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Felix doesn’t know how long he’s been alone. The passage of time isn’t something that’s keenly felt underwater—all he knows is that it’s been long enough that he feels lonely.
There was a time when Felix was part of a pod, when he could hear the songs of his fellow mer. When he could feel them through their link. When he could sleep peacefully knowing that he was safe floating with everyone while holding hands.
And then came the storm.
Despite his best efforts, Felix was swept away by the ferocious tides and separated from his pod. The storm had raged on for what felt like days, tossing him around until he was completely isolated in new, unknown territory with no one around.
With his remaining strength, Felix had barely managed to find a cave to shelter him, keeping himself fed with kelp and some small fish. He needed to survive—to find a way to reunite with his pod.
Now, alone and afraid, Felix wanders the ocean aimlessly. He feels adrift, like the various planks from human vessels he’s seen, lost in a haze.
There’s nothing he can use to find his way back, wherever that was. Mer don’t normally stay in one place, so the likelihood of him finding his way back and his pod having waited for him is extremely slim.
All mer learn to move on whenever disaster strikes.
During his solitary journey, Felix hasn’t encountered a single mer and he’s beginning to fear he never will. He’s heard stories from his pod of what becomes of mer who drift like him—they lose themselves until they die of loneliness.
Felix sighs, lowering himself close to the seabed. He doesn’t know what to do anymore. What can he do?
Closing his eyes, Felix stretches his mind to the limit and begins to sing a haunting melody of sorrow and despair, of longing and loss. He pours every single emotion he feels into his song, needing an outlet after so long.
So lost in his song, Felix almost doesn’t hear the sound coming from afar. It sounds almost like another song—
The source of the sound gets closer and closer until Felix can finally confirm that it’s a song. It’s a reply, an offer of solace, of companionship, of sanctuary.
Hope surges unbidden in Felix’s chest, almost choking him with it, and his song morphs accordingly. He kicks his tail and swims towards the direction of the song, heart pounding loud in his chest, still singing of meetings and introductions, and almost falters when he hears an answering song.
Finally, a mer appears in front of him, swimming in his direction.
It’s Felix’s first time meeting a new mer outside of his pod, but he knows the greetings taught to all. They circle each other, singing out their introduction until the unknown mer stops and trills a greeting at him.
Well met, Felix.
After so long without having anyone to talk to, the mer’s voice in his head is a welcome reprieve from the silence. He’s about to trill back, only to freeze in place as it feels like a bond abruptly snaps into place. It’s not a bond Felix has ever felt before, but it seems like the other mer knows what it is judging by the look on his face.
Well met, Chan. What was that?
Chan looks conflicted. That was a fated bond, he says.
A fated bond?
Felix has vaguely heard of those, but it’s been said that they’re just stories told to young mers. He remembers his own parents telling him about it, many years ago before they left the pod.
Aren’t those just tales for younglings?
Chan shakes his head. I used to think the same, until everyone in my pod started finding their fated ones.
Now it’s Felix’s turn to be incredulous. Your entire pod? That’s impossible!
I’d say the evidence of it is right in front of you, Chan says, cocking an eyebrow at him. I heard your song from farther than should be possible. Your mind was weakened, feeble from your ordeal, and yet, your voice was as clear as though it came from right next to me.
A part of Felix remains skeptic even as the embers of hope spark within him. Could it be true? Could he have been blessed with a fated bond?
Why don’t you come back with me? To my pod?
Chan looks at him near reverence despite them just meeting for the first time a few minutes ago. Felix thinks of his own pod, and wonders if they did stay back for him, but he knows the mer way of life. He, too, will move on. Perhaps it is indeed fated.
Yes.
The smile on Chan’s face grows wider. He stretches a hand out, palm facing upwards.
Take my hand, Felix. I would hate for you to get lost or separated so soon after finding you. There’s a trace of humor in Chan’s words, but the inflection tells Felix that he’s being genuine.
Felix takes Chan’s hand with some apprehension, inwardly marveling at the difference in size between them as his hand is engulfed by it. From what he can tell, him and Chan are almost the same length—tail included.
Chan begins swimming in earnest, almost dragging Felix behind him for a solid minute before realizing that his pace is too fast.
Normally, Felix would be able to keep up without any issue, but his tail hasn’t been in the best shape since the storm. He isn’t sure exactly what happened, but he can’t use his tail as much as he used to without putting a painful strain on it.
What’s wrong? Chan has paused, looking concerned.
My tail… Felix feels his cheeks burn embarrassment. I’m sorry, it’s injured.
Chan’s eyes widen and he stops swimming entirely. Why didn’t you say anything? Tail injuries are dangerous! Would you let me carry you?
I—yes, I just didn’t want to burden you, Felix says, his words full of implication. Every mer knows that an injured mer is more likely to be left behind, and Felix is so tired of being alone.
You’re not a burden, Chan murmurs softly, easily lifting Felix up. Felix wraps his arms around Chan’s neck, his face flushed from the close proximity and the fact that he’s never been this close to another mer who isn’t family. Don’t worry, we have a healer. Your tail will be fine once he looks at it.
Felix nods, his heart doing a little flip in his chest. This close to Chan, he can see how handsome the mer is—not that he thought he was ugly before—and it’s doing things to him. Not to mention, the mer has the kind of muscular build that peaks his interest. Thank you, you saved me. You didn’t have to…
Chan shakes his head, resuming his path. I wanted to, and I want to take care of you.
The rest of the trip passes by calmly, Felix lulled into a comfortable daze by Chan telling him about his pod. He learns about six other mermen who have all found their fated ones, and how Chan is excited that he won’t be the odd one out anymore.
I really am looking forward to having you with us, Chan tells him, looking happy. You’re so sweet and pretty, the prettiest mer I’ve ever seen.
Felix doesn’t think his cheeks can get any hotter. He’s grateful for the cooling effect of the ocean water or else he might’ve self-combusted. You really think so?
I know so, Chan replies. Trust me, everyone will love you.
Even you? Felix blurts out.
Even me, Chan says reassuringly.
Felix feels warm all over at that. He can’t wait to meet his new pod and get to know Chan better, to live with them. He’d scarcely believed he’d ever find another pod to take him in.
Leaning up, Felix plants a quick kiss on Chan’s cheek. Thank you again. I’m really glad you found me, Channie.
I’ll always find you, Lix.