𝓢𝓲𝓻𝓮𝓷'𝓼 𝓒𝓪𝓵𝓵

⏳Broken Ties⏳

[WARNING: Mentions of death]

They had moved Seonghwa to the infirmary and Jongho was cleaning up Seonghwa's wounds. That's when he noticed the word written on Hwa's arm. He gestured Hong over and let him look at it. Hongjoong was furious. "I'm glad I killed that bitch.." He muttered, gripping onto the infirmary-bed's bed frame. Seonghwa was blankly staring and sitting there quietly. He was in his own world, thinking about the things Karen had said to him. Hongjoong had tried multiple times to speak to Hwa but he got no response. All he could do was hold Hwa's hand and try to support him that way but Hwa wouldn't even hold his hand back. 'What the fuck did she say to you...' Hong thought to himself.
After a while of Hwa resting in the infirmary he was fine again and was able to roam the ship as he once did. He'd just stare off at the water as they sailed, staying silent. Hwa looked down at his bracelet, running his fingers along it as he continued to get lost in his thoughts. 'Was it all just a lie?..' He thought to himself. Hongjoong came up beside him and rested his hand on Hwa's waist, saying "We're getting Mingi to get you some more clothes right now" Hwa moved away as soon as he felt Joong touch him. "What's wrong? Did they hurt you there, I'm sorry" Hongjoong said, trying to make sure not to touch any of Hwa's injuries. "What am I to you.." Seonghwa muttered. "What do you mean?" "What am I to you..I need to know.." Hwa repeated, his expression still blank. "I don't know how to answer that.." "Did you just want me for the necklace..." "What, of course not" "Then what was it? The sex? Did you just wanna sex slave, is that it?" "What are you talking about?? What did they say to you??" "a good bit...a good fucking bit.." Hwa said, taking his bracelet off and setting it in Hongjoong's hand before walking off. "Where are you going?? You're just gonna walk away from me? There's not much of anywhere to go" Hongjoong said, following after Hwa. "Then take me home!" Hwa says, turning around quickly, his eyes a little filled with tears. "What the hell do you mean? You are home" "No! I mean home! My actual fucking home where you stole me from.." Hwa said, crossing his arms and looking away. Hongjoong sighed "Fine..as you wish, my love" He says, walking away.
Hongjoong was in his office with San, navigating where Seonghwa's home would be located currently. Yunho came in "I need to speak to you Captain" He says, walking and standing in front of his desk. Hongjoong sighed "Fine. San, exit" He says, gesturing San to the door. Once he and Yunho were alone, Yunho hit his hand on Hongjoong's desk. "Listen, I know you're all sulky and upset because Hwa isn't returning your affection but you need to get out of your feels and realize how much you fucking love him" "Yunho, what the hell are you talking about.." "I'm talking about your relationship with him. You love him and I can fucking see it. You need to man up and fucking tell him." "Too late...He's not gonna listen to me anymore." He said, tossing the bracelet onto the desk and leaning back in his chair. "But he'll listen to me." Yunho says, grabbing the bracelet and leaving Joong's office, leaving him confused.
Seonghwa was in his old room below deck, sulking in the corner. Yunho knocked but he got no reply so he just walked in. "Hey, are you up to talk?" Yunho says, walking over and crouching in front of Hwa. "Listen...I know you might have some hard feelings towards the Captain right now and I don't know what kinda lies those arrogant pricks said to you but...I can promise you. He cares. He really does. And if you'd just give him a chance to explain himself i'm sure everything would be fine." Hwa looks up at him, his eyes full of tears. Yunho holds out his hand, asking to see Hwa's wrist. Seonghwa hesitates but he rests his wrist in Yunho's hand, letting him put the bracelet back on him. "See, it looks better there" He says with a small smile, hugging Seonghwa gently.
Hongjoong was sitting at his desk, writing silently while still being in his mood. Seonghwa came in silently and just stood at the door. "Oh uhm, Seonghwa. Listen I can uhm" "Just spit it out...you should be glad Yunho convinced me to come up here..." Hwa said, looking away as he came and sat in the chair in front of Hong's desk. "Listen I uhm...I'm not really sure how I feel about us right now but...I can definitely feel something...I just don't quite understand it yet...you know?" "I guess.." Hwa continues to look away, still not quite believing Hong. "Listen I...god...fuck it...I love you, ok?" Hongjoong says, a serious expression on his face. "And i'm scared...because i've never felt this way before...i'm scared to love you...I just...I don't want to lose you like I almost did today.." Hwa looks over at Hongjoong as if he's actually starting to listen a little. "God...I...I can't get you out of my head...All I do is think about you....I was worried out of my mind when I saw you gone this morning...I love you so much that...I don't think there's any more room left in my heart for anything else." Just then, Mingi comes in with Seonghwa's new clothes, setting them on Hongjoong's desk and walking out. "I'm assuming you want me to turn around" Hong says but to his surprise Hwa just starts getting dressed in front of him like he usually would "It's not like there's anything you haven't already seen" Hongjoong blushes as he watches Seonghwa, covering his mouth a little as he rests his elbow on his desk. After Seonghwa was dressed he walks over and kissed Hongjoong's cheek. "I'll forgive you, just don't piss me off" He says, walking out onto the deck. 'Fuck that was hot..' Joong thinks to himself, burying his face in his hands and blushing more.
A little after, Hongjoong went up and told Woo to head back to the town. "Why? I thought his majesty wanted to go home" Woo says teasingly. "Change of plans, he's staying. And plus...we have some business there.." He said, walking away and going to the front of the boat.
Eventually they arrived back at the docks to which Yeosang tied them to again. Everyone walked off the boat and Hongjoong carried the kid in his arms. "Where do you think we should put him, Hwa?" Hongjoong said, looking at the solemn siren. "I think I know a place.." He said. They went to the beach and found an area of dirt where the sand ended. "Alright. Jongho, Yeosang, get to digging." Hong said. After a big enough hole was dug, Joong gently set the boys body in it and Hwa set a rose on the boy's chest before Jongho and Yeosang filled the hole up.
Hongjoong walked off and bought a lantern that a booth nearby was selling. It was white and gold. It looked pure and reminded Hwa of his now long gone friend. Hwa did the honors of lighting the lantern and they set it out onto the water, watching it float away.

Seonghwa's Current Outfit
(minus the skirt, only the jewelry on that picture)