Henley arrived back at her apartment with Hobi and Jimin in tow. It looked like she was escorting in bits of the rainbow as one of her apartment neighbors eyed Jimin out of the corner of their eye. There was no way that he could stand out as a merman so quickly...right? She felt her fear taking over some, moving to grab Jimin's hand and nearly shoving him head first into her apartment. Hobi took up the rear, closing the apartment door behind them.

"If you didn't want to arouse suspicion," said Hobi. "Shoving the man in here headfirst was a great start."

"Can it," she said as Hobi smirked, holding up his hands in surrender as he moved towards Jimin's side again.

"I think we need to explain to him the rules of merpeople sooner rather than later. You know...in case hunters start sniffing around," said Hobi.

"I know..." said Henley as she ruffled a hand through her hair, making her way towards the fridge. "I need something for my headache first."

"Fine...you treat your headache. I'm gonna show Jiminie around."

Hobi moved to sling an arm about Jimin's shoulders as they walked towards the living room. Jimin took the small box shaped room in. There wasn't much there. There was a tan couch against the wall to the left with two vanilla cream colored pillows. A television hung on the opposite wall near the green house phone. A sliding glass door leading on to a balcony took up the wall directly in front of them; a view of the ocean twinkling in the distance.

Hobi directed Jimin down the short beige hallway after where two bedrooms stood on either side of him before they reached the bathroom at the far end. A shower. Jimin looked at the tub in the far corner, feeling himself dying for a shower. He had always found it relaxing to stand under the spray of water whenever he felt overwhelmed. Maybe he could at least be allowed that luxury.

"Do you think Henley would mind if I took a quick shower?" he asked as he looked at Hobi.

"Ah. Well, you can take a bath I'm sure. Not a shower. That's rule one of connected merpeople. Water and you have...an interesting relationship."

"Meaning?"

Hobi walked over to the bath tub, gesturing at it like he was a host revealing some sort of winning showcase.

"When you are hit by a torrential down pouring of water, you will temporarily lose your legs," said Hobi. "Your lovely tail will make a reappearance. Therefore, you won't be able to stand to shower, but you can sit to take a bath."

"I'll lose my legs if I get in the water?" asked Jimin; the fear twinkling in his eyes once more.

"Temporarily, I said," remarked Hobi. "As soon as the water disappears from the tub, you'll get your legs back."

Jimin nodded, still looking fearful as his hands twisted the fabric of the hoodie Henley had given him to cover his bare chest.

"I could stay with you if you want," offered Hobi. "Keep you company while you bathe."

"Is that weird?"

"Ha! I've dealt with weirder. Don't even get me started there," said Hobi with a smile. "Let me just get you some change of clothes for after really quick."

Jimin watched as Hobi quickly turned into the little yellow glint of light he had been to begin with, zipping out of the bathroom to leave Jimin by himself. Jimin walked himself across the white tiles to the tub's edge and had barely been standing there a minute or two when he caught a flash of light out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head towards the bathroom doorway to see Hobi back in human form standing there, heaving a bit as he held up a bag of clothes.

"I...I went as fast as I...I could. Man my wings are out of shape..."

Huffing still, he approached Jimin with the bag. Jimin took it in his hands and peered inside.

"I hope these...these fit you..." Hobi moved to sit down on the closed toilet, leaning over his knees a bit as he tried to collect his breath.

"I'm sure they will. Thanks Hobi."

"No...no problem."

"You going to be okay?"

"Sure...yeah..." A bright smile came across Hobi's face as he forced himself upright and to his feet to begin starting the water for Jimin. He could tell that was what the other was waiting for. "I'll get your water adjusted and then turn around so you can get in."

Jimin nodded, setting the bag aside as he moved to shut the bathroom door. He couldn't help the nerves. Within a minute or two, Hobi had the tub filled with water, moving to turn his back to Jimin so that he could strip down and slip into the tub. The moment that Jimin put his feet in the tub, he nearly slipped onto his butt. The transformation from legs to a tail was instant. He managed to catch himself on either side of the tub with his hands, but still ended up bumping his head on the back of the tub. Hearing the thud, Hobi gave himself permission to turn and saw Jimin's pained face as they rubbed the back of their head with their hand.

"Are you okay?" Hobi asked as he moved Jimin's hand out of the way so he could inspect the back of Jimin's head himself.

"Yeah...you could have warned me the transformation would be instant..."

Between the pain in his head and the heaviness in his chest again, Jimin felt light headed. His chest heaved up and down a bit. Seeing that there was no blood at the back of Jimin's head, Hobi turned his attention to the pale-faced Jimin who was gripping either side of the tub so tightly it looked like his fingers would fall off.

"Hey..." said Hobi as he moved to pry one of Jimin's hands off the side of the tub. "Breathe..."

Jimin turned his head to look at Hobi so he didn't have to see his tail underneath the water. He nodded his head, moving his hand to grip Hobi's hand tightly. Hobi quickly disguised the pain on his face. Jimin saw what he was doing and smirked.

"Do merpeople have superior strength or something?"

"No..." said Hobi speaking through gritted teeth which caused Jimin to chuckle. "But fairies are fragile beings to begin with, even in human form."

"Sorry..." said Jimin as he relaxed his grip on Hobi's hand. "I'm just scared."

"I know," said Hobi as he relaxed himself when Jimin's grip relaxed. "But you don't need to be."

"I was scared when I drowned myself too," said Jimin softly; so softly Hobi almost missed it. "But I couldn't take living anymore."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Jimin shook his head. He appreciated the offer, but he needed time to adjust to this reality first. Hobi opted not to push, flicking his eyes towards the tail that Jimin still refused to make eye contact with.

"Your tail is pretty awesome though. I've never seen that sort of sea green teal before. It's very shiny too, and us fairies like shiny things."

Jimin smirked as he looked at Hobi.

"You're trying to convince me to look at my tail, aren't you?"

"I am," said Hobi, "And I'll be right here with my broken hand if you need to break it further."

Jimin moved his free hand off the other side of the tub to splash some water at Hobi, getting the other in the face.

"Hey! What was that for?"

"Just for," said Jimin with a small smile before he took a deep breath, turning his head to look at the tail that lingered just below the surface of the translucent water. He reached out his free hand towards it, feeling the slippery scales. It was real.

"Pretty neat, isn't it?" asked Hobi softly.

"But I...it doesn't make sense."

Jimin's frightened eyes turned back to Hobi.

"Have you always been a fairy?"

"Born and raised!" said Hobi with a beaming smile on his face. He was quick to keep his hold on Jimin's hand. "I've heard of merpeople growing up, but I never knew one personally before. You're telling me you weren't born like this?"

"Not even close," said Jimin.

Their conversation was brought to a pause when there was a knock at the door. Both of them turned their heads towards the closed bathroom door.

"Did you guys want some food?"

Hobi looked at Jimin. At the offer of food, Hobi's stomach rumbled. Jimin had to admit that he was hungry too, but he had just sat down in the water to get settled.

"You're technically decent," said Hobi as he looked at Jimin, seeming to be able to read the other's thoughts. "Did you want me to go let Henley in and we can eat food while you get used to...things?"

"You're suggesting a picnic in the bathroom?"

Hobi thought over what Jimin said before nodding his head.

"Guess I am."

Jimin's stomach growled as he nodded. Hobi was about to move to go to the door when Jimin gripped Hobi's hand tightly again to tug him back beside him.

"Just...one question first."

"Um...alright..." Hobi turned his head aside towards the door. "Both of us will take food, Henley! Get something for yourself too!"

"Hobi...are you seriously suggesting a picnic in the bathroom?" asked Henley through the door as Jimin smirked.

"Both of you need to stop bashing on my ideas!" stated Hobi with a fake pout.

Henley's laugh on the other side of the door started to recede as she walked off to go get food. When she was gone, Hobi turned back to look at Jimin.

"What's your question? Quickly. Before she returns."

"Henley and I touched hands after I gave her my t-shirt. Our touch made our hands glow, and then I had legs. She said we were connected. Now I know...I know you said that you don't know a lot about merpeople, but can you please at least tell me what that means?"

Hobi was silent for a second, and it wasn't because he didn't plan on answering Jimin. It was because he needed a moment to think.

"Basically it means you belong to one another now. You're each other's people. Soulmates if you will."

"But I don't even know her."

"You ought to get to know her. Sure she can get no nonsense and annoying once in a while, but that's humans for you. You and her met for a reason. If you give it time, you'll see that for yourself."