Jungkook sighs and looks at Taehyung, at the creases in his cheek from the pillow case and the rumples in his shirt. “Fine,” he says at last. He holds the door open and motions for Taehyung to go ahead. “This way.” Hands come up around Taehyung’s shoulders and something very human-like but very much not human appears out of the water behind Taehyung, gnashing its teeth and hissing. To help with swimming. I thought you might have a dorsal fin sort of thing going on but you don’t - but you have gills.” He makes his way off the path, stumbles more than once. There’s laughter in his ears and a silhouette in the afternoon sun, standing on an outstretch not too far away. The person waves Jungkook over and Jungkook follows, follows the song, the laughter. When he’s close enough he can see there’s two girls, one standing behind the other. They smile at him and link hands, then gesture for him to follow.

Jungkook lets Taehyung lead them down off the main road and onto the beach. Taehyung’s fingers disappear from around his wrist almost as soon as they hit the sand and Jungkook watches as he runs ahead, fingers coming to his collar to pull his shirt over his head. Taehyung clenches his hands in Jungkook’s shirt and pulls him down under the water with him. He kisses him, pries Jungkook’s lips and teeth open with his tongue, and sobs a breath into Jungkook’s mouth. Jungkook swallows it down, exhales a mouthful of bubbles, and inhales.Jungkook moves past him and opens the door. “Bye, hyung.” He steals once last look at Taehyung, soaking wet and shivering in the middle of the entranceway, and closes the door. The river is a good walk from the subway station. Taehyung easily falls into step with Jungkook and starts to drill him about uni as they trek beneath streetlamps. Make a reservation: Sushi bars are often busy, so it's a good idea to make a reservation to secure your spot. You can call ahead or book online to avoid waiting. The voice calls his name again, sharper. “Jungkook. Jungkook what are you doing? Stop - stop listening to them.”

Taehyung sighs. “Fine,” he says, getting to his feet. He storms into the bathroom. “But I’m splashing as much as I like,” and with that he slams the door. Taehyung shies away a bit but nods. “Yes,” he says quietly. “Not - not like they can. It’s not as strong but - but I can.” C’mere,” Jungkook murmurs, pulling Taehyung away from the stove. He can feel exhaustion on every inch of Taehyung, can see it leaking from him, and Jungkook wonders why Taehyung isn’t passed out in bed still, why he’s bothering to try cook the fish for Jungkook (because Taehyung would much rather eat it raw as has been learnt time and time again), why he’s not angry - because surely he must be angry. He - he has to be. He - Jungkook swallows, takes Taehyung’s face into his hands. He rubs his thumbs over the hollows of Taehyung’s cheeks, tries to bring colour to them, then pays attention to the shadows under Taehyung’s eyes.Taehyung laughs and moves forward for another kiss. His hands clench in the fabric of Jungkook’s shirt and pull him closer. “You make it sound so easy.” It’s your place,” Taehyung reminds him simply. He rips off a chunk of fish and Jungkook questions how sharp Taehyung’s teeth are and - “Are you ok?” Taehyung asks suddenly. He rips off another chunk. “You look kinda pale.” Hey what’s all the screaming - why do you have a mermaid in your tub?” Yoongi deadpans as the others crowd into the small bathroom.