Chapter Text
"Let's get him to our cabin." The pretty pirate with the birthmark beside his eye did most of the work getting Seonghwa below deck. Wooyoung let his indigent bluster and righteous fury choke out his fear and propel him forward. I have to help this man, Wooyoung thought. He shouldered his bundles of herbs and tried not to bump his head in the dimly lit hallway. The pretty pirate said, "I'm Yeosang. This is Seonghwa."
Wooyoung decided to address a lingering fear of his. "I have a very important question. Are either of you vampires?"
Yeosang flipped the catch on the cabin door and slid it open. It cleverly vanished into the cabin wall. "No. Neither of us are. That was a story I made up to scare people. Mingi might be one though." Wooyoung couldn’t decide if the pirate was being serious or not. He put Seonghwa onto a large mattress that looked like it was woven from palm fronds and covered with sail canvas. Yeosang beckoned to him to enter and latch the door behind him.
Seonghwa curled into a miserable, panting ball and clutched at a haphazard pile of blankets and clothing. Those must be very precious to him, Wooyoung thought. Or he stole them. He probably stole them. They are pirates. Most people only had one garment as woven cloth took so long to make. The weather was temperate enough to get away with that, usually. That was why he and his Papa had been so ill-prepared for the sudden cold snap that had almost killed them both. Wooyoung was literally wearing a fortune upon his body in cloth and jewels. If the assassination had worked, they would have stripped everything from my corpse, Wooyoung thought as his eyes lingered upon his embroidered sleeve. They would have repurposed it, sewing over the bloodstains.
Wooyoung stepped inside, set his bundles down and touched his little green bag for reassurance. He grumbled, "Well, your story worked. I'm terrified. Smell me. Take a real big sniff." He held out his wrist and Yeosang took his hand, then grazed the tip of his nose along the veins until he reached the tiny wrist gland. His breath tickled the tiny velvet hairs on Wooyoung’s arm and Yeosang looked up at him with glittering eyes.
Oh. Wooyoung thought. I had no idea that people as pretty as this pirate existed. His scent must have changed pleasantly because the pirate smiled and stole a little saucy kiss upon Wooyoung’s wrist. Wooyoung snatched back his hand. He felt his face heat up. "I'm Prince Wooyoung, but don't bother with the honorifics, I probably won't answer to them."
"That's very casual for royalty, Your Highness. Your brother demanded that we use his full title even when he was gargling his own blood."
"Half-brother." Wooyoung corrected him. “The wrong half.”
Seonghwa huffed scents from the fabrics around him and then tossed them aside with a groan, rejecting them in misery. Wooyoung’s own nostrils flared as he took in the sights and scents around him. Small glass hurricane lamps burned whale oil, providing light and a greasy soot on the walls. On the wall opposite the large bed there was a glittering collection of knives. Remind me not to sleep under that collection during a storm, Wooyoung thought.
Another wall was covered in bookshelves, warped underneath the weight of the tomes. Each one of those haphazardly stacked books was worth more than Wooyoung could collect in offerings in a year. Storage trunks took up space upon the floor next to a desk festooned with writing implements cleverly lashed in place to keep them from falling off with the tossing of the waves. Comfortable luxury. These were not pitiful, poor pirates. They knew the value of everything they’d stolen.
The overwhelming scents of Seonghwa’s lust, misery and pain scorched the back of his nose, but soothing cedar and balsam also lingered. Yeosang’s scent. The scent of a contented omega who wasn’t in heat-distress and wasn’t wearing a collar. From the look of his tanned skin, he’d probably never worn a collar. That was crazy for an omega on a ship full of Alphas.
"Are his heats always this vicious?" Wooyoung asked as he poured fresh water from a ewer into a basin.
"Yes.” Yeosang said. “He suffers a lot." He took off his boots.
Wooyoung clicked his tongue in irritation. "Why hasn't his stupid mate claimed him? Their bond would nip his heat down to a single day. There are ways around pregnancy. Even if they don't want babies, it would be the kindest thing to do."
Yeosang repeated, "It would be the kindest thing to do. Yes.” He leaned back against the large bed, spreading his sturdy thighs. His leather breaches were constructed with lacing that let pale flesh wink through the gaps. He’s going to have the oddest tan lines. Wooyoung averted his eyes after his gaze lingered a trifle too long on the other omega’s leather clad thighs. “But kindness is in short supply on this ship sometimes."
Wooyoung snagged an embroidered handkerchief from the fabric pile, dunked it in the water and wrung it out. "Do they enjoy being miserable? Is that their thing? I've known people like that and I don't want to get involved in that mess."
"I don't think that they want to be unhappy, but they certainly aren't talking about it with me. I think that they would be grateful for your help, even if you're technically an enemy."
Wooyoung scoffed. "I'm not an enemy; I'm a survivor. If I can make friends with the deadliest person on this ship, then the chances of my survival go way up. Help me get his clothes off. I need to clean my bite wound on his ass.” I really am a biter. I need to work on that impulse. “Tell me more about Seonghwa’s heats."
Seonghwa went limp in their hands, unable to resist as they stripped him down to his bare skin. Wooyoung grabbed his wound salve and daubed the herbal paste upon the small puncture wounds. "It’s funny.” Yeosang said as they manhandled the other omega. “You’re the only person who has ever successfully bitten Seonghwa.” He giggled at the thought. Wooyoung rolled his eyes at Yeosang. He had a weird sense of humor. That wasn’t funny at all.
Yeosang continued, “We hole up in our nest and help each other as best we can. My heats are maybe once or twice a year, but Seonghwa's are every full moon. It's like a curse for him."
It made terrible sense to Wooyoung. "Ah. I’ve figured it out then. Even though they're not bonded, his body is saturated with his Alpha's scent and so his body wants to make babies. Really, really badly. His maternal instincts are so powerful.” Wooyoung had a vague memory of begging to be bred in the heat house, sobbing and pleading to be filled with babies. It made his cheeks heat up. “I-- I know the feeling. My scent must have overwhelmed him." He petted Seonghwa’s sweat-drenched hair and apologized. "I made things so much worse for you. I'm sorry. I'm going to help you. Can I help you?"
Seonghwa reached out and dragged Wooyoung into his nest. Wooyoung squeaked with surprise as the beautiful quartermaster used his lap as a pillow. Seonghwa gripped Wooyoung’s thighs with his scarred hands and growled. Wooyoung didn’t dare move. I am a pillow now. That’s fine. I can dealt with this. It’s fine. It’s fine.
"What's wrong?" Yeosang asked, drawing a curtain around the bed so that all the scents stayed inside the bed. He joined them on the bed before closing the drapes. Soft light from the oil lamps filtered through the coarse canvas curtains.
The unfamiliar scents of the other omegas mingled and mixed with his own. It wasn’t unpleasant. It was quite inviting, in fact and Wooyoung found himself relaxing into the bed and Seonghwa’s collection of fabrics. "I've never been in a nest before." Wooyoung admitted.
"Not even your own?" Yeosang plucked at the lacings on his shirt, loosening them.
"I had a root cellar." He shrugged and Seonghwa mewled in protest at the movement. Wooyoung petted his sweaty hair soothingly. “Shh. I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.”
“A root cellar?” Yeosang’s eyes glittered as he watched them. "I bet there's a story there. I love stories. I collect them." He slipped his shirt over his head and gave it to Seonghwa, who eagerly snatched it from his fingers. Were omegas supposed to be that muscular? Wooyoung’s eyes were drawn to the necklace of fangs around Yeosang’s neck. Are those what I think they are? They can’t be. They’re probably animal teeth. Yeosang smiled at him and touched the necklace fondly. "I collect lots of things. Lots of lovely things. Just like you."
Wooyoung snorted at the compliment. "Stop. You're making me blush."
Yeosang shrugged and his muscles rippled in fascinating ways. "You are both fascinating and beautiful."
"Not as pretty as either of you. You're both stunning. On my island you would have been snapped up by the royal family and locked in the harem before you'd even presented." Wooyoung looked down at his lapful of beautiful omega. “I don’t hold a candle next to either of you.”
"I think you underestimate your own appeal, Prince Wooyoung." Wooyoung wasn’t an idiot. He knew when someone was trying to worship with him. Another omega? How would that even work? Would we just mash our pussies together? Fingering? Oral? Seonghwa made a grunting noise in his lap and Wooyoung knew he needed to pour some cold water on his over-heated imagination. He didn’t want to rile up the heat-sick man with his horny thoughts.
Wooyoung changed the subject. "Did he really fight the Crown Prince?"
Yeosang undid one of the lacings on the side of his breeches. He’s just getting comfortable, Wooyoung told himself. No other reason. "Yes. Your kingdom personally offended him, stealing one of his ships. It was a grave error picking Seonghwa for a duel, but most Alphas are so easily predictable when it comes to omegas. We're so much more than our body parts and they just don't understand that until far, far too late. Seonghwa could have eliminated the entirety of your little army by himself, but he didn't. He's far too merciful. He's rather sweet."
"Stop talking about me, you bastard." Seonghwa muttered.
"Make me, dear one." Yeosang continued to unlace his breeches. "I didn't get a royal fang for my collection, sadly. Oh well. There's always next time. Your half-brother will try to seek vengeance and rescue you. I could see the madness in his eyes.”
“He’s sick in the head and I hope his balls dry up and fall off.” Wooyoung sneered.
Yeosang appeared bemused by his reaction. “Obviously, there’s no love lost between you two. Your nation started all of this, you know.”
“I know. Not that it had anything to do with me. I’m just a silly little omega.” Wooyoung batted his eyes and made a cute little face. Seonghwa groaned in his lap and Wooyoung dropped the act. “The silliest.”
“Our Captain declared war on your nation on Seonghwa's behalf. I'm not an expert in the ways of the heart, but I cannot imagine any greater expression of love than that." A stiff breeze would have made Yeosang’s unlaced breeches fall off. “Ah, that feels better. Less cramped.”
Wooyoung’s curiosity got the better of him. "Are those Alpha fangs?"
Yeosang beamed with pride. "Yeah. Aren't they pretty? I like to count them when I'm having trouble sleeping."
"None of them are omega fangs? Right?"
"Of course not." Wooyoung heaved a sigh of relief, then Yeosang ruined it by saying, "Omega fangs are too tiny to fit on my necklace. I made earrings." Wooyoung nearly bolted from the bed. Yeosang chuckled at him and his glare. "I'm joking. I am. You're safe here. You're in our nest. Even heat-sickness wouldn't prevent Seonghwa from defending our nest from unwelcome guests."
“Why don’t you two wear collars?” Wooyoung asked, touching his neck. “I thought all mateless omegas had to wear them. And there are so many Alphas on this ship— How do you get away with not wearing a collar?”
Yeosang had dimples when he smiled. He tucked his hair behind his ear. “Alphas like to think that they’re the strongest, but when you present to them the possibility that they are not, they can be quite reasonable.” He tapped his necklace. “The crew watched me collect these. They’re not stupid. Most of the time. They are Alphas after all. They have self-control over their impulses, even while in rut. Seonghwa and I are just—“ He paused as if thinking of the correct word. “We’re just a lot deadlier than they are. If that makes sense.”
It made a lot of sense. "There's a lot of sharp pointy things in this cabin."
"I know. It gives the room a very cozy feeling." Seonghwa started wordlessly tugging at Wooyoung’s clothing and Yeosang interpreted for him. "He wants one of your robes for his fabric pile on the bed. Choose wisely. You're never getting it back."
After a moment’s thought, Wooyoung said, "The middle one then." I might need to strip the gold thread and stones from my outer robe someday.
It was awkward to undo all of his sashes with another omega clinging to him and Seonghwa grumbled incoherently as he stripped down to his flimsy inner robe. Wooyoung tossed his outer robe out of the nest and Seonghwa pounced on his middle robe, purring like a drunk kitten.
"I'm going to need hot water for the Old Woman's Beard tea. It's what I drink in the root cellar during my heats. It lessens the symptoms and shortens the cycle. I made sure to bring a lot with me."
"But you're pregnant." Yeosang stated the obvious.
"As of today, yes."
"Who is the father?" Yeosang bluntly asked.
Wooyoung paused and then said, "There are two possibilities. I’m not sure yet."
"You shared your heat with two Alphas? That's impossible. They'd kill each other." That was true. Alphas did not like to share. They could have as many mates as they liked, but the idea of sharing their mates with another Alpha was enraging.
"Binnie is a beta. He's bonded to San. It's complicated. I bite a lot and it caused some problems." Wooyoung sighed. “But I think it will work out.”
"I see." Yeosang continued, then he fanned himself with his hand. “I must warn you. I’m starting to feel a little feverish myself.”
Wooyoung leaned forward and huffed Yeosang’s scent. Something primal, instinctive within himself told him that Yeosang was going into heat as well. Shit. “It must be all the pheromones and drama.“ Wooyoung clicked his tongue again. “You better strip down too—“
Yeosang obeyed without hesitation and Wooyoung nearly swallowed his own tongue. All omegas were built the same as each other. That’s what made them omegas. Yeosang was different. He had one strikingly different feature between his legs. He’s as big as Binnie, maybe as big as San. Hallowed be Her Name. Holy shit. Wooyoung pointed at the shocking erection. “Why are you so big?”
“Am I big?” Yeosang blinked innocently while gesturing at his cock.
“Yes!” Wooyoung couldn’t take his eyes off of it. “Trust me, I have seen more cocks than I can count. You are fucking blessed. Are you sure that you’re an omega?”
“I am.” Yeosang took Wooyoung’s hand. “You can touch me, if you’re curious. You can worship with me. I’ll make an offering to your Goddess. Your scent is intoxicating and I will make it good for you.” His deep voice promised mischief and satisfaction. Oh my god.
“San is courting me. And Binnie too.” Wooyoung said after a while. The decision was more difficult than he’d expected. “I’d better not.”
Yeosang kissed the back of Wooyoung’s hand. “Well, if they treat you poorly, I am here. I don’t fuck Alphas. They don’t smell good to me. Omegas on the other hand,” Yeosang licked at Wooyoung’s small wrist gland, his eyes half-lidded with desire. “Omegas taste like heaven.”
Wooyoung gulped and Yeosang turned his attentions to the heat-delirious Seonghwa. He patted the other omega’s thigh. “Time to pass our heat together again, my sweet.” Seonghwa’s thighs fell apart, exposing his slick-shined center to their gazes, fresh scent saturating the nest. Yeosang easily tossed Seonghwa’s long legs over his shoulders. Yeosang sighed, fondly, then he licked a stripe up the center of Seonghwa’s slit. “Like I said, omegas taste like heaven.” Yeosang licked his lips. “It would be so much easier if he loved me, instead of our Captain. So much easier.”
“Do you love him?” Wooyoung asked, falling deeper and deeper into the lives of the strangest people he’d ever encountered.
“I do.” Yeosang said, “But not in the way that he cares for the Captain. My love would always be second-best and Seonghwa deserves better. But until then, we will take care of each other. Kindness is in short supply these days.”
An omega who loves other omegas. I really know so little about the world. Wooyoung watched as Yeosang worshipped with his mouth, rutting his anomalous cock against Wooyoung’s donated robe. Seonghwa clutched at his hair, mewling with need. Slick glazed Yeosang’s face, dripping from his chin. “Yes, yes. I know what you need. I know what you need.” Yeosang’s voice rumbled. He gathered up some of his own slick, coated his cock in it, positioned himself between Seonghwa’s thighs and smoothly sheathed himself inside. Seonghwa’s cry of relief echoed in the nest and each thrust of Yeosang’s hips punched another cry from his lips.
The sight was incredibly arousing, even for someone as used to carnal activities as Wooyoung was. He found himself creeping closer, watching that strange cock appear and disappear within Seonghwa’s sloppy wet slit. Yeosang caught Wooyoung’s chin with one hand and kissed him, swirling his slick-smeared tongue around Wooyoung’s. The heady perfume and taste hit Wooyoung in his groin and he was certain that if he wasn’t already pregnant, that kiss would have thrown him into early heat.
Someone knocked on the door, politely, and Wooyoung startled. “Hello! It’s San. I have hot water that Binnie said you’d need for your tea and the Captain’s clothing— Hello?“ Yeosang’s hips didn’t stutter, he kept fucking into Seonghwa with a relentless rhythm. Sweat dripped down his birthmark. “I don’t think Seonghwa would want me in there, so I’ll just wait out here, I guess. I’m not in any hurry. You know since I bonded with Changbin, the heat scents are a little easier to tolerate. That’s a fun thing to learn. Yup. A fun, fun, fun thing.” San started whistling in the corridor.
It would be a terrible idea for an Alpha like San to enter the small room. “I’ll get the things. You keep— doing what you are doing. You look like you’re really good at it.” Wooyoung stammered.
Yeosang grinned at him, feral with desire, as he churned his hips. “One day, I’ll show you how good I am, I promise you that, Prince.”
Wooyoung half-fell out of the nest to answer the door. He wrapped his inner robe around himself. Get your shit together, he told himself, slapping his own face. Stop imagining things that can’t happen. Even though it might be wonderful…