Written by Rosie

Principe Desiderio de Merrovingia and Astrid Kolfinnsdottir were riding with an old friend through the freezing waters of Ondalina. Astrid smiles to herself as she remembers her and Des' conversation as they mounted the steed. Des had grinned, and asked, 'What am I supposed to hold on to?' She grinned in reply and answered, 'Me,' then pulling his face toward hers, and kissing him on the lips for a short second. She had then spurred the orca forward, laughing and yelling in delight as they shot through the water. Astrid is startled out of her reverie as Elskan performs a very tight spin in the water as they pass by a few seals. She laughs. Wow, how she'd missed this whale. She pats the orca's sleek side, smiling down at the lightning bolt known as Elskan.

"I've really missed you, girl." Astrid mutters under her breath. Elskan bucks her head in happiness, nuzzling Astrid's hand. They start to slow a little as the initial excitement of the ride wears off, coasting the water as they enjoy the calm sea.

"Hey," Des says, startling Astrid with the seriousness in his tone. She turns her head to look at him, brows furrowed in concern.

"What's wrong, Des?" She asks, shifting her weight so she could turn more easily.

"Well, it's just... Do you still love me? Woah, wait, that came out wrong, I mean, uh... Well, we met under pretty stressful circumstances, and now that those are kind of over... Do you still feel the same way?" He looks into her eyes, seeming extremely vulnerable. Astrid shrugs and turns back around, sighing, "To be honest, Des, no... I really don't feel the same way." Des' breath catches in his throat, "Oh-" he swallows, "That's- that's fine."

"Yes, Des... I have decided I hate you now. That is why I invited you to my kingdom and am always trying to hang out with you." Only then does Des catch sight of Astrid's smirking face, trying desperately to hold in laughter. If she hadn't been preparing for it, Des would've shoved Astrid off of Elskan. Astrid roars with laughter, shoulders shaking and a few tears pooling in her eyes. Des huffs, "Not funny, Astrid."

She sighs, wiping away tears.

"Well if you don't want a sarcastic answer, don't ask stupid questions." She replies matter-of-factory, still smiling broadly.

"Come on, Astrid. I was being serious." He says, shaking his head. Astrid raises an eyebrow, startled, "You were?"

"Um, yeah. It was... it was just, Yaz said something about-"

"And you listened?" Astrid asks skeptically.

"Well... It just... Yeah, I guess." Des answers, embarrassed. Astrid laughs again softly.

"Listen, Des. I feel the exact same way now as I did that day at the Qanikaaq. Like for the first time ever, I actually could be accepted just for me, despite my weakness, no matter how much of a liability I could be. Like I could actually be worth something. I've come a long way concerning insecurity issues," she laughs, "But you helped me. And you've always helped me, and I do, in your words, 'still love you.' No matter how much of an idiot you can be." She glances back at him, "How was that for a confession of undying love?" She asks sarcastically. Des laughs, "I liked it. Although, next tine, I expect a full orchestra, flowers, riding in on a hippokamp-" Astrid elbows him in the side before he can finish. They both laugh as Des wraps his arms around Astrid again. He leans in next to her ear and whispers, "I love you too." Astrid smiles and leans back into him, then Elskan picks up speed, flipping and diving and twirling through the water. Astrid and Des laugh and whoop as they rocket through the water, still smiling like idiots, gripping onto the others hand.