A Mermaid for the Lonely

Beneath the Surface

The shore was quiet, save for the gentle lapping of waves against the rocks, their rhythmic pulse a whisper of the deep. Lyam stood on the edge of the water, the cool evening breeze tugging at his loose, airy clothes. He glanced toward the horizon, where the last slivers of sunlight bled into the sea, casting the world in hues of pink and gold. The sky above was fading into a deep, velvety blue, a twilight that signaled the arrival of night.

His mind, however, was far from serene. Ever since Sirène had offered to show him her world, a storm had brewed inside him, a mix of anticipation, curiosity, and fear. He had seen her beneath the water countless times, her shimmering pink hair and dark tail flickering like a dream in the depths. But to enter that world himself, to leave behind the solidity of land and trust her completely—it was something else entirely.

What if I can't go back?  The thought gnawed at him, as irrational as it was. He knew Sirène wouldn't let him drown, not after everything they had shared. And yet, the vastness of the ocean—its unpredictable power—was enough to send a chill through him. But the deeper pull, the one that had brought him here again and again, had become too strong to ignore.

He wanted to see what she saw.

The lagoon before him rippled gently, its surface reflecting the fading light of the sun. Beyond its tranquil waters lay the sea—an endless expanse that seemed to swallow the horizon whole. He could imagine Sirène waiting just beneath the surface, her silver eyes glinting like moonlight on water, her presence as mysterious and untouchable as ever.

Lyam's breath hitched slightly as he took a step forward, his boots sinking into the damp sand. He could feel the coolness of the ocean spray on his skin, the scent of salt filling his lungs. He had been hesitant before, unsure if this was the right decision. But now, standing on the edge of both their worlds, he realized there was no turning back. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it. With her.

The water stirred, and as if answering his unspoken thoughts, Sirène's form broke the surface with graceful ease. She rose from the depths, her pale skin glowing softly in the twilight, her pink hair clinging wetly to her shoulders. Her silver eyes met his, and for a moment, the world seemed to pause, as if the sea itself held its breath in anticipation.

"Are you ready?" she asked softly, her voice carrying over the water like the gentlest breeze.

Lyam swallowed hard, nodding. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Sirène studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable, as always. Then, without another word, she extended her hand toward him, her fingers delicate but steady. Lyam hesitated only briefly before taking it, the warmth of her skin contrasting with the coolness of the water. She gave his hand a gentle tug, guiding him deeper into the lagoon, the water rising steadily around him until it reached his knees, then his waist.

The sea felt different at this moment—alive, as if it were welcoming him into its depths, acknowledging his presence for the first time. The sensation was strange, almost comforting, though there was an undercurrent of something more dangerous, something wild that hummed beneath the surface.

Lyam felt his heart pound in his chest as Sirène paused, her grip tightening slightly around his hand. "This won't last forever," she warned, her voice low but steady. "You can only stay below for a short time. But while you're with me, I'll make sure you don't lose your way."

He nodded, trying to suppress the shiver of unease creeping up his spine. Her words carried weight, a reminder of the delicate balance between their worlds. "How will I breathe?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sirène reached into the pouch at her waist, her movements deliberate and calm. From within, she produced a smooth, translucent stone—small, round, and glistening like a piece of captured moonlight. It was larger than the last one Lyam had. Lyam's eyes widened at the sight of it.

"This will give you breath, longer than last time." She explained, her tone matter-of-fact. "For as long as it lasts, you'll be able to stay below."

Lyam stared at the stone, entranced by its soft glow. It looked almost fragile, as if it might dissolve in his hands. "And after it fades?" he asked, the unspoken question hanging between them.

"Same as before. You'll need to return to the surface," she replied, her eyes locking onto his. "You'll feel it when the time comes."

Lyam nodded again, his mind racing. He trusted her, though he knew this was a risk unlike anything he had ever taken. But the pull was there, stronger than his fear. Sirène had opened a door into her world, and he wanted—*needed*—to see it.

Taking a deep breath, Lyam accepted the stone from her outstretched hand. It was cool to the touch, smooth and almost weightless. He looked at her one last time, their gazes meeting in silent understanding. Then, without another word, he pressed the stone to his lips, feeling it dissolve instantly as he swallowed it down.

The sensation was strange—a warmth spreading through his chest, as if the sea itself had poured into his lungs, filling him with something more than air. He inhaled sharply, and to his astonishment once again, the breath came easily, as natural as breathing above the surface.

Sirène watched him closely, her expression softening for the briefest moment, as if she could sense his wonder. "Are you ready?" she asked again, her voice now tinged with something almost tender.

This time, Lyam didn't hesitate. "I am."

With that, Sirène sank beneath the surface, pulling him with her. The world of land vanished in an instant, replaced by the vast, dark embrace of the sea. For a moment, Lyam's heart raced, the disorienting feeling of being submerged gripping him with instinctual panic. But then, as his body adjusted to the weightlessness, he realized he could still breathe. The water flowed through him, cool and steady, just as she had promised.

He opened his eyes, and for the first time, truly saw the world Sirène lived in.

The water was dark, but alive with movement. Schools of fish darted around them, shimmering like silver coins in the twilight. The seaweed swayed gently with the currents, their tendrils reaching upward toward the fading light. And beneath it all, the sea floor stretched out in every direction, an endless expanse of shadow and color.

But it wasn't just the sea itself that captivated him—it was her.

Sirène moved through the water with grace, her long pink hair trailing behind her like a banner, her dark tail propelling her forward effortlessly. She was a part of this world, as natural and eternal as the tides. And yet, she had invited him into it, a human, a creature of land, to share in something that had always been hers alone.

Lyam felt his chest tighten, not from fear, but from something deeper. Watching her glide through the water, her beauty, her strength—it was overwhelming. He realized, in that moment, how different their worlds truly were. And yet, despite that, he had been drawn to her, just as she had been drawn to him.

The sea had called her, and she had answered.

They swam together in silence, the water around them warm and alive with the energy of the ocean. Lyam's mind raced with questions, with thoughts of the impossible situation they found themselves in. But for now, he pushed those thoughts aside, allowing himself to be fully immersed in the moment.

After what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting second, they came to rest on a small ledge beneath the water, a place where the sea floor rose to meet a hidden alcove in the rocks. Sirène paused, turning to face him, her silver eyes glowing softly in the dim light. She reached out, her hand brushing against his arm, grounding him in the here and now.

"This is my world," she said quietly, her voice carrying through the water like a song. "And now, it's yours too. At least, for a little while."

Lyam stared at her, his chest tight with emotion he couldn't fully name. Gratitude, awe, something more. He knew this moment was temporary, that their time together was always fleeting. But right now, in the depths of the ocean, he felt more connected to her than ever before.

And as he looked into her eyes, he realized something else.

He didn't want this connection to end.