The sound of water lapping against the sandy shore was so soothing and peaceful. Especially with the added gentle sound of the ocean kissing San's scales.

He had hauled himself a little further up the beach so he could comfortably sit back next to Yeosang while keeping most of his tail within reach of the water.

Part of him, the human part, still couldn't comprehend the sight. He had a tail. A beautiful, yellow gold tail. It was something he had wondered about ever since learning about Wooyoung's true identity and now he had one of his own.

He could finally be part of Wooyoung's world.

The weight of his mating necklace against his chest was a glorious reminder of the pact he now shared with the merman sleeping between Mingi and Yunho some distance behind them.

The trio all needed to recharge their magic, so with the help of Yeosang, Jongho and Hongjoong, they'd dug a shallow pool the three of them could lounge comfortably with their tails submerged.

When Jongho had asked why they wanted the hole, Yunho explained they wanted to stay close and not worry about any curious creatures coming from the ocean to investigate.

Once they were settled in, Jongho and Hongjoong decided to hike back up to the truck and see if there was anything they could use.

No one mentioned Seonghwa, but San knew they were going to look for him too.

The thing that surprised him the most was the fact that they shouldn't have to worry about anyone coming close to them for several hours still.

He understood why Wooyoung had been so confused. The events of their evening had all taken place within a few hours and it was shortly after midnight right now.

"What are you thinking about?" San asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the others even though he knew Wooyoung had purposefully picked a spot out of hearing range.

Next to him, Yeosang hummed and rested his chin on his arms, which were wrapped around his legs. His pants were soaked, but San had figured out how to use his magic to keep his friend warm so wouldn't freeze in the cool night air.

"I'm trying to picture life without being able to see you every day."

San made a small, pained sound while looking at his friend. And the sight immediately took his breath away.

Yeosang's head was tilted back now so he could stare up at the stars. There were tears in his eyes, which made the reflection in them twinkle. Yet... there was a small smile tugging at his lips.

"I don't mean that in a bad way." Yeosang continued. "It just... doesn't feel real right now. Which is silly because I'm sitting next to my best friend, my brother, and he has a freaking sunflower fish tail."

They both burst out laughing at that comment and San leaned into his friend. "Did you ever think-"

"No." Yeosang snorted, not even needing to hear the rest of San's question. "Not in a million years. But... I'm so happy for you. You deserve this, Sannie."

"You deserve happiness too." San sat up straight again and scrunched his eyebrows together. "And it had better be with Jongho."

Yeosang chuckled and nodded. "Don't worry. I don't think I could share my life with anyone else now. Not after all we've been through together."

"Plus he's crazy about you."

"I'm crazy about him too." Yeosang finally turned his head to meet San's gaze. There was nothing but love and adoration written on his face.

Knowing that Yeosang had somebody to take care of him made the fact that San was leaving a little easier for him to stomach. He and Yeosang had always had each other. The thought of saying goodbye... It made San ache.

"Don't worry about me." Yeosang whispered. He always seemed to know what San was thinking, even now. "I'm going to be ok."

"What if I'm not?" San whispered even softer, almost hoping his friend wouldn't hear him.

But he did. Either that or he just knew again, because Yeosang shifted a little closer so their hips and shoulders were touching. "You are. I know you don't feel like it, but you've been ready for this for a long time. I think it would be a lot harder for you to part from Wooyoung for a second time. He's your soulmate."

San felt himself blush at the words. "I'm excited, but I'm scared too. What if I don-"

"You can't do that to yourself." Yeosang turned his head to lay his cheek on his arms. "And those three aren't going to let anything happen to you. Don't forget, you have a prince on your side. I doubt anyone will mess with you." He chuckled, a teasing note to his voice.

"I suppose you're right. Especially since... I got his blessing." San bit his lip and shook his head. He still couldn't believe how easily Mingi and Yunho had accepted him as Wooyoung's mate.

They'd come so far in the few days they'd known each other.

Movement to their right made both men turn to see Hongjoong and San returning with what looked to be a few blankets and, by some miracle, the octopus still trapped in her bubble. The bubble was cradled in Jongho's hands and he was watching it with wide eyes.

They set the blankets down on the beach, and Jongho deposited the octopus in the pool with Wooyoung, then came to join San and Yeosang in the water. San made sure to protect them from getting cold as well, feeling proud of himself for learning so quickly.

"How's it look up there?" Yeosang asked, blushing a little when Jongho sat down next to him.

"Something caught fire in Seonghwa's car, so that's what's been burning. Thankfully it's mostly rock so it's not going to spread. We would have stayed longer, but we didn't want to risk being seen." Jongho sighed heavily and ran a hand through his hair.

Next to him, Hongjoong was picking at his lip with a scowl on his face. "He's gone. No sign of him."

"Maybe it's for the best." Yeosang offered, leaning forward so he could see Hongjoong better. "Are you alright?"

Hongjoong snorted and fisted his hair with both hands, his elbows braced on his bent knees. "No. How the hell am I supposed to be alright after everything that's happened? I've done horrible... horrible things..." His voice trailed off at the last words, sounding haunted.

"That wasn't you-"

"Don't." Hongjoong snapped cutting Yeosang off. "Don't say it wasn't my fault or I didn't have a choice." He squeezed his hands tighter, knuckles turning white. "I did. I willingly worked for him. I signed my life away... for what? Immortality? So stupid!!"

San pressed his lips together, not sure what to think as he listened to the man talk. If he was being honest, he still wasn't a big fan of Hongjoong because of what he did to help with Wooyoung's imprisonment and torture. But... he had also helped free Wooyoung, so he couldn't be all that bad...

"Things hadn't been all that bad in the beginning. I didn't know his intentions at first, I was just looking for a job and he was the first place to hire me." Hongjoong continued, almost as if he couldn't stop now that he'd started talking. "Seonghwa had already gathered a lot of resources because of his family's history, so much of it was researching plants and properties. I really enjoyed working for him. He said he saw a lot of potential in me... That's when h-he... um..." Hongjoong licked his lips and shook his head.

From the corner of his eye, San noticed Yunho slowly walking over to them. His arms were crossed over his stomach and he was looking solely at Hongjoong, listening to everything he was saying.

"He took things further and... expected more from me."

Jongho, Yeosang, and San all gasped and sat up straighter, but Jongho was the first to speak. "That's horrible! How could anyone do that to another person?!"

"Seonghwa is a man that could have anything he wanted." Hongjoong said softly. "And when he promised me immortality, to stay by his side with access to all the money and magic I wanted... I couldn't find a reason to say no. If I just muscled through the bad things, I could have the life so many people dreamed of. He promised it all.

"But I never knew he was capable of going so far... S-Seeing what he did to Wooyoung... It made m-me sick. I tried to help him," Hongjoong finally dropped his hands and turned to look at San. His cheeks were stained with tear tracks and his hands trembled. "I swear I did, but I could only do so m-much."

San felt his heart break and felt instant forgiveness flow through his soul. "I know you did. Thank you for trying to protect him."

The four of them sat in silence for a moment, with Yunho still hovering in the background.

"What are you going to do now?" Jongho eventually asked.

"I have no idea." Hongjoong bent forward so his head was between his knees. "I cut off all ties with any friends and family I had before working for Seonghwa. I have some money saved up, so I guess... I'll try to find some place I can start over. What about you guys?"

Jongho quirked his lips to the side and turned to look first at Yeosang, then at San. "Well... I was thinking... I know parting with San is going to be hard for you, but what if we found a house on the beach. Together?"

The wide smile that took over Yeosang's face made San beam as well, loving how happy his friend looked in that moment.

"Really? You'd want to do that?" Yeosang swiveled around so he could sit on his knees and feet, bouncing in place a little.

"If that's what would make you happy. I'd follow you anywhere." Jongho reached up to stroke his cheek. "And I know you're safe, but I don't exactly have a job back home anymore."

The three of them laughed amongst themselves while Hongjoong watched them with a soft gaze.

He was the only piece of the puzzle that didn't seem to fit right now...

San wished he could help the man after what he'd sacrificed for them. He glanced at Yunho once more and noticed the merman had returned to the pool and was settling in next to Wooyoung again.

The three of them all shifted together, fitting like pieces of a puzzle.

A puzzle Mingi and Yunho had once been hoping for.

San was surprised he didn't feel any jealously looking at them. Maybe it was because he could always feel the necklace against his chest now, or maybe it was simply because he knew how deep the love was he shared with Wooyoung, but watching him snuggle into Yunho's chest upon his return was so endearing.

The four of them stayed on the beach in a comfortable silence, just watching the waves and eventually the sunrise.

It was beautiful. Soft yellows and pinks that made the surface of the ocean sparkle brilliantly. Seagulls and other birds started to gather, searching for their morning meal.

"You should probably leave soon." Yeosang murmured, his deep voice full of pain and acceptance.

He was right. It was looking to be a perfect day and soon the beach would be full of people.

Just when San was about to turn around to look for the others, they appeared next to them in human form.

Wooyoung had the octopus cradled in his arms, her arms wrapped around him tightly. "Let's get you back in the water. I'll be there soon, ok?"

She blinked at him and allowed him to set her down, though San noticed she just attached herself to his foot and ankle.

They all laughed at the sight, especially Hongjoong. "I'm glad she made it."

"Me too. She told me to tell you thank you."

Hongjoong just waved the merman off, although he did have a slight blush dusting his cheeks.

San took a deep breath and forced himself to shift again, this time making sure to think about having clothes on to protect his own dignity. He embraced Yeosang immediately in a bone crushing hug.

They were both crying silently, not wanting to speak aloud and voice all their fears and concerns and pain deep inside their hearts.

This was it... This could be the last time they'd see each other for a long time.

"Y-You should go." Yeosang choked on his words, then stepped back. He wiped his eyes and tried to smile.

"Sangie..." A lump in San's throat made it hard for him to swallow.

This was happening too fast. He wasn't ready...

"W-We will be f-fine." His friend tucked himself into Jongho's side and patted his chest a couple of times. "Really."

Wooyoung was the one to move first, rushing forward to throw his arms around both of them. "I promise we will take care of him."

"I know you will, Youngie." Yeosang sobbed, hugging him tightly. "You are meant to be together."

Off to the side, Yunho and Mingi were watching the exchange with their own tear filled eyes, whispering to each other. And Hongjoong hand his hands shoved in his pockets and was running his foot back and forth in the sand.

Jongho stepped away from the others and pulled San into a hug. "I'm so glad I met you. Thank you for the adventure." He added with a laugh.

"Take care of him." San whispered. "Please. H-He's all-"

"I know." Jongho hugged him tighter. "I promise I will."

When Yeosang and San managed to get ahold of themselves, Mingi cleared his throat and cupped his hands in front of him.

Gold sparkles swirled on top of them, slowly forming a large piece of branching, blue coral that was then surrounded by a sphere of water. "You'll have to get something to keep this in, but I've enchanted it. Whenever you want to see San, break off a small piece and throw it into the ocean. I'll get the message."

Both San and Yeosang started to cry again, babbling how grateful they were for the magnificent gift. Jongho ended up having to take the coral, holding it gingerly in his hands after bowing low in thanks.

"We have been blessed with this second chance. I will do what I can to make sure San can visit as often as possible. As long as it doesn't endanger my people, of course."

"No, I would never want that." Yeosang said quickly. "And I hope you know we will never-"

Mingi held up a hand to stop him and smiled. "I know. I need to thank you for opening my eyes to the kindness humanity can still possess. It has changed my view of the surface and," He arched an eyebrow while glancing at Wooyoung, who was quick to hide behind Jongho, "maybe some things can change. But for now, we need to get home."

A few more goodbyes were exchanged. Long hugs. Whispered thanks. Silent promises.

San's heart felt so full yet broken at the same time.

When Wooyoung finally came to his side and pressed a kiss to his cheek, he felt himself settling down a little bit. As hard as this was, it was the right choice for him. He was going to be with Wooyoung, where he was meant to be.

Just as they were about to move to deeper water to shift and swim home, Yunho and Mingi stayed put and the prince spoke once more. "I have one more gift to give, if he is willing to accept it." He exchanged a quick glance with Yunho.

Then he turned to Hongjoong.

"Last night I was visited in my dreams by Mother Atargatis." He said, making both Wooyoung and San gasp but he didn't acknowledge them. "I awoke with this." Mingi held out his hand to reveal a vial containing a blue liquid.

Hongjoong bristled and took a step back. "Is this some kind of joke? Is it to counteract the immortality potion running in my veins? Because trust me, I'm already hoping it didn't work and I don't have to live with what I've done for the rest of my extremely long life!"

Wooyoung whined a little and tried to step forward, but San stopped him, wanting to give Mingi a chance to explain.

Which he did with a soft smile on his face. "That's not it. Yunho and I spoke about this when we woke up this morning, but apparently She already knew what our hearts wanted before we did." He paused for a moment, then looked at his mate.

"We want you go come with us." Yunho said, placing a hand on Mingi's shoulder.

"Wh- I- What?" Hongjoong stepped back again while shrinking in on himself.

"This potion," Mingi bit his lip and looked at the human with almost pleading eyes, "Will turn you into a merman."