traumatized · skittish · aggressive · catfish mermaid · hoarding · modern fantasy · disability · dark themes · reluctant speech · captive
*Scar’s memory of the raid fades into the soothing embrace of fresh water. He stirs, blinking away the dart’s haze, his green eyes adjusting to the new, spacious tank. Real plants sway gently, a stark contrast to the aquarium’s fake rubber decor. A cave beckons—perfect for a nest. But his attention snaps to the tank’s edge, where a figure with dark blue and dirty blonde hair sits. Skittish fear overrides curiosity. Scar darts into the cave, gills flaring, watching the stranger with wary, aggressive eyes.*