Destiny - Vmin

23. Shelter

Taehyung found refuge in his aunt Úrsula's home, a sanctuary against the destructive forces of the sea. The structure was robust, crafted from corals, stones, and powerful magic—perhaps even more secure than his father's grand ocean palace. Within the depths of that ancient haven, he felt a momentary peace, as though the aged walls offered a protection he had never known elsewhere. For the first time in days, the storm of emotions within him seemed to quiet, even if just for a fleeting instant.

Beside him, Jimin was visibly uneasy. He tried to speak, but the magic of their previous kiss had not granted him the ability to communicate underwater. When he opened his mouth, only bubbles escaped, rising quickly into the ocean's dark expanse. Frustrated, he resorted to sign language, gesturing rapidly and urgently. His face reflected a mix of anxiety and determination.

"You ran away at dawn because that merman was after you?" he began to sign. "No, you fled the sea because he was hunting you—that's why you lied? You should've told me the truth! Don't you trust me?" Jimin's hands moved with intensity, each motion carrying an outpouring of questions that flowed uncontrollably, like a current.

Jimin's words hit Taehyung hard, yet they also brought him unexpected relief. Jimin wasn't reacting with anger or resentment; his gaze was filled with genuine curiosity and sincere concern. That look was disarming, brimming with an openness Taehyung didn't think he deserved. The realization washed over him like a tide, bringing both relief and sadness, accompanied by a fresh wave of guilt. If only he had been honest from the start, perhaps things wouldn't have escalated to this extreme.

Hesitating, Taehyung felt the weight of the situation bearing down on him. He desperately wanted to tell Jimin everything that had haunted him, the secrets he had kept out of fear. Finally, he raised his hands and, with a hesitant resolve, began to respond, each sign imbued with a vulnerability he rarely allowed himself to show.

"It wasn't about trust. It was fear—fear of what might happen if I told you. Fear that you'd be afraid of what I am, that you'd run from me, or... that you'd hunt me." Taehyung's hands conveyed the depth of his feelings, his gaze silently pleading for Jimin to understand.

At those words, a look of shock and indignation crossed Jimin's face. Something inside him shattered. He tried to take a deep breath, but anger and hurt burned in his chest like embers. Taehyung's fear was understandable, but the implied accusation—that Jimin might become a threat—cut deeply. The insinuation that Taehyung saw him as a potential enemy was a brutal offense.

Jimin, who had always tried to be the calm and patient one, now felt overwhelmed by a torrent of hurt. Shock and pain swirled in his mind, leaving him focused only on the raw wound Taehyung's words had opened.

"You really thought I'd do that to you?" Jimin's hands moved quickly, his gestures sharp and filled with frustration. "After everything we've been through, after everything I've done for you... you still thought I might hunt you?" He signed with such intensity that he didn't notice the magic allowing him to breathe underwater beginning to weaken.

Before he could gesture further, the spell finally dissipated, and he began to drown again. Panic filled Jimin's eyes as water flooded his lungs, his mind spiraling into darkness. The crushing pressure mounted with each second, the anger that had consumed him transforming into palpable desperation.

But Taehyung acted swiftly. He moved closer, gripping Jimin firmly. Without hesitation, he kissed him a second time—this time more deliberate and intense, as if transferring not just the magic to sustain Jimin but also his own urgency and despair. When the kiss ended, Taehyung pulled away just enough for Jimin to breathe.

"I'll prepare a potion to give you gills for a day. That way, you'll be safe without needing to go through this again," he signed, his expression heavy with an unspoken plea for another chance. Without wasting more time, he set to work, his hands moving deftly as he gathered ingredients from the coral jars his aunt had stored. The salty, pungent aroma of the concoction enveloped him, reminding him of the tides he had never fully understood.

As Taehyung worked with focused determination, Jimin floated nearby, still shaken by the kiss. His cheeks were flushed, but Taehyung, immersed in his task, avoided meeting his gaze, his expression marked by guilt and shame. Meanwhile, Jimin felt some of his earlier anger dissolve into the surrounding water. Though sadness lingered, his thoughts became clearer.

When Taehyung mixed the final ingredient, the potion glowed with a soft blue hue. He extended it to Jimin, offering the magical solution.

"Drink this... stay safe until everything calms down, and you can return in peace."

Jimin took the vial, hesitating briefly before drinking the liquid. It tasted bitter and metallic, but as it went down, it brought relief. Gills quickly formed on the sides of his neck, allowing him to inhale water effortlessly. The magic seamlessly adapted to his body.

However, the transformation was not entirely painless for Jimin. It was physical and uncomfortable—not unbearable, but it still hurt. Taehyung watched him with concern as the gills opened along his neck. Other changes began to take place; his hands and feet developed webbing between his fingers and toes, slowly transforming.