Thread by @tinyyoonmini

Siren Song ✨

When Yoongi is spending some time at his late grandfather’s beach hut he is enraptured by a beautiful song and the even more so by the beautiful boy that sings it.

#yoonminweek2021 #yoonminweek2021_D3 #yoonminau

Tags:

💧 siren au
💧 siren!jimin
💧 human!yoongi
💧 summer romance
💧 lightest of light angst
💧 just soft boys trying their best
💧 lots of cuddling

Starting soon!
Let me know your thoughts through qts or cc 🥺💕

curiouscat.qa/tinyyoonmini

💧💧💧💧💧

The midday sun shone brightly overhead as Yoongi drove along the narrow road. The sunlight glimmering on the pale blue surface of the sea visible through the trees that lined the road.

Part of him wondered what the hell he was doing there as he pulled up outside of the old beach hut. It had been a long drive and he was tired, the sight of the hut didn’t bring him much relief, instead it filled him with sadness.

The hut had once belonged to his grandfather. He had a vague memory of spending days at the beach during the summer as a kid before they’d moved away. Yoongi had been eight when his father’s job had moved them to Seoul, to the opposite end of the country.

They hadn’t travelled back much, and never back to the beach.

Being back here now felt strange, he barely remembered the time he spent there, only brief snippets of building sandcastles and an image of his grandfather fishing. That was always how he pictured his grandfather, sat on his deckchair, fishing rod in hand.

Even now it was still how he saw the old man. With a heavy sigh he unfastened his seatbelt and stepped outside. It was like stepping into a furnace after the cool air-conditioned car.

He groaned, just another thing to deal with while he was here. He forgot how hot it was during the summer here, he wasn’t used to it. The sooner he got everything sorted, the sooner he could go back home to his nice air-conditioned apartment.

Inside the hut was dark and musty. A layer of dust coating every surface. Yoongi rummaged in his bag for a mask, the last thing he needed was to inhale a year’s worth of dust.

He propped the door open to allow some light while he found his barings. Soon enough he had pulled open the curtains and thrown the windows open wide, letting sunlight flood the hut.

There were only two rooms. The main room and a small bathroom tucked into one corner, he prayed the plumbing was still working, the last thing he needed was to deal with that. He could do most things himself, but plumbing was not his forte.

A quick text to his friends and mom to let them know he’d arrived safely and he got to work. It was brutal in the heat but he stuck it out, the first thing was to clean the place up.

When he’d found out that his grandfather had left him the little beach hut in his will, Yoongi hadn’t known what to do with it. He’d effectively ignored it for almost six months before his mother’s nagging got to him and he gave in.

That was how he’d ended up here, a car full of cleaning products and tools. The plan was to clean the place up, make sure it was in good condition and sell it. He had no use for it after all.

Namjoon had tried to convince him to keep it, that it would be a good place for whenever he needed to get away from Seoul, but Yoongi had simply told him that was what hotels were for. He didn’t have time to manage the upkeep of a beach hut he’d barely use.

Relief had flooded through him when he checked the plumbing and found the water still working, cleaning the bathroom was probably the easiest job. But still a lot of work, his shirt was soaked through with sweat by the time he was done. At least he could have a shower now though.

After a quick break to down a couple of bottles of water and eat the kimbap Hoseok had packed for him, he got to work on the main room. Clearing out the rubbish and attempting to get rid of the dust.

There was so much, he was glad he’d brought masks or his lungs would’ve been clogged. He stripped the little bed that sat in one corner and made a pile of all the linens, he'd noticed a little laundromat as he’d passed through the town a few miles back.

He could take it all up there tomorrow. For tonight he’d have to make do with the sleeping bag he’d brought with him.

As the sun began to set he called it quits. Along with the kimbap, Hoseok had packed him various other snacks and food in the cooler so he made dinner and settled himself on the deck.

Yoongi had to admit that sitting out on the deck with the sun setting over the water was quite peaceful. He could understand why his grandfather had spent so much time up here. He sat there longer than he’d planned, just staring out into the inky water.

His mind was a flurry of memories of his childhood and his grandfather. It hadn’t really hit him that he was gone until he was sat there, alone. All he could think was how his grandfather should have been there beside him, his faithful fishing rod held in his old weathered hands.

It was only when the cool night air made him shiver that he finally pulled himself up and headed back inside. Now that the sunlight was gone the hut looked dingy and cold again. He lit one of the old lamps and laid out his sleeping bag on the bed.

His eyes began to feel heavy quite quickly, and although his mind was still a jumble of feelings he extinguished the lamp and the hard work of the day bringing sleep over him almost immediately.

*****

Yoongi awoke the next morning to the sound of seagulls. He fumbled for his phone, 6:37am, great. He groaned, body heavy and sore from the work he’d put in yesterday. He stumbled his way across to the bathroom, and was thankful to himself that he cleaned up in there first.

After a shower he felt slightly more human but the need for caffeine was strong. He grabbed the little portable stove and coffee making tools and headed out onto the porch. The tide was out leaving the golden sand stretched out far out before him.

It didn't take much time to get the stove going and the small pot he’d filled with water boiling. Thanks to the many camping trips he’d gone on with his friends he knew how to make coffee in the wild.
The first sip felt like heaven.

As he sat watching the seagulls waddle about on the beach he made a plan for the day. First thing was to head up into town. He’d stop by the laundromat and get some essentials from the hardware store, including some much needed fuel for the generator that the shower ran on.

Plus some food to keep him going over the week. The hut wasn’t connected to the main power line, but the cooler he had could be connected to his car to charge. Once again those camping trips provided him with the essentials he needed to survive his visit.

He would try not to complain too much the next time Seokjin suggested they go on one.

The town was small, just a few stores and cafes, but it was quite busy. No doubt the summer heat bringing in the visitors. He wondered what the place was like during the colder months, probably a lot quieter.

Yoongi managed to get everything he needed at the hardware store, when Yoongi had mentioned the beach hut the owner had been happy to find Yoongi was the grandson of Mr Min, apparently they had been friends and went fishing together on occasion.

Yoongi had greatly appreciated his help, but was glad the store had been busy so he could slip away. Not quite ready to hear the old man reminisce about his grandfather.

Back at the hut he continued work on the main room. Cleaning it within an inch itself. It was backbreaking work but he was proud when it was done. He’d made a list of all the repairs he’d need to do as he worked.

A few loose floorboards here and there, cupboard doors that needed tightening. Nothing too hard going. The thing that needed the most work was the deck. It was worn with age, and needed a lot of repairs.

He’d need to go back to the hardware store for some wood, but he’d be able to patch it up. The whole place could do with a coat of fresh paint as well, he added that to the list as he sat out on the deck eating dinner.

He’d thought he could get everything done in a few days, now he realised it was going to take a week or more.

‘Hey hyung.’
‘Namjoon-ah, how’s things going?’ Yoongi asked, the phone propped between his shoulder and ear as he dried the few dishes he’d just washed up.
‘It’s good. How’s the beach hut?’
‘Getting there, slowly. I might be gone a bit longer than planned.’

‘That’s no problem, everything’s running fine here.’ Namjoon assured. He knew it would be. Namjoon was more than capable of running their small record label on his own. Yoongi simply missed his job.
‘Take all the time you need, I have things handled.’

‘I know you do. I just…’ Yoongi trailed off. His mind going back to his home, his studio.
‘I get it, it’s easy to miss being home. But this will be good, you needed a break.’ Namjoon said.
‘Not much of a break when I’ve been cleaning solidly for two days.’

‘True, but you know that’s not what I mean. You needed time away from the studio, even if you say otherwise.’
‘Hm, maybe.’
‘Think of it as a chance to clear your head, get some fresh inspiration.’
‘It isn’t the worst place for writing I suppose.’

‘See, I told you selling it was a bad idea!’
‘Joon-ah, you know I’m not keeping this place.’
‘Okay whatever you want, just take some time to enjoy the place before you put the for sale sign up.’

Yoongi thought about what Namjoon said a lot that night as he lay on the freshly washed sheets. The sound of the waves lapping against the shore through the open window.

Maybe he should take a few days once the work was done to write. It had been a while since he’d felt a new wave of inspiration, maybe this place could bring it. He was sure his grandfather would have liked that, for Yoongi to find some inspiration here.

A sudden memory of his grandparents' old piano that stood beside the window flashed before his eyes. He remembered the dark wood, the tinkling sound of the keys as he’d pressed them with his small chubby fingers. His grandmother’s laugh as she’d called him the next Beethoven.

It was that piano that had led to his love of creating music. When they’d moved to Seoul his father had bought him a keyboard, penance for taking him away from his friends to a new home.

Yoongi had been so excited by the shiny new toy that he’d forgotten all about the old wooden piano. But now all he could think about was what had happened to it.

💧💧💧💧💧

It was a few days later when he’d heard it.

The waves lapped at the shoreline in a soft lullaby as the sun began to dip below the horizon. The beach cast in a dim glow as the day faded into night. He couldn’t remember when he’d started walking, the shoreline long enough to make him forget time.

It was like the waves were singing to him, luring him in with soft harmony that sank in through his pores. A shiver rippled through him as the evening breeze caught at his bare skin. He should have brought a jacket, or maybe he should just head back.

Something stopped him from turning around though, instead his path stayed the same, a steady pace along the shoreline.

Night had fallen completely by the time he reached the pier. It was old and worn. Years of battling with the salt water leaving it in disrepair. He watched as the water lapped at the weathered beams, the waves were kind today, their brushes against the wood slow and gentle.

Another shiver passed through him as his steps took him under the pier, his eyes training up for a second. He could faintly make out the stars through the slats, tiny pricks of light in the vast darkness above. He knew he should go back, but his feet remained in place.

He couldn’t bring himself to turn around, something keeping him there.

It was as he stood in the quiet below the pier that the sound became more clear. Only just audible above the lull of the waves. He strained his ears to make out the delicate melody, a voice, airy and high. It blended so perfectly with the soft waves that he almost missed it.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood as the song grew louder, it sent a chill down his spine. There was pain in the words, the words he couldn’t quite make out, like they were a different language, but at the same time they weren’t.

He felt drawn to the song, his eyes searching the darkness for its source. He didn’t even realise he’d started moving again until the water hit his ankles, the cold shocking him back into himself for a moment.

He shook his head, shaking away the slight cloud that had been taking over him without his notice, only for it to start creeping back in as the song continued.

He had to find the singer, the source of the beautifully raw and magical sound that now filled the air around him. His steps took him further under the pier, the water now up to his calves, soaking into his jeans but he didn’t care. He barely noticed. All he knew was the song.

The song which surrounded him, it consumed him, swallowing him up like the sea washing over his skin.

His breathing stuttered when the soft glow came into view. Further out, where the water was deeper a beam had broken, it lay propped against the beam beside it. Sat atop the broken beam was a boy, the moonlight shining through a broken plank on the pier above them.

It was like he was made from the moonlight itself, beautiful and eerie. The boy was singing, the source of the song that had wrapped itself around Yoongi’s heart.

Entranced he waded further towards the boy, his eyes fixated on the pearly glow that highlighted his delicate features. The water was up to his waist now, seeping into his t-shirt. Something at the back of his mind was screaming at him to stop, cold, so cold.

But the song nudged it back, filling his mind so only that could be heard. Drowning out any other thoughts, warnings, awareness as he slowly moved closer and closer to the boy.

Yoongi was sinking, swallowed up by the song and water alike. Both pulling him deeper and deeper until soon he would disappear beneath the surface.

He didn’t care, all he cared about was the boy, the boy with the beautiful voice that filled him to his very core. Devoured him, consumed him.

*****

The cool sea breeze felt nice against his warm skin. His hair blowing gently enough to tickle his skin. Jimin leaned back against the post, the old wood solid and sturdy, despite it looking like it could crumble away at any moment.

He sighed out a low breath, the song falling from his lips like it was second nature. It was really, when he came to think of it. Singing came so easy to him, and he loved it. Loved to sit in the darkness of night, only the moon’s unearthly glow to see by.

He loved it here, on this beach, he liked to think of it as his beach. It was rare to see anyone around here, especially at night. He was safe, safe to sing his song.

Only he wasn’t, not tonight.

He wasn’t sure what pulled his attention, but he looked back up towards the beach and his heart almost stopped in his chest.

There was a man, a man in the water. Water that was almost up to his chest. He was looking right at Jimin and oh no, not again. Please not again.

Panic ripped through him as he slipped down from the beam where he’d been sitting and swam towards the man, the man whose head would be clearing now that Jimin had stopped singing.

Please no, he couldn’t let it happen again, he couldn’t.

The man blinked at him when he stopped in front of him, his pale skin seemed to glow in the moonlight and if he hadn’t been filled with fear he would’ve noticed how beautiful the man was, but at that moment Jimin’s mind was too focussed on getting the man back to the shore.

Jimin scooped him up into his arms, his skin was so cold, so so cold and Jimin’s worry only grew. The man made no effort to fight against Jimin, a sign he was still under the haze that his song created.

That was probably a good thing for the moment, it made it easier to carry him up to the beach, to lay him on the damp sand. He was so cold and Jimin was terrified.

‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry, I’m so so sorry.’ Jimin said, as the man simply looked at him, confusion in his eyes.
‘I didn’t mean it, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.’ Jimin continued in a sort of mantra as he scanned the beach.

Where had he come from? Jimin hadn’t been singing loudly, so he couldn’t have caught him from too far away.
He was so cold. Humans weren’t meant to be this cold. He needed to get him warm again.

Jimin’s eyesight was good above water, he squinted, trying to see where the man could have come from. He couldn’t see anything, this strip of beach was usually empty, a forgotten cove, only that old man who fished… the old man! The little house!

Jimin almost cried in relief, he could take the man there, maybe he had come from there? Jimin hadn’t seen the old guy in a long time now, maybe this man lived there now? It didn’t matter, it would be warmer there no matter what, he had to get him there.

He couldn’t lose another one.

💧💧💧💧💧

Yoongi’s senses came back to him as they made their way along the beach. It was as though a veil had been lifted from his mind, the sound of the waves lapping at the shoreline no longer a haunting song, just the normal repetitive washing sound.

He was vaguely aware of the boy beside him, of his strong arm holding Yoongi by the waist. But what he mostly felt was confusion and cold. He was so cold. He shivered as they made their way closer and closer to the beach hut, he could see it now. A dark shadow in the moonlight.

His body ached with the cold, his clothes soaked through and clinging to his icy skin.
‘I’m so sorry.’ The boy mumbled every now and then, Yoongi could hear the pain in his voice.

He didn’t understand what he was sorry about, but Yoongi hoped that he was okay. He was clearly very upset and maybe a little afraid.

He had never been more thankful to see the beach hut. They stumbled up the steps together, Yoongi’s sodden shoes slipping on the wooden steps. The door opened easily, hadn’t he locked it? Yoongi had trouble remembering, but then again could barely remember leaving the hut.

The boy guided him inside, leading him over to the bed but Yoongi stopped him. His mind was still a little fuzzy, but he did know that getting into bed sopping wet wouldn’t help.
‘Towel.’ He mumbled.

‘Oh! Yes! Those things humans use!’ The boy said, he left Yoongi standing in the middle of the hut as he rummaged through the things. Humans? The boy had said it like he wasn’t one, Yoongi frowned, that wasn’t right. He was so confused.

Instead of thinking about it he made his way over to the table and the lamp that stood atop it. His fingers were so numb he could barely turn the switch on, but he managed and it flickered into life filling the hut with soft light.

He sank onto a chair and began to pull off his wet shoes and socks. What had happened? Why had he been in the water?
As Yoongi tried to remember what had happened the boy returned with what looked like the entire stack of towels from the bathroom.

‘Towels!’ He said a little too loudly. Yoongi’s head hurt.
The boy put the towels down on the table and grabbed one, wrapping it around Yoongi’s shoulders. 
‘What happened?’ Yoongi asked as the boy took another towel and attempted to wrap it around Yoongi’s legs.

It was like he didn’t know what to do with one, or how it really worked.
‘I’m- I’m sorry it’s all my fault. I didn’t know anyone was on the beach, nobody usually comes here. I’m sorry.’ The boy said, he was close to distraught, the pain and fear in his voice hurt Yoongi’s heart.

‘It’s okay.’ He found himself saying, even though he still wasn’t entirely sure what was happening or had happened. For some reason this boy was blaming himself for whatever weird thing had happened and Yoongi really didn’t want him too.

‘No it’s not, you could’ve- you could’ve died and it would be all my fault again and I can’t- I can’t have it happen again. I can’t- I can’t!’ 
He was crying now and Yoongi didn’t know what to do. What did he mean he could’ve died?

What the hell was going on, why couldn’t he remember anything? Why was his brain so fuzzy? Why was there a pretty boy crying in the middle of his beach hut?
‘It’s okay, really it’s okay. I’m okay.’ He assured, but the boy just kept crying and patting Yoongi’s legs with the towel.

Yoongi reached out and gently put what he hoped was a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

The boy looked up at him with wide eyes, wide tear filled eyes and Yoongi couldn’t help but think how beautiful he was, even crying he was the most beautiful person Yoongi had ever seen. He also had an overwhelming need to comfort and protect this beautiful boy.

Yoongi squeezed the boy’s shoulder lightly, it was then that he realised how warm he felt. It was as though the boy was radiating a warm summer’s day. His fingers no longer felt numb, the warmth slowly spreading through Yoongi.

‘What’s your name?’ Yoongi asked, when the boy didn’t say anything else.
‘J-Jimin.’ He replied softly.
‘Hi Jimin, I’m Yoongi.’
‘Yoongi-‘ The boy, Jimin, said the name with such fascination and wonder it left Yoongi feeling more confused than ever. Who was this boy?

‘Can you tell me what happened? I don’t remember why I was in the water, it’s all a bit fuzzy.’
‘It was my fault.’ Jimin said, face falling again. He thankfully didn’t start crying again though, so that was something.

‘You keep saying that, but I don’t really understand how it could be?’ Yoongi was sure there was no way Jimin could have forced him into the water. While he was around Yoongi’s height, his build was much smaller, and he just didn’t seem like he had it in him to harm anyone.

Of course you could never really tell, but something inside Yoongi told him he was right.
‘I- it was, it was my song.’
His song?
‘I don’t understand.’

‘My song, it- it pulled you and I’m so sorry I didn’t mean it. I didn’t know you were on the beach or I wouldn’t have. I thought it was safe, I’m sorry.’ Jimin said, tears threatening to spill again.

‘It’s okay.’ Yoongi found himself reassuring again although he was still no clearer on what happened. ‘Just, tell me exactly what happened.’
‘I told you! It was my song. I should’ve never done it.’
‘How could a song do anything to me?’

Yoongi really didn’t understand what Jimin was talking about, his song? A song didn’t have the means to make him do anything. Jimin was clearly just as confused as he was. None of this made any sense, maybe they were both attacked?

He reached up and felt his head for any bumps, if he’d been hit on the head it would explain why he didn’t remember anything. But his head felt fine, and yeah his mind was a bit fuzzy but he wasn’t actually in physical pain.

‘Can you explain it to me, you say it was your song but I don’t know what that means.’ Yoongi asked after his short head inspection.
Jimin was still kneeling on the floor, his poor attempt at drying Yoongi’s legs forgotten as he looked up at Yoongi.
‘I can show you.’

Show him? What was he-
Jimin began to sing softly, his voice was light and airy, but Yoongi felt it more than he heard it. The way it seeped into him and began to fill his mind, consuming him but before it could take hold it was gone.

Jimin had stopped singing and he was looking up at Yoongi with such sadness in his eyes. Yoongi wanted to say something but he couldn’t form the words, didn’t know what to say. He had felt it, had felt the way the song had wrapped around him, pulling him, pulling him to Jimin.

Even in that short amount of time, it had been less than thirty seconds but it had felt so strong. Yoongi realised at that moment that it had physically moved him as well, he was sitting on the edge of the chair, he hadn’t even been aware that he’d moved.

He shuffled back and Jimin frowned, casting his eyes down.
‘See, my song.’
His song, Yoongi tried to remember what it had sounded like but it was hard but as he thought about it something came back to him.

He’d heard it before.

After dinner that evening he’d went to sit out on the deck to write, watching as the sun began its slow descent towards the horizon. That’s when he’d heard it, the same melody, he hadn’t even realised it at the time but now he knew that’s what it had been.

He got up suddenly, startling Jimin. He heard him cry out after him but Yoongi didn’t respond, instead he hurried out to the deck, and there it was. The lyric book still sat on the deck, pen beside it like he’d been sat there just moments before.

Yoongi picked it up and he read over the words he’d written. He barely remembered it, but as he read over them more and more came back to him. The sound of the waves, the gentle lull that had felt like a melody.

He’d gone down onto the shore to better listen, and he’d just kept walking. Walking along the beach towards the old pier.

‘You remember now.’
He turned to find Jimin standing behind him. The moonlight reflecting off his light blond hair.
‘The pier, I remember going into the water, I don’t know why, but I remember it was cold on my ankles.’

‘It was my song, it brought you there. I was- I was singing and I didn’t mean to. I’m sorry.’
‘You were under the pier.’ It wasn’t a question, Yoongi knew he had been. He didn’t really remember it but he could feel it. 
‘Yes.’

Yoongi sank down onto the deck, his head was spinning as the vague memories came back, the song. He could remember the song, but at the same time he couldn’t quite describe it. He felt Jimin sit down beside him, could feel his warmth.

‘You’re not cold.’ 
‘No, we don’t feel the cold like you do.’
‘You say that like you’re not like me, that you’re not…’ Yoongi trailed off, not quite sure how he wanted to end that sentence. Jimin finished it for him.
‘Human.’

Yoongi looked over at him. Jimin was looking out over the water, in the darkness of the night he could just make out his delicate features, the high cheekbones and sharp jawline contrasting with soft cheeks and button nose.

His lips were full and blush pink, and his eyes, his eyes were hard to describe. It was like the changed colour at will, he could’ve sworn in the hut they’d been a deep brown, but here out on the deck they looked stormy grey.

‘Not human.’ Yoongi said, more to himself than anything. He couldn’t make any sense of it, but he somehow knew Jimin wasn’t lying. ‘Then what-?’
He didn’t need Jimin to say it, something had clicked as his fingers brushed against the pages of the notebook still in his hands.

The water, the song, Jimin, he was a…
‘Your people call us sirens. To us we are simply water spirits.’ Jimin said.
‘Sirens, but those are just myths.’
‘Do I look like a myth to you?’ Jimin said with a hollow smile.
‘But how,’

‘We keep ourselves hidden. It’s easier that way, for everyone.’
‘But aren’t sirens supposed to be vicious and kill sailors and stuff?’
Jimin laughed, less hollow now, as he turned to look at Yoongi.

‘There was a time, yes, when my kind were crueler. There are still those who live by those ways, luring the unsuspecting to their deaths at sea. But for the most part we don’t live like that anymore. It became a sort of unwritten rule to never sing our songs anymore.’

‘But you did.’
Jimin’s eyes fell again.
‘Yes.’
‘You said you didn’t think anyone was here.’
‘Yes, I would never have done it if I’d known you were on the beach.’
‘Then it’s not your fault.’ Yoongi said.
‘But you could’ve drowned!’ Jimin exclaimed.
‘I didn’t though.’

‘That’s not the point! I- I was reckless, I should’ve known better after the last time.’ 
‘The last time?’
Jimin’s eyes went wide, as though he hadn’t meant to say that, Yoongi wasn’t supposed to have heard it.
‘Jimin has this happened before?’
‘No.’
‘Jimin.’

‘Please, don’t ask me that.’ Part of Yoongi wanted to oblige, to give anything Jimin asked for, but the other part of him needed to know.
‘What happened last time Jimin?’
Jimin looked down at his hands in his lap, his plush lips in a soft pout.

He looked upset and Yoongi almost told him it didn’t matter, but then he began to speak.
‘It was a few years ago now. I had started coming to the surface more often, we’re not supposed to, in case we are seen. But it was a quiet cove, a lot like this one further up north.

It’s colder up there, less people go to beaches where it’s cold.’ Yoongi listened intently as Jimin told his story. ‘I’ve always loved to sing, but it’s not allowed. So I would go to the cove and sing there, no one could get hurt if no one was around to hear it right?’

‘Someone heard it?’ Yoongi asked, already knowing the answer.
‘Yes. An old man. I didn’t realise until it was too late, his fishing boat had been nearby, he’d jumped into the water… and… I didn’t mean it to happen.’

Yoongi could just imagine it, Jimin sat in the cove where he thought it was safe to let his song out. Only to ensnare an unsuspecting fisherman.
‘It was an accident’
‘I was reckless.’
‘You didn’t mean it to happen.’
‘But it did! I killed that man and I almost killed you!’

He was crying again now and Yoongi could see the hurt and anger at himself in his eyes.
‘I’m okay, you didn’t hurt me.’
Jimin looked up at him, tears streaked down his beautiful face. 
‘Really, I’m fine. Please, don’t be too harsh on yourself.’

A gust of wind hit Yoongi then causing him to shiver, and Jimin stood up quickly.
‘You’re cold! Why did you come out here, you have to get warm, humans need to be warm!’ Jimin said almost scoldingly, grabbing Yoongi by the arm and pulling him up.

He was surprisingly strong and Yoongi had a sudden memory of being held in Jimin’s arms, had the siren carried him?

Jimin led him back inside the hut and proceeded to grab another towel, no doubt trying to continue his attempt at drying and warming Yoongi. But now that he was a little more aware of himself Yoongi knew that would be useless.

‘I need to get out of these wet clothes.’ He said, stopping Jimin before he managed to wrap another towel around him.
‘Oh okay.’ He dropped the towel at his feet and reached for Yoongi’s clothes.

‘No!’ Yoongi cried, stepping back and away from Jimin’s outstretched hands. ‘I- um I can do that myself.’
‘Oh, okay.’ Jimin said, sounding a little disappointed. Yoongi could feel his cheeks warming and was thankful that the hut was so dimly lit, hiding his red face.

‘I’m gonna-‘ he pointed towards the bathroom. Quickly he grabbed one of the towels from the pile still sitting on the table and his rucksack that still housed his clean clothes before disappearing into the bathroom and closing the door.

After a few seconds he locked it for good measure, not sure whether Jimin would follow him to ‘help’.

Yoongi took a moment to just breathe, back pressed against the door. His head was still a mess of confusion and uncertainty about everything Jimin had just told him, but at the same time he just knew what had been said was the truth.

Jimin was a siren, a mythical sea spirit that had accidentally almost lured him to his death in the cold sea. In all honesty he had no idea what to make of it all, it was hard to believe, the idea that sirens existed seemed so far-fetched.

And yet Jimin was very real, and Yoongi had felt the power in the song he’d sung.

A shiver rippled through him and reminded him why he was in the bathroom. He quickly began to strip off his still wet clothes. It was a relief in itself to remove the fabric from his clammy skin.

He already felt warmer from it, he dried himself off and pulled out some clean and dry clothes. Jimin’s revelation had distracted him but now as he pulled on some socks he realised how cold he still was.

When he came out of the bathroom he was surprised to see Jimin still there. He was sitting on the bed, Yoongi’s notebook in his hands. Yoongi had dropped it on the deck when Jimin had pulled him up and back into the hut, he must have gone and retrieved it.

Normally Yoongi wouldn’t let anyone see his lyric book, it was his and only his, but for some reason he felt okay with Jimin looking through it. The siren was flipping through the worn pages, Yoongi couldn’t read the expression on his face.

Jimin looked up as Yoongi made his way over to the bed.
‘I’m sorry.’ He said, quickly closing the notebook. 
‘It’s okay.’ Yoongi said, sitting beside him and taking the book back.
‘Did you write that?’ Jimin asked.
‘Yeah.’
‘Wow, it’s amazing. They’re songs?’

‘Yeah, I’m a music producer.’ 
‘Music producer? What’s that?’
‘I help make music for others, I write lyrics and melodies and bring it all together to make songs.’
‘You can do all of that?’ Jimin said in awe.
‘It’s not that big of a deal.’
‘I wish I could do that.’

‘In a way you already do, with your singing, do you make up the words?’
‘I don’t know, I just sing what I feel.’
Yoongi was now the one in awe. The song Jimin had been singing when Yoongi had been caught had been beautiful, he remembered that much at least.

It was like it transcended lyrics and melody to create something else, something beyond what his mind could comprehend.

They sat quietly for a moment, Yoongi lost in his own head trying to remember the song that Jimin had sang. He still couldn’t quite wrap his head around the idea that it had been the song that had pulled him into the water, that had drawn him to Jimin.

And yet at the same time he knew it to be true, he had not only felt the power in it when Jimin had sang for those few seconds, but there was something else, something about Jimin himself that had Yoongi drawn to him.

Now that his head was a little less fuzzy he could see how beautiful Jimin was. In a way it should be expected, wasn't that how the old stories went? Sirens were beauties of the sea that lured sailors to their deaths with their songs?

Jimin was beautiful and dangerous, and for some reason that made Yoongi all the more interested.

Yoongi hadn’t realised he’d began to shiver again until Jimin pointed it out.
‘You’re still cold!’ He said when Yoongi had shifted slightly and his hand had brushed against Jimin’s bare arm.
‘I’m okay.’ Yoongi lied.

‘No, humans are meant to be warmer than this. You need to be warm or you’ll die.’ Jimin said, a hint of panic in his voice again.
‘It doesn’t really work like that.’ Yoongi tried to say but Jimin had got to his feet heading over to the towel that still sat on the table.

He brought it over to Yoongi, wrapping it around his shoulders as though one small hand towel would fix everything. He had the cutest pout on his face as he stood over Yoongi, watching as though waiting for him to warm up right there and then.

Yoongi wanted to laugh at how ridiculous it was, but he was too endeared by Jimin’s good hearted intensions.
‘It’s not working.’ Jimin said with a frown.
‘Really I’ll be okay, it’ll just take me a while to warm up. I don’t run hot like you do.’ Yoongi said.

At which point Jimin looked down at his own hands, Yoongi could almost hear the cogs turning in his head and then something clicked. Jimin looked at him with a bright smile on his face, ‘I can warm you!’
‘Uh what?’
‘I will warm you!’

Yoongi didn’t know what was happening as Jimin sat down beside him and wrapped his arms around him. While it was true that Jimin’s skin felt almost hot to the touch and Yoongi could already feel himself warming as he was close to him.

Yoongi also felt very weird and awkward about being hugged by someone who was practically a stranger.
Yet, for some reason he didn’t make any attempt to stop Jimin.
‘This won’t do.’ Jimin mumbled as he awkwardly held Yoongi.

He pulled away and looked at the bed, his mind seeming to land on the blankets and a little triumphant smile landed on his face.
‘Yes! The big things, I don’t know what you call them. They are not towels.’ Jimin said grabbing at the bed sheets.
‘Blankets?’ Yoongi asked.

‘Yes blankets! Blankets will help!’ Jimin said getting to his feet. He practically dragged Yoongi to his feet before pulling the blankets back and then pushing him back to the bed. Yoongi went without protest, there was something cute about the way Jimin was fussing over him.

Yoongi knew he was blushing as Jimin made him lay down. Could feel the heat on his face. At least one part of him was warm, he thought.
It was only when Jimin proceeded to get in the bed with him that Yoongi had to act.

‘Wait! What are you doing?!’ Yoongi cried sitting up. Jimin was sat beside him in the bed, in the processes of pulling the blankets over them both.
‘Getting warm.’ Jimin said, clearly confused as to why Yoongi had a problem with him getting into bed with him.

‘Y-you can’t just get in bed with me!’
‘Why not?’
‘It’s-‘ Yoongi didn’t know how to explain to the siren that strangers didn’t just climb into bed together. ‘It’s- it’ll be too hot for you.’ Yoongi said instead.
Jimin seemed to consider this.

‘I’ll be fine just under the blanket on my own.’ Yoongi said. Jimin didn’t seem convinced but he did at least seem to understand that Yoongi wasn’t comfortable with Jimin being in the bed with him.
‘Okay. But you need to lie down.’ Jimin said getting up.

Yoongi lay back down and Jimin covered him up with the blanket. In reality Yoongi still felt really cold, he’d only started to feel warm when Jimin had been close to him. Jimin watched over him for a little while as Yoongi lay in the bed, trying not to shiver.

After what felt like an age, Jimin moved away from the bed, Yoongi thought he had accepted his method of warming up but he was wrong. Jimin had went over to pick up the lamp from the table, bringing it over to the bedside cabinet.

In the warm glow he looked down at Yoongi, it was a little intimidating. Being looked at like that by a creature which Yoongi knew had the power to cloud his mind.
Jimin just shook his head at Yoongi.
‘It’s not working.’
‘It is.’ Yoongi tried, but Jimin was not having it.

He seemed to muddle over the problem for a moment before making his decision. This time he didn’t get into the bed with Yoongi, but he did lay down beside him.
‘This way you’ll still get my warmth but I won’t be too hot.’ Jimin said with a satisfied nod.

Yoongi couldn’t think of an argument, and there was also a tiny part of him that liked the feeling of Jimin’s warmth beside him.

They didn’t say anything else, and with Jimin’s body heat radiating off him Yoongi found himself warming up at last, he also starting to feel the exhaustion wash over him. He hadn’t realised how tired he was, his body growing heavy with sleep as the cold slowly faded.

He let his eyes flutter shut, allowing the craziness of the last few hours to fade as sleep overcame him. He wasn’t sure if he imagined it or not, but he was sure he felt the gentle trace of fingers brushing the hair away from his forehead as he drifted off.

💧💧💧💧💧

Jimin found himself enraptured with the human that lay sleeping beside him. He had never spoken to a human before, had spent his life avoiding them. Not only because he didn’t want to harm them, but also afraid that they might harm him.

While humans had been taught old tales of beautiful but vicious creatures from the sea that would lure them to their deaths, his kind had been taught the horrors that mankind brought to the oceans.

The stories of captured sea spirits who were never seen again were whispered as warnings to the young, he remembered sitting with his brother as they were warned to stay away from the shorelines, or the humans would capture them and eat them.

He doubted that humans would eat him, but he knew that they caught fish to eat. His fingers reached the patch of scales that were visible on his shoulder, would they see him as just another fish?

He had also witnessed for himself the affects of water pollution. Had seen his many of his kind lost to the waste that was dumped into their home. So while he was aware of his own abilities, he was also aware of the ways in which humans could harm him.

Thus he had only ever watched them from a distance, curious but wary.

Jimin had always believed that there must be good in amongst all the humans of the world though, after all their were good and bad amongst his kind, surely it was the same with humans. Yoongi had shown him that he was right to think that.

He couldn’t imagine Yoongi ever doing anything harmful to him. He had been so kind to him, comforting him when it truth it was he who was in need of comfort, it was he who had been through a terrible experience and almost… almost something much much worse.

The memory of that almost made him recoil, it hurt deep in his heart that he had almost harmed this sweet man. That because of his recklessness he almost lost his life.

Yet Yoongi hadn’t ran away in fear, even after he had told Yoongi what he was, what he had done he had been kind. Assured him that it was okay, when Jimin could only feel the opposite.

So while his fascination with humans in general had increased somewhat, he felt it was more about Yoongi in particular. The human was something special, he didn’t know what it was, was it his kindness? Jimin wasn’t sure, but he was quickly becoming obsessed.

He wanted to know everything about the human who made music, who wasn’t afraid of Jimin, and who didn’t like sharing beds.

He lay beside him for a while, watching him sleep. Yoongi was pretty. His features almost delicate. His skin was paler than Jimin’s, his dark hair a stark contrast as it lay in soft curls over his eyes. Jimin reached up and very carefully brushed it back, not wanting to wake him.

His fingers lightly tracing over his skin. Jimin wanted to touch, wanted to feel the coolness of his skin against his own. Wanted to know how it would feel to hold the human in his arms. But Yoongi hadn’t wanted that, so Jimin held back. He didn’t want to scare the human away.

He let his arm rest across Yoongi’s stomach, he told himself that it was to give extra warmth to him, but really Jimin just wanted to cuddle him. To snuggle into the soft blankets with his human.

With the sound of the waves outside and the slow breathes Jimin found his own eyes heavy, he should go, go back to the water, but he was comfortable, and he didn’t want to leave Yoongi. He needed to make sure he was okay. He would stay just a little while longer.

*****

The sun was beginning to creep over the horizon when Jimin awoke. His head throbbing. He sat up and the room span, dizziness washing over him. His vision swam as he struggled to stand. How long had it been?

Seeing the hut in the early morning light gave him a good idea what time it was, how long he’d been out of the water? Too long.
He shouldn’t have stayed, he fell asleep and now he could barely stand. His limbs felt weak, his throat dry. He needed to get back to the water.

Looking over at Yoongi one last time his heart felt sad to leave him, but the human looked okay, peaceful even, as he slept on. He would be okay, and Jimin could come back later. As he turned to leave he noticed a glint of silver on the table beside the bed, a necklace.

With shaky fingers he took the chain. It was thin, a small pendant with two little fish engraved into the metal. He didn’t know what possessed him to take it, but he slipped it into the pocket of his shirt before finally pulling himself away and heading out into the dawn light.

He was glad to see the tide coming in as he stumbled his way down the steps of the deck and towards the shoreline. He was feeling more and more dizzy by the second, the affects of being out of the sea for too long.

It hadn’t happened in so long, that it made him feel ten times worse. The moment he felt the surf wash over his feet he felt a little better. He was still weak and dizzy but he could already feel his body settling.

He stood for a moment, part of him wanting to turn back to the beach hut, to Yoongi, but he didn’t. Instead he reached into his pocket, pulling out the necklace, looping it over his head. The pendent rested just below his collarbone, the silver glinting in the morning sun.

He let his fingers rest on it for a moment before walking into the water, the light catching the gentle pink hue that had began to show in his hair before it disappeared below the surface.

💧💧💧💧💧

When Yoongi woke up he was warm and comfortable, even the sound of the seagulls outside the window didn’t annoy him all that much. He rolled over, partly expecting to find someone in the bed beside him, but it was empty. Of course it was, it had just been a dream.

A weird dream. He lay bundled up under the blanket for a little while longer before he accepted that he was in fact too hot and crawled out from under it. The beach hut was bathed in warm morning sunlight, and after a few days there Yoongi was starting to like it.

He liked the simplicity of life at the hut. He didn’t have any pointless meetings to attend or deal with people in general. He could just get on with his day how he wanted.

Maybe Namjoon had been right about spending a few days here to recharge once he was done with the repairs. He could take a little break, before heading back to Seoul.

After washing up and getting dressed he headed over to the little kitchen area, it had already become second nature to set up the little portable stove and make his coffee. While he waited for it to brew he glanced out of the rickety little window that looked over the deck.

That part of the deck stretched out onto the beach, he could see that the tide was right in, the bright blue water visible under the deck, sitting on the edge, feet hanging over the side was Jimin.

Yoongi stared for a moment, eyes fixed on the boy that sat leaning back on his hands, sunning himself on the deck. He was dressed all in white again, although this time he was wearing shorts, the golden skin of his legs visible up to his thighs.

His hair was also pink, Yoongi was sure it had been blonde the night before. The night before when he had lured Yoongi into the water with his siren song, before bringing him home.

Yoongi closed his eyes, it had been real. It had all been real. Jimin was real, and he was sat on Yoongi’s deck.

Jimin had looked up at him with a bright smile when Yoongi had walked out onto the deck, and oh he was so beautiful, radiant even. While Yoongi had remembered thinking Jimin was pretty the night before, now, in the daylight he could see just how breathtaking the siren was.

‘Hello Yoongi.’ Jimin said, as Yoongi sat down on the deck beside him. His coffee cup still clutched in has hand. He definitely needed more caffeine in his system to deal with the reality of the last few hours.
‘Hi.’
‘Are you feeling better?’ Jimin asked.

‘Yes thank you. I slept a lot a think.’ When he’d put his watch on he was surprised how late in the morning it was, he hadn’t slept that well since arriving at the beach but evidently the aftereffects of the night had exhausted him.

It was almost 10am by the time he had headed out onto the deck.
‘Hm, you were still sleeping when I had to leave.’
‘Had to?’
‘Yes, I wanted to stay, to make sure you were okay but I can’t be out of the water for too long.’
‘Oh, but you came back?’

‘Yes, I wanted to be sure you didn’t get sick and I wanted to talk to you again.’
‘You wanted to talk to me again?’ Yoongi was surprised to hear that, he couldn’t imagine what Jimin would want to talk to him about.
‘Yes! I’ve never met a human before!’

‘Ah, I don’t really know if I’m the best person to talk to. I’m not very interesting.’
‘But you are! Everything about you is interesting, and you make music! What’s more interesting than that?’ Jimin said with so much sincerity it made Yoongi blush.

He took a sip of coffee in an attempt to hide said blush.
‘Okay what do you want to talk about?’ Yoongi asked.
‘Do you live here now? There was an old man, but he hasn’t been here in a long time. Is this your hut now?’ Jimin asked almost immediately.

‘Um, I don’t live here but I guess the hut is mine for now.’
‘Are you on, what do they call it… vacation?’
‘Not exactly. The beach hut was my grandfather’s, he passed away and left it to me. I’m just fixing it up.’
‘The old man was your grandfather?’
Yoongi nodded.

‘He used to let the fish go.’
‘He what?’
‘After he caught them, he would let them go. Other fisherman don’t do that, but he always did.’ Jimin explained, Yoongi couldn’t help but let out a little laugh.

A memory flashing in his mind of his grandfather telling little Yoongi that he always had to let the fish go, they weren’t fishing for food, just for the fun. Yoongi had never saw the point in it back then, but as an adult he knew it was the practice of fishing that many enjoyed.

‘Yeah that sounds like him.’
‘You miss him.’
It wasn’t a question, Jimin must have sensed the sadness in Yoongi’s voice.

The longer he spent at the hut the more memories of his grandparents surfaced, and he did miss them, being away had allowed him to forget, but now those memories and feelings were at the forefront of his mind and there was a definite feeling of loss.

‘I hadn’t seen him in such a long time, and now he’s gone and I’ll never see him again.’ Yoongi said, it was as much as a self-admission as it was a reply to Jimin.
‘Missing people is hard, but they are always in your heart even after they leave us.’

‘I avoided coming here for a while, not wanting to be reminded of him I guess. But I’m glad I finally came, even if it’s just for a little while.’
‘You will leave again?’
‘Yes, I need to go back home, back to Seoul.’

Even as he said it Yoongi felt a sort of sadness at the thought of going back. He supposed it was talking about his grandfather that was making those feelings arise. Seoul was his home, his friends and family were there. He loved the city.
‘Seoul is far?’

‘Hm, took me around six hours to drive here.’
‘Oh.’ Yoongi noted a hint of sadness in Jimin’s voice at that. ‘Will you come back?’
The no was on the tip of his tongue before something held him back. Would he come back? There would be no reason to after he sold the hut.

‘I don’t know.’ He found himself saying. ‘I’m going to be selling the beach hut once I’m done with the repairs.’
‘Repairs?’
‘Yeah the hut is a little old, it needs some maintenance.’
‘You can do that?’

‘Yep, it’s not a hard job, will just take a bit of time.’ Yoongi told him, Jimin seemed in awe. He supposed living in the sea didn’t lend for much manual labour. He told Jimin about the repairs that needed doing, Jimin listening with rapt attention.

Yoongi found it easy to talk to Jimin. It was strange, normally it would take him a while to feel comfortable around new people, but with Jimin it came naturally.

They sat out on the deck for the rest of the morning, Yoongi telling the siren about the work he needed to do on the beach hut, and how he’d learned to do those things when he was in university and living in a pretty run down apartment with Seokjin.

Jimin had been fascinated to hear about Yoongi’s friends. He asked about his other friends and Yoongi told him about them all, it made him wonder if Jimin had any friends of his own. Did sea spirits have friends? Or were they solitary beings? Yoongi didn’t feel right asking.

So instead he told Jimin everything he wanted to know about his friends and his life back in Seoul.

It was while they sat talking that Yoongi noticed the scales. Jimin’s shirt was loose and as he moved the fabric shifted revealing a small patch where his skin was no longer skin, instead it looked like fish scales. Deep blue and aquamarine, the colours shifting in the light.

Jimin pulled his shirt across when he noticed Yoongi looking, a blush colouring his cheeks, and Yoongi wondered if he was embarrassed by it.

‘You don’t need to hide it.’ He said, as Jimin fidgeted with his shirt to make sure the patch was covered, his eyes shot up from where they had been cast down towards his lap.
‘I- you don’t want to see that.’
‘Why not? It’s pretty.’
‘It is?’

Yoongi wanted to say yes, everything about you is pretty but he just nodded. Jimin pushed the fabric asides his fingers skimming over it. Yoongi wanted to reach out and touch it himself.

It was stunning the way the blues melted into purples and greens depending on the way the light hit it. It seemed to blend with his skin perfectly, like it was always meant to be there, and Yoongi supposed it was, it was simply a part of Jimin.

He wondered if there were more parts visible on his body, not just the small patch on his shoulder, his eyes trailing over Jimin’s slight frame. He looked up to see Jimin watching him, a curious look in his eyes.
‘You really think it’s pretty?’ He asked.

/Everything about you is pretty./

‘Yes.’
‘I always thought it was ugly, a sign of what I really am.’
‘What you are isn’t ugly Jimin.’
‘I almost killed you, how can you say that?’

‘You didn’t mean to, you said yourself you try to avoid humans so it doesn’t happen. You are a good person Jiminie.’
Jimin seemed to be holding back a smile, his cheeks almost as pink as his hair, which reminded Yoongi that his hair had in fact changed colour.

It seemed to be more vibrant even now.
‘Your hair is pink now.’
‘Ah yeah,’ Jimin said, running a hand through the cotton candy pink strands. ‘It changes with my mood.’
‘Oh wow, that’s so cool.’
‘You think so?’
‘Yeah, can all sirens do that?’

‘No, just some of us. My brother always said it’s because I’m overly emotional, but his changes and he doesn’t seem that emotional.’ Jimin said almost sounding annoyed. It seemed brothers were just as annoying in the water as on land.

‘Maybe he is, and he just doesn’t show it.’
‘I guess. Tae’s hair always goes the prettiest shade of blue when we’re together. Mine’s never gone blue.’
‘What would it mean if it did?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Maybe you just haven’t experienced that emotion before, or show it differently.’

‘You’re so smart.’ Jimin said with a soft laugh, it was pretty, light and airy and Yoongi wanted to hear it again and again.
‘There’s a lot more to sirens than I ever knew. I guess the legends only talk about the singing and murder.’ Yoongi said laughing himself.

‘Taehyung always says that humans want to be afraid of us, so they only talk about those things. It’s why we have to stay hidden.’
‘But you told me about yourself.’
‘I kind of had to, you kept asking and I knew the memories would come back eventually.’

Yoongi realised now that he could remember more of the night. The way he’d heard the song, it had been distant and he’d thought he’d just been imagining it.

He’d also decided to walk along the beach for no reason, if it hadn’t been for Jimin’s song he knew he would’ve never done that. He could remember seeing Jimin now, the feeling of the cold water on his ankles waking him from the haze for a moment.

The way the moonlight had glinted off his pale blond hair. The way the song had made him feel sad and happy at the same time.
‘I’m glad you told me.’ He said after a moment. Jimin just looked at him, he supposed it must be difficult for him, revealing his true self like that.

Yoongi had always found it difficult to talk about himself, but especially those things that made him a little different. He was better at it now, his music had helped with that, being able to express himself through his songs.

He supposed Jimin did the same, he said he just sang what he was feeling. Yoongi wished he could hear it again, but he doubted Jimin would want to, not after what had almost happened.
‘Do you have any other special siren powers?’ He asked causing Jimin to laugh again.

‘No, unless you count not being able to be out of the water for too long without getting sick.’
‘That happens?’

‘Yes, it’s why I had to leave you. I wanted to stay, to make sure you were okay but it makes me feel dizzy and weak. It’s been so long since I spent that much time away from the water I had forgot.’
‘That sucks.’
‘Yes, but it’s part of being a water spirit.’

‘It makes sense, but it must be hard being stuck in the same place all the time.’
‘Not really, the seas and oceans are vast. I have travelled a lot.’
‘So you don’t just stay near this beach?’

‘No, well I don’t have to, but this beach is quiet so I’ve stayed near by for a few years now.’
‘So this is your home?’
‘In a way I suppose it is.

***

‘I’m gonna have to head up into town soon.’ Yoongi said. It was already past midday and he was feeling hungry. He had planned to go to the hardware store and order the wood he needed for the deck, and get lunch in the little cafe while he was there.
‘Why?’

‘There are things I need to get to fix the deck.’ He said patting the worn wood they sat upon. Jimin looked down at it, a slight frown on his face.
‘You will come back?’
‘Yeah of course, I’ll only be away for a few hours.’ Yoongi assured. Jimin seemed happier after that.

He had to admit it had been difficult to leave Jimin. Those few hours he’d spent sat talking to him on the deck had been nice, it still felt surreal that Jimin was real. He could pretty much remember the whole night now, and he replayed it in his mind as he drove into town.

The way Jimin had walked him back along the beach to the hut, he remembered the feeling fo Jimin’s strong arm wrapped around his waist keeping him upright. The warmth of his skin against Yoongi’s own.

‘Ah Yoongi-ssi! Nice to see you again.’ The hardware store owner greeted when Yoongi entered. The store was a lot quieter than it had been his previous visit.
‘Nice to see you again Mr Choi.’
‘What can I do for you?’

‘I wanted to order that wood for the deck, I measured up and made a note of what I’m gonna need.’ Yoongi said fumbling in his pocket for the scrap of paper.
‘Give it here, give it here.’ Mr Choi said. Yoongi handed him the paper and Mr Choi got straight to filling out the order.

‘Not as much as I thought you would be after.’ He said.
‘No, it’s in better condition than I thought. Seems like grandfather looked after it well.’
‘Ah yes, Hyun always took pride in his beach side get away.’
‘Did you know him well?’

Yoongi was both eager and a little apprehensive to talk about his grandfather, but he felt better about approaching the subject since talking to Jimin.
‘As much as one could with Hyun, he wasn’t the most talkative fellow.’
‘Haha no, Mom always said I got that from him.

‘I used to go up to the hut to fish with him on occasion. It isn’t the best place for it, but it was a peaceful area. Not many people know that cove exists.’
‘Surprising considering the old pier.’

‘Ah that pier has been out of commission for decades. Surprised the old girl is still standing.’
‘Do you still go up?’
‘No, not since Hyun passed. Tend to stick to the water further up the coast, better catches.’

As he ate lunch Yoongi thought about what Mr Choi had said about his grandfather. He hadn’t been lying when he’d said his Mom always spoke about how alike he and his grandfather were. Always quiet and unassuming. His father wasn’t like that, maybe it had skipped a generation.

Jimin had mentioned seeing his grandfather, but not Mr Choi, he wondered if his grandfather had ever seen Jimin. He imagined even if he had he would never have mentioned it.

Keeping it to himself, just letting Jimin be. That was the kind of man his grandfather was, in a way he hoped he had. That they had this little secret between them.

💧💧💧💧💧

Jimin had waited on the deck for 20 minutes before accepting that Yoongi wasn’t going to come back any time soon. Yoongi had said he’d probably be a few hours, but Jimin had quietly hoped he was wrong.

He was sat on a rock, a few miles out from the beach. The sun was hot, warming the surface of the rock that stuck out of the water. This was one of his favourite places to sit and sing. Far away from any people, but it was a little lonely sat surrounded by the water.

It’s why he preferred the beach, at least there was the perception of others around him there. Even if they were further away, the idea of humans just going about their days in their little houses was a comfort to Jimin.

The thought of humans led his mind back to Yoongi. He wanted to see him again, but there was a niggling part at the back of his mind that was telling him it was a bad idea. When Yoongi had pointed out the colour of his hair he’d known it.
Pink.

Pink of all colours. His hair had only went pink once before, a long time ago when he was still a teenager. He’d met a pretty boy who was passing through the sea where he lived, he’d had long purple hair and an entire arm that glittered with deep red scales.

Jimin had fallen for him almost immediately. A stupid boyhood crush of course, but his heart had leapt right in. Of course it didn’t work out, Jimin had no luck when it came to love.

But he was young and he got over it, not helped by Taehyung teasing him for months after, but it had been his first experience of the feeling and now he knew what it meant.

Pink hair meant love for Jimin. The fact that his was pastel pink now, and getting more vibrant the more time he spent with Yoongi was very telling.

He knew he should stay away, not let it develop any further. It wouldn’t work out well, if he couldn’t even fall in love with a fellow siren, falling for a human was out of the question. It was unheard of, to be in love with a human, humans were dangerous.

Yet Jimin couldn’t stop thinking about him, about how he’d said Jimin’s scales were pretty and that his hair changing was cool. How clever his words surrounding Jimin’s emotions were, he just knew Yoongi was someone he wanted to talk to more, to learn more about.

Yoongi made Jimin feel beautiful, when he often felt like a monster. To have the human look at him not as something to be afraid, but as something almost special. Not to mention how beautiful the human was. Seeing him in the morning sun had almost taken Jimin’s breath away.

He was so pretty and cute, with his pale skin and dark hair. His features were almost delicate and doll like, yet soft and inviting. Jimin had wanted to touch, to feel the softness of his cheeks, the contrasting coolness of his skin against Jimin’s own much warmer body.

To kiss his pretty pink lips…
He buried his face in his hands to hide the blush that spread across his cheeks, he had a feeling it would be as bright as his hair. For once he was thankful of his solitude out at sea.

He knew he should stay away, but as he raised his head from his hands his gaze automatically went towards the shoreline, to the beach, and to the little beach hut that Yoongi would be returning to. His head told him to stay, but his heart, his heart was already there.

*****

The sound of the tires crunching on the sand as he pulled up at the beach hut pulled Yoongi from his daze, it was funny how the short car journey from the town to the hut had already become second nature.

He sat in the car for a few moments, relishing the air conditioning and also steeling himself for seeing the siren again. His mind had been full of Jimin the whole time he’d been away. Wondering what he would be doing while Yoongi was away, what he did under the waves.

He kept thinking about what Jimin had told him about sirens, he wanted to know more, and not just about the sea spirits in general. He wanted to know more about Jimin.

The disappointment he feels when he walks up to the hut and finds no sign of Jimin is stark. He hadn’t realised quite how much he’d been hoping he would be sat waiting for him, which he realises is stupid.

Jimin had a life of his own, why would he just be waiting for him to return? He mentally shook himself and got to work unloading the groceries he’d bought while in town and headed into the hut. He busied himself tidying up before slumping onto his bed and pulling out his phone.

The signal wasn’t great at the beach, so scrolling through the internet can’t happen, but he replied to the few messages he got from his mom and checked in with Seokjin, he’d been ignoring his hyung’s messages since he arrived at the hut.

Not out of malice but sometimes Seokjin could be a little too intuitive about Yoongi’s feelings. He supposed it came from living together for years, they’d met at university and even after they’d both graduated had roomed together until both of their careers took off.

Despite only being a few months older than Yoongi, Seokjin had taken on the role of his hyung, always looking out for Yoongi even when he didn’t realise he needed it.

YG - hey
SJ - you’re alive then
YG - no I actually melted in the stupid heat and am texting from my liquid form
SJ - I’ll buy you a nice bucket for chuseok
SJ - really tho, you okay?
YG - yeah, it’s been…
YG - weird

SJ - I would say I understand, but honestly I don’t. Namjoon said you were still adamant about selling the place

Yoongi paused for a moment, was he? The hint of doubt was still playing at the back of his mind.

YG - yeah I guess
SJ - don’t strain yourself with that
YG - shut up

SJ - you don’t have to sell straight away
YG - yeah and who knows if anyone would even want to buy it
SJ - true
YG - how’s things back home? Joon doing okay with the label?
SJ - nice subject change
SJ - and yes, he’s fine. You don’t need to worry about him
YG - I don’t

SJ - sure Jan
YG - okay it’s not that I don’t know he’s capable, he’s just..
SJ - Namjoon lmao
YG - yeah
SJ - really though, he’s fine and Hobi’s keeping an eye on him, making sure he doesn’t overwork himself
YG - good, I’m glad he’s got you two

SJ - someone’s got to look after the big oaf, Hobi said the other day he was a himbo and I think he might be right
YG - aren’t himbo’s meant to be dumb though? Namjoon is intelligent
SJ - he’s intelligent yes, but he’s also an idiot who tried to cut an onion flat side up

YG - good point
SJ - thus, himbo
YG - and yet you married him
SJ - what can I say, I like em big and beefy
YG - and on that note I’m going. Bye
SJ - you’re such a prude, anyway, look after yourself. I’m here if you need me and Hobi said to call him

YG - sure okay. Bye
SJ - love you yoongi-yah
YG - bye

Yoongi rolled his eyes before adding a final message

YG - love you too

He was thankful that Seokjin hadn’t pressed about how he was feeling. Not that he would’ve expected anything else, one of the best things about him was that while he seemed to know that Yoongi needed him, he also waited for Yoongi to go to him.

The truth was he had needed to talk to him, even if it was about Namjoon’s lack of common sense. It had been a confusing couple of days. With the grief for his grandfather surfacing, the guilt he was feeling for not visiting before he’d passed, and of course Jimin.

He wanted to tell Seokjin about Jimin but he couldn’t. It was too crazy, no it was better to leave that part of his trip out. He knew Seokjin would probably turn up at his apartment when he went back, no doubt cooking for him and letting Yoongi talk his feelings out.

But he needed more time, he hadn’t sorted them out in his own head yet, and he needed to do that before he could talk about it. Seokjin would be there when he was ready.

After a shower he went back out onto the deck, the evening sun a gentle warmth on his skin. He sank down onto the deck where he’d been sat with Jimin that morning, leaning his back up against one of the worn posts. He just sat for a while, looking out of the glittering water.

It was beautiful really, Yoongi had never been much of an outdoorsy person, happy to spend his days at home, but as he sat there with just the sound of the waves he could see the appeal.

He picked up his notebook from where it sat beside him, letting the inspiration flow through him as he began to write. It had been a while since he’d had such ease with lyrics. They seemed to be pouring out of him onto the page.

Maybe it was the peacefulness of the beach, or more likely the array of emotions he was feeling, either way the words were coming to him like tide, steady and unrelenting, all he could do was let them flow.

💧💧💧💧💧

The sun was beginning to set when Jimin reached the beach. He could see Yoongi sat on the deck from the water. He looked beautiful in the soft light of golden hour.

He simply watched him for a little while, hunched over his notebook scribbling away, Jimin wished he could capture the moment forever.

Eventually he made his way onto the beach, the tide was low meaning he couldn’t simply swim up but he didn’t mind, relishing the feeling of the cool sand between his toes. Yoongi looked up as Jimin reached the deck, a soft smile appearing on his face.

There was a moment where they both just looked at each other before Yoongi spoke,
‘You’re hair changed again.’
Jimin reached up to brush his hair back. Yoongi seemed fascinated with his ever changing hair, Jimin was more embarrassed.

After all he knew the meaning of his pink hair, whereas Yoongi did not.
‘It has?’
‘Yeah, it’s more of a pinky-purple now.’
Jimin climbed up onto the deck and sat beside Yoongi.

Purple wasn’t a colour he liked to have, it always showed up when he was unsure or worried. He supposed his stressing over his growing feelings for Yoongi was causing it.
‘Do you like it?’ He found himself saying.

He didn’t know why he needed to hear Yoongi’s opinion on it, it’s not like it would change anything, yet he needed it.
‘Yes, you’re- I mean- it’s beautiful.’
Jimin tried to hold back his smile but he couldn’t, the warmth that spread through him at Yoongi’s words was indescribable

Yoongi’s head was dipped low, a blush blooming over his soft cheeks. Jimin wanted nothing more than to pull him into his arms and kiss those soft pink cheeks.
‘What are you writing?’ He asked instead.
‘Ah just some lyrics.’ Yoongi said, as though it was nothing.
‘Oh! Can I see?’

Yoongi stiffened a little at the request, hands gripping the notebook a little tighter before nodding one and turning the book towards Jimin. He scooted closer so his thighs were pressed up agains’t Yoongi’s, eyes skimming over the page.

Yoongi’s writing was a little messy, like he’d been rushing to get the words out, but Jimin was in awe. He didn’t really understand it all, but he could feel the emotions that had been poured into it.
‘Wow, you really wrote that?’
‘Yeah.’

‘You’re amazing, will you write me a song?’ The words came out of his mouth before he could stop them, why did he say it? Yoongi wouldn’t want to write him a song. That was stupid.
‘I mean-‘
‘Okay.’

Yoongi’s simple response was quiet but it stopped Jimin in his attempt to backtrack. Yoongi wasn’t looking at him, gaze down on the book where their hands both held onto it, fingers almost touching.
‘You don’t have to.’
‘I- I want to.’

Jimin couldn’t describe the feeling that flooded through him, it wasn’t like anything he’d ever experienced before but it was a feeling he wanted to never leave him.

He didn’t know what else to say to Yoongi, instead letting go of the notebook, his hand falling onto his thigh instead. Yoongi’s gaze followed it, for a moment Jimin wasn’t sure if he would pull away but he didn’t.

Instead he turned back to his book, turning over to a fresh page and he began to write.

Time seemed to slip by like nothing at all as he sat pressed up against Yoongi as the human wrote. Jimin didn’t ask to see it again, somehow knowing Yoongi would show him when he was ready to. Yoongi only stopped writing when the sun disappeared beyond the horizon.

‘It’s too dark to write anymore.’ He said, breaking the silence. Jimin looked up at him only to see him rubbing at his eyes.
‘It’s late, you should sleep.’ Jimin said, noting how sleepy his human looked.

Yoongi gave him another of those soft smiles, only the corners of his mouth turning up. It was so cute, Jimin loved to see him smile, made him feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
‘Yeah, I probably should, got a lot of work to do tomorrow.’

‘Can I, can I come back tomorrow?’ Jimin asked, hopeful.
‘Yeah, I’d like that.’
Jimin’s heart seemed to expand at that. The hope that maybe Yoongi wanted to see him just as much as he wanted to see him.
‘I’ll come back.’
‘Okay.’

They got to their feet, Yoongi stretching and Jimin couldn’t help but grin at the cute expression on his face as he did. Everything about him was adorable.
‘Goodnight Jiminie.’
‘Goodnight Yoongi.’

He watched as Yoongi made his way into the beach hut, watched as he turned back to give Jimin a small wave before disappearing inside. Jimin smiled, waving back.

The smile didn’t drop from his face as he walked back to the shoreline, didn’t drop as he walked out into the surf, didn’t even as he slipped below the water surface and into the darkest depths of the sea.

💧💧💧💧💧

Jimin returned the next day to see Yoongi already at work. He was hammering away at one of the hut’s windows. He watched him work for a little while before making himself known.

There was something appealing about watching him work, watching the way his muscles shifted under his t-shirt…

Jimin wasn’t so naive to think the appeal of watching Yoongi like that was one of innocence, it was definitely his more carnal side that kept his eyes fixed to the way Yoongi’s shirt clung to his already sweat soaked skin.

In an effort to ignore those lewd thoughts Jimin offered to get Yoongi a drink.
‘You’ve been working hard, you deserve a little break.’ He said.
‘Just a little one.’ Yoongi relented. ‘There’s some water in the cooler.’

Jimin was happy to slip into the hut and search for the water. He wasn’t really sure what a ‘cooler’ was but after opening some cupboards and boxes he soon found that it was a special cold box, filled with bottles and food.

He also spotted some tangerines on the counter and grabbed a couple before rejoining Yoongi outside.
If Jimin stared a little too hard as Yoongi downed his bottle of water no one had to know.

‘You should eat too! To keep your strength up.’ He said handing Yoongi one of the tangerines. He smiled as he took it and Jimin wanted to coo, it was a wide smile, his cute teeth and gums showing.

They both sat on the little bench that was nestled against the side of the beach hut as they ate their tangerines. Jimin hadn’t had one of the little orange fruits in a long time, it was hard to come by fruits near the sea.

He almost moaned at the taste, the sweet juice filling his mouth. He found Yoongi giving him an amused smile when he opened his eyes.
‘I haven’t had fruits in a long time.’ He admitted.

‘I suppose they’re hard to come by at the beach.’ Yoongi said. ‘I can get some for you if you’d like.’
‘Oh that would be wonderful!’ Jimin said happily, biting into another piece of tangerine.
‘What do you like?’
‘Anything really, not mangos though, I don’t like them.’

‘Mangos are delicious though.’ Yoongi said.
‘No they’re not! They’re horrible.’ Jimin argued, he knew he was pouting and a little whiney but he was right! Mangos were gross. Yoongi just laughed.
‘Okay, no mangos. I’ll see what I can get at the store.’

Jimin let Yoongi get back to work after that, just happy to sit on the deck and watch as Yoongi works on the hut. He remembered to dip into the water every so often, not wanting to risk getting sick again.

It was nice peaceful day, the sun not quite as hot as it had been the previous few days, Yoongi even made them dinner of naengmyeon, which Jimin had never had before but loved. The cold noodles were delicious, human food always intrigued Jimin but he rarely got to it eat it.

Yoongi seemed happy to make more food for him, telling him he’d make him anything he’d like to try. Jimin loved the excuse it gave him to visit Yoongi more.

As the sun began it’s slow decent Jimin helped Yoongi wash the dishes, something else he’d never experience before. Human life seemed like a lot of work.
‘It’s just something you get used to.’ Yoongi said as he helped Jimin dry the bowls they’d used.

‘I think I prefer not having to wash dishes.’ He said, causing Yoongi to laugh, he liked making him laugh, loved the sound of it.
Once they had finished Jimin suggested a walk along the beach, he was starting to feel a little lightheaded, walking in the surf would help.

Yoongi agreed but not before rummaging in his bags for a sweater. Once again Jimin was overcome with the need to coo over him, he looked adorable almost drowning in the oversized garment. The sleeves falling over his hands so only his fingertips peaked out.

He looked so soft and cozy. As well as loving how cute Yoongi looked in it, Jimin wanted to feel cosy like that himself so he asked if Yoongi had another sweater he could wear.
‘I have a hoodie in the car, I’ll get it for you.’ He said.

Jimin felt content snuggled up in Yoongi’s hoodie, it smelled faintly like the human, and he had to hold himself back from burying his nose in the soft fabric. They walked side by side along the beach, Jimin’s feet in the surf.

Every time the water washed over his skin the dizzy feeling faded. He hated that he had to be in the water so much, he just wanted to spend time with Yoongi. But at least they could do this, to walk together.

It was peaceful, there was no awkwardness between them even when they weren’t talking. It just felt right. Jimin didn’t want it to ever end.

*****
The hazy light of sunset only seemed to enhance Jimin’s beauty as they walked along the beach. Casting him in a warm glow as the sky shifted into reddish golds. Yoongi had been a bit confused at first when Jimin had asked to borrow a sweater, knowing how hot the siren ran.

But he was glad when he saw him bundled up in the too big hoodie. Without it he looked ethereal, a divine beauty beyond all words. But bundled up in the black hoodie he just looked excessively cute and soft.

His hair had slowly turned pinker throughout the day, and it was back to a bright pastel pink now. He wondered what it meant, and why it had been more lilac the day before. Jimin clearly wasn’t comfortable talking about it though, so Yoongi didn’t mention it again.

He was content in just getting to spend more time with him. The evening before, when Jimin had returned and sat with him while he wrote had shifted something within him. It was more than simple intrigue that made him want to see Jimin, to spend time with him.

He hadn’t felt like this in a long time, it was a little overwhelming at first, realising he was feeling that way towards him. It was probably crazy, a fleeting summer crush, but it was still there and Yoongi wasn’t about to deny it. Jimin was beautiful, and funny and smart.

Yoongi loved how curious he was about the human world, and how open he talked about his life below the waves. Jimin had explained to him as they’d ate dinner that he lived in a small underwater cave a few miles out to sea.

It was crazy to Yoongi to think of someone living out in the middle of the sea, but it was just normal for Jimin. He told Yoongi of all the different places around the oceans he’d lived, and that he always came back to the coasts of Korea, his birthplace.

Yoongi was fascinated to find that there were sirens living in secret all over the world, across the oceans and seas. That there were even water spirits that lived inland in the rivers and lakes, although they were a lot rarer.

The influx of the human population leading them to slowly dwindle in numbers. It was incredible to know that there were whole races of other beings out there in the world that no one knew about, only him.

‘Does the temperature of the water affect you?’ He asked as he watched Jimin kick his feet in the surf as they walked.

‘Yes, the colder waters were harder to live in. At least they were for me. Some find the colder waters to their taste, others prefer the tropics. I like it here because it changes. We get seasons here, it’s nice having the cooler months but I like summer best.’

‘I don’t like summer so much, it’s too hot.’ Yoongi said with a laugh. ‘I miss the air conditioning we have in Seoul.’
‘I suppose the temperature affects you differently.’

‘Yeah, we feel it a lot more than you, I think.’ It was true, Jimin didn’t seem to be bothered at all by the cool water lapping at his feet, or the breeze that had picked up as they walked, but Yoongi was starting to feel a little chilly.

He didn’t complain though, despite feeling cold he didn’t want to go back to the hut, wanted to stay out on the beach with Jimin for as long as possible. For that he would persevere, he was starting to feel that he would do pretty much anything if it meant being with Jimin.

They reached the pier as the sun disappeared completely. It reminded Yoongi of the night they’d met, now that he could remember it. The sky was dotted with tiny stars, the moon curved into a perfect crescent.

It was a beautiful night, but nothing in comparison to Jimin as he stood looking up at the inky sky. The gentle breeze ruffling through the pink strands of his hair, the moonlight casting its pale light over his sharp features.

He looked otherworldly in the moonlight, his beauty and aura transcending mere mortals like himself.
‘I love it when the moon is full, but the crescent looks especially pretty tonight.’ He said looking back at Yoongi.
‘Yeah, it does.’ …Just like you.

It was only when a shiver rippled through Yoongi that they headed back, Jimin complaining that Yoongi should’ve told him he was cold. Yoongi didn’t dare to tell him that he was hiding it so they could stay together longer.

As they walked back Jimin told him about the stars, how clear the constellations were out at sea away from the light pollution. A vast canvas spread overhead, littered with flurries of light. Yoongi could only imagine it, he hadn’t spent much time away from the city.

‘The most I’ve ever seen was on a camping trip with my friends.’ He told him. ‘It was pretty much like it is here.

‘I wish I could show you all the stars.’

When they reached the hut Yoongi found it hard to say goodbye, they lingered by the steps up to the deck for a little while. Yoongi wanted Jimin to insist on staying with him again, to insist on warming him up like had done on that first night.

It had felt so nice having Jimin lay beside him, his heat seeping through his blankets. He wanted that again, and maybe this time he would be brave enough to let Jimin under the covers with him. To curl into his warmth.

‘I guess I should get going and let you rest.’ Jimin said softly.
‘Yeah, you need to sleep too.’ Yoongi said, even though all he wanted to do was ask him to stay.
‘Goodnight Yoongi.’
‘Goodnight Jiminie.’

💧💧💧💧💧

Yoongi woke early the next day and drove into town. The little shops were only just waking when he pulled up outside of the mart. He liked the little town, it was quiet and calm, the complete opposite of the fast paced bustle of Seoul.

The small niggling thought that left him wondering if he should really sell the old beach hut surfaced again. Would it be so bad to have a quiet place to escape to when life in the city got too much?

It was a nice idea, but the practical side of himself couldn’t help but think about the cost and upkeep of it all. He’d probably only come a couple of times a year. When he laid it out like that it seemed less appealing, and yet there was something else that made him want to stay

Something that had him up and out of the house early enough to see the shutters still closed on a few of the stores that lined the main street of the town.

Before he allowed his mind wonder too far he dragged himself out of the car, thankfully cafe was already open so he could grab himself an iced americano from before facing the mart.

He relished in the cold bitter taste as it hit his tongue, he hadn’t even made himself a coffee before driving into town so he was grateful to get his caffeine fix at last.

The store was unsurprisingly empty, clearly Yoongi was the only one crazy enough to be out and about that early on a Sunday morning. But Jimin had said he wanted fruit, so Yoongi was there to buy fruit. He grabbed a few different cartons of berries and a watermelon.

He also got ingredients to make kimbap and more naengmyeon remembering how much Jimin had liked it. He pushed any thoughts over the future of the beach hut away and instead focussed on the nice drive back, the radio turned up a little louder than he’d normally have it.

He wasn’t surprised to see Jimin sat on the deck when he got back. His pink hair bright against the clear blue sky.
‘Good morning Yoongi.’ Jimin said coming over to greet him as he got out of the car.
‘Morning Jiminie.’

He didn’t know when he’d started using the nickname, it just seemed to fall naturally from his lips.
‘What have you got?’ He asked asked as Yoongi opened the trunk.
‘I told you I’d get some fruits, and I got stuff to make kimbap.’

‘Oh!’ Jimin smiled brightly and picked up the watermelon, holding it close to his chest like a treasure. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome, come on inside and I’ll make some breakfast.’

They sat at the little table together eating the fruits that Yoongi had prepared and some yoghurt he’d slipped into his cart. Jimin seemed to love it, picking at the various berries and happily devouring half a tub of yoghurt. Yoongi was just happy to see him happy.

‘What do you have to do today?’ Jimin asked as he munched on another piece of watermelon, completely unfazed by the juice that coated his chin and lips. Yoongi was not so unfazed, he had to force himself not to stare at Jimin’s plump lips as he licked the juice from them.

‘Nothing actually, I have to wait for the wood I ordered to arrive before I can do anything else.’ Yoongi explained.
‘Oh, so you don’t need to work?’
‘Nope, I’m free to do whatever.’

Jimin perked up at that. He lowered the piece of watermelon he’d been about to eat, lost in thought for a moment before he looked up at Yoongi with excitement in his eyes.
‘I have something I’d like to show you.’ He said.
‘Okay.’
‘You can swim yes?’
‘Er, yes.’

‘Good good, yes we should go there.’
‘Go where exactly?’ Yoongi asked a little apprehensive. His mind shot to the place Jimin had called home, there no way he could swim all the way out there, to the cave. Did Jimin plan on taking him out to sea?

But Jimin didn’t give him any hints, instead he grinned happily as he went back to his watermelon.

‘It’s a surprise! Don’t worry you will love it!’

💧💧💧💧💧

Jimin led Yoongi along the beach, it was another sweltering hot day with the sun blazing overhead, not a single cloud marred the bright blue sky. Yoongi hoped wherever Jimin was taking him would be out of the sun, a nice shaded area would be perfect.

At first Yoongi had thought they were headed towards the pier, but Jimin led him beyond that, right along to the farthest end of the beach where the golden sand melted into rocks and eventually towering cliffs that surrounded the cove.

The beach hut was no longer visible in the distance, he could still see the pier clearly, but the hut had disappeared from view.

Yoongi didn’t remember ever coming to this end of the beach, he remembered as a kid he’d always been made to stay close to the hut, happy sitting with his grandfather on the deck or playing in the sand just beside it.

A sudden memory of a bright red bucket and blue spade flashed into his mind, he used to make sandcastles on the beach. His heart hurt a little at the thought of his grandfather’s smiling face looking down at him as he built his golden castle.

‘Yoongi?’
He turned to see Jimin looking at him expectantly, he must have spaced out.
‘Sorry, what were you saying?’ He said sheepishly but Jimin just gave him one of his beautiful smiles, not at all phased by Yoongi’s absent mind.

‘We should go in to the water here, it’ll be easier than climbing over the rocks.’ He explained. Yoongi looked over at the water.
‘Into the water…’ he said warily.
‘Yes! It’ll be okay, it’s not far.’ Jimin said encouragingly.

Yoongi wasn’t all too sure about swimming out to sea, he wasn't the strongest swimmer and the waves made him nervous. He was about to suggest doing something else, when Jimin took a hold of his hand.

Somehow the feeling of Jimin’s warm hand clasped in his calmed him a little, and when Jimin gave his hand a little squeeze he could’ve sworn his heart skipped a beat.
‘I promise it’ll be okay, it’s not far.’ He said reassuringly, ‘do you trust me?’

There was something in Jimin’s tone that made Yoongi think he wasn’t sure Yoongi would answer yes to that, that he was afraid he couldn’t trust him.

But for reasons beyond his understanding Yoongi did trust him, despite barely knowing him there was a feeling deep inside of him that just knew Jimin was safe.
‘Yes.’

A brief flash of shock appeared on Jimin’s face but it quickly shifted into a smile so big his eyes disappeared and Yoongi felt his heart swell.
‘Let’s go then!’
They walked out into the surf together. The water cool on Yoongi’s over hot skin.

It actually felt nice once he got used to it, the cool water soaking into his clothes and cooling him down as the sun shone bright as ever above them.

Jimin stopped when the water was around chest height, it was only then that he let go of Yoongi’s hand and he already felt the loss for it.
‘Follow me.’ He said before pushing off into the water. Yoongi took a deep breath to calm his nerves before following.

Swimming in the sea was definitely not Yoongi’s favourite thing. The salt water splashing in his face as he slowly followed Jimin. He was grateful that the water was somewhat calm, only gentle swells knocking him as he tried his best to keep up with the siren.

Jimin made it look as easy as breathing, Yoongi supposed it was to him. He looked effortless and graceful in the water. Dipping below the surface every now and again, all the while Yoongi was trying his hardest not to swallow half of the sea.

As they grew closer to the rocks and cliff face the water became a little rougher and Yoongi had began to struggle a bit in the water. It was after one particularly large swell caught him that he called out.

‘Ji-Jimin!’ He spluttered as the water splashed his face, panic rising in his chest as he lost his baring. He couldn’t even see Jimin any longer, the water in his eyes and the up and down of the waves leaving him flustered and a little scared.

Suddenly he felt hands gripping his waist, steadying him.
‘Hold onto me.’
Yoongi fumbled for Jimin’s shoulders, holding on a little too tight but Jimin didn’t complain.
‘It’s okay, you’re okay.’ Jimin’s voice was sweet as honey and instantly made Yoongi feel calmer.

It took a few minutes but eventually his breathing calmed and he opened his eyes.
‘Okay?’ Jimin asked. However Yoongi was breathless for another reason now, Jimin was stunning. His wet hair pushed back, golden skin glistening in the sun.

Yoongi could only stare for a moment before he managed to pull himself together enough to nod a yes.
‘I think so.’
‘You got pulled a little close to the rocks.’ Jimin explained, ‘the water’s a bit rougher there.’
‘Yeah, I didn’t even realise.’

‘It’s easy to get caught in the tide. But don’t worry, I’ve got you.’ He squeezed Yoongi’s waist briefly. ‘We need to swim a bit further along, hold onto me.’

Jimin let go of Yoongi’s waist briefly but only long enough to reach up to take hold of his hands, pulling them away from his shoulders slowly.

Yoongi tensed as he Jimin prised his fingers from where they held onto his shoulders but Jimin simply guided them down to his waist, he turned so he had his back to Yoongi. ‘Hold on okay.’
Yoongi held on, his fingers gripping onto the material of Jimin’s shirt.

‘Ready?’ Jimin asked turning back to look at Yoongi, he wasn’t but he nodded anyway.

Jimin took off and Yoongi held on tighter. Jimin moved effortlessly through the waves, Yoongi’s added weight seeming to have no effect on him what so ever. They swam a bit further away from the rocks but closer to where the cliffs stuck out into the sea.

They seemed a lot further away from the beach now, in reality it was only a few yards but Yoongi still felt fear creeping in at the corner of his mind, he didn’t know how deep the water was, and it was freaking him out a little. He held onto Jimin a little harder.

It didn’t take long before Jimin slowed them to a stop, he looked over his shoulder at Yoongi, who gave him a weak smile. He hoped that he didn’t look as awful as he felt.
‘I need you to let go now.’ Jimin said softly.

‘Okay.’ Yoongi said but his hands didn’t seem to want to cooperate.
‘It’s okay, I’ve got you.’
Jimin once again took hold of his hands and eased his grip away. He kept hold of Yoongi’s hands as he turned to face him once more.

‘Deep breathes, it’s okay. I promise I won’t let anything bad happen.’
Jimin’s voice once again had a calming effect over Yoongi, he closed his eyes, letting Jimin’s reassuring tone wash over him. Letting the feeling of his hands holding onto his to ground him.

When he opened his eyes again Jimin was smiling at him, that soft fond smile that made Yoongi’s heart flutter.
‘Okay?’
‘Yes.’
‘We’re gonna go under now.’
‘U-under?’

‘It’s not far, I promise, you just need to take a deep breath and I’ll take us down. But you have to trust me okay.’
‘I trust you.’
Jimin shifted in the water so they were side by side. His should brushing up against his as the waves rocked them.

He looked over at Jimin who squeezed the hand he still held onto once, before he began to count.
‘On three, one, two, three…’

Yoongi pinched his nose closed, took a deep breath and sank into the water. Immediately he felt himself being pulled along by Jimin. He forced his eyes open, the salt water making them sting and close again.

He let go of his nose after a few seconds and did his best to swim along with Jimin, his feet kicking blindly as Jimin pulled him through the water. It was a surreal feeling, being pulled under like that.

His first instinct was to panic, but he forced himself to remember that Jimin was helping not hindering.

They were moving fast, faster than Yoongi could’ve ever imagined. Could feel bubbles rushing past his face as he was pulled down into the depths.

He couldn’t work out how deep they went but it barely any time passed before they seemed to level out and Jimin was pulling him along rather than down, and then they began to ascend.

Logically he knew it had been less than a minute since they went under, but his lungs were burning and he was starting to struggle, desperate to feel oxygen in his lungs again.

Suddenly their heads broke the surface and Yoongi gasped in a breathe, his chest heaved as he tried to get his breathing back to normal. That had definitely been the longest he’d held his breath for.
‘Are you okay?’ Jimin asked.
‘Jus-just give- me- a- minute-‘ Yoongi stuttered.

Yoongi took deep breathes until he finally calmed, the feeling of Jimin’s fingers once again holding onto his waist to keep him steady and grounded. Slowly he opened his eyes, he was expecting the brightness of the sun but it was gone. Yoongi’s eyes widened at the sight.

💧💧💧💧💧

They were in a cave, it was dark, only a single beam of light shining through a crack above them making him able to see.

The water seemed to glow around them and he knew now that Jimin had led them through an opening underneath to get them here, faint light filtering through from the outside. It gave the cave an eerie beauty, bathing it in a blue-green hue.

Stalactites hung from the cave ceiling and the walls glittered in the dim light. It was beautiful.
‘Wow.’
Jimin grinned at him.
‘I told you you’d love it! Come!’ Jimin said brightly, before letting his hands slip from Yoongi’s waist and swimming away.

Yoongi didn’t move for a moment, still awestruck by the beauty of the cave, but he slowly followed Jimin to the small patch of what looked like a beach.

Of course it wasn’t sand, but rock that lined the cave floor but Yoongi was relieved to feel it beneath his feet as he grew closer to where Jimin was now standing. He felt a lot more settled once was out of the water.

The sunbeam that was shining through the crack above them landed right over a spot on the little ‘beach’ showing the jet black rock beneath. Yoongi held his hand out into it, letting the warmth of the light shine over his fingers.

Jimin was watching him from here he had sat on a large boulder, when Yoongi turned to look at him a gentle smile was gracing his lips.

Yoongi’s mouth ran dry when he realised Jimin’s shirt had fallen open, his bronze skin exposed, the light catching on the beautiful purples and blues of the scales that spread across the left side of his torso.

It spread across his ribs, curling around his side and down to his hips, down passed the waistband of his low hanging pants. Jimin leaned back on his hands, letting his head fall back exposing his neck and Yoongi’s brain short-circuited.

He was stunning, beautiful beyond words, and Yoongi didn’t know what to do. He could only stare at the adonis before him.
‘Come sit.’ Jimin said, pulling Yoongi from his trance. He hadn’t even realised the siren had sat up straight again, patting the rock beside him.

Yoongi knew he must have been blushing, his face red as a tomato but he did as he was asked and walked over to join him.
Sitting beside Jimin he didn’t dare look at him, once again he could feel the warmth radiating from him being so close, it made him shiver.

‘Are you cold?’ Jimin asked, concern laced in his voice. He shuffled closer to Yoongi pressing his side to Yoongi’s.
‘M’okay.’ He mumbled but didn’t pull away.
‘It’s beautiful here isn’t it.’ Jimin said.
‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’

There was something surreal about the quiet of the cave. Only the sound of the gentle washing of the water against the rocks audible. No birds overhead or the distant sound of the road in the background.

The beach itself was quiet, but there was a different feeling being underneath the cliffs. It was cooler too, no sun bearing down on them, but the warmth of Jimin beside him made Yoongi feel nice.
‘I sometimes come here to sing.’ Jimin said.

‘I can only imagine what the acoustics are like.’ Yoongi said as he looked up at the dome shaped cave, he knew the shape would amplify the sound of Jimin’s voice and wished he could hear it.
‘Is that why it sounds different in here?’ Jimin asked, head titled to one side curiously

‘Yes, the dome shaped ceiling amplifies the sound, but the rock formations will cause the sound waves to bounce differently. Outside you have none of that to get in the way, so your voice just flows naturally, but depending on the makeup of a room it can really affect the sound.’

‘Wow, you know so much about music.’
‘It’s the only thing I’ve ever really been passionate about.’ Yoongi admitted. Ever since he’d played on that old piano he’d fallen in love with it. He couldn’t have imagined filling his life with anything else.

‘I wish I knew more about it, I sing and yet I don’t know anything about it.’
‘Knowing about it is just a matter of learning, having natural talent is another. Your voice is beautiful, from what I can remember of it. I wish I could hear it again.’ Yoongi said.

Jimin turned to look at him.
‘You- you want to hear me sing?’ He looked so shocked at Yoongi’s admission, but how could he not? While he couldn’t remember exactly what Jimin’s voice had sounded like, he knew it had been beautiful.

‘Yes, I’d love to hear it again. I can’t really remember what it sounded like, except that I liked it.’
‘Oh.’
Jimin fell quiet, his gaze turning back to look out over the glittering water, a slight pout on his plush lips, eyebrows pinched in thought.

Yoongi wondered if he had said the wrong thing, maybe he should assure him it was okay that he couldn’t, that he was happy just knowing that he liked his voice. Then Jimin began to sing.

It was quiet at first, barely above a whisper, a soft lullaby that flowed out of him in a gentle cadence. Yoongi could feel the power in it, even like that but it felt different this time.

He couldn’t explain it but as Jimin’s voice grew and filled the cave he didn’t feel that strange desire, it was something else, something just as intense but not the same. It filled him to his very core, seeping in through every pore and smothering him in it’s beauty.

Jimin’s voice was airy and light, his falsetto echoing beautifully in the cave, his harmony amplified to an almost deafening high. He closed his eyes, letting the sound wash over him and swallow him up as Jimin continued his song.

He could make out the words now, the longer he listened the clearer it became. It spoke of loneliness, of longing, and most important of all love. A desire for love and comfort.

Yoongi felt an overwhelming need to give him all of the love and comfort he could, but something in him knew it wasn’t because of the song, it was something else. Something that had once been a tiny spark, and now it was a blazing fire within him, with the song as its kindling.

As Jimin’s voice slowly softened to a breathy lilt as the song came to an end the fire dimmed, but didn’t falter, a smouldering ember nestled deep inside him.
Yoongi opened his eyes to find Jimin looking at him, and by some miracle he was even more breathtaking.

His hair was a deep magenta, his eyes a warm brown. Yoongi hadn’t realised the way his eyes changed, but he could see it now, see the warmth in them.

He reached out unconsciously brushing the magenta strands away from Jimin’s face, his fingers faltering when he realised what he was doing. He averted his eyes, his cheeks flushing with warmth again.

‘Are you okay?’ Jimin asked, voice low.
‘Y-yeah, I just… your voice it’s so, it’s the most beautiful I’ve ever heard.’ Yoongi said.

He looked back at Jimin to see a flush of pink highlighting his cheeks, his head ducked slightly as he bit down on his bottom lip to try and contain the smile that was desperate to break free.
‘Thank you for the compliment.’

‘I mean it, it’s really beautiful, it’s my taste.’ Yoongi told him, hoping he sounded as earnest as he felt.
‘I’m really glad you like it, and that you’re okay. I didn’t know what would happen if I sang for you like this.’ Jimin admitted, a hint of apprehension in his voice.

The worry that something could have happened, but Yoongi hadn’t doubted him for a moment.
‘It felt different. I don’t know how to describe it, but maybe because I’m sat beside you I didn’t feel the pull. It was something else, something nice.’
‘Really?’
‘Yeah.’

‘I’ve never sang for someone like that before, not even other spirits.’
‘I’m glad I’m the first to hear it.’ Yoongi said quietly.
‘I’m glad you’re the first too.’

Something between them changed in that moment, something that caused Yoongi’s fire to sizzle in his chest. He wanted to reach out to Jimin again, to pull him in close and…
Jimin stood up, turning to Yoongi with a bright smile.

‘We should swim!’ He said, a little too loudly breaking the tension that had been building between them.
He grabbed Yoongi’s hand and pulled him up and to the waters edge, Yoongi didn’t even have a chance to reply before his feet hit the water.

Jimin swam off into the water as Yoongi stumbled along behind him. Swimming out at a much slower pace when he reached the deeper part. Looking down he could see the glittering rocks below, the water seemed so clear in the cave in contrast to the sea outside.

Maybe it was because it was stiller, only a gentle swell disturbing the surface.
Jimin swam around him, as Yoongi treaded water in the middle of the lake. His laughter filled the cave as he splashed Yoongi lightly.

Yoongi tried to splash him back but Jimin was too quick in the water, dodging it easily.
‘Yah! You menace!’ Yoongi cried as Jimin splashed him again.
‘You’re so cute when you pout.’ Jimin said coming up behind him, his arms wrapping around Yoongi’s waist.

Yoongi blustered out a garble of words, but Jimin just held him close to his chest. Yoongi cautiously let his hands sink into the water and let them come to a rest on top of Jimin’s, leaving the siren to hold him steady.

It felt terrifying and exhilarating to give Jimin all his trust like that. Jimin rested his chin on Yoongi’s shoulder, before whispering a gentle chorus, his song swirling around them, wrapping them in its pretty cadence.

Yoongi wasn’t sure how long they stayed like that, Jimin singing too him softly, he could note a hint of hope in the song now and the embers that burned inside of him with a renewed strength.

When Jimin finally pulled away Yoongi felt cold, no longer wrapped in Jimin’s warmth the water felt cold against his skin, but Jimin just swam a few laps around him. Yoongi watched as he vanished below the surface, leaving him alone in the cave.

It felt weird to be alone there, in the fading light. He almost felt the urge to call for Jimin but held back, thankful when the water broke in front of him and Jimin surfaced.

He was a lot closer than Yoongi had expected him to be, and his heart stuttered as Jimin reached up to brush his wet hair back off his face.

Eyes closed as he leaned back every so slightly, revealing the column of his neck, water glistening on his smooth, flawless skin, to the silver pendent that hung around his neck.

Yoongi hadn’t noticed it before, it sat just below his collar bones, the light catching it just right so Yoongi could make out the two fish symbols.
He recognised it straight away, and it only hit him then that it had been missing. It was his necklace and Jimin had taken it.

He reached out and touched it lightly with his finger tips, Jimin’s eyes shot open.
‘Y-yoongi…’ he began, but Yoongi cut him off.
‘It looks good on you.’
‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have taken it.’ Jimin said quietly.
‘Why did you?’ Yoongi asked, he wasn’t mad, just curious.

‘I don’t know, I guess I just wanted something to remember you by. And the little fish, I liked that it had little fish… like me.’
Something swelled inside of him, his heart fluttering at Jimin’s confession. Jimin had wanted a something of his, to keep a part of him.

‘It’s the pisces symbol.’ Yoongi explained. ‘My star sign.’
‘Oh.’
He looked up at Jimin, into his deep brown eyes.

That feeling was back, the one he’d felt after Jimin had sang for him the first time, the tension in the air that had him trailing his hand down Jimin’s bare chest, ever so lightly. Jimin shivering under his touch.
‘Yoongi…’

‘I guess it means I was always meant to find something special in the water.’ He said, and this time he didn’t avert his gaze.

The feeling of Jimin’s lips on his own consumed him. He didn’t know who had moved first, it didn’t matter. All that matter were Jimin’s arms around his neck and his lips against his own. Jimin pulled him closer as he gripped onto the siren’s hips.

Jimin’s lips were soft and warm against his own, they seemed to fit his perfectly, like they were made for him. They seemed to melt into one another, drowning in each other. Yoongi could feel the warmth from Jimin’s skin seeping into him, warming him to his core.

He pulled Jimin closer, their bodies impossibly close as Jimin let his lips drop from his, he looked up into Yoongi’s eyes and they were a deep rich brown, full of the warmth that he seemed to exude.

Yoongi could get lost in those eyes, could already feel himself falling deeper into whatever his feelings were as he gazed into them. He leaned in, kissing Jimin again and he felt the siren smile into it as Yoongi’s hands moved from his hips to loop around his waist.

He felt Jimin’s hand slide up into his hair, fingernails scratching at his nape and Yoongi almost purred it felt so good in tandem with the kiss.

When they finally broke apart again Yoongi felt almost breathless.
‘You’re so beautiful.’ Jimin whispered, though it sounded loud in the quiet of the cave. Yoongi dropped his head shyly, but Jimin eased his head back up with two fingers under his chin.

The look Jimin was giving him was so full of love it made him want to run away and never leave all at the same time. How had this happened? How had he fallen so hard and so fast?

A tiny part in the back of his mind wondered if it was part of the siren’s alluring power, but no, he didn’t believe that. It was something else, something more innocent and yet so much more powerful. He was simply falling in love and it terrified him.

‘We should get back, the tide is beginning to turn.’ Jimin said after a moment. It was only then that Yoongi remembered they were in the water. Suddenly he was sinking, his legs kicking back into action as he tried to stop himself from floundering.

He felt Jimin’s arms slip down his back to his waist, holding him steady again.
‘Careful.’ He said with a laugh.
‘I forgot we were in the water.’
‘Don’t worry, I’ve got you.’

He wanted to ask what had been keeping him afloat the whole time they were kissing, but something told him it was Jimin, his siren powers so much more than he could ever imagine.

Yoongi did his best to calm his breathing and relax, letting Jimin keep him steady. Slowly he began to feel secure again, safe in Jimin’s arms. He let his hands slide from where they’d moved to grip his hips, moving them up over Jimin’s bare chest.

The feeling of his warm skin under his palms sending a shiver through him.
‘You’re cold.’ Jimin’s said.
‘No.’
‘We should go back.’
‘I’m okay.’
‘Yoongi…’
‘Please, just a little longer.’

Jimin smiled at his plea, easily agreeing as he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against the corner of his mouth.
‘Okay, but only if I get to kiss you some more.’
‘You can kiss me all you want.’

💧💧💧💧💧

Yoongi didn’t really remember the journey back. It all seemed like a blur, but not in the way that it had the night they had met. He’d been so caught up in his swirling feelings for Jimin that nothing else stuck in his mind.

All he could think about was the way Jimin’s small hand hand felt clutched in his much larger one. The way Jimin had smiled at him as he opened the door to the hut for him.

How warm he’d felt as they curled up together under the sheets, Jimin insisting that Yoongi needed to warm up, not that he had given any complaints. He’d been happy just to be held by him again. The memory of Jimin’s soft kisses on his cheek as he brushed a hand through his hair.

Yoongi must have fallen asleep like that because when he opened his eyes again it was light outside. The warm morning sun filtering through the crack in the curtains. Jimin was asleep beside him, he looked beautiful like that.

A beam of morning sunlight catching his vivid pink hair which looked even brighter against his tan skin. Yoongi didn’t understand but somehow Jimin managed to look more beautiful every day. He felt like he could spend hours just simply looking at him, taking in his every detail.

From the way his plush lips jutted out in a slight pout while he slept, to the faint freckles that were dotted across his cheek bones. Everything about him was stunning, like a work of art crafted by the gods.

Yoongi left Jimin to sleep while he washed up, the cool water of the shower welcome against his too warm skin. It had been nice waking up beside Jimin but the heat the siren emanated was too much in the warmth of summer.

He felt light as he got dressed and made himself some coffee, smiling to himself as he went about the simple morning routine he’d built himself.

Jimin stirred as he poured his second cup of coffee. Yoongi looked over to see the siren sitting up in bed, head hung down as he rested his arms on his bent knees. Yoongi knew instantly something was wrong.
‘Jiminie?’

He sat down on the edge of the bed beside him, Jimin looked a lot paler than he had when Yoongi had first woken up, even his hair looked a little duller.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Mhm.’

Yoongi placed a hand on his forearm, rubbing it soothingly. After another minute or so Jimin lifted his head slowly. ‘I’m sorry.’ He mumbled.

‘It’s okay, you don’t need to be sorry. Just tell me what’s wrong and how I can help.’ Yoongi had started to feel really worried. Jimin’s voice was rough and he looked a little unsteady where he sat.
‘M’dizzy. Need to- need…’
‘What do you need?’ Yoongi asked gently.
‘W-water.’

‘Water? You want some water?’ Yoongi made to get up, to get him a bottle, but Jimin stopped him.
‘No, need to go. Dizzy.’

Realisation hit Yoongi like a tonne of bricks. He didn’t need water, he needed to be /in/ water. How long had it been since they had walked back to the hut the night before? Much too long. Jimin needed the water to live.
‘Shit, yeah. Let me help you up.’

Yoongi waited beside the bed until Jimin slowly got to his feet. He was very unsteady and he had to grab onto him to stop him from falling.
‘Slowly okay.’ He assured and Jimin nodded, he instantly looked like he regretted it.

The motion knocking him, for a brief moment Yoongi thought the siren might throw up or pass out, but thankfully he didn’t.

It was slow going but they made it down to the beach, Jimin needing to stop a few times to regain his strength. It amazed Yoongi how different he was to the day before when he’d felt so sure and strong as he held Yoongi in the water.

It almost felt like their roles had been reversed, suddenly Yoongi the one keeping them afloat.

When their feet had finally hit the surf Jimin had sighed in relief, a shudder rippling through him as the water washed over his skin.
‘A little further.’ He mumbled.

Yoongi nodded and helped him walk further out. He could almost feel the strength returning to Jimin the longer they were in the water.
‘Enough.’ He said when they reached the point where the water was up to their thighs.

He was still clinging on to Yoongi but he could see that he was starting to feel better. His breathing had evened out and the colour was returning to his face.
‘You okay?’
‘Yeah. Thank you.’

‘Don’t mention it. I’m just glad you’re okay.’ Yoongi said rubbing calming circles on his back. Jimin melted into the touch, letting his forehead fall against Yoongi’s shoulder.
‘It gets bad the longer I’m out the water, and that was probably the longest I’ve been out in years.’

‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be! It’s not your fault!’ Jimin said lifting his head to look at him. ‘I fell asleep, it was no ones fault.’
‘I should’ve woken you when I got up, maybe it wouldn’t have been that bad then.’ Yoongi said, he felt awful.

He’d been awake almost an hour before Jimin had stirred, what if that hour would’ve saved him suffering so much.
‘Really it’s not your fault. I’m fine now, I’ll just have to be more careful.’
‘We both will, I’m not letting you get sick again like that.’ He said making Jimin laugh

‘You’re so cute. I can look after myself you know.’
‘Maybe, but that doesn’t mean you have to.’ Yoongi said.
‘Okay, you look after me and I’ll look after you how about that hm?’
‘Okay.’

They stood in the water for a moment, Jimin resting his head against Yoongi’s shoulder again. It felt nice with the cool water against his legs and the morning sun casting its warm light over them.

‘You should head out into the water properly for a while.’ Yoongi told him reluctantly. He knew it would be the best thing for Jimin, even if letting him go was the last thing he wanted.
‘I’m fine here.’
‘Won’t you get better quicker out a sea?’
‘Technically yeah.’

‘Then you should go.’
‘I don’t want to go.’
‘I don’t want you to either but I also want you to feel better.’ Yoongi admitted. Jimin lifted his head and pouted at him.
‘Don’t pout, the sooner you go the sooner you can come back.’
‘Fine.’

It was cute how reluctant Jimin was to leave him, it made his heart swell.
‘I’ll be waiting for you.’ He said, pressing a kiss to Jimin’s cheek.
‘Good, I want more kisses.’ Jimin said, a hint of whine in his voice causing Yoongi to laugh.

‘You can have extra kisses when you get back.’ He assured, pressing another kiss against his cheek, and then one on his pouting lips.

💧💧💧💧💧

Jimin couldn’t help but feel endeared at Yoongi’s insistence that he go out to sea for a while. Of course he knew he was right, but that didn’t make him want to stay any less.

Just the feeling of Yoongi's arms around his waist as they kissed in the surf for a little while made him feel like he was in heaven.

It was with great reluctance and gentle coaxing from Yoongi that he finally headed out. He hadn’t admitted it, but he was still feeling very dizzy and nauseous. The moment he dove under it was like taking a deep breath of fresh air.

He propelled himself through the cool water, letting the current take him further and further out. He wasn’t even going anywhere in particular, closing his eyes and just letting his instincts guide him. Slowly his head cleared and the nausea eased, but his heart didn’t.

His heart felt like it had swelled to twice its size and it was all because of one human. Jimin almost giggled at the thought of him, at the way he had smiled at Jimin after their first kiss.

That almost coy smile that had filled Jimin with so much warmth and love he’d wanted to explode.

He knew how fucked he was. He was so overwhelmingly in love with Yoongi, and he didn’t know how it had happened. It had been so fast and yet it felt right. Yoongi had said he had always meant to find something special in the water, and he’d meant him, Jimin. Just Jimin.

It didn’t make any sense. Jimin was… he was a monster, and monster who had took someones life, and yet Yoongi thought he was special.

Jimin sank down to the sea bed, letting himself settle on the course sand and rocks. As he sat there, with sea life flowing all around him he tried to process his feelings.

He couldn’t deny he was in love with Yoongi, it was ridiculous, he’d only known him a few days but it was love that he felt all the same.

He felt stupid in a way, that he’d let it happen but then Yoongi also felt something, he must do or he wouldn’t have said those things, wouldn’t have kissed him. The image of the kiss sent a tingling sensation through him, the memory of them laying together in Yoongi’s bed.

Jimin had never kissed anyone so much, had never really cared that much for it, but with Yoongi? Oh with Yoongi it felt wonderful. It felt like a dream he never wanted to wake up from.

Yoongi looked at him as they’d lain there together like he was the most wonderful thing he’d ever seen, and all of Jimin’s insecurities and fears and melted away. He made Jimin feel special in a way no one ever had, he didn’t feel like a monster when he was with Yoongi.

He felt beautiful, and wanted. He buried his hands in his face to hide the blush that had spread over his cheeks, why did Yoongi make him feel this way? It was almost as if he was the one with supernatural powers, not him.

For some reason he liked that, he liked that he felt a little powerless around Yoongi, it made him feel more… human.

It was a few hours later when he arrived back at the beach hut that doubt filled him. It was already dark, he could see the lamp on through the open window. Light that hadn’t been there for such a long time before Yoongi had arrived.

Would it be like that again? Yoongi would leave soon, had said so himself, and Jimin would be left behind. His heart ached at the thought, the thought of Yoongi saying goodbye and leaving him. Jimin’s steps faltered and he stopped where he stood on the beach.

Moments before he’d been excited to see Yoongi again, but now he was filled with doubt and fear. What was he doing? Was he just setting himself up to get hurt? He didn’t know if he could bear the idea of Yoongi leaving him.

Maybe he should just leave now, leave with the happy memory of the day before. Save himself from the pain that would surely come if he stayed with Yoongi any longer.

He felt tears prick at the corners of his eyes as he turned back towards the water, his chest felt heavy as he looked over his shoulder at the tiny beach hut, it’s owner unknowingly waiting for someone who would never return.

It was for the best Jimin told himself as he stepped back into the water, it was save them both pain in the long run. Yoongi didn’t deserve to hurt, he deserved to be happy and to not feel obliged to stay for Jimin’s and his stupid feelings. It was for the best.

💧💧💧💧💧

The sky was unseasonably overcast as Yoongi sat on the deck. A cold breeze making his fingers numb as he scribbled away in his notebook. It had been two days since Jimin had left, two days since he hadn’t come back.

He’d been trying to convince himself that Jimin was just taking his time to recover, or busy. But he couldn't stop the niggling feeling that he’d done something wrong.

He had thought things were going good when they’d parted that morning. Jimin had seemed reluctant to go, maybe sending him away had been a mistake. Did Jimin think he’d wanted him to leave? That had been the last thing he wanted, but he’d been worried about Jimin’s health.

He didn’t know what to think, but as the hours had turned into days he couldn’t help feeling like it had all went wrong. That it was somehow his fault that the siren hadn’t returned.

He could feel the tears building, threatening to spill when his phone pinged in his pocket. Welcoming the distraction he pulled it out to see a text from Seokjin.

SJ - Namjoon bought a plant for your studio. I told him you’ll probably kill it but please pretend to be grateful when you get back. He looked so happy picking the stupid little thing out

Yoongi smiled at the message. His heart ached at the thought of his friends, he missed them. Before he could overthink it he opened the contacts and scrolled to Seokjin’s number and hit call.

‘Yoongi-yah?’
‘Hey hyung.’
‘You’re calling me.’
‘Yes.’
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing, I just- why did Joon-ah buy me a plant?’

Seokjin paused for a moment, Yoongi knew he was deciding whether or not to push him, but to Yoongi’s relief he didn’t.

‘He thinks you need some life in there, apparently your monochrome aesthetic isn’t working.’
‘It won’t last a month.’
‘I was thinking more a week but okay.’ Seokjin said with a laugh and Yoongi felt the corners of his own mouth turning up at the sound.

‘It’s a cactus and apparently they’re hard to kill. He said it reminded him of you, small and prickly.’
‘Yah!’ Yoongi cried indignantly.
‘Anyway, he put it in a little rainbow plant pot, so it’s not only small and prickly like you, but also ultra gay like you too.’

‘I hate you.’
‘You love me.’
‘Yeah.’
‘Woah, you didn’t even argue. Yoongi what’s wrong?’
‘I dunno.’ He faltered, part of him wanted to tell Seokjin everything, but he held back. Would he think he was crazy?

‘Yoongi it’s okay, you don’t have to tell me, but I’m here okay.’ Seokjin assured and it just made Yoongi want to cry even more. The affection he felt for his friend, and how he never pressured Yoongi to talk when he wasn’t ready. How he was always just ready to be there for him.

‘You know, you can always come home if it’s too much for you. You’re dealing with a lot being out there, and no one would think any less of you if you left it for now.’ Seokjin told him.
The thought of just leaving and going back home felt so enticing in that moment.

He could just leave and forget about the whole thing, forget about Jimin. But he didn’t want to forget about him, he wanted to see him again, to hold him again and tell him just how happy he made Yoongi over the past few days.

‘Yoongi?’
‘Thanks Jin-hyung. I’m okay, I think I just needed to talk to someone.’
‘Well that I can do. So, want to hear about this kid who thought he could beat me at Maplestory?’
Yoongi huffed out a laugh as Seokjin launched into his tale.

He felt a little better after talking to his hyung. There was something comforting in listening to him rant about his games. It meant he didn’t have to listen to his own thoughts for a while. He’d really appreciated the distraction.

After speaking to Seokjin and making himself dinner he’d decided to go for a walk. He’d bundled himself up in a sweater and headed out along the beach. The clouds had cleared as the sun had set, leaving the sky clear and the stars visible once again.

It reminded him of Jimin’s wish to show him the stars and his heart felt heavy again.

It had been a weird few days. Everything seemed to happen all at once he was feeling a little overwhelmed by it, which led him to wonder if that was how Jimin was feeling? Was that the reason he hadn’t come back?

Yoongi could understand that, he wasn’t sure what he was thinking himself. In his mind he knew the whole thing was crazy, a whirlwind crush that had gotten away from him. He had been so caught up in the moment he hadn’t stopped to think how insane it was.

It had just felt so right, being with Jimin, like nothing he’d ever felt before.

Lost in thought he hadn’t even realised how far he’d walked until he reached the pier. The memory of the night he’d first saw Jimin sat on the broken beam flashed before his eyes and he peered out into the darkness in search of the familiar figure.

But there was nothing, only the night and the dark waves sloshing against the worn wood. His heart sank, part of him had hoped Jimin would be there, waiting for him.

‘I hope you’re okay. That’s all I want.’ Yoongi said out loud to the night. ‘Just be safe and know, that even if I never see you again I am happy that I met you. That you let me hear your song.’

Yoongi stayed there for a little while, under the pier just gazing out into the darkness. He wasn’t waiting for anything, had accepted that Jimin wasn’t there, but he just wanted to stay in that moment for a little longer.

His heart felt heavy, but the words he’d spoken had been the truth. All of the overthinking he had done had led him to that, he was just glad he’d met Jimin. That he’d been lucky enough to meet someone so special.

When he arrived back at the beach hut, he’d bundled himself up under his blanket and pulled out his notebook, letting his emotions pour out onto the page. The memory of Jimin’s voice at the forefront of his mind as the lyrics came.

He may not see the siren again, but he would never let the memory of him be forgotten.

💧💧💧💧💧

‘Just be safe and know, that even if I never see you again I am happy that I met you. That you let me hear your song.’

The words hung in the air around Jimin as he sat on the cold beach. Yoongi had left the pier almost an hour ago and Jimin still hadn’t been able to move.

He hadn’t expected him to appear at the pier, but when he’d appeared on the beach Jimin had hidden, his heart aching in his chest as he’d watched the human looking out into the darkness.

He’d wondered if Yoongi had come looking for him, and it had made his heart hurt even more. But he’d stayed hidden, telling himself it was for the best.

When Yoongi had spoken out loud, his deep voice breaking the quietness of the night, tears had filled his eyes. He had wanted nothing more to go to him, to tell him that he was okay, that he was there and he hadn’t wanted to leave. Yoongi had sounded sad and Jimin hated it.

The wind was cold against his skin, it took a lot for him to feel the cold but as he sat there on that beach long into the night the cold sank into his every pore.

His fingers found the silver chain that still hung around his neck, he rubbed his thumb over the pendent, feeling the shape of the engraved fish. Even then he didn’t know why he’d taken the necklace that first night.

He couldn’t explain it but he’d just wanted a piece of Yoongi to keep with him. He closed his eyes as the tears welled up again, he couldn’t do this. He couldn’t stay away, it didn’t matter how much it would hurt when Yoongi left.

He remembered something Jungkook said to him then. They had been near the mouth of the Han river, sat on the riverbank watching the sun rise. Jimin rarely went inland, the idea of being so close to so many humans terrifying him and the fresh water not the best for him to live in.

He needed the sea, the salt water. But Jungkook was a river spirit, had spent his life in that river and couldn’t leave it. Unlike him, river spirits couldn’t survive in anything but fresh water.

‘I think it’s worth the trouble even if you’re only happy for five minutes.’ He’d told him.
They had been talking about Jimin’s song. He’d admitted to Jungkook about going to the pier when no one was around to sing.

River sirens didn’t have power in the voices like Jimin did, so he did’t understand just how much of a risk Jimin had been taking every time he did it. But now, as Jimin sat alone in the cold he felt the weight behind his words, his friend had always been wise beyond his age.

Jimin only left the beach when the sky began to lighten. The pale morning sky bringing a fresh day and a new resolution in Jimin’s mind. He would go and see Yoongi again, he didn’t care how much their goodbye would hurt it was worth it.

Worth the happiness he felt when he was with his human. And just as the sun appeared over the horizon Jimin slipped below the waves, already feeling lighter at the thought of seeing Yoongi again.

*to be deleted*

Sorry for the short update this week, but I didn’t want to cut into the next part. I hope you liked it 🥺💕

curiouscat.me/tinyyoonmini

Tip jar ✨

ko-fi.com/raisedinthunder