Where the Sky Meets the Sea

by P0isonedApple

Summary:

Set sail with Ariel and Prince Eric to the exotic lands of Agrabah, a place where destiny awaits and secrets unfold. Trapped in a whirlpool of royal expectations and dreams of unexplored horizons, Ariel's heart is a tempest of desires. Her love for Eric is deep, yet the ocean of adventure calls her name, stirring a guilt-edged yearning for the unknown.

Agrabah's vibrant allure captivates Ariel, but it's the encounter with Aladdin, the rogue prince with a free spirit, that turns her world upside down. Their shared lust for life and the thrill of discovery kindles a fiery bond, as they weave through the city's mystic allure, exchanging tales of daring and dreams. In Aladdin, Ariel sees the mirror image of her untamed essence, igniting a tempest of emotions and forbidden desires.

Torn between the safe harbor of marriage and the wild seas of adventure, Ariel's journey is a dance on the edge of duty and desire. Her selfish streak, a silent undertow, complicates the voyage, pushing her to choose: Will she anchor in the bay of tradition, or will she sail the endless seas of her heart's true calling?

Chapter 1

Ariel’s loose hair whipped against her cheeks as she gazed ahead at the nearing shoreline. Mountains of gold sand framed the bottom of a clear blue sky. Above, the glittering sun adorned the desert portrait like a mounted jewel. The sea sloshed lively against the rocking hull of the ship, mirroring the excited tossing in her stomach as they approached the foreign land. For the first time in weeks, a trace of earth accompanied the sea salt air.

 

Agrabah. 

 

Curiosity upon curiosity continued to pile within her, each giving rise to a question she was desperate to voice, to have answered. She was ready to explore—to see, feel, smell, listen—to learn.

 

A hand slipped against the small of her back, drawing her attention away from the landscape. Eric smiled softly down at her, already dressed in his formalwear. The weeks at sea had given his skin a bronze glow, and the salt and wind had brought out the natural wave of his dark hair. He was always gorgeous, the most handsome man she’d ever seen, human or otherwise, but like this, dressed in his royal regalia and filled with the satisfaction that came with manning a ship alongside his men, he was particularly stunning.

 

“You should probably change. We’ll be there soon,” he said.

 

“How soon?”

 

Eric grinned, enjoying every moment of her impatience, the way excitement made her eyes sparkle like sapphires. “Within the hour. You look ready to jump overboard and swim there.”

 

“I would if I could,” Ariel answered, feeling a small pang in her chest. She looked into the dark waters below, thinking how odd if was to stand on the threshold of her home and yet feel so far from it.

 

Realizing his joke had less than the desired effect, Eric lifted her chin with a gentle hand, running his thumb along her delicate jaw. He shared a soft smile and waited until she returned it. “This will be my first time in a completely different world. I’m glad you’re here to show me how it’s done. Any advice?”

 

Ariel leaned into his open palm, wanting to burrow into the warmth of his skin. “Just don’t brush your hair with a fork and you’ll fit right in.”

 

Eric laughed and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I really like your dinglehopper hair comb, actually.”

 

“You’re the only one,” Ariel grumbled, fighting back embarrassment.

 

“Does anyone else matter?”

 

That was an easy one. Lifting onto her toes, Ariel guided his mouth down against hers, her heart trilling at the taste of salt on his lips. “No one comes close.”

The deck was bustling with activity as sailors worked to dock the ship while attendants scurried here and there to assemble the royals. With the assistance of a maidservant, Ariel changed out of her more comfortable frock and into a ruffled pink gown complete with corset, which was as appropriate for the hot desert as boots were in the ocean. The dress was just one of the many decisions that was made for her. Normally, Ariel didn’t mind it, but today, with the sun bearing down and her toes eager to curl into foreign earth, the dress and heels felt confining. Resentment grew with each pull on the strings of her corset.

 

Ariel was drawn to Eric’s side while the ship docked, the two of them primped and primed for a first impression. Grimsby stood at Eric’s shoulder, issuing reminders concerning the customs of the country to ensure they did their upmost not to offend.  

 

Having heard enough dos and don’ts for a lifetime, Ariel redirected her attention to what was going on ashore. Her heart jettisoned all calm as the ramp was lowered and they descended together, arm in arm.

 

A convoy awaited them that was to take the entirety of their entourage to the Sultan’s palace. Eric and Ariel were guided into a small ornate carriage drawn by glossy Arabian horses. Ariel settled in next to her husband and curled her fingers eagerly around the ledge of the open window as they began the last leg of their journey to the palace. With wonder in her eyes and elation in her smile, she drank in the golden sands of the hot desert. The heat was heaven on the backs of her hands, and she longed to peel away the layers covering her skin so she could bathe herself in the dry air.

 

It took an hour for them to arrive at the tall stone walls guarding Agrabah. The caravan began its slow procession toward the Sultan’s palace, winding through streets bustling with people, stalls brimming with spices, fabrics, and unknown treasures. The air was thick with the scents of cinnamon and sandalwood, an intoxicating blend that made Ariel’s head spin with wonder. She absorbed every detail, her eyes wide with fascination as they passed snake charmers and street performers, the city alive with color and sound.

Their carriage eventually stopped at the base of the palace stairs. Ariel marveled at the behemoth smooth-walled structure with its towering spires and the gold domes that glinted the light of the afternoon sun. Awaiting their arrival stood an impressive guard of finely dressed soldiers with gleaming scimitars hanging from the burgundy sashes at their waists. They each bowed their heads in respect before leading the royal couple towards the palace entrance, a magnificent pair of doors waiting for them at the top of a steep flight of endless sandstone stairs.

 

“Why do I suddenly feel nervous? Everything is already so mysterious.” Ariel wondered aloud, just enough for only Eric to hear. Despite all of Grimsby’s efforts to prepare them for this visit, Agrabah’s royal family remained a mystery. The details they did know were minimal—that the Sultan was old in age, his daughter married to a prince whose origin was steeped in bizarre rumors of magic; rumors that Ariel had been given strict orders not to bring up.

 

“You’re not the only one,” Eric said with a sideways grin. He leaned in closer, his tone gentle yet firm, a reminder of the delicate diplomacy they were about to navigate. “Don’t forget, we’re a little mysterious ourselves,” he said softly, his eyes briefly flickering with a mix of humor and caution.

 

Ariel caught the subtle emphasis, a gentle reminder of her unique origins—a past intertwined with the very essence of magic and wonder, yet a narrative far removed from the human world she had embraced. Her response was a soft, almost imperceptible sigh, her smile faltering for a moment as she looked away. "Of course," she murmured, the light in her voice dimming slightly. "No mention of merpeople or underwater kingdoms."

 

Eric, perhaps sensing a shift in her demeanor, glanced back with concern, but Ariel quickly masked her momentary sadness with a practiced smile. "And I suppose tales of talking sea creatures are off the table too?" she added, trying to infuse a bit of levity back into the conversation, even as her heart ached for the freedom to share all parts of her story. The unspoken parts of her—a vibrant tapestry of sea and shore, of melody and magic—retreated once more into the silent depths of her heart.

 

“Just for right now," Eric said, doing his best to sound reassuring.

It took four guards to push open the tall-standing double doors. They continued into a foyer with some of the highest ceilings they’d ever seen, the windows merely carved through the stone walls and not guarded by glass, allowing the warm desert air to drift inside. They stopped before another set of double doors, and a musical horn preceded their entry into the throne room.

 

The grand doors swung open, revealing an opulent entrance hall that shimmered with intricate tile work and lavish, colorful tapestries hanging from the walls. The air was scented with a blend of exotic spices and flowers, creating an atmosphere that was both inviting and mysterious.

 

At the end of the hall sat a slender figure upon an ornate throne, draped in a light, flowing robe that captured the essence of the surrounding luxury. Her waist-length midnight hair was pulled back, accentuating her striking features and the confident smile that greeted them. Her warm skin was complemented by the jewel tone of her turquoise harem pant and off-shoulder top. A brilliant jewel adorned the headband resting upon her head.

 

"Welcome to Agrabah," she said, her voice as warm as the desert wind. "I am Jasmine."

 

Ariel's eyes widened in admiration, not just for the princess's beauty, but for the air of authority she exuded. Eric bowed, and Ariel curtsied, albeit a bit clumsily, still not entirely accustomed to the protocols of human royalty.

 

"The honor is ours, Princess Jasmine," Eric said. "We've heard much about your kingdom's splendor, and it far exceeds our expectations."

 

“Does it?” She challenged with a small smirk. “You haven’t even been here a full day, and you’ve already formed an opinion, Prince Eric?”

 

Ariel could feel Eric tense beside her.

 

“It was merely an observation.”

 

The strain was interrupted by a purposefully well-timed cough from a young woman standing near the throne who looked to be a maidservant. Jasmine glanced at the woman and composed herself, donning a diplomatic mask. “I hope that you enjoy your time here in Agrabah. My father also wishes for me to pass on his warmest welcome.”

 

“Where is the Sultan?” Asked Eric with the faintest hint of timidity.

 

“My father is ill.”

 

“And the prince?”

 

Jasmine’s eyes narrowed for a moment. “Prince Ali is busy. Hopefully he will find the time to join us for the reception tomorrow.”

 

“Should we expect to meet with the Sultan during our visit?”

 

Jasmine’s ocher eyes hardened into shields. “I understand I may not be a man, Prince Eric, but I assure you your visit is not wasted in my father’s absence. You’ll find that I am quite the competent regent, perfectly capable of conference.”

 

Eric’s arm felt like a wooden brace around Ariel’s. Sensing the tension, Ariel quickly intervened with a smile, hoping to steer the conversation towards a more comfortable topic. "We're very much looking forward to meeting everyone and experiencing the beauty of Agrabah firsthand, Princess Jasmine. Our journey here was filled with stories of its markets, gardens, and, of course, the wonderful people that rule it."

 

Jasmine's expression softened at Ariel's words, and a genuine smile broke through. "Agrabah does have its own kind of magic," she agreed, "and I'm eager to share it with you. The markets are bustling this time of year, and the gardens are in full bloom. I'll make sure you see all of it during your time here, Princess Ariel.”

 

Eric, grateful for Ariel's diplomatic touch, added, "We would be honored, Princess Jasmine. And we hope for the Sultan's swift recovery."

 

"Thank you, Prince Eric," Jasmine responded graciously. "Your well wishes are much appreciated."

 Just then, Ariel caught a glimpse of an enormous, lushly furred head cautiously emerging from behind the throne. A pair of luminous yellow eyes surveyed them with intrigue, before the creature gracefully approached, its hefty paws making no sound on the marble floor, and its tail moving with a serene rhythm. It was the most magnificent cat Ariel had ever laid eyes on, adorned with a vibrant orange coat and bold black stripes. Overcome with wonder, she instinctively moved closer, momentarily forgetting her earlier resolve not to act impulsively.

 

Jasmine stood from her throne, her smile growing as she watched Ariel’s curious approach. "Would you like to be introduced to Rajah?"

 

Ariel just barely felt the brush of Eric’s fingertips on her elbow, but she ignored him and rushed forward excitedly. The animal did not cower from her, but raised its large head and met her with the pride of royalty. She knelt to the floor and extended her hand slowly. She lifted her gaze to Princess Jasmine. “May I?”

 

“Please. He’s very kind,” Jasmine allowed.

 

Very carefully, Ariel lowered her hand to the crown of Rajah’s head and guided her fingers behind his ears. His fur was velvety soft and warm. She repeated the action, and Rajah nuzzled her palm playfully. There was laughter in her voice. “It’s nice to meet you, Rajah.”

 

The tiger purred in pleasant response and licked at her fingers. Jasmine kneeled beside them and joined Ariel in stroking him. “He likes you. I’m glad. Rajah is my closest friend, so I trust his opinion.”

 

Ariel smiled back softly, then looked to Eric. “It’s too bad we didn’t bring Max. They could’ve played together.”

 

Eric’s expression was both uncertain and amused. “I’m not so sure Max would survive it.”

 

“Max?” Jasmine asked.

 

Eric looked caught off-guard. “My dog.”

 

Jasmine stood, and this time she shared her kind smile with Eric. “Bring him next time. Rajah will enjoy having a friend.”

 

Eric grinned. “Sure.”

The young maidservant standing behind Jasmine stepped forward, revealing the height of her station by doing so. “Princess, perhaps our guests should be shown to their rooms? Their journey has been long, and they undoubtedly need rest. Let me call the servants to escort them.”

 

“Yes, thank you, Amina,” Jasmine said appreciatively. “Please allow our servants to show you the way to your rooms. If you need anything at all, don’t be afraid to ask. We hope you will consider Agrabah your home away from home.”

 

Eric and Ariel offered a respectful bow to the princess, then trailed behind the attendants as they navigated through the palace hallways, flanked by towering marble pillars that stretched towards the heavens. The attendants bid them farewell upon reaching the entrance to their sleeping quarters, located at the far end of a spacious corridor. The bedroom they entered was palatial, rivaling the grandeur of the bedrooms in their own castle, complete with an expansive balcony that embraced the open sky. Ariel couldn't contain her excitement as she sprinted towards the lavish heap of purple and red sateen pillows that adorned the bed, diving into them with a joyful laugh. "Agrabah is amazing!”

 

Eric's response was a tender smile as he settled on the bed's edge, his gaze dropping to his intertwined hands. "It's certainly... extraordinary."

 

Ariel recognized that tone immediately—it was laden with doubt, a sign that Eric was wrestling with his thoughts. The responsibility of ruling had gradually overshadowed the buoyant spirit she had known these past two years. She propped herself up, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Eric, what's wrong?”

 

He wouldn’t look at her as he spoke. “I don’t think this is going to be as simple as everyone thinks it is. The Sultan being ill changes things, and dealing with Princess Jasmine…” Eric shook his head and finally lifted his eyes to hers. “I wasn’t prepared for this. I have no idea what I’m doing.”

 

“Everything will be fine,” Ariel assured him. She lifted her hand to his cheek, but Eric brushed it away in a motion that almost felt absentminded. 

 

He rubbed the stress from his forehead. “Maybe I’ll go find Grim and see what he has to say about it.”

 

Ariel’s fingers curled into her palm. She shifted on the bed, feeling a twinge of helplessness. “Why don’t we do something to take your mind off everything? Maybe explore more of the palace? Visit the city? We’ve been stuck on a ship for weeks, and we finally have a chance to do something new. Let’s enjoy it.”

 

“I have too much on my mind for that, Ariel. I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it.” His blue gaze looked apologetic. “Don’t let me keep you locked up in here. Go explore.” He reached for her hand and squeezed her fingers gently.

 

“It won’t be any fun if I know you’re here worrying by yourself.” She settled a hand to the center of his chest, touching his skin and leaning closer. “I’m happy to stay here and do something else, too.”

 

It had been weeks since they’d last touched. Not since they left for Agrabah had Eric laid an intimate hand on her. Ariel assumed it was from the stress of the journey, and had hoped today would be the end of it.

 

“I’ll be fine,” he assured her, his eyes telling a different story. To seal the deal, he pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. “Go. And be safe.”

 

With a heavy heart, Ariel stood, her resolve wavering. The room felt smaller suddenly, the air thick with unsaid words and the weight of Eric's responsibilities pressing in from all sides. She wanted to argue, to insist he come with her, to remind him of the days when adventure was something they sought together, not a luxury to be pushed aside in times of stress. But the look in his eyes stopped her—there was a plea for understanding, a silent acknowledgment that he needed this time alone.

 

"Alright," she conceded, her voice a soft echo of her usual vibrancy. "But I'm holding you to that promise of being fine."

 

She turned towards the door, pausing for a moment to look back at Eric, who had already buried himself in a map of Agrabah and its surrounding territories. It was a stark reminder of the distance growing between them, not of space, but of circumstance. Ariel pushed the door open and stepped out into the corridor, the sounds of the bustling palace a stark contrast to the quiet tension she left behind.

Chapter 2

The sandstone was still warm even though the sun had set hours ago. Ariel soaked up the heat through the soles of her bare feet as she stood on a cliff’s edge facing the ocean. Tonight, a full moon sat cushioned on starry blue-velvet, illuminating the midnight ocean below.

 

A warm wind lifted her hair and flattened her white chemise against her body. The pink gown she’d been desperate to rid herself of all day laid piled at her feet, unanchored by anything and at risk of being whisked away on a forceful gust.

 

Somewhere behind her, hidden from sight by the arching dunes of the desert, were the carriage and guards that she’d convinced to bring her here after an afternoon spent desperately trying to sneak out of the palace alone, her every attempt blocked by the watchful eyes of her royal retinue. In the human world, she was quick to learn that privacy was only something she’d ever have in the bedroom—assuming she remembered to dismiss the maidservants.

 

Eventually Eric would find out she’d been out here and he wouldn’t be pleased. Although he shared her eagerness to explore the world, he was still protective of her. Ariel understood it came from a place of love, yet it reminded her so much of her father and how he used to view the world as something dangerous. So she didn’t tell him of her plans to journey to the cliffside because she didn’t want him to worry when he already had so much on his mind. Her secrecy came from a place of love, to protect him.

 

Ariel watched the waves crash on the rockface far below, ocean-foam fingers climbing up the cliffside as if to reach her and pull her back home. She took a step forward, her toes shifting loose pebbles over the ledge, where she watched them fall and disappear beneath the ocean’s surface.

 

She knew why she needed to come here: to feel the water’s embrace and lose herself in the free movement of the tides. She needed to remember how it felt to be unmoored and weightless.

 

Her gaze moved to the sky, a realm of starlight that mirrored the weightlessness of the ocean, a world from which she was barred access were it not for her lack of wings.

 

Once upon a time, the human world had been unreachable, and she’d found a way to grow legs. Maybe the sky wasn’t so off limits. Maybe she just needed to reach for it.

 

Smiling, Ariel leapt for the horizon.

 

 

---

 

Jasmine was going to kill him.

 

No, scratch that. Rajah was going to kill him. Jasmine was going to sit by and watch.

 

“I’m done for, Abu,” Aladdin sighed, leaning forward and directing Carpet beneath the clouds. The sky opened up to the sea, and his eyes locked on the cliffside coastline that bordered the outer regions of Agrabah. He was supposed to be back at the palace hours ago, but he’d lost track of the time.

 

Tucked against his chest, Abu issued a series of chastising squeaks.

 

“Yeah, yeah, I know, no need to remind me that we had guests arriving today. Believe me, I’m already not gonna hear the end of it.”

 

The hot desert wind whipped at his hair and linen clothes as he steered Carpet home. As they traveled, he wracked his brain for an excuse that would justify why he’d messed up. If Genie were here, he’d suggest telling the truth. If Genie were here, maybe Aladdin could be convinced to tell the truth. However, Genie wasn’t here, and without Genie around to talk sense into him, Aladdin every now and then found himself resorting to bad habits. Like stretching the truth.

“Alright, so here’s what I’m thinking: we left early because the plan was to meet our guests at the port when they arrived. Like a sorta special welcome,” Aladdin improvised. Abu nodded in wide-eyed agreement, encouraging him onward. “But as we were flying over the marketplace, we noticed some kids in trouble. We couldn’t just leave them, right? So we swooped in to help, but got caught in a trap, and—”

 

Aladdin fell silent, distracted by a figure he suddenly noticed in the closing distance. Leaning back, he urged Carpet to slow, curious as to why a person was standing so near the cliff’s edge and not having a good feeling about it.

 

That bad gut feeling proved true when the figure made a running leap off the cliff, arms spread wide as if in flight. Panic made Aladdin’s stomach drop as he watched the person plummet into the ocean below. The splash as they disappeared beneath the waves snapped him to action, and he leaned forward sharply, urging Carpet into a nosedive. “Go, Carpet!”

 

Carpet pitched downward in a movement that nearly threw Aladdin off if not for his viselike grip. Abu released a terrified screech and dug his tiny fingers into Aladdin’s skin, which didn’t let up even after Carpet pulled out of the dive just feet from the water’s temperamental surface. Aladdin’s eyes darted everywhere for any sign of the cliff diver. Nothing. Not a single sign of human life in the white-capped water.

 

Recollections of being thrown off a cliff into a watery grave came rushing back to him. His skin prickled with fear as he remembered the terror of being engulfed, of sinking blindly to the bottom, unable to breathe, and how he couldn’t think of anything but the inevitability of certain death in the face of the ocean’s immense power.

 

He didn’t know why that person chose to jump into the water, but the reason didn’t matter. All he knew was that he needed to save them.

 

“You guys stay close, I’ll be right back!” Aladdin commanded, wrenching Abu off of him. Focusing on a point that looked close to where he saw the figure disappear beneath the waves, Aladdin took a deep breath and jumped in after them.

 

Instinct forced him to close his eyes against the salty splash. In a matter of moments, he was fully submerged beneath the surface, the ocean tide already pulling him where it willed, the water cooling as he sank lower beneath its surface. Forcing his eyes open, Aladdin frantically searched beneath the waves for any sign of the figure, but couldn’t see a thing: he was totally blind in the midnight swell. Not even his hands were visible to him as he labored to keep from sinking further.

 

When his lungs began to burn for air, he kicked back towards the surface. However, just before he could breach, he was seized in the sweep of a powerful wave and found his body being thrown forward towards the cliff face, his control entirely forfeit to the ocean’s decree. Desperately, he reached out to find purchase on anything, and by sheer luck, was able to grip hold of a jutting rock.

 

Aladdin heaved himself onto the boulder and coughed violently, relishing the first gulp of air and every inhalation after. Knowing time was of the essence, he wiped at his eyes and prepared to dive back in when a flash of red in his peripheral caught his attention. Curious, he leaned over the rock for a better look.

 

That’s when he saw her.

Eyes the color of sapphires looked up at him unsurely, set like two sparkling jewels on a face as fair and delicately beautiful as a porcelain doll. Her pale skin seemed to reflect the moonlight, the majesty of the ocean reduced to a mere backdrop in her presence, its waves and shifting waters existing only to frame her. And that hair…Aladdin had never seen anything like it. Tendrils the color of saffron floated around her shoulders and danced like ribbons of fire in the wind. 

 

She was otherworldly, the most ethereally beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on, and he, well…he probably looked like a half-drowned street rat.

 

“I’ve been looking for you,” he managed with what he hoped was a friendly smile.

 

The mystery woman responded exactly how anyone would in this situation, and moved away from him, the uncertainty in her expression adopting a tinge of fear.

 

“I saw you jump in, and I thought maybe you needed help.”

 

The woman seemed confused by this. “You…jumped in to save me?”

 

Even her voice is pretty, Aladdin thought amusedly. “I figured you were in trouble. Most people would drown trying to swim in this,” he said, gesturing to the excited surf around them. 

 

She gave him a smile that nearly knocked him back into the water. “I’m an expert swimmer.”

 

“I can see that,” he smiled back.

 

Seemingly more trusting of him, she waded closer, her eyes retaining that sparkling curiosity with which she’d first looked at him. “Where did you come from?”

 

“Oh, I was just flying by.”

 

“Flying?”

 

Aladdin grinned and turned his attention to the sky. “Carpet! Come down here for a sec!”

 

Carpet arched over the cliff face, did a little twirl, and floated down towards them. Abu sat on a corner, looking hugely displeased. When he was at eye level with Aladdin, he threw up his fists and began chattering a slew of what were most definitely complaints.

 

“I hear ya, and I’m sorry, alright?” Aladdin implored. “C’mere, there’s someone I want you guys to meet. This is…”

 

“Ariel,” the woman answered, her eyes wide with wonder as she drank in the vision of the flying carpet.

 

“Ariel,” Aladdin repeated, liking the way her name felt when he said it. “This is Carpet and Abu.”

 

Ariel reached out a hand, smiling brilliantly as Carpet swooped closer so she could run her hand along its gold-trimmed edge. Abu darted away to the other edge, watching her with a raised eyebrow. She laughed, the sound birdlike, and returned her attention to Aladdin, who had been watching the entire scene with a goofy smile on his face. “And who are you?”

 

“Me? Oh, right. I’m, uh, Aladdin,” he said lamely.

 

She studied him for a moment, making him feel acutely self-conscious. He ran a hand through his wet hair, hoping it didn’t look too much like a wet mop.

 

“Thank you for trying to help me.”

 

“Don’t thank me. I didn’t really do much but swallow a bunch of seawater.”

 

“Still,” she insisted. “It was very brave.”

 

Maybe Aladdin’s ego would’ve felt a little inflated were it not for the next wave that crashed over him from behind, dressing him in drapes of seaweed. A laugh erupted from Ariel at the look of disgust on Aladdin’s face as he picked off the slimy vines. 

“Glad you find this funny,” he said good-naturedly.

 

“Sorry, it’s just…the ocean doesn’t seem to like you very much.”

 

“Yeah? Well maybe we just need to get better acquainted,” he suggested before jumping from the rock and back into the water with a big splash that doused Ariel, who continued to laugh merrily.

 

Abu, also impacted by Aladdin’s cannonball, squawked unhappily, gesturing to his wet fur and tugging on one of Carpet’s tassels to instruct them away. Aladdin and Ariel watched Carpet float back towards the upper cliffs, Abu looking relieved to put distance between himself and the water below. 

 

“That makes two mad at me,” Aladdin grumbled. 

 

Returning his attention to Ariel, he watched as she began to swim in a slow circle around him, studying him all the while. He struggled to keep up, nowhere near as adept at this swimming thing as she was.

 

“So, is jumping off high cliffs a hobby of yours?”Ariel’s smile hadn’t waned since he’d first made her laugh. Aladdin challenged himself to make sure it stayed that way.

 

“Sort of,” she answered, pausing her circling to bob ever closer to him. “If it’s reckless and impulsive, it’s probably a hobby of mine.”

 

“Heh, I get that,” Aladdin said. “So you have an appetite for adventure too, huh?”

 

“Or trouble,” she answered with a shrug of one bared shoulder, the sleeves of her drenched chemise having slipped off to float in the water alongside her hair. “Depends who you ask.”

 

“I get that, too.” The way she continued to stare at him made him nervous. Aladdin cleared his throat, glancing away. “So, what brings you to Agrabah?”

 

“Who says I’m visiting?”

 

“C’mon, with that hair? You’re not fooling anyone, Red.”

 

Ariel laughed softly and swam towards the rock Aladdin had jumped from earlier. Anything else Aladdin may have said died on his tongue the moment she pulled herself out of the water to sit on the rock. 

 

Forget speaking. He could only stare, slack-jawed, at the moon-lined vision before him. The white dress she was wearing clung to her skin, transparent, leaving nothing to the imagination. Whether she didn’t notice or simply didn’t care wasn’t clear as she wrung seawater from her long locks, soon releasing them to air dry in the soft wind.

The last time Aladdin had felt this mesmerized was when he’d first spotted Jasmine in a busy street market.

 

Jasmine.

 

Aladdin shook his head and half-hoped another wave would come and knock some sense into him.

 

“I’m still not used to how quickly human legs get tired,” Ariel sighed, massaging her thighs.

 

Aladdin couldn’t make sense as to why she suddenly looked so sad, but he knew he didn’t like it. “Hey, if you’re done down here, why don’t I give you a lift?”

 

“A lift?” Ariel questioned.

 

“On Carpet, I mean. We can take you back to wherever you’re staying. If you want, of course. I know not everyone is comfortable on magical flying carpets, but I promise it’s safe.”

 

Ariel seemed to perk up for a moment, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, she deflated. “I’m not so sure taking me back is a good idea. But could you take me back to the top of the cliff, at least?”

 

Choosing not to pry into why flying her back wasn’t a good idea, especially when he was keeping his own identity under wraps, Aladdin offered an easy shrug and simply said, “Sure.”

He whistled for Carpet who returned with a slightly more dry (though no less disgruntled) Abu. Pulling himself onto the rock next to Ariel, he stood and offered her his hand. “Shall we?”

 

Ignoring the way his pulse seemed to startle when she took his hand, Aladdin helped balance her as she stepped onto Carpet.

 

“It’s better if you sit down,” he said, joining her and tugging her hand gently. When she was seated on Carpet beside him, he quickly released her hand. “Alright, Carpet. Let’s head up.”

 

A thrilled laugh jumped out of her as Carpet glided upward. Aladdin, having ridden Carpet more times than he could count, knew they weren’t at risk of falling thanks to whatever magic that Carpet utilized to keep them aboard. Ariel, however, unaware of Carpet’s safety restraints, was quick to grip onto Aladdin as they entered a near-vertical climb. Aladdin urged himself to ignore the press of her against his arm and was thankful for the way Abu all but wedged himself between them to keep himself steady.

 

“Not so bad, is it?”

 

“It’s amazing!” Ariel exclaimed, taking in the view as they climbed higher.

 

Up and up they went, following the cliff face until they finally crested the top. Carpet floated in lazy circles near the ledge, extending the ride a few more moments. When they finally drew to a stop, Ariel made no move to get off. Instead, she turned those sparkling wide eyes to Aladdin and said: “Let’s go higher.”

 

Before he could get a word out, Ariel surprised him by leaning forward, gripping the front of Carpet, and commanding, “Up!”

 

Aladdin grinned at the look of confusion on her face when they didn’t budge. “You gotta watch how you say it. Carpet is sensitive—hey! You know it’s true!” A gold tassel had just snapped him harshly on the arm. 

 

“I’m sorry,” Ariel apologized, running a soothing hand along Carpet’s edge. “Will you please take us higher?”

 

Carpet’s two front corners perked up in a sort of shrug.

 

“It would be a dream come true if you could show me the sky. You’re the only one capable in the entire world. Will you do that for me? I’d be eternally grateful.”

 

“Very nice,” Aladdin whispered behind his hand, giving her a wink. 

 

It worked. One moment, they were hovering a few feet off the ground, the next, they were rocketing skyward. The sudden lurch brought Aladdin’s hand against Ariel’s back. It was an impulsive, natural reaction to the sudden takeoff—not that she seemed to notice. 

 

Ariel’s smile was radiance, the most brilliant star in a sky of thousands, as they pierced the clouds and entered the diamond speckled fields of Heaven. 

 

Aladdin tried to be subtle about watching her as they ascended. He’d gotten so used to riding Carpet, he forgot just how magical it all was. He had missed this: the sheer wonder inspired by the beauty of the universe. The wonder that she was now gleaming with.

 

Thick bands of red hair danced wildly in the air around her, every now and then snapping against Aladdin’s bare shoulder, each smart against his skin bringing him back to reality—something he sorely needed right now. It was too easy to forget she was real, this peculiar stranger he’d picked out of the ocean and accompanied to the sky; this woman with gemstone eyes and moonlight skin who sat amongst the stars and looked like she belonged there, where not even the gods would question her presence.

Abu wasn’t quite as enthralled and was being quite vocal about it to the point that Aladdin had to place a quieting hand atop his head. Aladdin waited for Abu to calm before speaking. “So…what d’ya think? Not a bad view, right?”

 

Ariel blinked away what looked to be the start of tears. “Not bad? It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

 

Aladdin swiped a playfully opposed hand through the air. “You get used to it, believe me.”

 

“I don’t believe you,” she said, finally turning that brilliant gaze on him. “Who could ever get bored of the stars? There are just so many of them…”

 

Aladdin, grinning, leaned slightly closer to her and pointed to a constellation just to their right. “That one there—the three bright blue stars close together—that’s supposed to be the belt of some warrior with a sword. Can you see it?”

 

Ariel squinted for a few long moments. “I think so…”

 

Aladdin laughed and raised a disbelieving brow her way. “Really? Cause I’ve never been able to see it, and I’ve been looking for awhile.”

 

“You think I’m lying?” Ariel challenged, raising an answering grin.

 

Aladdin’s eyes grew wide when she unexpectedly reached for him, grabbing hold of his chin and forcing his cheek flush to hers, directing his attention where she wanted it as she pointed to a brilliant star just to the upper left of the belt.

 

“There,” she said confidently. “That’s definitely the sword.”

 

She smelled like sea salt and juniper, like a fresh sea breeze off cool coastal shores. Aladdin found it anything but calming. “Y-yeah? I’m still not seeing it.”

 

The fingers around his chin tightened just a tad. It had a peculiar effect on the beat of his heart.

 

“The slightly pink one,” Ariel said, continuing to point forward. “Have you found it?”

 

Aladdin’s eyes slid to her focused expression, drinking in the way she bit into her lower lip and furrowed her brow when concentrating. “I found it.”

 

Ariel released him then and smiled satisfactorily. “What’s it called?”

 

“Orion.”

 

“Do you know more?”

 

“A few. I started looking for them to pass the time on longer journeys. Anything specific you wanna see?”

 

The expression that came over her face was wistful as she returned her attention skyward. “I want to see all of them.”

 

Aladdin laughed. “I don’t think we have enough time for that, Red.” Something about what he said dimmed some of the brightness in her eyes. Aladdin cursed himself for it. Playfully, he leaned in to nudge her. “Anyway, aren’t you getting cold up here?”

 

“Now that you mention it…” Ariel said, wrapping her arms around her damp chemise.

 

Aladdin tapped the purple rug lightly. “You heard her, Carpet. Down we go!”

 

The descent wasn’t nearly as magical as going up, but it was still breathtaking, the way the world below presented itself as they dipped below the clouds. Ariel’s stomach somersaulted as they dropped quickly, calming only when they came to a gentle stop along the cliff face where she’d left her dress.

 

“I’m guessing that’s yours and not some other crazy cliff jumper’s?” Aladdin joked, hopping off Carpet to offer Ariel a helping hand as she climbed down. 

 

“Unfortunately,” she said, picking up the pile of pink silk with a look of disappointment, which Aladdin couldn’t make sense of.

 

“Unfortunately? It looks pretty nice to me.”

 

“It does look nice,” she agreed, tugging it over her head without further ado. When her head made its disheveled reappearance, she was smiling wryly. “If only it felt nice, too.”

 

“Then why do you wear it?”

 

“Court orders,” she said resignedly, shoving her feet into a pair of heels.

 

“Court—?” Aladdin nearly bit his tongue as realization slammed into his frontal lobe.

 

He was an idiot. A bona-fide simpleton.

 

She was the princess. The one visiting Agrabah as their guest. The one he was meant to have met earlier this afternoon had he not been flying across the world. The one whom Jasmine requested he do his upmost to impress in order to uphold Agrabah’s honor and prove himself worthy as its future Sultan.

 

And he had just taken her on joyride in her undergarments.

 

Yeah, Jasmine was definitely gonna let Rajah kill him, but not before allowing the beast to use him as a scratching post.

 

“Thank you for tonight,” Ariel said, once she’d finished dressing. She didn’t seem to mind the way Aladdin had suddenly fallen silent, stunned into dumbness by his own latent realization. “I wish I could say I’d see you again, but I’m not sure that’s possible.”

 

That did it. Her words cracked his stillness, an awkward smirk donning his face. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

 

The vagueness of his reply had her tilting her head. “Will I see you again?”

 

“Dunno,” Aladdin shrugged, flashing her a frustratingly mysterious grin as he backed up and stepped smoothly onto Carpet. “Do you want to?”

 

It seemed that the sudden possibility he was proposing was enough to return the burn of radiance to her eyes. She took a step forward, almost impulsively, as if to follow him to the very ledge he was drifting away from. “Yes. I want to see you again, Aladdin.”

 

“Alright, Ariel. I’ll see what I can do.” He bowed his head to her. Just before flying off over the dunes, Aladdin issued a few parting words with a charming smile and a curious wink. “Goodnight, Princess.”

 

Ariel watched as he disappeared in the starry distance, a half-dried, windswept mess of a woman who felt since the moment she’d leapt from this very cliff as if she hadn’t stopped flying.

Notes:

Hello! If you've made it to chapter two, welcome back and thank you so much for reading.

This story is a bit of a passion project of mine, and going in I already expect not to have many readers. It's a rare pairing, but stick with me, I promise I can justify it (and without bashing or villainizing Eric and Jasmine).

The images are a fun extra, but please do not get too attached to them! Some chapters may contain many, some may contain none at all. All artwork is generated using Copilot. If you enjoy these images and would like to see more, check out my Pinterest!

- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/p0isonedapple/where-the-sky-meets-the-sea/

Please leave a comment/review for the story if you can! Thank you for reading!

Notes:

Please leave a comment/review if you can! Thank you for reading!

All artwork is generated using Copilot. If you enjoy these images and would like to see more, check out my Pinterest!

- Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/p0isonedapple/where-the-sky-meets-the-sea/