Yunho and Baram sit in the workshop together. She plays with a Rubik's cube while the swordsman cleans and sharpens his twin cutlasses. He pays her no mind while she occasionally glances up at him. Mingi, her primary guardian, is still by the first mate's bedside.
Everyone is preparing to sail to Seoul Island where they assume the final battle will take place. Captain Hongjoong will make sure it's the finale.
But Baram won't be there to witness it.
Sighing somberly, she blurts, "I don't want to go."
Yunho looks up from his sword and turns to her. Her big black eyes meet his brown orbs earnestly. Putting his weapon down, he tells her, "It's for your safety. The people in Jinju are very nice. That's where Seonghwa is from."
Upon receiving the order to call up the alliance, Yunho realized that this upcoming battle might be the most fearsome. As such, he doesn't want Baram anywhere near it, and Mingi agrees. After discussing it, they decided to send Baram to Gyeongnam Island by one of the Midnight Fleet's ships.
The pirates gave the Jinju people a communication device a while back so they could keep in touch if necessary. So, they're already expecting the girl's arrival. She'll be much safer there. Especially if something detrimental were to happen and her guardians don't make it back.
Baram pouts, "You said you wouldn't abandon me."
"And we won't. Once it's all over, we'll come back for you," Yunho insists.
"You're doing this because you're afraid you won't survive, right? What's different about this battle compared to the others?" the teenager interrogates.
"The difference is that this is the last one. Fate will be decided."
Baram blinks musingly, processing his words. After a moment, she curses, "Fuck fate."
Yunho's eyes widen a tad, and he scoffs in amusement. "Watch your language."
"You and Mingi say fuck all the time."
"We're adults." Yunho presses his hand atop her head and leans his face close to hers endearingly. "And you're a kid."
She looks skeptical. "I bet you swore as a kid."
Chuckling without denying it, Yunho moves back. "Jeong Baram, you're too smart for your own good. And since you're so smart, I'm sure you know that you're too young to be involved in all of this. We've exposed you to enough, but this time, we really want you to be in the safest place. So be a good girl and go pack your things."
Baram pouts at the workstation and hums. "In a little while."
"And why not now?" Yunho implores.
"Because I want to sit with you a bit longer."
His heart swells with love. When did he get attached? Perhaps from the moment Mingi gave the girl Yunho's surname. Maybe that night all three of them slept in the bed like a proper family, something none of them ever had.
Until now.
Smiling warmly, Yunho hooks his arm around the teen's tiny frame. Baram scoots closer and continues to solve the Rubik's cube in the comfort of the elder's parental embrace.
"And remember to be on your best behavior. You've got good manners, though, so you should be fine. Better manners than mine. Anyway, don't be afraid to speak up and ask if you need something. Jisoo seems rough around the edges sometimes, but she's pretty nice and cool. Don't bully other kids. Don't get bullied. What else..."

YOU ARE READING
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...