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𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫—𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈; 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐫: 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭.

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 4,535 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬.

𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐎𝐓8 (𝐉𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜.)

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬: It wasn't the best place, hidden between the metal doors and security locks, under NDA's and cameras, creeping between hallways and the ever so pungent smell of squid and raw fish, he knew it wasn't the best place to fall in love.

𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐬; 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲, 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐎𝐭7, 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐧 𝐉𝐢𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐠 , 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥/𝐀𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Jisung was Star Lost's mermaid keeper, under several NDA's and light threats, he took the full time position and now, here he was, hopeless and ever so often heartbroken.

𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐎3, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.

—𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬.

𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲✨

The industrial lights always made him dizzy, they were too bright and too blinding to work in properly, also the pungent smell of raw fish and squid wasn’t the best thing to smell at the ripe hour of five a.m either, but this was his job and he couldn’t really complain about it that much. He could, but that would get him fired, and he really didn't want that.

Han Jisung was a recent full time employee at the Star Lost Aquarium as a recreational keeper, his job was to take care and watch over the marine life that existed in the place and help them out with the small shows they have twice a week, and well, he was designated to just one area, the most sought off area of them all, he remembers all the hard work and time he spent in those tanks as a pasantee that tried to find out about the creatures that inhabit them, gaining their trust and making sure they knew he was no threat to them. Took time and effort and maybe some bargaining but he got the position, he opened the giant red metal door and switched on the industrial lights making the sound go off as he did so, he heard groans and splashing water as well as his steps booming thanks to the metal catwalks of the Care Unite.

“Alright, wake up! I have breakfast!” He looked at the giant tank below him, there were two separate tanks, it was mostly for spacing purposes and organization as he opened the tiny gate and walked down the metal stares, being very careful not to drop anything. “YAH WAKE UP ”

He jumped the last two steps as he landed on the ground, the echoes of metal boomed as a torse broke the surfaces of the water.

“We’re up! We’re up!” Minho complained, Jisung smiled as he sat cross legged and stared at his hyung’s esmeralda eyes.

“Now come help me, director gave me all of your favorites and it's all in these buckets.” Minho rolled his eyes as he dived back in the water, a bright green tail soon emerging as well as a fish-like fin.

“Thank you hyung,” the merman rose again from the water with a frumpy expresion but a sweet smile, damped dark green hair, he lifted himself up, showing his scaled and clawed hands, he sat next to him, taking some bowls and starting to sort out the fish and squid on the top of them, making sure he put the right ones in the correct labeled bowls so the boys wouldn’t fight over the food, not like it matter, Jeongin always got something out of all of their plates and convinced Jisung to give him extra. Curse him and his cute eyes.

Jisung was Star Lost’s one and only Mermaid Keeper, incharge of the seven mermen they had in their aquarium, people thought they were actors (mostly the adults), but no, they had found them in a net near the shore after a pretty bad storm, beaten and almost dying, the aquarium took them in a tried to take care of them, by obvious reasons they were defensive about been taken care of by humans, so they needed one of their employees to gain their trust.

Only Jisung, who at the time had the job as part time as he studied collage, had the patience and kindness to understand and try and get them to warm up to him, bringing them small snacks and just talking his brains out so they could feel more confident around him.

“You got us crab?” Minho smiled teasingly as he held the red crustation by a leg before placing it back inside the bucket.

“Yeaaah, Beomgyu owed me a favor and Changbin did say he wanted some a week ago so,” he looked away feeling his cheeks burn, he heard Minho giggled as the sound of water made him look ahead.

Long blonde hair was now gracefully floating in the water, slender and seductive eyes on him grateful and gorgeous as a garnet, pearl beads gently placed in some strands of hair as he smiled, two tin fangs shining just as white as the pearls in his hair.

“Hannie!” Hyunjin greeted, as another head popped out of the water, deep purple braided on the side as some coral stayed as a small crown, he looked sleepy but he raised his hand in greeting webbed fingers and long purple claws.

“Hurry up and get your breakfast.” He called, pushing the two bowls to the edge. They were simple stainless steel bowls that had their names engraved on them, the two mermen swam towards them, a garnet and deep purple tail broke the surface and fins gave away their location. Jisung quickly put Chan’s bowl aside and stuck his hand in the already peeled shrimp bucket and gave them a fist full and one crab each, some rice and fish, he then looked behind him and saw the small rack full of floaties near, he looked back at the water, as Hyunjin popped his head again, grabbing his bowl as Jisung placed a small floaty of a duck, Hyunjin then carefully placed his bowl there and smiled.

“Awww Hannie! You got us crab!” Seungmin chuckled as he also placed his bowl filled with shrimp and rice inside a turtle one.

“How sweet,” Jisung rolled his eyes as he continued on his task of making Chan’s breakfast bowl. “Binnie is gonna tease the fuck out of you.”

“Tell me something new about that clownfish, Min” Seungmin chuckled as he started eating breakfast.

Jisung turned to Minho, who was now looking at his two youngest eat, eyes fixed on them, Jisung knew that was his cue, he gently took away Jeongin’s bowl, and gave Minho his, a mixture of squid, a crab, rice and fish bites, Minho giggled as a unicorn float appeared on his lap as well as his breakfast.

“Eat, come on, I’m sure Changbin is waking him up and if not, I know how to scuba dive.” Minho laughed as he started eating.

Another head popped out of the water soon after, then another, then two more and two more after, Jisung giggled as Chan rubbed his eye with tiredness, his black scales made contrast with his white skin, Felix squealed happily as he sawn right at them, his light blue tail making a small wave and splashing Changbin who screamed, Seungmin laughed menacingly as Felix jumped out of the water as he hugged Jisung.

“Feliiiix” he whined as the merman let him go, taking his bowl and floaty of a penguin with him.”Now I am soaking wet!”

“Taking your clothes off is always an option.” Hyunjin giggled as bit his thumb nail.

“No, definitely not doing that, it's too early to be in my wetsuit and I have a tour today.”

“Kindergarten?” Jeongin asked excitedly, he loved kids when they came to visit.

“High school.” they all complained as they chewed on their food. “Yes, yes I know none of you are particularly fond of the high schoolers, especially after last time, okay? But it will be in the viewing tank and that’s it, we won't go to the visitors area.”

“Promise?” Chan asked, Jisung nodded, feeling a pinch in his heart when he saw his sweet Channie’s ear ripped. He knew it was a bad idea to take his eyes off that kid.

“I promise, BamBam said it was better that way and the boss listens to him way more than to me,” he rolled his eyes. “He is still salty that I got the position and not his nephew, and that I established a limit, he should understand you just didn’t want to talk to him.” He sighed as he cleaned up the bits that were laying around. “We also have elderly tour later at noon and a kid’s birthday party before six. She is turning nine and wants Hyunjin and Jeongin.”

“Oh yay! I get to spend the whole evening with Innie and Hannie!” Hyunjin cheered and Jisung couldn’t help but smile. Hyunjin looked so pretty when he smiled and was excited.

Ever since their rescue, the aquarium has tried to keep them safe as possible and get them up to shape again, they have been there for about a year and a half, Felix still needs therapy due to his tail almost been ripped out, Chan wounds seem to heal slow and Changbin still is hostile to staff and some guest sometimes, it was a miracle they hadn’t tried drowning Jisung yet.

“Finish eating?” They all nodded as Jisung stood up and walked to get a tray, one by one they all left their bowl stacked on top of eachother and left their floaties on the edge of the pool. “Good boys, now start with your stretches, it’s gonna be a busy day today, okay?”

“Yes, Jisungie.” Jisung smiled at them, peeling up the bowls on the tray and leaving it on a nearby cart so the cleaning crew could pick them, he took the now empty bucket and went his way up the ladder. He waved goodbye to his merboys, who smiled at him and blew him kisses, he could feel his cheek redding as he hurried out of there before they saw the effects on him.

As he closed the red door with the key, he was now face to face with Beomgyu, who was wearing yellow sailor pants and his black tank top.

“Are they doing okay?” He asked gently, knowing Jisung was always a mess when he came out of that room, it was almost like clock work honestly, face red and slightly glossy eyes that made him look so fragile.

“Yeah” he sighed as they walked to the main area of the aquarium, passing more employees and some early guests that had arrived, Jisung didn’t even bother looking at his watch, he knew it was well past nine at this point. “Chan’s ear is doing well, the solution didn’t irritate his skin and the stitching is holding up very well, and they enjoyed the crab, they say thank you by the way.”

“How sweet,” Beomgyu looked at Jisung with a worried expression, Jisung knew what he was about to say. “And you?”

Beomgyu was the only one to know his secret, he wasn’t sure how he figured out, but he did, Jisung felt shame at first, under the guides of been the Mermaid Keeper for the Star Lost Aquarium, he was also the legal guardian of those mermen until the were released, and he knew his heart would be shatter the day he would have to say his final goodbye.

He tried dating other people to distract him from that pain of a near future, he tried to love them as deeply as he could, but he always came short of, never giving it his all, he tried to distract himself from them, he did! He really did! But all of his previous partners seemed to feel he cared more for his job then for them, no matter how hard he tried or how devoted he tried to be for his relationship it all seemed to crumble and burn as quickly as it started, he always came back to them, hearing them sing and their laugh, he was addicted to their presence, feeling he could never let them go, he loved them as you love the shine of the day, you may find it annoying and irritable sometimes but you also know you can’t live without it.

He couldn’t live without them.

He couldn’t imagine a life without them, they were so close but so out of reach, he could never imagine his life now he had them, he had become addicted to them, dependent, maybe a bit possessive, he cared for hos boys far to much, he hated it, he really did, but he couldn’t be helped, all he wanted was to be in their arms until times end.

“As good as one can get, Beom.” He looked at the ground sadly, turning the corner to get to the employee changing room. “I have been their Keeper for almost a year, and you know how hard it took me to get their trust, what am I supposed to tell them?”

“We’ll figure it out, hyung, yeah?” Jisung nodded.

As they changed into their normal outfit, a plain black collared shirt with the logo stitched on and his name tag, cream pants and black boots, Jisung was rehearsing his lines as he followed Beomgyu to the entrance of the aquarium, where the school bus was waiting for them, he thank the gods above when he saw the kids behaving and where silent, the boy where going to appreciate that.

He put up his best smile as he greeted them all.

“Welcome to the Star Lost Aquarium and Nature Reserve! We will be your guides today, I am Han Jisung!”

“And I am Choi Beomgyu! Now please form a line, no pushing, no screaming please and follow us.”

They gave their standard points, the fish exhibits, the interaction pods, the shark exposition, took some pictures and talked about all the species that resided in the aquarium and how they came to be there, the kids were fascinated as they explained and showed them around. Soon enough, Beomgyu gave him the signal as Jisung smiled and walked them to the exhibit room.

“Now, behind these doors lies wonders, mysteries untold by the ocean that have been revealed to us here at the Star Lost Aquarium, as the head guide of this part I beg, no flash pictures, no screaming and no tapping the glass.” He turned and opened the door, stepping aside as he motioned for the kids to come in. “Welcome to the Mermaid Exhibition.”

Some girls held their hands together in excitement as they silently cheered, some others looked at them confused, like they just told them the moon was made out of cheese, the teachers smiled, maybe a little excited as well to see the mermaids. Beomgyu stepped inside as well, closing the door as Jisung placed himself in front of the giant wall of glass, all you could see was water and very tall seaweed, Jisung was thankful for that, if not they could see the giant tunnel that connected the viewing tank with their care tanks, the students sat on the floor and on the stools they could find.

“Here at the Star Lost Aquarium and Nature Reverse, we pride ourselves by been on top of our game, always finding new things about the ocean that others just can’t imagine having or even existing, and today, the odyssey of marine life has been told, sailors have sung stories and they have been written in history by man more, muses of the sea or death upon song, all we know is that they grace us with their presence today. Remain calm and let’s see if they want to be seen today.”

He could see the anticipation in their eyes as he turned around and tapped the glass two times before pressing a small button that activated the speakers in the tanks.

“Boys?” He called gently, not wanting to startle them if they were resting. “Wanna come say hi to our visitors? They are really excited to see you.”

Soon enough a head poked from the top of the tank, neon blue hair was now dancing in the water, some kids gasped as Felix sawn to see them better, he waved as he also smiled, he was beautiful. Soon after Changbin and Seungmin came, Changbin’s silver hair contrasted with his pink tail and Seungmin tilted his head as his own purple hair did it own thing. Jisung noticed Changbin’s look, and it seemed like the others were too busy and not in the mood.

“These are Felix.” Felix waved as pressed his hand up against the tank. “Changbin,” Changbin flexed, making some girls and boys laugh. “And Seungmin,” Seungmin laughed, his laugh was heard by the room as Jisung still had the button pressed for the speakers. “Three of the eight merman that this aquarium holds, they were found by the coast of Jeju and our aquarium was elected to take care of them.”

“Jisung over here is our one and only Mermaid Keeper.” Beomgyu giggled as the kids clapped and looked at the three beautiful merman behind him.

The boys started to entertain the guest, playing around with one another, photobombing some pictures, do silly poses for said pictures and play with some fish as they just mesmerized the guest.

Jisung was now just standing in the back of the room, facing the tanks as his chest felt like exploding as he saw those three merboys playing around and waving at the students, if you were ever to tell a young Han Jisung this would be his love life, he would ask for whatever you where smoking because, it sounds crazy! He just got the job to pay bills and have something to do beside rot in his apartment and watch as life goes by, and now here he was, being a legal guardian for seven mermen who now he was desperately in love with and clutching on straws to find a reason why he shouldn’t.

He knew it was impossible, but he hoped it wasn’t, it was like falling in love with the sea, untamable sea that hide and was so clear, a force to be reckon and to admired, things never seemed to change but they do, he got lost in their eyes, that shined like the most wonderful bioluminescent beach, their laugh was just as hypnotic as any song, the where everything Jisung had ever imagine the wonders of the sea to be, they where they soft breeze that hit his face, they were seashells on a shore and the sound of crashing waves. Jisung was none of that but just an admirer of all.

He raised his little speaker to his mouth, pressing a button.”Thank you for your time boys, it was a delight to have you here.” Felix nodded as he pulled Seungmin and Changbin by the wrist and delved into the seaweed again, their colorful tails disappearing between the greens and the fishes. Jisung looked at Beomgyu, who nodded again and opened up the door.

“Alright boys, girls and respectable teachers, please follow my buddy over at the exit as we can continue with our tour.” Jisung quickly turned to look at the tank, and all he saw were Chan’s eyes between the seaweed, he knew it was okay.

The day went by without any more hiccups or altercations, the elderly loved the little show his boys gave, complimenting them until their egos couldn’t take it anymore, Jisung rolled his eyes gently as they basked in the sweet words of the older people, saying how pretty the where and how majestic they looked, Jisung was now preparing himself for the birthday party that was in the visitors area of the aquarium, he would have to dive in the tanks and do some activities with Innie and Hyunjin.

The water was cold, very cold, his body clench as he entered the water, his wetsuit didn’t really help at all, he checked everything, his goggles, his breathing tube, oxygen tank, BamBam was kneeled near the edge of the tank, giving him the mandator help instructions.

“We all know you know this by heart, but hey, lawsuits aren’t nice and yeah, so, if your tanks runs out of oxygen, wave two times, the mermaids already know what to do if you can’t break surface in time, if you find yourself stuck keep calm and we will send someone to come and get you, and as always…”

“Don’t touch the mermaids unless instructed to.” BamBam patted him on the back as Jisung put all his gear on and dove into the water.

He saw the glass wall as the kids cheered and Beomgyu gave him the thumbs up, he heard the speakers turn on and soon the voice of his friend blasting across his ears.

“Over there is my friend, Han Jisung, our one and only Mermaid Keeper here at Star Lost, trained to be around the mermaids, and now he will try and call some of them and see if they want to say hello. Ready HanJi-hyung?”

Jisung gave a thumbs up before turning his back, he could see it all very clearly, the visitors tanks was different from the viewing one, there was more life and more thing to ogle at, rocks and fish, Hyunjin was already out of the tube that connected his tank with visitors room, he could see his blond hair moving, his piercing eyes gleaming at him, like predator who was now fixated on his prey, he couldn’t help but giggle and he extended his hand towards the hidden merman, Beomgyu spoke soon.

“Oh, it seems like our Mermaid Keeper found someone.” Hyunjin giggled, as he sawn towards Jisung slowly, pearls in his hair and garnet tail shing thanks to the artificial lights, Jisung rolled his eyes as Hyunjin just circled him, like dancing, wrapping his tail around his legs and pressing himself at Jisung, hands behind his backs as he leaned over him, Jisung would see the small scales under his eyes as well as his mole, pink coral lips and sweet smile. “Say hello to Hyunjin. ”

They looked at each other's eyes as Jisung smiled in return even Hyunjin couldn't see it because of his breathing mask, feeling his heart about to beat out of his chest, it wasn’t anything new to him being this close to his boys when it came to shows but still, he felt like a high schooler over again when his crush looked at his direction, now he had one of the prettiest creatures face to face, he could feel the stares and the children clapping.

“Our Mermaid Keeper seems to have found our Hyunjinnie, isn’t he pretty? ” They heard the kids cheer yes, as Hyunjin detangled himself, blowing bubbles at Jisung with that same smile, before another pair of arms wrapped around him and twirled him around like he weighed nothing.

“AH! Jeongin! He is our youngest merman, don’t let his cuteness fool you. ” Jisung gently bonked Jeongin on the forehead, but the fox looking boy just smiled.

“Dance with me!” Jisung eyes widen as he felt the hand on his waist and the other one been held, he was now been swayed side to side, like in a ballroom, by the youngest of his boys, Hyunjin laughed and clapped and the kids cheered, he turned to look at Beomgyu, who was just smiling.

He just let himself go, dancing along with Jeongin, who seemed very eager to do so, after them been rescued, Jeongin was the most curious of them all, popping his head now and them to see Jisung talking his ears off, and was the first one to approach him, big eyes and sweet smile, his tail had been damage and his eye… Jisung gently tucked a piece of wandering hair behind his ear, coming face to face with the glass eye he had to give him. Jeongin soon let him go, as Hyunjin took the lead in their imprinted dance, Jisung felt light as a feather and falling even deeper. He was going to be in trouble, he knew so, but he didn’t care, he couldn’t care less, he gently pushed Hyunjin away and continued with the planned presentation for the kids birthday party, but his boys where extra touchy as the part went on, nuzzling him when they swam away to go back to their tanks.

He looked at his boss with a blank stare, wetsuit still on and damped hair, they where now in Care Unite, and Jisung had to give their boys their food after a long day of work and entertaining guest, but here he was, standing on the edge with his boss scolding him.

“I thought it was instructed to not touch the creatures.”

“I didn’t, I danced with them, all interactions were supervised by my colleague Choi Beomgyu and under the guidance of supervisor Kunpimook Bhuwakul, it was all appropriate and under the guides given to me as the Mermaid Keeper.” He felt his face burning, trembling and shaking as his boss narrowed his eyes.

“You are getting too comfortable with them, Han Jisung, and be careful, we don’t actually know what we are capable of doing, you know the agreement and you know the contract given to you, so I recommend you to put a distance.”

“I am only doing my job, boss, they need care and attention like any of the living creatures of this aquarium, and I am their keeper, if any, my judgment of what is best for them is priority, they need time to heal and feel appreciated, they may be half fish but the are still human!” He turned his eyes, Minho eyes where poking out of the water, anger starting back at them, Jisung heart clenched. “Leave, they don’t want you here,”

His boss looked at the tank, and took some steps back. They were all glaring at him with stone cold eyes, Jisung sighed as hurried him out, instructing Beomgyu to tell anyone to not get near the red door for a couple of hours.

He soon sat at the edge of the tanks, smiling at his boys with a shy smile.

“It’s okay, he’s gone now,” Felix was the first one to swim up to him and pull him into the water, hugging him, wrapping his tails around his waist. “It’s okay, Lix, it’s okay.”

“Are you okay?” Chan asked, gently stroking his face.

“Yeah, I’ll be, how is your ear? Did it hurt today?”

“No, I’m fine, but Minho's tail does hurt.”

“Again?” MInho nodded as he raised his tail, you could see the white scar that spread across his tail. “Okay, come on, let me get a good look and see if I have to take you to the med bay.”

It was hopeless sometimes, but at the same time, it was worth it all, Jisung could never regret falling in love with the oceans best hidden secret, as the sun rose down and he stayed for the night watch, he found himself been lulled by their songs and their sweet words, playing gently with them as they sawn around and showed him little things.

“I wish I could keep you forever,” he whispered softly as he brushed Hyunjin’s hair. “Keep you safe and unharmed, forever and ever until there is no air in my lungs, you, the oceans best kept secret, you, the dream of sailors, all I can do is keep you company and care for you, but even so, even when you leave, will you come and visit? Come by and say hi?”

Seungmin turned to him with big eyes. “Will you still want us even after all that time?”

“Till the shore rises and the ocean stops being peaceful, I promise I will never forget you.”

“And we won’t forget you, Han Jisung.”

And all Jisung could think before leaving home, was their kisses and soft words.

#stray kids #ao3 fanfic #ao3 writer #fanfic #skz #han jisung #hwang hyunjin #bangchan #lee felix #kim seungmin #lee minho #seo changbin #yang jeongin #han jisung centric

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