My Merman Named Donghae

Chapter 3

          Entering the bathroom the next morning and finding Donghae already awake, Eunhyuk said “So I have a question.”

          “Alright,” Donghae replied.

          “I read somewhere online that mermaids and mermen have special abilities, is this true?” Eunhyuk wondered.

          “Yes, that’s true,” Donghae confirmed.

          “What are some of the abilities you have?” Eunhyuk asked.

          “What does your computer say?” Donghae inquired.

          “It says that mermaids and mermen can save people with their tears or a kiss,” Eunhyuk said. “And that cutting off the tail turns them permanently human.”

          “Yes, your computer is right, but cutting off our tails is excruciatingly painful, and a huge sacrifice. We were born in water; why would we want to live out of water?” Donghae responded.

          “How do tears and kisses heal people? And what’s the difference in their healing power?” Eunhyuk questioned.

          “A kiss from a merman or mermaid will keep you from drowning underwater and will also heal internal wounds. But, we do not waste a kiss on humans who just use us and abuse us. Our tears are more sacred, which is why we rarely cry. Tears heal physical wounds, but we don’t cry unless it’s to save someone we truly care about,” Donghae explained. “Like I said earlier, we rarely find any humans who we truly want to save.”

          “Wow, that’s interesting,” Eunhyuk agreed. “Would you like to learn to walk on your legs?”

          “Will it hurt?” Donghae wondered.

          “I’ll try not to make it painful. Before we start, I’ll go get you some clothes to put on,” Eunhyuk said as he headed into his bedroom to retrieve a t-shirt and boxers for the merman. The blonde set the clothes on the counter of the bathroom before taking Donghae’s hands and pulling him slowly out of the bathtub.

          Donghae felt his tail begin to vanish as the human legs appeared and dangled the fleshy limbs over the side of the bathtub as he placed his feet on the cold, tile floor. Eunhyuk helped put the boxers on Donghae’s lower body and slipped the t-shirt on over his head. “This doesn’t feel right,” Donghae muttered as he tugged at the material. “Too restricted.”

          “It’ll take some time to get used to, but you have to wear clothes while you’re in your human form,” Eunhyuk said before he helped him to his feet.

          The brunette stood up and felt his legs shake and locked up as he collapsed to the ground. “Ow,” he groaned as Eunhyuk caught him.

          “It’s okay, I won’t let you fall, do you want to go get some breakfast?” Eunhyuk asked.

          “Yes,” Donghae admitted.

          “Okay, now let’s walk to the kitchen,” Eunhyuk said quietly as he helped Donghae straighten up.

          The merman stumbled for a few steps before stopping all together. “I can’t do it, my legs are too weak,” Donghae muttered as he leaned against the wall.

          “C’mon,” Eunhyuk replied as he picked up Donghae bridal style and carried him into the kitchen. He sat the brunette down on a chair at his kitchen table. “There, is that better?”