Transient Waters

Finale

The island was intimidating. Though Seonghwa supposed he could not expect anything less. He felt himself shiver as his nerves slowly took himself over, and he tried his best to force them down. He did not want any sort of distractions. He had to focus on Hongjoong, and soon he would be getting answers, answers that he needed desperately, perhaps even more so than the Captain himself and his crew. He needed to know why. WHy he was thrown out, why he was taken advantage of, why Wooyoung was so kind, why Hongjoong, why all of them really, despite being pirates, were nicer than his own family. He had to know, and maybe...just maybe...he could get some information. Perhaps this Taemin would have some understanding. Perhaps he could set things straight so that Seonghwa wouldn't feel like a failure every second of the day.

"We are hear, sweet," Hongjoong's words caused Seonghwa to snap up, watching as possibly the most gorgeous man Seonghwa had ever had the pleasure of seeing clasped Hongjoong, argueably the second most beautiful man Seonghwa had ever seen (now, because...goddess...)

"I suppose you are here for questions," The man said, eyes sliding to Seonghwa, who yelped, flushing red and hiding behind Hongjoong, fingers gripping into the jacket that he had on desperately. The man tilted his head curiously and then smiled. His smile amost lit the room, and Seonghwa took a small breather, trying to calm his racing heart. He had not expected the attention to turn to him, though perhaps he should have. "Come on, Hyungs are in the back. I am sure they'll be excited to see you."

"We...Well, we have more questions for you, than...for them." The man furrowed his brows, confused, before looking back at Seonghwa who whined, pressing his face desperately into Hongjoong's back from where he was trying to hide, fingers trembling as he did so, desperate for the man to take his nerves away. Hongjoong hummed softly, a hand going to stroke his arm, not quite able to reach his head and neck considering their current positions.

"Oh," His voice was sad...distant...but he seemed to shake himself of whatever melancoly had gripped him, and nodded decisevly. A quick wave of his arm and they were ushered hastily into the backrooms, where it was decidedly less loud and bright. Seonghwa had to wait a few seconds for his eyes to readjust. Taking deep breaths, he felt himself sat down gently in a chair as Hongjoong pulled him forwards and pressed him down. He stood behind him, a comfortable weight at his back, and Seonghwa couldn't help but lean back into him. Taemin shouted to-well Seonghwa assumed that they were his pack mates-some invisible people that he was taking a break and not to worry because Ateez was here and could they come down just in case tehy had any questions. There was some clattering before a shout of affirmative came down the stairs. "What are your questions..."

"Seonghwa..." Taemin frowned.

"Seonghwa? Not...Not Park Seonghwa right?"

"What of it?" Seonghwa hissed, his eyes narrowing, his body coming instantly defensive. Hongjoong settled him quietly, but immediately, a hand on his neck and pulling him back.

"I thought you died."

"I almost did," Hongjoong was lost, staring back and forth.

"What the fuck is going on here?" He asked, decided to get straight to the point.

"Park Seonghwa, first born of the Royal family from Cromer." Eyes gentled once more as they landed on Seonghwa again. "They threw you out because of your status...didn't they?" Seonghwa shrugged.

"Not like it isn't all that shocking, I guess." He murrmured under his breath. Hongjoong hummed, but was not necessarily upset. He had already known Seonghwa was someone who had a high end background. It had been obvious from the get go, it was just kind of shocking how high up he was. "Everyone knew it was bound to happen, they were already prepared to toss me the moment it happened."

"Well, you are in good hands now,"

"Actually we had some questions about that..."

"Why?" Taemin asked, tilting his head curiously. "It is obvious you two are soulbound mates." Hongjoong stared, his fingers flexing slightly.

"What?"

"Have you not noticed yet?" Taemin shrugged as if not surprised. "I mean it shouldn't come as much a shock, you've literally been right next to each other and touching each other for the last ten plus minutes since I saw you. And Hongjoong? The deadpan glare you sent every single patron in the bar made that even more obvious."

"Oh, I...I see. I guess that does explain the pull...and...well a few more things."

"I don't quite get it, what...what is that?" Seonghwa asked gently. His eyes wide.

"It is someone bound to you, to protect you, to be with you. I met mine, I was wondering if Hongjoong would ever meet his. You two are obviously meant for each other, and clearly already half way to pack. The only thing is that Hongjoong for whatever unknown reason hasn't marked you yet."

"M-Marked me?" He stuttered.

"Easily rectified." Hongjoong said, a glare going behind Taemin. Key, one of the packmates of Taemin, was staring at Seonghwa, head on Taemin's shoulder. A growl came from Hongjoong, and in seconds Seonghwa was on the floor with Hongjoong having bit the shit out of his neck. Seonghwa shouted, a scream piercing the air, before it died. Wooyoung and San rushed in at the sound...proceeding to almost jump Hongjoong, had it not been for Seonghwa's calming techinques.

"As I said..." Taemin shrugged.

"But what about...pack dynamics...rules..."

"Hongjoong," This time Key spoke up, having lifted his head from Taemin's shoulder. "You need to stop overthinking things. You and Seonghwa are bound, Seonghwa has been entered into your pack, do what feels natural. Not every pack dynamics are going to be the same. We know a pack where the Omega is basically ruling the roost, its a newer crew that showed up a few times in the last couple months. Needless to say, not every group is gonna be the same, just like no two crew runs the same. Stop freaking out and just accept it."

Mingi just sighed, running a hand through his hair as their captain told him what Taemin and their pack had said.

"So...it was all for no good reason?" he groused, but Yunho shook his head.

"Definitely not, look at Seonghwa-Hyung's neck." Mingi rolled his eyes.

"Yeah...but we all knew Hongjoong was bound to mark him."

Series this work belongs to: