Where the sea sleeps [HoonHao] ✔

33

The ceremony goes well. He's crowned king and the only thing that keeps him stable throughout the coronation is when he sees the crew in the crowd. They're grouped together, unsurprisingly and a lot closer to the back. He almost smiles, but catches himself.

"I thank you all," he starts, eyeing each and every person there. He doesn't recognize half of them, but it's okay. He won't be needing to say names today. At least, not everyone's. "For attending. I would also like to thank the true reason as to how I am up here. To the people who could very well be known as my saviours: Kwon Soonyoung, Xu Minghao, Chwe Hansol, Lee Chan, Kim Mingyu, Choi Seungcheol and Hong Joshua. I owe you my life." With a hand gesturing out to the group, everyone turns to them. "The Drifters." A chorus of applause goes around and Jihoon is still fighting off his smile, even as everyone finishes off and Jihoon tells them to enjoy themselves.

He's meant to stay on the throne for the most part, according to Jun, but he politely declines as he makes his way out onto the balcony. There are a lot less people there. In fact, there's only one.

"Congratulations, King Jihoon." It comes out as a drawl, almost sarcastic in his tone of voice. Matching it up with his expression, he's not sure if Minghao is trying to tease him or whether it was just actually trying it out. Nevertheless, he doesn't like the term being added; it gave off the impression of formality and they were most certainly no longer on those terms. However, if he had to admit, he liked the way his name rolled off Minghao's tongue in that accent of his. It made him feel as if his name itself was pretty.

"You can call me Jihoon," he murmurs, taking up the spot beside Minghao and leaning against the railing. "We are still friends, you know." And he means that. Now, with all his memories back, he can genuinely say that he hasn't really had any friends before. Other than Jun, before he became a guard. This was his first time being able to make friends and not have them shy away because of status. To meet a group of people who, even after they found out who he was, never once thought he got everything handed to him. Something he remembers being told by other kids as a child. He never tried making friends after that. So to have this group of people he could confidently decide are his friends felt surreal.

Minghao hums. "So, what now, Jihoon?" He asks the question they've both been thinking.

"Now you and the others will be allowed to do as you please. You are no longer criminals and doing your express deliveries will no longer be a crime. You are free." He looks down at the word. "You could consider yourselves an honorary delivery ship for the palace, though of course you do your own deliveries as well—"

Minghao cuts his rambling short. "I meant us."

Oh. "You will visit more. I will make time."

"You'll make time." Minghao scoffs. "As if it's that easy."

It's not. They both know it won't just be that easy; not with the schedules they both have to uphold. Not to mention that Minghao doesn't always have a set course in mind. It's always go wherever there's a job otherwise proceed with the flow. Having schedules like that will make the plan Jihoon just mentioned more than just a bit hard to keep up with. He still wants to hold onto the hope peeking at him.

"If it is too difficult then I suppose I will have to request express deliveries. Have the people deliver it personally to me."

He turns to Minghao who clearly doesn't expect this response. He looks surprised, as if the thought hadn't even occurred to him. "I look forward to your visits, Xu Minghao."

"Hao." He leans forward. "We're friends after all." He scoffs a moment later, shaking his head. Jihoon catches sight of a smile across his face.

"I can't believe I'm working for the palace." It's funny, considering how much they hated the royal bloodline once upon a time. Jihoon sighs softly, eyes fluttering closed.

"You will get used to it."

"Only because I have a reason to return."

Jihoon's eyes shoot open, head whipping to look at Minghao who is already looking at him and it's him. He's the reason Minghao is referring to. His chest tingles, heart squeezing in his chest.

"As long as you promise me trips with you all," Jihoon murmurs, looking out into the city. He flashes a bright smile that has his eyes disappearing slightly behind his cheeks. He doesn't catch the way Minghao looks, because his attention is no longer there. Now, it's on the city, but not quite the city itself. He's looking in the direction where he would have been able to see the ocean. The longer he stares and the more it's on his mind, it's almost like he's there. Like he can smell the ocean and hear the waves. It brings him a comfort like no other.

"I think I will quite miss the sea."

---

A/N

With that, I bring this book to a close. It has been a pleasure writing this book and to be reaching my goal (which was to finish it before the new year) is an even bigger pleasur

I have thoroughly enjoyed writing this book, you have no idea, and I am going to miss it. When I first came up with the idea, I was beyond excited. It was the first time I'd ever planned out the ending before having a beginning.

Being able to see this book through to the end, I am happy. To all of you who have supported this book, I want to thank you immensely. To the commenters, you made my day.

I want to thank you all for giving this book a chance. I cannot thank you enough.

All my love to you readers and may I see you again in another fic <3