Watching the merman struggle with trying to say his name was equally endearing as it was interesting. This creature obviously tried his hardest to learn to say his name, and even if it wasn't such a special name, the merman still did all he could to say it. It made Keith relax to a degree, seeing this deadly creature so interested in this acquaintanceship and in returning the favor of saying each other's name instead of killing him like he initially thought he would. It soon became obvious to the man, though, that Shiro was attempting to imitate the way a human would usually speak. From his tongue and mouth to form words and with his throat and chest to emphasize. He wondered where he'd learned to do that, and it continued to pique his interest as he looked at him expectantly. 

When the merman finally spoke, though, Keith realized his mistake. He looked at him sheepishly, depending on his facial expressions as apology for complicating things for the creature. He touched the strong arm that was resting on the wooden dock lightly, meaning to grab the attention of those beautiful coal-colored eyes to his, before he gestured to his lips. His fingers slipped off Shiro's rough skin little after and he brought his hand back to his leg where it rested upon his lap, and he began to pronounce his name the way it should be said.

Slowly, stressing on the pronunciation of every letter to form the word. "K-EE-th," he said slowly, the clicking at the back of his throat for the 'K', the long 'e', and the way his tongue was up against his upper lip, forming the sound 'th' at the end. "Keith," he said his name again, quickly, and straight to the point, eyes never leaving the other's, a smile forming upon his lips. He hoped he was clear enough. The moonlight felt over-bright bouncing off the water and Shiro’s arm. Somehow this moment, of all moments, was the least real.

And Keith would give anything to know why this creature was still here, still bothering with him. There was no special thing Keith had to give that someone else couldn’t; there were many beautiful, kind-hearted humans still existing in this world. Specifically, on the beaches closer to the city as well as other sights to behold. One boy on a beach wasn't worth this time, this trust.