all that i know is gone

Michael blinked, looking over when he heard the noise, though his heart swelled at the sight of Arista, his breath hitching in his throat as he watched her. "Wow, okay, I thought you were gorgeous in there, but wow," he told her quietly before blinking when he realized what he'd said and he cleared his throat. "I mean - sorry, I probably said too much." He offered a small, nervous smile as he watched her.

Atlantis paused when she heard Luke's words and her cheeks warmed as she ducked her head a bit. "Oh, um, well... Thank you," she murmured quietly, grinning slightly as she eventually lifted her gaze back to look at him. A warmth filled her as she watched him and a part of her felt like the warmth was protecting her from the ache in her chest, honestly.

Arista laughed, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear shyly as her cheeks heat up. “Thank you.” She stayed silent for a moment, studying Michael’s face, smiling at the sight of him. “You’re not so bad yourself.” She teased. “So, apart from watching some mermaids,” she teased, wondering how he’d react if he knew her truth. “What else was on the cards for your visit today?” She asked, feeling so relaxed with Michael as she stood close to him, ignoring the ache in her chest as she took him in.

Luke smiled as he watched Atlantis, his smile broadening as she ducked her head shyly, gently moving a piece of hair from her face, the connection between them so unbelievably amazing that Luke never wanted to walk away from it. “Do you have time to hang around with us for a while?” He asked, trying to keep himself casual, although he so desperately wanted her to say yes, because something in Luke had turned and he wanted to take this time to get to know Atlantis outside of the gaze of the curator — and although he wanted to ask about him, too, Luke decided now wasn’t the best time. But even then, just being around Atlantis made him feel a bit nervous, her beauty so completely overwhelming.

Michael grinned slightly as he watched her, feeling a sense of pride with hearing her compliment him in return. "Thank you," he told her quietly, watching her for a few long moments, just truly finding himself shocked with how genuinely beautiful she was. It amazed him, left him in awe, and he was sure it would be like that every time he looked at her or any time he was near her, and he never wanted to lose that feeling. He laughed, though, with her mention of mermaids and nodded as he thought. "We really just came to pass some time. Then two of our friends wandered off - who knows what they're getting into - and we decided to explore while we still had the time to."

Atlantis blinked with Luke's action, finding herself watching him with surprise. She wasn't used to anybody being so gentle with her, and she found herself enjoying it, enjoying his presence, the comfort, the warmth. Chewing on her lip, she offered a small smile and nodded. "We do," she confirmed quietly, clutching to her chest again as the ache got worse, their captor always well aware of almost everything they said or did with him holding their souls, connected to them, but she ignored the feeling, instead focusing on how safe she felt around Luke. "Have you ever been to this particular carnival or would you two like guides?"

Arista laughed at Michael’s words. “Be careful, I heard the clown at the circus tent kidnaps people to eat.” She teased, although with her own situation, she wouldn’t be surprised if there was some truth behind it. “Well, we know all the best places, so what’s something you’ve always wanted to do at the carnival?” She smiled, feeling the butterflies dance around in her tummy, although she grimaced once more as the burning turned to a sting, knowing damn well her captor could hear her words, her thoughts and feelings, thanks to her soul, along with Atlantis’, being trapped in a sea shell necklace he constantly wore, and she wondered if there was ever a chance of Michael being her saving grace.

Luke frowned in concern once more when he saw Atlantis clutching to her chest. “Are you okay?” He took a protective step forward, always wanting to ensure her safety. Shrugging off his jacket when he noticed that Atlantis’ hair was still damp, Luke wrapped it around her shoulders. “Well, if you’re sure you’re up for to it, having some guides around this place would be amazing.” Luke nodded. “I guess you two get the best backstage gossip?” He asked, raising his eyebrows in amusement. “Do you have to stay here at night?” He asked — knowing damn well he would sneak in just to see her again, just to be around Atlantis giving Luke a natural high, wondering if she felt it too.

Michael made a joking face with the mention of it. "A cannibalistic clown? That's my worst nightmare," he joked lightly, shaking his head in mock dismay, though he grinned broadly. "I'll make sure not to let the clown get you, though, despite my own fears. I promise." He winked teasingly, amused with the conversation, but glad that the conversation was flowing so well, so freely. "Well... That's a hard one. Maybe a house of horrors? Is there one here? I've never been to one, but I always thought it'd be hilarious." Grinning jokingly, he watched her, though his amused expression immediately dropped to one of concern when she grimaced, and he quickly moved closer to her, resting his hands on her shoulders to examine her for a moment before he could stop himself. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" His expression softened, though, as he felt her damp locks rest above his hands, and he worried about her being cold or falling ill, especially after being in the water earlier. Shifting, he tugged his jacket off to wrap it gently around her as he offered a small smile as he watched her, tucking her hair gently behind her ear as he took her in, amazed by her.

Atlantis blinked several times, surprised with the concern Luke showed her. Outside of Arista, she couldn't remember the last time anybody showed genuine concern for her. Still, she offered a weak smile and nodded. "I am. It's just a, um... A health issue," she said quietly, though she felt her heart warm with feeling Luke's jacket around her, his scent wafting into her senses. Smiling, she nodded. "Of course. We don't mind being guides. We stay pretty well informed. And, yes, we do stay here at night." It wasn't like they had anywhere else to go, for one, but it was better to just stay put at night or run the risk of the pain they'd receive if they didn't.

“My hero,” Arista smiled warmly as Michael told her he’d protect her from the clown two tents over. Hearing his question about the House of Horrors though, Arista’s smile turned into a mischievous grin. “There’s a house of horrors.” She confirmed, although when Michael wrapped his jacket around her shoulders and asked her with such care if she was okay, Arista bit her lip and ducked her head slightly, relishing in the warmth and comfort Michael’s jacket provided. Leaning into his touch as Michael tucked back a piece of hair, Arista smiled. “I’m okay, just uh,” she tried to think of a good excuse. “Being underwater so long gives me a headache.” She explained, despite it being a lie.

Luke frowned in concern. “A health issue?” He repeated. “Is everything okay, do you need to sit down?” He asked softly, his hand moving from her hair to gently cup her face, his thumb running along her cheeks. “Would you be okay to go through the house of horrors?” He asked, smiling then. “I promise to protect you, Atlantis.” And he meant it — he would never let anything hurt her for as long as he could help it, just feeling the incredible pull, the rush of love that took over him while she was in his personal space. Still, Luke admired how his jacket looked on her. “It suits you.”

Michael grinned upon hearing her words, nodding. "Let's just hope I can play the role of hero well," he teased lightly, though he fully intended to do everything he could to keep her safe, regardless of whether there were any real threats or dangers around at all or not. He just found it so amazing - the effect she had on him made him happier than he really thought was possible, something he didn't really expect to feel around somebody he'd just met, but dammit, it felt so right. "We can do the house of horrors, then, if you're up for it?" He smiled slightly, though he chewed on her lip when she told him about her headaches, and his expression softened. "I mean, if you can handle that. We don't have to, of course. I wouldn't want to put you in a position where you end up feeling worse or in more pain." His eyes examined her, though, still concerned for her. "Is there anything I can do to help with the headache? I could go find some headache medicine or something, if you need it?"

Atlantis smiled slightly, though her heart ached with having to lie to Luke. It wasn't as though she could tell him the truth, though - especially not with the risks that came with the truth. "I'm okay," she assured him quietly, nodding, "It comes and goes." Which was true - it just usually came for a reason, because of their captor deciding they were doing something wrong. Regardless, she found herself leaning into his touch, relaxing, finding it so easy to get lost in the feeling. "I'd be perfectly fine going through the house of horrors." She grinned slightly, because she and Arista had been through there so many times that it didn't really affect her. Still, her grin broadened to his words and she peered down at the jacket before she looked back to him, arching a brow. "You really think so?" she asked, "I kind of like it. It smells nice."

Arista smiled slightly, almost overwhelmed by the kindness that Michael was showing her, although she grinned. "I think I'll be okay." She promised him quietly, her eyes examining his features carefully, his lips especially. As her eyes met Michael's once more, Arista smiled. "Thank you, though." She took a step back, and although all she wanted was to stay near Michael, she knew that distancing herself from him for now was the best and easiest thing to do, especially with their captor around. "Alright, house of horrors is just over there, think you can handle it?" She teased, nodding her head in the direction of the most popular attraction of the carnival.

Luke smiled as he felt Atlantis lean into his touch, never wanting to forget the feeling of her. "As long as you're okay." Luke murmured. "I'll protect you from whatever is in there, I promise." He winked teasingly, leaning to kiss her forehead and offer her his hand to hold, something Luke would rarely do so suddenly, but something about Atlantis just felt so right. "I really think so." He nodded to her question. "It looks better on you than it does on me, completely unfair." He teased - and although Luke had so many questions about the girls ended up here, Luke decided to wait for a while and just make the most of the time he had to enjoy Atlantis' presence.

Michael watched her quietly for a few moments, examining her, taking her in, really just mentally acknowledging how amazing she was, how perfect she was. It made his heart swell all the more, his pulse quickening when he saw her grin. He wanted to make sure that that grin stayed on her face, always. "You don't have to thank me," he assured her with a smile as he watched her, though he chewed on his lip when she stepped back, hoping that he hadn't done something wrong already. Still, he shifted, offering his hand to her, wanting some kind of contact, hoping that she'd grant his silent wish, and he smiled. "I'm sure I can handle it. I'll make sure to protect you in there, too." Grinning, he winked teasingly.

Atlantis gave a quiet laugh with Luke's words, though she wished what was in the house of horrors was the worst of her concerns. "I'll trust you, then," she murmured happily regardless, amused but happy that Luke cared so much. Her cheeks warmed, though, with his actions and she watched him for a moment, memorizing every detail of him that she could, certain that she'd only get this one night to get to know him, and she nodded, placing her hand in his. "Well, that's good news, at least. Though I think it looked great on you, too." She grinned.

Arista smiled as Michael outstretched his hand to her, and she accepted the invitation, slipping her hand into his own, feeling the jolt of electricity flow through her, and Arista could of sworn, it was the most amazing thing she'd ever felt. "If you're sure you can handle it." She shrugged, squeezing his hand and beginning to lead him away from their tent and towards the house of Horrors, falling into a steady pace with Michael beside her. "It's pretty creepy, you better protect me." She warned jokingly, kissing his cheek as she pulled away to say hello to the person who handed out tickets, she and Atlantis knowing him well.

Luke smiled. "I promise to never betray that trust." Luke told Atlantis, and it was a promise he wanted to keep for as long as he lived, knowing that there was something in Atlantis that he could never walk away from. Feeling Atlantis' hand in his only amplified that feeling. "It looks much better on you, you're prettier than me." Luke pouted jokingly, although his heart set ablaze when he saw Atlantis blush. Following Michael and Arista's lead as he pressed a kiss to Atlantis' temple, following them to the house of Horror. "Ooh, creepy." He teased.

Michael grinned broadly when he felt her taking his hand and, for the time that he held her hand, he squeezed it gently, running his thumb over the back of her hand, really just enjoying having her close to him, knowing that she was safe there with him. "I'm absolutely sure I can handle it," he promised with a happy nod, smiling as he took her in, wishing more than anything that tonight wouldn't be the last and only time he ever got to be with her. "I'll definitely protect you. With my life." He winked teasingly but grinned when she kissed his cheek, leaning to kiss the top of her head before he watched her wander over to the worker.

Atlantis wasn't sure what it was that rushed through her with hearing what Luke said, but the warmth of whatever emotion it was was so intense that she couldn't help but to grin. "I don't know, you happen to look very pretty, too," she teased lightly, giggling softly before her grin broadened. "Wait until you see inside." Shifting, she moved away from Luke to join up with Arista, smiling as waved at the worker, certain that getting them all in wouldn't be too difficult.

Ashton laughed at Calum's attempts to escape, tugging him along with him with a broad grin. "It won't be that bad, I promise!" he assured, "Man up, face your fears, it'll be over before you know it and you can say you survived." He smirked, then, peering at Calum. "Well, unless you don't." He laughed, but then blinked when he spotted Michael and Luke. "Mikey! Luke! Hey! Wanna help me drag Calum through this place?" He grinned broadly, unable to help it.

Calum rolled his eyes as he tried to struggle away from Ashton. "You are so annoying, Ashton. What if my little heart can't take this? What if I scream like a girl and scare everyone away?" Calum's eyes widened for a moment. "What if I die?!"

Upon hearing Ashton and Calum's short discussion, Luke grinned and turned to his friends, shaking his head. "You two, honestly." He glanced back to Atlantis, biting his lip slightly. "Yeah, sure, just don't be too weird in front of Atlantis and Arista, okay?" He teased. "We all know you two are the biggest oddballs going." And even though he was speaking to Calum and Ashton, his attention was still almost entirely focused on Atlantis, ensuring she was safe and happy. But still, watching the interaction between the (very) tall man behind the kiosk and the girls, Luke blinked and wondered just how long the girls, who couldn't of been much older than he was, had been here.

Arista felt as though her hand was on fire, in the best possible way, as she leaned against the ticket kiosk. Smiling at Alantis, she knocked the window to get the man's attention. Smiling as the easily-over-seven-foot man came to the window, Arista smiled. "Hiiiii, Joe." Looking over her shoulder to Michael, Arista smiled as she saw Michael focus on the newest two members of the group, turning to the taller man. "We need tickets."

Joe smiled at Atlantis and Arista, leaning down slightly to speak to them. "Well, if it isn't my favourite mergirls?" Joe pinched the girls' cheeks. "Are these four gentlemen with you?" He asked, nodding as Atlantis nodded. "No problem. You know, you two should just run away from here, boys aren't worth the hassle." He teased. "Go back to the ocean and enjoy your freedom." Although lowering his voice so the boys couldn't hear, Joe spoke softly. "I'm still willing to kill that butthead."

"You act like all of those are the worst things that could happen! Way worse could happen than that! You could be tortured or starved or eaten," Ashton listed off with a broad grin, enjoying teasing Calum, though he blinked to Luke's words. "Who are Atlantis and Arista?" He arched a brow, finding the names foreign and odd, but he didn't want to question it.

Michael motioned to the two girls, his gaze falling on Arista for a long time as he watched her interact with the tall man, arching an amused brow at the sight of him pinching the girls' cheeks. If the man hadn't looked so affectionate and kind, Michael might have thought he was hurting Arista and probably would have stepped in but, seeing that the man seemed to watch the girls with a sort of softness to him, he didn't worry too much about it. He arched a brow as he overhead a bit of the conversation, though, and he grew curious but he didn't want to outright question it, figuring he was talking about the act. "Those two," he told Ashton and Calum, looking back to his friends, "They have a mermaid act going on here. Arista's pretty amazing at it, very convincing." He grinned broadly, unable to help it.

Atlantis smiled to Joe, nodding to his question. "We're okay," she told him before she peered over to the group. "We don't really know the other two, but it seems like they're friends of the ones we met at our show." She watched quietly for a moment, though she made a slight face at feeling him pinch her cheek and she pouted jokingly. As awful as it was to be stuck at the carnival, Joe had always been a good support for them, always looking out for them, and she wasn't sure there would ever be a way for them to thank him enough for that kindness. Her look softened, weakening a bit to his later words, and she offered a weak smile. "If it were that easy, we would have been long gone by now." She shook her head, though. "And we wouldn't ever ask you to do something like that, Joe."

Calum followed Michael's motion, raising his eyebrows, before shoving Ashton off him. "They're cute." Calum nodded, groaning as Luke punched his arm.

Luke glared at Calum jokingly. "Nuh uh, we saw them first, you don't get to say that." He teased. Although Luke watched on in amusement as the tall man pinched Atlantis' cheek, something affectionate about the gesture warming Luke's heart, although he still couldn't help but think of more things to ask Atlantis about the sort of lifestyle they led. Watching Atlantis with his own fond smile, Luke bit his lip as he folded his arms across his chest, not wanting to disturb - although he frowned slightly at Joe's words of returning to the ocean, and he wondered if the mermaid act was something the girls had to carry on, even out of costume.

Arista smiled at Joe's words. "Shh, keep your voice down." She told him quietly when he mentioned the ocean, gently smacking Joe's arm, knowing that their size compared to Joe's meant he would barely feel it. "Atlantis is right, we'd jump at the chance, but... you know he has something of ours we can't get back." She cast her eyes to the ground at that, fiddling with the drawstrings of Michael's hoodie.

Joe smiled. "I'd do it voluntarily, don't worry." He teased, handing the girls six tickets to the attraction. "I know. But hey, these two chumps staring at you could be the ones, hm?" He asked quietly. "Go have fun, girls. You deserve it."

"What?" Ashton asked, blinking, though he soon pouted jokingly. "You can't just call dibs before everybody sees them! Cruel." He huffed quietly, jokingly, because he wasn't really upset - the girls were certainly cute, but he wasn't about to step of Luke's and Michael's toes. "Probably way out of your league, more in ours." He grinned jokingly.

"Oi," Michael complained, shoving at Ashton. "Don't say that!" He pouted, but grinned nonetheless, well aware of Ashton's teasing ways, and certain his friend was just joking by the sight of that ridiculous grin the older boy wore. Shaking his head, he looked back to Arista, watching her. He could see her fiddling with the drawstrings of his hoodie from where he was and the sight of it made his heart swell, because the hoodie looked so amazing on her, and he never wanted to forget the sight. She was perfect, she really was, and he wondered if she even knew, if anybody had ever told her she was. Everything about her just made so much sense to him and he loved it all.

Atlantis nodded along slightly to Arista's words, chewing on her lip with the reminder, because it'd been so long since they made that deal and, yet, they still lived with the consequences of it every single day. Still, she smiled as she accepted the tickets, nodding slightly. "Thanks, Joe," she murmured quietly, though she didn't want to get her hopes up when it came to Luke. He made her feel safe and happy in a way she hadn't felt, but she knew that it would never be that simple or easy for them. "We'll see you later, promise. Don't feel replaced." She offered a small, joking grin before she looked to Arista, wondering if her friend was ready to go back to the guys or not.

Calum grinned with Ashton's words, nodding. "Definitely." He laughed as Luke punched him again, with a little more force. "Okay, okay!"

Arista studied Joe with a faint smile to his words. Maybe Michael could be the one, but she already cared so much for him in the very little time that she'd known him, that she would want to protect him from what she was, not expose him to it, knowing their captor was cruel and wouldn't hesitate to hurt Michael in any way. "See you later, Joe." She smiled warmly, pulling herself away from the kiosk to head back to the boys. "C'mon."

Luke watched as Atlantis accepted the tickets from their friend, smiling as he watched her movements, admiring just how gorgeous she was. Luke had woken up hating the idea of going to a carnival, suggested by Ashton the day prior, but still, here he was, not wanting to leave, knowing that he would be leaving Atlantis - and he didn't want to do that, not at all, already feeling so protective and knowing that whatever he was feeling could blossom to something more. Still, he perked up as the girls approached. "Alright, I'm ready to get scared to death."

Michael's gaze went to Arista the moment she returned and his heart warmed at the sight of her, feeling that warmth spreading through him with the fact that she was near him again. He wasn't sure what it was about her, but something about her astounded him in ways he couldn't even begin to fathom - such as how he'd grown to feel this way for her after only knowing her a short time. He wanted to relish in it, though, wanting to accept every bit of warmth and happiness she gave him. "Are you ready to go in?" he asked with a small grin, offering his hand to her again, "Because I'm still planning to protect you." His grin broadening, he winked at her.

Atlantis offered a small grin to Luke's words when they got to the group, and she nodded slightly. "Good, because you're in for a fright," she joked lightly, though she knew that a lot of the others who worked in the carnival did a really great job of making the house of horrors frightening. They also threw in smaller spooks, fun ones, but it was all in good fun, and Atlantis always enjoyed it when she and Arista would decide to give it a thousand tries.

"Well, since these two jerks aren't going to introduce us -" Ashton started, shooting a joking look at Luke and Michael before he grinned at the girls. "I'm Ashton and this is Calum." He motioned to Calum, his grin settling into a small, playful smirk. "And I hope you're right about that fright. Calum just loves to get scared, I want this to be worth it for him."

Arista felt an unfamiliar rush of love spread through her as Michael grinned at her. Taking his hand with no hesitation, Arista bit her lip and took another step closer to Michael, just wanting to feel what she was feeling continuously. “I’m ready if you are.” She promised with a nod, although her own smile broadened when Michael promised to protect her, her heart beating slightly faster with the wink he gave her. Arista shook her head in amusement, not wanting to ruin Michael’s fun and tell him she’d been through the attraction a hundred times — it no longer phased her. Although the thought crossed her mind that if she told Michael the truth, would he still vow to protect her? Turning to Ashton and Calum though, Arista smiled. “It’s nice to meet you.”

Luke smiled at Atlantis, his heart at ease whenever she was close to him. Offering Atlantis his hand, Luke’s smile broadened. “I can’t wait.” He told her, genuinely excited to be spending more time with Atlantis, just to experience the love he was feeling over and over again. “I’ll protect you.” He promised with a grin, kissing the top of her head, wondering if the gesture was too much or if he was pushing his luck. Hearing Ashton’s words though, Luke grinned. “Just ignore them and they’ll go away after a while.” He teased.

Calum slapped Ashton at the back of the head. “It’s nice to meet you girls.”

Michael felt his whole chest warm the moment Arista had taken his hand, even more so when she stepped closer, and he felt this overwhelming need, this desire, to keep her safe, to have her near, and he refused to ignore it. Grinning, he tugged her closer, leaning to kiss her forehead before he could really stop himself and he tried not to worry about screwing things up already, instead focusing fully on her. "Definitely ready," he assured her quietly, watching her for a long moment before he smiled. Squeezing her hand gently, he nodded and led the way up closer to the house of horrors. "We'll have fun. Maybe we can even ditch Calum and Ashton along the way," he joked with a laugh, "Although, chances are, Calum will be in there for two seconds before he runs out, crying."

Atlantis smiled to Ashton and Calum and nodded slightly. "It's nice to meet you both," she told them, though her attention easily went back to Luke and she grinned slightly, chewing on her lip before she nodded and placed her hand in his, her heart swelling instantly with the contact. "Neither can I. It will be fun," she murmured happily, looking forward to it, eager to see how the boys reacted to the house of horrors, but mostly just wanting to keep spending time with Luke and forget her troubles, even if only for a little while. Her cheeks warmed when she felt Luke kiss the top of her head, though, and she peered up at him, taking him in, wondering how she'd come to meet this man while being stuck in a place like this. Still, she smiled. "I don't think they're so bad."

Ashton winced with the feeling, shooting Calum a look. "You really wanna do that? I'm sure I could ask the person heading the house of horrors to give us the extreme version - that's a thing, you know," he warned in almost a hum, but grinned to the girls. "It's nice to meet you girls. Now, let's head off to face the horror, shall we?" Winking teasingly, he turned to follow the others up to the house of horrors, once again tugging Calum along.

Calum's eyes widened slightly as Ashton tugged him along. "You wouldn't dare." He told his best friend. Although, knowing that the girls were the carnivals resident 'mermaids', Calum thought for a moment before deciding that asking his dumb question was alright - they'd probably heard it a million times before. "Have you ever sung Part Of Your World? From, you know, The Little Mermaid?"

Arista watched Ashton and Calum with amusement, laughing at their antics. Biting her lip as Michael pulled her closer, however, Arista easily followed the path he paved for her, wanting, yearning to be closer to him, although when she felt his lips against her forehead, Arista felt an explosion of fondness through her chest, it was almost overwhelming. Looking up at Michael, Arista tilted her head slightly as she studied him, suddenly the possibility of sealing their deal was more real. Following Michael's lead though, Arista chuckled at Michael's words. "I'm sure he'll be fine - but to answer your question, no, we don't go around singing Disney songs." She laughed, shaking her head at Calum.

Luke groaned at Calum's stupid question, gently squeezing Atlantis' hand, lifting her hand to his lips to press a gentle kiss to her skin. "No, they're definitely bad." Luke shot a teasing wink to Atlantis, just relishing in having her close. Tugging her closer to his side gently, Luke pressed another kiss to the top of her head, addicted to the feeling of doing so. Following Michael to the entrance of the house of horrors, Luke didn't want to outwardly admit that he was feeling a bit nervous - he could handle mild frights, things that were too ridiculous to be scared of, but it this place was genuine, Luke feared he'd be the one running out, crying. "Okay," he whispered to Atlantis quietly. "Let's do this. Stay close, I've got you." And he meant it, he'd always have her, he'd always protect her, his whole existence was telling him that somehow, he was made to do just that.