During their walk through the shopping street they came across a very interesting shop. Probably Taehyung's favorite.

A flower shop

"woaaah, Jungkook look!" the merman pointed at the shop excitedly.

Taehyung looked at the beautiful flowers that were stalled outside. Seeing that suddenly reminded him of the cute bouquet Jungkook made for him of wild flowers. Did he leave them on the field?

"Jungkook"

"hmm yes?" Jungkook turned his head to the other.

"What happened to the flowers you gave me last night?"

"oh, I placed them in the living room. I put them in a cup of water for you."

"ahw, thank you" Taehyung felt warm inside hearing that the vampire thought of that. He really was too kind to be real.

"Do you want more? I can get you more-"

"No, I am happy with those you gave me. They are special"

"haha special? They are just wild flowers I plucked from the grass" the raven chuckled. He didn't see anything special in them.

"because you made it for me. That makes it special" the merman smiled at the vampire. And that smile with those words did something to Jungkook that he didn't think was possible. A strong wave of warmth went through him and,

He blushed.

"your cheeks are red!'' Taehyung said and looked even happier. He seemed excited about it. He wasn't the only one blushing anymore.

"no they are not, i-i don't blush."

"look in the reflection!"

"Lets keep walking" Jungkook took Taehyung's hand and pulled him along to the next shop. But there was a smile on his lips, hearing the other laugh so happy made him feel good. He was going to treasure that for as long as he could.

He was enjoying this being all kind and all. But when he thought of buying anything for a stranger he disliked the thought deeply. He was not rude to others, he just didn't like them, he would rather eat them.

"Where are we going now?" Taehyung let the teasing aside and quickly caught up to the vampire's pace.

"dunno, you tell me. Where do you want to go?" Jungkook asked and adjusted the bag back to his free hand.

"Shall I carry something for you? The groceries?" Taehyung asked.

"no need, you just enjoy yourself"

"Maybe the umbrella?"  taehyung just wanted to be helpful and not let Jungkook feel like he had to do everything. Just because he doesn't know anything about the human world doesn't mean he can't help out.

"no...Alright, but im longer so when your arm is tired just give it back.'' Jungkook said while he handed the umbrella to the other. The merman would have to hold up his arm quite a lot since the vampire was taller. But he didn't seem to mind. Instead he just smiled happily and made sure Jungkook was well covered with shade.

"like this?"

"perfect" and they shared a smile

-

They have been walking through almost the whole central part of the city and were on their way back. And the task of holding the umbrella has been going very well. Taehyung paid a lot of attention to the shadow to make sure not a single ray of sun bothered the Vampire.

Well...

That was until he saw a news plastered on the post office shop. It said in big letters. 'mermaid capture worth of 12 million sold'

His eyes widened and he stepped to the window. "no!"
He forgot that he was holding something important until he heard a sharp inhale and a groan. Jungkook quickly ran after him.

"Tae, stop!"

Taehyung gasped and quickly put the umbrella high again to let Jungkook under it. He felt really bad when he saw a red mark on Jungkook's right side of his face.

"i'm sorry.....Your face"

"It will heal. It's alright." Jungkook patted Taehyung's head. The short but direct sunlight burn hurt a lot but he was still not going to tell the other that. "what did you see?"

"...This..."

"mermaid ca-....Oh...I see" Jungkook already knew and he sighed. "let's move on. Don't read those things."

"what is it about? What did they do to them? I can't read it all. Tell me"

"Tae, dear. Its best if you don't know"

"It's up on a window. lts important, i-i want to know"

Jungkook sighed. He looked at the paper again and decided to bring the news less shocking than the paper said. It would just be cruel to tell him in the same words. "Some group captured a mermaid and sold her to a rich man who...Well... Turned her into expensive food"

Taehyung fell silent. He stared at the image of the mermaid on top of the deck of a ship, caught in a fishnet.

"Taeh-"

"let's go back," Taehyung said and walked away. Jungkook followed automatically. "thank you for reading for me"

"Please try not to think of it. You will be fine-"

"its alright" Taehyung said but he started to tear up and didn't dare to continue anymore. He stepped aside away from the humans that came towards them. Suddenly it felt like everyone wanted to capture him like that merman.

"you're not alright. Come" Jungkook brought the other into an alley. A usually shady alley, but the raven of course did not see any danger going there. He  himself was the danger of the alley. The buildings gave them shade so Jungkook took the umbrella and closed it. Placing it against the wall. "I didn't want to tell you....Because you would feel upset.."

"no i-i wanted to know. I thought it was about such a thing but....I didn't think it would affect me like this. W-why do humans take so many of us. I-i live in fear of them everyday."

"You are safe with me, i will not let anyone hurt you or worse."

"i'm not strong Jungkook, i am used to water here i am weak like seaweed. I don't have muscles like you. I am not immortal, i am just this fish out of the water. so.......What if i am not with you when something happens? I will be an easy target"

Jungkook didn't have anything to say right away. He had found a new fear inside of him. The fear of not being able to be there every time. He can only hope that such an event will never happen.

---

thank you for reading, see you in the next chapter!

🌼🌼🌼