Chapter Text
Jun
When Jun regained consciousness, he could hear a familiar murmuring, but it took his tired brain some time to recognize it as ocean waves. He was confused. Where was he? Hadn't he still been in the city some seconds ago? It was hard to think since his mind was still foggy, but slowly his memories came back to him. He had gone to the city to find someone...there had been a wedding...suddenly a very distressed looking face appeared in his mind and he hastily opened his eyes.
"Donghun!" Jun wanted to call out, but he only managed to get out a weird squeak. He frowned. His eyes still weren’t used to the sudden light so that he was unable to recognize anything. Where was he? This definitely couldn't be a hospital or any place in the city, he definitely felt sand under him and could hear the ocean, but how had he gotten here? Was he maybe dead and the ocean Gods had taken him to their realm?
"Dad! He's awake!" The sudden, unexpected voice that disturbed the peaceful silence startled Jun and he moved his head to see where it had come from but except a blurred figure, he still couldn't make out anything and he decided to close his eyes again since they were hurting. However, the voice had sounded familiar and he tried hard to pair it with one of the thousand faces in his head that he couldn't name.
Then suddenly the noise of someone quickly running towards them sounded up until there was another voice, one he would probably always be able to recognize,
"Jun? Can you hear me? Do you feel all right?" Donghun sounded panicked and his voice was hoarse, but it still helped Jun to calm down like it always did. Once more, he opened his eyes, blinking against the bright light until he was finally able to make out the familiar lines of the other's face who looked down on him with his big eyes that looked even sadder than usually. At the sight Jun wanted to start crying, relived that he apparently wasn't dead and just overwhelmed by happiness to see the person he would have missed the most right next to him. Again, he tried to say his name but even with the ocean so close to him, he wasn't able to and it confused him.
Still, without his voice, the only thing he could do was using gestures again and with as much strength as he could summon up, he stretched out his hand towards Donghun who's eyes widened for a second, before he shook his head and quickly pushed Jun’s arms down again.
"Don't do anything like that...you need your strength. You nearly died some hours ago, I don't want it to happen again." He looked seriously worried and even though, Donghun had told him not to, Jun lifted his arm again and touched the worry lines on his forehead, trying to smooth them.
"Don't..." Donghun started once more but his voice broke and tears started silently falling from his eyes. Jun frowned, moving his hand from the other's forehead to his cheeks, where he wanted to wipe away the tears but Donghun grabbed his hand and put it between his own bigger ones.
"I said...you should save your energy."
"Jun...are you healthy again now?" The voice from earlier spoke up, he now recognized as Ava's, and Jun felt guilty for not immediately recognizing it like he had Donghun's.
He turned his head to look at the little girl, sitting to his other side with eyes red from crying. Jun smiled at her and nodded. After all he felt like there was enough air in his lungs again and he was close to the ocean, where he could refill his savings at any time. In that moment a thought that had scratched at his subconscious the whole time suddenly made his way towards his mind and panic filled his body. Hastily he lifted his upper body as much as he was capable of and let his eyes wander downwards, scared of what he would see even though he already knew that there was only one possible solution. Still, when his eyes fell on his blue shimmering fish tail, mainly covered by the ocean, instead of his legs, he felt tears of despair rise in his eyes.
All this time, he had tried his best to hide the fact that he wasn't human, only for Donghun to find out like this and probably being too shocked to wanting to be together with him any longer. That would also explain his tears. This was a goodbye...After all Donghun hated fairytales and wanted his daughter to finally grow out of them, so why should he keep something around that proofed that they were indeed real?
Again, Jun wanted to open his mouth, explain himself to Donghun or at least apologize, just say anything, but he knew he wasn't able to. When he was in his original from like this, he was only able to talk underwater and not outside of it. So, the only thing he could do was stare at Donghun with wide, pleading eyes, hoping he would understand and forgive him.
However, the other only looked back at him, not saying anything until he whispered,
"You are so beautiful."
It took Jun's brain some seconds to process his words, but then happiness and relief exploded in his chest, leading him to start sobbing helplessly. Without even knowing this had been the words he had been most desperate to hear from Donghun. To know that he wasn't weirded out or even disgusted by his true form, but even thought that he was beautiful, made Jun's emotions go crazy.
At his emotional outburst Donghun looked a bit panicked and worried at first but then his expression turned into a fond one and a small smile appeared on his face, while he cupped Jun's cheeks with both of his hands.
"The little merman boy who saved me back then...that was you." It wasn't a question and more of a statement instead, but Jun nodded anyways. "I think...I knew it since we met for the first time, when you jumped in front of my car. It was...as if there was something pulling me towards you..."
At Donghun's clumsy explanation Jun couldn't help but chuckle, the tears still falling from his eyes.
"Back then after you saved me, I came to the beach as often as possible in the hope to see you again. Even after I married Ava's mother..." He stopped, arranging his thoughts and taking a deep breath before he continued, "Only after she had left us I decided that I needed to stop dreaming about stories and creatures that weren't even real and should focus on being a good father for Ava instead... that's why I wanted to marry Amelia, I thought she would be a good mother for Ava and make her happy but..."
'you forgot your own happiness over it...' Jun finished Donghun's sentence in his head and even though he hadn't said it aloud, the other nodded sadly, understanding him without any words needed to be said like always.
"But then you suddenly stumbled into my life again. Clumsy, weird and the most amiable person, I've ever met." Donghun smiled fondly at the memory.
"Even after only knowing you for a short time I already felt myself falling for you but I also hated myself for being so weak and I was scared of the consequences of telling you about my real feelings..." Once again he took a short break in which he started softly caressing Jun's cheeks, before he continued talking, "Instead I took advantage of your greenness, making you do things I shouldn't have, while I was still intending on marrying Amelia and I can't apologize often enough for how wrong that was... anyways...It might not change anything anymore, but I won't marry Amelia. I told her earlier in the church, before bringing you here." Jun stared at him with wide eyes, more and more happiness piling up in him.
Had Donghun really just told him that he not only liked him but even had canceled his wedding with Amelia? That was too good to be true...that couldn't be. Donghun smiled a bit awkwardly, knowing that Jun wasn't able to answer him and that he either spoke or there would be silence.
"Well...I...you should just know..." He started again after some seconds, taking his hands from Jun's cheeks and putting them around his hand like earlier instead. "If you ever realize that you are maybe feeling more for me than just friendship..." He hesitated, taking a deep breath while nervously blinking, "you can always visit us in the city and...maybe we could go on a date or something...?" By now Donghun's face was bright red, but he looked relived to finally have gotten out the words he had wanted to say the whole time.
Jun's eyes widened even more and it was seemingly clear what was going on his mind, because Donghun smiled again,
"I'm not lying, when I say you are the most beautiful man, I've ever met...and I don't care if you are a human or a merman, what counts is that you are you."
This made Jun’s emotions overflow and before really thinking about it he grabbed Donghun's shirt and pulled him close.
They had kissed before but this time Jun knew that it was a kiss and it made the feeling completely different and even better than of all their other kisses. Donghun seemed a bit surprised by Jun's sudden actions but he didn't complain nor did he try to stop him and only put his hands back on his cheeks and pulled him even closer.
Jun would have loved to stay like this forever, wouldn't Ava have awkwardly cleared her throat next to them.
"Uhhh...I'm reaaaally happy that you two finally managed to talk about your feelings but there are children present you know..."
They immediately stopped, but while Jun tried to pull away, Donghun kept him close, smiling at him happily, before he pressed another small kiss to his forehead and eventually let go of him again.
"Then was this a yes for the question, if you would like dating me?" He asked and Jun nodded, feeling his face getting hot. Dating...that sounded so…different.
"Will you come back to the city with us?" Ava wanted to know now too and Jun's happiness suddenly got mixed with sadness. He would love to go back with them, but at the same time the ocean was finally closer than in a long time again and he realized that he had missed it more than he had thought. Just like he missed Chan and his parents that were probably still worried sick about him. So, he slowly shook his head, meeting Donghun's eyes in the hope of him understanding his reasons and the other did.
"Don't worry...we'll wait for you…I will wait for you." Jun's smile was full of thankfulness, before he leaned forward and pressed a second kiss on Donghun's lips. This time it really was a goodbye.
Some moments later, Donghun and Ava watched in astonishment how Jun swam through the water, his fish tail beating full of strength, while it reflected the light of the setting sun. It didn’t take long before he disappeared in the wideness of the ocean and even though Jun was finally home again, he knew that a part of his heart would forever remain with Donghun and Ava in the big and mysterious city.
The end.
(Jk…^^)
Epilogue
"Woaaahhh this is such a nice house...Yooni, maybe we should get a weekend home like this too. I completely understand Donghun's point that the city is too stressful sometimes... wouldn't it be nice? Being out here on the weekends, relaxing without any car noises or people that run into you..."
Sehyoon gave his boyfriend a patient, but fond smile, before he grabbed his hand and pulled him towards Donghun, Jun and Ava who were already waiting for them in front of their small house.
"Wow...I never expected Byeongkwan to seriously end up with Sehyoon, but seems like he really is good at getting what he wants..." Jun gave his astounded husband an amused look, before he started returning Byeongkwan's enthusiastic waving. He hadn’t been as surprised about this development as Donghun, not after seeing the stares the both had exchanged at Sehyoon’s last birthday party.
"Uncle Sehyoon!" Ava exclaimed, once their friends had nearly reached them and she ran towards them, throwing herself into Sehyoon's arms who gasped at the sudden weight, but then started to laugh and lifted her into the air.
"Hello my little princess ...whoa have you grown even more since the last time I saw you?" Jun watched the scenario with fond eyes. It made him emotional every time he noticed how quickly Ava was growing up and he couldn't be more thankful to be right there to watch her do so. He turned his head to Donghun who was still smiling at his daughter that was now telling Sehyoon and Byeongkwan all the things they had done in the last couple weeks of summer vacations.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Donghun suddenly wanted to know and Jun suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. Sometimes he really hated the fact that his husband always seemed to know exactly what was going on in his mind or immediately noticed, when he was staring at him. It had often put him in embarrassing situations, even though Donghun called them "cute".
"I'm just...happy..." Jun mumbled, turning back to Ava and the rest. In that moment he suddenly felt how Donghun intertwined their hands and immediately warmth seemed to fill his entire body.
"I'm happy too..." The older said and this time he was the one looking at Jun.
"Nearly four years have passed now..." He paused, before he smiled and then continued, "but you seem to only become more and more beautiful with every passing day." Jun felt himself blush, love blooming inside of his heart and he placed his head on the shoulder of his husband.
"And you’re becoming cornier every day..." At this Donghun laughed.
"Oh c'mon, I know you love it."
"I do..." The younger admitted and looked up at him with a smile. "It's probably better for me to refrain from going swimming the next couple days until Sehyoon and Byeongkwan leave again...right?"
"I guess..." Donghun replied, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Except you want them to find out about your secret too..."
"What secret?" Byeongkwan's voice suddenly interrupted them, destroying the invisible bubble that had formed itself around the couple. They both broke away from each other startled, while the other three watched them with curious expressions.
"Uhhh..." Jun started, hastily trying to think of something harmless, he could tell their friends, but Donghun was quicker,
"That Chan and Jun’s parents will join us for dinner too today." At this Byeongkwan's eyes grew huge.
"We'll finally get to meet your parents?? Oh my God!"
"Baby...you already met them at Donghun's and Jun's wedding...did you forget?" Sehyoon seemed amused over his boyfriend’s excitement, but the latter only shook his head.
"That doesn't count! They stayed so far away from us...I seriously thought they were scared we would bite them or something." Jun started to laugh awkwardly, quickly signalizing them to come inside. He didn't need to tell Byeongkwan that his parents had indeed been afraid of the humans attending his wedding. It had already been a surprise that they had shown up at all, considering the fact that they had been extremely upset, when Jun had announced to them that he was not only dating a human but also intending on marrying him. Still, the love for their son had been stronger than their fear and prejudices and by now they had started visiting them more often, both of them already being completely charmed by Ava.
Chan, however, had been easier to talk to.
He, too, had been quite shocked to hear that his best friend had fallen in love with a human, but on contrary to Jun's parents he had been excited to find out more about the other, mysterious world and he and Donghun had gotten along pretty well immediately.
Jun was happy that everything had eventually worked out like this and once again he felt thankful for everything and everyone that had let him to this point.
"Are you coming?" Donghun's voice pulled him back into reality and Jun noticed that he was the only one still standing in the corridor by the door.
"Sure." He replied, suddenly a big, happy smile appearing on his face. Donghun looked a bit confused, but it turned into fondness, when Jun stepped forward and pressed a kiss onto his lips.
"I love you..." He mumbled and he felt Donghun smile against his forehead.
"I love you too, Juni..."
"Are you guys coming?" Byeongkwan suddenly called from the living room, "I'm scared your daughter will steal away my boyfriend otherwise." They both laughed, Donghun rolling his eyes in played annoyance, while Jun closed the door behind them, without letting go of his husband's hand.
“Should we join them too?” Donghun asked and wanted to pull the younger towards the living room, but Jun held him back and he gave him a questioning glance.
“It will stay like this…right?” Jun wanted to know quietly, suddenly plagued by doubts. Now everything seemed so perfect, but what if that all changed all of a sudden? What if Donghun suddenly decided that he didn’t want to drive to the beach every weekend only because his husband was a merman, something that wasn’t even supposed to exist?
At his question, his husband frowned, seemingly thinking about it. He took his time with his answer, but, when he finally spoke up, he said exactly the right things,
“I can’t promise you anything like that…time changes and so do people, but just know that as long as you are willing to, I’ll do everything to live through those changes together with you.” Donghun paused, before he gave Jun an encouraging smile and lightly squeezed his hand. “Will it stay like this? No…probably not, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t change for the better. After all that’s how I met you, right? So, what do you think about changing together with me?”
Jun didn’t even need to think about it, before he nodded, love and happiness making him feel lighter. Suddenly the future didn’t seem as scary anymore. They would be able to master this challenge…together.
The end.