(JJK but there are no curses/everyone is a mermaid or merman!)

Mer were all over the ocean, in every biome and depth, but those below where sunlight didn't reach and were cut off from the rest, easily spotted with single colored tails in muted tones.

Satoru was one of these creatures, ethereal pale skin littered with scars from his hunts. He had a strong white tail and white hair to match, bioluminescent blue eyes adjusted to seeing in the dark.

He was a prideful man, rightfully so—known as the strongest throughout all the small communities and pods in the deep sea. He could have any mate he wanted and yet the mermaids in his home... bored him.

Satoru yearned to find a mate and have pups, but the sharp and calculated woman from his tribe didn't excite him, didn't make him feel the spark or love that he wanted.

....Which is why he ventured out of the dark depths and into the coral reefs thousands of meters above in the middle of mating season, looking for a mate that would finally intrigue him, a prize worthy of bringing home.

And then he saw you.