Triton's Destiny

Part Two

This is it. This is how I die. Claimed by the sea. Just like my parents. I didn't want to die this way. The weight of the water crushed him and as he sank, the wan light from above faded, trapping him in the dark. It was blessedly calm, though, below the roiling surface. The storm barely disturbed the water around him and he thanked the heavens for the small mercy of a peaceful death. He wouldn't suffer, and he was grateful for that.

As everything around him grew hazy, every second lengthened into forever, and his senses began to shut down, he suddenly saw a flash of green light bolt through the water. It shifted and hovered before him, and it took a moment to realize that it was attached to a... person? The glow illuminated a pair of eyes that gazed at him in wide wonder and looked fascinatingly humanoid. A pair of lips parted in surprise, and lithe arms moved through the water, but the rest of the being was definitely not human. There were delicate fins on its forearms, hips, and back, scales on its torso, and the green light was emitting from the stripes lining its abdomen and tail. A tail. This creature had a long, muscular tail instead of legs, and it swept constantly through the water to keep the being in position.

A hallucination. It had to be. That was the only explanation for why he was seeing a mythical ocean creature while he teetered on the brink of death. Perhaps the gods had sent this emissary to guide his soul to the afterworld and if that was the case, then they not only had a sense of humor, but also a sense of aesthetic. This being was supernaturally beautiful, with warm grey skin, short, dark hair that was blue on top, delicately pointed ears, and wide, curious eyes. It looked at him with deep concern and tilted its head. And then it lifted a pair of long, thin tentacles between them, the pointed tips glowing with the same green light as the rest of its bioluminescence.

The sudden appearance of the arrow-like appendages startled Tristan and he flailed his arms in a desperate bid to escape. He didn't know what this creature wanted, but if it was looking for a meal, then it would either have to go elsewhere or wait for him to drown. But it didn't really seem like it wanted to eat him. And then it did something that completely boggled his mind. It spoke to him. Well... Kind of.

Calm down, the creature's smooth, masculine voice filtered through Tristan's mind, soothing it like a gentle caress. I'm here to help you. I can bring you back to shore, but first you need some air.

Yeah, no shit, Tristan thought sarcastically. But he had no idea how that was supposed to happen underwater.

The creature smiled at him and swam closer. I can breathe underwater, so let me share with you.

Tristan's eyes widened as the being came even closer, their noses brushing together. They were so close that Tristan could see the creature's eyes were a stunning deep blue color, ringed with black. What are you? he wanted to ask.

Remarkably, the creature seemed to hear the thought in his mind. I'm one of the merfolk. A triton. Now... He took Tristan's hands and anchored them on his hip fins. Hold onto me.

Tristan gripped those powerful appendages and felt himself leaning forward as the triton cupped his jaw and fit their lips together. It was the oddest, most surreal feeling to have his mouth entangled with that of a being he wasn't entirely certain was real. But as the sweet relief of oxygen filling his lungs washed over him, he suddenly didn't care where it was coming from. The fog in his brain began to dissipate and he clung to his savior as the lifeline he so desperately needed.

The triton shared his air in long, measured exhalations, keeping their mouths tightly sealed together. Fascinated, Tristan watched the triton's gills flutter on his neck as he breathed in water and then bestowed the oxygen he pulled from it. The triton's fingers slid up Tristan's jaw and burrowed into his hair, pulling him against the creature's body. It was more intimate this way, and Tristan couldn't help letting his eyes slip closed. For some inexplicable reason, he felt safe in the triton's lean, muscled arms, and if the sharing of breath began to resemble a kiss, he wasn't sure he minded. He almost forgot he was trapped in a watery grave with nothing but the mercy of a benevolent mer-person standing between him and his demise. It felt so good to be held like that.

The storm is ending. The triton released a final breath into Tristan's mouth and pulled away, looking into his eyes. Are you ready to go back?

Something deep in Tristan's soul cried out in protest but he nodded anyway, wanting to get out of the water.

The triton nodded too, giving Tristan a warm smile. I need you to hold onto me again. Tightly.

He gripped the creature's hip fins once more and nearly lost the air he was holding in his lungs as the triton flicked his tail and propelled them both through the current at alarming speed. The water shallowed and brightened as they approached the shore, sunshine filtering down to dapple the sandy ocean floor below. The triton moved like it was easy to carry Tristan with him and Tristan marveled at his power and efficiency. He'd only ever seen that kind of effortless grace in dolphins.

I can't go any farther. The triton told him as he slowed, the ocean floor now close enough to touch. Can you make it to the beach from here?

Tristan nodded. I think so.

Then farewell, my human friend. Be safe.

Releasing the triton with a reluctance that surprised him, Tristan managed to tread water for a moment as he looked at the creature with deep gratitude in his eyes. Thank you.

The triton smiled. You're very welcome. May you find happiness in your world.

With the air beginning to burn in his lungs, Tristan struggled through the water until he could put his feet on the ocean floor and drag his body the rest of the way to the beach. He was exhausted by the time he flopped down on the sand, sprawling out in the damp grit and heaving for breath. As the placid surf lapped at his ankles, he glanced over his shoulder, wondering if he could catch one last glimpse of his triton rescuer. All he saw, though, was glittering waves and bright, sunny sky.

Idiot, he berated himself. It was a delusion. Somehow, you managed not to drown and washed up here. There was no beautiful, blue-eyed fish god out there. You just drank too much seawater. He turned his head and rested on the wet sand, too tired to get up yet. It was a miracle he'd survived the storm and getting tossed off a cliff. He could afford to rest for a bit. Closing his eyes, he let the sun warm his back. And if the fleeting dreams teasing at the backs of his eyelids featured gossamer blue and silver scales, an irresistible pair of lips, and smiling sapphire eyes, then that was no one's business but his.