#princeeric

Summary: Basically the title. The two times that Eric realized he loved the reader and the one time he finally admitted it.

Prince Eric Masterlist

THE FIRST TIME

You and Eric were on the beach near the shoreline. Lying down on the sand looking up at the stars, Eric showing you the constellations, you listening attentively.

"They're so beautiful," You said admiring the stars resting your hands on your stomach.

"They are, aren't they," he agreed but what you didn't know was he wasn't looking at the stars, he was too busy looking at you. You looked over at him, only to find him already looking at you, embarrassed he smiled at you shyly before looking back up at the stars.

You reached out to grab his hand intertwining your fingers with his. He looked over at you and smiled shyly before holding your hand tighter.

THE SECOND TIME

You and Eric were in his study. He was showing you some of the artifacts he brought back from his most recent voyage. Picking up a conch shell you brought it to your mouth and blew into it, making a clear and precise sound.

"Where'd you learn how to do that?" he asked smiling at you brightly.

"A magician never tells their secrets," you claimed smirking at him.

"Well good thing you're not a magician," he remarked taking the conch shell into his own hands. "Show me, please?" he begged.

"Alright fine," you rolled your eyes sarcastically. Deep known you were happy to help him. You put your hands over his showing him how to hold the shell. "Alright watch closely," you pointed at him sternly.

"Yes ma'am," he replied looking at you attentively. You puckered your lips slightly and blew, the Prince trying his best to replicate your actions but it was a little bit difficult when the only thing he could think about was how ridiculously cute you looked.

"Alright I think I got it," the prince claimed confidently. He put the conch shell up to his mouth and blew into it making the most horrible sound you've ever heard. The two of you looked at each other and immediately burst into a fit of laughter.

He looked into your eyes and you returned the gaze making a long moment of eye contact. You smiled at him softly before looking away flustered.

THE THIRD TIME

You and Eric were out at the village festival. Stopping by multiple merchant tables the Prince buying you pretty much everything you even glanced at.

"Eric stop it!" you laughed lightly at him as he bought you another bracelet. "We did not come here so that you could spend all your money on me."

"Hey, what's wrong with wanting to spoil my best friend every once in a while," he asked defensively.

“A lot actually,” you told him, “because I’m broke and I’m not going to be able to pay you back,” He shoved you gently in the shoulder as you two walked to another merchant table.

“You don’t have to pay me back Y/N,” he insisted as you two walked around. You suddenly heard music and grabbed Eric’s hand dragging him towards it. “Where are we going?” he asked as you dragged him.

“To dance,” you said. You watched for a few seconds in order to get the rythm down and suddenly joined in. Eric watching you in amazement as you danced along with several children.

He found himself being entranced by your smooth movements. He watched you carefully but his gazing was soon interrupted when you grabbed him and forced him to dance along with you.

He placed one hand on your waist and the other took your hand as you two danced. He caught himself staring at you, admiring your beauty. You swayed your hips to the music and Eric guided your movements with his hands.

He couldn’t stop himself from smiling at you. He spun you around and now your back was against his chest. The others around you threw sand up in the air and you two continued to dance until the music began to come to a stop.

———————————LATER THAT DAY-----------------------------

You and Eric were walking back to the palace but neither of you were quite ready to say goodbye.

“What if we go for a rowboat ride?” the Prince suggested.

“Won’t your mother be expecting you,” you asked him knowing how his mother can get.

“She doesn’t have to know,” he claimed, ”we can just sneak in."

“Alright fine,” you finally caved, ”but this is the last thing we’re doing today."

———————————— MINI TIME SKIP—————————————

The prince was rowing the boat backwards onto the lake. You watched the way he used the oars.

“You want to try?” he asked noticing the way you were watching.

“You know what, sure why not,” you shrugged. The prince motioned for you to come sit on his side of the boat. You attempted to stand up but the boat was rocking slightly causing you to fall down into Eric’s lap. You two looked at each other briefly before you moved to sit beside him.

You put your hands on the oars and Eric put his hands on top of yours helping to guide your movements. You smiled at him, finally getting the hang of it. The sun was setting in the background creating a beautiful scene.

You looked at the sky, almost mesmerized by the orange and pink horizon, Eric following your gaze. “Its beautiful,” you whispered and he nodded his head in agreement, not trusting himself to speak because the setting sun was shining on your face enhancing your beauty

Suddenly the sun set and the fireflies came out illuminating the sky. It was a beautiful scene. You and Eric suddenly felt the boat spinning in circles slowly. You looked down to see a large school of beautiful luminescent fish swimming around the boat.

Eric looked over the edge of the boat and was suddenly spat water at by one of the fish. He laughed lightly and you laughed with him before reaching out and wiping the water off of face with your thumb, somewhat carresing his face in the proccess.

The prince stopped laughing and looked at you as if he were frozen. He grabbed your hand from his face and lowered it before holding both of your hands in his.

“Y/N,” he began which would have made you worry in any other circumstance,”I love you.” You froze and he looked away embarrassed thinking you would say something bad and dropped your hands.

“Sorry,” he muttered quietly. "I dont know why I-“ he started but soon found himself not being able to speak. Your lips were on his, your hands gently cupping his face.

“I love you too, Eric” you smiled at him before kissing him again.

A/N: hope you guys love this. came up with this idea at three in the morning and had to quickly write it because i knew if i didnt i would forget in the morning.

XoXo

overview

chapter 1

chapter 2

also available on ao3 and wattpad

༄

Ariel walked to her dorm room, fumbling with her key chain. She found her dorm room key amongst the miscellaneous charms and plunged it into the lock. Ariel twisted the lock, opening the door but hearing an “oh!” as she opened the door. A pale, brunette girl that was the same age as Ariel, revealed herself while Ariel walked into the room. 

“Vanessa!” Ariel said as she shut the door behind her. “I’m sorry. I thought you had class during-”

Vanessa shrugged. “Professor was sick, so I stayed behind here to do some work before I went out. Want to join?”

Ariel liked her roommate, even though some of her friends disagreed. Scuttle heard rumors around the school that the previous semester she got the lead hurt so she can play but Scuttle exaggerated most of the time. Flounder was in between because he heard the great things from Ariel and the rants from Scuttle since they were roommates. Sebastian though didn’t care but supported Scuttle’s rumors with other theater stories. Sebastian was a music major, and a lot of the theater kids crossed over with them. Ariel, on the other hand, had no problems with Vanessa. She kept her side of the room clean, greeted Ariel in the morning and would check in on her.

Ariel sighed. “I would but I have to write some lyrics.”

“Got a new song?” Vanessa smirked.

Ariel laughed. “I wish, but Sebastian wants a new one by next week because we can’t keep repeating the same ones since we are getting bigger. Oh, also are you coming-”

 “Friday night? Of course, it’s Victorian theme.”

Vanessa smiled before she waved goodbye and left the room. Ariel sat down at her desk and opened her laptop. She stared at the blank word document with the cursor taunting her. Ariel tucked one of her red locs behind her ear before putting her fingers on the key. She strengthened her shoulders and breathed in, ready to type. However, no thoughts were coming to her. She sighed, lowering her head to the desk.

Her phone dinged and she quickly looked at it to get her mind off not having any ideas. Ariel scanned her phone notifications to see an email from “Eric Tirulian”. The last name seemed familiar to her, but she couldn’t figure it out. She read the subject line for “Tutor?” and instantly know what the email was for. However, she tapped the notification, and her phone opened the email.

Tutor? Eric Tirulian <[email protected]> To: Ariel Atlantica Hello Ariel, I’m Eric Tirulian and Professor Grimsby recommended you to me for an archology tutor. Let me know if you’re up for it and what times you’re available.

 Ariel bit her lip and started writing her email. Unlike her song in progress, she instantly knew what to write.

Re: Tutor? Ariel Atlantica <[email protected]> To: Eric Tirulian

Hi Eric! Thank you so much for your email. Professor Grimsby had mentioned someone looking for a tutor. I’m still up for it. I’m available Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during the noon hour or after four o’clock. Do any of those times work? Thank you, Ariel <3

Ariel tapped the “send” button and heard the swoosh sound coming through her speakers.  Her phone rang again to see her text from Sebastian:

Have you started the new song yet?

Ariel sighed and banged her head lightly against the desk.

༄

Eric ruffled his dark hair out of his face as he sat up from his bed. He stared at Max who laid down at the edge of his bed. The old sheepdog perked his head up when he saw Eric move. The fading sunlight shined onto the dorm room carpet.

Most would think it would be isolating to have a single dorm room, but Eric didn’t mind it sometimes. There were times that he desired to be alone, especially during one of his panic attacks and when Max had to lay on him to calm him down. And he had heard horror stories of living with someone. But, sometimes, he missed having human interaction. As much as he loved Max, he wanted to talk to a human about his feelings and emotions rather than his dog.

Eric looked around for his phone. The last time he saw it, he tucked it under his pillow. But the day got to him, and he took a nap longer than expected. Usually, he remembered to set a twenty-minute alarm, but he was so tired from classes, studying and being social that he collapsed on the bed.

He was about to ask Max which made him laugh but he noticed his phone poking out from under his bed. Eric guessed that he rustled too much that his phone fell. He stretched his arms down and picked up his phone.

His finger clicked the side button to reveal the notifications he missed. A text from his mother confirming their reservation for Friday dinner, a calendar reminder for his therapy session later in the week and then an email from Ariel Atlantica. Eric perked up, seeing the preview of the email. He quickly clicked it and read it to himself.  

Eric looked over on his wall calendar. Through most of the calendar was filled with his classes and activities, there was a space in between his morning class and afternoon class. That was when he usually got lunch. He hoped that she wouldn’t mind if he snacked on something while she tutored him. Eric typed on his phone a response.

     Re: Re: Tutor? Eric Tirulian <[email protected]> To: Ariel Atlantica Hello! Thursday at noon hour sounds good. Would you be okay if I snack during that time? That’s usually my lunch time between my classes.

He clicked the send button and got out of bed. His phone vibrated, causing him to look at the screen. Ariel had already written back.

Re: Re: Re: Tutor? Ariel Atlantica <[email protected]> To: Eric Tirulian

Hi Eric! That is totally fine. I’ll probably be snacking too don’t worry. It’s supposed to be a nice day on Thursday so we can study outside. I’ll be by the big oak tree with a picnic blanket. You can’t miss me. See you soon! Ariel <3    

Eric couldn’t help but smile. Not only because she got back to him quickly, but she always signed with a heart next to her name. His phone vibrated in his hand. He didn’t know why but he hoped it was another email from Ariel. Instead, it was an email notification that Grimsby gave him a D on his first essay.

'But a mermaid has no tears, and therefore she suffers so much more.' 

With these somewhat somber words begins the live-action film The Little Mermaid. A much more tragic tone set for a film that originally swam colorfully and vibrantly into our hearts 34 years ago.  Within the first few minutes of the film opening -- it was clear this new take on the forbidden love story between man and mermaid would not disappoint.

I was born the year the original Disney animated film came out and I suppose that’s why so many grown women my age are convinced we are mermaids ourselves. The film is a part of the fabric of my life and as my partner says, it’s basically my religion. For that reason, I went into the theatre cautiously optimistic and I believe that’s why I left absolutely elated. 

I’ve always loved that the film begins above the water, before diving deep down to the ocean floor. While some criticize the film for it’s lack of lighting under the sea, I found it simply to be true of real life. A big reason humans like myself are called to the sea is the desire to be a part of what lurks beneath the surface; where fish have supernatural neon lights to navigate the darkness. Like Prince Eric, I am curious to discover the unknown, just as Ariel desires to go where she is forbidden. 

Ever since the first trailer came out, most of us knew Halle Bailey’s performance would move us. But her angelic voice and wide eyes filled with longing from scene to scene captured me in a way I didn’t expect. As she finished Part of Your World, I found tears streaming down my cheeks. I turned to my cousin (a fellow ‘89 baby) to find that she too was crying. We then immediately started laughing at ourselves. How could we be so emotional at a song we’ve heard thousands of times? Was it overwhelming nostalgia? The realization we could see ourselves in this character? The magic of Disney?? Call it what you want -- the fact remains we were overwhelmed with emotion. And I fully agreed with my cousin when she declared, “the rest of the movie could be crap and I wouldn’t care.  Because that was beautiful”. 

I’m pleased to say the rest of the film was NOT crap. Far from it. Though it’s about an hour longer than the original, nearly every new scene and piece of dialogue seemed to move the story forward and deepen the connection between our two main characters. 

While I could have done without Prince Eric’s solo ballad, to me, Jonah Hauer-King embodied the role perfectly. It’s as if Disney knew they were making this film as much for the adult women as they were for the young kids. The handsome, strong sailor who wants to do away with the boundaries between royalty and deck hands instantly had me hooked.  Through added dialogue between Eric and Grimsby, I could easily see what Ariel saw in him. 

The new song Ariel sings in her head as she’s suddenly among humans was a perfect addition to the story. It describes all the emotions running through her body; all the anxious excitement someone would feel when they finally make it where they longed to be. 

By far though, the best addition to the film is the discovery of Prince Eric’s whoseits and whatsits galore. The parallel between Ariel’s cave of collections from humans and Eric’s trove of treasures from under the sea was exactly what the animated version lacks: a deep soul connection between the two lovers. Ursula never stood a chance ;) 

Speaking of -- Melissa McCarthy does a fantastic job as our villain... but the actress playing human Ursula aka Vanessa -- Jessica Alexander knocks it OUT OF THE PARK! She’s only in the film for such a short time but she makes quite the splash. As the spell begins to unravel, her desperation and anger fully takes hold and I was actually a little scared!!

Though we don’t get the big wedding boat rainbow and sendoff in this version, we do get a much more independent Ariel. She’s the one who figures out how to teach the prince her name. She’s the one who ultimately takes down the villain and just like in the original, she’s the one who convinces her father that not all humans are bad. Breaking barriers for sea creatures and humans just as Halle has broken a barrier by being our first Ariel of color. 

I thought I would be much more upset by changes and the omission of lyrics in the classic songs like Kiss the Girl and Poor Unfortunate Souls; but to be honest, I barely even noticed them. I’m almost embarrassed to have questioned decisions made by the one and only Alan Menken. I can honestly say In Alan, I trust! 

And also -- in Grimsby I trust!! I’ll leave you with this new quote from Eric’s confidant that truly struck a chord in me. A motto I will likely continue to recall when I find myself struggling with a decision in matters of the heart: