#AR AR AR AR SPONGE BOY ME BOB ME BOY

[thingspeoplesayintoontown]

Had an interesting Duck Shuffler

[nightcourtstarlight]

SeaStars pt. 2

*Sponge Bob Narrator voice* “20 years later”

Hey yes, I’m alive and here to deliver a new part of Seastars. I know Cass seems a little whinny in this part, but that will (hopefully) be fixed in the future with some character development. As always, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy!

Cassiopeia has always been in love with her best friend, the Lordling of the Summer Court, Arroyo. Time is running out for Cass to express her feelings! The Bay Festival is coming, and Arroyo will soon be engaged to someone else. Will Cass be able to tell him how she really feels? Or will he have to find out for himself?

*Most Characters and Settings belong to Sarah J. Maas*

Read it here on Ao3

Previous chapter

The stars were swirling around me as I lay on the beach. The smell of lemon and sea hung heavily in the air, briefly reminding me of home; if it weren’t for the sound of the waves crashing nearby. Summer and Night combined; it was my favorite thing.

And next to me, lay Arroyo. His hand was tucked behind his soft, curly, white hair as he lazily stretched out on the sand. His eyes were turned to the heavens, flickering from constellation to constellation as I pointed them out. The queen, hydra, Libra, cancer. The moonlight lit his eyes, almost from within. A pale blue glow, like a pearl. His mouth was set in relaxed contemplation as I explained the stories of the stars. Their light revealed his warm chocolate colored skin as we both gazed up at the stars.

It’s in moments like these that I love him most. When we aren't Lordlings. When there's no one forcing us to be or do something we don't want to. It's just Cass and Ar. A dancer and a sailor.

In another universe at least.

The thought hits me as suddenly as a storm at sea.

I need to tell him.

I need to tell him while we are still Cass and Ar. I need to tell him before they place crowns on our heads; before the world shatters and comes back together in a new, skewed image.

I need to tell him now.

"Ar," I start. My voice quakes more than I hoped it would, but at least I managed to say his name.

"Yea," he mumbles, not taking his eyes off of the sky.

"I need to tell you something," My voice wavered like a bridge made of rope.

"What is it?" He shifts on his side so he can face me. His eyes hold the blue moon as they meet mine. A finger slowly comes up and brushes my cheek.

It’s sad, he doesn't know how such a simple touch makes my heart swell and shatter all in one.

"You had sand on your face," his hand settles back on the ocean of sand between us.

"I love you," I say in a whoosh of air. It feels like I've been holding my breath all my life and only just now decided to breathe.

"I know," he laughed with his thick summer court accent. "I love you too, that's why we are friends, "

"No -no I mean I... L-"

"Arroyo! I've been looking all over for you. Your father wants to see you," a maid trumped down the sand covered pathway and called. Arroyo started to rise and pulled me and my shattered heart up with him.

“I'm sorry we didn't have more time today,” he said while pulling me into a bone-crushing hug "We’ll have more time next time I see you,"

"But Ar who knows when that will be!” The panic was evident in my voice as I grab his wrist.“Tomorrow is the Bay Festival. And after that, you'll be engaged! Which is why I have to tell you-" my heart was stumbling around in my chest as I thought of how I wouldn’t ever be able to see him like this, as my best friend, again after tonight. Everything will change so quickly from here.

"Now look who's getting freaked out. Just last week you were telling me I was worrying over nothing. What are you worrying about?” An amused smile broke over his face as he raised an eyebrow at me.

“I- I don’t want to lose you Ar,” the truth of that sentence was painful enough hurt. My chest ached with all the emotion I tried to put into that single sentence.

“Don’t worry Cass, I’m trusting what you said. Everything will be fine. You should follow your own advice,” he laughs and clasps my hands in his. “Plus, I’m not going anywhere and neither are you.I’m not losing you and you're not losing me Queen” You can’t get rid of me that easily,” That nickname he’s called me for years...will he continue to after tomorrow? His gaze was full of mischief, filled with the memory of the first time I said that to him. When I was drowning.

The sun had been blazing they day. Ar and Orion had run off to play Mackerel in the ocean. I had stayed firmly on land where it was safe. Where I was, I was not at risk of being swallowed up whole by the earth. I couldn't swim, but my brother, on the other hand, was an excellent swimmer. He took to water like a fish. A gene he got from mom. But I didn't get that gene. Water frightened me quite a bit, which made our trips to The Summer Court quite unnerving back then. Now that I think about it, I couldn’t have been any older than 10 at the time. It was one of our first times coming to this new, strange, water covered court.

I guess I shouldn't complain though. Orion is terrified, and I mean terrified, of heights. The irony is horrid since he has wings. So going to the dawn court was ( is ) no picnic for him. I think it all stemmed from the night Uncle Cassian had dropped us from thousands of feet in the air. He had caught us mere feet from smashing into the ground. Needless to say, mother didn't want us flying with him anymore. He claimed a bug got in his eye, but I think he was trying to make it a practical joke. I think that had been when I was 4 and he was 6.

But that day I was sitting on the beach, watching how Arroyo glided through the water like a shark as he tipped the opposing teams boat over like a pro. That's when a set of arms had snatched my waist and hauled me into the air.

I remember screaming and laughing for Arroyo's friends to put me down, thinking it was just a game and they would. But as they carried me closer to the water my laughter turned to cries. They carried on with what they thought would be a funny prank.

They neared the rocky edge that dipped into a deep pit of coastal water. The drop was slight. Maybe 10 feet at the most.

But I didn't know how to swim.

Before I could beg them one more time to stop, I was lifted off the shoulder of the brute carrying me and swung into the endless sea.

I remember thinking the water felt too cold to be that of the summer court. Like a thousand knives piercing every inch of my skin at once. The thought was fleeting though. While the water forced itself down my throat and into my lungs, my brain filled with smoke and ash and soon, everything faded to black.

I awoke to a pounding headache and hands clasped over my chest, pumping hard. Water surged up my throat, making me cough and spit until my chest ached and my throat was raw. A cool hand cupped my cheek and turned my head so I wouldn't drown all over again in my own fluids. Another hard pump had more water rushing out of my lungs and seeping into the sand. The sounds around me were muffled, it took a moment to realize it was someone yelling.

It took even longer to realize it was Arroyo.

I slowly blinked my eyes open and beheld the hazy sight of Arroyo kneeling on the ground in front of me, but his back was to me. He faced a group of his friends. A tremble shook his leath body. After another hazy moment, I realized it was fury that radiated off of the usually calm lordling.

To this day I cannot recall ever seeing Arroyo so furious. He's always done well to keep his temper in check. Being cool, calm, and collected has always been his approach to most situations. So seeing him lash out like that was a surprise.

I watched as his fist clenched and unclenched in fury as he yelled “Who did this? Who?”

One of the tanned skinned boys stepped forward, looking uneasy. “Ar it was just a joke man. We didn't know she couldn't swim,” the male said while rubbing the back of his neck with his hand.

“I don’t care!” Arroyo yelled “Don't ever do something like that to Cass again!” an angry red flush bloomed over Arroyo's warm brown skin.

“That’s enough Arroyo,” I rasped, slowly circling my fingers around his wrist. This made him pause and turn back to me. The fury boiling in his eyes slowly drained away leaving only concern and malice towards the males. I watched his expression soften completely as he leaned over me and brushed a stray hair out of my face.

“Cass,” He whispered, “I thought I’d never see you again,”

“Can't get rid of me that easily,” I rasp. It appears his friends are completely forgotten as he gently helps me up and slings my arm over his shoulder for support.

I watch his retreating form as he makes his way back to the sandstone castle. I was too late. Anger flared inside of me for an instant before being extinguished. Anger at myself, for doing this to myself. If I just stopped being scared sooner. If I had been brave.

But I can't dwell on what ifs. If I do I’ll go insane.

Suddenly an arm was wrapping around my shoulder and pulling me into a familiar warm side. My brothers soothing smoke scent fills me as the first tear fell.

“You told him?” his voice is barely above a whisper.

“I tried. He wouldn't listen,” I grimace at how dead my voice sounds.

“I’m sorry Cass,”

“Me too. It’s all my fault,”

“Don’t say that Cass,” Orion sighs and turns to look at me.

“I only say what’s true-”

“You’ve known Arroyo as long as I have and if he still hasn’t seen how spectacular you are then he’s blind. I’d rather you be happy all the time Cass. Not just when he smiles at you a certain way. There are plenty of males with pretty eyes back home in the Night Court” His tone was gentle, but firm. I can’t blame him for saying this. Orion has been my biggest support system throughout my whole life. He’s always kept me on the right path and told me what i need to hear, not what I want to hear. And I love him for that.

“Let's get you back to the palace.” he started again after a moment of silence “We can leave before the festival tomorrow if you-”

“No, let's stay for the festival. We should still support Ar. It’s the day he comes one step closer to being the High Lord. He will want us there,” Though I was hurt by all that had happened, I knew I couldn't abandon my friend like that.

“As you wish,” Ori murmured with a sigh and winnowed us back to the palace. Ori gave my shoulder a final squeeze before turning down the hall to go back to his room.

I scrub my hands over my face as I push open my own door and shuffle inside. My maid Tumina sits in a chair by the window, working on her needlepoint.

“Hey T,” I mumble as I kick off my sandals.

“Hello dear,” she says without looking up. When she finally does tear her focused gaze away from her work she turned her assessing gaze onto me. “Oh dear, what's wrong?”

“Nothing-” I stop myself short there. It took too much effort to conceal the truth from Tumina at this point. She already knew my feelings for Ar anyway. “I tried to tell Ar that I’m in love with him,”

Instantly, Tumina perked up. She stood up from her chair and came over to brush her weathered hands over my arms. Sand fell away at the contact. “And?” she exclaimed.

“He didn't understand what I was saying. He thought I just meant as a friend, and then he was called away by a maid because his father wanted to see him.”

“Oh Cass, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. I'm just ready for this festival to be over so I can go home,” And with that pathetic thought, flopped onto my bed like a damsel in a fairy tale. Tumina huffed and pulled me back up to my feet.

“Since when do you give up so easily. What happened to the Cassiopeia that went after what she wanted and would let no one tell her otherwise?” Tumina folded her dark arms and leveled a disapproving look at me. I frowned and sat on the edge of the bed.

I knew she was right. With anything else, I’d keep going. But… I am so tired. I’ve played this game for too long. Perhaps it was finally time to rest. Finally, time to just let something not go exactly my way.

“You can participate in the festival tomorrow,” Her sudden statement made me pause.

“What are you talking about. I can’t-”

“All I’m saying is you’ve gone to all the required meetings and balls to be eligible. Maybe not then as a contestant, but you're still eligible,”

The way the Bay Festival works is there are 15 contestants that participate in the rite. The Bay Festival actually happens yearly, but it is only when the Lordling of the court turns 20 that the Rite is held. While the festival is usually a celebration of food, dance, and music, this year it will be different. The Lordling is to not only take up a lot of the more challenging High Lord duties, but to choose a partner to rule beside him. It’s a beautiful ceremony and an honor to participate in. Every girl in the summer court, and even quite a few from other courts enter their names into the drawing to be picked. There was an especially large turn out this year since much of Pyrithian believes Arroyo to be the most handsome Lordling on the continent. Much to Orion’s dismay. His poor ego can't handle being only second best. 15 females of every background from 18-25 years old are chosen at random. It used to be only soon to be noble ladies like Lori, but High Lord Tarquin opened it up to the public.

“There are no open spots-”

“I’m sure Tarquin wouldn't mind one more. He loves you,” Tumina interrupted. “Cass, I know you've felt this way for the Lordling for a long time, but why not go down in a way of glory and fun. You have nothing to lose, and look, I’ll even help.”

“T I don’t think,” weariness pooled in my stomach at the thought. One does not simply participate in the Rite because they can. But another feeling lied there too, curious hope. A dangerous feeling indeed.

“Or you can make it easy for Lori, and just let her have him.” My lips pinched at that “She fears you Cass and you know it. She knows you hold more weight in his heart that she does” I was silent, letting her words sink in and stew. “I just want you to be happy Cass,” she says as she comes to sit beside me on the bed.

I sigh and lean into her. She may have a point. If mama was going down, she’d go down in a fit of glory. Plus, what’s the harm in causing some trouble for Lori. “Thanks T,” I mumble as I lay back down, feeling a small smile tug at my lips. And at least this way involved dancing.

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@lunaxtrash