Captain's Will

15. Opposites Repel

Hongjoong was in the middle of strapping his weapons to his body when Seonghwa's sudden statement almost made him drop his gun.

"I'm coming back with you to your ship."

Fumbling, Hongjoong put the pistol away safely and stared at the man with big eyes. Seonghwa sat on the bed and stuck his feet into his boots. Both of them had washed up and glowed from their shared night together. The orange hue of the morning bathed Seonghwa in a gorgeous light that made Hongjoong want to stumble right back into bed with him.

"What? Why?" The captain asked. He picked up his coat, ready to part with Seonghwa and see each other again in a few months. If he survived the battle with the Enemy of the Depths, that was. Seonghwa's resolution had him waver.

"Your crew asked me to join your voyage. From what I heard, it sounded as if I was needed." He glanced up, his seeking face regaining the innocence a rigid man like him had lost long ago. It was entirely different from his expression last night. Instead of looking at his expression, Hongjoong concentrated on those slender hands fiddling the buckles around his boots shut.

"Ye aint. What merit do ye gain, followin' us? Last time ye been more than keen to leave the Grief. Yer rank under the red ensign does nay allow ye to befriend pirates whenever ye see fit."

"I'm not becoming part of your crew. I'm watching you as a nameable naval officer would have to watch a privateer. You may be pardoned from your crimes, but if I see anything that makes you remotely suspicious, you hang." Seonghwa reached into his coat to retrieve a letter sealed with a red wax sigil. It portrayed the royal crest.

Hongjoong's mouth dropped open. He stalked in Seonghwa's direction from where he had been ready and waiting at the door to say his goodbyes. Before he could snatch the letter, Seonghwa moved it out of his reach. Hongjoong's glinting eyes stuck to it.

"Who did ye murder to get this?"

The letter of marque disappeared into Seonghwa's coat. The smug little smirk on his lips made Hongjoong scoff.

"I have a name among the headquarters, and your long absence defended my case. This only has meaning while I am with your crew. It gives you leeway to do what you want to do. Afterwards, you may return to your honest life or get hunted as scum, whichever you prefer." Seonghwa ran a hand through his pristine hair and stood. Their proximity had him tower over the captain as he crossed his hands behind his back.

Hongjoong grinned roguishly.

"Ye would make an excellent gentleman o' fortune, did I e'er tell ye that?"

Face darkening, Seonghwa opened his mouth to remind Hongjoong how much better than the pirate vermin he was. Hongjoong beat him to it.

"Still, I do nay allow it. It be me ship."

Surprised since he had mistaken Hongjoong's greed for approval, Seonghwa's expression of triumph slipped. Good. Hongjoong would rather Seonghwa hated him than have to take him along on this trip. Not against the kraken. Not against the mightiest being that had killed Yunho. Hongjoong couldn't bear the thought. Not Seonghwa's plotting, nor Mingi's bitter glares at Hongjoong for playing favourites would stop him.

When Seonghwa regained his poise, his lips thinned.

"I make my own decisions."

Their persistent minds collided, and neither gave in. Fire met ice and destroyed each other equally.

When Seonghwa raised his chin with an expression of lofty superiority, Hongjoong rolled his eyes. Seonghwa was a great actor for pretending to be above Hongjoong after enjoying his dirty body so much last night.