My Little Mermaid :: hyunin

chapter O4 :: communication

(note: i know stray kids don't live in Busan irl.
's for the story.
also, anything in quotes and italicized [aka "like this" ] is done in sign language. anyways, continue on!)

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9:43 AM, June 21st.

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Jeongin awoke to the sounds of soft steps on the carpeted floor and some kind of music coming from nearby. He resisted the urge to open his eyes, and curled himself further into the blue comforter. He heard the sound of fabric rustling, before feeling the dark covering of his eyes become flooded with dull golden light. Someone started humming to the playing music, which sounded even softer that the quiet feet walking on the carpet.

He peaked one eye open, before stretching his arms and legs. Several parts of his body popped and cracked, leaving him bewildered but also satisfied by the sensation. Hyunjin turned to face his bed as a squeak from drowsy stretches left Jeongin's mouth.

"Good morning." Hyunjin said as he continued humming. Jeongin rolled over to his other side at the greeting, so he could face the gorgeous boy. He opened both of his eyes now, and watched as he took a few steps towards Jeongin.

"Are you hungry?" Jeongin nodded as he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hands. Hyunjin tilted his head. He offered to make breakfast for the two of them before he brought Jeongin back home. The latter was unsure of what to do, or say, when the time came to 'get him home'. It took Jeongin at least five minutes to pull himself out of bed, and even then he still needed some motivational words from Hyunjin about breakfast to get himself to stand.

Jeongin was impressed with himself after he managed to descend the stairs completely error free. He followed Hyunjin as he made a few twists and turns within hallways of the house. Hyunjin's house was big. And fancy, but still cozy. Jeongin liked it.

Hyunjin pointed to a stool beside an island in the large kitchen, that Jeongin perched himself upon. The style of the kitchen was very similar to the rest of the rooms he's seen so far; mainly monochromatic with splashes of colors from the rainbow. The kitchen was covered in shades of off-white and grey, with pictures and fridge magnets of every color imaginable.

He watched quietly as Hyunjin prepared something on the stove. Hyunjin, too, was quiet. After a moment for stirring whatever he was cooking, he reached over the counter to touch a box-like object with dials, buttons, and an antenna. He turned a few of the dials, and Jeongin jumped a bit as music came on. It wasn't that he didn't know what it did, the sudden noise simply caught him off guard.

Jeongin was glad that he understood quite a few of the household contraptions and their functions. Luckily, there had been a mermaid who was quite a bit older than him that taught him about humans in his group. Her name was Seoyeon, and she would talk to Jeongin for hours about her experience on land when she was his age. After all, none of the younger or older mermaids alike cared about her stories as much as Jeongin did, so every conversation they shared felt like new, blissful knowledge was bestowed upon him.

She would tell the wide eyed boy about the tastes, smells, sights, and sounds the world outside of the ocean held, as he smiled and nodded and begged for her to tell him more. It had been a few months since he'd seen Seoyeon, and it had been even longer since they had spoken. He couldn't help but wonder where she was, who she talked to now, and whether or not the sweet woman was doing alright.

"Here you go." Jeongin was pulled from his thoughts, and he hadn't even realized he'd dazed into another state of mind until Hyunjin sat a steaming bowl of food down in front of him. The shiny bowl contained noodles, broth and an egg. Hyunjin took a seat beside the boy, and began eating right away. Jeongin followed suit, finishing his food moments after Hyunjin did. The raven haired boy took both of their bowls, rinsed them, and set them inside of a large cube with racks inside. He closed the door of the contraption, and pressed a button that caused the thing to momentarily make a light whirring sound. Then, he turned to Jeongin.