Treasure ◇ | Seongjoong ✓

Episode 10: Time of Love ◇ Part 2

The next day, Mingi finds himself staring at Yunho from afar. The latter and Minho are helping with the mast repair, and he looks so serious while working. A sweat sheen shimmers on the brunette's neck, and he swoops his hair out of the way smoothly. His words are inaudible, but the nearby deckhands are under his order.

Lost in the sight, Mingi blinks slowly and follows the man with his eyes. Nothing has changed. There's nothing special happening. He sees the brunette every day, so why does it feel different?

"Has he... always looked like that?" the redhead muses.

While suspended in confusion, Mingi has been paying more attention to Yunho. A funny tingle forms in his stomach, and his chest aches whenever the swordsman disregards him. It's strange, and he hates it.

San snaps his fingers in Mingi's face, and his presence becomes known. Mingi rattles his head and frowns at his friend.

"What?" he wonders cluelessly.

"What do you mean 'what?' I've been here the whole time. Why are you standing like a statue? We have work to do," the ship maintenance leader barks, furrowing his brows.

Blinking the rosy storm clouds away from his brain, Mingi nods absentmindedly. "Ah, I know. I was just taking a break. My arms hurt."

"If you strained a muscle, go talk to Seonghwa," San says in passing. He returns to his job directing his team members and building a new edging for the ship.

Over by the masts, Yunho busies himself with stabilizing the cracks and splinters. Minho prepares the replacement material while glancing up at the redhead watching from the other side. He's not the person Mingi's looking at, but it makes him a tad uncomfortable.

Clearing his throat, he informs Yunho, "You have an audience."

"I know."

"Red hair, deep voice, innocent eyes..." Minho continues tauntingly.

Yunho sighs and looks up. "I see him, Minho."

"Are you guys not talking or something? It's weird," The Circus pirate comments. It's not his place to judge, but as a friend, he disapproves of the awkwardness.

"We're not fighting if that's what you mean," Yunho clarifies, "I just... need some space. To figure out what I want."

Minho passes him the tools and nods agreeably, "Space is good. It makes the heart grow fonder."

"I don't want it to grow fonder. It's so hard being near him," the brunette confesses while applying the lower fixtures.

"Well, I guess things are about to get difficult—he's heading this way," Minho mutters apprehensively.

They gaze uncertainly at the redhead approaching in false confidence. Mingi's eyes are only on Yunho, but he falters at the ice embedded within the returning gaze. He waves at Minho, who awkwardly smiles back.

Mingi hears his heart pounding in his ears; the rapid, incessant drumming makes him antsy. "Yunho, I can go into town without a mask. Should we go look around the stores together?"

Yunho calms his breathing and replies nonchalantly, "Everybody's working to fix the ship. There's no time for that, Mingi."

"Then, should I help you guys over here? The masts can be tricky to deal with," Mingi offers.

"No, we've got enough people, and you can't just leave your other tasks unfinished. Go do those first."

Minho glances warily back and forth; he wants to disappear from this tense moment. He just came to help his friends with the repairs, so why is he listening to this?