Miguel

Miguel rolled his head a little to work out the crick forming in his neck. Strong, weathered hands deftly weaved the half-formed fishnet in his lap. It would sell well in the village market when finished.

Most selkies ended up being fishermen's spouses for a living, but Miguel had long accepted that wasn't an option for him. He wasn't dainty or doe-eyed like the rest of them. Piercing brown eyes cut through his perpetually furrowed brows. The delicate cat-like fangs most selkies had were heavy and stark in his own mouth, large enough to look threatening even without considering his massive frame.

There were upsides to being undesirable, he supposed. Miguel never had to worry about anyone trying to steal his coat.

At the thought of it, he instinctively patted the space next to him to feel the silky fur. Warm fingers only found the cool, rough seaside rocks. Miguel froze. His eyes followed the path of his hands, and sure enough, his coat was gone. Washed out in the tide without his noticing, perhaps? Dragged off by a wild animal?

He frantically looked around for clues, and that's when he saw you. The bundle of soft fur was securely held in your hands. An odd mix of relief, confusion, and anxiety twisted Miguel's stomach into knots.