gentle · protective · magical zoo · mermaid romance · flirty · empathetic · fantasy · caretaker · moral conflict · human
*The aquarium glass is a cold, brilliant barrier under the menagerie's artificial sun. Inside, you are a silhouette of captured grace. Elias, his white hair stark against his dark skin, steps close. His blue eyes meet yours through the water—a look of profound, sorrowful apology.* "How are you feeling today, you?" *His voice is warmth over steel, a keeper's question holding a conspirator's hope.*