DEEP TROUBLE [KTH]

~6~

It took the boy some time, but after several failed attempts of using his spoon and with EunHae's help, the boy is able to finish his meal, giving EunHae a wide grin as he shows her his empty plate.

"Very good fish boy." EunHae says returning the smile as she takes the plate from his hands, his eyes glued to her as she makes her way back into the kitchen.

"Do you want more?" EunHae asks pointing at the rice cooker, pretending to add another spoonful of rice on his plate. The boy's face clears up in understanding and he excitedly nods his head, melting her heart in the process.

"Here you go." EunHae says placing the plate in front of him, a proud smile on her face as he picks up his spoon and eats without any problems.

He learns fast. EunHae notes resting her chin on her palm, falling deep into her thoughts as she watches him eat.

A few minutes later, the boy lets out a satisfied sigh as he slides down the chair, gently patting his tummy as he closes his eyes.

"You eat so well fish boy." EunHae says gently patting the top of his head, making him break into a wide, boxy grin.

As EunHae reaches her arm over the table to retrieve the plate, the boy stands up and presses his forehead against her, making the girl flustered by the sudden action.

Is this his way of saying thank you?

She wonders, her cheeks flushing as he breaks away and gives her an adorable eye smile.

Unbeknownst to them, Namjoon had been watching their whole interaction with interest, a hand on his chin as an idea comes to mind.
If he wanted to talk to EunHae alone, he would have to distract the boy, and he knew just how to do that.

"Hey." Namjoon softly calls out walking towards the boy, who curiously looks up at him from his chair. "Do you want to try something fun?" He asks offering his hand.

The boy looks at his outstretched hand, then looks up at him and then at his hand again, slightly turning his head towards EunHae who gives him an encouraging nod.

"Go on fishboy." EunHae says with a smile, convincing the boy to take Namjoon's hand, if she trusted him, he would too.

With a smile, Namjoon leads the boy towards the sofa, the boy tilting his head in curiosity as he sits down.

"I'm going to show you something cool." Namjoon says pointing he the flat black box in front of them. With a press of his finger, the dark box comes to life, small figures appearing inside it.

The boy's eyes widen momentarily before his brows furrow together, the boy leaning closer to the box to take a closer look. But that wasn't enough to satisfy his curiosity, so instead he got up and further inspected the box.

He looked above, behind and under it but he couldn't understand why there were small people and things trapped inside.

With a frown still etched on his face, the boy tugs the eldest's sleeve and points at the tv searching for an explanation.

"Ah, you see," Namjoon starts, "the people in the tv aren't really inside, they are um somewhere being recorded and then that recording is transmitted to the tv." He explains starching his temple. Namjoon didn't really know how to explain it to the boy without getting too technical, so he gives him the simplest explanation he can muster. He could more explain later on when the boy learned more about the world.

The boy gives him a nods and sits back down, his attention focused on the people running around, doing something that seemed really fun.

Satisfied with the boy's response, Namjoon gives him a small smile, and heads to the kitchen, swallowing hard as he approaches EunHae.

"Hey, EunHae?" Namjoon starts in a whisper, gently grabbing her forearm to get her attention. When her eyes meet his he continues, "can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure." EunHae says putting the last plate away, after all, she had been waiting for him to tell her what's on his mind. "Is it about fishboy?" She asks and Namjoon responds by scrunching his nose up. He had hear her use the nickname ever since she met him, but he couldn't do that.

"Stop calling him that." Namjoon crossing his arms.

"Why?" EunHae asks confused.

"Just don't." Namjoon says shaking his head. "It sounds weird."

EunHae glances at the boy sitting on the living room, his eyes fixed on the tv in front of him.

Now that he was looking healthier, fish boy sounded like an insult, she needed to come up with a better nickname. How could she call him fishboy when he was so cute?

But, what was she supposed to call him then? If not fishboy, waterboy? Did he even have a name?

"Anyway," Namjoon says breaking her out of her thoughts, "that's not what I wanted to talk about." He adds and she nods. "I'm just, a little worried?" Namjoon says rubbing the back of his nape. "About the boy not being able to talk."

"I know what you mean." EunHae says glancing at the boy again, who gives her a smile along with a 'v' as they make eye contact.

"It's just, I'm worried that they did something to him. Especially because you rescued him from a lab, and he was in pretty bad shape."

"I know." She says with a sigh. "I really want to help him but I'm not sure how."

After a small pause, Namjoon speaks up again.

"You don't think that they..." Namjoon starts and their eyes widen.

"No. That would be too cruel."

"I can call a friend to check him if you want." He offers, but EunHae is hesitant to reply, her hands fidgeting with her fingers. "We can trust him."

"Let's give him some time okay?" She finally agrees, after all she knows she can trust Namjoon's judgement.

"Okay." Namjoon agrees. "We'll try to help him as much as we can."

"Thank you Namjoon." EunHae says with a smile, their heads turning towards the boy as they hear something clatter on the floor.

The boy looks up at them wide eyed and simply smiles, placing the object back on the table making them chuckle.

"I think I just found his new nickname."

Sorry if this chapter was a little boring lovelies >.< also credit to @-BlueAries- for the idea of waterboy^^
What do you think Namjoon meant? Any theories as to why fishboy doesn't talk?
I hope you have a wonderful day lovelies~
Thank you for reading!
~Van 💜

(2020.03.14)