“Viola?” Eva whimpered, no other way to describe the sound of sheer panic that left her throat.

Viola pulled her close, the touch of her skin the only comfort in total darkness. Darkness like this could only be experienced in distant space or the deepest of caves. On the surface, light found its way everywhere, even the darkest of places had the shadow of light. To call it darkness would be wrong, there was no light to see any darkness. There was just nothing.

Several metallic clags rang through the air followed by a loud beep. Then just as fast as the light had vanished it returned as if nothing had happened. The shock was almost blinding but the repercussions were horrifying. That had not been the darkness of artificial night, that was the darkness of something going wrong.

This wasn't just a question of light, power was their life support here. If something went wrong, in the best-case scenario this place would collapse and instantly kill them, in the worst case, they would slowly suffocate in total darkness and cold.

Eva leaped to her feet, running to the computer monitor and looking for any way to alert someone. It was in Talbot’s best interest to ensure they didn't die here after all, not if he wanted… something from Viola. However, the lack of buttons or dials only increased her frustration and panic.

She forced herself to take a deep breath despite the air feeling tight around her. That had to have been a trick, they had been here only a single night. What were the chances otherwise? Maybe Talbot was just trying to scare them into getting what he wanted. Still, something told her that wasn't the case. She could only hope that Talbot was monitoring this place and had noticed that something had happened. If Talbot’s arrogance got her killed she’d… well she wouldn't do anything, she’d be dead.

She hit the wall, sending a jolt of pain through her hand, it was entirely unsatisfactory. Eva didn't like what this place did to her. She was usually calm under pressure but she clearly had her limits. That was being under thousands of pounds per square inch of pressure.

“Eva, what happen?” Viola asked. She was still against the wall, her arms wrapped around herself in a comforting manner. Her expression was one of worry and confusion.

Eva immediately felt like crap for not considering that Viola was just as scared as she was. She wasn’t used to this kind of cohabitation and partnership, personal feelings aside. She couldn’t afford to fall apart, they wouldn’t survive unless they could support each other.

“I don’t know,” Eva replied, returning to Viola.

“Cold?” Viola asked, raising her hand but stopping herself from touching her.

Eva hadn’t even realized she was shaking. “N-no, I’m just… freaked out. You can touch me.”

Eva didn’t know how to ask for Viola to touch her but she wanted her to. Not even in a sexual way, at least not right now. Touch was a love language she was not used to but one Viola was fluent in. Well… maybe it was more who Viola was than anything else.

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The power had no issues after that and her panic had finally given way to boredom. She had been left to her own devices more than she would have liked. Viola was understandably far more a fan of the water than the small room Eva stayed in. That didn’t however mean that she was happy about it.

Mostly out of jealousy, this place was built for Viola, it lacked anything for Eva. In a cruel way, she now understood what the research facility had been like for Viola, at least the mermaid was more comfortable here.

Deciding she was fed up with just waiting around while Viola did god knows what she opened the locker and grabbed the goggles and flippers. If swimming was good enough for Viola then it was good enough for her. Mostly she wanted a distraction from the lingering taste of her lunch.

Flippers, goggles and nothing else was certainly an interesting fashion choice. Her clothes were mostly dry by now but with the amount of water around wearing them would just get them wet.

Eva tightened the goggles around her face and awkwardly shuffled onto the ramp. The weight of the flippers caused her to have to readjust her balance. She took a deep breath and jumped.

Bubbles swirled around her as she briefly sunk down. The goggles allowed her to see just how vibrant this place was. It seemed to be carved into the rock below the dome rather than an entirely artificial enclosure. Fish scurried away as she lazily kicked, slow and literally testing the waters. Further out the water slinked into murkiness leaving her with that uneasy feeling that never went away. At the very least it wasn't dark.

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Something dark suddenly shot out of the depths, her mind reeling in the moment it took to recognize Viola. Clicks seemed to erupt from all around Eva as Viola slowed her approach. She waved at the mermaid before swimming up. The air filling her lungs felt salty but swimming was a delight.

Viola broke the surface as well, a large grin on her face. “You have… fake tails,” she clicked with amusement.

“They let me swim faster,” Eva replied, trying to hide her smile as she treaded water. Out here it was surprisingly calm, the whirring of machines silenced by the movement of the water. The cool water had briefly been a shock to her system but now it was just comforting.

Viola dove down, her large tail fluke breaching the surface briefly. Eva slowed her breathing, filled her lungs to about 80% and sucked in a dozen short quick breaths before diving down herself. Packing in as much oxygen in her lungs as possible. The flippers helped her combat her natural buoyancy as she kicked down.

Viola swam around her, rolling in the water and clicking happily. Eva moved slowly, not wanting to use up all her air and be forced to surface. Seeing how Viola moved was mesmerizing. Her powerful tail pushed her forward, her fins helped steer and keep balance, and her arms stretched out to feel the currents as she glided. Totally at ease in this place which scared Eva so much.

Eva’s lungs began to ache and she reluctantly surfaced, taking deep exhales to expel as much CO2 from her blood as she could. Like cetaceans, Viola had an ease in the water that no human could match. Even the best swimmers and free divers had still evolved for land. She had of course always known that Viola was marine but she hadn't been able to see what that truly meant or to appreciate it until now.

Viola's head broke through the surface and she offered Eva her hand. “I can… carry you. Swim with me?”

Her offer was both thrilling and terrifying. She had first encountered Viola when she was drowning someone after all. She couldn't hold her breath like Viola and the thought of being entirely at someone's mercy was terrifying. Yet at the same time, Eva wanted nothing more than to accept, to experience Viola’s world the way she did, even if it was an artificial one.

She gently placed her hand in Viola’s, her entire hand fit in the mermaid’s palm. “Ok,” she nodded hesitantly. “But if I tap on you you need to bring me to the surface so I can breathe, ok?”

“Yes, tap surface,” Viola nodded, her eyes bright, her smile wide. Her excitement was practically tastable in the air.

Eva swam the rest of the way to her, letting her mermaid hold her close, the way she had so comfortably slept. Only she was very much awake, her nipples hard from the cold pressing against Viola’s chest. The mermaid-handling certainly didn't help as Viola turned her around and wrapped her arms around Eva’s torso. Eva’s entire back was now pressing against Viola.

“Take breathe,” Viola instructed, “say to go.”

Eva did as instructed. She could swear she heard a slight hitch in Viola’s voice. “Go,” Eva said and disorientingly quick they were under.

Eva had not correctly anticipated how terrifying being dragged underwater would be but someone far bigger and stronger than you. The air in her lungs immediately escaped, panic overtaking her. She frantically tapped at Viola’s arm and her head was shoved above water only moments later.

“Eva, ok?” Viola asked with urgency as Eva coughed. Viola still held her, gentle but firm as Eva tried to recover.

“I’m fine,” she gasped. “Sorry, I just… panicked.”

“Do not be sorry, I am sorry. I am not… used to humans. You are… very fragile,” Viola replied. She seemed more freaked out than Eva was.

“Viola, I’m ok, I promise. I just wasn't ready. Just go slower.”

“You do not have to if you not want.”

“No, I do. Just… slow, ok?” The fact that Viola wasn't pushing her was far more comforting than anything else. She could at least give it another shot.

Viola did not hold her so tightly the second time, instead pulling her along by her waist. Eva did her best to ignore the way Viola’s thumbs traced up and down her skin and instead enjoyed the sensation of gliding. Viola stayed near the surface though Eva was below her.

The water rushed by as they moved faster than Eva ever could. The underwater equivalent of sticking one's hand out of the car window. Fish scurried out of the way as they drifted by weeds and rock. Completing the loop Viola was already returning to the surface before Eva needed to tap for air.

Eva stretched out her arms feeling the way the water moved around her. The salty taste on her lips, the shimmering water around them as they ascended. It felt like flying. An all-encompassing feeling of stomach-dropping freedom.

“That was amazing!” Eva laughed, catching her breath at the surface. Viola whistled, floating beside her on her back.

“Happy to show you,” Viola replied. “You want food?”

Eva's stomach growled in support of the idea. “Later,” she replied instead, she was in no hurry to eat more raw fish despite her growing hunger. Desperation would eventually lead to her too but not yet.

“Eva, you must eat more,” Viola sighed.

“How do you know how much I’m supposed to eat,” Eva scoffed.

“I hear you, your body wants food. You make all sorts of sound without voice.”

She was at a loss of how to feel about that. Embracement and endearment swirled within her, both that Viola was so aware of her needs and that Viola was so aware of her needs. She had known Viola had excellent hearing, at least in theory, but how that translated into the world had been different from what she expected.

“I’ll eat more at dinner,” she relented. She had gone out of her way to ensure Viola ate at the research facility. Having someone worried about her felt… strange but in a good way.

Viola clicked in response, seemingly unsatisfied. The mermaid could be quite opinionated and because of the way she normally communicated Eva could often read her through the sounds she made alone. To think a few months ago they had been total strangers, not even sharing body language, they had come quite far.

“I do not want you to hurt, Eva.”

Viola wasn't looking at her but her somber tone was clear. Eva reached out and found Viola’s hand, taking it in hers. “I’m ok, I promise. Eating too much raw fish will make me sick anyway.”

The distance between them shrunk as Viola pulled them together. Eva found herself effortlessly supported by Viola in the water. She was concerned about Viola’s sudden somberness and Viola did not explain herself.

“Talk to me, please?” Eva asked, shifting in the water.

Viola let out a whistling sigh. “You… are here because of me. I care about you… it makes me sad you are… suffering.”

Eva’s throat felt tight at her confession. She blinked back tears and tried to compose herself. She couldn't let Viola carry that guilt. “I’m not here because of you. I chose your side at Ocean Land… and I chose it again with Talbot. One way or another I am here because of my own decisions… and I chose you.”

Viola cupped Eva's face, her thumb wiping away a tear. “I think I have chosen you too.”

She didn’t entirely know what that meant but god damn if it wasn't the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her. Risking everything or maybe gambling for everything she pushed herself up from Viola’s grasp and kissed her. This time it was a real kiss.