#atlanqueen

that unwelcome, cold black seeping from the corners of his eyes retreating almost as fast as it appeared,  with the uncaring regard to actual time passing between both extremes. arthur,  pushing through his grog,  sought purchase in the water  ---  following its retreat until his fingers meet air. 

“  your head,  ”  of course it was mera’s doing,  who in their domain possesses the power to void the ocean at this depth ? none without an apparent death wish. his thumb follows beneath still bleeding line at her crown,  “  are you okay?  ”  sea - changed or otherwise,  both leaders of atlantis were a hard pair to thoroughly run over  ---  even if apart for the fight’s duration  (  he should have been here,  not at the twisted helm of an unfortunate fisher  ). 

anger didn’t begin to cover what turned blue eyes into a burning flare,  made brighter the longer he stared at damages imparted across his wife. idle thumb moves to push wet hair back behind mera’s ear,  “so ... bats wasn’t kiddin’ about this horned asshole after all. that’s unfortunate. for it.”

man could pluck every star from their heavens and none still would match this white - hot FEROCITY arthur saw sparking within his own wife’s eyes. he’d always admired that about her;  capable of broadcasting  (  not only to himself but every living creature  )  her truest nature with refined poignancy. even when that tongue of hers cut deeper than any knife,  even if what she had to say was contrary to a fantasy (  it would seem  ) developing in a large part of his mind.  

both hands reach out and frame her face,  “  mera,  ”  guttural and raw and deep and sang before her DAILY,  “  please.  ”  arthur made devout within HER home and hers alone,  should she ever forget who he’d sworn himself to more than a decade prior. but when atlantis called,  they answered  —  together or none at all.

STEPHEN TAKES HIS READING GLASSES OFF, SLOWLY LEANING BACK IN HIS CHAIR.

❝     You are aware the Sanctum has a doorbell, correct     ?     ❞

You could have knocked, Mera.