Chapter Text
“So, tell me, my child, what is your wish?”
Never in his life did Beomgyu ever imagine being in this position now, kneeling before the deep sea witch, with desperation in his eyes.
Perhaps he is making a big mistake. Perhaps he is being stupid for wishing an impossible dream. But then he would think about the boy with the fox-like eyes whose smile he is not able to forget since that day. Yes, he wants this. He wants him.
“I wish…to be human.”
“Merfolk, or Merpeople, are mythical creatures of the sea, born with both human-like and fish-like qualities. In certain folklore, merfolk are associated with danger due to the tragedies they bring with their appearances. However, they are also said to be saviors of men and bring good fortune to sailors…”
‘Merpeople, huh’ Yeonjun thought, absentmindedly rolling the sole pearl bead that hung from a red string around his wrist, as he looks at the picture his professor displayed on the screen.
A female figure with a face that possesses great beauty and long lustrous hair that cascaded down her back. Her upper body, perched on a rock, resembles that of a human. She could easily be mistaken as a young girl sunbathing by the beach if it is not for the scales lining her body from the waist down and a tail that replaced what would have been her legs.
Mermaids.
Mythical beings that only appear in books and movies.
A fairytale.
A mere fantasy.
But Yeonjun believes they are real. He could still remember that day as if it was yesterday.
When he was young, Yeonjun would spend his summer days at the beach house that his family rented. He would go down to the beach every morning to pick seashells for his mother. She would caress his cheek softly and receive the gift with a smile, never failing to remind him, “Don’t go too close to the waves, Yeonjunnie.” And every time Yeonjun would respond with a pinky promise.
However, little Yeonjun broke that promise one day when he spotted a shiny pink seashell that was half-buried in the sand. It was a little beyond the shoreline but Yeonjun was confident he could get it. He just had to be quick. With determination set in his mind, Yeonjun sprinted towards the seashell. His eyes sparkled as he picked up the beautiful shell and lifted it up towards the sun when a wave suddenly crashed through him, dragging his small body into the depths of the ocean.
When he regained consciousness, he was met with the worried faces of his parents and found himself clutching a small pearl in the palm of his hand.
What Yeonjun never told anyone was the boy who saved him that day.
He vaguely remembered waking up at the other side of the beach, groaning, as he felt a weight on top of him. He opened his eyes and saw a pair of big brown eyes peering curiously at him, and screamed.
The stranger gave a little yelp and sprang back from Yeonjun. That was when Yeonjun got a clearer look at him. It was a young boy, around his age or maybe younger, blinking rapidly at him in surprise. Yeonjun’s eyes drifted downwards, taking in the stranger’s appearance and did a double-take. Connected to the small boy’s waist was a tail covered in golden scales that shimmered under the sunlight.
“This has to be a dream” Yeonjun said to himself, smacking his own cheeks to make sure he was awake.
The boy only cocked his head to the side as if he did not understand him.
Yeonjun crawled slowly towards the boy and raised a hand, cautiously, towards him. His fingers brushed through the boy’s soft dark locks which were decorated with strings of pearls. He could feel heat rising to his cheeks as he stared at the boy in awe when suddenly, the boy grasped his hand.
The last thing Yeonjun remembered was telling himself that this was, definitely, not a dream, before his eyes rolled to the back of his head. When he woke up the second time, his parents were there and the boy was nowhere to be seen.
Over the years, the boy’s face became muddled in his memory that Yeonjun was beginning to think if it really was a dream after all. The only proof he has is the pearl he wears as a bracelet, a lucky charm from the boy who saved his life.
Hence, his reason for taking a class in Folklore & Mythology. He wants to know more about the existence of Merpeople. He wants to find him.
“-assignments are posted on the class forum. Please remember to choose an essay topic for your paper before the next class. Class dismissed.”
Yeonjun breaks out of his thoughts at the feeling of someone tapping his shoulder.
“You okay, Hyung?”
Yeonjun looks up to see the concerned face of his roommate and best friend, Soobin.
“Oh, Soobin-ah.” Yeonjun quickly stuffs his laptop into his backpack and slides out of his seat. “What are you doing here? Thought we were meeting in the cafeteria.”
Soobin gives him a shy smile, dimples appearing on both cheeks. “Class ended early. I thought I’d come get you so we could go there together.”
Yeonjun coos at his friend before slinging an arm around his shoulders. “Did you miss Hyung that much?” he asks, and proceeds to make kissy faces at an extremely, embarrassed Soobin.
“And this will be the first and last time I ever do this.” Soobin grumbles, pushing Yeonjun’s face away from him and quickening his footsteps towards the cafeteria.
Yeonjun bursts out laughing and runs after him. “Hey! Wait for me, Binnie!”
Beomgyu strokes the pink seashell in his hand. Its color has faded into a pale pink and there are cracks forming along the edges since the first time Beomgyu had it in his possession. He gently places the seashell in the box, being extra careful with it.
It is, after all, his only memento of the boy he saved at the beach when he was a young merman. A boy he does not even know the name of. A human boy.
Ever since that day, Beomgyu had been swimming up to that same beach every day in hopes of meeting him again. The boy did not always show up but when he did, Beomgyu watched him pick seashells from afar. His parents were always with him since the near-drowning incident so Beomgyu could never approach him. Instead, he would hide behind a giant rock and stay there until the sun set when the boy and his family went home.
Sometimes, he would catch the boy staring out into the waves as if he was looking for him. Their eyes would meet for a millisecond. Beomgyu would always be the first one to turn away, ducking behind the rock, clutching it as if it was the anchor to his trembling heart.
Until one day, the boy stopped coming to the beach.
Beomgyu still goes back to the beach from time to time but every time his hopes would diminish. Even so, he wished that one day a miracle would happen and he could see the boy again.
A knock on the door jolts Beomgyu out of his thoughts and he quickly shoves the box under his bed.
“Who is it?” he calls out, trying his best not to sound like he got caught doing something he should not be doing.
“My Prince, the King wishes to have lunch with you.” one of the servants replies.
‘Father wants to see me?’ Beomgyu has an amicable relationship with his father. They are not particularly close but close enough, considering the number of interactions they have between them. Being the youngest, Beomgyu is also the least involved in family affairs which makes it strange that his father wants to see him all of a sudden.
Beomgyu takes a small bite out of the dish he is served, glancing nervously at the far end of the other side of the table where his father sat.
His father, King Sungho, ruler of the Pearl City, is a man of few words. He is feared by those who wrong him and loved by those who are loyal to him. Even at this moment, while Beomgyu is trying his best to keep his food down, the man is calm and collected, ever taking his sweet time to deal with any matter at hand.
Beomgyu, having lost his appetite, pushes the food around his plate when his father clears his throat from across the table. “Beomgyu, my son. My youngest.”
Beomgyu looks up from his plate and places his hands on his lap. “Yes, father?”
The King wipes the corner of his lips with the napkin before he begins. “I have good news for you, son.” He clasps his hands together and rests his head on them. “You are to be engaged.”
Beomgyu feels his heart drop down to his stomach. Engaged? Surely, this is a mistake. What good could there be to the Kingdom to marry him off? Besides, he is still young. Too young. “E-engaged? But father-“
“To the son of King Youngsoo from the Jade Empire.” the King continues, paying no mind to Beomgyu’s inner turmoil. “He and the young prince will come to visit in three days’ time.”
His father starts listing out the preparations needed to welcome their guests but Beomgyu has already stopped listening. How could he, possibly, give himself away to some stranger when he still has not found the boy of his dreams. He can’t do it. He won’t do it.
“-imported from the Emerald Domain. We have to sure you look presentable for the pr-“
“father,” Beomgyu cuts in. He looks up from his lap, a sickeningly sweet smile plastered onto his face. “I’m afraid I feel unwell. May I please excuse myself?”
The King regards Beomgyu with scrutiny but dismisses him with a wave of his hand. “Rest well, my son. You need to be at your best condition at the prince’s arrival. We will continue this conversation tomorrow evening.”
Beomgyu bows and waits for his father to leave before he, himself, turns around to slowly make his way back to his bedroom.
Only when he shuts his bedroom door does Beomgyu allow the smile to drop. He slides down to the ground, wrapping his arms around his tail, and curls himself into a ball. His chest tightens, feeling overwhelmed, as he lets everything sink in.
When Beomgyu finally musters up the strength to lift his head back up, he catches sight of the rusty metallic box under his bed.
He pauses. What if…
Fists clenched. Jaw tight. Beomgyu has made up his mind.
He leaves tonight.