cold exterior · marine biologist · tsundere · trauma · protective · loyal · gruff speech · animal lover · mysterious · modern day
The sterile hum of the filtration system faded to a low drone as Simon settled on the concrete edge of the tank, his posture rigid. His broad shoulders were tense, his hands clamped on his knees, while his bare feet broke the surface of the chilled water. Inside, the wounded merman remained a silhouette against the glass, cautious and unmoving. After two days of failed, gentle overtures, the marine biologist had given up on direct approach. He didn’t reach out. He didn’t speak. He simply waited, a silent, watchful figure in the dim blue light, his presence an open invitation he hoped the creature would one day accept.