DEEP TROUBLE [KTH]

~19~

Stranger Danger

Without realizing it, Namjoon and EunHae stand up from their place, bodies tense as they slowly walk closer to the boy, ready to take action as they wait for the stranger to make a move, or at least for their friend to introduce the new stranger. They have to be ready just in case he is a threat to the boy.

The room is silent and tense as the two boys make eye contact and continue to stare at each other, their gazes locked as they slowly start walking towards each other, the stranger completely ignoring the pair standing by.

The stranger continues to watch the boy in silence, head slightly tilted to the side as he approaches him, Taehyung remaining in the same spot.

Everyone around holds their breath as they finally stand right in front of each other, the new boy's doe eyes looking at him up and down before he presses his forehead together with the boy's.

"What just happened?" Namjoon whispers to the girl who shrugs in response.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Jimin is quick to intervene.

"Okay, before anything else happens," Jimin starts successfully getting everyone's attention, "I should introduce my friend."

"This is Jungkook. My friend." Jimin introduces. "He is a merman as well."

It takes a few seconds for his words to register, but when they do, the pair lets out a breath of relief they didn't know they were holding.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" EunHae says in a whisper as she places a hand over her rapid beating heart.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting him to come by until later." Jimin says giving his friends an apologetic look. "It seems like we have more in common than we thought."

"Yeah." Namjoon says rubbing the back of his neck, relieved that the new boy isn't a threat at the moment.

As they talk, Taehyung lets out a small grunt, his knees weak as he stands. The new boy, whose name they now know, is quick to notice, offering his shoulder to help the boy stand.

"Are you okay?" Namjoon asks, to which the boy responds by giving him a weak, pained smile.

"How long has he been out of the water?" Jimin asks.

"It's been a good while." EunHae says, her worried gaze fixed on Taehyung.

"Don't worry. Jungkook can help him." Jimin says looking at the boy, who now bows at the pair with a slight nod. "There's a safe place they can go to nearby."

"Can you take him there Jungkook?" Jimin asks, the boy slowly nodding before helping the boy into his back, given that it looks like he might faint at any given second.

"We'll be back later." He says turning around, quickly heading for the door.

"Wait!" EunHae says making the boy stop. "Can I come with?"

Before the boy can give her an answer, Jimin places a gentle hand on her shoulder, slightly shaking his head as she looks at him.

"You can't go with them." He says, his hand falling to his side as he proceeds to explain. "It's a special place for them and it's better for us not to invade their space."

"You're right." EunHae says letting out a sigh. "I'm just worried about him."

"I understand." Jimin says offering her a smile. "But don't worry, Taehyung is in good hands."

Although she believes her friend's words, EunHae can't help feeling worried, after all, they still don't know much about this new boy.

"So," Namjoon starts sitting back down in an attempt to calm and distract himself, "how long have you known Jungkook?"

"Hmmm about a year and a half?" Jimin says joining his friend. "I met him a little after you left the last time you visited."

"I see." Namjoon says with a small nod, hand on his chin as he thinks.

"I found him wandering alone near the rocks and brought him home with me. It seems like he got separated from his family."

"Makes sense. But what worries me are the rumors." Namjoon says.

"Yeah, I'm worried about them too. Most people don't believe them but I'm worried that one day they're going to discover the truth. Especially since it seems like more of them are coming to land."

"Would you happen to know why?" EunHae asks.

"Not really." Jimin says with a slight frown. "Jungkook hasn't really said much."

"I have a bad feeling about this." Namjoon says. "But as long as we are careful, they should be okay."

"Have you guys seen anything suspicious?" Jimin asks.

"Not really." EunHae says. "But I'm sure they're out looking for him."

"I still can't believe you guys pulled it off and managed to rescue him." Jimin says leaning back on the couch.

"Us either." EunHae says. "I'm still worried that soon they'll find out where we live and come looking for him. It's been a while but that doesn't mean we are safe."

"Well, you came to the right place. Hopefully Taehyung can feel a little more at home here."

As they talk, the door opens again, the doe eyed boy carefully approaching the friends.

"You're back so soon?" Jimin asks standing up, brows furrowed together as he approaches him.

"Where's Taehyung?"

"I came to tell you that it might be best for him to, um stay a little longer. He seems to be in a bad state."

"Will he be okay?"

"I think so." Jungkook says. "But only time will tell."

I hope you are all taking care of yourselves and staying safe lovelies 💜 thank you for reading! Have a very purple day!
~Van
(2021.01.10)