Seabound-SKZ

Chapter Ten

Felix opened the door to the apartment quietly, the others sleeping all draped over each other, poor Jeongin being crushed on the bottom of the pile. The three returning Mers quickly swam over and pulled each other up to cuddle with their five best friends, Felix and Jisung hadn't made direct eye contact or spoken much since Chan had asked if they were together, making the swim back very awkward for Seungmin with to be with them, however, when they joined the pile of sleeping Mers all three of them pressed themselves flush against each other to fall asleep, Felix and Jisung doing so fairly quickly, leaving Seungmin awake, mind still racing. Did Felix and Jisung want to be together? where would that leave their friendship or Seungmin's feelings for them? tonight had confirmed Seungmins feelings, he had a crush on each and every one of his best friends. He worried to himself about that, he wasn't sure if the others liked him or even wanted to be with more than one other person, much less six. seven, if he was correctly interpreting his feelings for the prince.  Hyunjin turned in his sleep and threw an arm around Seungmin, pulling him in close to his chest and nuzzling into the younger boy, Seungmin froze, heart racing as he felt Hyunjins breath against his neck. He relaxed after a bit, realizing that Hyunjin wasn't going to loosen his grip anytime soon, he slowly fell asleep in Hyunjin's arms. 

"look at them!" Changbin did a horrible job at keeping his voice quiet as he cooed at the two younger boys, still asleep with Seungmin in Hyunjin's arms. Minho poked Hyunjin in his cheek, the other boy groaning and swatting at his Hyungs hand. Felix giggled and joined the other two in bothering the sleeping boys, the other two watched with affectionate smiles; Jeongin slightly jealous, which Jisung noticed fairly quickly and pulled the younger boy into his lap, the two Mers were sitting on one of the cushions in the air enchanted areas in the main living room in the apartment. Jeongin squeaked as he was hauled ontop of Jisung, but soon gave in and melted into his arms. "Should we wake them up? weren't we supposed to meet with Minnie's family and swim through the gardens to see the plaque with his Grans name on it?" Minho asked and Changbin nodded "You're right, I forgot that was today." "Does that mean I can wake them up?!" Felix literally vibrated in excitement when Minho told him he could and he jumped on his two fellow maknae liners and pushed them both off their couch, laughing as Seungmin jolted awake as he hit the cold water, Hyunjin shrieking dramatically before letting go of Min and chasing after Felix as punishment for waking them up, they chased each other around the room several times before Seungmin latched back on to Hyunjin and dragged him down, Jeongin pushed out of Jisungs lap, much to the older boys dismay and joined Seungmin in play-fighting their Hyung, they finally calmed down after Seungmin and Jeongin successfully pinned Hyunjins hands and tail down. Jeongin blushed as nose actually brushed against Hyunjins at how close they were together, the others all 'ooed' and Minho bumped Jeongin on the head 'accidentally' pushing the faces of the two that tiny bit closer and, time slowed in Jeongins mind as his and Hyunjins lips touched before he pushed off him "What the fuck Hyung?!" he shrieked, Seungmins smile had faded ever so slightly, Felix and Changbins jaws had both dropped open and Jisung and Minho high-fived in the background before Changbin started scolding Jeongin for swearing, and Minho for doing something that could actually affect their friendship. 

Seungmin watched, still trying to figure out what he was feeling, it wasn't a real kiss, why did he even care? he wanted the others to all like each other, but he also wanted them to like him, oh god, what if they all started dating and left him out? he stilled and Changbin crashed into him "Ouch! Minnie why'd you stop?" he rubbed the spot on his arm he had hit, they were swimming over to the gardens to see the plaque now, Seungmin apologized "Sorry, I'm just...thinking," He cursed himself for the way his face heated up as Changbin studied his face, the crease between his eyebrows proving how worried he was. the others caught up quickly and looked between the two who were still looking in each other's eyes, "Are you guys okay?" Minho asked in a concerned tone, joining Changbin in watching Seungmin, who avoided eye contact be flipping a small stone on his tailfin, Minho cupped Seungmins face in his palm, "Seungmin? Minnie?" His eyebrows rose as Seungmins eyes slowly became redder, he realized the younger boy was crying, he assumed the stress of recent days had caught up with him. it was hard to tell when a Mer was crying underwater since you couldn't see the tears unless you were in one of the caverns or someone's house. The other maknae liners hugged him quickly, ruffling his hair in the water and whispering things into his ears. The second youngest hugged them back, still shaking into Changbin's chest as Bin rubbed his back soothingly, hushing him softly. "Do you still want to go see the plaque?" Felix asked and the others all shot him looks "You don't have to, your Gran would understand." he finished quickly and Seungmin shook his head into Bin's chest "I-I wanna go," He replied and the other's all nodded, Changbin let go of the boy before pressing a quick kiss to Seungmin's cheek right as Jisung grabbed Mins hand to lead him towards the gardens "Let's go then, okay Minnie?" he said, not really expecting an answer and Min nodded, allowing his friends to drag him towards the garden. 

Once they got there they met up with Seungmin's family, his parents, and little sister as well as his three aunts and one of his many uncles, who all gasped at the sight of Seungmins red eyes and made sure the boy was really okay. they all started towards the gates, the garden was half outside and all sea plants and half in a glass dome which had the same enchantment that made it full of air, which had canals for Mers to swim around and see the land plantation with the occasional bench to pull yourself out of the water on to talk outwardly and look around properly. Seungmin's Gran had been a gardener there, on the inside of the dome. she had almost lived there for most of her life, getting the job as a young teen and keeping it until her passing at the ripe old age of one hundred and one. Her name was now engraved into a new bench placed right beside her favorite tree, a lovely purple flowering one that stood proudly surrounded by water lilies. 

The Mers not in the family watched from afar as the Kims all crowded the bench and plaque, they stayed there for a while and Minho couldn't make out what they were saying before they started singing, which the Mers watching quickly recognized as an old Siren song, in the old language. it was about losing someone, the grief, the sorrow, and the eventual acceptance of the loss. they watched Seungmin, the boys voice was enchanting. his great-gran had been a Siren, Sirens were known for their incredible voices and the emotions they could bring forth. Minho looked around to see his friends tearing up slightly and pulled Jeongin into him in a tight hug, the family finished their song and eventually broke up, giving tight hugs and cheek kisses before Seungmin swam back to his friends, washing away the tear tracks on his face as he ducked back underwater. 

"You okay?" Jisung asked, once again taking Seungmin's hand, who nodded and wiped his eyes again, uselessly as they were in the water, only their heads poking out "Yeah-yeah I-I'm okay," Seungmin's voice came out cracked, his best friends hearts all broke at the sound, they could all feel the misery of their friend washing over them in waves.