"Bad news Cap'," Mingi starts as he walks in with Hongjoong to the captain's cabin.

"It's the ship isn't it?" Hongjoong sighs, running his hand through his hair and Mingi grunts.

"I'm afraid so," Mingi responds, "With the ship in this condition we won't be able to sail anywhere close to Utopia if the legends of monsters are real like what happened with the Kraken."

Hongjoong lets out a deep breath, "What do you suggest we do?"

Mingi blinks in surprise, "You're asking me?"

"You are my first mate, Mingi, you're my advisor and my second in command if I die. I'm asking you, because I need your opinion," Hongjoong snaps, the stress of everything hitting him hard.

Mingi clenches his jaw, "I advise we stop at the ocean city and pay someone to repair our ship. There's more damage than we can fix with just a hammer and nails. We're going to need pretty much at this point a new ship."

"I'm not giving up this ship," Hongjoong brushes that idea off, "Not when we're so close to finding Utopia." Mingi nods, agreeing instantly until Hongjoong growls, "Where are we going to find the money to pay for repairs?"

Mingi gets an idea, going over to the captain's jewel bowl and opening the lid. He takes out the bag of gold that belonged to Jongho when he bought passage, and throws it on the desk. Hongjoong's head perks over to the sound, taking the bag and lifting it in his hand, feeling the weight. He narrows his eyes, "This may work."

"If not we can always threaten to kill him," Mingi shrugs.

"A dead man isn't going to repair our ship," Hongjoong rolls his eyes, "What good is he dead when we need him alive." He felt tense, everyone did. He purses his lips, "Maybe we all need more than a repaired ship."

~~~~

They sailed to the next ocean city on the map, which thankfully was large enough for them to find a decent mechanic. Luckily, he was available and was even more pleased with the amount of gold they gave him.

"You could've at least saved some of that gold," Hongjoong mumbles to Mingi as they walk to the ship, seeing everyone gathering their belongings for them to sleep on the small island.

"Asking a man to fix your ship in three days after being man handled by the Kraken, he would've turned you away with a flick of his scabby nose," Mingi chuckles, "gold is a true way to a man's business if you want it done quicker."

They approach the ship and help carry bags of supplies to the littler boat that belonged to Hongjoong, firstly filling it with half the crew then the rest along with supplies. Seonghwa turns to Hongjoong, the captain wrapping an arm around the blonde's waist and nuzzling his nose in Seonghwa's neck.

Seonghwa had been hormonal here lately and no one could figure out why, only Hongjoong was able to stand around the older without feeling uncomfortable with the moody medic. Mingi walks over to Yunho, the boy trying to organize bags of supplies and belongings to not over crowd the ship.

Mingi began to walk over to him, but Jongho called for the boy before he could even take a couple steps. Both of them were going with Hongjoong for the first trip along with Wooyoung, and the rest were going when Hongjoong drops them off. Mingi grunts, noticing San and Yeosang were closer than any other time as they sat back away from the crowd.

Once everyone had settled onto the island, Seonghwa and Yeosang immediately set to setting up shelters from the blistering sun. Hongjoong gathers everyone around, making sure to stay in earshot as he spoke, "Tensions have been a little high here recently. So, while our ship is being restored, we're going to enjoy our time here on this small island and grow back as a crew. Put our trust in one another once more."

Everyone was quiet, all looking at one another until Jongho speak up, "I'm willing to do this, and I didn't even care about knowing a single one of you."

Chuckles were heard and Hongjoong gestures to the island, "Let's start a fire and set up camp. I gave that man enough gold to fix our ship within three days."

"So we're staying here? For three days!" Yunho asks, excitement clear on his face.

Hongjoong chuckles, "We'll mostly be exploring, but yes. For now, let's set up camp and rest."

~~~~

After sleeping through the night to the waves crashing on the shore, Hongjoong wakes everyone up to head into the small patch of forest. There, they had seen many animals they had never seen before except only in books. Eventually, they come across a tall building that looks as if it's seen better days.

Mingi frowns, "What is this place?"

"One way to find out," Jongho shrugs, walking ahead only to be pulled back by Hongjoong.

"Never enter a building alone," the captain says, keeping his eyes on the building as he steps forward, "Keep your eyes open, if you see something, say something."

They all draw out their daggers and weapons, ready to fight if they needed to. All walk in slowly, Mingi falling in the back and not so subtly putting Yunho in front of him. Once they enter the building, they take notice of the greenery and mold growing on the walls from the water flooding. Yunho gasps, walking over to the nearest wall and looking at the many books on the shelf.

Mingi runs over to him, looking at the giant wall of books and looking all around to see many shelves full of books. His eyes widen, "Oh my gods, this place is like a book gold mine."

Yunho takes one off the shelf, brushing the dust off of the cover and frowning when he can't understand the words.

"Everyone split up, these might come to use," Hongjoong commands, a leader never takes a break.

Everyone walked in different directions, looking at the many books this place provides and some even taking them off of the shelf to look and see if they could possible have pictures to understand what the book is about.

Mingi looks down, smirking at the book Hongjoong was holding, "The Iliad, a classic."

"I wouldn't know," Yunho mumbles sadly, "I can't read."

Mingi frowns, "You can't?"

"No," Yunho says sharply, putting the book back on the shelf, "I never knew how. Not everyone was blessed with the ability to read. Those who can don't even cherish the ability. If I could read, I would be spending my time here, reading every single book over and over until I can't read anymore."

Mingi takes the book back off the shelf and takes Yunho's hand, putting it back in his hand, "I can teach you."

Yunho looks up in shock, his eyes wide in wonder and Mingi chuckles, "I taught Seonghwa and Hongjoong. Seonghwa knew a little thanks to the pirates he was sold to, but I broadened his knowledge."

"Y-You don't care to?" Yunho asks, excitement growing in his chest.

"No, I would actually love to," Mingi replies, looking back at the shelf, "Grab as many as you can. Once we get back to camp, we'll start learning."

Yunho smiles, feeling so happy he could burst. He jumps in Mingi's arms, wrapping them around his neck tightly and hugging him. Mingi felt a tingly sensation in his heart, and he wasn't sure why but it felt.... kind of nice.

~~~~

Written by @jinjin0309