For the rest of the night, Jinyoung and Mark continued talking. Jinyoung grew more and more interested in the lives of merfolk, wanting to know about them since the internet wouldn’t be at all useful to him. The two stayed together till Mark noticed it was getting late, so he offered to drive Jinyoung home since Jaebum and Jackson left hours ago.

“You have a car?” Jinyoung gasped

Mark laughed, “Well somehow I have to get home to my apartment”

Jinyoung gasped again, “You have an apartment?” Mark laughed as he lifted his tail on the ground, hovered his hand over his tail. Slowly steam surrounded Mark covering him completely; Jinyoung had to turn his head so he wouldn’t breathe it in, once he turned back around he saw Mark back in his human form. “I thought you couldn’t control your powers during a full moon” Jinyoung gasped

“I can’t control it completely but if concentrate I have some leniency over it so I wouldn’t burn myself.” Mark smiled as he got up dusting off the dirt on his pants, “Okay let’s go” Jinyoung looked at his boyfriend in awe and realize it may take a little longer till he use to him.

~~~~~

Mark pulled up in front of Jinyoung house and Jinyoung turned to him with a smile, “Thank you for driving me home and for telling me the truth about you. I swear I won’t tell anyone without your permission of course.”

Mark smiled back at him, “You’re welcome Jinyoungie” Mark leaned over to him and softly kissed his lips, Jinyoung moved closer to him and opened his mouth a little to let Mark’s tongue enter in. Jinyoung couldn’t help but let a moan slip out when he felt Mark’s tongue dominate his own. Jinyoung normally was the one to take control when it came to kissing and even but with the way Mark was handling him, he was more than happy to let go.

Unexpectedly, Mark pulled away and Jinyoung followed after his lips till he gently pushed him back, “As much as I want to continue this, we have to stop or else I won’t be able to control myself”

Jinyoung pouted but he knew Mark was right, he just started going out and it was too soon to go all the way yet, “Alright, but now we have to hang out all day tomorrow.” Jinyoung demanded, even though the beach party madness was over it didn’t mean it was end of them seeing each other.

Mark frowned a little, “I can’t tomorrow I have a meeting over in Seoul but I’m free Saturday?” He suggested 

Jinyoung frowned, sad he couldn’t see Mark tomorrow but at least it was only one day before they see each other again, “Okay Saturday”

Mark gave him his brightest smile,“Okay, I’ll see you then”

Jinyoung nodded and before he left the car he surprised Mark with another short kiss, “Goodnight Mark-hyung” he winked

“Sweet dreams, Jinyoungie” Mark smiled, he watched as Jinyoung walked up to house and before he left he made sure Jinyoung got in safely.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jinyoung was buttoning up his shirt when his phone ringed, “Hello?”

“Jinyoungie, you’re alive!!” Jackson yelled into his ear

Jinyoung winced at Jackson volume, “Yeah why wouldn’t I be?”

“Uh, because you didn’t call or text us for two days” Jackson scoffed

Jinyoung rolled his eyes, “It’s only a day an a half. Besides I didn’t realize I have to.” he snorted while looking himself over in the mirror. Jinyoung felt mentally and physically exhausted yesterday after four days of going to beach and then having his mind exploding the other night; he felt as if he was due a little nap.

Jackson gasped as if Jinyoung offended him, “Of course you have to you bastard. Plus Jaebummie and I want to hear all the juicy details about you and Mark-hyung. I bet you were busy during this while time.” 

In the background Jinyoung could hear Jaebum yelling at Jackson, probably because he says he doesn’t care about knowing what happen between the two even though he actually wants to know, “Busy doing what?”

“Busy having on the beach” Jackson said and Jinyoung could telling he was grinning like an idiot when he said that.

“No Jackson we didn’t drink” Jinyoung smiled

Jackson huffed, “That’s a horrible joke Jinyoungie!”

Jinyoung laughed, “Whatever Jackson and no we didn’t”

“So what the hell did you guys do?” Jinyoung could imagine Jackson was probably pouting while Jaebum looked completely indifferent to him.

“We just talked” Jinyoung shrugged as he dropped himself on his bed. “But yesterday I slept at home” he added just in case Jackson had other ideas.

“You guys just talked and then you napped?! How boring” Jackson said his teeth, “What did you guys talk about?” Immediately moving the conversation.

Jinyoung opened his mouth to say but he remembered he couldn’t tell his friends about Mark being an actually merman. At least not without his permission, “Jackson that’s private.”

“Yah at least give me something” Jackson whined

Jinyoung sighed, “He has a car and his own apartment” 

Jackson squealed and Jinyoung wondered how can a man like him make a high pitch sound like that, “What kind of car does he drive? I bet it is expensive if he lives alone”

“He drives a Tesla” Jinyoung revealed

Jackson gasped, “A Tesla?! Like one of those cars that the door lifts up like a spaceship?!”

“Mhm” Jinyoung laughed as he remembered his own reaction to seeing the merman car, the other night, “No way you drive a Tesla?!”

Mark smiled, “Of course, do you know of a better clean energy car?”

Jinyoung snorted as he looked around the car, “How can you afford this?”

“It was given to me by the Americans as a gift of our friendship” Mark smirked. Jinyoung made an ‘o’ with his mouth, he momentarily forgotten that his boyfriend was a prince. Mark pressed a button and the passenger door open up, “Let’s go”

“How the hell can he afford a Tesla on the salary the university is paying him?!” Jinyoung heard Jaebum yell out through the phone.

“Did Mark-hyung tell you about how he got it?” Jackson asked him

“Uh-Um he said his parents got it for him” Jinyoung lied

“Oh so he’s a rich kid? Good job Jinyoungie you bagged a sugar daddy!” Jackson cheered, in the a background a groan could be heard.

“Yah, shut up he’s practically the same age of Jaebum-hyung! How the hell can he be a sugar daddy?” Jinyoung hissed

Jackson laughed, “Can’t you take a joke Jinyoungie? It’s proof that you need to be laid, I’m sure Mark-hyung can happily fulfill all your needs” he purred

Jinyoung groaned and immediately hung up, the last thing he wants to hear is that. Not even two seconds later the phone ringed again; assuming it was Jackson, he let it ring. After it ended the phone rang again and Jinyoung getting really annoyed and picked up the phone, “Yah lets me alone you idiot!” 

“Jinyoung-hyung?” Youngjae? “What? Are you and Mark-hyung fighting already?” he giggled

“N-No, sorry I thought you were Jackson” Jinyoung apologize

“Oh” Jinyoung wasn’t sure but it sounded as if Youngjae was disappointment but that’s can’t be, right?

“So-um- why are you calling Youngjae?” Jinyoung wondered

“Aren’t we friends, Jinyoung-hyung?”

“O-Of course we are Youngjae” Jinyoung stuttered

“So aren’t friends allowed to call each other?”

“Yes they can” Jinyoung replied

“More importantly, don’t friends give each other advise?” Youngjae questioned

Jinyoung furrowed his brow; where was Youngjae going with this, “Yeah?”

“I don’t think you should continue to date Mark-hyung” Youngjae simply said

“What? Why?” Jinyoung wondered

“He’s way too suspicious. Don’t you think it’s odd that he just shows up out of nowhere and immediately becomes the most popular guy in the university?”

“Well he is very handsome Youngjae and it’s hard for other people not to realize that” Jinyoung awkwardly laughed

“There’s something odd about him Jinyoung-hyung, no one knows anything about his background. It’s only the vague details he gives that people know.” 
Jinyoung frowned; of course it was he can’t tell people he’s from some kingdom in the Pacific Ocean, “He’s a private person, Youngjae. He doesn’t want a lot of people to know his business”

“Interesting, I bet that’s his excuse for everything” Youngjae scoffed

Jinyoung frowned, “He’s entitled to have privacy, Youngjae”

“Oh so you don’t find any of this odd, not even the fact that he turned down the confessions of half the school yet he says yes to you?” Youngjae asked

Jinyoung could only assume he said no because of the fact that’s he’s merman but everything changed that night Jinyoung fell in the water, “Maybe because he knew everyone wants him for his pretty face and he wanted someone he would want him for him”

“Oh? Is that the lie he told you?” Youngjae snorted

Youngjae attitude was totally pissing off Jinyoung, “What the hell is wrong with you, Youngjae?”

The line was silent for a moment and Jinyoung wondered if Youngjae hung up, “I’m worried about you hyung and I care a lot about you. Mark-hyung isn’t who we think he is, you shouldn’t trust everything he says!”

Jinyoung gulped nervously, what the hell? How did Youngjae get so close to the truth? Was Mark-hyung really that suspicious to others? “Y-You shouldn’t accuse Mark-hyung of things like that” he stuttered

“What do you want proof? Fine then I’ll get you and I’ll saw you how right I am” and just like that Youngjae hung up.

What the hell was happening? Why is Youngjae so suspicious of Mark-hyung? Jinyoung quickly got his things and left the room. He hurriedly ran down the stairs to put on his shoes before running out the door. He and Mark agreed to meet at the mall for a little date but now it seems the mood might be ruined by Jinyoung news.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mark was sitting on the bench waiting by a food cart, when he got a text from Jinyoung asking where he was. Mark smiled as he texted Jinyoung his location, he was so ecstatic to be close to Jinyoung again. Even though they were together the previous night, it wasn’t enough for Mark since he loved being around the younger.

Minutes later he saw Jinyoung from the crowd and he got up to meet him, however as he got closer he could tell that Jinyoung was upset about something. The two finally stood in front of each other but Jinyoung was looking down.

“What’s the matter Jinyoung?” Mark asked as he Jinyoung cheek. Jinyoung sighed and pulled Mark to close bench so the two could sit but still he said nothing, “Nyoungie?”

“A little while ago my ex, Youngjae, called me. He-he told me I should stop going out with you” Jinyoung muttered

Mark frowned, “What? Why?”

“Apparently because you’re too suspicious and he thinks your lying about something” Jinyoung answered

Mark tilted his head in confusion, “So does he know what I am?”

Jinyoung shaked his head, “No but he said he’ll find proof that you aren’t what you say you are”

“Hm well good luck of him find any proof like that, my entire life was conjured by the government and I’m sure they made sure to make it seem believable.” Mark grinned

Jinyoung laughed, “Baby I don’t think you should so proud of that”

“Well it’s true love, theres no reason for him to be suspicious when I have an air-tight background.” Mark stated

“Then why is he so suspicious over you?” Jinyoung sighed

“Probably because he’s jealous” Mark shrugged

Jinyoung looked at him, “What? Youngjae can’t be jealous over me”

“But he is”

Jinyoung tilted his head, “How do you know?”

“I can sense other people’s emotions” Mark answered

Jinyoung gasped, “You can sense emotions?” He whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me this other night?” Jinyoung couldn’t help but feel a little hurt that the merman didn’t share this.

Mark gave him a small smile, “I’m sorry but it’s a power that I mostly turn off so sometimes I forget I have it. But on the last day of the beach party, he was acting so strange that I couldn’t help but turn my power back on and that’s how I learned of his jealously”

Jinyoung dropped his head and sighed as Mark watched over him, he bit his lip became a little worried that he might’ve ruined his relationship with him, “Jinyoung? Are you mad at me?” He asked cautiously 

Jinyoung raised his head a little, “No I’m not mad at you, there was a lot you told me yesterday so I can’t be upset that one thing was missed. If anything I’m upset at Youngjae; I mean, he doesn’t deserve to to be jealous. He was the one that ended our relationship, he was the one going around flirting and dating different guys.” He frowned

“Well maybe he’s just genuinely concerned for you” Mark began and Jinyoung gave him a look, “I mean maybe in his eyes, I really am suspicious and odd so he’s just looking out for you.” He guessed

“Yeah but the way he’s going about it is really odd almost as if he doesn’t want me with anyone at all.” Jinyoung huffed

“Well it doesn’t matter, after you know the truth and there’s no way he’ll ever guess the truth about me” Mark smiled. 

Jinyoung smiled because he knew Mark was right, there was no way Youngjae would ever learn of Mark’s secret. After all he was a popular guy yet no one knew, Jinyoung immediately felt relieved knowing that everything will okay. If only he how wrong he was, maybe he would’ve been able to save him.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In the remaining day, Jinyoung and Mark spent the afternoon walking around the mall, laughing and joking around while holding hands. They really didn’t need to buy anything they just felt the need to walk into different stores and look around. 

The two merely enjoyed being together and because they too busy in their own world, they didn’t realize how late it has gotten. Just like the other night, Mark drove Jinyoung where they shared a long passionate kiss before Jinyoung left to go inside. However once Jinyoung got inside he called Mark and the couple began making plans for their next date.

Days turned into weeks which turned into a month and then another month and before the two knew it, the couple was celebrating their two month anniversary. It wasn’t anything big or crazy just a private dinner in Mark’s apartment which ended up with Jinyoung body being covered in marks. Mark really had sharp teeth. However Jinyoung swore he would pay Mark back for each and every mark he made on his body.

The two easily slipped into a domestic style; ever since Jinyoung made his home in Mark’s apartment during the first month of their relationship. To others it seemed sudden but to Jinyoung, he felt right about it. He hadn’t officially moved in, but there was little pieces of Jinyoung everywhere in the apartment to make anyone think that he had. 

It was during that time that Mark gave Jinyoung a key to his apartment that sent a message saying he could move in if he wanted. However Jinyoung felt like he should until his parents had meet Mark first before he decides to make the decision of moving in.

Jinyoung was currently making dinner for the older as Jackson and Jaebum were in the living room, watching TV. Somehow Jackson and Jaebum easily became Mark new human friends. Once Jinyoung was able to enter Mark’s home, Jackson being himself barged in and made his second home. Jaebum apologized each time but after while stopped since Mark never got upset over it.

As Jinyoung was making dinner, Jackson jumped up from the couch and startled Jinyoung with his loud voice, “When’s dinner gonna be ready?!”

“Yah Jackson-hyung use your inside voice” Jinyoung frowned. Jackson merely smiled which annoyed Jinyoung even more, “Also this dinner is for me and Mark. You and Jaebum-hyung can go find your own dinner”

“Yah is that how your treat your hyungs. Tossing them out in the cold and letting them starve?” Jackson whined

“What cold? It’s August and it’s freakin’ 90 degrees outside” Jinyoung spat with no bite. “Besides you’re the one who barged in here with Jaebum-hyung when you could’ve stayed in your apartment.”

“That’s because I was bored and all Jaebum-hyung wants to do and play with his five cats and read” Jackson huffed

“Five? When the hell did it become five, I thought you guys had only three?” Jinyoung wondered

“Exactly, I didn’t even realize it till I went into his studio; he was hiding the other two in there” Jackson sighed

“That’s what you get when you date a cat lady” Jinyoung smirked

“YAH, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING A CAT LADY?!” Jaebum yelled from the living room.

“Yah I swear he has super hearing or something” Jackson mumbled, “Anyway when’s Mark-hyung coming back?”

“In an hour, he a meeting with-” Jinyoung immediately stopped himself as was about slip out that Mark was meeting with South Korean president.

“With?” Jackson asked as he tilted his head

“Uh-the people in marine biology club” Jinyoung lied

“They meet in the summer?” Jackson wondered not looking at all convinced.

“Yeah, he is the vice president.” Jinyoung smiled

“Yeah the guy who isn’t even a student is the vice president. How does that even work?” Jackson wondered. Jinyoung shrugged as he truly had no idea why Mark was the vice president since he wasn’t a student. Jackson looked around the apartment as he sighed, “I never noticed before how big of a water nerd Mark-hyung is.”

Jinyoung looked around as well, everything in Mark’s apartment had something to do with the water from the light blue colors on the wall and the backsplash in the kitchen to the paintings and pieces of artwork. It seemed as if the whole apartment theme was under the water. However Mark explained that it was created for him by the government so most likely the government made it to make him remember his home in the ocean.

“It’s almost like we’re underwater or something. It’s almost like a coincidence since you thought he was the merman who saved you but yet he really loves the ocean so it’s not hard to think that way” Jackson laughed

What the hell, what’s with everyone become super detectives and coming close to figuring out the truth with his secret? Even though he hasn’t heard from Youngjae since the first time he contacted his two months, Jinyoung had moments where he thought he was being watched and thought he saw glimpses of Youngjae around the areas he and Mark were having a date.

Jinyoung laughed awkwardly, “It’s just a coincidence, merman aren’t real”

“Yeah” Jackson snorted “But you know I saw your drawings of Mark-hyung the other day and I have to say they look so realistic almost as if you have seen him as a merman.” 

Jinyoung stared at Jackson and saw something unfamiliar look in his eyes, “W-Well he looks good as one so I just kept drawing him as one and over time it got better.”

“Probably but you know I couldn’t help but think about that time I blurted that you draw Mark-hyung as a merman and I remembered that he looked really happy for some reason and then he said ‘what if I am.’ Of course we all laughed and thought he was joking but for reason after you changed the topic, I thought I saw him look disappointed. I didn’t think about it at first but after a while I couldn’t help but remember that and then notice everything afterwards. For some reason I can’t help but think that he was trying to tell us he was a merman.”

“But merman don’t exist” Jinyoung argued

“You never did believe that and I think you still don’t but the only reason why you’re saying it now is because you’re hiding something.” Jackson frowned. What the hell?