Transient Waters

11

SeongHwa's nails were tapping against the wood of his bed anxiously as he waited for WooYoung to bound through the door. He could not help but be nervous, he was about to be in close proximity to an Alpha, one that was close to WooYoung. As though close even began to describe what a Mate was to a person. It was far more than that, and SeongHwa was worried maybe he would ruin WooYoung, and maybe...maybe...now that WooYoung no longer had to depend on him for safety, maybe the boy would begin to forget him. Would this Alpha of his demand that WooYoung stay away from him? Perhaps it was not even that SeongHwa was worried that WooYoung would be necessarily mistreated, but that he would be forgotten in the midst of things.

It is not as though he could forget me, of course, SeongHwa tried to comfort himself. I protected him for a whole month from those...those creatures. It would take a lot for someone to forget that...right? SeongHwa was not entirely sure, but he definitely hoped. He did not want WooYoung to forget him. It would be a very painful experience. Then again, perhaps I am really just overthinking things again. After all, WooYoung got me onto this pirate ship of his, and even got the approval of the Captain on the Ship. Although SeongHwa was more than aware that could be considered just recompense considering he had saved WooYoung from a lot worse than death several times over the month. He was really allowing his nerves to get a hold of him. It was useless when WooYoung came bounding into the room and barreling into SeongHwa for a hug. Something which made the elder smile his eyes softening and allowing his fingers to curl into WooYoung's back as he held his nose into the youth's neck.

"I was worried," SeongHwa breathed out. The words were spoken softly, but WooYoung could hear them clearly, and as far as WooYoung was concerned, so did San, whom he glanced back towards, but even still, San had not shown that he was jealous, and WooYoung did not know why but a part of him wondered...but he shoved the thoughts away before they could even form. San had cared for him for so long now, it was ridiculous to think that it had changed for whatever reason that it may be. WooYoung allowed Seonghwa to cling to him, knowing the Omega needed it. He was not certain how it was that he knew it so clearly, but he did, and he understood.

As much as WooYoung knew that his crew was kind, and would not hurt him nor SeongHwa, the latter did not know, he did not know any of the people that he was brought on with except for him, whom had been away from his side for a majority of the time that he was on board. It would have been horribly unnerving for SeongHwa, that WooYoung did know, and yet he had remained remarkably calm despite it all. WooYoung was quite impressed, but that did not mean that the elder had not been under considerable strain. Particularly since HongJoong and YeoSang were both Alphas, and SeongHwa had been left with them multiple times by himself. WooYoung almost wanted to hit himself upside the head for letting it happen.

"I know, I am sorry Hyung." SeongHwa mere hummed at his answer, not bothering with words as he continued to inhale WooYoung's scent, and Wooyoung did not have the heart to try and pull him away to introduce San. He felt bad for having left SeongHwa to basically fend for himself by himself. Although WooYoung knew that his crew wouldn't do anything to hurt SeongHwa, Seonghwa was not sure of that, and outside of WooYoung vying for them, SeongHwa would have nothing on them at all. He honestly should have done something more about that, and he had not, so he would allow the clingy nature. "I brought someone for you to meet..." WooYoung spoke gently pulling himself from his Hyung. "This is Sannie, my Alpha, San, this is SeongHwa-hyung, he helped me a lot the last month." SeongHwa clung to WooYoung, his eyes wide and a bit wild. He was not looking defensive or dangerous, just incredibly wary.

"Hello, uh, my...my name is San." SeongHwa narrowed his eyes at the Alpha. Slowly, he stood, sliding his way over to the man, eyeing him carefully. He stood his way firmly, keeping eye contact with the man as best as he could.

"You better be nice to him." He hissed, his eyes flashing gold as he did so. San swallowed and gave a gentle smile.

"You don't have to worry. Should I do anything to hurt WooYoung I will deliver myself to you the second I learn of it." Seonghwa narrowed his eyes, but slowly, the intense gaze softened and he nodded satisfied before rushing back behind WooYoung, and once more draping himself over the Beta, his eyes slowly beginning to fall closed.

"'M tired WooYoungie." WooYoung laughed lowly in his throat.

"But Hyung, you have barely met San at all."

"'S okay, he is nice," Seonghwa stated quietly, allowing his eyes to close fully as he dropped on WooYoung entirely. WooYoung sighed, figuring that the lack of a comforting presence, and the amount of things he had dealt with upon being awake, not to mention his injuries, had likely drained the Omega to the core, yet he had still found enough energy to challenge San for him. WooYoung felt a surge of fondness. If HongJoong wasn't so scary, I bet they would get along so well. They both have those parenting instincts ingrained in them. WooYoung thought to himself.

"I'm sorry San, I should have figured he would probably be exhausted." WooYoung sighed out. San gave a small laugh.

"It's alright, Youngie, I figured anyways." WooYoung gave his Mate a small smile.

"Thank you, for not being against him coming with us."

"Even if I had been I doubt it would have made much of a difference." San said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Besides, it was obvious from the beginning that there was no way that he was an Alpha, and if he had been a part of the crew, he would have been wearing better clothes. Not to mention he was protecting you from an Alpha, of all things, how could I refuse? Anyone who keeps you safe is a bonus in my book." WooYoung flushed but said nothing more.

"Can you help me carry him to our room? Please?"

"of course. He shouldn't stay here much longer anyways. I bet YeoSang is wanting his space back."