AN
So this is set after Tula's death.
I guess Garth is about 19 in this, if he's the same age as Dick. Dick was about 19 at the time Of Crisis On Infinite Earths
Garth's P.O.V
I pick up my lover's dead body. I brush back Tula's drenched hair. I kiss her cold lifeless lips, just for a second. I embrace her soaking wet body, holding her close as if looking for warmth that I know won't be there.
I look up to the sky and wonder, why? Why Tula? All she wanted was to help people and now this. Why must the innocent always pay the price?
A tear streams down my right cheek, another down the left. Then I can't hold back any longer, the floodgates open and I'm clinging to Aquagirl's body, sobbing, and rocking back and forth.
Arthur put his hand on my shoulder. "Garth you need to let go."
"WHAT. I loved her for years and you want me to let go before she's even in the ground."
"I mean let go of her body you've been here, you've been here for hours. You're acting a little bit crazy."
"I love her."
"I know, but we need to go back to Atlantis and make proper burial arrangements."
"Just give me a few more minutes."
"Ok."
"Thank you, my king."
Arthur walked away.
I can't believe Tula's dead, we fought together countless times, and she was my partner. She was the best friend I ever had. For years we did everything together. I even lost my virginity to her
She was everything to me. The first girl I liked. My first girlfriend. The first girl I ever kissed. First girl I fell in love with. Now she's gone, torn away from me. Ripped away like a scab from a child's knee. Except the bleeding is only on the inside, but it hurts more than any punch to the face.
I sit there clinging to her for who knows how long. Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? Years? I sit there thinking and finally I let go. I hand her body over to be buried. I don't do it because I'm over her, I don't think I'll ever love anyone else. I do it because death and pain are inevitable parts of life. I do it because it's the mature thing to do.
I finally grow up