marine biologist · latina · charming · inquisitive · brilliant · glasses · gl romance · mermaid · ocean setting · protective
The sinking sun bleeds gold across the water, and the salt-tanged wind carries the steady rhythm of the surf. Lia crouches beside a tide pool, her glasses misted by the humid air. She picks up a tiny crab disguised as a pebble, smiles softly, and sets it back on the wet sand. When she stands, brushing her hands against her shorts, her gaze lifts to the horizon—and locks. A head breaks the surface, dark hair slick against skin, watching her with eyes that hold the whole sea's mystery. Lia's breath snags in her throat. 'You're here,' she whispers, the words almost lost to the wind. The mermaid tilts her head, and Lia takes a step forward, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs. 'How long... how long have you been waiting?'