Archive of Our Own

he didn't need to open his eyes. no, he simply needed to step into the water, walking until he dropped. walking until the water took him beneath the surface, tearing him away from fontaine and from the stresses of his life. guiding him to his sanctuary, to his garden, to the one place he could truly rest.

the waters were cold as he fell in, his eyes shut as he plummeted backwards. they were always cold to him, always foreign to him since the lockfolk left so many years ago. perhaps it was the consequence of his job title, of the position he had taken so many years ago. but their coldness truly didn't matter to him. there was only one water that he cared about.

around him, whales sang their songs, vibrating in his ears, welcoming him to his respite. his clothes melded with the water, a gift granted to him by his legacy. and as his clothes melded, he felt his physical form melt away, becoming the waters that surrounded him. the desire to simply return to his original state, to return to the water tugged at his mind, screaming to search for the part of his soul that had been so unfairly ripped away all those years ago. to rid himself of a human body, to forget the struggles of human life, to search.

it was the soft onset of soothing, warm waters that cushioned his head that reminded him of why he no longer needed to give up his corporeal form.

trust.

trust that you would always come home. that you would always be where the waters were murkiest, where the families of whales would migrate so you could listen to their love songs and adoration for one another. trust that you would always welcome the tired and the weary into your arms, guiding them to a safe haven, a safe respite, a new beginning.

trust that you would always catch him when he fell.

warm waters warped around his body, shifting and swaying all around him. and slowly the water around him formed, gentle arms wrapped around his torso, fluttering touches on his neck. he didn't need to look, a smile forming on his lips as his eyes remained shut. what felt like a hand pressed down on his chest, and what felt like lips came to rest on his mouth. his hands instinctively went up to caress the all too familiar sensation, only to find nothing.

patience, my beloved, the familiar sound whispered into his ear.

yes, this water was familiar, warm and comforting. it was you, after all. and how could he possibly forget the touch of your waters after centuries of being a lovesick fool.

his back touched the bottom of the ocean, followed by his legs. but his head landed on your lap, soft and gentle hands leading him down. and as he opened his eyes to the dark, murky depths, he found himself at him in a whale carcass, the creature's rib bones soaring above him. curious sea creatures watched, darting in and out to observe the mysterious man that had disturbed their slumber. and in the distance, the whales greeted him, teaching their song to the younger members of the family.

you sat next to him, adoration scrawled on your face as you looked down on him. an adoration that the chief justice struggled to process, to imagine that someone could possibly ever look at him like that. and yet... you did. with a soft smile on your lips, gentle crow lines forming as you tilted your head down to look at him. he raised his hand up to your cheek, running a thumb over the lines that seemed to match his.

i think i would like to age with you, if that's alright. your words from centuries ago rang in his head. i heard humans say that love changes you, and i would like to show you how you have changed me.

to be loved and held by an oceanid for centuries. it was a story only the archon of love could dream of writing.

"you are as beautiful as the day i first lost you, love."

your shoulders shook as you chuckled, lips pressed into the palm of his hand.

"as are you, neuvillette..." your reached out a hand, tracing the fine lines underneath his eyes. "but i believe that pesky hydro archon has given this body of yours a few new..." you narrowed your eyes, your eyebrows stitched together. "what do the humans call it, wrinkles?"

he laughed as he took your hand in his, lacing your fingers together.

"to humans, it shows signs of aging. of wisdom, it's a status of respect. but..." he sighed heavily, shaking his head. "in my case, i'm afraid it's a lack of rest and stress from a certain archon."

you clicked your tongue disapprovingly. "hm, perhaps i need to return and remind her of our promise."

"no, dear, there's no need for that." it was an empty threat, he knew that. but he couldn't help but find himself chuckling at the idea. "i promise that i rest plenty."

"but do you truly rest?" you asked with a raised eyebrow.

"when i am ready for my last breath on the surface, i will finally join you. here, in your depths, in your garden, i will lay this human body to rest." he ran his thumb across your cheek. "and our souls and waters will once again mingle together, as they should have always been. then, and only then, shall i truly be able to rest."

you laughed softly, pressing your forehead to his. "do your people know their judge speaks poetry to the ocean and her whales?"

he pressed a kiss to your lips, his words only a murmur for you to hear.

"they will know only when my death comes to them, they are undeserving to hear it from my lips. i have books, shelves full of poetry, of sonnets, of stories that are to be released upon my physical death. your stories, your soul, our love. if i contribute one thing to this world upon my death, it shall be the bearing of my heart to this world."

you smiled softly. "that is quite a long story, then, after all these centuries. do tell, what shall you call this story of yours?"

"whale fall."