moon and sun (3/?) (Ariel/Kaldur)
Moon and Sun
Fandom: The Little Mermaid & Young Justice
Pairing: Ariel/Kaldur'ahm(Aqualad)
Rating: PG
Warnings: None.
Summary: In the end, they aren't that different after all.
Notes: written for the Young Justice meme on live journal.
The third time back, Kaldur notes their relationship has strained again. She doesn't see it, he knows, but it's happening and he won't stop it. That's always been up to her.
Boys (stupid, naïve, foolish boys, Kaldur decides) ask for her time, snatching her wrist roughly and yank her away from other things. Kaldur watches as she pulls away, uncomfortable and eyes searching for someone else. She'll relent, eventually, Kaldur realizes. Ariel is too pretty and too full of life and she can only hold them off for so long. He considers intervening at times when one of them won't take a hint but she handles it well and he wonders why he felt like she needed him in the first place.
He focuses his attention on Tula and desperately tries to disguise his obvious feelings. No one mentions it and he knows it's because it really doesn't matter. Garth doesn't say much, his studies deem more important, though he finds time for his friends. It's easy this way with them, floating between the space of friends and duties.
-x-
Ariel doesn't see him as much anymore. He's reached the age of sixteen, willing and able to do anything for the King by now. If only she had such loyalty. She'd trade her curiosity for a life like his any day. If there's any way to get to the surface, Ariel will grasp at it. But there has never been opportunity and this leaves her helpless.
-x-
He smiles more around Tula. Her hair is short, like it's been chopped mercilessly with a knife, messy and unfit for the Court, unlike hers that is long and flows right. But he likes her more than Ariel and she tries to find out why. His little crush never bothered her so much before but it's becoming to be an annoyance.
"Why do you like her?" she questions the fourth time he returns and it feels like she's asked this before.
Kaldur stares at her, a little stunned. "Because she is admirable. Strong."
"I am strong."
"Yes, you are."
"And I am pretty," she continues and combs fingers through her strands. "I have red hair, just like her. I was born in the Court, just as she was."
"But there are differences too, Ariel," Kaldur frowns at her comparisons. "Have you felt like I have been ignoring you? Is that why you are angry?"
"I am not angry," she objects, crossing her arms. "But you pay her more mind than me. Is she that special?"
"You are my friend and I will never forget that."
And here she believed they were something different-something like soul mates maybe. Nothing romantic but she thought he understood her a little more than the others. Maybe she was wrong.
"Is it because I have fins and she has two feet?" Ariel swims closer and he backs away. Instead of leaving it at that, she grips his wrist and pulls him to her violently. Ariel spies his discomfort and bitterly demands, "Is that why you look at her more than you do me?"
"I have always looked at you, Ariel," he sighs, exasperated. "You and she have been beside me since my youth. What is with this competition? Why is Tula such a problem?"
Ariel releases him and scoffs, despite herself. Why is Tula a problem? They both know she's jealous-that's been acknowledged. But it's never been such an issue until now. Why must Tula receive all his praise and glory when Ariel's been there all the while? He has forgotten her.
"Oh, never mind, dummy," she breathes out and turns away.
He won't chase her.
-x-
She hears he has begun a team of operations to secure this part of the world. Young Justice. The name is ironic in some way but she can't place how. But at least he's doing something worthwhile. And she's stuck here, at the bottom of the ocean, waiting for something.
Ariel goes through the motions now, becoming the daughter her father always wanted her to be. She creates a mask of calm behavior, made from the cool gestures and strong words she knows the people of the Court use. She can't speak out against things; instead she practices the system's rules and regulations. Perhaps she can find a way out doing this, by playing it safe like he had.
She's become somewhat more attentive. Ariel observes her father drive through his day with a booming voice-she understands why he is a leader. Like a warrior, almost. Her oldest sister strives to become great and the rest of them trail behind her. Soon enough, Ariel's perspective shifts to a bigger view and there are others she sees. Kaldur's closest friends go on without him and Ariel wonders how it's so easy for them. Ariel watches as Tula turns to the comfort of Garth and they uncover something between them together, something that was born out of the departure of Kaldur.
Everyone moves on, including her.
She thinks so, anyway.
-x-
Another name is breathed quietly with fear and despise: Black Manta.
Ariel tries hard not to think about the surface this time.
-x-
When he comes back, it's six months later. Seventeen now and she just turned fifteen. He wants to see Tula. Ariel knows the surprise he will find will be unpleasant but no one is willing to bring it up. She distances herself. They're not close anymore and, well, she's changed. He won't enjoy what she's become.
Unless I'm like Tula, Ariel thinks bitterly but shakes her head. Nothing good can come from thoughts like that.
-x-
Her cavern at night offers moonlight when it can, through that hole in the ceiling, upon the stone table, where she'll lay in thought. It's late into the night and the full moon is high and shining.
Kaldur has been here many times before, though it's only been for one purpose: to see Ariel. But he does not expect to find her here at this time. No, Kaldur comes to this place not for her but to unearth what draws her to this lonesome place. The enclosed space secretes sorrow and he already feels the weight of what's happened today crush him.
Young Justice is now the only constant in his life, besides his King. Knowing this causes him to fall upon that rock bed unceremoniously. He is supposed to be leader-a strong, selfless leader and all he can think of is how he's been wronged in some way. His mind is on a girl who smiled when she broke his heart. Albeit, Tula was thinking of her and Garth together but somehow that doesn't make it any better. His heart hurts, an abnormal pain coils within his chest and Kaldur can only lay motionless as the moon supplies the forlorn light he relates to.
-x-
He remembers songs Ariel would recount, making him sing along.
Kaldur hums one of them tonight, something ironically blissful and soft.
-x-
Ariel feels her heart stop when she spots a body in the middle of her little cavern, deep in slumber. It's a second later until she recognizes him. She frowns at this. Had he been searching for her? The implication causes a small smile before she sighs and decides it wouldn't matter anyway. After today, he probably had been in search for serenity, not her.
Cautiously, she nears him, lying on the ground besides her stone table. He twists a few times, murmuring inaudible words. She raises her hand for a moment and considers him. Skimming her fingers over his arm, she retracts her arm instantly as soon as they make contact.
He's so cold, something she doesn't remember from childhood. Has he changed as well? This makes Ariel crinkle her nose in thought. If he's changed then perhaps he'll understand her now. The risk isn't high and maybe, just maybe, she may see what wonders lay above the surface, see what makes him keep going back. If she is closer to him, she is closer to the human world.
Kaldur murmurs something else in Atlantean and she hushes him quietly, running a hand over his brow.
-x-
When he awakes, Kaldur feels a little lighter.
He still has yet to see Garth and Tula but at least he knows what he will say this time.
-x-
A/N
-x-
Check the series tag. There's a tag named "series: moon and sun". :) That way you can follow the story easier.
Fandom: The Little Mermaid & Young Justice
Pairing: Ariel/Kaldur'ahm(Aqualad)
Rating: PG
Warnings: None.
Summary: In the end, they aren't that different after all.
Notes: written for the Young Justice meme on live journal.
The third time back, Kaldur notes their relationship has strained again. She doesn't see it, he knows, but it's happening and he won't stop it. That's always been up to her.
Boys (stupid, naïve, foolish boys, Kaldur decides) ask for her time, snatching her wrist roughly and yank her away from other things. Kaldur watches as she pulls away, uncomfortable and eyes searching for someone else. She'll relent, eventually, Kaldur realizes. Ariel is too pretty and too full of life and she can only hold them off for so long. He considers intervening at times when one of them won't take a hint but she handles it well and he wonders why he felt like she needed him in the first place.
He focuses his attention on Tula and desperately tries to disguise his obvious feelings. No one mentions it and he knows it's because it really doesn't matter. Garth doesn't say much, his studies deem more important, though he finds time for his friends. It's easy this way with them, floating between the space of friends and duties.
-x-
Ariel doesn't see him as much anymore. He's reached the age of sixteen, willing and able to do anything for the King by now. If only she had such loyalty. She'd trade her curiosity for a life like his any day. If there's any way to get to the surface, Ariel will grasp at it. But there has never been opportunity and this leaves her helpless.
-x-
He smiles more around Tula. Her hair is short, like it's been chopped mercilessly with a knife, messy and unfit for the Court, unlike hers that is long and flows right. But he likes her more than Ariel and she tries to find out why. His little crush never bothered her so much before but it's becoming to be an annoyance.
"Why do you like her?" she questions the fourth time he returns and it feels like she's asked this before.
Kaldur stares at her, a little stunned. "Because she is admirable. Strong."
"I am strong."
"Yes, you are."
"And I am pretty," she continues and combs fingers through her strands. "I have red hair, just like her. I was born in the Court, just as she was."
"But there are differences too, Ariel," Kaldur frowns at her comparisons. "Have you felt like I have been ignoring you? Is that why you are angry?"
"I am not angry," she objects, crossing her arms. "But you pay her more mind than me. Is she that special?"
"You are my friend and I will never forget that."
And here she believed they were something different-something like soul mates maybe. Nothing romantic but she thought he understood her a little more than the others. Maybe she was wrong.
"Is it because I have fins and she has two feet?" Ariel swims closer and he backs away. Instead of leaving it at that, she grips his wrist and pulls him to her violently. Ariel spies his discomfort and bitterly demands, "Is that why you look at her more than you do me?"
"I have always looked at you, Ariel," he sighs, exasperated. "You and she have been beside me since my youth. What is with this competition? Why is Tula such a problem?"
Ariel releases him and scoffs, despite herself. Why is Tula a problem? They both know she's jealous-that's been acknowledged. But it's never been such an issue until now. Why must Tula receive all his praise and glory when Ariel's been there all the while? He has forgotten her.
"Oh, never mind, dummy," she breathes out and turns away.
He won't chase her.
-x-
She hears he has begun a team of operations to secure this part of the world. Young Justice. The name is ironic in some way but she can't place how. But at least he's doing something worthwhile. And she's stuck here, at the bottom of the ocean, waiting for something.
Ariel goes through the motions now, becoming the daughter her father always wanted her to be. She creates a mask of calm behavior, made from the cool gestures and strong words she knows the people of the Court use. She can't speak out against things; instead she practices the system's rules and regulations. Perhaps she can find a way out doing this, by playing it safe like he had.
She's become somewhat more attentive. Ariel observes her father drive through his day with a booming voice-she understands why he is a leader. Like a warrior, almost. Her oldest sister strives to become great and the rest of them trail behind her. Soon enough, Ariel's perspective shifts to a bigger view and there are others she sees. Kaldur's closest friends go on without him and Ariel wonders how it's so easy for them. Ariel watches as Tula turns to the comfort of Garth and they uncover something between them together, something that was born out of the departure of Kaldur.
Everyone moves on, including her.
She thinks so, anyway.
-x-
Another name is breathed quietly with fear and despise: Black Manta.
Ariel tries hard not to think about the surface this time.
-x-
When he comes back, it's six months later. Seventeen now and she just turned fifteen. He wants to see Tula. Ariel knows the surprise he will find will be unpleasant but no one is willing to bring it up. She distances herself. They're not close anymore and, well, she's changed. He won't enjoy what she's become.
Unless I'm like Tula, Ariel thinks bitterly but shakes her head. Nothing good can come from thoughts like that.
-x-
Her cavern at night offers moonlight when it can, through that hole in the ceiling, upon the stone table, where she'll lay in thought. It's late into the night and the full moon is high and shining.
Kaldur has been here many times before, though it's only been for one purpose: to see Ariel. But he does not expect to find her here at this time. No, Kaldur comes to this place not for her but to unearth what draws her to this lonesome place. The enclosed space secretes sorrow and he already feels the weight of what's happened today crush him.
Young Justice is now the only constant in his life, besides his King. Knowing this causes him to fall upon that rock bed unceremoniously. He is supposed to be leader-a strong, selfless leader and all he can think of is how he's been wronged in some way. His mind is on a girl who smiled when she broke his heart. Albeit, Tula was thinking of her and Garth together but somehow that doesn't make it any better. His heart hurts, an abnormal pain coils within his chest and Kaldur can only lay motionless as the moon supplies the forlorn light he relates to.
-x-
He remembers songs Ariel would recount, making him sing along.
Kaldur hums one of them tonight, something ironically blissful and soft.
-x-
Ariel feels her heart stop when she spots a body in the middle of her little cavern, deep in slumber. It's a second later until she recognizes him. She frowns at this. Had he been searching for her? The implication causes a small smile before she sighs and decides it wouldn't matter anyway. After today, he probably had been in search for serenity, not her.
Cautiously, she nears him, lying on the ground besides her stone table. He twists a few times, murmuring inaudible words. She raises her hand for a moment and considers him. Skimming her fingers over his arm, she retracts her arm instantly as soon as they make contact.
He's so cold, something she doesn't remember from childhood. Has he changed as well? This makes Ariel crinkle her nose in thought. If he's changed then perhaps he'll understand her now. The risk isn't high and maybe, just maybe, she may see what wonders lay above the surface, see what makes him keep going back. If she is closer to him, she is closer to the human world.
Kaldur murmurs something else in Atlantean and she hushes him quietly, running a hand over his brow.
-x-
When he awakes, Kaldur feels a little lighter.
He still has yet to see Garth and Tula but at least he knows what he will say this time.
-x-
A/N
-x-
Check the series tag. There's a tag named "series: moon and sun". :) That way you can follow the story easier.