SHORE // VMIN

》four《

I painted a picture for Shore! The picture is actually really clear, but Wattpad is making it blurry :( so I'll try to get a better picture of it!

----

The next morning started with a literal bang. Taehyung was startled awake by the cabin door being slammed open, ricocheting off the wall behind it and slamming shut. Jungkook stomped in, pacing loudly as he muttered to himself. Taehyung - who was still in the aquarium that was too small - fidgeted. He was uncomfortable, stiff and hungry, but he wasn't going to verbally complain. Jungkook seemed unstable, like he could snap at any moment.

Said captain often paced around the ship, hitting anything he could get his hands on. He didn't have to see it happen to know, he could hear it. He could hear Jungkook's heavy footsteps, could hear the snapping of wood, could hear him cursing loudly. What he was so agitated about, Taehyung didn't know, but what he did know was that he wanted to stay off the list of things that contributed to it.

Currently, Taehyung and Jungkook were the only ones awake. Namjoon's snores echoed from his room. Taehyung couldn't help but wonder how Jimin was. He had seen him be ruthlessly shoved into the candle lantern and couldn't help but be envious of him. He'd much rather be in that than this tiny fish tank that could barely fit his torso. 

Actually, Jimin was awake, too. He was still outside, though. They hadn't bothered to bring him inside. It was almost as if they had forgotten about him. Of course they had. Their eyes were set on Taehyung, the previously undiscovered sea creature that humans had only dreamed of.  He sat there, curled into the corner of the lantern and thought. Did they know Taehyung was a prince? 

Most likely not. They were probably hoping to pluck any mermaid that they could and it just so happened that the prince was there. Jimin shook his head, resting his chin on his knees. He kept blaming himself for their situation. If only he had woken up, Taehyung could have hid under the water and they would be safe and happy. But because of him, now they were vulnerable and their lives are in danger.

If only he had known that Taehyung didn't blame him. He considered it his fault. He shouldn't have swam out that far, should have stayed closer to the pier. He keeps thinking these what if's as if it would help their situation. It didn't - he knows that and still can't help but think about it.

Taehyung was dozing off again, squirming slightly to get even remotely comfortable. His stomach growled loudly, alerting Jungkook, who stopped pacing. The mermaids eyes shot open, staring at Jungkook as he quietly approached.

"Are you hungry, little mermaid?" he asked softly, tapping his finger on the glass. The noise made Taehyung uncomfortable. He nodded, trying his best to not have to talk to the pirate. Jungkook nodded back, thinking to himself. "I know exactly what to get you."

Jungkook stood up and walked away, not saying anything else. Taehyung couldn't help but be confused, but closed his eyes and went back to sleep. He could almost feel the bags under his eyes. They were heavy with exhaustion and he had no choice but to succumb to his body's choices. 

By the time Jungkook returned, he had been so deep asleep that he didn't hear the door slam against the wall. Soon, there's not going to be a door with how rough they handle it. Jungkook tapped on the glass, trying to wake him up. He glared when he didn't, only shuffling around, leaning his chin further against his chest. The pirate snapped his fingers in front of his face and shook him, "Wake up! God," he grumbled. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think you're dead."

"Wake up!" he said louder, smacking his face, hard enough to leave a small red mark that won't last long. Taehyung smacked his lips, eyes fluttering open, not only because the pirate hitting him, but because of the smell of food. His stomach growled, as it had been for the past 30 minutes while Jungkook was gone.