Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Paseton was at the human market.

Even though his father always tells him that it could be dangerous, he still likes to visit the market. His human side oozes with happiness as he walks the cobblestone streets. He looks at the human children walking with their parents and wonders if he will ever be able to walk with his father on the same streets.

Paseton likes to visit the market.

Paseton calls it a day and starts moving in another direction. He walked along the shores of Ubarr, looking for a spot on the beach that is deep. So as not to get in trouble with his Humpback Whale form once he transforms. He can't let them see him, that was the deal with his father so he could visit the human world.

However, Paseton heard something at that moment.

There was a shuffling sound as if someone was crawling across the sand on the beach. Paseton sharpened his hearing and hid behind a large rock.

"Need more so soon?"

The mocking voice came a little farther away. Another voice, clear and harmonious replied.

"It's not easy to beat a single Whale. Wouldn't you have done it yourselves if it were easy?"

What?

"Hmph. We'll be back in two weeks at the most. Stay close."

"Okay."

Paseton heard footsteps moving away then the sound of crawling again. He poked his head over the rock and saw a pair of mermaids crawling back into the water. Two people in black were walking away to the other side.

He felt he had heard something big.

Paseton had two options now. One, he was going to look for support, which would probably take a few days because of the distance. Or two, he followed the guys in black.

Paseton chose the second option.

He tightened the hood that covered his blue hair and sharp features before running with light steps, following the men.

He followed them for a few days until they reached a large stone wall. Paseton didn't know much of the human world outside the shores of Ubarr, which was a safe place to wander due to its sparse population and steady flow of traders that kept suspicions from being raised about a hooded fellow visiting every year, but he knew they moved further northeast, so that stone wall should be the boundary between the Forest of Darkness and the Henituse Territory.

Paseton saw the guys go into the forest by jumping over the stone wall, but he stayed there. He didn't know what was in that forest, nor did he know the place. It was risky to go unaccompanied. Paseton sighed in disappointment.

Mermaids were beginning to wander more frequently between the northern and southern boundaries. The Whales always ruled in the North and the mermaids in the South. Did the mermaids want to take over the North as well? That would destroy the balance between the ocean creatures. Paseton would go and inform his father as soon as he returned.

But first, he should get some rest.

He didn't have the stamina of a pure-blooded Whale, the lack of water and the long journey had exhausted him a bit. He headed for Rain City, it was hard to get lost on the road, as it was well-formed even though it was a dirt road.

Paseton didn't have an ID, so he hopped the wall of the place as it was dark. It was fortunate that his tiredness didn't prevent him from using his stealth.

Paseton's human side fluttered as he saw the good atmosphere among the people of Rain City. His whale instincts twitched at the sight of so many people. Whales were few, so he was never used to crowds.

Flashlights lit up the shopping street with orange and yellowish hues, there were children playing and adults laughing. Even the guards on site were chatting animatedly with the vendors.

Crash!

The peace was shattered just like the bottle of wine that crashed near a muscular guy.

Paseton watched curiously as the muscular guy left with his alleged henchmen from a bar, many people ran out of the place, fearing that they would be the next to be assaulted. Curiosity gripped his heart as he went ahead to investigate.

His human side and his whale side screamed with different feelings.

Inside the bar, a red-haired boy of about fifteen drank alcohol as if his life depended on it. The wine bottle was steeped over his lips, a bit of liquor-soaked his fruity-hued lips, a swath of wine sliding down his profiled chin.

His human instinct wailed sympathetically.

So pitiful. He needs to be shown a good way.

His whale instinct howled with domination.

So misguided. He needs to be shown what his role is.

Before, his whale instincts were suppressed because he was a half-breed. He had never heard the thoughts of his whale side so clearly. This was new to him.

Paseton advanced toward the red-haired boy, his thoughts swirling in a jumble.

Comfort him.

Dominate him.

The red-haired boy's eyes widened as he lowered the bottle.

A pair of clear reddish-brown pupils met his blue orbs.

He's not drunk. Cute.

He fooled you. Show him.

Paseton smiled softly.

"Hi. Can I sit with you?"

The red-haired boy looked at the empty bar they were at with a raised eyebrow but nodded anyway. Paseton sat down in the seat across from him.

The bar owner, the only one who had been left inside and who seemed to take the red-haired boy's behavior as normal, came over to their table to take their order.

Paseton looked at the red-haired boy once again.

"I'm a tourist, I really don't know what to order, could the young master help me a little?" 

The boy snorted.

Amused.

Disrespectful.

The boy asked for his order, though Paseton didn't really hear him. His gaze wandered over a large number of empty bottles on the table in front of him. Had he drunk that much and wasn't drunk? Though the boy was quite flushed in the cheeks, his pupils were as clear as spring water.

"Listen."

Oh, the boy was talking to him. Paseton looked up and saw the boy frowning at him.

"I don't know what you want to get out of all this, but it won't work."

Paseton cocked his head slightly.

"Why do you think I want anything?"

"Why would anyone approach the territory lord's son if not to ask for a favor?"

"Oh. Are you the lord's son?"

Paseton didn't know this. For some reason, his whale instinct wailed. Something must have shown on his face because the boy in front of him looked at him with honest confusion. But Paseton's human instinct, the more logical one too, reminded him about the stone wall.

"Well, maybe if I want something, since that's the case."

The boy snorted, as if this was what he was waiting for, and nodded to him to keep talking. Paseton did but said something else instead.

"It's a delicate thing, I don't want to expose it in this place, can we find a more private place later?"

Actually, there was no one in the bar, but Paseton still didn't feel safe. Besides, he didn't want to involve this boy in the problems at sea.

"You still won't tell me your name."

Paseton regretted his thin skin as he felt his ears getting hot. It was a good thing the hood still covered his head and the place wasn't too brightly lit.

"My name is Paseton. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Cale Henituse."

Well, this was an advance.

...Advance on what exactly?

Paseton didn't think too much of it.

They left the bar after the meal. Paseton tasted Henituse's wine for the first time, he had to admit it was delicious. But a fifteen-year-old boy shouldn't drink so much alcohol at a young age.

Paseton followed the boy to one of the bridges in the city. It was near the slums and the moon was already at its highest point in the firmament, so there was no one but them in the place. Paseton took off his hood. His deep blue hair came into view, illuminated by the moon's glow. The boy hid any emotion from his eyes and simply waited. Paseton smiled wider than before.

"I am Paseton. Son of the Whale King. I would like to ask for your help with something."

Cale Henituse's eyes examined his face.

"So you're a Whale Beast Person. That's why you're so handsome."

The reddish-brown eyes moved down from his face to the muscles of his body, starting with his shoulders, arms, and chest. Paseton's whale instinct took over again as he flexed his muscles embarrassingly. Cale Henituse laughed, a low, raspy, deep baritone, probably from the effects of alcohol, but the boy continued to examine his body. Paseton's human side returned, suppressing the shivers that ran up his back, he explained.

"I'm a half-breed. My mother was a human, but she passed away several years ago."

Paseton felt he should explain these things. Cale Henituse seemed to relax a little, so Paseton knew he had said something right.

"What do you need help with?"

Right. Paseton could trust that his tongue wouldn't get tangled if they talked business.

"It's simple. I simply want permission to investigate the Forest of Darkness. Probably not now, though, in a few months."

"Why?"

"We Whales rule the North of the Ocean, the mermaids rule the South. I think the mermaids are trying to start a turf war, and they seem to be getting help from humans, something that is forbidden. I saw the humans go to the Forest of Darkness, I'm going to investigate further before I return, so I'll know what I'm looking for."

The two were silent for a while, simply the sounds of the night for company. Then Cale Henituse spoke.

"What will the territory gain from this?"

Paseton frowned slightly at the question. He answered after organizing his thoughts.

"I'm making a deal with you, not the territory. Ask for something, and I'll see if it's within the acceptable, I can also offer you permission to use the sea route that's in the Whale Territory. You'll probably use it for the territory anyway."

Cale Henituse sank back into his thoughts, it was a few minutes before he finished his contemplation.

"You have to promise me one thing."

Paseton nodded, standing up straight at the other's serious tone.

"The territory isn't involved with this. Then I want you to assure me that nothing bad will happen if I decide to help you."

"I promise. If anything happens, I'll leave something for you to contact me. I'll come right away."

Maybe it was because it was dark, but Paseton saw something akin to relief painting the red-haired boy's features. Paseton asked.

"I said you could ask for something, won't you?"

Cale Henituse hesitated but didn't shy away from eye contact as he began to dictate his request.

"I..."

Paseton could see Cale Henituse covering the lower half of his face with one hand. Paseton's good eyesight and the moon's reflection allowed him to see the blush creeping up the white cheeks.

"I want to see the sea."

Paseton's eyes widened slightly. His gaze swept over the other's face, delighting in seeing the blush increase with each second of silence. Paseton took a deep breath and replied.

"Of course. I'll take you myself."

The blood-red hair would look great in contrast to the blue of the sea. It would be an exquisite sight.

Cale clicked his tongue and looked down. Paseton spoke again.

"When do you want to see it, now, tomorrow, next week? It's a shame you've never seen it before."

Cale finally wiped the blush from his face and lowered his hand, his brow instinctively furrowed.

"Early in the penultimate month of the year."

Ah, autumn. Humpback whales come down south in winter. Maybe she could convince his father about moving up the migration.

"Perfect."

Paseton discussed some business with Cale before heading off to Ubarr's shores again. He jumped into the water and swam without stopping, he heard singing all around him, a truly lovely and soothing sound. Who was singing? He swam until he reached the land of the Whale Tribe.

The population of Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Blue Whales, and more watched in awe and shock as they saw him speeding through the water. Surely it was because of his speed.

Paseton returned to his human form when he arrived at the palace. He walked through the corridors with quick steps. He could still hear the singing.

A penguin butler told him that his father and sister were about to have lunch. Paseton headed for the dining room.

Boom!

He opened the door with a clatter and then called out.

"Father! Noona! I'm back!"

He put on a straight face because what he was about to say about the mermaids was something important, however, his father spoke before he had the chance.

"Son, you're happy, did something good happen?"

Paseton cocked his head to the side, good things certainly happened. How did his father know? Did he send someone to follow him? No, that couldn't be.

"How do you know?"

The question left his lips before he could think of more. He had to trust his family, so it was best to ask.

His father, Shickler, smiled. His sister Witira did too. They seemed to know his mood perfectly well. Was it because they were family?

Shickler scratched his cheek.

"We heard your singing since you passed the boundaries. You're happy."

Paseton froze, brought his hand to his throat.

It was rumbling.

He was singing.

Chapter Text

King Shickler is particularly happy that day.

He knows it. His daughter Witira and Archie know it too.

Today they are going to meet the boy who made Paseton sing.

His half-breed never sang. He always stayed away when the males began to sing in the winter. His human instincts suppressed that beast part of him. His son was too human in some ways. But that was okay. Shickler loved him just the way he was.

Shickler had been surprised that day. When his son had come to the tribe singing with happiness.

They had never heard his singing, but he and his daughter knew it was Paseton. Even Archie had arrived confused just before Paseton opened the door with a bang.

They had to teach Paseton to control his singing. His son didn't know he was singing in the first place. He had panicked when he couldn't stop it.

His whale instinct didn't want to stop singing.

Shickler helped his son understand this new part of him. He showed him how to stop. His son succeeded after several attempts.

He had intended to ask his son who had made him sing, but his son suddenly said that the mermaids wanted to take over the North and had colluded with humans. Paseton had said he saw the mermaids on the shores of Ubarr, they were asking two men in black to retrieve something for them. Paseton had followed them to the stone wall bordering the Forest of Darkness.

Archie was annoyed, ranting that Paseton should have called him since he was the fastest and saying how much he wanted to beat up some mermaids. No one paid any attention to him.

Then Witira asked about the reason for the singing.

Paseton, reluctant, explained his encounter with a boy in Rain City. He said he was the son of the Lord of the Territory and had gotten a permit to investigate in the Forest of Darkness.

Today they would go to the Henituse Territory to investigate.

It was late summer, the Whales of the tribe would be safe staying in the North. Shickler jumped at the chance.

He didn't even need to come, but he was very curious.

His son said the boy asked to see the sea in exchange for permission. An interesting request. The boy asked to see the sea in late fall.

His son sought him out a few days after he came singing. He said his whale instincts were more vociferous since his encounter with the boy. They had been very overwhelming when he saw the boy.

"Ho. What were they saying to you?"

Shickler listened carefully to his son's response.

"My human instinct wanted to comfort him. My whale instinct wanted to dominate him."

Truly interesting.

Shickler asked his youngest son.

"Are you sure you'll take him for a walk in late fall? Can't it be sooner?"

His son shook his head seriously.

"Not sooner. He said he wants to go the first few days of the month before last. Is that a problem?"

Shickler didn't want to see the disappointed look on his son's face, but he still had to say this.

"You started singing. Winter will be too near."

Paseton had looked confused at first, then he had turned red.

"... Father. I don't look at it that way. I won't lose control."

Paseton had sung.

Winter would be near.

The Whales would begin their courtship and mating period.

They, the members of the Whale Tribe, accompanied the whales on migration to assure them a safe journey. They too suffered from the mating periods but had more self-control due to their traits as Beast People. Paseton, initially, had overcome their self-control by having more human blood. But now they could not be sure.

Paseton had sung.

Paseton was an adult male now.

Paseton's whale instincts had awakened.

Shickler decided to trust his son. If he said he wouldn't lose control, that was fine.

Now, Shickler looked ahead. His son was swimming ahead of them. He was singing. He probably didn't know that.

Archie let out a snort in his side.

This trip was going to be interesting.

After traveling overland for a while they arrived in Henituse County. An old butler was waiting for them at the gate. The old man was strong, though not a threat to them. The butler gave them a magical device to hide their appearances. They walked to the Lord's Castle following the butler's footsteps.

"The young master is still in the bathroom, please wait a moment."

The butler left them in a reception room. They deactivated the magic device.

"Shouldn't we talk to the Lord of the Territory?"

Archie asked with a frown.

"The young master does what he wants. The master allows him to."

Archie abruptly turned his head, just in time to see the butler entering again with a tray of tea and sandwiches.

Silent footsteps- an assassin?

Shickler heard Paseton's singing changing. Excitement and anticipation were now confusion and domination. Paseton couldn't stop singing this time. But the humans couldn't hear him. So Shickler left it at that.

He, as a father, could certainly understand his son's confusion.

The young master shouldn't do what he wanted. I mean, some freedom was fine, but the Count should at least keep a close eye on his son's business. About domination, his son was probably thinking about how to get the boy on the right path again.

Click.

The door opened at that moment.

Shickler wanted to bury his face in his palms. He did. At the same time, he heard Archie's shocked voice next to him.

"...It's a child."

Witira's cup rattled against her plate. She, too, was shocked.

Paseton looked at them in confusion.

"I told them he was young."

Yes, so Paseton said.

But this boy is a child!

Young my ass!

Shickler took a deep breath and removed his hands from his face. He examined the boy in front of him.

The boy was certainly dressed in many luxuries, his damp hair looked well-groomed, the blood-red color darkened further by the residual water. He was handsome. A white face, with edges that were beginning to sharpen and a slight frown on the smooth forehead.

Now, with all the more reason, he could say that the Count shouldn't let a child do whatever he wanted. What if the boy got into political trouble? What if he got into a fight? What if...?

Wait.

Where did Paseton say he found this boy?

"He was drinking alcohol in a bar."

Unforgivable!

Even Witira wouldn't drink alcohol without his permission! And Witira might as well raze this county to the ground if he wanted to!

Shickler's whale instinct whispered in his mind.

Protect him.

Shickler stood up and smiled.

"You must be Cale Henituse. My son has spoken much of you. My name is Shickler, the Whale King. It is a pleasure."

The boy swept his gaze around the four of them.

Cheeky.

"It is an honor, your majesty."

… Hmph. Decently respectful.

The boy was unfazed by his aura, he was a pretty boy. Shickler lowered his kingly facade and began chatting with the boy. They would leave in the evening, for the boy wanted to leave secretly.

"Your father will notice if you disappear for a week."

He should, shouldn't he?

"He won't."

The boy didn't waver in his voice. Shickler listened to Paseton's soothing chant. Cale Henituse did not.

The butler cloaked their departure and dismissed them on the road leading to Harris Village. They wouldn't use a carriage, they really didn't need one, but Shickler hadn't considered that the boy was young and weak. Shickler sighed.

"Archie. Can you...?"

"I'll take him."

Ah, right.

The young master didn't look too pleased climbing on Paseton's back, but he did so without complaint. Paseton's singing vibrated with comfort and satisfaction. Archie made a dramatic gagging sound and Witira hid a smile with her hand. Shickler hurried them forward.

These children were distracted by anything.

They ran in a straight line, it was the advantage of not using a carriage. They could easily take shortcuts.

Shickler overheard a little conversation along the way.

"You're more comfortable than my carriage."

Paseton's singing cooed with pride.

"I'm glad to hear that. Wait until fall, you can ride my Whale form."

What a shameless son he has. Aiya.

Cale Henituse snorted.

The chant was filled with longing.

Shickler found a black-haired boy after jumping over the Stone Wall and advancing for a day into the center of the forest.

Well, the boy found them.

They managed to communicate with the boy using signs, as he spoke in an unknown language. It was mainly Cale who communicated with him. Paseton's singing was off-key for a few moments.

Archie covered his ears when the chant of territorial demand had resounded. Shickler had grimaced. Witira didn't feel the same as they did, only a little discomfort. But Paseton was silently claiming Cale Henituse as his territory.

"Paseton."

Shickler sang for a few minutes to calm Paseton down, he hadn't done that since Paseton was a little whale calf. Paseton looked at him regretfully. He finally stopped singing.

The black-haired boy led them into a poisonous swamp. They hadn't figured out exactly what the mermaids wanted from this place, so they thought to look for a water source, which turned out to be correct. That was probably what the mermaids were looking for. The poison.

But Shickler, an experienced Whale King, felt he was missing something.

Archie scoffed when he saw the swamp, crouching on the shore and reaching out. The Whales' thick skin would prevent poisoning.

"Don't touch it!"

Cale Henituse spat. Archie didn't listen.

Tap.

Paseton's hand grabbed Archie's wrist.

"He told you not to touch."

Shickler saw Cale Henituse's eyes widening slightly, also saw him look away.

He's still too young.

Shickler separated the rioters, then asked the boy.

"Why can't we touch him?"

Cale Henituse exchanged a few signs with the black-haired boy. The black-haired boy revealed a black aura that he used to evaporate all the water in the swamp.

Sword Master.

Paseton grunted at his back. Shickler put a hand over his son's mouth. 

The Sword Master took several hours to evaporate all the water. Shickler understood why the water was not to be touched when a muddy black mass remained at the bottom of the swamp.

Dead mana.

Dead manna in the shape of a Dragon.

This was what the mermaids were looking for.

"How did you know?"

Asked the boy.

"Dirt always hides at the bottom."

Shickler didn't know what the boy was referring to but decided not to ask questions. Shickler took what he needed out of his space bag and went with Witira and Archie to collect the dead mana. There were Dragon bones underneath the dead mana. They were intact.

There was a white crown on the head of the Dragon Bones.

"What shall we do with them?"

Witira asked. She wanted to take the bones, but she couldn't take them at random. Shickler spoke to the boys on the shore. Specifically, to the red-haired boy.

"Young master, would you be interested in having an Ancient Power?"

Witira's eyes widened slightly.

Shickler was a Whale King, at this point in his life, he already knew the aura that Ancient Powers gave off. The boy's answer came confidently from the shore.

"No. I want the Dragon's bones."

Ho.

A clever answer. The boy knew the value of the bones was even greater than an Ancient Power. Shickler gave him the bones, the boy had already risked a lot bringing them here, it was only fair. The boy likewise earned the Ancient Power.

It was a Power of Domination.

Cale Henituse's aura changed as soon as he got the Power.

Witira and Archie stiffened behind Shickler, the Sword Master also tensed. Paseton smiled.

They returned to Henituse Castle a few days later. The Sword Master, Choi Han, was dropped off at Harris Village with the village chief. They would be a good family for him. The boy looked like he needed one.

The butler met them at the gate and escorted them to the city gates. Shickler looked at Paseton, he was walking with Cale Henituse at the back of the group, then asked the butler.

"Did they notice?"

The butler shook his head.

"Only my son noticed."

Shickler hummed.

"You have a good son then."

 The butler snorted.

"Of course."

Shickler was inwardly angry. How could the boy's father be so careless? 

"Your son is good too."

"Hmm?"

Shickler looked at the butler with confusion.

"Everyone in the county avoids the young master. His father can't even converse with him without shying away from his gaze. So your son came over."

Oh, that must have been good for the boy. The rest of the way was silent. For them, at least. I could hear Paseton talking to Cale Henituse.

"I'll show you the sunset and sunrise, it's truly beautiful to watch from the beach. We can also ride Archie to see the stars at night."

"Excuse me? No one is going to ride me."

Paseton ignored Archie.

"How many days will you be able to stay? You can stay at Ubarr, I want to show you lots of things."

Cale Henituse sighed.

"I'm regretting this."

Shickler chuckled.

His son  was singing  again.

Chapter Text

Archie was confused.

"You want what?"

Paseton replied.

"I want you to train with me."

Yeah. He wasn't crazy. Paseton, the half-breed son of the Whale King, was asking him for a training session. What the fuck?

"Why do you want to do it all of a sudden?"

Paseton had never really been interested in fighting. Always thinking about things like going to the human market or trying different dishes. Why did he want to train now?

Enlightenment hit Archie like a wave breaking on the beach at that moment.

"It's because of the child."

Paseton nodded.

"I want to be stronger."

Ridiculous.

Archie had never been interested in courting practice. He'd rather fight some bastards than think about finding a mate. But Archie, lately, had suffered listening to the Whale King explaining all the phases of courtship for Beast People like them. It was a mixture of animal courtship and human courtship.

The Whale King seemed to want to bring the red-haired boy under his wing, rather, under his flipper.

Archie had known Paseton forever. Paseton had always been the awkward boy who didn't know how to socialize with others. Especially because of his mixed blood. The boy had always been withdrawn, keeping to the side. He had been more sheltered than his older sister. The boy's personality had been soft. Always with a smile on his face and a warm gaze.

Archie had been surprised when the boy sang.

He was more surprised when the boy wanted to claim the red-haired boy as his territory. The song of a royal Whale was not to be underestimated.

He had seen the Whale side of Paseton. The facet of a race that sought to dominate others and protect the weak.

Archie looked at the boy in front of him. He stood with his back straight and a determined look on his face. The boy was serious.

"Fine. But don't think I'll go easy on you."

The Whale King would beat him if he said no to his youngest son.

Paseton smiled.

"I never asked you to be."

Archie saw the boy's determination increasing with each day of training.

Paseton wanted to become strong.

Ever since the weak red-haired boy had chatted with the Sword Master, Paseton had been a bit distant. Even when they returned, he had been immersed in his thoughts most of the time. Until he asked him to train.

The Whale King was amused when he found out. He said his son was getting strong to impress the boy.

Archie continued to train with Paseton. The boy improved by leaps and bounds. Full of adrenaline from the feeling of getting strong coursed through him.

It was endearing somehow.

Archie and Witira left with Paseton a few weeks before the start of the whale migration. They would go to bring the boy to the shores of Ubarr and then wait for the arrival of the other whales. Archie didn't want to go, but the Whale King told him to go. 

Paseton would surely give the boy many rides before then. He knew it.

Because Paseton was singing.

Archie could hear him from his seat. Because yes, this time they had hired a carriage. Archie would really prefer not to have to listen to another boy singing. It would be enough to hear the songs of the other whales during mating season.

But there was nothing he could do about it now.

They used potions to change their hair colors when they reached Henituse County.

They went through the gates of the Lord's Castle again. This time they were taken to Count Henituse's office. The old butler was standing by the door, he nodded in their direction when he saw them.

Click.

The weak red-haired boy was sitting on a sofa in the office, he had a glass of wine in his hand, his other hand was unbuttoning the first button of his shirt, he was also resting one of his legs on the other. Completely out of etiquette.

Behind the office desk, the supposed Count Henituse was hunched in on himself, his face buried between his palms and breathing heavily.

"Master."

The butler spoke.

"The visitors have arrived."

The count's shoulders twitched, he took a deep breath and straightened in his seat. A condescending smile painted his face as he looked up at them.

"It is a pleasure to meet you. I'm Deruth Henituse. Count of the Henituse Territory."

Archie raised his eyebrow.

This count was average.

Why was his son so handsome, cough, good-looking?

"Please take a seat."

Paseton sat down beside Cale immediately. Witira sat in the armchair across from him and Archie stood behind her.

The count looked at Cale Henituse once, but the boy just stared at the wine glass in his hand as if it was the most interesting thing. It probably was. If he ignored the gold details everywhere.

After them, three other people entered.

A woman with a perfect updo greeted

"Welcome. I'm Violan Henituse. Countess. These are my children, Basen and Lily Henituse."

'I'm not interested.'

Those were Archie's inner thoughts at that moment.

The woman, the Countess, sat in a chair near the couch where Cale Henituse remained motionless. The children stood behind her. The boy had a stoic expression just like his mother, and the girl had a confused expression. She had a wooden sword on her back, Archie noticed.

Archie also noticed that everyone in this family was brown-haired, only Cale Henituse was different. Surely Paseton noticed this because he moved a little closer to Cale. Witira said at that point.

"Excuse me. I don't think I'm understanding what's going on here."

Archie didn't understand either!

The countess replied.

"Cale has said he wants to leave for the entire season on the Ubarr coast. We just don't want him to go with a bunch of strangers."

Ah. They didn't trust them. They also had no problem saying it out loud.

Good for the countess, who could say something like that while still looking adequate.

"We'll take good care of him."

Paseton spoke. Cale Henituse reacted at last when he turned his head to look at him. Paseton continued speaking.

"I'll take care of him. He's not going to get hurt. Besides, we already took him with us for a whole week a few months ago, he'll be fine!"

This is no time to be so honest! Witira-nim, do something!

"My brother is right. We'll take care of him, just like we did a few months ago when we took him for a walk."

Archie held back his sigh. Instead, he looked at the count's confused face.

"What?"

Cale Henituse sighed. He finished his glass of wine in one gulp and set the empty glass down on the little table in the middle of the couches.

"I already said I'm going, so I'll go. It doesn't matter if you don't trust them. Stop feigning concern."

The count shuddered.

"I'm not pretending, I really care about you."

Cale Henituse didn't respond, it was obvious he was about to explode.

"Cale, I don't think it would be wise for you to..."

The countess couldn't finish whatever she was going to say when Cale Henituse said scathingly.

"What, it's not wise for me to go off with just anyone? It's not good for my image? Stop playing games, surely you're happy that I've stopped causing trouble in the territory? Oh, is that it? Shouldn't I cause trouble in  another  territory? Surely it will be good for my image to be bad so that your children can..."

Bang!

"Don't talk to your mother like that!"

Count Henituse roared, his palm struck the table. A shocked reaction settled on Cale Henituse's face for a second, before a sardonic smile settled on his lips.

The count seemed to register the moment, as a look of panic and regret took over his average face.

Fool.

Archie's whale instinct wanted to hit a few things right now.

"I'll be back in early spring, I've already sent a letter to Miss Amiru, she agreed to a permit for me to stay in a villa in the coastal town of Ubarr. See you soon."

Cale Henituse rose, motioning for them to follow him. Paseton didn't even bow to the Henituse Family as he followed.

Witira stood up as the two boys left the office. She looked at Count Henituse and the Countess and smiled, bringing out a bit of her menacing aura.

"I never introduced myself. My name is Witira, my brother's name is Paseton and the one with us is Archie, we promise to take good care of young master Cale. We owe him much, this is our retribution towards him."

"Retribution?"

It was the girl who asked. Archie's pupils trembled.

She seriously managed to withstand Witira's  slight  aura! The girl was already stronger than her average father!

Archie could see a lot of potential in the girl. Well, at least she wouldn't be weak like her older brother.

Witira seemed surprised by that too, but she nodded towards the girl. 

"My brother made a deal on matters we can't mention with young Master Cale. Paseton insisted that he ask for something in return, as he only wanted to make sure that the territory would not get into trouble. He said he wanted to see the sea."

The girl cocked her head to one side. The confused expression on her face was very obvious.

"Really? We went on vacation to the sea a year ago, he said he didn't want to go. Didn't he, father?"

The girl looked up at her father. Witira retracted her aura for him to answer.

"Uh, ah, yes... He said he didn't want to go. He stayed home with the servants."

Archie folded his arms couldn't help but snort this time.

"This is unbelievable."

Witira didn't reprimand him for his disrespectful act. Archie took it as permission to speak his mind.

"Hey. I don't even know the kid well, but he asked to see the sea even though it put him at a disadvantage with the deal. Doesn't that mean that, maybe, he really wanted to go on that trip?"

The count replied hesitantly.

"But... he said..."

"I heard you the first time."

Archie cut him off.

"He said he didn't want to go, so you left."

"That..."

"Did you ask him why he didn't want to go? Did you check at least three times that he really didn't want to?"

The count didn't answer.

"Shit."

Archie bowed slightly to Witira and left the room.

He had lost a bit of control.

His whale instincts wanted to hit something. They wanted to hit that annoying count. Arghhhh. Archie tossed his hair in frustration.

Why did he speak up in the boy's defense?

Must be something contagious.

Yeah. That must be it.

Tap, tap.

He heard Witira's footsteps behind him.

She patted him on the shoulder and kept walking. He followed her. They left the castle. He wasn't surprised when he saw Paseton loading Cale's last suitcase into the carriage.

Archie wanted to go home.

Just as Archie had expected, Paseton carried Cale Henituse everywhere.

Paseton had been staring at the other as the sea began to appear in the distance. The boy hadn't changed his expression, but his eyes lit up a little.

Cute.

"You've never visited the sea before?"

Witira asked in a soft voice, as if afraid of ruining the mood. It worked, as Cale Henituse replied absently while still looking out the window.

"This is the first time. Mom said she'd bring me back someday, she said the view of the Cliffs of the Winds was so beautiful." 

Mom said...

Paseton made eye contact with Witira and Archie.

All three confirmed his suspicions.

The boy's mother was not the Countess. She was probably already deceased.

The rest of the trip continued in silence.

A green-haired girl met them at the entrance of a villa. There was a boy who looked uneasy beside her, there was also another trying to calm the first boy.

"Cale!"

The uneasy boy ran towards the carriage. Cale Henituse sighed.

"Hyung."

Archie learned that those boys were Eric Wheelsman, Gilbert Chetter, and Amiru Ubarr.

Eric was the typical worried older brother who treated his younger brother as if he were a leaf that would blow away in the wind.

Gilbert was one of few words who tried to keep Eric from losing his mind by worrying too much.

Amiru was the focused and calm one, she was also the rational one. She was relaxed despite her noble status. Come on, the girl was wearing a raincoat at the moment.

Cale dismissed them after affirming many times to Eric that yes; he was fine, yes; he was eating well, yes; he told his father he was coming, no; he didn't elope, no; the guy attached to his back was not dangerous, no; the woman with a whip was not forcing him into anything, no; the guy with a resting bitch face was not...

"Hey, I don't have that face!"

Anyway, Eric had only come because he heard from Amiru that he was coming, so the three guys left after they chat with Cale.

They were in the most luxurious villa in the small seaside town.

Paseton waited for Cale to take a bath and change his clothes before taking him on a tour of the local market.

Paseton then carried Cale and carried him to the end of one of the cliffs.

Archie, who had been dragged by Witira to follow them on the sly, crouched behind a rock and looked down at the two boys at the edge of the cliff.

It was getting dusk. The sky was painted in orange colors and reddish hues. Cale Henituse's hair stood out even more in this spot. Paseton sighed ecstatically. He spoke once the sun had set.

"I wasn't wrong."

Cale Henituse looked away from the deep blue ocean and gazed at Paseton with his reddish-brown pupils.

"Wrong about what?"

Paseton touched a lock of the blood-red hair him. Cale Henituse allowed.

"You create a beautiful image when you're near the sea."

Cale Henituse returned his gaze to the water.

Paseton stood there for a couple of minutes before saying.

"Sit down here. Stare at me."

Cale looked at him in confusion, but nodded anyway and sat down on the edge of the cliff.

Paseton jumped into the water.

Splash!

Archie couldn't see him now, but from the sound of the water, he could tell Paseton was in his Humpback Whale form now.

Witira couldn't see either, but both she and he opened their eyes in shock as a series of whistles, shrieks, and chants began to echo from the water.

Splash!

Witira leaped forward and grabbed Cale's shirt collar.

"Watch out. You might fall."

Cale Henituse nodded. He stopped leaning too far forward and gripped the edge firmly. He couldn't take his eyes off the view ahead.

Witira let go but stayed a few steps away. She peered over the edge of the cliff. Archie came over and looked as well.

Splash!

Paseton leaped out of the water with a periscope motion and the waves rippled around him as he fell again.

Before he could scream, Witira put a hand over Archie's mouth and pulled him further back, she whispered.

"Don't say anything."

"But..."

"I'll contact my father later, okay?"

It wasn't right, but Archie nodded anyway. It was an order from his superior, he couldn't differ.

But... someone should tell the boy.

Splash!

Paseton was  dancing .

Paseton was  wooing him .

Chapter Text

When Paseton returned to the villa, his sister Witira approached him. He led her to his room and they sat on the sofa set. No one said anything for several minutes.

"Paseton."

She was the first to break the silence.

"What was that?"

Paseton stirred in his seat.

"I don't know."

Paseton really couldn't control himself lately. His instincts screamed inside him.

"My whale instinct and my human instinct are being very loud right now. I think it's winter."

Everything had been particularly noisy since she'd seen Cale at the end of the summer.

"What are your instincts telling you?"

He answered his sister's question.

"My human instincts want to protect him like a little brother."

That's not what Paseton was doing.

"But my whale instinct wants to... rule him, and mark him."

Basically, Paseton's whale side wanted to monopolize the boy.

"That's why you're wooing him now."

Paseton nodded awkwardly.

"Does he know what you're doing?"

Eh. That was a good question.

"I don't. But I won't stop. Dancing for him lightened my instincts."

Paseton felt he wouldn't be satisfied until Cale Henituse was his. Witira sighed and leaned back in her seat.

"He's fifteen, Paseton."

"Almost sixteen now."

That didn't make things any better. Paseton knew that.

It was best to wait for his father.

At first, everything was simple. Paseton had taken to singing and would let out his chant when he was experiencing particularly strong emotions. Like when he became awkwardly jealous at the sight of Cale talking to the Sword Master.

Paseton couldn't control his newfound instincts very well.

But that had been okay.

Paseton wanted to protect Cale as his sister cared for him.

He was sure of that, but... Why were his instincts howling demandingly to get closer and closer to Cale?

Paseton found that his instincts quieted when he was near Cale Henituse. So he kept himself at a manageable distance.

His instincts were not satisfied after a while. Clamoring for more, and more, and more.

At the cliff, Paseton was careless. He let his whale instincts take over.

Then he was dancing.

The singing was different.

Paseton was no longer singing to convey his emotions.

Paseton no longer looked at Cale as a younger brother to look after.

Paseton continued to dance.

When Paseton jumped back onto the cliff, his instincts were silent. He approached Cale Henituse and sat down beside him on the edge of the cliff.

The two were silent. A comfortable one, Paseton appreciated that.

Then Cale spoke, with the sound of waves and eddies in the background.

"That was amazing."

Paseton felt proud. He barely remembered what he did in the water, though. Everything was hazy to him at the moment.

"It's good that you liked it."

They were silent for a few more minutes before deciding to head back to the villa.

Paseton didn't listen to his instincts the rest of the night.

His father hurried back, Paseton sat on a rock on the shore and waited for his sister to finish summarizing what had happened over the past few days.

Archie had stayed with Cale.

The two of them were always spitting insults at each other, but they could also hit it off on some things. For example, they stayed eating in the private room of a restaurant right now, they said it was better to stay there so they wouldn't lose them.

They just wanted to eat.

Paseton and Witira knew that.

The two guys were prickly but their hearts were soft. Archie usually didn't visit the human market, Cale Henituse had never been out of the county. Witira and Paseton had seen the two of them avoiding the crowds and had seen them feasting on the dishes served by the locals.

They were cute.

A few months ago, Paseton would never have described Archie as cute, but he was. It was endearing to see the light in his eyes as he enjoyed the food.

Cale was a little more open, smiling slightly when he liked something. Paseton had already figured out Cale's sweet tooth by this point.

Paseton snapped out of his thoughts when Shickler spoke up after hearing the whole story.

"Hmm, looks like it was my mistake."

Witira looked with confusion at Shickler, Paseton did the same. Then Shickler explained.

"The first chant of a Whale Beast Person activates the inner instincts. You're a half-breed, so I was hoping your reaction wouldn't be too strong, looks like I was wrong."

"I don't understand."

Witira said just what Paseton was thinking. Shickler sighed like a tired uncle.

"Paseton won't be able to control his instincts until he's satisfied. I thought he'd be fine with being around the boy for a few days. I didn't anticipate that he was looking for something more lasting."

"What should we do?"

"You need to talk about wooing. No son of mine will have an inappropriate wooing."

"What if he doesn't want to?"

"Then he will have to stop. Wooing must be a mutual thing to be functional."

"But that..."

"Excuse me. Can you guys stop talking as if he's not here?"

Paseton interrupted the conversation. His father and sister turned their heads to look at him. Hmm, he could certainly see his sister's resemblance to his father as they both looked at him with the same goofy face.

"Just to make it clear. I'm not thinking of...mating with him. I know he's young. I simply want to protect him and rule him."

"That's not something that qualifies under 'simply'. But that's okay."

Paseton fiddled with his hands as his father and sister started talking again. His hands were cold.

He was nervous.

A few days later, his father had returned to the migration. It was dangerous now that the sirens wanted to reclaim the north. So the migration had to be protected.

After lunch, Paseton let Cale Henituse climb on his back and took him to one of the Hais Islands. He made sure there were no mermaids nearby beforehand, so the spot he chose was safe.

Paseton sat on the sand, Cale sat next to him and asked.

"What are we doing here?"

"... Wait a moment. I want to tell you something, I need to reorganize my thoughts."

Paseton didn't see Cale's expression, he was busy burying his face in his palms. He flexed his knees and rested his head on them.

He couldn't concentrate.

Not as long as he couldn't get the image of Cale in a loose, wet shirt from the splashes he'd received on the ride here out of his head.

God. Paseton still felt chills running down his back with ghostly hints of the places Cale touched when he sat on him.

Paseton turned his head slightly when he heard a click coming from beside him. Cale had a fan in his hand now, where did he get that from?

Cale had closed his eyes as he fanned himself. His pale face was still the same even though he'd spent time in the sun lately. It was a stark contrast to Paseton's tanned skin.

Paseton looked down. Cale wasn't wearing a belt that day. Then he noticed that Cale's waist was really thin. Paseton wondered if he could wrap his hands around it.

Cale Henituse decided to open his eyes at that moment and caught him looking. Paseton blurted out what he was thinking by reflex.

"I want to woo you."

When his words came out, Paseton wanted to hit his head on something. Really? So blunt?

"I could tell."

Cale Henituse continued to fan himself. Paseton cocked his head to one side.

"You noticed my intentions?"

"My eyes work fine."

Paseton waited for Cale to say something else, but that didn't happen, so he asked.

"What do you think about that?"

The answer came after several minutes.

"I don't understand."

Paseton straightened up. His brow furrowed in confusion. He couldn't ask as Cale Henituse continued to speak.

"Why me? I mean, surely there are plenty of whales or humans who want to be with you. I really don't understand why you would want to ruin your life with something like me."

Oh.

Plaf.

Paseton put a leg on either side of Cale's hip, one of his hands squeezed the slender wrists above Cale's head. Cale Henituse looked shocked as his back hit the sand.

"You...do you really think so little of yourself?"

How could someone like Cale think he would ruin his life if he stayed with him? Referring to himself as 'something' and not 'someone'?

Cale Henituse became defensive, his brow furrowed.

"Why do you care? You'll be gone after a while. Everybody leaves."

"I'm not leaving."

Cale scoffed at his quick response.

"Hey. You're a whale. You need to be in the ocean."

Paseton bit his lip, then said resolutely.

"Then come with me."

"...What?"

Paseton cupped Cale's cheek with his free hand.

"Follow me to the land of the Whales. Allow me to woo you."

"You are mad."

"Maybe I am because of you don't you think so?"

Paseton saw the color red creeping up from Cale's neck to his hairline. Cale looked away.

"You're completely shameless. Fine. Let me think about my answer until the season is over."

"Okay."

Cale Henituse whispered after several seconds of silence.

"Can you get off?"

Shit.

Paseton climbed off Cale's body and sat back down on the beach.

Cale Henituse retrieved the fan that had fallen to the side and covered the lower half of his face with it.

Paseton didn't know what Cale was thinking about, but he hoped to get an affirmative answer by the end of winter.

Paseton felt a tremor in his throat.

Paseton was singing.

But Cale couldn't hear him.

Chapter Text

Cale Henituse sat in the tub of seawater in his room at the villa.

He wanted to ask someone what to do.

But who could he turn to for advice?

Certainly not his father.

Cale Henituse sank deeper into the tub until the water covered his neck. He wasn't relaxing as he should.

He really wished he was lying on his mom's lap right now. She was always telling him stories about the Beast Tribes, she knew so much about them. She would even say things that weren't in the books or was information that even the guilds couldn't get.

Cale had sent Ron to do research on the Whale Tribe after his first encounter with Paseton, the results were disappointing considering their value.

The information the guild was able to gather was less than the information his mother told him. The information in the books was just as bad.

Cale Henituse remembered the words his mother told him when she talked about bringing him to see the sea.

***

" If we got there at a good time, we could even spot the wooing of the whales ."

" The whale wooing? What's it like? "

" The whales dance and sing for their future mate. My mother once said it was an amazing sight ."

" Do the Beast People also dance for their mates? "

" Of course. They can sing much longer than ordinary whales. They can also do it in their human form, but it's not audible to humans unless ..." 

Knock. Knock.

" Oh! Looks like the food is ready! Go wash your hands ." 

***

Cale had forgotten to ask his mother about that omitted information. Now he wished he had.

When they visited the Forest of Darkness, he had seen King Shickler sending occasional glances at Paseton along the way. King Shickler had also seen him as if he were studying him deeply.

Cale Henituse saw Archie suddenly cover his ears when they were in the Forest of Darkness and he was trying to communicate with Choi Han. King Shickler had called Paseton and then had said nothing, but Paseton had lowered his head after that, and Archie had stopped covering.

Witira had asked him what he thought about his brother with a big smile and a suspicious look. She had also allowed him to call him Noona.

Paseton was also glued to her side for the entire trip. It got worse now that they were in Ubarr Territory. Paseton always made sure he was enjoying the trip, he was very attentive to him.

It was strange. He wasn't used to getting so much attention.

The attention that didn't involve referring to him as trash.

Then Paseton started to dance.

Paseton danced for him.

Cale acted as normal as possible after what felt like hours, when Paseton stopped dancing.

His mother was right, it was an amazing thing.

That's why Cale didn't know what to do.

Then Witira and Paseton left. Shickler was on shore waiting for them to chat, so he stayed with Archie.

Cale commented on him being able to drink more alcohol, which effectively prompted Archie to start a bet. The two started drinking alcohol.

Archie was a good drinker, but even he didn't have the highest stamina. He'd had a couple of drinks with Archie before, he already knew Archie was the type to forget everything the next day. And he had a loose tongue.

Cale Henituse, completely sane, saw the effects of the alcohol taking hold of Archie. Cale asked.

"Hey, Archie-Hyung, why did you cover your ears that time in the woods?"

The drunken Archie snorted.

"The singing of royalty is truly something. That boy has a very territorial side to him, I can't believe he got jealous watching you talk to someone else enough to try to mark you as his territory."

Huh.

"I see. That's interesting."

Drunken Archie took another big swig straight from the bottle before saying.

"He even asked me to train him when we got back, can you believe that? He must really like you a lot."

Good thing Cale's cheeks were already flushed from the alcohol.

"Oh~ So when he danced...?"

"Yeah. He was starting his wooing. Bleh, gross."

Archie then started ranting about how weak Cale was and how he should get stronger so he could kick ass.

Cale really wished his alcohol resistance was lower at that point. He wanted to forget what he had heard.

But his luck sucked, so that didn't happen. Cale had to keep watching Paseton take care of him. The guy even started holding his hand occasionally. Cale didn't want to.

When Paseton declared his desire to court him, he asked for time to think about it.

If he followed through, he would tell him yes right then and there.

Cale couldn't do that.

Someday Paseton, Witira, Shickler, and Archie would leave. They all always leave.

Even he would leave someday.

His mother said so several times. His time was warped.

His life was short. Paseton's life would be long. Cale couldn't do that to Paseton.

Cale hated how his heart leaped when Paseton would fix the locks of his hair and tuck them behind his ear. He hated how his hand pressed against Paseton's when they visited the market. He hated how he felt loved and at home when Paseton learned his tastes in food.

Cale hated the things he couldn't control.

He hated more that fate already had plans written for him.

Cale might as well say yes to Paseton. Accept his wooing and follow him to the land of the Whale Tribe. But then what? Surely he would die early, what would happen to Paseton?

Cale really wanted to ask someone what to do.

His first choice was to ask Amiru, who would visit the village every three days to make sure his stay was pleasant. But Cale didn't want to discuss this with her.

Amiru was a nice girl, but it was likely that she was simply doing these things out of friendship at Eric's request and because of his position as a young master of a noble house.

But he could ask her to call Eric.

Ugh.

Cale Henituse climbed out of the tub before turning into a raisin.

He couldn't relax at all.

A few days later, Cale Henituse told Paseton, Witira, and Archie.

"I will meet Eric-Hyung today. No need to follow me."

Cale watched the reactions of the three people carefully.

Paseton had a series of expressions that ran through surprise, anger, ending with sour understanding. Witira and Archie reacted normally, simply nodding their heads. Witira wished him a good day and Archie just waved his hand in annoyance.

He met Eric at a restaurant located at the entrance to the seaside town after making sure with Witira that Paseton wouldn't follow him.

"Cale. Is something bothering you?"

Eric, for the first time, asked in a serious voice. Cale answered after fiddling with the edge of the table for a while.

"What do you think love is?"

Eric blinked a couple of times at his question. Cale almost regretted asking. But his Eric-Hyung always answered his questions.

"It depends. What kind of love are you talking about?"

"I'm not sure."

He wouldn't know how to describe the love Paseton seemed to have for him. Sometimes he could be tender and caring, other times he was domineering and territorial. Cale was confused by the abrupt personality changes Paseton underwent. He liked him, though.

In front of him, Eric sighed and took a sip of his lukewarm tea.

"I haven't experienced romantic love. But I do know it must be something mutual and beautiful. Remember when my father made a fool of himself by proposing a second time to my mother?"

Cale laughed at this. Of course, he remembered. Count Wheelsman had put on a big show that included pyrotechnics and live music for that occasion. In the end, the Countess simply told him, "You're embarrassing us right now. We will be the talk of the nobles," and "Countess Henituse is laughing too much, do you know how much she will annoy me about for this?"

Of course, she agreed in the end. They renewed their wedding vows with a modest celebration. His mother pestered Countess Wheelsman at every tea party after that.

"I remember."

"Well, then like that. Loving someone means you don't mind doing ridiculous things if it's to show how much you love them. Mom said it's when you feel like your palms are sweating and you want to smile so bad when you're with that person. She said you feel a churning in your stomach when you're in love."

Cale frowned. His palms weren't sweating and he didn't feel much like smiling either.

How would he when he knew his fate?

"How can I know if I'm in love if I don't feel any of those things?"

Cale could only ask this question because he knew Eric wouldn't tell anyone. Also because he knew Eric would answer him.

"Hmm. I'm not sure...ah. Do you want only the best for him? Would you like to spend the rest of your days with him?"

"How do you know it's a 'him'?"

He certainly wanted what was best for Paseton, but what was best for him would not be being by his side.

"I'm your hyung. That boy, uh, Paseton? I'm sure he won't give up, even if you turn him down."

That was the problem. Paseton should give up. Cale omitted the fact that Eric knew him better than anyone else.

"I don't know what to do. He's said he wants to woo me, but... What if I die before he does?"

Cale didn't see Eric's reaction to his ambiguous words, but he definitely heard the creak of the chair being dragged against the wood. Then he felt a pair of arms wrap around him.

Eric lifted him as if he weighed nothing and sat down in the chair, placing Cale in his lap. Cale rested his head on Eric's chest as he felt the larger hands rubbing circles on his back.

"Is that what you're worried about? Dying soon?"

Cale nodded from his position. He heard Eric taking a deep breath.

"Then all the more reason you should agree."

No. Cale didn't agree with that, Eric kept talking as if reading his thoughts.

"Even if you die, which you won't, you'd take good memories with you. You're alive now, why would you rather live with regrets when you still have a chance? Cale, you should stop thinking about the future and focus on what you have now. This hyung will be sad if you decide to throw away your happiness for an 'and if'. I want you to be happy too, even if you're going to die soon."

A deep, shuddering breath left Cale's lips. He clutched at Eric's shirt with one hand, just as he had years before when Eric had visited the estate a month after his mother's death. Eric had hugged him the same way when he learned his father wasn't at the estate. Cale shed no tears that time. But Eric kept hugging him.

A lone tear escaped this time. Eric kept hugging him.

"When you're older, I want to be the best man."

"Hmm. I said I'd follow him home, you'll have to travel a long way to visit me."

"Huh? Where to?"

"The land of the Whale Tribe."

"... Huh?"

"Sigh."

"... Oh God, I think I'm hallucinating."

Cale waited until winter was over to give Paseton his answer.

He had thought long and hard about his decision.

Eric's words had lightened things up a lot. Cale decided to send fate to hell.

So what if fate dictated that he would die early? What if his time was warped in strange ways?

Cale could tell that fate was just annoying bullshit.

Did fate choose what his death would be like?

Then Cale would choose how to live his life.

Cale drove Paseton to the shore of Ubarr. It was night now, there was no one in this place.

Paseton looked nervous. Good thing he was. Cale felt proud of himself. He had been being ambiguous with Paseton for the past few weeks, precisely so that Paseton wouldn't know what his decision would be until the last moment.

It was petty, so what?

"I'm not going with you to the land of the Whales."

Cale liked to be in control.

Paseton visibly deflated, scratched the back of his neck with one hand.

"I...uh, okay... but..."

"But I'm going to accept your wooing."

"Hmm?"

Paseton looked up in confusion. He looked so cute that way. Cale wanted to kiss him. Cale leaned forward, mentally cursing when he had to stand on his tiptoes, he left a small kiss on Paseton's cheek.

If he wanted more, he had to earn it first.

Cale hadn't expected Paseton to suddenly pull him into a hug. Cale's face was buried in Paseton's chest, he really was quite burly. Tsk, Cale still couldn't get his muscles to look like that, despite agreeing to train with Archie in the mornings.

Anyway, Paseton was rubbing his face in his hair like a big dog. Cale stood there, remembering Eric's words.

" You're alive now. Stop thinking about the future ."

Cale's hands came up and he returned the embrace, Paseton's breath wavering over him.

Only the sound of the waves could be heard in the background.

"Thank you...I will strive to be worthy of you."

Cale snorted as he heard Paseton's statement.

Paseton was always worthy. If anything, he would be the one who isn't.

Cale closed his eyes and tightened his grip.

He felt at home.

Because Paseton was hugging him.

Chapter Text

"Looks like everything went well."

Witira smiled at Archie's words. She looked out the window of the villa in the direction of the coast.

She couldn't see it, but she could hear Paseton's singing from that spot. Paseton sounded happy and excited.

Witira began to write a letter.

Tomorrow they would return to Henituse Territory.

She would have to talk to Count Deruth about the courtship.

Witira sighed.

She didn't know what to expect from the Henituse Family.

"Let go of me."

"You said hugs were okay."

"I didn't mean this."

Witira wished she had followed Archie and sat outside with the carriage driver.

Cale Henituse, who was being held in Paseton's lap, seemed to give up trying to sit properly and stayed there. Paseton was visibly smug.

Only Cale Henituse could make Paseton do things like that.

Witira looked at the scenery outside the window.

How far was it to go?

Witira was the first to get out of the carriage once they arrived in the county. She smacked Archie's arm when she saw his mocking expression.

Cale got off after her. Just a few wrinkles in his expensive suit. Paseton followed with a smile.

Witira watched the guards gawk as they passed through the entrance to the Lord's Castle.

They hadn't modified their appearance to come this time.

She had discussed it with Cale. They decided to reveal their heritage. So the sirens and their allies would never set foot in Henituse territory again. Although there was a rule about not intervening in matters on land, it said nothing about interspecies relations.

Tap. Tap.

Her heels made sounds against the marble of the floor as she was guided into the earl's office. She said to Cale before entering.

"Please, can you wait somewhere else while we talk? I'll call you when I need to."

Cale nodded without asking much and left with his butler.

He trusted her.

Witira entered the Count's office. Paseton and Archie flanked her from behind.

Count Deruth was sitting in his desk chair, the Countess was there too, on a sofa. The children were not there today.

Witira stood upright, coming to drop a bombshell, she announced in a crisp voice.

"My name is Witira. Successor to the Whale King of the Whale Tribe. I have come to propose a marriage alliance between the young master major of House Henituse, Cale Henituse, and my brother, the youngest prince of the Whale Tribe, Paseton."

The count and countess said nothing for a long time, then pressed some more.

"Young Master Cale has allowed Paseton's courtship, what does the count think about this?"

The count found his voice after a few minutes of silence.

"I...huh?"

Shit, this was going nowhere.

"Cale is the firstborn. What will be the benefit of marrying him off to a second son?"

The countess finally spoke. Rational-minded focused on business.

Witira preferred it that way.

"We can secure protection for the Henituse Territory, as well as the rights to use the sea route through the Whale Tribe Territory."

Cale had not told his family about the sea route before. He said he didn't want them to think he was taking an interest in the family business. Witira could also send some members of the tribe to stand guard. As long as they had some source of water they would be fine.

"Young Master Cale can decide if he wants to live here or with our tribe after the marriage. That will be his decision."

In reality, the Whale Tribe was gaining nothing from this marriage. It's not like they needed anything either. It showed how strong they were.

The count sighed, called a servant to fetch Cale. He needed to ask his opinion. Witira had to give him a point for this, the guy was at least making sure Cale agreed.

Witira and Paseton sat on a couch to wait.

It was several minutes before the servant returned because he could not find Cale on the estate.

"Have you looked in... his mother's grave?"

Another quarter of an hour passed when the servant returned with Cale. Witira frowned when she saw him.

There were dirt stains on his hands and a bit on his knees. There was also a book clutched protectively against his chest and a strange gleam in his eyes. The reddish-brown eyes scanned everyone in the room. A flash of panic broke through as the gaze reached Paseton.

The brief excitement disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"Father, do you need anything?"

Count Deruth, who didn't notice Cale's gaze, didn't comment on his son's ragged state either.

"You... will you really accept the courtship of...? Uh."

"Paseton is fine, Count."

"Oh. You're okay with this?"

Cale nodded, dropped his gaze from Paseton and looked at his father, then shook his head. Then he frowned and nodded again.

"I...am."

Witira left that room after touching on a few details with the count and countess. She took Cale by the arm and led him to his room. Witira asked when they were alone.

"What was that?"

"My decisions influence their lives."

Well, Witira wasn't carrying the thread of the conversation.

"... So?"

"So, when I said I would accept the courtship, Paseton's life was lengthened a bit, but my father's life was shortened. When I denied it, it was Paseton's life span that was shortened, my father's remained the same."

"Can you see someone's lifespan?"

Witira's eyes widened in disbelief.

"It was my mother's Ancient Power, I just gained it by accident."

That... Witira really didn't know what to say. Seeing the lifespan of those around you, was a terrible power. Knowing someone is near death and not being able to do anything... very terrible.

"But my decisions shouldn't have that much influence."

Cale Henituse frowned sharply.

"Fate shouldn't change just because of my actions. Everyone has their own destiny, everyone owns their rings. I don't understand why one word from me can affect everyone's destiny so abruptly."

Rings?

Witira patted Cale's head a couple of times. A boy of fifteen, now sixteen, shouldn't be thinking about this sort of thing.

"Well, if fate is changed by one action of yours, doesn't that mean you're someone relevant to the world? Besides, if our life is shortened by one action of yours, you can always do two other actions to lengthen it. You don't need to drown yourself for it."

Tsk, tsk, this kid could really overthink things in the silence of his mind. No wonder Paseton explained each of his actions to him to avoid misunderstandings.

"Paseton had two years to live when I entered the office."

Cale's murmur would have been lost but for his good hearing. Witira frowned.

"My father and the Countess have four left. Now you have three left."

That's... what?

Really, a child shouldn't have to live with a burden like that.

Witira sat down beside Cale and slipped an arm around his shoulders.

"Listen. It's not your fault what happens to our fates, okay? But if you really want us all to live long, then I'll help you. Surely doing something great will make us survive."

"...Fate is annoying shit."

"It is. Let's go kick fate's ass, what do you say?"

Cale laughed and leaned against her. He said.

"I like that idea, Noona."

"..."

He called her Noona!

That was the first time Cale called her Noona.

As Witira held her little brother in her arms, she began to think of things they could do to change fate.

They would all live a long time. Witira would make sure of that.

Over the next few months, Witira had to watch Paseton travel from the land of the Whale Tribe to Henituse County.

Paseton was spending more time in the human markets now, always looking for things they could look for Cale. It was cute.

Cale Henituse was no longer known as trash in the Roan Kingdom. The boy said it would be embarrassing to go on with that title if he was going to formalize things with Paseton. Aiya, Witira knew that the boy had only pretended to be trash before, so she simply smiled at him.

The Henituse Family kept the courtship affair a secret.

Until Cale Henituse showed up at a gathering of Northeastern nobles wearing a gold ring with a blue gem-encrusted shining on his finger.

Cale, in fact, always wore jewelry when he went out to meetings, it was just that Eric noticed every detail about him and noticed the ring that wasn't like the usual ones, so he shouted.

"Cale! Did your boyfriend give you that ring? Are you getting married?"

Witira then had to face the trio of boys who wanted to arrange the wedding with her. Witira didn't even know that Paseton had already proposed to Cale until those three boys came to see her when she was at Henituse Estate.

Shickler laughed loudly when he heard the news from Archie and sent him a message telling her to stay as long as she needed to and that she should organize a big event.

So Witira stopped being the successor to the Whale King and started being an event organizer.

The penguin butlers her father sent were very helpful. The girl Amiru and the quiet Gilbert were also quite good at organizing and decorating. Gilbert was even the one who thought of the suits and location of the event. Eric was in charge of the food and music.

Fortunately, Paseton's identity remained a secret even though everyone found out about the engagement of Henituse's first son.

Cale said he didn't want to get married on an iceberg or the estate, so the ceremony would be on the Cliff of the Winds. Witira didn't know how, but they had made it work somehow. I mean, someone could fall off if they took a wrong step, but overall it was fine.

Obviously, the reception would be in an open-air hall that had been set up on the shore. The citizens of Ubarr who had seen the developing relationship between Cale and Paseton were excited. This would also benefit local commerce and tourism. It was a win-win.

As Witira prepared the invitations, she asked the four nobles to whom she should address the palace invitation.

The four nobles smiled mysteriously. Cale replied.

"To no one. Just extend a general invitation."

Witira did so.

She then received three letters of confirmation from the three strongest princes about their attendance at the event.

Oh my. These kids were really having fun with kingdom politics.

Event organizer Witira finally let out a sigh of relief when the day finally arrived.

It was the day to put on a shit show.

So said Cale as he stepped down from his carriage in a white suit with dark blue and silver accents. Cale then retreated to the villa not to appear until the time was right. The ceremony would begin once the sunset.

Witira was proud to see the stunned faces of most of the guests as they saw the chairs and altar on the cliff. There were a few tribesmen below in case anyone fell over the edge. Witira hoped that wouldn't happen, though.

Anyway, once everyone was in their seats, it was time for the bride and groom to walk up the aisle accompanied by their parents. Witira was very excited in her place as maid of honor. Amiru and little Lily looked equally excited at her side.

Eric, Cale's best man, was already crying in his place. Gilbert clicked his tongue and pointed the video recording device in his hand at him.

Rooooooar.

A roar came from the distance, Witira perked up as the water began to churn in the distance.

" A showy entrance is the best ."

"What's...?"

"Look at the water!"

Splash.

The flashy entrance was causing the desired effect.

"Whales!"

"What, this time of year?"

The nobles could do nothing but stare in amazement at the figures revealing themselves in the water and approaching the shore while avoiding the eddies with ease.

Psssss .

Steam began to rise from the bottom of the cliff. Three beautiful men leaped toward the edge.

Shickler smiled, waving to the stunned guests as he led Paseton toward his place at the altar. Paseton's suit matched Cale's perfectly.

Deep down, Archie was frowning at being forced to wear a black suit. Witira gave a thumbs up to Gilbert as the boy taped the annoying Archie accurately.

By this point, everyone should know that Cale Henituse was about to marry the son of the Whale King. The crown on Shickler's head showed his position, the aura of royalty surrounding him surpassing that of the princes of the realm as well. Her father had really focused on looking like a great king for the occasion.

Cale Henituse entered from the opposite side. Deruth Henituse accompanied him.

In the last two years, despite the strained relationship between the two people, Cale had begun to handle some affairs in the county to see what actions influenced his family's life. The boy managed to add a few months of life to their lives.

Cale had talked about Paseton about his power, so Witira received reports about his brother getting involved in sea affairs. The boy even found more clues about the mermaids encountering humans. The whales of the tribe now patrolled the boundaries more often. They could not let their domain be taken away from them.

Cale had also decided to stop thinking about it too much, he said worrying about death would keep him from seeing the good things in life. Witira was surprised by the boy's growth, he was truly a caring boy at heart.

Because of that decision, the person in charge of the ceremony was a priest from the Temple of the God of Death.

Cale said he would kick for death him 

Witira supported him.

The Count stood to the side once he left Cale in the right place.

Then the ceremony began.

Witira didn't really pay attention, watching out of the corner of her eye that that noble leaning over to get a better look didn't fall over the edge, or that other noble in a wheelchair didn't have trouble with the rocky terrain, only returning her attention when she heard the cheering of Amiru and Lily.

When Witira looked at the two people at the altar, she could only watch as they parted from the kiss that marked their love. She... she had missed it all.

Ah, it can't be! Father, what did I do wrong to deserve this punishment? Not only did she have to spend months alternating between the tribal land and the county to arrange the wedding, but she also had to stuff her face with the love of those two boys, now she even missed the ceremony to see that no one broke head. She wasn't even getting paid for this!

Witira could only lament in a corner as the guests filed through to the reception.

Then her mood lifted when Gilbert said he would give her a copy of the recording.

Witira continued her work as an event planner. She could see two princes trying to see who would win over the neutral families in their faction. Only the clever Crown Prince was talking to her father despite the aura surrounding King Shickler.

Wait.

Where were Paseton and Cale, had they left already?

Witira asked Archie, who was eating a skewer of meat with a sullen face.

"Can't you hear it? It sounds like they're on the coast."

She sharpened her ear to listen. Paseton's song was coming from the coast, as Archie had said.

Witira exhaled a sigh of relief. Cale was still too young.

Paseton would be staying in Henituse County for the next year. Cale wanted to see what things he could do to extend Paseton's life.

Witira wouldn't let her brother die either.

She would always make sure to protect them.

Paseton's song continued to echo for the rest of the night.

Chapter Text

Paseton danced for Cale when they managed to escape from the reception. He kept his human form and simply danced with his sword.

A female whale from his tribe had taught him this dance when he was worried about not being able to dance for Cale very well being close to the coast.

Paseton asked Cale when he stopped to rest.

"Do you want to listen to my singing?"

"Can I do that?"

Paseton nodded. It was possible, although it would be a bit painful for him.

Cale Henituse agreed.

Paseton sighed before opening the shirt of his suit, his hand pulled a special pocketknife from his pocket. Paseton used it to open the skin over his left pectoral.

"What...?"

Cale was speechless in front of him. Paseton understood. It's not like every day you see your boyfriend... husband slicing open his chest with a pocketknife. But Cale changed to an expression of surprise when Paseton's fingers pulled an orb as blue as his hair from inside the wound.

The orb was small, probably the size of a fingernail, but the clear interior reflected the moonlight and made it glow brightly.

Paseton held the orb out to Cale, ignoring the sting of the wound on his chest.

"When a Whale Beast Person makes a human their mate, we give our hearts so that they may hear our song. Will you accept my heart?"

Cale was dumbfounded.

So Paseton was patient and waited.

"You... what the fuck. Take a healing potion or something."

... ah.

Paseton accepted the potion Cale gave him and drank it in one gulp. The wound on his chest healed immediately, indicating the good quality of the potion. Cale looked at his heart with an unreadable look.

"What am I supposed to do with... that?"

Paseton shrugged.

"Whatever you want. You can put it on a necklace or keep it in a box inside your pocket."

"What if I destroy it?"

"Then I'm going to die."

Cale was speechless again, then Paseton smiled.

"I'm going to accept it as long as it's you."

Paseton saw Cale put on that annoyed expression he puts on when he wants to cry and watched as the smaller hand was raised toward the orb.

"Then I accept it,  Serbang-nim ."

Cale took Paseton's heart in both hands, cradling it as if it were a precious object. Paseton's brain continued to function after processing Cale's call.

Cale had just called him 'husband'.

Paseton chirped happily.

"Oh...I, I can really hear it now."

Cale's cute stunned face was too much for Paseton's poor heart.

"Is this really your heart?"

Cale asked skeptically.

"Well, sort of. We have our heart like yours, but this is the one that connects to our beastly instincts. Kind of like a beast core."

"Will you really die if I destroy it?"

"Yes."

"... huh."

Cale continued to cradle the small orb with his two hands. Paseton leaned over and left a kiss on her little husband's forehead.

Paseton had worked hard to earn more than a kiss on the cheek, however, today was the first time he was able to kiss Cale on the lips. Paseton wanted to do it again.

"God. I can hear all your feelings with this now."

Cale chuckled as he lowered his hands a little to give him more room. Paseton cupped Cale's cheek and leaned down, sighing at the warmth of soft lips on his.

Paseton was genuinely happy.

He knew his singing was giving him away.

But that didn't matter.

Because Cale was listening to him.

His father, King Shickler, managed to come to some sort of agreement with the Crown Prince of the Roan Kingdom, so the older prince could officially begin trading produce from the kingdom's crops with the three Northern Kingdoms.

Paseton saw Cale sighing with relief as the first boats departed for the north.

"The lives of many are getting longer now."

Oh.

It seemed like this trade was a big deal.

When Cale told him about the Life Rings, Paseton didn't really understand. But he was happy that Cale trusted him to keep the secret.

A few weeks later Sword Master Choi Han arrived injured. The Whale Tribe members who had been standing guard in the village explained that a guy in a hood and white mask had come to try to assassinate the village members. The guy eventually did something to a tree and left.

Cale Henituse had sent them because he saw people's rings fading away. The village members had already retreated when this person arrived with his henchmen. 

Cale saw life-lengthening once again.

He also saw that Choi Han's life was stupidly long.

Choi Han and Paseton accompanied him when an invitation was extended for the king's birthday. Cale found a pair of kittens while looking for a set of earrings to match his suit. The children, because they were children, belonged to the Cat Tribe.

Paseton liked having young members to protect.

Cale chuckled softly when Paseton released his aura to show he was the leader.

Anyway, during the trip, his good husband Paseton had also seen that there was a cave with a small, tortured Dragon. Cale was thankful that Paseton would at least wear a hood when the guy simply took Choi Han to destroy the cave with everyone inside.

But Cale could see life getting longer again.

When Paseton arrived with Taylor Stan in Puzzle City, he wondered if it was a good idea to bring her husband on this trip. The guy said it was better to take Taylor with the Elves.

Sure. As if the Elves were known for their benevolence.

Cale let him go when he saw life getting longer.

The rest of the events went like this: Cale and Paseton went out on a date in the capital's marketplace days before the event, they went at night, aware of the Black Dragon following them. The cute Dragon couldn't help but shout.

"Little Whale! Boy of the Whale! There's a large concentration of mana five steps away from you! What is it? I want to know!"

That's how they discovered the magic bombs stationed in the plaza. Cale informed the Crown Prince so he could pick the shit up. So the celebration was postponed.

Cale saw many lives lengthening.

Sometime later, when Cale came across a Golden Dragon by accident while searching for a necklace for dubious purposes, he learned another valuable piece of information.

"You smell like a whale. But you're human."

"Is the smell on the inside or the outside? I remember I took a shower before I came."

The Golden Dragon looked at him in disbelief.

"Young people are truly shameless these days. No, child, I was talking about the necklace you're wearing there."

Ah, right. Cale touched the necklace with a blue orb that hung around his neck. It was Paseton's heart.

Dragon shook his head.

"I can't believe that seriously someone would shed their bestial abilities for a human. I haven't seen anyone do that in the last 450 years."

"...What the hell, Gramps Dragon-nim, can you explain that?"

"You called me... never mind. Didn't you know? If a Beast Person gives up their beast core to a human it's the same as stripping themselves of their beast form and most of their abilities."

Cale didn't know that.

Is that why Paseton didn't return to the land of the Whales after the wedding?

Witira and Shickler were visiting him on the shores of Ubarr, but Cale doesn't remember Paseton transforming into a Whale since the day of the ceremony.

Oh.

The Golden Dragon seemed to take pity on him as he reinforced his collar with a spell before coughing blood violently.

Cale barely registered the cry of the Elf who came out to the Dragon's aid.

He really should talk this over with Paseton.

Alternate Ending TBOAH.

Cale Henituse hung up the video call.

Paseton had not arrived in the land of the Whales, he did not return to the county either. Paseton had traveled by boat for some reason, but he should have arrived by now.

What was going on?

Cale met on the shores of Ubarr with Witira several days later. Cale showed her what he was holding in his hands as soon as she came out of the water.

"No...!"

Witira covered her mouth with her hands.

Paseton's heart had suddenly broken during their journey here.

Paseton had died.

Cale returned to the county and locked himself in his room. He heard that Witira began mobilizing the Whales to search for Paseton, though the mermaids seemed to have found another source of dead mana and were revealing themselves. This war also cut off the sea route between Roan and the Northern Kingdoms.

Two years later, the war began.

When Cale left his room, it was because the Wyverns were coming. His father's life was already fading away, the Countess' and his siblings' as well.

Cale could only watch as they died before his eyes.

Twenty years later, he was finally able to die. Seeing the big annual rings of the guy with a white mask.

In the end, he couldn't change the fate.

Alternate Ending TOTCF.

Kim Rok Soo opened his eyes to the luxurious canopy of the bed, his first reaction was to tense up as he felt an arm around his waist.

He looked to the side and saw sea-blue hair. The last thing he had been reading was a novel, Whales were at war with mermaids. Kim Rok Soo connected the name he read with the handsome face in front of him.

"... Paseton?"

The son of the Whale King who died from mermaid poison.

Had he transmigrated? Who was he and why was Paseton by his side?

Unfortunately, Paseton awoke to her murmur. Paseton's eyes scanned him before the arm withdrew and Paseton sat up abruptly.

"Who are you?"

Kim Rok Soo hadn't even been in this body for five minutes and he was already found out!

When his answer was late, Kim Rok Soo heard a kind of screeching sound echoing from Paseton, it was like that whale song he heard in some documentaries while working in a restaurant. It gave him a headache from the power.

Paseton noticed this and ripped off a necklace around his neck. It was a blue orb. Paseton put it in his pocket and asked again.

"Who are you? What did you do with Cale?"

Cale... Cale Henituse.

"Huh?"

His confusion must have been very obvious because Paseton got out of bed and left the room. It wasn't long before the butler (It was Killer Ron! Ah!) arrived with a tray.

Kim Rok Soo noticed that Ron was acting normal, so Paseton probably didn't say anything to him.

Then, at breakfast, Kim Rok Soo realized that Cale Henituse had married Paseton about three months ago.

He transmigrated into the body of a newlywed boy.

Crap.