ERIK: *memories come rushing back and responds quickly to her kissing*

ARIEL: *cries as they kiss*

ERIK: *the two bars they are kissing between vanish allowing him to pull her into his arms*

ARIEL: *weeps as he cradles her*

ERIK: *pulls away gently to breathe* I'm so sorry... *whispers as he holds her close*

ARIEL: *sobs into his chest and cuddles closer to him* I-I thought I l-lost you

ERIK: I'm afraid you did...for a little while. *buries his head in her hair* Forgive me! I never meant to hurt you!

ARIEL: *there's a big bruise on her forehead from where she smashed into the bars* I-I forgive you

ERIK: *sees the bruise and begins to sob into her shoulder* What have I done!?

ARIEL: Erik... Calm down... *tries to soothe him* What's wrong?

ERIK: I HURT YOU! That is unforgivable...

ARIEL: *strokes his cheek* Shh... It's okay... It's just a bump

ERIK: No, it isn't okay.

ARIEL: Erik, I forgive you... Stop crying. I can't stand to see you upset

ERIK: *can't stop crying or holding onto her* I'll make it up to you somehow. *whispers into her shoulder* I'll try!

ARIEL: *kisses his bare chest sweetly*

ERIK: *shivers slightly* I love you, Ariel... *lightly kisses her neck*

ARIEL: I love you more. *smiles*

ERIK: *shakes head* I love you more...so much more...

ARIEL: *giggles and keeps kissing his chest*

ERIK: *shivers again* what are you trying to do?

ARIEL: Show you love... The love you've always deserved.

ERIK: But, I don't deserve it. Least of from an angel like you.

ARIEL: I'm not an angel

ERIK: of course you are. And, I'm a demon. It's very simple. *says it very obviously*

ARIEL: *kisses him softly* You're not a demon

ERIK: of course I am! I look absolutely hideous and I treated you like dirt.

ARIEL: I think you're handsome

ERIK: *removes mask* I. Am. Not.

ARIEL: I think you are and that's all that matters

ERIK: *smiles slightly* As long as you think so. *moves to put the mask back on*

ARIEL: Don't...

ERIK: don't what? *looks at the mask* You can't be serious?

ARIEL: I am.

ERIK: But...*trails off and looks at the mask*

ARIEL: You don't need it

ERIK: Of course I do. I must wear it.

ARIEL: please leave it off

ERIK: *sighs* I'll leave it off when I'm around you if you wish. But, I can't leave it off around anyone else. Well, maybe the snakes.

ARIEL: Please do that... The mask must be terribly uncomfortable

ERIK: I don't notice it anymore. I've been wearing one since before I can remember.

ARIEL: *looks at him*

ERIK: what is it?

ARIEL: I missed you

ERIK: I missed you too. Even though I didn't know it.

ARIEL: *holds his hand close to her heart*

ERIK: I'm sorry you had to see me like I was before you came into my life.

ARIEL: You were cold... And cruel

ERIK: that wasn't really the half of it.

ARIEL: I can't believe that was you...

ERIK: It was...That's how I've lived since I was ten years old.

ARIEL: That's terrible

ERIK: it was my only protection.

ARIEL: You hated me... You called me a siren

ERIK: I hated everything. I never knew even knew what the word love meant. I'm sorry for calling you a siren.

ARIEL: Well... I'm glad you do now.

ERIK: I am too. *pulls her in close to him*

ARIEL: You're so cute...

ERIK: I know I said this before when I couldn't remember but, Ariel, I'm not cute.

ARIEL: Yes you are. *giggles*

ERIK: what about me is cute?

ARIEL: Everything!

ERIK: everything?

ARIEL: Yep. *grins*

ERIK: so, this is cute? *gestures to his face*

ARIEL: *nods*

ERIK: You're insane.

ARIEL: So are you

ERIK: I know that. I'm not sure I ever was sane.

ARIEL: We are insane together though

ERIK: that sounds perfect.

ARIEL: *grins* It is... And... Erik?

ERIK: yes, my love?

ARIEL: I want to have the perfect family as well... *smiles at him lovingly*

ERIK: f-family?

ARIEL: *nods* With you.

ERIK: b-but... I don't know the first thing about a family.

ARIEL: Oh... *looks down*

ERIK: what's a family like?

ARIEL: Well there's a mother and a father and children. They all love and care for one another. The parents teach their children life lessons and help them grow up by showing them love and discipline.

ERIK: I think I've heard of such things but I never experienced it. My father died before I was born.

ARIEL: *gets closer to him* It's like my love to you. I care about you and I'd die for you

ERIK: *holds her gently* this is all very hard to wrap one's head around...

ARIEL: I understand... But... Maybe someday we can have little Erik's and Christine's swimming around the throne room. *smiles dreamily*

ERIK: even with the chances of them mirroring their father?

ARIEL: *nods* They'd grow up right with us, Erik... I'm sure if we raise them well they'll be good merfolk

ERIK: even if they look like me? And, I've always had a temper. Always. A good raising wouldn't have changed that.

ARIEL: Stop... Stop saying those things about yourself

ERIK: I'm just saying the truth.

ARIEL: *swims out of his arms*

ERIK: *swims after her*

ARIEL: *goes to the throne room and sits down in the throne*

ERIK: *follows her* Sea Angel?

ARIEL: Erik... Why don't you just go do something else?

ERIK: well you're occupying my throne and I'd like to know what I did wrong?

ARIEL: You always think negatively of yourself and it always makes me feel that I'm not good enough for you

ERIK: I would think it would make you think you deserve better.

ARIEL: But I love you... And you know that you can't let me go. You never will

ERIK: I know I can't. And, I won't. I am quite selfish. *swims up to her*

ARIEL: Especially when it comes to your items...

ERIK: yes. *moves her from the throne and sits down, sitting her in his lap*

ARIEL: *lays her head against his chest*

ERIK: *strokes her hair* I love you.

ARIEL: I love you too. *closes her eyes*

ERIK: I don't know how I managed to get a perfect mermaid for a wife...

ARIEL: *laughs a bit* A cruel deal that ended up practically killing my father, forcing me into marriage, and having my heart broken.

ERIK: *doesn't laugh* allow me to rephrase that. How did I ever get the love of said mermaid?

ARIEL: She gave up resisting

ERIK: resisting?

ARIEL: *nods* Resisting his charm and alluring voice

ERIK: the voice I have... I'm still trying to figure out the charm part. *kisses her softly*

ARIEL: *kisses him back gently*

ERIK: *deepens the kiss*

ARIEL: *bites his lip a bit*

ERIK: *returns the nip*

ARIEL: *lip bleeds a little*

ERIK: *tastes the blood in the kiss and pulls away* are you alright!?

ARIEL: I'm fine... You just bit a bad place a guess. I've always been known for sensitive lips

ERIK: *kisses her lips again, hoping to stop the bleeding* I'll have to be careful. I'm sorry.

ARIEL: It's alright... *smiles against his lips*

ERIK: *deepens the kiss again but doesn't bite*

ARIEL: *bleeding stops*

ERIK: *runs his hand down her waist*

*merpeople burst in*

ERIK: *looks up at them*

*they all shout various things of panic*