Aurora - You are my light (Ateez x reader)

FIFTYFOUR

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"The Captain wants to see you," Mingi had said.
His tone was casual. His eyes, anything but.

Now I was standing in front of the captain's cabin door, wondering for the third time why my stomach fluttered like a flag in a storm. Maybe because I already knew this wouldn't be a harmless conversation. And whatever came after definitely wouldn't be either.

I raised my hand and knocked. Twice. Softly.

"Come in," came the voice shortly after.

I stepped inside.

The heavy captain's coat fit perfectly over his shoulders. The silver buttons gleamed in the pale light. His pants clung suspiciously well to his well-shaped legs, and even the way he stood seemed so controlled it was like he'd been posing for a sculpture.
Perfect timing to look like a tragic hero straight out of a dark epic.

I barely curled my lips and forced my eyes to the desk.
Focus, Aurora. This is not about how he looks. Not today.

The maps were half-unrolled across the desk, same as always. A compass rested beside them, along with a few scrolls, loosely held down by a dagger.
He stood with his back to me, hands clasped behind him, gazing out the window where the first dark waves were beginning to reflect.

"Sit down if you want," he said without turning around.

I stayed where I was.
"Mingi said you wanted to talk to me."

He turned slowly.
His eyes were calm, but not cold. Like someone fighting a battle inside that no one else was allowed to see.

"We're approaching the edge of the Sirens' Trench," he said. "Just a few more hours. After that, there's no going back."

I nodded. "I know."

I stepped closer, letting my gaze drift over the map.
"So... what are you trying to tell me, Captain? That I shouldn't drown?" I forced a smile that didn't reach my eyes.

He looked me dead in the eyes. And just like that, all room for jokes vanished.

"That you understand what you're getting into."

I stayed quiet, my fingers grazing the edge of the desk.

"As soon as we enter the trench, the singing will begin. The men will lose control. Maybe not all at once. Maybe not completely. But long enough that you'll be alone with whatever comes."

I nodded. "I know."

"And still you're here."

"Of course." I met his eyes. "What did you expect after everything between us? That I'd hide and leave you to deal with this alone?"

His gaze softened.
"Sometimes I wish you would."

He stepped to the desk, unrolling more of the map with care. He pointed to a spot barely marked by a thin black line.

"Here. The water is deep, unstable, full of rock formations. If Bumjoong..." He paused and took a breath. "If my brother fell there, then that's probably where the Chromer ended up. I can't be sure. But it feels right."

I moved closer and followed his finger across the tangled lines.

"How am I supposed to find it?" I asked. "If it's deep on the ocean floor? Between wrecks, rocks, sirens..."