Take me home | Seongjoong

Shadows on the Horizon

The Black Siren sailed smoothly through the morning mist, the sight of the distant island growing larger with each passing minute. The crew of Hongjoong's ship moved with excitement and anticipation. Wooyoung's laughter echoed from the bow, while Yunho and Mingi sang a jaunty sea shanty, their voices rising above the rush of wind in the sails. Everyone could feel it—the treasure that awaited them just beyond those shores.

Seonghwa stood at the edge of the deck, watching the horizon with quiet apprehension. His heart, however, was not as light as the rest of the crew's. He'd felt uneasy ever since they left the last port, but he couldn't quite place why. The memories of the guards, the posters, and the merchant ship nagged at him like a whisper in the back of his mind.

As if on cue, San shouted from the crow's nest, his voice strained. "Ships on the horizon! Lots of them!"

In an instant, the crew's excitement died, replaced by a sharp tension. All heads turned toward the horizon, where several ships appeared through the fog—ships flying the colors of the Crown. Panic spread across the deck as the realization hit them like a storm.

"It's a trap," Jongho muttered, clenching his fists.

Seonghwa's blood ran cold as dread filled him. He knew now why the Crown's ships had found them. It was him. The Crown was looking for him. His escape had led them here, and now Hongjoong's crew was in danger because of it.

His breath quickened, the weight of his secret suffocating him. He couldn't let this happen. He wouldn't. Steeling himself, Seonghwa stepped forward, his voice low but clear. "This is because of me."

The crew turned toward him, confused.

This could not happen. Seonghwa could already imagine what the Crown's navy could do to the crew he just became a part of. They are not kind, nor are they forgiving. These people would pay for Seonghwa's mistakes and past. It seemed like a cruel joke, one that threatened to destroy everything he had built on the Black Siren. The least he could do was tell them the truth, not that it mattered much since they all would be dead soon.

"They are here because of me," Seonghwa continued, his voice shaking slightly. "I'm... I'm the one they've been hunting. That's why those ships are here. They're after me."

A stunned silence followed his confession. Wooyoung's eyes widened in disbelief, while San exchanged a glance with Yeosang. Even Yunho, always calm and steady, seemed shaken by the revelation.

Hongjoong, however, remained still, his gaze unreadable. "It's because you're the missing prince, isn't it?" he asked, voice low.

Seonghwa nodded, guilt gnawing at him. "I didn't mean for any of this to happen. They must have tracked me through the guards, the posters... they've been looking for me since I ran."

The ship groaned as it rocked gently on the waves, the silence between them thick with tension.

"I'll surrender myself," Seonghwa said suddenly, his voice firm despite the fear coursing through him. "I'll go to them, and I hope they'll leave you alone. They won't have any reason to pursue the Black Siren if I'm not here."

"You think we'd let you do that?" Wooyoung said, incredulous. "They'll kill you."

"That's better than putting all of you in danger," Seonghwa replied, meeting Wooyoung's gaze. "This is my fault."

"Don't be an idiot," San growled,just coming down from crow's nest. "We're not handing you over."

"San's right," Yeosang added quietly, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade. "We don't abandon our own."

Seonghwa opened his mouth to protest, but Hongjoong cut him off with a sharp motion of his hand. The captain's eyes were piercing as he regarded Seonghwa.

"I had a feeling you were more than you seemed," Hongjoong said quietly. "Back at the docks, I overheard why the guards were so frantic. A runaway prince, fitting your description. I went out the next day to investigate and figured it had to be you."

Seonghwa blinked in surprise. "You... knew?"

"Not everything," Hongjoong replied, his eyes softening slightly. "But I suspected. And I didn't care. You're one of us now. I made you a promise, didn't I?"

Seonghwa's heart pounded in his chest, warmth flooding through him at Hongjoong's words. "But the ships—"

"They'll have to catch us first," Hongjoong said, a fierce glint in his eyes. He turned to his crew, raising his voice. "You heard him! We run. Get to work!"

At once, the crew snapped into action, the deck becoming a flurry of movement. Wooyoung darted to the helm, navigating the best course away from the Crown's ships. Mingi and Yunho adjusted the sails while San and Jongho secured the ropes. Even in the midst of the chaos, Hongjoong remained steady, a pillar of calm amidst the storm.

Seonghwa stood frozen for a moment, disbelief and gratitude swirling inside him. The captain was risking everything to protect him, despite knowing the truth.

Hongjoong shot him a sidelong glance as he took the helm. "Seonghwa, you may be a prince, but right now, we need all hands on deck. And no one gets left behind. Understand?"

Seonghwa nodded, swallowing hard. "Yes, Captain."

As the Black Siren surged forward, the Crown's ships gave chase, their black sails cutting through the mist. The race had begun.