#Orm: I’d rather just go home

[scoffingatgravity]

This image in particular really sells me on Orm’s little brother energy. Why does this look like their mom had Arthur pick Orm up from school, so they could bond?

[lovinlikeloki]

The Lone Wolf

Masterlist // 12

Warnings: Swearing,  accidental innuendo

Word Count: 7.7k

It’s been two days since Peter and I went out to the party. We’re definitely a lot closer since that night, we haven’t talked about the... incident of me falling, but that doesn’t matter. Point is we’re closer and I’m glad.

I check my voicemail because it’s been a hot second and I need to make sure none of Team Cap have me trying to contact me. Then I see a message from the golden boy himself, I press play and listen.

“Hey kid, cad é mar atá? I’m switching to a new burner in a couple of days so call me, please. I haven’t heard from you in a bit, but Nat tells me you’re doing okay. So le do thoil a chara, chuir scairt orm. I love ya kid, talk soon.”

(how are you?)(So please my friend, call me.)

I smile, it’s refreshing to hear Irish again, it’s been a while since I called Tommy or Orlaith, I need to do that. But I need to call the old man back first, don’t want to miss the new burner number. I scroll through my contacts until I hit his name.

It almost rings out when he eventually picks up.

“What’s wrong aul’ man? Did ye take the hearin’ aids out? Couldn’t hear the phone ringing?” I tease and I hear his laughs ring down the line.

“I was sleeping, kid,” he says and I grin.

“Hey Stiofán.”

“Hey deer, what’s the craic?” he asks.

“It’s a’right, been staying with your ex-husband for a little bit now and I’ve met the Spiderling more formally. Other than that not much has happened. What about you, what’s going on wherever you are in the world?” I ask after giving him a short rundown, of course slipping in a divorce joke while I’m at it.

“I’m sticking a little close to home right now. Paraguay’s been fun but I think I’m going to have to go somewhere a little further soon. Sam’s not too far away either, I think he’s in Chile at the minute.”

“So you’ve split up?” I ask, “I thought you’d be sticking together like Nat and Wanda.”

“We did but then we almost got clocked, so we decided to split for a while. We’re changing countries every week or so and I definitely think it’ll be easier when we get to Europe, you can change countries in two hours. But I think we’ll meet up again in about a month.”

“I see. ...I wish I could be with you guys, as fun as a normal life might seem I’d much rather be on the run with yous.”

“No you don’t, kid, trust me given the chance I would jump at the opportunity to stay. This is as much for your protection as everyone else’s. I know you’re bored, and I know you hate Tony, but he’s trying to help, let him, don’t throw it away.”

I look at the ground, “Yeah, yeah no you’re right. I’m sorry, I’m taking this for granted and I shouldn’t. I just miss... everything. I miss home, I miss my da, I miss my brother, my best friend. I miss Wanda and all of you. I’m stuck in home that isn’t quite mine.”

“You are. And that sucks, but you’ll get through it. You said you met Queens, he seems about your age. How is he? You friends?”

I think back on that night, the way he saved me, “Yeah, we are friends. He’s... he- I got myself in a stupid situation and he saved me. I owe him. But beyond that he’s a good kid, I like him.”

“Good, you’re gonna need friends if you’re gonna start school again there.”

“Wait what? Oh a Dhia, I didn’t even think about starting school. Ugh, thanks for that Rogers.”

(Oh my God)

He laughs and I can practically hear the smile when he says, “Any time. Now, I gotta go soon so here’s the new burner’s number...”

He tells me the number and we talk a little more. After a few more minutes he decides that it’d be best if he hung up.

“Talk soon kid,” he says.

“Talk soon old man,” I reply and we hang up.

I sigh as I drop the phone. What kind of a selfish prick am I? He calls and all I do is complain about how I have a nice warm bed to come back to, while he’s literally on the run and can’t come back here. Gah, I hate myself.

° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ ° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ °

Tony stands nervously in the meeting room, wating for the woman to arrive, he hopes that he doesn’t mess this up. When she walks through the door his heart stops, he’s gonna have to do this and do it right. Damn Fianna for inspiring him to reach out.

“Hi,” he breathes out with a small smile on his face.

“Hi,” Pepper replies in an equally breathy voice.

“Please, sit,” Tony stammers, gesturing to the seat already pulled out.

And so she did, and he sat too. They talked, for a long time they talked, their conversation lasted hours. They discussed what went wrong in their relationship and how they were trying to fix it in all the wrong ways. They thought up compromises on how to deal with those problems in the future. Eventually, after many hours, they agree to try again.

“I have to ask,” Pepper says, “What brought this on?”

“I was never happy that we began taking a break Pep, you know that,” Tony deflects but she knows him too well.

“Tony, I’m serious. Something pushed you to reach out, what was it?”

Tony avoids her gaze for a few seconds, suddenly finding the ground very interesting before sighing and meeting her eyes.

“A kid,” he admits and Pepper’s eyes widen.

“You have a kid? And you didn’t think to bring that up?” Pepper exclaims and Tony’s face drops, realising his mistake.

“What? No- no, no. I don’t, she’s not my kid,” Tony tries before calming himself. “Her name is Fianna, she’s Wanda’s sister... kinda— it’s complicated. She got involved in the throwdown in Leipzig and after Steve broke everyone out Wanda wanted her to go somewhere safe. Wanted her to have a normal life, so she came here.”

“Oh,” Pepper is much calmer now, “I see.”

“She blames me for Pietro dying and I’m working on gaining her trust back, not that she ever had much for me to begin with. But she made me realise how massive my impact is on people and I want to make things right. Right with you, right with her, right with everyone I’ve hurt which I know isn’t a short list but I’m willing to try.”

Pepper look at the tears in Tony’s eyes in surprise. This young girl, this Fianna, she has an effect on Tony, she isn’t sure why, but it’s clear. She decides that she’s going to have to meet this girl and find the reason for her influence on Tony.

° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ ° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ °

I’m at Peter’s place and we’re watching movies and talking. Somewhere along the way we got to talking about our powers and how we use them, why we use them.

“You know I was bit by a spider,” Peter tells me and look at him weirdly.

“Wait, so a spider chomped on you and that’s it? You get powers? No experimentation? Child soldier bullshit?” I say confused. “Well that hardly seems fair.”

“Yeah, I just got bit by a spider and got the sticky powers. Then after a bit of experimenting I figured out the formula for the web fluid,” he says and I’m really confused.

“Wait, wait- the webs are man-made? They aren’t organic?” I ask in shock.

“No,” Peter laughs, “I made them myself.”

“So what, lad gets bit by spider and decides this one, this is the hill I’m dying on,” I question, almost seriously.

“I- I guess, what else was I supposed to do?”

“You could have chosen another sticky animal,” I say before realising what I said, “That came out wrong! You know what I meant.”

He just laughs and nods, “Yeah, I know, I get what you meant. But I dunno, I guess I did just choose the spider hill to die on. I didn’t really think there was a choice, I get spider-like powers from a spider it feels a little like a sign.”

“I guess that makes sense, still, you got it a lot easier than I did,” I sigh.

“Yeah, you don’t go too far into specifics but I can tell you had I rough. I mean the little you have told me? It sounds terrible. Did you say that they actually left you stranded in the woods?”

“I thought it was a forest. What’s the difference between woods and a forest? Anyways yeah, they left me out there just after I learned how to control my shifting better, though it was still a little off. There were wolves there, a pack. I had to get taken in by them, try and climb up in the ranks and hopefully lead them.”

“Wow, that sounds awful. Are you- how did it go?” Peter stammers, clearly trying to be sensitive.

“I was isolated, starved, hurt. The pack took my in after only a few days of me trying to follow them around. They took me into the cave they lived in, they treated me really well for an outsider, a subordinate. As fucked up as it is, the two months I spent with them were probably the best I was treated during my time with HYDRA.”

I was treated so well with the wolves. As someone who was malnourished and barely a teenager they took me in pretty quickly, that’s what wolves do, they take in cubs with no parents. Wolves are so protective over those they are caring for.

I remember one day when they were travelling I was in the front with four others, another sick and two elderly, they do that to set the pace of the pack’s journey. Behind us were five of the strongest wolves they had, then the male and female leaders, then the others and finally the other five strongest were at the back. All of this protection for everyone, and they included me in that method.

The pack are also the ones that names Lu, they gave me the name while I was with them and it really stuck. I began calling the instincts and voice in my head the name and they really liked it, so it stuck.

The worst part about joining the pack was having to leave. I cried when those HYDRA guards showed up to take me back, they shot one of the other subordinates to make sure I’d come with them. It was terrifying. The others felt betrayed by me and I had to leave but all I wanted to do was stay with them.

My face is blank, straight. I dig my nails into my palms making crescent moon indents to try and make me feel something more than numb. My fist clenches and I can barely feel the single tear falling from my left eye.

Then I feel my hand being unclenched. I look down and see a hand unfurling my fist and trying to smoothly slip into it. I look over to see Peter looking at me with concern, he lifts his other hand to brush away the tear. The hand then slips behind my neck and pulls it onto his shoulder and puts his chin on the back of my head.

“Aw fuck, I need to stop this. Why do cry like any time we talk feelings? Even when we aren’t meant to be talking feelings,” I sob into his shoulder.

“You have a lot of emotions, and from what I can tell you don’t express them often. You’re finally releasing everything you’ve been keeping in,” Peter says and I knock my head against his shoulder softly.

“Damn you for being so smart,” I whisper.

“It’s a curse sometimes,” he agrees, laughing a little.

“Do you think we could move onto a lighter topic?” I ask, pulling my head away from his shoulder slowly. “Maybe one that won’t send me crying?”

“Of course,” he replies, “Wanna tell me more about your friends, Orlaith and Mack?”

An almost immediate smile appears on my face, “Definitely. These two are not wise, and when you put them together? Chaos isn’t the word for it. I mean when you put a frenzied Derry lesbian and an anarchic mercenary pansexual in a room together you can only expect the worst when it comes to mischief.”

“Really? What kinda things do they get up to?” Peter asks, a curious grin on his face. He’s looking forward to hearing what the pair have done and honestly, I can’t blame him

“Where to start...where to start... Well there’s the time they messed with Jess’s server. That was not a fun aftermath for them to deal with, never fuck with Jess’s tech, that’s like rule one in St. Marie’s. And then there was the Paddy’s Day Prank, God, that was an experience.”

I go on to explain what the pair did. Everything was green. Everything. I mean they painted the entire bar, including bottle with crudely drawn on labels with black sharpie, not that half of them were right. If it wasn’t painted then it had shamrocks growing, and I’m talking sinks, toilets, baths. These two are menaces when together and it gets scary.

It’s even funnier when you find out the kind of rapport they have. Mackenzie being such a flirt that he won’t pass up an opportunity to flirt with Orlaith any chance he gets and her, throwing anything she can at him while shouting ‘I’m a lesbian you twat-head’ at him. I made a grave mistake introducing my two best friends, if it weren’t for me then the two never would’ve met. As the gods originally intended and preferred.

° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ ° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ °

I’m walking around Manhattan to clear my head before going back to the tower. Yeah Peter changed the subject and I got distracted but it still hurts a little. I get a call from Tommy, to say my heart jumps is an understatement. I’m not sure if this is a check-in or an SOS. I’m completely on alert when I pick up within the second ring.

“Tommy, an bhfuil rud ar bith cearr leat? An ndéarna duine ar bith rud éigean duit?” I begin asking as quickly as possible. I know it’s stupid but I always get paranoid when it comes to Tommy, I just want him safe.

(Tommy, is there anything wrong? Did someone do something to you?)

“Woah, woah, socraigh síos, a mhac tíre. Táim cead faoin gcead I gceart. An bhfuil túsa?” Tommy fires back.

(Woah, woah, calm down wolf. I’m a hundred percent. Are you?)

“Tá, tá. Níl mé ach giota buartha fút, d’fhág mé thú leat fhéin sure, nár fhág?” I assure him.

(I am, I am. I’m just a bit worried about you, I left you by yourself sure, didn’t I?”

“Níor fhág,” he says fiercely. “Chuaigh tú le cuidiú le Wanda, agus d’fhág tú mé le Orlaith agus Eoghan agus fiú Mackenzie nuair a raibh sé anseo. Ná bíodh buartha faoi ag fhágáil.”

(You didn’t. You went to help Wanda, and you left me with Orlaith and Eoghan and even Mackenzie when he was here. Don’t be sorry about leaving.)

“Aye, d’fhág mé daoine leat, ach ní mise atá ann. Anois ‘s atá an freak-out sin amach as an bhealach, cad é mar atá a stór?”

(Aye, I left people with you, but they aren’t me. Now that that freak-out is out of the way, how are you sweetheart?)

I get a few strange stares while walking down the street babbling on in a foreign language. But what else should I expect from Americans? You know for a country full of people who love to claim that they’re Irish, not many are, and even fewer recognize the language.

“Táim i gceart. Rud ceannan cearna le hOrlaith and achan duine i Naomh Máire. Níl a fhois againn cá bhfuil Mack go fóill ach tá gach duine ag amharc do. Abair liom, cad fút?”

(I’m okay. Same with Orlaith and everyone in Saint Marie’s. We still don’t know where Mack is, but everyone is looking for him. Tell me, how about you?)

“Táim ag dhéanamh níos fearr, tá cúpla cairde agam anseo anois, gasúr darb ainm Peadar- buartha, Peter. Agus fear darb ainm Matt. Níl sé comh olc anseo níos mó,” I say, trying to ease into the fact that I’m staying. I have to tell him, there’s no two ways about it, he needs to know.

(I’m doing better, I have a couple of friends here now, a boy called Peadar- sorry, Peter. And a man called Matt. It isn’t that bad here anymore.)

“Sin maith, ar a leithid beith daoine agat seach as an pian sa tón sin Stark. Sin ar dóigh agus tú ag fanacht ansin.”

(That’s good, at least you’ll have someone other than that pain in the ass Stark. That’s great now that you’re staying there.)

“Agus mé ag what? Cad chuige a shíleann tú sin Tomás?”

(Now that I’m what? Why do you think that Tomás?)

As I pass a group of people a man shouts ‘Speak English’ at me and my blood boils. I pull the mouthpiece of the phone away from my mouth as I turn to face the group, still walking along shouting ‘Freedom of speech you ignorant fuck’ while giving him the finger. I turn around and keep walking, listening to Tommy the entire time.

“Tá a fhois agam seo,” he corrects, “mar nach amadán atá ionam! Ma raibh tú ag teacht ar ais bheas tú ag labhairt faoi dátaí agus eitleáin. Níl mé ach ag bheith réadúil. Is grá liom thú agus ba mhaith liom thú ar ais ach ní Dia mé, nó tú, nó fiú an bhastard sin Stark. -Agus fíor brón as ag rá an focal bastard comh cóngarach leis ainm Dé.”

(I know this,)(because I’m not a fool! If you were coming back you would be talking about dates and aeroplanes. I’m only being realistic. I love you and I want you back but I’m not God, nor are you nor is that bastard Stark. -And sorry for saying the word bastard so close to the name of God.)

“Ceart go leor, ceart go leor. Más caithfidh mé a admháil, ta tú ceart, táim ag fanacht anseo gan cinnteachas ar bith cath huair a mbeidh mé ar ais. Gheobhaidh mé ar ais, geallaim duit go mbeidh mé ar ais ag phointe éigean in san bliain seo chugainn.”

(Fine, fine. If I have to admit it, you’re right, I’m staying here without any idea when I’ll be back. I’ll get back, I promise you that I’ll get back at some point in the next year.)

“Ná cruthaigh gealltanas nach dtig leat a choinneal. Le do thoil.”

(Don’t make promises that you can’t keep. Please.)

“Ach is iad na cinn is fearr.”

(But those are the best ones.)

“Fianna, I am serious,” Tommy pleads, “Don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”

The switch in language, he’s not just pleading, he’s begging. My baby brother, he thinks that he has to be the adult and that breaks my heart. Ever since I left the house, he’s been growing up quicker than he should. That’s something I thought he would do if I stayed, this burns me inside.

I just want to reassure him, somehow. It’s just not possible, between Ross and the UN, everything I did in Germany and then breaking out of the ocean jail? Escape isn’t in the cards. It’s not even in the deck. If I have one card guaranteeing my freedom then some higher up is holding it right in my eyeline and just out of reach.

“Okay, okay Tommy. I won’t- I’ll stop saying things I can’t guarantee. I just want to come home so much, I guess I’ve been hoping I can fake it until it happens. Time keeps passing and the best deal that can currently be made is being supervised by Stark,” I say, my voice shaking as I try to stay strong for my Tommy.

“Stark? That is seriously you’re best situation?”

“It’s either Stark or jail in the ocean,” I raise my eyebrow though he can’t see it. “Which would you prefer?”

“...Stark,” he says after a sigh. “Wait have you spoken to Orls lately?”

“No, why?” I ask, confused at the sudden change in subject.

“You do realise the date, right? Or has ‘Merica warped the passage of time in your brain?”

“What are ye dicking on about Tommy?”

“Orlaith has your GCSE results!” he says excitedly and suddenly I get a little slice of domesticity back in my life. I get to be a teenager worrying about exam results and qualifications.

“Oh fuck, sorry. How did I do?” I inquire excitedly.

“No clue, she wouldn’t open it without you. I’m goin’ to hers now, we can open them together!”

I beam at the thought of it. It’s been weeks since I took that last exam and I’ve been worrying about the everything else going on in my life since that. This is one of the few times I haven’t been worrying over exams.

We agree to hang up and then call again when we get to our destinations. I begin back to the tower, practically running down the street, skidding at corners and weaving through crowds of people.

When I reach the tower I burst through the doors and get to the elevator, the front desk tries to yell at me and I simply wave my ID card in the air, the yelling ceases as they catch the golden glint.

When I get to my floor I see Stark sitting in one of the armchairs, I barely spare him a glace as I say, “Leave,” rather rudely.

“But I need to talk-“ he begins.

“I’m about to get my GCSE results and talk to my family, please leave. We can talk later,” I say hurriedly, shooing him away as I begin to prop my phone up against a fruit backet on the kitchen island and frantically fill the kettle with water.

“What results are these? If you need to hear them why are you making coffee?” he asks, confused.

“They’re base level qualifications back home,” I say, pulling out a mug as I click the kettle on. “I finished the exams just before Germany. They should be telling me what I subjects I can continue doing at A-level but I can’t really do those here. And either way I want to find out.”

“And the coffee?” he asks.

“I’m making tea,” I correct, putting in the teabag and two spoonful’s of sugar, “This is both in case it’s bad news and because I’m stressed. Now, please fucking leave.”

“Okay, okay I’m leaving. But we still need to talk later, and also tell me your results, I think I know how we could use them,” he says before leaving.

Then I hear the Facetime ringtone and quickly pick up, seeing the screen light up with the faces of my best friend and my brother. With that sight my own face lights up.

“Hey guys!” I exclaim and we all practically scream.

“Hey,” they shout back.

“Orlaith! How are you?” I ask.

“I’m good, I got me results and I passed most of them, who needs English Lit anyway? I ’m doing good. How’s she cutting?” she replies.

“Good, grand, not too bad. Now as much as I love you, do you have the envelope?” I rush through the pleasantries.

“Right here,” she says, holding it up to the camera.

I beam excited, shaking my hands happily, “Open it, open it, open it!”

Orlaith begins to carefully rip open the envelope, pulling out the piece of paper as my shaking hands go from happiness to anxiety. She unfolds the paper and scans the results.

“Your results are, Religious Studies: A, Health and Social Care: B, History: B, English Language: C, Gaeilge: A*, Added Maths: AB, Double Award Science: AB. Comhgairdeas Fianna! That’s nine GCSE passes along with your pre-existing A* in Irish!”

(Congratulations)

My hands begin to shake wildly in happiness as I smile and laugh breathily. I did it, I passed every exam. I can’t believe it. I even passed English! That’s mad, I was so sure that I’d failed that. The essay was so hard, I was scraping a C in it when it was proofread and everything so to do a Shakespeare exam so not terribly and then do the rest of the exam well enough to pass? Well happy days.

It was probably the candles I lit. It probably seems like a stupid religious thing, but every time a kid has an exam their grandparents and/or parents light them a candles. But I didn’t have anyone, they probably didn’t even know I was doing my GCSEs. So I lit my own candles, I lit loads of them, I lit ones while I was studying, ones for when I was at school (left supervised by Eoghan, of course). Then I lit three every morning in the chapel before an exam, hell I even left at lunch to light more if I had another later in the day. And it worked.

After we all calm down I decide to give serious talk to Orlaith. Tommy knows now so I have to tell her that I’m staying too. It’s only fair, she’s my best friend, my girl in the chair, she’s like a sister.

“Hey, um Orlaith, I need to tell you something,” I begin, nerves beginning to get to me but I stick with it.

“Sure, hit me with your best shot,” she sings and I roll my eyes playfully, smiling, sipping at my tea.

“I, look Tommy already knows, he figured it out, so I have to tell you. I’m...” I hit the heel of my hand against my palm, a nervous tic I picked up from Eoghan. “I’m not coming back... for the foreseeable future. I’m staying in the US.”

“Okay,” she says simply and my mouth drops. She rolls her eyes and raises her eyebrows at me, “What you seriously don’t think I’m dumb, do you? I knew the second you told us you were staying in America that you were staying for the long haul.”

“Does everyone know I’m staying a long time?” I ask incredulously.

“Well did you tell Eoghan?” Tommy asks.

“Yeah?”

“Then yeah, everyone knows.”

“Any ideas at all when you’re back?” Orlaith asks genuinely, “I mean, even just a rough timeframe?”

“How long’s a piece a string, Orls?” I shrug, taking a gulp of tea.

“Right, then what are you doing with these results? You’re not getting back here and I don’t know how it would translate to American schools. I mean all I know comes from Teen Wolf and their school system clear sucks,” Orlaith rambles and I shake my head smiling.

“You and that damn wolf show.”

“Hey! You get to live the show while I’m your Stiles. Besides, Erica is fucken gorgeous, as are Allison and Lydia,” Orlaith defends herself and I just laugh. I laugh even harder when Tommy nods in agreement, giving Orlaith a fist bump.

“And as for the results, Stark said he thinks he knows what we can do with the results, so I’m talking to him later. He wanted to talk to me earlier anyway.”

“I hate that dick, but let’s hope he’s helping you. Maybe he’ll use them along with his influence to get you into a school?” Orlaith suggests.

“But how will she understand half of it? I mean most of what we know is in Irish,” Tommy points out.

“I don’t know, yous. I’ll find out when I talk to him,” I sigh.

I hear some shouting on their side and I’m pretty sure that I can make out the sound of Saoirse Doherty’s voice.

“I’m sorry Fi... Ma’s roarin’ at us. We need to leave,” and just like that, the smiles fade slightly.

“It’s grand, g’on, listen to Ma Saoirse. I’ll talk to you’uns later. I love yous so much,”

“I love you too, deirifiúr mór,” Tommy tilts his head, an adorable puppy look on his face.

(big sister)

“Love you bestie,” Orlaith gives a silly face and I smile.

We all say, “Slán,” out of sync, though I can’t be too sure if that’s just the connection.

(Goodbye [Safe])

I hang up and downing the rest of my tea before bringing the cup to the sink and rinsing it out. I click the kettle back on and make another cup of tea, then as an afterthought I make a strong cup of coffee. Then I do the unthinkable... I ask FRIDAY to tell Stark to get up here so we can talk.

“He’ll be right up, Fianna,” she tells me and I pick up my cup, settling into a chair and getting comfortable.

I wait patiently for him and soon enough I see his figure step out of the elevator, he swivels and looks at me curiously. I’m sitting in an armchair, the back laying back slightly with one leg over the other, holding my tea similarly to a movie villain holding a cat.

“I- hey, you ready to talk now?” he asks and I nod.

“Cuppa coffee is in the kitchen,” I gesture with one hand, “I left you to do the sugar and milk.”

He nods, eyebrows furrowed before going and finishing up his coffee. He returns and sits in the other armchair, mimicking my position.

“You get your grades?” he asks, taking a sip.

“Yep, A in Religion, B in Health and Social Care as well as History, C in English, bleh. AB in Added Maths and Double Award Science and finally an A* in Gaeilge. All passes, some better than expected,” I reply, taking a gulp.

“Well, done. Those are great results,” he praises and for some odd reason it gives me a little warmth inside.

“You said you had ideas on what to do with them?”

“Yes, I wanted to wait until you got the grades so that I didn’t get your hopes up. With the grades you got? I bet I could sway Midtown Tech to let you in. That’s the school that the kid goes to,” he tells me.

I falter for a second, Orlaith’s right, he wants to help me get into school. Tommy’s also right though, I can’t go to a school where I can’t understand what they’re trying to teach me.

“Great, that’s... great,” I begin, nervously, “But, uh, there’s one issue with that. Do you... remember the uh, the math question issue?”

“I could get you a translator,” Stark immediately offers. “Someone to translate the lesson to Irish and then translate your work to English. Then as time goes on you could be weaned back until you’re doing it in English as fast as the rest of the kids there.”

“Really? Do you- are you serious?” I question, holding the mug up to my face to hide the tears nearly forming in my eyes. “You better not be messing with me.”

“I’m serious,” Tony nods, “I want you to be able to do something with your life, if I need to get someone to translate your work I’ll have to do some digging to find someone, but it’ll be done.”

I smile at this, taking another mouthful of tea to hide it best I can. I hate to admit it, but the bastard is growing on me.

“Now, what was that that you wanted to talk about before?” I ask.

“I wanted to talk to you about someone else moving into the tower. She was here before you, left for a bit and is now coming back. How would you feel about that, would you be okay with it or..?” he trails off.

He’s being so nervous and vague about it that I have to lighten the mood. I gasp, putting my hand to my chest dramatically saying, “What? Do you mean I’m not your first?”

He snorts into his coffee before saying, “She’s my girlfriend, Pepper Potts.”

“The impressive Ms. Potts, okay, respect for bagging her, she’s a good’un. But also I’m judging her right now, because, really? This?” I say, gesturing to Tony. “A resume that good and she chooses this bitch?”

“Okay fair, that’s... fair. Anyway I want you to meet her, both because she’s staying and because you clearly seem to be a bit of a fan,” Tony says.

“Well yeah, I mean she actually runs this place, you’ve just got your name on it and are the face on posters. She’s the real hotshot here. Also why does this feel like some weird ‘Introducing my stepdaughter to her stepmother’ thing?”

“Because it’s probably the closest thing to what’s happening right now. Though it’s more ‘Introducing the kid who hates my guts that I’ve taken in, to my girlfriend who I’m just returning from a break with’ which is even more complicated.”

“Know what? Fuck it, sure. I’ll meet with the Pepper later,” I say and a smile, a real, genuine smile appears on his lips.

This seems to be progress. We’re a lot more civil now, I’m less aggressive, he’s less defensive. It’s good, I think, for both of us.

“And uh, just for the record? I don’t hate your guts, I just really dislike you, like extremely. But it’s not hatred, hatred is a strong word. For a while, I wanted something stronger, but now... now well, you’re growing on me. Like mould.”

Tony chuckles and I turn my head to my shoulder, hiding my own smile.

“You don’t have to hide it you know?” Tony starts, “You can show emotions, it’s alright.”

“Oh... okay,” I nod, showing him my smile, though it is smaller than the original.

° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ ° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ °

I’m in my room, still reeling over my grades. I’m on my laptop searching up Midtown Tech to have a look at the syllabus for this year just to see if I have a baldies what I’ll be up to.

I’m not understanding much at all, only getting half an idea when I translate the topic titles which is really pissing me off. This is a special school for science and while I’m good, I was still getting a public school education.

Then, as if I don’t have enough trouble, my right ear starts ringing. I drop all that the laptop and turn away, blessing myself and starting to pray. It might sound a bit weird, randomly praying because one ear starts ringing, but trust me, it’ll sound weirder when I explain.

Back home it’s superstition that when you hear a ringing in your right ear that the souls in Purgatory are calling for your souls. Yes, I know, they like retconned Purgatory back like ten years ago, but that doesn’t matter. Superstition is a superstition.

I pray and I pray, I must say about a dozen prayers before the ringing stops and when it finally does I sigh in relief. I go back to the laptop, looking through the year below’s syllabus and a lot more of it is ringing a bell, some but not all. I’m a lot calmer now, I just have to... move back a year. That’s okay, do what you gotta do, right?

I get up and go down to Tony’s lab, he quickly hides whatever hologram he’s working on and looks to me, smiling.

“What’s up?” he asks.

“I looked at the school’s syllabus, if you’re gonna get me in, I’m gonna have to be in the year below. Also, I’m ready to  meet Pepper any time now. Also also, that wasn’t all you wanted to talk about,” I say matter-of-factly.

“That can be done. I’ll talk to Pepper in a minute. What do you mean?” he answers each statement individually.

“...I know you don’t wanna admit it, but you want to try and get on better terms. It’s alright, I want that too,” I admit begrudgingly. “Now look, I already said that you’ve grown on me, but I’m kinda beginning to see how not... terrible? You are? I don’t know, it’s just that you’re helping me out, even when you don’t have to, in ways that I never thought of. So, uh, thank you.”

“You- you’re welcome. I’m uh, I’m really sorry for everything I did. I know it’s not bringing anyone back or undoing everything that happened to you or anyone else. But I’m trying to make things better,” Tony says and I smile, he really is trying.

“Now, you’re a bit of a cunt, definitely a wanker-“

“Ah, wanker, there’s your British shining through,” Tony chuckles and I immediately scowl.

“Look sur, I’m trying to bury the hatcher here, but call me British again and I’ll show you just what I can do wi’ a hatchet,” I threaten and he chuckles even more.

“Alright, alright, touchy with the British,” he raises his hands in surrender. “Aren’t we all?”

“But yeah, you’re definitely a wanker, but,” I kiss my teeth, “I guess you’ve got a heart somewhere in that metal chest of yours.”

“And you might be a defensive, aggressive, angry little girl, but you’re not too bad. You’re making changes around here, both in me and in yourself. I’m thankful that you’re here, and glad you’re letting me try to make amends.”

° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ ° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ °

Pepper walks into my floor while I’m watching TV, I pause the show and look to her. I think that I should probably have some sophisticated greeting for the CEO of Stark Industries, feminist activist Virginia ‘Pepper’ Potts. And yet.

“Sup,” is the word that leaves my mouth. I immediately put my head in my hands and I hear her laugh softly.

“Hey, you must be Fianna, right?” she asks and I nod. “Nice to meet you, I’m-“

“Virginia Potts, CEO of Stark Industries, really cool person who I both admire and judge,” I cut her off smiling.

“You know who I am,” she smiles, “Now, what’s this about judging me?” she raises an eyebrow.

“Well, you’re dating Tony, right? Why? You can do so much better than that man-child. Just... why?”

She laughs at this and shakes her head, “You know, for a few months there we were on a break, then yesterday he reached out to work things out. DO you know why?”

I furrow my eyebrows and frown, “Nope.”

“Because of you. He said that you’ve made him realise how much he impacts others and that he wants to make things right,” she says and my eyes widen. What the fuck, lad? You canny just drop that on me.

“Wow... okay... cool, cool, nice, wow,” I stammer, unable to process the properly.

“Heh, yeah, but please, tell me more about you,” she says, getting settled in an armchair.

“Well, I’m Irish, I speak Irish as a first language but from age four I started slowly learning English. I have powers, got them same time as the Maximoffs which is where I met them. I’m a real science and math geek, I’m hopefully getting into that science school in Queens thanks to my grades and Tony’s sway. Also I’m a bit of a vigilante,” I put it all as simply as I can. No point in bullshitting the girlfriend.

“Well, that’s certainly a lot going on in your life. You good at business at all?” Pepper pries a little.

“A bit, I mean I did have my own job which I did in my own hours but I could probably tailor my skills to whatever I need, why?”

“Just, I’m scouting for some actual interns for the company, not Tony’s kind, but some actual young people to help around the company. You seem like you could be a good candidate,” she tells me.

“Real- really?” I ask incredulously, “Why me?”

“Well you seem innovative and headstrong. That and Tony gave me a few nudges, he really seems to like you, kid.”

I nod at this and hide my smile in my shoulder. This man has to have some kind of agenda, he can’t just be this nice to me for no reason, right?

Pepper’s phone starts ringing and she sighs when she looks at the Caller ID.

“I’m going to have to run, duty calls. It’s been great meeting you, Fianna,” she rushes, getting up and starting out the door. “See you again!”

“Great meeting you too Pepper, see you soon,” I smile. When she’s gone I unpause the show I was watching and settle in.

° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ ° ∆ -------- ••• ------- ∆ °

A few hours later and Tony still can’t believe how well the kind of reconciliation he and Fianna had worked. It’s been weeks since Fianna started living at the tower and it’s insane to think how much they’re relationship has grown. At the start she was very defensive, constantly on guard and even territorial. She was argumentative, always trying to initiate a row.

Now look at her, she’s warming up to living in the Tower, she’s decorated her room and made the entire floor her own. She’s trusting him that little bit more, confiding in him. She’s not forgiving him but she’s cooperating and working with him, they’ve kind of made amends.

Sitting in his lab he tells FRIDAY to call Fianna and to tell her to join him. FRIDAY informs him of some pushback from the girl but after insistence she eventually agrees.

“Right lad, you’ve some bek on ye, telling me I need de get up here. Now what are ye looking me for?” I demand as I trek in the room.

Tony sighs and looks to me, bringing up a hologram he says, “This. I wanted to show you this.”

I come closer and inspect the hologram, it has the anatomy of a girl and after a second I realise what it is. It’s a suit. A suit for me.

“Can I?” I hesitantly ask and Tony nods.

I bring my hand up to manipulate the projection, making it bigger again and really looking at it. It’s a full bodysuit with a hood, it’s got lighter coloured fingerless gloves overlaying the sleeve. It’s got a belt around the midsection, slightly darker than the catsuit, it has a couple of holsters for something. Not for guns, the shape isn’t right, but they are holsters nonetheless. Then something catches my eye.

“Are these really-“ I cut myself off, mouth lying open as I inspect the feet with a smile.

Not just shoes, not even boots like I’m used to. They look like Irish dancing shoes, the soft black pumps, reminiscent of my childhood which makes me think that Tony probably got his hands on some of the home movies my mother must have posted years ago.

“Yeah,” Tony smiles at my happy face, “I wanted to give you a little bit of home.”

“Thanks,” I say before gesturing to the holsters, “What are these for?”

“Escrima sticks,” he says, very matter of fact. When I give him an unimpressed eyebrow raise he elaborates slightly, “They’re two sticks that you fight with. Don’t worry, I trust you’ll do fine with them, besides, you’ve got a sparring partner now in the Spider.”

I nod and then he looks at me with a little more excitement, “Do you want to see it?”

“You- you’ve rendered it?” I stutter in anticipation.

He claps twice and a panel on the wall moves revealing a suit. The bodysuit is a grey colour, the inside of the hood lined with a lighter grey. The gloves are an off-white colour while the belt is more of a dark grey. The Irish dancing pumps are black as they traditionally are.

On the mannequin there is a face mask slightly different from my typical bandana. It’s made of a firmer material and is the same dark grey as the belt. Then I see what I assume are the escrima sticks in the holsters of the belt.

“What’s the mask made of?” I ask, curious.

“Kevlar.”

“Wow...” I admire the suit in awe. I bring my hands up to examine one of the gloves more closely.

“What is it?” he asks, “Is there something wrong? Is there something you want me to change?”

“Oh, no, it’s amazing. I love it. I just have one request. It’s a little weird so don’t judge,” I warn immediately, giving him one of my sternest bitch faces.

He raises his hands in surrender, “No judgement, request away.”

“Can you line the inside of the gloves with green?”

“I’m not judging, just wondering, why?”

I sigh, and admit, “Stupid superstition. Back home we all do different things when we hear a siren sounding. Some bless themselves, some say prayers. I touch green. If I’m working with the Spider and stopping some crime then I’ll definitely be needing some green.”

“Well I’m sure I can do that,” Tony says, then suddenly I have a thought.

“Wait, how did you get my-“ I cut myself off with the realisation. “Grace.”

“Hey in Grace’s defence I asked her to give me your measurements,” Tony immediately takes responsibility. “She was just doing as she was told.”

I smile and nod, “Okay, okay. This was an amazing surprise. But next time? Just ask, it’s a little less creepy.”

“Noted, now, I’ll get to rendering the gloves with a green lining, you can tell the kid now all about your new suit,” Tony says.

I nod and look to the suit one last time before turning to leave.

“Wait- since you’re sticking around, you’re gonna need a new vigilante name. As nice as it is I don’t see the citizens of New York wrapping their heads around Mactíre,” Tony states and I try thinking.

“I haven’t got anything,” I admit and his face lights up. I roll my eyes with a smile and ask, “What is it? What name have you chosen for me?”

“Kaynine.”

[silence-burns]

I'd drown you in a spoon //part 6

Fandom: Aquaman/DC

Summary: Based on: “Imagine Arthur bringing Orm to you, as a safe place to stay before his trial.” by @thefandomimagine

You'd spent the past few days cleaning up the area around the house, slowly but successfully removing some of the piled up trash from the sea.

It was hard work that didn't result in any visible change despite you packing up whole bags of trash and driving them to the nearest legitimate dump, just outside the city.

You came home around meal time, and took a long shower before heading to the kitchen. Orm could see your exhaustion and often watched you work from the porch. You never once asked him for help, and it bothered him more than he wanted to admit. He was used to being helpful and useful, so the wait was slowly driving him insane.

You seemed not to notice, focused entirely on your task. You still talked with him every day and those were pleasant conversations. Nothing important or upsetting. It was careful. He appreciated that.

You laid down on the sand, out of breath again. You'd cleared only a small space, just enough for one person to lay on. Orm watched you from a bench nearby, impressed by your stubbornness.

“For once, I'd really appreciate a less sunny day,” you admitted after a while, wiping the sweat from your brow.

“You could always just leave it,” he noted.

“It's not like I have anything better to do here, you know?”

“Still, it's going to take you ages to finish it. Look at how much it covers the beach. You can't see the end of it.”

“There will be an end when I'm done with it. Besides, weren't you the one responsible for resurfacing all of this?”

He frowned. “I was, but the point wasn't to make a single, weak human try and fail to clean it all.”

“Well, it's not like this weak human's got much help.”

“They could ask for it,” Orm said through gritted teeth.

“What if they don't want to?”

“Then they are foolish for thinking they alone can change anything!”

“Thank God they are the only ones who have fallen down that mind trap of ambition, right…?” you asked with a sly smirk, shamelessly winking at him.

Orm felt played. But instead of him admitting it, it made him angry.

“What exactly is your problem?” he stood up, making his way towards you in quick, angry steps.

“Do I look like I have any?” you provoked him on purpose, getting back to your legs too. Ignoring the sand falling off you, you looked Orm directly in the eyes.

He stopped a few inches from you. “You look like you need to be reminded of your place.”

“Scary. Do it.”

Orm frowned, getting the opposite reaction than what he expected.

You used that moment to your advantage, punching him.

Orm blocked it with his forearm, more surprised than angry now. Moving back, he ducked another hit.

“What are you doing?”

“Looking for my place. I think I've lost it somewhere in there.”

He jumped back when you aimed for his legs. Fighting on the surface was slower and messier than underwater, where he could use the currents to prop and move him. The sand was unsteady, but there wasn't steadier ground to move onto.

“Stop it.”

“Why? You promised to teach me.”

“Stop playing games or you'll meet the consequences,” Orm growled, catching your foot mid-kick.

He had a strong grip. You couldn't free it.

“Tell them they're welcome.”

You jumped, using your captured leg to get to him. With the other one, you slammed him right in the chest. Orm stumbled, letting you go. You hit the sand, but he stayed up.

One look at him and you could clearly see you crossed the line.

With no time to get up, you kicked his legs, hoping to make him fall and lose advantage. On one knee, he caught your arm and pushed you to the left.

A few moments of struggling later, you blocked his legs while he was pushing your face into the ground. Neither of you could change the position even a bit, but if you had to be honest, Orm at least didn't have to breath in the sand.

“Are you done?” he muttered, trying to fight your resistance and writhing.

“I can do this all day,” you said, knowing perfectly well you couldn't. But you'd rather suffocate than let him win the round. It'd been getting boring anyway.

“Why can't you… just give up already? There's no point in keeping this up.”

You squished his leg harder, bending it painfully. “I haven't had so much fun in forever.”

You breathed some sand in when Orm pushed you lower. You started coughing uncontrollably when it irritated your nose. You tried to get it out, feeling your eyes water and sneezing the life out of you, but all it did was make you feel even worse.

Orm loosened his grip on you with a frown and hesitancy. He sat next to you, watching you get yourself together again. When you were finally done, you laid down, sweaty and tired, but as happy as anyone who just had a good fight.

The sun burned your exposed skin ruthlessly.

“Are you okay?”

You gave him thumbs up. “Give me a moment and we can have another round.”

Orm scoffed, shaking his head with disbelief. “Why are you like this?”

“I don't know how to be anyone else.”

He acted as if he didn't hear you and that may have been true. He was looking at the thin line of sea visible over the trash.

“Giving up is necessary sometimes, as well as bending to other's will and changing your mind and adapting to that change… You may not be a politician, but you must know that.”

“Change is good, but only as long as I can stay true to myself,” you stated calmly, looking at the sky. “I’m the one I live for.”

You'd give more than a penny for his thoughts. Your words seemed to remind him of something, but you didn't know him well enough to guess what it was.

“That's an interesting point of view,” he said after a while.

Somehow, Orm looked more… peaceful? It may have just been the angle, on second thought.

“Suffocation does it for me. Wanna try it?”

“I'll pass,” he said, but the slightest of smiles seemed to play on his lips.

[amarabliss]

Fusion - 3 (Arthur Curry/Reader)

Part One  Part Two

A terrible accident has interesting consequences when Arthur gives you blood…

Questions. So many questions. Nothing was like it was before and still more questions just piled up higher and higher and higher.

Vulko had found that you had a direct line to the late king of the Hidden Kingdom. When you asked for more information, he told you he’d dig up what he could find. Which, two weeks later, ended up not being as much as you hoped.

“I don’t understand it.” You looked up from the garden bench you were sitting on as you tried to zoom on the fancy tablet Vulko had given you to look at, “How is the history of an entire section of people, who you all know existed…just…reduced to a family tree and just a few effigies?”

The off put sigh next you ripped the device from your hands and zoomed in for you before handing it back. His blue eyes stared at you exasperated, “You act like this is something uncommon in the world?”

You stared at Orm as he went back to his book. After that first meeting, you’d somehow managed to continue to see him. He wasn’t quite the prisoner that Arthur had painted him out to be. He was arrogant, stubborn, and seemingly self-righteous. However, there was the genuine character that came through every once in a while.

Your cheeks flushed as you stared at Orm. You hadn’t anticipated meeting him today…let alone ever. Arthur had always depicted him in a rough manner, and someone he needed to watch out for. You understood…he looked angelic…but his previous actions of almost attacking the surface certainly were not that characteristic.

“Well?” He waited for you to answer him, “Are you going to answer my question?”

Swallowing down the dryness in your throat, was that even a possibility when you were breathing water? “If you’re referring to not what I expected, no you’re not. I anticipated someone…shorter…”

The surprise irritation that fell on his features was enough to get you to smile for a moment, “But if you’re referring to how I am here…there was an incident…I took a harpoon in the chest for Arthur…things escalated quickly and now I’m here because apparently I’m actually related to someone from the Hidden Kingdom and the blood Arthur gave me to save my life did something to active my true nature…”

He stared you his mouth falling open slightly as he watched you begin shift uncomfortably, “…so…you’re having a rough day?”

You felt you nose tickle like you were crying, “I…yeah…it’s a lot.”

“I was going to read…” He shifted the book behind him after you both had been silent for a moment, “But…if you’d like to walk…I could show you the best hiding spots in the garden to think.”

“…Your majesty…” You looked at him seeing curiosity fill his strict eyes, “I wouldn’t want to take you away from anything…”

“You wouldn’t be.” He spoke quietly as he shifted away, “Truth be told…I’m really the only one who comes out here anymore…and I…you… you look like you could use a safe haven.”

You couldn’t be sure, but you think he meant to say, and I could use a friend because ever since he’d some how found a way to find you and Arthur every day. He was at least curious of you, something Arthur wasn’t sure he cared for. He warned you to be careful.

“Arthur, you’re always telling me how you want Orm to understand humans…and he’s at least interested in what I am. Almost as much as I am, and he is a wealth of knowledge. Maybe we can benefit each other.” You told him as you poked the food on your plate.

You looked up seeing Arthur chewing on his thumb, “I know what you’re doing.”

“What? I don’t know what it is…” You made a face glancing your food.

“Y/N…I know what you’re doing…” He repeated leaning forward reaching for your hand, “I won’t make you go home…but…you should talk to them. Orm isn’t going to help you with confronting your parents about who you are.”

Of course, Arthur was right…damn him…he became so wise since becoming king. If only he’d use that wise-ness to commit to some of his kingly duties, then he’d be here with you and Orm and not stuck in council meetings all day.

“What do you mean?” You started to push everything around on the screen hearing him sigh once more, but you could tell he enjoyed talking to you.

“Civilizations have come and gone since the beginning of time. There are entire tribes on the surface that you’ve never heard of, but evidence of their existence is there, is it not? Stone hedge, tessellated pavement…not to mention the hundreds of thousands of civilizations humans have abandoned over the coast lines that have just drifted further and further into the deep…” He turned the page of his book not looking up to you.

“Yes…but this is a civilization you interacted with only a couple of millennia ago…” You frowned a little, “I just want to know who I am…I thought I had already figured that out…”

“You’re a direct descendent to the Lost Kingdom…”

“Vulko said it was the Hidden-”

“It is referred to as both.” Orm shut his book and turned to you, “It’s name is irrelevant. You, however, are a daughter of the sea and no doubt their princess. You have royal blood and it is your birthright to lead a nation. It really is not that hard to see who you are…”

“You know it’s not that simple.” You looked away from him, “I wasn’t raised here…my identity…”

“Your false identity from the surface has always led you here. You said so yourself.” He stood up setting his book on the bench, “Humans couldn’t stop your innate nature of belonging to the sea. Their suffocating nature didn’t stop you from pursuing a career in exploration of your true home, but it’s beneath you. You are meant to be here.”

Every one of his words left a stinging sensation in your chest. You stood up with the tablet in your hand, “Thank you for that enlightening experience into your perspective.”

“Where are you going?” He asked his tone still holding that high and mighty tone.

“Away from you.” You snapped at him as you glided toward the exit of the garden.

“You’re angry with me?” He moved quickly to block your way, “I only spoke the truth.”

“Truth?” Your eyes widened before you shook your head, “Your truth, as you put it, is flawed. Those humans you detest so much raised me. Two very strong, smart, and talented individuals. They are the ones who held me when I was scared, loved me when I hated them, and kept me safe against the tides of the world.”

“My father is a Naval officer. He taught me right from wrong and my love of water comes from him. Most of my childhood he wasn’t home because he was fighting a war to keep people safe. Not even necessarily our home…and I was raised by a teacher, which is why I want to educate people. Not because it’s all I could find, not because I couldn’t reach higher.” You looked away from him, “So believe me when say I’d rather be suffocated all over again, then to have been raised by pompous, ignorant people like you.”

You pushed passed him leaving him to think. You raged as you swam through the halls of the palace. How could he even think that way? After everything Arthur had done for him. He didn’t throw him in a prison, he didn’t lock him in some tower. He allowed Orm to have his freedom within reason. Arthur chose compassion, something he learned from his father. His human father.

You turned the corner halting yourself when you saw Arthur coming out of the throne room. He was dressed in his Atlantean armor. You’d only seen him in it one other time. It made you smile, for more then one reason. Of course, the obvious, it clung to him like a well-made glove. The other was how it made him regal in ways you could never imagine. He’d always been a grunge dude. Leather, tanks, and tats, none of which you minded. This was just another side of him.

Another side that you enjoyed.

He was talking with a council member who didn’t seem satisfied by what Arthur was giving him. You waited a moment longer before you felt it was safe to approach hearing the tail end of the council man, “…if there are others like her it is our duty to find them. Who knows how many other highborn are on the surface unknowing of where they belong?”

“It is a matter to discuss, Jerik.” Arthur told him, “But we can’t just uproot people when they’ve lived a life only the surface. Y/N, she is an exception because she knew me. I assure you I do intend to reach out to someone I know can look into it, and I will have Vulko accompany me to ensure Atlantis’ interest are being held in respect.”

Jerik seemed took accept that for the moment and looked over to you as you slowed down. “Your majesty…”

“Oh…uh…no…” You shook your head as he began to bow, “Please…I don’t really feel comfortable…”

Jerik glanced between you to Arthur, “I apologize…if you’ll excuse me.”

“Thank you Jerik.” Arthur gave him a smile and a small nod as he moved away from the pair. Once he was gone, Arthur turned to you, “Hello.”

“Hey.” You smiled at him before giving him a poke in the bicep, “This…is a good look for you.”

“You think?” He smirked a little before crossing his arms, “I have to admit, it’s not bad.”

“Not bad at all.” You agreed quickly getting him to grin, “Are you done for the day?”

“Yes, I was going to come find you and ask if you’d like to grab something to eat. All these meetings get me hangry.” He relaxed his arms as if he was trying to shake of the idea of being a king.

“Uh, yeah I could eat…burgers?” You quirked an eyebrow.

“Surface food? Feeling homesick?” He began to move down the hall with you.

“I think so…I just…” You took in a deep breath before letting out a huff, “I was talking to Orm…”

“Oh…here we go…that’s where you went wrong.” Arthur told you rolling his eyes slightly, “Whatever he said about humans and surface dwellers…don’t listen. He’s still stuck here. He’s never experienced it and doesn’t understand it. Mom tried to explain, I’ve explained…hell even Mera tried to explain…he just won’t accept it.”

“I knew that it would be different with him…I just…the way he talked about how everything I’ve done up to this point is so unimportant to what I am now.” You frowned as you turned the corner with him, “I already have doubts…”

“Hey…” Arthur took your hand in his, “Listen…what you are now is not who you are.”

He reached up with his other hand cupping your cheek before he continued, “Your blood says you’re Atlantean, but you are the girl raised in Iowa dreaming of escape from grass oceans to rolling seas. A woman who worked at a bar to pay for college and lived on ramen noodles while working on her grad program. You’re a teacher who inspires her students to explore the depths of this world knowing that they could never reach what you already know is there.”

“You are a daughter, a best friend…” You smiled when he said that, “and someone I love deeply. Don’t let some blonde dick tell you differently.”

You put your hand over his leaning into his palm, “Arthur…you know we should probably talk…things kind of moved really fast since the beach and I-I want to explain how I reacted…”

His face fell a little, “It’s okay…but if you really want to…it’s a long ride home.”

You nodded slowly, “I think we should.”

“Okay.” He nodded before he smirked point to your face, “But…I want you to know first that it has been insanely incredible having you here and I wouldn’t change anything that’ve said or done for you.”

He took your arm in his as he started to lead you down the hall again. You smiled feeling comfortable in his presence, “It has been just incredible being here…and I too have no regrets.”

You watched him relax a little as his smile spread to his eyes, “Good…”