" 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 2 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚣𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚙𝚊𝚒𝚗 ———
Fits of laughter and cheers of relief rang around the room. Their smiles were bright and lively, as if it was the best day of their lives. Some senior members present began to hug each other, slap each other's backs, or held each other's hand in praise. Everyone loved Hongjoong's decision. He was the missing piece of their puzzle, and since it was solved now, their plan would finally work.
Hopefully after the mission succeeds, he will still be an important part of their puzzle and continue to be useful.
Tears started prickling his eyes. He didn't want to feel useless anymore. If this was the way, hurting someone...so be it. However, an idle thought lingered throughout his head. He really was murdering someone. Murdering his captain, of all people. The one who trusted him with his secrets. The shoulder only he could cry on. Hongjoong bit his lip to stop an on-flow of tears rushing to his tear ducts.
He was suddenly pulled into something squishy. Soft and comforting. Welcoming.
Fabric brushed against his face as he tried to look up at his captor(s), but sets of arms were trapping him in. He was firmly squished in a group hug among his tall friends. He tried wiggling his arms around the bodies to hug back, barely succeeding. Someone ruffled his hair, earning them an angered squeak from Joong.
His friends were actually hugging him. Accepting him. He finally felt like he was a part of their group now. Sure, Soobin did confirm that Joong could join them among the first days upon their arrival, but their words didn't reflect upon their actions. It was just a one-sided mirror. A broken promise.
Everyone except Joong seemed to be close. Despite being roommates, Yeonjun would never open up with his true emotions and feelings. Soobin refused to even speak with him, as if he was some sort of plague. Kai pityingly hung out with him a couple times, but it was nothing more than that. He barely even spoke to Beomgyu and Taehyun - they just ignored his existence. Yet Hongjoong rolled with the flow; the boys were probably just introverted and needed time. Yet when that "needed time" passed and no one was still trying to get close to him, he knew something was up. However, Hongjoong never spoke up about the issue. He just let them step on him.
So when they were closely hugging him and praising him for his efforts, acting as if he was some sort of god, he felt accepted. Loved. He melted into the affection - it was something he rarely received.
Hongjoong quickly brushed over the fact that someone else in his life was the same way - open, truthful, and of course, trustworthy. He ignored that thought since he didn't want to cry again, especially with his newfound, "true" friends.
He clung to the body in front of him, finally meeting their eyes. It was Soobin. A small smirk grazed his lips.
Hongjoong chuckled, letting go of the massive group hug, and just enjoyed the praise and love for the rest of the night. He was free.
