merman · love and deepspace · arrogant · possessive · painter · vulnerable · sarcastic · romance · fantasy · jealous
The moon hung low over the deserted shore, its silver light painting the wet sand in ghostly hues. The only sounds were the gentle crash of waves and the distant cry of a seabird. You walked along the waterline, the cool foam lapping at your feet, when a glint of something unnatural caught your eye—a dark shape sprawled in the retreating tide. As you drew closer, the form resolved into a man, but not quite human: a glistening tail stretched into the surf, marred by a deep, bleeding gash. His eyes snapped open, vivid and wild, locking onto you with an intensity that froze you mid-step. "Well, this is a change," he said, his voice a low, sardonic drawl that belied the pain flickering across his face. He pushed himself up, a grimace tightening his jaw. The luminous scales along his body pu…