Tidal-Bore

14. Miscommunication

"Two black pearls, three pinks," the expert summarised for Wooyoung after going through more oysters than the scientist bothered to count. He received a tiny casket for them, cushioned by a white fabric so his precious findings wouldn't get damaged. Seonghwa chuckled at him when Wooyoung peered inside, full of awe.

"That's more than I expected," Wooyoung noted, pleased with his hunt, though the colours were nothing but plain. They had been cleaned of the ocean smell and clicked against each other in the casket. None was properly round and the dark ones shone in mismatched colours, but he adored their uniqueness.

"Near our city, the oysters strive on energy and light, as well as the leftover nutrients that get washed away by our food waste. Perhaps it's the same blessing that keeps us alive that makes them produce more pearls. We always have plenty at our expense, though few people end the Night of Pearls with a golden prize," Seonghwa elaborated while on their way back to the group. Wooyoung nudged at his pearls, fascinated by how different they were from the fashion jewellery he was used to.

"It's good that they find what they seek after making the effort, but I think it's very risky."

"I agree." Seonghwa looked into the distance, both concerned and proud of his people.

"Did you ever go out there?"

"Oracle, no, I wouldn't dare."

"I noticed you wearing a golden pearl, though," Wooyoung noted, sharp in his senses. His gaze found Seonghwa's pale neck at the same time as the man's hand that came to thumb at the shining accessory.

"This was gifted to me. It was my choice to accept it, but since a lot of effort went into retrieving it, I appreciated it was done with me in mind."

Wooyoung preferred that view over a mindless display of strength and stupidity.

"Who gave it to you?"

A smile played around Seonghwa's lips as his fingertip ran over the smooth surface of the golden pearl. He reminisced a moment of the past, and it glinted in his eyes with warm fondness.

"Hongjoong."

Wooyoung made a sound of disbelief before he could stop himself. When Seonghwa glared down at him playfully, he waved his hands around to play it off.

"I believe you! I just can't imagine him doing anything nice. Or to go through that much danger for someone else." Now that his curiosity was piqued, Wooyoung couldn't help but dig deeper. What was their relationship for Hongjoong to do such things for Seonghwa? Was the grumpy prince looking to woo the delicate diplomat?

This information made Hongjoong even hotter in Wooyoung's eyes. The big, bad leader was soft for the guy who looked like a pearl. Who would have guessed?

Unless it had been a polite gift to show his dedication as a ruler. Seonghwa held the strings of the people in his hands and a beckon of his hand could unify them against their chieftain. If Hongjoong wanted to secure his future on the throne, he would do wisely trying for a good relationship with Seonghwa.

"Hongjoong is a good man behind that rough exterior. He isn't fond of strangers, but he respects those who prove themselves to him."

Wooyoung bit his tongue before he could drop a cheeky question about how Seonghwa had proved himself to Hongjoong. A moment later, they rejoined their group, and the matter disappeared in the back of his mind.

"I have pearls for you!" Wooyoung cheered, jumping between them with a purposeful whip of his head so his wet hair sent water spraying everywhere. Kiko cursed at him, but her eyes immediately started glinting when he snapped his casket open.