A/N

Looooong ass chapter ahead... also wow I really suck at hiatus don't I?

Chapter 20

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Originally Jungkook had thought that taking Taehyung to the swimming pool was a good idea. In what universe it actually was a good idea he wasn't sure anymore. Bringing a very dangerous siren to a pool full of children... Jungkook only realized how dumb that was when they had already paid their entry fees, so he wasn't going to back out now.

He really doubted Taehyung was going to eat anyone today... and if he did at least Jungkook wouldn't have to worry about the siren living with him anymore.

The place was stuffed with families just having a good time. Even though it was only May. Though it was an exceptionally hot day, which had been the cause of Jungkook's stupid idea.

Jungkook had felt like he was melting all day and Taehyung hadn't looked much better, just lazing around in the bathtub.

Taehyung seemed anything but thrilled about how many people there were. Small children running all over the place, some almost bumping into them. Jungkook could tell how tense he was, but a quick glance at the siren's hands at least showed that Taehyung wasn't about to claw anyone's eyes out.

Part of Jungkook was glad, Taehyung had really gotten better at this. He was clearly still tense but he had gotten more comfortable with being around humans. Crowds not so much, but he wasn't a danger to the public anymore... for the most part.

He also seemed decently okay with Jungkook touching him for a few seconds, for example to tug him along as they made their way over to the huge lawn by the side of the pool to find some shade to sit in.

"So this is a giant bathtub for humans to swim in because the sea can be too dangerous." Jungkook explained as he pointed at the pool. Taehyung followed his gesture with a sceptical look before he glanced back at Jungkook.

"It's a child magnet for the most part. On really hot days adults tend to come here too to cool off a little, but for the most part it's just children playing in the water. Please don't eat anyone." Maybe Jungkook had started disassociating a little.

It was probably the only way to cope with the situation he was in. He couldn't worry constantly. And while Taehyung had been friendly these last three weeks... he also hadn't given Jungkook the impression that he could start being careless either.

Jungkook was constantly reminded that Taehyung was very willing to kill when it was needed in his eyes. So Jungkook was being careful but he also kind of just... accepted the way things were.

He watched as the siren nodded, still anxiously glancing around. Jungkook wondered what this kind of place was like for a siren. He knew from Jimin that Taehyung had heightened senses compared to a human.

How much could he hear from everyone around them? Was it overwhelming or could he just tune it out? Judging from how he kept startling, his eyes quickly searching certain directions, Jungkook guessed it was the first one.

"We need to get changed before we can go inside the water... by the way..." The siren's eyes were back on him and maybe Jungkook was just imagining things, but they seemed a little softer compared to the way he was staring these children down.

Maybe Taehyung actually felt a little more amicable towards Jungkook than he did towards other humans. Jungkook really hoped so. After all he was trying his hardest to be nice to the siren.

"This should go without saying and is just to be absolutely certain. When we're in the water you can't shift into your... siren form? No tail. No claws... no scary eyes. You really have to focus because if a child sees you it will not stop talking about it and I doubt you want any attention on yourself." Jungkook handed Taehyung his swimming trunks. Black ones with orange palm tree silhouettes. They looked absolutely awful with Taehyung's complexion and his pale skin, but Jungkook had to make do with what he had and these were the only pair he owned aside from the ones he was going to wear.

Once again Taehyung nodded, taking the trunks into his hands and furrowing his eyes at them, probably thinking the exact same thing as Jungkook. "Yeah, they look awful." Jungkook acknowledged and Taehyung nodded, scrunching up his nose in disgust.

Jungkook couldn't help but laugh.

"I don't care if you look awful. You're not seducing anyone here anyways." Jungkook teased, patting Taehyung's back, urging him to move towards the cabins on the other side of the pool once again. If they wanted to swim they had to get changed first.

For some reason Jungkook ended up in the same cabin as Taehyung. It was uncomfortably close... at least when it came to being close to Taehyung, since Jungkook still preferred a little bit of a safety distance, but Taehyung had simply followed him inside of his cabin so this was it.

It took Jungkook maybe thirty seconds to slip out of his clothes and pull the trunks up his legs. They were a lot better looking than the ones he had given Taehyung. Simple and black with small, neon green writing spelling out the brand.

Only when Jungkook was done changing clothes, all while awkwardly trying to avoid elbowing the siren in the face, Taehyung started changing. Jungkook watched, a weird mix of feelings bubbling up within him.

Taehyung was beautiful and handsome, there was no questioning that. His body wasn't ripped but he was clearly muscular, although more on the lean side. His shoulders were broad, but his waist was thin and delicate.

And even though his body looked like it was carved out of stone his face was probably his most stunning feature. Jungkook still struggled with his gaze, sometimes getting stuck in place when he looked at Taehyung.

Something about his face was so beautiful and mesmerizing but at the same time unsettling. Taehyung was hauntingly beautiful... in a natural yet at the same time unnatural way. It didn't feel right. A face like this existing didn't feel right.

Which was why Jungkook had so many mixed feelings about Taehyung undressing in front of him. Because the monkey part of his brain wanted to reach out... trace over Taehyung's body and find out if it was really as delicate as it looked.

But the part of his brain that was actually capable of thinking just growled at him to keep that monkey at bay because survival came even before sexual desire.

Nevertheless, Jungkook more than understood those old sailors' tales about beautiful mermaids sitting on the rocks and not being able to withstand the temptation of jumping into the water to get to them. Hell, Jungkook had almost drowned because of Taehyung and it was this hard nevertheless... he really had to stop staring.

Not that Taehyung cared at all. He just pulled his pants down, which rendered him completely naked, before picking up the swimming trunks and pulling them up his legs, tucking his dick back inside.

Jungkook averted his eyes because unlike Taehyung he did have some decency. And he didn't want to get turned on by that siren and get a boner that was going to be plain obvious in his swimming trunks.

Although he did wonder how Taehyung would react. Did the siren even know what dicks were used for?

The second they were done changing clothes Jungkook opened the door to escape the close proximity to the siren. It really was affecting him in ways he didn't want to be affected.

They made their way over to the pool, Jungkook keeping an eye out for any children that might run into Taehyung ready to block their way because he did not trust Taehyung to stay cool if a child ran into him on accident.

Taehyung seemed appreciative, staying mostly behind Jungkook, his hand on Jungkook's back as if making sure he was still there while he cautiously kept his surroundings in check too. When they finally made it to the pool Jungkook expected Taehyung to get inside with just as much vigor as he did every time he filled the bathtub or jumped into the ocean. But instead Taehyung seemed hesitant, his nose scrunching up as he sniffed the air and came to a halt right in front of the small ladder leading into the pool.

"Everything alright?"

For a couple of seconds Taehyung said nothing, instead staring at the water, then he fake gagged. That was a very clear message. Jungkook was glad they had established some sort of communication.

"Does the water smell bad?"

Taehyung nodded, still looking very disgusted as he dipped his foot inside before quickly pulling it out and looking at Jungkook with an expression that clearly said he was not getting in there. If Jungkook's senses had been as good as Taehyung's he probably wouldn't have wanted to get inside either.

"Do you mind if I go inside? You could stay out here. I'm feeling really hot."

Taehyung didn't exactly seem keen on it but he still nodded, his eyes cautiously taking in his surroundings every few seconds.

"Once I've cooled off a little I'll buy you ice cream, okay?" Jungkook carefully climbed down the steps while Taehyung sat down by the edge of the pool. When Taehyung looked at him questioningly Jungkook elaborated, realizing that he hadn't gotten ice cream with Taehyung before.

Something he really had to change.

"Just something cold and sweet. I could imagine you liking it."

He took in a sharp breath when the cold water reached his chest and he was forced to dip his arms that had been holding onto the ladder until then into the water. Then he dropped his whole body into the pool. Taehyung watched, clearly amused at how Jungkook was shuddering just from a little cold water.

"Don't you laugh over there. Last time I went swimming I almost drowned if you still remember." Jungkook really was trying not to think about it. Not to think about the feeling of Taehyung's claws around his ankle as he pulled Jungkook deeper and deeper.

How powerless he had felt. No matter how much he had kicked and flailed his arms... there had been nothing he could have done. Just thinking about it made the burning in his lungs return... the memory was so vivid... so fresh.

The worst part he was back in water right now.

And the cause of all of this was casually and comfortably sitting by the edge of the pool right now. If he had wanted he probably could drown Jungkook a second time. He'd just have to get inside the pool and...

Not a pretty thought.

What made matters worse... Taehyung didn't look guilty after Jungkook's comment. Instead he was still cautiously searching the area around him, making sure that no one was getting too close. As if what Jungkook had said meant nothing to him. And it probably didn't. No matter how human he sometimes seemed, Taehyung wasn't.

Jungkook had to keep that in mind. He had to stay cautious. Calm but cautious.

So he moved closer to the edge of the pool where Taehyung was sitting, supporting his body with his elbows to look at Taehyung, who was now facing him again.

"I used to come here with my parents a lot when I was younger. Like all these children here." He made a movement with his head, gesturing around the area while Taehyung listened intently.

"You probably get that but humans like water a lot. Swimming feels really liberating in a way... you feel weightless... unless there is someone pulling you down." Jungkook watched in amusement as Taehyung rolled his eyes. Yes, he still was petty enough to keep mentioning this. Yes, he knew the siren didn't care and it was getting repetitive, but it helped him cope so he was going to keep doing it.

"When I was younger I used to be hella jealous of fish. Stupid, I know, but being able to just go wherever you want to go sounded nice. This place feels a little like prison to me. I can't get out of here because my parents expect me to stay close to them in case anything happens. It's kind of annoying." Jungkook continued, knowing that Taehyung wouldn't answer anyways.

He never really did. He mainly just acknowledged things Jungkook told him, but Jungkook was okay with that. Some part of him was glad he had someone else but Eunji to complain about this to. He knew he was bored of him complaining about this again and again.

"Living in the ocean must be nice. So many different places and you can just go anywhere. I mean, you can shift into a human. Theoretically any place on earth is your playground."

Taehyung was intently watching him now, barely focusing on his surroundings. His legs neatly folded underneath him as he sat there listening to Jungkook. When Jungkook finished talking he seemed to think for a couple of seconds before he shrugged.

Jungkook was really jealous. It probably wasn't anything special for Taehyung, but Jungkook wanted that freedom too.

Still, he switched topics. He looked back at the pool where all those children were jumping around, yelling at one another across the pool, playing with all different kinds of toys.

"Are there siren children as well? I mean, there have to be, but have you seen any?" To Jungkook's surprise Taehyung shook his head, his eyes just like Jungkook's fixed on the children playing. Jungkook wondered what was going through his head. Taehyung was a complete mystery in a way. The fact that he didn't speak only added to that.

Jungkook had formed somewhat of an idea of Jimin's character while they had talked, and even kinda understood Yoongi's even though they had only exchanged a few words while he had been visiting.

Taehyung's character on the other hand... Jungkook really had no idea. Between the threats and small moments of being nice, there wasn't much.

If one thing was clear it was that the siren wasn't opening up to him at all. Jungkook knew pretty much the same things he had the day they had come back from Jimin's place. Nothing had really changed, although he had seen Taehyung smile a few times.

It was kind of funny because when Jungkook thought about it... Taehyung was clearly a siren. Jungkook could practically see him sitting by a cliff, singing sailors to their death. It fit well. Way too well. Unsettlingly so.

Jungkook wondered if that was ever going to change. If, at some point, he might see more than just the dangerous, unsettling siren side of Taehyung.

He realised that he must have been staring at Taehyung in silence for too long. Luckily the siren didn't really care much for typical human mannerisms. To him it probably didn't even feel weird as he returned Jungkook's gaze, just sitting there in silence.

His eyes only flicked to the side every couple of seconds when a child passed by too closely behind him. His gaze startlingly cold.

Taehyung probably didn't care about who he was hurting at all. If he were to feel threatened by one of these children... he wasn't going to differentiate between them and adults. That thought was pretty scary.

"So sirens don't have children." Taehyung's gaze flickered back to him and this time Jungkook could see it clearly. His gaze, even if it was just a little, was indeed warmer. His eyes didn't form those scary slits.

If you ignored his never quite human features his expression seemed almost human. Not completely emotionless like it had just seconds ago.

"They do."

Once again Jungkook was startled by Taehyung's voice. It was deeper than one would think when seeing his face but smooth in ways that were hard to describe. A siren's strength was their voice. It made sense Taehyung's voice was just as appealing as his face and body.

Jungkook smiled. This time it had been two words. "You're getting better at speaking."

Taehyung rolled his eyes, but he didn't seem annoyed. Jungkook moved closer, resting his arms on the edge of the pool. Taehyung moved back a little.

Jungkook had probably gotten too close for comfort. "Sorry." Resting his chin on his arms he looked up at Taehyung. "So sirens do get children... but there aren't really any you have seen?"

Taehyung nodded, grimacing when the wind picked up, probably carrying the awful scent of the pool to him.

"Are they rare?"

This time he only got a shrug. Before Jungkook could say anything else Taehyung spoke up again.

"Sirens are."

Taehyung was surprisingly talkative today. Jungkook still couldn't get over how good his voice sounded. Over the honey-like ring to it, even with how deep it was.

God, Jungkook was already struggling with the siren being attractive overall. Could he stop speaking again? It was making not sexualizing... and not humanizing the creature a lot harder. Jungkook didn't want to be attracted to the guy who was probably going to kill him.

"Do you know other sirens aside from Jimin?" He had to. After all he had been around for longer than Jungkook's parents probably... roaming the ocean all this time. Taehyung must have seen other sirens before.

But Taehyung shook his head.

So this was why even though humans seemed to be everywhere they still hadn't found sirens. They were considered to be a mere myth from older times. Maybe back then they hadn't been as rare as they were now.

"Really? None? How old are you?"

For a few seconds Taehyung just looked at him, seemingly contemplating what to say. "Old."

Back to one-word answers. Well, Jungkook had heard Taehyung speak three times already, so if anything it was quite the progress.

"Out of you and Jimin, who is the older brother? Jimin?" For some reason Jungkook expected Jimin to be older. He seemed to be more mature in a way. Rather controlled in comparison to Taehyung, who had almost bared his teeth at other people on more than one occasion. Had almost slipped up showing his eyes in public. Always seemed to use aggression rather than words... although to be fair words really weren't his strong suit so far.

But Taehyung shook his head at Jungkook's question. So he was the older one... Jungkook really had no idea what to do with that piece of information. He probably was going to ask Jimin about his age. That way he would get an idea of what old actually meant.

"Are you two close?"

Even though the question seemed harmless enough Taehyung just looked at him for what felt like minutes but probably had been only seconds before moving closer to the edge of the pool. Almost automatically Jungkook moved farther away to make sure he wouldn't end up in Taehyung's personal space again, watching as Taehyung put his feet into the cold water.

Probably because, when it came down to it, he was hot too. Although he didn't seem too happy about touching the pool's water.

Jungkook was waiting for an answer but it never came as Taehyung sat there, watching the children in the pool. The silence felt weirdly relaxing. Even though there were children screaming all around them it all felt distant as Jungkook waited for Taehyung to maybe speak again.

It probably was too difficult of a question for the siren to answer with just a nod or by shaking his head. "Did you spend a lot of time with Jimin?"

This time Taehyung shook his head, moving his hand over the water, just softly brushing the surface. Jungkook watched in awe as the water around Taehyung's hand formed into small waves but followed the hand as he pulled it away, like it was a magnet.

Just a small film of water at his palm that quickly spread out to coat the back of his hand too.

The siren was probably just doing this for Jungkook's amusement. After all this was normal for him, while Jungkook couldn't help but feel intrigued and excited about the mere idea that Taehyung was able to do such a cool thing.

Yeah, the siren was scary, but he also was able to do cool stuff and Jungkook would have been stupid to only focus on all the bad when he had the chance to witness something this... incredible.

"How much control do you have? Can you only do small things like this or is more than that possible?" Jungkook asked curiously, watching as the film of water crawled up Taehyung's arm, soon losing all of its structure and simply dripping from Taehyung's arm.

For a second Taehyung looked at him and Jungkook realized that maybe asking this was a bad idea. What if Taehyung did something huge that was about to draw the attention of the whole swimming pool to them?

Like a giant wave... Jungkook already saw his life flashing in front of his eyes.

But what happened next wasn't exactly better. One second Jungkook was looking at Taehyung, who was staring right back at him, and the next he was underwater, just as if he had been tugged down by his leg again.

Instantly he felt panic flood his system. Adrenaline pumping as he tried to push himself off the floor of the pool to resurface again... but the surface layer was as hard as stone. Like there was glass where the air was supposed to start.

Jungkook could feel his heart racing in his chest. Memories of the first time he had almost drowned coming back. The excruciating pain of breathing in water. How he hadn't been able to get out of there... just like right now.

After dreaming of that moment so many times he almost felt like this had to be a nightmare again, but he knew it wasn't. His dreams never were this detailed... this vivid. He never considered them being a dream.

Jungkook really was underwater again now. He should have been more careful around Taehyung. What had he been thinking coming here? Stepping into a pool in the siren's presence. He had been stupid enough to think he would be safe because there were other people around.

He tried to break through the surface again, but it was hard. It was like he was trapped under ice... just that this ice didn't seem like anything could make it break. Jungkook knew he still had enough breath... but the fact that he couldn't breathe in made him feel like he was out of air already.

He was about to breathe in again.

And then his hand just slipped through the surface as if nothing had been there just a second ago. Jungkook's knee knocked against the edge of the pool as he hastily crawled outside, but it didn't matter. His hurting knee was nothing in exchange for solid ground under his feet.

His breathing was ragged, probably because of the panic he had been feeling just seconds ago. He no longer heard all the children around him yelling and playing. The only thing he could hear was the loud thrumming of his heart in his ears

He could feel Taehyung's eyes on him. He forced his breathing to calm down. Now that the threat to his life wasn't as prominent anymore the fear turned to anger.

"Never do that again! Almost drowning was traumatizing enough the first time!" He knew he was being too loud. People probably were looking their way now. But Jungkook didn't care. He was angry. Taehyung was playing with him and he hated it. If he wanted to kill Jungkook he could simply get it over with.

Instead, Jungkook was in that constant state of fear... knowing that maybe he was going to die.

He hated being at Taehyung's mercy. Someone who acted like things were completely okay half the time just to put a knife in his back the second he got too careless.

Jungkook knew that yelling at Taehyung was dangerous. That it might end up being his death sentence. But he couldn't get himself to care. Not with all the adrenaline pumping through his veins.

The siren looked startled at Jungkook's loud voice, his mouth opening a little as if he was about to say something, but then it closed again. Jungkook felt like tugging at his own hair. He hated this. Why had all of this happened to him? Did life really have it out for him like that?

Why couldn't things, just for once, go Jungkook's way? Just for once he wanted to feel happy and content.

Not knowing where to go with his anger - he sure as hell couldn't punch Taehyung since he didn't want to risk a broken hand - he just walked away. Back to their towels that were a little farther away. He didn't want to go back into the water anyways.

If Taehyung had any issues with people bumping into him... that was his own problem.

Jungkook hated this whole situation. He was acting friendly with a siren that could kill him any second... it just made him feel so confused. Because his brain couldn't properly work through the mix of Taehyung being a constant threat to his life and the kind of nice moments they had together. Small parts of Taehyung's mannerisms Jungkook had learned to interpret as positive reactions.

Jungkook hated how he really had no idea where this would go. It made him so anxious and then he'd just forget again because apparently he couldn't keep his focus on a very real threat for like two seconds.

He sat down on his towel, burying his face in his hands. His heart was still racing in his chest. He'd experienced that feeling two times now. That feeling of being underwater, unable to resurface. Unable to breathe. It was like a nightmare.

Taehyung was going to give him aquaphobia if things continued like this. There was only so much Jungkook could take. That complete loss of control was awful. Overall... not being in control of your own life.

Jungkook had never been completely in control, but with Taehyung showing up he had lost all the remaining freedom he had had in his life.

Slowly he forced his body to calm down. Take deep, steading breathes instead of the panicked short and flat ones he had been taking before. He tried to focus on something else... anything else but what had just happened as he sat there.

He ignored the steps approaching him, already aware it was Taehyung. Hey, he hadn't killed anyone on his way here... Jungkook was impressed.

He didn't look up when Taehyung sat down on his towel either. He just kept his eyes closed, face buried in his hands. He didn't want to look at Taehyung right now. He was so pissed... but he knew aggression would get him nowhere with the siren.

So instead he tried to calm down.

When he felt a hand touch his shoulder Jungkook involuntarily flinched away. He couldn't possibly know how the siren would react to his outburst. It wasn't unlikely he would view it as disrespect.

But when Jungkook forced himself to look at Taehyung there was no anger in Taehyung's gaze. Not that there was any sympathy either. Instead he looked a little confused, his hand awkwardly hovering in the air above Jungkook's shoulder.

Jungkook looked at the hand then back at Taehyung. Taehyung was trying to comfort Jungkook, he realized. But that didn't matter right now. Not when Jungkook was still foaming.

"Not right now. Please don't touch me right now."

He had managed to get that out in a somewhat neutral tone. Taehyung seemed hesitant but nodded, pulling his hand back to awkwardly drop it back in his lap.

Jungkook went back to focusing on his breathing. To get that weird feeling out of his skin. To get his body to go back into a more normal state.

The last thing Jungkook wanted right now was to be touched by Taehyung. Even if the siren was trying to do something nice

Just the thought of anyone touching him right now made his skin itch.

Once he had managed to calm his breathing a little he finally spoke. Not even looking at Taehyung. He really didn't feel like it. He knew that he'd have to act like everything was normal again soon... but right now he needed this. He needed to vent a little.

"Why did you do that back there? Was that another threat? Showing me that you can kill me in oh so many ways?" Jungkook asked, his voice clearly a little bitter.

Taehyung shook his head. Jungkook couldn't read his expression at all.

"What was it then?"

This time he didn't get any answer. Not that Taehyung could have answered without words anyways. The siren was looking at him with those grey eyes... with that unreadable expression.

Jungkook didn't want this anymore. Not that he had wanted this in the first place, but he couldn't deal with this anymore. Not knowing what Taehyung was thinking... what his next move was going to be. It made him feel on edge and so scared.

"I'm sorry."

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat. The last thing he had expected to happen was Taehyung saying something again. Especially not that. He really hadn't thought the creature could so much as even begin to consider that maybe something he was doing was wrong.

"Don't apologize. You did it and you did that intentionally. Don't act like you're apologetic now." Jungkook pulled his backpack closer, going through it. "Let's go buy some ice cream. I need that sugar right now."

Taehyung didn't look too content but didn't say anything, instead following Jungkook as he got up.

And Jungkook was just glad that he hadn't died because he had lashed out at Taehyung. He had to get his emotions under control if he wanted to somehow get out of this alive.

A/N

I have no words... I really like this chapter but no words...

What did you guys think?

Also I have other stories too, they are cool, pls check them out😖

It's kinda sad but wattpad algorithm works in ways that gives short stories no chance to live.

Barely anyone reads them so sorry for all the shamless self promo but they cute but still no one reads them😭

Btw yes I am still officially in hiatus... okay? I know it doesn't look like it but I am! Believe me.

Love you all😖💕