On a Shore / SEONGHWA HONGJOONG

Trust

I looked down into the depths when I met you

I couldn't measure it

Any time I'd struggled on

Against the course, out on my own

"Captain !" Wooyoung appeared in his sight, head upside down, hanging from the sails ropes. His dark hair was dangling and his face was red from being upside down. In his eyes, a mischievous light shone.

Hongjoong hummed, indicating him to continue talking, not bothering to tell him to get the hell down from there. He wouldn't listen anyway. Besides, Hongjoong had absolute trust in his ability to climb and not fall.

"The wind stopped, and Yeosang says there's no way it'll start again anytime soon. I don't think we can keep our course. According to San, we won't reach shore in two days."

The Captain sighed and shook his head. He didn't like being delayed, but this was no one's fault. Besides, the deadline was in ten days, so they still had time. They could allow a little flexibility in the schedule. They wouldn't be late.

"So be it then. You're all dismissed until the wind rises again. Y'all deserve a break, and honestly, me too."

Wooyoung's lips twitched, as the corners of his mouth twirled up (or rather down, from Hongjoong's perspective), to form a big fellinesque smile.

"Does that mean we can throw a party, Captain ?"

The mischievous smile from before was now explained. You could always count on Wooyoung to orchestrate his ideas in the brightest ways. Hongjoong grinned. So what if they were running low on food and water ? They'd just have to fish and drink a little more alcohol than usual. It wouldn't hurt.

"I'm your Captain, not your fucking mother. You do as you please."

Wooyoung's eyes sparkled with excitement, and he disappeared among the complex system of ropes above the deck. He didn't need to remind him to not go overboard, or anything else. He trusted him. It was good for the crew to party. Hongjoong tended to get so focused on his goals, on the missions he boarded them all on, that he forgot his crew had to live a little and have fun, even on the ship. Fortunately, Wooyoung was not someone to forget how to have fun.

When he was alone again, Hongjoong sighed and looked at the horizon, adjusting the tricorn on his head. The wind might start to become a problem if this situation lasted too long. But they would deal with it in time. There was no harm in delaying his next mission, he tried to convince himself. No harm in letting some people in chains a little longer. Right ? Besides, he couldn't do anything about that.

Being one of the most feared pirates of the seven seas had some perks. Hongjoong and his ship and his crew could go wherever they wanted to, start whatever shit he wanted to, anytime, anywhere. He was free. They were all free.

The only thing that could really bind them was the sea, the winds, and the gods above. It was no use trying and fight the wind, it would rise up again sooner or later. They would continue their purpose to free the world. Eventually. Hongjoong just hoped that would be before they ran out of everything they needed to survive at sea.

He glanced on the side, to Yeosang, who was sitting at the bow, looking straight at him. Hongjoong raised an eyebrow. Yeosang only nodded, answering his silent question. The wind would rise again. No worries were to be had. Honjoong had complete trust.

***

"You alright Cap ?" Mingi's voice echoed in the night.

Hongjoong turned his head, only to find his second looking at him with furrowed brows. Mingi was holding two glasses of rum, and he was handing one to him. Hongjoong thankfully took the cup, and he titled his head.