His Mermaid Princess: A Huma fanfiction

chapter 17

The sun hung low over the horizon, casting a soft, golden glow over the still waters of the lagoon. Harry rowed the small boat with steady strokes, each pull of the oars slicing through the gentle ripples, sending tiny waves lapping against the boat. Beside him sat Uma, her brown eyes reflecting the colors of the setting sun. It was July 1, 1824, and the evening was thick with summer warmth, the air filled with the scent of saltwater and blooming water lilies.

Unbeknownst to Harry, there was another group observing them closely. Flounder peeked out from the water, struggling to see past the curve of Harry’s broad shoulders.

“Move over—move your big feathers. I can't see a thing,” Flounder muttered, jostling for space beside Scuttle, who flapped noisily beside him.

Scuttle, perched awkwardly on a nearby branch, squinted down at the pair below. “Nothing’s happening... Only one day left, and that boy ain’t puckered up once,” he squawked, shaking his head in exasperation. “Alright, this calls for a little vocal romantic stimulation. Stand back.”

Without warning, Scuttle opened his beak and let out a horrendous, off-key wail of a song that echoed across the lagoon. His attempt at a serenade was so terrible that Harry immediately winced, looking around for the source of the noise.

“Wow,” Harry muttered dryly, raising an eyebrow. “Somebody should find that poor animal and put it out of its misery.”

Beside him, Uma grimaced, visibly trying to suppress her laughter. She pressed her palm to her forehead in embarrassment as Scuttle signaled to them with an enthusiastic "A-OK" gesture from his branch. Sebastian, lurking nearby and wincing at the off-tune squawking, slapped a claw over his face.

“Jeez, man, I’m surrounded by amateurs!” Sebastian grumbled. He quickly scuttled down a reed, diving into the water to take matters into his own claws.

Emerging from the water with a determined expression, Sebastian plucked a reed and adjusted it like a conductor preparing for a symphony. “You want something done, you gotta do it yourself,” he muttered under his breath. “First, we gotta create the mood.”

The creatures of the lagoon seemed to respond to Sebastian’s silent command. A group of ducks paddled over to a cluster of turtles sunning themselves on rocks. Without warning, the ducks began tapping on the shells of the turtles, the hollow sound reverberating through the air like drums.

“Percussion...” Sebastian whispered, smiling in satisfaction.

Next, a chorus of crickets started rubbing their legs together, their chirping melding into a soft, rhythmic hum that resembled the delicate sound of string instruments.

“Strings...” Sebastian gestured, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

The wind picked up, whistling softly through the reeds that lined the shore, adding a gentle, melodic accompaniment.

“Winds...” Sebastian nodded approvingly. The stage was set. Now it was time for the final touch.

Grabbing a nearby cattail like a microphone, Sebastian slid closer to the boat and began to sing softly into Harry’s ear, his voice rich and smooth.

“There you see her, sitting there across the way...” Sebastian sang, the words weaving a spell into the already magical evening. Harry turned slightly, his gaze landing on Uma as she sat, quiet and poised, just a few feet away.

“She don’t got a lot to say... but there’s something about her... and you don’t know why, but you’re dying to try... you wanna kiss the girl...”

Harry blinked, his brow furrowing again. “Did you hear something?”

Uma shrugged, though a small smile tugged at her lips. The serenade seemed to wash over her, but she didn’t acknowledge it, instead keeping her eyes on the water.

Sebastian grinned, watching his words take root. “Yes, you want her, look at her, you know you do...” he crooned, conducting the lagoon creatures as they continued their musical accompaniment. “Possible she wants you too, there is one way to ask her. It don’t take a word, not a single word... go on and kiss the girl.”

Harry turned fully to Uma now, his expression softening. “You know... I feel really bad not knowing your name. Maybe I could guess?”

Uma, ever the tease, stuck her tongue out playfully, tilting her head in amusement.

“Alright, not that. Uh... how about... Mildred?” Harry asked, grinning at his own joke.

Uma wrinkled her nose, shaking her head.

“Diana?”

Another head shake, this time accompanied by a small chuckle.

“Rachel?”

Sebastian rolled his eyes, leaning in to whisper urgently, “Uma! Her name is Uma.”

Harry’s eyes widened as the realization dawned. “Uma? Your name is Uma?”

Uma nodded slowly, her eyes twinkling. Harry smiled, reaching out to take her hand.

“Well... that’s kinda pretty. Uma... I like it,” he said softly.

As the boat drifted lazily through the lagoon, two pelicans gently pulled back the leaves of a willow tree, creating a tunnel of greenery for Harry and Uma to pass through. The moment was perfect, the music swelled, and everything seemed to align. It was now or never.

“Now’s your moment, floating in a blue lagoon... boy, you better do it soon, no time will be better...” Sebastian’s voice was a gentle push, urging Harry forward.

The creatures of the lagoon whispered among themselves, encouraging Harry to close the distance. Fireflies buzzed around the boat, their soft glow illuminating the space between them. Slowly, Harry leaned in, his gaze locking with Uma’s. Her eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting ever so slightly in anticipation.

Harry closed his eyes, inching closer, his heart pounding in his chest. Their lips were mere inches apart when—

BAM!

Suddenly, the boat flipped, sending Harry and Uma plunging into the water with a loud splash. Above the surface, Flotsam and Jetsam slithered away, their mischievous grins barely visible in the fading light.