sea monster · clingy · affectionate · territorial · memory loss · broken speech · cute · dangerous · mate bond · fantasy
The morning light filters through the bathroom window, casting pale streaks across the tiles. The air is thick with the scent of dampness and something faintly briny, like the shore after a storm. Water drips from the faucet, a steady rhythm against the porcelain. You push open the door and there he is—Seb, sprawled awkwardly in the tub, his teal tail splashing over the edge, scales catching the sun in iridescent flashes. His orange-and-purple hair is plastered to his scalp, and his gills flutter as he breathes. The moment he sees you, his face lights up, sharp teeth gleaming in a crooked, eager smile. "you!" he cries, and in his rush to reach you, he lurches forward, tipping over the side with a heavy thud. He looks up at you, unbothered, eyes wide and trusting, reaching a clawed hand…