You and I, We Mer-Maid for Each Other

≋ chapter seven: an ocean open before us

After spending an entire weekend at Keith's place, Lance seemed eager to repay him somehow. He said that Keith had allowed him into his home and that this, for his people, was a great honor. Even though they didn't live in traditional houses. Lance laughed when Keith pointed that out and said that his concept of "home" was too small. Keith, admittedly, thought about that one for a while.

In any case, Keith relented, as he always seemed to do when it came to Lance. Lance wanted to show Keith a piece of his home, he said, and he asked him to meet him on the beach after work.

"Bring your swim trunks," he'd said, "and don't be afraid. I won't let anything happen to you."

As ominous a statement as that was, Keith felt compelled to obey just so he could get some answers.

The day arrived. Keith stood on the edge of the dock in only his swimsuit. Lance had already seen him like that, so he wasn't self-conscious. Lance looked up at him from the water, one hand outstretched.

"...Share your powers," Keith said, stunned. He was only repeating what Lance had said to him. "You can make me a mermaid?"

"No, no. Nothing that grand," Lance said with a dismissive wave of that hand. "But I can share my magic with you if you'll let me. And then you can breathe and swim like I do."

"That's ridiculous."

"You said the same thing about my tail, did you not? Or the fact that I can, in fact, talk to dolphins?" Keith mulled that over, his mouth twisted downwards in his trademark pout. "I know you're curious. I can show you the ocean as I see it. And I know that it might be scary for you, but I promise we won't run into, you know. One of those things. And even if we did, it wouldn't be so stupid as to attack ME."

"What, will your oh-so-important royal family get it if it hurts you?"

"...Exactly that, actually."

Keith groaned. Knowing Lance always seemed to test his patience. Or, at the very least, the limits of his understanding of the world.

He stared at Lance's hand. At his calm smile, at his welcoming eyes. At the water. He was afraid, but he didn't want to be afraid anymore. He was tired of it. Fear had stalled his life for so long now that he was just plain tired of it. So he knelt down and took Lance's hand, and he felt something surge through him. He'd felt something similar in the hospital after the attack, when they'd given him morphine for the pain. It was warm and radiated through his veins.

Keith didn't remember getting into the water, but when he opened his eyes again, Lance was waiting for him. Still smiling. Everything was tinted blue. Keith looked around in disbelief. Normally, even if he did open his eyes under the water, his vision was strained. Blurry. This was as clear as day, as easy as seeing on land, and the water didn't sting.

He opened his mouth, but was afraid to say anything for fear that his body would remember that it needed air. Lance laughed.

"Go ahead," he coaxed. "Say something. You'll be okay."

"...This is weird."

Lance giggled, but it was weird for Keith. He could breathe. He could actually breathe, like there was an invisible air shield around him or something. Was he glowing? He felt like he must have been glowing.

"Come with me," Lance implored, and he stretched out his hand again. This time, Keith didn't hesitate in taking it. Lance took off, and Keith gave a little kick of his own. Lance didn't need the help. He was a strong enough swimmer that he could easily drag Keith along with him. Keith needed only make sure he didn't float off in a different direction or change his angle. Of course Lance could guide him. He swam every day. He was made to swim. Trying to help Lance swim would be like offering painting tips to Picasso.