Halazia

Sweet Like Honey, Burns Like Whiskey

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The tavern was absolutely bursting at the seams with scents. Some strong, some soft, some floral, some musky... There were smiling faces, voice laughing along with one another and mugs of beer being passed around so easily, like there wasn't a care in the world.

Seonghwa walked into the tavern deeper and casually grabbed a beer off a tray held by an omega woman. He took a swig of the drink before plopping down. He began to scan for people that looked to be locals. His skilled eyes hopped from person to person as the beer began to slowly disappear from his first glass. He finished it off quickly and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. God, his stomach was in complete knots worrying for his crew. The captain stood from his seat and crossed his arms. It was time for him to mingle and get information since that was the original plan at hand. Looking towards the bar, he could smell a group of omegas. Usually it was easier to squeeze stuff out of them since he was a pretty attractive alpha. The black haired pirate then began his walk over to there filled with determination

He froze as he watched a shorter man with a brownish blonde mullet strut over. The already existing knot tightened in his stomach. Kim Hongjoong. The man he loved.

The man he never wanted to see again.

Hongjoong was already laughing heartily along with a few of the omegas in the bar, leaning back in his seat and throwing back beer easily. He was of course being careful, like San has repeatedly told him, keeping his eyes on everyone in the room while also laying low.

You never know who would be there to stab you in the back.

Hongjoong caught the scent of whiskey amongst the other alcoholic stenches in the air. It made his nostrils burn, his eyebrows furrowing as he sat up in his seat and immediately met eyes with the handsome pirate. His stomach sank and his gaze hardened as he pushed himself to stand, stepping towards the alpha with a raised eyebrow, arms crossed. "Well well, if it isn't the feared captain Seonghwa." He smirked devilishly, stepping up to the alpha despite him being slightly shorter. It didn't dampen his spirits, not even a little bit.

A low growl of hatred rumbled in the alpha's chest, glaring at the omega captain. "Wow, I must be so lucky to be within the presence of the crazed, selfish captain Hongjoong." Pure malice carried in his words, drawing out his speech at the word selfish. Seonghwa stood tall with his feet apart and chest high. God. He hated this man. "Surprised you're still afloat. I half expected you to sink and become fish food to the sharks." Seonghwa hissed out his words.

Hongjoong's glare was filled with pure hatred for the man in front of him, whose jet black hair and vicious smile were enough to have his stomach coiling with disgust. The man he had once loved, the man he had wanted to sail the seven seas with... now his only enemy. He scoffed at his words, his grin filled with venom and rage. "Selfish? My, I'm surprised you've stooped to the level of your enemies, Seonghwa. I'm not the selfish one here." He stepped closer, shoulders squared and his smile falling as he met his eyes in the midst of it all. The eye of the storm.

Seonghwa released a low growl, leaning into the omega's face, his head tilted with a venomous glare "Voyaging alone? Still running away from the ones that love you?"

Hongjoong could feel his confident shell crack so delicately at nothing more than a fruitless quip. "Why, Seonghwa, I believe you were the one to run from me, yes?" He spoke just as softly, the pain bleeding through his carefully built walls, the guilt running through him like a river. He shook his head and crossed his arms with a huff. "I take it you're still trying to make a name for yourself. Dragging yourself through hell for nothing but a few gold nuggets. You still haven't learned the lesson that personal joy is much more valuable than a damn coin, hm? Look at you. Your frown lines, your scowl. Miserable, I think the word is?" He frowned deeply, fists clenched and god, he wanted those arms to wrap him up all over again...

Seonghwa scoffed and rolled his eyes, looking away in disbelief. "Yeah I did run from you." The captain looked back and grabbed Hongjoong by his shirt. He longed to yank his past lover closer and kiss him passionately like they used to. The longing for the omega was driving him crazy, but his hatred was helping to bury that feeling. "Personal joy? Seriously?!" Seonghwa tightened his grip and aggressively pulled the captain closer, their faces inches apart. The overwhelming scent of Hongjoong filled his senses.

That damned bastard and his honey scent.

"I forgot what personal joy was when the omega I fell in love with wouldn't start a damned family with me." Seonghwa gritted his teeth, his words coming out as a loud yell, "I never wanted to see you again. I loved you with all of me but you never loved me." The captain then shoved the omega captain harshly into a table of people.

Hongjoong gasped as his shirt was grabbed, his gaze hardening as he gripped onto Seonghwa's wrists, tugging at them harshly. "Get your goddamn hands off of me, Seonghwa!" He growled, the hatred in his eyes temporarily flickering to show the absolute pain hidden behind it. As he was pulled closer, his breath hitched and he had to internally scream at himself not to lean in, not to let those bloody tears well in his eyes.

"You think I didn't love you?" His voice shriveled, his anger fading to make way for the sadness, the guilt. He withered in the other's palms. "Seonghwa, you were my everything! I told you my reasons and you wouldn't have it!" He growled as he was pushed back, and in a split second he had his dagger in his palm, pushing the alpha back into the nearest wall and pressing the dull side of the blade against his neck. "Don't you EVER touch me again! Don't even speak to me! We were done the moment you left me to fend for myself, the moment you left me with YOUR ship!" He growled, shoving the other into the wall before he was storming out of the tavern, fighting back tears.

Seonghwa stared in horror at his own actions. He never wanted to be violent to his old lover, but the emotions took over. Before the alpha could speak, Hongjoong had returned the favor and shoved him against a wall, pressing the back end of a dagger against his throat as a threat. "If I really was your everything you wouldn't had let me leave." Seonghwa yelled in his face, his voice breaking towards the end. "I don't want to ever touch or speak to you again so don't worry about that!"

Seonghwa fixed his shirt as soon as Hongjoong released him. He could feel his chest hurting and heart beat rising. As seconds passed, his breathing shallowed out. "Goddamnit.." the alpha pressed a stern hand to his chest as he struggled to the back of the tavern. Why did he have to see him? Just...why?!

Through blurred vision, Seonghwa took a seat at a far away empty table, his cheeks now wet from tears.

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