Chapter Thirteen

Best Laid Plans of Mers and Men

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Dean couldn't believe his luck. The monster had brought him right over to his precious sunken ship and he wasted no time at all searching for the SAT phone. Hoping that he'd find it somewhere down here. He knew it was waterproof but that didn't mean he'd be able to speak into it easily while it was underwater. But, at least he could hold onto it until he could escape topside again and call for help.

He knew the monster was watching him and thought that he probably looked like a little pet to the giant, but right now didn't care. He had to find that SAT phone. His leg tugged painfully at the end of his rope and surprisingly, the monster moved his hand over so he could continue his search. Dean looked up at him for a bit. Waiting for an ulterior motive to arise but when nothing came besides a look of honest curiosity he shrugged to himself and went back to his search. It seemed like the monster would do whatever it wanted to do anyway so he told himself to just ignore it for the time being. Focusing on what he can work with right now.

He surveyed the damage done and found that besides what happened topside, his ship didn't get even more damaged from the falling or landing. It was still beat to hell from before it went down of course, but Dean thought that that alone wasn't the cause of the sinking. It was the giant monster pulling it forcefully down. It should be able to float again if it ever managed to be brought back up to the surface.

Dean looked up and couldn't exactly tell how far down they really were. The surface was just a lighter color than the surrounding areas. Amazed at how his eyesight must have been altered too, because he had no trouble at all now to see down here. It must be pitch black to normal people, but he can practically see colors and not just tell the difference between light and dark. For instance, he could still tell that his swim trunks were light green and the pocketknife's handle was red.

He had no way of gauging distances at the moment though. It was still daylight out. And he knew he wasn't as far out to sea as he had been that morning since he had started sailing back towards land. So there's that at least. The monster must live in the deepest parts of the ocean because no way in hell was it's kind discovered before. Juveniles maybe, sparking all those stories about sailors of old spotting mermaids. Mere kids or toddlers compared to this guy. Full grown ones were too smart or shy to come up to the surface. Before today of course.

Humans could easily go down this far in submarines to explore, and they never found evidence of their existence at this level. No bones left behind, or tools... if it used any. So his monster must call a deeper trench home. In any case, Dean had no way of guessing how deep he was now. He just knew that it was 'very fucking deep' and he'd be dead all over again if his body hadn't been changed.

Dean decided not to dwell on it. Plenty of time to hypothesize later... when he's safe.

His supplies that were on the deck were now scattered around the crash site but for the most part, things must still be inside the ship. A stroke of luck on his side. However, he's not absolutely positive the ship is still sail worthy. He can't see the whole of it from his limited range of motion granted to him by his captor. Dean would have to insist he be allowed to get closer to it and assess the hull. Maybe even convince the monster to lift it up from it's side so he can see the part that's partially buried in the sand. Of course, that's assuming that the monster wouldn't damage it further just from handling it. Crap.

He pulled at the end of his rope and was allowed to get closer to the wreck. At least the giant is being somewhat accommodating to him. Dean started to gather up some of the things he came across, intending on putting them back in the ship to make sure they weren't buried in sand when the giant moves again. Such large motions could cause Dean a lot of grief. Making every job he had to do that much harder just because he has to deal with a 200 ft long toddler. Curious about everything Dean owns and has no awareness of the proper etiquette with how to treat other people's property. Dean had to stop and think about that for a moment. This giant really doesn't know how to act around strangers does he? It saw something interesting from his point of view and started grabbing for it and playing with it. No permission asked. No hesitation. Dean's pretty sure that kids that grow up with families learn how to act around others after a certain point in their development.

Dean turned his head to look up at the giant again, seeing it's eyes elsewhere, captivated by the ship. The other free hand just itching to get his hands on it. Dean's observances were a bit scary in this scale. If this monster didn't grow up learning about boundaries, whose to say that it will respect any of Dean's even if he somehow manages to convey them to it?

Dean struggles to remember all that was said in that Dark place when he was temporarily uh, dead. Something about how he and the monster were connected in the past. He wonders how the hell that could be, but, remembering all the previous lives his soul has lived shut down that line of thought for the time being. Too much information. Too many feelings and memories of past families and friends. No. Focus. Back to work.

He had an armload of things tucked in next to his side with his left arm, and luckily found the bag that had held his 'leash' rope inside of it. He stuffed the odds and ends into the bag and slung it over his shoulder. Going back to picking up useful things at first, but then frowned to himself at all the other things that littered the ocean floor from his ship. He's not a litterbug. He turned around and picked up every scrap he found, and at first the monster was confused why he wanted to backtrack but somehow caught on what his intentions were.

A quiet sound that Dean figured was one of realization hit him like a percussive force and the monster actually started helping Dean with the larger things that wouldn't fit in his bag. Dean figured that the giant couldn't really see or grab the smaller things very well and left those to him.

Dean huffed a laugh. He got the giant to cooperate in cleaning up the litter. Bits of the rail were collected in the giant's other hand with the one Dean was tied to digging and shifting them into the free palm when it became too awkward to lift more by itself.

Once the area was clean and their arms and hands were full, the giant clicked at him for attention. Dean looked up and saw the head nod in the direction of his ship and Dean couldn't believe how smart it seemed. Dean nodded enthusiastically and half expected to be picked up for the move over there. Dean braced for it but only felt the lightest of tugs on his tied up leg. The monster clicked and whistled quietly at Dean and nudged at his lax feet. Startling Dean into kicking them about and getting some distance away from the finger.

Dean was startled how easy it was to move through the water with his altered feet. He had been moving along on his hands elbows and knees for the most part. Letting his feet remain lax and dragged along behind him because he was still greatly unnerved by them. And even though it should have been obvious to an outside observer, it was still surprising to Dean to see just how well adapted they were for swimming. He sunk back down to the sand and heard and felt the hum from above. Unsure if it meant the giant was disappointed that Dean refused to use them to swim or if he was just curious. Maybe both.

For now, it seemed like it changed it's mind about dropping off the stuff right away at the ship. Content to let Dean move at his own dragging pace.

Dean didn't feel like putting on a show for the monster and stuck with what worked for him. For now. He couldn't deny that he was getting curious himself. But, it's not like he'd be allowed or even able to swim very far while being tied up like this. He was given about eight feet of rope for his leash. Hardly enough for a proper swim test area. God help him when he needs to do more than pee in the ocean. He's positive that the giant wouldn't make an exception and release him so he can relieve himself.

The giant had been way too interested in his swim trunks as it was just an hour ago. God that was embarrassing. Having to try and explain to a monster why it's bad manners to undress people. Makes sense, it didn't wear anything at all, but still. That idea that boundaries weren't a concern for the monster was making itself known time and time again. Dean had a sinking suspicion that he'd have to assert more boundaries before the night's over. Hoping that the giant would listen and somehow understand him. If he sticks with pantomiming, it might get them somewhere but he doubts they had the same life experiences to find common ground. He knows nothing about the giant monster besides the obvious. And he's pretty sure that the giant hasn't met any humans before. Especially since news of a gigantic sea monster would have popped up in his years of research.

Unless... it ate anyone that it found.

Fuck.

Dean peeked back up at the giant again, looking at the flash of those fangs inside it's huge mouth. How many things has that beast eaten? Or killed for the hell of it? Surely it wasn't a giant it's whole life. But, how big are these things when they are babies?

Dean's inquisitive side was sparking a bit more despite the danger he's still in. Wouldn't it benefit him in the long run to study his captor? Find out what his weakness is? All Dean has to hope for right now is that it sleeps at some point. Then. Then he can use his knife and cut this rope leash from his leg and get the hell out of there. Once he finds the SAT phone of course. Head straight to the surface and pray it still works. If he can no longer breath air, he'll just have to send the SOS in Morse code. He knows the alphabet in Morse, but, it wont do him much good if he doesn't know exactly where he is. So.. huh. Ok, he's going to need some of his equipment too. The GPS was built into the ship so he'll have to figure out a way to get it out, and find one of the spare batteries. Get them on the life raft and wait for everything to dry out first before turning it on. He doesn't want to be electrocuted.

Dean's pretty sure he didn't die of electrocution before in any of his past lives. And it's a record he intends to keep, thank you very much.

In the chaos from earlier, he can't remember where he and his ship were when the CB radio went overboard. He knows it was just before the ship went down, but, Dean knew that the way the water currents work in the ocean means that it could be up to a quarter mile away from where the ship ended up. It could be anywhere.

Dean couldn't loose hope. Last he'd seen it, the SAT phone was on the dash. He thinks he threw it into the hold when he was clearing the deck off back when he thought the waves and uneasy feeling he had, basically the whole thing, was just a natural weather or tectonic event. Dean couldn't discount the fact that the SAT phone could also be one of the things littered around the site. He'd just have to pick up everything. With the help of the giant apparently.

Dean noticed that the giant hadn't moved in several minutes and wondered why but then figured that it must be because Dean hasn't moved much. After that nudge, it stopped trying to get him to move. Dean grabbed a few more scraps within easy reach and put as much of it as could fit inside the bag. Slung it over his back and started to crawl towards the ship.

The giant made a pleased hum and waited a moment to lift his own massive size up off the ocean floor and scoot forward. All the while gently moving his hand along at Dean's pace, not touching, but near to it. Making sure the rope no longer tugged at his foot.

Together they made it to the ship and Dean wanted to dive right into the hold but that's where the leash went taut again.

Dean's frown deepened and he tossed the bags contents onto the ground closest to the ship and put the empty bag back over his shoulder. He turned around to face upwards and folded his arms across his chest at the giant. Waiting for it to show Dean what it wants now.

The giant grinned again and reached forward with the hand he was tied to and cupped it behind Dean. His arms unfolded quickly but not fast enough to keep back the huge clawed fingers from encircling him again. Apparently the giant didn't want to wait for Dean to crawl back to the next littered area. It barely had to twitch a fin of it's own before both were settled amid more things.

Looks like Dean will just have to wait to search the hold for the SAT phone.

Together they gathered up every visible scrap from all around, and even a few neat rocks and shells, because Dean hadn't seen these before besides in pictures. Dean urged the giant to keep his free hand turned palm side up, so he could deposit his findings on the palm instead of trying to carry it all himself. He had to repeat a few hand gestures to the giant to get it to make a fist with an opening big enough for Dean to deposit his findings inside the hollow of the fist so it wouldn't just drift away again when it moves it's large hand. Dean would be lying if he said it wasn't scary to thrust his whole arm inside that fist willingly. Ultra aware of how easy it would be for those fingers to close on his arm and snap his bones. Even on accident.

Dean had to be constantly on guard for another one of the monster's bouts of curiosity. It seemed never-ending. True, he's just as curious about it, but he's not in any position to force the giant to comply with Dean's wishes like it has of him. He can't order it to lay down straight and let him measure how long it is exactly, or how his fins move, or what his scales are made up of because the human half isn't entirely human. The skin doesn't feel like human skin even though it looks like it. The transition to the thicker scales is subtle and interesting as all hell to him because of all the things he's studied, he's never seen a creature like it. Only similarities in passing.

The only thing he's seen up close and personal are those hands. And he's had enough of them to last awhile. If only he had some peace and quiet to study with his scientific side. His nerves wont let him. His instincts being on high alert for hours isn't helping his rational side either. Really, he's amazed he's able to think straight at all.

Dean grazed his hand over the mostly closed fist, noting how the tops of the hand are harder and thicker than the undersides which are far more pliable and cushioned. The area around the claws has been toughened and calloused. Probably from digging in the rocks or sand over time. The monster has used his claws a lot going by how tough they feel. And yet, as Dean drags his hand over the pad of the index finger, it twitches a little under his touch. Dean looked up and saw the awed face above him. It felt that. Even that small touch by a hand a fraction of it's size, and it felt it. Of course, it could have just been watching closely. Dean can't count on it's ability to feel him out. If he wants or needs to get it's attention, he can't rely on touch alone.

Dean shook off the strange feeling that came over him at the willing contact. Turning towards the ship again and pointing it out. Indicating where he wants to go.

The giant had other plans it seems because it reached under Dean and flipped him onto his back effortlessly.

Dean yelped at the sudden move and nearly launched himself right off of the hand again but was stilled by the thumb once again pinning him down by his legs.

Pushing resulted in an admonishing series of clicks that Dean didn't only hear but feel as it moved the water around him.

Finally he relented and let himself be held. It would do whatever it wanted with him. He had to learn to come to terms with this fact if he wanted to keep his own sanity. He just has to bide his time. The giant has to sleep or at least take his eyes off of his pet some time.

Once Dean settled into the hand, the thumb was lifted slowly. As if it was waiting for another futile attempt at escaping. Dean rolled his eyes and waited.

The giant grinned a little again at how well Dean was behaving and with a few fin twitches, they were back at the ship, the fist dropping off the latest haul on top of the previous one. Dean watched over his shoulder at the pile and had to admit it felt good to at least have it all in one place again.

The giant then brought its hand over and placed it's index finger close to his hand again. An intense focused gaze on Dean's form. It brought Dean closer to it's massive face and squinted hard as the clawed fingertip moved into Dean's personal bubble.

Slower than usual, the finger moved over to Dean's hand and waited, the huge eyes flicking from Dean's face to the hand and finger a few times. As if it expected Dean to do something. Dean grabbed the claw and wiggled it around after another minute of waiting for it to do something. Dean let go of the claw and swung his arms out in a 'are ya happy now?' gesture which made it grin wider and nod.

The claw wiggling again without Dean's help. Dean had to laugh a little at that.

He was let down to the sand again and after a minute, figured out that the giant creature was letting him get off if he wanted. Of course he wanted to. He didn't want to stay in the hand any longer than required. He was in a new spot this time, an area a bit further away from the ship. The giant must have seen something around here for him to do so he looked around. The giant has a much better vantage point of the ocean floor than any that Dean's had so far. When he's held up high, its always so that the giant has a better view of him, not so that Dean has a better view of the area.

Dean found a few glittering bits of metal and dug it up from under the shifting sand. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until his hands came across a candy bar that had spilled out from his stash. He stared at it for only a second before tearing it open with his teeth and shoving it into his mouth. The chocolate tasted far saltier and it took a moment to realize that it was the seawater and not the food. Up until now he hadn't paid any attention to the taste of the water he's been breathing in and out.

Oh well. He held his breath as he ate to limit the saltiness and hummed at the flavor of chocolate before swallowing. A thought crossed his mind that maybe his stomach changed too and worried that he'd throw up the candy. So he waited for a minute and when nothing bad happened, scrounged around for another. Finding it buried under the sand only a few inches away. Devouring that one almost as fast as the first. He must have burned a billion calories when he was busy transforming, and it showed in his appetite.

The big guy must have seen what he was doing and figured out what he ate because that other free hand of his was now poking around the area, helping him look for more food. Dean couldn't reach that hand to shove it away so he settled for hand gestures. It didn't look like that was getting across the language barrier all too effectively because the creature kept on poking around. Dean didn't want a repeat of the knife incident where he did more harm than good.

He did manage to find and uncover a sealed package of bandages and must have thought it was food because it brought it over to Dean and looked at him with hope in those huge hazel eyes.

Dean pulled it closer to himself and nodded up at the giant. But when he didn't eat it, he got a frown in return. Dean shivered as the fang filled mouth opened up and the other hand went towards it, pretending to eat something between it's fingers.

Dean shook his head at the giant and pushed the package of bandages away. Making sure he didn't offend him, Dean went back to his search for food and phones.

The ocean floor was getting even darker. Night was falling.

Dean was no closer to finding the CB radio or the SAT phone, despite cleaning the surrounding area. It must have drifted even further away since it fell off of the ship when it was still on the surface. He'll have to search in the morning. Those two candy bars weren't nearly enough to fill up his stomach and Dean wondered what he could eat now. He had food in the ship, but, since dropping off the stuff, it wouldn't let Dean near it again. No matter how loud Dean shouted or how much he pointed and pantomimed. A firm head shake was all he got.

It wasn't until a low bone shaking growl emitted past long clenching fangs, that Dean clammed up and cowered back down. He forgot for a moment that he's not dealing with just an over-sized dude. He's dealing with a Sea Monster that has huge sharp fangs and a stomach that could probably hold a car garage inside it. Dean's not foolish enough to think that all of those rumbles were from the mouth alone. The monster is hungry too and it wouldn't do to make it hangry.

Dean wondered how long it's curiosity in him would last and hunger takes over. He tried to make himself smaller in the hand, as if he wouldn't be worth the trouble of eating. Not enough to be a mouthful. He needed to know what it eats in it's diet. If it's possible that Dean can find it a good alternate food source than the tiny morsel it's got already captured in hand.

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Sam frowned at himself. He didn't mean to growl at Little one like that. It just came out. But it was being so frustrating. No matter what Sam said, it didn't understand that the floating thing wasn't near safe enough to stay for the night. The scents surrounding it would surely draw in lots of animals in to investigate, just like he had done. Searching for food, or shelter, or a new nesting site. He wouldn't keep Little one from it forever, but, just for tonight it wasn't safe.

Sam was limited on where he could take them to sleep. He wasn't knowledgeable enough of this area to just bed down anywhere, but, he didn't want to leave too far.

And, there was the issue of food to consider. His stomach wouldn't stop growling and he was getting impatient with himself as much as with Little one's ignorance. It didn't know what lurks in the shadows. The giant squids, sharks, and whales. As well as several deep sea giants that scare some Mers. Little one had no idea. Nearly getting itself attacked a few times from crabs and things that it got too close to. Sam smushed them into the sand with the side of his hand when Little one wasn't looking. Burying the remains deep in the sand. Unwilling to let Little one see the killing incidents for fear that it would be afraid of him all over again. Of course, all that care and consideration didn't matter since he ended up growling loud and low himself and scaring the poor thing into curling up into a pearl again. Sam will just have to try again to win back that fragile and fleeting trust in the morning. Right now, he needs to eat and he's pretty sure that Little one hasn't eaten nearly enough. His tiny hands going to his middle every now and then.

No matter what was stored in the floating thing, Sam knew that the food in there wouldn't last. He may not know what the tiny thing ate before, but he was sure that it wasn't good for him now. The tiny body changed right before his eyes. Sam's sure that that includes his stomach. So. He has to find non-poisonous food in this area.

Maybe it can eat crabs now? Those are easy enough to find.

Sam drifted back to where he'd seen a large crab hollow and lifted up the boulder to see inside. Sure enough, a few spiney fingered crabs came scuttling out. One as long as his pinky finger. Oh that will do just nicely! He pinched it carefully between the pads of his finger and thumb, bringing it to his occupied hand.

Little one made a few high pitched sounds as it batted away a few of those long thin crab fingers. Ok, it doesn't like it when it moves. Sam pinched his fingers together and easily crushed the thick shell, slowing the wiggling to the odd twitch. Sam grinned and proffered the crab again.

Little one stared at it for a long moment, its breathing still elevated and movements jerky. He was still scared. Sam laid it out on a free part of his palm and noticed that the crab was quite large compared to them. A hand tentatively reached out and wrapped around one of the spiky fingers and tugged it away from the crushed body. The other hand gripped it and he gave it a little sniff, going by the minuscule movements Sam could see below.

Sam found another crab hollow by following the trail the others had taken and moved another few boulders around. Grabbing a second crab and crushing it between his fingers before it came into view. He brought it up to his mouth slowly and made sure that he was being watched as he stuck out his tongue and placed the crab onto it. He then pulled the food into his mouth and closed it, crunching up the crab between his back teeth and swallowing with exaggerated movements, then, opening his mouth and showing off how empty it was.

That has got to get through to him. He saw another hesitant sniff before a tiny tongue darted out and tasted the meat inside the finger. A slight grimace followed and Sam thought that maybe it didn't like crab. The tiny hands put the crab finger down again and sighed looking up at Sam for an alternative. Little one seemed to think of something and shook his head rapidly, grabbing the finger up again and grimacing deeper before forcing himself to take a bite.

Sam wasn't sure what that was all about but thought that maybe Little one thinks he'll get in trouble for not eating something that was offered.

Sam shook his head emphatically at the small thing and brushed aside the remains of the crab from his hand. He can find something better. More palatable. Sam curled his fingers around the little body and twisted onto his side so he could survey the area again for the tasty kelp or sea grass. He spotted a field of it over a slight rocky ridge and gently moved closer, knowing that even though he could get there in a few seconds of swimming, the small being would probably find it terrifying. Everything seemed to scare him. It would make dealing with him a bit of work but Sam would do it. He owed Dean that much.

He just wished he could communicate with him. Gestures could only go so far. Sam settled himself belly down in the grass and let Little one down off his hand. Letting him pick and choose which plants to eat. Since this spot is much closer to the surface than Sam's been in a long while, he wasn't entirely sure what these tasted like. He didn't spot any dead fish or creatures lying around so it was unlikely that it was poisonous.

Sam made sure that Little one didn't have to tug too hard to get his attention back but it was hard to resist eating the fresh shoots. He leaned over and took a big bite of the short grasses. Nosing around and freeing the roots. Sucking in the grasses into his mouth and filtering out the water through his gills. Before long, he had to shift his body over to an area he already plucked clean to free up the grasses he'd been laying on to keep munching. It wasn't very filling for him but at least the growling stomach was soothed. With a circle of grassland cleared, he spotted the bottom dwellers much easier and lapped up a few of them too. Since there were so many, he had a chance of tasting them again. Something that hadn't happened in ages. Not once he passed the 60 ft mark about 150 years ago.

It brought back memories of that time and he smiled to himself. Growing up alone wasn't all terror and struggle. Sometimes he'd made friends with fellow giants. A few whales, and even one shark. It was a peaceful fellow though, spots all lined in rows down it's great hide. Maybe Little one would like to see sharks like them sometime. Sam jolted at that thought. Of course Little one wouldn't want to see a SHARK. No matter what breed or temperament. Sam made his peace with them long ago. Once he noticed how few in number they were becoming over the years. How abundant the prey became and how the whole ecosystem was in danger of collapsing because it was missing it's main predators. He noticed that their numbers would lower the closer they got to certain areas and started to take up the slack himself, eating as many fish as he could stomach. Trying to keep the delicate balance.

Maybe little one will grow up and help with that? Sam wondered if it was just the crab meat he didn't like or if it was all meat. Sam was pretty sure he saw sharp teeth inside the tiny mouth... maybe it was his imagination. Thinking Little one was more like Sam than he was. Sam wanted to catch a variety of fish and see what he likes best. But, there's a reason he switched to a mainly kelp diet. He can barely even see small fish anymore, let alone catch them.

He'll just have to show his small friend how to find them.

Thankfully Little one looks like he ate the sea grass just fine. He was still holding some blades in his hand and chewing more thoughtfully. Sam waited until he stopped eating and let what was in his hand drift away again. Happy to see he got enough food. Sam cupped his hand again and grabbed the body carefully, wary of making him regurgitate his meal and pushed off of the ocean floor to a greener area of grasses and grabbed another big handful for breakfast.

It was later than he usually stays up and he's sure that it's far past the time to sleep for both of them. Seeing how sluggish Little one was getting after eating his fill.

Sam yawned into the water and found his eyes getting weary. He went back to the rocky ridge and using his free hand made a dip in the boulders for him to rest in . Digging out the larger ones and angling them in a kind of bowl so he could curl up easier without having to keep his muscles locked up in that position. He knows he can sprawl in his sleep, but little one needs his body as protection since he probably doesn't know about the dangers down here. So Sam made the bowl nice and deep enough to fit his own body in and keeping his hands close to his chest, entered the deep bowl and shuffled around in a few circles to push and nudge the rocks and boulders into place. He then got out and lined the bowl with soft sand to help cushion it for himself and Little one.

An idea hit him and he supposed that little one would appreciate a sea grass bed instead of his hand. Seeing all day how shy he was of just his simple hand. Scaring him. It wouldn't do to have little one scared all night too.

Sam wasn't stupid. He knew what he looked like to him. Anything to alleviate the tension and fear would help in this budding relationship, so he made a tiny bowl in the center of his large one and lined it carefully with the sea grass. He had to spin one last time inside the big bowl to get his fins back in line and finally rested his occupied hand in the center of his curled body.

Little one slid off of the angled hand and Sam had to refrain from resting his head on his hands like he usually does to sleep. Using his other elbow and the four larger fins at the end of his tail instead. He watched as Little one spun around in a circle, taking in his surroundings and watching the hand with trepidation.

Sam resisted the urge to sigh at that. He wasn't planning on do anything else tonight to the poor thing. He just wants to sleep now, and he especially wants his friend to sleep too. He angled his hand palm down as best he could while laying on his side to give him the impression that his hand is done moving for the day. No more grabbing tonight.

Little one watched Sam for a short while as Sam struggled to sleep. He was so tired but still wired and anxious about what the future would bring for them now. He let his wing relax over the small bowl nest and as much of himself as he could to provide a kind of protective dome. Hoping that it will help Little one feel safer knowing no sharks can get past his guardian.

Sam mumbled, "It's alright, you're safe. You can sleep." and made a show of yawning into his elbow below his head and closing his eyes. Relaxing his body into the sand nest as best he could while still being awake. Maybe if he can convince Little one, his own body will follow suit and he'll sleep for real.

Sam's eyes slit open a small fraction as he watched him tug a little at the rope around his tail. He turned onto his back and sighed to himself before flipping the tied tail up and closer to his tiny pale hands. A near silent grimacing whimper at the move his tail made. Sam knew that his two tails new flexibility was worrying him. Sam had to admit, if he suddenly found his tail jointed like Little one's was, he'd probably freak out too. Trying to imagine things from Little one's perspective. It had been literal centuries since he was that small. That scared of his surroundings. Sam had seen it all since then but not this. This... he was pretty sure hadn't happened before to anyone, anywhere. He'll have to keep a close eye on not just Dean but the whole situation. From all angles.

His memories of his early childhood with the family whole and healthy were nearly gone if they weren't dealing with that fateful night. Seeing Dean in his dreams... of all his past lives, kept the memory of his brother alive all these years. He wondered if Dean would ever remember those lives himself. He wanted to ask about them, if there was a chance that Dean could go back to the start and see Sam for who he is. And not just what he looks like.

He can't help being big. It's the way things are. He hadn't seen another of his kind in ages. He considered the very real possibility that he was the only one left. The oceans were getting more and more crowded with debris left by floating things as well as sunken ones themselves.

Earlier, he thought it would be good if he taught Little one how to clean up his floating thing's well... things. Since it was technically Sam's fault for causing the wreck, he felt he had to clean up the mess too. He wasn't sure if he could send the floating thing back to the surface again. Unsure how to get it to float again but confident that Little one would show him how. However, if it meant loosing Dean. Then that was out of the question. He can't do it. He can't.

The loneliness was suffocating him for ages and he's positive that he would not survive the lonlieness again. Not now that he got his brother back. He'll just have to show Dean how great it is living here instead of up there. Sam had no knowledge of anything that happened up there on the surface, just that that's where debris comes from and the toxic liquids that end up killing everything living down here. Surely it was better down here since the surface seems fraught with filth. As long as Sam is prompt in cleaning up the debris left behind from those very large floating things it'll be ok. But, he is only one Mer, and the ocean is a big place. He could use some help.

Sam watched Little one fidget around with the rope around his leg and gasped silently when he saw that the rope was now in two pieces.

Deft tiny fingers unwound the remainder around the tail and Little one tossed it aside with hatred. Muttering curses almost too quite for Sam to hear. He tried to even out his breathing to see what he'd do next and was upset that the first plan of action was to head for the nearest hole in Sam's nest. He flexed the fin closest to block that exit out of the large bowl and saw Little one startle and back up. Shooting a glance at Sam's face and waiting for more of a reaction.

Sam sighed softly, it was no use. Little one was crawling to another opening and Sam shifted again but was scared he'd hurt him so he had to freeze all movement as he felt the tiny limbs scrambling underneath a different fin. His ruined fin as it so happened had several holes in it and the little guy figured that he lost all feeling in it. Well, he was part right. Sam couldn't feel half of that fin, but the part that was connected to the base of the fin was as sensitive as the rest and he resisted twitching at the feel of teeny tiny claws moving the tiny body past it. The two tail fins flipping about once he was on the outside of the bowl.

Sam waited a few seconds to make sure that Little one was free of his body fully because when he turned to his back to stretch out belly side up and sit upright, he did not want to squish Little one under himself.

Little one yelped and tried to swim by moving one tail at a time in a strange way that seemed to be mimicking how he'd swam before his tails were altered. It wasn't quite working for him as well as he liked apparently. Over arching each movement of each tail instead of being more subdued and direct in the motions. Putting power behind the flicks of fins.

Sam turned to his stomach and inched closer. He was so large that he didn't have to move far or fast to catch up to the small form. It was breaking his heart that he had to catch him again. His hands went forward slowly to get Little one used to the idea again, and to keep the fear as minimal as possible but inevitably he fought against the cage of fingers that surrounded him.

Sam felt a tiny pinch of pain in his fingers and lifted up his hands to see a glint of metal held in those tiny hands. He was slashing as much as he could reach but the tiny blade barely made it past the thick skin. Sam clicked sadly at him. Trying to tell him it's useless with something so small. Sam regularly killed predators many times Dean's size with fangs or beaks nearly as long as one of Little one's arms. He waited until Dean gave up and slouched back down onto the palm beneath him.

Sam peered in past a few fingers and saw the hitch in the tiny shoulders. Holding back crying out loud in front of him no doubt. Sam frowned deeply and hummed a soothing song to Dean to help relax him again. Sam couldn't just go back to the bed he made in the sand and rocks. Dean would try and escape again the second his hands went lax in sleep. And damn did Sam need sleep. He couldn't stay awake forever, despite all the emotions hitting him now.

He wanted so badly to be able to talk to Dean, tell him WHY he can't go off on his own. How dangerous it is down here. How he'd never make it without Sam's help and guidance. Sam remembered how hard it was when he was first starting off on his own two centuries ago. He was a little longer than Dean is now, but he was just a kid. Dean has Sam now to protect him, unlike how Sam grew up on his own. That's why Sam didn't even try and remove the blade from Dean's possession. He'll need it.

Sam had to figure out somewhere to put Dean to sleep where he doesn't have to worry about him sneaking off and leaving in the middle of the night. He drifted back to the sunken wreck and had an idea. If it was hollow inside, that would be the perfect place to put him. Sam carefully swam over to it and put his hands near the small opening of the thing, and when Little one saw it, lunged closer, arms reaching past the fingers just to touch part of the thing. Sam was happy that he wanted in so bad and lifted up a single finger to allow him inside. Then pushed his palm flat against the opening to keep him inside.

Sam reached over but couldn't quite touch the flatter boulders nearby, so he angled his tail out and shifted a decent sized one closer to his free hand, wedging it in place of his hand to keep Dean safely inside.

He waited for a moment and it appeared that Little one was happy enough to stay within, because Sam didn't hear the familiar sounds of protest. Just some muffled sounds of things moving about inside. Sam grinned to himself. This was perfect! He could sleep somewhere familiar to him for the night. Maybe even every night. It would be great if the boulder became unnecessary in the future. Hopefully soon.

Sam curled himself around the small wreck, careful not to smother any part of it or the debris pile they'd collected earlier. He rested his head on his arm again and curled a wing fin around the wreck carefully. Satisfied that it worked out. He gently rubbed the side of his thumb against the front part. Almost like petting it to soothe it.

"Goodnight, Little one." Sam murmured tiredly and heard a response back. Grinning wider because it didn't sound at all upset or angry. It sounded like he was saying goodnight back in his own strange vocalizations.

Tonight was a success, despite it not going at all how he planned it. Tomorrow's plans can wait.