" we won't actually have to choose a side...right? "
[ ateez pirate au // book 1 ]
an ongoing story that shows the issues the ateez boys have to go through on their way to pirate kings. old, familial problems from their pasts become bigger issues t...
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chapter 1 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎𝚜
——— "You're dismissed, lad. Oh, by the way, tell the others to hoist the Yellow Jack sail. We're likely to be passing privateer Royal Guard ships soon, since we're nearby their residing island. I'd rather not get pillaged today after our successful loot yesterday, so hopefully it'll force them to let us pass by without any issue. Thank you for coming, by the way."
Hongjoong nodded quickly to his captain's words, barely absorbing them because he was feeling rather distracted. There was an un-explainable uneasiness and guilt that settled in the pit of his stomach as he watched the captain's eyes turn into small crescents when he flashed Joong his signature, heartwarming smile. Feeling quite stuffy, Hongjoong forced a quick and tense smile, trying to keep his eyes steady and focused on his captain's face as he suppressed a sniffle. He soaked in his captain's facials - his ever so prominent wrinkles that were usually only seen when he smiled, his sparkling dark eyes that always seemed to be filled with passion, his uneven nose from the amount of times it was smashed and broken during pillages. Everything seemed so natural and welcoming. Leaving his mere daze, Hongjoong harshly bit on his tongue and turned on his heel , going straight for the unstable oak door - the only exit. His captain will never see him break down again. Never again. As his hand reached for the knob, the powerful voice spoke again,
"Thank you Hongjoong-ah. It means a lot to me that you can trust me. I want to start training you so you can become the next captain upon this ship. How about we start by getting you situated with mapping and navigating? Here," some ruffling noises were heard but the short male didn't dare to turn his head in the slightest, afraid his mask will break down any second, "take the map. Remember to protect that with your life and return it to me tomorrow," the captain finished his quick offer, handing Hongjoong a map with a small note.
Oh, he didn't want to turn around. Why couldn't it be simple? The seventeen-year old should've just left. He shouldn't have stayed later than usual to have a chat with the captain after his morning duties.
Hongjoong took the risk....then immediately regretted it. After turning around, ever so slightly, he met his eyes. The twinkling, accepting ones. His captain's.
His gulp was instantly swallowed and the shiver ran down from head to toe. Rather harshly, Joong snatched the map and note away and left the Captain's Quarters without another word.
---
His room never seemed more comforting other than now as everything came crashing down. The cotton blanket soaked his tears and lessened his worries - somewhat. Oh, his worries will never go away. This guilt will be following him constantly, like a thunderstorm cloud looming over his head. It will never go away and he'll be forced to have that constant voice in the back of his head, reminding him of every bad thing he's done, but specifically, this bad thing. The fuzzy texture brushed against his fingertips as he gripped the fabric intensely. His fingers could be felt digging into his own palms through the thick wool blanket. He clawed at his cheeks and skin, trying to rip away the ultimate guilt that consumed him. He stuffed his face back into the fuzzy blanket that was partially soaking wet already. He was glad his roommate was out with others and wasn't coming back for a while. However, he knew the reason as to why his roommate was gone.
