Archive of Our Own

"I was screaming long live all the magic we made
And bring on all the pretenders
One day, we will be remembered"

It was a peaceful morning that day. The sun shines brightly but not enough to hurt and the wind feels cool on his skin, he immediately decided that it's the best time to polish and groom his tail on his favorite rock. He grabbed his favorite starfish, a fluffy one with small spikes that would help clean his tail but not sharp enough to wound his fins, and then swam up to his tiny little corner close enough that he can still see his cave. It's nowhere near the lands nor near the territory of those horrible mermaids that despises him. He doesn't know why, but his peers told him that they envy his tail.

He hoisted himself up on the surface of the rock, tossing his head back just to breathe in the smell of the sea before he finally looks down and smile as he starts to rub his tail. He must admit, his tail is quite a sight. He doesn't agree that it's the best one in their tiny home but he knows that it's one of the pretty ones.

His fins shines in different blues, almost blending with the sea. The majority of it colored with cerulean mixed with the color of royal and deep ocean blue. But the highlight of his tail is the specks of gold that shines whenever it's hit by the sun or by the moonlight. 

He loves it. That's why he takes such good care of his fins, brushes them with a starfish regularly and even design them with pearls every now and then. Grooming his tail became some sort of a relaxing activity to him and he enjoys it thoroughly.

That's why he was so distraught when in this beautiful time of the day, the water was disrupted as something suddenly fell out of nowhere. He was startled so bad that he reflexively swam back in the water and hid behind the rock. He saw two men, no, pirates -Jihoon snarls in disgust, rowing a small boat nearby. They're laughing and talking about leaving before any magical being -a mermaid, him, finds them in the sea and kill them. And Jihoon thinks that's a good decision. If they were any closer, Jihoon won't hesitate ending their lives. 

Pirates. Very low creature. A sorry excuse of a human. He doesn't know, and care, how one becomes a pirate but he's absolutely sure that there aren't any good reason at all. They're vile people with no care but their own greed and selfishness. It's not surprising to see them in his home because they often come to the ocean to dispose materials they no longer need (ones that are very harmful to mermaids and sea creatures alike) or to hunt down fishes, pearls or corals. They're absolutely disgusting.

Jihoon rolled his eyes and was about to return to his old position when he noticed that the water is turning a new color. It's turning red and the waves spread, spread, spread it until the red washes close to him and that's when he knew. It's blood.

In panic, unsure of what harmful waste the pirates dumped into the water, Jihoon dived down to check. Gasping in horror when there's another body, one with legs, floating in the water and noticed that the blood comes from him.

Immediately, he swim towards the man.

He stopped short just a few centimeters away from him. Tilting his head to the side as he decides if it's worth it saving him. Jihoon is reluctant by the fact that this man is wearing similar clothes worn by the other two who dumped him. So he must be one of them. A pirate. It's not really something new, finding them killing or turning on each other. So he's thinking if he should just... swim away. However, what makes him hesitate is the man's face. He looks...too innocent. Too pretty. And Jihoon, he likes pretty things.

Sighing to himself, he swam closer and held him by the waist. Pushing upwards until they broke the surface. The man though, didn't wake up. Simply hanging limp in Jihoon's arms. He groaned, swimming back to where his rock is and then hoisting the man up until he's lying on his back. 

He felt for his pulse and was relieved to find a weak beating. Weak, but atleast it's working. It would be such a shame if he saved him only to find out that he dragged a dead body to his rock. 

"I won't put my mouth on you so wake up on your own" He said to the unconscious man, crossing his arms as he settled back down on his position. He still counted in his head though and when a minute passed and the man still doesn't wake, he finally decided to check on him.

"This is ridiculous, why am I doing this" Jihoon mumbled to himself as he pressed his palms on the man's chest so he can try to push the water off his body and put air on his lungs. He stilled, however, when his hands became bloodied.

He stared at it for a few minutes until the smell of rust overpowers and then his mind starts to run a mile in a minute. His brain kicking in full gear as panic sets in. He should've known, with the way the water turned red. He should've known that the man is wounded. Quickly, he took hold of his wet clothes and started pulling hard until they torn apart. Showing the man's bare chest. He was surprised to see a long, and probably deep, wound continuously gushing blood out of him. At this point, he might have saved him from drowning but he would die from bleeding too much.

And he doesn't know what to do!

He doesn't have healing capabilities! And he can't use his siren voice to persuade the skin to mend back and close. That would absolutely be cool but he can't!

But! But he knows one! He knows a healer!

Now he has to decided fast if he can swim the man back to his cave so he can call Seokmin, his merfriend that has the capability to heal this unknown man or if he'll just have to get seokmin himself and hope that this man is still alive as they come back. But can he even leave him here? Wounded and all alone? What if he comes back and he's dead? But what if he swam with him and the man's body give up? Why the fuck is this happening to him? He doesn't have time to contemplate this! The man is literally dying!

Frustrated, he groaned loudly and glared at the dying man.

"I'm gonna be back. Don't... Don't die"

And with that, he worked his tail and swam as fast as he can. The fastest he ever did. And as if the ocean can feel his urgency, the current helped him to swim even faster. Within just a few minutes, he's crawling to the familiar home of his friend, calling for him at the top of his lungs.

"Seokmin! Seokmin"

"Hyung! What's happening? Why are you screaming?"

"You have to come with me!"

"What? Why? What's wrong? Are you okay? Let me check on you-"

"No time! Just follow me! Now!"

Without waiting for an answer, he turned around and started to swim back to where he left the dying man. Praying, all throughout, that he didn't just die when he left. 

He hoisted himself up as soon as he arrived, checking for the man's pulse and was relieved to find a pulse still. He inhaled deeply, his body aching from exertion. After a while, Seokmin's coming out of the water too.

"Hyung! Why did you swim so fast you know I can't keep up when you-" Seokmin stopped whining when he saw Jihoon hovering over another body and started screaming instead.

"Stop! Stop! I need your help!"

"Hyung! A pirate!"

"Yes! And he's dying! If you don't heal him now, he'll die!"

Seokmin looked at him weirdly then, and Jihoon understands the confusion. Everyone knew of Jihoon's distaste towards the pirates, and the lost boys, or just any human to be honest. Even Peter pan. He doesn't like their carelessness, the way they treat the ocean and the things that comes with it as if it's something they can just take whenever and however they like. They are selfish, thinking highly of themselves and likes to steal from his home. From fishes to eat, to corals and pearls to sell. They don't respect the ocean and the lives that's in it. 

Jihoon hates humans. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have a conscience. He can't just turn a blind eye on this and move on. Even if he doesn't like it, he knows it would forever rot inside him if he won't do anything to keep the man alive.

"Seokmin! Are you gonna help or not?!"

Shaking his head from stupor, Seokmin also hoisted himself up to the rock. He too, gasped in horror when he saw the wound on the man's chest. And just like that, Seokmin's compassion towards anything that's living kicked in and he started to move. 

It took a long time and even a lot of Seokmin's energy to heal the man they don't even know the name of. Still, Jihoon stayed and constantly checked for his pulse. Seokmin too, didn't falter. Even when all of his energy is being used up, he'll just quickly breathe in underwater, gather enough strength and then continue what he's doing.

Several hours later, finally, Seokmin was able to heal the wound. Not completely, but it's closed and probably won't tear again. There's no more bleeding and Seokmin assured that he also tried to seep his power deep so it'll also heal the damages inside. They don't know how much it worked though, considering that the man is still unconscious. 

"We should move him in your cave. We can't leave him here" Seokmin suggested. And while Jihoon would like to disagree, they don't actually have a choice. So he just nodded and slowly, they made it back to the cave and safely put the man down on a dry part of the sand. Seokmin swam out to get a few big leaves to stand as an alternate bed and took some moss to pillow his head on.

"How did you find him?" Seokmin asked, once they've settled back down. Jihoon went to sew seaweeds, pearls and clams for a new shirt while Seokmin tended to the herbs he told Jihoon would help with the stranger's recovery.

"I didn't find him" He corrected "He was pushed in the water near me"

Seokmin hummed.

"I thought the pirates were polluting the water with their trash again but when I checked, I saw him"

"And you saved him"

"Hardly"

Seokmin smiled at him then, soft and fond but Jihoon only looked away. Focusing down on the task in his hand.

"You did a good job, hyung. I know you're not fond of... humans but you did a good job"

"I didn't have a choice" He mumbled but Seokmin only chuckled at him.

It's ridiculous, Jihoon thinks. That out of all part of the ocean and out of the population of mermaid and mermen alike; he, who doesn't even have an ounce of sympathy for humans, ended up saving one. It feels surreal and not even the good kind of surreal. It's just... unbelievable. And all he can think about is having a responsibility for someone's life that he doesn't even have a care for. 

Conscience, he thinks to himself. It's all because of a goddamn conscience.

He should've just been the alligator who bit Hook's hand. Atleast that has some satisfaction. Playing Samaritan does not.

The first time the man opened his eyes, Jihoon is dressing him with the shirt he made from seaweed. It's been two days. Jihoon was able to close the pearl buttons and was startled out of his wits when the man groaned, a weak one. Almost like a whimper. Jihoon watched in fascination as the man's fingers started to move, slowly curling in an almost closed fist and then opened again as if the movement is too much work. And when his eyes traveled to look up on his face, he was surprised to see beautiful brown eyes looking at him. Beautiful but hazy. He looks like he's staring at Jihoon but also like he's not actually seeing him. Jihoon was about to ask him if he remembers anything or ask him for a name but the man is already closing his eyes again. He didn't open it again for the rest of the day.

Seokmin told him that's great news. But Jihoon thinks it's getting an awful lot of his time looking after this human and he just really wants him to wake up so he can send him away. Something his healer friend won't let him do.

And then it happened again. For the next three days, the man would wake up, open his eyes for a few seconds and then fall back to unconsciousness. Seokmin had said it's only natural as his body is still recuperating. He even advised Jihoon to talk to him to coax him on waking up and while he had looked at Seokmin like he had lost his head at first, he started doing so.

At first, it was just to rant about how annoying it is to take care of him until he started ranting about everything he can, and then he's already telling him stories of the sea and the tales he used to hear as a youngling. He doesn't want to admit it but it's kind of therapeutic in a way. He doesn't even know he can talk that much. But maybe because he knows that the man can't judge him or give any opinion in his very one-sided conversation, it was easier for all of his words to come out.

Just like now, he's excitedly talking about the pearls that he recently got. A group of clams willingly opened up for him to give him the best of their black pearls. They're all in different sizes and shapes, ones unlike to the artificial ones made by humans.

"This is a lot to be honest, I can actually make atleast a few necklaces and bracelets from this. I still have a lot of white pearls that I can mix in with this" He grinned, turning around with his open palms full of black pearls. Only to be startled badly when he found the unconscious man.... well, not unconscious. Because he has his eyes opened and trained right at Jihoon.

It isn't hazy like the other times he had opened them. Although he still looks sleepy, his eyes are clear and looking straight at Jihoon. No. At Jihoon's tail.

"You're a mermaid" He muttered, weak and slow. His voice gravelly low and rough because of being unused for a long time. 

"Keen observation" He deadpanned, flapping his tail once as if to prove a point. A small smile appeared on the man's face. And Jihoon can't help but think it suits him. Dare he say, the man even looks adorable. 

"Hi" the man belatedly greets him when Jihoon didn't provide any more conversation. 

"You should probably drink water, being awake and all"

"...salt water?"

"Are you in the position to be choosy?" He raised his eyebrows which made the other man sheepishly shook his head. Still slow and just a bit of movement. As if everything still hurts. It probably does. Unfortunate for him, Seokmin is away and won't be able to visit for a week's time. And Jihoon knows no shit about healing. So the man just got to suck it up and endure.

Jihoon set down the pearls on one of his corals where he keeps his small pretty things. Before grabbing a wooden bowl, one filled with clean water (he was just shitting on the man about sea water. Yes they're mermen but they don't drink the salty water, what the hell) and crawled towards the man. He really has to ask for his name, he can't just keep calling him 'The Man' in his head.

"Here, slowly drink this" Jihoon helped him sit up, supporting his shaky hands that weakly grips the cup.

"This isn't salt" The man grinned after a few sips.

"Would you prefer that?" He snarked, the other man only seemed amused at his attitude and shook his head again. Going back to his water and drinking it slowly until he all but finished every drop.

"Are you hungry? I could only offer cold seaweed soup. Or raw fish. Your pick"

"uhmm, just another cup of water would be fine"

Jihoon stared at the other guy who seems to be occupied on looking all over the cave. Jihoon can't help but think he looks too innocent to be a pirate. His small slanted eyes, they still look tired, but there's a shine that looks like curiosity. Twinkling with fascination as he runs his eyes all over the place. 

Jihoon wants to ask what he did for the pirates to throw him like a bag of trash in the middle of nowhere, what betrayal or horrid crime he had done to be killed like that. He doesn't look like he's dangerous. Although he has slanted eyes that looks like they can be intimidating and a sharp jawline, his pink lips and chubby cheeks softens his features. He looks... naïve, like a lost lamb. And yet, Jihoon has to remind himself that looks can be so deceiving.

Take him for example. Most of the time, people assumes that he's harmless. But they don't know that Jihoon can sing them to sleep and never wake up. With his voice, he can drown them without even moving from his place or lifting a finger.

He has done so. Several times.

"Are you not gonna talk more? Your voice sounds lovely?" The man asked once he handed him another cup of water. 

Yeah, lovely. And powerful. Powerful enough to end lives.

"What's your name?" He asked back instead of answering. Making the other freeze. Jihoon wonders if it's the wrong thing to ask. But he has to have something to address him so he pried. "Do you not remember?"

"Not really" The man put the cup down, and put both of his hand on his lap. As if inspecting them or just staring at them.

"You don't remember what happened?" Jihoon asked, a little bit disappointed that he won't know the cause of the man's current demise.

"I do"

Jihoon frowned at that.

"You are confusing me. You can remember what happened but you don't remember your name?"

A melancholic expression blooms in the man's face. For some unknown reason, it also causes a twinge in his heart. Yet, he pushed down the discomfort. Waiting for the other to speak again.

"They call me Hoshi" The man -Hoshi, finally answered. Looking at him with empty eyes and a sad smile.

It doesn't belong there, Jihoon thought. The emptiness in his eyes, it doesn't belong there.

"They?" He asked, expecting an answer but Hoshi just nodded. Jihoon bit his lips, waiting for more explanation but it didn't came so he just sighed heavily.

"Well, you're lucky that the pirates threw you close where I take my afternoon rest. That's the only reason you're alive right now"

"Ahhh. I'm sorry you have to see that"

"But why?" Jihoon asked again, curiosity spilling over.

"But why what?"

"Why were they trying to get rid of you?"

Jihoon saw something flashed in Hoshi's eyes but before he can even understand what it is, it's already gone and Hoshi has tensed up. Staring at him as if scrutinizing him, so different from earlier. He looks like he's measuring if Jihoon's a threat to him and it almost makes him laugh because isn't it too late to think like that? They've been talking for minutes, hell Jihoon has been talking to him for days. If Jihoon wanted to hurt him, he shouldn't have saved him in the first place.

"How do I know that I can trust you?" Hoshi asked, narrowing his eyes at Jihoon and he can't help but be offended.

The nerve of this human!

After Jihoon had taken the time to save him, to look after him, and to dedicate his time on nursing him back to health! The human has the gall to question him!

"I saved you" He glared.

"That doesn't mean you won't immediately turn me over to the pirates!"

"I don't even like them!"

"Nobody likes them but that doesn't mean people are not afraid of them!"

"Why would I be afraid of some form of an idiot human, if anything you should be afraid of me. I can kill you"

"Are you threatening me?!"

Jihoon inhaled deeply to reign in his temper. Fuck Poseidon and fuck the reason of the pirates, Jihoon would be the one who'll end up killing him. Who cares if he's pretty, who cares if Jihoon spent such a long time keeping him alive! He'll just end him once and for all.

"You know what? Fine. Don't tell me. I don't care. But once Seokmin return, I want you out of my cave."

He didn't wait for an answer and instead returned back to where his precious pearls are. He needs to look at pretty things, ones that aren't breathing, or he'll end up with bloody hands. 

They were silent for a few minutes, Jihoon minding his own business even if he can feel Hoshi staring still. 

"Who's seokmin?" 

"Why did the pirates wants you dead?"

So Jihoon is petty, what can he do?

They stared at each other for a long time, not one backing out. Until Hoshi sighed and finally closed his eyes. Jihoon can't help but grin because of his tiny victory. 

"Why are you annoying?" Hoshi whined, turning to lie down again and pout at the cave's ceiling instead.

"I have every right to be, you owe me your life" not entirely true considering he's not the one who healed him but technicalities. It's not like Hoshi would know and Jihoon doesn't plan on letting him know. He would Lord over this human until Seokmin returns and get this one out of his hair.

They didn't talk again. For hours, for a long time. Jihoon stayed in his own corner, making a few accessories he knows Seokmin would be able to trade for better and necessary objects. He does keep an eye on Hoshi. Though that means Jihoon is just watching him sleep or catching Hoshi looking at him occasonally. Still Jihoon kept his mouth shut, even if it's uncomfortable and the silence feels overbearing.

The next day is the same. When Jihoon woke up, Hoshi is already awake. Trying to stand up and use his legs. Jihoon watched him. Even if he wants to help him, he can't. Because he's a merman. He can't help him because he literally don't have legs.

"Good morning, I realized I didn't ask for your name yesterday. That was rude of me" Soonyoung greeted him, slowly stretching out his limbs until he's standing up straight. He looks shaky and like he would fall down at any second. Jihoon doesn't want to care so he looked away.

"Pirates don't have manners anyway" He mumbled, still too sleepy to filter his own mouth. He expected Hoshi to talk back or even defend himself but he simply chuckled. Lowering himself down until he's sitting back down on the sand.

"You're right about that. So..."

"So?" 

"Your name?"

This time, it's Jihoon who narrowed his eyes at Hoshi who's expecting an answer from him. But Jihoon is still petty as fuck so he just smirked and say,

"Why were you killed?"

"Almost killed" Hoshi corrected with a sigh. "Gosh, you are stubborn. Are all mermaids like this? I thought you guys were supposedly sweet"

An amused laugh came out of Jihoon's mouth. Looking at Hoshi ridiculously but didn't mind his confusion. 

"One, I'm a merman. Not mermaid, get that shit right. And two-" he finally sat up stretching his upper body and flapping his tail 'till he can feel it wake up too "-merpeople are only sweet if they either wants to steal something from you or to drown you"

A look of horror covered Hoshi's face and it made Jihoon laugh harder. 

"Do you have anymore question?" Jihoon asked, as he readied to hunt for some breakfast. He does know that Human needs food and right now, he can only offer some sea greens and fish.

"You don't even answer them" Hoshi pouted, Jihoon has to look away to not be affected.

"Well you don't answer mine" He shrugged, crawling out of the cave until he's on the edge where sand meets the wave. He smiles up at the sky.

"I have to protect myself!" came an answering shout.

Jihoon rolled his eyes, turning his body to look back at the sulking human.

"Please, as if you can protect yourself from us" And then he's off.

"Is that a threat? gosh, is that a threat? hey! hey! yah"

When he returned, the human is still sulking but once he saw the fishes in Jihoon's arms he brightened up.

"You're back Mr. blue!"

Jihoon scrunched his nose at what Hoshi called him, looking at him with utter disgust on his face.

"What did you just called me?"

"Mr blue?" Hoshi repeated innocently, crawling slowly towards him.

"Mr...what?! Also, weren't you told not to play with food? Don't poke the fishes!" He swatted away the hands that kept on touching the food. Hoshi pouted at him. Poseidon, can he stop that?!

"You won't tell me your name. And you're wearing a blue shirt, have blue eyes and blue tail. So... Mr. Blue" And that's the moment Hoshi grinned at him.

Jihoon, kid you not, stopped functioning all together. Suddenly, all he can see is his wide grin. His smile brightening up his whole face as if he didn't just woke up from death yesterday. If he was adorable pouting, him smiling is mesmerizing. 

Jihoon wonders if Hoshi is part fae, or maybe some other seductive creature because there is no way that he can just captivate and capture Jihoon's attention like that.

But here he is anyway. Here he is.

"Uhhh... Mr. Blue?"

Right. Going back. Jihoon shook his head and glared at him.

"Stop calling me that and start eating" He mumbled, grabbing a fish for himself.

Hoshi just looks at him though.

"What now?"

"It's raw" Hoshi stated and Jihoon does not appreciate his tone at all.

Jihoon sighed, what a fucking hassle. Right. He remembers. Humans has to cook their food. Seriously, fuck this. Why did he has to be so responsible and save this human? He could've avoided this if he just left him.

But then Jihoon remembers his smile and suddenly he's moving to get this man his fire.

"uhhm where are you going?"

"I'm gonna build you a fire but you're cooking your own food" He stated.

Fortunate for him, Jihoon keeps a few rocks and woods at the far end of the cave. Merpeople don't really get cold considering they're cold-blooded but sometimes Jihoon likes to work through the night and the moon's light isn't enough.

"This is such a convenient way to live" Hoshi marveled once he has the fish skewered and cooked by the fire.

"Don't get used to it" he mumbled, eating his own raw fish. He tried the one Hoshi had cooked and it just taste... like ash. He prefers his fish fresh.

"Why not? I can be your, I don't know, human slave? I'll fetch things for you, make you fire and all that" Jihoon studies the human as he eats. He talks as if he doesn't want to go back out there and just stay here. But this isn't a place for humans to live. Even if there's a part of Jihoon that started to question if it is, Jihoon ignored it.

"This cave is too small for two"

"It's actually quite spacious" Hoshi grinned, taking more bites of his food. Jihoon just rolled his eyes.

They ate silently for awhile. After three fishes, Jihoon is already full and washing it down with seaweed soup.

"I forgot to ask, how are you feeling?" He gave the human a look all over his body trying to see if there's any damage. He's not seokmin so he doesn't know what he can do for that but atleast he can alert some sea creature and then they'll pass the message until it reaches the healer.

"Weak. Like everything hurts. But it's nothing I haven't experienced before"

Jihoon nodded then, relieved that there's no actual emergency or anything that needs an immediate attention. It's understandable that he's weak, he just woke up from almost dying after all. But with a few meals, Jihoon is sure that he'll be up and gone once Seokmin comes back.

He felt a bit of sadness wash inside of him. Hoshi, though dead to the world, still became his companion for a few days. He enjoyed talking to his lifeless body and nursing him back to health gave him a purpose more than just roaming the sea he had already memorized.

"Are you still not gonna tell me your name?" Hoshi asked, apparently finished with his food.

"Go back and lie down. I'll put out the fire" He simply answered.

He can feel Hoshi's defiant gaze burning through him but he ignored it until Hoshi reluctantly returned to his designated bed.

"Atleast talk to me again, I love your stories" 

Jihoon freeze, a blush creeping up on his face.

"You were asleep" He stated more than asked, his face still flushed red at the realization that this human might've heard his mindless rants.

"Hardly. I was just too weak to open my eyes and my body hurts so much to even think of moving"

Curse Poseidon, he heard. Jihoon bit his lip at the sudden embarrassment. Trying to remember what kind of things did he say for the past days only to come up blank because he was doing the talking mostly mindless. He's so embarrassed, but he doesn't regret it. It was really fun to do, it's just annoying that Hoshi turned out to be awake while hearing most of them.

"There's nothing much more to say" He shrugged after awhile, cleaning the ashes and the left over trash from where they ate.

"I like it. Listening to you. Made me wanted to wake up and fight to be alive" Jihoon turned to look at Hoshi, only to find him looking away. Staring at the entrance of the cave where you can only see endless of water. "Your voice sounded nice. It was my sanity through the pain"

Jihoon has heard a lot of compliments in his life. He thought he had heard every compliment there is that every time somebody gives him one, it's just meaningless words for being repeated so many times. His voice included. Considering that he's a siren, a responsibility in which his voice has more weight than others, he's aware of how good is voice.

However...

He wasn't ready when the compliment came from Hoshi. It was so genuine, so honest that it pulled some strings in Jihoon's heart. The way he uttered those words were so simple, so straight forward. Yet so full of emotion that Jihoon hasn't received for a long time.

Jihoon's voice has made too many men go crazy, lose themselves until they drown and kill themselves in the sea. But hoshi, naive pretty hoshi, called him his sanity.

Maybe that made him smile.

Maybe that made his heart flutter.

Maybe he doesn't mind talking after all.

"what do you want to hear?"

Soonyoung's answering smile and the brightness in his eyes was enough to get Jihoon to talk the whole day.

They built a routine after the second day. And as much as it pains him to admit, Jihoon's really getting used to it. He's getting used to waking up with Hoshi already trying to warm up his muscles. Some days he's successful on walking a few steps, some he falls down as soon as he was able to straighten up. Hoshi would greet him with that awful nickname he got him because he still refuses to tell his name and Hoshi still refuses to tell him the reason for his (almost) death. Jihoon would hunt for food while Hoshi learned how to lit the fire, getting awfully excited every time he was able to create a spark. Jihoon sees that the sparks linger in Hoshi's eyes yet he tells himself it's just his imagination. And then he'll attempt to go on his own day but Hoshi would ask for another story, Jihoon never says no.

That doesn't mean the insults stop though. Jihoon's voice might be sweet in nature but his tongue is just as sharp. He doesn't let the day pass without telling Hoshi how much a pain in the tail he is, and Hoshi enjoys raising his hackles. But as night comes, Jihoon can't help but think, as Hoshi lays on the ground sound asleep, he doesn't mind. He really doesn't mind having this human for a longer time.

"oh you're awake early"

Jihoon twisted his upper body to look at Hoshi. His head is unruly, as it usually is when he just woke up. His eyes that's unnaturally slanted is now just a line drawn in his face, it's cute. He stretches his limbs, rolling a few times on his made up bed of seaweeds before starting the routine of exercising his limbs. Jihoon watched it all, memorized it even. Knowing it could be the last time. 

It should be the last time. After all, Seokmin is bound to go visit today.

"A friend of mine is on his way here" he simply said, turning back around to stare outside. He's on the edge of cave, sitting at the wet sand where it meets the wave. 

"okay? who?" Hoshi asked, confused why Jihoon is telling him about this.

"Seokmin. The one who healed you" He explained, cupping up water with his hands and then pouring them on his tail. Just so his hands have something to do.

It wasn't even a few seconds later, Hoshi is already on his side. Sitting close, they got used to it. As days went by, the space between them gradually lessen. Jihoon who has been cold all his life, likes the way Hoshi warms his side.

"Oh"

They were silent for the time being, both trying hard to shake of the unpleasant and tensed atmosphere between them. Jihoon doesn't even know where it comes from. Is it from him? Can Hoshi feel it too? What does it mean? Is it supposed to mean something?

"Are you gonna kick me out now?" Hoshi asked then, straightforward. Jihoon turned his head to look at him but Hoshi resolutely looks forward. 

No, I want to keep you. Jihoon startled at the voice inside his head. Frowning when he realized that his heart is beating fast because the thought of having Hoshi around for longer excites him, leaves him wanting for it to be real.

But it isn't right.

Hoshi is a human, not a mermaid. Sure he can get away with living here for a few weeks as he recuperates. But the cave isn't built for a human to stay. They don't have electricity, nor a proper bed. Hoshi's body isn't used to the cold weather or the cold water. His body won't be able to take the unbearable sun when it's summer nor the unforgiving storms. 

He can only survive eating so many fishes and clams and other seafoods until he eventually get tired of it.

Soon he'll feel restricted, being unable to swim far out nor deep, the cave not being close in any land nor human territory. He'll realized that he can't do anything much when he's in the middle of the fucking nowhere.

Jihoon knows, because even if the sea is wide and open, he has explored it all until he no longer has any meaningful thing to do. He doesn't want to say that his life is meaningless, but he doesn't deny how long it has been since he had felt alive.

"You have to return to your kind" Jihoon finally answered.

"They'll kill me as soon as they find out I'm alive" 

That thought leaves a bitter taste in his mouth, a familiar rage rumbling inside him. His distaste in humans resurfacing. Except this time, he knows Hoshi is an exception.

"You haven't told me what happened. Why the pirates are after you"

"It's not just the pirates"

"What do you mean?" Jihoon asked, confused. He stared at Hoshi, hoping for some answer only to blush when Hoshi meets his eyes dead on.

There's the sadness again, the one that Jihoon hasn't seen for a long time since Hoshi first opened his eyes. The one that hasn't been there since the first time Jihoon had asked. He almost wants to retract his question, wants to tell Hoshi to forget it. To start talking about a new story again just to erase it from his eyes. Just to bring back the shine on them that he comes to love so much.

"Will you tell me your name if I tell you the reason?"  Hoshi asked, eyes still staring at him. Jihoon found himself once again captivated, imprisoned willingly. What use of his siren voice is when he would willingly surrender to Hoshi?

"Jihoon" He muttered, his name rolling out of his tongue. "My name is Jihoon"

"Jihoon" Hoshi repeated, a small smile on his face as he tests out the name on his tongue. Jihoon can't help but think his name sounds better, the best, when it's uttered by Hoshi's lips.

"It's a pretty name. Suits you. Because all of you are pretty"

Jihoon wonders if the sun can hear the loud thunders of his heart. If it would scare the clouds and disrupt the calm water of the sea. He wonders if Hoshi can hear it, like drums playing in the air.

"I'm a merman, I'm meant to be pretty" He answered instead, abashed. Meant to be pretty, meant to be seductive. Meant to look innocent, to be ethereal. So they can lure out all kinds of prey

But at this moment, Jihoon feels like the prey.

And at this moment, he's not shocked anymore to find that he doesn't mind at all.

"It's more than that" Hoshi told him and Jihoon tried to calm down his heart.

"What do you know of Neverland?" Hoshi suddenly asked, Jihoon reeled in because of the sudden change of topic. But he latched on it just so the attention would be taken from him.

"It's our home?" He answered, more of a question. He's confused, he doesn't know what Hoshi is asking by that or what the question is supposed to mean. Hoshi hummed.

"I used to think Neverland is such a pretty place" Hoshi starts, digging his hands on the wet sand.

Jihoon watched, mesmerized as Hoshi started to build shapes using them. 

"Although I'm merely a human, I liked that Neverland is full of magic" Hoshi continued. Jihoon didn't dare say a word, afraid to interrupt him.

"Full of different creatures, different people. You, merpeople" Jihoon felt his lips twitch into a smile as Hoshi shaped the sand into a small tail, not bigger than his hand.

"Fairies" he shaped the sand into a single wing.

"The animals" a bird shaped sand once again.

"And humans" it's a stick figure with a circle on the end for a head "There's the pirates, the tribes, the lost boys"

Hoshi paused, Jihoon held his breathe.

"Peter pan" He spat. 

Jihoon understands the anger. He knows that there is a life long hatred between Pan and the pirates. To Jihoon, they're all just the same. Despicable humans.

"A few months ago... most of Hook's crew got sick. It's a flu, but we don't have healing mermaids to help us" Hoshi chuckled, but it doesn't sound happy at all. Jihoon imagined how hard it must've been. While he doesn't care much about the humans, he cared about the fact that Hoshi must've suffered too because of the flu. He doesn't like it.

"They died?" He asked softly, nudging him to continue.

"Half of us did. Hook wasn't pleased. Said he needed more crew. I thought to myself, where would we get more people? That's when I realized I barely knew anything outside my life as a pirate. That I can barely remember anything my life before I became one. Where did I come from? Where's my parents? Was I born in Neverland? How did I end up being a pirate?"

Hoshi inhaled deeply, destroying all the shapes in the sand with water.

"I found the answer a few days later. In a secluded place, deep within the Neverland jungle. Hidden by mountains and big trees... there's a place called Labyrinth of Longing"

Jihoon frowned at that. He has never heard of it. Even if he hasn't been outside of his territory, words and stories travel faster in the sea than the land. Before long, he already know all places in Neverland, all stories that happened. But he has never heard of that place, none at all.

"Labyrinth of Longing?"

"It's... it's where... it's where adult people.. lost boys who grew up and the girls, the mothers that Pan brought here, are trapped"

"Trapped?" He asked, alarmed. A bad feeling starting to brew in his stomach.

"Trapped. Exiled. Lost. They were left wandering there, out of their mind. It's where we pick up new pirates" Hoshi bit his lips, hesitating a bit before he continued "That's when I realized that pirates... that I... we were all once a lost boy"

"Oh hoshi..." Jihoon felt his heart ache, reaching towards Hoshi until he's holding his hand on his. Within a second, Hoshi fixed their hands until their fingers intertwined. Jihoon squeezed it, for reassurance. To let him know that he likes it. "is that knowledge enough to want you dead?"

Hoshi shook his head, a bitter smile making it's way on his face.

"I found something much more cruel"

"what is it?"

Jihoon tugged on Hoshi's hand when he stopped talking, seemingly lost in his own head. He tugged harder, until Hoshi finally looks at him.

The emptiness in his eyes are back and Jihoon feels dread seeing it.

"The lost boys aren't lost, Jihoon. They were kidnapped. By Pan. With the promise of a never ending childhood, they were taken from their home. Flew into Neverland until they can't remember anything anymore. Not their old life, not their family, not their name."

Shock is an understatement. Not even disbelief can cover what Jihoon is feeling. For a moment, they were silent. Jihoon digesting the words Hoshi had told him.  Letting the words circle around in his head, trying to make sense of it until confusion turned to repulsion. Horror filling up Jihoon as he understands what Hoshi is telling him.

And then he looked at Hoshi. The sadness in his eyes. He remembered what he said before, how Hoshi introduced himself. How he had said that he can't remember his name and that "They" call him as Hoshi, now Jihoon understands it was a new name. One that probably isn't his very own.

Now he understands.

"You were kidnapped" He whispered.

"Probably"

"That-" Jihoon's eyebrows furrow in confusion even more "that's still not enough, right? For them to want you dead?"

"Yeah..."

"There's more." Jihoon insisted.

"I found the exit to Neverland" 

Jihoon jolted from that but before he can even say anything else, Hoshi continued.

"And I was planning to get out... I was planning to take the lost boys with me"

Everything fell into place then. Hoshi did not just broke the illusion but he was also planning to break the never ending cycle. 

"It wasn't just the pirates who wants you dead, isn't it?" He asked, but it's more of a sentence. Just waiting to be confirmed.

"No, Pan has convinced everyone that I'm an enemy"

Jihoon's blood boiled with that. Rage, an intensity he hasn't known before, taking over his body. He wants to kill Pan. Wants to kill anyone who had forsaken Hoshi. Wants to avenge him. And oh, he can. He totally can. Pan might have his little sword and his darling little pixie, but none of them is a match to his voice. The pirates and their weapons are simply toys compared to the power he holds.

And then in the midst of the storm, of the anger, consuming him. There's a tiny clarity that stood out.

Hoshi can't stay in Neverland.

Jihoon can slaughter all people for him, can paint the sea red of their blood. But it won't change the fact that they won't stop until they kill him once the news of him alive spreads out. And it would because no secrets stay as a secret with merpeople. And the secret Hoshi holds is too big of a revelation that if it spread, it would shutter the magic, the wonderful bubble that holds the fairytale altogether. They won't stop until Hoshi is silenced.

Hoshi needs to leave Neverland.

Jihoon doesn't know how to take that news.

Seokmin appeared when the sun is about to set. Breaking the silence that covered them after the talk they had this morning. He immediately checked on Hoshi, happily announcing that he has recovered well.  But none of them rejoiced. Hoshi simply looked at Jihoon and Jihoon simply looked at the necklace he has been doing and undoing the whole day.

Seokmin doesn't seem to notice the strange atmosphere and continued to talk. He asked Hoshi to lay down so he can boost his body with his energy. A last step, he had said. The seal to the deal. And then he's perfect and ready to leave.

"Tomorrow, you'll be good to go! I know hyung might've been difficult to be with but don't worry, I have talked to my friend. He would be willing to swim you back to land because I know Jihoon hyung would refuse to do it"

Neither of them replied still, Seokmin assuming that even leaving them alone for a few days didn't help with making either of them to be at ease in each other's presence. Assuming that Jihoon's distaste to humans hasn't changed. Jihoon should've kept it that way. But he went and got attached to a human he didn't want to save in the first place.

He got attached to a human knowing they were never meant to say in his territory. What's worse is he got attached to a human not meant to stay in Neverland at all.

Needless to say, sleep evaded Jihoon that night and he found himself in the same position as he was that morning. Sitting at the entrance of his cave, busking on the silence. The moon reflects on the calm water but the sight doesn't help him feel any better. Hoshi has long fallen asleep, Seokmin gave him some kind of medicine after dinner. Saying that it'll boost his energy and strengthen his body for tomorrow's journey. Seokmin warned that'll help him fall asleep and right after, he was back to dreamland. Leaving Jihoon to deal with Seokmin's questioning gaze. His friend though, kept all his worries to himself and didn't ask Jihoon anything which made him thankful. And after he had said goodbye, promising to be early tomorrow, Jihoon too tried to end the day.

He wasn't lucky and ended up watching the water instead. He was trying so hard not to think about tomorrow and Hoshi's impending leave. He knows he's attached, knows that with the small time they've spent together, they have a connection. But is that enough? For Jihoon to feel so strongly against about Hoshi leaving? Is he projecting his own loneliness? Because once Hoshi leaves, he'll go back to his old life. Waking up alone everyday, wandering aimlessly, thinking if there's so much more he can do. If there's to life more than just sewing pearls or swimming underwater. 

He felt the sand besides him shift and within the next second, Hoshi is awake and sitting besides him. Just like the same scene early this morning. Except now there's the moon shining on them instead of the sun as silence brings comfort between the two of them.

Silence that was broken by Hoshi.

"I like you" He muttered, simple and straightfoward. Like he's stating a fact. Like the way he had called Jihoon a mermaid the first time he talked. "I like watching you wake up. Or the way you would swim in the afternoon to find us foods. I like it when you talk and tell me all the tales you knew. I like it when you smile. I like your blue eyes and your blue tail."

Jihoon smiled sadly as he continues to listen, not knowing what to say or do.

"So thank you foror saving me. Because of that I was able to see someone as pretty as you"

Thank you for being alive, thank you for letting me know someone as pretty as you too. But he didn't say it.

"You need to leave" He whispered, still looking somewhere far, at the darkness where the light of the moon cannot be found.

"I cannot stay" Soonyoung whispered back and Jihoon knew that. Jihoon knows that and yet, hearing it like this felt like a wrecked ship sinking down. He imagined doing it, imagined drowning all crews and sinking the pirate ship with Hook in it. Not for justice, merman are too greedy for justice. But for vengeance, for his own anger. For his own heart.

His own heart. The one that's simply floating in the sea, safe and undisturbed. Until Hoshi came, picked it up in the water and held it close to his chest. Now it's about to dry, and Jihoon fears that once Hoshi leaves, it would feel kind of like dying.

Because as they sit side by side with only a few hours until the sunrise, Jihoon can't help but think that what he's feeling is awfully similar to love. The most powerful magic that had ever existed. Love.

Does he? Does he loves a human?

He remembered the tale he once heard when he was so young. About a mermaid who had given up everything she has for a pair of legs only to be discarded by the man she risked everything she has for. Including her home, her voice, her tail. All of her life. Because love is a very powerful magic that not everyone can experience. And if you do, it would have you on a tight grip. Play games with your head, chain your heart. Until it drives you crazy, until it pushes you down the cliff. Love is a force that nobody can defeat.

Jihoon looked at Hoshi. Memorizing his face, drinking in his silhouette. And felt extreme sorrow at the thought that it would be his last nigh with him.

"You won't be able to return. Nobody finds Neverland twice"

Hoshi turned to look at him, another sad smile plastered in his face. Without thinking of his action, Jihoon reached up until his palm is cupping Hoshi's face.

"I don't think I can say goodbye. Not to this place, not to you. This was my life after all" Hoshi leaned on his palm, closing his eyes as he nuzzled his cheeks on Jihoon's palm. 

"Are you scared? Of starting a new life?" of leaving this world behind?

"Very much. I don't want to be alone" Hoshi pressed his lips lightly on his palm but Jihoon felt it, felt the warmth travel from his hand to his heart.

"I don't want to leave you alone" He whispered, belying the words he really want to say. Like don't leave me alone. Like don't leave. Like I don't want you gone.

"I'll be okay"

But Jihoon isn't sure if he would be. He didn't say it.

"Jihoon?" Hoshi asked, a little later. Jihoon can tell that dawn is about to break but none of them move to sleep. As if they're making most of the last hours they have with each other.

"Yes?"

"Can I ask a favor?" Their hands are still intertwined, resting on Hoshi's lap as he plays with their fingers. Tracing over the slight web on Jihoon's hand, the thin layer of skin that connects his fingers together.

"If it's something I can do, I will" He answered, no hesitation, If he asked to destroy Neverland at this moment, Jihoon won't have the heart to say no.

"Tell me a story, for the last time?"

Jihoon told him about the mermaid who lost her voice.

Seokmin came when the sun is already shining and Hoshi is asleep besides Jihoon, head pillowed on his tail. Not bothered by the fact that he's wet from the waves. Jihoon had offered to reposition inside the safety of his home, but Hoshi refused and said that he wants to see the sunrise. 

It didn't take long for them to get ready. Afterall, Hoshi has no belongings to take care of. Like promised, Seokmin came with one of their friends, Mingyu. He's the strongest out of all of them so it wasn't surprising that he'll be the one who'll carry Hoshi to the lands. Hoshi had instructed them to avoid the Indian Tribe's territory and instead go where the land is close to the Neverland Jungle.

"Pixie hallow is closer from there" Hoshi explained. When Mingyu asked why, he simply said that he needs pixie dust and Pixie hallow is full and covered by them. 

"What do you need the pixie dust for? are you gonna fight Pan?" Seokmin joked then, making Hoshi shrugged.

"Nope. I'm running away from him." He stopped before deciding to might as well be honest "I'm running away from Neverland"

The two mermen looked at Jihoon in surprise, their eyes wide with questions that Jihoon refused to answer. He knows that Hoshi won't mind if he tells his friends. But the lesser they know, the better. It isn't their fight anyway, it is not theirs to interfere. Eventually, they leave the cave. Not before Hoshi has taken one last look and patted the sand as if he's saying goodbye with his actions. And then the four of them are off to travel.

It took them atleast two hours of swimming. They needed to stop once in awhile when the current is too strong for the sake of Hoshi, and then rest up when there's a rock formation nearby. Jihoon's the one who asked for it mostly. Telling himself and the others that it won't do Hoshi any good if he tires out too much from the travel. But in reality, he knows deep down, he's just trying to prolong the inevitable. 

His body growing heavy and his heart sinking the closer they get. 

The shore was void of any living creature when they arrived. They're supposed to say their goodbyes now but none of them know what to say until Seokmin and Mingyu excused themselves to give the two of them some space. They disappeared underwater and then suddenly, Jihoon was left alone with Hoshi.

"Jihoon-ah" Hoshi called, voice soft as Jihoon's name tumbled out of his lips like a lullaby. Like a symphony. Jihoon now regrets not saying his name earlier. 

"yes?"

Hoshi inhaled deeply then, crouching down on his knee so he would be face to face with Jihoon who's sitting up on the sand.

"Do you believe in true love's kiss?"

Jihoon has heard tales of it. How one single kiss from the one who truly loves you, a genuine and selfless kind of love, would cure all kinds of curse and poison. He's never seen it happen before, nor has heard if it's really true. But Jihoon believes in the power of love laced with magic. Still, he doesn't understands why Hoshi would ask about it right now.

"I mean, I've never really thought of it like-"

He's eyes widened and his words fell short when Hoshi suddenly drew close, his hands cupping Jihoon's face when there's only a shy space between them. 

"It was a rhetorical question, Jihoon" 

And then Hoshi's pressing his lips against Jihoon's. 

Every and any reaction he previously have died on his throat as he felt the softness of Hoshi's kiss. It was only a moment but he felt magic bursts on the seams. His heart is singing a tune he has never heard before, his mind blank of any words. He ended up closing eyes, pressing closer. Kissing him back until their lips are moving, dancing with the music that plays just for the two of them to hear. 

All too soon, the kiss ended. Leaving Jihoon lightheaded, feeling like he's floating and at the same time he's falling. But he doesn't mind. Especially when Hoshi moved only to put their foreheads together as they breathe the same air, lips still too close. 

"Soonyoung"

"Hmmm?" Jihoon hummed, confused and distracted as his eyes found Hoshi's.

"I... I keep dreaming of a woman. Tucking me in, holding me close. And she would always call me Soonyoung" Hoshi paused and Jihoon's breathe hitched.

"It's your name" Jihoon whispered between them.

"I think" Hoshi, no, Soonyoung chuckled. Thumb caressing Jihoon's cheeks and Jihoon turned his head to the side to press a kiss on his palm.

"Soonyoung..." He let the name roll out from his tongue. Like a prayer, like a promise. 

"It was nice to meet you, Soonyoung" Like a goodbye.

And just like every fairytale he was told, his story ended with a True love's kiss.