Somewhere Between the Sea and the Sky.

Episode 2: Chapter 1.

『 Trigger warning: Mentions of drowning. 』

The sound of the waves, the sweet caressing of the water, the warmth of the sun... All those sensations were the first sign, awakening the little voice on his head telling him the truth: He was alive.

Mingi didn't know why at first, he just felt immersed in a heavy dream. He felt sleepy, calm and light; just like all his weight meant nothing for an instant, like he was floating in the void. It was weird, but something made it feel right.

Perhaps it was how exhausted he was, perhaps it was the sweet melody invading his head.

The song wasn't any one he recognized, but the voice— He knew that voice, it sure sounded like home.

"If this is the last time"

It had to be him.

"I will fix the broken thread for you"

His dearest friend.

"I'll come to meet you"

Yunho was singing for him, wasn't he?

The melody almost made his thoughts fade once more, but a single feeling broke the spell.

His last memory.

The feeling of drowning.

Mingi finally opened his eyes.

⸻⸻⸻⸻

"Just one more time!"

San's voice broke as he spoke, the high-pitched tone invaded with pain.

"He has to be somewhere!"

The crew remained silent as the captain narrowed his eyes, the church boy screaming at his face. Everyone knew what he was about to say, even San in front of him, but that didn't make it easier at all. It made it even harder.

How did it end that way?

Just one enemy pirate crew, just one fight and one of them was gone. It wasn't until the confrontation was over that they realized Mingi was missing. Perhaps he fell into the sea during the fight, it would be the obvious option. But after a while checking the sea around them, they failed to find him. Everyone tried their best ideas, but none of them had any success finding him.

For Hongjoong, there was just one reason for such a fast disappearance. Something stopped him from swimming, he probably was unconscious- or worse, dead- when he fell into the sea.

"We can't stay anchored any longer," Hongjoong finally found the courage to talk. "If those pirates were here, more will come."

"But captain—" San cried once more, his words being interrupted by Hongjoong's gaze. It wasn't coldness what he saw in the captain's eyes, it was pain. "Please... I'll go look for him myself!"

"Enough." Hongjoong frowned.

"He can't disappear that fast!"

"I said enough, San."

"What if he's looking for us?!"

"Stop it."

"We can't leave him behind!"

"ENOUGH."

Hongjoong finally raised his voice, a sudden order that made the church boy take some steps back. The captain gave the other a few seconds, in case he wanted to scream right at his face again. But no words came out of San's mouth, just dead silence and teary eyes.