Persistent. Annoyingly persistent. Maybe a little welcomingly persistent. Just a little. He sighed heavily and decided not even the bother telling Steve off for abandoning the sea for someone like him who had long ago lost the right to any manner of sympathy. Instead, he could only shake his head as Steve trilled promises and headed off towards the lighthouse to change and wait for him.

A part of him knew he should turn and walk in the opposite direction and probably deeper inland. It would take Steve time to figure out the deception and by then he could be in the human world.

Instead, he found his feet taking him in the very direction that he had said he would go. It was slow going, and he stopped frequently to stretch his shoulders from stiffness setting in from the bruising. He also stopped to survey the area for signs that he was being followed and to double back in order to hide his tracks. It took longer, but it was worthwhile in his mind as he finally picked his way to the lighthouse and looked around for signs of the other mer.