#tide pod consumption

[m00ngbin]

Omg did I ever mention that I actually knew one of the kids that ate tide pods

[eating-the-inedible]

ROUND ONE: Aquarium gravel vs. Tide pods

Propaganda:

Aquarium gravel:

Looks very good to eat. Like fruity pebbles.

Forbidden cronch. You know how goldfish go bloub bloub and put the gravel in their mouth and then spit it out? That's what I want in my life. A mouthful of wet, round, fishy gravel. I ate fish food (those little round things not the pallets) from time to time, but I can only dream of eating the fish's gravel.. unless

🐟🐠🐡🦈🎏🎣

(Clears throat and prepares for speech) We’ve all seen it. You’re in a pet supply store, or at a friend’s shop, or at some restaurant or doctor’s office. You look around aimlessly, wandering bored and without meaning… and there it is. A fish tank.  Yes, the fish is cute. Yes, the tiny treasure chest and little boat are cool. Yes, there are fun bubbles. But that isn’t what catches your eye. There, at the bottom of the fish tank, is gravel. Maybe it’s just one color. Maybe it’s just grey. But more likely than either of those is the chance that it’s bright, neon rainbow colors. It reminds you of the fruity pebbles cereal you were never allowed to eat as a kid. In one intense, all-consuming moment, you are faced with the truth: You. Must. Eat it. And then your dog barks. Your friend talks to you. The doctor calls you in for your appointment. You tear your eyes away from the gravel, but it will always be there in your mind. There with you as you eat, taunting you with what could have been. Anyway yeah vote aquarium gravel it looks yum

Tide pods:

We all remember the tide pod challenge

There’s literally a wikipedia article titled “Consumption of Tide Pods”

Looks chewy and it could explode in your mouth. Has fun colors too.

It was a popular delicacy a couple years ago yet also highly controversial. Everyone likee some good drama in a competition.

THE MEMES

[speyerboot]

I actually decided to do this a few years ago and even tho some plastics are unavoidable here's some advice for anyone interested in cutting down their plastic consumption.

- Prioritize recycling! Side note: wash out your recycling, (tin / glass / plastic) some recycling centers will simply trash the whole load if soiled.

-always opt for "refillable" options! Example: I buy cartons to refill my favorite Hand soap / shampoo and I've had the same Tide Pod plastic container since 2016. All I do is buy refillable packs, it's much less plastic and that hard plastic container will outlive me anyway so there's no point in buying a new one every single time.

-try to find biodegradable alternatives for "single use" items or items you know will have to be replaced eventually:

Examples:

Trash bags

Feminine products

Party Forks and spoons

Straws (I buy sugarcane)

Toothbrushes (I buy bamboo)

-For other items try to invest in materials that are easy to clean and you'll never have to replace.

-take reusable grocery bags with you when shopping!

If you live in North America, it's pretty impossible to completely cut out plastic consumption, but if we make small steps to eliminate the need / demand for single use plastics that WILL have a huge impact!

genuinely fucking horrifying to try and be more mindful about your plastic consumption

[nathansqueak]

we are at the point of hiding toilet paper, laundry detergent, and now paper towels from our roommates because they're wasteful and inconsiderate and are constantly using up the things we buy and not replacing them until we leave the box empty and they eventually HAVE to buy more

it started with the toilet paper. my partner and I both have issues with hemorrhoids and thus bought more expensive toilet paper as it's usually softer and is less likely to tear up our assholes. we can't afford to buy the fancy toilet paper for the whole house.

next it was the laundry detergent. my partner and I had just bought a full container of tide pods when we put together that it was likely the detergent that was giving us both weird skin itching/rashes and had to switch to gain pods. we told our roommates to keep using the tide pods, that we got the gain pods for us for skin sensitivity issues. cool no problem. I used the gain pods one time and when I went back the container was already almost empty. checked the tide container thinking they got confused. nope, that one was empty too. now I'm confused because how the fuck did they go through that much detergent that fast?? anyway we left two gain pods in that container as a decoy and bought a new container for our room.

its only typing this out that I'm realizing how much we spend in this house.

anyway we realized the paper towels are also going extremely fast so now I guess we have to hide those too. we bought a pack of six rolls like two weeks ago. I think we only used two of them ourselves.

it's a ridiculous sort of consumption without any awareness. how are they using this much?? where is it all going???

one time I bought some simple green cleaner and only got a couple uses out of it and now when I occasionally traverse into their bedroom looking for dirty dishes I see its empty bottle staring up at me from the corner of their floor, whispering "father why? how could you let them take me? you could have reused my bottle but now I am garbage. father why have you abandoned me"

need better roommates.

[packaging2]

Water Soluble Pods Packaging Market Recent Trends, Demand, Dynamic Innovation in Technology & Insights 2033

The water soluble pods packaging market is expected to experience significant growth in the coming years, with sales projected to reach US$244.6 million by 2022 and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.4% leading to a value of US$621.6 million by 2028, according to a report from Future Market Insights.

One of the key advantages of water soluble pods packaging is its environmental friendliness. These pods are designed to be water soluble, addressing concerns about non-decomposable waste accumulation. The water soluble films, typically made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), used in the packaging dissolve completely in both cold and hot water, leaving no residue behind. This feature makes PVA an attractive choice for detergent manufacturers as a packaging material.

Notably, leading consumer goods manufacturer Procter & Gamble has achieved significant sales with their laundry detergent pods, such as “Tide Pods” and “Ariel Pods,” highlighting the growing demand and popularity of water soluble pods in the market.

However, it is important to address certain myths and risks associated with water soluble pods. Some individuals believe that the fragrance of laundry pods can cause irritation and headaches, and there have been reported cases of pods causing clogging. Additionally, the consumption of water soluble pods can be life-threatening, particularly for children who might mistake them for candy.

For More Insights on this Market, Get A Sample Report @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-6569

These factors present potential challenges and may discourage the use of water soluble pods, potentially restricting the growth of the global market. Manufacturers and industry stakeholders need to address these concerns through proper education and awareness campaigns to ensure the safe usage and handling of water soluble pods.

Overall, while the water soluble pods packaging market demonstrates promising growth potential due to its environmental benefits and convenience, it is crucial to address associated risks and myths to foster sustained growth and acceptance of these innovative packaging solutions.

Key takeaways:

The water soluble pods packaging market is expected to grow exponentially, driven by the demand for eco-friendly packaging options.

Water soluble (PVA) films are preferred as they dissolve in water without leaving any residue.

Procter & Gamble’s laundry detergent pods have experienced significant sales, highlighting the market potential.

However, concerns about the smell, clogging, and safety risks associated with water soluble pods may hinder the market’s growth.

Overall, while the water soluble pods packaging market shows promising growth prospects, addressing concerns and dispelling myths associated with these pods will be crucial for sustained expansion.

Key Insights oF The Report • Key Trends in the water soluble pods packaging market • New Advancements in Production Technologies • New Product Launches, Expansions of water soluble pods packaging market.

Competition Landscape

Prominent water soluble pods packaging manufacturers are present mainly in developed countries of the world. But, there is a scope of growth in emerging areas and untapped regions in the near future.

New entrants in the market are likely to add lesser concentration of moisture and higher concentration of detergent in their products for providing a longer shelf-life. Meanwhile, some of the other players are expected to engage in research and development activities to introduce unique products for meeting the demand from numerous industries.

For instance,

Are you looking for customized information related to the latest trends, drivers, and challenges? @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/customization-available/rep-gb-6569

In December 2021, Invisible Company, a Hong Kong-based provider of sustainable and alternative packaging solutions, announced its plans to create a biodegradable, plastic-free, and water-soluble solution called Invisible Bag for replacing the ‘flat top’ plastic bags used for baked goods and fresh products in supermarkets. It is currently working with researchers to ensure that the new solution is compostable and food-grade compliant.

In July 2021, Absolutely Bear, an ethical fashion and charitable clothing label based in London, marked ‘Plastic Free July’ by eliminating plastic from its packaging process. It has started using brown paper mailing bags made from plastic-free and plant-based sustainable materials. Also, the garment will be delivered in ‘Leave No Trace’ bags that are water-soluble and biodegradable.

Key Players:

Aicello Corporation

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

MonoSol, LLC

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd

Plasticos Hidrosolubles

S.L

Mondi Group Plc

Arrow Greentech Limited

[queenofcthulu]

So I grew up around the area where they mine Borax, in Boron, California for 20 Mule Team Borax. I have cursory knowledge of it as my great grandfather worked in the mines and a number of great uncles lived in that dinky town in the Mojave desert. Borax forms naturally from some evaporated lakes the same way many mineral deposits do including table salt. Concerns about contamination with arsenic, I would say probably not they are pretty good about separating these days and most arsenic is found in different locations closer to geothermal lu active areas.

So Borax is a type of borate, an oxygen based molecule with Boron. Most borates are considered as deadly as table salt in humans. Which is to say, if they were tasty we would probably eat them more.

They are in fact very deadly to arthropods and are often used as a non-toxic pesticide. The few deaths attributed to Borax were due to infants consuming roach poisons in the 1960s (also during a time of a lot of lead paint being used in homes so I would personally consider that a potential contributor).

The most dangerous part of Borax is probably just inhaling the dust as it is a mild irritant to the lungs.

Working in a Boron mine is where I personally think probably where most of the hazards and concerns for health may come from, seeing as most reports were from the 1960s and that's before most of the work was automated and proper safety masks existed. Anecdotally, my great grandparents lived up to their late 80s and early 90s and even so it was probably the chain smoking that got them first.

Anyways the point is that a spoonful of Borax will most likely result in a little tummy ache or diarrhea, the borates are absorbed extremely quickly and filtered into urine without hanging around in the body so these people probably expel all of it within a day.

It might hang around in the bones a bit but there's no adverse effects from this that we know about.

Essentially, it's mostly harmless, far less dangerous than eating a tide pod, but still unnecessary and weird. I'm personally glad they aren't ingesting any number of other more dangerous things.

If these folks are eating other forms of Boron they may be in more danger, but if it's the 20 Mule Team Borax (the most readily available form) they should be fine. That doesn't mean I endorse doing this; by no means should you consume Borax as it's not rated by governing bodies for human consumption, and long term ingestion can slowly develop long term digestion problems and headaches.

watching people on tiktok consume borax is uh. something.

[acecartoonplatypus]

Concept

Tide pods, but instead of being filled with detergent and other deadly shit, it's like filled with fruity syrup like the stuff inside gushers or w/e. This satisfies the need to eat tide pods without actually getting seriously sick and/or dead for a meme

[helen007900]

I wonder if which forbidden snacks you crave says something about what type of fucked up you are.

[zippers]

so i have the cilantro soap gene, but grew up in TX so just always assumed mexican food was supposed to taste soapy. knowing that i have the cilantro soap gene makes sense for mexican food with cilantro but mexican candy also tends to be very soapy as well? so i wonder if there is any correlation there. like those who have the gene and like the taste like that flavor in candy. or maybe there is just cilantro in this candy that I'm eating haha!

[garden-uprooted]

If you like bleach, you should try tide pods! Here! [tosses a bunch in spinel's general direction]

“oOOoOoOoOoOo!” 

Grabby little hands gather up the multicolored pods of, what she assumed to be, tides from the ocean? Somehow? So just like- water with a fancy casing? But like bleach, also? 

Eh. She really wasn’t in the mood to read too much into her own confusing thought process. Almost everything on Earth was already confusing, so as far as she was concerned, she was right on the money. 

Maybe it was like this “sparkling water” she’d heard so much about!

… One bite and she’s immediately coughing and spitting out her first crunch of the pod. 

“thESE ARE DISGUSTING..!!” 

“.               .              .” 

“I like it~” 

[user-boxer]

This user is against the consumption of Tide Pods

Requested by: @justshay09

[eggysims]

Cassie: yo kids?? you ever wanted to eat some cleaning products because they looked/smelled oh so good, but didn’t know which one to sink your chompers in first?? WELL LOOK NO FURTHER HAVE I GOT THE PRODUCT FOR YOU!!!

[damnedrainbows]

“I have.” Knowing the deer he had learned that tide pods were not for consumption, but within the next day or so he’d have Husk smacking his back trying to get something else out of his mouth. Happened at least a few times a week.

Alastor gratefully took the glass and swished out as much of the awful, burning taste as he could. His head fell forward onto the counter, ears limp at the sides of his head.

It’s ‘Chewsday’, but there’s nobody in nearby range for him to bite. Alastor shifts his focus onto a small, turquoise and green gelatine pod in his hand. Now why is it sinners call these ‘the forbidden snack?’

Nothing appears quite forbidden about it. The colors and shape make it look quite inviting in fact. He turns the little packet around in his hand, and he reads the label.

Tide Pod.

[xenosagaepisodeone]

[male newscaster with a spray tan and over-whitened teeth appears on screen] Move over “tide pod challenge”, because there’s a new, dangerous social media trend that has parents frantic nationwide. called “autismmaxxing”, the phenomena is described by young adults as when a person “maxes” their “autism” through the consumption of government controlled substances. originally appearing on tiktok in 2020, the challenge encourages users to inject or orally consume vaccines, prescription medication or over the counter pills in order to “empower” traits facilitated by the disorder. while police are working to crack down on illegal suppliers, many fear that the impacts to communities have become too deep to reverse.

[screen cuts to older white mom with eyeliner] I was just...y’know...dropping off my kid...when suddenly this guy knocks on the window of my subaru outback and is like ���hey, do you know if there are any new vaccines coming out?” and I’m like....what? then he goes “vaccines. to make the autism stronger.” and I was like...[her eyes widen and she blows air out her mouth] what is happening to our country...

[cut to a random teen] yeah my friend tried it and now she can move things with her mind when she stims

[cut to convenience store cashier with bandaged face] I told this girl that she can’t look at the wizard and orc print resin bong display without an id and she threw one at me with her mind

[zealous-whispers-of-us-redux]

someplace new

Summary: "There's a whole world out there for us! There are cold and shallow seas! There are deep seas with strange creatures and seas with mounds of earth that spit out water! There are huge coral reefs and fish of all colors and seas with the bones of enormous ships lying in the sand!"

🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊

She was not a friendly creature, Bucky thought of the siren he had recently acquainted himself with. She preferred to spend her days swimming and singing her song for any human that she could entrap. She could dive into deeper waters than Bucky, who hated her whenever she left him alone for even a moment. Mer were never alone, and it was a difficult adjustment for Bucky. He was used to sleeping next to his brothers or hunting with his father. His The siren preferred to hunt alone, and whenever Bucky tried to sleep next to her, she would wiggle away. Touching was a different issue altogether. She swam away anytime that Bucky would even brush against her. That was difficult too. Bucky was used to touch and being touched by his pod mates. It must have been a lonely life to be a siren. Although she sure was a remarkable thing, Bucky couldn't deny that. The lights that glowed from her at nighttime drew him in, and he was beginning to see why it was easy for human males to fall under her spell. She was beautiful in a terrifying way that thrilled Bucky to his very being. Her claws and teeth were much sharper than his, and her tailfin moved like that of a shark. Her eyes were too big for her pretty face. She rarely spoke, but when she did, Bucky yearned.

They had been together for two months now. Bucky was unable to leave her nor coax her to come with him back to his pod. She was continuing to starve; he could see it. Fish didn't satiate her in the way they did him. Bucky's worry rapidly increased day by day as he watched her grown gaunt, and her skin turned hazy blue rather than silvery grey.

"You okay?" he asked her one night as she swam underneath him, singing in frustration.

"No," she said.

"Will ya come back up for a minute? I wanna talk to you about somethin.'"

"No."

"Just for a sec. Please, my pretty one?" Bucky whined. "I miss ya."

"I am hunting."

"It's been two tides. You've been swimmin' down there in the dark for ages."

He heard her sigh:

"I will be up soon."

After that, Bucky heard no more from her. He floated aimlessly amongst a school of bluefish tuna as he waited, rehearsing what he would say once she was next to him again. He was going to propose that they move to a new destination. A destination where Bucky was sure humans would be more readily available for her consumption. He knew of a great many places in the seas of the world where no siren had ever been spotted. The humans of this area knew of something evil that lurked in the waters around their town. They'd heard her calls, saw the blood in the water, mourned those that became her victims. She had been here too long, and the humans were growing more innovative every day. Once they moved on, Bucky was sure she would find willing prey.

It seemed to take her ages to swim upwards. Bright pinpricks of white light were what finally caught Bucky's attention. He waited as she rose through the water, her tail swishing lazily. Once in a brighter part of the water, she opened her eyes, squinting as she tried to adjust. Like most deep-sea creatures, she had no use for eyes. Unlike most deep-sea creatures, however, she had the distinct advantage of having them and the ability to keep them closed unconsciously in some way that Bucky didn't know. It was daytime, and Bucky watched as her lights dimmed and flickered under the weak sunlight. As soon as she was near enough, Bucky swam straight through the school of tuna to meet her.

"Anythin'?" he asked.

"No," she said. Her skin looked bluer than ever.

Bucky took a deep breath. "So, I was thinking, and you can tell me to back off if I'm bein' dumb, but I was thinkin' that you're starvin.' It's been weeks since you've had a decent meal an' months since you've even caught a human, which isn't your fault. I just think they know what hangs out around here, an' I know that other sirens have other territories around this area, so I was thinkin' what if we went somewhere else?"

"Somewhere else?"

"Yeah, not this spot, not even this sea."

She looked confused. "There are other seas?"

"Oh," he said because he wasn't expecting her not to know. "Yeah, there are plenty. There's a whole other world out there."

"I have never been anywhere else."

"Would ya like to?"

"I do not know."

Bucky held out his hand. "Will you come with me?"

She went quiet, thinking about his offer for so long that Bucky became restless again. (Mer, unlike sirens, were very impatient creatures). He flicked his tail in irritation, trying to get her to hurry up. Finally, she agreed.

"Yes," she said.

Overwhelmed with delight, Bucky did several unique spins, flipping his hair and showing off his tail in a futile attempt to impress her. She watched him impassively. She was either oblivious or unconcerned with his courtship display; Bucky could not tell which. But no matter. He was taking her away from this place, and they'd live together for the rest of their days! He'd find her shiny things and make a permanent home for her on a bed of the softest kelp, and the warmest sand Bucky could find! Then when the time was right, he would offer her his shell, and they would mate under the golden light of the sun! It was bliss.

"Where are we going?" she asked as they began to swim.

"Anywhere we want! We got a whole world to explore! There are cold seas, shallow and deep seas, and seas with huge mounds of earth that spit out the hottest water! There are huge coral reefs and fish of all colors! There are seas with the bones of enormous ships lying in the sand too!" Bucky said excitedly. "Where d'you wanna go first?"

"Wherever there are humans."

"There are humans everywhere."

"Then it is your choice."

"There is a sea that mer call inhospitable 'cause, we say, the deeper you go, the harder it is to breathe. There are fragments of ships down at the bottom."

Bucky observed her, noticing as some feeling or thought he had never seen before appeared in her eyes. Then, much to his surprise, she smiled. Her lips twisted strangely around her teeth like she had forgotten how to do it, but it was, indeed, a smile. Bucky should have been petrified at how many deadly teeth she seemed to possess, but he wasn't. She was stunning, and Bucky reveled at the sight of her. He itched to get her into a cave, just the two of them. He would bring her shiny things, and she would look at him the way she was now.

"The ships," she said decisively, noticing how strange she sounded.

She realized that this was the first decision (that had nothing to do with hunting) she had made in a while. It made her feel wrong in a way that she could not explain. She wanted to see other places. She was curious, but why was she feeling that way? Was the sway of this beautiful mer already getting to her? Impulsively, as though her body was not her own, she brushed her hand against his just as he did when they first met. She felt his eyes on her but kept hers straight ahead, determined not to look at him. Their hands were still touching, and then he coiled his fingers around hers.

"The water over there is much colder," Bucky said softly, not wanting to scare her with his voice and have her pull her hand away. "An' the salinity is a bit different. Just let me know if you feel weird or anythin', alright?"

"Yes," she answered. Her hand stayed in Bucky's hand. "How long?"

"Few days. I can't swim as fast as you."

She nodded, saying nothing, which was how they spent the next three hours. Bucky continued prattling on, pointing out this thing and that thing. He told her about his little sister Rebecca and his best friends, Steve and Sam. He regaled her in fantastic stories of their adventures and misdeeds in protecting the pod. Mer tended to embellish such tales, and Bucky was no exception as he crafted a story about him fighting off a giant sea monster single-handedly. As he told the tale, he noticed her looking at him dubiously.

"What?" Bucky asked.

"Such a creature cannot exist," she said.

"A Cthulu can't exist?"

"Yes. A creature shaped like a human and an octopus, with the wings of a dragon? What is a dragon, anyway?" she asked.

That was the longest string of words she had said to Bucky in days. He was elated.

"A huge, serpent-like creature that spits fire," he said.

"No creature that lives can breathe fire."

"Humans say we don't exist," Bucky said. "Are ya callin' me a liar?"

She shrugged. "I am not sure what that means."

"Fine, fine, you got me. It was a giant squid."

"I see."

"I did get suckered pretty hard, though," said Bucky, puffing out his chest in pride. "I got the scars to prove it. Ma was scared when I came back all bloody."

"Ma?" she asked.

"My mother."

"You have a mother?"

Bucky nodded. "'Course, everything does."

"I do not."

"But you had one once, right?"

"Once."

"What was she like?" Bucky asked eagerly.

Her lips parted, and she took a deep breath.

"She… She tried to protect me from the human men at first. But they took what they wanted from me and left me to drown. I remember dying and hearing her tell me to be brave and believe in the sea. The Gods blessed me, and I was reborn."

"Oh, I- I had no idea; I'm so sorry I brought it up," Bucky stammered, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment. His poor, sweet siren. She had been through so much.

"I do not remember her."

Again, they drifted into silence. Bucky was upset when she slid her hand from his and began drifting downward into deeper water, where he could not follow. He wanted to beg for her to come back. He didn't mean to talk about such things; he had simply been eager to hear more about her! Knowing what he knew now, he felt anger wash over him. How dare those raiders act that way? What kind of creatures were the humans that did such awful things? Despicable is what they were! They were nothing more than- than- phytoplankton! Small, insignificant cowards that did not care who they hurt! Damn them!

"Are those men still alive?" he spat angrily.

"I killed them," she replied from underneath him.

"I'd kill their descendants if I could."

"Why?"

"Whaddya mean why? Nothin' hurts you! Anythin' hurts you again; you tell me an' I'll kill it, you hear me?" Bucky snarled.

From the deep, she began to sing. It was a new song, one Bucky had never heard from her, and he stopped his ranting to listen. It washed over him, replacing the anger with quiet peace, and oh. She was reassuring him in the best way that she knew how. Warmth bloomed in Bucky's chest, and he felt his face heating for an entirely different reason. She was trying to thank him. He wondered if she knew it too. Bucky smiled, glancing below him to watch as she rose back up to join him.

She continued to sing, taking his hand once again. Once her song was over, and without even thinking about it, Bucky thrust his hand into the pouch tied around his waist.

"Here," he said, shoving his mating shell into her hand, his belly reddening.

"What for?"

Bucky froze, scrambling for a false explanation. Because, just his luck, she had no idea what he had been trying to convey to her. He was too embarrassed to tell her the truth. It hadn't even been three months, and he was already prepared to settle down with her!

"Er, uh, w-well, I told ya that a pretty thing needs pretty things, right? I, uh, I found it an' thought you, er, deserved it? Yeah, I thought you deserved it."

"It is very shiny. Thank you, Bucky."

She rarely said his name. Bucky had fallen hard if only hearing her say his damn name was driving him nuts. He could feel his stomach heating the longer she looked at him. He wiggled a little bit at her stare. She raised a confused eyebrow, looking like she wanted to ask questions Bucky wasn't ready to answer. Instead, he lifted her hand to his lips, flipped it over, and kissed her palm. They both stopped swimming.

"Oh," she said. "A kiss? "

"Mhm," said Bucky, boldly wrapping his tail around hers. "A kiss."

"May I give one back?"

"Please."

She lifted Bucky's hand to her lips and pressed her mouth to the back of it. Her teeth bit into his skin. Bucky winced.

"No, like this, with no teeth," he explained kindly, showing her.

She curled her lips entirely over her teeth and mashed her mouth against Bucky's hand.

"No, not quite. Tilt your head a little an' put your lips like this, see?" said Bucky.

With immense concentration, she tilted her head and fixed her lips, kissing Bucky just right. He couldn't help the shiver that raced down his spine, even though the kiss was only on his hand.

"Good," he said weakly. "Perfect. "

"I am hungry." She was unruffled.

"Wait! Usually, a kiss is on the mouth, remember?"

Bucky's tail tightened around hers, and he pressed their chests together. His hand darted out, and he tenderly cupped her cheek, being careful of her lure. Her skin was hard as a handful of gold coins and twice as beautiful. He watched as she followed his lead, hesitant in her motions.

She wasn't used to touching, but she didn't mind it so much when it was this mer. His skin was soft where she touched his cheek and pressed her thumb into the divet in his chin. She knew her flesh was hard, and she wondered if he hated the feeling of it. Before she could pull away, Bucky kissed her. She stiffened before she relaxed under his lips, following his lead until she felt warm from head to tailfin.

Bucky wasn't faring much better. He was glad that the water was cold and that her attention was somewhere else because his belly was so warm that he was sure it was flashing a bright red. He made a soft noise and melted in her arms. She was a swift learner, the smart thing that she was. Bucky nibbled at her bottom lip and slipped his tongue into her mouth. He found out quite quickly that, just like a shark, she did not have a tongue. It was a strange sensation, kissing a creature without a tongue in her mouth, but Bucky quickly got used to it. He found out that she liked to nip when she caught his tongue between her sharp teeth. Bucky groaned, winding his arms around her and biting her back. Eventually, they broke apart and looked at each other.

"Wow," said Bucky, swooning.

"A kiss, yes?" she asked.

"Yeah. Yes, that was a kiss. Goddamn, you learn fast."

He hadn't let her go. He couldn't let her go, not after that. She was already free of his embrace, although she kept hold of his hand, which was a start.

"Are you hungry?" she asked, sounding nervous.

Confused, Bucky nodded.

"Can I help?"

"Yes," she agreed, tugging him behind her. "Come. "

Following right behind her, Bucky became lost in thought. He may have acted rashly by giving her his shell, but now he was confident that she was the one for him. Still, he had no idea how even to broach such a topic. Did she know what mating was? Was she willing to spend the rest of her days with him? He thought it was not the best time to ask and instead followed behind her, eager to watch her in action.