Seabound-SKZ

Chapter Two

"Come on Innie!!" Hyunjins teasing voice rung out over the water as the ravenette trod water over the reef. Jeongin caught up to him quickly, Giggling as he clipped his Hyung with his shoulder. "Hows about we have a little contest?" Jeongin challenged, Hyunjin perked up immediately "What kind of contest?" they soon settled on having to collect two conch seashells and eight pieces of the sea coral each, and the loser would have to take over the winners duties in the pod for a week. 

They returned to the underwater city later, Jeongin triumphantly spinning and laughing all the way back, he had won, obviously, he had used to live in the reef and knew it better than Hyunjin. Hyunjin, However, watched him with a small smile playing on his lips, he had let the younger win, wanting to see the younger boy this happy once again. His mother, you see, had been speared by a human fishing ship a few short months ago, luckily the rope had snapped on the spear and they hadn't managed to pull her body up and discover them. however, her death forced Jeongin to move into the deep sea city alone and afraid, so Hyunjin and the rest of his friends had been trying to bring the boy back out of his shell. 

they reached the city gates quite quickly, the guards opened them after the two mermen had shown their pendants that proved they were from the city, Jisung swam up to them as soon as they entered "Where have you guys been? the departing ceremony is starting!" he grabbed them both by their hands and began pulling them towards the palace. the three of them squeezed through the crowd to join their other friends by the edge of the railing. The four elders who were leaving spoke to the queen for a brief moment before turning to the crowd to say their goodbyes, Seungmins grandmother was amongst them, the poor boy tried to keep a neutral face as he watched his beloved grandmother, his blue scales glinting back and forth as he swished his tail around, Felix held his hand in support and Jisung joined Lix beside their best friend, placing a hand on Seungmins back. The queen finally called down relatives and the boys all gave Seungmin tight smiles and patted his shoulders, Min turned to say his final goodbyes to his Gran and Hyunjin pressed the seashells that he and Jeongin had collected together into his hands, Min hugged him quickly before joining the elders and hugging his Gran tightly, giving her the shells and accepting her kiss on the forehead. the elders prepared to leave, his Gran let go of his hand gently and smiled warmly, "I love you, Min." She transmitted to him, and although no one else could hear her, the crowd all felt the pain of the boy with the blue scales. 

Chan gazed out over the ocean, who had saved him yesterday? who was that boy? why had they saved him? He sighed deeply, his mother had flipped on him and grounded him to his quarters. He watched the waves crash over the rocks and the seabirds flock over what must be a school of fish in the water. He wanted to go swimming again, to find the boy who had saved him, but he had been told to get some rest. his limbs still ached from fighting the undertow the day before and yet he still yearned to get back in the water. he heard his mother enter the room and looked behind him, she beckoned him towards her and he sat on the edge of his bed, "Yes, Mother?" He tilted his head, she never came to his room anymore. not since his father died, she said it reminded her of him too much. She smiled, tilting his head up to look her in the eye,

"My son..." She trailed off, trying to find the right words, "I fear that we are drifting apart." She said finally and Chan gasped and shook his head quickly "Never!" He said although he knew it was true, His mother sat next to him, taking both his hands in hers "Do not deny it, we both know the unfortunate truth. you are no longer just a boy." her eyes glimmered with tears, knowing her son was grown "you do not deserve to be treated as one." Chan hugged her tightly, he knew his mother meant well in attempting to keep him within the castle walls, she had been unsuccessful but she had done her best. she hugged him back sadly, "You may leave your quarters, however, you must continue with your princely duties." He nodded "More than fair, mother." And like that, she rose, patted him on the cheek once, and left his room. leaving him to flop back on his bed, deep in his thoughts. he soon fell asleep on his bed, and when his advisor, Jinyoung, came to wake him he found the prince tangled in his sheets.

 "Sire?" Jinyoung pulled Chan to an upright position but the younger man just groaned tiredly and attempted to lay back down, Jinyoung finally succeeded in waking him up fully and 
Chan rubbed his eyes of sleep, "What is it, Jinyoung?" He asked, "Your presence is needed in the ballroom." his advisor smiled at the prince, he had always been fond of the boy, his father had been his best friend. "Why?" Chan finally stood up and began combing out his bedhead, "we are having several of the governors and royal families over to meet with them and discuss new trade routes and such. do you not remember?" Jinyoung watched Chan in amusement and he attempted to unsuccessfully untangle his curls, "Oh, right. it slipped my mind." Chan had somehow gotten his comb stuck and Jinyoung swiftly walked over to help, gently detangling his hair, "Go get dressed and I will walk down with you." He told the younger and went to sit on his bed. 

Chan soon emerged from his closet and Jinyoung stood up to walk with him towards the ballroom, once they got there the young prince was immediately sucked into the planing by the staff and his mother. It was amusing really, watching him flounder slightly at being asked whether he preferred royal purple or royal blue and what fold of napkin he thought was best. finally, his mother released him from the planning after he made a few too many bad decisions on the decor, "You have your father's planning skills." she sighed and shook her head in mock disappointment, Chan broke into a smile, showing off his deep dimples "Sorry, Mother. I promise to be of more assistance during the actual event." He tilted his head slightly as he turned to leave the room, his mother watching him go with a loving twinkle in her eye, "Don't go in the water again, you are still weak!" She called after him in concern, hoping her son had more sense than that.