pirate king | ateez ff ∞

Innocence, Pt. 1

"When these sails go up, mountains fade away
Stars come out, I'm finally free"
Jack Johnson : Only the Ocean

~~

The crashing of waves, the smell of the sea, the bitter taste of saltwater, it was all encompassing, swallowing you whole as soon as you stepped foot into the outside world.

It was what Hongjoong enjoyed the most about his life.

The freedom of being at sea with nothing holding him back, the calm rage of the ocean was oddly soothing, and the caws of the 'gulls overhead crescendo'd in an everlasting song.

"Son, what're you doing up there?" A voice spoke, breaking Hongjoong from his admiration of the sea. It was his father, the Captain of their small band of pirates.

He admired his father, who had created a name for himself in this vast world of water. Captain Woo Ji-ho, the bravest pirate this side of the Pacific.

Hongjoong's deepest desire was to have his own crew, his own ship, his own reputation. To be just like his dad.

Hongjoong giggled, "I was just hoping to catch the sunrise from up here, dad!"

Indeed he was, there was something magical about sitting atop the high mast and watching the sun break the horizon, painting the sky an artful array of reds and purples.

He could hear the smile in his fathers voice as it carried over the salty wind, "Okay, son, just be sure to come down afterwards, you still have chores!"

Sighing, Hongjoong turned his attention back to the point where the sun was already beginning to kiss the skies edges. Why did he need to do chores when he could soak in the beauty of their beautiful world?

His breath caught as the sun slowly crept forwards, tinting the brilliant blue of the sky purple, it's reflection rippling in the green-blue of the ocean water.

This, he thought, was worth more than all of the gold in the royal stores. Watching the tapestry of the world being woven, one single golden strand at a time.

A sharp whistle from below deck signaled the start of the day for the rest of their crew, and Hongjoong skillfully slid down the mast to join the others for breakfast.

He greeted his dads first mate, Crazy Coral Kyung, as they sat down to eat.

"Ready for today's chores, champ?" Kyung quipped, am easy smirk sliding over his face as he saw Hongjoong's demeanor deflate.

"Hey, it's not too bad today, all you have to do is mop the deck and clean the cannons!" It was obvious the first mate was trying hard to keep his features neutral, but the amused glimmer in his eyes gave him away.

"It may not seem like much to you, but it's boring! Who wants to mop and clean all day when you guys get to go over maps and plan stuff?" Hongjoong pouted, put-out to be left out of such important business.

Kyung smiled, a real smile, not a smirk, "Easy there champ, you're too young for all that stuff right now. You gotta work your way up the ranks before you can sit in on meetings," he paused momentarily, "Your father had to do the same thing in fact."

Hongjoong's eyes almost popped out of his skull. His father? One of the fiercest pirates on the ocean? Worked up from a mere mop boy to Captain? It just didn't make sense!

The first mate must've been able to read his mind, because he continued on excitedly, "Yes! Even the Mighty Woo Ji-ho had to mop-" a loud cough interrupted him.

"I hope you're not spinning your far-fetched tales to my precious son, are you Kyungles?" His father's tone was joking, but his entire presence screamed 'Shut your mouth before I shut it for you.'

Kyung swallowed hard, "N-no, Captain Woo, sir. I was just trying to motivate the boy to get his chores done is all! I swear it!"

His father's facade dropped, and he chuckled warmly, "Kyung, it's ok, I know my roots. Only an idiot forgets where they come from."

He then proceeded to clap the man on the back with his strong arms, eliciting a small wince and a groan from the First Mate.

Turning his attention to his small son, he kneeled, reaching out and cupped his tiny cheek with his calloused hand, "Son, I know you don't like it, but doing chores actually helps you!"

A pause, "It does?"

"Yes!" A broad grin broke out on the Captains face, "It teaches you responsibility and work ethic, and a good pirate always has both!"

"Why must they have both?" He wondered, why did mopping up fish guts help him as a swash-buckling pirate?

"Because son, a good Captain puts his crew before himself, and that's responsibility. A good Captain works hard to keep everyone safe, and to do the smartest thing." The Captain turned to see his First Mate nodding along with what he was saying, all traces of joking gone from his face.

"That's what good Captains do?"

"Yes, my little Pirate King, thats exactly what good Captains do," He paused for dramatic effect, "You do want to be a good Captain right?"

Hongjoong modded fervently, that was all he had ever dreamed about!

His father smiled gently before standing again, "Good." He leaned over and whispered into his sons ear, "I'll think you'll make a very good Captain."

Suddenly, Hongjoong thought, chores didn't sound too bad.

~~

A/N: So there's the first chapter!!! I hope you all know that I love Hongjoong so much, he's so adorable!!!

I hope you enjoyed this, and know that this chapter was over 900 words! I'm super excited to write this because it's been sitting in my head for sooooo long lol!

-wdlw