Till the world's end|| (pirate!au) -'๑'-Ateez

Troublesome devil and Past

The resonance of Seonghwa's voice echoed across the ship, calling the crew to gather for the evening meal. The anticipation of shared provisions drew the crew towards a designated communal area on the deck, where makeshift tables and barrels served as impromptu seating.

As Seonghwa bellowed the call, Captain Hongjoong, ever swift in response, emerged from the captain's quarters, making his way to the area with a confident stride. He took his place near the center, a position that naturally garnered attention from the crew.

The communal space, though confined, buzzed with activity. Crew members chatted animatedly, their laughter mingling with the salty breeze that swept across the deck. Barrels turned makeshift tables were scattered around, and the smell of cooked provisions wafted through the air.

As the crew gathered, hypaxia stepped out of her room with a sense of glee, eager to partake in the human food that awaited. The prospect of a shared meal promised a moment of camaraderie amidst the adventurous journey.

Hongjoong, settling into his spot, maintained an air of aloofness as he exchanged terse remarks with a few select crew members. The crew, deeply engrossed in their conversations, shot more than just curious glances at the latecomers, Wooyoung and San.

The cold gaze of their captain added an unwelcome chill to the already strained atmosphere in the area. A whole 360 in Hongjoong's personality from the day earlier.

As Wooyoung and San approached the area, an abrupt stillness gripped the air, causing the ongoing conversations among the crew to stumble momentarily. A frigid breeze seemed to sweep through the space as the crew members exchanged furtive glances, subtly reinforcing the division within the confined quarters.

Captain Hongjoong, steadfast in his stoic demeanor, remained conspicuously oblivious to Wooyoung and San's arrival. His engrossment in an ongoing discussion only accentuated the unyielding coldness that emanated from the captain. The tension, thickening with each passing moment, simmered beneath the surface as the two friends navigated through the crowded deck, met with silent resistance in their quest to find a place among the crew for the feast.

Unbeknownst to the tension, Hypaxia walked and sat next to Hongjoong with excitement as the whole place quietened. She looked at Seonghwa in confusion who released a long sigh and stood up, holding her arm and pulling her with him.

"What was that about?" She asked him, and he leaned closer to her ear.

"No one sits near Captain."

Seonghwa's whispered words sent a chill down her spine as the realization of the unspoken rule dawned upon her. The crew's unwavering gaze on Captain Hongjoong and the palpable tension in the air made it clear that proximity to the captain was not merely a matter of hierarchy but an unspoken decree.

"Why is the captain suddenly so distant, he wasn't like this in the morning?" She asked him as he waved his hand in front of her

"Don't worry about him; you should sit with me. What's your name if you don't mind me asking?"

"Oh, I'm Daphne," she said and smiled at him, holding his hand softly.

As she walked alongside Seonghwa towards the corner, he couldn't help but feel a warmth in his chest.

"Did you know I had a younger sister?" Seonghwa remarked, a fond smile playing on his lips as he observed her figure walking hand in hand with him, jumping up and down with the excitement of eating human food.

"No, I didn't. What about her?" she asked, curiosity coloring her voice.

Seonghwa's gaze softened as he stared into the horizon, memories flickering in his eyes.