As much as San wanted to stay in the water with Wooyoung forever, he had to admit at one point that they should get back to let Yeosang and Jongho know that they were ok.

He laughed when the merman's lower lip pushed out in a pout, then reached up to pinch Wooyoung's cheek. "I know, but Sangie is a worrier."

It was so surreal to be talking underwater. His entire body's first reaction was to panic and make a mad dash for the surface. But as soon as he inhaled oxygen instead of water everything was fine.

Wooyoung looked up at the surface with a sad expression, then moved forward to wrap his arms around San's chest.

The pair stared at each other for a long time while drifting slowly through the water, propelled by each gentle movement of Wooyoung's tail.

"You're beautiful." San whispered. He smiled when he noticed a blush creep onto Wooyoung's cheeks. "I never got to say it before, but watching you swim is just... I can't even begin to describe it. Magical seems too ironic, but that's the best I can come up with."

Wooyoung bit his lip and ran one finger down the middle of San's chest. "You should see me in the ocean where the water is clear and blue."

San didn't miss the sultry tone in the merman's voice, but he gave in to it anyway. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." Wooyoung kept up his teasing touches. "Color is so much more vibrant there. And then add all the fish and coral and it's the most extraordinary thing."

"I can't wait to see it."

Wooyoung shivered under San's intense gaze. As they started to drift toward the surface, their lips connected in a slow, loving kiss.

There was no need, no hunger, no lust, just two people sharing an intimate connection in its purest form.

In a way, it held a different level of satisfaction that sex ever did as they spun in slow, lazy, upward circles.

San pulled away right before they broke through the surface. Water ran down his face, forcing hair into his eyes. He shook his head back and forth, then watched as Wooyoung did the same.

Even though he had been the one to suggest getting back, San didn't mind the lazy swim they fell into. They both laid on their backs, fingers laced together between them, while Wooyoung continued to be the one to move them toward shore.

It was perfect. Simply perfect.

When they finally made it back, Wooyoung transformed before they gathered their things to head back to camp.

And just as San had predicted, Yeosang was pacing by the fire while Jongho leaned over it in the process of cooking breakfast.

"There you are!" Yeosang cried out when he noticed the couple walking out of the trees. "Do you have any idea how worried we've been?"

"You've been." Jongho muttered, earning himself a glare from Yeosang.

"Where have you been?"

San made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. "Calm down, Sangie. We're fine, we just went for a walk."

Yeosang's eyebrow shot up and he crossed his arms. "With a blanket? And what, did you walk into the lake?"

"No, we went for a swim!" Wooyoung said with a giggle before nuzzling into San's side.

The action was so endearing that San couldn't help but throw his arm over the merman's shoulders and pressed a kiss to the side of his head.

When he turned back to his best friend, Yeosang pursed his lips with a silent promise to give San hell later.

"I'm sorry we worried you." San offered. He left Wooyoung's side to give Yeosang a quick hug. "How was your night?"

The older cleared his throat. "It was fine." He said before stepping away to rummage through their cooler.

San glanced at Jongho, who was doing a very poor job at hiding that he had heard the question.

Something had happened between the two of them last night, but San couldn't tell if it was good or bad.

As an awkward silence fell over the group, San chewed on his cheek for a few seconds before grabbing Wooyoung's hand and pulling him to the fire. "What's for breakfast?" He asked, trying to lighten the mood.

"B-"

"Bacon!!" Wooyoung cheered. He bounced in place and clapped his hands, which made a wide grin tear across Jongho's face.

"Just for you, Youngie. I also brought some sausage, eggs, and bread." Jongho leaned back after flipping everything over. "So I was thinking we could go for a hike today, maybe explore a little of the forest?"

"That sounds great!" San said.

"And then..." The younger sighed before poking absently at the fire. "I suppose we need to talk about what our next steps are going to be."

San tensed, knowing exactly what Jongho meant, although he didn't want to talk about it... "I'm not going back to work." He said. "I won't work for a place that treated Wooyoung like that."

"I don't blame you," Yeosang finally sat down. "But you can't just up and quit. I'm sure there is still an investigation going on, and not showing up for wok will put you back at the top of the suspect list."

"It's not like they have any proof!" San shook his head. "They should be the ones in trouble for what they did!"

"Sannie..." Wooyoung whispered before hugging his waist and pressing a cold nose to his neck.

It was at that moment that San knew he couldn't hide his desires anymore. He hugged Wooyoung back, as tight as he could, then locked eye with Yeosang. "I want to move."

The older pressed his lips together and exhaled for a long time through his nose. "I knew this was coming."

"Then you also know why."

"Yeah." Yeosang's eyes flicked to Wooyoung.

The merman looked back and forth between them. "Me?"

San pressed his lips to the top of Wooyoung's head. "Yes, my love. You. I want to be as close to you as I can, so I want to move to the area where we met. That way I can still see you as much as possible. If that's alright with you?"

The smile that broke across Wooyoung's face was enough to light up the entire area. He threw himself into the hug once more and started placing light kisses along San's neck. "I would like that very much!"

"Me too." San whispered.

When he looked at yeosang again, he saw worry floating around his friend's head like storm clouds. There was a lot they'd need to figure out, but San was determined to make it happen, no matter what it took.

He also knew that it meant possibly leaving Yeosang behind. The thought broke his heart because they'd always been together... But if something was going to happen between Yeosang and Jongho, San would never ask his friend, his brother, to give that up.

Once they were done with breakfast, the group of four worked together to tidy up their campsite before grabbing a few bottles of water and started walking alone the shoreline.

Wooyoung was quick to get in, going deep enough so that the water reached his calves, then abruptly broke into an enticing giggle fit. "This feels weird! Everything is going between my toes and it's all squishy!"

"Fun, isn't it?" San asked from where he was walking next to yeosang. He could sense that his friend was troubled by their earlier conversation, so he chose to take Yeosang's hand for now and stay by his side.

They spent the next few hours in relative silence, only commenting here and there about the scenery or something else they may have noticed. It was peaceful and perfect, and for just this short time, San could pretend that they were the only four people in the world.

Eventually they decided to head back to have lunch, then explore in the other direction. That way led deeper into he mountains, and that's when Wooyoung started to act a little strange.

He started stopping a lot more and looked around with a curious expression. It was like he was searching for something.

"Woo?" San walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Do you feel it?" The merman asked in a low voice.

San's forehead creased. He looked around as well and shook his head. "Feel what?"

"Magic." Wooyoung whispered before running forward.

The other three stood frozen in place, trying to process what their friend just said.

"This explains everything!" Wooyoung called over his shoulder. "Why I feel so good right now, why I'm able to transform, why I healed so quickly!"

San's eyes grew wide right before he ran after the boy he loved. Just the thought of a place he used to visit being filled with magic was incredible.

Crazy thoughts started to fly through his mind as he watched the head of purple hair bob back and froth between the trees.

Maybe... Maybe he and Wooyoung had been destined to meet.

There was no way this was just a coincidence... Right?

"BASTARDS!" Seonghwa shouted as he threw his glass against the wall. It shattered in a beautiful explosion of flying glass. The scene was so satisfying he picked up another one. "Fucking pieces of filth!"

Hongjoong winced when two more glasses were smashed.

Good. Seonghwa wanted him to be scared. He deserved it for delivering this kind of news.

How could those pathetic people betray him like this? After all he had done for them!

"I want them all put in prison!"

"W-We c-can't, Sir." Hongjoong's voice was weak and feeble. Just listening to it made Seonghwa turnt o him and sneer. "The police w-won't-"

"I don't give a damn about the police!" Seonghwa roared before storming over to Hongjoong. He slammed his hands against the wall on either side of the younger's head, trapping him against the wall and making him flinch again. "Tell me." He narrowed his eyes, loving how Hongjoong started to tremble beneath him. "How. Are. You. Going. To. Fix. This?"

Hongjoong opened and closed his mouth a. Couple of times. "I-I will reach out to our contacts. M-M-Maybe they will know something."

Before he could say anything else, Seonghwa dipped his head down and sucked on Hongjoong's lower lip. He chuckled darkly when he younger whimpered. Then he continued to suck and nibble until the lip was abused and swollen. A lasting reminder of the punishment to come if Hongjoong didn't finish his job. "Get going then."

Seonghwa watched his assistant flee from the room. He had better find some answers, otherwise he would be in for a world of pain...

All this had started when Hongjoong had come in to report that the police were dropping the investigation at the aquarium. They claimed that there wasn't enough evidence to support a full blown investigation, nor did they want to. Not even with all the money Seonghwa was willing to throw at them.

He knew it was because they didn't believe the merman had been real. And why would they? Humans had stopped believing in magic a long time ago. Now it was all myth, legend, and fantasy.

Seonghwa would show them all. Once he found what he was looking for and took back what was rightfully his.

With his anger still threatening to boil over, Seonghwa marched to his desk and threw himself into the large, ornate leather chair. His eyes fell to the book sitting in the center.

It was one he knew well, having been passed down from father to son in his family for generations. The paper within should be decaying with how old it was, but it was created and protected by magic.

Needing the distraction, Seonghwa flipped it open and started to thumb through the pages. Maybe he could find something else to help him.

The first section was his family history. His specific Park bloodline came from ancient kings. While they had always been mortal, they had a deep connection with the magical world. Many wrote about befriending dragons and witches, others about their love of fairies and unicorns.

There were journals and scrolls all throughout Seonghwa's mansion filled with secrets of the magical world. Some in his family believed they were destined to protect magic, guarding the secrets given. To them from propel who wanted to use them.

People like the Parks Seonghwa had decided to believe. People who desired power, money, and fame.

Seonghwa wanted all of that.

And more.

One day he had come across a hidden journal full of the mad ramblings from one of his ancestors. Most of it had been complete gibberish, but there was one portion that had peaked his interest.

Immortality.

Just the thought of it sent a chill down his spine.

If Seonghwa could find the ingredients needed for an immortality potion, then he could take up his rightful place as king of the mortals and rule forever.

Seonghwa smirked when he thought about all the changes he wanted to make. Mankind would grovel at his feet and beg to service him if it meant they would have even a taste of his power.

That's how he had snagged poor little Hongjoong. The silly boy had applied to be his research assistant, having studied mythology in school, and when Seonghwa had felt the time was right, had shared his plans for the future.

He had delighted in watching Hongjoong go through his phase of being power drunk. The hungry look had entered his eyes almost instantly. He desired power too, and now all Seonghwa had to do was remind the younger of that power and Hongjoong would do anything and everything Seonghwa asked him to do.

Sadly, Seonghwa wasn't sure he felt like keeping his end of the deal. Sure, Hongjoong was resourceful and good at his job, plus he was fun to screw, but Seonghwa was a selfish man.

Why would he share the secret to immortality with anyone?

As Seonghwa continued to flip through his book, his mind mulled over what he had discovered so far, which wasn't much.

Man kind had destroyed a lot of the magic that used to live freely in the world.l hunting down ingredients had been quite the task that thankfully had been something his family had done anyway as a means to preserve the magic.

He had his own collection of dried herbs, preserved animals and polished rocks and gemstones. There was also a greenhouse at the back of his mansion that he tended to personally every day. He was also the only one with the key. There was no way he would trust anyone else with his precious plants.

But even with all his family had collected, including rare items like ground unicorn horn or the feather from a gryphon's wing, nothing work. The potion of immortality still eluded him.

Until now.

Seonghwa believed that the merfolk held the key to his success.

He had spent several years searching for them in the depths of every ocean, but their natural magic was strong enough to keep them hidden. It never mattered how much money he threw at new technology, he never had solid proof they still existed outside of a random scale discovered here and there.

That is, until his scouting party came across an entire pod, some of which he now had imprisoned below his home.

But in all his personal research, they just wren't enough., he guessed it was because they had barely been alive when they got to him, so when he heard an aquarium a few hours away had captured one of their own, Seonghwa had been quick to give them all the money necessary to keep their program running so he could get some answers.

They didn't disappoint.

The discoveries they made with the merman's scales and blood told Seonghwa that they were the key.

And then the morons had let the merman be stolen right from under their pathetic noses!

If he could, Seonghwa would have every single scientist there strung up and stoned until they died.

Just thinking about it made him want to throw more glasses against the wall.

Maybe he would. Then he could admire Hongjoong's cute little ass while he was one his hands and knees as he cleaned it up.

Just as he was about to put his plan into action, the door burst open to reveal Hongjoong himself running in. His heavy breathing indicated he had ran all the way from the labs.

Which means he had better have news.

Seonghwa stood up and opened his mouth to speak, but his assistant help up a hand. He took two deep breaths before meeting Seonghwa's gaze. "One of our sensors tripped."

Seonghwa started to laugh, cold and cruel. "Finally."