Existence Of Love [Harry Styles Fanfiction/A Mermaid Tale]

22. Reef

"Where is the rest of the group?" I asked Reef, Travis' breathing already back to normal.

"I saw you shoot up from the arch, Princess. Your father averted at the head, to swim back home before you emerged. You're lucky you weren't seen by him."

"You're the only one that saw me?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you notify my father?"

"Did you want me to?"

"No." I sighed, but before I could speak again, Reef spoke up.

"A human, Evanjaline? Did you not remember of my love?" He sounded exhausted as he asked me this.

"I do." I looked down, slightly ashamed. "But I was careful."

"And I thought I was, too." He placed a hand on my shoulder and sighed. "Is this your Harry?"

I almost choked on laughter at the change in this subject, the sound of his voice not sounding tired anymore, but just a bit spiked with interest. "No, Reef. This is Travis. He's been my friend since my adventure on land started."

"Well, a friend of yours is a friend of mine." He said, averting his eyes to my company behind me then he held his hand out for a shake.

Travis shook hands with my old friend, "It's nice to finally meet a merman."

"It's nice to finally see a human again, after so many years. You know, up close." They both chuckled as they conversed.

"How is my father doing?" I asked, turning my attention to Reef.

"He's coping better than he was before. But he's very sloppy."

"What does that mean?" I asked, knitting my eyebrows.

"He's just so....lost."

I could feel the ripples as Travis resurfaced. I turned to see him moving his arms and legs tiredly, so I faced him and grabbed his left hand in my left and pulled it over my shoulder as I turned to face Reef again. "Stay on my back. You're tiring yourself out."

I could feel him nod as he rested his chin on my shoulder, relaxing his body against mine.

"When are you coming back to your world, Evanjaline?" Reef asked, eyeing Travis who sat comfortably on my back.

"In less than a weeks time."

"Swim back closer to shore, I shall be taking my leave as soon as you're gone. Wouldn't want your dad taking away your new found freedom."

"That I stole." I chuckled and rolled a wave just through the muscles in my tail to let me drift to Reef. "Take care, old friend."

"And you as well, princess."

We embraced each other before he submerged and I watched the sun shimmer off his massive turquoise tail before he went deep enough that the sun no longer was able to get to, nothing but darkness that Reef disappeared into.

I turned myself around to the way of land and worked my tail under water so I could swim with Travis on my back. This was a first for me and quite frankly, it was a bit difficult with his legs stopping the advances of my tail moving up. My head was still above water and this wasn't working for me either. So I stopped and straightened up.

"Travis?"

"What's wrong?"

"I'm gonna need you to reposition yourself a bit."

"Sure, how?"

"Wrap your arms under mine, so when I swim faster you aren't choking me."

"Okay." He pressed his chest to my back firmly and his arms went under mine and his hands found my shoulders to hold.