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Pyro doesn't know how long he's been swimming for, but his tail is starting to ache from how hard he was pushing himself to get away. He's far enough from his pods territory now that Pyro allows himself to slow down. It's as the adrenaline starts to fade that everything crashes down on him.
His pod chased him out. He has nowhere to go, and Pyro's never been on his own before.
How is he supposed to care for himself?
He isn't a good hunter or fighter, and he doesn't have the strength to fend for himself. He has no muscle on his bones to keep him safe, and his ribs press up against his skin from the lack of food he's been able to get in the past.
The elders didn't see fit to feed him as much as his other pod mates who could hunt and contribute. It left Pyro smaller and weaker than other mers. He isn't capable of defending himself or going out to hunt for fish.
Pyro whines quietly, looking around at his surroundings. First of all, he needs to find a place to hide away for the night. Food is important, but Pyro is familiar with hunger. If he's left out in the open, he's vulnerable to whatever might come along.
Luckily, it doesn't take long to find a suitable cave, though Pyro is careful as he approaches the entrance. After confirming that it's empty, Pyro curls up inside. It's only as he's starting to drift off that the he notices the shadow looming over him.
Slowly, Pyro looks up, startling at the sight of a giant staring down at them. The mer is easily twice Pyro's size, and he doesn't look happy.
He's huge, with a large cyan tail and blue tinted hair. Pyro can see power in the way he holds himself. It makes them tremble.
They back away, cowering against the far wall of the small cave. They hope desperately that the other mer is too big to reach them, a fearful chirp escaping their lips. They flinch hard when the mer clicks back at them, his tone annoyed. Pyro whimpers, knowing they're in danger.
Did they cross over into another mer's territory without realizing it? They hadn't seen signs of anyone else, but they were also distracted.
They flinch again as the large mer reaches his hand towards them, sharp claws narrowly missing their body. The other mer clicks again, sounding even more annoyed than before. When he stops and peers back in the cave at them, clicking impatiently, Pyro knows he wants them to come out.
Pyro doesn't want to come out. They wouldn't be able to do anything to protect themself, and this mer was so much bigger than them.
In the end, they aren't given an option, the large mer changing tactics and clawing at the outside of the cave. Stone breaks away, the thick walls crumbling under strong hands. Pyro whimpers, and the mer stops, clicking at them again.
It's terrifying to be forced to leave their hiding place, but they know if they don't, the whole cave could come down on them. They move carefully, staying low to the ground and chirping submissively as they approach the other mer, fins pressed flat to their head. They shake under his gaze, pressing their back flat to the sand, baring their throat.
They quiver as the large mer dwarfs them, whining as sharp claws brush over their stomach. Were they going to get eaten? They're so small compared to this mer, hardly a meal at all.
Pyro whines again quietly. They hope if they're pliant enough, the other mer will let them go. There would be no point in killing them. They don't have enough meat on them to be worth eating, and they would leave willingly, find somewhere else to settle in for the night.
He noses at their throat, and they try hard not to squirm. The other mer chirps at them, sounding much too pleased with himself. He nuzzles his face against their neck, surprising Pyro with the gentle show of affection.
They stay still as the large mer chirps again, the noise just possessive enough that Pyro knows better than to try and get away. Instead, they tentatively chirp back, soft and scared.
The large mer coos, nuzzling his head against Pyro's throat again. They let themself go limp, reassured by the action. It doesn't seem like they're about to be killed, and after being abandoned by their pod, Pyro decides to take comfort where they can.
The other mer is obviously pleased by their submission, chirping happily. He backs away, still hovering over them, but allowing them up. Pyro moves carefully, not wanting to give any reason for them to get hurt. They bump their head gently against the other mer's arm, trying to please him despite the way their body still trembles.
He coos at them, nudging them forward towards the cave.
Pyro hesitates, but with the permission, they curl up back inside the small cave. The large mer lays down just outside, intense red eyes watching them closely. His body blocks them in, but it doesn't feel nearly as dangerous as it did earlier. They're still afraid, but it doesn't look like the other mer is planning to hurt them.
It isn't much, but maybe it means they won't have to be alone.
Maybe, they can be safe.