AN: This is my first Aquaman fic so I hope there won't be too many inconsistencies, I'll work hard to bridge the gap. This is based more on the comics than the movie but hopefully by the next chapter I will have learned some things to help this story fit. Hope you enjoy.

Child of Both Worlds

Chapter Zero - Three Months Earlier

It had been warned that destruction would be brought to Atlantis but to Mera it seemed that trouble would be brought to Atlantis every day. Arthur was a product of two worlds and that was why he had the power to lead and the power to bring the two worlds together and with her being the queen of Atlantis people had joined under her. That and the way that the Dead King had been destroyed after so much work and fighting which made people see who Arthur truly was.

Mera did feel a little sad that she, a Xebel princess, had enough power and support to do what Arthur couldn't – keep a level head on the undersea rulings - but what mattered to her was that they were together and they could love one another freely. He was the Aquaman, someone who could protect those from the deluge. Even Dolphin had been able to spread that message and become stronger because of him.

Sadly though, there was something wrong and Mera had to see it every day in how weak Arthur was becoming. His body had been wrapped up in dark strands of kelp that seemed to be coming from inside of him and she had already spoken to many within the kingdom who had power over the old magics. She hated seeing him grow weaker and weaker and wanting his father.

Mera had promised him that she would keep him here and keep the kingdom under rule but he seemed to be weakening. She let her hand push back his hair before leaning down and kissing his lips, she could feel the light wash out of him and he opened his eyes weakly, his hand going through her hair as he seemed confused to where he was.

"Hello, my King," Mera said as she kissed his forehead. She hoped that she could prove to him how loved he was even if she only had the language of love and kisses. "How are you…"

Arthur coughed and Mera gently pushed his blond hair back. Her eyes were searching him in alarm and she put her hand on his cheek before seeing the light start to fade and his breath before shallower. He stared at her confused. "Where…" he smiled weakly before looking at Mera. "My love," he told her before coughing and Mera tried to bat away the kelp-like coils that were around his body, "A request?" he asked and Mera nodded.

"Anything," she whispered to him knowing that the place she felt best was beside him, if she had to say her goodbyes to him then she just wished that his happiness would continue. She had a secret to tell him, something she was scared to tell anyone and if Arthur was going to die tonight – which seemed likely – she wouldn't ruin it by telling him the truth about their growing child.

"My father's lighthouse…" he whispered and Mera nodded. "I want to see it again," he told her and Mera went to get someone who was able to take them to the surface. That was his home. That was where Arthur had grown up and it was a sacred spot to him. Even if it meant losing him, it meant seeing him smile if only for a quick moment before he was gone. She wanted to remember that smile.

After everything was set into motion, they were taken up to the surface and Mera gently helped Arthur stand on the dock. She dried her eyes so that she wasn't hurting him as it felt that the light had left his body. "Why don't we sit?" she asked and Arthur nodded before crashing down onto the wooden boards, he coughed slightly before it looked like dozens of black spots were covering him and expanding.

Mera covered her mouth. Maybe she shouldn't have brought him to the surface world. Even though his happiness had started here, she hadn't experimented with his condition. She may have very well killed the man that she loved more than life itself.

"The king is down," she heard in horror before she knelt down and pulled Arthur's body to her.

"I am so sorry," she sobbed painfully, "I am so so sorry, my love."

End of Chapter Zero

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