Precious ◈ | Seongjoong/Yungi ✓

Episode 4: The Leaders ◈ Part 1

Everyone amidship is thunderstruck. Their captain steers them into the Sea Beast Nest, and now he's whistling in front of one of the sea-dwelling monsters. Like it's nothing. Like there's nothing remotely dangerous before them.

Hongjoong slowly makes his way to the bow, keeping his eyes trained on the beast glowering at him and his friends. The charm catches the sea beast's attention, but it has yet to stall its aggression.

Breaking for a quick moment, Hongjoong turns to Jongho. "Jongho, did you catch the melody? A little help, please."

Although befuddled, the youngest nods along. Taking a small breath, Jongho copies the whistle he just heard. It pierces the wind, sharp and powerful. Full of nerves, nobody else makes any noise. This is a whistle solo. Yeosang, still clutching him from behind, eyes Jongho tentatively.

Hongjoong joins back in, the combination creating a hypnotizing chorus. The sea beast grunts curiously, finally entranced by the charm. Any hostility in its aura gradually dissipates. All the while, the captain treads cautiously and stands at the end of the bow to meet the sea beast head-on.

Seonghwa watches from the stern, biting his lip so hard that the skin tears. He couldn't care less at the moment. His boyfriend is facing a terrifying being. Seonghwa is still traumatized from before, and he can't fathom what's happening.

Allowing Jongho to keep whistling, Hongjoong begins to speak. "I mean you no harm. Would you mind having a quick chat with me?"

The beast hisses, startling the crew. Hongjoong keeps steady and continues, "My deepest apologies for disturbing you."

The crew observes the interaction with mixed feelings and puzzled expressions. San, with Wooyoung on his arm, furrows his brows and mutters, "What is he saying?"

"I thought it was just me!" Wooyoung chimes nervously.

Mingi tugs on Yunho and asks, "What language is that?"

The swordsman shakes his head. Nobody knows what the blue-haired man is saying. They hear him loud and clear, but his words sound foreign and incoherent. Not Korean, not Mandarin, not Japanese, not even English—it's almost like a made-up language.

Whatever it is, only the sea beast can understand it.

Holding his arms out peaceably, Hongjoong converses with the sea beast. "Would it be possible for you to keep your friends at bay while we talk? I'd like to get to know you."

For a moment, it seems futile. The sea beast isn't interested in having a conversation with the human. However, the whistle in the background does something to its nerves. Its brain pumps out serotonin, and it loses any desire for violence. Its ginormous eyes dilate, sucked in completely.

Hongjoong holds out a hand in Jongho's direction, silently telling him to stop. Then, a small smile masks his fret. Something about the way the beast's narrow eyes shift into a soft roundness makes his heart race with adoration instead of fear. Especially considering the sea beast's eyes are the same color as Seonghwa's.

With the irritated-turned-docile beast open to acquaintanceship, Hongjoong comments, "Your eyes are pretty. They remind me of the person I love. Cute."

The beast blinks its big silverish-blue orbs and emits surprisingly soft noises. No one knew the scariest marine creature could sound like that. Although none of the humans can decipher what was said, they're relieved to see such a positive response.

"You like compliments. Good to know," Hongjoong chuckles. He raises his hand and says, "May I?"

Angling its head that's as big as half of the ship, the sea beast moves close enough for the pirate captain to pet its snout. Ignoring the roughness of the outer skin, the man grins wider.