Distance
Summary: Deep-sea contemplation.
The tides of jade and sapphire swept around his smooth scales, warm currents gliding across his supple frame like silk. The entire seafloor was blooming with vast expanses of green, algae and coral growing equally among the thousands of iridescent fish flitting between reefs.
His limp body meandered along the path formed of gentle tugs, belonging to those deep-ocean currents which dragged him through the ocean depths like a leaf in the wind.
Riptide loved it down here, along the thin slice of freedom lying between the Sea Kingdom and his new home. Sometimes, he simply stilled his muscles and floated among the sea life for hours. His eyes loosely hung open, lazily tracking the million masses of fish, whether cartilaginous or bony. He admired crustaceans too, observing their slow, methodical movement, as he hung there limp.
It was a healthy change of pace from ever-tedious reality, which now called upon him to manage the hundreds of complaints and concerns of his loyal Talons. It called back memories of that outskirts guard who'd float among the reefs for weeks on end, the forlorn vanguard of his kingdom.
Riptide remembered seeing her for the first time. Those sapphire scales, bound to limbs of such majesty they'd make his Queen whimper in shame…
The depth of her green eyes went unmatched even by the richest gems, the powerful waves of dignity radiating through those lenses enough to make even her namesake cower…
Her laugh too, resounding with unwavering confidence and joy—he heard it among every chirp of the morning birds.
Riptide longed for her return. That much he knew. Longed for her embrace.
Their romance had been short-lived; they'd been forced to part ways. He kept meaning to write to her one of these days—he just never found the time or confidence.
How could he compare to royalty? His touch would tarnish those scales of gold; he was unworthy.
Yes… unworthy. He frowned.
Maybe I should just wait for her message first.
Just to prove she's interested.
Contemplation surfaced on his muzzle, and he sighed, bubbles rising into the water. They moved to the surface, where all that oppressive responsibility lay undealt with.
I can write her tomorrow, but today, my Talons need me.
The mahogany chair creaked beneath her weight; Tsunami was restless, fiddling uselessly with the frayed edge of the curved, ancient parchment resting flattened on her desk. Only a single word was emblazoned on her paper; she could manage nothing else.
Whenever she thought of him, words were rare. She wasn't the linguistic type… Tsunami gritted her teeth in frustration; she couldn't transform these emotions into script.
"I love you?"
She sighed. Too blunt… and maybe it's not even true yet.
"You make me happy."
No! What kind of declaration is that, Tsunami? A groan split her lips and she flung the hundredth scroll into the trash, the paper bouncing off the wastebin rim and landing among its brethren on her floor. She unbound another piece of parchment, spreading it across her desk. Trepidation filled her as she dipped her talon in ink, the blue claw already stained pure black.
"Riptide, I want to see you again."
Her eyes narrowed. At least it's a start.
Author's Note: The