This…was not how this type of thing was supposed to happen.

Well, it wasn’t supposed to happen at all, because mermaids were supposed to be a myth, a legend, a fantasy. 

But if it could happen, it wasn’t supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be shadowy, fleeting glances. The flip of a tail, a shape passing under the boat. Eerie eyes staring out of the darkness of the sea at night, and then winking out like lanterns. Little glimpses that made you question your own senses and doubt your own sanity before you finally found out the truth.

Mermaids were not supposed to swim up to your boat in broad daylight, and rest their elbows on the swim deck of your boat, tilting their head to look at you with undisguised curiosity. 

Also, mermaids were usually girls. Of course it made sense that if there were such a thing as mermaids, there ought to be such a thing as mermen, and so it made just as much sense for there to be a man’s torso leaning on her boat while his tail swished idly in the water behind him, probably to keep his balance. 

Marinette found that she was doubting her own sanity despite the very clear sight of the merman leaning on her boat, nearly close enough to touch, close enough to see clear, intelligent blue eyes, and short shaggy black hair that shaded blue at the tips, and the sharp line of his jaw and the way water rolled down his tanned skin—why would a mermaid be tanned, was that just his natural skin tone? Shouldn’t he be pale?

Marinette continued to sit there with the water he had splashed up onto the boat soaking into the seat of her shorts, leaning back on her hands where she had fallen, and they just…stared at each other. 

He smiled.

The early risers of the city would only just be waking now. But even if the city was awake, he doubted the hustle and bustle would be more than white noise through the fog. No. The only sound he could hear clearly was the song of the ocean and the beating of his heart, racing with anticipation. 

He drew in a slow, long breath, curling his toes into the soft sand as he tried to calm himself. But it was futile. How could his heart not race and bound like the dolphins riding cresting waves? 

His ears twitched at the sound of an approaching song. It was quiet. Muffled by the fog. But he would know that song anywhere. He scanned his surroundings until a solid mass appeared in the fog. As it drew closer, the shape cleared into the silhouette of an approaching figure. 

She stepped through the fog and into his sight. And the moment her eyes met his from beneath the hood of her grey cloak—a necessary precaution to help her blend in with the fog; they couldn’t risk her being followed—they began to shine. Her eyes put all the jewels in the royal treasury, even the crown jewels, to shame. 

“Luka!” Her voice was quiet but bright. And it was full of all the warmth the world could hold. She let the hood of her cloak fall back as she rushed to meet him. He swept her into his arms, holding her close and inhaling the scent of her perfume. Her fingers were tangling in his damp hair, and she was barely on her feet. Her arms tightened around him as she buried her head into his chest. 

He could have stayed there forever. But they couldn’t stay on the beach. Even with the fog, it was too risky. They could still be caught. 

He pressed a kiss to her hair and then reluctantly placed her back on her feet. “Come on, love,” he murmured as he threaded his fingers through hers. Together, they made their way to the boat that was waiting for them at the shore. She clambered into it, being careful not to trip over the voluminous skirts of the pink gown her cloak concealed. Once she was settled, he began pushing the boat into the water. When the water was just shy of kissing his toes, he gave the boat a final heave and pushed it out into the water before diving in after it. 

The transformation was almost instant.  The trousers Marinette had made for him disappeared—he didn’t worry about them; they would reappear the next time he was on land— as the familiar, exhilarating rush of magic washed over him. His legs melded together, merging into a strong and powerful tail as the magic of the ocean filled his lungs. 

With the smallest flick of his tail, he was by the boat in an instant. He placed his hands firmly on it and began pushing it out to sea.

Once they were somewhere vaguely at the centre of the bay, where the fog would remain thickest the longest, he surfaced and rested his arms on the side of the boat, being careful not to rock it. The boat dipped down towards the water, but then there was the sound of metal scraping against wood, and the boat righted itself. They had learned months ago that counterweights were necessary to keep the boat from capsizing and toppling her into the water.  

Her smiling face appeared over the side of the boat, and he reached up to cup her face even as she leaned down towards him. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he guided her face towards his. She gave him a sweet smile, and then their noses were almost touching. Her eyes slipped shut. So did his. Her soft lips brushed against his. And he kissed her. He kissed her like she was the air and water and magic he breathed. He didn’t stop kissing her until his lungs were screaming in protest. 

They broke apart, both gasping for breath. 

Her fingers were still tangled in his hair, and one of his had slipped into her silken strands. At some point, her necklace had slipped out from beneath the bodice of her dress. The silver chain and the iridescent scale at the end of it sparkled in the foggy light.

He leaned a little heavier on the side of the boat to rest his forehead against hers. The boat wobbled but remained upright. She brushed her lips against his, sighing in contentment as she leaned further down. Slowly, he lowered himself back into the water as she propped an arm against the side of the boat and rested her head on it. Lazily, she began trailing her hand through the water. He caught her hand as it passed him, and he tangled their fingers together before bringing her hand to his lips. She watched him with a soft and serene smile. 

 But then her smile faltered as her eyes drifted out into the fog. Back in the direction they had come. Back towards…

“Marinette?” 

She bit her lip as her gaze returned to meet his. “It's getting harder to sneak away. I wish-“

“I know, my love. I know.” 

“I wish we didn’t have to hide. If only…”  

He pressed another kiss to her hand. “Peace, love. We're here now. Let's enjoy what time we have together. We already have so little of it. I would hate to waste it thinking of other, less pleasant things.” 

She sighed. But then she smiled, and drew their joined hands towards her. Hey eyes seemed to glow as she pressed a kiss to his hand. “I suppose you’re right.” Mischief flashed in her eyes and tugged at the corners of her lips. “Your highness,” she giggled. He groaned and rolled his eyes. “Tell me, what royal duties must you attend to today-“ she squeaked as he gave a sharp tug on the edge of the boat. Not enough to capsize it, but enough to send her tumbling half out of the boat and into his waiting arms. 

“Luka!”