Seabound-SKZ

Chapter Nine

"So..." Chan and Seungmin had started speaking at the same time and immediately they both blushed, ducking their heads. "You go first," Seungmin, who Chan had realized quickly was not wearing a shirt, nor were the other two. he supposed it wasn't a very Mer thing to do, the extra material would just drag down and stick uncomfortably, however, seeing the three younger boys shirtless still made him red in the face. "I was just wondering why you came to visit tonight, especially so late," Chan said, noting the three glance at each other nervously at the mention of the time, they still had an hour and a half before they had promised to be home, but still thinking about getting in trouble with Minho or Changbin didn't sound fun. "We just wanted to see you again! why does the time have to matter for that?" Jisung said happily, he always had so much energy and Chan wondered where he stored it all in that tiny body of his. "Also, next time you see the others, don't tell them we were here," Seungmin said and Chan deflated slightly, did they no want to see him again? "Oh? how come?" Chris asked, watching the other suddenly become very interested in his fins, "The other Mers are becoming suspicious of us being gone so we all promised not to visit for a while..." Felix studied Chan's face, the prince looked hurt for a brief moment before he shook it off "Oh...then you boys shouldn't be here, I would hate it if you got in trouble because of me," Chris smiled tightly at the three Mers who avoided eye contact, "But we wanted to see you again..." Jisung pouted and Chan swore to himself right then and there that he would protect the smaller boy, giving in he nodded "But you mustn't stay long, just in case they notice you're missing." He said firmly and the Mers all nodded  "We promised to be home by midnight, we have time left." Felix explained softly, Chris ruffled his hair, somewhat affectionately and immediately pulled his hand back "Sorry! I don't know why I did that..." Felix grinned and took Chans' hand, placing it back on his own head, leaning into the humans' touch, Jisung watching jealously and Seungmin frowning at the display of skinship in front of them, he wasn't usually one to be jealous but...something about those two having their little moment together made him feel the tiniest pang in his heart. 

The four of them sat there a while, watching the moon climb higher in the sky, Felix studying the reflection of the water dancing against Chan's skin, the older boy was gorgeous he thought to himself, it was obvious from the moment they had met how attractive he was, but now, in the soft moonlight with the quiet lapping of the waves, he looked ethereal. He sighed, placing his chin in his hands, he had loved the way Chan had ruffled his hair earlier in the night, the small display of affection had made him feel like a little boy again. "Lix? Lixie?" Jisung pushed his shoulder to try and get his attention, "Yes?" Felix turned to look at the other Mer "What'cha lookin' at?" Jisung followed his gaze to look at the Prince, who was now occupied in teaching Seungmin how to play a little clapping game, the two were giggling together and Jisung couldn't help but feel a little bad for Jeongin, "Ohh..." Jisung leaned up against Felix, shoulder to shoulder they switched to talking telepathically so Chan couldn't hear them, "He's pretty," Felix sighed again, nuzzling his face into Jisungs neck "Why can't Mers and Humans just be friends?" He fiddled his Jisungs fingers and Sung thought over his answer carefully "Because Humans kill us without being provoked first, like Innies mom or the entire northeast pod." He said heavily, not wanting to think about the brutal murders caused by humans to their kind, "But Chan wouldn't do that!" Felix exclaimed and Jisung flinched by the sudden loud noise in his head,  causing Chan and Seungmin to look worriedly at them, "You okay?" Chris asked, making Jisung blush and nod quickly "Yeah, Felix scared me. It's fine." he offered an embarrassed smile to the prince who let out a small laugh "Ah," He glanced between the two, pressed flush against each other and wondered to himself if they were together, "I see." he patted Jisungs shoulder, who blushed even more and slumped into Felix, burrowing into the younger boys chest. 

Chan hesitated for a moment before finally asking "Are you two...together?" to which Felix joined Jisung in blushing, they glanced at each other before shaking their heads no, Seungmin smiled sadly, he had always thought those two would make a good couple, although it made him upset to think about either being in a relationship without him, "We aren't," Jisung clarified "None of us are in relationships currently." Seungmin and Felix nodded along with him, "Oh! oh- oh my god, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have assumed..." Chan stuttered out, embarrassed but also...relieved? "No! no, it's okay!!" Felix waved his hand to brush off the apology "we get that pretty often." he clarified and Chan nodded, "But you are..." it was Chans turn to blush now, and Seungmin thought he looked pretty with the light pink colouring his cheeks, "Interested in men? yes." Min said, "We all are." Jisung giggled shyly, "Sorry, I made this awkward didn't I?" Chris apologized again, Seungmin shook his head "No you didn't, but...are you also...?" He tilted his head inquisitively, and Chan nodded softly "but no one can know...It's not okay with humans," he whispered sadly,  Jisung hugged him quickly, bare chest pressed against Chan, whos heart began pounding faster "I'm so sorry. that must be hard." He murmured as he brushed Chan's hair out of his eyes,  Seungmin placed a hand on Chan's shoulder and Felix gave his hand a squeeze "Yeah..." He said quietly "They're pretty common with Mers, as are relationships with more than two people in them," Chan looked at the freckled boy in shock, he couldn't believe how casually the Mers spoke about this-if he had tried to talk to anyone on the land about this he would've been thrown out for being a sinner, especially having a relationship with more than two. "That's incredible, I hope one day we can have that here on land." Chan smiled at that thought, that one day the humans would be able to love who they wanted. 

They sat together like that for a while before Seungmin noticed how high the moon was in the sky, "We should get home before the others worry," The other Mers sighed, "You're right," Jisung said sadly, detangling his hand from Chan's hair and patting his knee softly, Felix letting go of the prince's hand and giving a small smile "We'll be back with the others, hopefully soon." The Mers slipped back into the water, Chan leaned over the edge of the dock to say goodbye "I'll be awaiting your visit." He waved at the Mers who grinned back up at him and began swimming away.