"How much longer?" Jongho asks as he stands by Hongjoong. The captain hums, looking at the sky and thinking about his family.

"I say in a few hours," Hongjoong sighs, watching as he can see a faint line of the city coming before them. They sailed to a bigger ocean city this time to gather as much supplies as they can. Hongjoong is hoping to get everything at this city so he can get home quickly to his family. He felt guilty that they had to leave so soon, but when duty calls...

"Hey," Jongho breaks into his thoughts again and Hongjoong looks to him, "Do you think you can help me find a black smith?"

"A black smith?" Hongjoong asks, watching as the younger pulls out a piece of paper and handing it to Hongjoong. The captain looks over the design of a ring, his eyes widen, "Oh... you're-"

"Yes," Jongho nods, "I'm hoping to find a ring here or find a black smith to have him make one."

Hongjoong smiles, "I think he will love it," he pats the younger's back, leading him to his cabin, "Now tell me... what is your reason for this? I know it runs deeper than you not wanting kids and Wooyoung asking you about them."

"How did..." Jongho narrows his eyes, realizing Wooyoung talked to Seonghwa about this. He sighs, "I want to be with Wooyoung forever. I wanted to do something for him, to join us together under Aurora."

Hongjoong arches his eyebrow, "But why though?"

"I love him," Jongho doesn't hesitate to answer, "I love him more than air, more than water, more than food. I love him more than I love myself. I love him more than anyone, and I never thought I would love anyone after what I have been through. I want him to be mine and only mine forever. We've joined together intimately under Aurora, now.... I want something deeper than that."

Hongjoong smiles, patting his back and stopping in front of the captain's cabin, "You want to be more than lovers. This is a dying tradition. Hardly anyone in the world has heard of this, because no one understands the strategics of the old world. Maybe you can rekindle that tradition for Utopia."

He opens the door and steps in, giving Jongho one last smile before closing the door and leaving the younger outside. He gathers his bags, grabbing some gold he had hidden and checks his list of baby needs for the new baby and he wanted to get Aurora a little gift. She loves shells, maybe he can find her a pretty shell on the beach before he goes back.

They arrive shortly on the shore, Hongjoong dividing groups up to gather the supplies quickly, and plentifully. He looks for goodies for his family, wanting to find something for Seonghwa and Aurora and the new baby. Granted, he couldn't get much for the new addition, but he was really fascinated with a rag doll someone was selling. The doll had pretty yellow yarn for hair, and was super soft as he ran his fingers through it. He takes it, and finds a pretty sand dollar necklace for Seonghwa.

For the baby, he did get a couple blankets last time, maybe he or she will like a little stuffed animal friend. There was a soft cow plushy made from yarn a little down the ways from where the rag doll was, and Hongjoong doesn't even hesitate to grab it. It was the perfect gift for a newborn. Again, granted Seonghwa is only three months pregnant.

He buys his treasures then heads out to find his crew and get a report on what all they have so far. He finds Jongho and pats his back, "Any luck?"

"I found a black smith, but I..."

Hongjoong chuckles, taking notice of the boy being nervous. He was wringing his hands and he was biting his lip. Hongjoong wraps an arm around his shoulders, "Come on, let's go talk to him."

They walk forward and the clanking of the hammer on the metal he was forming for the small dagger rung in their ears. He looks up, wiping he sweat off of his nose with a rag before setting down the dagger back in the fire, "Can I help you gentlemen?"

"H-Hello," Jongho stutters, glaring at Hongjoong when the captain pushes him forward, not before looking back at the blacksmith, "I have a ring I would like you to make for me..."

The blacksmith watches as Jongho unfolds the paper and hands it to him, the blacksmith looks over the design and hums with a nod, "I can do this, but it'll cost some if we want a jewel."

Jongho nods, "I'm willing to pay whatever I need to have this ring."

The blacksmith nods, "Give me a couple weeks and I should have it done."

Jongho bites his lip, "I'll pay more if you have it done by tomorrow."

The blacksmith blinks at Jongho before he nods, "Y-Yeah! Sure!"

Jongho smirks, pulling out a bag of coins he had taken with him and hands it to the blacksmith. Hongjoong looks to the blacksmith, "Tomorrow afternoon. We set sail as soon as the ring is done."

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Written by @jinjin0309