ꜱᴏɴ ᴀᴍᴏᴜʀ ᴍᴀʀɪɴ ✧seongjoong✧

chapter 3

It was early morning, and Seonghwa could see it clearly. He had to start his plan from today.

He had overheard from the other sailors before that Hongjoong was an early bird. The thought of catching the pirate captain off-guard, perhaps glimpsing a vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior, sparked a glimmer of hope in Seonghwa's heart. If he could understand Hongjoong's routines, his habits, and maybe even find a way to exploit them, it could be his ticket to freedom.

Seonghwa sighed as he adjusted the unfamiliar clothes he had found in the tavern—a woman's corset with a beige shirt that puffed at the arms. The attire felt constricting and awkward but he liked how it looked on him, if this meant gaining Hongjoong's favor, he was willing to endure it. Clutching the book tightly in his hand, he squared his shoulders and walked purposefully to where the crew was gathering, preparing for their journey ahead.

As he approached the reception area, Seonghwa noticed the crew members milling about, checking supplies and preparing the ship. Hongjoong stood at the center, issuing orders with his usual commanding presence. Seonghwa took a deep breath to steady himself, reminding himself silently, 

"Don't pout, don't pout."

He had read enough from the book to understand that humans found certain expressions attractive, and a pout was apparently one of them. It was a strange notion to him and he was silently hoping he didn't have to do that embarrassing gesture to get what he wanted.

Walking up to Hongjoong, Seonghwa kept his gaze steady, suppressing the urge to look down or avert his eyes. Confidence was key, he reminded himself, though he felt anything but confident in this borrowed attire. He was a prince for god's sake he couldn't let humans intimidate him.

Hongjoong turned to look at him, a raised eyebrow betraying his surprise at Seonghwa's sudden approach. He took in the mermaid's unusual attire with a mix of curiosity and amusement, though his expression remained guarded.

"Go drink some cold water i had Yunho keep it for you"

Seonghwa blinked, momentarily thrown off by the unexpected instruction. He glanced towards where Yunho was preparing supplies, noting the tray of tankards Yunho had brought earlier. The mention of cold water brought a sense of relief, a simple comfort amidst the complexities of his predicament.

Seonghwa was lost, the captain didn't seemingly seem to be invested in the attire he had on and he had to try something, anything to make Hongjoong look at him differently

With deliberate steps, Seonghwa approached Hongjoong again, this time standing closer than before. He angled his body subtly, hoping the feminine silhouette of the corset would catch the captain's attention. His heart raced, unsure if this bold move would yield any result.

"You need something, Seonghwa?" Hongjoong asked, his tone tinged with mild confusion as he noticed the mermaid lingering near him once more.

Seonghwa hesitated, gathering his courage before speaking, his voice barely audible with a hint of innocence and desperation. "Does... my outfit not please you?" The words slipped out in a rush, betraying the embarrassment he felt. His cheeks flushed faintly, a blend of vulnerability and determination evident in his gaze.

Hongjoong's eyebrow arched slightly, caught off guard by the directness of Seonghwa's question. He glanced over the mermaid's borrowed attire—a corset and a beige, puffy-sleeved shirt that seemed out of place yet strangely intriguing on him. The captain's expression softened imperceptibly, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes.