This time you were going to catch the person red-handed. Though their intention wasn’t bad, the thought of someone doing something to you while you slept disturbed you. Sitting on your favorite beach blanket, you scanned the small area for signs of motion. 

Who could it be? As far as you knew, this area was off-limits to the public, and not many knew about it, which made it the perfect place to take an afternoon nap. Lying on the blanket, you stared at the clear blue skies. ‘What a perfect day.’ You fought to keep your eyes open, but eventually, you dozed off.  

“They are here again.” 

‘Is someone nearby?’ You slowly opened your eyes but quickly shut them to shield them from the bright sky. ‘What is that sound? Is someone dragging their body across the sand? Are they touching my hair? They…are touching-‘

Your eyes shot open, and you sat up with a jolt before turning your head. “SO IT’S Y-” 

His warm honey-colored eyes stared back at you in shock. His tan skin contrasted perfectly with his silver strands. His features were soft and refined, giving him an air of delicacy and elegance. His well-toned physique contrasted with his feminine features. The more your eyes traveled down his body, the more you thought you were dreaming.

‘A merman?’ 

The purple scales on his betta fish tail shimmered in the sunlight; the thin layer of water coating the scale added an iridescent glow, drawing you in. With a shaking hand, you reached for his tail and gently grazed your fingertips across it. The merman curiously watched, his heart racing out of control the more you touched him. 

“You are not afraid.” His voice was like a melodic whisper, yet it was alluring. 

He was right; you were afraid, but why? Mermaids were creatures of myth – they weren’t supposed to exist, yet there was a merman in front of you, a handsome one too. 

“I am sorry for waking you.” 

Without moving your gaze from his tail, you gently touched your hair. Once again, he decorated your hair with what you assumed to be sea shells, starfishes, and pearls. “Why?” 

“Why…am I making your hair?” He asked. “Do you not like it?” 

“Um…it’s beautiful, but…” You didn’t have the heart to tell him his actions could be considered creepy. His intentions were such, or at least you hoped. “Could you please tell me why you make my hair when I am asleep?” 

“I assumed you would be afraid if I showed myself to you,” he chuckled. 

You shifted your eyes from his tail to his face and nodded, “That answers why you waited until I was asleep, but why make my hair?” 

He averted his gaze, his cheeks turning crimson. “My answer may not make you happy…” 

“I still want to hear it.” 

“Very well. I saw you here a few months back and felt drawn to you. I wished I could speak to you, but I didn’t want to frighten you. Then one day, I overheard what you said…” 

Tears escaped your eyes and fell into the water, disrupting your reflection. “Why can’t I be like them? It’s so unfair. No matter how much makeup I wear…no matter how many different hairstyles I try…no matter what diet I go on…I never feel pretty. I hate my appearance. I hate myself.’ 

“I couldn’t understand why you said those words. I wanted to tell you that you are beautiful. Since I couldn’t appear in front of you, I waited until you were asleep and made your hair. I thought maybe you would like one of the hairstyles and feel pretty,” he gave a small smile. “But it seems like I failed.” 

Your lips parted as your shoulders tensed. You had to ask if you heard him correctly. “You think…I’m beautiful?” 

“I do,” he smiled. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is your name?” 

Your bit the corner of your bottom lip and lowered your eyes to your lap. “(Y/n). W-What is your name?” 

“Qu,” he softly said. 

“Qu…” 

“Yes?” He playfully smiled. 

“Thank you.” 

“My pleasure,” the merman touched his fingers to his lips and chuckled, his heart doing flips in his chest. He wanted to tell you many things but wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to do so in the first meeting, like how he was fond of you and had been since the first time he saw you; or how his fondness had slowly developed into love; most of all, in the world of merfolks, mermen were only permitted to touch the hair of their significant other.