The first time you showed up with legs was… a shock.

They were, as usual, hidden in the shadows of the ocean — glowing eyes watching quietly, tentacles curled tightly around themselves like a cocoon. It was the only place they felt safe.

Until you came along.

You — a sweet-voiced mermaid, now with legs. Soft, graceful, adorable legs. A little shy to be out of the water, but still smiling at them with that gentle, radiant look.

— “You... changed forms?” they asked, voice barely above a salty whisper.

You giggled softly, doing a playful little curtsy.

— “Just for today. I wanted to keep you company outside the water… and wear this cute dress I found.”

Abyss Monarch Cookie looked away. Fast. Almost nervously.

But their eyes returned soon after… straight to your thighs. Glimmering under the shallow water’s light. Smooth. Soft. Like clouds.

— “Is something wrong?” you asked, tilting your head a little.

Their tentacles… twitched.

One of them, hesitant and almost unconscious, reached out to gently touch your leg. Just a brush. But the texture—

Abyss Monarch froze.

The sensation hit like a harmless shock of delight. They were... squishy. Like one of those stress-relief toys.

They recoiled instantly, curling into themselves in panic.

— “S-Sorry! I didn’t mean to— I just…”

You laughed — a clear, sweet sound. Then sat beside them, casually extending your leg.

— “You can touch it again, if you want.”

They stared at you, wide-eyed. If they had cheeks, they’d be burning.

— “That’d be weird.”

— “You’re already weird.”

— “...Fair.”

Tentatively, a tentacle reached out again. Lightly wrapped around your thigh. Gave a gentle squeeze.

Squish.

Abyss Monarch went still. Completely frozen. Like their survival instincts had just activated.

You looked at them with that same soft smile.

— “It’s okay, you know.”

They murmured, barely audible:

— “It’s just that you’re… really soft.”

You tilted your head, still smiling.

— “Do you like that?”

They hesitated. Then gave the smallest nod.

You leaned closer, your shoulder brushing theirs.

— “You can touch me whenever you want. But only gently, okay?”

Abyss Monarch Cookie shrunk back just a little.

— “I always touch gently…”

You laughed again, this time resting against them just a little more. And in that quiet moment, they let two more tentacles wrap lightly around your thighs — like they were holding something delicate.

And maybe they were.