Chapter Text
Jimin’s pulse is racing. He hates to use this side of his gift, hates to hurt people with it, but he reacted purely on instinct. Jimin has learned in the past weeks of his combat training to step in reflexively when someone tries to attack one of his crew members and he did the same now. When that mermaid was about to hurt Yoongi – Yoongi out of all people – Jimin saw red. His grip is still tight around her wrist, the energy inside of him holding her in place. He has complete control over her and even though he feels sick at that thought, he would never let anyone harm the people he cares for.
“Eora, push him away!” Someone screams from behind him. He feels a hand wrap around his leg before a sharp gust of wind pushes it away.
“Jimin’s a healer. We’re mermaids”, Taehyung’s voice growls, followed by shocked gasps. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Let Eora go first! He is torturing her!” A mermaid is hissing at him. Jimin can feel her eyes boring into his skin as he keeps his gaze on the woman in front of him. “Or are you like those pirates already?”
Jimin instantly lets go of her wrist, snapping his head to the mermaid who is talking to him. His gift is brimming inside of him with anger, rushing through his bones like waves of electricity. He lets out a sharp hiss at the mermaid, feeling his own claws extend.
“You come to this ship to attack us and think you can blame me for protecting my people?” His voice sounds venomous, heart still hammering loudly in his ears. “Don’t expect me to stand by and watch when you’re trying to hurt my crew. Don’t expect me not to use my gift when you come here and pull your show.”
“Jimin-” He feels Yoongi’s hand on his shoulder but it doesn’t stop him. He hisses again at the mermaid, curling his hands into fists to stop him from using his gift on every mermaid in the room.
“Watch your damn mouth”, he spits at her before turning to the mermaid they called Eora again. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Eora is panting heavily, her black eyes glassy. She raises her head to give Jimin a disgusted look and laughs bitterly.
“How can you call yourself a mermaid and call the ones that torture us ‘your people’ ?” She swallows and lets out a resigned huff. “A healer that uses his powers like that. I wasn’t sure if you were bluffing the first time we met but you’re truly shameless.” Before Jimin can grasp what she is saying, Taehyung takes his hand and speaks to her.
“What are you doing here? Are you trying to catch us again? Did the same pirate crew send you?” Eora scoffs in response and glares at Taehyung.
“I fled from them. After years and years of – of living hell, I finally managed to flee. But I’m tired of letting them do what they want with us.”
“So is this what that is about? You’re rebelling against pirates and you’re doing it here out of all crews?” Jimin doesn’t know what to think. He is angry and feels protective of his crew but he is still a mermaid. He understands why they do what they do. Looking around, he now recognises some of the mermaids he has talked to about the planned rebellion. Their gazes scream ‘ traitor ’ at him and Jimin curls a bit into himself.
“This is a small ship with a small group on board. We’re still in the beginning stages and just because you’re here to defend them doesn’t mean we will back down. The rebellion will happen”, Eora threatens before moving to the window again, “If you want to tell you pirate friends about this, we don’t care. Let them know we won’t hide from them anymore. Come on, everyone, we’re heading back!”
“Wait.”
It is Yoongi that steps forward now, his posture straight. Jimin doesn’t understand why he stops them, he doesn’t want Yoongi to get into danger again. He grabs for his hand, trying to get his attention but Yoongi only squeezes it once before he starts to speak to Eora and the other mermaids in the room.
“The Alpha Docks have never and will never engage in mermaid trafficking. We have two mermaids in our crew who we value and deeply appreciate. So, we won’t stand by now while you guys are fighting against pirates. We will stand with you and fight with you, if you let us.”
Jimin gasps for air, Yoongi’s words cutting through the anger and rage inside of him. He can only look at Yoongi, sees the sincerity in his eyes and holds tightly onto his hand. It’s a risky move, one that can bring many sacrifices with it, but the crew has always been supportive of Jimin and Taehyung and they would all fight for this whole heartedly, Jimin is sure of that. The rest of the room is silent for a long moment before Eora answers.
“You want to help us? This crew is quite small, it could come with a great risk.”
“My crew isn’t big enough for this but my family’s crews are. The Mins are powerful and have never been involved in mermaid trafficking.” Yoongi turns to look at Jimin, a slight frown on his face. “It would take some convincing due to… personal circumstances but I am confident that they will end up helping. It’s the right thing to do.” Jimin feels slightly faint at the idea of meeting Yoongi’s family. He will be facing Yoongi’s parents after all these years, and he will need to convince them that he’s never intended to harm Yoongi back then. He isn’t sure they will fight for mermaids, if Youngsik’s harsh words towards him are anything to go by. He will have to talk to Yoongi about this later on.
“My pride urges me to say no but this is bigger than my feelings”, Eora murmurs, suddenly looking very, very tired. “Having help from pirate crews would be extremely beneficial, especially because you can move quicker than us on land. If you decide to help us, we will accept the offer and work with you.”
“We will do our best. How can we keep in contact about this?”
“Well, you do have two mermaids with you”, a mermaid comments, an older man with kind features. He reminds Jimin of his father. “Our group has grown lately, I’m sure they will find us if they have to.”
“We will discuss this and contact you when we know more”, Yoongi promises with another glance towards Jimin. The captain doesn’t want to put Jimin and Taehyung into the position to agree or decline in front of everyone and Jimin appreciates that. Although he does want to help, being a mediator between the two groups can be dangerous, especially since many mermaids already view them as traitors.
The mermaids make their leave after that, the tension in the room dimming down. Neil offers help to some weaker mermaids as they heave themselves through the window, seeing as many already carried wounds from the glass splitters everywhere. Jimin offers to heal some of the wounds too but most mermaids decline any help from him. He knows using his gift the way he did was a taboo within the mermaid community but it still stings to see their disappointed gazes. He had only meant to protect his crew.
“Don’t beat yourself up because of this”, Taehyung advises quietly as they clean the room. Yoongi and Namjoon went to buy some new window glass, some of the others went out to eat. Jimin and Taehyung offered to stay back and clean up, also wanting some time to discuss the matter.
“Is it bad that I would do it again? I never wanted to use my gift that way but being in that situation, I couldn’t help but to do it.” Jimin exhales sharply, unsure what to think.
“I would have done the same, Chim. They just came out of nowhere and wanted to attack the crew. Mermaids don’t extend their claws for a warning, they would have done God knows what if you hadn’t stepped in.” Taehyung throws a bunch of glass splitters into the bin, frowning at the blood on his hands. “They don’t have a right to make us feel guilty for staying here. And it’s not like mermaids have never done any harm either! They have killed humans too, not caring about what happened to them or their children who would end up being abandoned and alone.”
Jimin doesn’t know what Taehyung means or why he seems to be distraught. He knows stories about some mermaids that have misused their powers but those were from a long time ago since mermaids had mostly kept their distance from humans. There is something else going on in Taehyung’s mind, something that triggered the pain behind his eyes, and Jimin wishes he knew what.
“Tae?”, Jimin calls softly, “What are you talking about?” It takes a few seconds for Taehyung to respond.
“I don’t think I want to be the mediator between pirates and mermaids throughout all of this. I don’t want to be in this fight, Chim. I don’t want humans to call us monsters and mermaids to call us traitors. I don’t want any of this.” Tears fill Taehyung’s eyes and Jimin quickly stands up to wrap his friend into a hug. Taehyung has always been the first to want a change so he hadn’t expected this from his best friend. Jimin wonders if whatever has been on Taehyung’s mind the past days has to do with this.
“Did something happen, Tae?” He tries again, feeling helpless to see his best friend like that.
“I just feel like shit”, Taehyung admits, holding on tightly onto Jimin. “My mind has been a mess for the past days and I don’t know how to deal with it. Everything feels wrong.”
“Why has it been a mess?” Jimin doesn’t want to push him but he knows that there’s something Taehyung needs to get out. “Tae, you can talk to me about anything. I won’t judge you, you know that.”
“It’s just- Namjoon and everything. Everything is a mess and it’s my fault. I can’t even- I can’t talk to you before I talked to Namjoon. It would feel wrong.” Taehyung hiccups and pulls away to wipe his tears away. “I know this whole revolution is important, I have always wanted this. But right now, I can’t handle it. It’s all getting too much.”
“That’s totally fine, Tae. It’s okay to be mentally drained, take some time for yourself, breathe, talk to Namjoon or do whatever you need to do to feel better.” Jimin brushes over Taehyung’s head, wishing he could help his friend more. “I will do the mediating part for now, okay? And I’m here for you, if you need to talk.”
“Thank you, Chim. I’m glad we’re here together”, Taehyung sniffs, looking more composed now. They continue to work in silence, both having a lot on their mind.
*
Yoongi had thought it would be a good idea to talk to Jimin and Taehyung in the comfortable space of their hut but the air is tense around them as the four sit at the table together. Taehyung doodles into a notebook with a scowl on his face, Namjoon stares out the window next to him and Jimin has been bouncing his leg nervously for the past 5 minutes. Yoongi lays his hand on his knee to stop the motion, deciding to speak up since the others don’t seem to want to.
“So, what do you guys think about the situation? Being the ones to communicate between us and the mermaids comes with a big responsibility, I wasn’t sure if you two were comfortable with that.”
“I will do the first rounds”, Jimin volunteers confidently even though his leg starts to bounce again under Yoongi’s palm. “I can test the waters and then report back to you guys how well it works. If they mistrust me or harass me for being part of a pirate crew, we have to find a different solution.”
“Do you think it’s a good idea after what happened today?” Yoongi grimaces at his words, not wanting Jimin to feel guilty for using his gift. “I understand why you acted the way you did but some of those mermaids seemed to be wary of your abilities. Which isn’t your fault but it could complicate things. I don’t want them to hurt you, verbally or physically, while you’re alone down there.” Jimin bites on his bottom lip, the gaze in his eyes telling him that he is aware of this issue. Yoongi caresses his thigh in comfort, he knows it’s a sensitive topic for Jimin and doesn’t want him to hurt even more than he had to for the past years because of his gift.
“What about you, Tae?” Namjoon’s voice is quiet as he speaks for the first time since they arrived at the hut, looking at his partner who shrugs in response.
“I can do it if it’s too dangerous for Chim.” He doesn’t sound very convincing to Yoongi and judging by Namjoon’s worried expression, he doesn’t believe Taehyung wants to do it either.
“You don’t have to do it, Tae”, Jimin reassures gently, “I can try it out! Who knows, maybe they will forget what happened today or understand where I came from!”
“You know they won’t do that.” Taehyung runs a hand over his face, letting out an exhausted sigh. “These mermaids are traumatised. They have all been captured by cruel pirates, of course they won’t understand why you used your gift to protect a pirate of all people. Even if Yoongi offered to help afterwards, we can’t expect them to understand our circumstances. A year ago I wouldn’t have been on our side either.”
“What do you think they would do to Jimin?” Concern slips into Yoongi’s mind. Jimin is his priority and he will do anything to keep him away from any danger. He hopes they can help mermaids to fight against gruesome pirate crews without putting Jimin and Taehyung into harm’s way.
“It’s a complicated issue. There have been healers who have done a lot of harm in the past…” Taehyung exchanges a quick glance with Jimin and clears his throat. “Let’s just say it won’t be nice. Jimin’s shouldn’t go down there alone.” If they don’t even want to go into detail on how Jimin would be treated, Yoongi expects the worst. He protectively wraps his arm around Jimin’s waist, not wanting him to ever have to experience that.
“Okay, Jimin going down there is off the list. But that doesn’t mean that you have to do it, Taehyung. We can also find a different way to communicate with them and help them.” He looks at both Jimin and Taehyung. “Actually, what is your stance on fighting this battle with the mermaids? I used to be unsure of the idea of a rebellion but it seems wrong to me now to just stand by and do nothing.”
“I think it’s good if we help”, Jimin answers first, “I want mermaid trafficking to stop. We’re fighting pirate crews for gold all the time, we can surely fight for mermaids as well. I’m just worried that any of you could get hurt because this is big.”
“I don’t want any of you guys to get hurt either”, Taehyung mutters in agreement.
“Don’t worry about that, the Min’s crews are a big deal.” Namjoon reaches out to hold Taehyung’s hand but Taehyung pulls it away. The awkward and confused tension in the room could be cut with a knife and Yoongi isn’t sure how to fix it.
“Then I’ll go down there to communicate with the group. I can tell them off if they call me a traitor or anything”, Taehyung tells them as he stands up. “You guys can think of a message for the mermaids now, I'll be ready to deliver it tomorrow. I’m going for a run now.” He’s out the door before anyone can say anything else, leaving a heavy silence behind. Yoongi can see that Namjoon is hurt and confused and it’s painful to see him suffer. He opens his mouth to comfort him but Namjoon simply shakes his head, not wanting to talk about it. Yoongi respects his decision, watching quietly as his best friend retreats to his room.
“Do you think Taehyung is back yet?”
It’s night-time already and Yoongi has been staring at the ceiling for the past half hour, tracing the wooden patterns while Jimin was engrossed in a book. The mermaid closes the novel and lays it aside, shifting to look at Yoongi properly.
“I think I’ve heard the door open and close sometime during the evening. I hope he has talked to Namjoon by now”, Jimin answers and pulls the blanket up to tug Yoongi’s body fully in. His cold is mostly gone now but Jimin still takes care of him here and there, little gestures that make Yoongi feel safe and comfortable.
“I’m worried about them. Namjoon really loves Taehyung, I hate to see him get hurt”, Yoongi grumbles, closing his eyes when Jimin starts to rub his stomach in a soothing motion. “I feel like I shouldn’t have agreed to Taehyung’s plan. Obviously it caused more damage than good.”
“Everything happens for a reason, Hyung”, Jimin hums, fingers moving up to stroke over Yoongi’s chest through the blanket. “They will learn and grow from this. It’s part of the journey.”
“So you believe in fate?” Since Yoongi knows Jimin has mostly realistic views of things, it surprises him to hear this from him.
“Concerning some things, yes. Though there are so many horrible things happening in the world, I don’t think I can call them fate. But going up to the shore that one day was fate. Tae and I seeing Jungkook was fate. We could have ended up on any ship but we landed here, with this crew. I feel like that was fate. The chances of seeing you after such a long time…” Yoongi hears Jimin chuckle before he feels his lips press onto his own. “I’m glad I could see you again and get to know you.”
Yoongi leaves his eyes closed, letting Jimin’s words sink in and enjoying the feeling of the light kisses Jimin leaves on his lips. He stays in this bubble for a bit before gathering his courage and opening his eyes again.
“Jimin”, he whispers into the space between them, a nervous feeling stirring in his chest. “If I ask you to stay with me forever, would you consider it?” Jimin’s eyes widen in surprise, a blush spreading over his cheeks.
“What do you mean?”
Yoongi sits up and takes a deep breath. He has been thinking about this non-stop and he feels ready to have this conversation. Jimin is his one. His one love, his one partner, the one person he wants to spend the rest of his life with. It’s either Jimin or no one. He feels one hundred percent sure about that.
“I’m in love with you.” Yoongi swallows thickly, a million different emotions rushing through his heart. “I love you, Jimin. Today, tomorrow, as long as I live. I love you and it almost hurts because I know we’re from two different worlds. But I love you, I love you so much and I’ve never been so sure of anything else. And I’ve seen this- this ring.” Jimin’s breath hitches, eyes wide as they flicker between Yoongi’s.
“I know there is a lot we still need to experience together. But if I go into this rebellion, I would like to do it knowing I will have you by my side forever”, Yoongi continues, turning to the night-stand on his side to get a small, velvet box from the drawer. “I had planned this all differently in my head and wanted it to be romantic and not in bed but- shit , I love you, Jimin. And I’m asking you this without any expectations of you giving up your life under water. We can figure out a way to manage it, we can make it work somehow. I told Joon a few days ago I wouldn’t think of the future but I wasn’t completely honest. Because I’ve had this here.”
Yoongi’s hands are shaking as he opens the box, revealing a golden ring with a small, delicate rose quartz gemstone embedded in it. He looks at Jimin and sees the tears in his eyes, making his heart tug in his chest.
“Park Jimin”, Yoongi starts to ask, his voice trembling but still loud enough for Jimin to hear, “Would you be my forever and marry me?”
Jimin starts to cry then, a wide smile pulling at his lips. He is the most beautiful person Yoongi has ever seen.
“Of course”, Jimin answers with a light laugh to it, “I love you, Min Yoongi.”
Relief washes over Yoongi, along with a wave of love, his heart chanting Jimin said yes over and over again. He thought this ring would stay hidden in his drawer for a long time but pulling it out now feels better than anything Yoongi has ever hoped for. Jimin’s hand trembles too and they both chuckle when Yoongi struggles at first to put it onto his ring-finger. But once he manages, the ring fits perfectly and another rush of emotions wells inside Yoongi’s chest.
“Are you crying?”, Jimin sniffs, wiping his own tears away.
“You’re crying too!”, Yoongi defends himself and takes Jimin’s hand again to look at it. He cannot believe that’s his ring right there on his finger.
“Well, you knew you were proposing, I was completely taken by surprise! You could have given me a hint or a warning”, Jimin argues with a happy giggle, cupping Yoongi cheeks and kissing him firmly.
“I didn’t even know I would be proposing today. I had actually planned something extremely romantic!” Yoongi's lips jut into a pout that Jimin kisses right off of his face.
“It was perfect the way it was”, he assures him, pressing two, three more kisses to his lips. Yoongi doesn’t think he has ever felt so loved. “I am so happy, Yoongi. I don’t know what will happen in future, what will happen with the whole mermaid rebellion and the crew. But I love you and I know we can make this work.”
Yoongi could burst from happiness. He kisses Jimin fiercely, pouring all his love into every second of it. Jimin hums and hugs him close, running his hands through Yoongi’s hair and smiling wide whenever they pull apart. The two spend their whole night like this, their hearts singing happily as they cuddle and kiss, whispering I love you s and making secret promises for the future. Their future.
*
Namjoon doesn’t want to leave his room. Yoongi has knocked several times already, claiming he needs to tell him something important but Namjoon hasn’t felt mentally ready to leave his bed yet. This whole situation stresses him out, the rebellion, Jeju-do and Taehyung. Taehyung who promised to always be open with him, Taehyung who told him he would stay by his side. What happened between them? Was it the sex or the I love you afterwards?
It isn’t fair. Taehyung isn’t fair. Namjoon has given him space and time to figure out his feelings but he’s just being pushed away now. It hurt finding Taehyung sleeping on the couch the night before, not even wanting to share the bed with him anymore.
Namjoon isn’t ready to let go of their relationship. He loves Taehyung, he is sure of that. And just a few days ago, he thought Taehyung loved him back. Namjoon doesn’t know what to do or think. By now, the mermaid is probably on his way to the ocean to deliver whatever message to the mermaid group. Yoongi probably thought of a statement, saying that they will travel South to meet Yoongi’s parents and inform them upon any news. Taehyung will spend a lot of time under water from now on, away from Namjoon. Maybe he won’t come back anymore after all of this is over.
It hurts. The thought hurts and leaves his whole body itching. A strange feeling burns under his skin. It has been there for the past few days, growing stronger and stronger and engulfing him with raw emotions he hasn’t felt before. The past days have been more intense and hurtful than other painful experiences of his past and Namjoon wonders why he feels so uncontrolled and all over the place.
There is also this anger inside of him. Anger at himself, anger at Taehyung, anger at everything. It runs through his veins and makes his ears ring. Namjoon is so angry and hurt and it all becomes too much to him. He gets up abruptly, deciding to talk to Taehyung. He needs to talk to him right now . Namjoon throws the door open with a force he has never used outside of a fight. He doesn’t know what is happening to him.
Namjoon runs outside and hurries to the beach. He knows he can catch Taehyung before he goes under water, can almost feel it . He runs and runs, pulse quickening and blood rushing in his ears, until he sees him. They found an empty spot at the beach, behind a huge rock. Taehyung is inside the water already, Yoongi and Jimin at the shore, probably seeing him off. No one else is there. Namjoon doesn’t think before he sprints even faster, running and running until the water reaches his knees.
“Namjoon-”
“No, Tae. We need to talk”, Namjoon tells him, panting heavily. He feels dizzy.
“I need to go down there, maybe we can talk afterwards”, Taehyung dips under but Namjoon jumps further into the water until he can push him upwards again. He feels so hot, it’s hard to breathe once his head is outside of the water again.
“We need to talk now , Tae”, Namjoon growls, trembling, “You’re hurting me too much. Everything hurts ."
“What?” Taehyung looks at him with wide eyes, his breath quickening. “Namjoon, what’s happening to you?”
“I’m so angry, Tae”, Namjoon spits, feeling too hot all of the sudden. His skin feels like it’s burning. “I’m so-”
“Fuck, your eyes!” Taehyung pulls away from him. “What’s going on?”
“What’s with my eyes now? Tae, are you even listening to what I’m saying?” Namjoon wants to scream, he feels too overwhelmed, way too overwhelmed. When Taehyung swims away further, Namjoon feels his heart ache, seeing him almost slip out of his fingers again. He reaches out to hold onto him but his grip is stronger than he expected.
Taehyung screams in pain and tears himself out of his grasp. On the skin of his arms are heat bubbles, red and wound. Namjoon doesn’t understand what he’s seeing. His body hurts. Everything hurts.
“Joonie”, Taehyung’s voice breaks, tears filling his eyes, “How did you- What does this mean?” Namjoon’s heart breaks. He needs to cool himself, everything burns. He burns .
He lets his body sink and dips under the water. Taehyung follows him, eyes wide and scared. Namjoon swims deeper and deeper, the water like balm on his heated skin. Namjoon stays there for a few agonisingly long seconds, eyes on Taehyung as something like wonder hides in the mermaid’s eyes. The skin on his neck stings. Namjoon looks down on himself but he looks normal, his clothes swimming in the endless blue. Something is different. His hand comes up to his neck, feeling something strange under his fingers.
Namjoon's world halts when he realises it. He's breathing under water.