

“I do give you a fright pretty often.” Jesse agreed, leaning a little closer as they shared a chuckle. “I aint seen anyone my size in so long. But I’m pretty sure you’re still the handsomest man I ever met.”

‘You are just a flatterer,” Hanzo tilted his head and Jesse followed the movement.

“Ain’t flattery if it’s true.” Jesse brushed his thumb along Hanzo’s bottom lip, marveling at the plump supple flesh. It was a smooth curve and he ached to press his thumb tip inside the wet confines of his mouth.

Hanzo’s eyes fluttered half closed and just the slightest tension relaxed around his mouth. Jesse teased his thumb against the seal of his lips, mesmerized by the sight of his blunt claw slowly breaking through bit by bit.

Hanzo’s tongue rose to meet him with a hesitant touch that made heat thunder through jesse’s veins. “Do I taste strange?” He murmured, unable to tear his eyes away from where their bodies met.

“Yes.”

“Is it bad?” Jesse chuckled though he knew the answer before Hanzo spoke as his tongue rose again. It curled along the pad and Jesse grunted as the man’s teeth sunk into the tip. Jesse rolled his hips at the sensation, shivering through the flush of desire.

“You sorry for scaring me so bad?” Jesse pressed his thumb against Hanzo’s lip and it slide deeper. He whimpered at the hot wet confines pressing tight with a slurp that made slick gush to his slit.

It shocked him out of the drugged moment and he quickly rolled off the smaller man. He hunched and drew his tail up as if bending his knees to his chest. He wasn’t going to get hard and flushed just because Hanzo humored him in a moment of dazed attraction.

“It won’t last for long.” Hanzo paused to clear his throat and was suddenly back in Jesse’s space. His hair was so soft where it fell on Jesse’s shoulder that he wanted to cry. “But while i’m tiny, i don’t want to waste a moment.”

“Course not, darlin’.” Jesse managed to drag his head up and rested it against the silken crown of Hanzo’s own. He cast for something to say, something to distract Hanzo so he wouldn’t look down and see the obscene pretty pink slit trying threatening to open. “Swim with me?”

“I would love it.” Hanzo jumped to his feet with surprising energy and Jesse laughed.

“So that staircase was for both of us, huh?” he shifted to get his tail under him. It forced him to sway as he half slid and dragged himself towards the first book. It came up to Hanzo’s knees and Jesse wasn’t surprised to see his companion nimbly scale the whole stack in a rush.

It took Jesse more effort and he fumbled with only one arm to heft himself up.

“Let me help.”

Jesse drew away at the offered hand. Hot breathes rolled out from the strain but he wasn’t going to be helpless, not when they were finally the same size. “You just wait till we’re in the water, then I’ll run circles around you.”

“I look forward to it. Let us hurry.”

Jesse huffed, making a show of fanning his tail and puffing up his chest, but he let Hanzo grab him under his good arm. A thrumming note of desire crescendoed at how easily Hanzo manhandled him, even at the same size. He was all muscle and firm as Jesse leaned on him. He couldn’t keep his hand from dropping to the man’s waist.

He spread his fingers, digging his claws into the thick fabric of his jacket. Just enough to feel the hard muscle flex and the sudden giddy flutter of Hanzo’s laugh.

“Careful, i’m ticklish. I would hate to drop you.”

“No fear of that,” Jesse teased back as they finally made it to the top step. He wriggled across the old leather to the edge of the tank. It was a bit of a drop down on the other side but he went tail first to take the worst of it.

He rolled in the sand and righted himself with a slap of his tail. Hanzo was above him, watching with a dancing light in his eyes that made Jesse blush. “C’mon down, sweetheart. I’ll catch you in my arms.” Jesse opened his arms to demonstrate. “Well, arm and a half.”

“I can jump down. I would hate to knock you out with an ill placed elbow or knee. I do not want to lose the time with you.”

Jesse nodded and backed away from the glass side. He was ready to get back in the water and slipped beneath its surface with an contented sigh. It wrapped him up and held him like a lover in the sunlight filtering in through the window. Waving fronds of green rose up and flirted with the tips of his fins and he popped his head above the surface.

Hanzo was on the beach now, kicking off his shoes.

Jesse quickly pushed himself into the shallows with hsi weight propped on his elbow and stump. He whistled slowly as Hanzo shed his jacket and was quick with wink when the hunter glared at him.

“This is not a show.”

“Looks like one to me,” Jesse shot back between a crooked smile. “I seen you in your briefs before, this ain’t nothing new to me.”

“This is… different.”

“Could swim in your pants.”

“It would be unpleasant.”

“Should I look away?” Jesse fought back a laugh. He didn’t want to make Hanzo uncomfortable even if he thought the sudden shyness was cute.

Hanzo rolled his eyes. “You are a flirt.”

Jesse didn’t deny it but he did turn his attention to the side as Hanzo stripped. He could hear the rustle of fabric and the soft thumps it made hitting the sand. He rolled in the water, splashing his tail as he tried not to focus on the thought of Hanzo in his arms.

He couldn’t change to his human shape anyway.

“Is the water cold?” Hanzo asked and Jesse looked up with a smile.

“It’s perfect but i’ll warm you up if you get cold.”

Hanzo snorted but began to wade into the tank. He was beautiful and regal in a way that made Jesse’s heart clench. He didn’t leave Hanzo for long and as soon as the water was up to waist, Jesse swam over. He lazily wrapped his arms around Hanzo and pressed his forehead to his stomach. It was firm and steady beneath him and so warm.

He pressed a kiss to the soft skin and smirked at the shuddery breath hanzo dragged in. “You look good in the water.”

“As do you,” Hanzo murmured, voice low and filled with a laugh.

Jesse guided him into the deeps bit by bit with easy nudges and gentle pulls. He couldn’t take his eyes off Hanzo’s chest as it came to his level. Perfect and strong with just a tiny hint of softness that made them seem almost plump.

They drifted in the deepest part of the tank, slowly swirling around each other. Jesse kept his hand on Hanzo’s hip, afraid to let go.

“I can’t believe i’m not dreaming.” He whispered, daring to draw Hanzo a little closer. Their chests bumped in the cool water. Droplets fell from the tip of Hanzo’s nose and Jesse leaned in without thinking to touch their nose tips together.

“I cannot either.”

Hanzo’s breath was warm on his lips and he ached with a fierce loneliness and joy that he nearly broke into pieces. The sun was setting and the tank shimmered with the pinks and peaches. It sparkled from the surface of the water to dance in each drop that clung to Hanzo’s hair and face.

Jesse spread one across the man’s cheek and up, smoothing the faintest lines that gathered in the corner of his eye. He wanted to kiss them away but settled for rubbing gentle circles.

Hanzo’s legs buffeted his legs minutely as he tread water. It was a strange sensation and yet he loved it. “Your skin’s so soft,” he murmured, unable to take his eyes off hanzo’s.

“Your scales are… much softer than I thought.” Hanzo’s hand trailed through the water, moving so slowly that Jesse forgot how to breath while he waited. It touched his hip, high enough that it touched both flesh and scales. He shifted with a flick of his tail to press into it.

His eyes fell closed and he couldn’t stop the heartbreaking whimper that broke past his lips.

“Everything about you is perfect, Jesse.”

--

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13837683/chapters/32699928

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven| Part Eight | Part Nine | Part Ten | Part Eleven | Part Twelve | Part Thirteen

Thank you fireflyquill, Lady and Anons that sponsored this chapter! <3

“Can you turn the page darlin’,” Jesse called over to his best friend who was currently trying to wrangle a bunch of seaweed. The book was popped up on the counter next to him and Hanzo reached over to flick the page without really looking. “Thanks!”

Jesse wriggle deeper into his little sand nest and propped his head in his hand to read. He had missed getting to explore other worlds between the lines of crisp print. The story was vaguely familiar and it was much the same as the novels beneath the waves.

A forbidden love that drove two people apart; a man of the sky that fell in love with a creature of the sea.

Jesse ruminated on the words, moving slowly through the page. He kept half his attention on Hanzo. The hunter was trying to do something fishy with the seaweed and three black pearls on his magical worktable.

“You sure you don’t wanna tell me what you’re doing?” He called lazily without lifting his gaze.

“It is best left unspoken,” Hanzo grumbled. The little vein in his forehead was twitching as he hunched over his work.

Jesse hummed softly in response. “If you are going to be usin’ spells and magics now, could you shrink down a few of my books? Then i could turn the pages myself.”

Hanzo turned with a glare and Jesse shrunk down into the nest of sand. Before his heart could jump into a frantic pace, Hanzo’s face softened and he laughed with a shake of his head. “I am sorry, Jesse. Perhaps you are right and I need to take a break.”

“Y-yeah.” Jesse waved his tail hopefully,

“And as a shrinking spell eludes me; would you allow me to read to you instead?” Hanzo swiveled in his chair and leaned down to cross his arms on the tabletop. He settled his chin on them and Jesse smiled as it brought him to eye-level.

“Nothing better than gettin’ to hear your pretty voice.” Jesse waggled his eyebrows and flashed a toothy grin. It made a pink tinge rise to the hunter’s cheeks. “Don’t guess i could ask for storytime in the tub?”

“It has been a while since we had a bath.” Hanzo rested his forehead on his arms with a soft laugh. Heat spiked through his veins at Jesse’s simple request. It was different this time, now that he knew Jesse was sentient.

He reached into the tank and teasingly poked at Jesse’s shoulder. “I suppose you also wish for me to get a ring for you to jump through and balls to knock around.”

“Could you?” Jesse’s eyes lit up and his smile nudged his cheeks high. “I used to whip and weave through coral and dodge sharks and wrangle sea dragons. Doing something more than swimming would make it feel a bit like home.”

Hanzo rested his head in one hand, nodding to his companion. It made sense. If he could not train and use his full body, he would feel restless to. “Perhaps a quick trip to the store is necessary before we relax in a bath.”

“I would love ya even more darlin’,” Jesse’s warm voice shot straight to his heart and he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.

“Then we shall go.”

“How?”

Hanzo glanced to an empty jar. It would fit in his messenger bag. Jesse would fit even if it was a little tight and Hanzo leaned back in his chair. It would work.

The store was nearly empty on the early thursday morning. The few other customers drifted aimlessly or shuffled along in fuzzy slippers, paid them no mind. Hanzo kept his face blank and impassive as they maneuvered through the petstore. There were plenty of interesting plastic and rubber toys in the dog section that would float.

“What about this one?” Hanzo subtly tilted his messenger bag so Jesse could see the wall of merchandise better. It was a knobbly rubber dog toy that had a hole inside it for peanut butter or other treats. “Perhaps put fish in the hole.”

Jesse squinted at it, his human half hauled up to stick out of the mostly empty jar. “Is that really a dog toy?”

“Yes?” A quick look to the left and the right proved them to be alone. He lifted the jar and jesse free of his bag and held him closer to the red toy.

“Hmm, looks like it’d fit a dick more than some of that peanut butter stuff.”

Hanzo nearly dropped the jar with a splutter. Choked laughter stuck in his throat and he coughed around it. “It does… in a way appear to be a … sleeve of sorts.”

“You humans got some interesting ideas.” Jesse reached out to touch it with a suspicious look. “But i figure it might be fun to swim through and wrestle given half the chance. I like the look of that one too.”

Hanzo moved down the aisle and lifted Jesse to inspect to his heart’s content. The shopping basket slowly filled up with enrichment toys from both the dog, fish and cat section. Jesse was nearly giddy over the small plastic fishing pole with a brightly colored fish at the end. It was nothing like a real fish but he was chomping at the bit.

“Will you look at that,” Jesse whistled after the words.

Hanzo found himself directed over to a display of brightly colored tubes. They were assembled into an intricate run for hamsters or mice ending on each side in a wide cages.

“I wonder if they are watertight.” Hanzo mused as he approached the boxed version of the display. He taped on the transparent plastic with a fingernail. It was strong and study and with a bit of magic, it might be possible to turn it to a different use.

“I could swim anywhere in the house, or at least around.”

“Perhaps we can even set up tanks along the way for you to rest in. You could explore and swim to your heart’s content during the day. Maybe we could even connect it to the koi ponds.” Hanzo couldn’t contain his grin.

It took most of the morning and afternoon to get set up and Jesse waited eagerly in his main tank. He wriggled in the water, chasing the long fins of his tail as Hanzo went up and down a ladder. Sweat made his shirt cling to his back and Jesse did his best not to fixate on the strong muscles it showed off.

The jeans hung low and a very interesting band of fabric peaked over. He had always thought underwear were a bit strange. There was no need to cover his hips or waist in this form, at least as long as he kept himself under control. He breathed slowly, focusing on the fluttering of his gills and the expanse of his water lungs.

Jesse chewed on his thoughts and a chunk of catfish as Hanzo wiped his sweating brow. It was a shame that he was too small to act on the fantasties trying to break through his guard. It would be harder to hide the heat burning just under his skin when they were in the bath together. If they managed to get to it before the day was over.

It was dark outside when the tubes had been set up all over the house. Water was slowly poured into them from the second floor, all the while adjusting containment spells on the different tanks and resting areas so it didn’t all rush out.

Jesse tested out the first section.

The tubes were big enough for him to fit comfortably and he gave his tail an experimental undulation. He rose quickly along the transparent colorful pipe until he could look down at Hanzo. He waved excitedly and bobbed against the side.

The hunter’s grin was bright enough to light up the room. He pointed along the tube to the stairs and Jesse was quick to follow his lead. He darted along the tubes and wriggled around the ninety degree turn and started to climb. It was dizzying and wonderful. The illusion of depth brought a part of his instincts roaring back to life.

He chased Hanzo up the stairs and whipped around the corner to follow him into his bedroom. Hanzo’s laugh was muffled through the water but still beautiful. There was a tank on his bedside table still. It was connect now and Jesse dove down into it with a cheer. He tumbled among the leafy greens and swirled to face up.

He beached himself on the warm sand and rocks with a holler of pure joy.

--

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven

The air was thick and humid in the small bedroom. The beast’s heaving breaths fogged up the windows in the dead of the night and there was little other sound than his growling. It bubbled up from deep inside the fetid pools in the man’s heart. It had gone black as the night rose with the ink from a cruel and uncaring Witch.

Jesse panted alone in the dark. Shudders wracked his body from the top of his head to the end of his tail fin as he hunched over the man’s body. Blood ran down his chest and dripped to the wood floor. It stuck to his hands and starving body.

Hungry.

It ached. A knife in the gut that twisted hard and deeper with every passing second. He clawed at his concave middle before reaching out to touch Hanzo’s shoulder. He was warm and full of life and meat. He licked his lips.

Salt and bitter metallic burst over his long tongue. He lowered his mouth to his prey. The heat radiated against his skin, blurring the line between them. He wrapped his long tail around the man and coiled him tight. He seemed so small and frail now, head lulled to the side and body limp.

Jesse licked along the sweet hot curve of his throat and set his teeth against the muscle. He would rip out his throat and fill himself finally. Finally he would be whole and full and the hunger would stop.

But it’s Hanzo.

The thought throbbed in his brain. This was not simple prey. This was… someone. He whined and lashed his tail. Hunger rushed over him, hot and burning and his claws dug into the man’s coat.

“Jesse…” the word croaked into the darkness and he jerked at the flash of humanity that shot through him.

Hanzo’s eyes were clouded but so deep and dark and warm like the hidden pools of his home far away and long ago. He brushed his thumb along the man’s sharp cheekbone to collect a single drop of saltwater. A tear for him or out of fear.

He tried to speak, mouth opening helplessly but they were jumbled on his vicious fangs. They overhung his lips and thrust forward to devour any and everything. He garbled helplessly even as he ripped Hanzo’s shirt open to expose the life giving flesh. Warm and rosy, he thrust his face against it, here would be so sweet and rich.

A tender hand threaded through his hair and caressed over the spines of his ears. “I’m sorry, Jesse. I failed you after all.”

Jesse pulled back, dizzy and shaking as the space where his stomach should be curled tighter to his spine. He was starving and a sob broke from his mouth. He shriveled around the void inside him.

Anything but to kill Hanzo, it was too great a horror even for a monster. He whined as memories of kind touches and soothing words. Hanzo had wanted to help him. Hanzo had treated him with care that he had never experienced under the curse. Hanzo with his sharp wit and soft smile.

A hunter that should kill monsters instead of care for them.

Tears fell from Jesse’s eyes. Little splashes that made Hanzo’s cheeks shine. Blue light reflected off Jesse’s scales and cast droplets of color over the walls. Something crackled beneath the surface of his jacket, at his arm and leg.

Jesse leaned close and touched his forehead to Hanzo’s as the energy built around them. IT was beautiful. The sound of lightning gathering in rain clouds and wind over waves grew and Jesse thought he smelled the sea.

His slitted eyes fell to a small shell held in tightly in the human’s fingers. The hand that held the knife closed around his throat. Jesse roared, mouth parting and widening to swallow the man whole.

-

The world swam around Hanzo as he stared up at the monster that had lived with him these last weeks. The light of the dragons shown on his face in electric blues but he held the creatures in check by a thread. Just a moment longer, waiting, hoping that there would be humanity in those slitted golden eyes.

It came just before the final blow and he could only pray for a chance to save himself and Jesse. He moved slowly while the creature scented him and licked at his throat and chest. Hot and cold from the thick long tongue and a cold clamminess of wet scales pressing against him.

The charm he had traded the Witch for was a burning coal in his pocket. A carved shell woven with bits of dried seaweed and polished coral, it was no larger than the nail on this thumb. A trivial bit of junk to the untrained eye but he had paid for it with something far more precious than gold or silver.

He waited, heart strangely calm as Jesse struggled against the curse. The gnawing hunger that would ravage him until the sun rose. The shell had been in the pocket of his jacket but now it was in his hand. Tucked up and hidden in the curl of his fingers until Jesse pressed himself tightly over the hunter.

They’re so soft. He barely registered his own surprise as his hand closed over Jesse’s neck. The gills were delicate and tender and he squeezed until his fingers slipped inside. Jesse’s roar rang in his ears, his bones, his blood but as his mouth gaped wide, Hanzo slapped his hand over it; along with the talisman imbued with the song of the sea itself.

Jesse reared back and Hanzo was tossed to the side by his heavy tail. He yelled as spines slashed his side and shoulder, raiding thin lines of red on his skin. The heavy jacket was in tatters. Hanzo vaguely mourned it’s loss as he dragged himself to his feet.

The merman wailed and thrashed. He clawed at his throat and chest before suddenly falling still. Slumped over half the bed, his face was awash in shadow. Hanzo’s heart thundered against his ribs and he thought one might be broken as he staggered out of the room. Down the stairs in a half standing pile, he added bruises to his collection.

He had been foolish. Incredibly so to think Jesse was only a victim of his curse. Or was the curse what drove him to violence? He thumped into the fridge and ripped the door open. There was a whole salmon marinating in soy. He dragged it dripping back to his room. The carpet would forgive him in time or he would remove it.

The eyes stared back at him, hollow and pale.

Hanzo’s knees shook as he came to the open door and only the dragons gave him the strength to stay standing. “Jesse?” He called softly, afraid of spurring another attack. The merman slowly rolled over in the bed, his thick brown chest rising and falling with a rattle. His eyes were all black and sunk far into his face. His nose rose in a proud arch and his teeth flashed.

Everything within the man suddenly pointed at the fish in Hanzo’s hand. Like a bloodhound, Jesse’s body tensed to spring on it’s prey. Hanzo threw it underhanded to the man and looked away as he fell upon it.

Hanzo looked away. Wet squelching and the crunching of bones made him shudder as he slowly sank to the floor. The open door promised a chance to escape but he was too tired to run again. The dragons would defend him if nothing else but they were curled around his limbs. Their purring sent soothing vibrations through his arm and leg and he let his head lull back against the wall.

The sounds of feeding slowly died out and the room stilled with only heavy breathes. Hanzo managed to open his eyes, afraid of what he might see.

“Jesse?” he shot up at the absence of a massive merman.

He scrambled forward to the remains of the fish and ducked to peer under the bed but Jesse was nowhere to be seen. “Jesse?” he called out, panic rising fiercer than when the merman had been charging straight at him.

A tiny squeak froze him in place.

He slowly looked to the surface of his bed. In the mess of dirty sheets and blankets there was something. A flash of pretty shiny red and speckles of gold in the moonlight led him closer till he was half on the bed.

A warm, sunkissed voice rose from the folds and Hanzo’s breath hitched with relief.

“Hey there, Darlin’,” Jesse waved his good arm in greeting. “Sorry… for all that.”

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five

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Hanzo cradled Jesse to his chest, not trusting the man would be able to survive in the water. The ink spiraled in lazy swirls around his legs with a promise of malice. He rose as gently as he could from the water of the bath and shuddered as cold air hissed in around him.

The steam had faded some time ago and he hurried out of the bathroom and into his sleeping quarters. “Jesse?” he spoke softly, afraid of startling the man and yet he was left shifting from foot to foot.

The warding and binding symbols on the aquariums rim made his stomach clench with mistrust. Would the magic on the tank hurt or help jesse in his current state? He decided not to risk it.

“I’m going to put you down, just for a moment.” He ran a finger along Jesse’s back and shoulder. He felt cold and limp and the man hid his face behind his arm. “I will return with clean water as fast as I can.”

Hanzo settled Jesse on his own pillow and tried to pull his hand back. It hurt to see how Jesse clung to him with his good hand, eyes pleading and scared. Please don’t leave me, the words were not spoken in a known language but Hanzo would know the look of desperation anywhere.

“I will return swiftly.”

He managed to tear himself away. Darting out of the room, he quickly took the stairs down to the kitchen. He fumbled with the cabinet doors, hands slick with sweat and shaking, but managed to get it open. He snatched the biggest bowl he could find.

The pitcher lid rattled as he took the stairs back up. There was a tightness in his chest he had not felt outside of battle for years. If only he was fighting a marauding goyle or griffin, then he would know exactly how to proceed.

“Why did it have to be curses,” he smiled weakly at himself before pushing the door open and returning to his new partner.

Jesse shuddered against a draining chill that clung to him in the tiny particles of ink wedged against his scales. He gulped for air, the fine gills along his throat opening despite being out of water and he rolled on the satin pillow.

It was like water below him, smooth and slick and he slide down to the comforter with a whimper. The witch’s grip was tight on his throat and it was if her talons were sinking into his flesh again.

He gasped and ripped at his overgrown hair. He ached in every cell for something to ground himself, to be held and seen and truly known. If only he could take his words back and call out to Hanzo and find solace in his arms.

Tears welled up and dripped down his cheeks. They would blend in with the rest of him soon enough and he tucked his face against his arm. His left throbbed as a bitter reminder of what came to small things that could not defend themselves and to the greedy hearts of men.

He could still taste their blood in his mouth and he fought down a roll of sickness. Hunger prickled at the back of his throat and he gulped it down.

“I’m back,” Hanzo’s voice came through the door a second before the man.

Jesse dashed his tears away on the back of his hairy arm. He wanted to trust Hanzo desperately and he couldn’t afford not to put more into him. It made it easier, to go limp and soft in his hand. He was carefully lowered into the bowl of lukewarm water with a soothing coo that might have been encouragement but the sound was white noise.

He rolled into the clean water and rubbed at his tail. The bits of magic clung tightly to his scales and he kept spinning as he tried to wipe himself down. An angry curse burst from his mouth in a flurry of bubbles and he lashed out.

His fins spread and the sharp spines hidden along his tail flared open. He couldn’t take care of himself even know, couldn’t even clean himself how was he ever going to take down a the Witch of the Waters.

“Jesse, can I help?” Hanzo’s finger in the water drew his attention and he looked up. Hanzo was leaning over the edge but not forcing the contact.

It was a little thing.

But it broke Jesse’s heart and put it back together again.

“Thanks, Darlin’,” Jesse’s voice was hoarsh and he swallowed to try to smooth it. Despite Hanzo not able to hear the words, he couldn’t stop himself from talking as always. He nodded when Hanzo asked the question again and laid back in the water. He floated along the surface, limbs heavy.

He closed his eyes, breathing in the calming scents of Hanzo’s bedroom. There was lavender and sage from drying bundles of herbs. Low, warm notes of earth and the tingling burn of lightning filled his chest as Hanzo leaned over him.

He squirmed as a hand cupped under his rump and back to support his human half. He rested his head into the crook of Hanzo’s thumb, too weary to offer much help. Tender fingertips trailed over his chest, swirling thoughtfully over the cut of his ribcage.

It tickled when Hanzo dipped to his belly and hips and he jerked with a chattering laugh. He shoved the fingertip away from his ticklish areas and Hanzo chuckled above him.

“Ticklish?”

Jesse quickly nodded, not minding the odd view above him. Hanzo’s proportions stretched with perspective as he leaned down till his nose was almost within reach.

“I will try not to tickle you again,” Hanzo murmured, his breath warm and wet against Jesse’s tail. It soothed the edges of his nerves and he lazily undulated his tail. He wished Hanzo could hear him, could somehow see the need for more in his face.

Hanzo’s finger ran slowly down his hips where scales overtook his skin. Jesse sighed in relief as Hanzo rubbed small circles along the tired muscles. He raised the small fin there and Hanzo dutifully caressed over the spot with his fingertip. It was easy to relax and trust that Hanzo would care for him.

It was a slow process to clean him and Hanzo’s touch was hot against him. He squeezed his eyes shut at the reverent caress down his tail fin and along the spines. He shivered as the ink was washed away and dissolved into the water once it was free of him.

“Feels mighty nice,” Jesse sighed, boneless in the man’s hand.

“I hope that helped.”

Jesse nodded and managed a smile. He just wanted to curl up in a warm, soft bed and sleep in the protective arms of a loved one. He wearily dragged his tail up and around himself. He kept an eye on Hanzo, even as he was cupped in both hands and lifted gently from the water. He wriggled against the tight confines, finding the perfect spot.

-

“I will help you break the curse,” Hanzo murmured to Jesse. The man was so small and fragile in the cup of his hands, he felt the weight of caring for him settle heavily on his shoulders. They were broad and strong and he set his jaw as he looked to the future.

“I will talk to the Witch of the Waste. She can help us break the curse.”

Jesse made a shrill squawk and his spines prickled against Hanzo’s fingers. He jumped, barely keeping his grip around the man.

Worry settled on his brow. “Did the Witch of the Waste curse you, Jesse?”

A sharp shake of the head put that fear aside.

“Do you know who did?”

A quick nod.

“Do you know the terms of your curse?”

Another shake but slower this time. Hanzo chewed on the inside of his lip as he sorted through the encyclopedia of knowledge in his head. There were many creatures and magical users that could place a powerful curse on an unlucky victim. Or a deserving one.

The tank’s powerful symbols of binding and warding flashed before his eyes. Had Jesse ended up inside because of the original curse giver or by people who had the misfortune to try to own him?

What fate had befallen his previous caretakers...

----

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six

Now available on Ao3!

Huge thanks to  Anon, Belqoak  and Firefly for helping to fund this part.

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven| Part Eight | Part Nine | Part Ten | Part Eleven

--

Hanzo chuckled at the merman’s flirting and carefully patted the top of his head. “You are a shameless flirt.”

“Tell me somethin’ I don’t know, Darlin’,” Jesse rumbled with far more pride than a small merman should.

Hanzo couldn’t help the blush rising to his cheeks so he quickly looked away. The ramen was well underway and would fill them both up and then some. He stirred the broth and tried not to flirt back.

He failed.

“Hunters have tough skin.” He swirled the spoon in the pot before looking down at Jesse.

“Do they now?” Jesse smirked like a little devil and pushed his wet hair out of his face. “I’ll have t’test out your claim sometime.”

Hanzo shook his head and left to hide his red face while he fetched the eggs. The coldbox was refreshing on his skin and he lingered longer than he needed to. A talking Jesse would take some getting used to.

“Do you wish to eat in the garden?” he called over his shoulder before finally returning to the stove.

“I’d love that.”

Soon enough Hanzo had finished his work at the stove and filled two massive bowls with noodles, vegetables and meat. He cracked the egg into Jesse’s and set it next to his on a serving tray. Jesse settled on the smooth wood with his tail wrapped around his bowl.

Hanzo stepped carefully to take his precious burden in to the dusky garden. Soft chirps from nesting birds fluttered around them and the soft rustle of the grass was a low melody. The wind chime sang as a gentle breeze moved through the compound.

They settled at the small table in the middle of a gravel circle. Hanzo took his seat on the cushion and Jesse opted to stay on the tray.

“Wish i could see more of your pretty face,” Jesse sighed, one arm stuck into the bowl to catch a noodle.

“You are rather small down there.”

“You ain’t teasin’ a man, now are you?” Jesse shot him a disgruntled look. Or so Hanzo thought. It was difficult to read the man’s expression without him held close to his face. He looked at their bowls and Jesse valiantly trying to drag his food over.

The idea shot a tingling buzz through his veins and he slowly lowered his chopsticks. “Perhaps, if you were willing…” Hanzo waited for Jesse to look up at him. The fading sunlight turned his scales to rippling gold. “You could join me for dinner up here.”

-

Jesse paused with a chunk of beef half way to his mouth. He slowly set it back into the broth as he studied Hanzo’s face. From this angle the expression was a little skewed but it was as warm and soft as ever.

“What do you mean?” He wriggled his tail to half perch on the mass. He leaned on the bowl’s rim to keep himself upright and to soak up it’s heat. The beating of his heart was loud in his ears.

“I do not wish to assume… but perhaps you would like to share my bowl.” Hanzo raised it to the level of his mouth in example before setting it gently back on the tray. “Then we would be on the same level to converse properly and I could send any unruly noodles your direction.”

Heat moved up Jesse’s neck and to his face and he had to gulp to keep the pain in his throat from turning to tears. He hadn’t been treated like a human, like a person, in so long. Even if it was in such a strange fashion, he was overwhelmed for a moment.

He tailed his hand through the broth in his bowl and brought it to his lips. He licked the digits clean, judging the salinity and heat. It wouldn't hurt him to be submerged in it and he could eat much easier.

He could gulp you down like one of these noodles, a small paranoid part of his brain was quick to supply. He could ‘gulp’ you down too, the other far louder part replied and Jesse fought back a groan.

It had been so long since he’d felt anything like desire.

He pushed those feelings aside as quickly as he could. It wouldn’t do to start thinking Hanzo’s flirting was anything but camaraderie between two people in a very strange situation. It didn’t help that Jesse had seen him naked already. The images flashed before his eyes as he studied his reflection in the broth. Hanzo casually stripping to prepare to share a bath with him. The heft of his sturdy ass and powerful back rippling, the rippling tattoo that seemed to dance like an ocean’s wave on his arm and leg - all of it made him drool.

He shook his head, shame filtering in and he hugged himself tighter to the bowl to obscure his body. He focused on the pretty way the sunset danced on flowers along the pond and the plaintive violet shadows stretching out from the wall.

“I see I have overstepped.” Hanzo’s voice was painfully polite and Jesse jerked up to look at him.  “My apologies--”

“Yes!”

Hanzo’s eyes widened and then a bashful smile pushed at the edges of his mouth. “Only if you are not inconvenienced by it.”

“Not at all,” Jesse used the edge of the bowl to pull himself closer to Hanzo. He wobbled on his tail before falling forward onto his good hand. He wriggled to try to make his way over but hanzo spared him more embarrassment.

He savored the warmth of Hanzo’s fingers as the cupped around him. One under his chest, brushing lightly over the muscle and sinew, the other hooked around his middle and the third curled under his hips. He jerked, tail waving frantically for a beat. The touch sent ripples of heat through him and he broke free of Hanzo’s grip as soon as he was over the bowl.

He fell with a small splash into the broth and darted into the depths. His second eyelid protected him as he wriggled through the noodles and popped up in the middle.

Hanzo laughed to see him and poked him light in the chest with a chopstick. “You should be more careful. I feared you’d break your neck diving in like that.”

Jesse just playfully chomped at the end of the chopstick before scooping up a noodle. It was much easier inside the stangle and he shoved the fist sized pasta into his mouth. He relaxed his jaw with a conscious effort and the noodle glided into his throat. He gulped and slurped with only the occasional pause to snap his teeth through a section.

He lost himself in the fragrant meal, only showing off a little as he ate as much as Hanzo did. His own bowl of ramen dumped into Hanzo’s after a few minutes and he was quick to shove his hand into the soft yolk and lick it clean until it was all gone.

“I do not think so,” Hanzo barked and Jesse wriggled as he was caught between the chopsticks with the last bit of beef in his hand. “That one’s mine.”

“Fight me for it.” Jesse challenged with a playful wink. He wriggled his hips, trying to break out of the chopstick’s grip. It was tight enough to imprison him but not to hurt. He still grumbled and complained as he was lifted out of the bowl and held close to Hanzo’s eyes.

“You get the egg. I get the beef.”

Hanzo’s breath was hot and humid against his tail and he flushed under the inspection. He waved the meat teasingly and a drop of the broth fell with a splash to Hanzo’s nose. He crinkled it and went crossed eyed to look.

A laugh burst out of Jesse’s chest and he tried to stifle it with his left bicep. He didn’t in time and Hanzo narrowed his eyes at him. “You did that on purpose.”

“Maybe.” Jesse managed to get a hold of his breath. Tears prickled in the corners of his eyes and he wiped them on his arm. “You’re too cute when you get all cross eyed.”

“I am not cute.” Hanzo leaned in closer. “You are the one that is being cute.”

“I’m a rugged, handsome fella,” Jesse preened, showing off the strength of his chest and the breadth of his shoulders.

“Cute.” Hanzo hummed the word and closed the distance between them.

All the air left Jesse’s lungs in a soft ‘oh’ and his hand fell to the proud crest of Hanzo’s nose. The tip brushed lightly against his stomach and a giddy laugh bubbled up and overflowed. Time seemed to slow as Jesse ran his hand down the length of Hanzo’s nose and hesitantly petted the strong slopes to his cheek.

“You’re the best man I’ve ever met, Han.”

Part One | Part Two | Part Three | Part Four | Part Five | Part Six | Part Seven| Part Eight | Part Nine | Part Ten | Part Eleven 

Smut?

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