Ocean Blue

Chapter 13

(Who wants to see merman Taras? No one, I know)

"How is he?"

Shiro sighed, rubbing his forehead blearily. It had been three days since Pidge had left, and they hadn't seen her since. "Not great," he said in answer to Allura's question, "He's sprouted another blood vein today, and the poison is moving fast. It just seems like..."

"Like every time we pop a blood vein, two more show up," Allura finished, "I know. Lance says that there's nothing else we do- that he needs that plant, or he won't survive. Destroying the blood veins only slows down the poison, not stop it completely."

"How is Lance?"

"There's good news there, at least. The harpoon wound is sealing up nicely. He'll be able to swim again soon, but..."

"But not in time to save Keith."

Allura nodded. "Exactly." She looked down at Keith, who was getting paler every day. Her face hardened. "I knewthat I should've gone! The ocean is dangerous- Pidge could be injured right now for all we know- even dead! And Keith—" her voice cracked. "Keith could follow soon."

"What if- there might be another option. It's not one that I like, but- sometimes, if someone gets bitten by a water snake while at sea, we have to cut out the venom. We might be able to do that."

Allura sighed, looking bleakly down at Keith. "We'll give Pidge two more days. Then- then we might have to."

Xxx

"Pidge?"

Pidge didn't answer Taras. She continued to sit, dangling her legs over the cliffside and staring out at the ocean.

Taras sighed and sat next to her. "Pidge, I'm sorry, but I don't think that they can find you."

"Coran said that he'd keep an eye on me," Pidge said stubbornly, "They'll come."

"Pidge—"

"Don't take that tone of voice with me! Keith is dying, maybe even already dead. I don't want to talk to you."

"I'm sorry, Pidge," Taras sighed.

"For what?" she snapped.

"For this."

Taras snatched the mermaid tear off of Pidge's neck and tied it around his own. It was only then that she realized he was topless, and was only wearing a blanket wrapped around his waist.

"Taras—"

Taras dove into the ocean, his legs fusing into a storm-grey tail the instant he hit the water.

"TARAS, NO!" Pidge screamed, "YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG IT'LL LAST!"

"Hopefully long enough to save Keith," Taras called gravely, and disappeared into the ocean.

Xxx

Shiro opened the door to Keith's room. Allura was crying inside, and his heart stopped. "Is he—"

"His heart stopped for a second," Allura sobbed, "His pulse just stopped and I thought- I thought- I can't lose anyone else! I can't!" She flung herself at him, sobbing, and he caught her, stroking her white hair gently.

"Shhhh, it's okay. It's oookay."

"I'm sorry," Allura sobbed, "I'm sorry I was horrible to you! I'm sorry that I didn't want to help you! You're not a coward, and- please forgive me!"

"It's okay," Shiro soothed, "I don't blame you. You've had it rough."

"I'm just- I'm so, soworried! Keith was the only one who helped me when I was in trouble, and now that his life is in danger- I'm powerless to save him!"