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Jiwoong was grateful for many things.
He was grateful that he was a prince of a Kingdom at peace, free to make decisions to continue to better the lives of his people.
Jiwoong was grateful to have loving parents as great role models.
He was grateful he had a great group of friends he considers brothers.
He was grateful to his actual brother Yujin for always bringing lightness to his life.
Right now though, most of all, Jiwoong was grateful that on one fateful evening a beautiful mermaid saved him and his parent’s rings from being lost -- sinking to the bottom of the sea.
It was his parent’s 25th wedding anniversary and they were holding a ceremony the next day to renew their vows. Jiwoong was to be the ring bearer and tasked to protect the new rings with his life.
They were on a yacht, having a more intimate party prior to the large event the day after and Jiwoong may or may not have had one too many drinks.
Aaaaaand the rings may have slipped out of his pocket when Yujin and him were jostling by the railings.
Unthinking, Jiwoong dove, believing that he’d be able to catch the rings before they fell into the sea.
Next thing he knew, he was sinking in the deep blue.
After he fell, many things became hazy and he didn’t remember fine details. What he did remember though was how cold the water was and how his eyes and lungs burned. For what felt like a long time there was nothing but a deep unending darkness. Then he remembers beautiful iridescent scales and the blinding smile of the being who saved him. The mermaid? He thinks, dragged him out and deposited him on a floating piece of wood. Pushing him towards the beach where someone from his kingdom was able to spot him. Returning the prince who they thought may be lost forever, with the rings safely tucked back into his pocket.
So yes, Jiwoong was grateful. Not only for his safety, and the safety of the rings, but also for the renewed excitement in his heart when thinking of the beautiful scaled boy. For while he was grateful for being a prince and the privilege it brought, his life could be extremely boring and he welcomed the excitement.
From then on, Jiwoong took up a hobby of sailing out to sea and back every day. Every day a new route hoping to catch a glimpse of the beautiful boy who saved him.
It took him a while to learn the ropes (literally) and get proficient at sailing, especially given his clumsy nature, but he thought he was doing fine.
Weeks and weeks passed and while Jiwoong was yet to see the mysterious boy, he started to fall deeper and deeper in love with the sea and the creatures he encountered.
Jiwoong learned how playful and mischievous dolphins were one day when he swam with them in the water. He saw how beautiful the reefs were with their vivid corals and colorful schools of fish. He felt at peace, floating with the turtles. He confided with the sea his thoughts, dreams, and feelings -- things he normally kept to himself as the perfect put together prince that the court and kingdom knew and loved. He allowed himself to be free, dancing on the deck of the boat to a tune only he knew, with just the sea as his audience.
Jiwoong treasured the days he spent out on the water, thanking the beautiful scaled boy in his mind for bringing him here. And as happy as he was to have found a deep love for the sea from his adventures looking for the mysterious boy, Jiwoong still longed to find him – to see him again, and thank him.
He was lamenting his woes to a dolphin for probably the nth time one afternoon, when the dolphin appeared to huff at him and swim away.
Jiwoong sighed to himself at the loss of his companion and laid down on his back thinking he may as well settle down for a nap.
Soon after he settled however, he felt eyes on him –- the distinct feeling of being watched. Jiwoong squinted his eyes against the sun before surveying his surroundings.
He saw a pair of smiling eyes peaking right over the ledge of the deck with the dolphin he was speaking with earlier.
“Carl here said you were looking for me?”
Jiwoong startled at the beautiful voice that greeted him.
*dolphin noises*
“Apparently you’ve been looking for me for quite some time and have been very annoying about it apparently” The mysterious boy giggled to himself.
Jiwoong was stunned, not mentally prepared to see the boy so soon.
“I found you” Jiwoong whispers to himself disbelievingly.
The boy tilts his head with a slight pout “Well technically, I was the one who found you. But I guess that’s neither here nor there.
“I really shouldn't be here but Carl said he trusted you and that’s enough for me. I’m glad to see that you’re alright…..”
“J-jiwoong. Y-you can call me Jiwoong hyung.” Jiwoong says after a long pause, shaking his head.
“Nice to see you again Jiwoon-hyung. My name is Matthew!” Matthew responds with a smile that will soon likely be the end of Jiwoong and his heart.
“D-d-d-don’t look at me with those eyes?” Jiwoong stutters, trying to garner some semblance of composure in the face of what he felt like was sunshine personified.
“Why Jiwoon-hyung? Do I make you anxious?” Matthew giggled to himself once more.
“No! Well.. No!” Jiwoong says, the blush on his cheeks intensifying with each word. Jiwoong thinks he might be a little in love already.
Clearing his throat, Jiwoong continued “I was looking for you, because I wanted to thank you properly! For saving my life and my parent’s rings.”
“No worries! I’m glad I could help and I’m glad that helping you wasn’t a mistake I’d come to regret like my brother Hanbin said when he scolded me after. I was hoping that not all humans would destroy the peace”
“Of course. I wouldn’t bring harm to you or inform the rest of the kingdom of your existence if you didn’t want me to!” Jiwoong says thinking of all the harm that may do.
“Thank you again for that. Now, I’ve got to go before my brother comes looking for me and finds me here with you.” Matthew says, starting to turn away.
“Oh okay.” Jiwoong says dejectedly. “Can I come see you again?”
“Of course. You’ll always be able to find me.” Matthew smiled at Jiwoong.
“And how do I find you?”
Matthew pet Carl and looked around them at the creatures Jiwoong had come to love himself.
"You can find me around this area every moon cycle. Carl or the others will guide you!"
“Just remember, this is a secret between you, me, and the deep blue sea” Matthew winks before swimming away.