Surf

* ~ Seventeeth Wish ~ *

Waves crashed by the shore loudly and returned silently through tiny holes in the sand. Under the pale moonlight, two figures lay. Both kept quiet, maintaining a comfortable silence between the two of them which, after a long period of time, became the usual whenever they meet. For the last seventeen years, they have been meeting once a year, on a full moon, a task that they should do. As they put it, for the greater good.

"My dear is turning a couple of decades old. Oh, how quickly does time progress, I did not even notice it passing. Well, there's my illness, but we both know about it."

"Don't worry, I know. My boy is also growing into such a fine young man. What's worrying me is that he keeps on putting effort when he doesn't even need to."

"Your child is a bit interesting. I remember you telling me that he almost gave up on searching for my darling, but now he is almost finishing school about the sea? How do you call that..."

"Marine Biology. He would like to understand life under the sea. Of course, but I think he would be surprised when he learns about it. In the right moment, of course."

"I am dying to meet him. He seems charming, from all the things you have told me about him."

"I may be biased about it, but he really is. It is just a shame that he needs to go through everything."

Upon saying this, both of the women kept quiet, as if one word will break every bit of self-control they both have.

But one simply cannot resist.

And so, once more, dams burst open, releasing tears of sadness which never seemed to vanish.

"Why can't I replace him? I don't have anything to lose anymore, and yet he is the one who needs to be miserable for so long, even for the rest of his life. This is very unfair."

The other woman, watching the other express her grief for the future, silently went for an embrace. There was never a time when neither of them did grieve every time they met, and she understands. They both understand that it needs to be done.

But it doesn't mean that it wouldn't hurt with the mere fact that they know very well why it has to happen.

"Shh. Do not say that; every person deserves to be loved. Sweetheart, they wouldn't want to see you like this. You are doing this for their sake. Never forget what he has done."

"I-I will never..."

"Of course, my dear. You cherish them too much, I do know. They are valuable to me too."

They waited for a while until they both calmed down. They shared greetings to each other before they parted ways until the next full moon, which will be the last that they will have to wait for.

..........

"This is a burger. It is made with meat... there's the meat... and with bread, with some vegetables. Try it!" Jungkook introduced a hamburger to the mer, who gladly took a bite to try it.

"Hmm. What is a vegetable?"

"Uhm, well, vegetables are food that come from plants. Basically they are plants that you can eat."

Taehyung's eyes widened from wonder. "Does that mean that sea grass is a kind of vegetable?"

Jungkook nodded his head in affirmation. "If you eat it, then yes it is." he replied happily. 

It felt nice to impart some knowledge of the human world to an otherworldly creature, who also seemed as joyful in learning new things. But as if he wasn't just enjoying himself with his newfound friend, the thought of having to do another assignment later at noon ignited more excitement in him.

Excited to tell this to his companion, Jungkook looked to his left, but was shocked to be met with the older's face being too close for his own good that he almost bumped his head on the boulder- again.

And he was shielded by the other's hand, again.

The situation was not supposed to be funny at all—excluding the fact that the mer had his face stuffed with the burger earlier.

"Arr yew ewrkeyr, Jurrngkewrk?" He asked which brought Jungkook to laughter, which confused the mer. He brought down his hand from the younger's head and swallowed the food in his mouth, waiting for Jungkook to calm down.

When he did, the two stared at each other in awkward silence. Jungkook was the first to move away, for he couldn't stand the tension caused by the other's stare.

Taehyung looked at his eyes, searching for signs of hurt, but there seemed to be none as all he saw was pure happiness.

"I'm okay," the younger giggled. "Anyway, I was about to tell you of something I will do later today. And I'm so excited!" He squealed.

"Oh, may I know what is it? I'd like to know what makes my friend enthusiastic."

Jungkook's eyes widened at the other's vocabulary. "Enthusiastic? That's a big word, and you're always so eloquent. I mean maybe that's just your manner of speaking, I don't know, all I know is that it does things to my heart and now I'm rambling and you probably don't know what I'm talking about—"

"Jungkook. Calm down. Yes, I deciphered what you said." Taehyung held Jungkook by the arms, trying to stop him from rambling. "And if you would rather I speak more simply, I wil—

"No!" Jungkook said a bit louder than he intended. "I-I mean... I pointed it out, because it is one thing that I like about you." He said sheepishly while scratching his nape. After a few moments, Jungkook properly looked at the other who seemed to have a lack of response.

Taehyung was shocked.