Chapter Text
That’s how they found themselves on the shore, with Jihoon clutching his chest as he struggles to breathe in air, with a solemn siren watching him from a few feet away.
“You’re going to die even after you leave this place, young man,” Hyunsuk starts, pulling the strands of seaweed that entangled Jihoon’s ankles. He finds that he can talk, but his voice sounds hoarse and rough, not like the one that comes out when he weeps. He feels sorry that he had bruised the man’s cheek, his lips jutted in a small pout as he watches him.
“I know. I just didn’t know it was true, to be honest,” he chuckled.
Truth is that all these time, he wanted to find out. For Jihoon, the true treasures he wanted to find were entities that do not show themselves for those who seek bounty, not answers. Although he first said he’s doing this to keep their family survive, he knows he’s lying to himself. There was a stash under his bed, if he does not come home soon, his father will surely find it. He has saved enough from the years he had worked as a fisherman. He knows it’s enough for his pops and sister to get by. All his life he had been lost, unknowing of where to step next, where he thinks he belong with.
Venturing in the open see, what he longed for was not any form of stash waiting to be opened inside of caves. He wanted to go, not only because he wanted to run away from being lost. He wanted to discover the mysteries, the ones his father tried so hard to keep from him. He may not have seen Davy Jones nor the Flying Dutchman, but he surely heard unusual screeches in the night. He has kept it a secret in his heart, although Hansen might have understood the glimmer in his eyes every time he had been told about the stories of the seafarers.
Now he has proved to himself that a legend, well, it really is a tale for dead men.
“How come you are not scared of what you’re seeing?” if there was something that intrigued the siren so much, it probably was the fact that not an ounce of fear was found in the eyes of Jihoon. In fact, he sees a man full of curiosities that need to be satiated.
“Just because… I think there’s nothing for me to be frightened of. If we’re talking about fear here, then maybe I am indeed scared for my life, but I’ve come a long way already to think that being on the sea won’t mean I am risking my chances of surviving. If the fear we’re talking about here is about you, nah, if you really needed to kill me, you could have strangled me earlier,” he smiles, and Hyunsuk feels himself melting onto the cold surface of the rock.
“You’re not as coldblooded as they say you are,” he adds before laying down on the sand. He wonders why it was too dark around, like you’re never meant to see the light, but it’s probably the curse that does the magic. Who knows? No one ever knew the answers behind everything.
And you’re not as cruel as the other mortals who came across creatures like us.
Hyunsuk wanted to ask what Jihoon saw when he heard his voice, but their time is running out. In the next few moments, they know, one has to go.
“Anyway, siren, or Hyunsuk, I suppose,” he thinks the way his name rolled off Jihoon’s tongue is gentle like the breeze in the meadow, “if we’re going to perish either way, why not choose to die together?”
He mumbles a soft why, unsure why one must pick a destination like that. Jihoon sits up, unlike most of the sailors that passed by, Hyunsuk realizes that he’s much younger. His built is very masculine, closer to the types that they worship in ancient times. You know, his muscles are well defined.
Must feel good to be caged by those, only if I wasn’t like this.
Jihoon moves closer beside him while he goes on to tell him that he’s doing both of them a favor. Emphasizing the fact that if he dies, well, at least he won’t die alone, right?
“Plus you have wailed to be saved. I may not be the one you were longing to find, but I can definitely give you a hug when you go to the other side.”
That’s how they find themselves floating, chests just above the surface of the water. Hyunsuk’s left arm was resting on Jihoon’s shoulder while the latter one’s right arm snaked its way to the waist of the smaller one.
“You’re too young. It’s a shame you opened your eyes earlier. If you have remained it shut, then maybe you can still be spared you know,” Hyunsuk whispers, his claw-like nails tracing over the bare chest of Jihoon.
“I told you too, it would be a shame if I don’t get to see a living myth. It was a once in a lifetime chance, why would I give it up?”
Maybe because you’re stupid enough to run to your death, Hyunsuk scoffs even as he feels himself starting to weaken.
He finds Jihoon pressing himself to him, a forehead resting on his own, pale lips smiling vaguely.
“I get to see someone as beautiful as you with the cost of my life. I would say it’s perfect for me but I really wanted to stay with you more. There are dozens of questions that I want you to answer, but time is a cruel character, don’t you think so?”
Hyunsuk agrees, for he remembers the memories of the afternoon with the goddess and all the truth he could have said, if only he’s courageous enough.
Those are now regrets. He can’t go back.
But he’s going to move on, both literally and figuratively. Dying with his last wish doesn’t sound too bad at all, he’ll take everything that he can get, allowing himself to be selfish for one last time.
Jihoon sees that Hyunsuk, more or less, is starting to lose his essence of life. So with one tug in his heart, he leans forward to seal the lips of the siren with his own, kissing him as he pulls him down together with him. Weakly, but not just going out yet, he feels him return the fervor of the kiss that tasted salty and bitter for the most.
It was time.
One stabs the dagger straight to the others chest, impaling his heart. The other, with his talons that sunk deep through Jihoon’s chest, crushes his heart inside. Their lips are locked, arms tight around each other for the last time as the mix of their bloods clouded the water in thick crimson, succumbing to the bliss and peacefulness of the darkness beneath them.
Only the moon hanging above wonders how two bodies become one, although in the sacrament of death.
What an irony.
Jihoon thinks that Hyunsuk looks beautiful like this, a crown of narcissus hanging lightly above his head as he dances with him at sunset. He cups his round cheek, gentle eyes admiring the treasure he finally found. He plants a soft kiss on Hyunsuk’s lips as he sways him, the wind whistling a melody of happiness.
Hyunsuk thinks Jihoon looks peaceful like this, a smile adorning his pretty face as he encages him a tight hug, afraid to let go of the muse in his arms. He feels happy, to finally find peace and acceptance, a kind of love that lasts. He wouldn’t have it any other way. He stands on his tiptoes, the sand beneath feels like scorching from the summer heat, arms locking around Jihoon’s neck as he presses his lips firmly on his, kissing the living daylights out of the man he has grew love for.
There was a howling from somewhere around them, they hear it sing of a song of unending love and second chances at life. The sun agrees, blessing them with the warmth of harmony.
They’re home.