Chapter Text
He lurked in the bay. Waiting to strike. To attack the poor fishermen and snatch their hard earned fish with his razor sharp teeth. He was a threat. He was a monster. And he had to be taken down.
At least that’s what Bucky’s dad said. Bucky had never seen a mermaid in person, but he had heard stories and seen terrifying drawings of those disgusting scaled beasts.
It was 8 AM, and Bucky was eating his breakfast at the dinner table while watching the local news talk about the bay and its mermaid problem.
“Bucky, baby, I know you can do this.” Bucky’s mom put her hand on his shoulder, reassuring that this task must be completed.
A few days ago the fishermen of the town asked the Barnes family to get rid of the mermaid that kept stealing their fish. They happily accepted and today was the day to do so.
“I know ma, I’ll do my best”, Bucky smiled at her, doubt nowhere to be seen in his eyes.
“Come on James, the day ain’t getting any younger and that fish ain’t getting any more dead”, his dad called.
Winnifred kissed her son on the head and waved him goodbye as he got his gear and left.
....
The air was crisp and the water was clear. Perfect for hunting a vicious sea monster.
Bucky sat on the docks waiting for his father to arrive with the rest of the equipment required, thinking about how the mermaid would react him driving a sharp harpoon through its gills. It wouldn’t be a pleasant reaction.
“Here,” George dropped the harpoon and nets at Bucky’s feet, “I’m needed somewhere else. This one’s all yours.” The other fishermen called for George, and Bucky clutched the metal of the harpoon as he watched him leave.
The tiny rowboat swayed gently, softly rocking Bucky as he stared at the water waiting to strike.
“Come on out fishy fishy. I won’t hurt you.”
That was a lie.
He was going to hurt him.
A lot.
Hours went by as Bucky waited patiently for the mermaid to appear. He was starting to have second thoug-
The boat shook violently, hurling Bucky to the floor. The water was splashing roughly and Bucky was taken aback.
The beast had arrived.
Bucky sprung up to his feet grabbing the harpoon, positioning himself on the edge of the boat waiting for the right time to attack.
The water now calmed and the boat stopped shaking. Bucky knew the mermaid was going to strike so he had to strike first.
Suddenly, Bucky found himself staring in the most beautiful pairs of eyes he’s ever seen. They were a deep warm brown that poked out from under the water. Bucky was frozen in place.
The mermaid swam closer to Bucky and the rest of his head popped out. He was...beautiful. And terrified. Bucky still had the spear pointed at his head. He quickly apologized and put it down.
“Sorry, sorry. I thought you were some kind of monster trying to kill me. But you’re just...gorgeous.”
The mermaid chuckled and grinned at Bucky. Sure, most of the things said about mermaids were false, but one thing was true. That fish did have razor sharp teeth.
Bucky slowly reached a gentle hand out to the mermaid. After slightly hesitating, he reached his hand out too. Their hands were m so close, it made Bucky’s face flush pink and make him all giddy.
“JAMES, HURRY UP AND CATCH THAT THING!”
Startled, the mermaid swam away, his beautiful crimson red tail getting smaller the further he swam. Bucky sat there with his hand still stretched out silently wishing for him to come back.
What was happening to him? Surely he hadn’t fallen in love with the monster he had to kill, has he?
But one thing was certain. That mermaid was beautiful and he had to see him again.