King of the Seven Seas (EMH) Chapter 34: Separated By Fate

[Third Person Pov]

Arthur and Mera could both feel the subtle but unmistakable shift in the air between them, as though the world itself had gone quiet to watch what would happen next. Arthur’s hand lingered against her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over her skin, while Mera leaned into the warmth of his palm and let out a slow, unsteady breath, savoring the closeness she knew they shouldn’t be indulging in.

When Mera finally opened her eyes and looked up at him, she found Arthur already staring down at her. There was an intensity in his gaze that stole the breath straight from her lungs, leaving her chest tight and her pulse racing. Her heart thudded so loudly in her ears that she worried—irrationally—that Arthur might be able to hear it too. The thought only made it beat faster.

Arthur’s hand slipped from her cheek as he stepped imperceptibly closer, closing the small distance she hadn’t even realized remained between them. Mera’s own hand rose almost of its own accord and pressed flat against his chest. Beneath her palm, she felt the powerful, steady rhythm of his heart, strong and alive. Her breath caught as she noticed Arthur’s gaze drift from her eyes to her lips. Instinctively, she wet them, her eyes growing heavy as emotion and desire warred inside her.

“Arthur… we can’t…” she whispered, her voice strained and aching, even as her gaze betrayed her and fell to his mouth.

“I know,” Arthur murmured softly as he rested his forehead against hers. His voice was low, rough with restraint. “And the fact that I can’t have you is killing me inside.”

Her hands clenched into fists against his damp clothes, fingers curling into the fabric as if anchoring herself. She bit down on her trembling lower lip, her breathing growing quicker and more uneven. “Trust me,” she whispered, almost desperately, “it’s torture for me too. There are moments where I just want to throw away everything that’s holding me back… and give in. Just indulge in you. In us.”

“Don’t,” Arthur said quietly, though every word seemed to cost him. “Despite how much I want you to, don’t.” Their faces drew closer, breaths mingling, neither quite willing to pull away. His arm slid around her waist, firm and protective, as Mera slowly lifted herself onto her toes. “I know what this means for you. You’re not stopping because you don’t want to—you’re stopping out of self-respect.” His voice softened, filled with something dangerously close to reverence. “And I love that about you. I love how high a standard you set for yourself, and how fiercely you hold to it. It’s admirable. You’re one of a kind, Mera of Xebel.”

“That’s not fair,” Mera whispered, closing her eyes as the words sank in. “If you say things like that, how am I supposed to stop myself?” Her voice dropped to little more than a breath. “Arthur…”

“Mera…” Arthur replied with equal intensity, closing his own eyes as he leaned in—

“FREEZE! PUT YOUR HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!”

The shout shattered the moment like glass. Arthur and Mera jerked apart just before their lips could meet, turning in opposite directions as reality crashed back in. Both of them were breathing hard, hearts still pounding as they struggled to regain control. Mera was almost certain she heard Arthur mutter a distinctly irritated, “Motherfuckers…” under his breath.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw several police officers standing amid the wreckage of the ruined exhibit, weapons raised and trained directly on them. The officers’ hands trembled visibly, fear etched across their faces as they took in the scene—and then locked eyes with Arthur and Mera.

A cold, dangerous calm settled over both Atlanteans as they turned fully to face them, still holding onto each other. The officers’ fear deepened when they noticed Arthur’s grip tightening around his trident.

“Drop your weapon!” one of them shouted. “Or we will fire!”

Mera’s eyes flashed with a brilliant blue glow. In the same instant, sparks burst from the officers’ guns as they opened fire. Gunshots echoed through the exhibit, deafening in the enclosed space. A barrier of water manifested around Arthur and Mera, swirling and alive. The bullets struck it and slowed instantly, losing all momentum before clattering harmlessly to the ground at their feet.

The officers continued firing, their expressions shifting from disbelief to outright horror as they watched the bullets drag sluggishly through the water wall, leaving thin, rippling trails before falling uselessly away.

Arthur raised his trident and swept it forward in a decisive arc. A powerful surge of water slammed into the officers, knocking them off their feet and freezing them in place mid-motion, encased and immobilized in a single, overwhelming attack.

Arthur let out a dignified huff, the tension finally easing from his shoulders as he looked down at Mera. She met his gaze with a wary, almost bashful smile—one that spoke of relief, longing, and an unspoken understanding between them. Arthur couldn’t help but chuckle softly, shaking his head as if surrendering to the whims of fate itself.

“If it’s not meant to be,” he said quietly, warmth coloring his voice, “then I suppose it’s not meant to be… at least not yet.”

Mera felt a faint swell of relief at having been stopped before things went too far, before lines were crossed that could never be uncrossed. Still, regret lingered in her chest, bittersweet and stubborn, refusing to be ignored. It mingled with everything she felt for him, making her heart ache in ways she didn’t quite have words for.

Arthur reached up and gently cupped her face in his hands, his touch reverent. Before she could speak, he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. Mera’s eyes fluttered shut, her lips curving into a radiant, delighted smile—one that seemed to make her entire face glow, as though the world itself had softened around her.

“Let this suffice for the time being,” Arthur said, his tone sincere and full of quiet devotion. “Until the day comes when fate finally permits us to truly unite as one.”

Mera chuckled softly, one hand rising to rest over her chest, where the shell necklace they had fought so hard to obtain lay hidden beneath her palm. “That will be plenty for now,” she replied gently, leaning forward until her forehead brushed against his chest. “Until the fates permit us.”

Arthur’s arms slid naturally around her waist, holding her close. “Shall we get going?” he asked, a hint of humor returning to his voice.

“Yes,” Mera agreed, looking up at him with a bright, beaming smile. “Let’s shall.”

Arthur raised his trident high and brought it down with a thunderous strike against the ground. At once, water surged toward them from every direction, swirling and gathering in a roaring vortex. It wrapped around their bodies before erupting upward like a geyser, blasting through the ceiling. Stone, glass, and debris shattered and rained down onto the museum floor below in a cacophony of destruction.

Behind the front desk, the receptionist crouched low, hands clamped over his head as he trembled and quietly sobbed. The sounds of alarms, shouting officers, and collapsing architecture echoed around him. “I’m so getting fired…” he whimpered through his tears.

Arthur and Mera shot skyward in a powerful jet of water, piercing through the open air as Arthur guided their escape. They streaked across the city skyline, leaving the ruined museum behind as police cruisers converged below, their sirens wailing uselessly after them.

They landed moments later atop a nearby rooftop, the water dispersing and flowing away as gently as it had come. Mera turned toward Arthur, holding up the shell necklace so it caught the light. “Looks like that was a mission successful,” she said brightly. “Shall we see what the next clue has in store for us?”

Arthur shook his head, his expression growing serious once more. “No. That can wait,” he replied firmly. “Right now, what matters is Garth. We need to make sure he’s rescued from wherever he’s being held captive.”

Mera smiled in understanding and nodded. “As you wish,” she said, slipping the necklace over her shoulders so it rested against her collarbone. “We’ll rescue Garth first. Once he’s safe and in our custody, then we’ll see what our quest has in store for us.”

Arthur closed his eyes and drew in a steady breath, slipping into the calm, focused state he had come to think of as his zen. He shut out the noise of the world around him and sent his telepathic call outward, his thoughts rippling like sonar through the depths.

“Garth,” Arthur called gently, “can you hear me? Are you well?”

“Arthur!” Garth’s voice answered not long after, hoarse but unmistakably filled with relief and joy. “Are you done with your matter?”

“I am,” Arthur replied, opening his eyes. “Keep talking. I’m tracing your location through our telepathic link. My companion and I are on our way to you.”

As Arthur focused, Mera summoned a churning stream of water beneath their feet. It lifted them effortlessly into the air and carried them forward, following the path Arthur guided with his mind.

Neither of them noticed what followed in the distance.

Far behind them, cutting through the clouds with an ominous presence, a massive Helicarrier loomed silently—its shadow stretching long as it trailed after them, unseen and waiting.