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Seonghwa is not surprised when once again, he finds himself with his eyes in the sky. Frequently bumping into people or tripping over himself is no surprise when the same thing often happens. He can't help it. Looking up is enough to forget about his surroundings and focus on the natural ceiling above him. For the same reason, he likes to be outside, as it gives him the opportunity to look up and allow himself to lose himself in the range of colors that the sky offers.
That morning finds him the same way, with his eyes in the sky. The only difference is that his back is on the wood that forms the small connection between Poseidon's cabin and the camp's lake. The beginning of a dawn unfolds before him. He doesn’t doubt that his eyes capture the slightly yellow tones that soon begin to be compatible with the light blue color of the sky. The dark trail of the night has ceased to characterize the sky, and Seonghwa doesn't even allow himself to worry about how late —or rather early— it is when the sky allows such an image.
It's a kind of irony, he thinks. He considers that allowing himself to get lost looking at the sky is his escape when he usually finds himself alert to the people around him, worrying about them. It’s easy for him to help them, he doesn’t mind doing it. However, he believes that he is only able to help himself by looking at the sky. He doesn't know if his father watches him from it or not, he doesn't ask himself that question often. He simply chooses to watch the clouds, some of them interrupting the colors of that new day at that time.
He is able to turn off everything around him as soon as he looks up, and yet, at that moment, he looks down when the silence is broken. He sees Hongjoong get out of the water, helping himself with the palms of his hands to get on the wooden platform, and this time, Seonghwa again returns his gaze to the sky not because it attracts him, but because it's no longer the only thing to do it. He feels a slight burning build up on his cheeks after the image of droplets sliding down Hongjoong's skin appears in his mind, and he silently scolds himself by biting his lower lip.
He doesn't know why he keeps reacting that way when, ironically, having the opportunity to observe drops tracing paths without any destination on Hongjoong’s body is a daily situation. He looks down again, following Hongjoong with his gaze as he shakes his bluish locks before opting to pull on an oversized bluish hoodie.
“How long have you been there?” Seonghwa chooses to ask him.
He wants to distract himself from the fact that Hongjoong doesn't seem to feel the morning chill after opting to stay with that hoodie and his boxers, leaving aside his jeans and sneakers so he probably won't get them wet. If he has had the opportunity to lose himself in the sky, it’s because Hongjoong has given himself the space to lose himself in the water. It's late —early— and Seonghwa still keeps his eyes on him once Hongjoong walks over to sit next to him. The drops that fall from his body darken the platform around him. Seonghwa doesn't complain. He believes that somehow, just as he has gotten used to seeing Hongjoong with wet locks most of the time, he has also gotten used to the trail of drops that indicates his moves.
“Haven't you been counting?” Hongjoong asks him. He looks impressed.
Seonghwa doesn't think he can blame him. Most of the time he stays attentive to the time Hongjoong spends in the water, most of the time submerged in it because he expresses that it calms him. He is usually ready, waiting for him to mention how long he has been able to stay underwater without needing to come to the surface to take a deep breath.
“No, I got distracted by the sky,” he offers an apologetic smile.
He believes that judging by the dark blue that characterizes Hongjoong's eyes at that moment, he has spent a long time in the water just like him looking at the sky. Seonghwa must admit that he is surprised with himself. Between staying distracted with the sky, Hongjoong, and the other people he cares about, he doesn't know how he manages to stay focused on so many details. Perhaps it's as easy for him to be distracted by the colors of the sky as it's to stop seeing it because that is not the only image he likes.
“I'm not surprised.”
Hongjoong lets out a small chuckle and Seonghwa chooses to rest his eyes on the sky as he notices that Hongjoong stops sitting to lie down next to him. He doesn't know if Hongjoong also rests his eyes on the sky or not.
Seonghwa looks at the sky but its colors are not enough to distract him from his closeness with Hongjoong. In a certain way they have been dancing towards each other throughout the night —quite literally, and, metaphorically. Just as Dionysus' cabin parties are known for ending rather late —long enough for them to be able to bask in a clear sky at that time—, he's used to his night not ending along with the party.
He would like to say that it's because he likes to see the beginning of the day, with his head a little light while his eyelids threaten to fall, lying on the wooden boards, knowing that he is not the only person who hasn't yet chosen to sleep —for at least a few hours— because Hongjoong doesn't go to sleep as soon as the party is over either. The moment between the two continues, and again, they find themselves side by side after a long night that has not yet come to an end.
He is aware —more than aware— that Hongjoong is still next to him, that he has chosen to lie down next to him instead of expressing that he is retiring to his cabin after being satisfied with the dip he has taken. He clears his throat, not wanting to break the silence between them but wanting to break the noise his thoughts make inside his head.
“We should be sleeping,” he says.
“And yet, here we are.”
They certainly should be sleeping. Seonghwa can feel the weariness on his muscles from dancing most of the night. He doesn't usually get drunk despite the fame of the wine he finds in Dionysus' cabin, as he considers himself responsible enough to be able to carry out the next day's activities. Perhaps hiding the occasional yawn and dark circles highlighting his face more than usual, he's used to that, but not a headache or nausea caused by a hangover. He knows that they should be sleeping, but as Hongjoong has mentioned, they still don't move to go to their respective cabins and thus end the night.
“It will be difficult for us to train.”
“Let them pair us up so we can pretend we're training,” Hongjoong suggests.
At the mention of those words, Seonghwa stops looking at the sky to turn his head towards Hongjoong. With both eyebrows raised, somewhat impressed with his suggestion, he looks at him intrigued.
“Kim Hongjoong expressing laziness?”
Hongjoong stops giving him the opportunity to admire his profile after also turning his head towards him. However, Seonghwa still has the chance to observe his facial features, since their faces remain close after lying next to each other. He is able to visualize the amused smile that at that time Hongjoong holds.
“Everyone will be the same, not even the children of Ares will want to train. Jongho was more than comfortable sleeping.”
Seonghwa can't help the chuckle that leaves his lips. "In Yeosangie's arms," he expresses to both of them, amused because Hongjoong also smiles, knowing that they are both thinking of the same image. Before leaving the cabin, they had come across Jongho and Yeosang sleeping on one of the cabin's couches. “Sleeping, more than comfortable,” he repeats.
“It was good to see San,” Hongjoong comments before turning his eyes to the sky again. “I was... surprised.”
A hum is the only answer Seonghwa is able to provide at the moment. Although the image of Yeosang and Jongho sleeping in each other's arms has caught his attention, he has to admit that San's presence is what has called his attention the most that night.
“I'm glad, he's a good person no matter who his father is.”
San's presence at the party has caught his attention not because he and Hongjoong are the same as the rest and they have rested their curious —and judgmental— eyes on San as soon as he had appeared; but because on the contrary, they are equal to San, and therefore, they are ones of the few people who don’t hesitate to approach San because they don't judge those around them by the cabins they each belong to.
It doesn't seem fair to him the way San is usually the center of conversations when he is a firm believer that everyone present in that camp —regardless of which cabin they belong to and who their parents are— has the ability to do good as well as evil. For the same reason, he frowns. He doesn't want to get mad because he thinks San has seemed to have a good night (accompanied by Wooyoung, Seonghwa is indeed intrigued by that detail), but he still can't help but feel irritated at the constant need to judge another person.
He looks at Hongjoong when he does it, and rolls up one of the corners of his mouth when Hongjoong gives him a slight push with his shoulder, taking advantage of the fact that they are side by side.
“The same goes for you, you know,” Hongjoong tells him.
“I know.” Although he appreciates the words as well as the way Hongjoong allows him to make out the bluish color of his eyes, he rests his gaze on the sky anyway. He wants to believe that the words that he himself has said also apply to him, but many times, just as he is distracted by thinking of the sky itself, he often allows his thoughts to afflict him after thinking of what lies beyond the clouds. “I know.”
He keeps looking at the sky even though he hears Hongjoong let out a breath.
“I'm glad I met you.”
Again Seonghwa turns his head towards him, probably too fast because he blinks several times and Hongjoong laughs at the sight. Seonghwa arches an eyebrow, both excited and confused at the words.
“Has the water made you sentimental?” he asks him.
It's late —early— and they should be sleeping. He thinks that perhaps Hongjoong says those words because he is tired and doesn't think very well about what he says.
“Shut up,” Hongjoong says. “I mean, we're all the same here, but you, San and I...” Seonghwa believes what he's going to say next. “All eyes are on us for our parents, so meeting you and San was good, is good, I'm not alone.”
Seonghwa opts to sit up as soon as Hongjoong finishes speaking. His back complains after lying on a plank of wood —probably also because he hasn't slept yet but he decides to ignore that detail for now. He bites his lower lip, hoping the dark blonde locks that fall over his face will hide what he no doubts is a slight blush in Hongjoong's eyes. He also believes that knowing that he has Hongjoong and San makes him think that he is not alone, but judging by the way he reacts, he doubts that he is happy only because they are able to understand each other because of the parents they have.
Hongjoong copies him as he sits down, and for the first time, Seonghwa looks down instead of up. The wood around him is characterized by a darker color due to Hongjoong lying on it after barely getting out of the lake. He wonders how Hongjoong doesn't seem to be cold, since he only continues to wear his hoodie —soaked— while he protects his body with blue jeans and a golden sweater. He can’t express being surprised. Whenever they touch for some reason or another, Hongjoong is always beyond freezing.
At that moment, his jeans prevent him from feeling Hongjoong's coldness when Hongjoong taps his knee with his index finger to get him to look at him. Seonghwa agrees to lift his head to look at him, and puffs out his cheeks before opting to express what's going on in his head.
“I've heard people talking about you, about San, about me.” He doesn't deny having fun at parties, but they also give him the bad luck of having to listen to certain phrases that manage to reach his ears no matter how loud the music is. “How come San’s dangerous.” It doesn't seem fair that people associate San with that word when he thinks San has the gentlest smile —with the nicest dimples, he might add. “And how I'm fake because I'm not a true leader while you should be Zeus' son.”
He stops looking at Hongjoong as soon as he finishes speaking and tilts his head to the sky, not surprised by the sudden presence of a few more clouds. He knows that he has to control his emotions unless he wants an unforeseen storm to come upon them unexpectedly. He allows a short puff of air to leave his lips, and thankfully the clouds continue to move across the sky instead of centering above them.
He doesn't want to ruin what he thinks has been a good night simply because while some people are afraid to approach him because he's the son of Zeus, other people aren't afraid to talk about him even when he's around. He doesn't know what's worse, since in the end, both actions are due to the fact that the majority decides to let themselves be carried away by simple conjurations instead of the truth.
“They don't know how much I enjoy the water,” Hongjoong expresses. Seonghwa looks at him. Certainly at that moment Hongjoong is holding a smile after running his fingers through his still wet blue locks. “How safe I feel. The peace it gives me. Sometimes I just want to get on a ship and sail to feel that freedom forever.”
Seonghwa allows a slight smile to spread across his face.
He does know that Hongjoong loves to be in the water, that many times he approaches the place where they are at that moment to think, to be with himself, or to bring him along and listen to each other. He is present when without hesitation, Hongjoong doesn’t doubt to throw himself into the water, sometimes remembering to take at least some clothes off while other times he doesn’t decide to waste those seconds. He knows how happy Hongjoong is in the water.
“You would be an amazing captain,” he mentions. Even if he is sure that a part of him would hurt if he saw Hongjoong walk away to never come back, another part of him wouldn’t hesitate to smile despite the pain at the thought that Hongjoong is happy that way, being in the middle of the water.
“Don't let those rumors hurt you,” Hongjoong asks. “Your father is much more than leadership. Leadership is much more than orders and being listened to, it’s also being a guide, listening to the other person. It's assurance and comfort, and you give that to people. You give that to me.”
Seonghwa swallows heavily, thinking that's the center of his mess. As the son of Zeus, he believes that he always has something to prove, something to improve, something to perfect. He sets unattainable standards for himself and he no longer knows who he should impress, he no longer knows how he should act so that people will stop questioning whether he is really a son of Zeus or not. He doesn't know if his father is disappointed in him or not, precisely what is expected of him.
He doesn’t seek to stand out completely and doesn’t mind if the attention is not on him, but he likes to remain attentive to the people around him anyway, no matter what role he is given. He cares about the people he considers close to him. He is aware that many times he doesn’t care for himself in order to take care of others, and for the same reason he doesn’t scold himself when he finds himself being distracted by the sky, since he believes that the image of that part of the landscape is the only thing that can provide him with a distraction —as ironic as it may be.
“You are Zeus' son, not me,” Hongjoong adds.
“I would follow you. I mean, in a way I already do.”
Perhaps the same is not expected of Hongjoong, but he always listens to him in case he ends up on his own team in some competition or even when moments like those happen between the two, when he unknowingly needs someone to listen to him. He is not surprised when he hears people mention that Honjoong seems to be a child of Zeus. He is a leader, people listen to him. Seonghwa includes himself. But that doesn't mean that he doesn't like it when Hongjoong's blue pupils express how much he likes the water.
“And I continue forward because you are by my side.”
Seonghwa allows himself to hold a pleasant smile. Hongjoong mentions counting on him to keep going, that he is the person who gives him the strength to move after being by his side. He again thinks that he shouldn't mind considering himself a leader or not as long as the people he cares about are able to move forward thanks to him. A leader is also gentle, humble, doesn't need to stand out to help others.
He again lowers his gaze, although this time, to rest his eyes on the hand that Hongjoong leaves open between them. Although they usually are side by side, he knows that Hongjoong is not a fan of making physical contact. He respects his boundaries no matter how used he is to hugging and being hugged by those around him —especially Yeosang and Wooyoung, those two always seek to be by his side. But the reality is that he isn't that surprised by the sudden invitation to make physical contact either. Lately, through simple but reassuring gestures, Hongjoong looks for different parts of their bodies to meet. And always, without hesitation, he accepts those encounters.
He doesn't doubt to take his hand in his own, and smiles instead of frowning as Hongjoong's cold fingers intertwine with his. Perhaps it’s because they are both children of two of the gods that are considered more important, or perhaps because their names are often found in the mouths of others no matter what they do or say. Seonghwa doesn't know, but he's glad that Hongjoong agrees to get close to him, and in return, allows him to get close as well.
“Yunho told me that you helped him with the music for the party,” he chooses to tell him, since Yunho has certainly mentioned that detail to him.
“Yeah, I've been hanging out with the children of Apollo. I like music, so maybe I'm a lost child of Apollo, who knows.” Hongjoong scratches the back of his neck with his free hand, looking somewhat apologetic. “Aphrodite’s, even, I've been hanging out with them too.”
“To reform clothes, right?”
“Yeah, I like that too.”
Seonghwa tilts his head. Despite enjoying those activites, Hongjoong doesn’t keep a smile on his face. He thinks that perhaps, he is not the only one who needs to hear reassuring words. Remembering that Hongjoong has mentioned that he moves forward thanks to him, convinces him to talk.
“Would you change being in the water to get up in the morning or make clothes?”
“Hell no.”
“You are Poseidon's son no matter what you like to do,” he chooses to assure him, giving his hand a squeeze. Although they are children of important gods, as well known as dangerous, nice and friendly depending on the person who tells the story, it’s healthy to have insecurities too. They're not perfect, they know that. Sometimes it's hard to be aware of it. “And that will never change.”
Finally Hongjoong allows a soft smile to decorate his face.
“You sure are wise, son of Zeus.”
Seonghwa lets out a small giggle at hearing this. He believes that despite his name constantly being on everyone's lips, sometimes it still sounds a bit strange when people express that he is Zeus' son, when he declares himself as such. The sky is both a constant distraction and an eternal reminder that there is a reason why storms have always been to his liking instead of yet another fear, why he is hospitable even though he often forgets that his father is considered to be the leader of such a characteristic, in why he feels excited, energetic even, when lightning strikes even the darkest corner of his room instead of ready to hide under his covers.
“You know, sometimes I still think this is all a dream,” he confesses.
“Me too.” He stares at Hongjoong not only when he utters those words, but also when Hongjoong gently tugs on his hand. “But I like this reality.”
Seonghwa smiles, pleased with the sentence spoken out loud. Hongjoong gives him a smile, and Seonghwa believes that he also likes the reality of it even though it often seems like a dream or is not the ideal situation. Perhaps many times he feels a great weight on his shoulders and strange looks are sent in his direction, but he believes it to be worth it when his reality implies that at that moment his hand is together with Hongjoong’s.
Maybe he's tired and in a couple of hours he will only blame himself when his alarm goes off and he doesn't feel like getting up, but at that moment no detail matters when he looks at Hongjoong.
“Joong?”
“Mh?”
“I'm glad I met you too.”