Moonlit Shores

𓆉 Chapter 2

Jeonghan and Seungcheol quickly swam out of the underwater castle. Seungcheol couldn't help but look back every now and then.

"Don't look back! Just keep going, ok?" Jeonghan said, obviously anxious about getting caught.

Seungcheol looked back ahead. His mind just processing the fact that he was in the presence of royalty,just as he is.

They soon got to the shore, breathing heavily as they peek their heads out of the water. Seungcheol sighed in relief. While, Jeonghan looked tense as he looked back, realizing that it is very late in the afternoon and that he should head back as soon as possible.

He can't help but get anxious but still wanting to stay on the shore with Seungcheol; to know more about the human world. Still holding the trinket in his hand, he looked over at Seungcheol. He held it out to show him.

"Before I go.. Do you know what this is?" He asked, his voice timid, not wanting to look at him either. He found it a few days prior and has been dying to ask somebody.

Jeonghan knew that he couldn't just ask anyone- so this was an opportunity if a lifetime. His father would warn him and tell him that the humans are after them. That the humans are scary and have weapons that are specifically for killing their kind.

He was told how humans have been looking in every ocean for sightings of them. That they capture mermaids and merman to cut their throat out so they couldn't call for help and then tie them to the front of their ships or hang them on their walls as decoration. His father told him how prideful the humans are of the murderers that they have committed against their kind.

His mother was not as opposed to interacting with humans, but held back for the safety of her of her sons. She had her own father killed by humans, but doesn't know what happened to him after he was struck by the spear.

They still havethe spear displayed in their house as a reminder of how dangerous humankind can be.

Jeonghan wanted to trust Seungcheol and wanted to talk to him more, but he still had that in the back of his head.

Will I die at the hands of a human?

Will I trust someone with legs more than my own people?

Am I about to dismiss my own grandfather's death because of my own selfish desires?

Suddenly, he snapped out of his thoughts when he felt his shoulder being tapped multiple times.

He looked at Seungcheol and Seungcheol looked at him concerned.

"You alright?" He asked him, his hand still on his shoulder.

Jeonghan smiled faintly. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm alright." He says, trying not to feel flustered by the care he's being shown.

"Well, I was just saying that it's a wrist watch." He answered again, seeing the confusion on his face.

He chuckles and takes the watch. "Its used to tell the time and you can wear it." He explained and gently took Jeonghan's wrist, wrapping the watch around it. "See?"

Jeonghan looked amused as he examined it. "So efficient! It's comfortable!" Seungcheol giggles at his reaction. "Its also an accessory, like a bracelet, in a way."

"Cool! I'll be wearing it!"

Though he'd love to stay, Seungcheol looked at Jeonghan and asked, "how can I get my legs back, by the way?"

Jeonghan's eyes widen in embarrassment as he forgot what they we're here for. "Oh yeah- sorry."

He closed his eyes as he held onto the amulet that was around his neck. He clasped his hands tightly together, bringing his head down to rest on them. The amulet glowed, Seungcheol looking at it with intrigue.

Suddenly, he had a tingling feeling from his waist down. He notices that the water around them started to glow, just as the amulet was. It was a blindly beautiful pink color.

The water was rising around them, encapsulating the two. Seungcheol stared in awe at what was happening. Jeonghan still seemingly reciting something quietly.

Soon, the water turned back into it's original color and let them out of the temporary enclosure they were in.

Jeonghan looked at him, smiling. "Check. You should be back now." Without a second thought, Seungcheol dove under the water and saw that his legs were truly back. His eyes widening at the magical powers that these creatures have- curious about what else they're capable of.

Going back up to the surface, Seungcheol suddenly hugs Jeonghan. Frozen in his place for a moment, Jeonghan didn't expect the sudden gesture of appreciation. But as he was about to reciprocate, Seungcheol pulled back in embarrassment. His face flushed slightly.

"Thanks for... Everything. I'm truly grateful, Jeonghan." Jeonghan couldn't help but smile, finding him cute.

"You're welcome, Seungcheol."

Seungcheol smiles back, before swimming off back to the shore. Jeonghan feelinv compelled to call out for him, but hesitant.

Seungcheol looked back as he was about to step onto the sand. He saw Jeonghan floating in the water.

He looks at him, his heart beating fast at the sight of the most stunning view he's ever gazed upon.

How could how could something or someone so majestic be so dangerous?

He waves at him.

Seungcheol is going to keep this to himself, not wanting to put Jeonghan and his family in danger. Though, he doesn't know if it's out of the selfishness of wanting to know more or if it was out of not wanting anything to happen to him. He doesn't want his family to go look for them and invade their safe Haven; just as he has his own safe Haven up on the shore in his castle with his family.

Seungcheol called out a wide smile on his face. "I'm usually here around this time! I'd love to see you again, when you can!"

"Goodnight, Jeonghan! I'll be waiting for you!"

Jeonghan giggles as he waves back at him. He watched as Seungcheol turned away, running to his home.

He was mesmerized not just by the fact that he saw a human, but also the fact that he saw a very gorgeous one.

Never would he have thought that he would find such a weird creature so magnificent; his face was perfectly sculpted by the gods. And when he was so close to him, earlier, his breath hitched as he felt himself wanting to stare at him for hours to study every muscle on his body.

He knew he had to hold back, however.

Jeonghan sighed and looked at the watch, before diving back to go home. He hoped that Seungkwan wasn't in too much trouble for covering for him this time.