Work Text:
After the film competition, we find Zane out on the docks, trophy in his hand staring out at the water
Rikki’s POV
Something is pulling me in the direction of the docks. What is it? Do I have feel something for Zane? No, that’s not it. Well, maybe it is. Does he know my secret somehow? Am I in danger here? Well, only one way to find out….
Rikki: You were good.
Zane: Acting, you mean?
Rikki: No, the whole thing about windsurfing around Mako and everything else. It took guts.
Zane: You’re the only one who thinks so.
Rikki’s POV
Ask him now. Talk to him. No, wait. Too forward. I’ll just leave…
She turns to go, but Zane softly grabs her wrist and she stops and turns
Zane: No, wait. Stay. Please.
He puts his trophy down, steps toward her, and softly kisses her, gentle and tentative. When he pulls away, as his hands search for hers, his voice is soft and gentle, almost like a whisper
Zane: You know Rikki, there is something very…... peculiar about you. I don’t know what it is. You don’t have to tell me, but whatever it is, you can trust me.
Rikki: Aren’t you with Miriam?
Zane: No. No I’m not. Never have been and never will be. Look, I-I know I’ve been a jerk and a bully, but that’s just because I’ve been….hiding…… behind a mask.
Rikki: Why?
Zane: Because I think I’m not good enough for my father.
Rikki: You don’t have to be like that you know. Just tell him how you truly feel.
Zane: Thanks. I’ll try. I don’t know if he’ll listen to me, but I’ll try.
Rikki: Zane?
Zane: Yes?
She doesn’t know if it’s the genuine honesty in his voice or the setting, but she puts her hand out near the water. Before she can touch it and make it bubble, Zane puts her hand down
Zane: You don’t have to do this, you know. You can tell me when you’re ready. I don’t want to force you.
Rikki: I know, but I think I’m ready now. You want to know how you got saved from those Mako sharks?
Before he can answer, he puts her hand out flat, slowly curling her fingers and the water starts to bubble
Zane: How can you even do that?
Rikki: Like this.
She knows it is rather risky, but something is telling her to just trust him so she puts her hand in the water. As the change starts to envelop her, Zane looks around to see if anybody is coming. It’s like an instinct that he feels he just has to do.
Zane: Wow. So this is what you are?
Rikki: Yep. I’m a mermaid Zane.
He kneels down beside her and looks deep into her blue eyes, taking her hands tightly in his
Zane: I promise to never ever tell anyone.
Rikki: Thank you. So this is how I saved you.
She steam dries herself and once she’s back on two feet, he kisses her softly once again except this time, his arms encircle around her. When he breaks the kiss and releases her a few minutes later, she turns to go, but before she walks off, she glances back at him
Rikki: Zane?
As if knowing what she’s going to ask, he has a genuine look in his eye
Zane: You can trust me Rikki. My lips are sealed.
As if to demonstrate his point, he locks his lips and puts the “key” in his pocket and she smiles as she walks off