From The Sea (Sekai)

Seashells

Jongin woke up with a smile on his face and the scent of the sea surrounding him. He walked to school with his shoulders held high and a newfound confidence. People stared at him in an odd way. The bullies didn't even bother him that day. He wasn't going to be weak anymore. He wouldn't let them pick on him.

And it was all because of Sehun. He hadn't known the other for long, but Jongin had finally found someone who actually cared about him.

Jongin rushed home after school and ran upstairs to finish his homework. He typically put all homework off until the last minute, but he had to do it now so that he could see Sehun. He ate his dinner with enthusiasm and his mother asked him if something good happened.

"I made a new friend." His mother's smile was brighter than a thousand suns. She had always worried about her son always being alone. That obviously wasn't a problem anymore.

"Can I hang out with him tonight?"

"Of course, darling." Jongin was radiating happiness. After so many years of suffering Jongin has finally found someone to make him smile.

~

The sun was just above the horizon as he dashed out of the house to his special hiding spot. He was out of breath by the time he reached his destination. He placed his hands on his knees as he bent over, trying to regulate his breathing. He knew he was early, but sat by the edge of the water and waited anyways.

Sehun showed up within minutes.

"Hello." Jongin said.

"Hi," Sehun said with a blinding smile, "I can sense that you are much happier today." Jongin nodded in reply.

"We have more time today so you can ask all the questions you want." said the boy still submerged in the water.

"Why did you want to be my friend?" Sehun was shocked by the question. He had thought for sure that the other would ask something along the lines of, 'what are you?'.

"When I was younger I used to swim in the water around here. My father had always told me that humans were vicious and scary, but I couldn't help my curiosity. One day the water was filled with blood and there you were on the sand. You were unconscious when I found you and I healed you with a part of my essence. There is a part of me in you. That's why I have always been drawn to you since that day. I want to protect you and be your friend."

Jongin was lost in Sehun's words. "So you did save me that day." Jongin mumbled.

"Yes."

"Thanks." Sehun just nodded. There was an awkward silence until Jongin spoke again.

"So.........well......what are you exactly?"

There's the question Sehun was waiting for.

"I'm what you would call a merman." He then dragged himself out of the water and plopped onto the ground next to Jongin. What Jongin was expecting when Sehun told him that was something out of The Little Mermaid, but that is not what he got. Sehun's tail was mostly pink with splashes of blue and green. He had a long bendable fin that went from his lower back all the way to the tip of his tail where it split off into two propeller fins. His hands were also covered in deep purple scales.

"Why do you have scales on your hands? I've studied myths about mermaids and merman, but I've never heard of that before."

"The type of scale and color show what clan you belong to. I belong to the EXO clan."

Jongin slowly reached his hand out to grasp at the others hand. Sehun let him. He had expected the scales to feel slimy and gross, but they were smooth and dry. He smiled and held his new friend's hand closer. Then Jongin gained more confidence and moved closer to the tail. He gently laid a hand on it. A mischievous grin lit up Sehun's face as he flipped his tail out of the water, splashing Jongin and causing him to shriek. The younger boy let out a loud laugh while Jongin glared at him. They continued to talk for hours upon hours.

And once again he had to leave his friend in order to go home with a seashell in hand.

~

Weeks and months passed by quickly without any problems. Everyday he went out to visit with his friend and brought home a beautiful seashell each time.

This time Jongin was going to bring Sehun a present. It was a stainless steel ring and Jongin had a matching one. He handed it to Sehun and he stared at it with a blank look.

"Jongin, I understand that this is a gift, but ummm.......what do I do with it?"

Jongin giggled and showed him his hand where the matching ring was. Sehun copied Jongin and slid it onto his ring finger. The shiny metal reflected the purple scales on his finger.

"Wanna go swimming?" Sehun asked.

Jongin's eyes lit up. He had wanted to watch Sehun swim for the longest time. Jongin watched as the other slid into the water. He was about waist deep in the water. The sea was clear and the full moon was shining brightly.

Sehun came up to him with a sharp stone in his hand and said, "This might hurt a little but it will be worth it."

He slit his palm and blood started seeping out then he did the same to Jongin who was quite startled by the action. He then pressed the two palms together and pulled them apart. When Jongin looked at his palm it was completely healed.

Before Jongin could ask why Sehun did that, he was abruptly pulled under the water. He screamed and inhaled water. The water flooded his lungs and he thought for sure that he was going to die.

"Just breathe."

And Jongin did. His body jerked in surprise at the fact that he was breathing......underwater.

Jongin looked at the merman with wide eyes and the other just smiled and held out his hand. Jongin grasped it and held on tight as Sehun took off. Jongin was pulled closer to the others body as they swam together. He looked down and saw Sehun's pinkish tail swishing back and forth feverishly.

Sehun showed him all the beauties of the underwater paradise.

Jongin was exhausted by the time they returned to the shore line. The two sat in the sand side by side while Sehun asked Jongin questions about humans.

"Jongin, have you ever been in love?"

"I've never dated anyone. Why do you ask?"

"I didn't ask if you've dated anyone. I asked if you have ever been in love. I asked because I don't know what it feels like, but I think I'm falling in love.........with you."

Jongin's heart stopped when he heard those words slip from his best friends mouth. A strong feeling of affection towards the other and bubbled up in his heart. He turned his head in Sehun's direction and stared deeply into his eyes. They stayed in that position a few moments until Sehun started to lean forward. Jongin didn't pull away and he was rewarded with the others soft lips pressing against his.

It was a chaste kiss, lasting only a few moments, but it left them wanting more.

Jongin leaned in for a deeper kiss this time and entwined his fingers between Sehun's. In the dim moonlight you could see both of their rings shining brightly, side by side.

Sehun pulled away, breathless.

"You should probably head home, Jongin."

Sehun could see the disappointment in the others eyes.

"I love you, Sehun."

"I love you too, Jongin."

That night, on the walk home, it was anything but quiet. Blood was rushing through his veins and his heart was pounding at a hastened pace. Jongin has finally experienced his first kiss and it was simply amazing. He felt truly loved for the first time. Of course his parents loved him, but they never gave him their undivided attention like Sehun did. They never made him feel special like Sehun did.

~

Every time Jongin went to visit his boyfriend, he was held in a tight embrace by Sehun. The younger boy made Jongin feel safe and happy. It was a full moon and their one year anniversary when Sehun made love to Jongin. He screamed out his lover's name to the moon above. He clung to Sehun as they melded their bodies into one.

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