The Deep Oneshots Part 2

age swap au

Tis Christmas my dudes.

Christmas eve was usually quiet on the floating market. Most people took the opportunity to spend time with family. The few stalls that were set up mostly had a few last minute Christmas gifts, nothing particularly good but great for someone running out of time.

In fact the only person running as normal was Dolos. Luckily for Alpheus that's the exact person he needed to see.

"Ah, Alpheus how can I help you?"

"I heard you came across some artifacts, I want to buy them."

"Ah yes, wait here I'll get them for you."

Dolos got up from his desk and walked below deck. Leaving Alpheus alone on deck.

Meanwhile on the Aronnax Ant and Fontaine were wrapping the final few Christmas presents. Will and Kaiko were in the kitchen, baking batches of Christmas cookies in all shapes and sizes. They'd just taken the second batch out of the oven when Will got a message from Dolos.

'Your grandson is here, please come get him.'

William smiled. He knew paying off his old friend was a good choice. He smiled and called Ant over the coms.

"Ant, Dolos just texted me-"

"I swear I didn't do anything!!"

"No, your sons on his boat. Would you like to go get him? We're only twenty minutes from the floating market."

"Tell him I'm on my way!"

Ant jumped up, just before Ant could run to the moon pool Fontaine grabbed his arm.

"Give me a second I'm coming too."

"Right, I'll get the rover ready to go."

Fontaine nodded before heading off to grab a few things. Ant gave her a very odd look when she pulled a duffle bag into the rover. She just smiled and closed the canopy.

It had been twenty minutes since Dolos had headed below deck, Alpheus was freezing. He'd learned pretty quickly he did not bring the right coat for this weather, he had been shivering since Dolos closed the door and the snow that had landed on him had melted, only making him colder. He was very close to giving up and heading back to his submarine when he heard two very familiar voices.

"Ant can you please slow down! You're going to slip."

"I am not going to sliiiip- woooah- ...Ow."

"What was that about not slipping?"

"Shut up."

Alpheus darted down the gang plank doing his best not to slip and fall.

"Oh there he is!"

"SON!!!"

Ant yelled as he dragged himself up off the floor. Alpheus ran as fast as he could in the other direction, Nektons hot on his heels. The icy conditions made the chase quick comical, the three of them were constantly slipping and falling, Alpheus was sure the stall operators were having a good laugh at their expense.

"Come on!! Its Christmas!! A time to be spent with family!!"

"Leave me alone!!" The kid hissed dragging himself off the floor for the tenth time.

"... Fontaine, get the net."

Fontaine pulled a massive fold up net out from a pocket hidden inside her jacket. Alpheus' eyes widened in confusion and fear, he ran much, much faster. To fast. When approaching a turn in the market, he couldn't stop and went right over the edge into the freezing cold water. He couldn't think, couldn't move, it was just too cold.