Rowan rested his head back against the bark of the tree, gasping for breath. The world was swirling around him and he slid down, landing heavily on the forest floor. His chest shuddered and tears sprang to his eyes. He pressed the palms of his thin hands to his face, willing himself to stop. Stop crying. Stop crying, you coward. Stop it. He needed to see Tez. No matter what tricks she may have played on him, it was too late for him to not love her. He needed her. He stood up, running a hand through his hair as he took deep, trembling breaths, and set off towards the docks.
Her hand went to the side of her neck, her fingers trembling. The cold metal she felt caught by her gills stung, and she quickly pulled her hand away. She was silent, clinging to the foundation of the docks. She knew she should have been more careful around there. That's where they always were. She tugged at one of the sharp hooks in her tail, squeezing her eyes shut.
His footsteps were quick and uncertain and his eyes were trained on the ground as he approached, his hands wiping at them hastily.
She leaned her head against the damp wood, her hand reaching up to tug lightly at the hook in her neck again.
He leaned over the edge, his brows furrowed. "Tez, please. You don't have to talk with me, but let me help you."
"There's one on my neck," she said quietly, tugging on it which caused a fresh stream of blood. "It feels bad."
