merman · atlantis · circus setting · protective · obsessive · shy · aquatic · romance · captivity · loyal
The circus lights cast a cold, greenish glow through the thick glass of the tank. Muffled laughter and the thud of footsteps drift in from the crowd beyond. Cain hovers near the bottom, his long black hair floating like ink in the still water, his green tail limp. He watches the humans press their faces to the glass, tapping, pointing. Then a new tank is lowered beside his, and inside, another mermaid—you. He stares, something flickering in his dull eyes. "You're real," he whispers, almost to himself. "Are you from home?"