Aurora - You are my light (Ateez x reader)

SIXTEEN

Nervously, I paced back and forth in the captain's cabin. I was so lost in thought that I could barely focus on the room's details, even though they had fascinated me just hours earlier.

Hongjoong had summoned me for a conversation and ordered me to wait in his cabin. He seemed quite pissed off when he visited my room personally to inform me of this. Now I was pacing, unable to think clearly, because I had no idea what to expect. I didn't understand why San managed to get under my skin so easily. I wasn't like this. I was confused and couldn't make sense of his behavior. But above all, I was hurt. Why?

Maybe it was because, deep down, I hoped he wasn't the jerk he pretended to be. Maybe I hoped our connection was deeper than it seemed. But I was probably mixing dreams and reality, letting my surreal thoughts get the better of me. And yet, I felt a certain way of being fooled by him.

I sighed in frustration and massaged my palm with my thumb. Where was Hongjoong? He was probably giving San a well-deserved lecture. Take your time with that. I looked up, feeling as if something or someone had called my name. When nothing happened after a few seconds of silence, I shook my head. What was wrong with me? This ship and its crew would drive me insane if they hadn't already.

Hongjoong's cabin was large, much more spacious than mine. It resembled more a living room on land than a ship's cabin, at least for those familiar with humble settings. The windows were partly covered with blue curtains, allowing only a sparse amount of daylight inside. The large wooden canopy bed, framed by transparent light fabrics, lent the room a pleasant atmosphere.

For a brief moment, the thought of Seonghwa and Hongjoong between those sheets crossed my mind, but I quickly dismissed it. Definitely not the right time, I scolded myself.

The rest of the room was filled with shelves of books and antiques, and in one corner, I noticed a peculiar hourglass. I was about to step closer to inspect it when a brief glint of light caught my attention. The light came from the center of the room, where a large wooden desk stood, covered with maps and open books.

Hesitantly but curiously, I walked around the desk to stand directly in front of it. I searched the surface, but the glint seemed to have vanished. I couldn't exactly rummage through Hongjoong's documents, but something here was drawing my attention.

I heard footsteps and voices outside the door and quickly moved back to my original position, not wanting to draw any more attention to myself or further anger Hongjoong.

The captain entered the cabin without knocking, his steps brisk. He let the door slam shut with more force than necessary. Without a glance in my direction, he moved behind his desk. With a deep sigh, he sank into his heavy wooden chair, its worn upholstery speaking of countless adventures. He swung his polished black leather boots, adorned with silver buckles, onto the massive oak desk.

The dull thud of his boots hitting the wood seemed to make the room stand still for a moment, causing me to flinch. The books and sea charts on the desk rustled slightly under the pressure of his boots. With his arms crossed and a concentrated look, he studied the open maps and books before him.

"We need to talk, Aurora!" Hongjoong's dark eyes met mine with a determined gaze.

"About what exactly?" I asked, a hint of nervousness in my voice.

"You know very well what we need to discuss! Your games with my men end now." The captain glared at me, clearly furious.

"Games?" I raised an eyebrow. "If you mean trying to teach your crew some manners or setting boundaries when they behave inappropriately, then guilty as charged." I raised my hands in a placating gesture.