Andrew Minyard you merman nile

Water had always been a foreign element to Nile. Not because he couldn't swim—quite the contrary. It was simply that the sea never let go of those it had taken.

He noticed the man long before he began to drown.

The light hair stood out even in the gloom of the depths. The body sank slowly, as if completely unconcerned that its lungs were about to give up the fight. Most people thrashed about in panic, clawing at the water, trying to surface. This one—no.

Neil swam closer, stopping a few centimeters away. Strange. Dangerous. Even now, his face remained surprisingly calm.

Neil's fingertips touched his arm, stopping his fall.

"Come on, open your eyes."

As if hearing, the blond shuddered and slowly raised his eyelids.

For a moment, Neil forgot what he wanted to say.

The eyes were too light. A look too intense for someone who should have been unconscious.

"People usually get scared when they see me for the first time," Neil chuckled, wagging his tail slightly. "You look disappointed."

He tilted his head to the side, looking at the stranger.

• Or is this your usual facial expression?

Air bubbles escaped his lips and drifted upward. Neil reached out again, this time deliberately touching the blond's chin and lifting his face.

"And what should I do with you, Andrew? Leave you to drown or take you with me?"

The question sounded light, almost playful. But curiosity flickered in the depths of his dark blue eyes.

Because for the first time in a very long time, Neil didn't want to let the man go back to the surface.