Once you are a good distance away from the warehouse you breach the water, eyes focusing on the burning building. The small forms of humans running in and out of the place showed how chaotic the situation had become. The scent of human blood, ash, and other foreign smells invade your senses, causing your growing worry to spike.
"I cannot dawdle here," you frown.
Remembering what Jotaro had told you, you plan to set off in the direction of the cove but before you could dart beneath the water Fae breaches the water next to you.
"[Y/n], where are you going," she asks with an expression filled with concern.
"There's something I must do," you reply.
"What," she hisses in bewilderment, "But it's no longer safe for us here!"
"I know," you sigh, "but it's something important."
Fae's concern grows more as she reaches toward you, a protest at the ready, "But—!"
"It's alright, Fae," you clasp her hand, your expression serious, "I have to do this, or more unwanted trouble will come upon us."
Fae wanted so much to plead with you to just leave, but from experience, she knew you were doing what's best for the pod.
This is why you are such a good leader.
Sighing wearily, Fae gives a reluctant nod before uttering, "Alright, I understand."
"Good," you smile before commanding, "Now, take everyone to the place we found, if I'm not back within 10 minutes you must go on without me."
"What," Fae yells in shock while shaking her head, "We won't leave you!"
Your expression doesn't change as you whisper, "Fae, promise me."
Once again she wanted to plead with you, yet she knew you wouldn't listen to her.
"I promise," she mumbles.
Releasing your grip on her hands, you ease away from her before sinking beneath the water. Fae followed close, watching as you prepared to swim in the opposite direction.
Sighing, her expression is stern as she says, "Make sure to come back in one piece!"
With a soft laugh and a simple wave of your hand you respond with, "I will!"
After that, you and Fae part ways.
Your form sped through the water, alarming a small pod of fish in the process as you made your way back to the cove. You wouldn't be surprised if Jotaro was already there for the amount of time it took to speak with Fae took longer than expected. Not wanting to waste any more time you speed up and soon enough, you were passing through the cove's entrance.
Peering out of the water briefly, you release a small sigh the moment Jotaro rounds the corner.
Good, you were just in time.
He walks over to the ledge where he finds you already waiting for him, your expression filled with discontent.
"It's no longer safe here," you whisper solemnly.
Jotaro frowns at this as he says, "You can't leave."
The man knew his heart wouldn't be able to bear it if you were to slip from his grasp, never to be seen again. The happiness and love you gave him is something he was too selfish to give up, something he couldn't bear to lose.
If you left, he would never see your smile again.
He would never be able to hear your voice.
He would never be able to laugh with you.
He would never be able to hear you sing.
He would never be able to hold you.
He would never be able to kiss you.
He would never be able to bask in the comfort of your presence.
Then the most crucial part dawned on him,
He couldn't protect you if you were gone!
Just the mere thought of losing you so easily drove him crazy.
He couldn't let you leave.
Star Platinum felt the desperation in his user and manifested on his own, a loud ora echoing off the cove's walls as you were abruptly scooped from the cool waters. A small hiss of surprise rumbles in your throat the moment you're pulled from the water and held firmly in Star Platinum's grasp, the stand's expression dark and serious just like his user.
"You can't leave," his eyes narrow, "You're mine."
You repress the terrified whimper you wanted to release, the dark expression on Jotaro's face frightening.
Noticing the fear in your eyes, his expression softens as he reaches out to caress your cheek.
"I'll keep you safe, [Y/n]," he smiles slightly, "So you don't have to leave."
The words you knew Jotaro didn't want to hear are on the tip of your tongue yet the moment you look in his eyes you hesitate.
You would break him.
The mere thought causes you to sadden since you couldn't do this to the man you love yet at the rate of his dark descent, it was only a matter of time before he would decide to lock you away without listening to anything you say.
The mere thought of being trapped within another tank terrified you. Even though you could be with him on land, staying in your human form could last oh so long till the painful itch of wanting to return to the sea occurred.
There was so little you could do in this situation.
Your options were limited, this you knew, but you also knew if you were to screech loud enough you would be able to stun him and getaway. Yet, you knew if you were to escape today, Jotaro would stop at nothing to find you.
There was a high probability your pod would be in danger.
The decision to escape would lead to more unnecessary bloodshed, something you are hoping to avoid. Shuddering at the dark thoughts, you take a moment to calm down and clear your thoughts before offering a solution.
"Come with me," you whisper softly, arms open to welcome him into your bosom, "we will be together, happily, within the ocean."
Jotaro paused at this, the hand caressing your cheek stopping its gentle ministrations.
You remain silent as you allow your words to sink in while keeping eye contact with him. You could not read Jotaro's expression, but the tight grip Star Platinum held upon you softens considerably.
Smiling softly you utter, "Let us go, Jotaro, together."
Without hesitation, he nods before walking into your embrace. He relaxes the moment your arms circle around him, his eyes never leaving your face.
Wordlessly, Star Platinum lowers them into the water before vanishing.
After that, Jotaro wraps his arms around you to press a needy kiss to your lips, one that you return in earnest. With one arm holding him close you cup his face tenderly as you steadily swish your tail, allowing the two of you to peacefully descend beneath the cool waters.
Now, you and Jotaro would never be apart again.
—
Hello, my dears!
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