" 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 5 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚗i𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚎 ———
The night seemed endless.
There he was, twitching in his spot, relentlessly moving from side to side. His ex-friends and fellow top crew members stood next to him, far taller and much more relaxed.
The bouncing of his foot couldn't hold his anxiousness to get off the ship. To leave forever and finally be free. Maybe it was wrong when he decided to join this ragtag pirate crew years ago. He could've been living a simple life on the mainland and become some sort of merchant. That would've been much easier than everything he has gone through for the past two weeks.
The natural ocean breeze seemed much more harsher at night rather than day. The salt jabbed his tongue and invaded his nostrils, only leaving misty remains. Hongjoong always loved the sea and its recklessness, but now was time for a break.
Soobin was first, throwing down the tight yet worn rope ladder that reached the dock. The boy easily climbed down, jumping when there were only a couple loops left. Next was Yeonjun, then Taehyun, and so forth. Hongjoong was second to last, rendering him unable to waver and rethink his decisions as he was brutally shoved to climb down. Maddox flashed through his mind for a brief moment, but was merely brushed away once Hongjoong's feet finally touched stable ground.
Hongjoong was free.
As the last crew member climbed down, he waved off the remaining members who stayed back to watch the ship. They gave excited yelps and cheers in return before retreating back to their duties. Hongjoong really couldn't go back now.
He gulped unconsciously, trying to listen in on Soobin's orders while he fingered the smooth necklace strung around his neck. The only words he managed to catch were, "...go to the shops and grab some supplies, the rest come with me."
He froze, watching as Yeonjun sauntered off, a small group following behind him. The rest began to follow Soobin, who looked like he was making his way to the closest tavern. Thankfully, Kai was behind him and understood his confusion - he gave Joong a push towards Yeonjun's group who were almost long gone, a small smile resting on his face. Hongjoong gratefully returned it, lighting up his mood. That was the last smile he would see in a while.
Hongjoong rushed off to catch up with the group, trying to wave a final goodbye to Kai, but the boy had already disappeared off without a trace.
——
He finally held the power over his life.
Hongjoong didn't know how it started. All he remembered was eyeing up every single alleyway they passed, keeping in mind every one that lead to other multiple paths. He kept a mental checklist of each road they turned down, not failing to recognize the dirt road slowly turning into a gravel one. They were finally in the main plaza - one of the best on the mainland.
