He tells her "ooh love".
Perhaps weak, perhaps not. Kylin’s one experience with swimming in the sea hadn’t really been a good one. She had been playing on the water with Kharon when her brother had suddenly lost his footing, water soaking his wings and threatening to pull him down under. And Kylin with him. Father had saved them, but that didn’t make the experience any less traumatizing.
Her little swim with Ivar in the spring did so. By encouraging her he even makes it better, making her think that maybe she could do this. And how fun would it be if she could show her family her new ability?
For a moment panic rises as Ivar disappears beneath the surface of the water. What was happening? Where did he go? Was he sinking? But no, in that split second Kylin realizes that he is able to hold is breath very long, he wouldn’t drown. And then he’s back up again, relief washing over her. Allowing him to stir her towards shallow water she keeps swimming, or at least, this was what Kylin thought swimming was.
He had been right to do so too, when she is able to stand again she suddenly realizes how much she’s panting, careful to not swallow any water. Her muscles tremble a little, not too bad though, and are a price she gladly pays for the experience. ”It’s amazing! I felt so light like.. like I was floating. And the water so fresh and nice once you’re used to it” she manages to reply as she is almost breathless, almost smiling from ear to ear as their gazes meet.
Just to be sure she moves a bit more towards the shore, but never too far so the water keeps pooling over her back. It was nice like this and Kylin wanted to experience it just a little longer. ”Thank you” she murmurs then, extending and curving her neck to brush her muzzle across his cheek. ”Can we.. go swimming more often?” She can only hope he’ll say yes. She wants him too say yes, but unfortunately that’s not up to her. Water is dripping down her neck, back into the water, leaving small circles with each and every drop.