Hiraeth ⚕ Seungjin

⁷. Hyunjin

Seungmin enticed Hyunjin. In a way only something new could. Maybe it was the way he straightened, eyes sharpening when the Queen called out his choice of words - or thoughts - when any other person would've tripped over themselves to apologize. Maybe it was the way his eyes went back and forth, scrutinizing every royal member and snagging a few times in Hyunjin's direction. Maybe it was the way he slightly frowned when he learned news he didn't like, fidgeting with his hands in a habit Hyunjin recognized all too well from when he was young.

Nevertheless, Hyunjin hadn't felt this curious in a while.

A small part of him wanted to know what those wary eyes hid. Wanted to investigate Seungmin, to prod and press at his weaknesses and sensitivities to see how far he could push, how far it took to break such a ... strange human. To enter that mind, as his mother could, and understand the storm clearly raging inside him.

Hyunjin's eyes watched as the royal members excused themselves, consorts following after their king or queen. Royal advisors, courtiers and other high position figures also filed out, leaving the three royal kin and a very confused Seungmin getting half-dragged by Felix, the guard that was somewhat of an acquaintance of Hyunjin's.

Of course, Yeji beat him to it.

She stalked up to the human, closely followed by Ryujin, who scoffed when Yeji patted his shoulder and whispered something probably obscene. Before he could stop himself, Hyunjin was stepping down the dais, an intrigued Jeongin on his tail.

"Well isn't this lovely?" Hyunjin sauntered up to Seungmin, who eyed him suspiciously. Felix muttered a prayer to whoever was listening behind them, a grin appearing on Hyunjin's face.

"Hyunjin, behave." Jeongin muttered from behind, stepping up to Seungmin. "I'm Jeongin. Youngest prince. I apologise beforehand for the headache you will be permanently getting from Hyunjin here."

"Have i ever done anything other than behave?" The taunting smirk on Hyunjin's face only grew as Jeongin huffed.

The corners of Seungmin's mouth turned up a bit, obviously amused. Hyunjin didn't miss how his shoulders sagged ever so slightly, how he uncrossed his arms, the defensiveness of his pose lessening. "Thanks... your highness?" The hesitation hung in the air, Seungmin's eyes flashing between the two princes as his heart beat in tandem.

"Don't, Seriously. If everything goes according to plan, you'll be Hyunjin's official mate and we'll know eachother for... long. We should get used to informality from now," Jeongin leaned into Seungmin, faking a whisper as he flashed his fangs. "Don't let this overcooked rice bowl trick you into calling him highness and all that."

Before Seungmin could get a word out, Hyunjin beat him to it. Stepping forward and mindlessly playing with the silver chain on his neck as he observed Seungmin. The slight tilt of his softly sharp eyes. The curling of his lips in a half-smile. The way his dark hair reflected under the light, looking so silken Hyunjin had the urge to fist his hand into it. And... that scent. The scent of vanilla wafting through Hyunjin's senses and fogging them. It was the mating scent, clearly, that had Seungmin's scent so distinct and ... nevermind. "Atleast you're not horrible to look at."

"Excuse me?" Seungmin's brows furrowed as he watched the light bounce off the silver rings on Hyunjin's fingers.

"That's his way of saying you're hot, which you are, by the way. Hyunjin got lucky," Jeongin drawled, tracing idle lines on the rings of his own fingers as Seungmin stared at both of them.

"Thanks..?" Hyunjin almost outright laughed when he saw the awkwardness on Seungmin's face.

At the hidden tug of Felix on his sleeve again, the human bowed slightly. "Well, uhm. This has been great. Really. But I must excuse myself to..uhm. yeah"