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Wyll strolls leisurely through the harbour. He inhales deeply, the scent of the salty water and seaweed flooding his senses. He looks out over the ocean. The sun is getting ready to set, bathing everything in a warm, golden light.
It’s odd to be back in Baldur’s Gate, Wyll thinks, nostalgia and melancholy tugging at his heart. He remembers his time as a carefree boy, scouring the docks for mermaids, and almost drowning in the process that one time. He laughs softly to himself; Those days of innocent adventure are behind him now.
He reaches the end of an empty walkway, the old wooden planks creaking beneath him as he sits on the edge, his dangling feet almost touching the water beneath him. He just sits there for a while, eyes glued to the glittering waves, thoughts coming and going until they mellow out completely.
Then, he notices something move in the water. A dark shape cuts through the water as if it offers no resistance, quickly closing in on him. Part of him wants to run, but another is intrigued by the shape that is growing increasingly humanoid.
Suddenly, a face appears in the water without warning. “What in the hells?” Wyll almost jumps out of his skin, eyes not once leaving your form. “Oh goodness… A merfolk!?” You flinch away, frightened by his sudden reaction.
“Wait no, don’t go! I didn’t mean to scare you.” Wyll leans down to the water. “Please come back?” Hesitantly, you rise to the surface again. “It’s you…” Wyll whispers to himself, recognition flashing across his face.
You fully lift your head out of the water now, waves gently brushing across your shoulders. “I remember you.” Wyll gasps. “You’re the one that saved me.” You tilt your head slightly to the side. “I am?” Your voice is even sweeter than he could’ve ever imagined.
“Yes, years ago now!” Wyll answers excitedly. “I remember it clear as day, it’s you.” You hum in response, eyes raking over his face, a glimmer of recognition in your eyes. “You do look familiar, I suppose.” You murmur. “You’re the duke’s son.”
“I- yes how did you know?” Wyll’s brows furrow. “Sailors like to gossip.” You smile. “Do they?” Wyll chuckles, his heart skipping a beat. “Yes, especially if they’re a little drunk.” You add. “I like to listen to their stories before sunset.”
A beat of silence passes as you watch each other. “You know, I would have drowned if it wasn’t for you.” Wyll blurts out, breaking the quiet. “I never got to thank you for that.” You chuckle under your breath. “How about you and I watch the sunset, and you tell me stories of your travels and we’ll call it even?” Wyll smiles widely and nods. “As you wish.”
You spend the remaining sunlight together, deciding to part ways as the first stars appear in the night’s sky. Wyll rises to his feet, eyes not yet ready to leave yours. You smile and blow him a kiss. He catches it, grinning so big you’re sure it must hurt a little. “Goodness, my cheeks have gone all warm.”
“Thank you for the talk, I mean it. I won’t forget it, Wyll.” With that you leave him. A splash, some wrinkles in the water, and it’s like you were never even here to begin with. But he knows, and he will find you again.