The days flew by without him even realizing it.

He couldn’t ponder the curious glances Jason gave him each time they met. He couldn’t pay mind to Ethan’s growing wonder. Both were seeing him smile much more often, more joyful… and he could not think about it, because he did not realize it himself. The sadness that had been there faded, like if by magic.

Maybe it was. Because the thought of being near them was all that swam in his mind, like a spell. And not for the fact they were such… extraordinary beings. No. He felt like he finally came upon hearts like his, which shared his marvel and understood his sorrow.

The two were amazing. All he would wish to be. So free, so strong, so fearless, and kind. He really did not understand why they neared, why they would want to keep on seeing him. But they kept on doing it, drowning his loneliness.

Today was no different. He sat there, uncaring that the sun was setting. Not noticing, or not wanting to see the day end; too entranced in their laughs, their voices. Her echoing chuckle and his caring words were the only things that he would pay mind to.

His hazel eyes could only watch while Iara chortled, her tail moving almost like if it had its own mind, brushing the sand while she bit down onto a fish. Luckily, for Alon and him, it was cooked.

Matthew was lying down onto his stomach, the light of the small campfire reflecting on his eyes, which watched amused while Alon handled it, his gentle hands again preparing yet another fish.

Silver eyes rolled, seeing she already ate the fish he gave her seconds ago, her eyes sharpening for the one he was cooking next.

“Iara, no.”

This one was for Matthew, who had not eaten yet. And yet, she still groaned, her fangs showing as she complained rather immaturely.

“But I’m hungryyyyyyyyyy…”

Matthew raised an eyebrow, snorting at her.

“You’ve eaten THREE fishes, Ia.”

The mermaid pouted, startling Shamira as she plopped onto her, the poor dog whining while she made a drama, awakening her.

“You are a human! You don’t understand my metabolism, Matt! I need that fish! You can wait!”

Matthew gave her a blank look, unimpressed.

“…Sure. Because Alon, being double your size, does not have enough with one fish. Truly, it is strange.”

“He is a killer whale! I’m a dolphin! I need more energy to jump around! Come on!”

“Your puppy eyes may work on Alon, not on me.”

Alon laughed, Iara suddenly grabbing Shamira, the dog yelping as she leaned her close to Matthew’s face.

“Do it for the doge! Shamira is happy if you share the fish!”

“And I thought you did not understand memes. But don’t change the subject! Shamira does not even like fish, she loves meat. Would you even share the fish with her, anyway?”

She finally dropped the dog, who padded slightly away with an exasperated huff, deciding to search for another place to nap.

Alon smiled and took the food, finally done. Iara slammed her tail multiple times, the fish promptly given to Matthew.

“Here you go.”

“Thanks.”

Matthew was still amazed that Alon could cook something so tasty with only his hands and fire, no other ingredients but some seaweed. Seaweed they assured was edible. So simple, and yet it smelled delicious. It was expertly sliced, done just right by the fire.

They sat there, Alon not taking much time to prepare two other fish, one for him and another for her. Fish were very easy to catch by merfolk.

Matthew ate so calmly, that the three were now eating at once, in a comfortable silence that only the waves broke. The fire and the low sun reflected all over, making their surroundings almost glint in a bronze glow, which at the same time loomed over their figures.

The silence was broken by a quiet whisper.

“I wish things could be like this forever…”

Iara and Alon looked up; only to shiver, seeing a trace of remembrance hidden below the calmness in those hazel eyes. The two merfolk could see how relieved Matthew was to be by their side, for loneliness was what had been drowning his spirits.

Blue and silver eyes slowly moved to look away, a sudden trail of thought stabbing, painfully. Something they had not thought about all these days. It had not been important to think of. But now… now they finally pondered it; for they as well had ended up feeling thankful, drawn closer. The three were together thanks to strange meetings, which they would have never predicted.

Alon and Iara had only meant for this cay to be a place to roam for a set amount of time.

They could not stay forever. Their kind would leave those tropical shores eventually. The season would pass, and all would feel drawn to the depths, into the sea and oceans… including them.

Alon had to reunite with his family, at least see them. He could not just disappear without a word. And she could not endure the thought of living in one single place, as much as she felt tied to them. She was a free spirit, her kind known for travelling, for following routes their instincts dictated. Her soul was the very wonder that defined all merfolk.

They wouldn’t be together forever. No matter how much it had seemed to be possible. The days had gone by fast; they had felt time flow past them like a soft current. They were too focused on their closeness, on the wonder, and their shared words to notice.

Alon raised a hand to his chest, his tail curling against himself, his eyes averting. His heart hurt with the thought of leaving their side. But his heart did not hurt as much as hers, her eyes opening with the realization that she would be alone again. No one stayed much time by her side. All ended up tiring. All who roamed around her, all her kind, were just strangers. Their words had always been empty, lacking any love.

The words escaped her lips without thought, quietly.

“We…” Matthew lifted his gaze, his smile dropping as he saw something that had never been in her: fear. “W-we are not staying here for long…”

Alon jolted slightly, his head whipping to face her, for he had not wished to voice his thoughts. He did not want to let the truth out. But she did. And indeed… the merman felt impotence, felt truly small when he saw the surprised look on Matthew’s face. The human was taken aback. His baffled look left after a few seconds, but the shock stayed, a worried thoughtful look settling on his expression.

Matthew sat up slowly, looking down at his hand, then at the fire. His mouth opened faintly, only to close soon after. He did not dare question them; ask them the reasons for their parting.

Why?

It was not for him to inquire. He was not like them. He could not understand or argue with their ways, their travels and instincts. That, he understood.

But that did not mean it hurt any less.

Alon looked up and tensed when Matthew stood slowly, all emotion leaving his expression. Only one sound left him as he looked down at them.

“…Right.”

The mermaid leaned slightly, hating to see the sorrow return, feeling regret for her words.

“Matt-“

Iara did not finish her call, because he turned away, hiding his face from their view. His voice tangled with faked cheerfulness while he pointed up to the sky.

“I… will call it a day. It’s late and I should go home before night falls. You know… t-there are no lights along the road.” The two merfolk slumped slightly, seeing Matthew walk away, waving a hand tiredly without looking back. He merely whispered, with doubt. “See you tomorrow…”

By the time his figure had reached the stairs in the far distance, the sun had almost gone away, darkness replacing the glow from before, shadows tangling over everything.

She sat there, unable to move as Alon huffed tiredly. His figure crawled without a word into the waves, while she looked at her own hands, pondering.

———-

 

Sleep was not something viable… not tonight.

Her hands clenched again while she looked down at them, like if she could pierce them. She floated there in the darkness, her eyes impossibly sharp. Her figure swayed in the depths, the currents unsteady.

It almost matched her inner emotions.

She hated to be alone. Not alone in the sense of not having someone around her, but be truly alone. No one shared her joy for life, no one paid mind to her words, no one cared for her laugh.

She understood Matthew. More than he ever could think he did.

Iara’s eyes narrowed, seemingly getting brighter, her whole body tensed. The water around her hands seemed to tremble, its natural cobalt colour intensifying erratically, like if a slight and faint glow tangled through it. Her gaze was firm as it grew slowly.

Said faint glow sparkled one last time before fading suddenly, because she jolted. A voice disturbed her focus.

“Iara?”

The mermaid lowered her hands, her tail moving in a fast sway to make her turn around. Alon frowned, because she glared when she spotted him, even if only for a moment. That expression was soon gone, like if it never had been there; she seemed to cringe when he swam closer with a concerned whisper.

“Why are you here?”

She looked away, grasping one of her arms in a shy stance. But of course, he worried after hours of waiting for her to go to sleep. It was a given that he would search for her when he noticed she was gone. She was near the beach. Close to the eastern side, the flat rocks above. They rarely came to this place. She had wanted to be alone to think. But now… she was thankful Alon was there by her side; because she had made up her mind.

The merman halted, not nearing all the way. He was confused when Iara raised her gaze, giving him a look he had never seen in the cheerful mermaid.

“…We need to talk.”

No nicknames. Not a single trace of her joy below her firm tone.

Alon neared slowly, imagining she was upset by the matter that surfaced hours ago.

“Iara, I know you are sad about it but… There’s no way around it.” She seemed to snarl, something he did not seem to catch as he tried to reassure her. It was not enough for her to feel comforted. “We will leave; go back into the sea, indeed. But… once I talk with my family, I could meet with you once more. I can be with you, if you don’t mind others not nearing us, that is. And Matthew… look, we could return from time to time. See him between migrations, check how he is doing.”

He laid one hand onto her face, raising her gaze gently. He shook his head, speaking with remorse.

“He… can’t follow us.”

Those words stabbed deep, he could see it. She grimaced, her mouth opening in contemplation.

“…” His eyes widened slowly, because her hands rose in front of her. Her next whisper was growled, firm. “He could.”

Silver eyes filled with slight fear when her hands let out a slight and subtle glow, a small grayish blaze. It died in just a second, her focus erratic and torn.

Alon let go of her, his tail moving subtly, making him lean away from her.

“Y-you…” He met her eyes, which were fixed on his. She was not surprised by his reaction. “Iara, m-magic is a dangerous thing.”

She nodded, smiling. But it was not reaching her eyes.

“I never invoke it.” It was a taboo, frowned upon. Few knew, less tried. “I barely know how to control it, it never does anything.”

Her eyes gained a trace of hope, while his showed doubt and apprehension. She neared, letting the glow die… but she did not let the matter fade, asking him.

“Alon…” She smiled warmly, her tail touching his gently, offering. “Y-you must have heard the tales of old times.”

“I have.” His expression grew serious, his eyes darkening in the waters, the moonlight not reaching his face. “I have heard; nothing good, however. Nothing good can come out of it.”

Magic only brought chaos, misery. It did before. It always changed the ones who dared wield it. It corrupted, it was not meant to be part of the world. If the tales were true, most used it for their own benefit, becoming dangerous beings.

She thought differently.

“It could be something good, Alon. I still remember the tales of merfolk and humans sharing their existence. They say we were akin once. I know it is not a simple tale to make children fall asleep at night.” Iara let out words that made Alon’s eyes narrow with aversion. “I know it’s possible. I know I can make him be like us.”

No.

Her heart skipped a beat. For Alon seemed to debate for a minute… but his mind was set. He growled, brushing his hair in a torn move. His eyes showed pure worry as he tried to reason.

“Iara, this… No.” He raised a hand, trying to make her see. “Even if you managed… H-he is human. He would not be alright here; he would struggle with the change. It’s a crazy idea! It could go wrong, in so many ways! What if the spell fails?!”

“It won’t! N-not with your help!” He trembled, her hand latching onto his, her eyes begging, her voice tangling again with that hope of hers. “I- I’m sure I would manage! It only takes will! Just determination, focus! With it, he could be with us! I can’t bear the thought of leaving him alone. True, maybe he struggles; maybe he finds the sea dark… B-but we would be there! We-“

“I won’t approve of something that I know will only bring regret.”

Her eyes filled with hurt, and her hand let go. Because Alon looked down at her with care in his eyes, but care only he deemed rightful. His tone was soft. Yet firm. His convictions would not falter.

“Iara, listen, please.” He pointed at the shore, both turning their gazes to it, able to see the faint lights of a town between the tall landscape, deep in the cay. “Matthew has lived on land all his life. He has a relative! He can’t just leave everything he knows behind for… us. He will heal; because the damage of that night is still fresh. It will take time, but he will. Do you expect him to be alright in the ocean? No, I have seen his terror for it. Do you think he will be able to understand everything that will come with a change like that? Mark my words, he is human. You would not be fine on land either. He would only feel like he’s lagging behind, he will not be as natural in the water. He will feel useless, something I know he hates. On land, he can do more, given time. We may be similar deep inside… but the difference is still there. We are apart, in two worlds that can never merge! It’s not so simple!”

Both glared at each other, a painful silence settling. One that Iara broke, coldly.

“It is easier than you think.” She bolted away, blending into the dark of the night with one last sad whisper. “…If you only would listen.”

Alon looked down, refusing to chase her. He floated there, letting his hands down, a strong feeling of depression sinking into him.

He couldn’t bring himself to wish for something that could hurt them. The sea could be cruel, he had seen. He still remembered how cold it was to roam alone at a young age. He still dreaded predators near them; for they existed, even if veiled.

The merman slowly held himself, his shoulders shaking, his tail stopping swaying. He sank down, brushing the sand below, no will to move. He just swayed there, his figure barely seen between the small reflections of moonlight. Everything around him was blue and dark. His eyes closed, no tears ever showing in the water.

He really understood… He really wished it could be. But she couldn’t see his worry, she couldn’t comprehend that not everyone was as strong as her. She was too fearless to consider all the dangers of such a spell.

He pondered there, his mind screaming, while silence engulfed the waters. There were too many words in his head, all pulling at him in different directions.

In such a dreadful night, he did not move. Another thing did. Always there, watching.

Sharp fangs showed as laughter made the waters tremble, his sharp fins moving in the dark, unseen. He could only grin, narrow his sharp eyes, having heard the three, having seen the two cry out in grief and hope. All despaired, wishing, voicing their most longed desires… which he finally knew.

This is going to be easier than thought.

He moved away, disappearing into the depths as her figure did. He had to… lead things in the right direction. And then let it all fall into place.

Flesh was at reach.