─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

for a new whole month, jeongguk didn't get a glimpse of what he has come to conclusion was a mermaid.

in the minute he came back at home after seeing it, he did researches.

he searched what kind of creatures could it be, and it fitted perfectly with the mermaid. he spent nights reading about mermaids, what they liked and how they lived.

he had no idea if all of this was true, but he just wanted to know more about what he had maybe seen that day.

the photographer was also a really good artist, so he made some sketches of the mermaid so he wouldn't forget it.

he put the pink shell on his desk, so he could see it whenever he was working late at night, and it gave him the energy he needed.

he didn't tell anyone, not even namjoon, he knew no one would believe him and some would think he's crazy and he didn't want it to affect his career. and he didn't want anyone to know about its existence, he wanted to be the only one to know.

"those pictures are shit jeon. you'll have to retake them and quickly. i don't have time for talentless people. i'll give you one last chance before telling the whole country about your lacking." was the last sentence he heard that day.

he had put all of his heart into those pictures for a famous idol, but his manager didn't like them at all.

the man left jeongguk's office and slammed the door shut, making the young boy flinch.

jeongguk sighed and hid his face in his palms. he had already a busy schedule, he couldn't make a last minute appointment, but he had to.

he called namjoon for help, and the older told him to go rest and that he would take care of it.

the young boy packed his stuff so he could go back to his home quickly and then go to the beach to relax.

he changed into comfy clothes as always and left to go to his beach, not bringing his camera with him.

he stood straight on the sand, watching the sun shine on the water, the waves as calm as always. he thought about how his day went, how much pressure was on his back with some upcoming important events, and he could feel tears pool at the corner of his eyes.

he walked to his favorite rock and sat down crisscrossing at the edge. he rested his elbows on his knees and hid his face in his palms once again.

the harsh words coming form taemin's manager played again in his head and he broke down in tears.

he let loud sobs come out of his mouth, his shoulders shaking hard. he dried his tears after a while, he knew his eyes and his nose were red, maybe even his cheeks but he didn't care.

he folded his legs under his chin, so he could rest it on his knees, his arms wrapped around his legs. he had a small pout not leaving his lips while he was blankly looking in front of him.

he heard a familiar flapping and his lips turned up in a smile immediately. he raised his head and searched around for the mermaid, he really wanted to see it again, but he didn't see anything.

he looked down when he remembered it had put some shells on that special rock under him, and he wasn't even surprised to discover a big pink shell standing proudly on it.

he took it in his hands and looked at its details, it was as pretty as the other shell he took a month before.

when he looked inside of it, he saw a kind of leaf, he didn't know what kind or where it was coming from, probably deep in the ocean.

he pulled the leaf out of the shell and was really surprised to see some writings.

you're too pretty to cry

his mouth opened a bit when he processed what was written. he looked up from the leaf to try to find the beautiful creature but he still didn't see anything.

"and you're way too pretty to hide, but you still do." he said calmly, in a soft voice. he focused on the sounds, his eyes darting everywhere in hope to find a pink tuft or a shining pink tail.

he reread the note, then put it back in the shell carefully to keep it.

"i won't hurt you if you come closer. i just want to see you. no one would hurt you." he blurted out, not really thinking about the words leaving his lips. at least, he knew mermaids spoke the same language as him.

he heard the familiar flapping of its tail coming from behind a big rock, few meters away from where he was sitting. he smiled to himself and continued to talk.

"i know you're here, but i'm not going to go search for you. i dont want to rush you or scare you. i'm not asking you to come close to me and talk to me. i just.. i want to make sure i'm not dreaming." he explained quietly, he didn't want to raise his voice.

he had read on the internet that mermaids have a way better hearing than humans, and that they're more sensitive than humans.

after he said that sentence, the flapping stopped. he thought the mermaid left, so he sighed and looked at the horizon.

he watched the pink sky, and said almost to himself "pink is a really pretty color.." and just then he heard a small flap in front of him.

his eyes snapped to the noise's direction, and he made eye contact with the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

he could only see its hair and its eyes, the mermaid kept the rest of its body under the water.

they didn't say anything, they didn't move, they just looked into the other's eyes, trying to get used to the other's presence.

they were lost in their thoughts when a bird chimed above them. the mermaid looked away and then disappeared under the shining water.

jeongguk obviously wanted to see more, but it was normal to keep patience with a mermaid, he knew it wouldn't come to him in the second, but it was good start.

he smiled contently and left to go back to his house, he had work to do. he picked up the shell carefully and put it next to the other one once he had reached his office.

he took out the leaf again and read the words, his smile growing even bigger.

"i wish i could see how pretty you are closely."

hello ♡ i hope you all had a good day !!