Maddie smiled awkwardly.
"I got one the other day."
Some time had pasted, when Ben found himself alone with Ryn, the feeling of her soft lips still lingered on him.
"Hey Ryn." She turned abruptly with curious eyes "Listen I need to tell you a bit about kissing. Okay?"
"Kissing?" She moved her head in confusion, eyes still locked onto his.
"What you did you me this morning." He motioned to his lips "Yes"
Ben placed himself in front of her to try and make sure she was listening.
"Kissing is what people do when they are in love. When they have romantic feelings for one another." He paused "I bet you don't know what romantic feelings are. So humans, we have have feelings for other people. When we get these feelings for someone we try to, how do I put this, we try to get a connection with them. If they feel the same those two people start to date. That's when they kiss. Romantic feelings lead to..." He paused again, feeling awkward. "Well it leads to... Mating. And that's what kissing means." Ben face palmed himself internally as he watched the cogs spin in Ryn's head
"Only kiss when in love?" she cocked her head like a dog "Well it gets more complicated then that but yes. Only kiss people that you have romantic feelings for."
"Don't kiss Maddie?"
"Yes, understand?"
"Yes" She seemed proud in her new acquired knowledge and Ben felt satisfied that she understood what he said. Maybe a bit proud that he was actually able to make any sense of something as complex as feelings.
A few days later Ryn had to go back into the water. She stood at the edge of the dock, skin dry and cracking. Behind her Ben and Maddie stood.
"Be safe ok" Maddie anxiously said to her mermaid friend "Yes. I stay safe. But come back." Ryn widened her arms and gave Maddie a firm squeeze. "I come back.
"Ok" She turned to Ben, taking the few steps between them, raising herself on the balls of her feet. Her face only inches from his when she placed her hands on his jaw and pulled him into a strong kiss. He couldn't pull himself away, but he didn't feel like he wanted to, just like her song he was pulled in. He kissed her back, only slightly, still fighting the urge. They separated Ryn's eyes doe like as she gazed into his. Ben slowly faded out of his stupor "R-Ryn! Don't you remember what we talked about?"
"Yes"
Ben sighed in frustration "Then why did you-" her lips cut him off once again. This time the kiss was short.
"Love you" turning away with both Ben and Maddie staring in disbelief, Ryn dove into the water without another word.
A prolonged silence fell between the couple.
"I think we should talk" Maddie's voice an ice pick through the silence.