𝓕𝓲𝓷𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓞𝓾𝓻 𝓣𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓾𝓻𝓮 2: 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐿𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑡 (ateez)

𝓢𝓽𝓪𝓻1117

San has been the most curious out of everyone after these past few months of finding everyone's treasures. Lately, he seems pretty distant and he zones out quite a lot. There's always a sad look in his eyes after every completed treasure hunt. A couple of times, he's leaning against the ship rail, looking out to sea by himself.

It just isn't like him. He's always so jumpy and giggly and loud and he always looked like he had the most fun out of everyone, now, that San is not there anymore. Its times like those that Iridessa approaches him and tries to talk to him.

"San...everything okay? You're quiet today again." Iridessa says to him gently.

The boatswain looks at her, quickly forcing a smile, "Oh? I'm alright! I promise you. Can't a man admire the beauty of the sea in silence on his own?"

She raises a brow, "I don't believe that even for a second."

"Look, Dessa, you have nothing to worry about with me. We should be focusing on helping the others get their treasures."

"But what about you? And your treasure?"

San's smile immediately fades and he looks back out to sea, "I told you not to worry about me for a reason. We won't be getting my treasure."

"What?! W-why not?! Hey, if it's something Hongjoong or Seonghwa said-"

"No, it's not because of them. It's simple. My treasure is something that I just can't retrieve."

"San...what is your treasure?"

He stays quiet for a bit before quietly responding back, "My...past. But, it's impossible. You can't return to your past life. I haven't told Seonghwa hyung but I've already talked to Hongjoong hyung about this. He's very aware. That's why I'm last...my treasure is the most difficult, most unattainable than the others."

Iridessa opens her mouth to speak but San quickly turns to her, putting a hand on her shoulder, "Please don't tell the other members. I want them to focus on their treasures, I don't want anyone to worry about me."

She sighs and nods, agreeing to keep this a secret. San smiles at her genuinely before walking away. She wanted to know what his past was like. Was it so great that he wants to go back to it? She even wondered how long the secret of San's treasure could stay a secret from everyone though. Once Jongho got his treasure, that made San the last one. Then, everyone wanted to know what his treasure was.

"San, you've been too quiet about it. It's okay, whatever it is, we can handle it. You've helped all of us find our treasures, it's time we help you." Wooyoung tells San, rubbing his back.

San hesitantly looks between all of them and the captain and Hongjoong nods his head.

The junior officer sighs, "Alright. I'll say it. I'm last for a reason, my treasure is simply something you can't go back to. My treasure is my lost past. I know all of you had pasts connected to your treasures but mine is my treasure." Tears start sliding down his cheeks as he began to cry a little, "Truth is I-i...I'm a prince and...I just wanted a happy life with my princess...but it was taken away from me."

As Wooyoung quickly wipes the crying boy's tears, surprised gasps go around them all at San's truth but it seemed Yunho and Yeosang were least surprised.

Yeosang spoke up gently, "Sanie, I knew about the prince part-"

"Right, me too." Yunho agrees.

Yeosang continues, "But, you never said or implied anything about wanting to go back to that..."

"Wait, how do you two know?!" Mingi asks them.

"San was the 5th member to join, we four saved his life." Seonghwa answers speaking up.