In which Jungkook is a captain with a special mission, and Jimin is a merman with a burning desire.

48,650 words.

Thank you @becca6677 for this request!

Also all my boat knowledge comes from fucking Muppets Treasure Island so sorry if I get anything wrong T-T

Trigger warnings ⚠️:
•implied rape
•on screen death (not the main characters, don't worry)

_______

Jungkook woke early, the sun barely inching over the horizon, so he could set sail with the good winds. He put on his heavy winter coat, getting his cap on, then headed out of his house.

He was about to head into a very important meeting to finalize his expedition of sorts, then he'd get on his ship and head out with his crew members.

He grabbed an apple and ate on the way to the meeting, not seeing many people out and about. The air was cold, the ocean breeze keeping it even cooler, as he walked to his meeting.

Upon arrival, he saw his first mate, smiling wide when their met eyes. "Namjoon-ah! Early as always." Jungkook walked up to him and the two shook hands briefly. "Thank you for coming, it means a lot to me."

"Of course! We're in this together. We're your crew after all." Namjoon smiled wide, looking at their hands. "Besides, this'll be a good trip. I'm so excited to see what we'll find."

Jungkook nodded and went into the building with Namjoon.

They'd have to see their boss before heading out to sea. He was sure his ship was getting arranged at the moment as well.

When they got to the meeting room, they were greeted by their boss.

"Jungkook! Glad that you're ready. Namjoon, I'm extremely pleased that you're still with him, you make good work happen." Their boss smiled wide. "Now, you've got a shipment to a much more...discreet place. Don't share this to any other sailor, any other captain, any other person besides your crew Jungkook, okay?"

Jungkook nodded, looking at him seriously. "Okay. You have our word. What exactly are we doing?"

"You're being sent to an island called Kilja, I'm sure you've heard and passed by it before, but were shipping out...resources to them." He slid over a file, Jungkook taking it and looking through it with Namjoon looking over his shoulder. His hands shook slightly as he read through it, noticing it was rather short. Maybe unfinished.

"Sir..." Namjoon gave their boss a small look. "Is this real?"

"They believe so, so we're taking their money. A job is a job." He looked between the two. "You're still willing to take it, right? You're the best duo I've got."

"I'm sure it's nothing. I can handle anything with my crew." Jungkook stood up, taking the file. "We'll still take it, right hyung?" Jungkook looked at him with hope in his eyes.

"Of course." Namjoon smiled and stood as well. "I'm all for a little adventure." He seemed to understand that this was...a different kind of job.

"I'm glad I have you two to take care of this. I wish you luck and good winds. Jungkook...if you're still serious about this being your last time...then I hope it fills you with pride."

Jungkook bowed, then left with Namjoon to head to the docks. He handed Namjoon the file.

"This is fucking crazy hyung." Jungkook spoke lowly as the two walked close together, the winter winds freezing his ears.

"I doubt it's true...like he said, they believe it's real, but that doesn't mean it is."

"A shipment of- never mind, a job is a job." Jungkook sighed, feeling a shiver make its way down his spine.

"A job is a job." Namjoon repeated, smiling. "Besides, if it is real...then...it'll be a sight to see."

"You're right. But god, the idea is just...not ideal. It's like a taboo to see one. Only old sailors say stories but it's always that area..." Jungkook fret a little as they walked. "Kilja island..."

"I've heard it's a fine island."

"Hyung, you know that most ships try to avoid it."

"And this time we'll be going to it. You'll lead us well Jungkook." Namjoon bumped their shoulders together. "We'll follow."

"Mm...thank you for having confidence in me." Jungkook smiled a little, then looked at his hands.

"...is it still a lot?"

"Yeah. But not too much. I'll be fine." Jungkook gave a confident smile, then the two made it to the docks, finding their ship immediately.

The two walked to it, the drawbridge down, people packing in the last of their things. Jungkook thanked them, getting onto the ship and taking one deep breath, before seeing his crew.

"Everyone!" Jungkook got their attention. "Thank you for coming aboard and being here for this voyage. It should take a month or two, as we're heading to Kilja island. Yes, that one. Rumors have been told, but nothing has ever been confirmed so we need not worry. Let's go with full confidence instead. You need not worry, as I will not worry either. Because of superstitious, I will let any of you leave now if you wish to, but the bridge is going to be pulled up at 6:30 sharp, so choose until then." Jungkook looked among them. They seemed determined still.

"As for the contents, we will speak of it once we're out to sea. It's classified information, so the payment will be larger as well." Namjoon smiled at the crew, pushing up his glasses. "We will set sail as soon as possible."

"Let's get this ship ready!" Jungkook clapped his hands, then started directing. "Group A, ready the sail, group B, get the ropes tightened, group C, the rest. Yugyeom, give me a rundown. Namjoon, keep them in order." Jungkook walked to the helm, the crew running about.

Jungkook saw the bridge being pulled up as he and Yugyeom got to the helm. "Our crew is solid, background checks have been run on the newcomers, all clean, and we've got a good chance at good weather. The winds should be kind today, and, our course for Kilja island shouldn't interfere with any other ships."

"Perfect. Yugyeom...how are you doing?" Jungkook smiled at him, as their sails caught wind and they started to move slowly.

"Well...except for our departure time. It's so early..." Yugyeom spoke quietly, not wishing to complain to his captain, but Jungkook smiled anyways.

"I'm suffering." Jungkook put a hand on Yugyeom's shoulder. "This is the earliest I've ever had to wake up."

Yugyeom grinned in response. "I think we all feel the same."

"Well...I'll let you get to your work. Once we're on a clear path, I'll debrief everyone on the situation."

"Sure thing captain." Yugyoem saluted, then walked off as Jungkook put both hands on the helm.

Jungkook chuckled a little, then focused on the sea and the wind. He checked his compass, his hand shaking a bit, before he stuffed it back in. He'd have to think about that later, but for now, his hands were guiding the ship into the ocean, the docks slowly becoming ant sized, then gone from their view.

Once he'd set them on track, he made his way down to the deck. His crew was finishing up tying ropes and cleaning up.

"Everyone! I'm sure you've all been wondering about our trip to Kilja island, and now that we're set there, I'll tell you." Jungkook watched Namjoon walk up to him, file in hand. "Pass it around." He spoke to him quietly, before clearing his throat. "We've been tasked to ship equipment to Kilja. Equipment meant to kill mermaids." Jungkook watched the crew murmur and look among them. "They will believe what they want to, that is none of our business. But this is information strictly for us, so do not think to share it." Jungkook looked at Namjoon to finish their statement.

"We assure you that these are simply hunches that they may be in the area. Mermaids have not been proven to be real. There will be a bigger sum of money for us all, so this trip is worth your time, we promise." He smiled at the crew. "If there's any questions, we'll be happy to answer them."

"If we do see them?..."

"Then we'll make a great discovery." Jungkook grinned. "And if it goes badly, we still make history." He patted his side, a pistol in clear sight. The crew gave a laugh. "But hopefully it won't come to that. We're here to give our equipment, and that is all. A job is a job. That's our mission, alright? Now back to it! Keep it clean, and careful around the equipment."

Jungkook nodded to them, then went back to the helm. He put his shaky hands on the helm, steadying them and taking a small breath.

He was starting to feel rather worried about his condition.

Parkinson's disease. He was rather young to have it, but...the tremor in his hand was almost constant at this point. He suspected he had another year at sea...before the tremor would start to affect the rest of his body, and his nervous system would give way.

One last mission, one last trip.

One last sail out at sea.

That's all he needed. At 23, he was a young captain, but he'd proven his worth in his youth, and was now going to have to find another occupation. He couldn't tie ropes as well, couldn't hold his hand straight, couldn't shake someone's hand, couldn't hold anything in his right hand without it shaking. People thought it was nerves, anxiety...but...he knew what it was.

The diagnosis was heart shattering.

The constant doctors appointments were even worse. They weren't used to having someone so young with the disease, so the treatment wasn't as helpful. It was harder to treat since it was rare, so they'd told him he would have less time than the average person to recover.

He wasn't sure there was a recovery in sight.

He felt his mind become littered in bad feelings and thoughts, his hands tight on the helm as he steered the ship. His lovely, lovely ship.

He'd have to...either make her a relic or sell her away. He shook it off, looking up at the sky. He'd never have to say goodbye to the sky, at least.

"Hey...captain?" Namjoon spoke softly, making Jungkook jump. "You...still aren't going to tell them...are you..."

Jungkook looked at him and shook his head. Namjoon had been there to take him to his doctors appointments, the two of them getting the news at the same time. How much longer could they keep it a secret?

"I'm not. Not until this shipment is done. This is...most likely, my last time. So I'll make the best of it and not worry anyone. I don't want to make anyone sad." Jungkook shook his head, keeping his hands tight on the helm. He could feel his right hand tremor as they spoke.

"Jungkook..."

"Mmm, no. You can't convince me." Jungkook smiled at him. "After this trip. Then I'll tell them, since I'll have to resign anyways. But come on, what am I supposed to do? You say I should tell them like it's easy to do that, but it's not hyung, I can't just...I can't just tell them."

"They're your crew though...wouldn't you rather they know?" Namjoon put a hand on his shoulder.

"No...no we're already on an interesting trip, we need to focus on that for now. If I- they wouldn't have the same energy. We- they might- I don't want to be treated differently. I don't want the lingering looks, and I don't want anyone to look for the tremor. I know they would." Jungkook tried to focus on the sea and the sky. He couldn't afford another breakdown. "Drop the subject hyung."

"Okay. That's the last you'll hear about it from me." He smiled at Jungkook. "Tell me if you ever need me to be at the helm, okay? If you need a break."

"I'll be sure to get you if it comes to that." Jungkook smiled at him, obviously giving his last effort to be put together. "I'll be fine for a while longer though, it's...yeah."

"Sure thing captain." Namjoon saluted, then left him alone.

It was a couple more hours before Jungkook felt his hand tremor too much. He found Namjoon easily, asking him to take his place while he went to his quarters. He took a seat at his table, checking his map and pouring himself a glass of wine. It was rather shaky, but he needed to numb himself for a while.

Just a little bit.

After a couple more shaky glasses of wine, Jungkook took his medication, watching the sky become dark from his window. Winter was always the hardest time to set sail, but he found it beautiful.

On the best days, the snow would fall delicately over the water, while the ocean would be kind enough to grant them wind to move forward. It felt magical to be on the open ocean while the snow was falling, and Jungkook was happy that he'd see it one more time as a captain.

His last's were becoming sad. His crew was probably going to eat lunch together, and he'd have to do what he always did; opt out. He couldn't stay around them too long, as his tremor would certainly become noticeable.

He honestly couldn't hold his drink for that long. He had drank enough for the moment, his mind numbing out for the time being. He needed to be confident in his ability to lead his crew, in his work, his leadership, but fuck, that was never easy. He always had Namjoon with him, and he tended to say what the crew needed anyways. Namjoon would be the perfect captain.

Maybe he could gift his ship to Namjoon, if he'd take it.

A knock on his door made him jump out of his contemplating.

"Come in!" Jungkook shoved his meds back in his drawer, locking it quickly, as Jin came in.

"I made you lunch...sure you don't want to join us?"

"No, I'm good here." Jungkook smiled at him, then looked at his table. "Oh, um- ignore that hyung." Jungkook gave an apologetic laugh as he put his wine bottle away.

"Jungkook...you're too young to be an addict." He set down a plate of food. "I'll take it all away from you if you need me too."

"No, I'm- I don't need help, I'm fine." Jungkook blushed in embarrassment. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize. Just don't...overdue it." Jin gave him a concerned glance.

"I won't." Jungkook looked down. "I'll be fine, I promise."

"...you're always welcome to eat with us." Jin spoke quietly.

"Thank you for the offer." Jungkook looked up at Jin. "But I'll have to decline."

"Alright, the offer still stands." Jin shrugged and walked off.

Jungkook lifted his right hand, seeing the tremor, as he clenched his fist tight...the tremor making him angry. It slowly started to calm down, as his meds kicked in.

When he started to eat, Namjoon came in with his plate. "Still won't eat with everyone?"

"I can't and you know it." Namjoon took a seat next to him, looking at the map on the table. "Mm...still thinking about Kilja Island, are you? It'll be fine. Mermaids aren't even real."

"You can never be too certain...if people can believe in god, then what's different than believing in aliens or a yeti?" Jungkook ate his food, contemplating. "...what's different from believing in mermaids and sirens? I know it's taboo for sailors but...if there's stories, then there must be a bit of truth to it."

"So you think it's true."

"I think there's a possibility. We can't rule it out. As much as we can want to say they aren't real, we can't promise anyone anything."

"Do you believe in god?" Namjoon raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well...no..." Jungkook shrugged.

"Then why do you believe in mermaids?"

"It's the possibility. Besides. The people on Kilja Island sure believe it...I think we should keep our eyes open. I think they may just be right...but...why...why ask for..." Jungkook couldn't finish the sentence. He didn't like the idea of harming any kind of sea life...and if there are real mermaids, then they're part human too. "I just- god, never mind, it's a job. It's just a job."

"...but it should be a good job." Namjoon glanced at him. "That is...if it's going to be your last job...then we should try and make it a good one."

"Well, we'll stop at Kilja, hang out for a week maybe, and then head back. I'm thinking about telling them then, so we can celebrate instead of being sad, you know?" Jungkook sighed. "I've had enough of sadness."

"Fair enough. That's a pretty good time to tell them." Namjoon finished his meal, Jungkook slowly finishing his. He looked at the map, then at the glass above Jungkook's plate. "Drinking already?"

"Why can't a man drink during the day?" Jungkook sighed, leaning back in his chair.

"Cause, drinking is more of a celebration or a way to end the night, not a midday depressive thing."

"Well maybe it is for me." Jungkook murmured as he sunk into his seat. He crossed his arms, looking away, become speaking quietly. "It's getting worse."

"What're you going to do about it? It's not like we have a doctor on crew..."

"I can't do anything until we get there." Jungkook looked at his hand, watching it slightly tremble. "And even then...I can't be promised medication."

"True..." Namjoon thought for a moment. "I- I don't have a solution."

"I'll be okay." Jungkook gave a small smile, sitting up. "Eventually."

"Fuck Jungkook, this just doesn't seem fair."

"I don't get much of a choice now do I though? It feels like a curse, but...but at least I got to sail at all. At least I got to live more than one year as a captain. I at least got to do what I love, even if it was a short time."

Namjoon sighed. "There should be more opportunities to sail again, even if it's on someone else's ship."

"I couldn't stand on someone's ship without helping. That's- I- I'm-" Jungkook stood, brushing his clothes down. "I'm going to the helm. Thank you for eating lunch with me. You don't have to do that though...I know you like eating with everyone."

"I enjoy eating with you as well. And no one should be eating alone on a ship full of people."

"I'm fine alone."

"You'll drink your liver full if someone didn't pop in once in a while." Namjoon cleaned their area as Jungkook put his hat on. "Jin and I are the only ones who know you well enough to check in on you."

"Thank you for that. But I'm going to be fine. Now, warm up in here or with everyone else, but I'm going back to the helm. Thank you."

Jungkook left his quarters, seeing the sky start to cloud over. It might snow soon, but hopefully they'd have easy sailing for another day or so. The trip itself was going to be long, and the ocean was going to get much rougher. He had enough pills for the trip there, and back, but if things came to the worst, then he wouldn't have enough.

He kept his focus on the helm, the waves, and the wind. He kept his coat close, his hat on, and allowed himself to find comfort in the cold.

____

By the time Jungkook had gotten used to the cold, the rhythm of working, and directing a ship, the winter had settled a month into their trip.

The snow was now a part of their trip, the crew bundling up more than usual, and taking more breaks. Jungkook stayed at the helm, kept taking his medicine, and kept, rather secretly, drinking his days and nights away.

Jin and Namjoon would check in on him, Namjoon still eating his meals with him, yet Jungkook couldn't help but feel the impending pain of leaving them all. He'd have to tell them eventually, and their trip was halfway done.

Only one more month of sailing there, and then...and then he'd have to say goodbye.

____

Jungkook forgot what it was like to be sober by the time they were a day or two away from Kilja Island.

He'd spent a good amount of time with his crew, playing drinking games with them, dancing here and there, singing, and other things...but he never ate with them.

He never ate with them, instead, eating with Namjoon, then drinking at night before he would sleep to numb his mind.

He was intent on taking the helm for the last two days before they would arrive, Namjoon asking him politely every few hours if they could switch so he could rest, but Jungkook didn't allow it.

He needed to reach the shore himself, needed to be their captain, needed to get some new gloves god was it cold.

At least he could blame the cold for his shivering tremor.

A sudden jolt of the boat made the crew give a small exclaim. "What was that?" Jungkook looked to Namjoon immediately, going to the side of the boat. He held the rail, looking over the side, Namjoon doing the same on the other side.

"What the fuck?" Namjoon spoke quietly, before looking down at the crew on the deck. "Arm yourselves! Unknown species on the right, someone get harpoons!" Namjoon ordered them around, Jungkook grabbing his pistol and loading it.

The cold wind and snow made it hard to see. "Keep the sails open, we need to get closer to shore if this is serious. Tighten the knots, don't let them loosen from a hit." Jungkook kept a hand on the helm, the other holding his pistol shakily.

The crew mates nodded, one going to the eagle eye to get a better view. Another lurch of the boat made Jungkook worry.

Namjoon spoke quietly. "What the..."

"What the hell is going on?" Jungkook was serious as he asked Namjoon, who was on the other side of the top deck.

"I can't tell, there's nothing...it's too hard to see, the snow is heavy right now."

"How far from shore? What did Jin hyung say, two days? Mm." Jungkook took a deep breath, then let it out. "Okay. Okay. I'm going to take a look, hyung, take the helm."

"Alright." Namjoon took the helm, Jungkook switching his pistol to the left hand. "Captain-"

"I'm going to do a check of the perimeter." Jungkook walked down to the main deck, the crew quiet and looking over the edges with harpoons. "Anything?" Jungkook looked himself, squinting into the snow and water. "Orca? An evil amount of dolphins come to play?" Jungkook kept walking, getting a small chuckle from the crew. He was the only one talking, trying to lighten the mood. "Perhaps a megalondon has come to haunt us?"

"Captain! Over here!" Jungkook's attention was directed to the other side of the deck. "I think I see something."

Jungkook made his way there, looking over the edge where the man was. He squinted, looking all over. "Where?"

"A big further out, but it seemed like it was coming closer. A seal maybe?"

"A seal can't move a ship." Jungkook spoke quietly, straining his eyes to try and see anything out there.

Another lurch of the boat made Jungkook hold onto the railing, getting a good view of the ocean.

Then...a noise was heard, like a whiffle ball thrown at max speed, the whistle pierced the air. "6 o'clock captain!" Someone behind him shouted, so Jungkook turned around quickly, aiming his pistol at the sound.

He located it and shot it in the air, only then realizing that was what...whatever was out there....what their plan was. Fire rained down, as whatever was in the air was flammable, and littered the main deck. "Cover!" Jungkook rushed his men inside. "Get water, anything!"

Jungkook took one look outside before the boat lurched again and Jungkook lost his balance, falling out onto the deck. He got up as quickly as he could, the tremor in his hand giving him pain. When he looked up, his saw his boat on fire.

"No!" Jungkook looked at his boat, seeing more...jars, they were jars...being thrown onto the boat and crashing as flames. "No, no, my ship!" Jungkook ran to the sides, seeing nothing in the water, nothing. Not another boat, not a single fucking thing.

He angrily glared, then growled as he turned back to his crew who were getting buckets and trying their best to dull the flames.

It was licking up the mast.

"It's no use! Get to the emergency boats, we'll take them the rest of the way instead. I'm not letting you all drown in this fucking cold winter ocean." Jungkook made sure the boats were still intact, then lowered people into them. He lowered Namjoon and Jin into the third to last one.

"Jungkook! Come on-"

"Everyone first, I'll go last. Get to Kilja, I need you to make it and tell them everything if I don't, do you understand hyung?" Jungkook gripped his hand, the two sharing a look, before Jungkook let go.

"Jungkook." Jin pursed his lips. "We'll meet you over there."

Jungkook nodded, then counted everyone left. He helped lower them into the boat, then lower them into the ocean, seeing them sail off.

He rushed back to his quarters, grabbing his medication bottle and shoving it in his coat pocket before making his way to their last boat, but the ship lurched again, making him lose his balance and fall into the ocean.

The water was cold.

No.

It was freezing.

Jungkook gave a last effort to swim upward, his limbs struggling. His hands were shaking from his tremor along with the cold. When he got a breath of air, he saw his ship burning, sinking into the ocean, the smaller rescue boat he was going to get in gone from his sight.

He shivered, trying to keep his head above the water, but the waves were rough, and he found it rather impossible and rather useless to try anything more.

He took a breath and let his limbs give out.

Going under the waves was...relaxing. It was fucking freezing, and he could feel himself become absent of any heat, but it was quiet and his mind was numb.

The shiver was horrible, but at least his mind was numb.

If it wasn't for his fucking pills, his fucking medicine...he could've gotten on the emergency boat. He could've gotten to the island safely with his friends, he would've been able to-

No, now wasn't the time to wonder about it.

Jungkook decided to think of the good things he could remember.

He had a lovely crew. He had a nice apartment by the ocean. He had, had, a perfect ship, he had a nice life. Good friends. He ate good food. He'd spent good time in the ocean, and at sea. He'd spent a good amount of time as a captain.

He let go of his air, his mind on the good things he'd had to live for.

____

Jungkook woke up in a sputtering manner, coughing up water. He turned on his side to get it all out, shivering and heaving. When he could sit up, he found himself face to face with someone. "Ah!" Jungkook scuttled backwards, then held his hands together, feeling them tremble. "W-who are you? Where am I?" Jungkook looked around, finding himself in a cave. It was completely empty, save for a couple lanterns and a large circle on the middle of the floor. It was...water.

He was stuck in a cave...and the only exit was through the cold, no, freezing water.

"My name is Jimin." He spoke softly. "You're in a safe place."

Jungkook analyzed him. He had soft features, his eyes wide in curiosity, his hands on the edge of the circle, his entire body...in the water. He was leaning closer to Jungkook, seemingly analyzing him back. "That- that isn't helpful! I need to-" Jungkook found himself panicking, shoving his shaking hands into his pocket to get his pills-

The bottle was gone. It must've floated out in the ocean...

"Where am I?"

"Mm...somewhere safe." He repeated himself, this time with a small pout. "I have to talk to some people first before I can take you somewhere nicer. This is...temporary."

Jungkook tried to stand, but his tremor made it nearly impossible. "What are you?" He asked quietly, not afraid, but definitely worried. "And why didn't you let me die?" He said this and deflated. "You should've let me die." Jungkook looked down at his hands, feeling them tremble.

"Oh? Is there a problem with your hands?" He pushed himself up onto the cave floor, sitting on the edge...his tail still in the water. "I didn't want you to die...you seemed so...sad." He frowned, looking at Jungkook. "You accepted your fate rather quickly."

Jungkook stared with wide eyes at Jimin. His- his tail. "You're a merman." Jungkook took it all in, exhaling all of his air. "You're a merman." He repeated himself as he stared.

Jimin...this merman's tail had a lovely turquoise color, almost seeming unreal. Well, it did seem unreal, but the color was just lovely. He dragged his eyes up to his face, noticing that his chest was bare and exposed, except for a necklace. He wore earrings as well, both accessories gold.

Jimin seemed to look at him in the same way, taking everything in. "I am. You're a human. Now, are you okay? Need anything before I head off for a little bit? I have to ask about what to do with you." He hummed in contemplation.

"W-what do you mean by that?" Jungkook wanted to stand up, but he was too cold. If he was left alone for much longer, he might get hypothermia and die an even worse death, as he'd feel every single moment of it. But whatever Jimin was planning to "do with him" could be even worse.

"Well, you're shaking like you've never been warm, so we're going to have to do something about that." He hummed again, looking over him.

The two were staring at each other.

"...I'll be back quickly. I promise you, I just need to confirm some things. Can I bring you anything?"

"W-when you found me. Did you happen to find a bottle with me? This big?" Jungkook shakily gave a size, then held his hands together quickly. His tremor was becoming horrible, almost making him sick to the stomach. He hated it.

"No, I'm sorry." He did seem and sound apologetic. "Was it something important? Maybe we can give you a replacement?"

"No, I don't think you can." Jungkook sighed, looking down as he shivered. "It was my medicine."

"Well, we have a lot...maybe we can help."

Jungkook shook his head. "You should've just let me go."

"No one should give up that easily." He nearly glared at Jungkook, then looked at the water. "No one."

Jungkook shook his head, holding his hands together, wringing them often. "I wouldn't have minded. Are my...are my friends alright? Did they make it to the island?" Jungkook still couldn't process things. "God my ship..." 

"Your ship?"

"That was my ship. My precious boat..." Jungkook put his head in his hands. "Fuck. Why did- why did you burn it?"

"You...had things that would harm us. We um...take that stuff and use it for other things. And we make it a lesson for future ships. They only hunt us for one reason; they don't understand us. People are afraid of the unknown. But they don't have to kill us." Jimin sighed. "I need to go. I'm sorry I can't give you anything to help at the moment, but I'll be back quickly and I'll answer any questions and I'll help you, okay?"

"Why are you helping me?" Jungkook shivered in his place.

Jimin glared at him. "If you stop asking questions now I can help you sooner and answer them quicker."

Jungkook shut his mouth, unsure of what to do. He had no idea if he was in a dangerous situation or not.

"Better." He smiled at him. "Now, I'll be right back, as quick as I can. Can- can I get your name perhaps?" He watched Jungkook, looking at everything he was doing. The tremor in his hand, the shiver in his body, his eyes scanning and looking at his tail, Jimin was taking in everything that Jungkook was doing.

"Jeon." Jungkook spoke quietly.

"That's your first name?" Jimin raised an eyebrow.

"No." Jungkook kept it short, still not quite trusting the merman.

"I see." He sighed. "Well Mr. Jeon, I'll be right back. As soon as I can. So...wait here." Jimin gave a large smile at his joke, then moved himself into the water. "Don't die now, the waters still cold." He blooped right into the water, leaving Jungkook alone in the cave.

He finally had it in him to hyperventilate. "What the fuck is happening- what the fuck is happening?!" He hurriedly got his shirt off, knowing that keeping freezing cold clothes on was going to give him hypothermia. The cave wasn't...cold.

It was actually warmer than he thought it should be. The lanterns- how were there lanterns in here?! This little cave, it shouldn't-

Jungkook took a deep breath and moved closer to one of the lanterns, putting his shaking hands out to try and warm up. He had to try and get through this.

Merpeople. They were real. They were real, he wasn't dreaming, they were real and they fucking burned his ship down. God, Jungkook just hoped everyone was okay. Did they take more of them? Was he the only one?

And why did that merman even save him at all.

He should've left him alone, left him to shiver and lose his breath, instead of shivering next to a tiny lantern, without medication, without his crew, without his ship, without anything that identified him. He was a shipless captain.

He felt his eyes start to water as he thought about his ship. That- that was his dads...his grandfather's, his- it was a family heirloom. He bit his tongue, trying to stop himself from crying.

It burned to the fucking bottom of the ocean. God Jungkook wasn't okay. There were too many things going on that were not okay.

He didn't even know where he was. He was in a cave in the ocean. And his only company would be mermen and mermaids. He checked his pants pockets, the cold making him shiver, but-

He still had his pistol at least.

That was something at least. He set it down, still trying to warm up. He didn't want to take the rest of his clothes off, as Jimin was...hopefully coming back to help him, but it was still cold no, freezing, and it was getting to him. His fingers were burning, having been in the cold and then feeling some heat, while the rest of his body was burning from the cold.

He took another look around and finally noticed the luminescent glow of the cave. There was a slight blue glow to the area. And why was the little cave so warm? He felt warmer now than before, but his core was still cold.

A small splash made his attention turn.

"Good news Mr. Jeon! Oh!" He brushed his hair back, crossing his arms on the edge of the circle of water. He smiled at him. "You're mighty handsome." His tail splashed in the water, as if he was kicking his feet.

Jungkook turned his back to him, feeling a little embarrassed, and still angry.

"Aww, not gunna look at me? That's fine. Your back is nice too. Anyways, you can stay with me for the time being. Until we can...work something better out. Can I ask you to trust me?"

"You can't." Jungkook grabbed his pistol slowly.

"Oh um, Mr. Jeon, that's a little..." Jimin sounded hurt. "Well do you want to get out of here or not? You just need to trust me a little bit. I overstepped our rules for you, so you've gotta meet me in the middle for a couple days." Jimin huffed and Jungkook could hear him sit on the edge like he did before, the water splashing. "Okay?"

Jungkook pursed his lips, still feeling horrible. He didn't know what to do. "Why did you save me?"

"I promised you I'd answer all your questions. But maybe you want to get warmer first? They're setting up a room for you as we speak."

"How...what?"

"Here's the trust part." Jimin set something down, so Jungkook did turn to him. He had a little basket made of seaweed beside him. Jungkook couldn't help but look at his tail again. "I need you to eat something."

"...why do I feel the need to be suspicious?" Jungkook looked at him, trying to look into the basket.

"It's just not that tasty." Jimin shrugged.

"Why do I need to eat it? And what is it?" Jungkook still had a tight grip on his pistol...but it wasn't very threatening as the tremor in his hand made him shake uncontrollably.

"Mm...it's a little bite." Jimin took out what looked like a pastry, as big as a macaron.

"What is it though?" Jungkook stared at it, as Jimin reached his hand out for Jungkook to take it. He didn't take it yet.

"It's- it's gunna taste a little funny, but it's going to help you bare the cold."

"What is it?" Jungkook glared now. Jimin wasn't telling him what it was doing.

"Mr. Jeon." Jimin sighed. "Please take it. If you don't you're sure to die from the cold. We don't make many of them, so consider yourself special."

"I won't take it until you tell me what it is and what it does. I'm no stranger to people telling me what's good for myself and what to put into my body." Jungkook glared a little more. He'd been to enough doctor appointments to hear them spew on and on about what medicine would work best for his certain situation, but many of them were just trying to get him to spend money.

But then again...what did this merman want from him? Certainly not money...?

Jimin sighed again. "Take it, please."

"What do you need in return? Is this some...thing special?" Jungkook still wouldn't take it. Jimin seemed a little pissed.

"It's self explanatory when you take it."

"I'd like to know beforehand."

"I'm trying to help you here."

"I didn't ask for help, I literally asked you to let me die. So how about you tell me what you're trying to get me to eat?"

Jimin sighed, obviously not wanting to talk about it at the moment. "It's a special little treat, for special little boys like you who can't breathe underwater or withstand the cold." He rolled his eyes. "And you probably don't believe me because that idea is so far fetched which is why I didn't want to tell you anything and I need you to eat this."

"Don't call me a little boy." He spat it out, before Jimin looked at him, and realized he was serious. He slowly took the small dessert-like thing in Jimin's hand. "One last thing. Before I can ask more questions."

Jimin nodded at him.

"Why are you helping me?" Jungkook looked down at the dessert in his hand. He didn't see the use of helping a human.

"I...I told you. No one should...give up like that. I couldn't stand seeing you so...defeated." Jimin eased himself back into the water. "Eat it all."

Jungkook looked at him, then ate the dessert in one bite. Jimin was right. It wasn't tasty, instead, it made him consider spitting it out. He swallowed it in disdain. "Ugh! What was that? That was disgusting!" Jungkook hated the feeling and taste left on his tongue. "Gross!"

Jimin smiled at him. "Come a little closer."

Jungkook pocketed his pistol, putting it safely back, then moved closer.

"Ah, perfect. What a nice view." Jimin looked him up and down, grinning. Jungkook blushed a little in anger, covering his face with the back of his hand.

"Gha! Don't go saying those things!" Jungkook looked away, embarrassed that his shirt was off. "Don't look either, fuck."

"You're looking at me though." Jimin titled his head. "What's wrong with me looking?"

"W-well I've never- never seen a merman before so it's only fair."

"Then it's only fair for me to look too."

"I beg to differ. This and that are-" Jungkook's voice caught in his throat. His throat felt like it was burning, his hands immediately going to his throat. "A-ah! What!-" he coughed, looking up at Jimin. "What was in that?!"

Jimin grabbed his wrist and pulled him into the water, making Jungkook panic and flail. He held his breath, feeling...freezing? No...cold.

"Don't worry Mr. Jeon. You're fine. You're alright, just take a deep breath and let it out." Jimin held his wrists, Jungkook looking at him with wide eyes. "Breathe."

The burning in his throat was painful, his eyes were open from fear, and it was cold.

"Breathe, you can breathe. The burn will go away." Jimin was holding his wrists, looking at him with curiosity, his eyes smiling. They looked like crescents, and Jungkook would've thought they were attractive if he wasn't in fear for his life.

Jungkook held his breath for as long as he could for the second time that day, letting out his air...and breathing. He was breathing...?

"See? Deep breath, then let it out. Let's do that a couple times." Jimin took a deep breath, like an instructor, Jungkook following along as they let out a breath together. "One more time." They did it again. "And one more time." They did it again.

"What...the fuck." Jungkook ripped his wrists out of Jimin's grasp, then immediately grabbed onto him again when he started to sink. "What the fuck?! Why didn't you tell me what it would do?! What are you doing to me?" Jungkook was angry. He couldn't comprehend why this merman was helping him and toying with him at the same time.

"Would you have believed me? Can you tell I'm not lying to you now? That little treat was so you could withstand this ocean. Don't worry, I'll be right here with you too. So...come on, let me take you somewhere for you to rest. Then you can ask me all of your questions."

"You just expect me to follow you?!" Jungkook glared, angry beyond anything he'd felt before. "This is-"

"Jeon, I'm not trying to hurt you, and I'm not here to play games. I will answer any and all questions when you have somewhere to sit, so that you aren't floating in the depths of the ocean." He glared right back, holding Jungkook's hands tighter. "Please let me help you."

"You'll answer all my questions?" Jungkook didn't dare look down at the open ocean.

"Yes."

"Okay..." Jungkook was reluctant...but he let Jimin lead him somewhere else. He swam quickly, tugging Jungkook along, while Jungkook tried desperately to focus on the merman instead of the impending doom of the dark unknown.

When he finally was able to focus on something other than Jimin, he saw an iridescent glow in the distance.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Our city of course! They've made you a room in my place." Jimin smiled at him. "And don't worry...that little treat won't wear off."

"Wait-"

"Questions when we get there." Jimin kept them moving, Jungkook seeing a beautiful, iridescent, glowing city, covered by a large dome. Much like the legends of Atlantis, the city here seemed grand. It was bright, and busy, and Jungkook was soon surrounded by what could have been hundreds of merpeople.

They gave him odd looks, while Jungkook gave wide eyed stares back at them. It was impossible to wrap his head around this.

The place they were entering seemed like an apartment of sorts, but made out of coral. The entire city seemed to be made of coral.

Jimin closed the door behind them, leading Jungkook to a room. It was a bed, just...made out of seaweed and other things. "I...how...I- how long do you think I'm going to stay here?" Jungkook turned to Jimin, absolutely baffled. "There's a city?"

"What, you think we're animals? We're sophisticated." Jimin smiled and swam over to the bed, sitting down and patting it. "Come sit."

Jungkook reluctantly sat down next to him. He stared at Jimin's tail. "...what's going to happen to me? At the moment...this feels like I've been kidnapped."

"You're...slightly kidnapped. That's my doing though. You see..." Jimin pouted. "We're in a bit of a war at the moment. Your ship...was it heading to Kilja Island?"

Jungkook nodded. "It was."

"And you had horrible cargo on your ship?"

"It was...dangerous."

"Did you ever question why?" Jimin looked at him with a frown.

"No." Jungkook still stared at Jimin's tail. The color was lovely to look at. "No, I...didn't think you all were real. I'm a captain, and I've only heard rumors. But talk is talk, and sailors get drunk and talk their heads off, so I thought hey, a jobs a job. I didn't think this job would cost me my ship...I wouldn't have sailed if I'd known that." Jungkook glared.

"...was your ship precious to you?"

"Yeah. It was my dads." Jungkook sighed. "You didn't have to burn it."

"That wasn't me." Jimin was defensive, then looked sad. "I'm sorry about your ship."

"Why'd you save me?" Jungkook was still upset. "You should've let me go with the ship."

"Life isn't forever. A boat though...that's fixable."

"So there's magic to let me breathe underwater...but nothing to save a life?"

Jimin shook his head. "We don't mess with death."

"Then why did you mess with mine?" Jungkook looked at him, still hung up on it. "Why would you save me?"

"I told you." Jimin sighed. "You- you're young...and no one should give in to death so young. I couldn't stand it. We don't do this to kill...we do this to keep our people safe."

"...why can't I go?"

"I couldn't take you to the island. I would've been spotted and shot."

"Then why did you take me here?"

"You were going to die. This cold is harsh, I know that. You're human...you wouldn't have made it to the surface. And besides, you didn't have it in you to get there yourself, you were shaking too much." Jimin shook his head.

"...right." Jungkook looked at his hands. The tremor was now bad, having not been able to take his pills. "I wouldn't have made it."

"So this is...temporary. Until we can find a way to get you somewhere safe. But sadly, that isn't Kilja." Jimin looked at him. "Mr. Jeon, I'm sorry for putting you in this situation, but I think we can make it work out for both of us."

"What do you mean by that? I've probably been announced dead by now, if I show up anywhere I'll have to explain how I got there." Jungkook shook his head. "I just want to see my friends again. They're all I have." Jungkook was still so out of it.

He was at the point where the more he questioned his situation the more he couldn't process it. He was in an underwater city full of merpeople. He was given a dessert looking thing to make him breath under water and withstand the cold. And now...he was having a conversation with a merman who saved him from his burning ship.

"I have a proposition to make." Jimin spoke with a smile. "I can help you if you help us. You see, we can't go on land for very long, but you can." He looked like he had high hopes. "If you can help us end this war...I'll do all I can to help you get back to your life."

"What?" Jungkook was confused. "What war?"

"I- oh." Jimin looked surprised. "I thought people knew. Kilja declared war on us. And they um...well, you see." Jimin winced. "They have our prince."

Jungkook blinked slowly. "What?"

"He's got royal blood in him, so he's able to shift back and forth without effort. People like me, those without royal blood, we don't get as much time with legs. He's able to have legs forever if he wanted, but I have a limited time. Anyways, what I'm saying is...he got stuck up there."

"So they have...your prince..." Jungkook was staring at his trembling hands while trying to process things.

"Yes. He went up to take a look at things and he caught the eye of their prince." Jimin pursed his lips. "So uh...Kilja's prince kind of forced him to stay around."

"What the hell does this have to do with me?" Jungkook looked up at Jimin. "You don't know me, and I can't- I shouldn't trust you. You shouldn't trust me either."

"Your pistol is worth next to nothing here. Bullets don't go far in water." Jimin glared at him. "I want to help you. I want to show you that there's something good in this world."

"There's nothing good anymore." Jungkook tsk'd and looked away. "I don't even have a boat anymore, my job is useless."

"Life isn't about having a job."

"It made me happy." Jungkook sighed heavily. "I have nothing anymore...and now I'm caught up in...whatever this is." Jungkook displayed a hand.

"Mr. Jeon...I think there's something special inside you. I can't tell you why, but...there's something good about you. There's something good in you." Jimin carefully took his hand. "I don't need you to entirely trust me...but I need you to trust me a little. I trust you." He put his other hand on top of Jungkook's. He looked down at their hands. "You shouldn't be cold."

Jungkook moved his hand out of his grip quickly, turning his body away. "I'm not cold."

"Why are you shivering? Are you anxious? I'm sorry, am I bombarding you with things? I can leave you alone for a while if you'd like. You know, get you some food and let you rest." Jimin frowned, as Jungkook tried to control his tremor. It seemed to get worse and worse as he worried about it. "...are you okay?"

"Maybe it would be nice to be alone for a while." Jungkook spoke quickly. "Then I'll listen to whatever you have to say about getting me back home."

"...sure." Jimin got off the bed. "I'll be back with some food and then um...then we can talk."

"Sure." Jungkook stopped the conversation with that, staring at his hands. His left was starting to tremor as well.

"Alright..."

Jimin left the room, leaving Jungkook alone.

He finally took in the room. There was the seaweed bed, a dresser, a desk, and a full body mirror, along with a closet. A rather normal looking room, yet it was so...magical. These things should've been old and worn down, but they were fine. The room was even lit by bioluminescence. It had everything it really needed, yet it was...underwater.

Fuck, he was underwater right now.

Fuck, he'd just met a merman.

Fuck, he was in a city full of merpeople with no clear way of how to get home.

He felt the tremor in his hands.

He had to find a way to get out and Jimin seemed willing enough. He just had to embrace the sudden change, that way he could get home. Home...mm...what was the point of going home? He couldn't be on a ship as a captain or a crew mate anymore. He couldn't even tie a rope anymore.

No, the point of going home was seeing his friends again. He couldn't even think about the pain that Namjoon and Jin were in. They were probably heartbroken, knowing that they could've made him get in their little boat. Jungkook hung his head.

What could he possible do to get back to them? Was that his goal now? And then what?

And then what...

What would he even do? What else was there other than sailing?

He was nearly crippled by a disease rare for those in their 20's...who would even hire him? Who would consider a nearly useless 23 year old to do labor?

What else was he good at?

Jungkook had an existential crisis right then and there, feeling his eyes water up at the idea of being utterly useless.

What the fuck was the point of living? What does it mean to live?

"Life isn't about having a job."

The words rung in his head. Jimin had said that and obviously, from how soft his hands were, he hadn't worked a day in his life. They were so soft and small on his own hard, work riddled hands, with their tremor as well. And fuck, he probably looked like a fool.

Jungkook looked at himself in the full length mirror. He did look horrible. His hair was floating though, so he didn't have to worry about that, but he was still shirtless with some scars showing, his pants a little burnt, and his shoes having holes in them. He didn't have his hat either.

He moved back to the bed, unsure as to what to do.

At the moment...he could only think that the best way to get anywhere was to help Jimin, so that he may get help back in return.

"I don't need you to entirely trust me...but I need you to trust me a little. I trust you."

Jungkook wondered if he should tell the merman his name. His last name was vague and didn't give anything away...but...there was something about the merman that was light and airy. Something Jungkook wasn't used to, that he couldn't deny he liked.

He was helping him...and he had given him a place to sleep...along with the ability to breathe, that was kind.

He then wondered about the dessert. Was it forever? Was this permanent? Can he breathe underwater now, was that a thing?

He didn't know how to get the answers to all his questions. At this point, he didn't know what to do. He was stuck, until he helped Jimin. He'd made that clear. And besides, he couldn't swim very well, so he wouldn't get far even if he tried.

His thoughts continued to wander, as he sat on the bed with his head in his hands.

He heard Jimin's voice in the house, singing while he was doing something else, Jungkook could hear something else as well. But by god was Jimin's singing so nice.

It was soft and pretty and Jungkook felt comforted. After all he'd been through, it was nice to have something familiar. Jungkook would sing with his crew after a couple drinks, and he already missed that. He missed his crew.

He missed the singing.

But Jimin's voice was melodic and peaceful, and Jungkook closed his eyes. He took it in, finding himself drawn to it, almost like a siren.

It was oddly comforting.

Jimin cleared his throat. "You okay there?..."

"Yeah. Yeah I'm- I'm alright. You have a really nice singing voice." Jungkook stayed there. He didn't look up, and he didn't open his eyes. "My names Jungkook...by the way. Jeon Jungkook. I was a captain."

"It's nice to meet you Jeon Jungkook." Jimin sounded pleased. "My name is Park Jimin."

"It's nice to meet you too." Jungkook opened his eyes, taking a small breath. "May I eat alone?"

"Oh. Um...sure." Jimin sounded confused now. "Are you still taking in everything? Whenever you're ready, I'd like you to meet with some people. Then we can work towards getting you home."

Jungkook shook his head. "I don't see a point in getting home."

"Then...what do you want?"

"I'm not sure. I don't know what my use is anymore and...and if I have money to not care about working anymore."

"Well...whatever makes you happy, you should follow that path." Jimin wasn't leaving, so Jungkook looked up.

"I can't do anything that makes me happy with the hands I have. Sooner than later, I'll be useless." He met Jimin's gaze, seeing him look sad. "So I don't know what I'll do."

"...what's wrong with your hands?"

"I have a disease that gives me tremors. Soon I'll be losing my balance. I'll lose my ability to walk. I'll have muscle spasms. I'll forget things. I'll have trouble speaking, walking, eating, and other things." Jungkook explained it, letting the idea sink inside him. "So sooner than later...I'll be useless."

Jimin pouted. "I'm sure we can find something for you."

"I had a medication but...I guess that's lost in the ocean now."

"No, I'm mean I think we can trade that. You help us, and we can figure something out for you for your disease."

"What do you mean figure something out?" Jungkook looked at him in confusion. "There's not really a way to fix it."

"We can figure it out." Jimin shrugged. "So Jungkook...are you willing to eat with me?" He smiled at him. "I like your name. It sounds really nice. Jungkook. Junggggkook. Jungkookie. Jungkook-ah, you've got a nice name." Jimin giggled. "Kookie."

Jungkook blushed, looking down. "T-thank you..." he smiled a little. Jimin's voice was cute. "I guess...I guess I am willing to eat with you. I don't have anything to hide from you." Jungkook laughed a little. He would only eat with Namjoon, occasionally with Jin, because he didn't want to concern his crew.

But here...he didn't have to worry about any of that.

"Lovely!" Jimin smiled wide, clapping his hands together. "Would you like to come with me to my dining room then?"

"I...sure." Jungkook smiled a little and Jimin helped him move to the dining room.

Jungkook sat down, as Jimin floated. There was prepared fish on the table, cooked and all. Jungkook didn't question it. This place seemed filled with magic.

"I'm glad you've started to accept the situation Jungkook. I understand it must be a lot." Jimin ate, motioning Jungkook to do the same.

He did so carefully. "I just...it is a lot to take in. But I'm not...I'm not sure if I should question anything. I'm still not over the fact that I'm alive."

"Ah. Well Jungkook...I'm glad you are. I know there's something inside you that's lovely. I can just tell."

"Oh yeah? Do you say that to other people?" Jungkook laughed a little. "It's an odd thing to say."

"Hm? I don't say it to people...but you have a good feeling about you. I'm drawn to it."

"You're drawn to me?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow. "Why- or I mean, how?"

"Well, I don't know." Jimin shrugged. "I don't question it. I just accept it. Besides, I'm happy with it." He smiled at Jungkook, making him blush and look away.

"Ah." Jungkook didn't know why he was blushing. Well...Jimin was rather attractive, but fuck, he should not be blushing. "T-thank you. It makes me happy that...to someone I'm special."

"Oh I'm sure loads of people think you're special. Otherwise you wouldn't have come here at all. Only the best sailors come to Kilja." Jimin boosted his ego, most likely on purpose. "And I'm positive you were an amazing captain."

Jungkook blushed and shyly looked away. He didn't always get compliments from a pretty boy...

Ah, that was something. Jungkook didn't assume he liked guys...but he uh, perhaps could keep the option open for Jimin.

"I was good. I was a really good captain. Or at least that's what people told me. I think I eventually believed that."

"I believe it." Jimin hummed and smiled at him, Jungkook unable to make eye contact. "I definitely believe it."

"Well, thank you...but I will no longer be able to be a captain. Not anymore." Jungkook smiled a little bitterly.

"We can figure something out before you decide that." Jimin moved a little closer to him. "I think we can help you. This is a beautiful place full of magic...I'm sure we can conjure something up." Jimin put a hand on his shoulder, making Jungkook look at him.

"Why are you helping me?"

"I told you...I have a pull towards you. There's some good in you, and I can show you it. The end is not the answer...and I know that there's something bigger for you. I know it." Jimin smiled at him more. "I can't explain it. It's usually pretty rare for merpeople to attach to a human..." his face held confusion, then realization. "Oh my god."

"Hm?"

"I-" Jimin laughed. "Ah! How were we so dumb? I'm going to go to our king and be right back, okay? I need to report something. Finish eating! I'll be right back." Jimin smiled wide and left in a hurry...leaving Jungkook to look around again.

It was odd to eat underwater. It was also odd to see a rather normal dining room, kitchen, and if he leaned back in his chair, he could see a normal looking living room.

Everything was rather normal, even though it was held together by so much magic.

He did finish his meal, his hand shaking rather badly. Maybe without the placebo effect of his medication, it seemed worse now than before.

The little coral apartment was nice to be in, Jungkook had to admit.

The other thing he had to admit, was that he was embarrassed to be shirtless. Perhaps it was normal for them, but Jungkook wasn't used to it at all.

Jimin seemed to come back quicker this time. "Jungkook! I brought a friend of mine." He was smiley, perhaps that was his default face, as another merman came into the home. "Anyways! I think we've figured something out."

"Hello, my name is Kim Taehyung, it's nice to meet you." The merman waved with a smile.

"...my name is Jeon Jungkook, it's nice to meet you too." Jungkook bowed his head a little. "...I...what did you figure out?" Jungkook ignored the fact that Taehyung was extremely handsome, his tail a beautiful green. He blushed as he looked away.

"Ties. It's uncommon, but it must've happened to our prince." Jimin huffed. "Otherwise he wouldn't have chosen to stay on land. There must be a reason he's staying with the prince of Kilja Island."

"You think the two princes are tied together somehow?"

"I do." Jimin smiled at him, making Jungkook blush once again. "Which is where you can come in."

"Huh? Me?" Jungkook looked at the both of them.

"Yeah! You can walk. If you show up on shore on a raft, they'll take you in. You'll meet the king and prince for sure. And then you'll be able to help us out. We don't want a war." Jimin kept smiling wide at him, obviously excited. "You can convince them."

"How would I do that? I barely know this place and I've never met anyone on Kilja island." Jungkook shook his head. "I'm not sure how I could help."

"You could convince your crew. You could even talk to our prince. His name is Min Yoongi. And then you can convince the king. You see, if the prince is with our prince, then I'm sure the king will listen to the two of them. You can be a good mediator."

"Jimin...I don't have that kind of power." Jungkook looked at him in confusion. "What makes you think I'll be able to help you all?"

"You can experienced it all here! We can show you around and then you can tell them that we don't want war. We just want our prince back."

"How am I supposed to change anything? I'm literally just a guy. I'm just some normal guy."

"Yeah and...not to spoil your plan Jimin, but if said he knew about us and all we had to offer, they might hurt him instead." Taehyung shrugged with a small frown. "Just a thought."

"But if he can talk to our prince than we can get something instead of nothing. Besides, I won't let him get hurt." Jimin huffed, crossing his arms.

"Ah...that's true." Taehyung hummed. "Hmm..."

"Hold on you two there's a couple problems with your idea." Jungkook looked between the two and shook his head. "For one, I just got here. Two, I'm becoming a cripple. And three, I don't know anyone on Kilja island except my crew. We weren't planning on meeting the king anyways. They're probably giving my crew some grieving time and then sending them on the next ship out."

"Ships aren't exactly "going out" anymore." Jimin shook his head. "I'm sorry to say but whoever sent you must've known that."

"What?" Jungkook's mind went blank.

Jimin was right. His boss must've known, even giving them a warning. But he must've known all the complications...ones he didn't include in their briefing. Was this his way to say Jungkook was useless? Last time out...he surely meant it. This was going to be his last time whether he liked it or not.

"Oh my fucking god he sent me on a suicide mission." Jungkook sat back in his chair.

His boss had to have known. He sugarcoated it after tried to make Jungkook seem like such an amazing captain, but he must've known. He had to have known.

Jimin winced for him. "I'm sorry...things seem to just get worse for you. But we can fix this." Jimin put his hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "We can help each other and fix this."

"I don't think you get it Jimin. This isn't an easy fix."

"It isn't impossible." Jimin countered. "Give it another day or two. Considering your condition, you wouldn't have gotten to shore for another day or two. So spend the time here, then we'll send you out and you can spy for us, you know, come back and update us, or most likely me, and we can work from there."

"Are you even listening to yourself?" Jungkook shook his head. "That's not easy. And-"

"What condition?" Taehyung spoke in between, obviously curious.

Jungkook stared at him. Obviously it was common to not have shame here, and asking personal questions was not anything out of the usual.

"Look, all I'm saying is that this isn't easy or simple, and while it may not be impossible, it requires me to be put in danger."

Jimin pouted. "They wouldn't hurt other humans would they?"

Jungkook looked at him in disbelief. "What? We wage wars against each other, why do you think they want war against you?"

"Oh." Jimin looked down. "You guys fight each other?"

"Humans are flawed and want power, land, money, whatever they can get their hands on. They probably either fear you or they want what you have."

"You wouldn't do that, would you?"

Jungkook laughed. "No. I'm not like that. But I know people who are. There's been many wars in our times."

"Hm." Taehyung shook his head. "We don't. That is...troubling to hear."

"It's fine. Just...I don't think I can help as much as you believe I can. I'm not exactly special. Not like you guys. I just know how to tie rope and sail a ship." Jungkook smiled apologetically, seeing their faces fall. "And even then, I'm losing that ability as well. I'm sorry."

"No, don't apologize. You're still worth something. We just need a plan." Jimin crossed his arms, thinking hard.

Taehyung was looking at Jungkook, observing.

Jungkook frowned. "I'm not a thing for you to use. I'm a person."

Jimin immediately widened his eyes. "Ah! I'm sorry I didn't mean to say it like that!" He pouted, Jungkook looking away. "I really didn't, I'm sorry. What I meant is, there's still hope. We just need to work together."

"I don't think I'm going to be very useful." Jungkook was dismissive. He couldn't imagine himself being useful anymore. Not without a medication to ease him.

"You're the key Jungkook." Jimin looked at him. Jungkook was still looking away.

He couldn't find a reason why he was important.

"I'm not anything Jimin." Jungkook looked up on him. "I don't think I can help you. I'm sorry."

"No, don't apologize. You can help." Jimin looked at him in confusion. He must not be used to nihilism, as he looked in between sad and confused for him. "We just need a good plan."

"Why are you pushing this so hard. Why me?" Jungkook shook his head. "I'm not..."

"Maybe you just need some time here first. Everyone has something." Taehyung smiled a little. "Everyone does."

"I don't. Not anymore."

"No, Taehyung's right! You just need to spend some time here first!" Jimin smiled. "I'll show you around then. After you get some rest. Tomorrow I can show you around, okay?"

"I..." Jungkook looked down again. What else did he have to do? What else could he do? If he somehow got to the surface, he'd have no idea where to go. He'd be stranded in the middle of the ocean. "Sure. I'd love to."

"You'll love it. It's going to be lovely, I promise you. We've got a lot to offer here." Jimin smiled wide, grabbing Jungkook's hands. "I'll show you my favorite places. Oh lovely! It'll be perfect." Jimin smiled happily, letting go of his hands and swimming off into his apartment.

Jungkook could hear him talking to himself.

Taehyung was still looking at him.

"Is he...always like that?"

"No, not usually." Taehyung smiled a little. "He's excited to go on a date is all."

"That's- it's not a date, he just wants to show me around." Jungkook rolled his eyes. There was literally no reason for Jimin to find any interest in him. "That's it."

"Well...I hope you enjoy your time here. Although forced, I do hope you find yourself in hospitality and care. We want you to have the best experience here that you can. Our king will want to talk to you tomorrow...but he's left you in Jimin's care for the time being."

"Ah. Alright. I'll...have to thank him." Jungkook looked away, still hearing Jimin talk to himself, occasionally singing. He had a lovely voice. "He did...save me after all." Jungkook pursed his lips.

"So um...what uh, what's your disease? I'm sure we've got something that can help." Taehyung was still persistent.

Jungkook shook his head. "Ever heard of Parkinson's disease?"

"Mmm...no, I don't think I have." Taehyung hummed. "What's it do? Maybe we can help."

"It...it gives me a tremor in my body. Right now it's in my hands, but it'll spread in time. There's other things that can happen as well, much more...concerning ones." Jungkook gave a small rundown.

"Oh...I'm...if we could study it, I'm sure we could find a solution. We always have."

"I'm not sure if you can. We haven't."

"I don't have much faith in humans." Taehyung spoke quietly.

"Yeah...me neither." Jungkook grimaced.

Jimin came back happily. "Okay, I've- sorry about that." Jungkook smiled a little. Jimin's happiness was nice, a new pace from his usual days. "You seem tired Jungkook, do you need to rest?"

"Maybe. I've had a long day." Jungkook gave a wider smile towards Jimin. He looked absolutely adorable at the moment, his smile wide, his care appreciated.

It was nice to not have to worry about anything.

"Jimin, I'll head out now. Be sure to visit the king tomorrow, he'd like to meet him." Taehyung gave Jungkook a smile. "I hope you enjoy your time here."

"Yeah...I hope so too." Jungkook gave a nod.

Taehyung looked at Jungkook's hands for a second before leaving.

Jungkook looked down, embarrassed to be so...useless.

"Thank you...Jimin. I don't think I ever thanked you for what you're doing for me." Jungkook looked at his hands. He hadn't gone a day without his medication for as long as he'd had them. "But-"

"No, none of that." Jimin stopped him from continuing his thoughts. "No negativity about yourself. You're here now, and that's all that you should deal with. No need to think about what could have been."

"No, but I shouldn't be here." Jungkook kept looking at his hands. "I'm not supposed to be here."

"But you are. And Jungkook." Jimin took Jungkook's hands. "I'm glad you're here. I'm glad that you're willing to spend some time here with me. I hope you don't mind staying in my home."

"I- I don't mind." Jungkook pulled his hands away. "I wasn't going to be doing much anyways...I just want to see my friends again."

"Then...I'll help you do that." Jimin pouted a little, still reaching out to Jungkook. He obviously wanted to hold his hand, but Jungkook couldn't do it. He still didn't know Jimin well enough.

"Thank you. I do mean it. I'm just...you know." Jungkook looked up at him. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I'm definitely a hassle. And I'm sorry about that. There's many more people in the world who would be more willing to help you." Jungkook felt bad. He also felt tired, his eyes closing a little, but he kept them open by pure willpower.

"Jungkook. I think you're perfect. Everything happens for a reason, after all...I think I'll be able to help you in the end."

"You shouldn't need to."

"I want to though." Jimin took one of his hands very carefully. "I really do. I want you to learn how amazing it is to live."

Jungkook looked at him with a sad smile. "I'm sorry that you feel the need to."

"There's no need to apologize." Jimin brought Jungkook's hand to his lips, kissing the back of his hand. "You're going to love it here."

"I-" Jungkook took his hand away, blushing hard. "I- I can't- why are you...?"

Jimin giggled, smiling wide. "Oh nothing. You tired? I can let you sleep, but I'll wake you in the morning, okay? We've got a busy day tomorrow."

Jungkook was still very red. "I- okay." He looked away, unable to look at Jimin anymore. He could feel how hot his cheeks were...he wasn't expecting that from Jimin at all, or why he did it.

"Would you like me to take you there?" Jimin sounded cheerful.

"M-maybe..." Jungkook shakily held out his hand, Jimin taking it nicely, and swimming them to the previous room. "...thank you." Jungkook sat on the bed again, feeling tired from the days events.

"Oh it's no problem. Not at all." Jimin sat next to him. "I'm happy you're here."

"I'm...I'm really tired Jimin, I should go to sleep." Jungkook looked away, placing his hands on his thighs. "I'm not sure what you're doing, but tomorrow is an outing. Not a date."

"I- I didn't intend for it to be a date." Jimin put a hand over Jungkook's. "I just want you to see what such good things there are."

Jungkook blushed in embarrassment. Why did he immediately think Jimin might be interested in him? How egotistical of him... "I'm- I didn't mean- I mean...that's what Taehyung said, sorry."

"Oh, no silly! I'm just excited to go out. I'm happy to show you around and show you our lovely things here. Taehyung's a funny guy." Jimin seemed to try and reassure him, but somehow it just made Jungkook feel worse.

For someone who hated himself so fucking much, he sure had a big ego to think the first kind person was interested in him. But then again, why would he kiss his hand? Maybe that was something normal here. He wouldn't know, and he was still embarrassed for assuming.

"Then...I'll look forward to tomorrow. But I should really sleep." Jungkook couldn't get rid of his blush.

"Lovely. I'll wake you up tomorrow." Jimin patted his hand, then got up. "Sleep well, I hope you have sweet dreams." He left the room, closing the door behind him.

Jungkook laid down, curling up into himself as he took in the day. He took his pistol out of the holster and put it in a drawer next to the bed.

He was sent on a suicide mission...he lost his crew and ship...he'd almost died, even wished he had, and then met the prettiest person he'd ever met. And now here he was...laying in a guest bed underwater, being able to breathe and talk and be warm enough...

He was still wondering if he would ever get a shirt as he slept.

____

A polite knock on his door barely got Jungkook to stir. He didn't open his eyes though, he simply rolled over. He was still so tired. So very tired.

Jimin knocked again, then came in. Jungkook didn't move any more, still too tired. His eyes felt stuck together.

"Jungkook? You awake? We should try and go out soon, so we can make the most of the day."

"Mmmm." Jungkook mumbled.

"We've got a lot to do." Jimin sat on the bed, Jungkook feeling the bed sink slightly. He put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on~ we've got a lot to do."

"I don't...wanna." Jungkook rolled over again, Jimin's hand leaving his skin.

"Well, we've gotta. Life isn't going to wait for you to sleep in."

"Who says...I'm still tired."

"I say so." Jimin put his hand on Jungkook's shoulder again. "Come on."

"Mmmm." Jungkook mumbled more, very tired. His body was exhausted from the previous day still.

"But I want to show you around! We might even get some nice special treatment...it's not every day we have a human visit."

"Right...you don't have many of those...desserts huh."

"Right. They're quite special, and I'm happy you got one." Jimin smiled at him, as Jungkook blearily opened his eyes. He honestly didn't have it in him to be so happy in the morning.

"Me too." He closed his eyes again, wanting to sleep more.

"Ah...I'll give you five more minutes, okay?"

"Perfect." Jungkook smiled a little.

Jimin gave a small...happy?...sigh before leaving the room.

Jungkook was about to sleep again but he heard Jimin singing, which Jungkook couldn't help but wake up to. His singing was absolutely lovely, something about it was pulling Jungkook to it. Perhaps like a siren...Jungkook was drawn to the sound.

He sat up, rubbing his eyes and saw a box on the end of his bed. When he opened it, he saw a bunch of jewelry, different necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets. They all looked so expensive.

When Jimin came back into the room, Jungkook was still just laying out all the jewelry, looking at them with awe.

"Put some on! I'm sure you'll feel better when you wear some, they feel so nice." Jimin was still so happy, which made Jungkook smile just a tad bit.

"I couldn't...they look so nice." Jungkook sighed. He hadn't had anything exactly rich before.

"You're just borrowing them. Besides, I noticed you had earrings so I thought you might want to try to wear some new ones. They're good choices, no?"

"It's too much for me to- they look way too nice for me." Jungkook looked up at Jimin with wide, pouting eyes. He couldn't accept this...he was already too much of a hassle.

Instead, he was greeted with a blushing Jimin. "W-well, you must. You'll just be- be borrowing them. That's all." Jimin looked down at the options that Jungkook had laid out. "See, these would go well with your skin tone."

Jungkook followed his hands, seeing which things Jimin was pointing out. "I...I guess if I'm borrowing them..."

"Perfect! I'd love to see them on you." Jimin smiled and nodded. "Once you're ready, we can go out and get breakfast."

Jungkook finally took a good look at him while he stayed in the doorway. He looked so...pretty.  He was wearing different jewelry from the previous day, a gold choker and a longer necklace along with some rings this time. Jungkook noticed a gold band around his forehead, almost like a tiara or crown, along with shimmering earrings. Jungkook couldn't help his blush.

"Um- yeah sure. I'll...I'll pick some out. Quick question though." Jungkook looked down, his cheeks certainly blushing. "Can I have a shirt? I'm not used to...not having one."

"Mmmmmm...we don't really make shirts. We don't need them, we have enough warmth. You have enough warmth too, and besides, you don't need to worry about a thing, you look nice." Jimin sounded happy.

Jungkook picked out some earrings, touching them carefully. "I...I just like being covered."

"Sorry, you're gunna have to suffer and look handsome." Jimin rolled his eyes with a smile, Jungkook sheepishly looking up at him. "You look lovely, don't worry." Jungkook changed his earrings slowly, putting on one of the necklaces that looked nice. "Even lovelier now. You ready to go?"

"Y-yeah." Jungkook outstretched his hand, Jimin meeting him halfway and pulling him along.

"You'll love it! I'm positive. We've got a lot of good food here, and I'll show you all the fun things to do here. There's lots of good food, fun things- oh! I should see if we can catch a game in the coming days."

"Um...what game?"

"We have a couple sports here, so I'm hoping I can take you to a game! They're fun to watch." Jimin swam slowly for Jungkook, though he was completely tugging him along.

"N...nice." Jungkook couldn't erase the blush on his face. Call him a prude...but holding hands was intimacy for him. He didn't let anyone see his hands, let alone hold them. He was too scared that someone would find him a burden, or ask questions about his constant tremor.

But Jimin was just happily talking about his home, his lovely city, and the fun things to do there.

It was refreshing.

"Okay, we're gunna eat here, I'll order for you, okay?" Jimin was leading him to a nice looking building. It looked...like any other building Jungkook had seen. It was outstanding to see something so amazing yet so...normal.

"Oh um, okay." Jungkook was still very out of it. Not only tired, but his cheeks were still red. Jimin was beautiful, and being so kind to him, holding his hand delicately. "I don't mind that at all." Jungkook couldn't help but smile a little.

"Perfect." Jimin led them inside, letting Jungkook sit and situation himself at a free table, before smiling at him and going to the front, most likely to order food.

Jungkook simply watched him, his eyes lingering much longer than he meant to, as Jimin turned back to him and met his gaze. Jungkook looked away, trying to wipe the smile of his face.

"I think you'll love it. I've heard even the pickiest people like the food here." Jimin was simply happy, and that made Jungkook happy as well. For some reason, pleasing pretty people felt much more rewarding than pleasing yourself.

"I'm somewhat picky, so I hope you're right." Jungkook gave a small smile, looking down at his hands. Jimin's hands were small and soft on his own, and for some reason, he liked the feeling of their hands together. Fuck, he had to stop thinking about Jimin's hands already.

"Oh I'm positive. I'm sure you're starving already, but I promise, the wait is worth it."

"Thank you for your hospitality." Jungkook wanted to change his original behavior. So he looked at Jimin instead of looking away. "Um...what- what do you do here? Do you all have jobs?"

"Oh! I work for the king himself." Jimin looked proud. "I'm one of his personal attendants."

"What do you do?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow.

"Umm..." Jimin seemed to carefully word his next sentence. "I help him with little...secret tasks." Jimin gave a much more...mysterious smile. "I help with more of the political sides of things."

"Ah...so you're a politician?"

"Not quite. But something like that." Jimin laughed a little. "So...what's it like up there?" Jimin leaned forward, his chin in his hand. He was fully paying attention to Jungkook.

"It's mostly nice. I love the wind and the snow. I love sailing and just...enjoying the ocean. Sometimes...sometimes I'd get up early, just to see the sunrise, go for a walk on the beach and be alone." Jungkook looked down at the table. "I liked being with my friends too. You know, drinking and talking with them about nothing and everything."

"That sounds so nice." Jimin smiled at him, Jungkook looking up at him again.

Jungkook didn't know if he'd ever get used to Jimin looking at him. "It was nice."

"You'll experience it again, don't worry." Jimin put one of his hands over Jungkook's. "You'll be able to see your friends again."

"Thank you." Jungkook pulled his hand away. His tremor felt terrible now. "I hope for the time soon."

"Just a couple more days." Jimin's eyes glanced down at Jungkook's hands, and so he hid them, putting them on his lap. He looked sad about it, but Jungkook really couldn't handle it. It was too much. "That's all."

"I'm glad about that." Jungkook knew he wouldn't be able to stay here forever...even though he wasn't sure what he'd do when he got home. "I'm...I hope I can get home before it's too late to treat me."

"Right." Jimin pouted. "Let us treat you instead. We're better, I'm certain of that. Our trade off, I mean. I think if you help us, we can help you with that. We'd just need to test some things first."

Jungkook looked down...then up at Jimin, running a hand through his hair with a blush. "You'd really do that for me?"

Jimin's eyes widened and Jungkook saw the blush explode onto his cheeks. It made him smile a little. "I- I'm sure we would! I'm positive that we would trade b-but we'd need to run a test on you first."

"That means a lot to me." Jungkook smiled, a real smile this time. "I'd love to be cured. I could sail again! I could- I could actually workout and not lose my weight. Fuck, I could...eat with my crew." Jungkook laughed. "You have no idea what that would mean to me."

"I-" Jimin looked away, Jungkook laughing a little more.

"If it does happen...it would make me very happy." Jungkook left it there, seeing that Jimin looked flustered. For what reason, he wasn't really sure. This wasn't a date, and Jimin had no interest in him. After all, they'd just met.

Their conversation was only brought back when food was placed on their table.

Jimin sprung back to life. "Oh! Lovely, thank you darling." He nodded to the waiter. "Jungkook you have to try it, it's absolutely perfect."

"Thank you for the meal." Jungkook bowed a little, before trying the food, his eyes lighting up immediately. "Wow...that is so good."

"Eat up! I want you to be absolutely satisfied with everything today." Jimin grinned at him, eating a small portion of his own food.

Jungkook did as told, enjoying his food. "Are you not going to eat yours?"

"If you want it you can have it?"

"Oh no, I can't eat more. I just don't want...to be the only one eating."

"It's quite fine. We'll leave when you're ready." Jimin smiled at him, Jungkook smiling back.

They had a pleasant meal. Jungkook ate well, and Jimin ate enough.

"So Jungkook...where would you like to go now? We could...shop around. Get dessert. See if there's any theater shows soon, or sports games. Maybe we can...well, I have access to the kings garden if you'd like somewhere more quiet and alone. Usually only the gardeners go there."

"Maybe...whatever you'd like to show me first. I'm in your care." Jungkook looked at him. He didn't know his age. "What's your favorite thing to do?"

"Ah...I like shopping..." Jimin looked away almost guiltily.

"Well, then we should do that. There's nothing wrong with that." Jungkook stood up and couldn't help but blush as Jimin looked at him happily and outstretched his hand.

Jungkook met him halfway, and the two left the building. Jimin led him somewhere close by, obviously happy. "Okay, I know you're probably not going to be too excited about more jewelry, but I love rings and all of it. I think they make me look pretty."

"They definitely do." Jungkook nodded as they got to their next destination, seeing the light in Jimin's eyes. He must really like it here. Jimin seemed to catch him staring, sending him a smile.

"Isn't it nice here? The place is just so...lovely." Jimin held Jungkook's hand when he took him by the necklaces. He looked at them with such wide, curious eyes. "They're so pretty." He swam happily around the display. "Ahh, if you like something don't mind telling me, I'll get it for you. They're all real materials by the way." Jimin raised Jungkook's hand and kissed it again, keeping eye contact. "I'll be in the store if you need me, okay?"

Jungkook blushed red, taking his hand away. "I- okay! I'll be fine, don't worry." He felt embarrassed, then a little angry for feeling embarrassed. Jimin was simply being touchy, and that was far more than what Jungkook was used to.

Jimin laughed and went to another section of the store. Jungkook looked at the necklaces with a newfound embarrassment, his cheeks rather red.

A mermaid went up to him, wearing lovely jewelry herself. "Need any help love? The king ordered for you to have a lovely time here, so whatever you'd like, don't be shy to ask for it." She winked at him, making Jungkook look away in shyness.

"T-thank you..." He slowly looked at her. "What...what would you recommend? I don't have any idea of what might be good for me."

She seemed delighted by that. "Well! You can never go wrong with darker jewels, especially our fan favorite black sapphires. They're absolutely stunning, especially as a main stone to a necklace. But, when in doubt, go for diamonds."

"Ah...I do like darker clothes..."

"Mmm, I think it would look perfect on you. Would you like to try it?" She took the necklace off of the display and held it before him.

"S-sure." Jungkook didn't know how to be spoiled. He'd had to work hard every day of his life, never really finding a time to relax, and now...under such odd circumstances...he was being pampered. "Why not?"

"Good answer." She smiled at him, putting it around his neck, clasping it. "Take a look." She moved out of the way of the closest mirror, Jungkook carefully touching the gem.

"Wow." He liked it. He did. He liked feeling like he was...special. At least, more than he felt above water.

"You look very handsome." She gave him a small look, making him laugh awkwardly. "Want to take a look at anything else?"

"I don't wear much jewelry..."

"You wear earrings. How about we take a look at them?"

"S-sure." She led him rather slowly to another part of the store, as he wouldn't take her hand. The options were wide, Jungkook looking at all of them. "Wow...this is so much."

"We find this the most appealing way to represent ourselves. You have clothes, but we have jewels." She was pretty, Jungkook had to admit that. He didn't really know where his brain was at the moment. Did he like girls? Guys? It didn't matter at the moment though, as he knew for a fact that he was not going to get anyone's attention here. He was here for three days, and then he would be leaving.

"They're all so lovely." Jungkook truly didn't know what to say. There were too many options to pick from.

"Then let's match your new necklace and earrings. Nothing strikes charming like a well put together man." She picked out a couple pairs for him, laying them out for him to see.

"Oh gosh, I'm not sure...what...what do you think?" Jungkook gave a sheepish smile. He wasn't confident in this area at all.

"Well...I think since I chose the necklace, you should choose the earrings. You have enough piercings to know what you're doing." She put a hand on his shoulder. "Choose from the options I laid out, that's easier than from the entirety of what we have."

"Right." Jungkook smiled and nodded at her, seeing her look past him for a second and take her hand off his shoulder. He looked at the options, picking them up cautiously to look at them. "Wow...I really can't believe how beautiful these are. I feel like I can't accept it."

"Oh, but you must! Would you like to try those on?"

"Ah, I'm-" Jungkook blushed more. He didn't really know if he had more in him because of his tremor. He wrung his hands together.

"Would you like me to change them for you?" She offered, and Jungkook couldn't help but avert his eyes. She was really pretty. He hadn't noticed her tail until now, the gorgeous red shinning brightly.

"S-sure." Jungkook was delightfully red. Everyone here seemed to be so beautiful.

She changed his earrings, handing him his previous earrings. Jungkook was unable to stop his cheeks from blushing. "Look! You look dashing. Above handsome."

"Oh- oh gosh, thank you." Jungkook looked at himself in the mirror. "Wow..." he looked...pretty.

"Right? You look absolutely dashing." She put her hand on Jungkook's shoulder again. "What's your name love? Maybe we can meet up in your time here."

"Ah, now now he's with me for his time here." Jimin came up beside them, putting his hand on Jungkook's other shoulder. Jungkook looked between them. "So don't worry, I'll show him around sufficiently." Jimin gave her a smile, though Jungkook didn't think it looked kind.

"Isn't he handsome?" She removed her hand, putting away the rest of the earrings.

"Oh he's more than just handsome." Jimin smiled at him, looking over his body. Jungkook looked away, unused to the constant complimenting. "And these colors do look stunning against his skin." Jimin removed his hand from Jungkook's shoulder, and held it out instead.

Jungkook took it with much embarrassment.

"Now then, we'll be going." Jimin gave her a smile. "And don't you worry, he'll be taken care of very well."

They traded...polite smiles...before Jimin led him out of the store.

Jungkook was trying to erase his everlasting blush.

"Charming, isn't she?" Jimin gave a small pout. "But she doesn't know when to stop. If anyone's making you uncomfortable, don't mind shooting me a look."

"W-well, I wasn't uncomfortable...I'm just not used to that." Jungkook looked away with a small smile.

"I see." Jimin pouted more. "Is she prettier than me?"

"What?" Jungkook looked at him in shock.

"Is she prettier than I am?"

"What? N-no! Are you?-" Jungkook was now confused. "This- you shouldn't compare yourself to other people."

"But what do you think?"

"I- I think you're both attractive in your own ways. Obviously you're both confident in yourselves, so that's what makes you attractive." Jungkook tried to save himself. "It's- everyone's attractive. Besides, you shouldn't want my opinion, it's not like my opinion matters."

"But...I think you're handsome, so I'd like your opinion." Jimin frowned a little. "Are you politely trying to tell me I'm not pretty?"

"Jimin." Jungkook was exasperated. "You are pretty. It's just not my place to say that. Your opinion is all that matters on the subject."

"So you think she's prettier?"

"Jimin." Jungkook felt his blush creep back onto his cheeks. "If it makes you feel better...I think you're prettier."

Jimin gasped with a smile. "You do! I knew it. She's lovely, but I'm most definitely lovelier." Jimin brought Jungkook closer to him, their shoulders bumping for a second before Jungkook moved away with a deeper blush.

He just couldn't seem to control himself today.

"S-she was really pretty too though." Jungkook felt embarrassed still. "She had a really nice t-tail- I'm- I'm not sure if that's a normal thing to say here sorry." Jungkook kept looking away, feeling Jimin's hand tighten around his.

"It's normal...but it's usually a show of interest." Jimin sounded a little upset.

"A-ah, sorry." Jungkook played with his new necklace. "I just think it's so fascinating."

"For good reason. I wonder what color yours would be if you were one of us. I'm sure it would be absolutely handsome."

Jungkook blushed. "I thought you said- wait, Jimin-" Jungkook was unable to finish his question when Jimin pulled him into another place.

"Oh this is just one of my favorite places. Do you like massages? They do a perfect job." Jimin nudged him. "Strong hands."

"I- oh." Jungkook nodded. "I'm sure...whatever you want to show me will be good."

"Then I'm sure, as such a good sailor as you are, that your muscles are tense. Don't worry, they won't touch your hands." Jimin gave his hand a squeeze, then let it go. "Ready for a good relaxing time?"

"S-sure." Jungkook saw Taehyung come up to them.

"Oh! Jimin, you're a little early. You two ready to come with me?" Taehyung motioned behind him, Jimin taking Jungkook's hand again and following him.

Jungkook took in Taehyung again. He was so fucking handsome, why was everyone here so fucking attractive? He felt like a fish out of water.

He wasn't exactly...the same kind of attractive. He looked a little bigger, a little rough around the edges, his muscles larger and not lean like they were. They were pretty and handsome and wow, Jungkook did not fit in here.

Jimin seemed to notice his lack of enthusiasm. "You okay?"

"Oh I'm fine." Jungkook gave a small smile.

Jimin didn't seem to believe it, but he dropped it.

They were led to a room for them to lay down, another worker coming in. "If you'll take off your necklaces and lay down, we can get started." Taehyung sounded happy.

The two did as told, taking their jewelry off and laying down. Taehyung's hands were somehow equally rough and kind, his muscles most definitely tight underneath them.

"Hopefully you've been having a nice time here. That necklace is really nice, and the earrings to match is a great idea." Taehyung made small talk. "You two should go and check out the art museum. That's pretty relaxing too, plus, it's a good showcase of our skill."

"Ah, that's a good idea Taehyung." Jimin spoke in a hum, Jungkook in more pain than Jimin was in. Of course though, Jimin looked like he hadn't had to work a day in his life, while Jungkook had to work himself nearly to death.

He really didn't deserve any of this treatment.

He wasn't able to think much more than that as he could only feel the pain in his shoulders and back, Taehyung's hands large and able to cover more skin.

Some time passed before Jungkook realized he was dozing off, the pain from before now something pleasant. His muscles had never felt so nice and loose before, so when they were done, Jungkook simply sat up and stretched.

"Wow, what the fuck?" Jungkook smiled. "You're amazing!"

"Thank you." Taehyung smiled wide. "Do you feel good?"

"I feel amazing." Jungkook put his necklace back on. "God I haven't felt like this in forever."

"Then I'm glad my service was appreciated."

"It's much appreciated." Jungkook looked at him with a genuine smile. "Thank you."

Taehyung nodded. "It's no problem. It's my job, and, I get happy customers like you." He nodded his head to Jimin. "You good?"

"Always. Thanks for the idea too, I'm sure that will be a great part of our day." Jimin gave Jungkook a wink. "Though sadly I can't call it a date." He gave Jungkook a small pout, then looked at Taehyung before Jungkook could ask him what the fuck he meant. "Thank you for the massage love, I'll see you later." He stretched his arms, then put his hand out for Jungkook to take.

Again, he met him halfway.

They moved quietly, Jungkook unsure whether to bring up his questions are not. What the fuck did he mean by he'd thought he'd had a lovely tail color, and that he was sad this couldn't be called a date, especially when he said at the beginning of their day that he wasn't interested.

Was he in the wrong for questioning his words and actions?

"Oh lovely~ doesn't that museum look perfect? We'll eat after this, don't worry." Jimin pointed to a well built building, glowing with the blue that seemed to cover the whole city.

"Ah, I hope this isn't too much of a hassle for you. You must've had to...plan all of this out."

"Oh it's fine, don't worry. This is fun for me." Jimin reassured him with a smile. "Besides...I want you to see good things here."

"Are there...bad things here?"

"Mmm...no, not that I can think of. This is probably paradise."

"I see."

Jimin led him into the building, the mermaid at the front desk smiling at them.

"Good to see you Jimin. Would you like a guide today or would you like to show our guest around yourself?"

"I'll do it myself, thank you though." He gave her a smile and started to lead Jungkook off to the side. When they were out of sight, Jimin pulled him closer. "How have you liked it here so far?"

They were going through the art gallery, Jungkook really looking at them. "It's really nice...but it's odd. I've never been treated this way before."

"Then I'm glad you're getting a good break from your life. You deserve this lovely time off. I'm sure your hands aren't used to the time off." Jimin took Jungkook's hand with both of his own. "Am I right?"

"You- you are." Jungkook looked at his hands. "Though...I might have to get used to it. Not working, I mean."

"Then I hope you find a point in your life worth living for."

"Well, this is certainly something I'm happy to live through." Jungkook smiled a little. "There's just...so much here that we don't have. It feels like everyone here is just actually happy."

"Well, it must be nice to be pampered too. I hope you feel pampered." Jimin sat them down on a bench, Jungkook looking at the painting in front of them.

"I...I do. But it's odd alright."

Jimin didn't let go of his hand.

"Why...why are you doing this? And I mean it this time. Why are you doing this?" Jungkook pulled his hand away, putting it in his lap. He wrung his hands together. "I don't get it."

"Oh...is it a problem? I understand that your hands are something you're nervous about, but I think it's the best way to lead you around."

"I meant why do you fucking kiss my hand?" Jungkook looked at him with a small glare. "I don't get it. This isn't a date...yet you're flirting with me. And maybe I'm imagining it, but that's a clear sign for me, so I'm sorry if I'm out of line here, but you're deeply confusing me."

"Oh." Jimin pursed his lips. "Well..." he looked down at Jungkook's hands. "I do think you're very handsome. And I'm flirtatious by nature, so I'm sorry if that makes you uncomfortable, but I do find you very handsome and I want to show you that every part of you is lovely. Even your hands that you seem to deem useless."

"So what are you doing? What are you trying to make me feel?" Jungkook kept his hands to himself.

"I...want you to feel...happy. And I'm proud that I'm the one showing you around and that you're in my home. I just want you to be happy here and- and I don't have a good explanation for much else. I...only said this isn't a date because you seemed uncomfortable about the idea."

Jungkook blushed a little. "And why did you get jealous about the jewelry lady? I don't get it at all."

"Well fuck, I don't like to assume people are gay until they've told me, so I didn't assume. When you were so open with her flirting I...may have gotten jealous because I like the particular way you blush at my advances. Seeing you do the same with her was...well, not upsetting, but I did feel challenged in a way. I'm prettier than her, why don't you like me more? Do you even like guys? That's what was on my mind."

"I still don't get it. I- I don't get it at all." Jungkook shook his head, wringing his hands together nervously.

"I think I've got a tie to you. Our king will explain that much better tonight, but...but I feel it's true." Jimin put a careful hand over Jungkook's. "And I like holding your hands. And kissing them." Jimin blushed a little.

"But w-why? I don't- I don't get it." Jungkook didn't move his hands, but he did feel his cheeks burn a little more. "Why would you even flirt with me? I'm literally not on your level, and I'm not going to stay here. I don't think- I don't know why you're being like this with me. I have nothing to offer."

"I don't need you to offer anything." Jimin smiled at him. "I just already know I like being with you. All I have to do is learn about you."

"Jimin." Jungkook looked at him. "You are so out of my league." He spoke sadly, a little exasperated. "And I'm positive I can't stay here, and that after I leave...there won't be any more contact between us."

"Then spend these three days happily with me." Jimin grabbed Jungkook's hands in his own. "A little, well, winter fling." Jimin laughed. "Not quite as catchy but, I'd like to go on dates with you instead of outings."

"Jimin..."

"I mean it."

"I don't think I'd like to put you through that." Jungkook felt his tremor, feeling the need to take his hands away.

"I don't mind. You're the only person I think I've ever felt truly attracted to."

"You've barely met me. I pulled a fucking gun on you at first, how can you say any of this?"

"Like I said. I have a tie to you."

"I don't get it." Jungkook shook his head.

"You don't need to. As long as you're okay with...calling this a date?" Jimin gave him a hopeful smile.

"...okay." Jungkook gave in. Maybe he wanted to be selfish, maybe he wanted to be pampered.

Maybe he wanted to feel unconditionally loved.

"Okay." Jimin smiled wider. "Would you like to finish the tour or go get some food?"

"Whatever you'd like. You're in charge here."

"Well, we still haven't seen my favorite paining." Jimin took his hand, starting to move them forward. "So we at least have to go see it."

Jungkook gave a small laugh. "Alright then."

Jimin led Jungkook through the art museum, telling him about some of the pieces, but mostly just letting him look at what he wanted.

After that, they went to get food, Jimin talking about himself a little, and Jungkook doing so in return.

Their fun was cut short though, when a loud horn was heard. Jimin jumped.

"Oh! I almost forgot. That's our queue, the king would like to see you." Jimin smiled at him when he saw Jungkook look worried. "Don't worry, he's kind."

"He's still a king and I'm...nothing of the sort."

"You don't need to fit in to belong." Jimin pulled him along, feeling his tremor. "Hey, it's gunna be okay. I'll be right there too, so don't worry." Jimin gave him a small squeeze. "Whatever you're worrying about, you won't need to. If anything, we should be the worried ones."

"We?..."

"Us. If you say no to helping us, then I'm not sure what we'll do. We certainly don't want a war." Jimin sighed a little. "We really do need your help."

"I...I really don't know what I can do."

"Well, our king will gladly make a plan." Jimin nodded at him. "If you're willing to help."

"W-well, I'm just not sure what I can do."

"You can do a lot." Jimin winked at him, then led him into a much larger building, the inside much different than the rest of the city he'd seen. It was way less modern, more ancient, more...powerful. There was a particular feeling while inside this building. The main room was large, pillars holding it up on either side, and in the middle this beautiful skylight. A large chair was in the back of the room, a smaller beside it.

The smaller chair was empty.

"Jimin! Thank you for brining our guest." The king sat in the larger chair. Jungkook didn't have to guess who he was, he absolutely was the king.

He had a nice crown on his head, jewels gleaming, and a particular way he held his head high.

Jimin dragged Jungkook closer. "Of course my king! Your wish is my command." He smiled quite happily, Jungkook unsure of what to do.

"Oh hush, you don't need to be so formal." He laughed a little. "We haven't had the pleasure to meet yet, but I'm the king of this lovely little corner here. What's your name?"

"J-Jeon Jungkook." Jungkook stuttered, feeling stupid, but fuck, this was way over his paycheck.

"Jeon Jungkook, welcome to our humble abode. I hope you don't mind a little story?"

"I- of course not."

Jimin held Jungkook's hand tightly.

"Would you like a seat? I can bring one in." He went to motion to a guard, one that Jungkook hadn't noticed before, before Jungkook shook his head.

"I'm alright, I don't need to sit."

"Ah. Well, I do wish you could've met my son, but then again, that is what this is all about." He situated himself, Jungkook realizing his tail was almost purely black, except for small glistening jewelry around it. "My son, Yoongi...he went above to try and clear the air with the king up there, knowing that royalty talking to royalty might be the only way they may listen. But...he only came back once. My dear son said he found someone who could help, someone he could trust, and said he'd find a way."

"...but he still hasn't. Otherwise we wouldn't have been asked to ship out weapons." Jungkook looked down. He knew the shipment felt off.

"And he hasn't returned since that time. But Jeon...I believe you can help us. If you find him, I'm certain you, a human, and him, a merman, can prove that we are peaceful beings and wish to avoid this war."

"What...I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what I can do." Jungkook looked back up. "I'm just a normal guy."

"You're not." He smiled. "You're more than a normal guy, you're rather gifted. Jimin seems rather fond of you, so I'm prone to believe you've got a tie." He leaned forward a little. "Right Jimin?"

He nodded. "I believe so. I'm not sure what the feeling is supposed to feel like, but...I'm almost positive."

"And Jimin, you think my son is tied to the prince up there?"

"I do. Why else would he stay?" Jimin looked at Jungkook with a smile. "I can't think of another reason, I'd stay for someone I was tied to."

"W-what is being tied to someone? What does that mean?" Jungkook ignored Jimin's blatant flirting.

"It's a rather rare sort of...condition. Sometimes we find ourselves tied to a human, meaning we feel a sort of physical pull to one another. Like magnets perhaps. Though usually, since we're closer to magic, we feel it much stronger than humans. A human such as yourself may feel it as just a strong attraction, while we may feel it as a strong physical pull."

"Ah." Jungkook nodded. "So...what...would you need me to do?"

"Find my son. From there, I'm sure he'll tell you a plan. We're just so disconnected and it's too unsafe to send any of our people there to see. The island is too...dangerous for us. But it isn't for you." He sat back in his chair. "I'd like to make a proposition for you."

Jungkook felt a small bit of dread.

"If you can help us, we'll find a way to help you. An eye for an eye. My request for you is to find my son and help us end this war before it even begins. They fear the unknown, but now you know. We're just living. What is your request in return?"

"I..." Jungkook pondered if he should take this quest, but then again...what else was he doing? There was something about this place that he just felt...keen on helping. "I would like you to cure me. You said being tied is like a condition...I have a separate condition as well." Jungkook opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He could feel his tremor in both of his hands.

"I think we can help him my king." Jimin raised their interlocked hands. "He has a particular condition, I think if we just take a quick study of him we'd be able to help."

"Then Jimin...will you take care of him? I'm certain you're showing him around well, but there is work to do as well. I know you're my best though." He smiled. "I'll trust you to it. Jeon Jungkook...it was a pleasure to meet you. Don't be afraid to come and ask me anything."

"Thank you." Jungkook bowed.

"Jimin, I'm putting him in your care." 

"I'll take great care of him." Jimin bowed.

"Then be on your way." He smiled, and Jimin nodded, taking Jungkook out of the palace.

He let out a shaky breath. "Thank you...Jimin. I don't know why I couldn't say it."

"Well, it must be a sensitive subject, I'm sorry about that, but I am here to help you." Jimin led them back to his apartment, Jungkook laying down tiredly on his couch.

"It's...yeah. I don't tell many people." Jungkook looked up at him. "Is this what your every day is like?"

"Oh no." Jimin smiled at him, swimming to be above him. His hair looked cute, floating around.

"What's it usually like?"

"A lot more work. I'm usually with the king all day." Jimin sighed, moving closer to Jungkook by sitting on the floor, his arms and head on the couch next to Jungkook. He took his hand. "I'm glad I can have the time off and spend it with you."

"A-ah, it is nice, isn't it?" Jungkook blushed a little, rolling onto his side to see Jimin better. "I guess we're both taking a break."

"Certainly." Jimin slowly kissed Jungkook's hand.

"Why do you do that?" Jungkook couldn't help but giggle a little. 

"I told you why."

"Mmm..." Jungkook felt tired. He didn't really mind the affection at the moment...it was nice to have his hands be loved in a way he had never been able to. "Still."

"I told you, I'm willing to spend this time together. More...intimately." Jimin gave a small smile, making Jungkook blush.

"I- oh. I'm not- well, I'm not sure if I can agree with that." Jungkook laughed in embarrassment. "I barely know you."

"Well, I don't have a problem with it. We could...take another day to get to know each other." Jimin kissed his hand again. "But I am unfathomably interested in you. Like I've said...I've got a tie to you. I keep feeling the need to be by you or touch you." Jimin kissed Jungkook's trembling hand. "More so than I'd like to admit."

"You're admitting it right now though." Jungkook laughed tiredly. Jimin looked absolutely adorable at the moment. He reached out with his free hand and brushed Jimin's hair out of his face. "Aren't you?"

"Do you mind if I do?"

"Mm...not really, no. I haven't had...someone be so interested in me in a long time." Jungkook watched Jimin blush a little, smiling at that. "It's a nice change of pace."

"Fuck me." Jimin spoke in a whisper as he looked away, covering his mouth with the back of his hand. His blush deepened.

Jungkook laughed a little more. "Cute." He smiled at Jimin, slowly bringing Jimin's hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "Thank you for the nice date today. I had a lovely time."

"I-i-it was my pl-pleasure." Jimin looked at him, his blush seeming to go to his ears.

"I hope...tomorrow is also just as good."

"Oh it should be. I have a good idea of what we can do."

"Lovely. I'm...in your care." Jungkook closed his eyes, holding Jimin's hand with a growing tremor.

Jimin watched Jungkook fall asleep on the couch, breathing peacefully. He didn't feel like sleeping just yet, as it was nice to see Jungkook being peaceful and calm. He deserved it all. Jimin looked away, feeling a little bad.

He didn't know how to tell Jungkook yet.

____

Jungkook woke up rather groggily, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. He saw himself on the couch still, Jimin...elsewhere at the moment. He thumbed over his necklace, lost in thought.

He hoped Namjoon and Jin were okay. He hoped Yugyeom wasn't grieving. He also hoped they were being treated as well as he was. He did like being spoiled, he did enjoy this period of attention, but he also knew he was presumably dead and that the people he cared about were sad.

He thumbed over his necklace again.

Maybe he didn't deserve this treatment.

He was being too selfish, god damn it, he let himself get carried away.

Jimin came through the front door, smiling wide at him. "You're awake! I'm going to make us breakfast this morning, I was going to let you sleep in, but you can help me with breakfast instead." Jimin went to the kitchen to set down what he'd gotten, then went over to Jungkook. He reached out his hand, but Jungkook was reluctant to meet him halfway. Jimin faltered, his smile fading. "What's wrong?"

"Sorry, I just- I don't think I deserve all of this. I could've been anyone." Jungkook looked up at him with a frown.

"No, you deserve this. And besides, I have a tie to you, not any other captain or crew mate." Jimin kept his hand out. "So don't think you don't deserve this."

Jungkook...looked away. "I can't say that I do deserve it. My friends are probably grieving and wondering what to do and I'm getting treated like I'm special. They're probably so sad right now...I- I'm their captain, I should be taking their emotions instead of them feeling it all by themselves."

"What makes you feel the need to take it all by yourself? If you're a crew, then it should be distributed. Besides...you'll get to them. Their grieving will be short lived, and you deserve this break." Jimin kept his hand out.

Jungkook slowly took it. "I still can't stand the idea of them being in such a terrible place mentally while I have a good time."

Jimin nodded, pulling him into a hug. Jungkook was surprised by the gesture, but did hug him back. He was rather small under his arms, their skin touching, making Jungkook blush. "It's okay to feel bad for them, but it's not okay for you to feel bad for yourself. It was completely out of your control, and you're not at fault. You're going to see them, so you might as well enjoy your time here."

Jungkook smiled a little. He put his chin on Jimin's shoulder. "Yeah...yeah you're right. Thank you."

"I want you to be happy while you're here."

"Well...I am definitely having a better time here than I was up there." Jungkook pulled away from the hug, his cheeks a little pink. Jimin took his hand and took him to the kitchen.

"I'm glad." He started to make whatever it was he was making. Jungkook had no idea. "I want your time spent with me to be lovely."

"It most definitely is." Jungkook watched Jimin. He looked so casually pretty. Perhaps no matter what he did he'd be attractive. His blond hair was simply floating in the water as he worked on something, singing quietly to himself, looking absolutely lovely simply by existing.

He felt his chest tighten as he looked away. He shouldn't feel butterflies at the moment.

Jimin kept singing, allowing Jungkook to simply take in the moment. Almost like he was telling him that taking breaks and living now was better than worrying about the future.

So Jungkook took in the moment, letting himself take in the atmosphere. He hummed along to whatever Jimin was singing, smiling a little when Jimin smiled at him.

It was a nice moment.

They ate breakfast together, Jimin telling him what he had planned for them today. "Okay! First we can go to a play, they have one in the afternoon so we can relax a little here until then, and then we can go to a little game center, get some food and finish the night with a concert. It's a lot, but I think it's going to be fun."

"What's a game center?" Jungkook was excited about the concert.

"Mm, like an arcade."

"Oh that sounds fun." Jungkook smiled a little. "You're good at inferring."

"I just need one look at I can figure out how to make people comfortable." Jimin smiled back.

"Ah, my hyung is like that too." Jungkook nodded. "He makes everyone comfortable...he's really the best." He smiled in memory. "I definitely miss them."

"Only two more days." Jimin finished cleaning up the area. Jungkook put his hand out for Jimin, who smiled happily at the gesture, taking it gladly and pulling Jungkook along. "...your hand seems to be worse."

"Ah...yeah." Jungkook felt it tremor, both of them becoming worse. It was no longer just his right hand. "Happens when I don't have my medication."

"Mmm...we'll see a doctor tomorrow, alright? That way when you come back we can help you out with that. I'm sorry you've had to live with it for so long."

"It's only been a couple years. Though...yeah, it's gotten worse over that period." Jungkook looked at his hand. It was hard to see because of the water, but he felt the tremor. "You don't mind it?" Jungkook gave Jimin a small peak.

"Hm?"

"Holding my hand. You don't mind it?"

"Why would I? You have nice hands."

"You don't mind the tremor? I would assume people would find it annoying or bothersome."

"Oh no, it's just a little worrying, but I think it's nice. Your hands are nice, I mean. They feel nice."

"Huh." Jungkook couldn't fathom it. He could only think of his disease as a burden and a hardship.

Jimin dragged him to an open amphitheater, Jungkook seeing many other people there. "Oh shit."

"Don't worry, no one should be flirting with you anymore."

"How do you know?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow at him, the two sitting down near the front.

"Mmm, I'm sure they'll catch on." Jimin raised Jungkook's hand and kissed it. "Don't you think?"

Jungkook quickly blushed, looking away. "R-right."

"Aww~ you're still so cute about it." Jimin kept his lips pressed against Jungkook's hand. "I hope you can look at me one day."

"I- what do you mean?"

"I want you to look at me specially."

"Jimin...we've barely met."

"But I know I have a tie to you."

"Doesn't matter. I still don't know you, fate or not."

"Oh phooey." Jimin sighed, kissing Jungkook's hand again. "I guess we'll just have to...have more dates together, no?" He put his chin in the palm of Jungkook's hand.

"O-only for another day."

"I'm sure I can make you fall for me in three days."

"I- is that- is that what you want?" Jungkook looked at him with a small blush.

Jimin nodded, pouting. "Do you not want to?"

"W-well, I'm- I've never- I don't date." Jungkook stated simply. "I haven't and I don't."

"Then I can be the first."

"Mmm, I wouldn't be so sure about that. Y-you can flirt all you want, but I don't think this will last longer than these three days."

"But I can try?"

"You can try. But r-really, I don't do flings or dating."

"So you've never kissed anyone?"

"Have you?"

"Touché."

Jungkook laughed a little. "I do like the attention, but I don't see this going much further than my stay here."

"Why not?" Jimin asked honestly, taking Jungkook aback.

"W-well- I'm-" Jungkook shook his head. "I guess I just can't imagine a merman and a human together."

"Our prince is doing it. It's rare, but it's real. It's the same for us."

"How do you know your prince is with the other prince?"

"Mmm, when he came back that one time he told me." Jimin smiled. "I get to know things, and I know they're together. So it's okay for us to be as well."

"Ah, but...well, I don't know what will happen after tomorrow. After this...whole crazy thing."

"Then we can meet up. If it's safe to go to the surface, I can be there for quite a while."

"Oh? How long can you be up there?"

"Um...I haven't tried it out for the full length, but supposedly two or three days? I haven't been able to see. We only have one place to really walk around."

"Oh? Where is that?" Jungkook was interested to learn about them.

"The bathing area."

"Oh?" Jungkook was confused. "You guys like...shift so you can bathe?"

"Gotta stay clean somehow. How do you think our hair doesn't get disgusting from the seawater? We have nice little shampoos for us."

"That's so cool!"

"We could go...if you wanted to." Jimin's eyes seemed a little more playful this time, Jungkook blushing.

"A-ah, I'm not sure-"

"I could rent out a room if you're uncomfortable sharing a bathing room with everyone."

"B- what- hold on-" Jungkook sputtered. "Are you suggesting- wait-"

"Yes, I am." Jimin smiled. "I'd show you around of course. I am your guide after all, so I've gotta show you how to do things around here."

"Oh." Jungkook blushed even more, looking away.

"We could do it tomorrow after your doctors appointment. That way you'll have a way to relax."

"Jesus Jimin." Jungkook mumbled. "I'm not sure about that one."

"Well...think about it."

Someone went onto the stage, and Jimin and Jungkook stopped talking, watching the play once it started.

Jungkook was following it, invested in the story, not realizing Jimin had his lips to his hand the whole time.

After the play, Jimin was taking Jungkook into another building. Jungkook had to admit, Jimin was cute when he was passionate, his smile charming as he talked about the play.

He didn't even realize they were in the arcade until someone talked to them.

"Do you already have a reservation Jimin? Bringing him around I see." He smiled at Jimin, the two sharing a small look that Jungkook didn't get.

"Yep, I've already got one." Jimin gave Jungkook a small glance. "We'll head on in then, have a nice day~"

"Treat him well."

"Don't worry, I will." Jimin led him into the arcade, Jungkook looking all around.

"Wow I'm...how do you guys do it? All of this...there's-"

"Jungkook, if you can believe in merpeople, then I think you believe that we have magic." Jimin gave him a smile.

It looked like...a rather normal arcade, the only difference was that the lights here were bioluminescence, that glowing blue that Jungkook seemed to find so comforting. "Yeah, that's fair. It's just...so different. You know?" Jungkook looked at Jimin. "It's so funny to think that things here are pretty similar."

"Well, let's take a look at some games then. Do you like air hockey?"

"Yeah, whatever you want to play, I'm willing."

"Perfect." Jimin smiled and tugged him along, the two enjoying half the day in the arcade, playing games, competing against each other, and taking small breaks whenever Jungkook needed a little break for his tremor, but ultimately, they had a good time, talking and learning about one another.

Jimin shared a bit about his life, how he grew up with his parents but moved out, talking a little about how he started to work for the king.

They traded stories throughout their meal.

They traded stories until Jimin brought him to their concert, Jungkook enjoying it immensely. He loved the energy that music brought into the world, and it did make him happy that he could share this moment with Jimin. It was nice that things here were so...normal.

When they got to Jimin's house, Jungkook was exhausted, but he helped Jimin with whatever he could to make food.

They sat at Jimin's little table, Jungkook smiling at the day that happened. "Thank you Jimin for the lovely day. I had a really nice time."

Jimin brought them drinks. "I'm glad you did. I had a lot of fun with you."

"I did too...thank you for...thank you for showing me around. I've had a lot of fun."

"I'm really glad about that. I want you to understand how amazing it is here." Jimin smiled wide. "And I want you to understand that I am very happy that you're with me."

"I'm also glad...that I am. I'm glad that...you were willing to share about yourself."

"Oh we can talk even more if you'd like. I love your voice."

"But...I'd like to learn more about you." Jungkook smiled at him. "I feel like we haven't done as much learning as we'd like."

"I'd love to learn more about you." Jimin leaned forward, his chin in his head. He had a glass in his other hand. "All about you."

"Yeah? Like what?"

"Oh anything. I know about your job, but what do you like to do? You've seen a bit of what I like to do."

"Mm. I like moving. Exercise, dancing, working on the ship. I like singing too. And when I have a lot of time...I like to draw and paint."

"Oh, I bet you're good at everything you do. You've got a real nice body." Jimin eyed him, drinking.

Jungkook blushed a little. "A-ah. There's...no need to look."

"You forgot, didn't you? When you get used to it, you forget about the insecurity." Jimin looked at him again.

Jungkook felt embarrassed. "Y-yeah, but you don't have to look."

"I want to." Jimin laughed. "I want you to like me back."

"I thought you wanted to learn about me."

"Oh, that as well."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Well...I'm not sure what else you'd like to know."

"How about some stories?"

____

Jimin and Jungkook laid on the couches in Jimin's living room, drinking and talking.

"And then...I had to pretend I knew how to shoot a gun to make the pirates take me seriously. It was wild."

"For real?" Jimin was definitely drunk, almost becoming a giggling mess.

"Yeah! And I did it super cool too- I aimed and shot like I knew what I was doing and- and I fucking...got him." Jungkook faked a pistol shot, making a small pew sound effect. "I got him in the knee, and the pirate crew was like woah wait maybe he wasn't bluffing. I was, but I got lucky."

"So how...how can you shoot so well now?"

"I practiced after that. I realized I take a lot of odd jobs and that I'd be bound to meet more pirates too."

"Why...take odd jobs?"

"They're money. They're specialized."

"Like this one?"

"Yeah." Jungkook finished his drink. His mind was happily hazy. "Like this one. Was s'posed to get payed a lot for this one. But now I'm here."

"Well don't say it like that's a bad thing." Jimin pouted. He'd finished more drinks than Jungkook's liver could handle. "I'm the best here."

"I bet. Though everyone's rather attractive here. Mmmm." Jungkook stretched out. "I don't belong here."

"Oh fuck that, yes you do." Jimin laughed. "You're stupidly attractive. You've just got..." Jimin put his hands out, curving his hands the way he saw Jungkook's body. "The most perfect body. I'm lucky to be tied to you, I just wish you'd touch me."

Jungkook blushed, though his cheeks were already red from the drinks. "What?" He asked lamely, not really taking it in.

"Hm?"

"What did you- what did you mean?"

"I want you to touch me? I wanna kiss you so badly." Jimin moved off his couch, going over to Jungkook.

"Hey wait, that's- I don't-" Jungkook sat up, his head a little woozy. "We ain't gotta-"

"But Jungkookie, I wanna." Jimin sat on Jungkook's lap. He put his arms around Jungkook's neck. "You don't wanna?"

"W-well I-" Jungkook swallowed his saliva, embarrassed by Jimin's face so close to his, so red and cute. "Maybe I do but we- I'm barely awake right now."

"Then will you touch me?" Jimin lazily took one of Jungkook's hands. "Hm?"

"N-no kissing."

Jimin pouted. "We don't have to."

"Okay." Jungkook let Jimin lead his hand to his tail, his tremor evident. "T-touch."

Jungkook felt his blush darken, drunkly running his fingers along Jimin's tail, where a thigh might've been. "Mmmm."

"Keep touching." Jimin leaned on Jungkook's chest, his finger drawing circles. Jungkook held him in his arms, giving him back support. "You've got strong arms."

Jungkook rubbed Jimin's tail, feeling the scales. Jimin twitched a little. "I do. It's important to my job."

"Oooo, big strong man." Jimin leaned into him more, kissing his neck. Jungkook let him, still touching his tail, which seemed to make Jimin react to it. He kept kissing at Jungkook's neck too, moving to his throat before exhaling his air. "Haa."

"Oh." Jungkook blushed a little more, Jimin curling into his lap a little more. "F-feel good?"

"Sensitive..." Jimin spoke in a hushed voice, before latching onto Jungkook's neck again, sucking in a hickey. Jungkook kept his hand moving absentmindedly, dozing off a little. He'd drank way too much, drunkenly shared his favorite stories, and Jimin shared a lot too, but his mind was so fuzzy and Jimin was too cute, and he was so fucking tired and it was nice to have this attractive man on his lap.

"Mmm..." Jungkook let Jimin kiss another hickey in, before feeling his kisses become weak. "We should...sleep..."

"Mmmm...I..." Jimin dozed off, his head lolling back and then snapping forward. "Yeah. My bed?"

"You mean together?" Jungkook felt his words slur together.

"Of course. Can you...take me to bed?"

"Not sure." Jungkook tried to stand and felt himself give up. "Nope."

"Mmm." Jimin sighed, giving a valiant effort and got off of Jungkook, taking his hand and pulling him to his bed. He laid down immediately, Jungkook laying down next to him. He cuddled up to him, the two falling asleep almost immediately.

____

Jungkook woke up with Jimin's arms around him, his head on his chest. He couldn't really remember much, but he knew they drank a fuck ton the night before. Whatever had happened, the two were now together, skin against skin...and Jungkook was embarrassed, but unable to ignore the fact that it was nice.

He didn't even want Jimin to wake up...he just wanted...Jimin to be comfortable and keep this soft version of him. It was nice...to be flirted with, but Jungkook did enjoy the softness of a person. Jimin so far seemed to be very flirtatious and charming, but he hadn't seen any of his softness yet.

What makes a person a person? Jungkook pondered for a moment. Whatever makes them happy is their truest self...but it sort of seemed like Jimin was putting on an act. Was his attraction to him real...and why did he want it to be real? Was it because someone finally liked him? Was it because someone finally showed an interest in him, didn't turn away from his tremor and doomed future, didn't run from his odd life.

Jungkook felt Jimin stir for a moment, giving out a small, pathetic morning whine, before simply moving closer and falling back asleep.

Jungkook let him stay like that. He must've been tired, doing all their planning and taking him out everywhere. Hell, Jungkook was tired from it and he didn't have to plan a single thing. Maybe it would be nice to simply stay like this.

He started to draw circles on Jimin's back, stopping whenever he thought he was stirring, and continuing when he thought he was asleep.

When Jimin did stir awake, Jungkook sat up.

"Mm? Ah, why did you let me sleep? We've gotta...get to your doctors appointment." Jimin sleepily rubbed his eyes, cuddling against Jungkook's chest again.

"Well...you seemed tired. I wasn't going to wake you up after all that drinking...you definitely needed the rest."

"Mmm." Jimin furrowed his eyebrows. "Yeah. Yeah, fair. I have some pills in my kitchen, we should probably take some."

Jungkook gave a small laugh. "Yeah, probably. I didn't drink half as much as you did though."

"I like drinking." Jimin smiled a little. He sat up and stretched his arms, looking at Jungkook. He blushed. "Oops."

"Hm?"

"Oh nothing." Jimin smiled. "Ready to go to a doctors appointment?"

"Aww, I don't get a home cooked meal first?" Jungkook smiled back.

"I think we may already be a tad bit late." Jimin ruffled his hair before taking Jungkook's hand. "So come along, let's head to it."

"Ahh, I dunno about this." Jimin led Jungkook out of the house. "I haven't had a fun time with doctors appointments."

"They're just going to take your blood. We'll analyze it, and then when you come back we'll either have a permanent answer or a short term answer."

"Wow...that's kind of incredible."

"We're heads above your world."

"Why don't- well, never mind. They aren't kind to you." Jungkook wondered why they didn't share their talents, but hey, if people tried to kill him, he wouldn't be keen on helping them either.

"We're willing to help you though." Jimin tugged him along, bringing him to a much more professional looking building.

He led them inside, Jungkook becoming quiet. Being at the doctors always meant more bad news.

"You've got maybe another two years before your condition will worsen Jungkook. We can only provide this medication, as anything stronger may harm your cells."

"That's it? Two years?" Jungkook looked at the doctor. Namjoon shook his head.

"At best. I'm sorry."

Jungkook looked at his hand. He'd gotten this news from the last doctor as well. "There's nothing else we can do?"

"No, I'm sorry. I would suggest keeping up your health while you can, maybe try to gain some muscle, gain some weight, as you'll find it becoming harder and harder to move. A common symptom is losing weight drastically, so before that happens I would advise you to keep moving."

"Okay doctor." Jungkook spoke quietly, letting the reality settle in.

"Will that be all?" Namjoon sounded sad, but Jungkook couldn't look up.

"Yes. I'm sorry I can't help more."

"Jungkook? Jungkook you good there? They're ready to see you..." Jimin snapped him back into reality.

"Hm? Oh...uh, yeah. Yeah I'm ready..." Jungkook blinked a lot, trying to get out his head.

"You'll be okay, it's just a little thing." Jimin reassured him. "I'll be right there too."

"Okay." He saw what he assumed was a doctor, who smiled at them.

"Jimin, Jungkook, if you'll follow me." She nodded her head, the two following her into a separate room. "Alright, if you'll take a seat." She started to get things out, while Jungkook sat down. Jimin sat next to him on a separate chair, holding his hand. "Okay, I'm going to clean your skin before drawing your blood, does that sound alright?"

"Yes, that's fine." Jungkook displayed his arm, having done this before.

She cleaned the area she needed. "Alright clench your fist." He did so, although rather shakily. "Alright..." she punctured the skin with the needle, Jungkook focusing on nothing. "Annnnd take a deep breath and let it out."

Jungkook did as told, Jimin squeezing his hand.

"Perfect. Give it a minute or two."

"Sure thing."

Jimin shivered. "I don't know how you can do it Jungkookie, that looks so scary." Jimin pouted.

"I just don't look. I've had my blood drawn more times than I'd like to think about." He looked at Jimin, smiling a little. "Besides, this isn't the worst I've gone through."

Jimin pouted more. "You've gone through worse?"

"Well...yeah. I've got some scars." Jungkook laughed a little. "Nothing new about being a sailor and captain."

"Mmm. I hope you're not getting hurt as much."

"Well." Jungkook rolled his eyes with a smile. "I can't promise anything."

"Mm." Jimin pouted.

"And you're done." She took the needle out, putting on a bandage, then left to put the blood elsewhere.

"See? Not so bad." Jungkook smiled. "Though maybe some food would be nice now."

"Right, sorry about that." Jimin smiled a little. "You feel alright?"

"Oh yeah, it's fine." Jungkook gave Jimin his other hand. They left after thanking the doctor, getting some food.

"So...what have been your worst events? I think you've only told me fun stories."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Well, I've got a scar on my thigh from a little odd trip. We had to go a bit aways from here, but the trip was worth it as we got a good pay from it. But..." Jungkook laughed. "I did get stabbed."

"What? How?"

"Pirates~ it's always pirates. See I- I get sent out for weird shipments and trips. We were given a little shipment of resources to a different kind of place, so we didn't know the waters that much. It's so hard to be out in the ocean without wind, so we were pretty much stuck. Whenever that happens we like to hop on in the ocean, you know, clean ourselves a little. When the wind was picking up again, we were all pretty much relaxing." Jungkook smiled, remembering. "We saw another boat coming."

"Oh boy." Jimin ate his food slowly.

"So we were like hey cool! Maybe we're close to shore. You know, an honest assumption. But no. They went straight for our ship, boarded, tried to raid us. We have a uh...we have an official boat, you know, one that's approved of our country but...well," Jungkook laughed  again. "That's a cover."

Jimin gasped. "You're a pirate!"

"Ahh, I wouldn't say that exactly." Jungkook smiled. "More like I work for someone high up and I do much more discreet jobs. Like this one." He took another bite, eyeing Jimin's food. "Anyways, they came onto our ship, thinking we didn't know how to fight, got me first cause I was obviously the captain. That triggered my first mate into action, pulling out his pistol and shooting the guy holding me. So now we're in a gun fight." Jungkook grinned. "And the man who had me dropped his gun, so he grabbed his knife, stabbing it right in my thigh." On the word right, Jungkook stabbed Jimin's food, eating it.

"Hey!"

"And that's how I got that one."

"And you're not going to finish the story? Oh the audacity." Jimin rolled his eyes, eating off of Jungkook's plate.

"Well, it's kinda got a lot of death. And the cleanup was not fun. That's the harder part of the job really, but, we get paid accordingly. I wish it wasn't a part of it, but I'd rather not die."

"So you do care about your life." Jimin smiled at him.

"Oh- I- yeah. I guess I do."

"Lovely." The two finished their meals. "Would you like to go to the gardens today? It'll be nice and relaxing. You know...for your last day here."

"Sure. Is it beautiful?"

"Oh it's gorgeous. It is the kings garden after all."

"Pretty wild that you have such nice access everywhere."

"Well, you're our guest. Everyone knows that." Jimin took his hand and lead him away.

"So we get access everywhere?"

"Well, I have to make some reservations, but mostly for us to be alone, not for access."

"Why alone? I'm just wondering."

"So I can have some quality time with you." Jimin smiled, looking back at him. "Seems like I got some quality time with you last night too."

"What?"

"Oh nothing." Jimin giggled and led him to a large gate, right next to the dome that was the kings building. "Just the fact that I may have...left a mark on your throat." Jimin opened the gate, letting Jungkook in, before closing it behind them.

"You did wha- oh." Jungkook looked around him, the garden so well put together and beautiful. The sea plants looked so pretty. Jimin led him through it, letting him take breaks to appreciate what was there.

"Isn't it lovely? I come here every now and then just to relax. It's really calming." Jimin led him to a bench the two sitting down.

"This is...so much." Jungkook lost his breath. "This is beautiful." There were flowers and new plants he hadn't seen, glowing plants, beautiful coral, things he couldn't even imagine. It was all so beautiful.

"I hope you've had a good time here..." Jimin held his hand, rubbing over his knuckles. "I...I'm really glad you're here."

"I am too. I've had...a really nice time." Jungkook smiled at him, then looked at the plants again. "I'm still worried though, about how to help you."

Jimin leaned closer to him, kissing his cheek. "You'll find a way. I'm sure of it."

Jungkook looked at him with a blush. "You mean it, don't you."

"What?"

"Do you mean it? When you flirt with me?" Jungkook stared at Jimin, unsure about his intentions. "It's hard to believe that you have a tie to me...but...I could believe an interest in me."

"I do mean it! I think you're really handsome, and I like you, and your hands, and your lips and your stories...I like it all." Jimin smiled at him. "I like you a lot."

Jungkook laughed a little. "You mean it? Even though it hasn't been that long?"

"I have a tie to you."

"But do you mean it?"

Jimin grabbed the back of Jungkook's neck, pulling him closer. "I mean it Jungkook."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Mmmm...." Jungkook looked down. "I can't say that I'm sure about it. You're attractive, don't get me wrong...but I haven't had anyone be interested in me before, and especially not in this amount of time."

"I promise you I mean it. This is real. I like you a lot Jungkook." Jimin pulled him closer. "Please."

"I...I'm scared to think you do like me." Jungkook looked at him, a blush on his cheeks.

"Can I please kiss you?"

"I..." Jungkook took a deep breath. "Yeah. Yes, you can." Jungkook didn't really want to let go of this moment. Maybe he was desperate, maybe he was disgustingly attracted, maybe he was lonely. But he didn't feel like turning this down.

"Lovely." Jimin smiled wide and closed the gap, kissing Jungkook's lips softly. He kept it rather slow, letting Jungkook lead the way, even though he really didn't know what he was doing. Jungkook was following Jimin's lead, so the pace kept slow, careful, and soft.

When Jimin pulled away, Jungkook was bright red. "L-lovely."

"Would you care to have a bath?"

"Oh gosh Jimin, I'm not sure that's a good idea." Jungkook put his hand on Jimin's cheek rather shakily, from his tremor, and his nerves.

"Oh? I promise I wouldn't do anything." Jimin smiled when he saw Jungkook avert his eyes. "Unless...you want me to?"

"I don't think...that's a very good idea."

"Oh I see." Jimin glanced at his lips again. "Then can I at least kiss you more?"

"S-sure." Jungkook looked at him again, this time initiating the kiss.

To be completely honest, Jungkook didn't know what he was doing, but he did know that Jimin was absolutely lovely and so fucking pretty and yes he was overwhelmed but goddamn it he liked it.

And to be completely honest...he was fine with making out with Jimin for the better half of an hour.

Jimin laughed when he finally pulled away. "Your lips are swollen."

"That's not a problem." Jungkook was hazy, a smile being unable to leave his lips. "You're the only one who sees me anyways."

"Well...would you like to take a bath?"

"Sure." Jungkook was still on cloud 9.

"Really?"

"Yeah. You said we'd be alone, right? Then it's fine. I wouldn't mind...if it's with you." Jungkook took Jimin's hand. "Okay?"

"Oh, more than okay." Jimin played with Jungkook's hand. "Would you like...to go now?"

"Sure. Let's go." Jungkook let Jimin lead him out, the two of them going out of the garden and to another dome shaped building.

They entered the building, Jungkook noticing it was definitely different. "Mm...what do we do?"

"Well, we're going into this room and then the water is going to drain out and we're going to walk in. There's towels on the other side."

"Oh?" Jungkook looked around the building, seeing the room they were going to enter. There was just a simple door for the next room. "That's pretty interesting."

"Yeah! It's gunna be weird though, I promise you. Going from swimming to walking after a couple days is pretty odd."

Jimin smiled at him and opened the door for him, closing it behind them. They both sat down on the bench inside. "Alright~ you ready?"

Jungkook looked at him. "You're going to shift?"

Jimin nodded excitedly. "Yeah! I haven't in a little bit so I might need to lean on you for a little." He laughed a little, then pulled a lever.

The water slowly drained out, Jimin shifting with a bright blue flash. Jungkook was shocked, then quickly looked away as he realized he was naked.

When the water finished draining, Jungkook tried to stand, his body feeling incredibly heavy. "Oh fuck. That's way harder than I thought." He shakily got up, walking to the opposite door and opening it, getting Jimin a towel. He was blushing a little.

"Thank you Jungkookie." Jimin covered himself, rather shakily got up as well, taking Jungkook's arm for help. "Ahh, it's been too long. Let me show you to our room." He took Jungkook's hand and led him, the two walking slowly because of their legs. Jimin's other hand held his towel on.

"This is...a lot." Jungkook looked around. There was a large pool of water in the middle, and all around the large pool were doors, all different rooms for privacy. Jimin brought him into one, Jungkook seeing that there was no one else here.

The lights were rather dim in this bathing area.

"Is it night time?" Jungkook questioned as he stretched out his limbs, seeing the small hot tub sized hole in the middle of their room. There were a couple benches and a couple of hooks with towels on it. "I'm losing my sense of time."

"Oh, yeah, sorry about that. Everyone should be at home by now, so don't worry about anyone coming in." Jimin smiled at him, getting a bottle and getting into the water after putting his towel on a hook.

Jungkook felt a little embarrassed as he tried to take his clothes off. His pants were still very tightly against his body, soaking wet and dripping. He felt even more embarrassed as Jimin gave a small giggle, obviously watching him. "You don't have to look you know..." Jungkook sat down, trying to get them off.

"It's funny."

"Yeah? Well I didn't look at you, so you don't need to look at me. You know...a little privacy."

"Fine, fine." Jimin playfully rolled his eyes, turning away from Jungkook. "It's not like you have anything to be insecure about."

"I'm shy." Jungkook hurriedly got his clothes off, getting into the water before Jimin could change his mind and look at him. "I'm not exactly a showy person."

"Mmm..." Jimin looked at him now, passing him the bottle. "You're so handsome though."

"Psh." Jungkook shook his head with a small laugh. "I'm nowhere near as handsome as you. Or anyone here to be frank." Jungkook took the bottle and started to wash his hair.

"Well, that's a lie. You're extremely handsome."

"If my hyung was here instead of me, you'd see what I mean. He's been handsome all his life."

"But you're extremely handsome...?" Jimin didn't seem to get it.

Jungkook laughed a little. He washed his hair, dunking it in the water and then flipping it back, running his hand through it. "I'm like a 7, and everyone else is a 10."

This time Jimin laughed. "No fucking way! You're lying. You are absolutely lying. You're basically an 11, shut the hell up." Jimin moved a little closer.

"What? No way! I'm really not."

"That's a lie! You're incredibly attractive. Like, beyond attractive." Jimin moved closer again.

Jungkook seemed to notice this time. "Hey hold on-"

"What?"

Jungkook blushed a little. "Th-there's no need for..."

"We we're just kissing for like, forty five minutes, why can't I be close?"

"C-cause this and that are two different things."

"I'm not gunna do anything." Jimin pouted. "Do you not want me close?"

"W-well, maybe we shouldn't...push it..." Jungkook moved a little away.

"Aww...not interested in a winter fling?" Jimin winked at him, pushing his hair back with his hand. "Can I have the shampoo?"

"I...don't think it's a good idea." Jungkook passed it back to him, but Jimin grabbed his wrist, making him drop the bottle. "Ah! Jimin, come on, don't." Jungkook moved back, while Jimin moved forward.

"Jungkookie~ I wanna kiss you more though. Besides, no ones going to come in. It's just you and me." Jimin inched ever closer, kissing Jungkook's hand.

He pulled it away, his cheeks red. "D-don't Jimin."

"Why not?"

"Is my no not enough?"

"It is! I'm just...I want to know why." Jimin reached out for one of Jungkook's hands again, but Jungkook smacked his hand away. "Why?"

"I'm not...this is a bit much is all. I- I can kiss you, but I don't want to be so...sexual." Jungkook looked away. "I can't...I haven't..."

"That's okay. I just want to kiss you too. But...well, maybe I am okay with being more sexual." Jimin gigged. "You haven't even looked at me."

"I'm not going to. That's too...personal." Jungkook kept his eyes averted, but reached out his hand for Jimin to take. "I...I only know how to kiss, I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize." Jimin took his hand and played with it. "I like kissing. I could...show you more?"

"Do you...know how?"

"Mmm...just a little bit. We don't have to go all the way. Besides...how'd you learn how to kiss?" Jimin moved closer, this time Jungkook not moving away.

"W-well, I might've had a secret boyfriend in high school. You know how it is." Jungkook smiled a little. "Not like I could tell my parents."

"Oh? Why not?"

"Mmm...well, they wouldn't have accepted me."

"Oh...but I do. I really like you."

"I'm still...well..." Jungkook looked up at him, his cheeks red. "I still don't know how to accept that."

"Well, I'm right here, saying it loud and clear. I mean it. So if...if you'd like, I could...show you more...?"

"I don't know Jimin." Jungkook shook his head. "I don't know what- what you want or- or mean."

"Well...I want to sit on your lap...and I want to kiss you." Jimin continued to inch forward. "Do you have any questions?"

"I- I don't know if...if I- I'll be- be okay- I- I'm just-" Jungkook couldn't finish a sentence, his cheeks burning. "I don't think I could...be normal about it."

"Okay?" Jimin laughed a little, then moved closer, his lips next to Jungkook's ear. "I want to know how you feel."

"Ahhhh, okay um-" Jungkook blushed a deep red and moved away, holding his ear that was ultimately red as well. He could feel his blush creep to his chest. "That's a lot! Haha, um, I..." Jungkook shook his head. "I don't want to disappoint."

"You really wouldn't." Jimin kept moving forward, almost like a predator does to it's prey. "If you don't want to than say it clearly. But otherwise...I'm going to keep pressing you. Tell me what you want...cause I'm making it obvious what I want."

Jungkook felt his cheeks burn, hiding behind his hand. "I...I don't...know how to pl-please you."

"Let me do the work. I promise we won't go all the way. Though...I wouldn't mind." Jimin smiled. "So?"

Jungkook paused for a moment. "N-not all the way." He slowly looked at Jimin. "B-but okay."

"Lovely." Jimin leaned forward and kissed him, slowly moving into his lap. Jungkook immediately felt himself feel embarrassed. "Touch me."

"W-wh-where...?" Jungkook spoke quietly between their kisses, his tremor increasing from anxiety. Jimin seemed so comfortable, and Jungkook felt embarrassed for feeling so unconfident.

"Thighs. Hips. Anywhere." Jimin kept kissing him, his hands going to Jungkook's hair.

Jungkook really couldn't process a single thing. Of course he was kissing back, but by god was he embarrassed and unsure of what he was doing, and Jimin was on top of him and they were naked and he didn't know what the fuck he was doing.

He set his hands on Jimin's waist, thumbing over his hip bones. It was odd to feel...not a tail...but it made him flustered to feel how thin he was. He had no waist at all. Jungkook continued to feel ugly.

"Ah, you're so lovely Jungkook." Jimin grinned. "You can touch more you know. I don't mind. I'd like it."

"I- I don't think I can." Jungkook laughed a little, kissing Jimin on the neck. "I can't."

"Mmm..." Jimin tilted his head so that Jungkook could kiss more of his neck. "I left a mark on you last night on accident."

"What?" Jungkook did kiss his neck, still thumbing over Jimin's hips softly.

"It's small but...thought I'd tell you." Jimin giggled a little, then reached down and held Jungkook's hands.

Jungkook simply nuzzled into Jimin's neck. "W...what are you doing..."

"Oh...you know." Jimin moved his hands to his lower back. "Wanna tease you." He moved Jungkook's hand a little lower. "Want to feel you..." Jimin moved his hips on top of Jungkook, getting a gasp from him.

"Jimin! D-d-don't- I'm not-" Jungkook tried to protest, but he gave a weak moan when Jimin did it again.

"I want you to touch me Jungkook...I'm not drunk this time." Jimin kissed him again, moving his hands to Jungkook's shoulders, letting Jungkook decide what to do with his own hands. They were almost to his ass, but Jungkook was too embarrassed. He didn't know what he was doing, or what he should do, or how he should feel, and what did Jimin mean by that?

Jungkook whimpered instead.

He couldn't even pretend to know what to do.

Jimin kept kissing him, carefully moving his hips.

"J-Jimin." Jungkook put his hands on his waist again.

Jimin stopped, pouting while he looked at him. "Yes?"

"W-what are you doing?"

"You said not all the way?..." Jimin tried to kiss him again, but Jungkook moved his head back a little. "What's wrong?"

"T-this feels rather...like a lot." Jungkook still felt embarrassed, not knowing what to do, or how to feel.

"It's...not all the way?" Jimin gave a short laugh. "I did say I'd do all the work. I just really want you to touch me, that's all. Can you?"

"I...I don't think I can touch...anywhere special." Jungkook whispered.

"You did last night."

"I was drunk!" Jungkook shook his head. "I don't even...I don't even remember what happened."

"Well you were certainly more handsy then you are now." Jimin kept pouting. "Can I still kiss you?"

"T-this is..." Jungkook felt even more embarrassed. "I...I don't know how to...touch someone else. I barely know...how to kiss someone else. And I don't know how...to give you what you want...without feeling awkward."

"But I really do like you. I don't think you're being awkward at all."

"Jimin..." Jungkook looked at him with full honesty. "I have never been someone who people stick around for. And I don't want to do something so...forward...with someone who will want to leave."

"I..." Jimin frowned, burrowing his eyebrows. "I'm sorry you think I'm going to leave. I've only been careful with my words because it seemed like you wanted to leave afterwards. And I'm fine with whatever you want to do. I just...really like your hands."

"Jimin..." Jungkook glanced at his lips.

He was lonely. He did like Jimin's attention. And he wasn't uncomfortable, he just didn't know what he was doing. Here, he was the fish out of water. Jimin was just so pretty, and Jungkook felt stupid and ugly, and there was no reason that this fucking pretty boy would be on top of him naked while they bathe together.

What the fuck.

"Jungkook...tell me what you want." Jimin spoke quietly, almost in a whisper.

"I..." Jungkook raised one of his shaky hands, caressing Jimin's cheek. "Can I be...selfish?"

"Of course you can." Jimin leaned close again. "I want you to be selfish."

"How selfish?" Jungkook smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"As selfish as you want to be." Jimin let Jungkook pull him closer, the two kissing again.

Why shouldn't he be selfish? When else was he ever going to have this opportunity, and when was another pretty boy going to be interested in him?

People would leave once they realized their relationship would be work. If Jungkook grew old, he'd have to be taken care of. One day whoever he was with would have to help him walk, and eat, and bathe, and that was of course a huge dealbreaker. He was young, and another young person doesn't typically want that sort of responsibility.

But Jimin...Jimin was right. This could be a winter fling. They could do this, even go all the way, and Jungkook would leave at the end of it all anyways.

Jungkook pulled back, a little out of breath. "How- how selfish can I be?"

"Jungkook. I literally want you to fuck me." Jimin smiled in a soft daze, Jungkook glancing at his lips; they were a little swollen, making them only more attractive.

"Mm. You mean it?"

"I mean it." Jimin whispered against his lips.

Jungkook had never spent a night quite like that one.

____

Jungkook took his earrings and necklace off, placing them in a small box Jimin had provided him. He put his gun back in its holster.

"Hey..." Jimin knocked on the doorway. "Ready to head out? The king is ready to see you."

"Sure." Jungkook patted the box, then took Jimin's hand.

He led him to the kings palace, Jungkook seeing more merpeople then ever before.

"Jungkook! I'm glad you've got a good heart to help us. There will be a couple guides for you, while you make yourself to shore, but please, stick to the task. Our prince, and their prince can help you. I wish to give you this." The king handed Jungkook...a dessert looking thing.

"Ah...another one of these?"

"Yes. Make sure the prince takes it. Keep it in your pocket for now, don't worry, it won't break." The king smiled. "We'll fix up your condition once you come back victorious, and anything else you'd like. We just...need the help from a land walker. We are not safe there, but you are. It's like we've been sent a blessing." The king then stood from his chair, bowing to Jungkook. "Please keep your end and help us end this war."

"I...will do my best." Jungkook bowed back. He felt Jimin's hand squeeze his.

"Then be on your way. I wish you eternal luck."

Jungkook raised his head and saw Jimin bowed quickly to the king before taking Jungkook out, a couple other merpeople coming along.

"We've made you a little raft from your boat, sorry, but this has to look convincing. We'll guide your little raft for as far as we can, but then you'll have to be on your own." One of them spoke quietly. "Please bring us peace."

"Thank you...I'll...try my best." Jungkook nodded to them.

When they got to the surface, Jungkook felt the cool air on his face. They helped him onto the raft, then left.

Jimin stayed with him, guiding the raft in the right direction. "I'm really sad to see you go...but I'm happy that you're helping us."

"I'm...happy I got to know you, just a little bit."

"I hope that you get to know me better when you come back." He looked away, making Jungkook wonder what was going on in his head.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I feel like...you haven't learned the right things about me." Jimin looked...sad. Maybe even showing...regret? He wasn't exactly sure what Jimin was feeling.

Their energy had be rather odd after their last night together.

Jimin was acting odd. And that made him self conscious. Did he do badly? Go too far? Did he read into things wrong? He didn't know. All he knew was that Jimin was acting funny and he didn't know how to say anything.

"So when you come back...will you...give me another chance? Maybe...maybe don't leave too fast?"

"I thought...you wanted this to be a winter fling." Jungkook spoke quietly. He didn't know what was wrong. And he didn't know how to fix this.

"I...I want you to stay. I want to learn more about you and I want you to...to stay."

"Stay?"

"Stay with me." Jimin still wouldn't look at him. "When you come back...you could stay with me."

"Jimin...I don't know. Somethings wrong and you aren't telling me what it is." Jungkook stared at Jimin.

"I...I can't go any further Jungkook. The rest will be on you. I hope...I hope you can bring us peace. If you ever need me...I'll be...I'll be nearby. There's a side of the island that they rarely go to, and there's a dock there. I'll...I'll be there if you need me."

"Jimin..."

"I mean it. Have a safe trip there. I can't help very much this way, they watch the waters."

"Jimin I want you to explain yourself." Jungkook reached out for him, but Jimin pushed the raft with all his strength, making it move move away from him.

"I'm sorry Jungkook." Jimin still...never looked at him, as he went back into the water.

Jungkook stared at the empty water...finally being alone in the ocean. He looked away, focusing on getting to land. He still didn't know why Jimin was being so evasive, and he didn't know why he was being so...emotionless.

Was...why did he ask him to stay with him, if he couldn't even look at him? Was having sex too much? Did they go to far? Why was he so fucking blank afterwards? Did he do something wrong?

He probably did.

But then why did he ask him to stay?

Jungkook scowled. Jimin couldn't even look at him, there was no way he meant what he was saying. If he couldn't even look at him when he asked him to stay, then there was no way he meant it.

Why was he so. Fucking. Stupid.

Of course he wasn't going to be actually cared about. That's what a fling is. He'd see Jimin one more time when he eventually came back, and that would be it.

And that would be it.

"Fuck this." Jungkook followed the currents.

He must've been there for an hour, seeing the island form, before finally getting close enough to see boats. He felt pretty hungry at this point, and very thirsty, his bones a little tired. He was kind of losing it, almost at his breaking point, when he heard some yelling from the nearest docks.

He was getting tired, his tremor making this much harder, the cold water splashing up on him occasionally and soaking his pants. He was freezing, and hungry, and tired, and he felt like crying so badly, and he missed his friends, and he wished Jimin was with him.

He wished Jimin could've explained things to him.

He heard more yelling, nothing he could actually hear though. Just...yelling. God his head was so full of everything and nothing. He bit his bottom lip harshly, trying to stop it from wobbling. He didn't want to cry right now.

"That's him! Come on!" Jungkook could finally hear some words, his attention being brought up to the men on the dock.

They brought him in, rushing to give him immediate medical attention. He felt so tired, as they rushed him into a car, having thrown a blanket around him.

The ride was rather short, or maybe he was just out of it, and the medical attention was long, or maybe he was out of it.

He simply passed out once they left him on a hospital bed.

____

When he woke up, he felt an immediate headache. He tried to sit up, but he felt wires on his arms. He took one big breath of air, his lungs feeling a little weird. He'd gotten a little used to the water.

A doctor immediately came inside the room. "Thank god you're awake. You're captain Jeon, aren't you? We didn't think you'd come out of that incident alive."

"Where...what's going on?" Jungkook looked at the machines around him. He was also in a hospital robe. "Wait- I- I need my clothes-" Jungkook started to panic.

"They're fine. Folded right beside your bed." The doctor motioned to the chair beside Jungkook, before he moved closer and checked his vitals and such. "For someone lost at sea for three days...I would've assumed you'd be in much worse shape. The oddest thing is the amount of water in your lungs. Did you drink the sea water?" He gave him an odd look.

"N-no. The ocean wasn't...kind to me." Jungkook hadn't thought of a good cover story yet.

"Well...we did checks on you and...we're sorry to say we found some-"

"I have Parkinson's disease." Jungkook finally sat up, looking at his hands. The tremor was worse. "I lost my medication in the incident though."

"Ah. Then...we can provide what we have here."

"That would be appreciated." Jungkook nodded.

"Besides that, you'll be able to head out later today. We've contacted your crew, so...you'll be staying with them."

Jungkook smiled a little. "Thank you."

"Is it alright to send them in here when they arrive or would you rather them wait in the waiting room?"

"Send in my first mate, if he comes." Jungkook smiled more. "That would be nice."

"Of course." The doctor bowed and left.

Jungkook got his folded pants, checking the pocket. That...fucking dessert was still there. He definitely hadn't hallucinated the whole thing then...

He put it back carefully, then took a deep breath. He was going to get through this. He could do it. He was doing this for a cure after all. Though, some medication for the time being would be greatly appreciated.

He looked at his hands one more time before Namjoon bursted into the room. "Jungkook!" He nearly flung himself onto the bed, hugging Jungkook tightly. "You're one son of a bitch. You should've gotten on our boat- you- you..." he stopped talking as he started to cry.

Jungkook hugged him back, seeing the doctor come in, at a loss of breath, with Jin. "Sir! I told- told you to- to wait." The doctor panted, but Namjoon didn't budge.

Jungkook rubbed his back. "I should've. I'm sorry." He held him close, feeling his body shake. "I thought...I could make it."

"I thought you were dead." Namjoon spoke weakly.

"I'm sorry." Jungkook bit his lip again, not wanting to cry. He held Namjoon, looking up at Jin. He was simply covering his mouth, obviously holding it back. He nodded to him with his eyes watering. "I came as fast as I could."

Jungkook realized in that moment that he would've been dead if it weren't for Jimin. Even just the hour trip to shore was too much for him. He wouldn't have survived three days of that.

"Jungkook, I'm...I'm glad you're okay." Jin spoke quietly, then looked away. "We're all very happy you're back."

"I'm glad to be back too." Jungkook smiled. "Come here hyung, I need a hug from you too." Jungkook made room for Jin.

____

When Jungkook was finally able to leave the hospital, he was given clothes, and led to the hotel that his crew was staying in. At least they were being treated well.

"Jungkook!" Yugyeom nearly threw himself into his arms when he got there, Jungkook barely able to take his weight. "I!" He stopped talking, simply hugging him, as the rest of his crew started to come down the stairs and rush at them.

The dog pile was...welcomed. He loved it so much, his eyes starting to water now. But he didn't have to say goodbye to them yet. He just needed to work a little harder and then he'd get a cure.

He'd sail again. "How...how did you do it?"

"I don't know. I really don't." Jungkook shook his head. "Tell me how you've been treated. It's only been three days, right? Is there any plan on getting home?"

"We haven't gotten anything. We've...been grieving."

"Well, grieve no longer. I'm here, and I'm getting us home. I need to have a little chat with my boss." Jungkook frowned a little, pulling away from the hug.

"Jungkook?"

"I did some thinking and I just...maybe I need to see the king here." Jungkook looked away. "We were set up." Jungkook raised his head, his crews' high energy dropping.

"What?"

"We were set up by my boss to die out here." Jungkook led them to a common room, the crew sitting down. "I explained this to Namjoon in the hospital, but while I was out at sea I started to think." Jungkook took a deep breath.

"It's okay. Take your time." Namjoon nodded.

"If he knew that mermaids were real, then he knew we would die. He doesn't send me off without all the information...which meant he must've known that shipments hadn't made it to Kilja in years. Namjoon confirmed that with me."

"I asked a couple captains at the dock about shipments coming in. Every single one of them said they only end up sending people out...but no new ships arrive in one piece."

"My boss must have known that." Jungkook shook his head. "So we're going back and demanding our money. He promised more than he probably had, as he intended for us to be dead. Me especially." Jungkook tsk'd, looking to the side. "So...I say we bring him some karma. This isn't exactly a god following crew."

"How could he? We've worked for him for years!"

"I don't know." Jungkook shook his head. "I couldn't figure that out."

"Then I think we should visit the king. Maybe we can ask him for a boat back. After all the trouble we've been in, they may be more willing." Namjoon suggested kindly. "Maybe it'll work."

"I think we could try. The king was going to give you a...fake burial...but this may be something better." Jin looked among the crew.

"I think I could...bring a couple of you, and go to visit him." Jungkook liked how nicely this was going.

"I think we have to make a request or something along the lines." Namjoon looked around. "I can ask around."

"Perfect." Jungkook nodded at him. "I would appreciate that. I'm sure he'll want to visit a survivor." Jungkook smiled.

Now this...was something he could get onboard for. He'd done plenty of bargaining in his missions.

____

Jungkook felt only slightly nervous when he, Namjoon, and Jin all entered the castle. He hadn't ever really met royalty before...but he was on a mission. Two missions, actually.

One for Jimin, and one for himself.

He had to help them so he could get the cure, and he needed to get his crew home. That was what he was doing here.

When the three of them were led down the long hallway to the kings throne, Jungkook saw another man beside him, and a...servant?...beside the man.

They got to the king, and bowed.

"Captain Jeon. I am surprised, pleased, and glad that you are alive. I was starting to think the worst." The king rose from his spot. "Please, I believe you and your crew deserve a feast after all that you've been through. Perhaps we could even spend some time together so I may find a better gift for you."

"That would be much appreciated." Jungkook smiled at him. "Thank you so much for accepting our request to meet with you your majesty." Jungkook bowed.

"Of course. Tell me your request." He smiled easily, Jungkook looking at him, then his son quickly.

"Would it be possible for us to request a boat home?" Jungkook smiled back. He could see his eyes consider it, look over them, and then smile a little more.

"I will consider it. But I'd love for you all to consider spending time here. We shall have a feast tomorrow night, to celebrate your life." He raised an eyebrow at Jungkook. "A man who should not have lived."

"Haha, yeah." Jungkook lost some of his confidence, but gained it back immediately. "I'll look forward to it." Jungkook bowed again. "Thank you your majesty."

"Oh, please. Spend some time here. If you wouldn't mind spending some time with me, your men can explore the premises?"

Jungkook looked at the two of them. Namjoon nodded. "We'll be fine. Get us our trip home." He whispered, Jin nodding as well.

"Alright. Sounds good to us." Jungkook kept his smile, giving the prince another glance. He needed to force feed him a dessert. That thought made Jungkook laugh.

The king walked down his step, looking at his son. "Hoseok, will you give them a tour of the premise while I speak to the captain?"

"Alright dad." The prince stood and motioned for his servant to follow, Jungkook catching a better look at him. He...had to be the merpeople's prince. He had the same hair, the same eyes, he had to be him. What was a quick way to motion to him that he had information? That he was here to help?

As the king walked off, Jungkook trailed behind him just enough that he wouldn't see Jungkook lift the dessert out of his pocket for the servant to see it. He watched his eyes widen, Jungkook putting it back in his pocket and following the king.

"So, tell me about how you got here." The king spoke as they talked, bringing him somewhere. "I want to hear it from you...I didn't know someone would be so dedicated to make it here."

"I had my crew to get back to." Jungkook felt how this conversation was going to go. "A piece of my ship had blown off, so when I slipped off the sinking boat, I found it immediately. I would've died if I was in the water."

"You have a tremor. How did you make it all the way?"

"Practically no sleep. I had to trust the stars and my willpower." Jungkook gave a weak smile. He should've been dead.

The king led him to a study room, closing the door behind him, then sitting at his desk. Jungkook sat across from him. "Jungkook...I'm going to have to be honest with you." He sighed. "You most likely met the merpeople, didn't you? There's no way someone with your condition would've made it back on your own. Tell me."

Jungkook kept a straight face. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's a crime to lie to me."

The two kept straight faces, both knowing the other was not willing to break.

"Then I'm not committing a crime, your majesty. I don't know what you're talking about."

"Jungkook." The king stood from his chair and went around to the other side, resting on it as he stared at Jungkook. "Tell me about their city. Tell me their weaknesses. I need them gone." He looked at Jungkook, and for once in his life, Jungkook felt small. "They pushed your ship into the sea. Why are you defending them?"

Jungkook took a small breath, looking up at him. "Why do you need them gone, your majesty?"

"They've been messing with our trade, and they dictate what happens in our waters. They don't let any people come in, and only let them leave. They want my island."

"Is this your island?" Jungkook thought aloud, then realized it. "Ah, my apologies your majesty."

The king stood above him, staring down at him. "You, captain, are testing my patience. I think I would like you to stay here with me, spend a couple nights so we can...get to know each other." He smiled, but Jungkook couldn't see any kindness. In fact, he felt threatened.

"How might I interpret that?" Jungkook stood as well, hating feeling inferior. "Is this a request? Or is this a demand."

"Take it how you will. I will get information out of you." He grabbed Jungkook's chin rather roughly. "Whichever way that may be." He let go of his chin, turning back and going to his desk again. "Take a tour around. I will arrange for a room."

Jungkook turned tail and left, trying to find his crew mates, needing to find Namjoon oh god this was not what he wanted-

"Captain?" A soft voice called out to him, Jungkook turning to him. It was the prince. He had soft, dark hair, the servant behind him. "Would you like...to come with me?" He seemed apprehensive, but Jungkook nodded.

"Yes. Please." He needed to get out of that situation. Whatever the king was inferring was something bad.

The prince nodded and led him away. "I...listened into your conversation. I hope you don't mind. But, well, my father is not a kind man."

"Thank you for keeping us a secret." The servant spoke quietly as well, giving Jungkook a glance. "You're...you did...meet us, didn't you? My dad?"

"I met Jimin." Jungkook smiled a little. "And some others as well, but yes, I did meet your father. He asked me to-"

"Ahh, let's speak somewhere more...secure." The prince, Hoseok, shushed them, leading them down more hallways, and through more doors. He finally led them inside one.

Jungkook assumed this was his room, seeing Namjoon and Jin by a desk, looking through some pictures. He sighed in happiness. "Here, we may speak." Hoseok sat on his bed, patting it for his servant to sit next to him. "Captain, please, tell me of what you know."

"May I have the treat?" The servant, or well, maybe Jungkook should start calling him Yoongi, held his hand out. "I understand I may not look the part, but I am the prince."

Jungkook nodded and pulled the small dessert out of his pocket, handing it to Yoongi. "I...was given one as well. That's...how I lived." He looked at Namjoon and Jin. "I would've been dead if a merman hadn't saved me. I do owe him my life, and so I will see to it that this war ends. I'm not sure what I can do, but I'll help. My whole crew will."

Namjoon nodded. He and Jin had been given the real rundown at the hospital. They may be two of the only people Jungkook trusted.

"Jungkook, I understand your want to help, but I am unsure of what we may be able to do. My father...my father is a false king, and therefore I am a false prince. Whatever happens here will...give me no power."

"Hoseok. Once we marry, you'll be a king. Since I'm a real prince." Yoongi reassured him.

"So what do we need to do?" Jungkook pondered, then shuttered. "The king asked me to stay here for a couple days."

"Right..." Hoseok shook his head. "That is a bad sign."

"You listened in, right? What the fuck is he going to do to me?" Jungkook shook his head. "That's definitely a threat."

"Well, there is no way you could've lived without the help of a merman. You met Jimin? Park Jimin? Oh boy." Yoongi looked down and shook his head.

"What do you mean by that?" Jungkook looked at him rather sadly.

"Well, he's my dads best worker. You know what his work is, right?" Yoongi raised an eyebrow at him. "Right? He explained that?"

"No. No, he didn't explain it." Jungkook looked away. "He said he'd be by the dock on the other side of the island...I might try to see him."

"Jungkook, I would advise you to be careful with him. He works in his region for a reason. He's charming."

"Okay, yes he is." Jungkook sighed and rolled his eyes. "He's extremely charming."

"Well...Jungkook, since you're staying here for a little while, I would advise you to be cautious around my father. He has no morals." Hoseok looked down. "Sometimes I wish he'd just disappear."

"I could make that happen." Jungkook grit his teeth. "If push comes to shove."

"Well..." Hoseok sighed. "I promise I'll come up with something soon. Me and Yoongi have been trying to find ways to convince him, as I've learned the true history of this island, but I know he doesn't care. He wants what he wants."

"Then I'll see if I will have any way to get through to him." Jungkook nodded. "And I won't be afraid to shoot."

"Mm...this is a very discreet war. So his death may- I think I have an idea." Hoseok stood up, going to a calendar. "I think schools would allow us to present something. Perhaps we could teach history lessons. In secret for the time being."

"I don't think I have time to stay forever. We need a quicker solution." Jungkook shook his head a little, gulping. "We need to find a better solution. That can be something for the later, but for now...I think we need to prove that the king is false."

"Ah. I think we can figure something out."

"Alright. Then...I would like to visit Jimin. Namjoon, Jin...I apologize for dragging you into this. This is absolutely...far fetched, but I would like you to explain to the crew before tomorrow nights feast. I don't want them to trust the king."

"Sure thing captain." Namjoon nodded. "Please stay safe."

"I'll try my best." Jungkook checked the time, then sighed. "I'll see if I can leave for a moment to see Jimin. But I'm guessing I'll need to be here by night."

"I'm guessing that too." Hoseok nodded.

"Again, be careful." Yoongi winced. "But thank you for helping."

"Yeah. Also, tell your highness about the effects of the little...dessert. Jimin forgot to tell me." Jungkook went to the door, taking a deep breath, then let it go. "Jin...take good care of Namjoon for me."

"Take care of yourself Jungkook."

"Yeah." Jungkook left the room, trying to find his way out. He found a servant.

"The king has requested for us to show you your room."

"Can you show me out?"

"The king has requested that you stay within the castle."

"I'd like to get my things first. I left my medication and my clothes." Jungkook thought of a quick lie, though, he did need them.

"We can send for them."

"I'd like to get them myself, as a last little outing for me. I'll be back by night." Jungkook pouted a little, making the servant look away. "Please? I'll be back, I promise, I'm not running away."

"I...will have to ask the king."

"No no, I'm sure he's busy. So can you lead me out?"

____

After a quick drive to the hotel, and then to the edge of the kingdom, Jungkook walked the rest of the way to the dock that he'd gotten directions for. Somewhere he "just wanted some time alone" as he'd said to the person he asked for help, and now he was here.

At the dock that Jimin said he'd be at. He had maybe two hours before he'd have to head back, so he sat on the edge of the dock, waiting.

He would wait.

And wait.

And wait for him.

For some reason, he was willing to do it. A small bubble made Jungkook look at the water.

Jimin's curious face peaked out of the water. "Oh lovely! You came." Jimin smiled at him, before it faded. "I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize Jimin." Jungkook shook his head, looking down at him. "I don't want to hear an apology, I just want to hear an explanation." He glared a little, feeling angry and sad at the same time.

"I...I'm sorry." Jimin really did look apologetic.

"You used me...didn't you?"

"I'm sorry, I really am."

"You're not denying it."

"I'm not. Because I did, and I'm sorry, but I- I do like you and I do feel bad and I wish I could just...make you feel better. But I know I can't yet."

"What's your job?"

"Jungkook-"

"What is it?" Jungkook glared at him, feeling worthless. "Was I even important? Fuck, I knew three days was way too little." He tsk'd and looked away. "What the fuck was I thinking."

"I work for the king. I make sure that...that outsiders are...charmed. I'm practically a professional charmer. I showed you the good parts of our city, I made advances to create an emotional tie, and I set up everything. That's my job." Jimin sniffed a little. "B-but I meant it when I said I feel a tie to you. I mean that."

Jungkook stood up. "I can't believe it." He could, actually. He was as gullible as a guppy. "I can't believe you."

"Jungkook, I'll still hold up the bargain. We'll cure you, we're working on it. How's...how's your half going?"

"And right back to business I see." Jungkook crossed his arms. "Yoongi has the dessert, and I'm staying at the castle for the next few days. I doubt I'll be here anymore."

"Jungkook...I am sorry-"

"Shut your goddamn mouth!" Jungkook finally snapped, looking at Jimin...who finally started crying. "I don't want to hear your apology, I don't want to see you try and charm me any further, I'm sick of it. You've used me."

"I'm- I'm sorry I am, I'm sorry and I still like you, and I just- I don't know how-" Jimin stopped to hiccup. "I can't- I can't- I-"

"Stop it." Jungkook glared at him, his chest hurting.

"I miss you, I do, and I just wish I could've had the time to know you right, and-"

"Stop it."

"I mean it! I wanted to know you, but I didn't have much time so I rushed things and now I feel horrible and-"

"Stop it!" Jungkook pulled his pistol out, aiming at Jimin with his shaking hand. He knew he could aim well enough. "Stop trying to guilt me into feeling anything for you. I'm not coming back, do you understand me?"

Jimin cried harder, wiping his eyes. "I- I- I'll s-still come- come every night. J-just in case." He hiccuped again, nodding his head. "I'll b-be here for you."

Jungkook yelled again. "Stop guilt tripping me! This isn't a fucking joke!"

"And I'm not joking! You think I'd lie about having a stupid tie to you?! You think I'd choose a human who's a pirate, and pulls a gun on me to threaten me?!" Jimin yelled back, before crying harder into his hands. "I don't want this either."

Jungkook felt his chest tighten more, putting his gun away. He walked off the dock, his body shaking from anger, shame, and embarrassment.

He couldn't stand this. Was he in the wrong? Was Jimin? We're either of them? Both of them? He couldn't piece it together.

Was he the victim?

His walk back was harder, just about ready to cry the entire time, his body shaking, his head full, his chest tight.

When he got back, there was a servant at the door, whisking him away. "Sir, the king is very upset with you. I'll show you your room and someone will bring you a meal."

"Alright." Jungkook didn't have it in him to fight anything. He went to the room that was made for him, his awe cut short but the king waiting for him in there. There was a table set up, obviously for the two of them.

"Captain."

"...your majesty." Jungkook bowed, his voice quiet.

"I hope eating here will give you a place of comfort. We have full privacy."

"You don't eat with your son?" Jungkook asked honestly, but it was meant in a challenging tone. He sat down cautiously.

"For someone of such little rank, you sure talk big."

"It's a simple question."

"I don't believe it's your place to ask." He gave Jungkook an odd look. "You seem to question too much. I was told the very best was being sent on this...mission...yet, I got you."

"I am the very best your majesty." Jungkook glared a little. "I've never had a mission go wrong."

"Ah, I see. This must be a first then."

"This mission hasn't failed yet. I'm still alive."

The king took a moment, then nodded with a small ah. "You're a pirate, aren't you. How despicable."

"I'm not exactly a pirate." Jungkook glared. "I'm an official unofficial pirate. I work for my boss for more discreet shipments. Such as this one."

"Jungkook, let's get to the point." The king looked over him, Jungkook hating the feeling. He again, felt small. And it wasn't like he was a small person, Jungkook had muscles, and was of average height, but this king was tall, and broad, and Jungkook felt small. "Tell me about the merpeople."

"I have no information." Jungkook looked at their table, getting the glass of water in front of him.

"You must. There's no way you came back from your three day travel alone with a hickey on your neck without having met someone else. I know mermaids are real. I'm not an idiot." Jungkook choked on his water, coughing and pulling his shirt tighter around his neck. He stared at the king in shock, no longer able to feel confident. "I'm not an idiot." The king repeated himself. "So, would you like to do this the easy way or the hard way? Talk."

Jungkook shakily reached into his pocket, grabbing the medication provided to him, taking it. "They're good people."

"They wrecked your ship...how is that good?"

"You want to kill them! We had- we had harmful things on our ship, it makes sense that they would defend themselves before you could hurt them." Jungkook didn't know why he was being so defensive for them but...but Jimin didn't deserve to die. He started to regret pulling his gun on him again. "They don't deserve shit from you."

The king laughed, making Jungkook shiver. "I don't care what they are, they're disturbing my island, and my authority. And so are you." He stood, Jungkook standing quickly, his chair falling backwards. "Aw, you didn't want to eat with me? I requested such a nice meal."

"Don't come any closer." Jungkook snapped at him, feeling his heartbeat quicken. "You only want them gone because they're the real rulers of this island! I bet your son isn't even your own." Jungkook hissed out the last part, before realizing he should've held his tongue. He was being rather...aggressive tonight.

The king became red with anger at this, moving towards Jungkook. Jungkook hurriedly went to the door, jiggling the door handle, his dread growing when it didn't open. "Jungkook. Tell me about the merpeople." He cornered Jungkook against the door, grabbing his chin roughly. "I'm going to force it out of you one way or another."

Jungkook grabbed his wrist. "Let me go, you're hurting me!"

"I don't care. Tell me about them. Everything. I need to get rid of them, and you're the only human they've ever trusted into their territory." He smiled. "Tell me."

"No." Jungkook glared at him. "They're good people, and you're fake. How'd you even become king? Ow!" Jungkook closed his eyes as he tightened his grip.

"I made myself king. The people have been doing well. They don't question anything. So why have you?"

"I- I don't need to please you, so I can see through you. Let me go."

"No. You're going to tell me everything." The king smiled, gripping Jungkook's chin roughly.

Jungkook did not have...a pleasant night.

____

Jungkook sat at the dining table, drained, tired, starving, and ready to cry. He was waiting for his crew to arrive for their feast, but at the moment, he was sitting alone...right next to the king. He'd had a terrible past day with him, being used.

He couldn't even think about it, his head trying to make him forget it. It was horrible, and he sniffed a little. The king was abusing his power and he knew it. Jungkook felt so small.

His attention was brought to the clacking of shoes against the marble floor, seeing a rather cheerful Hoseok lead his crew into the room. Yoongi was right beside him.

His crew smiled, Jungkook smiling back, but they all shared the same expression. Namjoon and Jin had spoken to them. The king stood from his seat.

"Thank you for joining me tonight! I would like to give you a thank you for your hard work, and to praise your captain for keeping his promise." He raised a glass, those at the table doing so as well. "Your captain requested one thing of me, and I have decided to allow it. We will be hospitable until the winter sea is sail able, and we will provide a boat for you. So...to captain Jeon!"

"To captain Jeon!" His crew repeated it, used to cheers.

"A man who should be dead." The king spoke quietly under his breath, knowing only Jungkook could hear it. He sat back down, smiling at Jungkook.

Jungkook looked away. He ate the food in front of him, having taken his pill earlier, he was only a little worried about eating with his crew.

He hadn't in years.

"Jungkook, how was your night?" Namjoon spoke quietly to him.

Jungkook simply shook his head. "How was yours?"

"Rough. We thought we'd be spending it with you."

"How'd they take the speech?"

"Also roughly. We're worried for you."

"For good fucking reason." Jungkook spoke quietly, the king talking to his son for the moment. "He's horrible."

"Did he do anything to you?..."

"Does it look like I got a wink of sleep?" Jungkook sighed heavily. "...he didn't even let me eat till now."

"Then eat a lot. Your body needs it."

The energy at the table was mostly good, Namjoon and Jungkook talking here and there, but the crew was getting a free meal, and Jungkook would do anything for them. The king only spoke to him a couple times, which made the meal almost unbearable.

Afterwards, the king sent off his crew, Jungkook desperate to have someone stay with him, but he couldn't get a word out.

Hoseok seemed to understand. "Father, may I show the captain around a tad bit? He was in his room all day today, so I didn't get the chance."

The king gave Jungkook a look. "Mm. Sure. But bring him to my room when you're done."

"Of course." Hoseok smiled and nodded for Jungkook to follow. He did so with haste, ignoring the kings eyes on him.

They went to the garden, Jungkook feeling a sharp pain in his chest. He missed Jimin. "You okay?" Yoongi sat him down, sitting on the fountain. He put his hand in the water, as Hoseok stood between them.

"No. No, I'm not at all." Jungkook shook his head. "I need to get out of here."

"I sadly can't help you with that. But...well, we did some more research about the hidden past of this island, and it turns out my dad built over their buildings and especially the castle. I bet if we tore it down the old infrastructure would be there."

"So here's an idea. We gather a crowd in the courtyard, and threaten the king to speak before them."

"He wouldn't budge." Jungkook stared at the ground with empty eyes.

"I'm so sorry. I wish I could help more but nothing would change. My actions have never changed his." Hoseok sighed heavily. "I don't know what we can do, but we're still thinking hard about this."

"Yoongi...I have a question." Jungkook spoke quietly.

"Shoot."

"Do you have a tie with Hoseok? Are ties real?" He looked up, his eyes sad, and tired.

Yoongi blushed. "I-I- I do. I do have one with him, and they are real. Why...do you ask?"

Jungkook nodded. "Jimin said he has one with me. How would I know if he means it?"

Yoongi laughed a little. "Did he really say that? He must mean it then, he'd never use that as a trick. Um...hmmm, Hoseok, how would you explain it?"

"Whenever I'm away from Yoongi I feel physically sick. So...it's...it's different for everyone, I'm sorry. Since I was young, I've been a very sick child, but when Yoongi came, I was almost instantly better. One of the smaller ways to know is the constant pull towards them. Sometimes you find yourself walking across the castle to the ocean because Yoongi went to the beach."

"So like a rope."

"Sometimes. But again...it's different for everyone. I've only experienced my own."

"Mmm." Jungkook nodded. "Thank you."

"We'll keep working on it Jungkook. We'll help you, and we do appreciate the help from you."

"How long have you been here?"

"Ah...maybe 3 years?"

"Well...your father misses you." Jungkook stood up. "I'll get this fixed. I will."

Jungkook needed to get fixed. He needed to fix himself, become valuable again, and he would do whatever he could to see Jimin at peace. He needed Jimin to feel at peace, and then he needed Jimin to let him go away. Maybe when he was useful, maybe he could be a part of Jimin's life, but he lied to him and used him.

And now he was being used in an even worse way.

When Jungkook was led back to the kings bedroom, the dread in the pit of his stomach only deepened.

____

Jungkook felt like crying as he was escorted to his own room in the morning. He closed the door behind him, going to the bathroom to wash himself. He needed to scrub off the horrible touches, the disgusting kisses, and the terrible abuse. When he looked at himself in the mirror, he did cry. He couldn't stand to see himself; he looked so small, so horrible, his throat hurt, his limbs hurt, and he tore his eyes away from the mirror.

He couldn't stand to see the bite marks and other marks left on his body.

He took a bath with the lights off.

Even after all of it...he still wouldn't talk. He'd kept his mouth shut, not sharing a detail more than he already had, instead, drawing out what he could from the king.

Still, it was horrible, and he felt horrible. He slowly moved down in the bathtub, his eyes over the water, before sinking down all the way in. He took a deep breath, finding comfort in being able to breathe underwater. He missed Jimin. Jimin touched him softly, his kisses were soft, his words were soft, and he was kind. Jimin was kind, and Jungkook missed him a lot.

He wished Jimin could erase everything the king had done. He hated it, everything, it was terrible and he couldn't claw his thoughts out of his head. He wished he could forget it.

He felt a knock on his door, Jungkook feeling immediately on edge. When it opened, he heard Hoseok soft voice. "Jungkook? You in here?"

"I'm in the bathroom!" Jungkook called out, his anxiety spike lowering. It was only Hoseok.

He peaked his head in, Jungkook seeing Yoongi's peak in under Hoseok's. "Can we come in?"

"Sure. What'd you come for?"

"Well...I was going to eat the treat and we were wondering if you wanted to be there?" Hoseok opened the door, careful to close it behind them. "Yoongi's gunna shove me in the bathtub and drown me, I think it'll be fun." They turned on the light.

Yoongi laughed a little. "I won't be harsh. Besides, your bathtub is large, you won't need to drown exactly." Their jokes died off when they saw Jungkook's face. "How're you doing?..."

"Pretty bad." Jungkook gave a weak smile. "I feel horrible."

"I...have a feeling you should visit Jimin."

"I'm on uh, house arrest." Jungkook looked at his water. He looked back at them as he avoided looking at his skin. He felt horrible. "If I ran away this might get worse."

"Mm. Well, we won't disturb you any longer. We'll be conducting the drowning in about half an hour. If you'd like to come." Hoseok grinned. "We'll give you some time to clean yourself. If you ever want some nicer clothes, I'm sure we have some that fit you."

"Thank you." Jungkook smiled at them. "I'll...I'll come over. Give me a minute." Jungkook needed to ease his mind.

"Sure thing." Hoseok smiled and left, Yoongi taking his hand and following.

Jungkook exhaled and smiled, cleaning his body, getting out and draining the tub, covering his body with a towel. He went over and looked at himself in the mirror. He felt over his chin, feeling the scruff, and decided to shave. He took it rather carefully, then went out to get dressed. He got pants on before he heard another knock on his door.

"Come in." Jungkook assumed Hoseok was back, but quickly covered his chest when he saw the king. "Not you." He glared, shaking.

"Ah, your youth has come back. How handsome." He came into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Shut your goddamn mouth." Jungkook pulled his shirt closer. The king took a step forward, Jungkook moving backwards. "Don't come any closer! Leave me alone!" Jungkook yelled at him, pulling his shirt on quickly. "Get out."

"Jungkook-"

"Do not." Jungkook glared harshly. "Get away from me you disgusting king."

"I was going to invite you to lunch with me." He smiled a little.

"Don't think we're at informality. We are not friends."

"I'd like to invite you to lunch." The king came closer, Jungkook backing up again. He smiled at this. "A request. I want to show you around."

"I'd like to decline." Jungkook grabbed a sweater, putting it on. "I'd like to be left alone."

"Then I demand it, Jungkook. I will take you out for lunch in an hour." The king took his hand, kissing it. Jungkook moved his hand away quickly, glaring at him.

"Don't touch me." He hissed.

"I'll do as I please. I'll send some clothes for you. Can't having you looking like that." He gave him a look, then left.

Jungkook grabbed at his heart, feeling horrible, feeling it beat quickly. He rushed out, heading to Hoseok's room. He locked the door behind him.

"Jungkook? Are you okay?"

"Your father is a horrible man." He grit his teeth. "Let's get this done quickly, before he looks for me again." Jungkook glanced at the door once, before ushering them to the bathroom. Yoongi started the water before giving Hoseok the dessert.

"Okay. It's going to burn your throat. It will burn. The best thing to do is to breathe underwater as soon as possible, it'll ease it. It takes a little time to come into effect, but that's about it. It's rather simple." Yoongi sat on the edge of the tub, Hoseok starting to undress.

Jungkook looked away for his privacy.

"How badly does it burn?"

"Well...Jungkook?" Yoongi looked at him.

"Well, it burns really fucking bad." Jungkook remembered the feeling, touching his neck. "I didn't get a warning, so I would suggest to not hold your breath for as long as you can. It'll go away once you take in some water."

"Exactly. The quicker you breathe water, the faster the pain will go away."

"Alright well..." Hoseok got in the water, taking the dessert from Yoongi's hand. "Here goes." He ate it, making an odd face, before lowering into the water.

Yoongi looked over at Jungkook. "How're you doing?"

"Not very good. The king asked me to lunch...his...his attraction to me is very unappreciated. I'm not saying anything but he's not...not stopping." Jungkook pulled his sweater closer to him. "I don't know what to do."

"Yeah...he tried that on me too, but Hoseok "claimed" me first. This is an odd family...no queen either so...yeah." Yoongi looked at Hoseok. "We've gone through a lot of realizations."

"Is...is he his son?"

"No. There's no way that Hoseok is actually royalty. Which simply implies that the king took him from his actual family."

Hoseok lifted his head. "This is so cool!" He put his head back under.

Yoongi smiled. "But he's doing good. We're doing alright. Now look, I think the king is going to make a speech soon. We've been listening in to his meetings."

"Ah...what's...what's the plan?"

"Well..."

____

Jungkook screamed into his pillow after he was sent back to his room. He hated everything.

His lunch was horrible, his night was horrible, and now his time here was extended from three days to a week.

The king had showed him around, showing the "greatness of this island" along with many other "historical" places.

Jungkook couldn't stand it. He felt so small, his chest hurt all the time, and he hated it. He hated it. He couldn't change anything, and he was stuck here. He was going to fucking break.

He hurriedly grabbed his sweater and coat, heading out of the castle quickly, out a back way, hurrying to remain unseen.

He slowly made his way to the other side of the island, going to the beach and dock that no one else seemed to go to, and sat on the sand, letting the water get close to his feet, but not sitting close enough that it would touch him.

He hugged his coat closer to him, feeling the winter winds chill his bones, but it was better than being in the castle. At this point, anything was.

And of course...he'd wait for Jimin. He felt horrible, the pain in his chest hurting terribly, somehow leading him here.

What he didn't expect was for Jimin to be there almost immediately. His head poked out, looking around, then came closer to Jungkook. "Jungkook! Jungkook, oh thank god you came today."

"It's- it's not even night-" Jungkook couldn't finish his thought as Jimin shifted and flung himself on top of Jungkook. "Ah! J-Jimin!"

"I could feel it, whatever you- you went through, I could feel it." Jimin cried. Jungkook took his coat off and covered Jimin, his body now naked. "I'm sorry- I'm- I'm really-"

"Jimin...I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being so...harsh."

"You have every right to be." Jimin looked up at him, pouting and crying. "I didn't explain anything and- and I should've. I meant to." He sniffed. "I meant to. But- but I mean it when I say we're tied, okay? I mean it. I'm sorry I made you think otherwise. I'm not a liar, I'm just a charmer." He sniffled into Jungkook, who held him close.

"I'm...I'm sorry you felt what I felt. I'm...I don't- I don't want you to feel hurt. You're right, I was upset that you lied to me. But I get it. We were both rather...untrusting. But- but I do like you. Or was I charmed? I don't know." Jungkook held him closer. "I don't know."

"We just need more time together, that's all. Sure we've got a tie, but we need more time together. I rushed it- I- I thought you were unsure so I wanted to make you sure about helping us but- but I- I know I'm in the wrong." Jimin kept crying. "I know I pushed you to do something you weren't comfortable with yet, and I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

"I..." Jungkook wasn't quite sure what to say. "I wasn't uncomfortable. I just really thought that would be it. We didn't really talk it through." Jungkook rubbed Jimin's back, trying to dry him off a little since the water was seeping through his clothes. "Maybe we should talk about it."

"I think we should too. I really do like you, and I do feel happy around you. I know I'm tied to you." Jimin sniffed, calming down a bit. "I just wanted more time with you, and I got scared you'd want to leave. It's not common to be tied to someone."

"Oh my god...do you get tied to sickly people?"

"Hm?" Jimin looked at him with a pout.

"The sickly. Yoongi was tied to Hoseok, and he said he was extremely sickly throughout his childhood. And I- me too. I've had this disease for most of my life, starting very young. Do you guys get tied to the sickly?" Jungkook kept rubbing his back until he sat up.

"I have no idea. There haven't been many ties in history...to have two in the same 10 years is a lot." He wiped his eyes. "Maybe it's true. H-how's your work? How's our prince?"

"Well...I'm about to lose my mind. But...so far our best bet is to kind of threaten him. There's no convincing." Jungkook looked up at Jimin. "I've had my fair share of trying."

"I'm so sorry." Jimin looked like he was ready to cry again. "I'm so so sorry."

"Hey don't- don't cry for me." Jungkook sat up as well, holding him close. He felt better now. "I don't want you to cry for me."

"But I- I can't- I can feel how bad you feel. And I can't do anything about it." Jimin's bottom lip wobbled. "I feel horrible."

Jungkook laughed a little. "Yeah, me too."

"It's not funny."

"What else am I supposed to do? Take it seriously? I've had enough of that." Jungkook laughed again. "I can't even have privacy anymore."

"Mmm...then- then I want to distract you. S-speaking off." Jimin tried desperately to lighten the mood. "I haven't seen you with clothes on. It looks...nice."

Jungkook laughed a little. "It's fancy~"

"I can't tell." Jimin touched the fabric. "It seems rather nice." He rubbed Jungkook's chest. "Mmmm...you're so fit..."

"I've gotta be. It's required for my job." Jungkook smiled a little. It was cute to have Jimin on top of him like this.

"Well, I think I fancy it." He smiled back, tugging the collars down before glaring at his neck. "What the fuck is this?"

"Ah." Jungkook pulled his collars up. "Don't um- don't look at that." He laughed awkwardly. "Sorry."

"Take your shirt off." Jimin was glaring, his hands grabbing the bottom of Jungkook's sweater.

"What? No! It's freezing!"

"You're practically immune to the cold Jungkook." Jimin kept trying, glaring harshly, as Jungkook started to protest and keep his sweater on.

"N-no, that's only un-underwater...right?"

"No, you've got thicker skin now, you won't get as cold."

"It's still freezing." Jungkook blushed as Jimin's cold hands touched his abdomen, snaking under his clothes. "I- I don't want you to see."

"I want to see. What the fuck happened?" Jimin still looked angry, the jacket Jungkook had put over him starting to slip off. As Jungkook pulled it back over him, Jimin pushed Jungkook's layers up, showing his abdomen. "What the hell?"

Jungkook rather quickly pulled his layers down. "I- I told you-"

"He's been doing this?" Jimin looked up at Jungkook, his eyes starting to water again.

"Now don't-"

"That's horrible! I'll kill him. I'll fucking kill him." Jimin looked to the side, considering things.

"Jimin. It- it already happened-"

"It's obviously still happening."

"Okay, yes, but I am in no power to do anything. I shouldn't even be here. I ran off."

"I...I'm so sorry." Jimin looked at him and kissed him, not giving much of a warning.

This kiss was welcomed. Jungkook held him close, giving in immediately to Jimin's soft lips and small, wondering hands. Jungkook felt the tightness of his chest loosen, almost relieving all of his stress that had built up.

"You're lovely Jimin. Did you know that?"

"I did." He gave a snarky response with a cute smile. "I'm very lovely."

Jungkook smiled back at him. "You're also very cute. And pretty. And handsome."

Jimin blushed. "W-what's with the compliments?"

"Well, you've gotta know it. From me." Jungkook liked it when Jimin had color on his cheeks. "I've gotta tell you that I really want to know you more, otherwise we might miscommunicate again. I need you to understand that I care about you."

Jimin smiled. "Thank you. I'm...very happy to hear that." He fluttered his eyelashes. "Then you're not running away?"

"Oh no." Jungkook shook his head. "I'm going to have to stay till the waters aren't as harsh. But...depending on what happens here...I'll have to see first."

"What do you mean? Are you and our prince making a plan?"

"The three of us are. So far we've come to the conclusion that we're going to have to use force."

"Well...you are a good shot." Jimin smiled. "By the way...we've been working on a cure and I think it's going well."

"Really?" Jungkook smiled wide. "That's- that's amazing. I'm not sure how I'll get this done here though."

"I'm...not going to hold that against you. The cure is yours no matter what happens." Jimin looked at him with sadness. "I mean it, okay?"

"That's- that's amazing Jimin, thank you. I can't imagine- I can't imagine it. I don't know a life without the tremor."

"Well, I know you're going to feel amazing afterwards. You can sail again! Tie knots. Whatever else you do on a ship." Jimin giggled.

"Lots of things, but mostly sailing. Holding the helm without shakes...god." Jungkook smiled, thinking about it."I can't wait. I really can't wait."

Jimin giggled more. "I can't wait to see you be happy."

"I'm happy right now." He smiled wide, kissing Jimin on the nose. "Are you not?"

"I am!" Jimin smiled wide. "I'm very happy. I'm glad that you're feeling better now. That knot in the pit of my stomach doesn't feel as tight."

"Is that...is that what the tie feels like? I feel it in my chest. It was so tight." Jungkook became more quiet. "But I feel better now."

"So you do feel it too?" Jimin smiled happily, kissing Jungkook again. "Mmmmm." He cuddled against him. "I wish you could stay here forever."

"Me too. I wish I could have the luxury of spending time with you."

"Hopefully you can visit more often."

"I doubt I'll be able to. Not after today." Jungkook sighed heavily. "I think I'll be watched now."

"Ah...so...so I shouldn't come back?"

"It's probably dangerous to." Jungkook looked at him sadly. "And I don't want you to get hurt."

"Okay. I'll...I'll take your word for it." Jimin frowned. "I don't want to leave you with him any longer though. Can't you take me with you?"

"Absolutely not. You can't stay on land for long, plus, I never want you to meet him." Jungkook shook his head, seeing Jimin's stare. "Absolutely not. I need you safe in your city." An idea sparked in Jungkook's head. "Hey, I have a question. Do you have records of this kingdom? From before that bastard king was king?"

"Oh sure we do. What do you need to know?"

"Try and research about the previous royal family. Before this guy. There's no way he's a real king, but any sort of proof would be burned here...so maybe you guys have something."

"Mm...I'll look into it. How will I tell you if I find anything?"

"I'll send Yoongi and Hoseok. They'll be safe to come here."

"Why won't you?" Jimin glared at him.

"You saw why."

He glared more. "No one else should be marking you. That's for me only."

Jungkook felt sad a little at Jimin's jealousy. "Well, I think I was born to suffer. If you marked me at the moment, you'd be disappointed in me and my body. I am."

"I- I wouldn't be disappointed in you. Just upset at him. I...want to kiss away his horrible deeds...I want to make you feel okay."

"Well...I don't know how much longer I'll have. And...I don't want you to see me as I am right now." Jungkook looked away.

Jimin looked sad. "But...I...I like seeing you. All of you. No matter how angry it may make me, I want to- to mark you myself. Give you some peace among the pain."

"I don't want him to notice."

"Would he?"

"Maybe. I don't know." Jungkook couldn't face Jimin anymore. "I don't know what he'll notice. I don't know how he thinks at all. I can't...I don't want you to see what he's done. You'll be mad." He nearly whispered.

"I'm not going to be mad about it." Jimin spoke softly. "I'm not mad at you."

"But you'll still be mad about it." Jungkook shivered. "I can't stand the idea of you being mad."

Jimin glared a little. "I'm not going to be mad at you. You shouldn't feel bad about yourself. I just want to give you some peace. Maybe seeing one of my marks on you will give you a little peace."

"Mmm...I don't want him to notice the differences of it."

"Does he inspect your body like that?" Jimin glared more, tsking. "Fuck that. Let me mark you-" he growled. "I want to leave you shaking."

Jungkook blushed. "J-Jimin..."

"I was kind to you the first time. But I want to learn about what you like, and I want you to learn about what I like. And I want to kiss every part of your body until you shake."

"Jimin!" Jungkook blushed more. He wasn't used to Jimin being so forward, but then again, he'd only seen a charming part of Jimin. He didn't know the rest of him yet. "I can't- can't imagine you d-doing that."

Jimin tried to take Jungkook's layers off, tugging his sweater up. "I'll fucking do it-"

"Jimin!" Jungkook pulled his sweater down. "D-don't!"

"Let me show you-"

"J-Jimin." Jungkook shook his head. "Let- let me hide. We- we can maybe celebrate when this is all over but for the moment...I can't risk it."

Jimin kept his glare. "Let me make one."

"J...just one?"

"One." Jimin nodded. "Just one."

"Fine. Just one." Jungkook readjusted the jacket over Jimin's shoulders, seeing the look in his eyes. "Just one."

"Okay okay, one." Jimin smiled, pulling down Jungkook's collars, finding a spot rather quickly, and kissed in a hickey. "Only one?"

"Only one."

"Mmm." Jimin released his collars, kissing his jaw. "You better take care of yourself when you get back. I'll do the research you want me to. I'm sure...we can work something out."

"Thank you Jimin."

"It's really no problem. Just...please, come back to me safely."

____

Jungkook felt a shiver go down his spine as he sat in the bathtub, his body aching, his chest tight. He was definitely past due for a good cry, but he couldn't muster it out of his throat. It seemed to be stuck, as he looked away from his body to wash it.

It had been...

Four.

Long.

Days.

He'd been here for a week now. And he was now required to stay in the kings bedroom, throughout most of the day, and all of the night.

Currently, the king was off at some meeting, so Jungkook knew this was the only time he could sneak in a bath.

He felt like screaming again, crying, anything at all, but he sat in the tub, letting his head go under.

"Jungkook...we've been talking to Jimin now, and we found out some cool things. So, from what we can tell, the previous lineage was the Jung family, which, is the name that the king is going under. But...I'm not sure if that's really his last name, or really Hoseok's name. If I could take a wild guess..it seems like Hoseok has more similarities to the royal family than the king does." Yoongi had spoken to him in a hush the previous day through the crack in the door.

"What we're trying to ask..." Hoseok glanced at Yoongi. "We want you to give us a sample of his dna. We can test them and see some shit."

"Ah. Sure, I can do that." Jungkook nodded. "Give me a second." He turned to the bedroom, the king sleeping heavily, as he went to the bathroom, pulling a good amount of hair out of the hairbrush, before going back to them. "Here. Is that all?"

"Yeah. Um...here." Yoongi handed Jungkook a small mirror. "Jimin wanted you to have it. You two can talk through it."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, just- just be careful."

The three froze when they heard the king roll over. Jungkook shooed them sway, closing the door carefully.

He looked at the mirror under the water, wondering how this thing worked. He moved it around, seeing his reflection and laughing a little. He looked silly, the first time he'd really laughed in a while.

"Hello~" Jungkook spoke quietly, touching the mirror a little. "Is this thing on?" He kept trying to find something that may turn the damn thing on.

"Oh?" Jungkook heard a small voice, perhaps imagining it, perhaps wishing it. "Is that you Jungkook?" He could hear a bit of background noise as well.

"Jimin?" Jungkook smiled a little. It was odd how quickly he felt comforted.

"Ahh, give me a second." He heard some shuffling, then he saw Jimin's face in the mirror. "Hello~" he smiled, repeating Jungkook.

"Hey. Um...sorry, is this a bad time?"

"Oh no, thank you actually. I was in a boring meeting, you saved me."

Jungkook smiled. "Thanks for being here."

"How...how are you doing?" Jimin looked a little more serious now.

"Not well. I'm tired. I'm sore. It takes a while to move around and I'm hungry." He looked at Jimin's expressions try to be neutral. "He's wearing me thin but I promise I won't say a thing. You're all going to be safe. And before I know it this'll be all over."

"Jungkook..." Jimin shook his head, pursing his lips.

"Don't cry about it Jimin. I'll be okay."

"I just wish I could do something about it. Our tie is physically hurting us." Jungkook could only see from the shoulders up, but his body language was clear as day. "The more I feel you in pain the more I feel it."

"I...I'm sorry to put you through that. But I'm almost there. We're almost there."

"And you're paying the price." Jimin shook his head. "I can't stand it."

"I can't help it." Jungkook sighed. "What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know. Let me at him?"

"I'm not putting you in danger. I'm not letting you put yourself in danger." Jungkook shook his head. "Absolutely not."

"Jungkook I'm going to be honest, I don't know how much more of this I can take. I'm sensitive."

"I'm sorry. But- but I don't want you to feel my pain. I'm sure that you feel it, but it's going to be okay. I'll work through it. We're close."

"Ah." Jimin sighed. "Well, then I'll patiently wait until you're able to come back. I'll make sure you eat a huge meal before we do anything. A celebration with food."

Jungkook smiled. "I can't wait."

"I'll spoil you forever Jungkook. I promise you, I will. Whenever you want something, I'll make sure you have it. Whenever you want to talk, I'll be here to listen. I'll give you everything." Jungkook blushed deeply at his honest confession.

"I- oh." He didn't want to look away, seeing Jimin's sad expression. "I...wish I had things to offer you. I only have myself."

"That's more than enough."

Jungkook smiled, before hearing the door open to the bedroom. "I have to go Jimin." He whispered, his anxiety spiking.

"Stay safe Jungkook." Jimin spoke quietly, the last thing Jungkook seeing was his concerned face.

He saw the mirror...turn off, and he hid it quickly. The king shouldn't have been here at all. He got out, getting a towel around him and trying to dry off. As he was getting clothes on, a knock made his chest tighten.

"Don't come in." Jungkook spoke harshly, getting fully dressed and hiding the mirror again. He waited to hear anyone.

"Jungkook?" A softer voice called out to him. "It's Yoongi, I'm here to steal you away for a little bit."

"Ah, sorry." Jungkook opened the door, looking down immediately. "Sorry."

"It's okay...but we don't have much time. The king is going to make a speech tomorrow at his balcony. It looks over the courtyard where many people will gather. He's at a meeting for it right now. But Jungkook, we've been- just come with me."

Yoongi led Jungkook to Hoseok's room, closing it behind him and going to the desk. He displayed a couple of books and a lot of random papers. "We had the dna tested. Take a look."

Jungkook picked up the paper Yoongi pointed at, reading over the words, then reading over them again and then again. "What?"

"Hoseok doesn't have the same dna as him, but he does have the same dna as the previous king. Hoseok is the rightful king."

"That's- I get it. Okay. So...his speech..."

"We'll bombard it. I'm not exactly the strongest, but you and Hoseok are. Plus your crew."

"Mmm...I'm not fond of the idea of putting them in harms way."

"Jungkook...this is more than them. It's all of us on this island and under this island. My people are going to be hurt if this isn't resolved."

"So you're willing to use my crew?" Jungkook thought about it. "You have no one that you can use to help?

"I have no one else that I trust. My people cannot stand on their own two feet well enough, and we do not have muscles like you and your crew have. You can hold back people if needed."

"So...what's the plan?"

"Well..."

____

Jungkook loaded his pistol, putting it in the holster he had around his thigh. The kings speech was going to be soon, and he was locked in the kings bedroom. He went to the bedside table, getting a letter opener and tried to unlock the door.

He'd done it enough times, the lock being picked, and carefully made his way out.

Follow the carpet to the end of the hallway. Take a right. Follow the carpet. Take a left. Follow the carpet. Be careful.

Jungkook followed the carpet, careful to hear guards. His step was light, as he followed his instructions. His crew was in the crowd, and he knew Yoongi was going to be a distraction. The prince was with the king.

Everything was planned out.

Yoongi would be a distraction from the guards at the kings doors, and Jungkook would be able to get inside and threaten him at gunpoint. His crew was in the crowd, able to stop the guards outside from going inside. Hoseok will deliver the real speech.

The only thing that weighed heavily on him was the fact that he was the one with the gun. His aim was good, perfect if he was willing to brag, but taking another's life was a big task.

Hopefully it wouldn't come to that.

He took the final left, creeping against the wall, hiding behind a bookshelf. He looked over to where Yoongi would be, but didn't see him. He took a small breath, trying to be quiet. He needed Yoongi to be the distraction. He couldn't also be the distraction.

He carefully waited, peaking every so often to see if Yoongi would show up. He couldn't- he wouldn't leave him to do this alone...

A loud clang was heard down the hall, Jungkook giving a small sign of relief. He was about to panic, but he kept his body hidden behind the bookshelf as a guard moved forward, Jungkook hearing a small "I'll go check it out." before moving past him and disappearing.

A second clang was heard, but the guard didn't move. Yoongi appeared at the hallway, the guard sighing heavily. "Sir, you need to leave. The speech is going to start soon." He moved forward a little bit, Jungkook pressing himself to the wall and bookshelf more.

"I'm supposed to stick by Hoseok though, so I-"

"No one else is permitted inside, you know this." He sighed again.

"Will you let me in?" He tried, keeping his eyes on the guard and not letting them flicker to Jungkook. "I should be with Ho-"

"No, you need to go back to your room."

Yoongi walked forward, the guard meeting him, walking past the bookshelf. Jungkook slowly started to move around the bookshelf. "Can I-" Yoongi tried to moved past the guard, but he put his hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, let's go." He walked off with Yoongi, Jungkook carefully entering the door.

The king and Hoseok were at the balcony, the king waving. "My good people! I have news that you have all been waiting for."

Jungkook clicked back the hammer, the king stiffening. His hand shook terribly. "Tell them you're a fake."

"Hoseok...make the boy leave." The king spoke quietly, Jungkook hearing him, before he cleared his throat. "I've made a decision!"

"Tell them you're fake." Jungkook glared at the back of the kings head. "Give the fucking crown to Hoseok. We've learned your secrets."

"You can't even drink a glass of wine without shaking your hand like a scared child. Don't play with me boy. Go back to my room."

"I'll fucking kill you." Jungkook felt his rage rise. "I'll fucking do it."

"I've decided!-"

"I'm the rightful heir!" Hoseok cut him off, yelling over the king. He held onto the balcony yelling out to the crowd below. "He's been lying to you all for 26 years, I'm the rightful heir!"

"My dear son!" The king grabbed Hoseok's hair, pushing him closer over the edge, making him yell. "Apologize to them right now."

"Let him go." Jungkook nearly lost his cool. "Tell them and let him go."

"Your threats mean nothing. I know you won't shoot." Jungkook heard the smile on his lips.

That was the last straw. Jungkook fucking snapped. Hoseok's life was at risk, his body mostly over the railing, and the king was a horrible man.

He aimed, and shot the shoulder that was holding Hoseok's hair with a loud bang.

He heard the crowd scream as the king yelled out, holding his arm and turning to Jungkook. "You're a bitch!" He moved forward to Jungkook, but he struggle to do so, giving Jungkook enough time to reload and click the hammer back.

"Say it!" Jungkook yelled, shakily holding his pistol shakily. The king looked more concerned now. "Tell them and I'll let you live."

"You won't kill me." He snarled. "Even if I'm not king, the poor boy will have to take responsibility."

"Everyone!" Hoseok tried to speak to the panicked crowd.

The king turned to him and growled. "But there's no way I'm letting that boy take my place!" He held his shoulder and moved towards Hoseok, pulling a knife and raising it-

Jungkook shot, this time not aiming to be non lethal.

He heard the crowd scream more, as the kings body fell off the balcony. Hoseok also screamed, falling backwards and looking at Jungkook. His eyes were wide with fear as Jungkook reloaded his gun and put it in its holster.

"Jungkook..."

"Your majesty." Jungkook bowed 90 degrees. "He tried to kill you. As your...bodyguard for the day, I made an executive decision." Jungkook closed his eyes, pursing his lips, wincing. He waited for a response, for anything; for a punishment.

"Jungkook...we- I- we have to get down there. There is now unrest among the people and you are..."

"I was already a criminal." Jungkook didn't dare raise his head. "Tell me now if I'm pardoned or banished."

"Let me- we have bigger problems. I-"

Two guards bursted in, with trail of more, and a trail of Jungkook's crew mates.

His crew mates tackled the guards, then guards tackled the crew mates, and a dog pile formed.

"Stop! Stop this nonsense, you guards need to go down there and make sure everyone is okay! The people you fucking useless!-" Hoseok took a big breath, then let it out. "Jungkook, come with me." He glared at the guards, and walked around them.

"Your majesty!-"

"Shut it. Get your men down there at once." Hoseok was pissed, Jungkook trailing him rather worriedly. "You killed my father."

"He...wasn't your father?"

"He raised me."

"He lied to you your entire life." Jungkook spoke quietly. "Hoseok, he tried to kill you."

"That doesn't mean you have to b-become a murderer."

"Hoseok." Jungkook looked at him with wide eyes. "I- I've already been one. I've explained my job to you."

"Oh." Hoseok spoke quietly, the two looking up as they saw Yoongi running down the hall.

"Hoseok! What happened?"

"The kings dead, we need to calm the people and uh, get rid of the body." Jungkook saw Yoongi's expression change. "We'll probably need to show everyone the research you've gained. You know. Prove that Hoseok is the rightful heir."

"Oh fuck. Jungkook did you?..."

"Yeah. Let's keep moving." Jungkook gave a short smile before walking faster. He heard the footsteps of the guards behind them.

It felt odd.

He hadn't had to shoot his gun at someone in so long, he didn't remember how it felt. Now though, he felt calm, practically happy, as he went ahead of the group. He smiled, almost laughing as he got outside to see guards around the kings fallen body, pushing the crowd away.

When they saw him, they all tried to grab their weapons, but Hoseok stopped them with a hand. He went to the kings body, looking once and shaking his head. "Jungkook..."

"Your majesty?" Jungkook tried to bite away his smile.

"What have you done?" Hoseok shook his head again, more footsteps being heard. Jungkook felt his crew stand beside him, Namjoon now at his side.

"Well my king..." Jungkook smiled at him. "I've done something no one else was willing to do. An...officially unofficial pirate sort of job, if you will." Jungkook felt a bit of pride. "We don't like abusers here, now do we boys?" Jungkook looked behind him, his crew giving a short laugh.

God he missed that. "Nope! Not allowed at all!"

"Pushed him off board, now didn't you captain!"

"And we especially hate anyone who's physically abusive. Remember our job at Flora's island?" Jungkook smiled more. "Hoseok, your majesty, I'm sorry to inform you but I am not new to this sort of behavior." He bowed, feeling himself bounce back to his usual self. He raised his head with a smile, still bowing. "I am but a humble bodyguard."

"Jungkook." Hoseok looked between him and the guards. He sighed heavily. "Guards, take the body away. Deal with it. Clean the courtyard. Someone inform the people of an immediate gathering at the center of town. We're heading now. Jungkook. You...you will be pardoned. I...have much to deal with at the moment." Hoseok left, yelling for a horse, putting Yoongi on it first before getting on and riding off.

The guards did as told, Jungkook rising and bringing Namjoon in for a hug. "Thank fucking god you're all alright. Is everyone fine?" Jungkook pulled away to look at his crew. Only a couple looked a little beat up. A split lip here and there, a couple bruises going to be formed. Nothing major.

"Are you?"

"I'm starving." Jungkook laughed. "But I'm good. I'm better now than before. Sick son of a bitch."

"Wanna head to the speech?"

"Mmm...sure. You boys want to?"

He got some yes's, some nods, some heavy sighs, but zero no's.

"Alright then." Jungkook started to walk, feeling like a free man. Fuck was it nice to walk away from the castle.

Away from the horrible castle. He never wanted to step foot in there again. Not until it looked different. He couldn't help but laugh a little as they walked, his body feeling the cool air of winter growing warmer as it edged into spring. He felt like running, his chest lightening. He felt like screaming in joy, letting it all out, finally out.

But there was still a little more to do.

When they got to the middle of the town, they joined the crowd. Hoseok stood on a platform, the crowd murmuring and looking around anxiously.

"I promise you! There is no more harm! My father- the previous king, he stole me when I was a young child. He made my parents leave the island, promising that he was my fathers brother. He raised me as his son, but he did not have royal blood. I do!" Hoseok brought Yoongi up to the stage. "My dear people, please listen to me."

"Quiet down!" Jungkook heard a couple guards yell, the crowd stopping its murmuring.

"I know the king was harsh and wanted nothing but control. But I do not want that! This kingdom...is not our own." Hoseok spoke loudly, the town center large. "This kingdom once belonged to the merpeople, who ruled here and below. This is Min Yoongi, the prince of the merpeople. We are engaged, and we're going to unite our people like once before!" Hoseok looked amongst the crowd, which gasped loudly.

Jungkook smiled.

"I will not tolerate hate, violence, slander, or any sort of physical or verbal abuse! This is going to be a place of peace and I will take action if I hear or see any of that." He looked angry, the crowd understanding.

The kingdom was in shambles, but Hoseok held his head high. "This marriage will be soon. I am your king now. He will be your king. There will be integration. There will be change. Do you understand?"

The crowd murmured.

"Do you understand?" Hoseok repeated himself, the crowd nodding and speaking.

"Yes!"

"Good. I will make sure you are all informed of what will be happening. At the moment...I believe everyone needs to go home to recover from shock. There is much to recover from." Hoseok looked around. "You're dismissed!"

The crowd started to disperse, Hoseok jumping off the stage and helping Yoongi down.

Jungkook waited for the crowd to leave before he went to Hoseok and Yoongi.

"Jungkook." Hoseok sighed heavily. "Thank you for saving my life. I'm sorry you had to do that."

"Oh don't sweat it. He didn't think I could hit a target."

"I'm prepare a ship for you right away, since my father wouldn't do it."

Jungkook's heart dropped along with his smile. "Oh."

"Isn't that what you requested before? You want your men back safely. I'll make sure of it. I'd prepare for...a day or two. We'll be sending news out to nearby kingdoms as well, so I'm sure you can catch a ride."

"Right. Thank you." Jungkook looked away. "I'll...be waiting for a message then."

Hoseok put a hand on his shoulder. "You've got a good heart. Please keep it." He smiled and went to Yoongi, helping him on the horse, then getting on himself as riding off.

Jungkook took a large breath...then let it out and went back to his crew. "Ready for a big meal?"

____

Jungkook went to the beach, waiting at the dock, his feet swinging in the air. He didn't know what to tell Jimin.

He did have to go back. He couldn't stay here at the moment, he didn't have money, a house, or literally anything, but it was possible to come back. He could always come back.

He waited until night time, letting the air hit him as he finally got to relax. For the first time in two very long weeks, he got to relax.

A small disturbance in the water made Jungkook notice Jimin. "Hey. Sounds like things went pretty well?" He quirked a smile, making Jungkook laugh.

"I'm not sure how "well" it went, but it happened. Hoseok's king now, but I'll sadly have to miss the wedding." Jungkook looked at him with a sad smile. "I..."

"What? Why can't you stay for it? It's going to be huge! The- this is- you can't miss it? What?" Jimin's eyes went wide in confusion.

"I have to go..." Jungkook whispered.

"Jungkook, no, you can stay! You can stay with me, we can make-"

"Jimin." Jungkook cutoff his frantic speech. "I need to go home. But-"

"Jungkook, please stay."

"But." Jungkook smiled. "I can look for a house here. I promised my crew I'd get them home safely, and I can't break that promise." Jungkook saw Jimin relaxed a little. "I can move here, but it'll be quite some time. Probably next year."

Jimin took a deep breath and let it out. "Okay. We still have our mirrors so we can be long distance for now. But you're coming back, right?"

"Right." Jungkook let his feet kick softly. "I'll be back, but well, even though I'm pardoned, it'll be hard to get away from this one. I've done...deeds such as this before, but never someone of high importance."

Jimin giggled. "You say it so lightly."

"You don't seem bothered?"

"You saved a life." Jimin was smiling. "That's what I got from it."

"You're crazy."

"And? You're an officially unofficial pirate. Imagine saying that and not thinking you're crazy." He raised an eyebrow, Jungkook laughing.

"Okay, but it's true!" He smiled and leaned closer. "I have a weird job, that's just a fact."

"Don't we both. Hey help me up." Jimin reached a hand up, Jungkook leaning down to take it, before being tugged down into the water.

"Ah!-" Jungkook flailed a little before falling into the water. "Jimin why?" Jungkook whined. "My clothes won't dry at all."

"Well, I wanted to be next to you, and this time more privately."

"Nobody came last time."

"Yes, but I'm- last time was harder. I'm just so happy that horrible feeling in my stomach is gone."

"Me too Jimin. I feel much better now." Jungkook held onto him, his tremor evident. "How's um...how's the medicine coming along? I'm just wondering-" Jungkook rushed his words, feeling embarrassed to ask.

"It's going well. I was hoping to give it to you tonight but I'm afraid it'll have to be tomorrow."

"I'm going to be leaving tomorrow...?" Jungkook felt Jimin hold his hands.

"I'll make sure you get it." Jimin brought his hand to his lips, kissing Jungkook's hand. "I promise you. Early tomorrow?"

"Sure. I'll get up for you." Jungkook smiled with a sigh. "Thank you."

"Of course. Anything for you. I'll make sure you get it. And then you can go to your boss and show him what's up." Jimin kissed his hand again. "Fuck him up, show him who's boss."

Jungkook laughed. "I will. I'll make him pay us the money he promised. With that amount and way I have, I should be able to afford something here. I'll be back, I promise."

"You better. I'll wait for you." Jimin brought Jungkook closer. "I'll always wait for you." He kissed him softly. "So just...come back in one piece. Okay?"

"Of course. I've never failed a mission." Jungkook kissed him again. "It'll be about half a year though. Three months there, three months back."

"I'll be with you." Jimin patted Jungkook's chest, then rubbed it. "Right here."

"Mmmhm. You still not used to me having a shirt on?" Jungkook smiled as Jimin tried to raise his shirt up.

"I like seeing you shirtless." Jimin smiled wide. "Besides, it's almost spring, no? You won't be as cold."

Jungkook giggled a little. "When I come back it'll be warm enough, don't worry."

Jimin laughed. "Perfect! I'll look forward to it."

"I'm sure you will. I don't know enough about this island though, temperature wise. Maybe I'll have to keep a shirt on."

"Oh no, it gets warm enough, don't worry." Jimin kept his smile, inching his hand up Jungkook's shirt. "You'll be able to take this thing off."

"You're just used to not having clothes."

"What can I say? We don't need shirts."

"You're built different."

"Exactly."

"Lucky for me."

"Would you like your gifts back? You left your lovely jewels."

"I'll...I'll get them when I come back. Is that okay?"

"Mmm, okay. Well...I'll keep them for you. Maybe I'll even get more for you. As a gift."

"There's no need."

"I want to. I want you to be spoiled."

Jungkook sighed happily. "I won't stop you."

"Ahhh, so you want to be spoiled hm? I'll keep it in mind." Jimin kept snaking his hands up.

Jungkook giggled. "You're tickling me Jimin."

Jimin laughed a little too. "Cute. Now look, you better call me a lot. Keep me updated and keep me company. And if you can...I'd love to meet some of your friends."

"I'll try my best." Jungkook kissed him on the forehead. "I'm pretty bad at calling so...remind me."

"Of course. I'll remind you." Jimin kissed his lips softly. "I'll be needy if you need me to be."

"Oh sure. I'm free any night."

"Lovely."

____

Jungkook carefully got on the boat that would take them back, his crew rather uncomfortable at not...working. They had quarters, Jungkook did not have the captains quarters and he almost argued for it, and they were almost treated like royalty. No labor for them, no work, only relaxing.

Jungkook had said goodbye to Jimin in the early morning, getting a gift in the shape of a small, bite-sized dessert.

He was waiting to take it though, having wanted to take it in front of his crew. He'd explain it all to them then and there, and then...he'd be cured.

Their dinner that night was still odd, as not working on a ship was completely weird and deeply wrong to them, but Jungkook tried to make them feel comfortable.

"Everyone~ I have an announcement." Jungkook stood from his chair, his crew looking at him rather tiredly. They'd all been through a lot. "I was going to tell you last week, but because of the circumstances, I'm going to tell you now." He shot Namjoon a look. "I have Parkinson's disease. My body is becoming frail, to sum it up, but!" Jungkook paused for dramatic effect. "I've been gifted with a cure. I have a proposition for you all."

"You have a cure?"

"I do. Right here." Jungkook displayed the dessert, his hand inevitably shaking. "I...will no longer be able to work for my current boss. Which means after we get there, you all will be let go. The solution though...is that we work for King Hoseok. If you wish to work with me, I will gladly be your captain. If you need to stay home, I understand."

"Wait, you're serious?" Namjoon looked at him in awe. "Hoseok will hire you?"

"Everyone needs someone like us. So...think on it. I'll be sailing back to Kilja island after we get paid, so make your decision then. Am I clear?"

"You're clear."

"Good." Jungkook smiled. "Well, bottoms up." He took the dessert, wondering what sort of effect this one may have. No burning of the throat, he hoped. His eyes widened at the taste.

It tasted so fucking good. It tasted like home, and Jungkook didn't know how. He wished that he first treat Jimin had given him tasted like this, and he smiled to himself for a moment. It tasted like something Jimin would make for him.

"How is it?" Namjoon asked Jungkook carefully.

"It's good. I'll...have to see when it'll work." He held his hand out, still feeling the tremor. "But I'm positive it will work. They haven't had as much time to perfect this but I have full faith."

"Still can't believe you met them." One of his crew members spoke as they drank.

"Well, they're good people. They saved my life." Jungkook smiled and drank with them. "In return for my...work...they would give me a cure. I'm incredibly lucky."

"That you are."

____

Jungkook smiled wide as he unpacked the last moving box into his new house. He got a rather expensive house by the beach, wanting it to be easy for Jimin to visit him, while still being close to Hoseok's castle. He was in the perfect in between of being rather alone and close enough to the town.

With their large, forced paycheck, those who wished to work with Jungkook came with him, getting their own houses.

He was living well, his tremor all but gone, daily becoming less and less apparent. He was nearly cured from his disease, and he was absolutely going to celebrate once he was. For now though, Hoseok had given him a break. His year and a half journey on water was exhausting.

But tonight, now that his house was finally put together, he was going to celebrate his year together with Jimin. He'd set up the table for dinner, puttering back and forth to put food and drinks on the table. He heard the glass door open, turning his head happily to see Jimin with a towel around him. "Jimin!~ happy one year anniversary!" Jungkook went over to him, seeing him smile back. He rubbed his towel against his back to help dry him off.

"Happy anniversary Jungkook." He smiled happily before shivering. "Let me go get ready."

"Of course." Jungkook kissed his forehead. "I'll wait here for you."

Jimin went to their bedroom, Jungkook laughing a little at how familiar this was. How normal it was for Jimin to come out of the ocean, and how normal the smell of sea salt was in his own home.

Jimin took a short shower, getting clothes on and went out to the dinning room, hugging Jungkook closely. "I can't believe it's been a year."

"Me neither. How've you been? Busy it seems."

"No busier than you." Jimin looked up at him, smiling wide. "We've both been in countless meetings."

"I, had a lot of contracts to sign, and I had to be officially pardoned. I'm on a break now though before I can go on any missions."

Jimin giggled. "At least you've been pardoned. I would've had to keep you with me if you weren't."

"You'd keep me if I wasn't pardoned?" Jungkook led him to the table, the two sitting down.

"Oh of course! You're mine, no matter what you do."

"Even murder?" Jungkook raised his eyes.

"You took a life to save a life, I see no problem." Jimin shrugged. "That's all."

"You're an odd one, that's for sure."

"I'm dating you, I've gotta be odd enough for you." Jungkook laughed a little, Jimin poking at the food. "What'd you make?"

"Enough for a family, I made way too much, so eat up." Jungkook smiled, putting food on their plates. "I want you to be full and happy."

"Oh, I'll be full tonight alright." Jimin playfully smiled at him, Jungkook blushing.

"I- I see, is that- that what you would like?" Jungkook took a drink of his wine.

"If you would like to. We can watch a movie, relax a little, and then, you know. If you're up for it." Jimin eyed him a little, eating.

"I- I mean- I don't mind." Jungkook blushed a little more, looking down with a smile. He glanced up at Jimin bashfully. "If you want to."

"I do."

"Lovely." Jungkook smiled more. "What kind of movie would you like to watch?"

"Whatever you've got, I'll watch with you." Jimin ran his foot up Jungkook's calf, making Jungkook shiver. "You know that."

"A-ah, I do. I was just wondering if you have a preference."

"Mmm, no, whatever you'd like. You said you'd plan this date."

"Alright then." Jungkook felt happy. "Perfect then. How's the food?"

"Oh it's perfect. Tell me about your day."

Jungkook laughed a little. "It was busy. I finally finished moving in, and I had to answer a bunch of letters. Hoseok is going to have to give me a ship if I'm going to work for him."

"Oh my gosh, okay, so I got you an anniversary present." Jimin grinned ear to ear. "You wanna receive it now or later?"

"I- I think we should trade?"

Jimin gasped happily. "You got me one?"

"Of course!"

"Then you go first!" Jimin was excited, Jungkook getting up.

"Okay okay, let me- let me get it." Jungkook went to the living room and got a large gift bag, coming back and giving it to Jimin. "It's- it's just some stuff I've gotten that I thought you'd like, I'm not sure-"

"Jungkook, don't worry your pretty little head. I'm going to love everything you give me. Hey you wanna...wanna go to your patio?" Jimin gave him a small look, one Jungkook questioned.

"What do you have on the patio?"

"Well, I brought your gift." Jimin stood and took his hand, taking his gift bag as well. When they got out there, Jungkook lost his breath. Jimin turned on the fairy lights, and looked through his gift bag. "...we all pitched in, but I worked pretty hard to get it back together. Oo! This is a really soft material." Jimin pulled out a sweater.

"Jimin...is this- is this real? My- my-"

"It's real alright. Oh my god I love this!"

"Jimin, this is- I-" Jungkook stared at his ship. His fathers, now his, ship. His beloved boat, absolutely fine on the water. "I can't..." he covered his mouth, feeling a little overwhelmed. "This is nowhere near equal to what I can give. Jimin, thank you." Jungkook pulled Jimin into a hug. "My fucking god...I- I can't thank you enough."

"You like it?" Jimin hugged him back.

"Like it? I love it! I can't thank you enough- I- I literally cannot give enough to equal this."

"There's no need. This is...just our way of thanking you. Though, it's more of a way for me to thank you. How'd you stuff so much stuff in that bag by the way? That was so many things, thank you."

Jungkook kissed his forehead. "Thank you Jimin. I can't thank you enough."

"Don't even worry about it. This is lovely, and I'm more than happy to get you something you love."

"I...will have to show you around. Hey! Now I won't need a boat from Hoseok!" Jungkook pulled away from the hug, holding Jimin's shoulders. "I- you're an angel." Jungkook kissed him happily. "I can't express my happiness enough."

"I'm glad you're happy." Jimin waited for another kiss.

Jungkook laughed a little and kissed him, Jimin pulling him closer. "You're cute."

"Yeah?"

"Mhm." Jungkook held his waist. "You're downright adorable."

"Why thank you. You're beyond handsome." Jimin gave him one more kiss before putting everything back in the bag and leading Jungkook back inside. He glanced at their table before taking them to the living room.

Jungkook put on a movie, cuddling up next to Jimin. Jimin played with his hands, kissing them every so often, before Jungkook started to kiss on his neck.

"Jungkookie." Jimin giggled a little. "You can't watch the movie if you're looking at me."

"I'd rather pay attention to you." Jungkook kept mouthing at his neck, his hand resting on Jimin's thigh.

"Oh?"

"You know it's true. You like attention and I like giving it to you."

Jimin laughed. "I do like your attention. You're so polite about it, and you get so shy. It's adorable." He moved a little, then swung his leg over Jungkook's. He laid on top of him. "You wanna forget about the movie?"

"Well, I've seen it before." Jungkook held his waist. "Depends if you wanna watch it."

"I'm more interested in you, if I'm being honest." Jimin nipped at his lips.

"Well, don't tease me then. Just kiss me."

"Oh, my pleasure." Jimin leaned closer and kissed him eagerly. His hands started to unbutton Jungkook's shirt. His cold hands made Jungkook shiver.

"Ah, you're so cold."

"Almost like I came out of the ocean." Jimin giggled.

"You took a shower though! Did you use cold water?" Jungkook laughed a little and kissed on his neck.

"I can't take warm showers, I get burns."

"Ahh, I still can't imagine that. No hot tubs for you."

"I'd die! I'll stick with cold water, thank you very much." Jimin shivered when Jungkook started to mark his neck. "A-ah, y-you should make more marks this time."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, they went away too fast. Make- make them darker."

Jungkook smiled. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Jimin tried to get Jungkook's shirt off.

"D'ya want me to just- let's just turn off the movie." Jungkook laughed a little, holding Jimin's waist and sitting up. "We can just move on over to my room."

"Sounds good to me. Oh!" Jungkook picked Jimin up, his legs latching around Jungkook's waist quickly. Jungkook paused the movie and walked to his bedroom. "Fuck, you're so fucking hot and strong."

"It's part of my job." Jungkook smiled and kissed him. "Besides, I like picking you up."

"Ahh, I see. You like feeling strong?"

"Strong enough to carry you. That's all I need."

Jimin giggled. "You obviously have more than enough to carry me."

"Thank god I do. I could've lost it if it wasn't for you."

"That would be the least of your worries if it wasn't for me." Jimin ran his hand through Jungkook's hair, messing it up.

"Aw~ you still wanna be my hero?" Jungkook set Jimin down on the bed, going to his dresser. He took his shirt off, rummaging through his sock drawer, before coming back.

"You should really just get a bedside table instead of shoving a condom box and lube in your sock drawer."

"Whatever! It works and it's hidden. Would you rather I put it on top of my dresser?" Jungkook came back to Jimin with a little bit of a blush.

"Oh no, don't look at me like that." Jimin pouted. "You're too pretty for your own good."

"Me?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow, leaning down and sliding a leg in between Jimin's. "You're the pretty one." He kissed at his neck, moving Jimin's shirt off of him. "You're way too fucking pretty for me, it's a good thing we've got a tie. You're stuck with me." Jungkook kissed down his chest.

"Stuck? I was the one who initiated anything. You made me clarify that we were dating."

"We just- we hadn't said it before! And I- I never wanted you to be stuck with me if you didn't want to be."

"Honey, I'm not stuck with you. I've happily chosen you." Jimin giggled before giving a small whine, once Jungkook ran a hand down his thigh.

"Fate chose us." Jungkook smiled and tugged Jimin's pants down. "Is that choosing each other?"

"Mmm, I think so. Cause even if it chose for us, I still choose you." Jimin shivered a little once his clothes were gone, before getting used to the temperature. "A-ah, Jungkook, please- please don't tease me so much this time. I- I want to celebrate our anniversary."

Jungkook laughed a little, raising one of Jimin's legs and kissing the inside of his thigh. "You don't like my teasing?"

"W-well, I didn't say that, but I would like to have you inside me before midnight this time."

"Aww, was it too much last time? Sorry~" Jungkook kissed and bit into his thigh. "You're just too cute, I can't help myself. I love when you whine and try to bait me into fucking you senseless. You get so needy." Jungkook licked the bite mark he made, before making another. "It's so nice to hear your voice."

"J-Jungkook, I mean it, I- I want you."

"Before midnight?" Jungkook looked at the clock. "That's a solid thirty minutes right there. Is that what you'd like?"

"H-hold on, I was just-"

"Mmmmm, so thirty minutes of teasing hm?" Jungkook moved up a little, putting Jimin's leg over his shoulder. He let his clothed body rest against Jimin, teasing him by rubbing against his hole. He leaned down to kiss him, but Jimin gasped out instead.

"J-Jungkook! Don't- don't clothes fuck me, get inside me!" Jimin grabbed Jungkook's arm, a blush creeping across his cheeks. "G-get your clothes off."

"Mmm~ but I've still got twenty-nine minutes to go." Jungkook smiled, mouthing at his jaw. "No?"

"B-but I want- I want you inside me Jungkook, please." Jimin ran his hand up Jungkook's neck to his hair and grabbed. "Get inside me."

Jungkook snickered. "Are you trying to threaten me?" Jungkook kissed at his neck, still grinding against Jimin in small circles. "Cause it won't work. You're too cute."

"Too cute? I can be scary." Jimin whined pathetically, making Jungkook laugh.

"Not at the moment. You can't even hold your voice."

"I c-could but you- you said it sounds pretty." Jimin pouted, Jungkook seeing his blush darken. He laughed in disbelief.

"You're really gorgeous, you know that?" Jungkook continued his movement, getting another whine from Jimin. "Fuck, you sound so pretty."

"I'll sound prettier when you get inside me, you know that."

"Gosh, let me tease you. I want to hear you get worked up." Jungkook blushed a little. "You should let me."

"I want you now." Jimin groaned, pulling Jungkook's hair back so he could glare at him. "Get inside me."

Jungkook chuckled. "You're cute." He looked down at him, grinning as he moved against him again.

"You brat!" Jimin seethed. He tried to grab Jungkook's bicep, but Jungkook quickly grabbed his wrist. "Hey!"

Jungkook grabbed his other wrist, and put them together over his head. "Don't."

Jimin glared. "Give it to me."

"Mmmmm~ no, I've still got," Jungkook looked at the clock again. "I've still got 20 minutes." Jungkook moved against him again, grinding roughly as he kissed at his neck.

"J-Jungkook- get- get inside me, please, I want it- I- fucking prep me." Jimin tried to wiggle out of Jungkook's grip, but Jungkook held on tighter. "Jungkook!"

"Jimin." Jungkook mouthed at his jaw, getting his earlobe carefully between his teeth, biting and tugging, before kissing his cheek. "You want me inside you?"

"Yes! Please, please prep me." Jimin turned to try and kiss him, but Jungkook rose himself off of him. "Brat."

"Aw, I'm sorry love, did you want a kiss?"

"You're a fucking brat." Jimin hissed, Jungkook smiling and leaning down to kiss him. Jimin turned his head, but Jungkook moved Jimin's wrists to one hand, and grabbed Jimin's chin.

"You're not going to win this." Jungkook kissed his lips. "So don't fight it my love." 

Jimin heated up at that. Jungkook was too fucking hot when he got like this. "J-Jungkook please." Jimin whispered.

"Just some more." Jungkook kissed him more roughly, the two fighting for dominance, Jungkook still grinding against him.

"Jungkook!" Jimin gasped out before Jungkook won their battle for dominance, Jimin curving into him. He tried to wriggle out of Jungkook's grasp again, but Jungkook simply held him down tighter. He didn't even feel his tremor. "P-please."

"You're cute." Jungkook grinned before shoving his tongue into Jimin's mouth, gaining a whine from the older. Jungkook bit Jimin's lower lip when he pulled away. "Lemme prep you."

"Please." Jimin sighed happily, his cheeks pink. Jungkook always had a way to endlessly tease and turn him on.

Jungkook let go of his wrists and chin, getting the lube and pouring a gracious amount on his fingers. He carefully circled around Jimin's hole before pushing his finger in. "Tell me if it ever hurts." Jungkook mumbled as he leaned down to kiss at Jimin's chest, holding his leg on his shoulder.

"I won't." Jimin relaxed, smiling. "You've only got 10 minutes to get inside of me."

"Ahh, you counting down the seconds?" Jungkook smiled into his neck, marking him and biting as a second finger joined his first.

"Oh yes, I need you."

"Oh do you?"

"Very much so." Jimin pulled Jungkook's closer, their chests touching. Jimin jerked as his cock touched Jungkook's skin. "Ah! Ah, fuck, Jungkook, I need you to get inside me."

"Needy needy." Jungkook bit at Jimin's collarbone, making Jimin whine.

"You're b-biting so much." Jimin whined more, rocking back on Jungkook's fingers. "Fuck."

"You're just too appetizing." Jungkook kissed to forgive his bite marks. "Tell me how you're feeling?"

"I can take you. If you go slow."

"Mmm." Jungkook leaned back to add more lube, then fit in a third finger. He played around with this. "Give it a minute first."

"You're running out of time~" Jimin chimed. "Give it to me, come on, I want it. Put it in already."

"Jimin-"

"Jungkook you've had your time to tease me." Jimin pouted. "So please."

Jungkook looked at him with a smile. "You're so cute, you know that?" He pulled his fingers out, smiling a little more when he felt Jimin clench around him. "So cute." Jungkook shimmied his pants off, then his boxers.

"C-come on, I want it." Jimin whined more.

"I'm getting there." Jungkook put on a condom, lubing himself up and slowly, slowly pushed in. "Tell me if it's too much."

"I- I won't." Jimin smiled. "Just go all the way in, I'll be good. Come here." Jimin made grabby hands, Jungkook leaning down for him. "Good. Let me kiss you while I adjust."

Jungkook obliged, kissing Jimin more softly this time, his swollen lips attractive to him. He slowly pushed in, careful to not shove inside him. "Good?"

"Good." Jimin kept kissing him, his hands in Jungkook's hair, his leg on Jungkook's shoulder starting to shake a little. He moved it down so his legs were around Jungkook's waist. "Really good."

"Okay. Can I go further?" Jungkook nipped at his lips.

"Yeah. Yeah, just- slow." Jimin exhaled evenly, nipping Jungkook back. "Kiss me you fool."

Jungkook giggled and kissed him, pushing in slowly until he bottomed out. "Mmm...you feel good." Jungkook spoke against Jimin's lips before kissing him again, softly, and slowly.

"Ah! Ah- ah- fuck, hold- hold right there." Jimin felt Jungkook snug inside him, holding his neck to try and station himself. He felt only slightly overwhelmed.

"Mk, I'll wait, don't worry." Jungkook mouthed at his jaw again, making Jimin laugh a little.

"For someone who loves teasing me, you're really a softie."

"I don't wanna hurt you." Jungkook pouted. "I gotta listen to you when it could hurt you."

Jimin smiled more. "Cute. Hey look, you did it before midnight." Jimin laughed before kissing Jungkook again. "Happy anniversary."

"Happy anniversary." Jungkook kissed him deeply. "Thank you for everything."

"I love you." Jimin exhaled. "You- you can move."

"Can I? It hasn't been very long." Jungkook frowned. "Don't push yourself."

"I want it. Give it to me." Jimin pulled Jungkook against him. "I want it."

"Yeah? I don't wanna hurt you."

"You're not going to hurt me. It'll be a good sting." Jimin batted his eyelashes. "Please?"

"O...okay. Tell me- promise you'll tell me if it's too much?"

"Okay." Jimin smiled wide, feeling his cheeks darken once Jungkook started moving. "Oh. Mmm, that's good."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Keep- keep going slow."

"Of course." Jungkook kissed Jimin's forehead. "Tell me when I can go faster."

"Mmmm~" Jimin closed his eyes and relaxed, letting Jungkook please him. "You should touch me."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Mk~" Jungkook hummed, moving slowly to get Jimin adjusted. "You're really hot, it feels good." He let his hands trail Jimin's sides, going to his thighs and squeezing.

"Ah~ yeah, yeah- you- you feel good too."

"Mmmm...I wanna go faster." Jungkook held his thighs, contemplating.

"Hey wait-"

"How's it feel? Not too much?"

"Don't make it too much."

"You'll be fine~ don't worry. I'm not going to rush you." Jungkook slowly moved Jimin's legs over his shoulders. Jimin blushed deeply.

"W-wait-"

"Mmm, no no, no more waiting. I teased you for too long, didn't I? Haven't you been waiting?" Jungkook moved in, pressing Jimin in half, smiling wide. "You're so pretty, I can't stand it." Jungkook started to move faster. "Wanna hear you get louder."

"K-Kookie-" Jimin let out a broken moan, holding the bedsheet. "You can go- you can hit it, please, I wanna feel you."

"You're feeling me alright." Jungkook grinned, holding Jimin's thighs to stabilize him as he moved. "Ahhh, you're so pretty."

"M-more please."

"You sound so cute Jimin, you sound so pretty. I wanna hear you moan. I wanna hear your beautiful voice in my ears. You always sound so pretty." Jungkook nearly rambled as he kept moving, trying to find Jimin's prostate. He loved hearing him moan out shamelessly, and every little facial expression he made. He loved it all.

"Ah, you're...fucking cheesy." Jimin blushed and looked to he side. "Wanna feel good."

"Hopefully I can help." Jungkook kissed his neck before positioning a little differently, wanting to hear Jimin get louder. His pleasant blush made Jungkook smile.

Jimin laughed. "You are don't worry." He giggled a little until he choked out a moan. "Oh!" Jimin blushed more, arching his body against Jungkook's as much as he could, his body still nearly in half.

"Ah, you sound so pretty my love." Jungkook couldn't help but grin. "Just like that?"

"Ju-just like that! Please, again." Jimin nearly cried out before hitting his bottom lip.

Jungkook chuckled. "You can be loud my love, let yourself be loud. I wanna hear it. You know I do."

"Fuck." Jimin whimpered quietly as Jungkook moved slowly out, then slowly hit his prostate. "Fuck!"

Jungkook hummed happily. "Right there?"

"Y-yes! Yes, right there, please! Please Jungkook, hit it harder pl-" Jungkook pulled out and slammed back in. "Ah! Ah, oh my god, Jungkook m-more!" Jimin cried out, shut his eyes tight, wanting more and more and more.

Jungkook couldn't help but smile. "Ah, music to my ears. You sound so lovely darling."

"I- I want more." Jimin felt his legs shake under Jungkook's touch.

"More?"

"More, please, I want it." Jimin whimpered, clawing into the bedsheet. "It feels good, please."

Jungkook felt ecstatic, grinning ear to ear. "Yeah? I don't wanna hurt you." He chimed, Jimin's blush and tremor in his legs making Jungkook feel amazing.

"You won't!" Jimin looked at him with a sort of desperation. "You won't, so- so you can go harder."

"You want it harder?"

Jimin blushed more, but nodded. "Yes."

Jungkook held him a little better before slowly speeding up, so that Jimin could get used to it at a gradual pace. "Tell- tell me if it's ever too much." Jungkook panted a little, feeling himself want to find release.

Jimin moaned loudly, unable to be quiet at this point. "Oh Jungkook! Jungkook- fuck- you- Kook you feel so good I- I'm- keep-!" Jimin babbled, moaning loudly as Jungkook abused his prostate. He loved how pretty he sounded.

"Mmm~ you sound so lovely."

"Good! Good, keep- keep going- ah~" Jimin choked out a moan, Jungkook wanting to bite his neck. He always looked so pretty when his neck was covered.

"I'm close my love, can you hold out for me?"

"I- I don't know-"

"Do it." Jungkook smiled as Jimin nodded, his cheeks a permanent red. Jimin felt his thighs shake at the stretch, trying to move them around Jungkook's waist, but Jungkook held his thighs tightly. "No, leave them. I like them here." Jungkook rubbed them a little. "They feel nice."

"T-they're shaking-"

"I like that too." Jungkook continued, putting in effort to make Jimin feel good.

He moaned loudly. "Fuck Jungkook, I can't- I'm close let me-"

"Hold it for a moment." Jungkook kept it up, hoping for Jimin to cum first. He just wanted to tease him, loving when he was embarrassed and unable to hold back, loving when he tried to apologize for coming without permission. He was just such a pretty fucking bottom.

"Jungkook-"

"No no, wait for me." Jungkook held his thighs a little tighter before hitting Jimin's prostate again and again. Jimin couldn't help but moan loudly, not screaming, but well, he was close to that.

"I'm close Jungkook I!-" Jimin came, Jungkook grinning wildly before groaning and coming as well.

Jungkook panted, slowly moving Jimin's legs down and around his waist. He leaned down and kissed Jimin's chest, neck, then his lips, Jimin kissing back eagerly.

"Ah, Jungkook- fuck, you- I-" Jimin kissed him again, Jungkook grinning while giving in to Jimin quickly.

The kiss was not soft, instead, Jimin bit Jungkook's bottom lip roughly, their lips fitting together. Jimin pulled away, a small trail of saliva trailing from their lips. "Mm. You have such soft lips." Jungkook hummed happily. "Lemme pull out."

"Mmmmmm...I didn't get to mark you." Jimin mumbled. "Ah, fuck." Jungkook pulled out.

"You can for cuddles." Jungkook got up to clean them. "Need anything?"

"Just you." Jimin sat up, letting his thighs rest. He felt that they might bruise from Jungkook's hold. "Maybe some underwear. Maybe a glass of wine."

Jungkook laughed as he threw Jimin a wet washcloth and his boxers. "Want any left overs?"

"No, I just want some cuddles." Jimin pouted as he got up after cleaning himself a little, getting the boxers on. He looked at himself in Jungkook's mirror. "Ah, you've eaten me alive! What the fuck Jungkook?"

Jungkook snickered. "You looked cute."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." Jungkook got boxers on too, the two changing the sheets on the bed. "You looked really cute tonight. Happy anniversary." Jungkook pulling Jimin into a hug, kissing his forehead. "I hope we have many more good years."

Jimin smiled. "You're cute. Awfully cheesy, but I love you so much." Jimin slowly walked them back to the bed, pushing Jungkook onto it and sitting on top of him. "I love you a lot."

Jungkook held his waist softly. "I love you too. Perhaps too much." Jungkook let Jimin kiss at his chest and neck. "Fuck, your lips are always so soft." Jungkook smiled, feeling Jimin mark his neck.

"You say that a lot."

"Cause I love them. They feel good everywhere you put them."

"Oh yeah?"

"Mhm. Especially around my di-"

"Jungkook!" Jimin blushed, sitting up, his hands on Jungkook's chest. "So blunt..."

"Hm? But it's true! You look so cute and your lips are so soft. Feels nice." Jungkook smiled as Jimin went down again, kissing his chest.

"...if you'd like me too...I'd do it."

Jungkook laughed. "Only if you want to." Jimin licked over Jungkook's left nipple, making him jolt. "Ah- Jimin."

Jimin giggled. "You sound so cute..." he murdered, continuing to lick over his nipple, his hand rubbing over the other in slow circles.

"Ah, J-Jimin-" Jungkook shivered. "D-don't go doing that." He laughed a little. "I don't wanna change the sheets again."

"Oh, is that a concern?" Jimin smiled. "I don't mind at all."

"I don't have that many sheets." Jungkook laughed before groaning. Jimin continued to tease him.

"Ah, you sound nice. Can I make visible ones?"

"Mmm, chest is alright, but neck can- can make people look."

"You're on a break anyways right? Maybe a small one them." Jimin giggled as he latched onto Jungkook's neck, making a mark. He kept thumbing over his nipple.

"Mmm~ yeah, fair enough." Jungkook exhaled a little unevenly. "You're...you can't- this feels nice." Jungkook closed his eyes and let Jimin play around.

Jimin kept kissing and marking him, before started to grind against Jungkook softly. "You littered my neck..."

"You looked cute." Jungkook blushed a little at the movement. "I can't seem to help myself whenever you're under me."

Jimin laughed. "I'm sure you could."

"Mmmm, I could, but...I love teasing you, and I love hearing you." Jungkook smiled. "Ah."

Jimin kept moving against him. "I love hearing you too. You're so cute."

"You're cuter. So much cuter than me, fuck, you're adorable." Jungkook smiled wider, feeling pleased. "You're gunna make me hard again Jimin."

"Fine by me." Jimin gave him soft kisses, his ass grinding against Jungkook's clothed cock. "You're fucking hot, I like being pinned down by you."

"A-ah, I see." Jungkook blushed.

"Oh, have you lost confidence?" Jimin continued. "I like being under you, that's all."

"You're...fucking, making me hard Jimin." Jungkook exhaled, opening his eyes and sitting up. He glared a little at him. "You wanna go again?"

"Anniversary~" Jimin chimed happily. "We should."

"Ahhhhh, but the sheets are already in the wash." Jungkook whined. "I'm not sure I have another set."

"Uhhhh we can sleep- no I don't wanna sleep in the guest room." Jimin hummed.

Jungkook looked around. "Well..." he shrugged. "Get your clothes off, lemme prep you."

Jimin laughed and got off of Jungkook for a moment, the two of them rather lazily getting their boxers off. Jungkook got the lube bottle and set Jimin back on top of him. "Mm~ you're so lovely."

"Me?" Jungkook raised an eyebrow, lubing his fingers. Jimin leaned forward, raising his ass for Jungkook. "You're the lovely one. You're beyond lovely." He pushed a finger inside, adding a second quickly once he realized how loose he still was.

"Mmm~ I think we both are." Jimin relaxed, feeling nice while full. He wanted Jungkook inside him already. "Ah, Jungkookie, I'm prepped enough, so come on."

"Lemme get a third in." Jungkook pulled out, added more lube, and pushed three fingers in, smiling a little while Jimin blushed more. "Fuck, you're pretty." He played around with three, Jimin moaning a little.

"Ah! Oh~ fuck, Jungkook, you re-really find my spots quickly, fuck you."

Jungkook laughed. "Why complain? You like feeling good."

"W-well yeah, but d-don't make it seem so easy!" Jimin blushed more, pressing his body against Jungkook and whining when their cocks brushed against each other. "Fuck."

"Ah- Jimin." Jungkook nearly hissed. "Fuck. We aren't messing the bed up, I've got a better idea." Jungkook pulled his fingers out, grabbing another condom.

"W-wait Jungkook." Jimin blushed more, Jungkook looking at him in curiosity. "I-I wanna feel you. Don't- don't put it on."

Jungkook rolled his eyes back in pleasure. "Holy fuck you don't mean that." He groaned. "You mean it?"

"I want it." Jimin blushed more at Jungkook's reaction. Jungkook laughed as he lubed himself up, and picked Jimin up. "W-wait!-"

Jungkook slammed him against the wall, shoving roughly inside of him, holding him up by his waist. Jimin wrapped his legs around Jungkook's waist quickly, his arms going around Jungkook's neck. Jungkook nearly growled into Jimin's neck as he shoved inside of Jimin. "You're so fucking perfect."

Jimin moaned, stupidly turned on by Jungkook's muscles and strength. He wished he could see his muscles ripple, but he was instead on cloud nine, his head hazy, his pleasure making him feel hot. "Fuck." He gave out a weak moan, Jungkook not slowing down.

Jungkook gave another low growl before positioning a little differently, hitting Jimin's prostate. When he moaned in Jungkook's ear, he grinned. "Just like that baby, I love your voice so much."

Jimin shivered before moaning louder, Jungkook abusing his prostate once more. The pleasure edged on pain, but never got there, instead, just giving him unending shocks of pure pleasure.

"Fuck- fuck Jungkook- slow- slow-"

"No no, you've never given me this opportunity before. You've any idea how hot you are? How fucking sexy? Fuck, I never thought those words would come out of your mouth." Jungkook kept growling, making Jimin shiver again. He sounded so attractive.

"I- I didn't know you were- fuck- thinking about it- ah!~" Jimin gave broken moans in between.

"Oh baby, I've dreamed about it. Never was gunna ask though." Jungkook kept going, readjusting his hands a slight bit so he could hold Jimin's ass. "But then again, I've imagined a lot of things."

"T-tell me them another day." Jimin huffed, feeling slightly overstimulated. "I'll- fuck!- I'll listen." Jimin rested his head on Jungkook's shoulder, shaking. "You're crazy." He weakly spoke, getting a laugh from Jungkook.

"You wanted it...I'm here to give you what you want."

"Want you." Jimin kissed his neck, smiling a little before his moaning continued.

"Oh love, you sound like a dream." Jungkook sighed happily. "You seem close."

Jimin blushed. "I- I am, just- just keep going- nnngh!" Jimin tried to bite down a moan, but Jungkook wasn't having it.

"Louder than that. Though, you sound pretty no matter what." Jungkook kept hitting his prostate, Jimin shuddering.

"J-Jungkook I'm close-"

"Come on, you can do it." Jungkook grinned, loving when Jimin curled into his arms and came, his muscles shaking. Jungkook came inside him, letting out a louder moan than usual. "Oh fuck!" He held Jimin close, pressing him against the wall to give him some better balance.

"Oh Jungkook." Jimin sounded exhausted. "How was this a better idea? Probably your carpet is- gross."

"I can clean a carpet easier." Jungkook chuckled before hoisting Jimin up a little to get a better grip on his ass. "To the bathroom~" Jungkook walked off, still inside him.

"J-Jungkook-"

"Wanna take a bath?"

"Too tired. Let's just clean up and cuddle."

"Aw."

"You've fucked me senseless, shut up. Not a third time."

"Awwww." Jungkook pouted, it quickly being replaced with a smile when Jimin peppered him in kisses. "Okay okay. Cuddles."

They cleaned up, Jimin complaining a little about how cold the counter was, before Jungkook got them some clothes and took them to bed. Jungkook let Jimin be the big spoon, feeling his puffs of breath and kisses against his back.

"You know...I'm glad it's you." Jimin spoke quietly, but loud enough for Jungkook to hear. "I'm glad you're mine."

"I'm really thankful for you Jimin. I never thought...I'd have a reason to live. I didn't imagine myself living past 30. B-but you made me give a shit about living."

"You were too young to give up."

"You're right. I was. And now...now I never want to. Now that I've got you, I wanna live forever."

Jimin giggled. "You...are very cheesy."

"I'm in love, what can I say?"

____

"Jungkook seriously, don't come into my castle looking like you got attacked by a shark." Hoseok sighed, glaring a little.

"You know, mermen have sharper teeth then us, so I-" Jungkook tapped his pencil against his lip.

"Jungkook. Professionalism is an important aspect." Hoseok glared.

"Oh don't tell me off, you've gone enough days with hickeys left and right, and I don't call you out." Jungkook raised an eyebrow at Yoongi. "You can't tell me you haven't hid them."

"I've had more time to practice." Yoongi grinned.

Jimin gasped happily. "Tell me where to mark him your majesty!"

"Hoseok has a soft spot right under his-"

"Stop! Yoongi!" Hoseok blushed, making Jungkook laugh.

"Jimin, I don't mind if you practice on me. As long as our king here doesn't mind that I'm shark bait."

"Fuck off."

Nice! This was a nice little one, hopefully y'all enjoyed it! Thank you to @becca6677 again for the request. 💜💜💜 stay safe everyone!