Aurora - You are my light (Ateez x reader)

FIVE

As everyone onboard the ship went about their daily tasks, I took the opportunity to observe my surroundings more closely for the first time. Well, as much as I could, considering I couldn't exactly see what was behind me. Still, I could tell that the Treasure was formidable and full of power.

It loomed heavily and massively over the water, defying even the largest waves. In my opinion, the ship was far too large for a crew of eight, yet they seemed to have no trouble maintaining it. My gaze wandered over the dark wood, alternating in black and brown tones across the entire deck. It looked noble and high-quality, as if it had never been stepped on or engaged in a battle.

I suspected the ship had three masts, as I was seated relatively centrally on the ship at the mainmast and could see the mizzenmast, which was slightly smaller. Since I wasn't facing the bow, I could clearly see the stern deck, which was located on an elevated platform at the stern of the ship. Two large, slightly curved dark wooden stairs led up on both sides with intricately decorated railings and handrails, indicating once again that this ship was more than just valuable.

A ship of this size or beauty was unlike anything I had ever seen, even though I had welcomed many high-quality ships and their important visitors at the Seraphil harbor alongside the king. And now I was very puzzled as to how a ship of this size and make could dock unnoticed in Seraphil. Even if they hadn't docked at the harbor, as I was several kilometers north along the coast with Dreamcatcher on the day of the abduction, at least one of the soldiers stationed in the well-distributed watchtowers should have noticed. How could this be possible?

I glanced again at the stern deck and saw the large steering wheel of the Treasure, which was currently being operated by the man who stood directly behind Mingi on my hit list. The black-haired man who effortlessly pinned me to the mast yesterday. The thought made me glare angrily at him, but he was too far away and didn't bother to glance at me, as his gaze was focused on the sea.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Hongjoong coming up the stairs that Mingi had just descended from below deck. He approached Seonghwa, and when Seonghwa saw him, he smiled gently at him. They seemed to have a close bond, I could see that. Hongjoong said something I couldn't hear, then gestured to the hatch leading below deck. Seonghwa sighed and looked relatively unenthusiastic as he nodded and made his way down the stairs that Mingi had descended a few minutes ago.

Hongjoong watched him gratefully. Maybe he should talk to Mingi? Seonghwa seemed better suited to peaceful conversation after the recent events. The captain's gaze was still on Seonghwa, whose blond hair had just disappeared below deck. I could imagine that Hongjoong highly valued him. Seonghwa seemed like someone every captain aboard could make good use of.

My thoughts were interrupted by a terrible tightening in my stomach, and I looked at the still untouched bowl beside me, its contents looking delicious. However, I felt such hunger that even a bowl of dry flour would have looked tempting. Hongjoong glanced at me briefly and then went up the right of the two stairs towards the helm to take over himself.

The other man wordlessly made way for him. Hongjoong also spoke to him and then looked at me, prompting the black-haired man to look down emotionlessly from the stern deck to me and slowly but purposefully descend the stairs towards me. None of them wore the mysterious black clothing from yesterday anymore. He was now dressed entirely in white. The color of innocence. Right. I internally laughed ironically.

Like Seonghwa, he wore white trousers that ended just above his white boots. In addition, a tight-fitting white shirt was complemented by a second white piece that lay over it, covering his chest and arms. I drew in a sharper breath, feeling the air becoming thin again. The tight fabric around his abdomen and waist emphasized his body and hinted at a prominent abdominal muscle underneath. His unique attire was rounded off by a white chiffon half-skirt draped around his hips, fluttering around his body with each step he took.

Now it lay still around his legs as he came to a stop in front of me. He exhaled, and for a fraction of a second, his emotionless expression changed to one that I was just beginning to decipher, but then his features hardened like stone again as he knelt in front of me and took the soup bowl in hand. Ah, now he had apparently been given the honorable task of feeding me.

In my somewhat sluggish brain, which had already suffered several deaths from lack of oxygen, I deduced that they needed me alive. For whatever reason, they cared enough that I didn't perish at sea. Internally, I triumphed, for I had an idea of how I could use this to my advantage.

He knelt more distantly than Seonghwa had and realized he had to get closer now if he wanted to reach my mouth with the spoonful of soup in his hand. So, he moved a little closer to me, and now I had the opportunity to scrutinize him more thoroughly. Yesterday, I couldn't focus on him, overwhelmed by panic, even though he was partly responsible for it.

He wore his black hair longer at the crown than on the sides. Some of his strands fell into his face as he leaned towards the soup bowl. His skin shimmered slightly tanned in the light and was flawless. His face was like a painting, and each of his facial features was perfect. He was different from Seonghwa, but no less beautiful. He had something mysterious that I believed I could uncover behind his facade, and he was hot to the core.

My breath quickened again, and my heart raced excitedly beneath my skin. I was intimidated by so much beauty and now wanted to know who these eight peculiar men were. It was only now that I realized I must have been staring at him dumbly the whole time, like someone who had never seen a handsome man before, and I felt like he could read my thoughts or they were just very plainly written on my face. Because he acknowledged my stare by raising an eyebrow and a amused twitch on his lips. Those lips.

I gathered all my courage and addressed him before he could feed me soup and I ended up spitting it out again due to my inability to control my body. But I failed miserably as my voice faltered, and his gaze became even more amused.

After clearing my throat briefly, it returned. "Who exactly are you guys?" I looked at him inquiringly, he looked back with the same emotionless gaze. No response then. "What exactly do you intend to do with me?" I tried again. Again, the same look and no reaction. I breathed out frustratedly. "If I'm supposed to eat this soup, at least tell me your name." In response, he just pushed the spoonful of soup between my lips.

The soup tasted exquisite, even though it had gone cold. Still, I had to fight the urge to swallow it down. "I'm terribly sorry for your pretty face, but it serves you right," I thought inwardly, taking a deep breath through my nose before spitting the soup forcefully in his face.

"That's for yesterday, you bastard!" I yelled at him. His expression faltered, and he impatiently wiped the soup from his face with his hand. The look he then gave me sent shivers down my spine. I had definitely gone too far. He menacingly drew closer, and for the first time, I heard his voice.

"It seems you're not hungry. Perhaps a cold shower will bring you to your senses," he growled angrily, and before I could comprehend his words, he tipped the almost full soup bowl over my head.

I screamed in shock. "Go to hell!" I spat in his direction. He tossed the empty soup bowl to the ground, where it came to a stop after a few spins next to me, then rose and stormed off angrily toward the bow of the ship, disappearing from my sight.

"San!" the captain called out, visibly enraged. "To the captain's cabin, NOW!" With that, Hongjoong left the helm and followed him swiftly. San.

- It's great to see you're still here!

Oh dear, the encounter with San was an utter disaster. Do you think Aurora will change her opinion about him? Feel free to leave some love if you're enjoying the story! :) -