The merman’s eyes widened. He moved in a rush, making splashes as his tail disappeared under the water and he set his forearms on the paddleboard, which dipped under his weight. Connor eyed just how far, trying to remember how many people he’d had on the board in the past to get the same result. At the very least, his merman weighed more than half a dozen people combined.
The merman’s expression filled with excitement, his gaze ping ponging between Connor and the wrap.
Connor hadn’t expected him to bethatexcited about it… he made a mental note to bring a full one for the merman tomorrow if he liked it. Meanwhile, he grinned at the merman’s expressive face.
“Here.” Connor pressed the wrap to the merman’s hand when he didn’t reach for it. “I’m giving it to you. To eat.” He took a bite of his own half to show the merman.
The merman seized both the wrap and Connor’s hand, trapping them together. Connor cried out in surprise as the merman dragged it to his mouth and took a large bite. It was a salad-filled wrap with a mayo dressing, which didn’t seem to bother the merman. He quickly took another bite. And another. Connor eyed the flash of sharp canines nearing his fingers, but the merman was careful not to catch his flesh between his teeth, licking the last remnants between Connor’s fingers. Goosebumps broke out over Connor’s skin.
Done eating, the merman gazed up at Connor making that keening sound; however, this time, it was deeper in delight. Connor gripped his half of the wrap, wanting to offer it, to watch the merman eat from his hand… he released a long breath to regain his senses. As entertaining as that was, he couldn’t spend an hour paddling home on an empty stomach.
“You don’t have a name, do you?” Connor asked him. “I’d like something to call you. I’m Connor, by the way.”
The merman watched him intently, obviously listening, but not replying.
“You won’t be angry if I give you one, will you?” Connor asked. “I’ll call you something good.”
The merman made his usual keening sound in response.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
Connor wouldn’t dare nickname him something silly; that noble mouth and those dark eyes were far too alert and alive for that. A part of Connor thought that if he called him something derisive, like Flipper or Free Willy, the merman would know he was being mocked. He obviously had emotions and humour given that purposeful snort earlier, so he likely had the flip side of those emotions, too.
“What about Adonis?” Connor asked after studying his face for a long time. “He was very beautiful, too. It’s a unique name, and you are certainly unique… I think it suits you.”
The merman made a fond keening sound.
“I’ll take that as a yes, too.” Connor smiled. “Nice to meet you, Adonis.”
Connor lingered on the water for as long as he could. But he knew his time was up as the waves got bigger and clouds formed on the horizon-line. He had to go or he’d get caught out in harder weather and get stuck trying to paddle in after dark. He’d done that a few times during the summers, and having only the torch to guide him home had been a nerve-wracking experience that he wasn’t eager to repeat. He’d imagined giant squid beneath his board the entire way home but despite his fears, he always found his way back without issue.
Connor stood and pulled his oar free.
Adonis retreated a few meters, a question in his eyes.
“Time for home,” Connor explained. He set off and was more than pleased when Adonis joined him. They travelled through the waters at a comfortable pace, and Connor discovered just how much his fitness had waned during the school year. All the soccer in the world didn’t compare to an hour on the water, and after the exertion from this morning, Connor was wiped.
Halfway home, he stopped and lowered to his knees, breathing hard. His lungs burned so badly he could taste blood. He laughed breathlessly at himself. By the end of summer, he’d be able to climb mountains without breaking a sweat. He always forgot how hard it was at the start.
Adonis drifted to his side and peered up at him questioningly. His breaths were regular; he certainly wasn’t tired from the short swim this far.
“I just need a minute,” Connor said, breathing hard. He twisted around, grabbed his water bottle from the cooler, and downed almost the whole thing.
The waves lapping at the board should have pushed Connor further from his goal, but Adonis grasped the board and held it for him.
“Okay,” Connor said, climbing to his feet. “Ready.”
Adonis didn’t stray as far this time. He stayed close to Connor’s side and kept looking at him. His observation was a tell of what was to come because Connor collapsed to his knees after five minutes, panting as his muscles gave in to weakness. Adonis darted in, catching the board before the waves stole any of Connor’s progress.
“This is your fault, you know,” Connor said as he caught his breath, chuckling at the state of himself. “I could have left earlier if not for you. Taken it slow.”
Adonis looked at the oar in Connor’s hand, his hooded eyes narrowed. He sprang. His arm was a blur, and the oar was yanked from Connor’s hand faster than he could react. Adonis went underwater with the oar.
“Hey!” Connor cried out, heart leaping into his throat. “Adonis, give that back!”
Adonis’s dark form circled the board. He eventually surfaced behind, his dark gaze on Connor.
Trepidation crept over Connor. Maybe Adonis had realised Connor was going to leave him and he didn’t want that? Or maybe Connor shouldn’t have gone swimming with a creature he couldn’t hope to understand without thinking about his own safety. Curse it.
