He frowned, a genuinely concerned expression crossing his features. He glanced at Tez for a moment before his gaze returned to the two sharks. "I am? What did I do?"
There would be laughter from the two of them. "Annoyed us. She cares very much for us, you know. You're so concerned. It's funny."
"She wanted me to talk to you two," he said thoughtfully glancing back at her with a hesitant smile. "She was very interested in what you two had to say. And of course I'm concerned. She's my siren."
"Your siren?" Haai muttered. "Please. It could never be like that. She could never love someone like you."
His face fell, the rare brightness that had accompanied his normally serious features dying rapidly, and he looked down at the ground for a moment, his brow furrowing. His hand came up and he rubbed two insecting scars on his chest, just under his collarbone on his left side. "I... I see. What makes you say that?"
"You're not a siren. That's a-" Tez cut in, looking at him with a cocked head. "Are you alright, Row? What are they saying?"
He looked up in surprise, his brows furrowed. She would know him well enough by now to recognize that something was bothering him, but he gave her a small smile. "I'm fine. They're lovely. Very warm and welcoming. I can tell they really care about you."
"Of course," he said quietly, giving her an affectionate smile before his frown played at the corners of his mouth. "I, uh... I think I should head out, though. I have a lot more samples to gather."
He kissed her temple and she would only see a glimpse of his expression before he turned away, looking desperately sad. "I'll see you later, Siren."
He looked back at her, his brows furrowed. He shook his head, obviously trying to be lighthearted. "Nothing, Tez. Don't worry. I just don't feel too well and I have a lot of work to do. That's all."
He hesitated, looking uncomfortable. His gaze flickered over to the sharks and he frowned before shaking his head. "Tez," he began eventually, his voice stern but not unkind. "I don't think that's a good idea. Stay here for a while."
He didn't meet her gaze, but he kissed her cheek before he pulled away. "I'll see you later," he said quietly, his low voice almost a growl in his throat as he swam away, heading back towards the docks.
Tez turned to the shark, her voice high and sharp with anger as she spoke in her language. He would hear her well. "What did you say? You t'kreyz! Go home! You've made him sad now he doesn't want to stay with me!"
He gritted his teeth as he approached the dock before breaking through the surface. He hadn't lied; he did feel unwell. There was this horrible twisting in his chest and it didn't seem to want to go away. He pulled out the towel from his bag and took a moment, burying his face in the fabric and trying to blot out what he had heard. After a moment, he exhaled and finished drying off, pulling his shirt over his still damp body.
