Somewhere Between the Sea and the Sky.

Episode 0: Chapter 15

The journey was long, Yeosang and the captain were enjoying a well-deserved rest. The atmosphere between the two of them was much more relaxed than outside, so they were simply eating in peace.

Was the prince was the least affected by what happened on that island? Probably.

It was true that he had grown fond of Seonghwa in the time he had been there, but they were pirates after all.

Whoever stayed behind was left behind. There was no fellowship, there was no bond or code of honor among those cruel criminals.

Or at least it was what they taught him at the palace.

"So... Are we doing the cool thing?"

"What?"

Yeosang's question caught the captain off guard.

"You know. The laugh thing."

Oh. That cool thing.

It was true, they did it when they went after the prince to Ethia.

"We don't want to attract attention." The captain said between bites. "We do that when we need to intimidate, when we want people to know that we are there."

"Oh..."

He seemed disappointed, no doubt.

Hongjoong laughed a little, even if it wasn't the laugh the other wanted.

"The time will come, don't worry about it."

Then the captain stood up and walked away from the prince. He finished his meal and was ready to enjoy the rest time he had left.

Sleep, sleeping was what he needed the most.

He had too much to think about, oh hell he did, but he knew that going through Oxpass would give him work.

Oh, he still hadn't explained to the rest what was the job they would do there.

There was still time. He would do it when he woke up.

He got into his cabin and went straight to what he called a bed. It was time to use the best of his talents, his ability to sleep.

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"Joong?"

Hm? What was that?

"Joong, wake up."

That voice... Could it be...?

How long did he sleep? The captain felt that his body did not want to wake up, but they were calling him. He wanted to respond to that voice, the voice of a good friend.

"Come on, Joong. I'll leave if you don't wake up."

'No, wait.' Hongjoong really wanted to answer. He wanted to see the one talking. He needed to see him.

He heard the footsteps of the other move away from him, he was leaving.

Finally the captain was able to react, he was able to open his eyes to find who had awakened him.

His vision was blurred but still he could see the blonde figure coming out of his cabin door.

"Wait...!" He was finally able to speak. "Wait for me!"

"Oh, did you wait for me when I needed it?" The blonde laughed a little as he walked away.

Hongjoong got up ready to follow him. Why couldn't he see clearly? He wasn't dizzy, much less drunk.