The Deep Oneshots Part 2

Ant-napped au

Posted about this on Tumblr, please give me name suggestions.

It was cold. Incredibly cold. Ant was pacing back and forth shivering. Protues had left him here a little over 5 minutes ago. Not caring that he was soaked and shivering. He his finger tips were numb and there was a tingling pain in his lips and nose. He really hoped someone found him soon.

Ant jumped as a large purple submarine broke through the ice near by. An air lock opened and a young man stepped out.

"Antaeus Nekton I assume?"

Ant nodded slowly.

"Did- Did my parents send you?"

"No."

"Do- do you know if- if they're ok?"

"I'm afraid not."

"... you work for Protues don't you."

"I work with Proteus thank you very much. Now do you want to stay out here and freeze, or would you like to come inside?"

Ant stepped back.

"I- I'll take my chances out here th-thanks."

"There's a storm moving in. No one else is coming for you."

Ant stared as he rubbed his arms trying to get warm.

"But hey, it's your choice.."

Ant reluctantly walked towards him. The man rolled his eyes as he helped him inside.

"Good choice... let's... let's get you warmed up."

Ant didn't have the energy to argue. He was lead into what seemed to be a small med bay. The man gestured to a small gurney by the wall. Ant sat down still shivering. Eventually he came back over with a few blankets and a first aid kit.

"... how long were you out there?"

"I-im not sure."

The man put a blanket around his shoulders.

"You've got some mild frostbite. But you should be ok."

The man handed him a towel.

"For when the ice in your hair melts."

Ant didn't respond, just stared off into space.

"Do... do you want some tea?"

Ant gave the man a strange look.

"Tea?"

"You know. To warm you up."

"You kidnapped me and now you're offering me tea? What is this."

"Well I'm sorry for trying to be nice. Would you rather I stuff you in a storage closet?"

"No, no I would not. But you've got to work on your people skills."

The man glared. Ant glared back.

"Aria, don't let him leave this room. I'll be back."

"Wait! Where are you going?!"

Ant didn't get a response. He tried to follow but the door wouldn't open. He tried snooping through the draws but they wouldn't open. Eventually he curled back up on the gurney and waited. Trying not to think to hard. Trying not to cry.

Alpheus was pacing around the bridge. There had to be a reason why he'd left the kid there. He'd been in the water. He could have died. Protues wasn't answering his calls. Or his messages. Was he ignoring him on purpose?

Eventually Alpheus gave up and went to the kitchen instead. He needed a coffee. Despite the kids previous protests Alpheus made him a cup of tea. It couldn't hurt.