Eight makes one crew

Hope and Realism

Seongwha poured a cup of wine, not even caring that it was the middle of the day and far too early to be drinking. He had more than earned it for his troubles and stresses. Hongjoong remained as still as a statue on the bed, having not moved for several long days. Seongwha knew that it was a surprise, to him as well. He was expected to be the one who fell into a depression and lay lifeless in bed while Hongjoong drowned his sorrows in bitter wine. Nobody had been able to foresee that it would be the other way around. 

"He will come back" Hongjoong decided. Seongwha set the pitcher down with a loud thud. 

"Hongjoong-" Seongwha went to argue. 

"He will" Hongjoong insisted, unwilling to believe otherwise. Seongwha pursed his lips into a thin line and said nothing. Hongjoong had been making it very clear that Seongwha was no more than a second mate now. They had not shown love since Mingi left. Not that Seongwha cared. He tried not to, but it was hard sharing living quarters with a man that he was not sure even loved him anymore. 

"I'm sorry" Hongjoong sighed, holding his head in his hands. Seongwha turned back to him, not saying a word.

"Your being hopeful. That's good" Seongwha responded.

"And your being realistic, which is even better" Hongjoong shook his head. Seongwha walked over, putting his hand on Hongjoong's shoulder.

"I have found that hope is more of a comfort than fact, especially in trying times" Seongwha leaned down, looking at Hongjoong. Really looking at him for the first time in a whole year. Hongjoong didn't turn away this time either which was even better. They just looked at each other, not moving and not turning away. Nothing else mattered in that moment except for them.

"You are the best Captain I have ever known, and I seem to know a lot now. If your hope is what keeps you going, then hold on to it. I've seen what you can do with the right motivation" Seongwha cupped Hongjoong's face in his hand, kissing his forehead softly. Hongjoong leaned into the touch, missing it. He had not realized how much he missed it until now. 

"I know this is hard for you but we have four other kids that need our time and attention" Seongwha didn't even realize that he was still referring to them as kids. The younger guys were all twenty now or nineteen. They were far from being kids. But Seongwha still saw them in that way. 

"Your right. We can't let ourselves be dragged down. You and I have a ship to run" Hongjoong nodded, getting up and taking Seongwha's hand. He helped the oldest leave, considering that Seongwha was somewhat tipsy from all the drinking, Hongjoong was right there to help him. 

"So, do we have a plan to find Mingi and Yunho?" Wooyoung leaned against the table that the whole crew was gathered around, holding a meeting.

"No" Hongjoong answered, getting ready to explain but he was interrupted.

"What do you mean no?" Yeosang's expression hardened and he crossed his arms. Hongjoong gave him a sharp look to stay quiet.

"I mean, we can't afford to have any more of you running off and getting lost for a year or more. Mingi and Yunho know how to find us, if they want to. We're going to stay together and hope that they come back" Hongjoong explained.

"Really? That's your plan, two of our brothers are missing and your just going to...sit around and hope they come back?" Wooyoung scoffed. Jongho and San clearly did not agree either but they had enough sense to keep quiet, accepting their Captain's word as law. 

"I understand that you are worried about both of them but this is my final decision" Hongjoong got up to leave.

"And what if we don't agree?" Yeosang stopped him. Hongjoong turned to look over his shoulder.

"I am not happy about it either but I am not changing my mind. If you disagree, then you may voice that calmly but it will not change anything. My decision is made" Hongjoong opened the door and walked out, considering the matter closed. Seongwha was right behind him. Jongho and San stood against the wall, glaring at the retreating back of their Captain. Wooyoung clenched his fists and punched the table, feeling the wood crack under his hand. Yeosang just sat where he was, deep in thought.

"There's another boat" Jongho reminded all of them. San and Wooyoung almost agreed to it and went to get some supplies but Yeosang did not move.

"No" He shook his head, making the other three pause. 

"What do you mean no?" Wooyoung stared at him, unaware that he was quoting Yeosang's words from earlier. 

"We can't. You heard Hongjoong" Yeosang stood up.

"You don't want to get Yunho and Mingi back?!" Wooyoung was shocked, staring at Yeosang.

"Of course I do! More than anything but Hongjoong is right. We can't afford to be split up anymore than we already are. If even two of us leaves, that will only be four people on the ship. That's not enough to keep things running and what if we get attacked. Six is better than four" Yeosang had a good point. There were too many things to consider before just running head first into danger. Wooyoung was still not happy. 

"So, we just sit back and wait for Mingi and Yunho!? Great plan" Wooyoung sank back into one of the chairs, folding his arms and pouting. Yeosang patted his shoulder, walking out. Jongho followed after a moment, knowing that there was nothing to be done to cheer Wooyoung up. At least not from him. The only person that could cheer Wooyoung up was San. 

"We could still leave" Wooyoung looked at San, hopefully. Before San even opened his mouth, Wooyoung knew what the answer would be.

"I'm sorry Woo. It'll just be better for us to stay here, okay? Yunho and Mingi can take care of themselves" San hugged Wooyoung but it was not returned so San just got up and left, feeling sorry for the turn of events. He couldn't do anything to change Hongjoong or Wooyoung's mind so he just kept a close eye on his little lover to make sure that Wooyoung didn't do anything stupid.