Monster Anthology [MxM]

Rhine Theatre

CONTENT WARNING: Sexual content, coersion

The rush of the current sliding along his scales and caressing his fins filled Liori with a sense of freedom. Finally liberated from his sisters' incessant nagging and watchful eyes, the young prince swam through the green-hued murky waters. His silver scales flashed in the filtered light, even as he kept near the bottom. Though away from his siblings and mother, their words still chased him, haunted him.

"Humans are dangerous," his mother repeated her constant warning.

"The only good human is a dead one," his eldest sister agreed, nodding her head sagely.

"I don't know, the young ones can be quite tasty," another of his sisters laughed.

"The old ones are too gamey, but if you pull them in, you're sure to draw a lot of tasty youngsters."

"Enough! Liori, don't go near humans!" his mother said, ending the discussion with a sharp gesture of her hand through the waters. Her steely eyes narrowed at his sisters, but the fae had just giggled and swum away.

But that was a long time ago - surely, now that he was eighteen winters, he was old enough to hunt humans on his own! Even his younger sister was allowed to hunt humans!

"No!" his mother's voice thundered in his head, remembering the awful argument from the night before. "You're not to go near them! Ever!"

His mood turning sullen, Liori put a bit more strength into the kick of his fin. The current of the river tugged at him, trying to drag him back the way he came, but Liori fought against it.

Even the river wants me to go home! Liori clenched his jaw and swam with all his might to the side of the river and grabbed hold of a large boulder near the riverbank. He pulled himself around it to get out of the worst of the current. Though the waters still tugged against his fins and flesh, he could at least rest here in an eddy without getting swept away. Resting his back against the boulder, he curled his tail, bending until he could rest his chin on it. Taking several deep breaths, he steadied his racing heart and prepared to push back off into the rushing waters.

I'll catch a human... and I won't even share! Determined, Liori lifted his head and uncurled himself. The current nearly slammed him into the boulder, but he resisted until he pushed off from the rocky surface and kicked hard. He pumped his tail with all his strength, swimming against the current until he was able to pull off into a tributary.

The water depth decreased steadily as he swam up the tributary, and with the steadily weakening current, the going was easier on the young prince. Liori navigated through the tributary, under fallen logs, through murky hollows, twisting out of the grasping claws of brambles trapped in the water-

Until he saw a bobbing, shining, flicking fish just a few feet from the surface.

His stomach rumbled at the sight.

All that swimming in the Rhine had worked up an appetite and the prince wasn't one to turn down a meal. Especially one that didn't seem to notice his approach.

Instinctively, Liori circled the fish, stalking his prey, watching it twitch and languidly swim about. Closer... just a little closer-

Liori flicked his tail, putting speed into his movements, with his hands outstretched-

He breached the river's surface, the fish in his grasp, and a victorious whoop coming from his lips. Dinner!

"What the - Hey! That's my- What are you- You can't eat that-!"

Liori, with the tail of the shiny fish hanging out of his mouth, turned at the voice, eyes widening, his fin-like ears twitching at the unexpected noise.