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Jimin woke much earlier in the morning than expected. The bed was surprisingly comfortable. After two cups of black coffee and eggs, he showered and dressed, considering his options for the day. He packed a small bag with his notebook, pens, water, and snacks. Tucking a large folded towel beneath his arm, he left the cottage, a hat pulled low over his eyes to keep the sun at bay.

Reaching the edge of the beach, he spotted the otters right away. They bounced along the sand, emitting excited grunts and squeaks, slipping in and out of the water with grace and dexterity. Jimin paused at a distance, not wanting to get too close and alert them of his presence. Unfortunately, a gust of wind blew past at that moment, carrying his scent toward the bevy. They froze in their antics, heads swiveling in his direction and before he knew it, they were gone, sleek bodies disappearing beneath the surf.

All but one.

The lone otter paused on the sand. It tilted its head, as though studying him. Jimin stared back. He wondered if that sent any signals. To a dog, it meant a challenge, an attempt to establish dominance. He didn't know much about otters, but didn't think it likely the small mammal was about to come sprinting forward and bite him on the leg for maintaining prolonged eye contact. Then again, he couldn't be sure, and perhaps it was just plain rude regardless.

Glancing away, Jimin snuck another peek under the brim of his hat a moment later. The otter was still there. It rose on its hind legs, small clawed feet folded in front of its chest. Jimin wanted to get closer, but held himself back. It was wild, and he was a human. A dangerous mix.

The otter sank back down onto all fours, turned, and followed the others at last, disappearing into the sea with a splash. Jimin watched carefully for the creature to surface. After a few minutes, he admitted defeat. It was possible there were hidden passages beneath the surface, allowing the otter to reappear out of view of nosy tourists.

Jimin spread out the towel and settled on his stomach. Pulling out the notebook, he flipped to where he'd left off on the plane ride. His eyes scanned lists of story ideas, plot points for a project he was working on before leaving. One that existed as a blank document on his computer because. He. Kept. Deleting. It. Over and over again. Nothing fit and his creativity was drained. Picked clean as the shells discarded along the shore, no longer of interest to the seabirds circling overhead.

Instead, what emerged was something else entirely. His pen flew over the paper at an alarming speed, barely able to keep up with the thoughts flowing from his brain down his arm. The ink poured out, an unbroken stream of consciousness. He moved like a man possessed, incapable of stopping. Before he realized, he was panting. Sweat glistened in sheen on his skin, though the sun wasn't very warm. Emotions within stoked the uncomfortable heat. Tears gathered in his eyes. Some had slid down his cheeks, unnoticed in the frenzy. He swiped at them furiously.

Pulling off his hat, he fanned his face and pushed back his hair, letting out a shaky breath. What was wrong with him? This was supposed to be a relaxing getaway and here he was getting worked up.

He was about to put the hat back on when he felt as though he were being watched. Scanning the horizon, he realized the suspicion was correct. The otter had returned.

"Hey," Jimin called. He kept his voice low, unsure if it would be heard over the crash of the surf. "What's up?"

The otter continued looking at him, silent, but he could have sworn it became larger. As though it were moving closer to shore.

"Where'd you go earlier?" He asked.

I've gone mad, Jimin thought. Barely two days here and I'm already talking to animals.

"I'll be staying here," Jimin gestured in the direction of the cottage. "Not sure how long. At least a week or two, probably more. I um, I hope I'm not disturbing you. This was your beach first."

As though the otter or any of its companions owned the land. Still, his family always raised him to be kind to animals. Respecting their homes was doing the bare minimum.

The otter crept nearer. Jimin watched as more of its body was revealed, the waterline dipping lower and lower, until small feet touched down on the sand. The spaces between its toes were webbed. They sank into the sand, leaving distinct prints in their wake as it came toward him.

Jimin watched, unsure of what to do. How close was it going to get? Should he stand up and move away? Or wait and see what happened?

Though the island was a bit remote for the average tourist, that didn't mean it didn't attract its fair share of travelers. In recent years, there was an uptick for more lowkey, remote getaways. Those looking to spend quality private time with families or significant others in lieu of racing to the next expensive and high-traffic attractions.

It was possible that this particular otter was used to humans. The cottage might attract a steady stream of vacationers, its host barely changing the sheets and giving things a quick wipe down and vacuum before the next rental car chugged down the lane. Who knew how many people stood on this very beach, shading their eyes from the sun's rays bouncing off the water, breathing in air that made him feel as though he'd been gifted a new set of lungs?

"Not scared of me, huh?" Jimin asked.

The otter blinked.

"Not much of a conversationalist, either," Jimin murmured to himself. He reached for his bag, dragging it a bit closer from where it sat at the edge of the towel. "Though, listen to me. Remarking that you don't answer, as though you could speak."

He removed a cloth napkin from inside, unwrapping it to reveal some scones. They were still a bit warm, heated through the material from the sun's rays. The butter he spread inside that morning had melted. It dripped down his wrist as he broke one in half.

Raising it to his lips, he took a large bite. The scone was delicious, a little sweet with a slight tang. Before he could consider the consequences of his actions, he tossed the other half toward the otter. It bounced and broke a bit on the sand, crumbs scattering.

"Sorry," Jimin said, realization shooting through him. "Maybe you don't like those. Or shouldn't eat them. What am I doing? You're probably endangered and I'm going to kill you."

The otter eyed the scone, glanced back at Jimin, then refocused, shifting forward until it was within easy reach of the treat. He watched it snatch the largest chunk, scarfing it down quickly before looking for more. Snuffling along the ground until even the crumbs were gone and he found himself being watched once more.

"It's good, isn't it?" Jimin asked. "Hopefully you don't get an upset stomach. I didn't make these, but I'd like to try. Doesn't seem too difficult. Put some blueberries or something in there too."

Small rounded ears swiveled toward him. The otter squeaked, causing Jimin to almost drop the morsel he had left in his hand. He watched the mouth open, the tiny pink tongue and sharp white teeth, emitting the noise again. Jimin leaned forward, a smile ghosting his lips, the warmth and excitement radiating inward as well.

"More?" He asked.

There was another answering squeak, the tone demanding. Laughing, Jimin tossed the remainder of the scone toward the otter. It scampered forward, snatching the treat much quicker than the first time. He reached for another scone and bit into it, watching the otter as he chewed.

It was strange. Never did he imagine he would be spending his day sitting on a remote European island, sharing baked goods with a wild animal. Though, he reasoned, it was much better than the alternative. If he were home, he'd probably still be in bed.

Jimin fed the last of it to the otter, shook the crumbs from the napkin and folded it inside his bag. "Sorry, they're all gone."

The otter snorted, small eyes narrowed and whiskers lowered. Jimin was both amused and a little unnerved by the sour expression. It was almost human-like.

"Come back tomorrow," Jimin said. "I'll have more."

Another slow blink and a twitch of whiskers. The otter turned and ambled into the water, vanishing with a flick of its tail. Jimin watched again, wondering if that time he'd be able to spot the place the creature might reappear.

With a sigh, he retrieved the abandoned notebook and flipped it open to where he'd left off. The words were scrawled across the page so rapidly, it was a bit hard for even him to read. Not that it mattered anyway. Even illegible, he knew what it said.

Jimin put the hat back on and shut the notebook with a snap. He stuffed it in his bag, trying and failing to ignore the irritation prickling along his skin. Looking back out at the water, he reflected that traveling to a semi-remote island was not perhaps the best idea for someone who didn't truly want to be alone with his own thoughts. As it was, he had paid the deposit on the cottage, and as Yoongi pointed out, he needed to sort through what was bothering him, even if shoving it down deep was the more appealing option.

Besides, if he left, who would bring the otter scones?

Jimin spent a few more minutes absorbing the salt and sun before he got to his feet, brushing off the sand that still managed to dust his clothes despite sitting on the towel. He shook out the striped material, folding it into a lumpy square and headed back toward the cottage.

Spots danced before his eyes as they adjusted from the sunlight outside to the dimness within. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, aware that it was still before noon, nursing the smooth liquid as he debated what to do next.

"Hope I'm not disturbing you."

The voice was accompanied by a sharp knocking on the still ajar door. Jimin spun, nearly dropping his drink. "Fuck, you scared me!"

"Apologies," Jin said, though there was a glint in his eyes that made Jimin wonder if he was indeed sorry at all.

"It's okay," Jimin sighed. He gestured to the bottle. "Want some?"

Jin shook his head. "No, thank you."

Jimin nodded, downing the last swallow and set the glass on the counter. "So, uh, what's up?"

"Nothing much," Jin said. "I came to see how you were getting on after your first night."

"Fine," Jimin said. "Truthfully, I can't remember a better sleep. Unless you count the one at the hotel back in Glasgow. There must be something in the mattresses."

"Perhaps," Jin mused. "Or the relief of being in a new place is allowing you rest that you can't achieve elsewhere. It happens. Some people experience the opposite, unable to relax in a bed that is not their own. Unfortunate, when traveling."

Jimin wanted to argue that he slept just fine before, but that was a lie. Even without revealing anything to the other man, it would be obvious. Letting out a sigh, he folded his arms. "Was that all? Just checking in?"

"Yes," Jin said. "I also wanted to suggest some activities to pass the time. As riveting as it can be to admire the sea and shoreline for hours."

Jimin was about to say he was fine. When researching the trip, he read about the landmarks, even if he didn't have any intention of going to them. But Jin was friendly, and even if they probably wouldn't stay in touch once he returned home, Jimin wasn't in any position to be turning down friends. He offered Jin a seat at the table and poured them both some water.

Jin explained bicycles were the best and easiest mode of transportation over the island. Jimin was surprised when he offered to lend him one for the duration of his stay despite there being rental shops nearby. Then he went into a discussion about the various sites, both natural and man-made. Stone ruins covered in ivy, on the verge of being reclaimed by the land on which they stood. In town there was a cafe and an inn, as well as a single small grocery store that also housed the post office.

All of it was so different from what Jimin was used to. Bright city lights and traffic and so many options for... everything. In the past, the idea of having less might have been almost unsettling. Now...

"Alright," Jimin said. "I'm in."

Jin smiled, the expression warm and welcoming. Jimin followed him from the house and back down to the beach, where they struck off in the direction Jimin watched the other man take the night before. It turned out there was a path, semi hidden, the grass tamped down until dirt emerged, worn away by frequent foot traffic. They walked for about a mile before another house appeared, a cottage much like the one he was renting.

It turned out to be Jin's. He'd lived there alone since coming to the island several years prior, a space much more lived-in, personal items and touches scattered everything. The interior looked decades more modern than the rustic exterior. Jimin found himself eyeing the professional gaming set-up with a bit of amusement. Jin shrugged, stating that he could enjoy it all, and really, he only spent nights and rainy days in front of the television.

He showed Jimin the collection of bicycles, insisting he test them out until he found one that felt right. Then he immediately suggested a trip, kicking off and speeding away along the lane before Jimin had a chance to protest. They raced along and Jimin allowed himself to relax, shifting his attention between the surroundings and the wild terrain of the road.

Jin seemed to have no particular destination in mind. He maneuvered the bike like a professional, often rising up off the seat, and letting out excited yells as they raced across the countryside. Jimin followed after, much less glamorous. By the time they came to a halt, he was tired and sweating, his ass a little sore from the bike seat and the bumpy terrain.

The other man dismounted and began to walk across the field before them. It was obvious where they were headed, the collection of stones in the near distance. Jimin noticed a herd of sheep grazing nearby. They looked so soft and fluffy, like clouds or undyed cotton candy. He could hear them bleating softly as they picked among the grass.

"This is a broch," Jin said. "From the Iron Age. They're all over the country. This one is sadly not in the best shape, but still. It's magnificent."

Jimin had to agree. It always amazed him when he traveled places where structures had stood the test of time. Though he understood they weren't exposed to modern wear and tear, it was fascinating to see buildings and roads created without contemporary tools and inventions still intact. The same could not be said for a lot of the infrastructure he experienced back home, the roads in particular needing widespread repair every couple of years.

"Is this place magic too?" Jimin joked.

Jin's gaze shifted toward him. "What makes you ask that?"

"I don't know," Jimin shrugged and glanced away. His cheeks heated though he didn't know why. "Something this bartender said back in the city when I arrived. About the cottage I'm renting."

"Ah," Jin nodded. "I may have heard something. But to answer your question — magic is everywhere. People just have to open themselves to it."

Jimin nodded. "Right."

They didn't say anything else on the subject. Jimin let Jin show him around the ruin, sharing bits of history every once in a while. It turned out that Jin knew the sheep farmer, a young woman named Emilia who was more than happy to chat. They stayed for a while talking about sheep and travel and many other topics.

When it grew late, she insisted they come and have dinner at her house. Jimin wasn't about to turn down a free meal, especially once he tasted Emilia's cooking. The wine flowed and the fish was excellent. He was a bit surprised when he noticed Jin didn't have any.

"Oh, that's fine," Emilia said. "I would have made something else, but he doesn't like to put anyone out. Jin's deathly allergic to fish. But that just means he has extra room for dessert."

After some tea and shortbread, Jin said they'd better get back. Jimin agreed, though he was apprehensive to try and ride the bike in the dark. Emilia waved the worries away, then called her father who lived down the road. A few minutes later, he pulled up in his car, loaded up the bikes, and drove them home.

Jin walked him back over the footpath between the two properties. He picked his way easily over the ground until they emerged at the beach. Low waves lapped at the shore, the sound soft and tranquil. They said their goodbyes, then Jimin headed for the cottage. He propped the bike against the wall beside the front door, then fished in his pockets for the key.

A long shower and sleep were beckoning. Between the sun, biking, and wine, he was exhausted. He ended up dropping the key. It bounced away with a sharp ping. Kneeling down, Jimin ran his hands over the ground, searching frantically. His fingers brushed against something smooth. It was near impossible to see anything. He dug in his other pocket for his phone and switched on the flashlight.

The object was not the key but a hunk of glass — pale green and worn smooth. Jimin picked it up, studying it in the beam from his phone. Mesmerized for a few moments before he remembered the lost key. Fortunately, he located it near the toadstool statue where the renter had hidden it before his arrival.

Inside the cottage the air was a bit sticky. Jimin opened the windows a crack, letting in a breeze before he headed for the shower. The water felt good on his skin, washing away the sweat and grime of the day. After brushing his teeth, he remembered the piece of glass. He climbed the ladder and fell into bed, still clutching it.

Where did it come from? Jimin knew about sea glass, but it seemed a bit unusual that it would end up so far from shore. In fact, during the two days already spent exploring, he couldn't say he'd come across anything similar. It was as though it just... appeared.

Magic, his brain whispered.

Jimin shook his head as he placed the piece on the nightstand next to his notebook and closed his eyes.

Days passed at a steady but still languid pace after that. Jimin often spent his mornings on the beach, alternating between sand and rocks, watching the waves and jotting down thoughts. Content to bask in the sun and salty air. Imagining he was a character in a fairytale, living out his days in a beautiful and distant kingdom where nothing ever went wrong. Or, if they did, the problems were easily solved. The dragons swiftly slain and the sleeping royal awoke by true love's kiss.

To his delight, the otter was always there, waiting for scones. Jimin quickly ran out of the ones purchased from the mainland, but found that making them was quite a bit simpler than originally thought. After eating, the creature would often dart away, vanishing into the sea with a splash and a ripple. But sometimes it chose to remain for a bit. Watching him from the shallows or rolling about on the sand.

Jimin didn't mind. It was nice, the company of someone nonhuman. A being that, while sentient, was unaware of his flaws. Allowing him freedom to just be himself, not under the pressure of society or fans or friends. All the people who knew him best and many who didn't know him at all.

Human contact, however, was also not in short supply. Jin stopped by with increasing regularity. They didn't always wheel around the island. Many times, much to Jimin's relief, the visits were less strenuous. The pair went to one of their cottages and talked or shared a meal. Sometimes, Emilia joined them. Her playing ability was on par with sheep keeping, and Jin sang her praises. The three of them had a great time trying to beat each other at increasingly bizarre and difficult games. Jimin often found himself walking the path between the two houses after dark, belly full but heart feeling just a bit lighter.

One strange phenomenon that kept occurring was the little... gifts. Jimin thought the bit of sea glass was a fluke, but each night after, some sort of trinket awaited him on the ground before the front door. There were more chunks of glass in a rainbow of hues, but also pretty opalescent shells and coins. Bits of pottery, shark teeth, and once, what was unmistakably, a pearl.

He collected them all with a mix of confusion and delight. Displaying them on the windowsills around the cottage. Before long, he found himself anticipating the arrival of the next token. All of them seemed to appear while he was out or otherwise distracted. Jimin was curious who was leaving them and more importantly, why.

Part of him considered hiding out in the cottage to try and catch the giver in the act. Another didn't want to ruin the mystery. He suspected it could be Jin, though he couldn't imagine when the other man would have an opportunity. That theory was quickly squashed when he considered the number of times they'd left for the day and he came home to find another random object sitting on the doormat.

The days turned into weeks, sunrises and night skies blending into each other. Before he knew it, he'd spent nearly a month on the island. During that period, he called Yoongi four times. He'd also written zero words with a creative drive behind them, though the notebook was filled with others. His laptop remained at the bottom of his carry-on; the protective case firmly zipped.

Jimin parted ways with Jin after one of their standard dinners. It was earlier than usual to wrap up, but the other man suggested he head home, pointing to the sky. Dark clouds overhead indicated a storm was brewing, and the way they swirled left no doubt it would be a bad one.

There'd been bouts of rain on a few occasions prior, but Jimin was unprepared for the torrential downpour that hit later that night. It came in hard, the wind roaring like a lion. It rattled the windows as thick drops of water beat against the glass. Jin had assured him the houses, especially those on islands or along the coast, were built to withstand inclement weather. Still, it was unnerving, especially with the cottage so close to the beach.

Jimin huddled in bed, trying and failing not to imagine the thatched roof being ripped off and flying away. Maybe he'd watched the Wizard of Oz too many times as a kid. The lights flickered to the point that he might have questioned spirits otherwise. He shut off the nightstand lamp and reached for the flashlight he'd located in the cupboard under the sink. Wondering if the power would become lost entirely as the hours wore on.

In the end, he somehow fell asleep. Bright sunlight streamed in as it did almost every other morning. Jimin pulled himself from beneath the covers and started his morning routine. Wash face, have breakfast, brush teeth, dress in his standard uniform of oversize, dark colored, and comfy attire. He packed some scones in a napkin, wondering what the state of the beach would be like after the tempest.

As expected, it was a mess. Clumps of seaweed and marine life carcasses littered the sand. Jimin glanced at the waves. They were higher than normal, but clearly more controlled than before. His eyes scanned the shoreline, searching, landing on a dark shape in the distance.

Jimin dropped his bag and the napkin. It burst open, scones rolling out in a flurry of crumbs. Then he was sprinting across the beach, sand spraying under his shoes. He knew what it was before he reached it. Skidding to a halt, he stared down at the otter, lifeless on the ground.

There was a small wound on its head, bright blood stark on the dark fur. Jimin's chest tightened as he knelt down, examining the body for other injuries. Another cut ran over shoulder and down the arm. Jimin wondered what had happened. Perhaps it hit some sharp rocks, or even been attacked by some other water-dwelling beast in the midst of the storm.

The otter's fur was dense and smooth. Though damp under his fingers, he could tell that it was thick, able to keep the animal dry close to the skin. Running a hand along its side, tears pricked at his eyes. Such a beautiful creature. So happy and full of life, now... not. As he stared, he noticed the almost imperceptible rise and fall of its chest. Breathing. Slowly but still present.

It's a wild animal, Jimin thought. It's wild and sometimes things happen and they don't always make it. Plus, what if it bites you? You could get rabies.

He didn't even know if there was rabies in Scotland, but before he knew it, he'd gathered the otter and was carrying it back toward the cottage. What he was going to do with it once he got there remained a mystery. Jimin reflected on all of the strange and sometimes poor decisions he'd made over the last few months, trying to decide where this fell on the scale. Definitely somewhere near the top.

The otter was lighter than expected, it couldn't weigh more than twenty-five pounds. He experienced a bit of a challenge shifting it from both arms to one as he wrestled with the front door. Once he managed to get it open, he headed for the couch. Setting the animal down, he tucked blankets around. As he stood back, the adrenaline wore off, and he was hit by a wave of uncertainty.

What was he supposed to do now? Should he call someone? Who? Maybe he should go see Jin. He might know what to do. Or Emilia. For one wild moment he considered calling Yoongi, but that would not go over well. He was supposed to be engaging in rest and relaxation not... wild animal rescue missions.

Jimin let out a sigh. His clothes and skin smelled a bit like wet dog and fish, an unpleasant combination. Another shower was in order, but first he needed to figure out the... situation he'd created for himself. Though he was a bit hesitant to leave the otter, he needed help.

In his haste, he'd abandoned his bag on the beach. Once he left the cottage, he retrieved it first, picking up the discarded napkin as well. The scones were gone, no doubt eaten by an opportunistic bird. Then he headed for Jin's.

The cottage was dark and deserted when he arrived, a first since his arrival on the island. Jimin peered into the blackened windows, anxiety roiling in his guts. Jin didn't visit him every day, he was likely away at those times, and he'd not been the wiser. Still, he probably had his phone on him. Jimin texted, then called a couple minutes later when it remained unread. He listened to it ring and ring until a voicemail picked up, Jin's voice bright and bubbly but not preset.

He tried Emilia next, swearing when he got the same result. Taking a deep breath, he held it for a few seconds then released. There was no sense in getting worked up. Everything would be fine. Maybe they were busy. Though the island wasn't that big, he didn't have the time nor the energy to go traipsing across it.

There was always the possibility they weren't even on the island. It wasn't as though it were hard to get on the ferry to the mainland. Though if that were the case, they might not be return until late. The most sensible option would be to head to his own cottage and wait for them. He could always keep trying to reach out. Exhaling a sigh of defeat, he started along the footpath again.

Hours passed. The otter snoozed on. Jimin wondered if there was more he could be doing. The wounds didn't look deep enough for stitching, something he was thankful for. Even if he possessed the tools, the thought made him queasy. Despite the occasional gnarly scene in his books, when faced with a real-life scenario, he was a lot less brave than his characters.

"Rest is best," Jimin said softly, parroting a phrase his mother used to say when he was sick growing up. She hadn't been wrong.

Hoping to keep his mind off the newest incident, Jimin busied himself around the cottage. It was in need of cleaning, a task he'd pushed to the back burner since moving in. Only the kitchen had some semblance of order, and that was mostly because it was hard to cook in a disorganized or cluttered space. He gathered laundry and made the bed. Wiped down the dining room table and swept the floor.

The labor caused him to work up an appetite. After a simple but filling lunch, he was back at it. Folding the now dry laundry and washing the dishes instead of leaving them in the sink. Anything to keep moving, but in the end, he wound up taking a shower and passing out, exhausted physically and mentally.

Before he knew it, Jimin was sitting up in bed, eyelids crusted with the remnants of slumber. Something was wrong, though he couldn't put his finger on it. Brushing hair from his eyes, he swallowed past the dryness in his throat. Fantastic, he'd been snoring again.

Stifling a yawn, he blinked, still unsure what had awoken him. For a moment, he considered settling down again and going back to sleep. It was probably just a dream, enough to startle him but not terrible to be imprinted on his brain. Jimin flopped back against the pillows, and shifted onto his side. Then it came again. A noise. Jimin's brows knit, at a loss before he remembered.

The otter.

Sliding out of bed, he grabbed the flashlight. He padded toward the top of the loft and looked down into the darkness beyond. Moving as carefully and quietly as he could, he descended the ladder one rung at a time and made his way toward the couch. Clicking on the beam of the flashlight, he was just in time to see the gray tartan blanket he'd draped over the animal's form moving in a way it shouldn't.

For one thing, it was too high for an otter to extend, even at full height, and the limbs were too long and... Jimin's mouth dropped open as a figure emerged from the folds of the blanket. He saw dark hair and golden skin and...

"What the fuck?" Jimin whispered.

The flashlight fell from his grip, and banged on the floor. It spun, facing the same direction he was, the beam illuminating the figure there. He snatched it up, heart thundering in his chest. Gaping at the other chest. A lean and decidedly naked one. That was part of the rest of the lean and decidedly naked body...

A human body.

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to be continued....................

date- 9/9/24

words- 5270