Beneath the waves

The rising tides

Jungkook spent the following days wrapped in a haze of introspection. The revelation about his royal lineage and the conflicting emotions regarding Taehyung and Jimin weighed heavily on his mind. He continued with his university routine, but his heart was undeniably tethered to the mysteries of the sea.

Despite the internal turmoil, Jungkook found solace in his studies. He buried himself in books, trying to distract himself from the thoughts of the underwater kingdom and the mermen who had turned his world upside down. Yet, every night, the sea called to him in his dreams, a siren song he couldn't resist.

***

The weekend came around, and Jungkook found himself once again drawn to the beach. This time, he was determined to learn more about his past. He sat on the familiar rocks, the sound of the waves soothing his restless mind. As if on cue, Taehyung emerged from the water, his presence as commanding as ever.

“Jungkook,” Taehyung greeted, his voice cool but not unkind. “Have you come to a decision?”

Jungkook shook his head. “Not yet. I have questions, Taehyung. About my father, my mother... everything.”

Taehyung nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and impatience. “Ask what you need to know.”

Taking a deep breath, Jungkook began, “Why did my father become so ruthless? What drove him to such lengths?”

Taehyung's expression darkened. “Your father was consumed by a desire for power. He believed that by controlling the seas, he could become invincible. He sought to unite the clans under his rule, but his methods were cruel and unforgiving. Your mother opposed his ways and feared for your safety. She fled to the surface to protect you from his ambitions.”

Jungkook felt a surge of anger and sorrow. “Why didn’t Nana ever tell me? Why keep all of this from me?”

“She wanted to protect you,” Taehyung explained. “The truth is dangerous, and she feared that knowing your heritage would put you at risk. But now, the kingdom needs you, Jungkook. You can bring change, restore balance.”

Before Jungkook could respond, the water shimmered again, and Jimin appeared, his expression filled with concern.

“Jungkook,” Jimin said softly, swimming closer, “you don’t have to bear this burden alone. I’ll help you, whatever you decide.”

Taehyung’s gaze hardened as he looked at Jimin. “You think you can protect him? You’re from a rival clan. What do you know about loyalty?”

Jimin’s eyes flashed with determination. “I know that Jungkook deserves to make his own choices. I’m here because I care about him, not because of some duty or obligation.”

Jungkook felt torn between the two mermen, his heart aching with confusion. He knew he had to make a choice, but he didn’t know if he was ready.

“I need more time,” Jungkook said finally, his voice trembling. “I need to figure this out on my own.”

Taehyung and Jimin exchanged a tense glance before nodding in unison. “We’ll be here,” Taehyung said, his voice softer than before. “Whenever you’re ready.”

***

As the days turned into weeks, Jungkook continued to struggle with his decision. He spent his evenings at the beach, sometimes meeting Jimin, sometimes Taehyung, and sometimes both. Each meeting brought new insights but also heightened the tension between the two mermen.

One evening, as the sun set over the horizon, casting a golden glow over the water, Jungkook found himself alone on the rocks, lost in thought. The sound of footsteps behind him broke his reverie, and he turned to see Taehyung approaching from the shore, his human form as striking as his merman one.

“Jungkook,” Taehyung said quietly, his eyes reflecting the colors of the sunset. “May I sit with you?”

Jungkook nodded, his heart pounding. “Of course.”

Taehyung sat down beside him, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. “I know this is difficult for you,” Taehyung began, his voice unusually soft. “But I want you to know that my intentions have changed. At first, I saw you as a means to an end, a way to change my life and the kingdom. But now... I see you as so much more.”

Jungkook looked at Taehyung, surprised by the vulnerability in his eyes. “What do you mean?”

Taehyung took a deep breath. “You’ve shown me a different perspective, Jungkook. Your kindness, your strength... it’s made me realize that power isn’t everything. I want to protect you, not for the sake of duty, but because I care about you.”

Jungkook’s heart swelled with emotion. He had never seen this side of Taehyung before, and it touched him deeply. “Thank you, Taehyung. That means a lot to me.”

As the two sat in silence, watching the waves crash against the shore, Jungkook felt a sense of clarity. He wasn’t alone in this journey, and maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to navigate the treacherous waters of his destiny with Taehyung by his side.

***

The next day, Jungkook met Jimin at the beach, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what he had to do. Jimin greeted him with a warm smile, but his eyes were filled with concern.

“Jungkook,” Jimin said, “is everything okay?”

Jungkook took a deep breath, his voice steady. “Jimin, you’ve been so kind to me. You’ve shown me a world of friendship and warmth, and I’m grateful for that. But I’ve realized that I need to embrace my destiny, and I can’t do that without Taehyung.”

Jimin’s smile faltered, but he nodded, understanding in his eyes. “I see. I just want you to be happy, Jungkook. If Taehyung is the one who can help you, then I support your decision.”

Jungkook felt a pang of guilt, but he knew he had to follow his heart. “Thank you, Jimin. You’re a true friend.”

Jimin’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, but he forced a smile. “I’ll always be here for you, Jungkook. No matter what.”

As Jimin swam away, Jungkook felt a sense of relief and sadness. He knew he had made the right choice, but it didn’t make it any easier.

***

Days turned into weeks, and Jungkook began to spend more time with Taehyung, learning about the underwater kingdom and his role as the prince. Taehyung’s cold demeanor gradually softened, and Jungkook found himself falling for the merman who had once seemed so distant and unapproachable.

One evening, as they sat together on the rocks, Taehyung took Jungkook’s hand in his, their fingers entwining. “Jungkook,” Taehyung said softly, “I promise to stand by you, no matter what challenges we face. Together, we can bring peace to the kingdom.”

Jungkook looked into Taehyung’s eyes, feeling a deep sense of connection. “Thank you, Taehyung. With you by my side, I feel like I can face anything.”

As the sun set over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange, Jungkook knew that his journey was just beginning. But with Taehyung by his side, he felt ready to embrace his destiny and bring change to the underwater world.

---