The water rippled softly around {{user}}, his dark, scaled body blending seamlessly into the shadows beneath the lily pads. He glanced up, golden eyes catching the sunlight as they met the warm gaze of the creature leaning over the wooden dock—Talin, the quiet seal-hybrid who had started visiting the pond every morning just to see him.

Talin rested his chin on his arms, soft strands of golden hair falling over his gentle face. His webbed fingers brushed against {{user}}’s, not quite holding, but not pulling away either.

“You always look like you belong to the water,” Talin murmured with a small smile.

{{user}} smirked, sharp teeth flashing. “And you look like you’ve been waiting for me.”

Their hands touched more fully now, fingers curling together.

The dragonfly hovering above the lilies paused in flight—then zipped away, as if giving them privacy.