{Four years ago}

"Prince Yixing, may I enter? It is I, Lu Han, your humble servant. It is time for your afternoon lessons." The slightly older man gently knocked on the wooden door with the back of his hand.

He stood there for a few seconds, waiting for any sort of words or sounds close enough to let him enter. His hopes unfortunately did not get quite high as only silence fell upon the place. Letting out a sigh, he slowly turned the knob — surprising him it was not locked — and stepped in.

"Prince Yixing, were you," His eyes shifted around the awkwardly quiet room, searching in vain for the familiar figure "even," A bad feeling had started to spread within him, "listening...?"

The latter's eyes froze on what seemed to be a knot, skillfully attached on one of the bed foot. It connected to a thick rope that was swung outside the window, outside the prince's chamber. The next second, he had dashed to the open window, leaning his upper half body over the framework and frenetically looking everywhere.

"Prince Yixing!" He screamed, desperately praying to hear a response or miraculously spot him. "Prince Yixing!"

He was wasting saliva. The prince had disappeared.

"Oh my goodness! How am I going to report this to the King and the Queen?" He worried for the prince and his own life — in the worst scenario, he could be sentenced to death — as he made his way out of the room.

**********

{Somewhere on the sea}

A soft breeze playfully sketched harmless ripples, entangling soft swashing sounds with the ticklish saltwater scent. An awe-inspiring galleon was sailing upon the eerily everlasting ocean; its flag adorning the royal blazon's pride undulating as the wind smoothly caressed the fabric.

In one of the privileged room, the atmosphere had tensed up as an inevitable tête-à-tête was about to start. Two youngsters was facing each other, sitting around the plainly square table. The younger-looking one was wearing a rather calm expression as his hands rested on his knees. Eyebrows furrowed, the other one — with dyed hairs —, however, had his arms folded over his chest and seemed to be utterly displeased with someone's presence here. Relaxing his facial muscles temporarily, the latter moved his upper body forward and leant his elbows on the wooden texture. His chin lazily rested on one of his palms.

"May I ask, prince Yixing, why are you here?" The blonde-haired one asked as his gaze dully bored into younger man's skull.

"Please, drop the 'prince' when we are alone." The so-called prince chuckled, unaffected by his eyes.

"Aish, Yixing! Why are you here? Don't you know where we are?" The scarier one hissed between his teeth, still keeping his composure no matter what.

"Yes." Yixing playfully smiled, seeming amused by his friend's behaviour. "We are on the sea." He stated matter-of-factly.

"We are indeed in the middle of the sea and you, the prince, are onboard without anyone knowing." The older man reminded him.

"Correction: You know. Where is the problem, Captain Yifan?"

"I am going crazy." The one called Yifan scoffed at the title.

It was his father's.

The captain's son stared back at Yixing with a stern look. He didn't even avert his eyes as he laid his back on the armchair, crossing his long arms.

"Don't you know it's dangerous?" Yifan raised an eyebrow.

"Everything has its risk, am I right?" The prince shrugged.

"Yes, but it is not a reason to secretly run away from the castle and sneak up on my father's ship!" The first mate snapped out. "What if something were to happen to you?"

"I am no longer a child." Yixing rolled his eyes, though he knew that Yifan was just worried. "If you can travel upon the sea, I can too."

"Unfortunately, you cannot."

"A reason."

"We are different." That said, Yifan pointed at himself. "I am an adult."

"Please, you are merely eighteen." Yixing let out a laugh.

"And you are still two years too early to be what I am."

"Two years is nothing." Yixing pouted. "Besides, you have promised me that you will take me—"

"Try again in two years." Yifan smirked.

"I am mature enough."

"Just a spoiled brat."

"Cold-hearted."

"Simple-minded."

"Petty."

"Reckless."

"Haughty—"

Their little exchange of nasty words got interrupted as the door flung open.

"Kris! Kris!" A boy looking not-too-older than Yixing tumbled in, shouting Yifan's other name.

"What is the matter?" Kris nonchalantly stood up, straightening his clothing and tossing the thoughts concerning Yixing in the back of his mind.

"There's—" He stopped as someone coughed in the background.

The boy with raven locks spun around and eyed the prince from toes to head.

"Who's that? I've never seen him before." He innocently blinked his eyes before cocking his head to the side in confusion.

"Call me Yixing." He flashed him a friendly smile.

"I'm Tao!" He grinned, shoving his arms behind his head. "Though, the full name's Huang Zitao."

"My, how old are you?" Yixing asked, curious and suspicious.

"Fifteen this year." Tao told him without a care in world while smiling.

Yixing glared at the older man, inwardly cursing him. His look seemed to scream "What!? He is younger than me and he is working here!" In the other hand, the second-in-command completely ignored his "deadly" stare and possibly spears mentally thrown at him.

"Tao, what is it you wanted to say?" Yifan asked as neutral as possible.

"The Captain seems to have caught one those mystic creatures." Tao merrily exclaimed, frantically gesturing outside the room. "I wonder if I'll ever see one!" His eyes literally started to sparkle.

"Wait me outside." He gently patted Tao's shoulder. "I will come out right away." He added with a small smile before the youngster followed his order and stepped out.

Yifan sighed, a rare smile tugging on his stubborn lips.

"Poor Tao..." The prince muttered under his breath, shaking his head as he refrained from acting too dramatic.

"What?" Yifan switched back to his cold facade as he glared at him.

"Nothing." Yixing had a smirk plastered on his face and a glint shining suggestively in his pupils.

As Yifan was about to reach the door, a firm grasp on his arm compelled him to stop. He looked over his shoulder with a rather annoyed look. Before he could spit out any word, the younger man opened his mouth.

"By 'mystic creature', did he mean a mermaid?" Yixing wholeheartedly smiled at the thought of meeting one.

"What do you think, my clever prince?" Yifan rolled his eyes since it couldn't be more obvious as he yanked his grip off him. "If you will excuse me—"

"I cannot believe I am so lucky!" The prince beamed. "That was the wish that had convinced me to sneak onboard. It was really worth all my effort!" He kept on babbling as his hand got nearer the doorknob.

"Not so fast, brat." Yifan grabbed him by the neckband, making his body jerks backwards.

"What?" The prince struggled from the uncomfortable grasp and glowered at him.

"You are not going anywhere." Yifan emphasized on each word. "You are staying here."

"But—"

"If you get caught..." He shook his head. "I do not even want to think about the fuss it will create."

That said, Yifan gently threw him to the side, made his way out and took the precaution of locking the door. Upon realizing it, Yixing ended up pacing around the room, fuming inwardly.

Wu Yifan, I will make you regret it!

**********

The sun had settled down beneath the skyline, sending hues of red, orange, and yellow upon the sleepy world. The imposing ship had slowed down its pace, reducing the once strong swooshing sounds coming from the oars to nearly nothing. The earlier lively busyness on the deck had quieted down as most of the sailors had returned to their shared rooms. Two curious eyes peeked outside a room through a small window before disappearing.

"Aish! Why is he not back yet?" Yixing ran his hands in his brown locks in exasperation, pacing around the room, practically engraving a circle in the wood.

Tired of wasting time in such a useless act, he idly flopped on a chair. Leaning on the silk-covered back, he let out an annoyed sigh, crossing his arms over his chest. To the others, he looked to be sulking. It was, however, only partly true. He was sulking, — not that anyone will deny — topped with rage.

"This is so boring!" He snarled, kicking at the emptiness before him.

"Hey! Did you hear it?" A manly voice sounded on the other side of the wall.

Soundlessly and cautiously, the young prince had crouched down and made his way towards the voice, gluing his ear to the wooden surface.

"About the mermaid?" Another man scoffed a laugh. "Yeah, but I didn't get to see her."

"Wish we could."The first seaman sighed before his voice dropped to a whisper. "Y'know, she seems to be kept at the stern." A dreamy smile came across his face. "She must be beautiful."

"You bet!" A whistle was heard as the latter's companion friendly smacked his back. "But, the Captain's orders are absolute. No one is allowed to approach her."

"Is a mermaid worth dying for?"

"Depends if it's male or female!"

Laughter filled in the early night's air before slowly fading away along with the footsteps. After over hearing this little exchange, Yixing suddenly felt a surge of determination growing within him.

I haven't come here for nothing! If there's an opportunity, I have to meet that mermaid!

He nodded to himself before jumping back to his feet. Now, he needed a way to escape this locked room. His eyes unconsciously focused on the small window facing the deck.

I wonder if it's locked...

His fingers rammed on the pane before trapping a small accurately made object between them. He heard a faint "click", hinting that something had worked out. He gently pushed the window pane until there was an opening wide enough for him to sneak out. He peeked in every possible direction before risking himself out. His feet touched the wooden floor as quietly as possible. Crouched down, he anxiously glanced over his left and right side before swiftly making his way towards where he assumed to be the stern. He glued his back to wall, just an inch beside the door. He peeked in.

No one was in sight.

He sighed in relief. The last thing he wanted was to face the Captain or just anyone.

His hand hesitantly brushed the knob and gave it a squeeze.

It was unlocked.

He slipped in and closed the door behind him, praying it was subtly silent enough. Before he could give himself a moment to loosen up, a soothing voice made his heart skip a beat.

The faint scent of tears

On my rain soaked cheeks

The warm look on the face

Of travelers

His muscles tensed, he slowly turned around, wishing to know its owner.

The music from our childhood

Faintly echoes in the background

The memories I hopelessly try to remember

Wander aimlessly

There, trapped in a net, the mystic creature was idly lying on the floor. His face turned towards the beaming moon, he was humming, his tail weakly moving to the melody. Its scales eerily shone of green hues with hints of golden under the moonlight. The tip of silky caramel locks brushed against a fragile neck.

But with these tiny wings, launched by my dreams

Over distant oceans and skies

We'll soar together

To a place where memories never fade

You Are my Love – Yui Makino

He was conscious of it. Yixing was aware that he had hopelessly fallen under the spell, enthralled by the mellow voice's sweetness. He closed his eyes, fully letting the voice invade his ears, as he slowly neared the unearthly being.

The singing abruptly came to a halt when a wince escaped from its lips. Yixing shot his eyes open, strangely alarmed. At first hesitant, he quickly tossed aside all reasoning and dashed to the mermaid's side. The closeness made him realize something shocking.

She was a him.

His mouth agape, Yixing blinked a few times before fully believing the sight before his eyes.

It was a merman.

Not a mermaid.

Do not give up yet, Yixing. If you have seen a merman, you will also get the chance to see a mermaid.

He gulped as he quietly fell to his knees. He slowly approached the weakened merman, not wishing to scare him. Now that he could clearly see his face — thanks to the moon —, he couldn't help, but be stunned by his flawless skin and heavenly features.

He was breathtakingly beautiful.

Finding himself blushing, he shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind.

What are you thinking, Yixing?

Focusing his attention back to helping the merman, he poked his forehead. The latter weakly struggled in the wet, barely showing a sign of life. His lids flustered half-open, his long eyelashes clouding his sight. The corner of his eyes was damp of unshed tears.

"A-are you alright?" Yixing stammered, later cursing himself for being so lame.

As a response, the underwater being bit on his bottom lip as his eyelids felt heavy. He weakly whimpered.

"Wh-what?" Yixing worried as he gently shook his shoulders. "What is wrong? What do you need?"

The simple-minded prince face palmed himself. Oh God, does he even understand our language?

"Water."

Yixing nearly started of surprise. His face hovered over the other’s, straining his ears.

"Water." The merman had mouthed.

He needs be in water!

He frantically scanned his surroundings, searching for a way to lead him to a water source. His eyes rested on an opening near the scull. It was the only way to save him.

Determined, his fingers desperately tried to untangle the fishing net, battling with the strong threads. He succeeded after a few attempts, suppressing the surge to scream of joy. The merman remained motionless.

I suppose he cannot move.

He pressed the nameless merman's small frame to his chest as he protectively wrapped his arms around his waist. The latter instinctively huddled in the warmth.

He looked like a child. Yixing chuckled at the thought.

The touch of his scales was smoother than he thought. His maiden features made him assume he might be slightly younger than him. His eyes trailed down to his beautifully drawn lips, realizing too late that their faces were awfully close. His cheeks evinced a pinkish tint as his heartbeats grew wilder than necessary. He sealed his lids tightly, shaking his head.

Straighten you mind, Yixing!

Taking a deep breath, the prince lifted his body up, flinching a little at first. He then carefully made his way towards the sole opening upon the vast sea. The ship negligibly wobbled under the sudden weight and movements. Yixing stopped near the edge as he eyed outside. He kneeled down, trying his best to not negatively affect the merman's half-consciousness.

"Hey, I am going to let you go." Yixing whispered, without earning a reply. "You need to recover."

Gently, his arms let the merman's body slip away as it fell in the saltwater with a splash. Time seemed to have stopped as Yixing held up his breath, waiting for any kind of sign that'll reassure him.

He needs to be alive, Yixing prayed.

A familiar fish tail came into view, shyly curling up and down among the waves before disappearing.

A relieved, yet sorrowful, smile flashed across the prince's face.

Take care of yourself. I wish I can see you again.

He pursued his dried lips.

Oh, I do not even know your name.

He clutched the fabric of the clothing over his chest.

Then, I will call you... Suho, the guardian of my heart. You have mesmerized me with your voice and... I do not intend to forget you.

A/N: Thank you for reading! This was originally part of my EXO Oneshots Request Shop collection. :3 I wanted to update it separately since it isn't a request. Subscribe and eave comments~