The Forgotten Waters.

Chapter Five: Unanswered

After talking with Lana and Drake, Aiden had taken Lana's advice and went to get ready for the Pearl Dance. He had returned back to his own hide, his own small cave. The merman had started looking at old trinkets that brought back warm memories. Some, he and Caspian had discovered together.

One of them, was a old bracelet. Decorative shells were looped on to the bracelet and it had a 'A' carved into one of the darker shells. He planned on wearing it to the Pearl Dance. The closer it came, the more anxious he became. Aiden still questioned what Caspian was going to have to say to him. If he found interest in him at all for that matter.

The merman let out a heavy sigh before rubbing the back of his head. That one haunted him. Aiden feared the rejection from Caspian, but he needed to know the truth too. The male craved it.

Aiden had found what he was going to wear. He had fixed up a skirt that flowed with his tail. White, as well as the top that covered his chest. His auburn hair, he had braided a strand to the side. It was nearly time for him to go meet Caspian. The closer that came, the more questioning it all was becoming. Aiden looked down at his hands as a heavy sigh escaped his mouth.

"What's on your mind, Squirt?" Caspian swam in, barely fitting inside Aiden's small home, "You alright? Gal got you pretty good." Caspian's eyes traced Aiden for a moment before he averted his eyes, "I didn't realize you want to participate in the actual dance."

Aiden had swung around suddenly. His eyes widened as Caspian entered, "H-Hey! I know Lana taught you not to just invade homes, and stop calling me that.." Aiden looked at Caspian before looking down, "You're not supposed to see this right now!" Aiden frowned. A sudden tension was building, "You're not?" The male shifted a bit. He seemed thrown off, "You wanted to meet before though, why?"

Caspian swam forward before leaning down to speak to him, "Can you trust me?" He looked down for moment, "I need that time alone with you. Alright?" Caspian hadn't been comfortable around other merpeople in a long time. He always seemed to avoid the groups, but Aiden was always the one to sit it out with him, "The thick seaweed. You haven't forgotten?" Caspian traced his hand up Aiden's cheek slowly as he observed his bruised cheek. The male had leaned in close as his hand gently gripped Aiden's hair, "I won't let Gal do that again and get away with it."

Aiden was breathing heavy. His hands came up as he held Caspian's hands in his own, "Why can't you just say it?"

Caspian tilted his head to the side as his knuckle brushed Aiden's cheek. He closed his eyes for a moment before letting out a groan, "I like to follow rules too, Aiden. I'm a warrior, remember?"

Aiden's face was steaming red as he lost words. Caspian's touch truly froze the feminine male. He felt as if he was going to go belly up the closer Caspian put himself, "Yeah, a stubborn, shy, cranky one with no sense of humor."

Caspian rolled his eyes. The male scratched his head, "Shy? I'm not the one turning the color of his tail." The raven haired male grinned as he leaned down and lightly brushed his nose to Aiden's.

Aiden had moved back, but Caspian had cornered him in the room. The red head turned his head away. He brought his frail hands up and pushed against the warriors chest, "I admitted my feelings and you ran. I think that's enough proof. I'm embarrassed, not shy." Aiden sulked.

"Hmph." Caspian was grinning from ear to ear as he moved back from the smaller male, "Sun will be down before you know it. Meet me there."

Aiden's brow raised, "What if I say no? Will you tell me then?"

Caspian grinned, a expression only given to the feminine male, "No." He bowed his head down, "I'll meet you there." With that, he swam out.

Aiden floated down to rest on the ground as Caspian swam out. The male looked at his hands quietly. Of course he was upset. He always felt as if Caspian was going to say something, but he never did. The male opened his hand to look at his bracelet. Aiden's eyes spilled over with tears as he brought his hands up and covered his face.

Why am I so scared?

_____

"Aiden, are you ready? Aiden!" Penelope called into the cave, but it was quiet. The pink finned mermaid peeked her head inside, "Aiden..?" Penelope called out softly to him, but as something came outside with her, she screamed, "Ah!"

Aiden on the other hand, was laughing. The red head had a grin plastered on his face.

"You little brat!" Penelope smacked him lightly on the back of the head.

"Ow.."

"Oh come on now that didn't hurt."

Aiden shrugged his shoulders, "At least you asked me if you could come in. I thought I was going to have a heart attack earlier when Caspian came out of nowhere." He mumbled a bit now. Aiden was petrified to say the least. Caspian was his best friend. He didn't want to ruin that, but Aiden had always been honest. He told what he felt. Penelope and Aiden had always been close, but Aiden's bond with Caspian was different.

"Caspian was here?!" She gave a light twirl before poking Aiden's shoulder, "You always get nervous when he's around. Did you tell him anything else?" Penelope tilted her head.

They talked to one another about the matter as they swam towards the cove where the dance was going to be held. The sun had nearly set, and those who were preparing to court, which had to be nearly everyone Aiden's age.

Once they were near the edge of the sea valley, Aiden's eyes widened. Above was a soft pink light that glowed dimly. It nearly covered the entire top of the water, "The jellyfish? They are going to light up the entire valley!" Aiden smiled lightly, but it faded, "Is it safe though?"

Penelope shook her head, "We'll be fine, Aiden. The Land Walkers haven't been seen in over ten years. Yeah? The lights are natural anyway. Why would they dive into a layer of jellies?" Penelope was always one to reinforce positive thoughts. The female smiled kindly, "You worry to much." She took Aiden's hand and gave a pull, "Come on. Aren't you going to present yourself?"

Aiden shook his head no as he was yanked in. The red head flushed deeply as he was pulled into the chaos of the mermaid's dancing, eating, and rejoicing this special evening, "Penelope, I told Caspian I'd meet him before this. The sun is nearly down and I want to know what he has to say."

Penelope smiled lightly. The mermaid gave him a reassuring grip of his hand, "Aiden, is Caspian the one you truly wish to have? So many merman, warriors even, have had eyes on you. He ran away from you. I just don't want to see you hurt. Gal, you know he has always-"

Aiden shook his head stubbornly, "You obviously don't know Caspian." The male found himself suddenly defensive over the subject. Caspian was the one Aiden wanted to give his heart to. The Pearl Dance was a night of serious courtship, "I'll see you later, Penelope."

Aiden felt a sudden unease, 'What if she is right?'