Word count: ~3.2k words

New chapter <333. Getting to the ending stretch-ish, current estimation for chapter count is 17, but I haven't properly separated my outline into chapters, I'm just going off vibe

Warnings: One singular swear

Sophie felt like an idiot. A huge one. She just... left him there and ran away. On his birthday, no less. What was she supposed to do from here? She couldn't go back to his place, and she couldn't go home either because it would inevitably result in her running into him. Or maybe the same thing could happen to her parents.

His heart. She'd seen his heart. This whole time, she hadn't been to see hearts because she was still too human. So what... did that mean she was now officially more siren than she was human?

Her stomach grumbled. What was she going to eat? She didn't have her wallet to buy anything, and she was too afraid to go back in the water. The cave was away, and she was still on land. But if she went back in the water and went home, would she still be human?

Another sob was ripped out of her, she didn't know what to do.

"Foster, breathe, okay?"

Oh great, she should've known that somehow they'd follow her here.

"Don't wanna talk," she mumbled, drawing lines in the sand. She could feel their presence behind her, but she didn't turn to look at them.

"You'll be fine, it'll all turn out okay."

"Easy for you to say!" She snapped. "You're the one who gets to stay human and have a happy ending!"

"If the curse is transferred to a kiss..." a new voice said, and she jolted, her arms flailing as she turned around to see impossibly teal eyes.

Those eyes were the last thing she wanted to see right now, as her hands pushing against the ground she needed to stay back she needed to stay away—

"Shh, it's alright," Fitz whispered, kneeling down in the sand as he stayed at his position. "Breathe, Sophie."

"You shouldn't be here," she said, wanting to rub her eyes to clean off the tears but she didn't want sand in them. She settled for turning away.

"I'm not afraid of you."

She tensed. "You should be."

"Sophie, look at me." When she didn't respond, he added, "Please."

She turned without thinking. He was looking at her, and for a moment, she thought his heart flashed red-orange. It wasn't one of the emotions familiar to her, but she thought that maybe it'd be something like bravery.

"I will never be afraid of you."

She couldn't see his heart again. She felt like all the air had left her, she could only watch as he slowly crawled closer, but stopped about a half-metre away.

"You should be afraid of me. Mad that I almost ruined your life."

"I was mad," he said. "I still hope that this is just some nightmare, it's hard to believe this is real. I don't know what to think, but right now, I'm not mad. And I definitely wasn't mad at you supposedly ruining my life. I was mad at the secrets... and other stuff." He jerked a thumb in Keefe's direction, and she could see a bruise starting to form on their arm.

"I offered," they shrugged. "Didn't help that I revealed that it all started because I kissed you. The guy packs a mean punch, but the way. Almost as surprising as his—"

"Shut up, I didn't want to get my binder wet," he grumbled. "Sophie... What happened that day?"

She blinked. "What?"

"I don't get how all this siren stuff works yet, but a siren is able to transfer this curse to a broken hearted human, right? If that's the case... Why was your heart broken? Was it... was it because of me?"

"No!" She said, looking away. "I was just—I was just being stupid."

"It's not stupid."

"I was overthinking things for no reason." She hated the fact that she'd felt that way, that she'd doubted everything.

"Can I hug you?" He asked.

She nodded, and he wrapped his arms around her. It was freezing and they were both wet, but she'd never felt warmer as she clung to him.

"It's a really good thing I brought Fitzy here, huh," Keefe mused. "When you both calm down a bit, we need to make a game plan. I doubt we have that much time left, given that my view of both of your hearts is starting to flicker into nothing."

"How much time does she have left?" Fitz asked, pulling away, but sliding his hand into hers.

"I don't know," they replied. "At least a week."

"And I'm guessing that Sophie doesn't want to give it to someone else."

"It'd all be much easier if Foster agreed to just pass it on to someone else."

"I told you, I don't want to ruin someone else's life just because I think they're willing to give up."

"So, what then?"

"We're waiting for Marella and Linh to get back and tell us if they've learned anything."

"Those two friends of yours are sirens too?"

"I know I'm irresistible," Keefe pointed at themselves with a grin, "but I don't exactly know many humans."

Both Sophie and Fitz rolled their eyes.

"But anyway, after we get our news, Foster and I will have to go on a trip to find whatever it is that makes us human."

"A trip?"

"Y'know, siren-ing stuff. Underwater. Means you can't come."

"You're going to need a human with you. I'm willing."

Fitz gave them some weird look, a look she didn't like. They nodded, an uncharacteristically grim look on their face. She felt unsettled, but she wasn't sure why.

"A human?" she asked. "Why?"

"He's just jealous that we get to go on a trip together. And that I got your first kiss."

"As if I'd be jealous of you."

"Maybe he's jealous he didn't get to kiss you," Sophie said, then froze at what she said.

That... Came out weirder than she thought. She was talking about her boyfriend and her... friend? Was that what they were?

Your attractive friend, her brain supplied unhelpfully.

She ignored that. She'd hoped that they'd make a joke like 'is that what you're into, Foster?' or 'even you can't resist me, Fitzy' to break the tension except they didn't say anything and now her brain was being flooded with images of the two of them kissing.

...it was hotter than she'd wanted to admit, damn it. She was surrounded by too many attractive people.

"But Fitz," Keefe continued after a few seconds. "How exactly are you planning to follow us in the water?"

"...I mean, I know how to use a boat."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "You don't have a license."

"But I do know how to use a boat."

"That won't help unless we have a boat. Which you won't be able to get on short notice or without a license."

"But we know someone who does."

She realized what he meant. "You want me to ask Dex to borrow his dad's boat?"

"Kesler's your uncle. And he's the one who showed me how to use that boat back when he took us out."

"Yeah, but we're not that close. We only see each other for Thanksgiving and Christmas, mostly. Besides, you're needed for the shop, so you should stay."

"I'm not leaving you alone."

"Foster's not alone, she has me," Keefe pointed out. "And Linh, and Marella—but yeah, you're coming. Why not have Biana help with the shop."

"...we just left her at my house and ran after you," Fitz realized. "She's going to be pissed. We need to make a game plan, and then head back."

"Our plan is to wait and see. And maybe get a boat," Sophie pointed out. "Hardly a plan."

"If you learn something and I'm not around, promise me you'll fill me in?"

"Okay," she said. "Let's go back to see Biana."

She got up and entered the water, now getting used to the sensation as her legs transformed into a tail.

"...I want to kiss you so badly."

She turned to face him, eyes wide. He was looking down, his hands clasped together, biting his lips. It was cute that he was so flustered.

"I didn't really understand you when you used to talk about how hot mermaids were, but I think I understand now. You're..."

"Gross," Keefe gagged before she could say anything. "I thought your pining time was bad, but your flirting is worse. Keep it away from me."

"I don't want to," she teased. "Fitz, do you want to touch my tail?"

He only nodded as he walked into the water, waist-deep as he slowly reached out, his fingers grazing against her tail. She sucked in a breath.

"Oh, come on, you didn't react like this with me," Keefe groaned, getting into the water too, their own tail forming. "Got to cling to me while I'm shirtless and you didn't even react. It's okay Fitzy, if you wanna touch, all you have to do is ask."

He rolled his eyes. "I'd rather hitch a ride with Sophie this time."

"Nuh uh, none of that. I'm in charge of keeping you two idiots from kissing each other."

"I'm not heartbroken. And who are you calling idiots?"

"Unfortunately, they're right," Sophie grumbled, because she so wanted to make out with Fitz. "We can't leave anything up to chance." She pulled Fitz's face closer and pressed her lips to his cheek. "Just have to work with this, for now."

"Well, at least I know what I'm working with, now," he said, as he wrapped his arms around Keefe's torso. "I can't tell if I like this better or worse than my old theory."

"Oh? What theory? I wanna know—ooh, sounds embarrassing, both you and Foster are getting all flustered in the heart."

"I thought that maybe you came here because you got Sophie pregnant."

They laughed. "Oh. Wow, that is a theory. But trust me, that would have been the better situation, I've been taking care of our dear Foster just fine... Fine enough."

They got back to Fitz's house, the three of them all dripping wet and as expected, Biana was not happy.

"Where did you three disappear to?" she asked.

"Biana, it's fine," Fitz said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You don't have to pretend, Fitz," she replied.

"I'm not pretending."

Biana sighed, grabbing Sophie by the arm and dragged her to her room. She took out a pair of Sophie's spare clothes that she always kept around in case of a sleepover. Sophie changed off, and Biana immediately dragged her into a chair, taking a blowdryer and turning it on.

Neither of them said anything for a few minutes, they blow dryer filling in the silence, but not enough.

"You know, I've been rooting for you and my brother for years, right? I've had to listen to both of your pining woes."

She hummed, not sure what to say.

"And you know I love you, right? Out of everyone, I've always thought that you'd be the perfect match for my brother. But if this romance ends up hurting either of you..."

"I know it hasn't looked good so far," Sophie said looking down. She didn't want to look at the mirror in front of her and accidentally meet Biana's gaze. "We've talked about it and reached an understanding."

"Has he told you about his theory?"

"Yes, I've heard it. I've assured him it's not true. Keefe and I haven't gotten together in any sort of way."

"What is your relationship with Keefe?"

She'd always shut it down, the idea of her and Keefe. She'd been in love with Fitz, and now she was dating him. And maybe she would've continued to ignore it, but she made the mistake of accidentally looking up, meeting Biana's intense stare.

"I don't know," she admitted, closing her eyes. She knew there was a tug in her that drew her to them. Knew their presence soothed her troubled mind. A depth pulling her under. "I won't betray Fitz. I've loved him too long to let him go just like that."

"I know," Biana whispered, taking off the blow dryer. "But you should figure out what you feel soon."

They ended up skipping the movie since it'd gotten too late, and Sophie felt bad for missing this tradition that had gone on for so many years. Even the actual sleepover part where they'd curl in their sleeping bags next to each other– that didn't have the same enthusiasm to it either. It was cold and awkward without the warmth of their conversations and smiles.

Biana and Keefe seemed to have fallen asleep, but she caught Fitz turning in a manner too controlled to be sleeping.

Before she could stop herself, she reached over for his hand. For a moment, he tensed, but then he squeezed back. She scooted closer so that she could bury her face into the crook of his neck. She pressed a soft kiss there.

"Happy birthday," she murmured into his skin.

His other arm wrapped around her, hand settling on her hip. Even with the layers of her clothes and sleeping bag, her skin warmed at the touch. He kissed her forehead, and for once, Sophie really did believe that everything could be okay.

•~•~•~•~•~•

The actual birthday party was lackluster. Then again, once adulthood was reached, even a Vacker birthday party wouldn't be a grand thing. Immediate family and a few friends, and a couple hours to decorate the house and bake a cake.

Biana didn't quite seem appeased yet, even after seeing Sophie and Fitz wrapped in each other's arms while sleeping. The constant water breaks and going to the bathroom to wash her face for hydration didn't help either.

The day seemed to pass with little drama. Fitz kept clinging to her and kissing her cheeks, her forehead, her hands, which made both Keefe and Biana roll their eyes.

"Gross," Biana teased, "and you haven't even actually kissed yet. I'm surprised you haven't even done so yet."

"I'm saving it for a memorable moment," she said.

If I can remain as human, if my kiss won't ruin him.

"You lay in Dex's lap," Fitz pointed out. "You are not any better."

She waved her hand dismissively. Coincidentally, Dex arrived at the house and Biana would have practically tackled him to the floor if it weren't for his familiarity with her greetings.

The party itself was cozy yet awkward. Sure, her and Fitz were being affectionate, but the both of them knew the possibility that these could be their last moments before she lost her humanity and became a siren.

When Fitz received her gift—she'd ended up deciding to just give him the rings together instead of separate because matching rings was corny—he'd beamed, fidgeting with it until they split. He put the gold one on his thumb, and took the silver one, adjusted its size and slid it onto her own thumb.

She felt like all the air had been knocked out of her, holy shit, was this what proposals felt like?

"I've seen that ring online, I've considered buying one for your birthday," Fitz admitted, rubbing his neck with his other hand.

Oh. Wow. They'd both had the same idea. She felt less embarrassed for having considered something so corny. His heart for a moment shone bright pink, and while she should be worried about the more frequent occurrences of seeing his heart, her own body was filled with warmth at the visible proof that she really could make him feel like that.

Keefe apparently had the time to make whole paintings—plural—of Fitz, one of him and Sophie, one with him, her, Biana and themselves. There was also another one, with him, her and themselves. It had bright pink highlights. For a moment, she thought that his heart had flickered pink again, the same pink as the highlights, but when she blinked, it was gone.

"Thank you," Fitz said softly, smiling. "I'm going to frame these."

The gift-giving ended up as the most memorable part of the party, and she had to excuse herself and just lay in the bathtub for a bit.

There was a knock on the door. "Sophie, it's me. Can I come in?"

"Yeah," she said, and Fitz walked in.

"All good?" he asked, staring at her tail.

"Yeah. I'll be good in a bit, just resting here."

"Is there anything you need?" He kneeled down by the tub.

"No," she said, reaching up to touch his cheek. "I've got everything I need."

•~•~•~•~•~•

The next day, Linh and Marella had arrived back.

"Why is there a human on your back?" Marella asked. "I'd ask if you managed to find a broken hearted-human, but they don't exactly look broken-hearted."

"Eh, don't worry about that," Keefe replied. "We'll sit by land, I brought this guy because he insisted."

Fitz couldn't do anything but just hold his breath, underwater, but she knew that he would have definitely said something. They reached the little land by that cave.

"Who is this?"

"Foster's boyfriend!" Keefe announced dramatically. "Foster told him about this whole thing and wanted to be involved."

Linh tilted ver head. "It's good to have a human around. I'm Linh, nice to meet you. And this is Marella here beside me."

"I'm Fitz."

"Well, we've got something to say," Marella said seriously. "We should head out as soon as possible, because we've got news on how to break this curse."

•~•~•~•~•~•

"As helpful as you are doing menial tasks for us, you're going to have to start proving your use," Gisela said.

"As you know," Tam said slowly, "Sirens feed on broken hearts."

"We know that," Ruy said. "We lost a guy to one."

"Sirens have the ability to see the hearts of people. Their heavy will shine a colour. Can track every emotion, but heartbreak is what's needed for the transfer. But if they recognize something similar like sadness or anger, they can use their song to drag out the heartbreak."

"That is information that we are aware of," Vespera said, narrowing her eyes.

"I can't guarantee that knowing their song will make you immune, but if you can keep your reason, it might snap you out of it."

He quietly sang the lyrics, wincing at how his voice sounded now. As a siren, his voice had been melodic, pitch and tune had been instinctive, but after turning human, that instinct had been lost. It wasn't awful, he'd passed by plenty of humans' awful singing, but he couldn't help but hate the loss.

"Keep that song in mind," he said. His heart ached with grief and longing, and he was sure that if he still had his siren vision, it'd be glowing blue. He didn't like what he was about to say next, but it was the only way to get to Linh. "I am going to teach you to suppress your heart, and I am going to act as your siren lure."