Transient Waters

23

"How is he?" Mingi asked gently, his eyes gazing into HongJoong's own, as HongJoong once more was charting their course. At this rate, it shouldn't take them much longer to reach Taemin. Maybe a day or two, tops at least hopefully, presuming there was no blasted wind going against them, or currents. It was good, HongJoong was getting worried. He handed the newly updated map to Mingi, pushing it towards him whilst sighing heavily. He picked the underside of his nails, contemplating on how he should explain what he was worrying over. The confusion over Seonghwa, and then consequently Wooyoung's anger and San's...well his own brand of anger, both directed towards him. His own misgivings. Was there even a way to truly explain everything that was going on in his head? How could he make everything make any sort of directed sense? Nothing made sense, and he found himself winding and confused. He knew that this was normal, that someone else entering their Pack was bound to cause these things, but it was just...it just was not the same, and he was not sure how to really explain how it was not the same, or how he even knew it was different than what would be considered normal.

"He is alright. I have Yeosang going over some of the basics with him, considering he didn't know any of those. I am just...waiting until we get to Taemin and so hopefully some of this will make some sort of sense." Mingi gave HongJoong a compassionate smile. They all knew he, of all of them barring maybe Wooyoung and San, would be having quite a hard time. He was the Pack Alpha, after all. It was hard enough having two other Alphas around, now he had to also try and handle an Omega that none of them expected, and had no idea how to care for.

"At least he seems to like you, you are doing something right, Captain, otherwise we would be able to feel his distress since I saved him." Mingi pointed out and, well, that did make him feel a bit better. At least to the point where he was able to give the other an only slightly strained smile rather than a fully strained one. Mingi did not really know what more he could do for HongJoong. As much as he may say otherwise, he knew that what Wooyoung had shouted at him earlier had really affected him negatively. He was not really sure what more he could do for the other, excpet maybe trying to send him Yunho's way. He doubted that would work well, though.

A knock at the door jolted HongJoong upwards. He pushed Mingi, telling him to start the new course as soon as possible, he wanted to get to Taemin as quickly as they were able. Everyone on the ship wanted to get to Taemin as quickly as possible. They wanted to question the other, and try and make some sense of what was going on and how to help Seonghwa. They, as to now, had no clue what to do, or how to help. It was horribly frustrating. Mingi opened the door, rather surprised to see Wooyoung and San standing behind the door, they both gave him a smile, and Mingi reciprocated it. He moved to go past them, but San quickly tugged at his wrist. Mingi paused, turning towards them giving him a bit of a head cock. San smiled.

"Seonghwa Hyung wants to talk to you. I just thought I would let you know, since I don't think he is going to tell you himself, and I don't know how long you will be disappearing to this time." Mingi furrowed his brows, a bit confused as to why the Omega would want to talk to him, but nodded a thanks to the messenger either way. It was nice for the message to have been passed along, even if it was a useless game. He would talk to Seonghwa before he went back up to the mast, but he had at least a little time before then. He would need to talk to Yunho, as a precaution, that is, either way.

"Captain," Wooyoung said, shifting on his feet. HongJoong knew that it meant that he was nervous about something. Glancing, he made sure the door was closed and Mingi was out of the cabin before lifting an eyebrow to look at them. "I..that is We...we wished to say that we are sorry." The words definitely came as a surprise, more so then their presence alone did. Hongjoong had no words to say, just blinked at them. "We were rude, and overly harsh. Now, thinking back on it, we are all really just trying our best by Hyung, and I should not have assumed you were doing anything different. You gave him some sort of purpose, to help fill his day, and honestly, I should have realized that before just laying into you without realizing the full story." San nodded, obviously reciprocating the apology.

"I see," HongJoong said, unsure what to do now that the two had issued a full confession of guilt, having not expected one in the first place. He was grateful, of course, but it was just...entirely unexpected. He had not been expecting something like that, and as such had no idea what to do about it.

"We should have thought things through," San said, finally speaking. "However, emotions ran high, and tension filled the conversation we had. It was not okay, and we apologize for not making sure that we got the whole story beforehand."

"I...I see." HongJoong said simply. "Very well, then. I forgive you. There is no reason not to, after all. We are all just trying to figure out how to handle a rather new situation, of course. Go back to your duties, however, as punishment you both will spend the next couple of nights on cleaning duty, by yourselves." Wooyoung and San groaned, but they both knew that they deserved that. Seonghwa had really put things in perspective for them. Barring the sheer shame of their behavior, they had been quite disrespectful, both to Seonghwa and to Hongjoong. They deserved the punishment, and would ensure they fulfilled it well.

"Yes Captain,"