Chapter Text
A mermaid found a swimming lad,
Picked him up for her own,
Pressed her body to his body,
Laughed; and plunging down
Forgot in cruel happiness
That even lovers drown.
W.B. Yeats
Taehyung was a mermaid who longed to explore the world outside of the ocean. What lay beyond the crashing waves, amongst the twinkling lights that resembled stars.
His father had always said that the power to make it possible was within him. But he couldn’t understand. He already wanted it badly enough. So where were his legs?
Many years went by, and he grew from a little boy to a beautiful young merman with brown hair and striking dark eyes. But some things never change, and so was Taehyung’s desire to run amongst the twinkling lights.
Until one day, when, just as always, he came to the surface to gaze at the city and dream himself in it, his eyes met someone else’s. Those of a young boy. A young human boy. Dark were those eyes, like his own, but so much bigger.
He was sitting by the shore, alone in his thoughts, and Taehyung wondered if it was possible that just like he dreamed of what lay beyond the lights, the human boy dreamt of knowing what lay under the sea.
The merman watched, in wonder, the boy from far away. He had never wished to approach someone as much as he did now, has never found himself so curious about a person before. The world was what enchanted him, not people. But this boy was different. And yet, something about him stopped Taehyung from swimming to shore. He seemed to glow under the moonlight, and it made him feel like the boy was but a hallucination, too good to be true. Just a part of a very vivid dream of his.
And then the boy stood up, and his legs started sinking into the water. Taehyung heard his whimpers as his body sank deeper into the sea, until all but his head was underwater. And his eyes found Taehyung for the first time. And when they did, he wasn’t scared. He didn’t flinch. He smiled as his eyes grew even bigger, and in a low gravely voice he whispered:
“Are you a merman?”
All Taehyung could do was nod, his eyes skimming the boy’s face. He had never seen anything as beautiful in his life, and wondered if this was what lay in the unknown world he longed to explore, this consuming beauty that came to life under the moonlight. That shone brighter than stars.
“Are you a human?” He asked in return.
The boy gifted him with a giggle, his teeth showing in a smile that made Taehyung’s heart thump hard in his chest. A new feeling unlike any he had ever experienced before, and he made up his mind at once: he would let it consume him.
“Yes, I am. Have you never met one before?” The boy said, taking one small step closer to him.
Taehyung shook his head, his heart beating faster the closer the boy got to him.
“I guess that makes you extra lucky for meeting me, then.”
Taehyung giggled in return, and they became acquainted. Talking to each other all night about their own worlds. Each one listening intently as the other talked. Taehyung learned the boy’s name was Jeon Jungkokk, that many humans knew who he was, that he was a singer that many humans liked. At this, his heart lept out of hischest, for there was little he loved more than music.
Taehyung dared sing him a song his father used to sing to him when he was little, and in return, Jungkook sang him one of his own songs, and told him what inspired him the most.
They talked and talked and talked. Until even in darkness he could see his lips had turned a shade too dark of purple and his body was shaking.
“If I come back tomorrow, will you be here?” Jungkook asked.
“If I’m here tomorrow, will you come back?” Taehyung asked back, giggling.
Jungkook showed him his beautiful smile in return, childish but handsome. Innocent yet daring.
“I think, when I make a new song, you will be my inspiration.”
All Taehyung could do was smile. It was too late to take Jungkook for his own - he was already standing in the sand.
But he had tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
As was left in an unspoken promise, Taehyung came back the next day just as the sun began to set on the beach. Jeon Jungkook was not on the beach yet but, although there were butterflies in the merman's belly he did not mind waiting for the boy.
His eyes set on the tall buildings in the distance and his mind began to drift within, into a world he had built for himself where he could go back to Jungkook’s world with him, take a seat next to him in his studio, meet the friends he spoke of last night with so much warmth… and somewhere along the way the boy’s perfectly shaped lips would meet his.
There was a soft touch of something akin to a hand on his shoulder, bringing his back to reality in hopes that it would be Jungkook. He was swimming before Taehyung in place, gazing into his eyes with a depth he could not reach yet. He seemed to be contemplating something, but then his lips curved into a smile and he splashed water at the merman.
“I think you’re blushing. Does the sight of me fluster you?” He teased.
Taehyung sank deeper into the water.
“I like you.”
His eyes widened.
“You… like me?”
“Yes. You have legs. And you're from the land city. I wish I had legs so I could go to the land city. So I like you.”
“Oh, right.”
A moment went by in silence, and then he broke it by asking if the land city Taehyung spoke of was Seoul. She shrugged and pointed at it. Indeed, it was Seoul, he told him. The capital of South Korea. A big big city full of humans who intimidated him.
“Except my fans.” He stopped, then added: “And maybe like two other people.”
“Why? Aren't humans all like you?”
“No, Taehyung. You're lucky to have met me first. I told you.” And he laughed a little at his own words.
The merman tried to imagine what other humans would be like, but they all acted and looked much like Jungkook in her head. It sounded like paradise.
“You know, if you really want to go to the city, you can.”
“How could I if I have no legs?”
“All you have to do is find a human who is willing to trade places with you.”
The merman thought about his every word, trying to make sense of what Jungkook had just told him. A human who would trade places with him. But he didn’t know any…
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know?”
“I know some things!”
“I don't. I don't know any humans but you. Would you trade places with me?”
Jungkook bit his lips and took a moment to answer.
“I would. If you promised you'll come back every night like I came back today. And you'll switch back with me when the time comes.”
Taehyung couldn't keep in his smile anymore. He grinned from ear to ear and threw his arms around Jungkook, embracing his well built frame with his arms, feeling the boy’s heart beating against his chest.
“Thank you, Jeon Jungkook! I really was lucky to have met you first!”
It seemed to Taehyung that this time around it was Jungkook who had a pink tint in his cheeks. It made Taehyung’s smile grow larger.
“You're… uh… welcome.”
The merman dove into the water and swam around Jungkook in celebration, letting the water flow along his body. The familiarity of the feeling was liberating now that he knew soon he could have what he had wanted all his life, rather than suffocating like it used to. He stayed underwater longer than any human could ever be, evading Jungkook’s legs at first as he tried to keep up with the merman.
Once Taehyung came back to the surface, Jungkook smiled at him and his eyes seemed to take in all moonlight, shining the brightest. His smile made Taehyung’s heart beat faster. It was the sweetest thing he had ever seen.
“So… what do you want to do once you have my legs?” Jungkook asked.
“ Everything!” Taehyung exclaimed, before starting to list down all the things he had ever dreamt could be possible in the unknown world of humans.
Jungkook looked at him. Really looked at him. And his mouth slowly opened into a smile. Taehyung found in his smile an invitation, and began to tell Jungkook about his dreams all through the night. Jungkook listened intently, giggling and nodding along. Lost in Taehyung’s dreams.
“Jungkook, aren’t you freezing?” Taehyung asked.
He shrugged.
“So, tomorrow?” Jungkook suggested.
“Tomorrow.”
Tomorrow was a dream for Taehyung. Even whilst swimming in the deep sea, he felt like he was floating, his mind weightless. The smile on his lips didn’t disappear until Jungkook arrived in the night, same as always, and finally, the anxiety of the unknown in his future settled on his shoulders.
Jungkook looked at him with much more intent than before, steadying him in place, and assuring him without a word that he really was giving Taehyung his dream. He was not backing out. He would give the merman legs to explore the world.
“How do we do it?” The merman asked with a trembling voice.
Jungkook gulped, reached for his hands, and said:
“We hold hands like this, and you let me kiss you.”
Taehyung felt a shiver run through his body, and squeezed Jungkook’s hands.
“I’m ready, “ the merman said.
Jungkook said nothing in return, and Taehyung wondered if he could hear the sound of his heart beating against his ribcage - to Taehyung it was louder than it had ever been. Nothing had ever been as thrilling to him as that moment, when his biggest dream was within arms reach, stepping closer and closer to him in the form of a beautiful human boy that glowed under the moonlight. Jungkook was the most exquisite thing he had ever seen, and the boy was about to give him everything.
Jungkook was closer than he’d ever been before, looking down at the Merman’s eyes with no hint of his usual playfulness in his expression. The depth in his eyes made them darker, and they never once strayed from Taehyung’s. It gave him a sense of security and stilled his body in the water.
Taehyung waited as Jungkook remained still, and when the wait started to become unbearable, he whispered, “Are we really…” But his voice became lost in the wind when Jungkook’s hands lifted from the water and reached for him slowly, caressing his cheeks at first until his fingers laced in Taehyung’s hair. If he felt steady and secure before with just Jungkook’s gaze, now he was an unmovable force. In that moment, Jungkook could have taken anything from him. Asked anything from him. Taehyung would trust him with his life.
Jungkook took only a kiss. Inching closer and closer until his lips were on Taehyung’s, guiding him and caressing him like he was the most precious thing in his life, savoring the taste of his lips, committing to memory every movement that they shared in synchrony.
If that was the moment when his fins became legs, Taehyung couldn’t tell or feel anything. Not when Jungkook’s hands were sliding down to his neck and back, when Jungkook pulled away slowly, gazed into Taehyung’s willing eyes and reached out for his lips again with even more fervor, the same way a thirsty man would reach for water. And Taehyung held onto him in return, his hands digging into Jungkook’s arms.
“You can walk now,” the boy whispered against his lips still, voice raspier than usual. “But don’t forget me. I’ll be here every night, waiting for you.”
Taehyung felt his legs for the first time when they gave in then, and Jungkook reached out to steady him back on his feet. And then, still in his arms, Taehyung screamed his joy away into the night, his voice echoing into the vastness of the ocean.
“I won’t,” Taehyung said once he had calmed down again. “I promise.”
Jungkook smiled like he meant it. His hands went to his soaked black dress shirt and he started to undo the buttons. Taehyung followed the movements, so entranced by the beauty of even just Jungkook’s fingers that he couldn't even think to ask what he was doing. Jungkook slowly stripped the shirt off his shoulders and put it around Taehyung’s.
“I know it's cold, and soaked. But wear it until you reach Jimin. He has a towel and fresh clothing for you in the car.” Jungkook explained.
“Jimin?”
“A good friend of mine who's offered to guide you and show you around. You shouldn't be alone out there.” Jungkook nodded at the city lights in the distance.
Jungkook's shirt was indeed cold, and it stuck to his skin in an uncomfortable way. But, in that moment, Taehyung still felt as warm as he used to feel on summer afternoons.
“Now, go. Explore. Come back to me.”
It was like saying goodbye to someone he had known all his life. Like years would go by without him seeing Jungkook’s face again. The hardest part was turning his back on the boy who swam in place, a sad smile on his face as he waved gently at Taehyung.
But this was his dream. And on wobbly unsure hands, Taehyung made his way off the beach and toward the unknown.
Jimin turned out to be a kindred spirit. The merman found in his eyes the same kind of curiosity and wonder that he had within him. And with Jimin as his partner, they explored the land of humans every day.
He began by teaching Taehyung the basic ways of humans, like sleeping in a bed, washing teeth, taking showers, sitting at a table to eat. He got Taehyung pretty clothes in his favorite colors and then took him outside to see the places he had only visited in his imagination before. Jimin was, in his own merit, an amazing Human. But not once had he made Taehyung’s heart beat so passionately as Jungkook had done so easily, so often.
And all the while, Taehyung kept his promise. Every night, he came by the beach to visit Jungkook and tell him all about his day with Jimin. But then again, how could he not, when Jungkook had left him with the memory of that kiss? He had not only given Taehyung legs, but he had also awoken a new part of him. Another kind of curiosity that never once had been a part of his dreams before.
And afterwards, when morning came and he awoke in his bed, he would ask Jimin to go back to the same places they had gone before, just so he could see it again through Jungkook’s eyes, remembering what he had said when Taehyung had told him about the place. His quirky remarks, his favorite things about them.
And eventually the merman realized it. After weeks of walking on legs and sleeping on beds. He finally realized it. He realized it while playing with children at a park and laughing, while listening to jazz at a concert, while hearing Jungkook’s voice over and over on the radio.
So one night, he approached Jungkook with his heart in his hands. Feeling how cold the water was to his human-like body Jungkook gave him, how it froze his bones after only a few minutes, his teeth shattering. Taehyung approached him and said:
“The city is amazing. The most amazing part is that I feel like I've seen so much and yet there is still so much I have yet to discover. But I can't help feeling your absence every time. I am in a new place full of new things and all I think about is what you would do if you were there with me. I wonder, what do you look like under the sunlight? What's it like walking alongside you? Spending time with your friends and you at the same time. Nothing was ever as thrilling to me as that moment when you kissed me. Nothing is ever as appealing to me as you. And even less so now that I’ve realized, I can't be over there with you. I have your legs…”
Taehyung’s sight became fuzzy somewhere along the way, tears welling up in his eyes. He longed to feel Jungkook’s hold on him again like he’d done the night they changed. He longed to have it every day, every hour, every minute. More than anything else, he longed for them to be the same, at the same time. Everything the world had to offer, both under and over water, was only ever truly going to be worth living if he could share it with Jungkook.
Jungkook’s cheeks were pink, and he was as still as a rock. They shared a silence full of anxiety and excitement and expectation, hearts hanging in the balance.
“But you have my heart.” Jungkook finally said, and his words, albeit low and hoarse, echoed throughout the beach, wrapped around the merman’s body and filled her up from inside out. “I love you.”
“I love you, Taehyung.” He repeated, coming closer, until Taehyung could feel his words in his cheeks. Jungkook’s hands rested on his arms, caressing them with the utmost care. “Wherever I go, you always come with me. I hear your laughter even when you’re not there, I imagine you talking about the simplest things in life with your unique enthusiasm every chance I get. I see you in my dreams, and in my mind I kiss you every night. You’re always with me.”
Then, Jungkook enveloped his arms around him and held Taehyung firmly against his chest, and it still astounded the merman how perfectly he seemed to fit in his arms, how wonderful the feeling of simply resting his head against Jungkook’s chest was.
“I love you too,” Taehyung says, and he feels Jungkook’s chest shaking as he giggles in joy. And Taehyung giggles too, drunk in love and passion and excitement. Momentarily oblivious to the obstacle standing between them.
“That’s all we need, baby. The rest we will figure out. We always have tomorrow.” Jungkook smiled.
Taehyung nodded, taking in the scent of that young human man. His young human man. His. To kiss and to hold. Forever.
They will find a way.
“Tomorrow.” Taehyung agreed.