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Donghyuck manages to get the hang of walking, and get himself covered, just in time.
It hasn't escaped his notice, over years of observing, that humans like to wear pieces of fabric around their bodies. They cover so much skin, always covering certain areas of their legs that he's never had as a mermaid. He's currently wearing no such thing, and figures it'll do the job well enough to pass as a human for now.
He tugs a long piece of cloth free from a crate and wraps it around his waist, finding some rope to help him tie it together. Just as he secures the fabric, he hears voices over the ocean waves.
"-think I'm crazy, but it's true. I was saved that night."
"You were in the water for a long while, Jaemin. When we finally found you, you had serious injuries. I just... I don't know how anyone could be out there to save you, if it wasn't one of us."
Donghyuck leans against the crate for support, heart pounding in his chest. He's only ever watched humans for so many years. Only recently ever been so close to one, and that one had been unconscious for most of their meeting. He feels sickeningly nervous, but does his best to swallow it down. It's not like he can go far, anyway.
"I don't think they're from around here because of th- Oh. Hello there." They stop speaking, halting with surprise as they notice Donghyuck.
Donghyuck warily watches them approach, readying himself for the confrontation. Now that they're closer, Donghyuck notices how they’re both dressed in clothes laced with intricate detail. One carries a weapon at his side, though thankfully doesn't seem like he's intending to use it.
Figuring he's safe for now, Donghyuck looks at the other human, and then his eyes widen in shock.
The human is conscious this time, walking and talking, which is very different from their first meeting. But he's certain this is the very same human, the one he saved from sinking down into the waves, the one he dragged back to the shallows.
After all, it's hard to forget his first interaction with a human — with one so handsome.
"I'm sorry, there's usually no one here. Are you okay?" The human calls out, Jaemin, the same one Donghyuck is staring at in disbelief. He can't believe his luck — he was warned the human land is big, that he had so little chance of finding his human again, yet here they are.
Donghyuck goes to speak, but a lacking voice quickly reminds him what he's done to be here. What he's traded in to be on land for three weeks.
His hand naturally covers his throat, suddenly realising just how difficult this might be. He had expected it, but — it's different, now that he's here. Now that he's like this for the next three weeks, as per the deal with Doyoung.
The two humans walk closer. The human Donghyuck has not met before is more cautious, gaze wary, making sure he stays protectively in front of the other human.
Donghyuck's attention is focused on that human, on the way his fingers seem to sit a little closer to his weapon. Donghyuck can't explain why he's here, that he knows one of the humans, how he saved him. He can't defend himself — not on land, not when he's barely able to stand on his own.
Donghyuck wants to meet humans, to walk amongst them, but it doesn’t mean he isn't aware of how they can be. He's watched many ships over the years, has seen many different types of humans. He saved Jaemin because Donghyuck had witnessed his kind nature aboard the ship that night, but he's never seen this other human before.
"It's okay," Jaemin says softly, hand reaching out to brush against his companion's, who immediately settles with the words and touch. "I'm Jaemin, and this is my friend, Jeno."
"Your personal bodyguard is my actual title, but thanks," Jeno replies, and Donghyuck watches the exchange warily. He's a little more settled now that Jeno has stood down, but he's still cautious.
"Are you okay?" Jaemin asks again as they approach, getting closer — just a little beyond arm's reach, both humans stop, keeping a careful distance.
Donghyuck nods, fingers gripping the wooden crate. Jaemin sounds kind and genuinely caring, but Donghyuck still can't quite believe everything, can't quite negate how overwhelmed he feels right now.
Jaemin smiles comfortingly at him, seemingly trying to ease Donghyuck's flightiness. "Usually people aren't around this area, I'm sorry if we startled you. Do you usually come here?"
Donghyuck shakes his head this time, and Jaemin tilts his head in consideration. He steps closer, which startles Jeno slightly. Jeno tries to pull him back, but Jaemin continues forward.
Jaemin's eyes scan over him then widen slightly, mouth opening in surprise. "You... You look like someone. Someone I've been looking for, actually. This might sound ridiculous… But did you save me, by any chance?"
"Jaemin..." Jeno cautions, grabbing Jaemin's hand. He gives Donghyuck a pitying look. "I'm sorry, he's recently been in a shipwreck in the middle of the ocean, where no one can just appear people like he thinks, and he likely hit his head."
Donghyuck wants to yell in frustration, because how — how can he explain he's the very same one Jaemin is actually talking about?
How can he explain that he, as a mermaid, saved Jaemin in the middle of the ocean? That his older brother had helped him sneak behind their father's back and connect with his friend, a sea witch? Who then helped Donghyuck, trading his voice and tail in for three weeks of legs and being a human? That Donghyuck can get his voice back and keep his legs, but only if he gets a true love's kiss?
He tries, as best as he can. He points to himself dramatically, trying to signal he's the very same one that saved Jaemin.
Unfortunately, neither of them quite understand. Jeno watches in confusion until he suddenly brightens with realisation, interpreting what Donghyuck means. "Ah! So you... were also in a shipwreck then? Is that why you're here?"
Donghyuck deflates, but figures it's the best explanation he can currently provide. So he nods, receiving a sympathetic pat on the back for it.
"Ah," Jaemin says suddenly, tilting his head. "I'm sorry if this is rude, but... Are you perhaps unable to speak?"
Donghyuck clenches his jaw, annoyed at the reminder. This whole thing would be so much easier if he could, but despite Doyoung's best efforts, it was the best exchange they could use for the spell.
He can do nothing but nod though, because it's not like he can prove otherwise. Jaemin's lips turn down for a moment, disappointment so evident on his face.
"That's a shame. I thought... Nevermind, nevermind. Here, you must be tired, right? Do you live around here?" Jaemin's voice changes tone quickly, hiding his dismay remarkably well.
Donghyuck glances at the ocean for a moment, a small joke to himself, before he shakes his head. Jaemin tuts, concerned.
"That's okay, don't worry about it. You can stay with me until we figure out how to get you home then, alright?" Jaemin offers, ignoring Jeno's sharp glance. Though Jeno seems wary about Donghyuck, he still moves forward when Jaemin does, helping Donghyuck get his feet under him so they can walk.
Jaemin talks to fill the silence that Donghyuck leaves. He speaks about his friends around him, about how a friend called Chenle recently got a dog, and Donghyuck has to pretend like he knows what that even is.
Donghyuck thinks he was right, the first ever time he saw Jaemin — he is kind, and genuine. Donghyuck feels his stomach swoop, and he wonders.
It turns out that Jaemin is a prince.
So is Donghyuck, by the same technicality. Which works great, because his father has been trying to set him up with a marriage now for some time. At least he'll complain about the whole human thing a little less if Donghyuck marries another prince.
Jaemin's castle is incredibly large, and Donghyuck meets his new worst enemy: stairs.
It takes a lot of time and patience, and Jeno asking if he's been injured, before he finally makes his way inside the castle. Inside, there's even more stairs, which is awful — but at least this time he's led to a private room.
A boy comes in, and Jaemin introduces them. "This is Renjun," he says, then gestures to Donghyuck. "And this is uh... I'm not sure, actually. We kind of just found him on the beach after being shipwrecked."
Renjun gives Jaemin a look of disbelief, then turns it to Jeno. Jeno just shrugs, apparently over his own disbelief with the situation. Renjun gives Donghyuck a critical look, and Donghyuck gives a small wave in greeting.
"He can't talk," Jaemin hurries to explain. "Anyway, do you mind helping him get set up to wash?"
Renjun shakes off his emotions, giving Donghyuck a smile. Donghyuck marvels over how easily it seems people trust Jaemin's words, how easily they'll drop their disbelief and hesitance over a strange boy appearing on the beach just because Jaemin reassures them.
"Follow me," Renjun instructs, and Donghyuck finds himself glancing over at Jaemin, who gives Donghyuck an encouraging smile.
He understands, in that moment. How and why people can trust Jaemin so easily.
Donghyuck discovers that being in water is weird without a tail. The bathtub Renjun fills for him is most likely large by human standards, but it feels confining to Donghyuck. His legs move in the water, kicking strangely as two separate limbs.
Renjun asks him questions, though the amount is limited due to Donghyuck's lacking ability to communicate.
"Could you... talk before?" Renjun asks as his fingers massaging a strange liquid into Donghyuck’s scalp.
Donghyuck nods, and Renjun lets out a sympathetic hum. "Was it the shipwreck?"
Sure, if we call the shipwreck a witch. He nods again, and Renjun gives a small "Ah" in reply, washing out Donghyuck's hair.
"Can you read? Or write?" Renjun asks him, and Donghyuck bites down on his lip and shakes his head. He's seen scrolls, sunken with ships, but the writing is always illegible to him. It's likely an added by-product of Doyoung's spell that he can even communicate with this language.
There's a knock at the door that disturbs them, and Renjun momentarily leaves him to talk to the new presence with hushed voices. He comes back, rinsing Donghyuck's hair again as he speaks.
"Jae- Prince Jaemin would like you down at dinner, if you're up for it," Renjun explains, and Donghyuck nods quickly. His stomach has been rumbling something fierce, and he's definitely ready to eat.
"Right, then let's get you something to wear."
As Donghyuck is led to the dining hall, he overhears Jeno and Jaemin speaking.
"He's familiar. I could've sworn he's the same..." Jaemin ponders, and Donghyuck hears Jeno's heavy sigh.
"Jaemin, you told me the boy that saved you was singing, right? And this one can't even talk," Jeno cuts in, though Jaemin barrels past his words like he hasn't heard them at all.
"I've never heard the song before. I can probably find him if I find out what region it’s from..."
"Your highness," Renjun calls out, clearing his throat. "Your guest has arrived."
Donghyuck barely notices Renjun speak — he's busy thinking about the overheard conversation. He hadn't thought Jaemin remembered it, that he had even been conscious enough to hear the way Donghyuck had sung, reciting over a song associated with healing.
He can't tell Jaemin. He can't sing it back to Jaemin. But if Jaemin remembers the song, maybe it's not as hopeless as he thought.
"Ah, come in, come in!" Jaemin calls out, gesturing for Donghyuck to take a seat.
Donghyuck tentatively does so, staring at the metals before him. He's seen them before, though he certainly has no idea what their purpose is.
He leaves them untouched, waiting to see how the humans use them before trying to. It takes a while — Jaemin props his elbow on the table, resting his chin on his closed fist.
"So, I was thinking. How about I show you around the town? You haven't been here before, right?" Jaemin asks, an easy grin on his lips.
Donghyuck shakes his head, denying that he's been here before. Jaemin's eyes light up in excitement.
"Great! Okay, well we can start with this little lagoon I've seen before, and then-"
"The food is getting cold, sire," Jeno says dryly, and Jaemin gives a sheepish smile.
"Ah, so it is. You must be hungry too, please eat," Jaemin says, gesturing to the plate before him.
Donghyuck learns three things: that the metals are used to eat food with, that human food is significantly better, and that Jaemin looks even better when he laughs.
He's got limited time, and he knows it.
Three weeks is not a lot of time to devise a plan and execute it. He spends the first two days learning how to walk properly, then learning what a dog is, and then learns to run because he wants to keep up with it.
Three weeks is also definitely not enough time as a human. He finds himself so fascinated with the land, with the humans around him — and he loves it. He feels more at home here, more than he ever has in the seas.
His brother, Taeyong, is all he truly misses. He definitely does not miss his father talking about marrying some other mermaid, about the fact Donghyuck must because Taeyong will be taking the throne.
If Donghyuck can maybe prove that there's more to marriage, that love can be part of it — maybe it'll be enough for his father.
A week into being a human, he's been on three trips with Jaemin. Two of them have been private — the lagoon, as Jaemin had talked about. And then a small, secluded spot on a cliff to have a picnic — where Jaemin had attempted to ask his name, but they'd given up trying to communicate it.
Eventually, Jaemin had looked at the sun, and then back to Donghyuck.
"Haechan," he had said decisively. "Like a full sun. Can I call you that?"
And so, Donghyuck has been Haechan since then.
The third trip, Jaemin takes him into the town.
And if Donghyuck wasn't in love with humans before, he certainly is now. For the first time above water, he hears the familiar sound of music. He's reminded of the ocean below, of similar things below — but this, this is grander.
The humans dance, spinning and circling with laughter, right in the middle of town. A festival, Jaemin explains to him, handing him a sweet candy from a stall.
Donghyuck takes Jaemin's hands, full of excitement and joy and something familiar, and pulls him into the circle of dancing.
And Jaemin — Jaemin is looking at him, only at him, with a soft smile on his face.
Like that, with Jaemin in front of him, with a swoop in Donghyuck's stomach — he's desperate to tell Jaemin everything.
And finally realises he doesn't need words.
Donghyuck hunts around the castle, until he finally finds what he's after.
He's seen a couple before — on shipwrecks, covered in algae to the point he almost doesn't recognise them above land. But he heard one in the town during that trip, and figures it might be the easiest thing to work with.
"Haechan? Are you- Ah. I see you found the piano," Renjun says, walking into the room. He sits beside Donghyuck, hand skimming lightly above the keys. "Would you like to learn?"
Donghyuck nods eagerly, knowing his excitement is clearly visible.
And so Renjun places a hand on the keys, the soft note ringing out around the room, and teaches Donghyuck.
The sun sets on Donghyuck's last night as a human. He has just a few hours remaining until he's to be out at the sea again, transforming back as the new day begins.
Instead of going to the room that has been his for almost three weeks, or to the shore like he probably should, he stands in Jaemin's doorway.
"Haechan? What-"
Donghyuck turns, and Jaemin follows without any further questions. His chest is pounding, incredibly nervous — Jaemin might not remember. Donghyuck might never get to tell him. He's left this so late. Maybe too late.
He sits at the piano, where he's made himself comfortable for the past two weeks. Where he hasn't let Jaemin hear, not yet, not until it felt decent enough.
He looks down at the piano, and tries not to think about Jaemin beside him. How this might all go wrong — how Jaemin might not remember this song, how he might not recognise it now.
It's not his voice, but it's all he's got.
Midway through, Jaemin draws in a sharp breath, and Donghyuck knows he remembers. Still, Jaemin remains quiet until Donghyuck finishes, the last key lingering as an echo around the room.
"It's you," Jaemin says, voice soft and full of wonder. "It's been you the whole time."
Donghyuck finally looks at him, meeting Jaemin's eyes. They're not wide and surprised, like Donghyuck might have expected. They're just — they're understanding, despite everything. Relieved.
One of Jaemin’s hands press against his cheek, and he leans forward, pressing a soft kiss to the other cheek.
And Donghyuck, so happy that he’s finally able to express what he’s been trying to for so long, takes hold of Jaemin’s neck with a gentle grip.
He wants to ask, but Jaemin seems to understand without the words. Jaemin leans forward again, head tilting, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.
True love's kiss.
For the first time in three weeks, Donghyuck speaks.
"It's you.”