Treasure ◇ | Seongjoong ✓

Episode 13: Be With You ◇ Part 2

After spending half the next day stewing on his thoughts, Hongjoong prepares to meet his father. Not only does he need answers, but he's spent way too long avoiding this confrontation. If he doesn't at least try to clear the air with his father, he'll be acting like a child at that point.

The weather is getting warmer, so he abandons his jacket and walks onto the deck in a short-sleeve top. Deckhands greet him with complete respect as he passes. Whether his father accepts this or not, Captain Hongjoong will never regret the life he chose. He was made for this.

Seonghwa hands a pirate a clipboard and rushes toward the plank. "Hongjoong!"

The blond man turns expectantly. His boyfriend's smile shines with supportive rays. "Let me go with you."

"Sure," Hongjoong expresses gratefully.

Looking around the crewmates visible on the deck, the first mate calls out to Yunho. "Yunho, you're in charge!"

Yunho affirms wordlessly and waves them off. The couple naturally reach for each other's hands and descend the bridge to the port. Originally, he didn't want to bother the man while he was working, but Hongjoong feels rejuvenated since Seonghwa volunteered on his own.

They take the routes scouted the previous day. To avoid further suspicion, weapons are left behind. As long as they stay out of the military's sight, nothing troublesome shall come to pass.

Hongjoong brings Seonghwa to his neighborhood. It's fascinating how little things have changed in ten years. The former drowns under waves of nostalgia.

"It's all pretty much the same... No renovations or anything," he muses aloud.

Seonghwa appreciates the humble scenery, "It would be pretty if not for the lack of maintenance."

An array of one- and two-story houses sit packed together. Plenty of trees provide ample oxygen and attract tiny wildlife. Roofs need a bit of fixing, gardens are slowly growing, and most of the houses need new paint jobs. Nothing special rests here.

The house they're looking for is a fading red one-story with a broken window. Evidence of a tree collapse on the roof is reason for concern; the crude patch job is falling apart. Hongjoong is saddened to find his childhood home in this state.

Releasing his boyfriend's hand, the captain steps forward to ring the doorbell. A minute goes by, and an older man resembling Hongjoong opens the door. His long, black hair is tied in a ponytail with noticeable gray streaks. A fishing hook scar stands out on his exposed collarbone.

He stares silently at Hongjoong. The latter breathes deeply, steels his nerves, and greets the elder. "Hi... Dad."

Kim Dohyun, the youth's father, sighs uncertainly. He's relieved, but he's also agitated. "You run off to be a pirate and don't come visit for ten years. Are you really Hongjoong?"

"Yes, it's me. I'm sorry for taking so long," Hongjoong bows his head for a second. Seonghwa fumbles nervously with his hands. He wants this reunion to go well for the father-son pair.

Dohyun peers into the captain's face and nods. In a sentimental tone, he confirms, "Those are Sera's eyes for sure. Come inside before soldiers see you."

He leads his guests to the living room and makes sure all the curtains are shut. Seonghwa curiously searches for baby pictures of his partner. When he spots them, his coos make the latter embarrassed. Dohyun observes their dynamic nonchalantly.

After snatching the photos out of Seonghwa's hands and forcing him to sit still on the sofa, Hongjoong faces his father again. "Dad, why is the window broken? The roof was in bad shape, too."