Chapter Text
The mist of the waves lapping against the surface of the water were the first thing he felt when he rose. Chase never got used to the feeling but maybe that was the charm of it. The feeling of the waves against his shoulders, the light feeling of transitioning from using his gills to just breathing in the oxygen the surface world gave for granted.
It was only customary. On their 16 birthday, all merfolk held a traditional ceremony that varied around the world but there was one thing that stayed in common; the coming up for the first breath of air.
See merfolk haven’t always existed, they split apart from humans a long time ago and the history is not well recorded. All that was left was the separation between them. But no matter how you looked at it, merfolk were intrinsically tied to humans on land. Which lead to a trial of adulthood being to have a merfolk swim to the surface to complete themselves.
When Chase rose for the first time, he felt so complete that he kept coming back for more
(Or at least that’s what he tells himself whenever he does rise up so that his mother won’t kill him if he’s caught. At least his brother might leave him alone if he reasons it somehow)
But either way he fell in love with the feeling and something more.
A human, a human girl
who seemed around his age
“you seem like you’re going to go on a date-“
“I’m not going on a date Machelle, I’m going for a quick swim. You know that exercise is important-“
“uh-hUH. Yeah okay Mr. Bigshot. That makes PERFECT sense. Going out for a swim. With your pearls, and fancy top on huh?”
“Shut up Machelle, can’t a guy just wear nice things he likes sometimes?”
“I mean yeah, if that’s his thing. But it’s not yours, well anyways I’ve gotta go, you know Jessica’s not a patient bitch, you know how it is-“
“HEY, NO CUSSING- But alright, go be safe-“
“have a nice time with your paaaarrrrnteeeer~”
With a grunt and a quick look around he went on his way. Chase knew his route around by now. He would always make sure he swam far enough from the main area of the town before he went up. He had to be quick and stealthy because people usually notice when someone’s a lot higher than they’re supposed to be.
But soon enough with a quick POP he was out on the surface once again with the air filling his lungs and and the waves lapping at his shoulders.
And there she was.
She was always here right by twilight. Just enjoying the waves and bobbing along the as if she was just another flotsom floating among the foam.
She always had a routine, she swam, then bobbed then dried herself among the shore with a book in hand along with a plume.
He had no Idea what attracted him to her. Maybe it was just the odd location and hours? Most people usually avoid areas where merfolk lived.
It was an unwritten rule. Anywhere merpeople inhabited would be left to it’s own devices unless you wish to take a chance with the mermaids knowledge of the area, and vice versa. You never wanted to be on the bad side of a merfolk. They were the only ones left with any magic. If the humans where around merfolk rarely stayed. If only to make sure that the humans held up their side of the deal to make sure that their jetsam stays along their shores and not our oceans.
And yet, she was here.
Un ostentatious, just being. And it’s so much more interesting to see that the people on the other side were just as mundane as you were.
No poking or prodding or shouting.
He once met her glance on accident. He was hanging around some nearby rocks for a better view.
Sun kissed skin topped with flowing umber hair along her shoulders. She had the cutest of lips too- wait what-
But before he could figure out his mind, the present caught up to him and grabbed him.
She was staring wide eyed right back at his face.
“What… are you doing here…?”
He was never this close to her. She had these large eyes with irises colored earth brown, with caverns and caves strown among them. Her nose was soft, and striking, with a long bridge tapering off to a soft end right above her lips. Soft and slender with a slight bow on the top one.
The same lips that were gawking at him. Or should he just say his existence.
“I thought that merfolk weren’t allowed to be near humans… uh can I at least get a name here. I just wanted to know who my,, s t a l k e r is so that I have a lower chance of being murdered by you.”
“Chese- Chase”
“Chase…? That sounds… like a really human name.”
“I mean, we were once weren’t we?”
“I.. guess I never thought of it that way.”
“I mean that’s not to say we don’t have other kinds of names now, but we’re still proud of our human roots”
In the time they had the conversation, they had gotten closer, with his fin almost by her lower leg. lapping gently in the waves.
The time went from noon to late afternoon, with the sun almost hitting the line between sky and sea.
Upon realization kylie gave a soft but audible-
“Shit.”
“Shit?”
“I have to be home by now, I’ve got to run I’m so sorry-“
“What do you mean run-?”
By the time he had asked, she had already went off.
I guess he’ll never know why she left in such a hurry, but at least he was able to see those brown earth-filled eyes.