Water In My Soul [Jikook mermaid!au] ; Chapter Six
Pairing: Jikook Chapters: 6 /?? Genre: Fantasy, slight angst, slight comedy, slight nsfw (later on) Chapter 5: Word count; 2,714 Description: “I’m going to find you again. You just wait.“ He mumbled to himself, determined to find the blue-tailed boy that had him questioning not only his reasoning, but his very sanity.
When Jeon Jungkook, average high schooler, has an encounter with a not so average blue-tailed, pink haired boy at a senior getaway by the beach, he’s left to question between reality and illusion.
Warning: this chapter involves sensitive topics, read at own risk.
Chapter Six
The drive was calming, the ocean breeze caressing skin, the heat of an approaching summer evident and strong, yet remaining as refreshing as an early morning's dew with the smell of sea salt filling everyone's senses with a form of serenity. Yoongi's dark eyes stayed on the great body of water yet his mind pondered somewhere distant; so when Seokjin's truck halted to a stop in front of Taehyung's house, you can say Yoongi was a couple of seconds off from face planting onto the street below. Luckily landing on his feet, Yoongi licked over his lips, only feeling a slight bit anxious. This was new to him, all of this. To top it off, he didn't even know any of these guys enough to be hanging out in one of their houses. He bet half of them didn't even know his name.
"Yoongi! C'mon!" Jimin's happy toned voiced echoed throughout the somewhat quite night. Of all people to know his name, Yoongi wasn't so glad it was Jimin. Was he always that loud and pushy? With a groan, the black haired male slowly made his way towards the steps up to the front door, Jimin waiting for him eagerly at the door frame. The other five had already made their way into the warm home, already comfortably sprawled against couches and floor. Jimin took Yoongi by the arm and smiled up at him, eyes shining happily. Jimin didn't mean to bother the other, he was genuinely happy for the fact that he had made a friend all on his own, or at least he thought he had. Yoongi on the other hand, not so much. He pulled his arm out of Jimin's grip, slowly slipping his hands into his jean's pocket involuntarily, eyes darting down to his feet. He didn't like this, he felt exposed. He was way too out of his comfort zone here.
"You're welcome to sit." Taehyung's voice traveled as he walked from the living room to the kitchen, making Yoongi's neutral eyes look up and follow him until he disappeared. Hesitantly, and with a slow nod, he took a seat next to a kind eyed boy, not really knowing his name but knowing he had seen him around the halls.
"I'm Hoseok." The boy introduced himself, sticking his hand out for Yoongi to shake. The male only glanced down at the other's hand, not really a fan of skin ship but deciding on taking it, out of good manner. He took Hoseok's hand within his own, giving it a good shake before slowly retracting his hand.
"Yoongi." He nodded, eyes wandering around Hoseok's features, not sure if the kind look on his face was faux and he was actually attempting to gain Yoongi's trust to sabotage. That, or Yoongi was just being as paranoid as ever. Hoseok's kind smile only seemed to brighten, nodding and turning his head softly, bringing his eyes to watch the other four sitting around in the dim living room. There seemed to be an awkward silence traveling over them all, not really knowing how to start conversation with the monotone male, it was almost as if they were intimidated.
"Just so you know, I still don't like you." A voice sounded from a distance, Taehyung soon emerging from the kitchen, a couple of cold beers in his hand, handing them around before stopping before Yoongi, beer offered out to him. Yoongi locked eyes with Taehyung before taking the can within his pale hand, humming softly to the other's words.
"I'm used to it." A shrug lifted his shoulders before he opened up the drink, taking a sip from the perspiring can. The group's lips parted, not understanding how he could be so nonchalant while being told that. If Taehyung said he wasn't taken aback, he would be lying. There was another moment of silence before the eldest decided to speak up.
"Right, so. I'm Seokjin." He nodded, a small grin upon his lips. "This is Namjoon." He pointed to the tall male next to him, who nodded as a greeting and continued on with his drink. "That's Jungkook." Jungkook was too busy trying to get Jimin away from his beer to greet the staring male, but Yoongi got the idea. "You know Jimin." Jimin's ears perked up at the sound being mentioned, Yoongi slumping his shoulders and letting out a ragged exhale along with an unamused 'mhm'. Hoseok seemed to notice the change of attitude when Jimin was mentioned and only let out a small laugh, it was Jimin's fault that Yoongi was here in the first place, and he highly doubted he was enjoying this. "And-"
"I'm Taehyung." Taehyung interrupted Seokjin, wanting to introduce himself. Taehyung wasn't trying to be a total dick towards Yoongi, he just didn't like his attitude. Yoongi didn't care though, and that is exactly what stressed Taehyung out. Yoongi hummed and held his can of beer up to Taehyung as a cheers, having already introduced himself. "So, what's your story?" Taehyung questioned, flicking his can softly. Yoongi stopped mid sip and eyed Taehyung, brows furrowing. He then slowly pulled the cold aluminum from his pink lips, licking against them before speaking slowly.
"I don't have a story." He spoke unamusedly, eyes locking upon the other's. Taehyung let out a small chuckle, shaking his head.
"Everyone has a story." He nodded, setting his beer atop of the coffee table. Yoongi let his eyes scan over Taehyung, how he leaned back against his hands comfortably, his brown hair against his forehead, some of it obscuring his view.
"What's yours?" Yoongi retorted, leaning back comfortably against the couch. He was uncomfortable, he didn't like trusting other people with his business, but he couldn't let any of them know that. They'd think he was a freak! The other five in the room glanced amongst themselves, definitely feeling the tension brewing amongst the two males. Taehyung whistled and nodded, sitting up in a cross-legged position.
"I'm Taehyung. I'm eighteen. Born and raised here at Yeon-an. Jungkook's best friend." He finished with a shrug. Yoongi formed a bored facial, rolling his eyes before sitting up, leaning his elbows down against his knees.
"Okay, but what's your real story?" He questioned, bringing a hand to thread through his hair. Taehyung raised his brows as he pondered over the question. "Everyone has a story they tell people, and a story no one knows; the real one. What's yours?" No one had any intentions of stopping this passive-aggressive argument, it was getting somewhere very deep, emotional even. Taehyung took his bottom lip between his teeth, knowing exactly what Yoongi meant but not wanting to reveal anything. After a couple of moments, Jungkook raised his hand up, eyes blinking softly.
"I'll tell mine, I don't care." He shrugged. Everyone's attention quickly averted to the youngest of the group, seeing as he grinned softly before beginning. "I'm eighteen, born in Busan, moved to Yeon-an when I was four with my mother." He nodded softly before taking a breath, ready to begin with his real story. "My father left when I was young, got remarried, had his own kids and I haven't heard of him since." The male cleared his throat, eyes scanning over everyone's softening features before continuing. "My mom is always away on business trips, and is only worried whether or not I have enough money to get by. We don't talk, and I don't have any other siblings so," Jungkook smiled sadly and shrugged his shoulders. "It's just me." Everyone nodded softly, some not looking at Jungkook, other's watching the male. Jimin slowly slipped his small hand within Jungkook's own, giving it a small squeeze. Jungkook turned his head and noticed the gentle tears beginning to form against the corner of the boy's eyes, grinning softly and proceeding to wipe them away.
"I'm nineteen, from Gwacheon." Seokjin stepped up next, threading a hand through his hair before exhaling a shaky breath. "And I'm not accepted in my house." He spoke truthfully. Brows furrowed and lips parted in question, the male knowing exactly what they would be asking. "I don't like the same things you guys do, I'm into other things." He tried his best to explain. It was Namjoon's snort and blushed cheeks that gave it away, faces brightening up with realization, small laughs slipping past lips and hums sounding from throats. Seokjin didn't have to say it directly, they all got the message.
"I'm nineteen, from Ilsan-gu and I second that." Namjoon spoke amusedly and clinked cans with Seokjin before taking a sip. It was humoring, how they could find amusement within the tragic situation of rejection amongst your own family members. It gave a sense of hope for something better, a getaway from the pain.
"I'm nineteen and from Gwangju." Hoseok started, setting his half empty can of beer onto the coffee table next to Taehyung's own. "You'd think my family is perfect and that I've got it easy if you didn't know us all." He grinned a bit weakly. "My family is divided over this feud that happened way before I was even born, and I'm shunned by half of my family just because I'm my parents' son." He licked over his lips. "I don't know my grandparents, I don't know my aunts, my uncles or any of my cousins. I only know my mother, my father and my sister." He looked up and watched everyone's faces. "But they're all I need. If the rest of my family doesn't need me, then I don't need them." He spoke out loud and clear, yet while that was what his mind said, his heart spoke a different truth. He couldn't help but wipe at the tears forming against his dark eyelashes, watching as his friend's eyes softened and some watered as well. "Why don't they need me?" A broken whisper sounded through the room as Hoseok hid his face within his hands, tears streaming over his cheeks. Yoongi didn't know why he did it, he didn't like skin ship and he didn't know how to comfort someone, but before he knew it, his hand was against Hoseok's back, fingertips soothingly caressing the clothed skin. Hoseok grinned softly at the attempt of comfort, bringing his face up, wiping at his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"Eighteen." Taehyung let the attention be taken away from Hoseok, knowing it would be better if everyone moved onto the next story. "Never left Yeon-an. I'm an only child to a pair of lawyers who both studied abroad and got high honors at their universities, made good money, married young and had me." He chuckled a bit bitterly. "They wanted a kid who was the most perfect example, the best of the best, doesn't even shatter a glass. Except they got Taehyung. Taehyung who can't do shit for himself, who fails school, who drinks and parties all night, a son they can't control." He rolled his eyes and drank the last bit in his can, tossing it carelessly to the side. "They push me and expect so much from me, and that might've worked when I was younger, but not anymore. Now, they push me, I push back harder, and I get hated for that." He shook his head.
"They don't hate you, Tae." Jungkook mumbled softly, to which Taehyung only laughed, standing up and taking the empty cans towards the kitchen.
"They might as well." He spoke, disappearing once again, the sounds of aluminum clashing against the plastic of trash bins, water running and small sniffles heard from afar. The group only continued to sit in silence, Yoongi finally mustering the courage to speak up.
"Nineteen, Daegu." He began, watching as Taehyung had returned, eyes bloodshot and collar of his shirt wet, him having rinsed over his face to cool himself down. "I moved here last year as a fresh start, but fresh starts don't simply happen at my house." He anxiously began to shake his leg. "I'm a chain smoker and substance abuser, all thanks to my step-dad, that fucker." He rolled his eyes before sighing and pouring his entire truth before them all. "My real father ditched my mom when she was pregnant. My mom was depressed, still is, but after I was born, she was alright I guess. I grew up fine, with Mom and her many boyfriends. They came in and out of the house all time, some stayed around, some didn't. I never paid mind to them. Not until this one came around and stayed. He's the worst piece of garbage there is. He can't work for shit, he drinks all day, and spends his nights screaming, causing a scene, breaking things." Yoongi laughed softly as he thought about it. "I once got my mouth busted open from when I caught him dragging my mom against the floor in a drunken rage."
Had it not been for Yoongi's mother pulling her son off of the man, Yoongi would've killed him, his hands wrapped tight around the drunk's throat. The young male had been furious at his mother for stopping him, screaming at her as to why she would stay with him, but was interrupted to a rough plow to the side of his face, knocking him to the ground, taking away his breath and all.
"The only money we have is the one I make, and whatever my mom finds around there. I would leave, I wish I could, but my mom won't. I don't understand why she won't, but no matter what, she chooses him, even over me. But one day, I will leave. Whether she leaves with me or not, that's her choice, but I'd already made mine." He finished with shut eyes, exhaling deeply. Yoongi didn't know why it felt so good letting it out, but it did. It felt really good. As if a weight had been lifted off of not only his shoulders, but his chest and his mind as well. He felt at peace almost. He opened up his eyes, other pairs of eyes looking back at him, yet all accepting, not one showing pity. Yoongi hated being felt bad for, he didn't need it, he found it useless. 'Feeling bad for someone or something doesn't help the problem, so there's no need for it. Pity isn't taking action.' he would always say.
The silence in the room was almost deafening, the group analyzing each other's stories and truths, looking at one another and not expecting such backgrounds from such worry-free faces. Don't judge a book by it's cover, as they say. "Shit.." Jungkook mumbled, beginning to laugh, which caught everyone's attention. "We're pretty fucked up, aren't we?" He spoke, eyes shining with tears, yet smile wide and amused. This only caused the rest of the group to begin to chuckle, half crying and half laughing.
"Not us, kid. Our parents." Taehyung corrected, wiping at his eyes and continuing on with laughing softly. "Jimin has it the worst I mean, look at him. He's recently turned from a fish and has to spend his days with a bunch of angsty teens." Jimin laughed squeakily as Jungkook opened his mouth, motioning that Yoongi had no idea yet was interrupted.
"Mermaid?" Yoongi questioned, eyes on Jimin, head tilted. Jungkook gulped once and nodded, to which Yoongi chuckled. "Figures." This had the groups attention, wondering how the hell he was so okay with this. "I heard you guys drunkenly calling for him that one time at the pier, he's clueless, said he was from the ocean on the first day, you guys are weird and I believe in Greek mythology. Nothing can surprise me at this point." Even more laughter accompanied these words, everyone shaking their heads in complete amused bewilderment.
This was the calm after the storm. Here, alongside each other, laughing at their own miserable lives, was their safe haven. Yoongi understood that now, they all understood. No matter what the circumstances, no matter the situations, the time, the place, the reason, no matter how alone they truly felt in the world, there would always be a group of equally as fucked up teens to make everything better. They were there, they were miserable, but they were true, and that's all that mattered.
