Take me home | Seongjoong

The Storm

The winds had been picking up for hours. Seonghwa could feel the shift in the air, heavy with the promise of rain and rolling thunder. The clouds above the open sea darkened as the ship cut through the swelling waves, each one more forceful than the last. The crew moved with urgency, their usual chatter replaced with the serious silence of preparation. Even the gulls that often circled above were nowhere to be seen.

"Storm's coming," Yunho said, tightening the ropes on one of the main sails as Seonghwa stood beside him, watching the horizon.

Mingi was on the other side of the deck, hauling crates below to secure them. Jongho, who had been checking the anchor's stability, called out for more hands. The ship groaned as it rocked on the growing waves, the wood creaking in protest.

"Seonghwa, over here!" Yunho waved him over, pointing to a section of rigging that needed securing. "Tie that down, and make sure the knots are tight. If the wind catches it wrong, we'll lose the sail."

Without hesitation, Seonghwa got to work. His hands moved deftly, the rope rough under his fingers as he tightened the knots just as Yunho had shown him. He had never worked on a ship before, but these past few weeks had taught him enough. He knew how important this was—how much danger a ship could be in during a storm like this. Every man needed to play his part.

"Good job!" Yunho shouted over the rising wind as Seonghwa finished. "Now check with Mingi!"

Seonghwa jogged across the deck, nearly losing his footing as the ship tilted violently to the side with a particularly strong wave. The rain had begun to fall, fat droplets slapping against the wood, but they weren't heavy yet. The real storm was still coming.

"Mingi! What do you need?" Seonghwa called out as he reached the taller pirate, who was struggling to pull a heavy barrel toward the center of the deck.

"Get that barrel strapped down! If it rolls, it could crush someone!" Mingi's voice was strained as he heaved another barrel into place.

Seonghwa grabbed the ropes and began tying the barrels together, making sure they were secure. The wind howled, tugging at his wet clothes, and the ship lurched again. He heard Jongho curse somewhere nearby, his voice muffled by the wind.

The rain began to pour in earnest now, the deck slick with water. Seonghwa's hair clung to his face, and his vision blurred as the droplets stung his eyes. He wiped them with the back of his hand and finished securing the last barrel.

Just then, a booming voice cut through the chaos.

"Seonghwa!" Hongjoong shouted from the quarterdeck, his hand gripping the railing as the ship rocked violently beneath him. "Below deck, now!"

Seonghwa froze, his heart racing. The storm was far from its peak, but he knew that voice well enough. It wasn't a request. It was a command. And though part of him wanted to stay—wanted to prove to Hongjoong that he could stand his ground, that he wasn't some fragile prince who needed protection—he knew better than to argue. Hongjoong's eyes were sharp as they locked on his, leaving no room for debate.

Biting back the frustration that rose in his chest, Seonghwa nodded stiffly and turned to make his way below deck. He could feel his anger simmering under the surface, the sting of Hongjoong's lack of trust gnawing at him. He had worked hard, shown them all that he could be just as capable as any man on this ship. And yet, here he was, being sent away like some helpless child.

The stairway leading to the lower decks was dark, the air thick and damp as the storm raged outside. He passed by the storage rooms and the bunks, making his way toward the crew cabins, intending to check on Yeosang. But as he neared Wooyoung's cabin, he heard a soft, almost inaudible whimper.