The chessy smiling moon shone through the glass window on to the two teens. A pale light was cast upon them, Ariel in sleeping Jim's strong arms. The sea-princess-turned-human snuggles up closer to him, listening to her lullaby that was his heart beat, bringing a bed sheet to cover them both up more. He was still in his navy boxers, while she was now in his long tee and underwear. Looking at the stars, she could barely make out the Lagoon Nebula. She sighed, eyes closely sleepily. Nothing happened, true, but she felt blissfully content. Tired, but she was afraid if she closed her eyes to end this day, this fantasy would vanish and slip through her fingers like sand. She sighed more dramatically this time, blowing her bangs up and out of her face. This brought Jim to wake, eyes glazed with sleep. He groaned and she gasped, facing him, widened eyes staring at him.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, mouth to her face in what could only be described as horror, "I'm so sorry Jim! Did I wake you up?"

Her hand now lay on his bare chest. His hand cupped the side of her face and she snuggled to it, eyes closing peacefully. "No, don't worry. Why are you still up? What time is it?" he asked, his body crossing hers to look at the digital clock besides her. She drunk in his scent; solar surfer oil and smoke, and smiled shyly to herself. Unable to control ones action, she wrapped her slim arms around his muscular body, her nose burying into his chest. He was caught off guard and gave a gurgled cry out, falling on top of the giggling redhead. He laughed as well, her smile lighting up the whole dim-lit room. "Yeah, I've been awake for some time. I just can't sleep… I'm too afraid to."

This stopped Jim from laughing and caused him to stare at the girl instead. She didn't look like the type to be frightened of cyborgs or boogeymen. But concern and, well, there is was, fear, clouded her blue eyes. It was as if a storm was brewing in those beautiful eyes, dark clouds swirling and whirring.

"Afraid to fall asleep, Ariel? That's not like you." He said, rolling off of her and wrapping his arms around her as to get her body closer to his.

"I know. I just… you're going to think of this as utter stupidity."

"Try me." He laughed, tickling her sides a bit.

"Well, I'm still convinced this is a dream. And if I wake up, everything is going to leave… you're going to leave, and what we now have is going to vanish and it'll be like the same as always. You being pawned at by numerous girls and I'll be in the background as you flatter them with compliments."

He had no comment, as stared at the ceiling with fierce concentration. She was hurt by all of that? I hurt her? But I never knew! Those girls meant nothing to me!

"Ariel…." He started, clearing his voice as he finally had the courage to look her in the eyes. What he saw startled him; tears. Her eyes were shinier than usual, and tears streaked her cheeks. He moved his hand, thumb whipping away the tears, and she couldn't help it! She began to sob, and buried her face in his chest, wetting it. And after a few minutes, she finally composed herself and looked at him, eyes red-rimmed.

His hand caressed her damp face, sending chills up and down her body. "Ariel, those girls never meant anything to me; you got to believe me. I just flirted with them because…"

He couldn't bear to say what was next, lest it shatter this moment like broken glass.

"Because why?" Ariel asked. Their faces were centimeters away now, and that's all it took for Jim to make up his mind what he would do to proceed. "Because I knew I could never have you." He finished, and his lips fell on top of hers. Fireworks went up behind closed eyelids, and the heat between them built up. It was growing faster than any of them could bottle it up, especially with the other's lips melded to their own.

"Never have me?" She retorted, after one kiss was over and one was on the verge of coming. "Of course! Look at you, Ariel! Have you ever actually seen yourself in the mirror and not nit-pick every 'flaw' you have. You are beautiful. I love you! You are funny, kind, and overall an amazing person… mermaid… once-mermaid-now-person."

She gave him a mock scrutinizing look as she dove in for another kiss. He caught her face between his hands, his fingers running through fiery locks. This time he felt in the mood to explore new territory, begging entrance into her mouth with his tongue. She allowed him passage, and he did not hesitate in exploring. She tasted sweet, like some exotic spice, which contradicted nicely with her ocean salt smell.

She and he both sighed as tongues darted in the moist caves and played a slight tug-of-war. Ariel couldn't help wanting to explore all of him, and a tightening of her stomach accompanied by intense heat confirmed this urge. Not only does he smell good, he tastes delicious!

Shrinking lungs won a weary battle once again, and they departed, eyes filled with dark passion and forbidden wants.

Raising a hand to his face, Jim tousled his hair and stretched his face, as so the pinks of his bottom lids could be seen. Ariel fell back to the bed, eyes closed and ears ringing with… was that waves? Yes, indeed… ocean waves.

"I want to…" Ariel breathed, her breath regulating as heaved a big sigh.

"I know."

"But?"

"Not now. It's too early and I want you to be one-hundred-and-ten percent sure."

"But I am!"

"Now you are. Tomorrow in the morning you could be like, 'Oh shi-'"

"Jim!"

"'-what have I done?' I just had sex with him?' And I don't want you to feel that way about me… 'us', if there is one…and what we do-if anything- on this here bed."

Ariel suddenly got very near to him, perfect brows furrowed in anger. "Now listen here, Mr. Hawkins. I have stayed by your side for a long time now. I have watched numerous gals rip your shirt and pants off just to get gleefully laid." As to emphasize this, she looked down at the ~impressive~ bulge that was being restrained by blue boxers. Or perhaps it was the shadows making it look extremely huge. Whatever the case, Jim covered up with a sheet, face flushed. "You think that if I didn't care enough about you, I would've stayed around this long?"

Silence.

The bed creaked as she moved away from him, as if repelled by the very thought. He sat there blinking like a blushing fool.

"Why?" he finally asked, his voice slicing the cold, frigid silence.

She turned to him a bit, eyes hooded and concealed by her bangs that were casting shadows across her face so he could not properly see her. "Why what?" she responded.

"Why did you stand there and not tell me all this time?"

She sighed as if he was retarded for asking such a thing. Was he?

"Same reason you didn't tell me. So ask yourself that question, and the answer you come up with will most probably be the same one as mine."

Because I was too scared of rejection.

"Then why did you stay all this time?"

Her body noticeable stiffened, as she drunk in this inquiry. Then she was off the bed and dragging a blanket, heading to the couch to sleep. As she reached the doorway, she finally whispered the much anticipated answer that he didn't know if he heard her right.

"Because I'm in love you with you."

and then she shut the door, leaving him all alone with his thoughts.