#but then all of a sudden this tiny fisherman is holding him and speaking soft words and he

[promptistrashqueen]

A Royal Comission(17)

This is still just cute fluff and I just...love it? Thanks @fleetstreetfatality for fueling this fire :) (ALSO this is 74 pages long now.Yikes)

The first morning session with Cor is not what he expects. Brutal physical exhaustion, maybe some aggression working out or something.

Instead Prompto finds himself sitting very still beside the marshall, watching the river that feeds the lake as it runs past them, uncaring. Cor doesn’t speak, just breathes slowly, eyes half lidded as he stares into the clear water. Prompto glances at him every few minutes and tries to match his breathing, maybe it’s some centering thing?

Half an hour passes and finally Cor moves, turning his body toward Prompto some more.

“You’ve got patience. Good. Noctis is a trying little shit on the best days. Now, enough staring at the damn water, on your feet.”

Prompto blinks and nods, hurrying to stand, almost immediately he starts bouncing his weight from foot to foot. Cor looks at him blankly and he stops, cringing a bit.

“It’s good to be quick, on your toes. When you shoot though, especially when you shoot to kill, you have to find your grounding, even if you only a have a second. I’d like to see how your aim is first, know what I’m in for, then we’ll work on that.”

With another jerky nod Prompto follows Cor a little further down the small dirt bath, noting absently some of the wildflowers he wants to take pictures of later, imagining how they’d look in ink on Noctis’ hips. He’s pulled back into their purpose though as the Marshall stops and gestures to a target.

He looks at the other man, just to affirm the intention but Cor gives away little. He sighs and raises the gun, hands fitting startlingly well and tries to hold it steady. It’s a bit shaky and Prompto forces himself to take slow breaths, drawing from somewhere deep as he sights and fires. He lets off four shots and then stops.

It’s only when Cor and himself approach the target he realizes it’s shaped loosely like a person. The shots are a perfect line, starting just under the ribs and ending with a final shot between the eyes and Prompto shudders, a clammy and uncomfortable feeling bubbling in his chest.

Cor doesn’t give him any kind of look though, just nods.

“Good. It’s a start. Now then….”

Several hours later Prompto curls in bed again, his body curved around Noctis’ as he runs his fingers through the Prince’s hair. He’s a little sore but nothing like he expected to be after working with Cor. It was a lot of information, a lot of correcting tiny details, and a lot of just...talking.

Noctis stirs, pushing into Prompto hands and humming. It draws a smile from the blonde and he leans in to kiss Noctis’ cheek, breathing him in, morning breath making his nose wrinkle a little. Cor’s right, he thinks as he looks at the sleeping Prince, there’s nothing that could turn him from Noctis’ side. Not his own past, not Noctis’ actions, not the Astrals themselves.

At the moment though, his main concern is waking Noctis.

“C’mon Noct, it’s late. The others want to do something, they keep talking about racing boats? I’m lost, I need you to guide me here dude! I’ve never even touched a boat!”

He gently shakes Noctis, becoming a little more playful as the Prince grumbles at him until his flicking his fingertip against his nose. It must be irritating because Noctis finally gives up and rolls away with a moan before sitting up.

His grey eyes blink sleepily and he glares at Prompto.

“You don’t have to, they’re not racing actual boats.”

“Oh..uh, what?”

“Man...let me put on clothes and shit.”

Prompto knows that tone, it’s Nocts “I’m too fucking tired, give me five” voice and he’s more than happy to let his lover wake up more before pushing it.

He sits patiently, smiling a little while Noctis rolls out of bed, almost literally. His feet thunk against the floor and there’s a moment where Prompto’s not sure that the rest of Noctis’ body isn’t going to follow them down. He manages though and makes small, somehow endearing, noises, grabbing clothing with his eyes half closed and tugging it on.

Prompto only laughs a little when he comes out of it with his shirt on backwards and has to fight it to turn around.

“You alright there buddy?”

Noctis just glares at him, but there’s no real heat to it as his hands are already seeking Prompto’s body. He pulls the blonde to stand and hugs him tight, tucking his face into Prompto’s neck and humming softly. Prompto smiles, small and warm, and hugs him back.

“Morning.” Noctis sounds marginally more awake now and Prompto rubs his cheek into the Prince’s messy hair with a soft sound.

“Morning...so...boats?”

Noctis let’s him go, stepping back and shrugging as he combs fingers through his hair, patting it flat. Prompto gets distracted for a moment because it doesn’t seem like Noct’s going to do much to it today and it’s sort of...intimate in it’s own way, seeing him relaxed this way. It gives Prompto another moment of perspective as he realizes that despite the usual level of casual that Noctis keeps out here, along with the others, he can let go of even more of the formalities that come from being royal.

“Yeah...it started when Iggy and I were little and it’s kinda...tradition now. We build little boats out of leaves and grass and stuff and float them down the river, whoever’s goes the furthest in the River God while were here and gets to make decrees about dinner and what games we play. It’s..silly.”

Prompto’s grinning already though, because it’s exactly the kind of fun he’s never had. He shakes his head, “I hope you’re ready to eat salad for dinner then, because I’m outclassed in everything else, but I can build stuff like nobodies business.”

Noctis just smirks, “Is that a challenge?”

“You scared bro?”

“No, but you certainly should be. Clarus is the reigning champion.”

Ignis’ amused tone about makes Prompto jump out of his skin and he turns to find the the man leaning in the open doorway to the room, arms crossed over a light tan button down. It’s almost...safari-esque, especially paired with the khaki shorts and the leather first aid pouch strapped to his thigh, but it’s so crisp it can only be Ignis’ version of outdoor wear.

“I dunno Iggy, he’s threatening vegetables. You two might have to team up to take him down.”

Ignis laughs and Prompto’s chest warms as Noctis takes his hand and pulls him after the advisor.

In the end Prompto’s little boat, large maple leaves and a few carefully selected twigs does very well but Noctis’ crosses the line of sunlight slanting over the water they declared a finish line a little ahead, Clarus’ boat caught on a stray bunch of leaves in the water and Iris blowing hard to free her own little craft. Regis, Gladio, and Ignis’ little ships are all just swirls of debris after a rather unfortunate collision with one another.

Prompto laughs as Noctis father grabs his hands and flings them up, shouting out his victory while the other’s mock being unable to look at his glory. It’s all just...silly.

Regis gives a heartfelt eulogy for the “wee nature sailors” lost in the tragedy and Prompto finds himself wiping exaggerated fake tears away as Cor nods along solemnly. It’s all made much more ridiculous by the fact that Regis is dressed in a fisherman's vest, his wide brimmed hat clutched to his chest. Gladio slings an arm around Prompto and Noctis when they begin the walk back, forcing his body between them.

“So lovebirds, fancy a few rounds of cards?”

Prompto blinks at him and Noctis scoffs, “You’re just trying to win your dignity back.”

“Bad form son.” Clarus comments, to their right and Gladio unashamedly shrugs back at his father.

“Yeah, well I thought sticking those of us not cooking at a table might be a good way  to learn a little more about blondie here.” He jerks his head at Prompto, who swallows and is sudden very warm.

He forgets so easily, too easily in fact, that though he’s been made welcome, they still have questions, things they want to know. It’s almost more daunting now, because he knows they’ll ask him about normal things, movies he likes, if he prefers milk or dark chocolate, a hundred tiny things that he’s never had to share before.

Clarus answers that with a hum, “I’d like to know a bit more about some of those tattoos, that’s true. Alright, River God, what say you?”

Noctis stops, bringing the whole troop of them to a halt and thinks on it, his eyes meeting Prompto’s as he pretends to weigh his options. Prompto’s grateful when he realizes that Noctis really is taking in how nervous he is. He gives him a tiny nod and Noctis raises his chin, his tone imperial.

“I will favor you with this request. One full round of rummy for the night then!”

“Yes!” Iris claps and Prompto looks at her, “I always win Rummy!”

He laughs and Noctis shoves Gladio out of the way, taking his hand and giving it a light squeeze that Prompto returns. He finds himself looking forward to Iris wiping the floor with them, because for once, it’s more about the company.

#Promptis #Fanfiction #FFXV Fanfiction #Prompto #Noctis #Regis #Ignis #Gladiolus #Iris #Cor #Clarus #FFXV #A Royal Commission #Part 17 #leaf boats #cute boys #fluff #Noctis Lucis Caelum #prompto argentum #Boois

[animeniacss]

From Afar - Prince!Jimin x Merman!Jungkook - Part 1 - Namhae and Wildetide

Synopsis: 'Vae part wiol now’ // "We part for now" When two worlds collide in the most unexpected of ways, will the young Prince of Namhae and the young prince of Wildetide find the same happy ending as the one in their favorite story book?

Genre: Royalty AU, Forbidden Love AU, Mermaid AU, Star-Crossed Lovers, Enemies to Friends to Lovers AU, Mermaid Prince!Jungkook and Prince!Jimin, Romance, Angst,

Word Count: approx. 16k words

Part 1 - Namhae and Wildetide

Park Jimin was raised with only one path in life: succeeding his father as king of all of Namhae, and if necessary, fulfilling the royal mission. Jimin knew well of his duties, trained, and studied hard from the moment he could hold a pencil in his hand and write his name. From the moment he was old enough to toddle through the palace, he found a second home among the ocean. As he grew older, wiser, smarter, he became more focused on this goal, and he was destined to fulfill it, even before he ascended the throne.

“Your Majesty.” A voice called from the front of the grand room. Jimin, who had his nose deep in a book, looked up from his spot. His father rose from his seat, the large throne set right in the middle of the lavishly decorated room, and he made his way down the steps, towards the messenger who stood patiently waiting, a piece of paper in his hand. Jimin was quick to jump up as well, following his father with a quick pace. As the duo approached, the messenger turned to Jimin and nodded his head. “Your Highness.”

“What news do you have?” The king asked, his deep voice cutting through the room like butter, it almost made the messenger flinch.

“The last fleet of ships just returned to the port…” He said simply. A smile crossed Jimin’s face, the thought of men who had been out at sea for more than a month finally returning home, hopefully with plenty of food to be sold at the kingdom. “But-.”

There it was, that dreaded ‘but’. Jimin’s eyes immediately cast up to his father, and he could see the man’s eyes darken at merely the thought of what could be remaining behind the man’s words. “…Two boats didn’t come back….”

“Damn it.” The king groaned, a hand rubbing his face. “Who were the men on those ships?”

“Mok Hyun-Ki, Im Chin-Mae, Baek Du-Ho, and Bi Kwang.” The messenger said. “All of whom have wives and children awaiting them in the village. The other boats said-.”

“Stop. I want to talk to them.” The king said. “You may go.” The messenger nodded, and with a bow to both the king and Jimin, left the room. The King turned to one of the men. “Get my carriage ready.”

“Can I come?” Jimin asked curiously. The King turned to his son, who had immediately begun following him when he exited the room. “Baek Du-Ho’s daughter works as one of Mother’s maids, I know her well. I want to come.” A smile formed on the man’s face, a soft one as he looked down at his son who stood before him.

“Alright.” He spoke. “But you’re not to speak. Use this as a moment to observe.” Jimin nodded, watching as the King turned to another servant in the halls. “Call for the daughter of Baek Du-Ho and get her transportation to her mother’s home.” With his commands settled, Jimin and his father headed down the long corridor towards the carriage awaiting them outside.

The carriage ride was quiet, only the sound of the wheels crushing tiny stones heard. Jimin watched as his father looked out the window, his finger tapping his chin. The young Prince pressed his hands against his legs. His father was a good man, but he was still the King of Namhae, also meaning he was a stoic and scary man.

“Father…” he said softly. The King looked over; eyebrow arched to signal his son that he was listening. “Do you think the missing boats are…due to Wildetide again?” A look of despair clouded the King’s eyes, and Jimin knew the answer before his father even had to say it aloud. “I thought so…They said they were going out to that territory when they left.”

“We can never be certain, not until we find one of these people of Wildetide and have them confess to their actions.” Jimin nodded. “But I agree with you, son, it seems likely this was another one of their dirty tricks.” The King scoffed. “These make ten missing boats and men in the past six months….” Jimin watched as his father’s eyes darted back out the window, bitter anger and grief swimming through his eyes like sharks searching for their prey within the water. Jimin turned to his father quickly, eyes widened.

“Don’t worry!” he gasped, making his father turn back to him once again. His eyes were sparkling – no – his eyes were ablaze with vengeance and determination, ablaze with a fire that could not be put out by even the most powerful of ocean waves. “That’s why I’m learning everything I can, so I can find them even long after you have to stop! I know you’ll find them because you’re a good and mighty King…but if you can’t…” slowly, Jimin face softened into that of a still naïve and innocent young man, and he nodded. “Know that I won’t let our family mission die, so help me, Father…”

A warm smile formed on the King’s face, and he patted Jimin’s head, making the teen chuckle a bit. “I know.” He said simply. As the carriage slowly began to reach the beach, the King faced forward again, eyes once again going stone-cold and serious, his smile tightening into a line once again. “Now, look sharp son, we are approaching the beach. Many are grieving. Remember the pain of having to grieve and bring sympathy to these women…” Jimin nodded, looking out the carriage window once again.

“I will…” he said simply.

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“Where is my husband?” Mrs. Baek shouted, staring at the men who were standing beside their boats. The men, all tired and exhausted from their month-long fishing expedition, rubbed their faces as they watched the woman, hair covering her face after falling from what once was a neat and tidy bun. She was being held back by another woman, tears streaking her cheeks as well as Mrs. Baek. “You were out there, what happened?!”

“It was sudden, and we were too far out to see well. We don’t really know.”

“Liar!” The woman shouted. She tried desperately to rip out of the chains that were the arms of the other woman but failed when another latched onto her to pull back. “I want my husband! Where is-.”

“Sh.” Someone in the crowd gasped, and immediately people in the surrounding areas went silent. They listened quietly, turned in the direction of the individual who commanded them to be silent. “The King…” People watched, silent and curious as the carriage pulled up, stopping right by the entrance to the dock. A few men came to open the carriage door, revealing King Park and Prince Jimin. The duo approached the scene, and everyone immediately bowed their heads low, welcoming the royalty onto the docks.

The King wasted no time. “What are the details you men can share from the day of the wreckage?” he asked.

“We had been out all day with no luck-.” One man began. “Baek Du-Ho and his ship suggested we move out just a bit farther to see if we could find more fish. So, we did, and we split up just a bit.” The man sighed, running a hand through his hair as he thought back to that day. “Next thing we know, the boats flip and we hear screaming. When we tried to course our boats towards them, but we were too far away…we could only save two of them, the current took Mr. Baek and Mr. Im under…”

Immediately, the widows began sobbing in hysterics, clinging to one another and their children as they began to grieve. Other women, who have lost their husbands in past expeditions, swarmed them and hugged them, attempting to soothe them with gentle words and warm apologies. Jimin watched them silently, eyes cast down to the floor as he took a moment to silently think about the two most recent victims to the sea. When he looked back up, he saw a few men glancing in his direction. They were two tall, handsome men, most likely in their twenties like Jimin was. Both had long black hair, one’s slightly curled while the others slightly slicked back, stopping at the ears. The one with curls was rubbing his relatively broad shoulders, while the other stood still, staring silently in Jimin’s direction. While the other man glanced away upon seeing the Prince’s gaze, the other held it for a moment longer. Jimin snickered, facing forward again just in time for another man to speak.

“I saw a fin.” Another man added, and Jimin and his father looked up. “It was blue and it practically sparkled in the sunlight. I tried to grab onto it when we got close, but it was gone and-.”

“Liar!” Someone in the crowd shouted. Jimin flinched at the sounded screech he heard, turning towards it. A little old woman, fixing her hood as she approached, pointed a finger to the fisherman. “Liar! He lies about what happened to those men! It was not those of Wildetide! They have been known to be innocent, peaceful creatures-.” Jimin had to snicker as a few men in the crowd tried to shush the old woman up, others grumbling at her ramblings. Despite the negative air around her, she continued her sermon. “He says he saw a fin to throw you all off. Your Majesty-.” The woman staggered forward. Jimin watched his father step in front of him, blocking his view as the woman fell before the king, practically pleading. “You must listen. To fight with those of Wildetide is a mistake, we should bring peace and-.”

“Enough.” The king hissed. Jimin, again, had to giggle at the sight before him. “Someone remove this woman from my presence. Take her home, see to it she gets some rest and some…help, for whatever may have plagued her mind this way.” A few men gently took hold of the woman, who continued shouting, pleading for the King to listen as she was taken away. With that handled, the King turned back to the men standing at the shore. He pointed at the man who spoke. “Bring him to the palace so I may speak with him further.” The King demanded, turning to one of his servants. “As for the rest, get them medical attention as needed.” his finger towards two men with dark black hair, who immediately stood at attention when the King pointed to them. “They shall unload the fish from the boats and have it prepared for transport into the village. These men have worked hard a whole month, send them home with their families.”

With the King’s orders made clear, the docks finally began clearing out. The two men headed to the boats docked at the shore, and Jimin watched for a moment before he was led back to the carriage, and helped inside. He could still hear the distant wails of recent widows, screaming towards the sea in hopes their husbands would hear them and come swimming home. No such luck…Jimin thought softly, and the carriage rolled along in silence.

-------------------------------------

“Are they all gone yet?” One of the men asked, looking over his shoulder from the docks.

“Jungkook-ah, don’t look back!” The other man whispered a panic gasp in his voice as he barely hid a thick, foreign accent. When Jungkook looked back, a grin formed on his face. “It’s because of you we got stuck doing this manule labor for such a stupid-.”

“Manule?” Jungkook asked. “You mean manual.” Seokjin cocked an eyebrow. “You have to say it correctly. Manual labor…”

“Look who has been hitting the books.”

Jungkook couldn’t help but giggle. “Everyone is gone, Seokjin-Hyung…” he said, standing upright and running a hand through his hair. “Quick, a few of these little guys are still alive. Get them back in the water…” Seokjin watched as Jungkook slipped a few smaller fish out of the sacks, some flailing helplessly in hopes to get back into the water. Seokjin quickly followed suit, setting a few fish back in the river. They splashed around slightly, catching their breath in the water before disappearing within the drifting tide. Jungkook smiled as he watched them go. “There…”

“But what about the ones that didn’t make it?” Seokjin asked, turning to the piles of fish sitting lifelessly in their carts.

“…We won’t be able to take it home, it’s too heavy.” Jungkook sighed. Seokjin patted Jungkook on the back in an attempt to comfort him. “Let’s just leave it and head home. Let the guys who robbed us worry about bringing them to the village or whatever.” Jungkook nodded, watching as Seokjin headed to the shore, sticking his feet right where the tide ended.

“Now can we go home before your father kills me? We shouldn’t be out here.”

“Yeah…” Jungkook said. He followed Seokjin to the edge of the water. Both planted their feet in the water, watching as the tide washed back in and enveloped their feet. Slowly, they stepped deeper and deeper into the water, Jungkook running a hand through his hair. The water increased to their knees, their thighs, their waist before both quickly ducked their heads under the water.

A few feet out, the men’s heads poke out just slightly. Jungkook ran a hand along his cheeks, now adorn with stunning light blue scales. He glanced at Seokjin, who rested his head on one of the rocks lining the shore of Namhae.

“Don’t look so down, Hyung. We didn’t get caught.” Jungkook hummed, rubbing the blue diamond-shaped gem now glowing on his chest.

“Yeah, this time. But you almost got caught by that guy who said he saw your fin. You are so lucky we swam fast enough and were outside the parameters of the palace or we could have been caught.”

“Okay, okay, Mom.” Jungkook pouted. “But I couldn’t just stay behind the rocks today…” Jungkook lifted himself slightly to rest on the rocks, his waist rising from the water to reveal his waist fade from his skin color to a beautiful aquamarine fin. “That was the closest I’ve ever been to the prince…”

“Yeah, too close,” Seokjin said. Jungkook hummed.

“He looked so stoic; don’t you think?” Seokjin rolled his eyes, watching as Jungkook stared ahead at the empty shoreline. When Jungkook heard no response, he turned to him: “You know, stoic. We say,-.”

“I don’t need a lecture, Jungkook,” Seokjin grumbled. Jungkook only shrugged, turning back to the shore once again. Seokjin tried to follow his friend’s gaze, too, for only a moment, try to get into Jungkook’s mind and see exactly what he saw when he looked out onto that shoreline. But he saw nothing, only problems, and annoyances. Nudging Jungkook, he motioned his head back towards the water.

“Let’s go…” he said. The young male frowned but knew his friend was right. Being out here longer and they risked chances of being seen. A soft rumble in the distant sky alerted both men to turn their heads, seeing dark clouds roll into the area. “Yeah, let’s go before some kind of nasty storm hits us…” Taking one last glance at the shoreline, his eyes quickly traced the outline of the distant palace walls, before he followed Seokjin back into the water and out of sight.

The duo swam for a little while in silence, before Jungkook turned back in the direction they came. He couldn’t describe it, but something was urging him to go back to the shore, just for a little while longer. Slowly, he allowed a gap to form between him and Seokjin, before ducking behind the nearest group of rocks and cliffs he could find. Seokjin continued swimming, not realizing that not only had Jungkook pulled back, but had disappeared altogether.

When Jungkook knew the coast was clear, he hurried back to the shore.

-----------------------

“Do you intend to stand out here all day, Jimin?” A curly-haired male huffed. Perched up against the wall, he watched as Jimin paced side to side in front of a grand door. “Jimin.” The young prince looked up at the male calling his name, eyes still deep in thought. “Let’s go outside and do something. You’ve been cooped up here all morning, ever since you got back.”

“I want to know what happened out there, Taehyung. Father said he’d tell me as soon as he was done.” Jimin pressed his ear to the door as if he could hear something beyond the thick wood and metal bolts that held it shut. Just then, he felt a hand on both of his shoulders. When he turned around, he could see Taehyung, who slowly began dragging him away. Taehyung was a bit taller than the prince, so doing this was no difficult task for the man. “Wh- hey! Wait, stop!” When his cries didn’t work, Jimin tried to struggle. “Kim Taehyung, as your Prince and future King, I order you to let me go!”

“No~.” Taehyung hummed, completely disregarding the angry prince’s empty threat. Jimin huffed. When Taehyung had Jimin far enough away, he released the Prince, resting against the windows facing the ocean as he watched the man fix his slightly wrinkled robes. “You’ll waste away standing by the door all day, and that means I will too. So just wait until your Father is ready to come and talk to you.” Jimin sighed, walking towards the window and resting his elbows on it, staring straight ahead. Jimin may be the man destined to rule, but Taehyung was the one who was wise beyond his years. A moment of silence fell over the two men, like a blanket that covered them in a way they didn’t know how to escape from. Taehyung finally ripped the blanket off of them when he asked: “Do they really think what they saw out there was a fin? Do you think they were by Wildetide?”

Jimin could only shrug, knowing any answer he gave was as accurate as anyone else’s. “Who can say? Days, months even, on the sea with little food or water, you’re bound to go insane. Seeing your friends flip over and drown in the sea, too? It’s enough to make a man believe anything he wants to….” Jimin spoke, but his eyes never left the sea as it pulled and pushed itself against the shoreline. “…Let’s go for a walk on the beach, Taehyung.”

“Yeah?” Taehyung cocked an eyebrow. “Why? It looks like a storm is coming in.”

Jimin pushed himself slightly back from the window, fixing his hair a bit as he turned to his friend. A small smirk peeked out of the corner of the lips of the prince. “I’m your Prince, and I say so.” He said simply. Without any further explanation, he turned on his heel and started down the hallway. Taehyung watched him for a second, before turning towards the sea one last time.

“…Fair enough.” He said, before following behind him.

The trip to the shore was silent after Jimin threw on some more casual look, a pair of slacks, and a white button-up with a few frills. Taehyung grabbed a carriage at the front of the palace, waiting patiently to help the Prince in before they journeyed to the beach. When they arrived, Jimin was first to walk onto the sand, slipping off his shoes and burying his toes in the sand. Taehyung followed behind, watching his friend and superior look down at his feet, shifting them just slightly as sand rolled around them. Jimin looked up, towards the water. He stared at it as if that alone would solve generations of the kingdom’s problems, like the water, would suddenly spit up the bodies of those lost at sea, alive and well. As Jimin stared off towards the horizon, where the sun met the sea in perfect harmony, Taehyung approached the docks.

“Jimin, there’s a bunch of sandy fish here.” When Jimin approached, he saw the fish lying in a pile, and it looked as if there had been less than before. Jimin immediately clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Those two men will be as dead as those fishes when I find them.” He hissed. Taehyung watched Jimin turn to the carriage rider, who hurried up to him. “Grab some men from the village and bring them here so these fish don’t go to waste and those men didn’t die at sea in vain.”

“But what about-?” The man was cut off when Taehyung approached.

“I’ll be here to watch the Prince while you go.” He assured. The carriage driver, seemingly unconvinced, nodded his head before returning to the carriage and slowly heading off. With the boys alone, Taehyung sighed, tugging his shirt off. “Well, if we’re stuck here for a while, I’m gonna go sit on the sand and relax.” The Prince watched his friend find a spot on the sand, wadding his shirt up and setting it down to use as a pillow before sprawling out his entire body. His eyes returned once again to the sea, to watch the waves come in and spread out against the shoreline. What mysteries were held beneath those stunning blue waves? How many bodies lay hidden, forgotten, under the depths of the sea?

How many homes and families were ruined because of the dangers that lurked within?

Jimin headed onto the nearby rocks, hopping up on top and them in hopes it would allow him to see farther out. It didn’t, not by much, but he acted like it did, and leaned forward to get a better look. All he could see, for miles and miles, was an ocean. Jimin slowly squatted down on the rocks, reaching his hand into the water. It engulfed his hand, the cool sensation washing over every one of his fingers. The tide was wild, waves splashing up against the rocks as water flew into Jimin’s face. That didn’t deter him, however, and Jimin continued standing on the rocks unbothered by the sea, which slowly began to rage before him.

While Jimin was staring out into the sea, a familiar figure swam close to the shore. Jungkook had returned, but he stayed hidden, finding a home on the other side of the beach, where another set of rocks piled high helped cover him from the royal and his friend. Jungkook could hear a distant rumble in the sky coming closer, and he knew any minute, he’d have to return to Wildetide in hopes to remain safe. However, he didn’t want to move yet, keeping his gaze on the Prince. He watched as Jimin walked around on the rocks, hands crossed as he stared ahead. A tingling sensation bubbled in Jungkook’s stomach, and he rested his head on the rocks, watching silently.

“Prince, maybe we should go right when the carriage comes back with those men. It looks like it’s going to storm any minute.” When Jimin didn’t answer, Taehyung frowned. “Prince, the waves look bad, you should come back to the sand where it’s safe.”

“I’m fine,” Jimin assured, turning to Taehyung and waving a hand to dismiss his friend. Taehyung huffed, opening his shirt and wiping the sand off it, slipping it on as a chill rushed through the air. As Jimin turned back around, his eyes spotted something. Quickly, his entire body turned to meet his gaze, facing right towards the rocks on the other end of the beach. Jungkook immediately ducked his head when the duo made eye contact. Despite the distance, Jungkook knew exactly what Jimin was looking at.

“…Sir?” Taehyung raised an eyebrow. It looked as if Jimin had seen a ghost, his eyes staring straight ahead, unmoving. When Taehyung looked over in the same direction, he saw nothing but rocks. Why on earth was the Prince staring at rocks? Just as Taehyung stood up from the sand, dusting himself off. “Jimin what are you staring at?”

Jimin quickly hopped off the rocks, splashing into the water right as the tide brushed up against his ankles. Quickly, he began hurrying down the shoreline, towards the rocks. Taehyung watched as the Prince headed farther and farther away. “Sir where are you going? What’s over there?”

“I saw someone hiding behind the rocks!” Jungkook could hear Jimin’s voice shouting through the loud cracks of the waves, and he dare not show his head.

“Sir, there’s nobody there! Come back here, get out of the water.”

“I’ll be fine,” Jimin assured, continuing his trek. The dark clouds were rolling in farther, waves rising slightly. Jimin had to go out slightly into the water to reach the rocks he saw the man behind. Normally where one could stand with the water to their thighs, Jimin’s hips were being tickled by the water. It made him stumble, but as long as his feet touched the ground, Jimin ignored the rumbling noises and chilly air, heading closer to the rocks.

“Sir that’s really not safe,” Taehyung shouted, hurrying after Jimin along the shoreline, careful not to go in. Jimin huffed, turning back to his friend, his back now to the rocks.

“Taehyung, what if what I saw was a mermaid from Wildetide?! This is my chance to catch it! I’m not worried about some stupid waves; I know how to-.” Before Jimin could finish his sentence, a large wave came up behind the young Prince, engulfing him like the mouth of a predator that had stalked its prey quietly, undetected. Jimin didn’t even realize what happened before he was tossed like a rag doll in the sea. All he remembered it a pain running across the left side of his body, his head in particular throbbing before he felt himself go unconscious.

Jungkook, who had been clinging to the rocks as soon as the waves began to get a bit more violent, watched in horror as the man’s body disappeared under the waves and beside the rocks. Quickly, Jungkook used the shield of the rain to poke his head up, turning to see Taehyung run to the water’s edge, the waves even there high enough to graze his inner thigh. Jungkook knew that man stood no chance in the storm, especially if Jimin was pulled out any further. Biting his lip, he dove under the water. Frantically, he sped through the nearby water, searching every which way for the body of the missing prince. It was hard to see, even underneath the force of the waves, the rain causing an extra obstacle for the young merman. However, just past the end of the rock, he caught sight of the prince, floating helplessly several feet away from where he was pulled out. Any farther and getting him back would have been a lot harder. Jungkook wasted no time grabbing Jimin by the waist. He could see hints of red seeping from the man’s forehead, and Jungkook knew he had to hurry. Gently placing one hand on his wound, he turned to head back to shore.

Taehyung stood in shock for a moment as the wave came and went, taking Jimin with it out to sea. “Jimin!” he shouted, rushing forward until the water wrapped around his ankles. The sound of rain began pelting down among the shore, a rhythmic beat pounding in Taehyung’s ears as he tried to search the nearby area for any sign of Jimin’s body. A carriage finally approached, and he turned to see the driver, with two men he’d gotten from town, hurrying over. “He got dragged into the water!!” The men raced towards shore, trying to hurry into the water and battle the waves. “Hurry!” When Taehyung tried to step closer in, hoping to offer assistance, the driver they sent to get these men pulled him back, not wanting to lose two young men to one storm. As the workers tried to make their way through the waves as they grew quicker and quicker, a large one crashed against the rocks. They stepped back, careful, as the wave finally receded. On the rock, Jimin laid motionless. “Prince!” Taehyung practically fell to his knees in relief at seeing the prince and watching as the men trekked with all their might towards him.

The next thing Jimin knew was that he was coughing, his chest burning as the water rose out of his throat and onto his chest. His head was numb, he couldn’t feel it. All he could feel was that he was cold, shivering as rain pelting his chest, and bumpy rocks poked at his back. Groaning, his head lolled to one side, allowing for any extra water to come out and land beside him. As his eyes began to adjust, as much as they could in a dark and rainy ocean, he saw someone poke their head up. A boy with shaggy brown hair and big, curious doe eyes. He looked familiar. That was what Jimin thought at first.

Then, the tail poked up from the water, flapping quickly. That doesn’t. Jimin thought. Groaning, he continued to stare at the male.

The male finally spoke: “Feel better, Prince. Vae part wiol now.” Before Jimin could even try to get a word out, the male was gone, disappearing under the water and out of Jimin sight.

“…Bye…” Jimin could choke out. The next thing he felt was the feeling of being scooped up, body limp as he was carried back to shore, back to the carriage.

“He has a head wound!” he heard the man shout.

“Bring the carriage!”

“Thank God you’re okay.” That was Taehyung. Lolling his head, he starred back towards the sea, until his eyes grew too heavy and he fell back asleep.

---------------------------------------------------

“I cannot believe you thought it would be a good idea to go to the ocean right before a storm!” The King shouted, pacing back and forth. “Actually, I can believe that part. What I cannot believe is you just strolling out into the ocean during the middle of this storm for no reason!”

“I said I had a reason, Father,” Jimin said simply, shifting in his bed. He had been wrapped and bandaged, bedridden for a while to nurture several broken bones in his arms as well as a mild concussion on his head. “I thought I saw a mer-.”

“Thought. Thought.” The King clarified.

“And I saw him before I was rescued too! I saw the one thing you have dedicated your life to finding and now you make me sound crazy!”

“But I don’t send my men in the middle of storms, nor do I send my men because of what they thought they saw in the waves or what they thought they saw with a head injury! I cannot lose yet another son to those bastards because he had a thought in his mind!”

The room went quiet. Jimin immediately felt a sharp pain in his head, and he covered his eyes with a deep and pain-filled groan. The sound of footsteps approaching his bedside, before a large pressure was put on his shoulder. When he looked up, he saw his father standing above him. The King’s hand gently pressed down on his son’s shoulder. “You are not to go beyond the palace; much less to that shore, do you understand me?”

“Father, I-.”

“I know what you think you saw. But as not only your King but your Father, I order you to stay in the palace.” Jimin sighed, frowning as he reluctantly nodded his head, watching as his father left the room, leaving Jimin alone. He turned his head towards his window, the one that outlooked the sea. Sighing, he continued to stare, as if staring long enough would confirm his thought of seeing the merman once again. When his eyes began to strain, he simply closed his eyes and rested into the comfort of his blanket.

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Jimin’s recovery was a long one, mainly due to his father having several servants watching over him at almost any moment. Even after he had recovered, Jimin still had to be escorted everywhere throughout the palace. Privacy no longer meant anything for Jimin, it was as if he had become a prisoner in his own home. He couldn’t take it, but his father had no intention of letting up soon. He insisted that Jimin was not well enough to leave the palace. “The strong light of the sun could easily knock you off your feet during your recovery.” That was what he always said. It angered Jimin more than when his Father simply told him not to return to the beach.

“Don’t you think it’s ridiculous for my Father to forbid me from the beach?” Jimin asked, turning to Taehyung. The duo had spent the afternoon in an art room, a beautiful place with large windows on every wall, allowing for a complete view of the world outside. Any angle could lead to a stunning painting. Taehyung was taking full advantage of this, painting on a once empty canvas. Jimin rested against an open window, arms crossed in frustration when his friend did not answer. He quickly shuffled along the wall, blocking the view that Taehyung once had towards the nearby forest. Taehyung looked up, eyes narrowing in annoyance.

“Hey.”

“I’m talking to you, Taehyung.”

“I don’t know what to tell you. I’m sure your father doesn’t mean forever and probably just wants to make sure that you fully recover before you go out anywhere.”

“I am fully recovered.” Jimin huffed. Taehyung shrugged. “Are you even listening to me?”

“I am. I’m trying to think of what I say to the King about how he’s raising his son. Not only that, but I might as well prepare my will and final words when he hangs me from the highest palace window.” While Taehyung snickered at his joke, Jimin scoffed, shaking his head. Without waiting for Taehyung to say anything else, Jimin stormed out of the room. “Wh- Hey! Prince, I was kidding! Wait!” When the door slammed behind him, leaving Taehyung alone, he let out a frustrated groan, rising from his spot and leaving his painting abandoned for the time being.

Jimin had already closed himself off in his room, practically fuming. Taehyung is absolutely no help. He thought, walking towards his window. Resting against it, he stared out towards the meeting point of the skyline and the ocean, wondering how the two seemed to blend so easily. He rested his head on the window, eyes cast up to the sky. “Hyung, you’d know just what to say…” he said softly to himself as if someone was around to hear him. “You wouldn’t make crude jokes like Taehyung does…” As Jimin sat in silence, his eyes cast once more towards the beach. He could see a few fishermen on boats nearby, seeing if they would have any luck catching fish. Most of the time it was hard to get enough so close to the shore, and the farther out one went, the easier – and dangerous – it became. As Jimin watched, his eyes fell to the rocks where he laid under a sheet of rain and waves. Just then, his mind flashed to the moment he locked eyes with a familiar creature. Dark hair, big eyes…

….a tail.

Feel better, Prince. Vae part wiol now.

That was all Jimin could remember him saying before disappearing with the coming waves and out of his blurred sight. Jimin squinted, as if it would allow him to see so far away, or perhaps even under the water. If that truly was real, and what Jimin saw was a resident of the infamous Wildetide, then why was he rescued that night? Why did the merperson not drag him into the darkest parts of the ocean and watch as Jimin slipped away with every second he couldn’t breathe? Why was Jimin growing ever more curious. “I need answers.” He said softly. “But I won’t make it two steps without being seen.” Turning back towards the sky, he could see the sun slowly beginning to lower in the sky, and a wave of determination as big as the ones in the ocean washed over the boy. He knew what he was going to do.

Later that night, under the cover of darkness, Jimin bunched up the layers of blankets on his bed, while using some old clothes to make a rope. He tossed the rope over the window and peered over to look down. It was a long way, and Jimin knew he had to be careful if he wanted to make it out without any of the nighttime guards hearing him. Jimin walked towards his bedroom door, opening it and poking his head out. The hallways were dark other than a few torches that lit patches of the walls. No footsteps could be heard, it was as if the hallway was completely abandoned. Jimin closed the door, gulping as he walked back towards the window, peering down again. He had to go soon; every second that passed was a second closer to being caught by someone. “Hyung please help me not die…” Jimin breathed into the midnight air. Taking a deep breath, Jimin hoisted himself up, grabbing hold of the rope and slowly beginning to shimmy down.

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“Jungkook what are you doing?!” Seokjin gasped, quickly swimming up towards his friend. Jungkook turned on his back, continuing to swim as he watched his friend. “Where are you going this late?”

“To shore. I need some air.”

“You get yelled at by your father and you think it’s a good idea to go back to shore in the same night? Do you want to die?”

“I won’t go too close. Besides, it dark. If I hide behind the rocks, I won’t be seen.”

“You said that when you did that last time, the Prince saw you!”

“That wasn’t what you thought. He got hit in the head when the wave got him, he must have thought he was hallucinating from the head injury.” Seokjin rolled his eyes. “I will be back before morning, I promise. Cover for me, Seokjin.”

“…What?! No way!”

“Fine, then don’t,” Jungkook said simply. “But have fun telling my Father, the ruler of Wildetide, that you couldn’t do your job of stopping me from staying away from the shore.” With a devilish grin, Jungkook sped through the water. Seokjin’s eyes widened as the younger male fled, disappearing beyond the walls of Wildetide. Seokjin could only follow him to the door before the male was gone, and Seokjin was left with a problem. Letting out a groan, he rested against the wall.

“I hate that brat…” he muttered to himself.

Jungkook swam as fast as he could, hoping to get to the shore soon. He wanted to go onto the sand, rub his feet deep into the sand, and rest. Since his father learned of his actions at the shore, he was furious, demanding the young future ruler of the kingdom would stay away. However, Jungkook had no intention of listening, not now, not ever. He wanted to see Prince Jimin as often as he could, and if that meant of scolding or two, so be it. When he arrived at the rocks, Jungkook popped his head up. He was quick to start scanning the area, the sound of the waves rumbling nearby filling his ears. He watched the waves crash by the shore, only to tumble back inward to recover. As Jungkook scanned, however, a silhouette on the beach caught his eye, and Jungkook quickly ducked back down. After a moment, he lifted his head back up and scanned the black figure. It was smaller in stature, but stood tall, confidence exuding from the form without any defying features. It knelt, scooping something up from the sand. After a moment of shuffling, a flame lit up on the shore. Jungkook watched intensely as the figure turned around, the light now exposing its features. Jungkook had to squint, but he knew exactly who it was. Prince Jimin. Jungkook ducked back behind the rock, heart beating in his chest louder than any wave. He was nervous to look back up, worried he would be seen and have to flee. Would Jimin chase after him and risk getting hurt yet again? He had no idea, but despite that, Jungkook couldn’t stop himself from looking for too long, even if it was just a dimly lit figure in the distance. He watched as Jimin sat down on the sand, knees pulled up to his chest, most likely trying to push through the chill that came the closer once got to the ocean.

Jimin waited. And he waited. And he waited. Nothing out of the ordinary happened in the sea. He tried to remain patient, not wanting to give up too quickly. If a merperson did try to sneak on land, particularly the one Jimin saw, he wanted to be the one to catch it. He wanted to talk to it, to hear whatever explanations it had for the actions of its people. He needed answers.

However, answers had no intention of coming to the young Prince that night. Jungkook watched as the sun began to poke over the horizon, and Jimin rose from the sand. He had stayed the whole night, but as Jimin began to silently retreat home, Jungkook knew it was time for him to do the same. That night had been uneventful, but as Jungkook swam home, he only had two questions for himself: How long had the Prince already been sneaking to the beach each night? How long did he intend to come back and do so?

Just like the Prince of the land, Jungkook of Wildetide had questions that he needed answers to.

Before either Jimin or Jungkook had realized it, a week had gone by of Jimin sneaking to the beach through the cover of darkness, and sitting with a lamp on the sand, waiting patiently for the moment of truth. Jungkook, every night, sat behind the rocks and watched the Prince, for hours on end, neither doing anything. Jungkook never attempted to make contact, wanting to each night, but fearing what harm it would do if he did. As he watched Jimin, he noticed some changes with each passing night. Jimin once brought a book, most likely to pass time as he waited. He also brought a coat to keep warmer as he sat through the ocean’s cool breezes, something Jungkook found undeniably adorable. However, every time, as night turned back to the morning, Jimin would pack up and sneak quickly back to his room, Jungkook doing the same in hopes he would not be caught.

As Jimin stared out into the sea one week after his continued adventure out here, he grew frustrated. Was his Father, right? Was what he saw only a figment of his injured imagination? A piece of him wanted to believe it, to know that he was so close to finding the mystical beast, and yet he slipped so easily out of his hands. However, another part of him vaguely remembers the sensation of a hand tightly on his waist, a hand gliding over the open wound of his head and pulling him to shore. Jimin remembered all of that, it was no fairy tale, at least not to him. As Jimin stuck his book into his satchel, he hurried back home as quickly as his legs could carry him.

Jungkook poked his head up when the coast was clear. Any moment fishermen would come by to get their boats ready for the morning hunt, so Jungkook had little time. He watched as Jimin vanished from sight, and he let out a sigh. How he wanted to see Jimin up close again, and how he wanted to speak with him, laugh with him, get to know him more than just the Prince of the distant enemy. As Jungkook sank back in the water, he knew what he had to do.

-------------------

“You look tired, Sir,” Taehyung said, watching as Jimin rested his head on his desk. The duo was in class with Jimin’s tutor, an older gentleman. As he stepped out, the boys were tasked to read a passage in their history textbooks, but Jimin took that as a sign to rest his head. “Are you ok?”

“I…haven’t been sleeping well,” Jimin replied.

“Are you getting sick?” Taehyung asked curiously. “Maybe getting nightmares? My mother knows a good recipe to help people who have nightmares.” Jimin offered a polite smile to the grinning boy across the table, but Taehyung didn’t seem convinced his friend was ok. “Maybe you should go to sleep earlier tonight. Catch up on your sleep.”

“…Maybe.” He said softly. “That might be a good idea.” When the door opened, the boys hid behind their textbooks. The tutor began to speak again, but Jimin could barely listen. Not only was he tired, but he was anxious. I can’t let Taehyung get more suspicious of me. He thought. I’ll go tonight, but if I don’t see anything, I’ll call it quits.

“Your Highness.” A raspy voice called. Jimin slammed the book down and looked up at the man. “Please read me the next passage.” Quickly, Jimin’s eyes darted to Taehyung, who pointed to the next portion for the Prince to catch up. He had to flip a few pages but quickly began to read.

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Once again, under the cover of darkness, Jimin tossed his rope down and shimmied down his window onto the floor outside the palace. By now he had a fool-proof route to take to the beach, one that no guards nor late-night strollers would find him in. Jimin hurried towards the beach, satchel stuck tightly over his shoulder and the torchlight clutched tightly in his hand. As he ducked around the corner, the feeling of cool sand rubbed in between his toes. Jimin walked closer, and something caught his attention. On the beach, and a figure was sitting in Jimin’s usual spot, knees pulled to the chest and unmoving. Jimin’s heart stopped for a moment, and he remained still, like a deer in headlights hoping to camouflage into the darkness as if it were a large blanket covering him. The figure remained unmoving, however, and Jimin slowly took a step or two ahead. Jimin lit the torch, holding it up slightly to get a better look. As the light flashed, the figure looked up. Jimin caught a glance of dark hair and a set of wide eyes before he shrieked in surprise, dropping the torch and snuffing out the light, falling back onto the sand.

A giggle was all Jimin heard, before footsteps approached. When Jimin looked up, a figure was hovering above him, the torch in one hand, and the other seemingly extended out to help Jimin up. He hesitated but took it. As he was listed up, the other man handed him the torch.

“…I don’t know how to light this.” He said softly. Jimin raised an eyebrow.

“…Okay.” It took Jimin a moment of going into his bag, but he was able to relight the torch. Holding it up, he finally got a proper glimpse of the man before him. Once again, a set of doe eyes looked at him as the man smiled, running a hand through his hair. “…You’re one of the guys my father had clear out the fish when the men returned from sea.”

“Oh! Heh, that’s me.” The man grinned. He quickly nodded his head. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, Your Highness. Sorry about the fish, I-.”

“Don’t worry,” Jimin said simply, walking past the man and plopping himself down on the sand. Jungkook watched as the Prince took out a book, flipping it open and beginning to read. Jungkook hummed, before walking over to him. Jimin glanced up, seeing the light of the torch faintly light up the man’s feet and legs; faint sparks lighting up his cheeks too. “I’ve never seen you around here at night.”

“I only come now and again. When I feel the ocean is calling to me.” Jimin nodded, looking back down to his book. “…May I sit beside you? I can hold the torch so that you can read easier.” After a moment of silence, Jimin nodded.

“Please…” Jimin said softly. He watched the male sit down beside him, holding up the torch with a smile. “…I might as well ask your name if you plan to stay around.” Jimin chuckled a little.

“Oh, uh, Jungkook, sir…” Jungkook said simply. “Jeon Jungkook.” He pursed his lips before quickly adding. “My father owns one of the fruits stands in the market.” Jimin nodded, not once looking back up to see Jungkook wipe some beads of sweat off his brow and hopefully bury his lies deep within the sand. Turning back to the Prince, he watched as Jimin closed the book and looked up, eyes fixated on the sea. Jungkook followed his gaze. “May I ask what has you coming here?” Jungkook asked. Jimin glanced over at the man. “You’re staring at the sea so intensely as if you’re questioning it.”

Jimin couldn’t help but laugh. Jungkook could hear the pain and uncertainty in his voice. “I have so many questions for the sea I don’t think I’ll ever get answers too…” Jimin pulled his knees to his chest. Jungkook watched the Prince silently.

“I hope you get the answers you’re looking for, Your Highness,” Jungkook said softly. Jimin turned to Jungkook, a smile brushing his lips as the torch flickered on their faces.

“Thank you.” He spoke. “…I’m glad you were here tonight…” he admitted. “Nobody knows I come out here, so I must admit it gets pretty lonely every night.” Jungkook scooted a bit closer, holding the torch up just a bit more. Jimin was thrown off by the sudden movement, however, did not feel the need to widen the gap.

“Could I come to sit with you again tomorrow?” Jungkook asked curiously, softly as if to make sure nobody other than Jimin could hear him – if there was anyone around. Jimin felt his heart beat a little quicker as he listened to the taller male whisper his request, and he was quick to nod.

“Yes. I’d like some company.” He smiled. “Just don’t tell anyone, or I may have to banish you out of the kingdom.” Jungkook laughed a bit as Jimin turned back to face the sea, resting the palm of his hands behind him to hold himself up. Jungkook watched Jimin silently for a moment, before turning to the sea as well. “What do you come here for?” Jungkook asked.

“...Must you really ask?” Jimin asked curiously. “I come here to find the people of Wildetide.” Jungkook felt his heart stop for a moment, his breath catching in his throat.

“…I thought that was merely a myth,” Jungkook replied. Jimin snickered a bit.

“They say it is, but my father and I know it is true. I know for a fact we will find the palace one day soon. I’ve started coming here to see if any of them happen to sneak on land at night and stalk the kingdom. I plan to catch the next one that tries, at the very least.” Jungkook laughed nervously, looking out towards the sea as he felt his heart pounding. Every second that passed, Jungkook feared sitting this close to the Prince. However, every time he turned to speak with – much less look at – the handsome Prince, those moments turned to hours, and suddenly Jungkook didn’t care how long he sat there.

As the sun was seen coming over the horizon, Jimin gathered his belongings and stuffed them into his satchel. He snuffed the flame of the torch, just barely dimming his view of the man beside him. “I have to go before the sun gets any higher. My butler will come and wake me up any moment.”

“Be safe getting home…” Jungkook said, standing up to meet the Prince with a polite bow. “…I will be here again tonight. I hope to see you.” Jimin smiled a bit.

“I look forward to it. Goodbye, Jungkook.” Jungkook watched as the Prince headed towards the paths, ducking out of sight as his legs carried him back towards the palace. Jungkook stood in the sand silently for a moment, running a hand through his hair. He turned back toward where Jimin had disappeared to. A part of him contemplated following him to the gates, if only for another few moments to the conversation.

No. He thought. I’ve already put everyone in danger by seeing him again tonight. Jungkook felt a sense of guilt wash over him, and he slowly turned towards the sea. Stepping toward the mouth of the ocean, Jungkook waded through to his waist and dipped underneath, swimming further before emerging above the water with his fin flapping up a bit behind him. He could hear the faint noise of men heading towards the beach from another entrance, most likely prepared to go to sea and work for the day. Jungkook was quick to disappear before they could see him. As he swam away, he thought about what time he would have to sneak home if he wanted to meet Jimin again.

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It had been six nights since Jungkook had started meeting Jimin at the beach. The duo would sit together, talking to one another underneath the stars as they watched the waves. The company provided a sense of warmth against the chilled night air, or maybe it was the fact that Jungkook held himself almost on top of Jimin. He didn’t mind, it was nostalgic in a way he could not understand. Sometimes Jimin would read his book, and Jungkook would hold the torch for the man to see. Every moment Jungkook spent with Jimin, talking about their lives, sharing stories or jokes, or simply sitting in each other’s company, Jungkook felt more and more elated. He would think about it for the entire next day, only growing more excited when he could see the moon rise from his bedroom window, and he knew it was almost time to head out to his meeting spot with Jimin.

Meeting spot. Jungkook had no idea if Jimin thought of their late-night moments as meetings, but Jungkook sure did. Even if they did virtually nothing, from sun fall to the peak of sunrise, Jungkook was at his happiest each day. Did Jimin feel the same? Jungkook would wonder as he watched the young prince read silently, or bite off a piece of bread he snuck from the kitchen. Every night, Jungkook would wonder if he should finally tell Jimin the truth about himself if Jimin would be the one human to understand. However, when Jimin would mention his desire to find Wildetide, or the desire to find the person he saw that night, Jungkook’s fear got the better of him, and he bit his tongue.

Jimin was growing ever more curious of Jungkook with each passing night. He never saw the man on his trips to the market with Taehyung, which had grown more frequent, nor had he gotten any clues as to where he could be. What was his story, and what were the pieces of it ripped from the book and scattered along the path for Jimin to pick up? Would he even get the full picture, the true ending? It frustrated Jimin almost as much as his desire to find this mermaid, however, Jungkook’s laugh and endearing smile made Jimin eager to feel that frustrated sense of confusion for a little longer every night.

After what felt like a while of silence, Jimin shut his book and looked back up to the waves, flames lighting up his dark eyes. “I think I should stop coming here,” Jimin said softly. Jungkook frowned.

“Why?”

“I haven’t seen anything. I’m starting to think what I saw was just from my injury and nothing else.” Jungkook thought back to Jimin laying on the rocks that rainy night, bleeding and barely conscious as Jungkook fled back into the water and out of sight. He hated the look of disappointment on Jimin’s face. “I thought I was so close too…” a huff escaped his lips.

Jungkook could only say: “…I’m sorry you feel that way.”

“…You’re easy to talk to,” Jimin said softly, turning to him. “If I stop coming here, I’d still like to see you. Would that be alright with you?”

“I’m not sure my father wants me talking to you. He says it isn’t appropriate.” Jimin frowned.

“Well, if you change your mind, ask for me at the palace gates, I’ll let you in.” The Prince smiled warmly. Jungkook bit his lip. If Jimin did not return the next night, Jungkook knew he would most likely never have time with him like this again. He didn’t want that, he enjoyed these hours spent together, alone on the beach. “What’s wrong? You look like something is on your mind.”

“I’ve appreciated your time sitting and talking with me these past few days,” Jungkook said softly. “I want to repay you. But I must admit that I’m worried about what you will think.”

“Please don’t say you’re a criminal or something.” Jimin sighed. “I’ll have to be torn on if I should pardon your crimes. Was it theft? I can have my father pardon that.” Jungkook couldn’t help but laugh, but it was forced.

“…Will you come into the water with me?” He asked softly. Jimin turned to the crashing waves by the shore and shivered a bit. “I know your accident has made you hesitant, but I promise I won’t let go of you.” Jimin looked at Jungkook, who had turned the torch out, and stood up, offering a hand to Jimin. “Your Highness, it would mean a lot more to me than any pardon you could give me. I love the water very much, so sharing it with you would make me incredibly happy too…”

Jimin felt his heart speed up just a bit, gulping as he hesitantly stood up, reaching his hand out to grasp Jungkook’s. Any sense of hesitation was washed away at that moment, and he felt completely content with this. Jungkook made him feel at ease and made him feel safe even if the idea of getting closer to the water has his throat tighten and his stomach flipping. Jungkook smiled. “Thank you, Sir.” He said softly, leading the Prince to the water. “The waves are pretty calm now, but we can still just go to our feet.” Jimin walked along the sand, turning for a second to see if he could catch his footsteps forming behind him in the dark sand. He could not. Just then, he shrieked when a cold sensation hit his ankles, and he jumped back. Jungkook laughed a bit. “It’s cold, though.”

“Now you tell me, right?” Jimin snickered a bit, voice shaky. He stood by the edge of the water as Jungkook stared ahead. Every few seconds, he would back up, dry his feet off in the sand, before ultimately stepped back in. Every time the water brushed Jungkook’s feet, Jimin watched as the man took a deep, satisfied breath. “Do you really like the water this much, Jungkook?”

“I do.” He smiled. “Despite being the son of a…fruit man…” Jungkook shrugged. “The water feels as though it’s my home.” When Jimin turned back towards the water, Jungkook’s eyes cast down to his own feet. His feet, his lies were staring right up at him. He glanced back at Jimin, who had looked down at his own feet now, watching as the waves wrapped them in a cool hug before pulling back for a few seconds. “…It is my home.” Jungkook finally said. Jimin looked over. “…Prince Jimin I-…” Jungkook gulped. “I’ve been watching you for a very long time, and every time I do I think about how badly I want to be around you more and more, closer and closer, longer and longer. But I know the minute you know who I am, you’ll run screaming. I’m scared it’ll hurt more than what I’m about to do.” Jimin was confused at what Jungkook was saying to him, and as Jungkook slowly turned to him. “I feel I can trust you, Your Highness. Please let me show you something very important. “

“…O…kay?”

“I may ease your worries as well.”

“Okay, I said.” Jimin pouted. “The sun will be up any moment, don’t keep me waiting.” Jungkook sighed, walking a bit further into the water. Jimin watched him, crossing his arms, a confused expression still on his face. As Jungkook slowly began submerging some more of his body. Jimin’s eyes widened. “Wait. Jungkook-.” Jimin began, but it was already too late. As Jungkook’s torso became enveloped in the waves, Jimin’s ears suddenly heard the downpour of rain, and his head began to pound. Just then, he caught a glimpse of the mermaid boy from that night.

Feel better, Prince. Vae part wiol now.

“Jungkook, you-.” Before Jimin could speak, Jungkook turned to face him right as a big wave knocked him back and he disappeared. Jimin immediately jumped back, toes buried in the sand as he watched the wave flatten and recede. For a moment everything was still, and Jimin was wondering if this was a dream. Before he had time to pinch himself, Jungkook popped back out of the water, and behind him, a blue tail poked out. “Oh, my God-.” Jimin covered his mouth and looked around the beach, trying to see if anyone else was around to witness this moment. He was the only one. Jungkook slowly began swimming towards the shore again, and Jimin kept stepping back. “Stay back.”

“Wait don’t-.” Jungkook returned to the shore, grabbing the wet shirt and pants that got discarded when he slipped under the water. Jimin could catch a glimpse of something glistening under the moonlight on Jungkook’s chest, but before he could get a good glimpse of it, Jungkook slipped on the shirt. Just as Jimin looked down, scooping up the unlit torch, and pointed it at Jungkook, the man – no the merman – had already grown legs again and was beginning to walk towards him. “Your Highness.”

“Don’t say that, you monster! He-!” Before Jimin could begin screaming, Jungkook lunged forward, covering Jimin’s mouth, the other hand grasping both of Jimin’s wrists in its big grip. He could see Jimin’s eyes widen. Muffled screams came from under Jungkook’s hand, and Jimin began flailing.

“No. Please, don’t call anyone here, I beg you.” When Jungkook pulled his hand away, Jimin was panting, most likely sweating as Jungkook still clutched his wrists tightly. “Please, let me speak."

“You were trying to pull me into the water and drown me just now, weren’t you?!”

“No!” Jungkook gasped. “No, of course not. I have no intention to hurt you.”

“Oh please, spewing a speech like that so I’d trust you to go to the water. Had I not caught on soon enough and ran away you would have dragged me into the water by my ankles!”

“Prince Jimin I’m holding both your wrists in my one hand. If I wished to drown you, I could have easily carried you into the water whenever I pleased.” Jimin’s eyes widened the merman slowly pulled his hands back farther. “I do not wish to hurt you in any way. I meant everything I said to you just now.”

“Why should I trust you?” Jimin hissed, pain in his voice. “You and your people are nothing but murderers and criminals. I knew my intention of you was correct.” Jimin looked down at his held wrists. “Release me at once, do you understand?!”

“If I do, you’ll try to have me killed.”

“You’re absolutely right, I will!” Jimin hissed. “I’ll have you killed, and my father will see the rest of your people-.” Jungkook frowned, feeling a lump in his throat as those words hit his ears. Jimin took a few more shaky breaths. “…Why did you show me yourself if you knew the risks?”

“I told you, I trusted you. We’ve gotten along well…”

“I thought you were a human. All I have been saying is how I wish to find your people and how my people wish to end yours, and you still think I’d react anyway else? You’re a fool.”

“I am,” Jungkook said. Jimin could hear the sound of Jungkook’s voice shake, and he felt his hands relax, dropping the torch that was once gripped in them. “But I mean what I said. I felt as though I could trust you, Prince Jimin…”

“…Your people have killed my men…Even if you find me trustworthy, the widows and the orphans and those without sons will not be as calm as I have been.” Jungkook glanced down at Jimin’s hands, which he still held tightly. “Now release me.”

“Killed? We-.”

“Release me.” Jimin’s eyes narrowed, and Jungkook felt compelled to listen. “As the future king, I will one day rule over this kingdom and the water that surrounds it, and that includes you. Now, do as I say and release me.”

“We have our own ruler. We do not listen to you.” Jungkook said simply. However, he did comply. Jimin rubbed his wrists.

“As I said, you are all murderers who have destroyed families simply looking for survival food.”

“And as I was going to say, we have done no such thing. Your men have fished in our ecosystem for years and take all of the food from our families.” Jimin blinked. “My father, the ruler of Wildetide, sends his men to scare you away by flipping your boats. We don’t mean to kill you. It’s not our fault you humans can’t swim.” Jimin’s eyes widened, and he had to snort at the comment.

“What? That’s a ridiculous excuse, had I ever heard one.”

“Well, it is the truth,” Jungkook said simply. “My father is a kind man but stubborn, he does not realize what he is doing. Your King would not listen anyhow, so talking is absolutely pointless.”

“I don’t believe you,” Jimin said simply.

“I know,” Jungkook said simply. “…If you don’t want to see me anymore, I’ll leave. Just please don’t tell anyone. I already put my whole home at risk…” Jimin watched as Jungkook plopped down on the sand. Jimin followed suit, keeping a safe distance. Silence fell between the two young royals, a silence that was more deafening and painful than any Jimin had ever experienced before. He looked up towards the moon. Daylight would break soon, meaning local fisherman would soon come to start their days. Jimin had no match for Jungkook in terms of strength, but maybe he was in terms of smarts. Leaning forward, Jimin pressed his hand to his chin.

“So, you’re really a merman?” he asked curiously. Jungkook looked up.

“Yes,” Jungkook said simply. “I’ve been sneaking up to the shore since I was around 12 or 13.” Jimin nodded.

“And can all your people turn into humans?”

“People who work for my Father start learning it at a young age. My Father taught me when I was around 10, but I’m not supposed to use it…” Jungkook shrugged. “I’ve always been kind of a rebel.” Jimin watched as Jungkook ran his hand along the sand. “I’m sorry if I scared you, Your Highness.”

“…Wh- uh, you didn’t scare me.” Jimin pointed out. Jungkook had to giggle a bit. “You surprised me.”

“Right.” Jungkook agreed.

“And anyway, have you known all this time that I am the Prince? You already said you have your own ruler.”

“As I said, I’ve been coming up here without my father knowing for like 7 years. I snuck into town one of the first times and saw you and your father walking through. Everyone called him King, and so I just assumed you were the Prince. You were both dressed up compared to everyone else.” Jimin blinked. “You asked your father to buy you an apple, even after the worker said he would give it to you for free, you insisted.” Jungkook smiled a bit. “I thought it was very admirable.” Jimin watched Jungkook reach forward. Jimin flinched, but Jungkook grabbed hold of the torch. “Let’s see if I finally know how to light this.” Jimin watched as Jungkook fumbled with some of the matches in Jimin’s bag. Pulling his legs to his chest, Jimin thought back to that night. He was around 13, going to town with his Father was treat back then due to his age and his intense focus on studies. To think that then, a time of such innocence and naivety, he was already being watched. The thought made him shiver, just in time for Jungkook to light the torch, lighting up the area and finally allowing Jimin to see Jungkook’s face once again.

Jungkook was smiling gently as he looked at the prince. It almost made Jimin’s breath catch in his throat, watching intensely as the flames flickered amongst his features. When Jungkook saw Jimin staring for a long time, he smiled, and Jimin saw his nose scrunch up. Cute. Jimin thought. He blinked. Wait a minute….

“…So, you’ve been stalking me for like 7 years?”

“You ask a lot of questions.” Jungkook pointed out, the grin still prevalent on his face. “But yes…”

“That’s creepy.”

“Sorry.” Jimin looked up to the water, and Jungkook followed his gaze. The sun was slowly beginning to rise, Jimin could feel his chest tighten. People would be arriving at the shore any minute. “Prince Jimin.” When Jungkook piped up, Jimin turned to him. “It’s almost morning…”

“Yes.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“I-.” Jimin glanced back at the water. He had only moments to think this through. If he took Jungkook now, any trust this beast had for him would be washed away with the incoming tide. He could play this out, he should play this out. He could only think of his father at this moment.

Know that I won’t let our family mission die, so help me, Father…

“My Father will kill you when he gets what he wants.”

“I don’t intend to give it to him, then.” Jungkook smiled. “As I said, I’m a rebel.” A small smile formed on Jimin’s face. He stood up, taking the torch and tossing it into the sand, the flame snuffed out as the sun overtook the sky even more.

“The morning fishermen will be here soon. If you hurry, you’ll make it out of their range in time.” Jungkook’s eyes widened, but Jimin only shuffled him to the sea. “Go. I have to go, too.”

Jungkook looked back to the sea, then to Jimin, who began to collect his belongings into his satchel. “…Prince Jimin?” he cooed. Jimin glanced up, and once again saw Jungkook smile. “Thank you. Will you be back tonight?” Jimin nodded.

“I have to catch you eventually, don’t I?” He spoke. Jungkook giggled a bit. Without another word, Jimin headed back to the palace, and Jungkook towards the sea. After a moment, Jimin quickly turned around, watching as he just caught of glimpse of Jungkook again. The break of dawn made it easier to see Jungkook swim away, tail and all. He couldn’t see him for long, and as he returned to the palace, all he could think to himself was:

Is he going to come back tonight? The worst part of this thought was that Jimin was unsure if the reasoning for Jungkook’s hopeful return was for Jimin’s plan, or something else.

-------------------------------------------------------------

“So, it looks like the farthest spot these boat accidents occur is here.” The King said, drawing a bright red ‘X’ on the map sprawled out in the main hall. His best men had been gathered to help him create a baseline for where Wildetide could be. Jimin was there as well, after constantly begging his father. After what he saw the night before, he felt even more determined than ever before. The King turned to Jimin, motioning him closer to the board. “We’re finally starting to get a clear picture.”

As Jimin stared at the circle of ‘X’s that were drawn around the map, each indicating yet another tragic loss, he tried to picture it. Wildetide, a kingdom of merfolk who swam through the currents and beside the biggest of sea animals. Individuals, no, monsters, who caused the deaths of thousands over generations. He tried to get a picture in his mind of Jungkook, swimming around in the deep blue sea with the other mermen. He tried to see if he could picture them flipping boats, injuring men, ruining lives. None of that popped into his mind.

All he could see was Jungkook, sitting across from him, nose scrunch and all. It made Jimin’s ears turn hot, and he quickly ran a hand along the back of his neck.

“Yes.” He said quickly, looking to his father. “It seems we are…” As he watched his Father continue to talk, he crossed his arms. The blue paint on the map was no match to the crystal blue of the ocean, Jimin was unable to fully immerse himself in his fantasy. However, what the color did remind him of was…a shimmering aquamarine tail flickering in the moonlight. Damn, where was his mind going today?

“That briefing went well, don’t you think, Son?” The King asked, turning to Jimin. They had left the meeting and retired into the King’s chambers of the palace. Jimin looked around, watching as the King nursed a cup of ale on one of his spare chairs, overlooking the window. Jimin walked along the King’s wall, admiring pictures the man had adorning every section of his main room. The walls each had a picture of kings of the past, Fathers of fathers, and past kings with a noble story to tell. As Jimin’s eyes reached the end, he saw a space on the wall, which made the entire lineup look uncentered. However, Jimin knew exactly what that space represented.

Him.

“I know you’ll have your face on that wall one day, Son.” The King said. Jimin looked over at his father as he began to speak. “Whether or not you find the kingdom of Wildetide, you will do great things as future King of this land.” Jimin turned back to the empty space on the wall. “When you take over, your portrait will complete the wall.” The King looked up at his son, who turned to meet his gaze. “It will complete the legacy and put this whole royal mission to rest. I know that to be true.”

Jimin felt a smile form on his lips. “Thank you.” He said softly. The King chuckled, taking a sip of his drink and turning back to face the sea. Jimin followed suit, standing behind his father as the duo stared at the distant ocean waves in comfortable silence. Neither of them knew what the other was thinking as they looked out into the shore, but neither had the intention of finding out. The uncertainty in the other’s thoughts kept them quiet until dinner was served.

----------------------------------------------------

Jungkook had gone to see Jimin several times after that. Jimin was a bit hesitant, though Jungkook expected nothing different. He would sit and read to himself, while Jungkook sat at the water’s edge, knees pulled up as he looked towards the sea. Every so often, he would turn and look at the Prince, the small light of the torch the only thing that gave them even the slightest bit of light in the area. However, Jimin rarely looked up to return the gaze.

“What are you reading?” he asked curiously, finally making the prince look over. “You read it al the time, and look so interested, but I never asked.” Jimin looked back down at his book, before holding it up for Jungkook to see the cover. Jungkook stared at it, a blank expression on his face. When Jimin heard no response, he pulled the book back.

“It’s called A Man’s Tales and a Woman’s Tails? Haven’t you ever read it?” Jungkook shrugged.

“I don’t know how…”

“You can’t read?” Jimin asked curiously. Jungkook shook his head. “Hm, I’m not surprised, those who can’t read have little intellect.” Jungkook pouted.

“I can read, just not your language. My people and I only learned to speak it by watching you all the time.” Jimin cocked an eyebrow, so Jungkook made himself comfortable by Jimin’s side. Jimin protested by scooted away and creating some distance, but Jungkook didn’t seem to mind. “My home has Wilde, a language thousands of years old, it’s where the kingdom gets its name.” Jungkook grinned sheepishly. “It’s a beautiful language.”

Jimin was unconvinced, another one of Jungkook’s merman schemes, he was sure of it. “Oh? Then tell me something in this Wilde.” Just then, Jimin could see through the sparks of the torch’s flame that Jungkook’s ears tinted red, and he giggled shyly. He knew it, Jungkook had been caught in a lie before he could ever spin the tale. However, he waited, curious as to how on earth the pesky merman could get out of it. Finally, Jungkook looked to Jimin.

“Ono hávr nuanen eyes.” Jimin’s eyes widened.

“What?” he asked curiously not even sure where to start with that sentence. Jungkook giggled a bit. That pesky nose scrunch; made Jimin glance away for a moment, until Jungkook cleared his throat.

“You have really beautiful eyes…” When those words hit Jimin’s ears, he lit up brighter than any torch could hope to do on this large stretch of beach. Immediately, he turned his head, the sound of Jungkook laughing was heard behind him. It was a high-pitched, amused laugh, like of a child who had just seen a sibling or a friend do something funny.

“That was…inappropriate.” He said, looking back to Jungkook. “Don’t say things like that to me. Have you forgotten who I am?”

“No, I know what you plan to do to me,” Jungkook said simply. He smiled softly. “But that doesn’t mean what I said was a lie.” Jimin watched, still stunned as Jungkook gently rested a hand on his chest, where the blue diamond would shimmer if given the chance. “My home is lovely, you know.” Jimin’s once bewildered expression softened, and he listened closely. Would this man give something up so easily? He didn’t think so, but he listened closely anyway. “It’s large and welcoming to everyone. My home is right in the center, and the rest of the homes of my friends surround it. It’s like a wall of protection, that’s what my Father says…” Jungkook looked back out to the water. “A wall of protection built out of the greatest thing one could ask for: relationships with others.” Jimin glanced back in the direction of his palace, watching as it stood high and mighty above the kingdom. “Learning your language was one of the hardest things I have ever done, you know,” Jungkook said. “Our dialects and languages are so different, but it was the most fun I ever had. I remember I learned how to properly pronounce your name because so many men on ships talked endlessly about you. ‘Prince Jimin this’, ‘Prince Jimin that’…”

“How did you think it was pronounced?” Jimin asked curiously. Jungkook smiled.

“Prince Jaymin. That was how I said it with the Wilde accent.” Jimin blinked, eyes wide. There was a moment of silence, before immediately covering his mouth and stifling a loud belly laugh. Jungkook gasped. “What’s so funny? Prince Jimin!” Jungkook watched as Jimin continued to laugh. “Is it that bad? Jay-.”

“DON’T say it again.” Jimin turned to him. Despite the frantic beg, Jungkook noticed a smile on Jimin’s face. “That’s a good one. I’ve never heard that before.” Jungkook smiled, watching as Jimin glanced down at his book, which he was nearing the end of. “My Hyung gave me this book when I was 16…” he said softly. “I never read it until I started coming out here…” Glancing back up at Jungkook, he flipped the book shut and pulled the bookmark out.

Jungkook cocked his head. “What are you doing?”

“…Well, you’ll be confused if I start reading from the middle. So, I figure we can read and reach the ending together.” Jimin said. Jungkook nodded, smiling as he watched Jimin flipped open the first page. “When the story ends, I’ll finally keep you here until morning and have you caught.”

“Right…” Jungkook laughed with a roll of his eyes. He scooted close to Jimin and listened as he began to read.

---------------------------------------------------------------

“Oh no, I’m not going to make it home in time.” Jungkook gasped, swimming as fast as his little fin would carry him. The idea of what would happen if he didn’t make it home. He could only remember shooting straight up when the sensation of the light hit his eyes. Just as he did, he felt a grip on his hand, and for a second, his blood ran cold. Was this the day? He turned back to Jimin, who was looking up at him from his spot on the sand. The book was still opened, pages fluttering from side to side in the wind until Jimin stop them with his bookmark. Jungkook gulped, looking down at Jimin, who stared up at him quietly, unblinking and unmoving. He was stalling, waiting for someone to come and find them.

Finally, Jimin spoke. “How…do you say goodbye in Wilde?” Jimin asked softly. Jungkook had to admit, he was taken back by that comment.

“Uh….” Jungkook looked down for a moment, thinking. “We don’t really have a ‘goodbye’ as you do…” Jimin slowly stood up, still holding tightly onto Jungkook’s wrist. Panic was clear on the merman’s face as he turned to the sea once again. Slowly, he looked back at Jimin and relaxed his muscles. “We say ‘Vae part wiol now’ to one another…” When Jungkook saw Jimin raise an eyebrow, Jungkook had to only smile above the panic he felt in his body.

“That…sounds familiar,” Jimin said softly. Jungkook nodded.

“I said it to you the night we met.” He confessed. “When I saved you from drowning…”

Jimin looked down at his grasp on Jungkook’s wrist, then up to the rising sun. The day he was going to be late coming home was the day he planned to bring Jungkook back to the palace with him. Now was his chance, now was his opportunity to.

“I have to go…” Jungkook breathed, and Jimin could hear the shaky panic in his voice, something he’d yet to see from Jungkook. “…Do you plan to keep me here now?”

“…We part for now…” That was all Jimin could say before letting go of Jungkook’s wrist. Jungkook stepped back, watching for a moment as Jimin gathered his belongings into his satchel. “…Go.” He said softly. “Before someone sees us…”

Jungkook nodded, watching as Jimin hurried away. Jungkook was quick to do the same, taking a deep breath as he sank into the water. He didn’t even waste time returning to the surface to fix his hair or anything, simply swimming for his life to the palace gates.

“Jungkook!” he heard a familiar voice call. When Jungkook looked up, he saw Seokjin waiting at the palace gates, arms crossed. Jungkook swam closer. “You’re late.”

“I know. The time got away from me, I-.” Jungkook sighed softly.

“You’re running a risk here. This isn’t safe to do anymore, regardless of who you’re going to see. What if you get attacked, mistaken for a fish, and eaten by a big shark? Anything! Jungkook-.”

“I know, I know, I just…” Jungkook sighed, knowing he had no valid excuse, not one for Seokjin nor his father. “Please don’t tell my Father…” he said softly. Seokjin was silent for a moment but ultimately nodded his head.

“I won’t.” Jungkook could feel a sigh of relief as he exhaled, smiling up at Seokjin. However, when he did, he noticed a sudden change in his friend’s appearance. Jungkook watched Seokjin rub his temples, and let out a deep sigh. “Seokjin…?”

All Seokjin could say was “Sorry”, before a deep shadow appeared behind him. Jungkook knew if he was still standing on two feet right now, they would buckle and collapse the poor boy. He watched as his father showed his face, his unhappy, no, furious face. Jungkook gulped.

“…Father…” he said softly.

“…Get my son inside, Seokjin…” The ruler said before swimming away. Seokjin only nodded his head, before leading the reluctant Jungkook behind the mighty ruler and back into the palace.

Those wandering the palace walls, wherever they may be, heard the wrath of their ruler as he lectured his son. They were used to that, the ruler of Wildetide was known for being brash, stubborn, and loud. But, as the yelling went on, there was something the workers of the palace soon began to learn: so was his son.

“You put the lives of everyone in this palace in danger because of your foolishness!”

“You don’t know what I’m doing up there! How can you assume it’s dangerous?!” Jungkook shouted.

“Oh, so you going up to the frontlines of our enemies is just something as I’m supposed to see the hobbies of a future ruler?”

“Yes! When you die, I plan to rule Wildetide so that it can live harmoniously with Namhae. His father narrowed his eyes.

“And how do you plan to do that?”

“Befriending the future heir, that’s how,” Jungkook said smugly. “I’ve been visiting him, and he’s not either. I’m willing to bet his father is not either.”

“Nonsense. Those men cause famine in our homes and you consider them friendly? You’re being brainwashed, Jungkook.”

“Me? The one who actually sees everything that’s you’ve sent your people to do to these men? I see the lives you’ve taken, the families you’ve destroyed! It’s no wonder they want to hurt us!”

“We do not go around killing them. Do you know how many times our people have come back home with one breath in them that we have had to nurse back to full recovery? How many we have lost? We try to keep them away but they don’t leave, what do you want me to do?”

Jungkook’s eyes widened. “…Do you ever leave the palace walls?” Jungkook asked curiously. The Ruler was silent as his son continued, with no intention of letting his father speak. “No, you don’t. You only send your men to die. Let me tell you something, did you know the humans of Namhae can’t swim?” Jungkook crossed his arms. “I didn’t either until I swam up after a group of men you sent up to disturb the men fishing nearby. They flipped each boat, one of our men got stabbed in the shoulder, so they all retreated…” As Jungkook thought back to his memory, the grip he had on his arms tightened, and so did his eyes, anger surging in him. “I watched every single one of them get pulled under the current and drown.”

The Ruler said nothing, and Jungkook shook his hair out, running a hand through it. “The Prince is a good person; he will be a good ruler. I know if you just stop hurting these people-.”

“These people you have grown so fond of are the reason some of our best men are dead.”

“But not you.” Jungkook pointed out. “The ruler of Wildetide, the best of the best men there can be. So then why is it that our best men are dying, our women are starving, when you claim to be the best there is?” Jungkook nodded.

“I’ve had enough of your insolence, boy.” The Ruler scoffed. With a slam of his staff on the floor of the room, the doors swung open, and Jungkook watched as men came flooding in, surrounding the king until eventually, they surrounded Jungkook, making any chance of swimming away impossible. “I will not allow you to turn traitor on your people all because of some boy who most likely is tricking you into getting what he wants – for us all to be dead.”

Jungkook frowned. “I know that’s what he wants,” Jungkook said softly. “But there is good in him just as much as there is tainted determination. Besides, at least he is honest with himself and what he wants, regardless of how much it hurts me. You’re a coward…” A smirk formed on Jungkook’s face as he felt two hands on his shoulders, from the guards behind him. His father’s face twisted in rage, but Jungkook only continued. “And I cannot wait to bury your legacy underneath the deepest depths of Wildetide.” With that, Jungkook followed the guards out the room, leaving his rage-filled father alone with his anger, alone with his thoughts. Just alone.

And Jungkook no longer cared one bit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------

Jimin somehow found himself in the planning room beside his father, once again surrounded by some of his best men. They were staring at the map of the ocean, one of the men putting red ‘X’s on two more spots on the map.

“That’s two more boats shipwrecked in the ocean, Your Majesty.” The man said, looking up at the King.

“And in the same place, too...” The King sighed, turning to Jimin. Jimin had been watching but had been quiet. “Your Highness?” The man said, making Jimin look over. When he saw the faces of all of these men staring at him, he coughed into his hand. “You looked like you were drifting off. Is everything alright?”

“Yes,” Jimin said simply, glancing over to his father. The King was quick to put his hand on Jimin’s shoulder, making the young prince smile reassuringly. “I’m just thinking.”

“Ah, yes.” The King grinned. “Can’t you men tell he is my son? Thinking hard about strategy and battle tactics before he speaks. Truly the making of a good future king.” Jimin laughed sheepishly as his father continued to boast. “Once you’re ready, son, speak up.” Jimin nodded, watching as his father turned back to the map and continued to speak. Jimin felt the smile on his face slowly fade as he turned to the large window outlooking the sea.

He couldn’t help but wonder about Jungkook. Ironic how that is where my first thought goes. Jimin thought to himself. As he watched the distant waves crash onto the shore, he thought back to the nights he had spent with Jungkook on the beach and the things he had said to him.

Your men have been taking our food. We only wish to scare you away.

Your King wouldn’t listen, so talking is pointless.

“Have we ever-.” Jimin began, alerting the attention of his father and the men. “Had cold, hard, tangible proof of Wildetide even exist?” Jimin watched his father’s expression turn slightly confused; that was not what the King expected to hear his son say.

“What do you mean?’

“People have said what they have seen, but has anyone found any true proof? The fin of a dead merman, the scale of a mermaid? Artifacts from their home? Anything to just confirm there is actually a place somewhere in the water?” I have. He thought.

“Not as far as we’re aware, Sir.” One man said simply. “Anything found generations ago may have been destroyed.”

“So, the answer is no,” Jimin confirmed, nodding his head. Not true. He thought.

“Why do you ask?” The King asked.

“I just…wanted to make sure we aren’t…on a wild goose chase, I guess…” The King turned to Jimin, and the young man bit his lip. “It was just a thought. Because what if we’re just losing to rough currents in that area? You said so yourself, that we shouldn’t be certain-.”

“I know what I said.” The King said simply. “And it’s true. But at the same time, the pattern is obviously there. No current is ever this consistent.”

“Besides, Your Highness…” one man said. “Wouldn’t all of the boats be flipped and pulled under, then?”

“…I suppose, but…”

“Don’t let yourself get discouraged, Son.” The King said gently. “They’re out there, and we will find them. You said so yourself, didn’t you?”

“I did but…what are we going to do when we find them?” Again, the King raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean? The only way to stop them is to eliminate the entire species. The entire invasive species.”

“But is that really the only way?” Jimin asked. The King was silent, so Jimin continued. “What if, when we do find them, they’re willing to form an alliance? Make peace? It’s like any other alliance we have on land. Wouldn’t it benefit us to befriend someone who knows the water rather than eliminate them?”

Silence. Jimin could only hear the sound of his heart pounding in his chest. What was running through these men’s minds? What was running through his mind?! Jimin could only wait with bated breath for someone to speak.

“What has you thinking like this?” The King finally asked.

“I just…was thinking about it last night…” He said softly. “So I thought I would bring it up.”

“Jimin, these creatures of the sea do not intend to ever form an agreement. I know that much because they have never tried. Why have they never approached a set of boats, or come to shore themselves?”

“They’re afraid we’ll kill them, Father,” Jimin said simply.

“Son, these things have done nothing but kill for years. I have no intention of ever allying with them, even if they came crawling to me on their fins. Not after they’ve taken everything from our village, not just our men. Our sense of safety, our sense of security and justice…” The King looked down. “Namjoon knew that well, and wanted to protect that…”

Jimin felt a deep exhale of a breath he didn’t even know he was holding to escape him, and his chest and muscles relaxed slightly. He nodded, lowering his head. “I know…” he said softly.

“Have you been getting enough sleep at night?” The King asked curiously.

“No,” Jimin said simply. “I keep dreaming strange things…” They aren’t dreams… he thought.

“Go rest.” The King said simply. “As your King, I order it.”

“I don’t think you should use your power like that, Father. It’ll make you egotistical.” Jimin offered his father a playful smile, trying to keep any curious or worried feelings in his father’s mind to a minimum. It worked; the King chuckled.

“Fine. As your Father, I’m telling you to go take a nap.” Jimin sighed.

“Okay…” he said. The men stood up and bowed to the Prince as he exited the room, where Taehyung was waiting. He was sitting against the wall, head lolling back and forth as boredom sparkled in his dark eyes. When he saw Jimin, Taehyung perked right up.

“About time. How did it go?” Jimin could only shrug.

“I was ordered to go rest.” Taehyung looked confused for a minute. “Can you take me to my room? I might listen to his advice…”

“Sure…” Taehyung said softly, and he did just that. Neither of them spoke to one another, they just walked down the palace corridors in silence.

Jimin rested on his bed, sprawled out as he looked up to the ceiling of his bedroom. He felt his stomach doing flips in his stomach, like the largest set of waves kept crashing and receding, only to come back and slam into him harder. If he tried hard enough, he could probably throw up because of it. Rolling onto his side, he saw his book resting on top of his satchel. They were on the chair in the corner of his room. Rising, he walked over and picked the book up. They had only read two chapters together last night, and before Jungkook’s panicked retreat, he looked excited to read the rest. Jimin could remember the wide, childlike smile on his face as he listened to each character’s plights.

“Do you think they’ll end up together in the end?” He remembered Jungkook ask curiously. Jimin did not respond at that moment, unsure what he would say. As he flipped open to the page they stopped at, Jimin looked towards the sea.

He hoped Jungkook would come back to the shore tonight, if for nothing more than to allow Jimin to give him an answer.

~~This was a fic I did for a discord mood board fest so I hope you enjoy it~~

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#jikook au #jikook fanfic #jimin x jungkook #bts fanfic #royalty au #enemies to friends to lovers #park jimin #jimin #jeon jungkook #jungkook #kim taehyung #v #taehyung #kim seokjin #seokjin #jin #kim namjoon namjoon #rm #min yoongi #yoongi #suga #jung hoseok #hoseok #jhope #hobi #From Afar FF