Where the sea sleeps [HoonHao] ✔

09

A/N: Did you know that the plural for passerby is passersby? 

*

Minghao doesn't speak much on their way into town. Though with the way he maneuvers his way through the crowds and managing to ensure Woozi was keeping up had him wondering whether he's been here before. He seemed to know the town like the back of his hand.

Soft excuses escape him, but he's hardly heard.

They get to a tiny little building which is albeit much more spacious inside than he was expecting. It looks like a bar, with the counters and the seats and the way it was decorated. Glasses and drinks of various kinds line the shelves behind the counter, just beside a door.

"Have you been here before?" he murmurs, carefully to ensure he remains unheard by any possible eavesdroppers. Minghao glances over at him. They're standing against the bar counter, Minghao leaning in a way that has him just a little bit shorter. He's still much taller than Woozi, but somehow he feels a little more comfortable now that they're closer in seeing each other eye to eye.

He purses his lips. "I haven't stayed in this inn before—"

"I mean the town," he interrupts without missing a beat. "You knew your way around well enough."

Before Minghao can have a chance to answer (or completely shut down the question), someone walks out from the door on the other side of the room and makes their way over. The girl is pretty, to say the least. Dark hair standing out against her pale skin. A stone cold expression decorates her face as she stares them down.

"Good day," Minghao greets. "Do you have any openings?"

She looks down, hand flipping opening a book. "Two?" she asks in a voice Woozi hadn't expected to leave her lips. Light and gentle and completely antonymous to her expression.

"Five," he replies.

Her head shoots up, eyes questioning. "Five rooms or five people?"

"Five people," Minghao informs. "Two days."

She turns her attention back to the book, this time keeping it there as she speaks. "In that case, we have three rooms which will cost you approximately 5790 won." Her gaze flickers upward. "Or do you want something else"

"That sounds perfect," Minghao interrupts. "We'll be back around noon with the money."

There's a stretching silence between the two, both who appear refusing to look away first. Minghao thanks her, avoiding the use of her name which, if he recalls correctly, she hadn't provided. He's already to the door when Woozi turns around. "Thank you, miss," he says politely before rushing to catch up with Minghao.

"Having a tea party in there?" Minghao queries when Woozi steps out of the place. He's got that smug look on his face like teasing him gave him all the satisfaction in the world. Which Woozi surely hoped was not the case.

"I was thanking her," he murmurs, casting his gaze to the ground. He's vaguely aware of Minghao's light chuckle filling the air which is all he can hear, somehow, despite the crowdedness of the little town they were in. Looking up, he catches sight of a group of children running by, screeching. Large smiles light their faces as they weave their way through the crowd of people who skillfully move aside for them. No scornful gazes or curses or annoyed responses escape them. Mere adoration or simple avoidance occur on their part.

Without another word, Minghao starts walking. He strides to keep up.

"You never said whether you have been here before," he notes softly enough that he remains unheard by any of the passersby. When Minghao's strides increase, he has to jog to keep up. He knows it's definitely due to the question and a part of him feels responsible; feels guilty for asking a question which elicited such a response out of him. He wishes he could take it back. It was just a genuine question of curiosity.