ATEEZ ONESHOTS [BXB]

-Prettiest Fish In The Water-

Another experiment so not to much if it don't make sense lol
💋 enjoy
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3ʀᴅ ᴘᴏᴠ
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✎...

"Jongho!" The call rang out across the deck, cutting through the rhythmic crashing of waves against the boat's hull. Leaning over the side of the vessel, Hongjoong's stern gaze fell upon his crew. His voice, firm and commanding, carried a sense of urgency as he addressed the young sailor. "Make sure you focus on getting that side of the boat done thoroughly! I want you and San to have it finished before nightfall!"

The words, though simple, held a weight that Jongho felt pressing down on him like an anchor. He looked up, shading his eyes against the glaring sun to see the shorter figure of his captain, a man who seemed to embody authority and confidence despite his diminutive stature. Hongjoong's presence was a constant reminder of the discipline required on their journey, and his directive left no room for negotiation.

"Aye, Captain!" Jongho shouted back, his voice ringing clear across the deck. There was a brief moment where their eyes met, Hongjoong's unyielding gaze meeting Jongho's begrudging acceptance. As Hongjoong moved away, his boots thudding softly on the wooden planks, Jongho let out a low grunt, feeling the familiar weight of his least favorite chore settle heavily upon him.

The task at hand was one Jongho loathed with every fiber of his being. Cleaning the boat's hull was tedious, back-breaking work, and it brought him face to face with the myriad of sea creatures that clung to the ship, each one a reminder of the vast, unknowable depths beneath them. He could almost feel the slimy touch of barnacles and the scuttling legs of crabs as he imagined the underwater world just out of sight.

Jongho's resentment simmered beneath the surface, a slow boil that threatened to spill over as he thought about why he was stuck with this duty. The previous night's escapade with San came rushing back—a playful challenge that had spiraled out of control. San, with his mischievous grin and sparkling eyes, had convinced Jongho to join him in a drinking contest, neglecting to mention that they were dipping into Hongjoong's prized liquor. The aftermath was swift and brutal; Hongjoong had caught them red-handed, the evidence of their transgression clear as day.

The memory of Hongjoong's reprimand still stung. His voice had been like a whip, each word a lash that cut deep. Just as Jongho and San braced for the inevitable harsh punishment, Seonghwa had stepped in, his calming presence like a balm to the seething anger that hung in the air. Seonghwa's diplomacy had worked wonders, turning what could have been a severe consequence into this—hours of scrubbing the boat's hull under the relentless sun.

Sighing deeply, Jongho began his work, the brush in his hand moving with steady, practiced strokes. He found a small comfort in the rhythm of the task, the repetitive motion allowing his mind to wander. Humming softly to himself, he let the melody distract him from the drudgery. The cool breeze that occasionally swept across the deck was a welcome relief, carrying with it the salty scent of the ocean and a fleeting sense of freedom.

Perched precariously on the side of the boat, Jongho felt the sun's heat on his back, the rays relentless and unforgiving. Yet here, in this small patch of shade, he found a semblance of peace. The constant chatter of his crewmates and the ceaseless demands of life aboard the ship seemed distant, muffled by the soothing sounds of the sea.

As Jongho worked, droplets of water flicked up with each brushstroke, catching the sunlight in a brief sparkle before falling back into the depths below. The grime that clung stubbornly to the hull began to give way under his diligent efforts, revealing the smooth wood beneath. His brow furrowed in concentration, Jongho lost himself in the task, the physical exertion a welcome distraction from his tumultuous thoughts.