Chapter Text
There was a legend, among the seafarers, of a Siren that lived on the lonely north coast and lured sailors to their doom with his melodious deep voice. Jungkook wasn't sure he believed that- how could a deep voice be alluring? The best singer he knew from their village was Jimin who's voice was high, sweet-toned and beautiful.
Jungkook had grown up in the small fishing village in the south where the water was warm and sun-drenched and the fish were plentiful. He learned to fish and swim as a matter of course- everyone in his village learned these things, whether they planned to make their living fishing, as most did, or take on one of the few other jobs in their village.
His friend Namjoon, who was a little older, was one of those who would not be taking up nets as an adult. Namjoon was very smart and was already as wise as many of the elders- he was training to take over the teaching of the school when Master Cho decided to retire. This was just as well for the gods had made sure that Namjoon would be content with his destiny by making him clumsy to the point of almost uselessness with the fishing nets.
Namjoon’s best friend Jin was also not destined to go out with the boats, even though he loved fishing. He was less happy about it than Namjoon but he had been discovered to have the gift of cooking- a talent to valuable to waste on the waves. Because of this he had more contact with the women of the village who took care of the growing crops- which delighted the women as Jin was undeniably the handsomest man in the village.
***
“What’s that?” Jimin asked as they combed the beach for damaged items and torn nets after the storm. He was pointing to something large- too large to be a net- some distance away from them on the beach.
Jungkook shrugged. “I can’t see from this distance, maybe driftwood? It’s pretty big but that was a big storm last night.” He had listened to it from the safety of his parent’s large and comfortable hut and been glad that all of their sailors were home and accounted for.
“If it’s driftwood we should try to carry it home. Driftwood burns pretty and everyone would enjoy it.” said Jimin, his beautiful heart making him always considerate of others.
They were already walking towards it- even such a large piece would not be too hard to carry- driftwood was light when it was dry. As they got closer, Jungkook said “Jimin? It looks… funny… for driftwood…” because it did not look right, something was off.
Jimin squinted and then he gasped and began to run toward the object. “Kookie? Go get the healer! I think it’s a man!” Jungkook, as the faster runner, took off in the direction of the village and Jimin ran to their mystery object which was indeed a man- a man with very pale skin and dark hair bound to a piece of wood with tattered netting. He seemed to be unconscious but he was, miraculously, breathing. Jimin took out his knife and began to gently cut away the net that bound the man. He wasn’t a healer but even the healer couldn’t do anything until the man was free.
As he worked at his task, dark eyes fluttered open and took in the sight of the small man with his golden skin and halo of blond hair, face set and intent on his task. “Angel.” he whispered but too softly from Jimin to notice and the eyes fluttered closed again as the man sank back into blackness, comforted that he was safe in an angel’s hands.
***
“Hope, where is Sanri-nim?” Jungkook panted when he reached the healing hut. The healer’s assistant was working on compounding medicines, his shock of sun-bleached hair held out of the way with a cloth. He looked up and gave Jungkook one of his brilliant smiles and said “She’s over at Mina-ssi’s hut. The baby is coming now. Can I help?”
“We found a man washed up on the beach- Jimin is with him now- and I came to get the healer.” Jungkook told him. “I don’t know if he’s still alive or not… can you come right away?”
The question was redundant as Hope was already packing a few medicines into a small sack. “Lead the way. I don’t know how much we can do but we’ll do everything we can.” He handed Jungkook a large blanket. “We’ll need to bring him and he probably shouldn’t walk.” Seeing the worried look in Jungkook’s dark eyes he added “It will be okay. The gods never give us more than we can handle.”
They hurried back to the beach and found Jimin sitting with his hand grasped in the stranger’s. “Hope! Thank goodness. He’s still breathing but he hasn’t woken up yet.”
Hope nodded. “Jungkook, take his other hand- let him know he is not alone.” he said and then began examining the stranger. Other than a few cuts and abrasions, he seemed to have come through his ordeal very well. While he worked, Hope told the unconscious man what he was doing and kept a running commentary both to comfort his patient and to reassure the two young men. Once he had made sure that the man had no broken bones, they laid out the blanket next to him and carefully lifted him onto it, using it to carry him securely back to the healer’s hut.
***
It was deep night when the man woke in the healer’s hut, firelight dancing on the ceiling and someone holding his hand. Hope was immediately alert when his patient stirred but waited for him to speak. The dark eyes slid over to him and he said “Where is the angel? You look a little like him but you are not him.”
“I am Hope and you are in my village. You washed up on our beach earlier today and two of our fishermen found you.” Hope said carefully. “How should I call you?” he asked politely. Some villages were superstitious of giving their names.
But apparently not the stranger’s village because he answered “My name is Yoongi- you can call me that.”
Hope nodded. “I have some water for you.” He gave Yoongi a small cup which he drank thirstily. “There is more but I want you to take it slowly.” The worst part of being lost at sea was the thirst- surrounded by water that did not quench thirst but only made it worse. However, too much at once could be as dangerous as none at all. Hope knew his business well by now.
“Would you like food yet? I have some for you if you want it.” he said.
Yoongi shook his head. “Not yet. Can I have more water?” he asked.
Hope gave him a little more and said “That is all I can give you for a few minutes. While we wait, can you tell me what happened?”
“You won’t believe me.” Yoongi said. He let go of Hope’s hand.
Hope said “Tell me anyway. It will pass the time while we wait for you to have more water.”
Yoongi sighed and said heavily “It was the Siren.”
