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Chapter Text

The sun was at its zenith, the water was rocking around the ship, driven by the gentle waves. It was a peaceful day in itself. Hongjoong, their captain stood behind the wheel, wearing his favorite pirate coat. The coat was made of worn, dark brown leather, on which hung a pendant, made from titan, in the shape of an anchor.

Jongho sat high on the main mast, holding binoculars in his hand. The mast swayed slowly back and forth thanks to the strong wind that was pulling on it. Wooyoung sighed. It had been a boring day. They never really had a goal, or a place they wanted to reach. Mingi was twirling a knife between his fingers, Yunho seated beside the first mate of their captain. Yeosang, their quartermaster, was busy fanning himself with a map.

Wooyoung leaned against the railing and listened to the water gurgling against the ships bows wood. He looked up to his captain, who pulled his feathered hat deeper into his forehead. It would still take about a day to reach the nearest harbor, which was located by a village called White Whale. It was an honorably inconspicuous spot of land, the fertile country stocked with farms and many young people willing to work, whom Hongjoong mostly hired as powder monkeys just to get rid of them at the nearest port. Assuming they survived that long.

Jonghos warning shout frightened the rest of the crew. Wooyoungs hand rushed to the gun in his belt, his finger loosened the lock. A large ship appeared in front of the horizon, raising blood red flags. Hongjoong grinned, his eyes flashed with lust for murder. The crews last fight was way too long ago. 

“Get ready!” shouted the captain and watched with satisfaction as his crew gathered up and took up their positions. The enemy ship had almost reached them. Yeosang, well-prepared as always, handed the other crew members the masks they wore during a battle, to minimize the danger of detection. 

Small silver chains hung over the black leather of the masks and rang lightly as Wooyoung put on the mask. He was able to recognize the captain of the other ship. A man with a thick beer abdomen, a long beard, in which he had braided pearls, and a large machete in his hand. The rest of his crew looked like him. Mingi appeared at Wooyoungs side and nudged the younger one.

“We can handle these cockroaches. ”

Wooyoung pulled his gun.

“I have no doubt about that. ”

The fight was over faster than they thought. It took ten minutes, at most, before Hongjoong impaled the other captain on his sword. The other crew members were either killed by Wooyoungs gun, Jonghos inhumanely strong hands, or Yeosangs whip. Mingi held position behind a cannon, which was not used in the end, leaving the bored gunner to absently watch the waves in the distance.

“Let’s see if we can find anything valuable here. ” Hongjoong ordered. The others nodded and followed him inside the ship. The first door was the kitchen. Yeosang stayed behind to pack food as their own food ran out. The second door was the captains office. Jongho stayed behind to collect cards that they could use for themselves. The third door must have been the captains bedroom. Hongjoong froze right in the door frame. On the bed sat a young, frail man. Naked, thin legs peeked out from underneath the duvet. He was wearing a blindfold and his thin wrists were in handcuffs, which chained him to the bed. 

The stranger was trembling as Hongjoong slowly approached.

“Please, not again!” the man begged. Hongjoong had to swallow. Wooyoung followed him into the room, gently approaching the man on the bed.

“We are not your captain”, Hongjoong said, his hand outstretched to loosen the blindfold.

The mans beauty took Hongjoongs breath away. When the blindfold fell, large, deer-brown eyes appeared with long, curved eyelashes. His skin resembled porcelain, even the bruises and red markings could not harm him. The fine, blonde hair rounded off the overall picture. 

“Who are you?” the man asked suspiciously. He glanced at Wooyoung suspiciously as he began to shake his handcuffs.

“My name is Hongjoong. I am the captain of the Aurora. ”

“You’re the captain of Ateez? “ asked the stranger in astonishment. Hongjoong nodded in reply.

“But. . . you’re so small. ” Wooyoung laughed and let the handcuffs snap open.

“I like him”, Wooyoung said, still laughing. Hongjoong sighed and helped the man sit up. He was busy stretching his wrists. He must have been in the same position for a few hours. Hongjoong looked at the mans wrists, lined with a band of bruises, and made his decision.

“We’ll take him. ” Wooyoung nodded. The man looked at him with his eyes wide open and hastily put on his trousers, which were lying beside the bed.

“I can’t go without him”, he said. 

“Who is he?” Hongjoong asked, but the words got stuck in his throat as the angel-like man grabbed his hand and led him and Wooyoung across the ship.

Wooyoung gently opened the door to which the man pointed. Behind him he could hear the splashing of water and a soft, melodic singing. The stranger gave Wooyoung a kerosene lamp, which he used to light up the room.

The singing died almost instantly.

“Seonghwa?” asked a confused voice. “Sannie?” the man, Seonghwa, asked and slipped past Wooyoung into the room.

“Oh Seonghwa, you’re here at last!” the second voice whispered happily. Seonghwas quiet laughter sounded.

Wooyoung and Hongjoong approached the two voices. Seonghwa knelt in front of a basin, his hand in the water, where a second hand, also pale, embraced him.

Wooyoung froze when he saw the second man, San. He had black hair with turquoise strands and a defined but still gentle face. Thick eyebrows perched over sea-blue eyes, and a well-shaped nose directed Wooyoungs gaze to Sans full, pink lips.

Sans torso was naked, his muscles bare. Wooyoung could feel the heat in his face. Hongjoong grinned at him under his hat.

But the most conspicuous thing about San was. . . his fishtail. Hongjoongs eyes narrowed into slits as he saw the shimmering blue and green scales under the water.

“He’s a siren. “ Hongjoong said in a dry voice. Seonghwa looked up at him, eyes fearful. Wooyoung smiled cheerfully at him and knelt beside him.

“Hello San. I’m Wooyoung. ” San smiled and reached out to him.

“Very pleased. ” he chirped softly and bit flirty on his lower lip. Wooyoung felt as if someone had poured out a can of gasoline inside him and set it on fire. 

“I’m not leaving without him”, Seonghwa said again. Hongjoong raised his eyebrow.

“Do you really think you’re in a position to make demands?” he replied in an authoritarian voice.

Wooyoung snorted angrily.

“Now is not the time, Captain. Let’s go back to our ship. ” And he looked again at San, who leaned his hands on the edge of the basin, and was lifted up out of the water.

A short time later, instead of his magnificent fishtail, he had two muscular, very human legs. Wooyoung helped him to get up and tried to ignore the nakedness of the other. Seonghwa blushed and held out one pair of trousers to San, which the other took and put on quickly. 

Hongjoong looked at San suspiciously. Wooyoung knew that his captain had not had a good experience with sirens, but he hoped he would at least give San a chance.

Yeosang and Jongho appeared at the door, both hands full with large, heavy bags. Hongjoong turned abruptly and boasted out of the room. Wooyoung rolled his eyes and looked back at Seonghwa and San, who clung together.

“Come on”, Wooyoung said, “let’s get off this goddamn ship. ”

Chapter Text

San looked around the Aurora with sparkling eyes. Seonghwa looked at his brother with a blissful smile. Wooyoungs eyes followed San as he danced across the deck, peering into the vessels in which the captain had put raw fish.

Hongjoongs fingers clasped his folding knife so tightly, that his knuckles came out white. Seonghwa swallowed when he saw the captains tense look. Fortunately, San didn’t notice the tense atmosphere. 

“Why did you take us with you? “ Seonghwa finally asked, glaring furious in Hongjoongs direction. Wooyoung sighs therally.

“Our captain is a lot, but he’s not heartless. He would not leave anyone who is helpless and obviously innocent to death. ”

Seonghwa bit on his lower lip, a suspicious expression on his pretty face. Hongjoong couldn’t take his eyes off him.

“We’ll find use for you”, Hongjoong finally said, leaning casually against the railing of the ship.

“I’m not going to be the captains bitch again. ” Seonghwa hissed, his eyes mimicked with hate. Wooyoung thought about what must have happened to him during his time with the enemy crew.

“I don’t need a bed warmer. ” Hongjoong snapped back and threw his knife, aim so precise, that it drilled right next to Sans head into the soft wood of the main mast. San twitched in fright and stared stunned at the knife, whose blade shone in the sun. Hongjoong couldn’t help but laugh. Yeosang followed the scam with a bored look, while Mingi and Yunho were engaged in a conversation.

“Don’t ruin my mast!” Jongho shouted angrily from the nest. Hongjoong made a derogatory hand gesture. Wooyoungs heart was beating wildly in his chest. He wasn’t sure whether Hongjoong was trying to show off his power, or whether he really distrusted the two men so much.

“Show them to their room”, said Hongjoong, “we’ll meet in the kitchen afterwards. It’s time to talk. ”

Wooyoung nodded, his lips clenched furiously. He loved Hongjoong, he really did, but at such moments he was really unbearable. San clung to Seonghwas sleeves while Wooyoung showed the two their rooms. Wooyoung gave San a friendly smile and cleared his throat.

“If you need anything, I’m just one door away. ” Wooyoung scratches his head in embarrassment when San dropped himself on the hard mattress, laughing like a child.

“Is your captain always such an asshole?” Seonghwa suddenly asked.

“I wouldn’t talk about him like that. He saved you. Hongjoong could have just left you to starve on the ship, including San. ” Wooyoung replied in a bored tone. Seonghwa pressed his lips together and turned his gaze away.

“Let‘s go. We should meet in the kitchen. ”

A cold but soft hand suddenly grabbed Wooyoungs arm. He looked behind him and held his breath in fright when he noticed that San was so close that the tips of her nose were touching.

“What’s your name, anyway?” San brushed a strand of hair from his face, “you’re pretty. ”

“My name is Wooyoung. ” Wooyoung finally answered and fled the room, San and Seonghwa behind him.

He could hear the two whispering softly, accompanied by the familiar creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath his heavy leather boots.

The kitchen, or rather the galley, was a small, dark room equipped with barrels, a gas burner and kitchen utensils. Wooyoungs favourite part of the interior was the old dining table.

They discovered the piece of furniture during a robbery two years ago. He had previously been in the possession of a prince, who had carved ornaments into the light wood. Wooyoung fell in love at once and bribed the prince to give him the table.

With a slight twinge in his chest, he watched Sans fingertips slide over the surface of the table, anxious to follow all the ornaments. Seonghwa looked at the other man, a hunching sparkle in his eyes.

The quiet moment was disturbed by the opening of the door. Hongjoong entered, followed by the rest of the crew. San and Seonghwa watched uncertainly as the pirates took their places and looked at the two. Wooyoung settled next to Yeosang. As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t help Seonghwa and the beguiling siren.

Hongjoong let his tongue snap and took off his hat, under which silver-colored hair appeared. Seonghwa mustered the captain with interest and Wooyoung suppressed a laugh.

“So”, Hongjoong said urgingly, looking at Seonghwa.

“Tell us about yourselves. ” Mingi completed the captains sentence.

“I am Seonghwa and this is my brother, San. We were both born and raised among humans. When my parents found out San was a siren, they did everything they could to hide him. As I’m sure you all know, there are no sirens left who can walk on the countryside. Except for my little brother. ” 

San grinned crookedly, as Seonghwa turned to him.

“The crew you killed came to our village one day. They had somehow learned of Sans existence. They burned down our entire village. I still remember the screaming and the terrible smell of smoke. I tried to stop them from taking San, but I couldn’t. The captain tried to kill me, but in the end he thought it‘d be best to keep me as a trophy. Tackled to his bed like a dog. ”

“Why are they so interested in your brother?” Yeosang asked suspiciously.

“Do you know the legend of Atlantis? The city that supposedly never existed?” Seonghwa asked.

Yunho taped the blade of his knife against his lower lip, an astonished expression on his gentle face.

“Of course. Allegedly, where the city sank lies an immeasurable treasure. But it’s all a fairy tale. ” Mingi snapped.

“Not quite. The siren that seduced my mother and got her pregnant with San, was one of the last survivors of Atlantis. Thus San is the only key that can not only find Atlantis, but also open the treasure. ”

Sans smile had vanished. He had turned away and looked out the small window with a serious look. Hongjoongs eyes are flashing with interest.

“Looks like we made a big catch. ” Seonghwa looked as if he wanted to jump at Hongjoongs throat, but he just clenched his hands and turned his eyes away.

Wooyoung jumped up quickly and positioned himself in front of the two. Jongho looked at him thoughtfully.

“I think the day was exciting enough, wasn’t it? We should all go to sleep first and get some rest. ”

Hongjoong didn’t look enthusiastic, but reluctantly agreed. The crew nodded to San and Seonghwa before they left the galley. Wooyoung watched Hongjoong hold on to Seonghwas sleeve.

“This conversation is not over yet, understand? You’re not guests. We’ve taken you with us to see if you’re of any use. We will not let you and your brother out of our sight”, he threatened with a grim expression.

Seonghwa looked at the captain with hate. “If you hurt my brother, I’ll kill you”, he snapped back and freed his arm from Hongjoongs grip.

“You better watch that I don’t chain you back up to my bed, dog. ”

Wooyoung held his breath and San shoved Hongjoong out of the way.

“Come on, Seonghwa, let’s go to sleep. Night, Wooyoung. ” San nodded in his direction and pulled his brother out into the hallway.

Wooyoung was left alone with Hongjoong.

“What the hell was that?!” Wooyoung growled.

“You’re getting too soft, Wooyoung. The siren seems to have twisted your head already. We’re pirates, not kindergarteners. From now on, I’m going to make sure you don’t spend so much time around San. ”

Hongjoong pulled the collar of his coat back up and boasted out of the galley. Wooyoung stood alone in the room, an empty and lost feeling in his chest.

Chapter Text

Wooyoung couldn’t sleep that night. He threw himself restless on his small bed. His thoughts revolved around San and Seonghwa all the time. The two had been through a lot, and now that they thought they were safe for a short moment, Hongjoong had to act as a bad big captain.

Wooyoung paused when he heard the door of the room next door. It opened quietly and then closed again. Careful, quiet steps moved away from the room. Wooyoung jumped up, hastily put on his leather boots and followed the steps to the deck.

It was San. The siren stood at the railing and looked longingly down into the water. Wooyoung approached him cautiously.

“Can’t sleep?”

San swirled around, his eyes wide open. However, he relaxed when he saw Wooyoung. The siren shruffed his shoulders.

“I miss the water”, he said quietly.

Wooyoung watched with fascination as the milky moonlight reflected in Sans ocean blue eyes.

“How about you go for a swim?” Wooyoung asked.

San looked at him like he was crazy.

“I doubt your captain will agree with this. ”

Wooyoung grinned mischievously and looked around the deck. Far and wide, there was no one to see. He grabbed Sans wrist and pulled him down the stairs to the lower deck.

“Hongjoong won’t know anything about it”, Wooyoung assured him. A broad smile formed on Sans full lips.

With a swinging jump, he disappeared into the gentle waves of the ocean. Wooyoung sat down at the edge of the deck, his feet immersed in the cool water. Sans head appeared on the surface.

The blue streaks in Sans hair shimmered in competition with the scales of his fish tail. San slowly swam towards Wooyoung.

“You’re nice”, said San. Wooyoung had to laugh.

“Thank you?”

San leaned on the edge of the deck, and put his head down, to get a better view of Wooyoung.

“How come you’re traveling with these people?” San asked interestedly.

“Hongjoong bought me free”, said Wooyoung and Sans eyes darkened.

“Not from a whorehouse, as you might think. I was a servant to a wealthy family. Hongjoong spotted me when he and the others tried to rob the family. He felt pity, so he took me with him. He’s like a brother to me and I love him, but that doesn’t mean I’m okay with the way he treats you and Seonghwa. ”

Suddenly a wet hand lay on Wooyoungs thigh. He just opened his mouth to say something back, when Wooyoung heard footsteps behind him. San went into hiding, all that was left was a dark, wet stain on Wooyoungs pants, in the form of Sans handprint.

“What are you doing here?” asked a deep, familiar voice. Yeosang.

“I’m thinking”, Wooyoung replied, watching how Yeosang rolled up his pants to sit next to Wooyoung.

“You think Hongjoong is behaving wrong. ” It wasn’t a question, it was a statement. Yeosang looked at Wooyoung.

Wooyoung sighed. “Yes, I think so. ”

Yeosang stroked his brown, wavy hair behind his ear. 

“He’s doing this to protect us. You know what happened to his sister”, Yeosang replied.

“Of course I know that, but it’s unfair to blame San just because he’s also a siren. . . ”

“Hongjoong doesn’t mean it like that. He’s afraid something will happen to one of us. ”

Wooyoung took a deep breath, his face turned to the moon. The cool evening air swept over the bare areas of his skin, where his shirt hung down his shoulder.

Wooyoung leaned against Yeosangs shoulder and closed his eyes.

“Can we stop talking about it?” he asked quietly. Yeosang hummed in approval.

“Do you want to go to bed too?” Wooyoung shook his head.

Yeosang kissed him on the hair before going up the stairs again and leaving Wooyoung alone. A quiet splash in the water signaled Sans presence.

“Who is that?” asked San.

“Who, Yeosang? he’s my best friend”. Wooyoung replied.

“Just a friend?” San gushed. Wooyoung nodded.

“Come on, get out of the water, I’m tired. ” Wooyoung grabbed Sans stretched out hand and pulled him back to the deck, where Sans fishtail dissolved in a few seconds and formed his legs.

Wooyoung led San back to his bedroom. Just outside the door, the two stopped.

“Sleep well”, Wooyoung whispered.

San smiled softly and came so close to Wooyoung, that the tip of his nose brushed over Wooyoungs cheek.

“Sweet dreams. ” San murmured and breathed a kiss on Wooyoungs cheek before he disappeared back into his room. 

Wooyoung slept restless that night. His dreams took him to a world deep below sea level, to a lost world, where there was no one but San waiting for him. A shiny white crown on his head.

Wooyoung was the first one to wake up. He went out to the main deck, where Hongjoong was already standing behind the wheel, a grim expression on his face. Wooyoung approached the captain slowly.

“Morning. ” Hongjoong did not look at him, but stared stubbornly at the water in front of him.

“Hongjoong, I-. . . ”

“No, Wooyoung. I’m your captain. Questioning me is unforgivable. Go clean the deck, try and be useful at least once in your life. “ hissed Hongjoong.

The sky was dipped in soft orange and pink hues as Wooyoung swept the scratched wooden slats of the main deck.

“So your captain is still in a bad mood?” asked a sleepy voice behind him.

Seonghwa. The blond man looked at him questioningly.

“Yes. ”Wooyoung answered narrowly.

“Hey! you!” Hongjoongs loud voice echoed through the air. Seonghwa turned in the direction of the captain.

“Come here, we need to talk. ” Seonghwa sighed, but obeyed. “What is it about?” Seonghwa asked.

“What are you useful for?” Hongjoong asked back.

Seonghwa frowned. “Excuse me?”

Hongjoong sat on a barrel and mustered the slimy man in front of him.

“I need to know what you can contribute to our crew, considering that I can protect and feed you. ”

“I can cook?” Seonghwa suggested. Hongjoong nodded.

“Seems like a fair proposition. You know where the galley is. Surprise me. ” He made a derogatory hand gesture and Seonghwa ran inside of the ship with a red face.

Wooyoung did not know whether Seonghwa was blushed with anger or because he found the hawkish captain attractive.

Soon after, Yunho and Mingi appeared on deck, both looking sleepy, and seeing their wrinkled clothes and messy hair, Wooyoung knew exactly why.

“I’m so glad Hongjoong found a warlock who made your cabin soundproof”, he growled. Yunho only grinned at him contentedly and leaned on Mingi’s side.

“Have you seen San?” Wooyoung asked.

Mingi only shook his head.

“Hey! where is Yeosang?” Hongjoong suddenly yelled. Jonghos head appeared over Wooyoung. He didn’t even notice the youngest was back in the nest. He had watched everything quietly and secretly. Wooyoungs heart sank in his chest. He just hoped Jongho hadn’t heard his conversation with San last night.

“He’s probably brooding over his maps again! Why?” Wooyoung called back.

Hongjoong pointed behind Wooyoung, where the horizon met the ocean.

“We have visitors!”

And then Wooyoung saw it. A large, pitch-black ship with holey, red flags headed straight for them.

The first shot fell as San was just opening the door to the deck.

„Get down!“ yelled Hongjoong in warning. And then all Wooyoung could see was dark smoke surrounding him.

Chapter Text

The opposing crew had a warlock on their ship. The fact was unavoidable. Wooyoung watched his crew stumble disoriented through the dense smoke, while he himself clung to the railing to avoid falling headfirst into the ocean.

San, on the other hand, was still completely oriented. The siren helped his brother, who was lured to the deck by the noise, to sit down before he turned to the black ship.

Wooyoung watched with a fiercely pounding heart as the blue eyes turned red. Then San opened his mouth and uttered a marrow-shaking scream. The smoke disappeared as soon as it had come. Wooyoung pressed both palms on his ears.

“What have you done?” Wooyoung asked in fright when he caught San, who was completely exhausted.

The enemy ship was gone. Where it had just been so threateningly over them, only individual pieces of wood could be seen in the water. Seonghwa sighed and pulled his brother to him.

“He killed them for you”, he said softly and stroked over Sans cheek, as if he were comforting a small child.

“What the hell was that!” Hongjoong yelled angrily. Mingi and Yunho clung to each other and Yeosang knelt down next to Wooyoung to watch after his head injury. Jongho came out of the nest and joined his crew. He pointed with his open knife at San, who was now soundly asleep.

“That was him, right?”

“We know this ship. ” Seonghwa replied defendingly.

“They’re looking for him. That’s the only reason he helped you. ”

Deep in his heart, Wooyoung knew that Seonghwas claim was wrong. Wooyoung gently lifted San up and turned to the others. Hongjoongs face was red with anger when he looked at San, who was in Wooyoungs arms. Wooyoung knew it wasn’t because of the siren himself, but that, against the captain’s orders, he was close to him once again.

“I’ll take him to his room”, Wooyoung said and left without giving his captain another glance.

Hongjoong grabbed Seonghwas shirt and tore him off the ground.

“What the hell is your brother!” he cried.

Seonghwas face gave away no expression other than coldness.

“I told you. The last surviving siren from Atlantis is his father. Now think carefully, Captain” Seonghwa whispered back in a provocative tone.

Hongjoongs grip on Seonghwas shirt loosened.

“Your brother is the goddamn prince of Atlantis!”

Seonghwa leaned against the railing and folded his arms in front of his chest.

“Bingo. ”

Wooyoung refused to leave Sans bedside. He held the sirens hand in an iron grip even as Yeosang entered the room and silently began to treat his head injury.

“He’ll be all right”, he reassured him in a confident tone. Wooyoung nodded.

“Captain is pretty angry with you and Seonghwa. ” Wooyoung rubbed his forehead.

Of course he was. Hongjoong was rarely anything but angry. Yeosang pushed the bandage over Wooyoungs hair.

“He’ll calm down soon enough”, he finally answered, and laid his head next to San on the mattress. Yeosang gently stroked his hair before he left the room quietly like a cat. Wooyoung didn’t take long to fall asleep.

Seonghwa was standing in front of Hongjoong, who kept pacing around the room, rubbing his chin as if the answer to his questions would just appear out of thin air. Mingi sat on a chair that leaned against the wall and carefully watched his every movement.

“What other abilities does your brother have?”

“He can perceive other peoples feelings, but only if he builds a close connection with them. But of course he can also, like any other siren, influence other people through his singing. Besides, you’ve seen what his siren cry can do. ”

A loud knock on the wooden door interrupted the conversation. Jongho shoved his head through the crack of the door.

“We just docked at White Whale, Captain”, he informed Hongjoong, who nodded absent-mindedly.

“Secure the ship, let’s go for a walk. Seonghwa, you’re coming with me. I want to keep an eye on you. Now go and wake up your brother and Wooyoung”, he told Seonghwa.

At first the other wanted to contradict, but after a glance into Hongjoongs stubborn eyes it was enough to make him shut up. He nodded and hurried down the hallway to their room.

Shortly afterwards, the Ateez crew stood on the pier of the small village, big hats and black masks obscuring their faces. Seonghwa tried to ignore how Wooyoungs hand closed around Sans arm.

“Mingi, Yunho and Jongho will get supplies. And the rest of us will go look for maps or books that even mention the word Atlantis. ” 

Seonghwa followed Hongjoong through the winding streets, his eyes always on his brother. He heard Sans carefree laughter as Wooyoung whispered something to him.

“These two get along well”, said Hongjoong. Seonghwa bit his lower lip.

He didn’t want San to be tied to a human. Not to mention the man he chose was a pirate. Hongjoong examined him.

“You don’t trust us. ”

“Why should I?” Seonghwa hissed back.

“We saved you and your brother”, Hongjoong reminded him. Seonghwa tried to ignore the guilty conscience. Seonghwa followed Hongjoong through the winding streets, his eyes always on his brother. He heard Sans carefree laughter as Wooyoung whispered something to him.

“Where are we going?” Yeosang shouted from the front. Seonghwa was grateful for the interruption when Hongjoong turned to the other man.

“We’re visiting Sooyoung. If anyone knows anything, it’s him”, Hongjoong said.

“Who is Sooyoung? “ asked San in surprise. Wooyoung laughed softly.

“He’s a warlock. ”

Sans eyes narrowed into narrow slits.

“Sirens and warlocks don’t like each other very much”, San reminded the others. Hongjoong sighed and lifted his hat.

“You’ll be able to spend ten minutes in a room with him without killing him. ”

San weighed his teeth, an animalistic expression on his otherwise so gentle face.

“It’s hard to say. ”

Hongjoong turned into a sparsely lit alley and knocked on a red wooden door. The herbs, which hung in bundles on the wood, were an obvious sign of the warlock.

The door opened a crack. The first thing San saw was white hair and golden eyes. The man who stepped out the door reminded him of a fairy. He had pointed ears, narrow lips and protruding cheekbones.

“Hongjoong. What a joyful surprise!” he beamed at the pirate.

“Sooyoung, it’s been far too long”, laughed the captain. Sooyoung waved to the others into his small apartment and watched them sit on a lavender couch.

“You have a siren with you?” he asked suspiciously when he noticed Sans blue eyes. Wooyoung immediately put an arm around Sans shoulder in a protective manner.

“He’s one of my crew. Leave him alone”, Hongjoong warned.

Sooyoung rolled his eyes.

“So, what can I help with?” he finally asked.

“What do you know about Atlantis?” asked Yeosang, who was playing with a crystal ball in front of him.

“Why do you want to know that?” Sooyoung mustered the pirates suspiciously.

“We are looking for it. And either we find Atlantis, or another pirate crew will”, Hongjoong only said.

“What’s in it for me?”

“What do you want?” Hongjoong replied.

“Him. He would be a nice addition to my collection. ” Sooyoung hummed, pointing to Seonghwa, who had leaned against the wall.

San growled and jumped up. Wooyoung pulled the angry siren to him.

“You can forget that. Seonghwa is mine. ” Hongjoong replied. “I’m not going to hand him over to you, just so you can turn him into one of your soulless jade sculptures!”

“Then forget it. I’m not helping you. ” Sooyoung stepped towards Seonghwa. He raised one hand and put it on the mans cheek.

“What a waste. Such a beauty should be protected. ”

Hongjoong noticed too late that Sooyoungs hand was glowing. He tore the warlocks hand away from Seonghwa and pressed him against the wall with one swift move.

“What have you done?” Hongjoong hissed.

Sooyoung grinned. “You said he was yours. I tied him to you. If you die, he dies. You wouldn’t give him to me, so live with the consequences. ”

Hongjoongs hand rushed into his pocket to pull out his knife, but Sooyoung was faster. He put his hand on Hongjoongs back and whispered some latin words.

Hongjoongs eyes became snow-white as the captain collapsed. Seonghwa reacted quickly enough to catch him before he could hit his head on the floor. When he turned around, Sooyoung was gone.

San and Wooyoung knelt next to Seonghwa and the unconscious Hongjoong. Yeosang sighed in exhaustion.

“Come on, let’s get Hongjoong back to the ship. ” Seonghwa nodded and lifted the captain without much thought.

Wooyoung had to hold off a grin. He grabbed Sans hand and stroked calmly over the sirens back.

Yeosang opened the door and glanced into the alley. The sun had begun to set.

“Let’s hurry. White Whale is not a friendly area at night. ”

Chapter Text

Seonghwa looked at the sleeping captain. Yeosang had taken him to his bed before he went on a short trip to the nearest library. Yunho and Mingi had returned from their mission and had brought Seonghwa a piece of bread. He hadn’t touched it. Hongjoong would need it much more as soon as he woke up.

Hongjoong moved slightly and Seonghwa held his breath. The captains eyes fluttered open slowly.

“Hey. ” Seonghwa whispered and smiled cheerfully as Hongjoongs eyes lingered on him.

“Hi. Are you okay?” Hongjoong asked anxiously. Seonghwa laughed briefly.

“You’re the one who got knocked out! Are you okay?”

Hongjoong nodded absently.

“I’m thirsty. ” the captain moaned and looked longingly at his water hose. Seonghwa rolled his eyes and handed it to him.

“Are the others all right?” Hongjoong asked after drinking a big sip of water. Seonghwa nodded and assured him that everything was fine. He handed the bread to Hongjoong and watched quietly as the captain ate.

“Yeosang went to the library. He said he might find something there. ” Hongjoong looked at Seonghwa in amazement.

“You don’t want to talk about it?”

“About what?” Seonghwa replied dismissively.

“About us being tied together. ”

Seonghwa sighed and ran through his blonde hair.

“What has happened is done. ”

Hongjoong turned away his gaze.

“What has happened is done”, he repeated. 

A floor lower, San and Wooyoung were in the same bed. San was instantly asleep from exhaustion, clinging to Wooyoung like a koala. The siren looked so peaceful that Wooyoung couldn’t  bring himself to get up even when Jongho came into the room and informed him that Seonghwa was cooking dinner.

Wooyoung let his fingers glide gently over Sans hair, over his forehead, closed eyelids and the full lips he would love to kiss.

Hongjoong was right. The siren had twisted his head. Wooyoungs heart beat in his chest, so fast that he was afraid it would explode.

Outside, a bright full moon stood in the cloudless sky and cast its fairy-tale light right on the bed, immersing the room in a mysterious atmosphere.

“Wake up”, Wooyoung whispered and watched with a happy smile as San opened his eyes.

“There’s food”, Wooyoung said quietly. San just kept looking at him. The sirens eyes were like two deep lakes in which Wooyoung was about to drown. Sans nosetip nudged into Wooyoungs. Then Seonghwa tore open the door and dragged his brother into the kitchen in loud protest. Wooyoung followed quietly with a chirp.

The atmosphere during dinner was relaxed. Yeosang had returned from his expedition, three thick books in his worn-out cloth bag. With a satisfied grin, he shoved a spoonful of stew into his mouth.

Jongho picked up one of the books and opened it. Mingi raised an eyebrow in astonishment.

“This is a fairy tale book!”

Yeosang kicked Mingi under the table. The other one howled therally.

“There are no non-fiction books about Atlantis!” Yeosang hissed back. Jongho slapped Yeosang on the shoulders soothingly.

Hongjoong watched his crew with a proud expression and raised his wine to his mouth. Seonghwa could feel the warmth that the captain was radiating at that moment. San didn’t notice any of this, completely busy feeding Wooyoung.

Yunho gave Mingi a loving kiss and asked him to continue eating. Yeosang gave Yunho a grateful smile.

“What’s next?” Jongho finally asked and leaned back in his chair. Everyone turned their heads in Hongjoongs direction.

“We keep looking for clues. That’s all we can do. None of us know how to find Atlantis, all we know is that we need San and only he can open the treasure. ”

San looked at the others with sad eyes. “I can’t help. Somewhere deep down, I know where Atlantis is. I know where the treasure is. But it’s almost as if someone has robbed me of any memory of it. ”

Wooyoung grabbed Sans hand and squeezed it lightly to comfort the siren.

Hongjoong put one hand behind Sans back. The siren looked at the captain in fright.

“San, it’s all right. No one’s mad at you. ”

Seonghwa knew at that moment that his heart had gotten a small tear, through which Hongjoong had managed to sneak through.

The crew spent the rest of the night together. San swam in the calm water next to the ship. Wooyoung had leaned over the railing and watched the other. Jongho and Yeosang had moved into the nest together to go through the books. Yunho and Mingi had cowered into a dark corner and all Seonghwa could hear was quiet kissing noises.

Hongjoong called the lonely man and handed him an open bottle of wine. The green glass was heavy in Seonghwas hand. Ever since he was younger, he had been more of a light-weight.

“I’ve finally discovered a weakness in you!” Hongjoong rejoiced and helped Seonghwa sit down.

“I have many weaknesses. ” Seonghwa replied. “If it didn‘t, I wouldn’t have let myself get raped for months. ”

The mood tipped threateningly.

“Seonghwa, it wasn’t your fault. ”

Tears sparkled in Seonghwas eyes as he looked up to Hongjoong.

“Somehow, yes. I had so many ways to escape. If I didn’t love San so much, I’d have been spared a lot of pain. But I just couldn’t leave him behind. ” Seonghwa sniffed and rubbed over his wet eyes.

Hongjoong knelt before the man and took Seonghwas face in his hands.

“Love is not weakness”, he said quietly.

And then his lips hit Seonghwas. Heat filled Seonghwas entire body, turning like a serpent around his heart, threatening to strangle him. Hongjoong kissed like the sea. Quiet and tender, until he became impatient and roaring, like the waves that piled up during thunderstorm nights. Seonghwa granted himself this moment and forced himself to stop thinking. All that mattered now was him and Hongjoong.

San persuaded Wooyoung to swim with him. He gently helped the pirate into the water and laughed as he trembled.

“The water is freezing cold!” Wooyoung yelled and bit his tongue as he waded deeper into the water. San stretched out his hand.

“Come on”, he said cheerfully. Wooyoung grabbed Sans outstretched hand and let himself be pulled into the sea.

The two stayed there almost until the sky turned red and announced the sunrise. San had wrapped both arms around Wooyoungs body and gently hugged the pirate to himself.

Wooyoungs hands gently stroked over Sans bare back, and he watched with fascination how Sans fishtail reacted to the touch. Sans hands wandered deeper until they got stuck at Wooyoungs hip.

“You really are amazing. ” Wooyoung muttered, the lack of sleep disturbed his head to mouth filter.

“You too. ” San replied quietly and buried his face in Wooyoungs neck.

Wooyoung couldn’t help it. He put his hand on Sans neck and pulled the siren firmly to him. It was as if someone had lit a fireworks inside him. Every time Sans lips hit his, electric shocks passed through his body. San kissed differently than Wooyoung had expected. His lips were warm and soft and Wooyoung felt as if he was breaking through the surface of the water after drowning for years.

San laughed as the two broke apart. Wooyoung bit his lower lip. He must have blushed by now. San took Wooyoungs hand and pulled him towards the lower deck.

“Let’s go to sleep”, he said, helping Wooyoung back onto the ship.

San fell asleep in Wooyoungs arms, cradled close to the other man, his face pressed into his shoulder. Wooyoung let his hand wander up and down Sans back, gazing at the peaceful siren with a warm feeling in his chest.

Seonghwa slept a room away. Hongjoong had taken the drunk man to his bed. He himself sat on the chair at his desk and fumbled through some maps. A loud knock interrupted his work. He got up and opened the door. An upset Yeosang stood there, accompanied by Jongho.

Hongjoong pointed to the sleeping Seonghwa and pressed a finger on his lips. He gently closed the door behind him and stepped out into the hallway.

“We found something”, Yeosang announced. Hongjoong looked at the others depressed expression.

“Then why aren’t you happy?”

Jongho scratched his head embarrassedly.

“It doesn’t sound good. ”

Yeosang fished a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to the captain, who opened it hastily.

“A siren will guide you and track down Atlantis. Pain is the key to the treasure, may the siren give you what makes it so precious. Two brothers have started the journey, but only one will arrive. ”

Hongjoong looked up at Yeosang.

“Is that supposed to mean. . . ?”

The door behind Hongjoong opened quietly.

“I have to die”, said a sleepy voice.

Seonghwa stood in the door frame, an exhausted expression on his face.

Hongjoongs heart froze to pure ice.

Chapter Text

“But what about Sooyoungs curse?” asked Jongho, “you are connected!”

Hongjoong stretched out his hand and stroked lovingly over Jonghos cheek.

“Don’t worry. The curse was a punishment for me. I’m the one who has to take care of Seonghwa. Even if he dies, which he won’t, nothing will happen to me”, Hongjoong replied.

Yeosang mustered the captain suspiciously.

“I’ll still send a letter to Sooyoung and ask. ” Hongjoong had to laugh.

“Of course you will. ”

“Hongjoong, I... ” Seonghwa began cautiously, but Hongjoong interrupted him immediately.

“No. That’s a ridiculous little passage from a fairy tale book that happens to mention Atlantis. That has absolutely nothing to do with anything. ”

Seonghwa watched as Hongjoong intertwined his fingers with his heart beating.

Yeosang raised a questioning eyebrow.

“So won’t be telling San anything?” he asked. Hongjoong shook his head.

“No, we won’t. ”

“I don‘t like the thought of keeping secrets from my brother. “ said Seonghwa quietly and glanced down at their joined hands. Hongjoongs grip tightened slightly, but not hard enough to hurt.

A loud shriek disturbed the moment, followed by thundering footsteps running down the stairs. Hongjoong turned to see Mingi standing there, his saber in hand, chest heaving up and down quickly.

“We have a problem, captain. There‘s a ship coming directly at us! “ said Mingi, obviously out of breath. Hongjoong nodded and Seonghwa could immediately see the shift in the captains face.

“You go get San and Wooyoung. The rest get ready to fight! “ ordered Hongjoong and looked at Seonghwa. The blond man leaned down to capture Hongjoongs lips in a bruising kiss before taking off to warn his brother.

The sky was dark. Thunderstorm clouds piled on top of each other and heavy rain fell on the deck. Hongjoong was completely wet, the heavy coat hung on him like an extra weight. Yunho handed Yeosang his whip and pulled his gun from his belt.

The ship that had appeared behind them was familiar. The purple sails fluttered threateningly in the wind. It was captain Minseongs crew. He was a young, inexperienced captain, but he and his bloodthirsty followers should not be underestimated.

It was not long before Seonghwa appeared on the deck, followed by San and Wooyoung, holding hands. Mingi had positioned himself next to Yunho, holding out his saber like a shield to protect his boyfriend.

The enemy ship was close. Hongjoong could see the faces of the opposing crew. Minseong stood at the front, a slight smile on his lips. His eyes found Hongjoong almost immediately.

“Captain Hongjoong! what a joy!” said Minseong, bowing therally.

Hongjoong huffed in anger.

“What do you want?” he asked, looking at Minseong.

“We learned from an old friend that you have a special guest on board. ”

Wooyoung pushed San behind him to protect him from prying eyes. The siren clung to the fabric of his shirt and looked at the floor.

“What makes you think that?” Hongjoong replied. His fingers were playing with the fuse of his gun. Minseong watched him suspiciously.

“One of our best business partners managed to capture a siren. But before he could turn it over to us, his ship was attacked. And as luck would have it, you were the last ones to enter his ship! “ Minseong shouted, pointing to San and then to Seonghwa.

Hongjoong pulled Seonghwa to his side.

“You have two new members. Do you mind me getting to know them? ”

“You have no right to do that. San is Wooyoungs partner and Seonghwa is with me”, the captain replied, visibly restless.

“Well, then...i guess we‘ll have to get uncomfortable. ” Minseong snapped his fingers and one of his men raised his rifle. Yunho was unable to identify the target of the attack in time.

Mingi fell to the ground and let out a loud scream. He had pressed his hand against his face. Thick, hot blood leaked between his fingers. Yunho knelt down next to Mingi and raised his head gently. The sight made him hold his breath. Tears ran down his cheek.

“Mingi!” Wooyoung shouted, hurrying to his friend. San followed him without thinking.

Hongjoong raised his gun and fired. The man, who had just pointed his gun at the Ateez crew, fell to the ground lifeless. Minseongs facial features hardened.

Mingi couldn’t stop screaming. His whole body was burning with pain. The bullet had hit him in his eye. Yunho swallowed his tears.

“I need to operate on you right now. ” Hongjoong looked at his fallen crew member and nodded.

“Save him, understand?” Yunho helped Mingi get up and dragged him into the inside of the Aurora.

Mingi leaned against the sides of the ship as much as he could. Yunho groaned under his weight, yet he whispered reassuring words to him. Mingi breathed in relief as Yunho finally put him on the table where he would try to save his eye.

“Everything will be fine when you wake up, okay? I love you. ” Yunho whispered and pressed a loving kiss on Mingis cheek. And then the world around him went black.

On top of the deck, Hongjoong and Minseong pointed their guns at each other. The two crews were in a heated battle with each other. Wooyoung did his best to protect San, while Yeosang threw the enemy men overboard with his whip. Jongho sneaked up to his prey, agile and quiet like a cat, and broke their neck with a practiced movement.

Seonghwa stood behind Hongjoong and clung to his hand. Minseong looked at the blond man with interest. Hongjoong bared his teeth.

“Stop looking at him!” he hissed and pushed himself in front of Seonghwa.

Minseong grinned. “Don’t worry, as soon as I finish you and your crew, I’ll just take him. ”

Hongjoong rushed forward and grabbed the enemy captain by his collar. With full force, he struck Minseongs head against the hardwood of the deck.

Blood was on Minseongs teeth as he spoke.

“I see I’ve hit a nerve. ” Hongjoong pressed the barrel of his pistol under Minseongs chin and was about to pull the trigger when Seonghwa cried out.

Distracted from his target, Hongjoong whirled around and shot at the man who had swung his sword in Seonghwas direction.

“So you’re the siren!” one of the men pointed to San, who clung to Wooyoung.

“Leave him alone!” Wooyoung shouted as a younger man tried to grab San. He hit the enemy with his fist. Wooyoung had never felt so helpless, but now, unarmed and surrounded, he could do nothing when San was pulled away, a piece of cloth getting shoved in his mouth.

Two of the men held Wooyoungs arms tightly as he turned back and forth in their hands.

San shouted something incomprehensible. Wooyoung looked up and noticed the tears shimmering in Sans blue eyes.

The pain came a few seconds later. One of the enemy crew members had stabbed him in the stomach. So deep, Wooyoung could only see the black hilt. The arms that had held him were gone. Wooyoung fell to the ground as his heart rate slowed down. He could hear San screaming and crying in the background. He could feel the rain. He could taste the blood in his mouth. And then there was nothing but emptiness.

Minseong had pressed Hongjoongs head against his deck. Seonghwa was held in bay by a man with a sword.

“I could kill you. Squeeze you like an insect”, Minseong whispered. Hongjoong grunted.

“Let him go! Stop it!” Seonghwa shouted panically. Minseongs gun clicked as he unplucked the fuse.

“What would I get out of it?” he asked contemptiously.

Seonghwa sobbed loudly.

“No matter what, take me with you, but let him live!” he begged. Hongjoong felt his heart break.

Minseong laughed.

“Luckily, I‘m nice today. I’ll let you live, Captain. I got what I wanted anyway. ” Minseongs foot disappeared from Hongjoongs head.

Hongjoong rushed up and grabbed Minseong, but the other captain was faster. Hongjoongs head hit the ships railing. Seonghwa could only catch him when Hongjoong fainted in his arms.

Yeosang and Jongho saw San being dragged away, thrown over the shoulder of one of the men like a wet sack. Yeosang started the persecution, but San only shouted Wooyoungs name. Jongho grabbed Yeosang and pulled him the other way. It would have been insane to stand up to ten people in a duo.

Yeosang screamed when he saw Wooyoungs lifeless body. He hurried to his best friend and ordered Jongho to turn him around. Wooyoungs blood had spread over the deck. The man was sickly pale, his eyes closed, his lips slightly open.

And Yeosang couldn’t find his pulse.

Chapter Text

 Seonghwa was at his side when Hongjoong awoke. The blonde mans eyes were swollen and red. A bad feeling spread to Hongjoongs stomach area.

“What happened?” he cried and coughed at once. His throat was dust-dry. Wordlessly, Seonghwa handed him his water hose and helped him sit up.

“You have a concussion. It’s been two days since the attack. ” Seonghwa replied softly.

“San is gone. They took him away. ” Hongjoongs heart broke.

“I’m so sorry. I swore to protect you. ”

Seonghwa grabbed his hand and kissed it lovingly. “You did what you could. ”

“How’s Mingi? What about Wooyoung?” Hongjoong jumped onto his legs.

“Mingi lost his eye, but he’s alive. Wooyoung hasn’t woken up yet”, Seonghwa replied. Hongjoong wanted to cry. But he couldn’t, wasn’t allowed to. He was their captain, he had to stay strong and keep a clear head.

“We’ll find San, I promise. ”

Hongjoong made his way to the infirmary, Seonghwa closely following him. Mingi sat there, and Yunho carefully bandaged his worn-out eye. Both looked up as their captain rushed into the room.

“Mingi!” Hongjoong threw his arms around the red-haired man and pressed him tightly against him. Mingi laughed softly and buried his head in Hongjoongs shoulder.

“All right, Captain. I finally look like a real pirate. ” Mingi joked and pushed a black eye patch over his face.

Yunho handed Mingi his water hose. Hongjoong looked at the other man. Yunhos hair hung down on him. Thick, black circles surrounded his eyes.

“When was the last time you slept?” Seonghwa asked worriedly.

Yunho raised his shoulders repellingly.

“We have more important things to take care of. Yeosang was able to reach Sooyoung. You were right. Your curse is one-sided. If Seonghwa dies, it is your punishment to live with the loss. ”

Hongjoong grinded his teeth angrily. Sooyoung was a true warlock. Selfish, talented and cynical.

“Jongho is out in the village trying to find a witch to help us. ”

Hongjoong put his head down his neck and took a deep breath. Seonghwas hand wandered up and down his back in a calming motion.

“Where did we dock?” Hongjoong asked, and Seonghwa could see the captains hands shaking.

“We are at Port Mist harbour”, Yunho replied.

Hongjoongs body stiffened.

“I told you I never want to go to that place again!” he hissed furiously. Seonghwa looked questioningly at Mingi, who only sighed and looked out the window.

“Maybe it would be a good time to clear up a few things. ” Yunho replied unmoved. Hongjoong glanced at him angrily.

“You have no right to do that. ” Yunhos head turned deep red as he turned to his captain.

“Stop running away. You’re such a fucking coward!” Yunho yelled and gave Hongjoong a push. Hongjoong staggered in Seonghwas arms.

“I spent two nights keeping Wooyoung alive! I’ve been watching for two nights that Mingi doesn’t die of blood poisoning! So please spare me your ridiculous whining!”

Mingi stretched out his arms and pulled Yunho to his chest. He looked over to Hongjoong, who stared back with a frightened look.

“I think you two should go. ” Mingi whispered. Seonghwa gently pulled Hongjoong out of the room.

“Do you want to check on Wooyoung?” he asked. Hongjoong nodded silently.

The boatswain looked terrible. His skin was so pale that Seonghwa could see the purple and green veins underneath his skin. Wooyoungs lips were dry and ripped, and there was a stain of blood on his shirt. Yeosang sat next to him and gently washed his face.

“So you finally show up. ” he hissed when he saw Hongjoong.

“Yeosang I-… ” Hongjoong began, but Yeosang interrupted him.

“Wooyoung has a fever. ”

“I can make tea?” Seonghwa offered cautiously. Yeosang nodded gratefully and looked down at Wooyoung worriedly.

“Come on”, Seonghwa whispered and led Hongjoong into the galley. Once there, he searched the small wooden cabinets and pulled out various herbs. Hongjoong had meanwhile turned on the gas burner and put a brass pot with water on it.

Silently, Seonghwa cut the herbs into small pieces and threw them into the boiling water.

“How can you do that so well?” Hongjoong asked curiously.

“I took care of San when he was sick”, Seonghwa replied. Saying his lost brothers name gave him a sharp stab in the pit of his stomach.

Hongjoong put his arms around Seonghwas hip and rested his head against the others back.

“I just hope he’s okay. ” Seonghwa muttered.

San wasn’t okay. Minseong had tied him to the main mast, a blindfold over his face and a cloth in his mouth, so he couldn’t sing to overpower the crew.

His stomach growled with hunger and San curled in on himself. He knew the pirates were trying to break him so he would help them find Atlantis. But he would rather die than betray Wooyoung, Seonghwa, Yunho, Hongjoong and the others.

The thought of Wooyoung made him sob quietly. The last memory he had of his lover was how he lay still on the deck of the Aurora, blood dripping from his body. San didn’t even know if he was still alive.

San heard approaching footsteps. Then he felt fingers on the back of his head. And then the blindfold fell off his face. Minseong stood in front of him, a cigar in his mouth and a large purple hat on his head.

“Have you considered helping us?” he asked and grinned confidently.

“Never! “ San hissed back.

Minseong knelt down and grabbed Sans chin.

“You have no idea who you’re messing with here, siren. My men haven’t had any fresh meat in ages. They don’t care about the fact that you’re a man. You’re beautiful and you have a delicate body. I bet some of my men are already thinking about what to do with you in bed. . . ”

Fear flowed through Sans veins like liquid ice.

“Well, little siren. What’s your answer?”

“Still no. ” San replied in a firm voice. If he had stood, his fear would have forced him to his knees.

Minseong laughed.

“Hey men!” he shouted and snapped his fingers. “He’s yours. ”

Hongjoong had been persuaded by Seonghwa to go for a walk. Jongho had still not returned to the Aurora and Seonghwa wanted to look for the youngest of the crew.

The village was dark and dirty and Seonghwa had spotted more than one rat coming from a shady corner. Hongjoong clasped Seonghwas hand with a firm grip and looked around uneasily.

“Okay, what’s going on?” Seonghwa asked and looked at him in question.

Hongjoong sighs. “I was born here. ”

Seonghwa looked at the smaller man in surprise. “Here? in this village? and why did you leave?

“I left because my sister died”, Hongjoong replied, pulling Seonghwa further down the alley. Seonghwa could sense that Hongjoong didn’t want to talk about it anymore.

They found Jongho a few minutes later. The youngest was sitting outside a pub with a pitcher of wine in his hand. The red cheeks indicated that Jongho was drunk.

“Oh, my captain!” he cried, laughing loudly. The sound echoed through the empty street.

“What are you doing?” Hongjoong asked visibly angry. Seonghwa wished Hongjoongs constant anger would disappear.

“I’m doing what you should all do. Forgetting. San’s gone. Wooyoung is dying. You’re all fighting and arguing with each other. I’m feeling shitty and nobody notices me!” Jongho shouted and threw his pitcher at Hongjoong, who cleverly evaded.

The door of the pub opened and an elderly lady, dressed in a coat of sheepskin, stepped out.

She raised her head and Hongjoong froze when he recognized those emerald green eyes. The eyes of a powerful old witch.

“Mother. ”

Chapter Text

Seonghwa sat close to Hongjoongs side while his mother quietly brewed tea. Jongho had meanwhile fallen asleep on a sheepskin in front of a burning fireplace. Hongjoong looked at the peaceful face of his youngest crew member and swallowed his guilt with a heavy heart.

“Why are you back here?” Hongjoongs mother asked gently and placed three steaming cups on the table.

“I need your help. ” Hongjoong spoke and looked at her. His mother sat elegantly on a wooden chair and crossed her legs.

“You show up here, after you left us almost five years without a word, and you ask for my help?”

“My brother is dying”, Hongjoong explained, stirring the hot tea calmly with his small finger. Seonghwa laid his hand on Hongjoongs thighs calmly.

“Interesting. I don’t remember giving birth to a second boy. “ his mother replied snippyly and leaned forward. Seonghwa felt more and more uncomfortable.

Hongjoong seemed to notice his mood swings and grabbed his hand.

“Where’s Dad?”

“Not in town. ”

“But he’s still alive?”

“Maybe. ” Hongjoongs mother moved her lips to a scornful smile.

“Can’t you even show some compassion? help me save my crew boy?” Hongjoong asked.

“I could. But as you know, every one of my helpings has a condition. ”

Seonghwa held his breath while Hongjoongs mothers eyes rested on him. Their bright green almost seemed to glow.

“If you touch him, I’ll kill you, Meredith. ” Hongjoong hissed and hugged Seonghwa to himself. She smiled.

“Okay. ” she snapped with her finger. A few seconds later, two new boys appeared in the room. Seonghwa rushed forward when he recognized them. Wooyoung and Yeosang. Yeosang held Wooyoungs sleeping form tightly and looked around puzzled.

“Seonghwa!” Yeosang shouted. Seonghwa knelt next to them and lovingly stroked a strand of hair from Wooyoungs face.

“He’s getting worse and worse. ” Yeosang whispered. Seonghwa could hear the tears in his voice, which he tried so unsuccessfully to suppress.

Meredith turned to Hongjoong and put a hand on her sons shoulder, which began to glow green.

“If you pass my test, I’ll save your boy. Show me who you really are, son. I know within you lies a heartless killer. ”

and then Hongjoong was gone.

“What have you done!” Seonghwa screamed angryly. He strained his limbs, ready to jump on the witch.

Meredith didn’t pay any attention to him.

“If he passes my test, there’s nothing to worry about”, she answered only and sat down in her big leather chair.

“What if he doesn’t?” Jongho asked all at once. The youngest must have woken up in the midst of the chaos.

“You’ll better go find a new captain. ”

“How can you do that to him? He’s your son!“ Yeosang hissed and leaned over the defenseless Wooyoung.

“He left me!” Meredith shouted angryly and fired a glowing ball in Yeosangs direction, who was able to duck just in time. The ball exploded on the opposite wall and tore a kerosene lamp to the ground.

“It’s because of his sister, isn’t it?” Seonghwa asked and mustered Meredith. The woman didn’t look angry. Years of loneliness and sadness had devoured her heart.

“He let her die. He left her alone that day. It’s his fault that damn siren ripped her throat out!” Meredith shouted and grabbed Seonghwa by the collar.

“You’ll never be able to understand how I felt. My daughter was dead, my husband was in a whores bed, and my son has disappeared without a trace!” she said and her hands clung to the fabric of Seonghwas top.

“In fact, I understand it very well. My brother was kidnapped by pirates who have a reputation even more horrifying than the greatest monster of the sea. I don’t know if he’s still alive or how to find him. And if Hongjoong is gone, then... ” Seonghwa bit his lip as to not to cry, “I love him. And he loves me. ”

Meredith loosened her grip and pushed Seonghwa away. “You’re a fool. My son will bring you nothing but misfortune. ”

Hongjoong woke up on a beach. He felt as if he had shrunk a few inches. His hair was sticking to his face and he wasn’t wearing any shoes. The quiet rustle of the water seemed threatening. He could hear soft footsteps running along the beach.

He got up and pounded the sand off his clothes. He could see the little girl right away. It was his sister, who ran up to him, laughing loudly, with her arms outstretched.

“Joongie!” cried her soft, familiar voice. Then the picture changed. The beach was empty, the sky grey and cloudy. Rain dripped down on Hongjoong. His sister was lying on the shore, half in the water. Blood was sticking to her little face as she looked up. Hongjoong went back a few steps.

Her completely white eyes stared at him with hate. Her teeth were sharp when she opened her mouth.

“Why did you leave me alone, Joongie?” she murmured and approached him.

Hongjoongs fingers closed around the dagger in his pocket. He knew what to do. He couldn’t save her, so he had to save her from her suffering. Hongjoong leaped forward and swung an arm in her direction. But his sister was faster. She sank her sharp teeth into his arm.

Hongjoong screamed and staggered back. Blood ran down his forearm and dripped on the sand beneath him.

He repeated his attack, but he had seen his sisters sharp nails too late. She hammered her hand into his chest. Hongjoong fell to his knees. His heart, which was now in his sister’s hand and threatening to rip out of his body, was beating like crazy.

“I’m sorry. ” Hongjoong whispered. He could taste the metallic blood in his mouth as he stabbed the dagger into her back from behind. She fell into his arms when she died.

San didn’t know how long he’d been on that godless ship. He could hardly feel his limbs anymore, too often one of the men had tried to break him. No one had really “taken” him, but even without really raping him, they knew how to humiliate him.

Too often had a rough hand wandered into his underpants and brought him to orgasm under loud protest. Too often, cigarette-smelling lips left bruises on his skin. But no one had kissed him on the lips. San was happy about it. Nobody but Wooyoung was allowed to kiss him. No one.

San looked silently out the window of his cell when he discovered a familiar face. Outside the window, a small dolphin swam, a scar over his eye. San had saved that dolphin when he was still a little siren. The animal didn’t seem to have forgotten him. And suddenly San had an idea that might save him. He gave the dolphin a lock of hair and his necklace.

In moments like these, he was lucky to be a siren. He was designed to get along with sea creatures. The dolphin disappeared into the water in no time at all. All San could do now was wait.

Seonghwa screamed in fright when Hongjoong appeared in the dimly lit room and Wooyoungs body disappeared. The captain was unconscious and smeared with blood.

“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa whispered worriedly, pulling his body against his chest. Meredith sighed.

“The little bastard passed. Your boy is back on your ship and well. Now get out!” the house around her began to vibrate. Seonghwa gently lifted Hongjoong up and gave Meredith a last, pitiful look before he disappeared into the night with Yeosang and Jongho by his side.

Yunho and Mingi were waiting for them on the ship. Wooyoung stood next to them, a surprised look on his face. Yeosang rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Wooyoung.

Seonghwa could swear that Yeosang was crying, but he ignored it before Yeosang would chased him with his whip for hurting his ego.

“Where is San?” Wooyoung asked, his lower lip trembling.

Seonghwa looked down at Hongjoongs peaceful face and took a deep breath. Wooyoung knew what that meant. He fell down on his knees and started crying loudly. Seonghwas heart became heavy. He walked past Wooyoung to Hongjoongs cabin. He washed his face and covered Hongjoong up. Only then did he allow himself to cry.

He could hear Wooyoungs screams all the way to the inside of the ship. The pain seemed to tear him apart. Seonghwa knew the boy felt guilty. He wished he could do something to take the burden off him, but now that Wooyoung had waken up, his brother was the biggest worry. Seonghwa sobbed quietly.

He’d find San and bring him home. Whatever it takes. Even if he had to die for his brother to be safe.

Chapter Text

Yeosang delivered the strange news during the crews breakfast. Seonghwa had fried fish, too tired to think of anything extravagant. Yunho leaned against Mingi, his eyes half closed, and chewed carefully. Wooyoung hadn’t touched his food. Seonghwa pushed small bites between Hongjoongs lips, the captain too tired to eat independently.

“There’s a dolphin out there who won’t leave us alone. “ Yeosang announced, pulling something out of his pocket. Wooyoung jumped out of his chair and snatched the items.

“What is it?” Jongho asked excitedly.

“San. It’s San. His necklace, his lock of hair!” Wooyoung shouted and sobbed softly.

“He’s alive”, Seonghwa whispered. It felt like someone had taken a kilo of cement off his shoulders.

At last he was able to breathe freely again, the heaviness that pressed his lungs together was gone. Hongjoong pushed his fingers between Seonghwas and squeezed his hand lovingly. Seonghwa gave him a thankful look.

“Follow the dolphin no matter where he leads us! “ Hongjoong commanded and rose. Seonghwa recognized the captain who he was when he first saw Hongjoong. Everyone rushed out at once, only Hongjoong and Seonghwa remained.

“It feels like a dream, Hongjoong. ” Seonghwa sighed and sank against the captains side.

Hongjoong pulled Seonghwa closer to himself and pressed a feathery kiss on his glowing blonde hair. Seonghwa raised his chin and pulled him into a real kiss. The two wrapped their arms around each other and kissed. Over and over again. Seonghwa could feel his cheeks reddening, the heat flooding his body. Hongjoong gently pushed Seonghwa away.

“Is this a good idea?” he asked. Seonghwa smiled at him.

“A hell of a good one. We don’t know what will happen in the future. Maybe we’ll all be dead soon anyway because Minseong leads us into a trap. So give us this moment, my darling. ”

Seonghwa could see the exact moment when Hongjoong gave in. Although the captain was smaller than him, Hongjoong was able to lift Seonghwa up effortlessly.

Seonghwa twisted his legs around Hongjoongs hip and squeaked quietly as Hongjoong carried him across the hallway and into his cabin, where he immediately threw him on his bed. Seonghwa got a piece of cloth from Hongjoongs shirt to grasp on and pulled on it. The garment tore with a loud noise and gave a view of Hongjoongs naked torso.

“You’ll pay for this. ” Hongjoong whispered, but nothing about it was threatening. He slowly crept towards Seonghwa, until he sat on top of him, and had to bend down to kiss him. Seonghwa sighed softly. He could feel Hongjoong smiling against his lips. A warm, rough hand slipped under his shirt and explored his palpable muscles.

And then Hongjoong tore Seonghwas top with a calculated motion and threw it carelessly to the ground.

Seonghwas chest heaved up and down with the deep breaths he took. Hongjoong leaned down and carefully, lovingly let his lips wander over every inch of Seonghwas face. His eyes were open and watery and it gave Seonghwa a tug in his chest. 

It didn‘t take too long for their pants to be shrugged off and discarded somewhere without really looking where the fabric would land. Hongjoongs hand was on Seonghwas chest. He could feel the heavy pounding of his heart.

„Are you nervous? “ asked Hongjoong softly and brushed a strand of blonde hair from Seonghwas face. The other mans lips were red and swollen and his cheeks had blushed a pretty pink. His hair was fanned out on the pillow behind him.

„Yes. “ answered Seonghwa, but he smiled. Hongjoong had meanwhile slicked his fingers up with oil that he stored underneath his bed, for entertainment purposes of course. He had never had sex with anyone. Or at least nobody he cared about. Sometimes he would have gone up on land and paid a prostitute for some company. But it had never felt like this. Everything was warm and comfortable and he felt dizzy.

He carefully pushed Seonghwas legs so he could sit between them. Hongjoongs eyes never left Seonghwa while his finger circled his rim before pushing past. A surprised moan escaped from Seonghwas lips. Hongjoong captured the others lips in a heated kiss, to distract him from the pain of being stretched apart. Hongjoong took his time, his entire focus on the man beneath him, on the glistening skin and the little noises he made.

„You can go now. I‘m fine. “ breathed Seonghwa and nudged Hongjoong with his foot. A quiet demand to speed up the process. Hongjoong chuckled, but obeyed. In the end, he was totally wrapped around Seonghwas pretty fingers. He pulled away to grab the oil again before positioning himself so he could take Seonghwa like he wanted to.

Sharp nails pinched into his skin as Hongjoong slowly pushed himself inside. Seonghwas head was thrown back, giving away a view of his entire throat and neck, the veins there visible. Hongjoong kissed the visible skin softly before fully bottoming out. Seonghwa shrieked.

Seonghwas back arched as Hongjoong pulled out just to harshly thrust himself inside again, over and over again, until all that Seonghwa could feel was heat and the scent surrounding him, that was now so familiar and comforting. A scent that felt like home, that felt like love. Hongjoongs scent.

Tears were streaming down Seonghwas face as pleasure overtook every nerve in his body. Hongjoong had done nothing but make him feel worthy, make him feel loved. He was the reason that Seonghwa wanted to be alive again.

Hongjoongs breaths came out shorther, more labored, and Seonghwa knew that the captain was close to his high. He slung his legs around Hongjoong to pull him closer, to keep him inside where they were both safe and sound. Hongjoong came with a soft moan, Seonghwa following soon after.

They were both crying in the end.

„Seonghwa? “ Hongjoongs throat sounded sore and Seonghwa winced in sympathy. His fingers stroked in soothing motions over Hongjoongs bare back.

„Yes? “ 

„I love you“, whispered Hongjoong. Seonghwa suddenly felt small, felt vulnerable, but for once in his life, he didn‘t feel fear.

„I love you, too.“

The dolphin had lead them to a small island. Wooyoung spotted the ship that docked there almost immediately and a grim expression overtook his face. He pulled a dagger from his belt and was ready to attack, but Yeosang pulled his best friend back.

„Let‘s talk to our captain first.“

Yeosang, ever the voice of reason.

Seonghwa and Hongjoong had just put their pants back on when the door was torn open. Yeosang came in, but stopped immediately when he saw the two. Wooyoung, who had followed him, had to hold in a laugh.

“We found Minseongs ship. The dolphin led us here. ”

Seonghwas fingers clawed into Hongjoongs arm.

“Let’s go then. Let’s save our little siren”, he announced and stepped out onto the deck.

The rest of his crew had already assembled and prepared their weapons for battle.

“Do we have a plan? ” Jongho asked and mustered Hongjoong.

“No. But we have the effect of surprise on our side. ” Hongjoong smiled at him reassuringly.

Yunho laughed softly and handed his gun to Mingi.

The Ateez crew had split up. Yeosang and Jongho would focus on Atlantis clues. Yunho and Mingi were responsible for killing the enemy crew. Hongjoong would go after Minseong.

Wooyoung and Seonghwa carefully crept into the interior of the enemy ship in search of San.

The two did not have to look around for long, they immediately came across a locked door.

San woke up to someone shaking at his door. He was startled and snuck over as silent as he could. There he looked through a narrow gap in the wood and held his breath.

“Wooyoung? Wooyoung!” he shouted and pounded against the door.

“Sannie, be quiet! We’ll get you out of here!” answered a familiar voice. San almost cried with relief. Wooyoung and Seonghwa were both safe.

„We need to get this damn door open. “ hissed Wooyoung after unsucessfully trying to tear open the door with his bare hands. Seonghwa pressed his fingers to his lips and lead him over to a small room.

„Go look if you can find something useful.“ he instructed Wooyoung, who nodded and silently snopped through the cabinets. Sounds of fighting and swords clacking against each other could be heard outside. Seonghwa could only hope that Hongjoong was safe.

„I have a knife. Do you know how to crack open locks? “ Wooyoung appeared by his side and smiled in thriumph. Seonghwa rolled his eyes and shook his head. Wooyoung shrugged and got to work.

„It can‘t possibly be that hard.“

Turned out, it was hard. Wooyoung could feel pearls of sweat running down his face. He fumbled around with the knife, but to no avail. Seonghwa could feel the anxiety building up inside of him as he prayed that nobody would run across them.

„Fuck! “ Wooyoung pulled his hand away and pressed it to his lips, stained red. The knife had slipped from between his fingers and cut open his palm. He stumbled forward as the world began to spin around him. Seonghwa saw the exact moment that his body collided with the door and it cracked open underneath his weight. Wooyoung stumbled into the room, right into Sans arms.

„Wooyoungie.“ said San. The other clung to the siren as if he was his lifeline.

„God i missed you.“ sobbed Wooyoung, his face hidden in Sans shoulder.

Seonghwa wanted to go, hug his brother and tell him how relieved he was, when he felt the pain inside of his chest. His eyes wandered down. There was a blade. Inside of him. He could hear Wooyoung scream. Sans face appeared before him, but it was blurry, clouded. Not right. He opened his mouth in shock and he felt the blood pour out.

„Seonghwa! “ screamed San. Seonghwa tried to lift his hand, to brush away the tears. But he couldn‘t. Everything was too heard. He took a breath. He heard his chest rattle. It felt like he was drowning. But instead of water, his lungs were filling with his own blood.

They should‘ve been more careful. They should‘ve seen the attacker creeping up to Seonghwa like a coward. The sheer overwhelming pain was clouding Seonghwas mind.

And then there was peace. San froze as Seonghwas hand stilled and limpy fell to the floor beside him. Wooyoung turned around from where he had bashed the attackers head in, little droplets of blood decorating his face. He looked fierce.

„Seonghwa! wake up! “ cried San, louder and louder, until Wooyoung had to press his hands to his ears and the entire ship around them was trembling under Sans siren cry. 

Seonghwa just laid there, protected in Sans embrace. His eyes were closed and it almost looked like he was sleeping and would wake up again. There was still some color in Seonghwas cheeks, his lips parted and still in red.

But his chest had stopped moving. San held his brothers lifeless body close, pain radiating from him. Wooyoung fell to his knees and scooted closer to hug San in silent comfort. He felt helpless.

The fighting outside was still going on,

San was crying,

Hongjoong was clueless about what had happened,

and Seonghwa.

Seonghwa was dead.

Chapter Text

Yeosang knew something bad had happened. He ran inside of the enemy ship with a dagger in his hand. But he was too late. All he found was a crying San lying in Wooyoungs arms. And San held a still Seonghwa to him. But he also noticed something else. San was crying. And sirens didn’t cry.

Wooyoung must have noticed, too. Golden tears flowed from Sans face onto the dirty wooden floorboards and gathered in a large puddle.

Yeosang knelt next to them and lovingly stroked a blonde strand of hair from Seonghwas eyes as he watched Sans tears. He held in air in fright when the puddle of water began to glow. On the boards, where there had been water before, was now a golden map.

“The map to Atlantis”, Yeosang breathed reverently.

But none of that mattered right now, not with one of their crew dead on the ground. Yeosang scooted closer to San and slowly, carefully lifted his head.

“Sannie. We need to get him out of here, okay?“

“I can‘t, i-...“ San choked out, his hands pulling on his hair.

Wooyoung took Sans hand between his own, pressing a loving kiss to the cold knuckles. Yeosang bit his lip to not start crying too and make the entire situation worse for all of them. He had to calm San down and get Seonghwas body to the Aurora. Wooyoung helped San slowly up, his hands on the sirens waist for support.

It was the first time that Hongjoong could feel the soul connection between him and Seonghwa. A pain so intense and relentless, that he cried out, ran through his body. The pain forced Hongjoong to his knees. The enemy captain above him laughed and raised his sword, but before his blade could touch Hongjoong, Yunho hammered his sword through the captains body.

“Hongjoong, what happened?” Yunho asked excitedly, pulling his captain on his feet.

Hongjoong couldn’t grasp a clear thought, everything in his head was spinning with worry. Something bad must have happened. Maybe Seonghwa was hurt. Perhaps he had only found Sans’s lifeless body and Hongjoong could feel his emotional pain.

The world around him became quiet as he could hear the footsteps of three people. Three. Not four. Hongjoong turned around, his whole body trembling. San was back. Tears shone on his cheeks and in his eyes. And he was carrying someone in his arms.

“No!” shouted Hongjoong. The cry got lost in the strong wind and was carried away far beyond the ocean. Hongjoong rushed towards the siren and snatched Seonghwa away from him.

Hongjoong fell to the ground and pressed Seonghwa to himself. His fingers ran through the blonde, fine hair he loved so much, over and over again. Wooyoung had drawn San to himself and whispered softly soothing words to him. But Hongjoong couldn’t comfort him. He couldn’t do anything.

When he met Seonghwa, his world had suddenly taken color. Everything seemed so new and exciting and Hongjoong felt as if he had a goal, but now that he was holding Seonghwa in his arms and his lovers body was slowly getting cold and stiff, his world had been plunged into dark gray again.

“Wake up, Hwa, please!” Hongjoong begged. He didn’t care that the survivors of the enemy crew could see him or that he showed weakness. He didn’t care about anything without Seonghwa.

Hongjoong leaned his forehead against Seonghwas and let his tears run free before he let out a marrow-shaking scream.

Jongho and Mingi came running to the deck, their swords drawn, prepared for a fight, but both froze when they spotted the captain.

Hongjoong sat there for almost an eternity before Yeosang gently helped him up. San had fallen asleep and Wooyoung had made it his job to carry the siren back to the Aurora.

Silently and with an iron face, Hongjoong lifted the body in his arms and carried Seonghwa back to his ship.

Hongjoong carried Seonghwas body to his cabin and carefully laid him down on the bed. He stopped there for a moment and looked at the dead. Death had taken away his color, but Seonghwas beauty had remained untouched.

Suddenly, Hongjoong caught a hot, blind rage. He swirled through his room, tore papers and cards off the walls, threw clay jugs across the room, and hammered his sword through his old leather armchair.

Only when he was surrounded by chaos did he fall to his knees, right next to Seonghwa. Hongjoong sobbed and grabbed Seonghwas hand. Exhausted and with an empty feeling in his chest, he fell asleep.

The world seemed to mourn Seonghwa. A fierce storm appeared in the grey sky. Mingi stood on the main deck, staring out at the sea. Yunho found him there. He gave him a piece of bread without a word and spoke to him well until he took a morsel of it.

“I can’t believe he’s dead. ” Mingi whispered and turned around so that Yunho could hug his torso. The other said nothing, but just kissed him tenderly.

“That could have been you, too. What if one of us dies one day?”Mingi asked. Yunho watched the lightning flashing through the sky. He couldn’t answer Mingi’s question.

San woke up when a loud thunder sounded. Wooyoung sat next to the siren and smiled softly as he noticed the movement on the bed.

“Hey. ” San whispered and swallowed heavily. He reached out to Wooyoung, who immediately crawled up to him on the mattress and lay down next to him.

“My brother’s gone. Forever. ” Wooyoung squeezed Sans hand, but he remained silent. As much as he wished to be able to relieve pain, as much he was also helpless.

“It’s my fault. ”

“No, it’s not. ”

San closed his eyes.

“He died to save me. ”

“It was Seonghwas own decision”, Wooyoung replied, “do you think he’d want you to blame yourself? We all knew what we’d risk if we ran onto an enemy ship without a plan. Seonghwa would have done anything to save you. Just like me. ”

Sans eyes opened immediately. He grabbed Wooyoungs shirt and looked at him seriously.

“Please, Wooyoung, no matter what happens, you mustn’t leave me. Not you, too. ” Wooyoung could see the tears shining in Sans beautiful blue eyes.

“I won’t. I promise. San, I love you. ”

Sans eyes widened in shock.

“What?”

“I love you, San. ”

A smile as bright as the sun appeared on Sans face as he leaned forward and pressed a deep, passionate kiss on Wooyoungs mouth.

“I love you too, Wooyoung. ”

Yeosang found Jongho in the galley. The youngest of the crew had darkened the windows and stared grimly into a bowl of soup.

Yeosang sighed and sat down next to the other.

“What’s happening here? Why is everything getting worse? Why the fuck can’t I help?!” Jongho shouted, took the bowl and smashed it with full force against the opposite wall. Yeosang saw the bloody cut on Jonghos hand first.

Wordlessly, he wrapped a cloth around Jonghos hand and stroked his back consolingly. Jonghos lower lip trembled as he looked up.

“Why am I so useless?”

Yeosang took Jonghos face between his hands. He could swear he saw the younger one blushing red, but he ignored it. Jongho was probably just drunk again.

“You’re not. We’ll find Atlantis. We will get Seonghwa back. Everything will be fine”, Yeosang assured.

The golden map in his coat pocket would lead them to their destination.

Chapter Text

The next day started with panic. Yunho was running through the ship, calling for Hongjoong, throwing open different doors to look for their captain, but to no avail. Yeosang huffed in annoyance, joining their puppy-like crewmember in his search. 

San rubbed his swollen eyes carefully, woken up by the screaming outside. Wooyoung was still beside the siren, an arm thrown over his waist, head snuggled into Sans neck. San smiled softly, trying to ignore the heavy feeling in his chest, the dark hole that swallowed every positive feeling since Seonghwa died.

The door to their bedroom was ripped open, causing San to jump and wake Wooyoung, wo grumbled and turned to see Mingi in the doorframe, eyes wide and hair messy.

“Our fucking lifeboat. It‘s gone. And so are Hongjoong and Seonghwa.“

Hongjoong hated the little lifeboat. It took him a lot of nerves and effort to steer the small nut shell through the roaring sea. Seonghwas head was safely on his lap and Hongjoong stroked his hair again and again. When the sun appeared behind the horizon and dipped the sky in different colors, Hongjoong dropped the paddle into the boat and sighed.

His eyes were burning with exhaustion, but the thought of reaching his goal kept him awake.

“Seonghwa, don’t you want to wake up at last?” he asked quietly and looked down at the lifeless body with sad eyes.

Meanwhile, the last color had given way to Seonghwas cheeks and his otherwise rosy lips were blue.

Hongjoong bit his lip so hard that it tore open and he could taste blood, all to keep him from screaming in frustration.

It was bad enough that he had stolen himself away secretly and alone that night without telling any of his boys about his plan, but he had also committed the worst betrayal a captain could commit. He had left his ship and his crew. But he couldn’t help it, he just wanted Seonghwa back.

Hongjoong unwrapped the last piece of bread and bit into it. He chewed carefully and swallowed slowly. His throat was dry and scratched terribly, but he had already drunk all his water. Hongjoong just hoped He would survive long enough to reach his goal.

He spent a full day on the open sea until he recognized the harbor he had hoped for from afar. It’s home. He was at home.

Hongjoong steered the boat to the jetty and gently tied the thick rope around a wooden pole. He prayed that the boat would not be washed away by the strong waves. Gently and as lovingly as possible, he lifted Seonghwa out of the lifeboat and pressed him against his chest.

“Don’t worry”, he whispered, “I’ll get you back. ”

The weather was grey and bleak, the small village around Hongjoong looked bleak as he walked through the cobbled streets. He reaped some skeptical glances at the body he carried around, but he ignored it and pulled his hat deeper into his face.

“Hongjoong. ”

Hongjoong stopped when he heard the voice of the person he had been looking for. Quiet steps approached him and a cool hand lay on his shoulder.

“Why are you here again?” his mother growled.

“I need one more favor. ”

His mothers eyes fell on Seonghwa and she raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“I warned him that you would be his undoing. Tell me what happened. ”

Hongjoong followed his mother to her small hut and watched her take off her emerald green cape and sit down in her leather chair.

“We lost his brother. He died to save him. ”

“After all, one who dies for his siblings. ”

Hongjoong clenched his hands as his mother took Seonghwa from him and laid his body on her couch.

“He was stabbed?” she asked, hovering her hand over his chest.

“Yes. Name your price Meredith” Hongjoong replied, unimpressed.

“You call me by my name? How foolish. ” his mother hummed and sat down again. With filigree movements she smoothed the skirt of her pitch-black dress.

“I can’t help. ”

“Can‘t, or don‘t want to?” Hongjoong hissed, ready to stab his dagger into her throat and watch her pass away in anguish.

“Can. I could see the shadow when I found you in the street. Your boy’s still here. But he refuses. He doesn’t want you to make a deal. ”

The words hit Hongjoongs heart like an arrow on its target.

“Stop it. You’re making a fool of me!” shouted Hongjoong, jumped up and drew his sword. He held the incisor to Merediths carotid artery.

His mother sniffed and raised her hand.

“Then let him convince you himself”, she replied, and her hand began to glow.

Hongjoongs sword fell with a loud clatter on the dark wooden floor beneath his feet.

He could see him. Seonghwa stood there in the room, but he did not look like living Seonghwa. This figure, bearing the face of his lover, appeared grey and sad.

“Seonghwa. ” Hongjoong whispered, all his attention turned to the mind, which smirked at him lovingly. He didn’t notice his mother getting up and slowly leaving her hut.

Seonghwa walked slowly towards him and raised his hand. Hongjoong held his breath as he could feel the cool touch on his face.

“My darling. What are you doing here?” Seonghwa asked quietly.

“I’ll get you back. Back to me, back to San”. Hongjoong replied, leaning his face into Seonghwas tender hands.

“No”, Seonghwa said, quietly but determinedly. Hongjoong felt as if he had been hit in the stomach.

“No?”

“No. I don’t want that, not if you make a deal with your terrible mother for it. ”

“But don’t you want to come back to me? Your brother? the others?” Hongjoong asked without understanding.

“Joongie, I made my choice. I died without regret. My brother’s alive, you’re alive, what more could I want? I’ll always be with you, even if you can’t see me. So please, please tell me you respect my wish. Take my body back to the Aurora and help my brother find Atlantis. ”

“Seonghwa, I can’t do it without you. ”

Seonghwa smiled and nudged Hongjoongs nose with his own.

“My sweet little darling. You’ll make it. You’re the strongest captain of all. The Pirate King. You’re invincible. I know that. Tell Sannie i‘m proud of him and that he‘s stronger than he believes. I know Wooyoung will take great care of him. ”

Hongjoong felt his eyes begin to burn as hot tears run down his cheeks.

“I love you, Kim Hongjoong. ”

“I love you too, Park Seonghwa. ” Hongjoong sobbed and rushed forward to press a final kiss on the lips of the ghost in front of him. When he opened his eyes again, Seonghwa was gone. Only his dead body was still in the room with him.

Hongjoong fell to his knees and beat the wooden floorboards without a word. He didn’t stop, even when the skin rupled off his knuckles and rubyred blood dripped to the floor and ran over his hand.

“Give him back to me!” he cried. But his mother didn’t come back into the hut. She was gone and had left her son alone with his grief, just as he had done with her.

Hongjoong didn’t realize something was wrong until he noticed the spicy smell of smoke. Flames flickered in front of the closed window.

His mothers hut was on fire. And he was locked inside. Hongjoong shoved Seonghwas body and ran to the only window he could find, but when he tried to open it, it didn’t move an inch. His mother had all this planned. Now she would finally get what she wanted.

Hongjoong noticed how tired he was getting when the smoke filled his body and his lungs.

He slid along the wall until he sat on the floor and buried his nose in Seonghwa’s hair. Then he closed his eyes.

He had lost. Hongjoong took one last deep breath. He had surrendered to his destiny.

Chapter Text

Seonghwa had kept his word. Even though Hongjoong couldn‘t see him anymore, he was still by his side. Seeing the otherwise strong captain surrender himself without any fight made him angry, but in the end the image of him clutching his corpse tightly broke his heart even more. He could only hope that the rest of the crew would arrive soon to find him.

It had been Yeosangs idea, in the end. They reached Hongjoongs hometown shortly after dawn, spotting their tiny lifeboat tied up almost immediately. Mingi decided to stay back to take care of the ship, while the rest of the boys made their way up to the little hut, lead by Jongho.

The heat was unbearable. San gasped in shock as he saw the light of the fire in the distance, black swirls of smoke twirling up into the nightsky. Wooyoung reacted the fastest, kicking down the old wooden door with ease. With Jonghos help, they ran inside, just in time, as a flame licked on Hongjoongs pants. Their captain must have inhaled a good amount of smoke, as he was unconsicous. Sans heart shattered when he saw Seonghwas corpse in Hongjoongs grip.

He wanted to be angry at the pirate, but who could understand his impulse to save the one he loved as good as he did? Sans heart ached for his brother, cried out whenever he realized that Seonghwa would never come back. No more hugs, no more soft whispers in the night, no more comfort after a siren cry, no more salty chicken soup when he fell ill. San swallowed heavily before pulling Seonghwa into his arms.

Wooyoung decided to carry Hongjoong down to the Aurora. Yunho glanced down at the captain, focused so that he wouldn‘t tip his head back too far and swallow his tongue by accident.

They made it back in no time, all of them silent, deep in their own thoughts. And San could swear he saw Yeosang reach out in the dark to tangle his fingers with Jonghos.

The tension on the ship was so thick, you could cut it with a knife. 

San leaned against the railing and looked down into the deep blue water. He wanted to cry, he knew that the human part of him was fighting his supernatural. Mourning was a confusing thing. He saw it in Yunho, who buried himself in his work, he saw it in Mingi, who stopped joking, or he saw it in Hongjoong, who went mad with sadness.

Wooyoung found the siren a little later and dropped to the ground next to him, sighing. San put his head on the other boys shoulder and closed his eyes. Heat wrapped around his body and San yawned softly as Wooyoungs hand stroked over his back.

“Is there anything I can do for you? “ Wooyoung asked cautiously.

“Hmm?”

“I know you’re sad, San, even if you don’t grieve like us mortals. ”

San became stiff. So Wooyoung had noticed. His sleep problems, his headaches. The fact that San was no longer craving for the cool water of the sea as before.

Wooyoung gently nodded at San and pointed to the sea in front of them.

“Do you know how big the ocean is?”

San shook his head.

“No, I may be a siren, but I don’t know. ” San replied and closed his eyes again.

“Infinite”, Wooyoung said, “as is my love for you. ”

San felt the heat spreading in his cheeks. The unmistakable pounding of his heart when Wooyoung even just as much as looked in his direction. The deep, all-consuming fear of losing him. Cool lips pressed against his face.

“So please, Sannie, I want you to trust me. Just as we set out on our way to Atlantis... ”

San opened his eyes in bewilderment.

“Did Yeosang not tell you about the golden map?” Wooyoung asked confusedly.

The door to Yeosangs cabin was ripped open with a violent jerk. San rushed in, an animalistic expression on his beautiful face. His blue eyes seemed to glow with anger. Yeosang was just able to get up before the siren grabbed him by the collar.

“When were you going to tell me about the map, Kang Yeosang? “ San screamed loudly, ignoring the fact that the rest of the crew had stumbled into the room. Even Hongjoong was among them, he must have waken up by now.

“What map?” asked the sleepy captain quietly.

“The map created by my tears. The map that leads us to Atlantis. ” San hissed back and looked back at Yeosang, who had crouched together on his bed. Jongho had wrapped his arms around him.

“I wanted to wait for the right moment, but then things turned crazy. Suddenly Hongjoong left and we all panicked...” Yeosang stammered.

Hongjoong stepped forward and stretched out his hand.

“Give me the map. ”

Hongjoong took the golden piece of paper without a word and stomped out of the room. Just before he left the room, he turned around again.

“I’m disappointed in you, Yeosang. ”

Yeosang watched helplessly as his captain left without sparing him another glance. Wooyoung squeezed his hand consolingly before he followed the angry San, who ran towards the lower deck.

Just before Wooyoung reached San, the siren jumped off the surface of the deck and sank into the roaring tides of the sea.

Yunhos hand came up to rest on Wooyoungs shoulder as he tried to follow him.

“Give San some time. He’s upset. After all, his brother has just died”, Yunho said softly, pulling Wooyoung back into the ship.

“How about some tea?”

Wooyoung hated tea, especially when Yunho made it. The surgeon cooked the leaves for far too long, which always made the brew bitter. But he didn’t want to be alone, so he agreed and followed Yunho into the galley where he sat on the bench, sighing.

“How do you do that?” Wooyoung asked as he watched Yunho boil water and drop various bundles of herbs into the water.

“How do I do what?” Yunho replied, grinning.

“Pretending everything’s okay. ”

Yunhos smile slipped from his lips.

“I’m not okay, Wooyoung. None of us are, at least San and Hongjoong. But there’s no point in losing yourself in this grief. I’ve been busy with my work, and now I’m taking care of you. But enough of me. I don’t think anyone’s asked you how you’re doing yet. So, Jung Wooyoung, how are you?”

Wooyoung stared at his friend and opened his mouth, but not a word came out. It felt as if he had a rose stuck in his throat, pushing its thorns into his chest with every breath.

“I’m overwhelmed. I love San more than I’ve ever loved anyone, but he’s so caught up in his bitterness and sadness that he doesn’t even notice how bad I am doing. He wakes up every night shouting Seonghwas name, but I’m the one who stays awake until he sleeps quietly again. I make sure he eats and looks after himself, but who looks after me?” Wooyoung sobbed, clutching the teacup Yunho placed on the table in front of him.

Wooyoung did not know that San had already returned and heard his every word. The siren bit his lower lip hard enough to taste blood. Was he really that selfish? had he not thought about Wooyoungs needs enough?

The thought hurt. San loved Wooyoung, but he had never thought about how his loved one would be.

He quietly opened the door leading to galley and entered the dark room. Yunho looked up at him in astonishment.

“I’m sorry”, San croaked out. He must look pathetic as he stood there, soaking wet and shivering from the cold. Wooyoung immediately sprang up and pulled San to himself. Yunho got up to make another tea.

“You don’t have to be”, Wooyoung assured him immediately.

“Yes, i do. Wooyoung, I love you. And I hate myself for only looking out for myself. I got so used to you protecting me and taking care of me that I never thought you might feel bad too. ”

Wooyoung pushed his fingers through Sans wet hair and smiled at him, exhausted.

“Let’s not worry about it today, okay? It was an exciting night. ” San leaned in to kiss Wooyoung, who returned the kiss with pleasure. Yunho watched the two with a smile and left the galley to find Mingi.

Hongjoong was behind the wheel, his hat pulled deep into his face, Mingi at his side. His first mate looked at the map to Atlantis with attentive eyes and then looked anxiously to his captain.

“Are you sure you don’t want to get some more sleep?”

Hongjoong nodded and snatched the map.

“I can sleep when we have Seonghwa back. I have a good feeling about this. ”

Mingi sighed and pulled the rope to hoist the sails. They opened with a loud snap and immediately Mingi could feel the Aurora speeding up. Seonghwa just stood there, silent and invisible and vowed to keep an eye on the tired looking captain. Seeing how exhausted the entire crew was, especially San, tugged uncomfortably at his heartstrings.

“Next stop: Atlantis!” announced Mingi.

Chapter Text

are you ready?
we made it to the end!

the only thing left after this is the epilogue.

Seonghwa remained at Hongjoongs side the whole time. Even as a night and two days passed, he did not leave. He was glad that one of the crew boys always came to force their captain to eat or drink. Sometimes Hongjoong even gave Mingi the wheel and slept for a few restless hours.

Seonghwa could sense his mind weakening. More and more often his thoughts drifted away or he could see the bright white light even more clearly than at the time of his death. But he just couldn’t leave until he knew Hongjoong and San would be fine without him.

Hongjoong stopped the boat suddenly. The rest of the crew had gathered on deck and stared out at the open sea.

“We’re here. ” Hongjoong proclaimed in a hoarse voice. San looked at the captain and nodded before he brushed his shirt off his shoulders.

Wooyoung pulled the siren and buried his face in Sans neck.

“Just watch out when you’re down there, okay? Don’t die, you understand?” San smiled and stroked his thumb gently over Wooyoungs cheek, who immediately turned red when touched.

“I love you”, San whispered, pulling Wooyoung closer to press a kiss on his lips.

“I love you too”  Wooyoung replied dreamyly and nudged Sans nose with his own.

The other boys stepped forward one after the other to hug San and whisper words of encouragement to him.

Hongjoong gently placed his hand on Sans shoulder.

“From now on, you’re on your own. Be careful, don’t take any unnecessary risks. We’re counting on you, my little one. ”

San had to grin, but he was visibly moved by Hongjoongs words. He hugged the stunned captain.

“I’ll bring Seonghwa back, I promise. ”

Hongjoong nodded, his face tucked in Sans shoulder.

“Now go before I throw you off the ship”, Hongjoong threatened in a joking tone.

San stepped up to the railing of the ship and gently swung one of his legs over it. He looked back again to memorize the faces of his family before he jumped.

He hadn’t been in the water for a long time. A joyful feeling spread through his chest as the cool waves collapsed over him. His legs disappeared within seconds, only his shimmering fish tail remained.

The siren swam deeper and deeper until it reached the bottom of the sea. The light became darker during the time he searched the ground, a sign that it was already dark when his fingers hit a large stone.

Fortunately, it was easy for San to see in the dark. It was the ruin of a large building. He ventured deeper into the ruins, excited and charged with new energy.

The walls of the red sandstone building had trident carved and the ceilings hung wind chimes made of shells.

Sans heart almost stopped in fright when an unknown hand lay on his shoulder. He drove around, his hand outstretched to a blow, but the strange siren that had appeared behind him was faster.

She grabbed Sans hand before slowly lifting her head. Striking facial bones, ocean blue eyes and a black-blue hair came to light.

“You’re here at last, my son. ”

San tore his hand back and shook his head in disbelief. He pressed his hand against his chest, realizing how incredibly fast his heart was beating.

“I know why you’re here. ” the man replied and grabbed Sans wrist again. He pulled the confused boy out of the ruin and deeper into the maze of buildings that perched on the sandy seabed.

“Let me go!” San snorted angrily. The man just laughed.

“At least you inherited my temperament. ”

“What do you think you’re doing here! I don’t know you at all! My real parents are dead. ”

The man turned abruptly, so that he hit Sans with his chest.

“Listen to me my boy. My name is Choi Jaehyung and you are my son whether you like it or not. I know that human whore and her husband are dead, just like that stupid brat they raised with you. You want the treasure? fine, but you’ll have to know there’s a price to pay for it. ”

Sans pupils narrowed into little slits, like they would for a cat. He could feel his nails growing into claws, how a hot, blind anger clouded his thoughts.

“Seonghwa is not a dumb brat. He’s my brother. And these people you’re insulting have given me more love in their lives than you can ever imagine! “ San shouted back. Jaehyung rolled his eyes in annoyance, but San was furious. He buried his sharp nails in Jaehyungs side in a quick move.

Jaehyung hissed at his son furiously and grabbed him roughly by his hair. He tore Sans head back jerkingly, escaping a painful sound.

“Do you know why? I never wanted you! The only reason you exist is because I was angry and sad! My entire family was wiped out and I needed a descendant. And you didn’t even try to find me, but as soon as you need something, you ungrateful asshole appear on my doorstep. ”

San bit his lip and looked at Jaehyung with hatred. He, obviously unimpressed, ignored his son and dragged him into the ruins of a church that was still half in tune. The windows were lined with colored glass, which showed the stories of the Bible.

“But I survived, as you can see, so I don’t need you anymore. ”

“What do you want from me?” San replied when his father threw him on the still complete altar and held him there.

“Small news flash for you, Prince. I am the treasure. I am the one that can fufill wishes by pure willpower. A nice little gift my dad gave me. ” Jaehyung pulled a dagger out of the pocket around his hip and buried it in Sans side.

San screamed in pain, but his father remained cold at the blood coming out of the wound.

“You want your brother back? Fine, we’ll get that. But you’ll pay for it. ”

“And how?” San gasped back.

“You won’t be a prince anymore. You’re going to be nothing but a pathetic, powerless person. That means no more fishtail, no more strength. ”

“. . . no more voice” he completed Jaehyungs sentence, who nodded happily.

“So, do we have a deal?” he asked, twisting the dagger into Sans wound.

“Deal. ” San snapped back as blood ran out of the corner of his mouth.

The last thing he saw before it went black was his fathers face.

Everyone on the Aurora was in turmoil the longer San was gone. Hongjoong tried to calm the boys down, but the tension was low. Jongho and Yeosang hardly left the nest, while Wooyoung stared over the railing into the dark water, even when it was so dark he couldn’t see anything anymore.

Mingi and Yunho were sitting together in a corner, both hidden under a large blanket as they held each other.

Hongjoong felt lost, helpless. He had scribbled on almost all the blank pages of his notebook when he heard heavy footsteps coming from inside the ship and moving towards the deck.

His hand rushed to his sword, which was hanging in its sheath on his belt, but he dropped his hand at once when he noticed who was standing before him.

Blonde hair, roe brown eyes, pink lips and red cheeks and so on, so alive. Seonghwa.

Hongjoong let a loud scream, which alerted the other boys as he stormed at Seonghwa and threw his arms around him.

“Seonghwa, Seonghwa. ” Hongjoong said his name like a prayer. Seonghws fingers clawed into the cool, familiar leather of his coat.

“I’m alive again, San has made it, I’m back in my body”, Seonghwa sobbed.

The other boys stared at Seonghwa like a ghost. Then they all threw their arms around Seonghwa at the same time and hugged him excitedly. The air was finally lighter again, filled with joyful chatter.

Hongjoong chased the boys away, still moved by the fact that Seonghwa was finally back. He placed his hands on Seonghwas face and gently pressed his lips on Seonghwas face. There had been several times where Hongjoong had imagined being able to kiss Seonghwa again, but nothing could‘ve prepared him for this moment. Fireworks exploded behind his eyelids and butterflies came loose inside of his chest and everything felt so right, felt like magic.

The moment was interrupted by Wooyoung, who squealed in fright.

A pair of hands had closed around the railing. Hongjoong hurried over, closely followed by Seonghwa. Both grabbed the cold, wet hands and pulled the shaking body onto the deck.

Wooyoung almost cried when he saw it was San, alive and almost undamaged. He had a wound on his side, from which blood leaked slightly. Yunho came running and pressed a bandage onto the cut. Wooyoung kissed Sans hair, over and over again, as relieved he was.

Then San finally really looked at Seonghwa for the first time. Tears shimmered in his eyes. Seonghwa pulled him on his lap, wrapped his arms around his naked torso. His tears ran down his skin. San leaned back, opened his mouth to say his brothers name, but nothing came out.

Seonghwa stared at him stunned when he noticed that they had already rescued San in human form.

“Sannie”, Seonghwa crooked, “you’re not a siren anymore!”

Chapter Text

And here it is! the offical last chapter of this fanfiction.

I‘m sorry it took so long, but i actually celebrated my 20th birthday a day ago! i‘m truly old now...

thanks for everyone who was reading and commenting with passion, see you, hopefully, in my new fanfiction!

San&Wooyoung

It took longer than expected for San to become acostumed to being human. Wooyoung would sometimes feel him sneak out of bed in the middle of the night, just to find him on the deck, staring longingly down into the depths of the ocean. Wooyoung would sigh and snuggle up to Sans back, softly patting his stomach in silent comfort. San would start humming and Wooyoung would sing the tones to his dearest siren song.

The first days after Atlantis were hard on everyone. They spend most of their time trying to find a way to communicate with San without the boy having to use his voice. In the end they asked a warlock to help them. The warlock wanted a heafty price, but they would do anything for San. And now they all had long necklaces around their necks, which let them hear Sans thoughts, if the other boy wanted them to.

San spend most of his time with his brother. Wooyoung would find him more often than not clinging to Seonghwa or sleeping in his brothers bed, as if the was scared the other would disappear again. Wooyoung let him.

Wooyoung himself fell back into the normal rhytmn of taking care of his boyfriend. Cooking for him, brushing his hair for him, making sure to comfort him after a nightmare. They sometimes would end up arguing about the dumbest things, but they always worked it out. 

It took about a year for Wooyoung to ask San to marry him. And San said yes after attacking him with thousand kisses.

Yunho&Mingi

Yunho loved Mingi. He did, he always would, but during his time after losing an eye, Mingi would become exhausting. The other tried to hide the fact that losing half of his vision actually scared him, but Yunho was smarter than that. Everytime he would try to talk to him about it, Mingi would ignore him or they would end up having sex. Yunho liked sex, but not if it was for the fact of Mingi avoiding his questions.

It took about three restless months after Atlantis for Mingi to finally break and open up to his boyfriend. He had drank with Jongho out on the deck when he stumbled into his and Yunhos shared cabin, tears in his healthy eye and broke down right in front of him.

Yunho held him while he cried, swearing to himself that he would help his boyfriend with everything. And so he did. He trained Mingi in swordfighting and in handling his canon, all while using just one eye and his own intuition. All the frustrations were worth it, seeing Mingis blinding smile as his sword pierced the puppet right into where a humans heart would be.

All the frustrations were worth it, when Mingi lifted Yunho into his arms and kissed him breathless.

Yeosang&Jongho

Yeosang knew something had changed between them.

Even in the months and weeks before they reached Atlantis, Jongho and him had grown closer than ever. The youngest would seek him out for comfort, Yeosang being the only one that could get through to him.

And after Atlantis, after Seonghwa was back and San was safe, they spend even more time together. Yeosang would sit with Jongho, high up in the nest, from when the sun rose until it dipped behind the horizon and the twinkling stars lit up the nightsky.

Jongho would hug Yeosang to himself when he would notice the older boy shiver, and Yeosang would let him. 

Jongho would lead Yeosang to his room and snuggle up in bed with him, and Yeosang would let him.

Jongho would feed Yeosang during dinner when he was so tired that his head almost dropped down into his plate, and Yeosang would let him.

One night, when the sky was clear and the sun illuminated the two boys in its fairytail-like light, Yeosang would lean over and kiss Jongho, and Jongho would let him.

And a few months later, when Yeosang and Jongho both washed up after a bloody fight in which both of them got wounded, they would turn to each other and say i love you for the first time.

Seonghwa&Hongjoong

Hongjoong was looking after him. Seonghwa noticed it about a week after returning to the realm of the living. The captain would make sure that he was fine, eating, drinking, sleeping comfortably. He would hiss at others, who even just as much as look into his direction. Seonghwa would worry about Hongjoong.

Hongjoong stopped sleeping, spending all his nights sitting before their bed, watching Seonghwa. It took several days to convince Hongjoong to sleep, head safely rested on Seonghwas chest, right where his beating heart lay.

Nightmares would come haunt Hongjoong for an entire year, where he would wake up in the middle of the night, screams dying in his throat. Seonghwa would pull him against his chest, kiss his hair and whisper soothing words into his ears.

A month after the nightmares vanished, after Hongjoong realized Seonghwa wouldn‘t leave again, he asked Seonghwa to marry him on a hidden beach underneath a sky lined with shooting stars. Seonghwa would press a hand to his mouth, sinking into the damp sand beneath and nod frantically. Hongjoong tasted tears when Seonghwa kissed him.

Their wedding was held on the Aurora, with their tiny, imperfect family. And Seonghwa loved it. Hongjoong cried when Seonghwa came walking to him, dressed in white. Seonghwa cried when Hongjoong said his vows, tightly clutching onto his hand.

San would bury his head in Wooyoungs chest to hide his tears. The other boys all had wet eyes, but they would immediately decline it afterwards.

They partied until the night had passed and the sun rose again. 

And Hongjoong would look to his side, where Seonghwa was seated, safe, alive, big smile and twinkling eyes, and for the first time in his entire life, he felt at peace.