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Jonghyun snarled at the man from inside his prison. He should have killed him when he had the chance; should have dragged the man’s body into the chilling depths of the ocean and made him his. Why had he hesitated? Jonghyun never had before, he’s killed numerous humans before this one managed to slip through his fingers. Glaring at him through the glass, he moved away as the man moved closer. Smiling softly as he held a large fish in his hands.
“Don’t worry. You’ll like your new home. The Busan aquarium is massive, and they’ve even created a new habitat just for you.” The man tossed the fish into the water and Jonghyun catches it with no problem; still glaring at him as he tore into the fish. The human, if scared, didn’t show it though Jonghyun could hear the uptick of his heartbeat. Jonghyun was curious about the human, they kept their gaze and refused to look away. Eventually, the human turned his back as he headed towards the stairs for above deck. The mer narrowed his eyes and moved towards the top of the tank, bringing himself up as quietly as he could and swinging his tail over, legs appearing as he landed with a soft thud. He paused a moment, getting in the rhythm of the ship before he lunged for the human. The man turning and dodging the hit. A smirk gracing his features as he stood with his hands behind his back.
“I had wondered when you were going to do that. If you even could.” Jonghyun snarled, his claws and teeth dulled but he still knew he could tear this man apart easily. He lunged again and gave a sound of surprise when the human gripped his wrists and spun him, twisting his arms as he did so and pulling the mer to him. Jonghyun struggled and tried to get free. The humans grip was surprisingly strong.
“You won’t be at the aquarium long. I promise. I know you don’t want to be there or here, but if you try to escape now, you’ll be killed.” Jonghyun froze and turned his head to look up at the man, his eyes glancing at his throat a moment and causing the man’s heartbeat to skip.
“I wouldn’t do that either. They find me dead, they kill you. Make too much noise and they find you outside of your tank, they’ll kill you.” Jonghyun blinks at that, realizing now that the human had been speaking softly. Huffing, Jonghyun relaxed slightly, letting the human know he wouldn’t do anything. As much as he hated the idea of being placed in a giant fish tank, he didn’t want to end up dead either. The human lets him go slowly and Jonghyun rubs his arms before something itchy is placed on his back. The hiss was involuntary, swiping at the offending item before the human sighs.
“It’s a blanket. If you’re going to stay out of the water the least you could do is cover up. I don’t want to see everything you have.” The mer looks down at himself, knowing by human terms he’s fully naked but not understanding the point. The human continues with a light sigh, his eyes not venturing anywhere in Jonghyun’s direction.
“Humans are prudes. We don’t like nudity unless we purposely request it. So, please, cover yourself up or get back in the water.” Jonghyun rolls his eyes and wraps the blanket around himself and sitting beside the tank. The human smiles and hands him another fish from a barrel beside him.
“I’m Minhyun by the way. Can you speak?” Jonghyun tears into the fish still hungry and nods.
“Do you have a name then?”
“Jonghyun. How did you know? My trick?” Minhyun shrugs and plays with the ring on his hand as he speaks.
“My mother told me stories. Your kid supposedly saved her, of course no one really believes her.” Jonghyun narrows his eyes at that, curiously tilting his head as he gazes at Minhyun.
“We only save women who are with child. Children have done nothing to us and deserve a chance, even though they always fail us.” Minhyun scoffs a bit and gives a small tip of his head in agreement.
“Yeah. Sorry about that, but I guess she was pregnant with me and didn’t know. How did your kind… if she didn’t?” Jonghyun taps his ear.
“We hear it. Extra heartbeat. Faint usually but we know.” Minhyun hums and leans back against a wooden post. They fall into a comfortable silence as Jonghyun finishes eating his fish. Standing quickly and motioning Minhyun over.
“Another coming. Get me to top of tank.” Minhyun stands and helps him up into the water. Jonghyun shifting back the instant he touches the water and swims down to a corner, settling as Minhyun tosses the blanket over the stool he was standing on and stretches, the steps creaking as the man comes into view. A large man staring at him before shouting.
“We told you to keep an eye on it, not sleep!” Minhyun frowns and motions towards himself. The wet clothes from holding Jonghyun to him earlier.
“I wasn’t sleeping! I got water thrown at me, I was cold!” The man looks in Jonghyun’s direction and smacks his hand on the glass. Jonghyun flinching from the echo and snarling as he swims at the glass. Smacking both hands on it, a small crack forming from the impact causing the man to jump back cursing. Minhyun’s eyes widening in surprise.
“Best behave fish. We’ve no problem turning you into food before you get to that aquarium.” He spits at the glass and jabs Minhyun in the chest, leaning close to him.
“Don’t fall for its tricks. Your mother said you were the best one for this job, but we won’t hesitate to kill you both.” Minhyun nods quickly and flips the man off as he turns his back and heads up the stairs. The man calling back that dinner will be soon, and someone will switch with him while he gets his food and brings it back.
“Bring whatever you need from your bunk. You’re staying here till we get in.” Minhyun groans and Jonghyun swims to the top of and leans over the edge.
“Why the aquarium?”
“What?”
“Why am I going…” Minhyun sighs and looks up at him.
“My mother wants to show everyone you’re real, so that she can push a new era of trying to clean the oceans.” Jonghyun laughs bitterly and drops to the floor in the same puddle he had made earlier, only a soft thud being heard as he grabs the blanket once more.
“Humans kill other humans with no hesitation. Why think knowing my species exists will help the water. Have you seen me as well? I am not your human fantasy of a mermaid.” Minhyun laughs at that, remembering the reveal of Jonghyun in the tank when he originally saw him. His claws, the solid color of his eyes, his teeth – sharp and rowed like a sharks – not to mention the grey pallor of his skin. Minhyun knows people will be intrigued but also frightened of the mer. He knows he was surprised.
“You definitely don’t, but that might help in your favor. If a rumor started that you could walk on land and come for those who pollute your home,” he paused and grinned. “Well, they might try a little harder to clean up.” Jonghyun eyed him suspiciously as Minhyun sat down and rubbed at his eyes. A yawn forcing its way out despite him trying to hide it. Jonghyun stares and Minhyun looks up at him.
“Are you alright with fish? I could try to bring you something else…” Jonghyun shakes his head and continues to look at Minhyun, trying to figure out why he couldn’t kill him and why he still doesn’t feel like he could even if he had the opportunity again. Why he seems… almost safe. He thinks back, realizing Minhyun said his kind had saved his mother.
“You’ve been touched by us… Interesting.” Minhyun looks up at him hearing the strange but familiar words, not understanding it though. Tipping his head and going to speak when the door slams open at the top of the stairs, and he’s called for food. His replacement coming down the stairs as Jonghyun sinks to the bottom of his tank and sits quietly; hugging his tail to himself as though he had legs. Minhyun finds it curious and laughs a bit before leaving the frightened sailor down there with the mer.
When they dock a few days later, Jonghyun is exhausted. Walking around in the hold and swimming around best he could didn’t compare to the amount of activity he did before. He dreaded the tank he’d be in soon enough. He just wanted to go home. To swim for miles and lay in the sand when he wanted. Play games with the octopi that managed to always out smart him in hide and seek. Regardless of his ability to smell. He enjoyed the challenge. Now though, he would have no one to play with. No one to keep him company except maybe the fish they’d put in his tank for food. As they brought supplies off the ship, Minhyun was responsible for getting him ready. They couldn’t move his tank now because of the crack he placed in it the first night; So Minhyun had to carry him to the new tank that would be on land for him. Provided by the aquarium for the time being. The human telling him to keep his fins otherwise it wouldn’t end well. He agreed and within two hours, he found himself hugged in a weird net held just in the water to keep him wet as a strange woman shined a light in his eyes. His arms held in place at his side by the netting. He hated this thing. He hated this woman and the stupid light she held in her hands.
“It’s extraordinary his eyes are so solid in color. And his teeth! Minhyun, did you take notes during your trip? You were watching him, weren’t you?” Minhyun nods and hands her a notebook. Jonghyun’s eyes widening at that. He never saw him write anything down. Had he included everything in his notebook? It only took he woman a few more minutes of poking and prodding before she stood and shouting to someone to lower him into his tank fully. He was released and he swam off quickly. The tank was large but still, it wouldn’t make up for the miles he swam before. Even if he swam it dozens of times in a day.
Two weeks later, he sat on one of the rocks as Minhyun explained the notebook he gave his mother. That he didn’t include anything about the walking, assuming it was best that he didn’t. Minhyun had also brought dinner for himself and some other meat he thought that Jonghyun would like. So far, he only liked the chicken and only the expensive stuff apparently. They sat quietly, Jonghyun picking apart the chicken he held and glanced at Minhyun.
“How long till I can return home?” Minhyun flinched and shrugged lightly. Jonghyun lashing out and grabbing the man’s fork, pointing it at him in irritation.
“What’s the plan then!? I do not want to be blindsided like a stonefish meal!” Confused, Minhyun looked at him weirdly and Jonghyun groaned as Minhyun gasped.
“Wait, that’s the one that camouflages itself in the reefs, right?” Jonghyun nods once and turns his gaze to the water, throwing the fork at the human.
“Jonghyun… I have no control over your release. I don’t know when or even if you’re going back.” The mer snaps his gaze to him then. Fear and sadness mixed in his eyes before he shakes his head and dives back into the water. Swimming down to the further point of the tank where no one could see him. He had even managed to convince the humans running the place to give him softer sand and a more private area so he could sleep. Minhyun’s mother had been fascinated by Jonghyun at first, when she was finally able to have her exciting moment off the clock. She retook his vitals, checked his webbed hands, his claws, asked about his mating habits and favorite things for the info plaques that would be placed at his tank. Jonghyun could slowly feel himself losing his mind. Mers were not meant to be kept in tanks. That was obvious. They were similar to great whites that way. Minhyun had told him that humans had tried to keep great whites multiple times but every time, they were rereleased back into the ocean or died in captivity due to what they assumed was depression. The ones that died in the tanks were documented swimming into the walls and refusing to eat.
A month into this and Jonghyun could feel that depression hitting. He had asked Minhyun what it was. They didn’t have this issue in the ocean. They were all free, they were active and had plenty of food. Despite the overfishing and pollution in their home. He looked at Minhyun and begged him to let him leave.
“I’m trying to find out what’s going on. I swear I am, but no one knows yet. I’m sorry.”
“Minhyun, I need to leave. I can’t stay here anymore. I’m losing it.” Jonghyun snarls and pushes back into the water, refusing to shift on land and give them more reason to keep him there. He could hear the crowds of people on the other side of his tank. He hated them most; though today, they would prove useful. Swimming out into the big tank, he immediately heard the chatter rise, meaning they had noticed him, and he used that to his advantage. Swimming as fast as he could, he rammed his shoulder into the glass. He felt a pop and knew he had either broken or dislocated something. Some of the people on the other side scrambling away to find someone while others looked on in horror but morbid curiosity. Jonghyun swims back up where they can see him and cries out in pain holding his arm. It doesn’t hurt as much as he assumed it would. He could handle this. He had far worse in the ocean. Taking a deep breath, he swims back at the glass, aiming for the same arm before he’s suddenly hoisted out of the water to keep him still. He flails in pain and glares at Minhyun working the hoist.
The exhibit is closed. For now.
Jonghyun has his arm in a waterproofed contraption called a sling now that they had popped his shoulder back into place. Minhyun’s mother brought him a psychologist. Whatever that is to speak about why he swam into the glass. He learns quickly what a psychologist is, and she diagnoses him with a few issues; Depression being one of them and he laughs, bitterly and stares at him.
“You think? I’m used to swimming hundreds of miles a day!” He hears a man, a marine biologist, speak up. Telling the others that mermaids – ‘Mers’ he interjects – may be similar to great whites.
“The longest we held one was two months. We released her and she couldn’t recover from her depression and died a week later. They both swim nearly the same amount. Though mers don’t seem to have a problem taking food when it’s offered.” Jonghyun glares up at the man, still sitting on the dry rocks in his enclosure and shouting.
“I’m active, not stupid. If I don’t take food from you, I starve.” The biologist blinks at him and nods before looking at the others.
“We need to truly think about what to do. To keep him and get what info we can or send him back and hope he can recover.” Jonghyun stared at them in horror. Even after he physically injured himself, they’re still thinking of keeping him. He snarls and gets all of their attention.
“You’ll regret it if you keep me. I’ll be sure of it.” He warns before he swims off to the more private area. Minhyun stares where his friend had sunk down into the water and felt for him. He had no control over the matter. He would be consulted but ultimately it wasn’t up to him. He wanted to send Jonghyun back. He hated to see him upset and even now, it hurt him to see his friend hurt. Minhyun just didn’t know how to help him.
Three days later, Jonghyun’s exhibit was reopened. Jonghyun refused to come out of his private area though and Minhyun found him there as he climbed over one of the fake cliffs.
"Jonghyun. Do you trust me to get you out?" Jonghyun looks up at him and sighs, peeking his head up out of the water.
"Why should I? You've no control over it."
"You're right but I can come up with a plan." Jonghyun narrowed his eyes at him and scoffed. Telling the human to come back when he had a solid plan to get him out. Until then, he refused to leave this spot or eat. Minhyun frowned and asked him to please eat.
"At least a little, please. You’ll need the energy if we’re gonna run." Jonghyun nods and disappears further into the place he's made himself. Minhyun smiles softly and heads out. Promising himself he'd get Jonghyun out no matter what. They were nearly a month and a half into this. The longest they kept a great white was two months and he refused to lose Jonghyun this way.
Later that night, after Minhyun promised to get Jonghyun out, he began formulating a plan. Sitting across from his mother though, he's nervous. He doesn't know how she'll react.
"What is it you wanted to talk about, dear?" Minhyun sighed and looked at her.
"Do you really plan to keep Jonghyun until he dies?" She hums and sips at her tea.
"Yes. It's upsetting sure, but we could learn so much if I could sequence his dna..." Minhyun stood, hands fisted at his side, and shook his head at his mom.
"One of his kind saved you, saved me, and you’re really going to let one of them die? For no reason other than you get to dissect them?!" His mother looked at him and thought for a while before nodding once.
"If it helps, it's worth the one death to save the whole species." Minhyun shook his head and left the house, walking towards the aquarium with his key so he could get in. It would be dangerous, and he'll definitely get in trouble but he's getting Jonghyun out tonight. His mother wasn’t the woman he thought she was. Growing up she spoke of the mers as amazing creatures that should be protected. He never thought she would sacrifice one just to forward her science. It made his stomach churn in a horrible way and Minhyun had to take a moment outside to calm down less he threw up in the aquarium. As he's in the staff area, he finds a blanket to wrap around Jonghyun and heads to his exhibit. Tapping lightly on the glass as he walks by to wake him. When he gets backstage, he's met with Jonghyun staring at him from the water and his eyes narrow seeing the blanket. Minhyun holds it up and grins slightly.
"Let's go. Keep quiet, don't touch anything." Jonghyun hesitates but climbs out of the water, letting his tail shift into two legs before pulling himself up. Minhyun grabbing his arm to steady him. The mer was shaking and visibly thinner than last he saw him on the ship, it makes his stomach churn again and he takes a deep breath to calm himself before wrapping the blanket around the other. Jonghyun holding the edges closed around him as they walk out. Minhyun’s arm around his shoulder to keep him steady but they both freeze when a guard shines a light towards them.
"Minhyun?" He stands straight and waves with a grin.
"Hey. I didn't realize you were still on shift." Jonghyun gives a low growl and Minhyun touches his wrist to calm him.
"You know you're not supposed to be here after dark."
"I know, my friend wanted to see the mermaid though." He feels the pinch from Jonghyun at the term and flinches slightly. "They couldn't see him before he decided to hide away." The guard nods with a sigh of understanding. They had a lot of families complain because they came solely for Jonghyun only for the mer to be hiding. Could you blame him though? It's been nearly two months. He wanted out. The guard tipped their head and motioned for them to hurry up before anyone else caught them and Minhyun smiled thanking them. Jonghyun thanking them too before rushing off. Once outside, Jonghyun saw the ocean and grinned. A chirp of excitement leaving his mouth involuntarily causing Minhyun to laugh and pull him faster towards the water. He should have known it was too good to be true. That it was too easy. As they got closer, lights flooded their vision and Minhyun spun to keep Jonghyun behind him, holding his hand above his eyes to block some of the light to look at his mother standing there.
“Minhyun, honey, you never told me that the mer could walk on land. You didn’t even mention it in your notes.”
“Can you blame me?” Jonghyun clung to Minhyun’s shirt, glancing back at the water that was so close to him. He could nearly feel it and he needed to go back. No matter what it cost him. He turned and kissed Minhyun’s shoulder as the other continued to shout back and forth with his mother.
“Thank you for getting me this far.” He whispers more, almost so soft Minhyun has to turn his head slightly to fully hear him and pauses in what he was saying at that, looking over his shoulder at Jonghyun. Surprise written on his features as Jonghyun smiles sadly.
“What is it? What did he say?!” His mother shouts and a few men near her move closer as if they’re going to try and catch Jonghyun.
“Wait…” He turns his back to his mother and the men with her and tries to grab his arms to keep him there. Jonghyun laughs softly and Minhyun stares, taking in his human appearance more before the other thanks him again and takes off running. They were only a few feet from the water, a high tide would have touched their feet had it been that time. It was so close. He heard the gun shot from behind him.
“No!” Jonghyun flinched and grabbed at his side but continued to run, his feet splashing in the water before he dropped and began to swim. Taking the current out and escaping. His side skimmed by the bullet, but it doesn’t matter. He’s not stopping until he’s far from here. He only hopes that Minhyun manages to escape later. He knows his mother won’t be lenient with him. Someday in the future, he only hopes he’ll meet the man again.
EPILOGUE
Jonghyun hears the ships, hears their engines sending rumbles of mechanical thunder through the ocean. He stares up at them, in shallower water than he usually goes after last time, but this time he floats with a few others. Spears in hand in case things go awry; he watches, confused as a small boat lowers itself into the waters. Motioning to the others to wait, he swims up to the hull of the ship and stays close to it, using it as a shield to look around and see who’s in the boat. Eyes widening when he sees Minhyun. It had been months, nearly a year. He feels a chirp leave his mouth and slaps his hand over his mouth before he dives back down. Telling the others, he’s fine and to head back home with their catches. Jonghyun waits until the ship leaves, till the engine is no longer heard and moves towards the island. The waters rough and choppy from an incoming storm. He only hopes Minhyun is smart enough to build a shelter and fire. To convince the other to follow him will be difficult. Still, he tries. Moving to the shore, he welcomes the rain to rinse his skin of the sand and follows the light from Minhyun's fire. Settling in front of it as he startles. Scrambling up and staring in shock.
"Jonghyun..."
"Hey. You found me." Minhyun nods and Jonghyun finds himself wrapped in a tight hug and he smiles, burying his face into the crook of Minhyun's neck. Remembering what he had told him nearly a year ago. You've been touched by us. When it's safe and you're ready, come find me. I'll bring you to my home. It had taken the other a while but he believes he's ready. Minhyun clings to him and asks what he meant by what he said.
"When one of us saved your mother, they did a song or a chant, yes? Did your mother ever make a comment about it?" Minhyun thinks about it and nods.
"It wasn't a language she knew, but it seemed, familiar to me when you spoke it on the boat." Jonghyun grins at that, it meant he was right.
"We can do it now if you want with the waters rough and its dark; or we can wait till morning." Minhyun nods and asks to wait till morning. He wants to see everything when whatever happens happens. Jonghyun wiggles to lie beside Minhyun under his shelter and Minhyun wraps his arms around the other. Ignoring the lack of clothes and just wanting to be near the other.
"Your human appearance is weird. I'm used to your true self." Jonghyun laughs and places his hand on Minhyun’s cheek.
"I cannot wait to see how you'll look." Minhyun stares at him then. The realization that he would be becoming a Mer in less than twelve hours. He'd be able to live with Jonghyun who he had slowly become to love. Even before he left, Jonghyun had his heart. He looked at Jonghyun then, telling him of the last year, that it tore him up, not knowing if he were truly okay after his escape. That he hated his mother for what she had done and she had sent him away, cutting him off from his pay at the aquarium and forbidding him from returning. He knew where he would inevitably end up so he travelled by foot or ship for the most part. Until he realized he was nearby and asked for assistance to the island. It took convincing. It was uninhabited of course. No one wanted to play a role in letting another person die when it could be prevented. He promised them he'd be fine. Jonghyun listened to him telling his story of the past ten months and moved to rest his forehead against Minhyun's.
"You are safe now. In the morning, you'll be able to live with me." Minhyun nods and tips his head to kiss the other. The two of them clinging to one another until late at night, sleeping till sunlight when Minhyun wakes, sitting up to brush the sand from his face and hair. Looking over at Jonghyun still sleeping and grins, leaning over to kiss him. Jonghyun hums and cups his face; groggily asking him if he's ready.
"As ready as I can be for a change like this." Jonghyun smiles and sits up, brushing the sand from his hair and standing up to move to the water.
"You can always return, you don't change unless more than half of you is covered. Rain doesn't do anything to us." Minhyun nods.
"I'm ready. You'll teach me everything you can after I change." Jonghyun nods and gets up, pulling Minhyun with him, the other pausing a moment to look at his clothes and Jonghyun laughs. Telling him if he wears pants he'll regret it when shifting. 'It'll hurt.' he says. Minhyun laughs and nods, following after him until they're up to their knees in the water. Jonghyun holds his wrists and kisses his hands.
"Promise me, you'll keep hold of my hands." Minhyun hesitates but nods. Jonghyun moving further in and disappearing under the water; resurfacing in his mer form as he lightly grips Minhyun's hands. Pulling Minhyun into the water with him, the other taking a deep breath before going under, his eyes squeezed shut as he is pulled further under the surface by Jonghyun. HIs lungs screaming for oxygen as his ears pop; Minhyun tries to pull himself away to move to the surface. Jonghyun kissing his forehead and telling him to relax. This is how it works. He has been chosen, he'll change. He made sure to ask the Mer that saved them. Minhyun's eyes pop open, pushing at Jonghyun trying to swim up as Jonghyun panics and pulls him to him. Kissing him deeply to calm him and relaxing himself when Minhyun calms in his arms. feeling his legs morph into a tail form against his own and grins. Pulling back, he looks Minhyun over, the other's eyes squeezed shut again.
"Open your eyes." Minhyun shakes his head and doesn't realize he's breathing underwater yet. Jonghyun laughs and simply pulls him with him towards home. After awhile, Minhyun's eyes open and he glances around. A gasp leaving him as he looks down at his own tail and his hands. His free hand coming up to his teeth and feeling the sharp rows. Jonghyun pausing and looking over at him.
"Are you alright?" He nods and pulls Jonghyun to him, kissing him deeply. Jonghyun kissing back before a chirp leaves him and grins. Telling Minhyun he'll get to meet the mer that saved his mother and gave him the safety of their kind. That he'd learn to hunt, and they can watch the sky from anywhere in the ocean, at the darkest areas. Ride on whales when they get tired. Jonghyun would show him everything he could and in the future, maybe they'd be married the traditional way beneath the waves and be together as long as possible. Minhyun laces their fingers together and kisses the back of Jonghyun's hand.
"Thank you for waiting for me." Jonghyun grins and kisses him.
"Thank you for saving me, and for coming back to me."