" 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 4 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚘𝚖 ——— Hongjoong was finally seeing the light of day again. Days and days had passed, storm clouds swarming each and every one of them. Every day was the same old boring routine: waking up, doing minimal duties, back in bed, eating dinner, sleep. Hongjoong never thought he'd be thinking this, but he's sick of the pirate life.
Soobin made his life a living hell, on top of his misfortunes already. He took every single chance to poke fun or tease Joong, as if he were some kind of child. The constant corrections if he accidentally messed something up, the baby-talk, the "aww, do you need help with that, little boy?". Hongjoong thought his own obvious anger issues had sizzled down or even fully disappeared, but with Soobin present in his life, the anger and hatred took full form. The inanimate objects in his cabin have been more abused and broken than ever before. His hammock strings were ripped and shredded, rendering them useless and unusable. Yeonjun thankfully moved out once Hongjoong ended up punching a hole through his wooden bed frame.
He couldn't take it anymore. Every bad thing seemed to pile up, seemingly struggling to reach the endless sky. The tower never wobbled, just staying completely still like concrete as a new terrible event got added to the top. The rock-hard pillar was stubborn as hell, but Hongjoong was even more stubborn.
Once the blinding sunlight pierced through the dark grey clouds, Hongjoong knew his "bad luck Jenga tower" was finally coming down. A major piece present at the bottom was finally pulled out and discarded - terrible weather and miserable days.
Hongjoong rejoiced in the sunlight, absorbing every little inch of warmth he missed. He used to believe he preferred cold weather over hot weather, but after the past week, he finally came to the conclusion that the heat provided much more comfort to him.
He let out a breathy sigh, leaning further over the railings of the Crow's Nest. The bustling shipmates continued their work duties like any other day, everything seemingly normal. When he made eye contact with the Captain's Quarters door, he made a mental note to ask Soobin about payment. Each crew member, depending on your status and work load, was rewarded with money each month. July was coming to a close, and Hongjoong hadn't heard any mentions of getting paid. He grimaced outwardly - of course Soobin wouldn't pay them. That dictator did whatever he wanted. Once the crew confronts him on it, however, maybe he'll finally see the light. That boy lived in the deepest shadows of hell and wasn't trying to get to the heavenly side at all. Yet, maybe, just maybe, he'll listen to his friends' complaints of underpayment.
Hongjoong pulled out the spyglass that hung loosely on a hoop in his belt. He scouted the wide blue ocean, searching for land or living creatures. He silently hoped the crew would be docking soon, since supplies weren't the greatest and his sea legs were missing the stable earth. Finding nothing interesting or out of the ordinary, Hongjoong decided on visiting Soobin. The boy wasn't present at the wheel oddly enough and Yeonjun was taking his place. Strange. He must be in the Captain's Quarters. Recollecting himself and getting himself ready for any insults or teases, Joong made his way down the shrouds.
