ATEEZ Still Present

Chapter 3

"I'm so bored. Seonghwa play with me," Wooyoung said with a pout as he walked into the Captain's quarters and sat down on the bed. Hongjoong didn't look up from where he was leaning over the desk and studying a map. He just sighed at the interruption.

"Go be bored with someone else, Seonghwa is helping me," Hongjoong said. Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, noting how Seonghwa was just standing behind Hongjoong, back hugging him with his head on his shoulder.

"He definitely seems like he's helping," Wooyoung said sarcastically. Seonghwa glanced back and grinned at the younger before leaning down and placing a soft kiss to Hongjoong's shoulder to calm him down, noting that he seemed a bit agitated.

"I'm bored," Wooyoung whined.

"Then go bother someone else. Go find Yeosang," Hongjoong said in exasperation.

"He's up in the crow's nest with Sannie," Wooyoung said with a groan.

"Then go find someone else, Seonghwa is staying with me," Hongjoong said sharply.

"Stop gatekeeping your boyfriend," Wooyoung said with a frown. Hongjoong sighed and stood up, turning around to face Wooyoung.

"I'm not gatekeeping my boyfriend, I'm saving him from being harassed and annoyed by you. I've said he isn't going which means he isn't going. Stop bothering us and go find someone else to annoy," Hongjoong said firmly, a twinge of anger in voice. Wooyoung went silent at that, feeling hurt but guilty. He didn't mean to be so annoying he just wanted someone to talk to.

"I'm sorry Captain," he whispered sadly, getting up and leaving the room. Seonghwa let go of Hongjoong immediately and turned to him with a frown.

"Hongjoong that was uncalled for," he scolded him.

"I really can't deal with him right now," Hongjoong said with a shrug.

"Hongjoong seriously? That boy idolizes you as his Captain and just wanted to spend time with someone and you had a go at him. We haven't docked anywhere in over a month and you know the boys have been getting a little bored lately. You had no right to say what you just did," Seonghwa said angrily. Hongjoong started to feel a little guilty at that.

"I'm sure he's fine," he said quietly.

"No he isn't. You just called him annoying and a bother and made out you have no time for him. You're the Captain, you're supposed to lead by example and make sure everyone is ok. Go and apologise to him right now or I'm sleeping with one of the boys and you can sleep alone," Seonghwa said sternly. Hongjoong pouted but Seonghwa just frowned even more so he sighed.

"I'll go check on him," he said quietly. Seonghwa nodded so Hongjoong spun around and left the quarters quickly. He went to the kitchens first in search of Wooyoung but the younger boy was nowhere in sight so he decided to go below deck and check Wooyoung's room. As he got closer he begun to hear sniffles and he felt a pang of guilt shoot through his chest. He walked over to the door and opened it gently, looking inside. Wooyoung was sitting on the bed with one of his knees drawn up, his elbow resting on it while he had his head dropped into his hand.

"Stupid, so stupid. Why do you have to be so annoying," Wooyoung whispered to himself, clenching his hair in his hand. Hongjoong sighed to himself and walked into the room.

"Youngie," he said softly. Wooyoung's head snapped up and he turned to Hongjoong. His eyes were red and his lavender hair was flattened down over his foreheads, a few tears falling down his face.

"Oh, Captain. Sorry, I just had something in my eye. I didn't realise you needed to come here, I'll get out of your hair," Wooyoung rushed out quickly as he ducked his head and hurriedly wiped his eyes. He stood up quickly and rushed to leave the room but Hongjoong caught his arm before he could pass and tugged him into a hug. Wooyoung froze in surprise but Hongjoong wrapped an arm around his waist before lifting his other hand and running it through the younger's hair gently. Wooyoung slowly relaxed, melting into Hongjoong's arms and hugging him tightly.