Tidal-Bore

15. Man Enough

"Hongjoong! Wait a second, let's talk about this," Seonghwa panted as he tried to catch up with the two. His husband dragged Wooyoung by his wrist, pace quick as he brought him from the outraged crowd.

Since Wooyoung couldn't tell anymore what was going on, he tumbled along, caught between his joy at receiving San's gift and the chaos that it hailed upon their group.

Hongjoong snapped at Seonghwa in their language, his face like a thunderstorm. Muttering to himself, Seonghwa hurried along as they passed the main city.

Helpless, Wooyoung turned his head to the diplomat.

"What is going on here?" He whispered, fearful to have insulted their culture with his selfishness.

"He wants to take you on a hunt to prove you are worth someone of high rank as San, but this is nonsense. Hongjoong! He isn't from here!" When he remembered to switch languages, Seonghwa repeated himself. Hongjoong yanked on Wooyoung in response, hissing a reply while the scientist tried to twist his aching wrist away.

"He is displeased that you are a foreigner and can't live up to our standards. He wants you to fight a bull shark to prove your worth." Knowing what nonsense that was to ask of a guest, Seonghwa finally overtook the two and put his body in their way. Hongjoong didn't dare shove at his spouse and dug his heels into the ground with a snarl on his lips. The dainty hand that settled on his chest kept him at bay.

Seonghwa spoke fast and desperate, reminding Hongjoong that Wooyoung wasn't from here and that he would die during such a test of courage. In the meantime, Wooyoung cowered behind Hongjoong and wondered how the fuck getting courted meant deserving a punishment. So what if San's heart settled for someone who wasn't one of them? He bested the depths to show his worth to Wooyoung, and it was Wooyoung's choice to accept.

Though Hongjoong had a point and their relationship would develop under an unfortunate star that meant parting all too soon, Wooyoung should be the only one to judge this. No weird test of courage.

Seonghwa argued all of those points and more. With time, Hongjoong calmed, but his ire still boiled under his skin.

When he dropped Wooyoung's wrist, the boy rubbed the reddened skin with a pout. Before he could complain about the harsh treatment, Hongjoong snatched his other hand instead to ogle the ring. He didn't dare touch it, respecting San's claim in handing it to Wooyoung. After a moment of consideration, he flung the hand off with a sneer.

Seonghwa glared at the arrogant ruler and came to rub Wooyoung's back. More upset brimmed in his eyes when shouting men and trouble about rings triggered a trauma he had tried to bury.

"I'm sorry, Wooyoung. This shouldn't be a matter," Seonghwa muttered when he noticed the erratic blinking of his eyes.

Biting the tears back, Wooyoung shook his head.

"What's the matter? Why can't he choose who he wants to be with? Is racism the issue?"

"Not racism, but San's status. He is a very important part of our society and Hongjoong fears what might happen if he couples up with a surface dweller. San upholds the fate of our entire city. Losing him might mean losing everything we have. It's the leader in him that wants to protect."

Wooyoung glowered at Hongjoong. He sucked at expressing his concern.

"I'm not some witch who wants to take San away. Do you think I studied your culture for nought? Though you gave me no chance to talk to San about this, I am more than aware of San's position in this place. It's insulting to assume I would be selfish enough after coming here to study you that I'd take him away and leave you all to your ruin."