@silverskins said : "i love you," she whispered in a panicked breath, wet hair sticking to her face as she clung onto arthur as if it were life or death. the pair floating along the surface of the surrounding ocean, she found herself nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck, afraid if she were to lose her grip now, she might just sink without him. // it's fine!!!!!!!
status : EXCUSE ME .
his breaths are shallow , even in the familiar , salted surface of this seawater . it’s not from the exertion of shooting them all the way up from atlantis that has him breathing so hard . one arm is wound so firmly around her waist that he might squeeze her to bursting if he tightens his grip any more . but he can’t help himself . she had nearly died down there she had almost drowned . if he hadn’t noticed orm glancing toward her , if he hadn’t followed that gaze , if he hadn’t noticed ana floating , so terrifyingly listless , in the water she wouldn’t be here right now . her body , maybe , but none of her consciousness , none of her life . and if that had happened , he doesn’t know what he would’ve done . how could he have been so stupid ?
it’s in the quiet waters , in the wide open surface of the seas , no land visible in any direction , that she whispers her words . he’s not sure he’s heard her right at first . think it’s only the gentle sea wind that whispers it past his ears . but it was in ana’s voice , and he knows somewhere in himself that it was her . it couldn’t be anyone else .
blinking , he looks off to the wavering horizon . his grip on her loosens but doesn’t leave her . she feels so fragile in his arms , and he feels so … shocked . the adrenaline and the threat of near death had made her say it . but soon , his free hand moves up her back , running fingers his fingers along her hair . a few feet away floats her helmet , but he couldn’t care less about it he only cares to nuzzle his jaw against her hair . is he ready to say it , he wonders ? she’s grown on him the way no one else has . of course he is . he had interrupted his speech just to bring her back up here . the people can wait : saving the woman he loves never can .
he turns his head and presses his lips against her head before pulling back so that he can see her face . his gaze is softer than it’s been before , and his heart is pounding in his chest . he just needs to get past it . he draws in a breath , pauses hesitates and then , swallowing , sighs out softly . ❝ i love you too . i’m sorry for taking you down there . ❞