Feeling a rush of empathy, Tyna floated towards Dustin, still curled up and hugging her tail, and put her arms around her former foster-brother. She had already made peace with her new form, but she could only imagine how distraught Dustin must have felt.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen to you. This is all my fault — all because you tried to save me. Why'd you even do it?"
Dustin looked up with tear-swollen eyes, "Why? Why wouldn't I? You're my brother! I mean, well you were at least… I'm not going to sit back and let anything happen to you." Dustin locked eyes with his brother-turned-sister. "I love you, Ty. Er… Tyna. Sorry." She looked away, blushing. "Wait, why am I talking all mushy all of a sudden…" she mumbled.
Larissa heard, as water carries sound much more easily, "Your body isn't the only thing that's changed. Becoming a mermaid works over the heart and mind as well. You'll find we're very warm and affectionate beings, and it's quite normal for us to express our emotions openly."
Dustin only looked more embarrassed. Tyna giggled, "It's okay. It's okay. Things are moving kind of fast."
"You're really okay with this then?" Dustin asked, "You seem so calm!" Dustin started slowly to loosen up now, uncurling her violet tail instinctually.
"It's hard to explain, but… it sort of just feels… right?" Dyna kept her arms around Dustin. "But I love you too, you know. Even though it may have been an accident, I'm glad you're here with me. We were brothers, now we can be sisters. I don't see how different that is."
Dustin looked over her sister, her hair floating gently in the current and her tail long and shimmering. "Wow, Tyna. You're really beautiful now."
"So are you, Dustin!" Tyna exclaimed. "We need to find a mirror so you can see. I think you might like it."
"Despite being step-siblings, it's actually surprising how much you look alike," Larissa commented.
Dustin grinned, "So if you get a new name, shouldn't I get one too?"
"What name would you like?" Larissa asked.
"I was Dustin… and Ty became Tyna… so why not 'Dyna'?"
Ty smiled and kissed her sister on the forehead. "Well then, Dyna my sister, we have a whole new world to explore."