The Forgotten Waters.

Chapter Twenty-Five: Drowned Memory

"Do you remember when we were small?" Caspian stroked Aiden's head gently; his fingers occasionally ran through his fire orange locks. A few hours had passed, and outside the cave, it was clear. The beasts from before had lost interest and went elsewhere, and for the most part, the world around them was quiet. Evening was approaching. It wouldn't be long before they could attempt their escape again, "I remember when your mother brought you in. You were small. You're still small." Caspian spoke calmly. It had been some time since he had just relaxed. Even now his eyes were shifting towards the cluster of rocks that they had piled up for reinforcement.

"Hmm? I don't remember much honestly." Aiden brought himself up from his lover's frame. He looked over the shark, his eyes shifted over the Prince as he found himself flushing. He sunk back down as he put himself against the warrior's chest. The male leaned forward and pressed his head to the larger male.

"What do you remember?"

Aiden curled his tail upward as he fell into thought. That was something he didn't really take the time to think of anymore. Until now, that is, "I remember a small shell. I don't know how long I was in there, but I was with my mother. The water felt terrible on the skin, I remember not being able to breathe at one point before it suddenly turned into the best waters I had ever felt. I remember...and I remember waking up in mother's arms being greeted by Lana." Aiden wasn't used to Caspian asking about his past. The two never really discussed such things, but they never had the time, "What does this matter now?"

Caspian cocked his head to the side. The Prince rolled over before pulling Aiden close to him. His hands gripped the smaller merman's hips tightly. He couldn't help but always question where Aiden came from even in the beginning. He brushed his hair back. Behind the other's ear fin, a brand reading, %101. Aiden had this since he was small. When he was younger it was red, but over the years it had gone white.  The warrior recalled Aiden being brought in, but his father had refused to discuss where he had came from. Even his mother had been left in the dark about the small babe. One day he was just, found with his mother. She had bonded with another in their school. Aiden had known no different. Everyone questioned if Aiden had been dropped by the Land Walkers, but nothing was ever proven. Aiden's mother avoided most everyone but Lana and Drake. No one was completely certain why it was that way, but she had been that way up until the attack, when she was lost, "Nothing honestly, Aiden. I'm just looking to pass the time." Caspian didn't want to put more on the merman's mind, and quickly realized that wasn't the best time to talk about it.

Aiden glanced up at Caspian. The merman had been lost in his own thoughts for some time. Since he and Penelope had been talking, he kept feeling like he was forgetting something. As if it was washed from his brain. The male rubbed his palm over his freckled face, "When are we leaving? You think it's going to be much longer?" The last thing Aiden wanted was to get further behind the family. He worried about Lana, Penelope. The order had been made so quickly, Aiden felt foolish for coming out, "I-I'm sorry I came back. I just, I couldn't leave you Caspian. It's my job to protect you too."

Caspian's brow raised. The shark class showed his razored teeth before letting out a soft chuckle, "Aiden, as much as I hate that you did, I'm just as happy in the same. I know you're here, with me. Safe." He kissed his forehead, "It won't be long and we'll leave, and make our way to them. We'll catch up in no time I'm certain of it. For all we know, they're still on the other side of that coral." The prince looked over Aiden. He suddenly reached down and grabbed his cheeks in his hand before lifting his face to look at him, "I'll let you know when I need protecting. Until then, you're under my fin. Alright?"

Aiden shook his head, "You were nearly killed that night, Caspian. If I hadn't jumped in when that merman in black attacked you I.." He didn't know what he would had done. The realization that he had killed someone had suddenly hit him. The male went quiet for a moment, seeming to drown in his thoughts before chiming back in, "You're not going to stop me from protecting you.. you're my partner, Caspian. You don't have to do this alone."