Nat Geo Photo of the Decade

[starless_sky]

 The shallows were having a particularly clear day today. It was sunny out, the sky was clear of clouds and the light filtered down for tens of feet. It was a day that one might see many divers and boats out. It's a day that mera like Noctis would head out for prey. Great hunting days like this didn't come often. Normally the visibility was low and only experienced swimmers ventured out as far as the reef dropoff. 

But one such soul was out here. Noctis had been stalking him for a while, blending in to the rochs and kelp was the human used that thing. That.... thing that made still the world around them. He'd seen it be used before, humans liked to capture themselves in it a lot. It made little sense to him but this human was capturing the fish. Was he hunting somehow? Why did he want images of the fish and not the fish themselves? He'd seen this human before, he was attractive, Noct had fancied him for a time. 

Okay maybe he still did and that was why he was stalking and not preying on the plentiful fish in the reef. But this human was so... clueless. He didn't know to watch himself. Or herself. He couldn't tell but he was pretty sure they were compatible. Slowly he floated out into the open, out from behind his rock, through the kelp and into view. His ams floated around him as he crept closer and reached out around the human's device. What is this stupid thing anyway? He knows the buttons make it switch images but why. Why is he photographing food instead of eating? Does he need help? Humans are so helpless. 

Two of his arms wrap around the camera and begin to tug it away. His now. 

Comments

[everatyourside]

Sun's out, guns out, as Prompto liked to say. The water was clear and warm off the coast of Galdin Quay, and while he wasn't daring enough to throw off his shirt, he'd opted for a baggy tank top that showed off his toned arms and a pair of chocobo themed swim shorts that were maybe a little on the short side, but it was hot enough that he didn't mind, it was rare that anyone paid him much mind anyway. Mostly, Prompto preferred the company of wildlife and local strays to humans any day. His little vacation had already been enough to fill two memory cards with local birds and some great shots of the sunset over the ocean.

Today though? Today was for diving. He'd just barely saved enough for the underwater camera in time for the vacation, and though it meant he couldn't splurge on the tasty cuisine at the local restaurant, he was going to enjoy the photos of brightly colored fish for years to come.

He'd gone a few times, enough that he felt okay going alone, and it wasn't like he was diving too deep. Most of the aquatic life he wanted to see was in the shallows, so he'd strayed from the Quay, making his way further and further from the safety of the well-populated and busy beach. The reef drop-off would go a little deeper, and Prompto might be a little apprehensive of diving too deep, it was a lot like being too high up, but he couldn't resist the school of fish in deep blues and greens that teased him further and further from the surface.

Prompto grinned to himself as he turned his camera around, attempting a quick selfie with the fish before flipping it back over and scrolling through the shots. Nothing award-worthy, but plenty of good memories, he decided. He barely noticed the dark shape moving in his direction, at least until dark tentacles tugged at his camera. He startled, a flood of bubbles escaping and obscuring his vision. He manages to keep one hand firmly on the camera, accidentally triggering the shutter a couple times before he can actually see the creature in front of him.

His violet-blue eyes go wide behind his mask, as he struggles to wrap his brain around what he's seeing. What should be an octopus- admittedly a cool creature to run into and grab pictures of, is actually some... octopus-human... creature. Like something out of a fairytale. His curiosity settles in and his need to see and interact with animals over-rides his sense of self preservation. He's definitely seeing this, right? Half human, half sea-life, Prompto can't help but stare and hope he doesn't scare the creature off. The human features are startlingly beautiful, and a little voice in the back of his mind reminds him that for every fairytale, there's just as many tales of lovely sirens that drag sailors down to the depths.

Even so, Prompto can't help himself. Can he get a picture? Maybe... if he can wrangle his camera back without scaring the creature away.

[starless_sky]

It takes a brave soul to go on vacation alone. Not that Noctis knew a thing about that or what that even was. He was busy trying to coax that camera from the human's hands. Galdin Quay? Tourism? All foreign to him, none of it mattered. He'd eat humans all the same, or play with them, whichever suited his fancy. He wasn't particularly hungry right now and this human wasn't exactly his type of meal. He preferred fish to be honest though he'd eat what he had to if he was hungry enough.

He wanted to know what the picture box was. Why was the human holding it so close? Why turn it around? It's so strange. His arms coil around it as he pulls it away. Even as the human reaches for it. He wants it back. Or was it she? Human wanted the toy back. Well too bad, Noctis pulled it away and fiddled with it in his own hands. It was shiny and the buttons on it were... well they were buttons. He knew that much. How does he see the pictures? He presses various things to get a reaction and nothing happens. He does manage to take several photos of his face and all ten of his arms. Not that he notices, he has the thing turned around so Prompto can see the screen.

He looks up. The human. Right. They'd want this back... but what to do... he wanted to know how to work it. How could he explain? He held the picture box and tapped it while looking at the human. Maybe they'd say what it did. His arms reached out, circling around Prompto's wrists. So he couldn't run away of course. Not because it was fun to watch humans squirm when they found out they couldn't pull away so easily.

He spoke. "How do you use this?" but all any human might hear is an alien-sounding trill.

[everatyourside]

Prompto can't help but give in to the insistent tugging at his camera. Whether he wanted to let go or not, he can't fight that many limbs, besides, the creature seems to only have a curiosity about the object. Probably just wants to know what Prompto is here doing with it. He still reaches for it, as it's pulled from his grasp, and tries not to wince too much as the dark-haired sea creature pushes the buttons and fiddles with it.

If he ever gets the camera back, it seems like there's at least a few shots of the half-human half-octopus creature. And without that, he's not sure himself if he'd believe what he's seeing. Finally though, it seems to question him, and Prompto treads water a bit closer, wondering how he can pantomime a camera to an octo-human. Before he can get much further than that, though, his wrists were ensnared, and for the first time since meeting the creature, he felt a thrill of worry, a hint of panic. The man was stronger than him without really even trying, and Prompto hadn't exactly brought a weapon with him. not even a practical diving knife.

When the dark-haired creature opened his mouth, a strange sound came out, but it was nothing Prompto could understand. He shook his head slightly, trying to pull back, unsure of what it might want.

[starless_sky]

Nobody can fight this many limps, except squid and those assholes are a bit too stupid compared to him. Nevermind that, this is the safe shallows, he's the dominant predator here. This human doesn't seem to understand the arrangement. He didn't understand his speech. None of the humans did. How did they talk anyway? Their voices didn't carry in the water when they talked in their masks. They were masks. He knew that much. The human needed it to survive under here.

An idea came to him as he considered the mask and the device in his hands. This human was going to fight him it seemed. It wouldn't work but why go through a boring and exhausting battle when he could just... reach out and take that mask off the human's face? He put the camera in one of his other arms and reached out both hands. Carefully he took the mask away and watched as bubbles rose to the surface.

So it was air. Humans had no gills, why were they down here under the water? What business drove them down here? Finding a mate? This human had plenty going for them, quite attractive, a fitting partner should he deem them worthy. He brought the mask to his mouth and tried to use it. But he just got a face full of bubbles and be blinked in surprise. He wasn't sure what he expected. It did nothing for him though other than tickle slightly.

How long could the human go without this?

His arms closed in around the human, linking together at his back, coiling around both wrists, around his legs, one around the camera and one... to reach under that strange skin he had on his torso. Humans had strange coloring of flesh on all the time, it seemed to be loose, was it a molt? It needed to come off.

Slowly he extended the bubble mask out to the human's face. He didn't let go of it, simply offered it for use.

[everatyourside]

Prompto was focused on the camera and wriggling away from the octopus-guy's playful grip, so he barely even noticed the pull on his mask until it was taking his breath away. Prompto couldn't help the choking gasp of surprise as it was wrenched away from him, and he had to blink a few times for his eyes to adjust to the water. On a full breath, he could go a couple minutes, had to, in order to certify to dive, but surprised? Half-choked with seawater? He wasn't going to last long.

He tried to jerk forward, to grab at the mask, but his wrists were still stuck, and all he could do was watch as the half-man, half-octopus tried to wear it. Even if it was kind of endearing and cute, Prompto was increasingly worried about his next breath. The creature was closing in, his limbs ensnaring him further, exploring with the same curiosity they had his camera.

When the mask came back within reach, his mouth found the bit quickly, and he took a deep breath, shaky at first, his whole body tense, then beginning to relax once the regular flow of oxygen resumed. Had the creature realized he needed it? Or was it teasing him? Prompto could hardly move and had only just started to wonder what it was a beautiful sea creature like this actually ate.

[starless_sky]

That is a great question! He eats lots of things! Human is definitely in his palate but he's not hungry for it right now. He would prefer a nice fish. Eating people was for when he was starving or teaching them a lesson. This human wasn't being mean, he was kinda fun so far. So no eating.

He smiled when the human panicked, he forgot how small their breaths were, they were so feeble under the water. One wondered why they came here so often, were they trying to improve? What part did the bubble mask play in that? He was never going to get better if he used the bubbles to give him air. He'd have to learn to process water like everyone else.

Once Prompto had breathed what Noctis thought was enough, he pulled the mask away and brought it to his own mouth. Uh... how does he.... he tries it, tries to inhale. He can do it a little bit. But he coughs up the air quickly. That didn't settle very well at all. He offered the mask back to Prompto. Then took it away. He waved it around, making the bubbles rise up in a pattern.

Look, human! He did a thing!

Oh, right, he probably needed another breath. Their air capacity was small. Noctis held the mask to Prompto's mouth for a moment then pulled it away. He leaned in close. Watching him. His eyes were a lovely color, a poisonous one, almost the same color as his arms. He liked it. He smiled, his teeth were sharp but their points weren't visible.

[everatyourside]

Prompto's thin chest rose and fell nervously, but he took another breath, only to have the oxygen pulled away again. He was at least somewhat wary of it this time, and had enough to last a few moments, though he felt a little dizzy with the uneven breaths and lack of air.

He tried to reach up again, if only to show the creature how to use the tank properly, but- all he can do is watch as Noctis plays with it, attempting a breath, only to find it didn't agree with him. Could the strange sea creature even breath outside of the water?

The creature returned the mask once more, allowing him a couple breaths before pulling it away again to play. It was... a dangerous line between playful and worrying. It would have been cute, if his air supply wasn't hanging in the balance. Noctis was definitely clever enough to know exactly what he was doing, to know how much Prompto needed that air.

He tried a placating smile, taking another breath when he had the chance. As long as he remembered to give Prompto air, it'd be alright, wouldn't it? At least for this little game. As it moved in closer though, Prompto couldn't help but blink in startled surprise, his eyes flickering over the strange form, deadly and beautiful. The smile he got in return was a mystery, was it playful? Or predatory? Prompto struggled to raise his arms, but found himself caught weakly in the creature's grasp, completely at his mercy. How could they communicate? Even as a thread of fear moved through him, he couldn't help his curiosity, couldn't help how his eyes traveled over the unearthly beauty in each curve of his face. He tried glancing up, toward the surface, tilting his head and looking with pleading eyes toward sky above. Could they go up? Break the surface?

[starless_sky]

Noctis doesn't understand human nervousness but he can read fear in prey animals. He knows this human isn't comfortable, so he's aware of what he can do. He knows he's in danger but Noctis isn't out to eat him today. What was the human doing now? Escaping? Hah! He wasn't about to let him.... oh. Maybe he just wanted to explain stuff.

Well, that was sweet but unnecessary. He'd get it in time. Except the human had more things he wanted. What now? To be set free? No, he wasn't finished playing... oh. He was looking up. At the.... surface?

Noctis frowned at it, shrank away from it really. He shook his head at Prompto and offered the mask back. He could have the mask back before he would go up to that place. He didn't want to be seen and at this time of day? At this lagoon? He'd be seen. His arms coiled around Prompto, stroking his skin, curling around his arms and wrist, starting to coil around his fingers loosely.

What does he want to go up for? To leave? Maybe... maybe they could just go sorta close. Not close enough for Noctis to get out but enough for Prompto to swim up and get his head above water. But for a moment. Then they are coming back down. Is that clear? How can he make that clear with gestures...

He huffed, looked at Prompto, looked at the surface, back at Prompto. The pleading eyes were what did it. He wasn't begging for his life, he was asking as if to an equal. A partner, not prey. Interesting.

Noctis reached up with his human-like arms and stroked through the water to get close to the surface. Close enough for Prompto to poke his head up if he wanted. Tentacles still encircled him, he wasn't able to swim away if that's what he thought he'd do.

[everatyourside]

Prompto was worried he might not be getting through to the other, but at least he seemed to have established the need to breathe regularly. His mouth found the bit and he took a couple breaths, body reacting uncertainly to the creature's exploring tentacles. He could feel them against his skin, slick, but ropy and strong, the suckers pressing over his skin like dozens of little kisses, twining through his fingers.

Prompto tried squeezing the end lightly where it curled around his hand, his thumb moving lightly over the strange undersea flesh. He wasn't exactly used to a lot of physical touch. He'd grown up a fairly lonely kid, so feeling these limbs moving all over him was a little dizzying.

The creature seemed to understand though, and started swimming for the surface. Prompto let out a relieved breath as his head broke the surface, sucking in deep lungfuls of air, a nervous laugh on his lips. But though he was partly free, he was still tangled in the creature's limbs, still held a captive playmate.

He struggled a bit, testing the bonds, worry still simmering in the back of his mind. It wouldn't hurt to play here with it for a bit though, right? How rare an opportunity, he shouldn't let a little fear keep him from the discovery of the century right?

"H-hey," he spoke above water, wondering if the creature could hear it or if it sounded just like those unintelligible screeches he'd heard earlier. "What... I mean- who... are you? Huh?"

[starless_sky]

Oh Noct understood alright, he just didn't like obliging. He wasn't fond of the surface though he'd been known to sun himself before. It wasn't a death sentence to leave the water though he had to hold his breath. If he was partially submerged he could lay in the sun but he might get noticed.

The words were mostly lost on him but he could tell the human was curious about him. He trilled at him. Under the water, the sound didn't make it to the human. Oh. Right. He rose up, bringing his face out of the sea. He trilled again but it sounded different in the air, it sounded like a human, like a person rolling their rs at the back of the throat.

It wasn't making any more sense, he could tell, but he sounded like a person now. Just a person speaking a very different language. He had the ability to speak the human tongue but he'd never learned it properly. He'd only learned enough from observing tourists and occasionally eating them.

His suction cups were small on the ends of his arms, nothing Prompto couldn't get out of, they were more tickles than anything fierce. His flesh was slick with a protective mucous, it was thin and as long as Prompto touched him with a wet hand he wouldn't take it off. His arms were busy exploring Prompto, reaching under his shirt and around in his shorts. A few suckers latched onto Prompto's cock and balls, exploring everything.

He began with great effort to try to say something. It did not come easily as it had with his own language. He tried to make each sound come out and it took some effort. He closed his eyes and had to take breaks. Now and then he lowered into the water to breathe and come back. "N.....nnnn....noo....naugh....k....k....c...t."

[everatyourside]

The creature was making noises at him in return, like a cat's purr or a kid trying to roll their R's. Prompto couldn't keep a goofy half-smile from forming on his lips as he watched it. Surely it was just as baffled by what he was saying as Prompto was by him.

But before he could do much more than open his mouth to respond, those tentacles were moving over him, sliding into his shorts and between his legs. Logically, he knew the creature was curious, that it was just another body part that differed from his own. But he couldn't help how his hips jerked in response to the writhing tentacles, his body flushing pink and involuntarily squirming.

The creature hardly seemed aware of it, too focused on trying to talk, trying to communicate and Prompto whimpered quietly, trying to force himself to focus.

"Noct?" he asked breathily.

[starless_sky]

Noctis nodded. He didn't want to have to say it again, he wanted to forget he'd had to say it in the air like a human, how embarrassing. He ducked his face under the water and took a deep breath.

His hands spread up under Prompto's shirt, feeling his muscles, his chest, his nipples. He pinched one between his fingers. He was just like a mera on top. Unknown to this human though, Noct knew just what was below. His arms wrapped around the cock in his shorts, suckers latching on around the shaft, the tip of a tentacle dipping into the slit. Another arm slid between Prompto's thighs and prodded at his entrance. His arms were both slick and narrow at the ends and one pushed inside with little issue. It might not be so noticeable but slowly it pushed inside and the tentacle got wider quickly. It took several shallow thrusts to inch its way inside Prompto getting deeper each time.

[everatyourside]

Prompto thought the way Noct ducked shyly beneath the water was oddly endearing, and was about to give his own name in reply when he felt the movement of those roaming tentacles beneath his clothes. Prompto jerked as his nipple was tweaked, but he couldn't stop the way Noct explored his body, his own arms caught in the creature's many. A startled moan escaped his lips, body tensing and writhing. What had began as a curious brush with wildlife had evolved into something else entirely.

The alien feeling of the little suckers squeezing and sliding around his cock was enough to have him gasping and whimpering just above the surface. Was this creature trying to mate with him? As if to answer his question, he felt something slick thrust inside, pushing it's way deeper and he felt his muscles go weak, a desperate whimper slipping out as he choked on seawater. The thrusts were relentless, his hips shaking and body shuddering in response.

[starless_sky]

He didn't mean to skip Prompto's name, he just... well he was done being above the water and he wanted to get to business. He didn't come here to chat, but he could get his name later. Probably. He was busy getting to work on this body, he seemed to respond when his nipples are twisted. He tries it again. Is that a bad response? It doesn't seem like it...

And the penis was interesting, Noct's arms wrapped around it, sliding up and down the thing, the tip still being teased by the end of his tentacle. He wrapped his arms around the base and squeezed it, was that good? It felt kinda nice.

Prompto did himself a favor by going slack. When his muscles gave way Noctis pushed in farther, the bigger girth of his arm penetrating this human. He was warm inside, it was slick in there too, it felt like home. He trilled softly as he pushed deeper into Prompto. The arm slid out and pushed back in, getting an inch or so more. Prompto seemed to be struggling now, the shuddering was one thing but choking...

Strong hands lift Prompto up above the water where he can take a breath. The thrusting doesn't stop, the tentacle inside him is reaching in as far as it can go which the more he relaxes the more he can handle. Noct trills at Prompto again, trying to get him to calm down and shut up, he doesn't want attention over here. Maybe he needs another arm to help. One more suckered tendril brushes Prompto's cheek before sliding along his lips and inside across his tongue. He'll start shallow, give the human time to understand.

[everatyourside]

This had to be some crazy sex dream. There was no way. Prompto's mind was reeling between coming up for air and his body's shuddering reactions to touch. As Noct toyed with his nipple again, he clenched, squeezing down on the tentacles inside him as he made another noise, a quavering moan.

He was so tight against the invasive limb, but it kept pounding into him over and over, working him open and pressing relentlessly against his prostate. His cock was hard now, reacting to the squeezing and flicking over his tip. He wasn't going to last long, and then what? Would he wake up? Would this creature get tired of him? Or-

Before he could consider further, he got another deep breath, though being exposed to the water's surface had a rather different and mortifying effect. Luckily they were far enough out that the usual tourists wouldn't be within line of sight. If Noct wanted him to be quiet though, the countless thrusts and twisting through his insides was not the way to do it. He moaned again, low and lusty, his hips bucking in response.

There's another tentacle at his cheek though, and he struggles, shaking with effort as he slowly comes undone, his mouth opening without much conscious thought, letting the intrusive limb inside, the slick surface sliding against his tongue, and before he can stop it, heading for the back of his mouth. His tongue slides against it, but it's too late to push back, and he winces, eyes watering as the limb fills his mouth. The fight in him grows weaker and weaker, his moans of protest, gradually more pleased and lascivious.

[starless_sky]

Fortunately this was real. Prompto can think about it forever when human men don't quite cut it for him anymore. Noct would decide if he liked his human and weather or not he'd keep him. His moans were cute, he liked that.

They were far enough out that Prompto wouldn't attract a lifeguard which was important to Noctis. He didn't like having to kill witnesses who saw his body. But alas.

Prompto's ass was getting slick inside, the pumping was going easier. Noct inched another smaller arm to the hole and pushed it inside too. All in one rhythm fucking this human's birth canal.

The tentacle in his mouth started to trust too, sliding out and then back toward the throat. He wouldn't rush it but slowly he'd start to push against Prompto's throat and if possible push down inside, little by little.

[everatyourside]

Things had only started escalating in the last handful of minutes and Prompto was already completely overwhelmed. His body still jerked occasionally against the tight grip on his wrists and ankles, but it seemed more unconscious muscle jerks in response to the other stimuli. To say he felt strange would be an understatement, but even so, there was something unnatural to the experience, making the edges of his vision hazy and his body heated, his muscles becoming slowly relaxed and pliant. What was happening?

It didn't register until the tentacles started thrusting into his mouth, coating his tongue with a slightly bitter taste that made his skin tingle. It accounted for a similar sensation wherever those myriad of limbs that both held and penetrated him. He tried to draw his shaking legs together, but gasped as another of them pushed inside, stretching him what felt like impossibly wide.

As he opened his mouth to gasp and moan, the other limb seemed to take advantage, pushing further into his throat, slick and thick and he chokes a little, not used to taking anything quite so deep, his gag reflex pushing back, squeezing the limb involuntarily and he has to force himself to breathe through his nose, his head lolling back as his body stopped putting up a fight.

His body tensed for a moment as he came, clenching around the intrusive limbs as his shook with release. The thrusting was relentless though, making him shudder and shake as his over-sensitive body slowly came down from the high.

[starless_sky]

Prompto held out longer than Noctis expected, it was pretty impressive actually given that he was human. Noct had to give it to the kid, he was a fighter. That was hotter actually. Even as Prompto struggled and twitched. His body was trying to fight it even as it accepted him. It had a lot of stamina and Noct would put him through his paces.

Poor Prompto tried to close his legs, it was almost cute. Noct pried them back open with ease and closed his eyes as he pushed inside him, in both his holes. He wondered if Prompto might carry his eggs from this encounter. The way his head rolled back made him wonder if this was so pleasant for him what would his response be to... well. That was for later and there was hardly any guarantee of that.

The human finished, and good timing, it opened him up. Noct could slide in even further, his arms folding on themselves in order to get the fatter part inside Prompto without bottoming out. His strokes didn't let up, didn't slow down, not until he was close to the edge himself and soon Prompto would find himself full of a briney substance that should be all to familiar to him despite it being an alien creature's.