What We've Become (The Forever Pirates) #2

004

Hongjoong 

"What do ye mean t'e plans have changed?" I asked, confusion seeping out of my very being. 

She smoked her cigar, looking out at the sea. It was weird seeing her now. When I first met her, she was a small, skinny thing. Not even a teenager. I was barely an adult myself, even then, not by much, but I still recalled the sick feeling I got in my stomach that a child was being forced to marry me. Into that ship no less. 

Now, she sat there, six feet tall and all muscle. Even that prison cell couldn't stop her as all she had time to do was work out. She could crush me with her bare hands at this point, without even needing to use her magic to begin with. 

But she was still the same deep down. The same feelings, resentment, bitterness. And that was enough to betray everyone I cared about, just to keep them away from her. 

"You think about him a lot more than you think you do, you know that right? Think it was to protect him all you want, but I can hear your thoughts, can feel your heart, I can feel the selfishness though your actions. Care about him all you want. It's seven years too late. There is not going back or fixing that." I thought I noticed a smile on her lips, like the idea itself was humorous. 

"What plans have ye changed?" I asked, ignoring her thoughts. 

"Well, your prince hasn't destroyed your hourglass yet. Which means he's keeping it for whatever reason. And I happen to know where he's taking that hour glass. So I don't need to know where he is right now. We'll get it soon enough." She continued. 

"Where he be takin' it?" I asked, uneasiness settling in my gut. 

She closed her eyes, letting the wind rip through her hair. "All in due time, lover." 

I hated that nickname, it made me sick to my stomach, but she did that on purpose. Just like she was named MM. A cruel nickname for me, to repay the disgusting name she earned by my captain at the time. 

MM. 

MilkMaid. 

Only there were no cows on that ship that she was supposed to milk. 

Bile rose in my throat as I fought down the cruel memories, leaving her be for the moment. 

***

I felt as though I was going to throw up. My brain was spiraling out of control as I saw Seonghwa's sleeping form lay in my bed. 

San knows. 

He knows...fuck! 

I could not explain myself, could not make them understand. I was supposed to have time to figure this all out, but I did not. Instead I was forced into a time frame, with no idea what to do. I had no plan, all the events that were taking place felt wrong to me. 

Seonghwa slept peacefully, but even the sight of him made me want to rip my hair out. I saw the empty cup on the bedside table and my breathing quickened at the memory. Was I even in control of my own actions anymore? I could not say, as everything I had been doing didn't feel like me.