Chapter Text
The ship had been quiet all morning. Not a command shouted, a conversation heard, not even a single laugh. It had been that way for a month now. Everything was hushed, like a whisper of life ghosting over the ship. Silence hung heavy in the air, weighing the crew down as they went about their day.
Things had changed for the worst after the most recent ambush. Having lost their captain a few weeks prior, they were already scrambling to get back to port. Gyehyeon had been the one to step up and guide the rest, at least until they got back home to hold a proper service for Dongheon and choose where to move on from there. But their journey home had been cut short.
It was the dead of night when it happened. Gyehyeon had been standing at the wheel for hours now. Yongseung had offered to take over so he could rest, but he couldn’t stop now. He could see it in the distance - the faint lights of the port. If he kept going they could reach the village by sunrise. Nothing could stop him now, not even the droplets of rain that started to fall from the sky.
Gyehyeon was exhausted. The longer he stared forward, he'd find his eyelids tugging downward, trying to close for even a second of sleep. But he couldn't. They were almost home. He had to keep going. He had been pushing himself nonstop since Dongheon’s passing. Gyehyeon hadn’t even given himself the time to mourn the loss, seeing as he was too worried about keeping the others calm and busy. But it was times like these that he could feel the grief creeping up on him. In the dead of night, the only sounds surrounding him being the creaking of the boat and the splashing of the waves. It pricked at his eyes as the tears started to well up. It clawed at his throat when he felt the urge to scream at the world. It slowly engulfed him, taking over his ability to focus and tearing him down piece by piece.
Why wasn’t it him? Dongheon was loved by most, and well respected by the ones who didn’t. He was an amazing leader, and his boots were far too big for Gyehyeon to fill. He could try -- years on the sea made him a master at lying and faking confidence. But he would never be Dongheon, and that weight was too heavy for him to bear on his shoulders.
Gyehyeon looked towards the lights. They were inching closer with every hour that passed. The lights were like a beacon, beckoning him home - but as the tears started to fall they became an orange and yellow blur. Gyehyeon hung his head in defeat as he allowed himself to cry. It wasn’t loud, only soft, pitiful sobs as his shoulders shook. He felt weak whenever he cried, but he couldn’t take it anymore. He missed Dongheon, he felt guilty that he was the one that lived. He shouldn’t have hesitated, he should’ve fought those men like he was taught, he should’ve shoved Dongheon out of the way and took the blade to the gut instead. But he didn’t. He was weak. He was a coward.
“Captain…?”
“I told you not to call me that, Kangmin.” Gyehyeon tried to sound cold, but he couldn’t hide the way he sniffled as he rushed to wipe his tears away. The younger pirate frowned when the man turned to look at him. “What is it? I told you all to turn in for the night. We’ll be reaching the port by dawn.”
“I tried.” Kangmin assured. “The swaying from the storm woke me, so I decided to check my sails and make sure the wind wouldn’t cause any damage. But when I came up I saw you were crying –”
“I was not crying.” Gyehyeon snapped, but when he saw the smaller flinch he had to take a moment to compose himself.
Sometimes he questioned how Kangmin even ended up here. He was a pure soul who didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He had a family back on the island who were barely making it day to day, and this kid’s bright idea was to join a pirate crew in hopes of bringing in a few extra gold. He was an oddity in Gyehyeon’s eyes, and yet, he always found him glued to his side. And the weirdest part for Gyehyeon was that he liked it.
“The sea salt splashed into my eyes.” Was the best excuse he could provide. “I’m alright. But you should rest, I’m sure your folks will be excited to see you come morning.” Gyehyeon chuckled softly.
Kangmin smiled fondly at the mention of his parents, but before he could reply the gloomy clouds above lit up, and a crackle of thunder echoed in the distance. “But - are you sure we’ll be alright?”
“That's something for me to worry about.” Gyehyeon managed a pained smile in an attempt to soothe the younger, but he wasn’t liking the way the ship was creaking more than usual. “Go back inside, Min. You’ll catch your death out here wearing your night shirt in the rain.” He gently commanded.
“But couldn’t the same be said for you?” Kangmin asked in reply.
Gyehyeon chuckled and shook his head. He winced as another boom of thunder echoed over the ocean, but he tried his best to play it off. “I’m older. I have more experience out here. Death runs from me with its tail between its legs.” He boasted proudly.
And yet, Kangmin could only frown. “At the end of the day you’re still a human like me. No amount of experience can change that. Eventually we’ll all meet death on the other side…I just hope that Captain Dongheon is waiting there for us.”
Another wave of guilt struck Gyehyeon harder than the waves were beating against the ship. His grip on the wooden wheel tightened, the splintered wood daring to jab into his calloused skin. “A good captain always watches out for his crew…I’m sure he will be. Now go back to bed, it's too late to be up.”
Kangmin stepped forward. Gyehyeon attempted to move back, but when the smaller pirate wrapped his arms around him he froze in shock. “It's okay to miss him, I do too.” He whispered, his cheek pressing against the damp cloth of Gyehyeon’s shirt. “Mourning doesn’t make you weak. You’re stronger than others, because they always run away from even the mention of emotions. Crying means you face them head on…you're strong, Gyehyeon. Stronger than they'll ever be.”
A silence lingered between the two for some time, until Gyehyeon found the strength to wrap his arms around the latter and return the embrace. He was never one for showing affection, but here, cloaked in the night, he felt it was okay. “Thank you.” He whispered in return, soothing his hand down Kangmin’s back until they mutually pulled away.
“Goodnight, Captain, may good fortune be waiting for us back in the village.” Kangmin gave him one more smile before he headed for the steps.
Gyehyeon managed a quick ‘night’, before his gaze lowered to the floor. What he would give to be that naive again. So full of hope and dreams. The world changed him for the worst, and he wasn't sure he was ready to see the same happen to Kangmin.
Maybe he could talk to his parents. Surely if they tried hard enough they could convince him to stay back on the port. Gyehyeon had already lost one person, he wasn't willing to make it two. Or more -- the rest of the crew knew what they were doing, but nobody could run from fate. Kangmin was telling the truth. One day they'll greet death at his door, but Gyehyeon wanted to make sure they'd get to live long, fulfilling lives. Not die out at sea by the hands of greedy thieves. It wasn't a way to live.
Gyehyeon didn't have a choice, but it wasn't too late for things to change for the rest. They could become merchants, or maybe farmers. Hoyoung happened to be great with children, maybe he could help down at the school house. Yeonho’s voice was softer than a siren’s, he could certainly grab some gold performing out on the streets. They could build lives for themselves if they really tried. They deserved to know peace, they should be able to smile without looking over their shoulder waiting for the next attack.
And speaking of attack.
Gyehyeon was pulled from his thoughts by a scream. Kangmin’s. He jabbed a piece of wood in between the wheel, keeping it in place so he could run down to the deck. “Kangmin?!” He called out, drawing his sword from its sheath. But when he reached for the door to the sleeping quarters, he barely had time to yank his hand back when the door was kicked open. Gyehyeon watched in horror as men dressed in black dragged out his crew one by one, knives to their throats and hands bound with rope.
How - how could he have possibly missed an ambush? He hadn't seen any other ships, and it was a death wish for small boats to travel during storms. He hadn't even heard them climb on deck, nor had he heard the others fight to get away.
No. This couldn't be happening again. He couldn't lose anyone else, please –
“Captain!” One of the strangers boomed, the grin on his face all too cocky. “It's a shame we must meet under such…” he paused to look up towards the cloudy night sky. “Gloomy conditions. But, business must proceed regardless of weather.”
Gyehyeon’s face burned with rage as he aimed the tip of his blade towards the man. “Let my men go, they've done nothing to you.” He demanded.
“Of course they haven't.” The man chuckled. “We didn't give them the chance. Besides, how am I meant to bargain without any hostages? I’ll be more than happy to let them go for a price. But if you play hard to get…well…let's not get rash just yet.”
Gyehyeon’s gaze jutted between his crew. Yeonho and Minchan looked furious, Yongseung and Hoyoung had similar expressions of defeat, meanwhile Kangmin looked absolutely terrified. He tried not to let his eyes linger for too long, worried of giving the enemy the upper hand, so he shifted his focus back to the man acting as the leader. “We don't have treasure. Someone else got the same idea. We’ve been stripped of our valuables already, now let us return home in peace. Surely there's another ship out here for you to raid.”
“And you seriously expect me to believe you?” The man scoffed.
His tone caused Gyehyeon's blood to run cold. He was telling the truth, they were stripped of their bags of gold, their storage of meats, and even their cannonballs. They had been living off of bread and rotting fruit, trying to make it by until they arrived home. This man was making a mockery of their struggles, and Gyehyeon was worried it was going to cost them a life.
“We have nothing.” Gyehyeon repeated. “You can search every inch of this ship and you'll find nothing of worth.”
“Well I suppose we’ll have to do just that.” The man snapped his fingers, and in a flash the man who had been holding Kangmin shoved the boy into the leader’s arms. Gyehyeon moved forward, but when he realized it was so the man could run off to check the ship he settled. “Now now, Captain, let's not get antsy. The real fun will begin once we prove you're lying through your teeth.” He chuckled darkly.
“He told you we have nothing!” Minchan shouted, struggling in his binds. “Do you need to clear sea water out of your ears or something, you pea-brained bastard!”
Gyehyeon could only stare in terror as the leader snapped his fingers once more. The man who had been holding Minchan shoved him to the ground, the knife in his hand daring to press into his cheek. Yeonho and Yongseung gasped at the sight, but Hoyoung was the only one that found the courage to shout. “Minchan!!” He cried out, before the cloaked man behind him smacked his hand over the pirate's mouth and pressed his knife against his neck.
“You should really learn how to control your crew.” The leader sighed as if their defiance was an inconvenience. “If you want us to play nice, then you play nice in return. Is that so hard to understand, Captain?”
The words Gyehyeon wanted to shout would have certainly got him killed, so he snapped his mouth shut and let his teeth grind together in an attempt to swallow the aggression. As much as he wanted to scream at the man for having the audacity, he knew he was in no position to act out. All he could do instead was tighten and loosen the grip on his sword, biding his time until the man came back to announce that they in fact did have nothing.
But, before that could happen, someone dared to break the silence.
“He doesn't like that name.”
It was quiet. If the closely approaching thunder had been any louder no one would've heard it. All eyes shifted to Kangmin. But the crew were the only ones that looked horrified.
The leader looked down at the man in his hold. A wide grin crept across his face, something sinister and sadistic. “Is that so, kid? Care to tell me why the big dog doesn't like the title, huh?”
Kangmin’s wide eyes could only stare at the man for a few seconds, before he looked to the floor. “N – No sir.” Was all he got out, before he found his hair being yanked to make him look back up. “Ah –!”
“Kangmin –!” Gyehyeon stepped forward. His biggest mistake. He let his weakness be known, and now there was no going back.
“Ah, so this is the one that gets a reaction out of you.” The leader chuckled as he yanked Kangmin closer. The smaller pirate reached his bound hands up to try and get him to let go, but it really was useless. “Who would've thought the Captain had a thing for the young ones. Well, I suppose if you won't tell us where your treasures lie –” he unsheathed the dagger from his belt, but before the blade could get anywhere near Kangmin they were interrupted.
“There's nothing, sir.” The man announced to his crew once he emerged from the lower deck. “They're telling the truth.”
The leader groaned in annoyance. “So this has all been a big waste of time.” He huffed.
“If you had listened to us –” it was Yongseung who spoke up this time, but he didn't get to finish his sentence before he felt the knife pressing against his skin in warning.
“What a shame, what a shame.” He continued, lazily pacing around the deck whilst he dragged Kangmin around by the back of his shirt. “No gold, no meat, not even a single pearl. You six really are a sad lot, aren't you?” He chuckled in amusement. “Whatever shall I do now…”
“Leave.” Gyehyeon answered. “Let go of my men and return to your boats. We won't attack as long as you leave peacefully.”
“Ah, but you see, that's where the problem lies.” The leader tsked as he shook his head. “I'm not sure if you've managed to realize, but we don't really do peaceful. Either we get what we want, or we leave corpses behind. And well, you and I can both see that you have nothing of interests, so –”
The moment played out in slow motion. Gyehyeon froze when he saw the dagger inching towards Kangmin’s chest, but he couldn't get his body to move.
Not again. Please, not again. He can't lose anyone else due to his own cowardice.
“You can have the ship!!” He shouted in a panic.
The dagger stopped right as the tip pressed against Kangmin’s shirt. “The ship?” The man repeated, suddenly looking intrigued. “I thought a captain was always supposed to go down with his vessel, and yet here you are, willing to give it up for this boy here.”
It wasn't Gyehyeon’s ship. It was never his, and it never will be. He's a fake, a poser just trying to get home. He was going to sell it as soon as they got to port anyway, so if he had to trade it for their lives instead, then so be it.
“Take us to the village, and the ship is yours.” Gyehyeon added onto the bargain. “We keep our lives, and you get one of the best ships at sea. It sounds like a fair trade to me.”
“Hmm, tempting.” The leader tapped the tip of the dagger against his chin as he was seeming to think about it. “But I think I have a better offer.”
“Name it.” Gyehyeon replied.
“You walk the plank right here and now, I get the ship and your crew. Your little friends get to stay alive, and I get more men for my cause. I think that sounds perfect.” He hummed with that same disgusting grin.
Gyehyeon could only stare in disbelief. End his own life for the chance that he would keep the rest of the crew alive? And even if he did, they would be miserable the entire time. No, no he couldn't do that. He couldn't leave them to live a life of suffering when their homes were right on the horizon. But could he really fight all of these men on his own? Even if he managed to get Minchan or Yeonho loose, who’s to say they wouldn't stab the rest while they were bound? How was he meant to save them when he couldn't even think straight? He was never meant to be a captain. He was going to get them all killed.
“Tick tock, Captain.”
“I…” Gyehyeon hesitated.
He didn't get to respond. A grunt of pain followed by a loud THUD caught their attention. Gyehyeon’s head whipped to find Yeonho and Minchan out of their restraints. They must've been using the discussion as a distraction to get them untied. They were fighting their captors despite only having their fists, but their determination was strong. Using the shock to their advantage, Hoyoung managed to break away from his captor, and Yongseung threw his head back to knock his right in the nose.
All hell broke loose in a matter of seconds. Everyone could barely see in the rain, let alone stay upright on the slippery deck. But multiple fights were happening at once – and Gyehyeon couldn't tell who was winning.
There was no sense in standing there in shock, Gyehyeon had to act now. “Kangmin, duck!” He shouted as he charged at the two, and luckily the younger managed to throw himself out of the way in time as Gyehyeon swung his sword at the leader. The killing blow didn't land, but he did feel the tension in his weapon as the blade sliced into the man’s arm. He yowled in pain, but Gyehyeon used it as an opportunity to strike again – he kicked him in the gut, sending him tumbling back as his dagger clattered against the floor. Gyehyeon rushed to scoop it up, before tossing it in Kangmin’s direction. “Give it to whoever looks like they need help. Stay out of the line of danger. I mean it –!” Before he could say more, the leader kicked Gyehyeon's leg out from under him. He fell to the ground, but he couldn't care any less when he saw Kangmin rushing to Hoyoung to give him the blade.
Good. As long as he stayed safe.
The fight was exhausting, especially with how little Gyehyeon had slept. His body moved slower than he liked, but he tried his best to keep up. The leader managed to land a blow or two that would definitely bruise, but it was nothing in comparison to the damage Gyehyeon did. Multiple cuts, scratches, bruises, you name it. He was fighting like a rabid animal trying to protect its pack, and at that point he felt like one too. He had nobody waiting for him at the port. This crew was all he knew. He couldn't stand there and watch them get picked off. He needed to prove himself. He needed to show Dongheon that he can protect what he left behind.
And he did. By the time he was finished the man was barely breathing. He looked like a bloodied pulp, barely grasping to life. Gyehyeon rose from his spot as his chest heaved with every breath. The noises behind him had stopped, and that was when he turned to find the remaining intruders on the floor or missing entirely. As far as he could tell his crew was okay. Injured, but alive.
They did it. They survived. They were really going home.
Gyehyeon managed a smile despite the pain burning through his muscles. “You've done well.” He chuckled weakly. “Dongheon would be so proud.”
Hoyoung looked like he wanted to cry, but he still managed a nod. “And he would be proud of you too.”
“Can we skip the pleasantries and get rid of these bodies?” Minchan chimed in with a huff. “I'm soaking wet and bleeding. I'm not trying to have a ‘yay we’re alive’ party.”
The rest were a fit of laughter. Of course Minchan was the first to complain. But, he managed to start the fight, so he deserved to.
“Yeah,” Gyehyeon nodded. “Someone help me haul this bastard over the edge? If I stare at him any longer I'm –”
“Watch out!!”
Gyehyeon saw Kangmin running at him, but he couldn't process why. It was only when a loud BAM rang through his ears did he understand the severity of the situation. He was shoved aside, his body tumbling to the ground as he was forced to watch in horror as something struck Kangmin.
The rest screamed out and rushed to the scene. But Gyehyeon could only focus on the sight in front of him. Kangmin looked down at himself as red started to blend with the damp white shirt. He clutched his stomach like it would stop the bleeding, but all it took was one pained whimper for Gyehyeon to realize how bad it was.
Another loud BAM rang out in the open ocean, Gyehyeon turned to see what it was – but the sight of the man’s head blown apart by his own hidden gun wasn’t pleasant in the slightest.
“Captain..” Kangmin hiccuped.
Gyehyeon barely managed to clear the distance in time before Kangmin fell to the floor. “It's okay.” He quickly shushed. “You're going to be okay, alright? We're going to get you back home, and the doctors will make everything okay.” He tried to assure as he pulled his shirt off.
“Gyehyeon.” Kangmin’s shuddered breathing echoed through his brain, but he tried to ignore it as he pressed the shirt against the open wound. “Ahh -!!” He screamed in pain.
“I know, I know. I'm so sorry.” Gyehyeon’s vision began to blur as the tears welled in his eyes.
Not another one. Not again.
“I'm so sorry.” Gyehyeon’s shaky hand pulled Kangmin closer, hugging him close as he buried his face into the latter’s hair. “It's going to be okay..”
The rest of the crew gathered around the two, but not a word was said. They all looked devastated, the reality of the situation weighing on each of them.
“I'm…I’m scared.” Kangmin reached his bloody hand up to grab Gyehyeon's bicep. But he didn't even have the strength to squeeze his arm for comfort. “I don't wanna go yet…please I…I…”
“You won't.” Gyehyeon sniffled, but he couldn't tell if he was lying to Kangmin or himself. “We're going to take you home, okay? It's all going to be okay. Just hold on, please…”
The lightning lit up the sky, showing just how bad the bleeding was. It covered Kangmin and Gyehyeon. There really was no hope left. The youngest was dying in his arms, and there was nothing he could do about it.
“Do…” Kangmin’s eyes fluttered as his head tilted back, but he managed to pull it back up. “Do you think…Captian’s there?” He asked, his bottom lip chittering from the lack of blood.
Hoyoung finally crouched down beside the two. “Captain’s going to be right there, love.” He managed through his tears. “He's going to be waiting for you. He’ll get to show you where all the great pirates go.”
Kangmin managed a smile despite the pain. “I…I was a good pirate?”
“One of the best...” Yeonho added as he joined them.
“They'll be waiting to hear your stories.” Yongseung chimed in.
“And how you helped defend your ship from greedy thieves twice.” Minchan managed, though it looked like he was on the verge of a breakdown.
Kangmin looked at them all fondly, but when his gaze fell back on Gyehyeon his lips tugged down into a frown. “I'm so sorry..I should've…I should've listened..”
Gyehyeon didn't want to accept it. No. This couldn't be his reality. Surely this was some horrific nightmare he'd wake up from any minute now. But…he couldn't. Whether he wanted to or not, he had to accept that Kangmin was dying. And he couldn't let him go believing he did something wrong.
“Shhh…” Gyehyeon reached his bloodied hand up to brush the soaked locks of hair out of Kangmin's face. “You did everything right. You're a hero, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.”
Kangmin tried to smile, but as the fight continued to leak from his body he couldn't manage to. His body slowly went lax, and as Gyehyeon saw the last of the light leave Kangmin’s eyes he gave up. He couldn't be strong. Not now. Not when he lost the little sliver of hope he had left. He would have to tell Kangmin’s parents. He would be the one to tell them that he failed their son. He would have to bury the boy. He would never get to see his smile again, hear his laugh, comfort him through the long nights.
Gyehyeon couldn't do it. He held Kangmin’s body in his arms as he screamed out all the pain. Tears mixed with the rain streaming down his face. He felt the rest trying to comfort him, but it was no use.
He really was a failure. A mistake. A sad excuse of a leader. It should've been him. Two times in a row, he should've been the one to die. But no, innocents lost their lives instead because of his carelessness.
Gyehyeon would never be the same after that. A part of him died that night that he would never get back. A wound opened that could never be healed.
Or so he believed.