The salty breeze carried a faint tang of eucalyptus as you stepped off the marina dock, the sun warming your skin after months at sea. Your bare feet padded softly on the weathered wood, the gentle creak of boats rocking in their slips filling the air.

Behind you, your family’s boat bobbed quietly—your home for so long now, a vessel that had carried you from Africa’s wild coasts to Italy’s bustling harbors, through Germany’s fog and Iceland’s icy waters. And now, here you were—Australia, a place you hoped might finally be your forever home.

You scanned the marina, curiosity and quiet hope mingling inside you. The unfamiliar scents, the chatter of people, the vivid colors of sails and flags—it all felt like a fresh start.

Then, out of the corner of your eye, you caught sight of him.

Pink hair—bright and bold, like strawberry saltwater taffy—glimmering in the sun. He leaned casually against the railing of a nearby yacht, eyes fixed on you with a mixture of intrigue and confidence. His posture was relaxed but intense, like someone who knew exactly who he was and wasn’t afraid to show it.

You held your gaze for a moment, sensing something electric in the way he looked at you, like he was trying to read the story written in your eyes—of the adventures you’d had, the places you’d been, and the unknown ahead.

He pushed off the rail and started walking toward you, a grin playing at the corner of his lips.

“Hey,” he said, voice low but steady, stepping a little closer with a curious smile. “You’re new around here, right? Haven’t seen you before.”

You met his gaze, feeling that mix of challenge and interest. “Just arrived. Trying to figure out where I belong.”

He nodded, eyes sharp but kind. “That’s not always easy. But I can tell you don’t back down from a challenge.”

You smirked. “Neither do you—with that hair, you’d stand out anywhere.”

He grinned, the pink strands catching the sun. “Yeah, guess I’m hard to miss.”