Salik surged through the ocean current, assisting him and you, holding your hand tightly as you rode the undercurrent. The pod of dolphins you'd just barely escaped nearly flanked you. He'd never forgive himself if something happened to his mate. Though he supposed he wouldn't have long to regret it, there was this unfamiliar and unnatural instinct to extend your connection beyond fulfilling their purpose for the sake of their species. Salmon merfolk didn't have a word for this feeling.

"Are you alright, kuyasqay?" Salik called out to you telepathically. He wanted to stop and turn around to check on your wellbeing, but after narrowly escaping danger so soon after starting your migration, he resisted until you reached safer waters where it wasn't so deep. Reducing your speed as he scented and echolocated for predators, Salik finally stopped to look at you. You were so beautiful, with the currents curling your hair into wisps as the sunlight shimmered through the waves and onto your skin. "I'm sorry we couldn't stop sooner, masi. It's too dangerous, and we can't afford to waste time. We have to get to Scotland before summer ends."

Salik drifted closer through the sun-warmed undertow with his muscular arms outstretched until they wrapped around your waist to hold you close. You fit so sweetly pressed together like this. With his face buried in your neck and your arms cradling his head, he would miss this strange intimacy if one were capable of such a thing in the afterlife. The only time he'd felt the tightness forming in his throat other than now was two decades ago, when he'd left his birthplace. He had to push through; there was no other option. Salik swallowed hard and steeled himself before pulling back to look at you.

"Let's go then; we've got a long way to go and very little time, but everything will be alright. Are you ready?"