Transient Waters

28

Seonghwa was grateful that they were finally letting him wander around the boat. It had taken quite a long time, or so it would seem, but Yeosang, the doctor, seemed to finally be happy with how his energy was doing, and with his injuries. Omegas healed rather quickly, after all, though perhaps not as swift as many aphas, it was still something quite impressive when compared to non presented and Betas. Not that Seonghwa felt that was a badd thing persay, it just meant that he did not have to deal with injuries as much as he would have otherwise. Seonghwa could be grateful for this now, considering he was not being tortured regularly. Still, he found himself somewhat wary. He was finally healing. Surely the Captain would have words with him now? Seonghwa was not entirely sure how it was that Pirates worked, considering he had been stuck on a Navy ship not a Pirate one, but he could not imagine things operated too differently. He was definitely going to have to do something...more than just...just...organizing the Captain's quarters, surely?

He had been taking to organizing the papers and things that the Captain seemed to almost always leave laying about in a case of hazard disorder over the past week so far, but he could not expect that this would be his only expectations. He just did not know what else he would be required to help with. he was willing, of course, he trusted the Captain...to an extent, which alone was a strange experience for him as he had not really had trust in anyone, let alone should he trust a Pirate, but it was as it was, and Seonghwa was not really in charge of such things. he trusted Wooyoung too, and Wooyoung had turned out to be a pirate as well. Seonghwa was not sure if his instincts were wrongly wired, or if perhaps the people he had grown up around were truly that untrustworthy. He would lean towards the latter, for now. The Pirate crew had not done anything to hint that they were untrusting of him, or that he should be wary of him.

The Captain had even had their doctor explain things to Seonghwa when he had shown confusion over Omegas and such. While it was clear that Yeosang was not overly well knowledged in the subject, Seonghwa was not entirely surprised considering how rare they were, he had made quite a valiant effort to ensure Seonghwa knew and understood himself. It was something that Seonghwa had taken in stride, but he had been quite surprised by the Captain's insistence. From what he had managed to gather from Wooyoung and San, Hongjoong knew another Omega, male, like him, and wanted to take the entire crew to talk to this Omega's crew, to understand a bit more of what happens when having an Omega on board, and how to navigate things now that they had another person on board.

That had made Seonghwa quite emotional, though he was certain that he had managed to hide it well enough. Wooyoung, he was certain, had accidently let it slip if the scandalous look that San had given him meant anything. Perhaps the Captain did not want Seonghwa knowing? Seonghwa could not understand why this would be the case, but then again, people had strange motivations at the best of time. Seonghwa still did not understand his own instincts and hwy they had demanded him to protect Wooyoung as he had, nor did Wooyoung understand why he had become so familially attached to Seonghwa enough to brave an Alpha's wrath. From what Seonghwa could tell, Omegas could and often would brave the wrath of a higher rank if they were protecting their pups. Wooyoung was not...not really, but even Seonghwa had to admit he had taken to thinking of Wooyoung as one of his own to protect. It was dangerous given the situation that they had been in, but it had happened nonetheless.

"Captain?" Seonghwa whispered softly, gently tapping the man on his shoulder, flinching slightly at how quickly the other whirled around. He had noticed all the Pirates had amazing reflexes. it was something that Seonghwa admired more often than not, although it did leave him flinching more than not as well.

"Ah, Seonghwa, what is wrong?" The Captain's brows furrowed down, likely taking in Seonghwa's own nerves and anxiety that seemed to abound through his body. "Are you alright? You aren't getting sick alreay right?"

"No, no, I just...wanted to ask you...we are almost at the place that you wanted to go..to..to meet this Taemin character and his crewmates...I was just..." Seonghwa bit his lower lip needing to take a moment to compose himself. He had let slip that he knew about Taemin, which definitely meant that the Captain would be having some questions for his crew later, but for now he just took Seonghwa's nervous posture in, wanting to understand what was going on with the Omega. "You said I can stay here, and I want to, but...am I going to have to do anything besides...besides organizing your chambers?" Seonghwa questioned, fingers nervously twitching as he asked. Hongjoong's eyes widened slightly.

"Perhaps, you will be willing to help Yunho and Jongho in the kitchens from time to time, and if you want to learn any of the other positions on the ship to help out I am sure none of the other crew would be against helping you learn, but Seonghwa..." Hongjoong moved forwards effortlessly, letting his fingers cup around the Omega's face forcing their eyes to meet. "Nobody is going to force you to do anything you do not want, or feel uncomfortable doing. If they do, tell me, and I will deal with them, and if I ever do anything to make you uncomfortable, tell Yeosang if you do not feel comfortable telling me yourself, the other would definitely let me hear it."

Hongjoong stepped back, a slight flush on his cheeks matching Seonghwa's own pinked ones. "As for Taemin, I do not know who let it slip, but rest assured, I trust their crew. SHINee is a great crew, and one of the few that I know to have an Omega aboard. I think it would be good for you to learn from Taemin, especially if you have questions that Yeosang and the rest of us cannot answer. I just want you to feel comfortable with us." Seonghwa smiled, turning his face to the floor as he did so.

"I already am though," He muttered softly. Stuttering out slight thanks he rushed away from the Captain, trying to calm his racing heart, letting himself down to the kitchens, hoping to find someone, preferrably Wooyoung.

"Looking for someone?" Jongho asked, and Seonghwa nodded, his eyes wide as he watched the youngest of the crew. "Wooyoung is in the storage room getting some stuff for dinner. Perhaps you'd like to help him?" The suggestion was just that, a suggestion, leaving Seonghwa free to refuse, but he would not. He needed to speak with Wooyoung about this...this thing that is going on with him. He did not know anyone else he trusted enough...and Wooyoung was the only one he knew for certain was mated. Surely he would be able to explain what Seonghwa was dealing with?