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.” Taehyung really starts to laugh now and Jungkook cards his fingers through his hair because what even is this situation.

Something tries to crush his lungs and it takes Jungkook a moment to realise that it’s fear, apprehension - panic even. He clears his throat. “A mermaid’s kiss?”

Restaurant menu

Taehyung rests his weight on his wrists for a moment and Jungkook thinks he’s catching his breath but then - then his tail is melting away from him to form a puddle around him and then he’s - he’s -

Taehyung is stumbling out of the cab before Jungkook’s even finished paying the driver, and he has to run to catch up. The sky is growing light and the city lights are going down, leaving it a silhouette against the dawn. Taehyung races down the hill to the footpath and Jungkook shouts after him. It feels like drowning all over again,” Taehyung eventually says between gasps for air. They’re both panting, both shirtless, and Jungkook’s lungs are screaming as he dives in to kiss Taehyung again. Taehyung groans into his mouth, hands seeking out Jungkook’s before guiding them to his zipper and Jungkook’s heart leaps into his throat and Taehyung pushes forward, encouraging him. “But so much better, Jungkookie. So much better.” The elevator arrives and Jungkook steps in first. He waits for Taehyung to follow before pressing the button for the parking garage. “Yeah. Want me to see if one of the hyungs is free?” Hey.” Jungkook turns to the new voice. The other girl is smiling at him. There’s a splash and Jungkook tries to turn to look but she catches his cheek and keeps his gaze on her. And he doesn’t mind. She’s pretty to look at. “Don’t pay them any attention,” she murmurs. She reaches up and pushes his hair out of his face. “Just listen to me.” You good, hyung?” he asks, finding Taehyung’s hand under the covers. He slides a leg between Taehyung’s and presses their foreheads together.He’ll - he’ll hang the washing when it’s dry and - and the recycling probably needs to be sorted and - and the dishes need to be washed and - Yeah,” Jungkook says slowly. He reaches out to collect everyone’s beer glasses. “You’re gonna wanna drink your way through this.” Yeah,” Jungkook tells him. He winces when Taehyung slips again. “Ok, you: keep focusing on your legs. I’ll get us home.”

But Hoseok ignores him. “Well apparently the whole tail becoming legs thing is agonising and every step feels like she’s walking on shards of glass.” Taehyung bites his lip and looks in the direction of the closed door. Panic twists around his throat and lungs and he cards his fingers into his hair. “ Shit.” Jungkook lets Taehyung pull him along. “Yeah - I’m amazed no one puked tonight. And I don’t think the waiter will ever be the same. But sure, it was fun.” Seokjin hums from beside them. He’s got one of Namjoon’s hands clutched between both of his own. “He needs to rest.” It takes some careful manoeuvring but Jungkook gets Taehyung into the water. It’s anything but a perfect fit and Jungkook has to pull carefully on Taehyung’s legs until his head is slipping under - and then Jungkook waits, breath held in the cavity of his chest and the hollow of his cheeks.Hyung,” Jungkook says, lips quirking. “C’mon. You’re exhausted. Someone will start singing some old ballad and you’ll pass out on the couch.”

Taehyung startles and throws out a hand, catching the door before it can slam shut. “I’m sorry,” he says, blinking owlishly. He frowns. “Why am I sorry?” Taehyung nods seriously and watches as Jungkook starts to sort the recyclables into the appropriate bins. “What are you doing?”And swim from Seoul?” Jungkook asks incredulously. He leans over and turns off the faucet. “Hyung, it takes like three hours on the bus just to get to - to Daegu and you want to go past Jeju - which is like an hour’s flight from here. You can’t swim.” He takes in Taehyung’s anxiousness and shifts on the tiles. “You can stay here as long as you need, hyung.”