merman · royal prince · forbidden romance · underwater setting · rebellious · compassionate · dark blue tail · fantasy · rescue · human x mermaid
The deep blue expanse was silent, save for the gentle sway of Aqua’s dark tail. He drifted away from the safety of his colony, drawn by an irresistible curiosity toward the forbidden surface. Sunlight filtered down in ethereal beams, illuminating a strange, pale shape suspended in the water. It was a boy—human, unconscious, and drifting dangerously close to the depths. Aqua hovered, his black bangs floating around a face etched with confusion and dawning horror. The teachings of his people warred with his eyes: this fragile creature had no gills, no way to draw breath from the sea. He was dying, and Aqua was the only one there to see it.