𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐭 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤

Beneath the Surface - T.H

Parings → Prince! Merman! Tom Holland x Mermaid! Reader

Warnings → fluff

Summary → Tom and Y/n, merfolk with contrasting personalities, meet and bond through playful banter underwater.

✧･ﾟ: *✧≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫✧･ﾟ: *✧

The waters shimmered under the sunlight that pierced through the surface, casting a golden glow around the coral reefs below. In the heart of this vibrant marine world, the Merfolk swam freely, their scales glistening in the light. Among them, Tom Holland, a prince of the merfolk kingdom, ruled the waves with a confident charm. His tail, a striking blend of greenish royal blue, reflected his regal nature.

Tom swam lazily through the reefs, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as he twirled a trident between his fingers. He was known for his cocky demeanor and effortless charm, both of which made him a popular figure among the mermaids. Yet, none had truly caught his attention for long. That is, until today.

A flash of purple caught his eye. It was unlike any tail he had ever seen before, the perfect blend of deep lavender and soft purple, blending into the surrounding coral yet standing out in its beauty. Curiosity piqued, Tom swam closer, his eyes narrowing as he saw you, a mermaid he hadn't seen before, quietly tending to a bed of glowing sea flowers. Your movements were graceful, almost hypnotic, as you delicately arranged the flowers with your hands, your tail flicking softly behind you.

Without missing a beat, Tom pushed himself forward, slipping through the water effortlessly and stopping just a short distance away from you.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Tom's voice was smooth, playful, as he gave you a lopsided grin. "I don't believe I've ever seen someone this lovely in these waters before. You must be new around here."

You glanced up at him, your lavender tail flicking gently to balance your body. You were quiet, as usual, but your gaze wasn't shy. It was calm, steady, and observant.

"I've been here longer than you might think," you said, your voice soft but firm. "You just never bothered to look."

Tom's smirk widened. He liked that. You weren't fawning over him like the others did. You held your own, and that intrigued him.

"Is that so?" He asked, swimming in a slow circle around you, his greenish royal blue tail creating gentle waves that stirred the water around you. "I'm Tom, by the way. Though you've probably already heard of me."

"Prince Tom, yes," you replied, not even looking up from your flowers. "Hard to miss."

Your calm demeanor threw him off for a moment, but he quickly recovered, swimming closer until he was floating just beside you. He tilted his head, studying your face as you continued your work.

"And you are?" He pressed, eager to hear more from you.

"Y/n."

"Y/n..." Tom repeated, testing the sound of your name on his tongue. "A beautiful name for a beautiful mermaid."

You let out a small huff, but a faint smile tugged at the corner of your lips. You weren't immune to his charm, but you weren't going to let it sweep you away so easily.

"And what brings you out here, Y/n?" Tom continued, propping his arm on a nearby rock as he floated effortlessly beside you. "Collecting flowers? Admiring the view?" He flashed another grin. "Or were you perhaps waiting for someone like me to come along?"

You finally looked up at him, your eyes meeting his with a steady gaze. "I was actually enjoying the peace and quiet."

Tom chuckled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, I see. So you're not one for grand company then? Not even a prince's?"

"I never said that," you replied smoothly, your voice light but with a hint of playfulness now. "But I prefer company that knows when to be quiet."

Tom raised an eyebrow, surprised but impressed by your response. You were quiet, yes, but there was something sharp and clever behind those words. He liked it even more.

"So, I talk too much for your taste?" He asked, though there was no offense in his tone, only curiosity and a hint of a challenge.

"You talk enough," you said, turning back to the flowers, your hands gliding through the water with ease. "But I don't mind... not yet."

Tom laughed, the sound rich and warm, and for a moment, it felt as though the ocean itself had joined in his amusement.

"Well then," he said, leaning in just a bit closer, his voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone. "I'll try my best to keep it at a minimum... for you."

You shot him a sideways glance, catching the flirtatious tone in his voice, but you only smiled. "I'd appreciate that."

For a moment, the two of you fell into a comfortable silence, the water swirling gently around you as fish darted in and out of the nearby corals. It was peaceful, and for the first time in a while, Tom didn't feel the need to fill the space with his usual banter. There was something about your presence that calmed him, something that made the silence enjoyable.

"So," Tom finally broke the quiet, his tone more genuine now. "What's the deal with the flowers? You seem to know a lot about them."

"They're special," you said simply, plucking one and holding it up for him to see. The delicate petals glowed faintly, illuminating the space between you. "They only bloom in this part of the reef. It's said they bring good luck to those who find them."

"Good luck, huh?" Tom mused, his eyes flicking between the flower and your face. "Well, then I suppose I'm lucky to have stumbled upon both the flowers and you today."

"Perhaps," you said, your lips curving into a soft smile. "But luck is only as good as what you make of it."

Tom's gaze lingered on you for a moment longer, captivated by your quiet strength and subtle grace. You weren't like anyone he had met before. You weren't dazzled by his charm, nor were you intimidated by his status. You were just... you. And that was enough to intrigue him more than anyone ever had.

"I think I'm going to enjoy getting to know you, Y/n," he said, his voice softer now, sincere.

"We'll see," you replied, giving him a small, mysterious smile as you placed the flower back into the reef. "If you can keep up."

Tom grinned, his cocky confidence returning as he swam a little closer, his tail brushing lightly against yours. "Oh, I can keep up, don't you worry."

You met his gaze again, your eyes sparkling with a challenge of your own. "Then prove it."

Tom's smile widened, and in that moment, something clicked between you both.

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