DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Aquaman or any of its characters. I do NOT gain any profit from this fan-fiction. It is strictly for my entertainment and anyone who enjoys reading it!
CLAIMER: I OWN my OMC Dakota Langston.
WARNING: This is a SLASH / MALE x MALE / YAOI fan-fiction. If you do NOT like same-sex relationships, then this story is NOT for you. Slight AU. Violence. Angst. Romance.
BETA READER: None, so there will be some mistakes that I miss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is another Orm Marius one-shot. Arthur Curry does not make an appearance, nor does Amnesty Bay. This could be a turning point for Orm and how he became the way he is…or not.
"Young hearts be free tonight
Time is on your side
Don't let 'em put you down, don't let 'em push you around
Don't let 'em ever change your point of view."
– Young Turks by Rod Stewart
.:oOo:.
Orm peered through a thick forest of kelp, watching a lone surface dweller swimming languidly through the cool waters of the Pacific near land the air breathers labeled as Alaska. It was with heavy suspicion that Orm eyed the swimmer, having easily identified the surface dweller by the tank of oxygen the stranger wore securely on their back. It was not common for Orm to be out this far from Atlantis, but every once in a while, he would venture far out in the many seas seeking to forget about his duties as a prince.
Orm's lilac orbs narrowed as light reflected off of a sharp blade the diver pulled from their ankle holster. If the surface dweller thought for one moment Orm would just float by and watch as they did harm to his ocean…The blonde prince's breath caught as he witnessed a small sea otter tangled up in one of the kelp leaves, the aquatic mammal struggling to get free. Was the surface dweller going to kill the innocent creature? Muscles tensing, Orm prepared to attack when his entire being froze. The sea otter was free, its restraints having been carefully cut away by the diver.
Orm felt his lips twitch as he watched the diver wave to the sea otter swimming quickly away. He would have scoffed at the useless action, as if the diver expected the creature to show gratitude, if he had not done the same exact thing as a youngling. Instead, Orm found himself amused and, dare he say less suspicious and more curious about the surface dweller in front of him. It was that very feeling of curiosity that had Orm swimming after the diver as they made for the shoreline.
.:oOo:.
Dakota Langston loved the ocean. It was the one place he felt most relaxed, just allowing the gentle currents to take him where it pleased. Of course, he made sure to remain near any familiar landmarks, keeping him from becoming lost in his comforting bliss. It was as though the ocean washed away all of Dakota's responsibilities and he was finally able to breathe…nevermind that he could not actually take a lung-full of air beneath the ocean's surface without assistance from a rebreather.
Just before breaching the surface, Dakota caught sight of someone swimming towards him. Blue eyes widened behind Dakota's face mask at the sight of the other swimmer not having any breathing equipment. For a moment, he feared the other was in trouble of drowning…that is until they spoke.
"You saved that sea otter," The blonde stated and Dakota blinked before blinking again in complete shock at the blonde being able to do so without choking on water. "I would like to know why."
Slowly pointing upwards towards the surface, Dakota slowly swam up while never taking his eyes off of those startling shades of lilacs. As soon as his head breached the surface, Dakota removed his facemask and rebreather. He inhaled deeply just as the other male appeared a foot or so away from him.
"You can speak underwater…breathe underwater. How is that possible?" Dakota asked quietly, still trying to process that bit of information.
A sleek blonde brow rose and those rosy lips quirked into a slight smirk.
"I believe I asked the first question, Surface Dweller."
And was that tone not snooty? Dakota choked on a laugh, disbelief lacing with the sound.
"Right…the little guy was tangled. Why wouldn't I have cut him free?" Dakota stated rhetorically, giving his shoulders shrug as he drifted closer to the shoreline until his rubber fins brushed sandy ground.
Blonde brows furrowed and how was the blonde able to cross their arms over their chest while being able to keep their head above the water? Dakota knew the other was still further out than he was, unable to touch the seafloor at that distance. He chalked it up to it being related to the man's ability to breathe and speak underwater.
"Most would turn a blind eye to a struggling animal," Was the blonde's reply.
Dakota frowned.
"Then I guess I'm not like most. I would do the same for you if you were tangled up and in need of help. I hope someone would return the favor if I was in that predicament," Dakota told them honestly, reaching beneath him and removing his rubber fins. "Now, since I answered your question, would you mind answer mine?"
Those rosy lips twitched with amusement; the blonde drifting closer until they were also standing on the sandy seafloor.
"I am Orm Marius, Crown Prince of Atlantis."
Dakota's brows rose.
"You're not pulling my leg are you?" Dakota inquired, not wanting to believe Orm, but at the same time recalling the blonde breathing and speaking underwater as if he were on land.
"I assure you I am not touching any part of your body at this moment," Orm scoffed, pausing when Dakota stated laughing. "What is so funny?"
Dakota shook his head, trying to catch his breath.
"It was just a figure of speech. It means 'are you playing around' or 'joking' with me," Dakota stated. "I'm Dakota Langston, by the way."
Orm pursed his lips in thought, before nodding.
"I see, but no. I am being truthful," Orm stated, the two now waist deep in the water.
Dakota took in the amethyst and silver wetsuit hugging Orm's lithe build before quickly adverting his gaze. Then another thought occurred to him.
"Wait, if you can breathe underwater, does breathing outside of it hurt you?" Dakota questioned, thinking of most other aquatic life.
Orm felt a strange sensation fill his chest at the honest concern in the brunette's voice and expression. Some of his previous notions regarding surface dwellers began to wane with his continued interactions with this man.
"No, being from the royal bloodline allows me the ability to breath above the surface without injury," Orm informed him nonchalantly, taking a moment to glance around at the surface land.
Something strange caught Orm's attention and he tilted his head to get a good look at the green and white object. Dakota absently thought of how cute the blonde was in that moment, before turning his head to peer at what caught Orm's attention.
"That's my 1975 Ford Bronco," Dakota stated, grinning as he stepped closer to the shore. "Want to see it up close?"
Orm hesitated, having never stepped foot out of the ocean before. His father warned him of even breaching the surface, claiming the surface dwellers would attack him without question. So far, this man has been nothing but nice to Orm, the brunette seeming just as curious as Orm himself was. He pushed his father's voice to the back of his mind and nodded. Catching the blonde's hesitation, Dakota eased out of the water.
"Do you have modes of transportation in Atlantis?" Dakota questioned.
"We use quads and large marine life as transport, but nothing like…this. How does it work?" Orm asked, joining Dakota by the vehicle and poking the green painted door with a pale finger.
Reaching behind the rear driver side wheel, Dakota pulled out a set of keys and showed Orm. Unlocking the door, Dakota moved aside to allow Orm to view the brown leather interior.
"With this key, I can turn the engine on and off. It uses gasoline to power up."
Distracted by the unfamiliar devices inside, Orm did not notice Dakota move to the back of the Bronco and removing his wetsuit. The sound of something zipping up finally caught Orm's attention and he glanced back only to flush at the sight of Dakota's tanned muscular figure. Lilac orbs strayed downwards to where a light trail of hair led from navel to beneath strange bottoms surface dwellers tended to favor. Orm felt his mouth go dry at the sight, his eyes watching as muscles rippled with every move Dakota made. Suddenly that delicious sight was blocked from view as Dakota tugged on a thick sweater to stave off the cool Alaskan air, before securing his diving gear inside the back of his vehicle.
"Is Atlantis in the Atlantic Ocean like the myths suggest?" Dakota asked, shutting the back window hatch.
Orm nodded, looking away from the brunette in order to hide his mortification at the sudden flush covering his cheeks.
"Then why are you so far away from home?" Dakota asked curiously, rubbing his damp locks with a small towel.
Lilac orbs narrowed as Orm immediately tensed up, his rosy lips pressing thin as he grew irritated. Seeing this, Dakota braced himself for a verbal lashing only to never receive one. Orm exhaled and with it the tension left his body.
"Sightseeing," Orm murmured, turning away from Dakota.
"Me too."
Orm turned back around to see Dakota grinning at him. Confusion filled lilac orbs.
"You are not from here?" Orm questioned, spanning a hand towards the land around them.
Dakota shook his head, leaning a hip against the side of his Bronco while crossing his arms over his chest.
"I have a waterfront home in Cape Vincent," Dakota stated, reaching into the center console and taking out his cellphone.
Orm leaned in closer as he watched Dakota unlock the device and scroll through images. When he landed on a small waterfront cottage, Dakota turned his cellphone around so Orm could get a good look at it.
"This is my home," Dakota told him with pride.
The cottage had been in his family for three generations, having been passed down to him when his parents decided to retire and move to New Zealand where his mother was born and raised. Orm frowned as he reached out to touch the picture, jerking his hand back when he inadvertently swiped to the next one. Dakota's soft chuckle earned himself a glare from Orm, but the blonde's own lips were twitching upwards. The waves pitched against the shoreline and gulls called out to one another. Orm glanced at the orange and yellow backsplash of the setting sun and gapped. He had meant to only be gone for half a day, but meeting Dakota somehow caused Orm to lose trek of time.
"I have to go," Orm voiced, hurrying back towards the water.
"Wa-wait!" Dakota called out, taking a few steps towards Orm.
Orm stopped just as his feet touched water, glancing over his shoulder at the brunette.
"Will I ever see you again?" Dakota asked, dropping his arm to his side as he had been reaching out for the blonde in an effort to catch him before he vanished.
Orm's brows furrowed and he bit his bottom lip in thought.
"Yes."
And it was with that single response that Orm dived beneath the waves and disappeared. Dakota watched the ocean's surface for a good thirty minutes in case Orm came back up, but after seeing nothing, he climbed into his Bronco. It would take him a little under two weeks to make it home to Cape Vincent. All throughout his journey back home, all he could think about was the mysterious blonde he had met.
.:oOo:.
Orm ignored Mera's curious gaze, the blonde too distracted thinking about his encounter with a certain surface dweller three months ago. One a moment, Orm had slipped back into his duties and simple forgot about the brunette. It was by chance that Orm recalled his memory of Dakota when he happened to hear two Atlanteans speak of gathering kelp for medicinal purposes. Hearing about kelp reminded Orm when he had watched Dakota through an Alaska kelp forest. He wanted to see him again.
'Would he be at his home watching the sun setting or would he be diving again?' Orm thought to himself.
"Orm?" Mera called out softly as not to gain King Nereus' and King Orvax's attention, the two kings discussing treaties between the two kingdoms.
'Would he be happy to see me?' Orm wondered, lilac orbs taking in nothing in front of him as his thoughts wandered.
Mera reached out, brushing her fingertips along Orm's forearm and affectively gaining the blonde's attention. He did not speak, only rose a sleek brow at her. She huffed, feeling a mixture of amusement and annoyance at the blonde.
"Where were you just now?" Mera inquired in a whisper, her green eyes questioning.
"A kelp forest," Orm stated, being vaguely truthful.
He had been thinking of the kelp forest…the one he had initially spotted Dakota through. Mera's eyes gleamed with humor, but she did not laugh. Laughing would interrupt their fathers and gain their unwanted attention. Shaking her head, she and Orm turned back towards their fathers who was finishing up their meeting.
"Orm, show Princess Mera around Atlantis. She will need to become familiar with our city as she is to become your wife," Orvax ordered his son, not even sparing the blonde a lock as he left the room.
Mera's lips parted in surprise, her eyes immediately going to her father who was smiling with glee at the arrangements.
"This arrangement is beneficial for both of our kingdoms. I look forward to your union in the coming weeks," King Nereus said to Orm, who could do nothing but nod his head.
He felt hollow inside and all he could think about was kind blue eyes. King Nereus said something that flew by Orm, before the man left the room. Mera turned to Orm, her frown evident.
"Father said the betrothal ceremony is to take place in three weeks," Mera informed him softly, making sure she had his attention before speaking. "If…if there is something you must do before then…you must do so quickly."
Orm bit the inside of his cheek, his gaze narrowed at the redhaired beauty.
"And what makes you think I must do something?" Orm snapped, his anger of the situation growing.
Why must all of his choices be taken away from him. Instead of flinching away, Mera met Orm's glare with one of her own while grabbing one of his hands in hers.
"This person who holds your affections must know how you feel, Orm. If they return them, then could you not bond with them instead? Would you not wish to?" Mera asked, her tone almost pleading.
Orm scoffed, slipping his hand free from her grasp.
"Are you speaking from your own hopes?" Orm inquired, smirking at her without humor.
"You can lash out at me all you want Orm. Go to them or not. The decision is yours to make. Regardless, we are to be bound by our fathers' orders," Mera hissed before hurrying from the room.
Alone, Orm's shoulders slumped. Could he not be the Crown Prince and just be plan ole Orm?
.:oOo:.
"You are a hard man to find," Orm called out and watched as Dakota flailed on the dock before making a splash in the cool waters of the St. Lawrence River.
Coming up for air, Dakota came face to face with someone he thought he would not see again despite Orm's parting words all those months ago.
"Orm, you're here," Dakota voiced in greeting, smiling at the blonde.
How Dakota's blue eyes lit up in honest delight had Orm's chest fill with warmth. Orm's eyes flickered to the exact house Dakota had shown him an image of. It was just as he remembered.
"Would you like to come inside?" Dakota asked, not even phased about being soaked to the bone in his jeans and shirt.
"I would like that," Orm answered honestly, following after Dakota as the brunette reached the dock and pulled himself up.
Orm stared at Dakota's toned forearms, the muscles becoming obvious with the ease in which the brunette pulled himself up and out of the water. Lilac orbs blinked at the hand suddenly held out to him and he looked up into amused blues. Slipping his hand in Dakota's, Orm placed his other on the dock and relished in the brunette's strength in pulling him onto the dock with him.
Inside the home was unlike anything Orm could have ever imagined. Being one so curious, he did not hold back his questions about the unknowns inside Dakota's cottage. The brunette answered, all too happy to expand on Orm's knowledge regarding things the surface world had that the underwater civilization did not. Halfway through explaining how to work the radio, Dakota caught Orm give the air a small sniff. It was then he remembered the pot of seafood chowder simmering on the stove.
"The chowder should be done by now. Would you like to stay for dinner?" Dakota questioned, moving towards the kitchen to check on the food.
"It smells good. What's in it?" Orm asked, peering around Dakota's shoulder to look at the contents of the pot.
"Um…let's see. Lobster tail, shrimp, scallops, baby clams, some red snapper and halibut. I also have some toast bread we can have with it," Dakota stated, turning off the heat and reaching out for a couple of bowls.
He turned and caught Orm's wrist before the blonde could stick his finger in the hot liquid.
"Careful. I don't want you to burn yourself," Dakota voiced lightly, scooping up generous helpings of the chowder.
Placing the bowls on the table, Dakota motioned for Orm to take a seat while he grabbed them something to drink. Unsure of what the blonde usually drank, Dakota fixed two glasses of water and grabbed two beers from the ridge. It was during their shared meal that both learned of Orm's weak tolerance to alcohol.
"Why is the room spinning?" Orm asked, his speech slurred and eyes squinted in an effort to focus on something…anything that was not moving.
"I apologize. I had no idea that beer would have this affect on you," Dakota stated as he helped the stumbling blonde over to his living room sofa.
Orm hiccupped, the sound causing lilac orbs to widen and the blonde to slam a hand over his mouth. Orm winced, having hit himself harder than he expected, before a giggle erupted. Dakota scratched the back of his head, cringing as Orm seemed to go through several different emotions ranging from confusion, surprise, giddiness, and straight on to being sad. Orm sniffled, turning onto his side and burying his face in his arms.
"Hey," Dakota voiced softly, sitting on the edge of the couch and placing a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder. "What's wrong?"
Moist lilacs peered up through tousled blonde strands, Orm's usual slick back hairstyle dry and windswept in appearance.
"Why does everyone make decisions for me?" Orm asked, his bottom lip quivering.
"Uh…," Dakota trailed off, unsure of how to answer that.
During dinner, Orm had informed Dakota of his impending betrothal and his exact thoughts on the matter.
"Well," Dakota stated, giving in to the urge and brushing Orm's blonde hair away from those unique eyes. "Have you spoken to your dad about how you feel?"
"How I feel doesn't matter. All that does if that I obey his orders," Orm murmured, his eyes growing heavy as Dakota's fingers ran through his hair.
No one had touched Orm like this since his mother was banished from Atlantis. She would run her fingers through his hair whenever he was upset about something. The memories that feeling provoked caused tears to prick the corners of Orm's eyes. He recalled the day King Orvax banished Queen Atlanna, and how afterwards, Orm was ordered to never mention his mother again with threats of punishments.
"If he is having you marry this princess, then why are you here with me?" Dakota questioned, not meaning to be hurtful in his words.
Orm sat up quickly, his fingers grabbing hold of Dakota's shirt as lilac met ocean blue.
"Because I wanted to decide something for myself for once," Orm admitted not only to Dakota, but to himself. "I wanted to see you again."
Dakota caressed the side of Orm's face and Orm found himself leaning into the other's touch.
"We hardly know one another, Orm," Dakota whispered gently, his thumb tracing Orm's bottom lip.
"Maybe that's for the best," Orm stated, before dipping his tongue out to catch a taste of Dakota's thumb.
Dakota's lips parted at that motion, before leaning forward and resting his forehead against Orm's.
"What if I don't want it to be? What if I want this to last?" Dakota asked.
Orm closed his eyes, reaching up and slipping his arms around the brunette's shoulders. Opening his eyes, Orm leaned back, bringing Dakota with him.
"Then make it last," Orm stated, before slanting his mouth over Dakota's.
.:oOo:.
SMACK!
Orm stumbled backwards, his hand coming up to cover his stinging cheek. Wincing at the pain on his bottom lip, Orm looked down at his hand to see that he was bleeding. Before he could voice his thoughts, King Orvax had Orm up against the wall with the staff of his trident pressing hard against the blonde's throat.
"You dare repeat the actions of that-that woman?" King Orvax sneered angrily at his son and heir. "Obviously, you need reminding of your duties just as she did."
Orm glared up at his father, his hands gripping onto the staff of King Orvax's trident in an effort to relieve the pressure against his windpipe.
"King Orvax!" Vulko shouted in alarm, having witnessed the King's attack on the Crown Prince.
King Orvax's head turned to Vulko, his face seething.
"Know your place, Vulko," King Orvax sneered, the rage simmering within the king growing closer to the surface.
"Father…pl-please," Orm begged. "I lov-love him."
King Orvax glared at Orm, his face twisted in disgust.
"Love? You are the Crown Prince. You don't get to love anyone," King Orvax hissed, pressing his trident closer until Orm struggled to breathe. "He will be dealt with by my own hands to be sure."
With that said, Orm's eyes widened and he kicked out at his father as the man gripped him by his hair. Orm's lilac orbs, so much like his mother's grew blurry as he fought to remain conscious. If he passed out now, he knew that he would be unable to do anything to warn Dakota. How his father had found out about where exactly Orm spent his days for the last two weeks were a mystery. He never should have given in to his desire to seek Dakota out. If he had controlled himself, Dakota's life would not be a risk. Meeting Vulko's fearful gaze, Orm tried to plead with the man to do something…anything. Darkness encroached his vision and Orm fell limp.
.:oOo:.
The morning started like any other. Dakota woke up with the sun, started a brew of coffee as he cooked breakfast, and then moved to get dressed for the day. Stepping out onto his back patio that faced the water, Dakota froze at the sight before him, his fingers losing their grip on his coffee mug.
"Orm?" Dakota voiced in surprise, seeing the unmoving form splayed out at the end of his dock. "Orm!"
Rushing off of the patio, Dakota ran towards his dock and the unconscious man. Falling to his knees, Dakota carefully turned Orm over. Blue eyes darkened at the bruised cheek and busted lip marring Orm's face.
"Orm," Dakota called out again, reaching into his back pocket for his cellphone. "Wake up, Sweetheart."
"How…sweet."
At the disgust-filled sneer, Dakota's head jerked up to see a large brunette clad in a red scale-like wetsuit with golden armor standing at the edge of the dock wielding a trident.
"My son has a valuable lesson to learn, one I plan on teaching him," King Orvax stated, his piercing gaze locked on Dakota.
"What did you do to him?" Dakota growled, pulling Orm's limp form into his arms protectively.
King Orvax took a single step towards them, before stopping to point his trident at Dakota. Orm groaned, coming to just as water began to swirl up in the air around the three of them. King Orvax mouth twisted up into a smirk, his eyes raving mad.
"Let's see how well you fair underwater, Surface Dweller. Then we shall determine your worth," King Orvax voiced in amusement.
Orm opened his eyes just as water crashed on top of him and Dakota, the brunette's arms tightening around the blonde. Orm twisted around in Dakota's grip, wrapping his arms around him as the harsh current forced them off of the dock and into the river. Without hesitating, Orm covered Dakota's mouth with his, breathing for him as the current kept them trapped beneath the surface.
"Tsk, tsk, you're not supposed to do that," King Orvax chastised his son, appearing beside the two and wrenching them apart.
"Dakota!" Orm shouted, reaching out to grab the brunette as the current grabbed hold of Dakota.
"Watch him, Orm. See how he can't breathe? That means he is unworthy of you," King Orvax sneered in his son's ear.
Orm jerked his arm back, catching his father in the throat with his elbow and affectively stunning the man long enough for Orm to break free. Speeding through the water, Orm caught Dakota and forced oxygen into the brunette while maintaining his speed in an effort to get the man to safety. An angry yell erupted behind them, but Orm kept his focus on getting Dakota away from his father and out of the water. Using his trident, King Orvax had the river split in half. Orm and Dakota tumbled onto the riverbed, the brunette grunting in pain at the landing. Before they could gather themselves, King Orvax slammed the water back down on top of them. He caught his son in a headlock seconds later, tightening his grip as he forced Orm to stare in horror as Dakota was held under a swirling vortex. Dakota's body spasmed as he fought for air, his hands clawing at the water's surface with only the tips of his fingers breaching.
"Father, please!" Orm screamed, unable to do anything more than watch as the last air bubble escaped Dakota's parted lips and the brunette grew limp, his blue eyes open and unseeing. "Dakota!"
Releasing both his son and the vortex, King Orvax watched as Orm went to the man's side without hesitation. He continued watching as Orm carried Dakota out of the river and carefully laid him down on solid land before attempting to draw the water from the brunette's lungs.
"You never were good at manipulating water without your trident, Orm," King Orvax stated in a tone as if one who was speaking of something mundane.
"What have you done?" Orm cried out, his voice breaking as he pulled Dakota into his arms. "I'll never forgive you!"
King Orvax scoffed.
"You don't have to. All you need to do is learn from this and never have me repeat it," King Orvax told him plainly. "Don't make me come back here to drag you home."
With that, King Orvax dived into the river and vanished back to Atlantis. A broken sob escaped Orm, one arm wrapped tightly around Dakota while his other hand buried in wet locks.
"Move," A voice ordered as hands pried Orm away.
Orm struggled, only to be held back by someone while Mera leaned over Dakota. She placed her hand over Dakota's mouth and her palm began to glow a brilliant blue.
"Let her help him," Vulko murmured to the blonde, the two watching as water began to rise out of Dakota's lips.
As the last of the water was pulled from Dakota's lungs, Mera pressed her glowing palm to his chest. Seconds passed into a minute before she sighed sadly, pulling her hand away.
"No, no, don't stop! Help him!" Orm demanded, struggling anew in Vulko's grasp. "He-help him!"
Mera bit her bottom lip, her green eyes growing damp with unshed tears as she witnessed Orm breaking down.
"I'm so-sorry, Orm, but he's gone," Mera apologized,
"I never should have…I never should have listened to you!" Orm screamed, rage twisting his features as he glared at Mera, the redhead actually leaning back from the blonde's anger. "He's dead!"
Wrenching away from Vulko, Orm jumped into the water and disappeared in his grief. A tear trailed down Mera's cheek, her saddened gaze meeting Vulko's.
"Go after him, Princess. I'll take care of him," Vulko told her, motioning to the motionless figure before them.
Mera hesitated, wanting nothing more than to leave Orm be, but knew he would end up doing something reckless. Nodding, she hurried after the blonde. Vulko sighed, his body heavy as he turned his gaze downward. A soft gasp of air had Vulko's eyes widening and he stared in surprise as unfocused blue eyes opened.
"Orm…," Dakota whispered, his chest tight and preventing him from speaking louder.
Vulko leaned over until he was in Dakota's line of sight.
"Forget about him. You'll both be safer that way," Vulko voiced gruffly, before gently tapping the brunette's forehead. "Live your life, Dakota Langston, but do so without Orm."
Vulko left Dakota laying on the river's shoreline, the brunette carefully inhaling and exhaling with every needed breath. It would be the day Dakota started feeling as though he were missing something, but no matter how hard he tried to remember what that empty void meant, images would slip from his grasp.
.:END:.