A love story for Cal Kestis and Merrin the Nightsister in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor would be an insult to both characters, for a variety of reasons. The story of Jedi: Survivor has so far only been hinted at, and fans will have to wait to see what happens to Cal, Merrin, and the rest of the crew of the Stinger Mantis when the game releases sometime in 2023, but there are certain potential stories that should be left alone.
A potential romance between Cal Kestis and Merrin was set up in Jedi: Fallen Order. Both characters bonded over their shared experiences of loss and survival, and Merrin was welcomed aboard the Stinger Mantis after her long wardenship of Dathomir. In one scene Merrin even rushes to embrace Cal. Their possible romance is broadly popular among fans, and may develop prior to Jedi: Survivor in Star Wars: Battle Scars, a novel coming out in March 2023 that bridges the five-year gap between Fallen Order and Survivor.
Although the ground was laid for them to have a romance in Jedi: Survivor, Cal and Merrin's relationship should not be relegated to something as base as being each other's love interest. Their dynamic would be much more profound coming from a place of mutual respect and close friendship, rather than one of longing. Furthermore, a romance risks one or both of them becoming enablers of the other; both are traumatized and are driven by a need to belong, which makes a romantic relationship between them dangerous. Then, of course, there is also the Jedi Code to be considered.
Cal & Merrin Deserve Better Than Fan Service Romance
In Jedi: Fallen Order, Cal Kestis encountered Taron Malicos, a fallen Jedi who was twisted by Dathomir's Dark side energy. Malicos represents the dangers of Jedi who lose their way. Romance, being impermissible by the Jedi Code as it creates attachments, could cause conflict within Cal. If Jedi: Survivor uses the subject of Merrin and Cal's romance to explore the Dark side luring Cal (and ultimately failing) that would be fine - so long as neither Merrin nor Cal's character arcs suffer for it. This is especially important for Merrin, as it would be poor taste to use her merely as a tool to further Cal's story. More than that, though, the bond between two people who understand one another, without the complexities and ugliness of desires, would make a far better story, and make both characters stronger for it.
Forgoing a romance between Cal and Merrin is one thing that Jedi: Survivor can change from Jedi: Fallen Order. A dramatic unfolding of Cal's descent towards Dark side emotions could be intriguing, but ultimately, in Star Wars Jedi: Survivor both Cal and Merrin deserve a profound friendship, not a fan service romance.