"Well damn..." Charis commented, their brows risen in surprise. "I think I know why you didn't want to wash your paper cut off." They joked, "You're beautiful by the way." They complimented.
Lillian stared at Charis. Expecting a different reaction from them. Lillian blinked slowly, "T-Th-" She cut herself off as she couldn't breathe. She began to hyperventilate. "Oh- oh Christ, yeah, you probably can't breathe!" Charis quickly scooped Lillian up. Put her over his shoulder and hurried over to his restroom. Setting Lillian down in the tub. Which Charis quickly filled with some water.
Lillian stopped hyperventilating as they added water. Her gills soon soaking it up. She thanked him awkwardly.
"Yeah- sure- Uhm," Charis shook their head. "How?!" He motioned to Lillian's tail. Lillian did not respond. Just looked at the ground. "I'm not planning on hurting you. I am however, very concerned about what really made you wash up on my beach." Charis prodded worriedly.
"...Okay..." Lillian eyed him cautiously. "I washed myself up. I chose to be here." She admitted.
"Alright, can't relate, but hi-" They started, "Welcome to Finland." He shrugged. "I'm not good at this kind of thing. Welcome to the land? I don't know what I'm doing..." Charis sighed.
"I-I...I Sorry." Lillian apologized, her voice shaky and small as she caved into herself. "Don't be...I'm not that social anyways." Charis shrugged. Lillian didn't respond. She wrapped her dainty arms around her tail and leaned her head on her tail. "I am sorry..." she apologized once again. Charis kneeled in front of Lillian. "I just said not to be Lillian. You're fine." They reassured. "...I ruining your blouse to...it all wet." She looked up slightly. "It's fine. I can hang them up later, no worries." Charis gave her a smile. Lillian nodded. "Are you going to make me leave?" She questioned sadly.
"No." They said curtly.
"Really?" Lillian asked surprised.
"Yes." They nodded.
"But why? I 'sea monster'. That what people say on docks." Lillian asked curiously. "When we say 'sea monster' we mean giant lizards and octopus." Charis cleared up. "Oh...that's silly." Lillian titled her head. "What your plan for me then?" She asked, worry building back up in her stomach. "Ah...I...have not thought that one out yet." Charis made a face. "If you scared about tail. I can be human again, easy." Lillian told him.
"Hmmm, Yes, But where will you stay? My guest room turned into my office a few years ago." They rested their face in their hand. Pushing up their cheek slightly as they thought.
"Where do you stay?" Lillian asked.
"Ah, right, most of my shifts are overnight. I can let you have my bed and I can stay on the couch when I don't have a shift." He snapped his fingers., metaphorical lightbulb going off in his head. Lillian looked at the ground and stuttered. "Sorry, mermaids sleep in day, like you..." Lillian informed shyly. "Oh, guess I'll have some company then." They joked. "You must be tired then. You can keep the bed still. I hardly use it now anyways." He shrugged.
"Where you stay then?"
"I'll be around during the day if you need me. When night falls, however, I'll have hiked to the top." Charis pointed upwards. "I keep a big light on so ships can find the ports. I will stay on the couch usually." He stated, lowering his hand. Lillian blinked and nodded slowly. Having no clue what they were talking about. "...You have no clue what I'm talking about, do you?" Charis asked. "Uhm...well- y-you stay up there, yes?" She pointed in the same direction as Charis had. Charis nodded, "Yes, at night." He confirmed. "That's all..." Lillian admitted. "Oh, sorry. I work during the night. Like mermaids. Big boats can't find land easily at night. Since it is foggy and dark, so I help them out." Charis explained. "Oh...okay, that sound rights." Lillian nodded. "You help boat find lands up there?" She asked. "Mhm, there's a big light at the top of my tower. I can show you if you'd like."
"Yes."
"Alright, Uhm- how do you do your human thing?" Charis asked.
"I have to dry off bit by bit. It take a long time. That why I did it in day. You have no sun in this room so will take much longer. You have anything to make dry faster?" Lillian explained, beginning to remove the soaken blouse. Charis nodded, handing her a towel. Quickly looking away as she undressed. Just cause he was extremely embarrassed. "Thank you." Lillian took the towel. A moment of silence passed before she finished taking off her blouse. Leaving her perky chest bare. Lillian quickly figured out how a towel worked, and was almost dry in seconds. "This work much better than sun." She smiled. "Good." Charis responded awkwardly.
"Fin must dry with air." Lillian notified, "We Wait, so need help drying wet clothes?" She offered. Charis declined., "I can wash them. I'll get you a different one." Lillian blinked sadly as Charis grabbed the wet blouse and left. Reminding himself to wash it later.
By the time they returned Lillian's tail had disappeared and her legs returned. The pearls and sparkles had gone away as well. Charis handed her the new clean outfit they picked for her. Lillian slowly took the clothes. Charis left and waited outside the restroom. The house was chilly, so he moved to start a fire in the fireplace and fetch their trench coat.
Ten minutes passed before Lillian fumbled out of the restroom, wearing Charis's clothing. They were so large on her that the clothes completely hid her hourglass figure. She looked dejected as hell. "Did...I get it on right?" She asked, looking up at him.
Charis nodded, "perfectly." They asked politely if she would need a belt to hold the pants up better. As they were moments away from falling off her ass. "N-No, it is fine." She shook her head. "Okay then, let's head up to the lighthouse, yeah?"
"Okay!"
They nodded. Leading Lillian to the staircase that let up to the light. He paused before taking any steps. "Do you think you can make it? It's over five hundred steps..." They informed. "Oh...n-no I can just stay here." Lillian said disappointed.
"I could carry you." They offered. Lillian asked if she would be to heavy for him. Charis shook his head, no. "You're quite light." He argued. Lillian blushed and looked at the ground before allowing him to carry her instead. Charis leaned down so she could hop on his back. Lillian titled her head before she climbed on. Hanging on for dear life.
Their hands were firm against her squishy legs. He paused to make sure she was comfortable. Then, they started to climb the stairs.
