Take me home | Seongjoong

Secrets

The dawn broke gently over the docks, casting a warm glow on the bustling harbor. The Black Siren swayed lightly with the gentle waves, anchored close to the wooden pier. The day was bright, with the promise of good weather—a favorable sign for the journey ahead. The crew, already awake and full of energy, prepared the ship for departure, their voices mixing with the calls of seagulls overhead.

Seonghwa found himself unusually busy, helping the crew

Seonghwa found himself unusually busy, helping the crew with the final preparations for their departure. It was a different kind of work from what he had grown used to—more involved, more purposeful. The crew was in high spirits, excited to set sail once again after spending time in the port, and Seonghwa could feel the anticipation in the air.

As he moved about the deck, assisting where he could, he noticed how easily he had fallen into the rhythm of the crew. Mingi and Yunho were hoisting crates onto the ship, their banter as loud as ever, while San and Yeosang were checking the rigging, ensuring everything was secure. Wooyoung was in the galley, loudly complaining about the lack of fresh supplies, but Seonghwa could tell that even he was in a good mood.

As Seonghwa tied off a rope, Wooyoung approached him, a mischievous grin on his face. "So, Seonghwa," he began, his tone teasing, "I hear you and the captain had a little... late-night meeting last night."

Seonghwa looked up, raising an eyebrow at Wooyoung's implication. "And where exactly did you hear that?" he asked, keeping his tone neutral.

Wooyoung shrugged, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, you know, just around. The ship has ears, you know." He leaned in closer, dropping his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "Disappearing together, late at night, alone on deck... it's got the crew talking, that's all."

Seonghwa rolled his eyes, but he couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips. "You're reading too much into it, Wooyoung. The captain was just giving me a lesson in navigation."

"Sure," Wooyoung said, drawing out the word as if he didn't believe a bit of it. "And I'm the Queen of the Seven Seas." He clapped Seonghwa on the shoulder, his grin widening. "Just be careful, Seonghwa. The captain might be all serious and mysterious, but he's still a man. And you're... well, you."

Seonghwa chuckled, shaking his head at Wooyoung's antics. "Nothing happened, Wooyoung. But I appreciate the concern."

"Just looking out for you," Wooyoung said with a wink before turning back toward the galley.

The rest of the morning passed in a flurry of activity. The crew exchanged stories of their time in the city—Mingi and Yunho bragged about winning a brawl at a local tavern, while San boasted about conning some merchants out of a few gold coins. Seonghwa listened with amusement, enjoying the camaraderie that had formed among them. It was moments like these that made him realize just how much he had come to care for this motley group of pirates.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Hongjoong finally returned from his business in the city. He strode up the gangplank with his usual confident gait, a small, satisfied smile playing on his lips. The crew greeted him with nods and salutes, and he acknowledged each of them with a curt nod of his own.

Seonghwa caught Hongjoong's eye as he approached, and for a brief moment, they shared a look—one that seemed to convey more than words ever could. There was a familiarity between them now, a silent understanding that had grown over the past weeks. Seonghwa felt his heart skip a beat, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside, reminding himself of the roles they played.

With Hongjoong back on board, the final preparations were quickly completed, and soon the Black Siren was ready to depart. The crew moved with practiced efficiency, raising the sails and securing the last of the cargo. As the ship slowly began to drift away from the dock, Seonghwa found himself once again standing at the railing, watching as the city he had come to know disappeared into the distance.