Where the sea sleeps [HoonHao] ✔

07

Woozi stays where he's positioned. He wasn't all that hungry, so he politely declined the invitation to join them for something to eat. Politely declining Hoshi's constant attempt to change his mind and have him agree to join.

He doesn't recall dozing off, but the next thing he knows, he's being nudged. Eyes opening, he stares straight ahead for a moment, looking at the sky which he notes has taken on a particularly darker colour. The skies have darkened gradually, looking all furious and angry. Clouds hover over, and he wonders if it will start to rain. Just as quickly, he catches himself and lifts his head to look up at the culprit of his waking.

Minghao looks down at him, his long smirk curving along his face. "I don't think you should be falling asleep up here."

"I am meant to keep watch," he states simply, unable to find any other words to respond with. The way Minghao watches him as he speaks has an odd feeling fluttering in his chest. The way his face turns into something resembling judgement, though Woozi is almost one hundred percent sure that's the last thing Minghao was doing. He knew it wasn't plausible, to be trusting his gut that Minghao wasn't judging him, but he somehow knew it was just a look and nothing more.

"Right," Minghao notes. "It gets chilly up here though. Do you need another blanket or anything?" he queries, his tone softening. When he shakes his head, Minghao tilts his head. "And what about a change of clothing?"

"I am fine, thank you." He looks up only to find Minghao looking right at him. His eyes falter and while Woozi believes he's not being judged, he does feel as if he's being scrutinized. It's in the air around them too, so there's no denying this feeling. He purses his lips in a moment of consideration before nodding to nobody in particular. "Is something the matter?"

"No," Minghao says, but he doesn't look away. "You speak so formally," he says again after a moment of pausing. Woozi has no time to respond as he proceeds with his explanation. "So proper."

When he realizes that that's where he is ending it off; realizing there's nothing else he's going to follow up with, he murmurs, "Is that bad?"

Scoffing, Minghao shakes his head. "It's just unusual for someone on a pirate ship. You're probably just from a higher class."

"You have said that before," he feels the need to remind. He knows he doesn't need to, but he does. It's gotten colder and he wonders if he should have accepted the offer for a change of clothes.

There's not much time to ponder on it when the rain starts up. Rather than a light drizzle, it comes full on. Hard and angry drops, and the wind is picking up. They look up at the sky and everything speeds up. The next thing he knows, Minghao is cursing as he rushes down to the deck, a continuous string of curse words following behind him.

Woozi watches as he hurries over to Vernon who has made his way onto deck, map in hand. From where he stands, he can tell a serious discussion is taking place between them and while he hardly ever feels the need to know about conversations occurring between people other than himself, he really wishes he could overhear their discussion. The way Minghao's eyebrows pull in worry and how animatedly Vernon has suddenly gotten pulls at the core of his curiosity. Considering Vernon was someone who hardly spoke with his hands and more often than not seemed really calm, he couldn't help but wonder what has suddenly pulled out this animated, frantic side to him.

Minghao's head whips around. He's looking over to where Hoshi is seated.

"Keep tabs on the ship," he says, gesturing with his hand. "Just keep tabs on it as much as possible. Check the sails, okay? We'll figure something out."

Hoshi doesn't seem to need to be told twice because he's gotten up and is hurrying toward the bow of the ship. He looks as worried as Minghao had when he caught sight of the weather.

"A storm is coming," Minghao says abruptly after a stretch of silence. The rain is pelting and the ship is starting to sway a lot more than it usually does. He turns to Vernon, that same concerned expression across his face. "Vernon, tell me something good. Anything good."

Vernon exhales. There's a line of worry etched into his brow that, as much as he appears to be trying, even he can't hide. Apart from that, he catches a twinkle in his eye. His head whips up. "There's a town not far from here. We'll head there for shelter. Just until the storm dies down."

"How far is the town?" Dino asks. He's noted that out of all of them, Dino was the one who generally asked all of the questions.

"Two hours away," he responds immediately.

"Until then," Minghao says, "Hold on tight guys." The finality in his tone is what has them all turning around and heading off to their original positions. Woozi stares a moment too long, catching Minghao's eye in the process, and there's a moment. There's a moment where Minghao's lips curve and it's not the usual wicked smiles or little smirks that he throws left, right and center. It's soft and reassuring. Unspoken words are traded between them at that moment, Minghao's look assuring him it will be okay. For whatever reason, he accepts it. He accepts it just like that, and he's the first to turn away, shifting himself closer to the telescope and taking in a deep breath.

The moment is over, but the feeling in his chest remains. He starts to believe that it will be okay. They'll make it back safely.

Of course that lasts up until the first hour.

Well into the first hour, the storm has gotten rougher. He can tell even from here how difficult it is to be sailing. Minghao's expression doesn't give much away, but the way the vein lifts at his temple and the way they're raised along his arms, he can tell it's taking everything he's got.

"Go!" Minghao shouts. "Everyone, head to the lower deck!" There's a strain in his voice. Woozi has no time to dwell on it as he hurries to follow through with the order. He almost slips, but manages to grip tightly onto the rope ladder and it's a mess as he tries climbing down. It takes all of his focus not to slip and fall along the way.

"Take cover!" someone yells. He races to follow the others, but before he can, he loses his footing, slipping. He knows his elbow against the deck as he braces himself for the fall and the next thing he knows, he's being pulled up onto the deck, an arm gripping around him securely.

Minghao's hand rests on his head, forcing him to keep it tucked against the arm and his chest and there's definitely no way he's about to let go. Guilt flows through him, imagining how difficult it must be to sail and keep him there. Though every time he tries to move, he's pulled right back.

"Sorry," comes an apology whispered into his ear, louder than the storm if that's even possible. "Just hang on," he continues. "We're almost there."