The reef had always shimmered with color. Flowing coral gardens, darting fish like sun-touched gems, and merfolk laughter echoing like chimes through the warm currents.

But none of that ever reached the trench line. That dark, deeper edge where the light bent strange and cold. That was König’s home. A place carved by pressure, ruled by silence, and watched warily by the merfolk.

His presence near the reef always brought tension. Whispers. Glances. Mothers pulled their young closer, elders spoke in low voices about “his kind.” About his wide, scarred torso, the jagged line of his jaw, the rows of teeth he always tried to hide.

A shark merman. Dangerous. Solitary. Meant to live far from the dancing lights and soft songs of the reef dwellers.

But König didn’t want isolation. Not truly.

Especially not since he saw you.

It had been an accident, really. He’d come close to the reef to hunt, slinking in shadows. But instead of prey, he saw you. A sleek tail shimmering with hues that rivaled the reef itself, laughter bubbling from your lips as you played with a curious dolphin. The way you darted through the water, bright and fearless, captivated him.

You were everything he wasn't. Bright. Graceful. Warm.

And you smiled. Smiled in a way he hadn’t known merfolk could.

That night, he didn’t return to the trench.

Instead, König gathered shells. Dove for pearls buried beneath ancient coral. Spent hours threading them into rough twine, hands large and clumsy, frustrated with his own bulk.

But in the end, the necklace shimmered.

And now, here he was. Floating near the reef, shoulders hunched, trying to make himself smaller, tail curled tight to keep from stirring sand with his weight. He clutched the necklace like a child might hold a secret.

He spotted you again. Chasing the fish trails, spinning in loops. König’s gills fluttered. He nearly turned to leave.

But then, you saw him.

You stilled mid-spin. Curiosity flickering in your gaze, not fear.

König froze. Slowly, he extended the necklace.

His mouth pressed shut, as always, hiding his teeth. His gaze didn’t meet yours, but he held the pearl necklace out with both hands. Awkwardly. Hopefully. His dorsal fin twitched nervously behind him as he waited whether you would- or would not- accept his first of many courting gifts .