A/N: Herein, Joong and Hwa are of the same height (Don't come at me!). Happy reading<3

Stepping into his chambers, Hongjoong shut the door behind him with immense care, lest the creaking coverage made the slightest noise. He turn around and immediately, his gaze travelled to his bed, a quick surge of numerous emotions striving to rearranging themselves within him and miserably failing to do so, eventually ending up in a confused chaos. Hongjoong walked towards it, his footfalls slow and soft, taking note of not making a single creak upon the wooden surface with the heels of his boots.

Standing closer, he saw the tranquil form of the sleeping boy from the previous night, wrapped up in his cloak and the thick rug. He was sleeping on his right side, his face seeming like the sweet moon, softly glowing under the thin ray of the morning shine that happened to pave it's way through the small window by the wall. His eyes were closed, brown locks of hair messing his forehead like tendrils, lips puckered in a small pout, hands unknowingly grabbing the cloth of the rug. He was apparently curled up inside, enjoying the warmth within in his sweet slumber.

Hongjoong didn't have the heart to wake him up, but he knew, he had to. He pondered for a while- Since when did I begin to be so kind?

The pirate crouched down and placed his hand upon the sleeping lad, gently shaking him. "Hey, wake up," he called a little loudly, even though his voice was low and gentle. At first the boy showed no signs of motion, but after a few moments, Hongjoong saw his eyes creasing, as he shut them tighter, hands instinctively flying up to rub against the closed lids. The boy turned around to lie on his back, fingers working upon the sides of his eyes to clear the sleep dust off. He stretched with a small yawn and slowly opened his eyes in a cresent moon shapes, blinking rapidly to take in the presence of the other within the room.

All these actions were being watched by Hongjoong, who, without a question, found it extremely adorable. He couldn't help but be kind to himself and express it through a smile, gazing at the now awake and confused human on his bed.

"Good morning," the pirate spoke, his voice heavy and serious, the smile smudging away, "Get up and get dressed. There's a lot to be done with you today."

The human occupying his bed rose, sitting upon the surface with a sleepy face, eyes still half closed. He looked around, trying to recall all the incidents that had transpired the night before and his sight shifting rapidly from the pirate to the other materials within the chamber. His upper body was still wrapped with the cloak, and his legs were underneath the rug. He felt warm and was reluctant to leave.

Hongjoong came back from the corner of his room with a white shirt and brown trousers, and placed them upon the bed. The boy looked at the attires with curiosity, and then back at Hongjoong, completely clueless.

"You cannot wear the cloak in singular when you're out of this place," the pirate explained, "You need to put these on."

The boy listened, continuously batting his eyes, still not convinced. Hongjoong wondered, where the problem lay, as he received no satisfactory reply. Suddenly, a realisation struck him.

"Do you know how to wear these?" he asked, remembering how the boy had struggled the night before while putting on a cloak.

The lad shook his head in reply, indicating an affirmation.

"Good," he remarked, still contemplating as to how had he failed to put on a cloak the night before.

Perhaps he was dizzy?

"I'll be waiting at the doorstep outside," Hongjoong informed, "Put your clothes on and come. We'll have to be in the Commons' Chamber soon."

Hongjoong walked away, the boy in his bed looking at his back with curiosity, not quite comprehending what the chamber he mentioned earlier actually meant. Yet, at the sound of the door being shut, he had no other choice but to get busied with the attires. He sighed.

Hongjoong stood outside his room, eyes lingering at the still blue all around, the never ending vastness gladly engulfing his thoughts. His attention was momentarily snatched by a small banter quite close to him, Wooyoung and another sailor, Mingi, fighting over a small wooden box which Hongjoong presumed to be the container of Mingi's jewels and other items of adornment. Even though he was within their reach and could easily give them a dressing down for fooling around, he refrained from it.

Crossing one ankle over the other and closing his eyes, the pirate leaned against the door, breathing and brewing a number of thoughts, planning events and much more. But apart from all these, one specific thing never failed to occupy his head. It was unintentionally permanent.

Everything about that human in his room.

Hongjoong soon heard a soft knock behind him and quickly turned around to open the door. Inside stood the human boy, in his shirt and pants, bare feet and looking timid. Hongjoong smirked, visibly pleased at how he had put on the clothings correctly and how sweet he looked in them, even though they seemed quite oversized for him. The boy looked at Hongjoong with nervousness flickering in his turquoise irises, fingers fidgeting with the hem of the shirt, lips slightly quivering. He seemed scared.

"Come along," Hongjoong spoke, looking up at the sky. The Sun was quite close to the position he had wished for in order to carry out his plan and hence, he didn't want to prolong it. "Everyone has gathered."

The captain walked forward in strides, the boy following him close behind. With a swift turn, he reached for a door and pushed it open. The chaos indoors was tumultuous, but quickly died down as the pirate announced his presence. The sailors stood up, bowed and as the order was given, sat down upon the floor. Hongjoong scanned the crowd for a second, immediately disgusted at how Wooyoung had settled himself upon another sailor's lap, almost grinding upon him and how Mingi was completely engrossed in his little jewel box. But he quickly brushed it all off aside, cleared his throat and addressed to the crowd.

"We've got a new occupant in here last night and I would like you all to meet him," he spoke, "And give forth a judgement about his stay."

The sailors looked agitated and visibly excited, a low humdrum of gossip breaking out between them. Hongjoong turned to his side, and looking out of the door, he noticed the new boy still waiting outside in a hesitant manner, probably scared to walk indoors.

"Come in," the captain called, waving his hand towards the boy in an indication to be indoors. At first he paused, and then, with small steps, he finally came in, and as soon as he placed his foot upon the threshold, there was an immediate silence within the room, together with loud gasps and hushed voices in discussion.

The boy stood in front, head hung low, eyes looking up for a few instances and then instantly going back to be fixated upon his feet. The sailors gazed at him in amazement, an unmatched beauty, looking so radiant and rare, near to impossible to breath among the human race. Some angel from the heavens, or perhaps a vision from the sea, it was unknown. And yet they couldn't stop themselves from staring at him in wonder and awe, several questions brimming their brains in a chaotic turmoil.

"The fish you caught yesterday," Hongjoong responded, looking at Wooyoung who currently had his eyes glued at the newcomer.

"Blimey Cap'n," Wooyoung expressed his surprise, "Ne'er knew it would be a such a sweet glamour."

"I told you it wasn't a fish," Yunho retorted, while studying the anonymous human, curiosity at its peak.

"So," the captain addressed the agitated crowd once again, "What's to be done with him?"

"Cap'n," a young sailor, Minjae by name, called, "Did ye interrogate 'im about 'is origin? Where is 'e from 'nd 'ow did 'e 'nd up on our vessel?"

"I'm afraid I did not do that yet, Min," Hongjoong replied, fingers trailing along his cutlass in an absentminded manner, the question seeming really important to him.

"What if he's one of the King's men?" another sailor exclaimed, "A spy, perhaps?"

"I wouldn't like to think as such, boy," the pirate replied, "He was- unclothed to the toe beneath the wraps of the fishnet. A King's man wouldn't be in such a poor state, would they?"

A series of 'oh's and 'no's were heard in reply. Soon, everyone fell into deep thought, discussing amongst themselves in little groups about the new challenge placed in front of them. Hongjoong found himself leaning against the wall and hearing their conversations, his gaze soon travelling to the the person being discussed about. He noticed the boy continuously digging his nails into the edge of the shirt, teeth sinking into his lips with force, visibly shaking all over. He seemed uncomfortable.

Hongjoong wanted to reason out with himself. If he wasn't someone from the royals or their people, then where did he emerge from? Hongjoong tried his best to let his thoughts travel further and come up with all possible explanations and yet, none seemed to satisfy him. But then a thought hit him and wonderfully, it seemed to settle down quite right. What if he is a slave- being carried away to some unknown land and ended up drifting down the tides owing to the heavy storm demolishing the ship? The thought seemed explainable to him, and hence, he stuck to the assumption.

"We'll keep him," the captain made his announcement to the astonished crowd, "I want you all to teach him everything about the ship and no funny business should I hear of. Mingi, take him away and give him a good bath and a new set of clothings and a proper meal must be provided to him very soon. You, newcomer, welcome."

Everyone was baffled at this unexpected conduct by their captain, completely unknown to them. Yet they couldn't speak up or against him. A few had doubts about the boy, but decided it to be better to keep them within themselves and go according to the captain.

Hongjoong was about to walk out when Wooyoung called, "We still don't know his name Cap'n."

Hongjoong turned around, quite close to the boy. He nodded in agreement, looking at the him in expectation of an answer. But none came forth.

"What do they call you?" Hongjoong spoke, getting no answer at all.

"The first code of conduct on this ship is to reply to the captain immediately whenever he asks you a question, boy," Yunho informed while viewing the scene.

"Thanks for that Yunho. I would-"

"S-Seonghwa," a feeble voice drew his attention, as he whipped his head back to look at the boy, forehead creasing his confusion.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"M-My name, Seonghwa," the boy repeated, bright orbs of turquoise looking back at the captain in, coy, instantly hanging his head low. Hongjoong was a little surprised taking in account to the fact that this human hadn't spoken a word the day before. And yet, he couldn't deny the sweet undertone in his voice, soft and shy. The pirate slightly smiled.

"Call him Seonghwa," he announced to the crowd, "Now, off you all go to the deck. There's a lot of work left to be executed."

The sailors quickly walked out of the chamber, some taking a glance at the boy and immediately indulging in idle talks with each other. Mingi walked towards him, extended his hand in a courteous handshake, a big smile upon his face. He gave him a brief introduction about himself and finding the boy looking a little bit more acceptable to his surroundings, he decided to carry out the captain's orders very soon.

On the other end of the ship stood the captain with a swirl within his heart, a swirl of confused emotions. Emotions he had never felt before, feelings unknown to him for so long. The new boy had stirred something within him and he couldn't dare to deny it.

"Seonghwa," he whispered his name, looking into the blue of the waters around, "A mystery yet to be discovered."

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Thoughts?