Chapter Text
Brianna looked back at every miserable hour spent in classes that year and decided that it was all worth it just to have three months to spend with the love of her life, however unconventional that may be.
It was finally summer and her parents had given her the beach house keys, which meant that she wouldn’t have to stay under constant supervision. Everything was falling into place.
The moment she pulled in the gravelly driveway, she frantically rummaged for her bathing suit in her bag and dashed inside to change. Her heart pounded and her brain was taken over by dizzy euphoria, and she felt like her girlfriend was feeling it too. The straps of her pink bikini were barely tied before she shoved the back door open and ran down the warm sand to the beach. For such a beautiful location, the owners of the neighboring houses rarely ever bothered to touch the shore.
It still didn’t feel real to Brianna that today was the day, that the nine months of waiting actually meant something. That she could hear her voice instead of conjuring up memories while reading the letters, though it’s not like she didn’t cherish every single heartfelt message she received.
Looking at her on the outside, you wouldn’t even be able to tell that she was feeling about five hundred different emotions, both happy and panicking. She calmly laid her towel on the sand as her mind raced.
What if she forgot it was today? What if she’s not here? What if she doesn’t remember me? What… What if she was never real to begin with?
Brianna’s head taunted her with every possible negative outcome, but she did her best to shake them off. There was only one outcome she cared about, and that would make any second of doubt, hurt, and sorrow worth it. The aching in her chest when she wanted her love to be in her arms all those miles apart was all a part of the process, and now she’d finally benefit. She sat down on her towel and exhaled.
One minute passed, and then another. Then it was five. Had she brought her phone, she would be checking it every ten seconds because the minutes didn’t just feel like hours, they felt like days.
Come on, come on…
She finally pried her eyes off of the slippery rock that jutted out of the water with a flat surface, because she knew any more time spent not seeing her girlfriend could kill her.
Suddenly, a quiet splash that thundered in Brianna’s ears broke the gentle silence.
“Brie!”
And there she was, dazzling and ecstatic. Her blonde hair hung in dripping strands, framing the smile that felt like a dopamine injection to Brianna’s heart whenever she saw it.
“Aquaria!” Brianna squealed, running into the water as fast as the waves would allow. Aquaria slid off of the rock until she was firmly in Brianna’s arms, locked in a hug that was a promise of love and protection, and an apology for every night spent apart, eyes locked on the stars wondering when their two hearts would intertwine once more. This was their time, and they were going to cherish it.
Aquaria let go of the hug just a little too soon for Brianna’s taste. Brianna held the mermaid’s hands, gazing into her brilliant cyan eyes at a loss for words. Her black glossy tail brushed against her legs, the tattered ends a reminder of how much Aquaria endured to be able to love again.
“I missed you,” Brianna said, though it was an understatement and they both knew it. Aquaria nodded, and Brianna could have sworn she saw tears welling up in her girlfriend’s eyes.
Aquaria kissed her hands in lieu of a response. “So…” she said, repositioning herself so that Brianna could fully hold her, tail and all-- bridal style.
“Where do we even start?”
Aquaria smirked. “I have a few ideas.”
When she leaned in to connect their lips, all the pent up frustration and want was released into one passionate kiss, their hands tangling in each other’s hair, feeling how the other was smiling into it just as wide as she was. Aquaria felt Brianna’s hands move up and down her back, feeling the start of her scales with great care. Brianna really knew how to make a girl melt with her hands. Aquaria only pulled away long enough to whisper an “I love you” into Brianna’s lips, and for her to return the sentiment with equal honesty.
Out of breath, they pulled away, exhilarated. Brianna made a puzzled expression when Aquaria started giggling.
“Oh come on, what is it?” she said, mocking sternness. She could never be mad at her.
The mermaid stifled a laugh. “Sorry for… ruining your lipstick.”
Brianna then joined in on the laughter. “I finally get to kiss you again for the first time in months and you apologize to me? God, I don’t know what to do with you.”
“Well, now we have time. So let’s start with something nice.”
“Miss Aquaria, may I have this dance?” Brianna asked, extending her hand and bowing her head. Aquaria, instead of replying, splashed her in the face. “You’re terrible. I’ll take that as a yes.”
Brianna wrapped her arms around Aquaria’s waist, feeling her arms around her neck. They didn’t have music, but silence was comfortable with them. With a love that strong, being with each other was good enough.
Aquaria’s head fell onto Brianna’s shoulder as they swayed in the water to the melody of the wind, with the waves keeping time. Sure, she was already literally floating, but her mind could finally float away. The warmth of Brianna’s body melted all of the icy stress off of her cold bones.
“I can’t even express how happy I am to be here,” Brianna said, breaking the silence. Aquaria responded with an “mm,” which her girlfriend understood as an agreement.
“I love it when you hold me like this.”
Brianna didn’t think her heart could melt any more than it already had, but apparently she was mistaken.
“I… I… love holding you. Knowing that you’re real and here. I love you, Aquaria.”
Aquaria craned her neck, still rested on Brianna’s shoulder. “I love you, Brianna.”
Brianna looked at the where the water met the sky and thought of all the sunsets she’d finally be able to watch with the person she cared about most of all. All the moments they’d share, and the memories they’d make.
(And the totally awesome makeout sessions they’d have. She couldn’t forget those.)
This summer was going to be unforgettable.