The next day, Hongjoong meets up with Chan outside of the meeting hall. Negotiations can finally continue now that the Navy has left. The Wonderland captain doesn't feel any sort of relief, though.
Chan frowns when he spots the man coming without anyone else. He and Minho exchange short glances before greeting the blue-haired male.
"Hey. Why isn't anyone with you?" the brunette questions.
Hongjoong exhales and shoves his hands into his pants pockets. "Because my crew isn't talking to me."
"Not even Seonghwa or Yunho?"
"Especially not Seonghwa or Yunho," Hongjoong confirms.
Minho hums musingly, silently guessing why that may be the case. After all, he's quite close with the former first mate and has even developed a good friendship with the current one. He knows how much they care about Mingi.
Chan holds Hongjoong's gaze meaningfully and says, "Listen, we can leave. My guys and I may only know the bare minimum of Mingi's story, but he's still our friend. We're right behind you if you want to go after him."
"How are we supposed to win the war without the others' support?" Hongjoong counters.
"I don't know, but we can find a way. We'll forgo the alliance. I'm not sure about Soyeon. She's been fighting in the battle, but she's stopped attending the meetings."
Hongjoong rolls his eyes, and his friend concludes, "If it comes down to our two ships, then so be it. Even if it takes a lot longer. We've already been fighting for our lives against tyranny for about ten years. What's a little more? Let's go."
The brunette and his first mate head inside. Hongjoong processes his words and comes to a realization. "You're right... We've been fighting all this time," he mumbles to himself.
Jeong Yunho stares at the head of the Midnight Fleet and gathers his resolve. The swordsman boldly climbs the plank and strides across the deck. Any curious or confused stares go ignored.
At the stern with her girlfriend, Soyeon locks eyes with the Wonderland pirate. She doesn't say anything as he climbs the stairs and stands before her. His expression is cold and solemn, quite like her own resting face.
Yunho bows his head and states more so than asks, "You're not at the meeting?"
"Because everyone there gets on my nerves," Soyeon replies nonchalantly.
"In that case, I need your help," the man pleads.
The Midnight captain tilts her head, scrutinizing his stance. She crosses her arms and contemplates. Their eye contact never breaks.
At the meeting, Hongjoong circles the room with his eyes. Each and every single one of these people are pirates. What do pirates do? Rebel against the government.
Yet they're acting as if everything was fine before the war started.
Bang Chan's words have awoken the sleeping demon inside of Hongjoong. His fire has been fizzling out, blocked by icy fear. This is his fight, but it's also theirs. They've always been enemies to the Tyrant Queen. It's natural as sea-dwellers, yet all they've done is blame him.
This war would've happened sooner or later. Perhaps, it's been going on the whole time ever since the Tyrant King took over seventy years ago.
And this epiphany brings Hongjoong back to his senses.
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Precious ◈ | Seongjoong/Yungi ✓
FanfictionSeonghwa has fully accepted his role as the "Pirate King's lover" and his new lifestyle aboard The Wonderland. Yunho and Mingi are finally together. However, a new label has been given to their conflict with the Tyrant Queen: war. While taking on th...
