Savanna's POV.
Sean steps closer to me. Our noses only inches apart. His gaze drawn to my lips for a moment and then they rise up to meet my eyes, as if asking a question. He clearly wants to kiss me, I want to kiss him so why am I holding back. My mind feels torn. Should I kiss him like my heart is begging me to or should I think more logically and be pissed off at the predicament he got me into and then out off. Then I ask. Bidding my time on this matter, stalling if you want to call it that. "What time is it? I bite my lip. Sean glances out at the shimmering city through the window, then back at me, his expression serious yet soft. "It's almost 9," he replies, his tone steady. "It's still Friday, so our date isn't over yet."
I can feel my heart racing at his words, a mix of excitement and apprehension flooding through me. The air between us is thick with unspoken tension, and our faces are inches apart. I bite my lip, trying to consider my next move carefully.
"Then I want to go out there and see the glowing city!" I blurt out, my voice tinged with urgency as I step back slightly, breaking the proximity. The idea of exploring the city feels like a distraction, a way to buy myself some time to figure out what I really want.
Sean raises an eyebrow, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "You want to see it now?"
"Yes," I reply, my voice firmer than I feel. "I need to process everything that's happening. I can't just… stay here and…" I trail off, unsure how to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.
He nods, clearly understanding my need for space, even if it's just for a moment. "Okay, we can do that. The city is beautiful at night, especially with the glowing lights. It might help you clear your head."
I take a deep breath, grateful for his willingness to adapt. "Let's go then." With that, I swim toward the entrance, feeling the cool water envelop me as I try to focus on the adventure ahead rather than the tension that still lingers between us.
As we swim side by side, I can't shake the feeling that whatever happens next will change everything between us.
As we glide through the corridors of Sean's grand castle, the soft bioluminescent light casts a serene glow around us. A few merfolk pass by, offering brief, respectful greetings of "Hello, your majesties," followed by a polite bow.
I glance at Sean, my confusion evident. "Do they really think we're…?" I start, but he cuts me off with a gentle squeeze of my hand, a silent reassurance that it's just part of the culture here.
"It's a sign of respect," he explains quietly. "They're acknowledging our connection, not just because you're holding my hand, but because of… well, everything."
I nod, absorbing his words as we continue on our path. The grandeur of the castle gives way to the vibrant sights of the underwater city, where soft lights flicker like stars against the deep blue backdrop. The atmosphere is enchanting, and I can't help but feel a sense of wonder wash over me.
As we step into the bustling streets, the sounds of laughter and music echo around us, mingling with the gentle currents of water. I take a moment to soak it all in, trying to push aside the lingering tension from just moments ago. The city is alive, and for now, I want to enjoy this experience with Sean—whatever it may lead to.
We hear music playing in the distance and he practically drags me over to it. Let's dance together he yells. I can't I say laughing at his enthusiasm. I can barely keep up swimming with you. " then just let me spin you around a bit. Let me make this date worth remembering!" He smiled boyishly.
I can't help but chuckle at his excitement. "Alright, just a spin or two," I reply, my tone light but cautious. The music swells around us, creating an infectious rhythm that makes it hard to resist.
He grins wider, the playful glint in his eyes urging me to join him. As he takes my hand, I feel a mix of anticipation and nerves. With a swift motion, he pulls me closer, and before I know it, I'm spinning in the water, the world around us blurring into vibrant colors.
"See? Isn't this fun?" he calls out, laughter bubbling up from him as we twirl together. I can't deny the joy of the moment, even as I try to keep my balance in the gentle currents.
"Okay, okay! Just a few more spins!" I concede, letting myself get caught up in the carefree atmosphere. In this moment, the tension fades slightly, and I allow myself to enjoy the freedom of the dance, if only for a little while.
He stops abruptly. "Smell that?" I turn my head to face the same direction sometimes mouthwatering fills my nose. "Let's go" i nearly get whip lashes with how fast he spins me and pulls me along. I can't help but like this childish behavior. I shake my head lightly, trying to suppress a grin as I follow his lead. "What are we smelling?" I ask, genuinely curious. The scent is enticing, a blend of something savory and sweet that makes my stomach rumble in response.
He doesn't answer right away, his excitement palpable as he navigates through the crowd. "Just trust me! You're going to love it!" he exclaims, pulling me along with him through the bustling streets of the city.
As we swim, I can't help but feel a sense of adventure bubbling inside me. Despite my earlier hesitation, his enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself wanting to know what's waiting for us at the end of this little adventure. I keep pace with him, allowing his energy to guide me as we make our way toward whatever deliciousness awaits.
We stop at a street stall. It has a little underwater volcano wrapped in a mound of clay and open to view in front and has a grate on top with squid. They're cooking small squid but they smell sweet. I turn to Sean confused. "Their candied squid." There my favorite! "You have to try it." He buys two for us. Here he urges thrusting one in my hand. I take it hesitantly. Then thrusts his own in my mouth shocked I close my mouth and accidentally bite a small piece off. It's flavor amazing the sweetness explodes in my mouth. "See it's good!" His eyes glowing with mischief.
I chew slowly, letting the flavor settle on my palate. The sweetness of the candied squid is surprisingly delightful, a perfect balance of flavors that I didn't expect. "You're right," I admit, my tone neutral but my expression betraying my enjoyment. "It's really good."
Sean's grin widens, clearly pleased with my reaction. "Told you! I knew you'd like it." He takes a bite of his own, savoring it with an exaggerated expression of delight.
I can't help but smile at his enthusiasm, even if I try to maintain a composed demeanor. "Okay, you win this round. But I still can't believe you just shoved it in my mouth like that," I say, teasing lightly.
He laughs, a carefree sound that blends perfectly with the bustling atmosphere around us. "Hey, it's all part of the experience! Now, let's see what else we can find," he says, clearly eager to continue our little culinary adventure.
Sean's POV.
As I take another bite of the candied squid, I glance over at her, watching her reactions with a sense of satisfaction. She's smiling, and it's contagious. I can't help but feel a rush of energy, a mix of excitement and gratitude for this moment we're sharing.
The vibrant sounds of the street, the enticing scents wafting from various stalls, and the laughter of people around us create an atmosphere that feels electric. I've never quite experienced anything like this before—being completely engaged in the moment, with everything else fading away.
Her laughter and spontaneity draw me in, and I'm thankful that we decided to finish this date together. There's something special about her, something that makes this experience feel even more significant. I want to explore more, to discover what else this night has in store for us. I lean closer to her my shoulder bumping into her to move her hair away from her face. I start to speak and then her lips are on mine. I here gasps all around us. I don't care, I'm not pulling away first. But I can't help but notice that her kiss doesn't merge are souls like when merfolk kiss. She begins to pull away but I crash my lips to hers hoping that this one will connect our souls like they should when we kiss. But it doesn't. We pull apart and then I notice her necklace is no longer a warm orange but is glowing a fiery red. Then she puts her hands to her throat and points upwards to the surface. "What..?" I begin but then I clicks "No!" I yell my heart racing I start to ascend.