The small snippets that Eric relayed about his life in the ocean were fascinating to Gabriel, who listened eagerly and barely repressed the urge to ask for more information. Perhaps someday, he would. Now didn't seem like the right time, however, given how Eric was nuzzling against his neck and jaw whilst complimenting him in ways that caused a light blush to spread across his cheeks.
"I remember," he said again, reconfirming that he understood Eric's words and the situation at hand. It was comforting to be reminded that there was no pressure, that this was about having fun, experiencing new things, and forming connections that would make both of them feel good. Although he was about to plunge himself into the unknown, Gabriel felt relaxed and at ease, even though he was still a little nervous.
Gabriel turned his head slightly to better accommodate Eric's lips as they pressed lightly against his own, his heartbeat quickening underneath the merman's hand. He fell into the kiss quickly, eyes fluttering closed as he savoured the sensation. The scratch of Eric's facial hair was new to Gabe, who had never kissed a man up until this point, though it wasn't at all unpleasant. If anything, it made him want to feel the pressure more, and he leaned in to the kiss with more force as his free hand blindly came up to curl around Eric's as it rested against his chest. The other, still tangled in Eric's hair, gripped loosely onto the strands in the hopes of holding him close and preventing him from backing away too quickly.