It was an answer I was sure I was going to regret in about half a second.
Ari's face dropped faster then lighting, causing me to internally wince. I nuzzled him with my nose, wrapping my still freezing limbs around him, still trying to show the boy affection. He shoved me off of him in one violent motion, causing me to go flailing back into the icy depths.
"Why then, why would you say that's what you wanted and just tell me no?" He yelled as I began to tred water, attempting to keep afloat after the initial shock.
"I can't hurt you anymore A-A-Ari." I said as the stutter returned.
"So this isn't hurting me?" He snapped, his eyes filled to the brim with salty tears.
"My time is up Ari, dating me would only cause more suffering." I said calmly, forcing the stutter down with my own tears.
"What do you mean your time is up?" His voice laced itself with even more venom. I stayed quiet, not quite sure how to respond. Did I tell him the truth or just lie? If I broke his heart now, I wouldn't have to do it by dying. I opened my mouth to respond but his eyes widened with realization. It didn't take me reading his thoughts to understand he put two and two together.
"You. You're the reason you asked about the expiration date!" His voice cracked as it jumped several octaves. I swear I'm the dude in the relationship sometimes. His emotional distress was enough for both of us.
"Y-Yeah." I whispered as the cold took a strong hold of me, forcing the air out of my lungs. My tattoos began fading again as the water threatened to consume me. My wings stayed latched at my sides, forcing me to stay in the frigid ocean. The water began to tug at my limbs, creating painful lacerations when I wouldn't come willingly. The more it tugged, the more I felt my skin rip. I let a blood curdling scream erupt from my throat as the searing pain out did the numbness that had set in. Ari reached for me last second, attempting to grab my hand, but the water won. I was sucked under before our flesh made even the slightest contact. I could hear his screams coming from the surface, but there was nothing I could do, I was the oceans now. He was too late. I was too late.
'I love you' I didn't force the thought into his mind, I just let it drift, with as much emotion I could muster.
'I love you too...' If I wasn't surrounded by water, I would be crying. 'I'm going to get you out of there Angel. I promise. I'm going to save you this time, understand me? We're together forever. I want to be with you. I want to marry...' I couldn't keep the mind-link open anymore. My energy reserves disapated into the endless ocean.
Did he say marry?
Yeah...
So you're giving up. The boy just said Marry and you're giving up.
What choice do I have?
You command the ocean Angel, not the other way around. Fight. Let the power you know you have go and win.
I can't.
Goddammit Angel, yes you can. It's your destiny. He's your destiny, now go.
A jolt of energy surged through my system like water in the desert. Every fiber of my being pounded into reanimation.
I opened my eyes.
Someday, you're going to have to tell me who you are.
Whatever do you mean Angel?
I thought you were me in the beginning. But you're not.
You're right, I am not you.
Who are you?
I guess you could say I'm your own little pep-squad.
I want a name, not a round-a-bout answer.
Make you a deal, get out of this alive, and I'll even give you my social security number.
Deal.
I inhaled the water, letting it completely flow through me. It was time I became apart of the element I was destined for. It didn't take long to feel myself go completely senseless.
Ari. Ari. 'ARI!' I let the thought open my mind again, releasing the force I knew was hidden deep within my core. I shoved my limbs out once again, noticing the bloody, torn flesh that now lingered there from the violent current. I snarled, thrusting the water down, pushing me far into the surface above. My head broke through the surface yet again, but I kept going. The water lifted me up, far beyond where Ari stayed flapping his wings at sea level.
'Angel!' He gasped through the once again open link. He was quick to follow as the water pushed me further. I balled my hands into fists, commanding the water to slow and pause. It did without hesitation. I shook the water from my now cramped wings and looked down. I had risen quite a distance without the use of my handy dandy feathers.
"Angel... what is this...oh my god your eyes!" Ari gasped in utter shock. I blinked at his hovering form, not understanding what was going on. I looked down at my skin, which was tinted blue. My hair was blond and there were no tattoos to speak of. The torn flesh taking on a rather sickening red color now that I was out of what was going to be my grave.
"All this is different about me and you're commenting on my eyes!" I snapped, not really sure why I was suddenly angry.
"They're glowing..." He whispered. I brought my hands out in front of me to examine the damage and the transformation. "Here Angel, let me see." Ari said, slowly reaching a hand to mine. I gently placed my now rather blue fingers in his. The contrast was unbelievable.
"It said I was meant to control the water, like I was chosen for this." My spoken words were shaky and rather silent.
"It?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.
"The voice that's been in my head." I answered truthfully.
"Oh good, at least it's something we know how to deal with." He smirked. I slapped him upside the head, forgetting I was sitting on top of a giant water spout. I lost all balance and began to fall once again. God, gravity fucking hates me. "I got you." Ari said, hoisting me back into the sanctuary of all that is him.
"Angel, I don't care if your expiration date is set. Please, do me the favor and just be with me." He said, brushing his lips to my temple. It was always gentle passion with him. Like a love that was destined to be. Maybe it was right, maybe Ari is my destiny.
"So does that mean you want to figure all this shit out with me?" I laughed, entangling my fingers into his, where they belong.
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way. It would really get boring without saving your ass on a daily basis." He snorted and kissed me on the lips. I pressed my lips back into his, letting our natural rhythm fall into sync.
'Does this mean we're dating?' He asked through the link. How did he always know I was listening?
'Yes my dear Ari, yes it does.' I responded, giving even more heat to the kiss.
It was minutes before we broke for air, smiles plastered on both of our faces. His face contorted into shock once again.
"What, do I have something on my face?" I asked, trying to keep the mood light.
"Your back to normal." He said, I snapped my hands into view. Sure enough, the tattoos and normally tinted skin was back in place of the clean blue. Even the giant gashes had faded with the last of the water.
"Thats..."
"Fucked up?"
"Couldn't have said it better myself there Ari." I kissed his cheek, signaling for him to get a move on. We had a lot of ground to make up.
See, I told you he was your destiny.
Yeah, yeah, and hey, we had a deal.
I believe we did.
So, name?
Hahahaha, I'm not sure you're ready my dear.
We had a deal.
My name is Maximum ride.
