Forever, You Are My Star

Chapter 9: The Journey To Seros

San held Mey's hand tightly in his as they approached the ship. All was quiet just how they left it. No one was on deck so both San and Mey assumed they were either sleeping or out about the town looking for them; both hoping it was the first option.

    "Hongjoong-hyung, anyone there?" San called out as he boarded the ship. "Yeosang, Wooyoung, are you all here?" The sound of a door opening caused Mey and San to turn around. The door to the captain's quarters located just beneath the helm had opened revealing a very sleep deprived Hongjoong and Yunho. Hongjoong began to make his way towards them, but not once looking at them.

    "San, thank the gods. Where have you been? Youv'e been gone for hours. We thought something...." His words were caught in his throat once he looked up and saw Mey standing next to San. He didn't even notice Yunho stopped dead in his tracks at the bottom of the stairs. "Mey...?"

    "I want to join the crew, if you'll have me." Hongjoong's eyes widened and his mouth slightly dropped. Since he couldn't give a response, Yunho decided to step in.

    "What about your family? Your home?" He paused for a second. "Your people?" Mey gave a soft smile.

    "My family already knows. Besides, I've always wanted an adventure outside of riding to the cliff side. And my people will understand." Hongjoong finally snapped out of his shocked state and stepped forward to speak, but was soon interrupted by a very excited Wooyoung.

    "Mey is staying!? And before Mey knew it, Wooyoung had closed the distance between them and picked her up off the ground in a giant bear hug. Seonghwa, remembering her wounds on her back, ran up to them and attempted to have Wooyoung set her back on the ground.

    "Wooyoung, be careful. You want to have her wounds open up again?" Seonghwa's tone was serious and concerened. Wooyoung stepped away giving a cute little pout.

    "I'm sorry. I just got excited." Mey closed the distance between them once again and took Wooyoung in her arms.

    "I'm not in any pain. Hug me all you want." Wooyoung then gave her another bear hug, but this time a little more gentle. Mey could then feel another person come up behind her and hug her. She didn't have to look to see who it was since the towering figure could only mean Mingi. Yeosang, Jongho, Yunho, and Seonghwa also joined the group hug while San and Hongjoong stood off to the side to watch with smiles on their faces. Once they all pulled away, Hongjoong walked up to Mey and brought her in for a hug as well.

    "I'm very happy you decided to stay." Hongjoong quietly spoke. Mey smiled burying her head into his shoulder.

    "I'm happy I did too."

    It had now been four days since they left Barranor. Hongjoong asked to set a course for Seros to gather supplies for themselves and the ship. According to Yeosang's calculations, they would arrive within the next two days if the weather stayed clear. Tonight, Yeosang decided to cook something special since they had been living off of fruit, bread, and water. When he asked Mingi and Wooyoung to fish earlier in the day, Mey thought that was the fastest they ever ran for anything. Yeosang was a great cook after all. It wouldn't be much, but fish stew was something to look forward to. Mey helped Yeosang prepare everything, even though they broke out in occasional food fights that stopped once Seonghwa, Wooyoung, and Mingi came down from the amazing smell that was now apparent on deck. Once dinner was done, Mey went up to call everything down. All made their way down except for one, Jongho. Mey began to look for him on the ship and noticed him all the way up in the crow's nest staring up at the star lit sky. Not wanting to disturb him, Mey silently climbed up the rigging trying to remember what Mingi and Wooyoung had been teaching her. Jongho didn't even notice she made it all the way to the top.