" we won't actually have to choose a side...right? "
[ ateez pirate au // book 1 ]
an ongoing story that shows the issues the ateez boys have to go through on their way to pirate kings. old, familial problems from their pasts become bigger issues t...
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chapter 8
𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚒𝚛 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 ———
Breathe.
Just breathe.
...
"Boys, get off that roof, it's unsafe!"
"I said - what 're y'all doing? Hey - hey, don't let go!"
"Hey! Hold on tight! Please - please don't let go!"
"OH MY-"
Darkness.
Unstable, relentless sobs.
"WHY DID YOU DO THAT TO HIM!?! WHY?!"
The moon silently watched them from so, so far away.
A laugh.
"He deserved it."
A raspy, angered voice.
The gravel was harsh against his fingertips.
"Get out. GET OUT!" The petrified voice responded.
"Abandonin' me just like that?" Soothing and calm.
"Leave. Now."
Silence.
"Hongjoong..."
...
...
"Hongjoong...?"
A cold hand met his, resulting in a violent flinch in return.
Soft saddened brown eyes; not vicious, resentful ones.
Hongjoong melted at the touch.
"We need to get going, now," Seonghwa worriedly coughed out.
The two turned towards the ledge, taking in everything the outside world offered. A light breeze kept them on their toes as they swallowed their nerves, staring off into the unknown distance. Off to the right held the rest of the kingdom - numerous string lights and lanterns brightened the buildings and streets with plenty of people bustling around. The left side was complete darkness; overgrown trees and bushes took over whatever wasn't owned by the king, leaving behind eeriness. The stars above wouldn't help guide them out of that forest because of the trees' long branches and thick leaves. The air was fresh and cold but lacked the bitterly warming salty taste.
The faint memory tickled the back of his mind.
Hongjoong remembered why he hated heights so much.
He rubbed his hands against his pants, hoping for all his sweaty nervousness to just dissipate into thin air. It didn't really help.
Seonghwa patted his hand against the mid of Hongjoong's back, rubbing a quick circle for a sign of "you got this!". Joong tried to gratefully smile back.
