forum Mermaid romance (one-on-one//closed)

Started September 16, 2018 by @ElderGod-Carrots

tune

Arria was getting weaker by the second but he was so glad Carter has his arms around him again. He buried his head in the crook of Carter’s neck, a muffled and pained whine coming from him a few moments later.

It felt like it took too long for the car to slow, too long for them to reach the coast. Carter already had his arms wrapped around Arria, ready to carry him to the water, but Maria stood between him and the door and demanded, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Carter snarled, “He needs to get submerged in the water, and I don’t think you’ll want to get wet.” Maria gave him a look, and just as Carter was about to tell her she was wasting time, she turned and opened the limo door. Carter shoved passed her, carrying Arria as gently as he could. A secluded part of the beach was revealed, salty air hitting him as he rushing for the water.

Arria’s heat rate was slowly, his breathing becoming nearly noticeable. He was becoming unbearably tired and just wanted to sleep for however long he could. His tail had lost its colour, same with his skin, “Carter…” He said quietly, barely audible over the rush and crashing of the waves, “I love you…”

“It’s be okay, we’re here, see,” Carter breathed, a wave crashing into him as he hit the water. He immediately put Arria in the water, but kept tugging him deeper. Because Carter had no intention of going back on land, he didn’t care if he drowned, he wouldn’t go back with that insane woman. “Arria?”

Arria didn’t respond. Couldn’t respond. His body was limp and his chest had stopped moving, his heart stopped beating. He’d known. Knew they weren’t going to make it in time but couldn’t bare to tell Carter in case they did.

“See? Arria, we’re here.” Carter said again, swallowing as panic started to tint his voice, “Arria? Arria! A-Arria?” Carter shook his shoulders a little bit. That’s when it hit him. His sea boy’s chest had stopped moving with that steady breath. Tears pricked his eyes. “Arria! Arria!” Nononononono- I had been bluffing- “Arria!” Carter dunked his beloved beneath the water before pulling him back up again. “Arria, you don’t have to fake it, we can just swim away,” Carter pleaded, pleaded for Arria to just open his eyes and laugh again. To take his hand and they could find their way back to Herla and Gallion and- “Pl-Please, pl-pl-please, Ar-Arria?”

It could have been minutes or maybe hours where Arria was consumed in an overwhelming and constricting darkness, he didn’t know. He yelled and screamed and begged to the nothingness to take him back. Take him to his friends. Take him back to Carter. It was then when he small, white blinding light that he swam after for what felt like hours. But it was worth it.
He let out a gasp and coughed and spluttered and grabbed onto the nearest object. Carter. He was still weak and tired and scared but held onto his love as if he was going to die again, colour slowly returning to his tail and his body.

Carter had tears covering his face when he felt Arria’s body move slightly. He gasped, more tears coming. Tears of joy, tears of relief. He gripped Arria tightly -yet gently- and held him close, “You died, you died, Arria, gosh, Arria, I love you, I love you.” He’s alive, gosh he’s alive!

“I know I died,” Arria replied, his voice raspy and hoarce, “And I love you too…” He coughed some more, trying to clear this throat while he held onto Carter. Gosh did it feel nice to be back in his arms, dying was scary and was so glad he was alive again.

“Shhh… save your voice,” Carter told him, still in disbelief that the love of his life was still alive. He brushed it away, just grateful that Arria was okay. He slowly took him deeper in the water, and Carter could vaguely here angered shouted from the beach from Maria, but he ignored it and kept swimming. “Rest, I’m going to get us a farther away, I can drag you,” He told his sea boy -his sea angel- gently, kissing his forehead. Alive. Breathing. Arria’s alive…

“Are you sure?” Arria replied, his voice getting worse by the second. The waters had calmed down and the sun was beginning to rise over the horizon. If he wasn’t trying to focus on his breathing, Arria might have admired it.

“Yes, now shh,” Carter told him with a tiny smile. He’s okay, he’s okay, he’s okay… He swum out further, he was now above his head but he kept going. He needed to get far enough from the coast, far enough so Maria wouldn’t follow.

Arria looked back over his shoulder to the shoreline and frowned a little before looking back to Carter. He really hoped he could get them both to safety and opened his mouth to protest again but decided against it. He was exhausted. The quicker they got home the better.

It looked like Maria was making a phone call, but Carter didn’t dare stop swimming. He kept going as they got farther and farther away from shore, until they were specks on the horizon. Carter had a tight hold around Arria, always double checking if he was doing okay.

Arria was mainly replying on Carter as they swam further out and eventually, he had to ask Carter to stop, “Can we rest for a moment, please?” They were going to have to swim bellow the surface at some point and Arria needed the break before that happened.

“Of course, I got you,” Carter said softly, immediately stopping and holding out his arms to Arria so he could rest. Carter had to admit he was getting tired, but he tried not to let it show. He didn’t want Arria to worry about him.

Arria let out a breath and relaxed into Carter so he could regain his energy, “I can do the rest of the work from here. You’ve done enough and I can swim us the rest of the way.”

“Are you sure? You almost died, Arria, I don’t want you to hurt yourself further. I’m fine.” Carter said, wishing he was a better liar. We’re going to have to swim for so long… Maria had said we crossed the border…

Arria shook his head with a small smile, “You’re tired too, Carter. You swam us out this far,” He placed a gentle kiss to his lips, “I’ve got it from here.” He didn’t care how long he had to swim, as long as he at least got Carter to safety then that was all that mattered.

“Just, if you need a break we’ll take one. As many as we need, we’ll get home safely. Just don’t-“ A faint noise from the distance made Carter stop talking. He squinted, looking at the horizon. What is that- There. Just a speck, but… a boat powered for them, getting closer and closer. If that’s Maria… gosh no please…

Arria went wide eyed at the small speak drawing closer, “We need to move,” He realised he still had the handcuffs on and, in a burst of worry, somehow used the magic the sea witch had taught him to get them off, “Take a breath, tug on my hand if you need another.”

Carter’s eyes widened for a second, but he took a deep breath without question, nodded to Arria to communicate that he was ready. We need to get out, before Maria gets here, Arria needs to get away.

Arria nodded back and grabbed Carter’s hand before diving beneath the waves. He held tightly onto his loves hand, making sure to not let go and leave him behind. Arria swam as fast as he could, making sure to stay bellow the surface but close enough so they could stop for a breath if needed. I need to go faster. Need to get Carter to safety…

Carter felt the pressure in his lungs tighten, but he kept himself from tugging on Arria’s hand just yet. The noise from a motor seemed to be getting closer and closer. He tried to distract himself from the need for air, but he couldn’t hold it anymore and tugged on Arria’s hand. Just as the boat was coming above them.

Arria nodded and b-lined straight for the surface, breaking the waves right next to the boat. He let out a gasp, followed by a cough before glaring at the boat, not letting go of Carter’s hand, “Carter… we’ve gotta keep going…”