I feel powerful in this body already. My teal tail is strong; I know if I really unleashed its strength, I could be off to Pacifica in no time. I could swim faster and better than I ever have in my life. I could do it with Crest’s hand in mine—or fin, I guess. We could scale. Share our bodies in new ways I never thought possible. Getting to live a real life together, not just a month.

“I don’t want it.” The words are out of me before I even realize it, but I know they’re true.

Crest’s body sinks a few feet, making me look down at them while they float and frown. I’m pretty sure if we weren’t underwater, tears would be welling in their eyes.

I flick down to them and tentatively put my hand out, hoping that they’ll take it. Crest stares at my fingers, then slowly, very slowly—like they’re trying to prolong the moment as much as they can—puts their pale thin fingers between my thick ones. The last time we’ll ever hold hands like this.

“I understand,” they whisper. “I was making the same choice. To choose the life I knew over a completely different one. To stay with my family and friends instead of giving them all up for an entire life of unknowns.”

I pull Crest close and wrap them in my arms, the position we were in so many times before I saw Drop and everything fell apart. Before I felt betrayed and realized I’d let myself get so attached to a partner again that the thought of seeing Crest with someone else sent me into a downward spiral.

“You came on land to help me, Crest. And you did. You helped me see I need to build my life around me, not around another person, not around a partner. I have my family, I have Kavya, I have state in a couple weeks, I have every last rom-com I want to make with gay main characters to celebrate queer love.” I laugh. “This would make a pretty good movie, actually.”

Crest half-heartedly whaps my fin with theirs. “I swear to the Blue, if you continue any of those tired mer tropes, so help me!”

“I would never. But, now that I think about it, I’ll keep this story between us.” I tilt their chin up, their lips just centimeters away from mine. “No movie could ever come close to capturing your magic.”