Mists of Celeste - an Ateez Fanfic

act four ➻ part two

When Hongjoong said that you would reconvene the next day to discuss the plans further, you expected it to be quick and easy. Instead, one day turned into six and a half days that consisted of playing a waiting game. No one was allowed on the bridge aside from Seonghwa – even Mingi was told that he couldn't take his regular post at the captain's side, which left the bitter taste of curiosity in your mouth. And since you and Seonghwa are on a break from your regular physical activities, you haven't been able to ask him what the hell is going on because he spends all his time on the bridge talking with Hongjoong because you don't get to see him. You aren't bitter or anything – honestly and truly, you aren't – but it does feel a bit strange to go from sleeping in the same bed as someone every other day and having a certain level of intimacy with them to not even seeing the back of their head for almost a week. The one time you did see Seonghwa, it was so brief that if you had blinked, you would have missed him and the rushed greeting and farewell he gave you on his way to the bridge.

Maybe you are a tad bitter, but only because you would have appreciated a better explanation than the silence you got instead.

Hongjoong's strange and unexplained delay in conducting his plans led to a spike in stress throughout the crew. You would assume that having this downtime and not having to do anything would be something they enjoy and look forward to, but that's limited to being able to leave the ship on said downtime. No one has been allowed to set foot off the ship according to a vague order over the ship's intercoms. Despite the much-needed rest, you have to admit that even you are growing tired of it. You spend your days reading about Sirens in your room, sparring with Jongho or San, or just milling about the ship with little purpose because there isn't much to do. More quality time spent in each other's presence isn't always good though. This whole situation has caused a spike in Wooyoung's complaints about the food primarily because Jongho has been the only one cooking in Seonghwa's absence.

"I'm just saying that if you lowered the heat on the stove, maybe the food would be so burnt!" Wooyoung's voice rings through the mess hall before you even reach the archway leading into the room.

"That's called flavor, Wooyoung!" Jongho argues back, dark head of hair coming into view as you cross the threshold. You don't even bother looking over to where the food waits because if Wooyoung is this loud in his complaints already, then it's worse than usual.

"The eggs are black, Jongho. Black! How do you even manage to do that?" Wooyoung scoffs, leaning back in his seat as he motions down at his plate. Yeosang is at the man's side as always though he doesn't engage in the conversation happening before him. He still bears the same cloth sling that he's been wearing since that explosion in the marketplace. As much as he insists that he's fine, Yunho continues to make him wear it just to be sure that he won't tear anything.

And, speaking of Yunho, he's the first to greet you as you draw closer to the table. He lifts his hand to offer a gentle wave but says nothing more than that because Jongho is still hellbent on getting the last word.

"Look, I don't appreciate this kind of attack. Your tone is very hostile and accusatory, and I'm not really vibing with it in all honesty."

You huff out a weak laugh at Jongho's comment, stepping around the man to sit between Yunho and San when they make space for you.

"I'm not vibing with eggs that look like gravel! We can't all vibe with what we wanna vibe with!" Wooyoung protests as he slaps his hand against the table. The silverware and plates shudder at the impact, but Jongho remains unblinking, lips drawn into a fierce pout.

"Suit yourself. More for the rest of us!"

"More for you," Yunho cuts in with a quick shake of his head.