Chapter Text
There was a moment of heavy silence in the room as San made his way in with Yijoong’s hands firmly held behind his back. The Emperor’s eyes were so firmly placed on his middle son that he didn’t even realize when Hongjoong walked in until the latter cleared his throat. Emperor Kim looked slightly surprised that his plan had failed, but that surprise was quickly reigned in and hidden under a perfectly serious face.
“Emperor Kim,” Hongjoong said. His voice was ice cold, and he managed to look imposing despite the fact that he was still leaning on Yeosang for support.
“Hongjoong, my son-” The Emperor began, trying to soften his expression, but he was quickly interrupted.
“Don’t even try,” Hongjoong hissed. “Not after Yijoong chased me down in my own castle, trying to kill me.”
“Fair enough,” The Emperor’s gaze hardened. “I suppose it’s much too late to try to cover everything up.” He looked at the sword pointed at his neck with disdain.
“Why?” Hongjoong asked, limping closer to his father. “Yijoong explained but I cannot wrap my head around the fact that you’d do this to me and to Taejoong. We were your family. Did you do this to our mother as well?”
“Don’t you dare speak of her!” His father lunged forward, stopping only when he felt the sword brush against his neck. It was a reminder that he no longer had the upper hand in the situation.
“Dare? She was my mother .” Hongjoong spit out, enraged. “She loved me, something that you clearly weren’t able to do.”
“Her death is your fault, even Taejoong’s death is your fault.” The Emperor snarled, clearly uncaring about the position he was in anymore. “The Empire has fallen in disgrace and it’s all your fault.”
Hongjoong didn’t even think of it. He let go of Yeosang and swiped his father’s sword from the ground, ignoring the pain in his ankle to stride forward towards his father. The Emperor closed his eyes tightly, aware of what was coming, but the sword never quite came. As Hongjoong raised it, preparing himself to put an end to it all, he saw something on his father’s desk.
Among the mess that the Emperor’s fight with Yunho had caused, his eyes managed to find the compass Taejoong had given him. He could make out the glint of his initials carved in gold on the cover. That compass had always kept him safe during his explorations, guiding him home just like Taejoong had promised it would on his 16th birthday. Even when it wasn’t about guiding him on a physical plane, the compass had always been there to remind him to make the right decisions.
Killing his father and brother was not the right decision. He hated them quite a lot at that moment, but he couldn’t erase the years upon years that he had considered them family. Even if they had stopped considering him family long ago, he didn’t want to hold the weight of their deaths in his hands. It wasn’t worth it. They couldn’t just let them go, though.
“Hongjoong?” Yunho asked, where he was still holding his sword against the Emperor. He hadn’t stopped, even though his arms were starting to hurt.
“I won’t do it.” Hongjoong stated, lowering the sword and passing it to Yeosang, who put it away before offering him his support again. “I won’t step down to their level. Plus, I think the Resistance would like to have some fun with them.” He shrugged, trying to keep his face void of expression and as indifferent as possible. “Seonghwa, do me a favor and go look for Chan, let him know that the Emperor and Prince Yijoong have been apprehended.”
“Of course, Captain,” Seonghwa nodded, leaving the room not a moment after.
Relief flooded Hongjoong after Seonghwa’s words. Everything had changed between all of them in just a few days, but in essence, they were the same, and Seonghwa understood the importance of separating him from his royal upbringing. The Empire had finally fallen, the only thing left was to make an official declaration, but as for himself, he was no longer a Prince.
It didn’t take long for Chan to arrive with a handful of armed soldiers from the Resistance, and finally, Yunho and San could rest. The Emperor and the Second Prince were put under arrest immediately and taken away from there, and once they were gone, Hongjoong could finally let his defenses fall. His shoulders sagged and he let out a big sigh he had been holding back.
Yeosang was the first to embrace him, being the closest to him as he was offering him support, and soon enough the others had joined as well, enveloping Hongjoong into a hug he hadn’t known he needed so desperately. Chan decided to leave and give them space, knowing he’d be able to catch up with the Captain of the Crescent soon enough.
When they finally let go of each other, San put Hongjoong’s compass in his hand, returning it to its rightful owner. Hongjoong smiled, the realization that everything had ended and that he could start looking for a new place to call home finally sinking in. Though maybe, home was much closer than he had expected it to be.
“Come on, we should go back to Wooyoung and Mingi, they’re waiting for us.” Jongho reminded them, aware that the two of them were probably worried sick about them.
They all agreed that it was time to put those things behind them. Hongjoong couldn’t help but take one last look at what was left of his father’s study, before turning back to look at the people waiting on the door for him and following them outside. This was no longer his home, it probably hadn’t been for a long time, and it felt right to leave it behind now.
There were still a few fights going around, but most of the Empire’s army had been subdued and the war had boiled down considerably. The true victory had been apprehending the Emperor and the Prince, though, because once the leaders were captured, most followers gave up fighting, and so it was over.
Chan marched down the halls of the castle toward the balcony that extended over its front. One of his soldiers approached him with a flag portraying the Resistance’s coat of arms. It was time to announce the end of the battle on the Home Planet. He stood on the balcony and used the flare gun once again, gathering the attention of as many people as he could. With his right hand he raised the flag and with the left one he held a megaphone to his mouth.
“The Emperor and Prince Yijoong have been successfully captured!” His voice boomed through the fields that extended in front of the castle, littered with the bodies of the injured and the deceased. “Our first battle against the Empire has been successful, and we have uprooted the source of unfairness and sickness in the Empire!”
The members of the Resistance clamored in celebration, filling up the air with the roar of their victory, which could probably be heard throughout the entire planet. So many people had been preparing for this battle for months. It was the most important part of their plan, and to have succeeded despite the unexpected occurrences, meant that they had a high chance of liberating the rest of the Empire from the rule of a system that had stopped working long ago.
“We still have a long journey ahead of us, the war isn’t over until we’ve seen every planet freed from the claws of the ruling class,” Chan continued. He had thought of this speech for so long, because failing that battle had never been an option. “It will take some time, but today marks the beginning of the end of the Kim Empire! Rise up and celebrate everyone, for we have won today’s battle!”
The crowd became undone in a strident roar of celebration, and the ground trembled as people stomped their feet or jumped in excitement. History had been made, and it would continue to be made until everyone was free.
While the crowd celebrated their victory, what was left from the crew of the Crescent made their way back to the ship slowly. The halls of the castle were turned upside down, and a cloud of dust lingered in the air from the battle that had taken place. Hongjoong allowed himself to take it all in one last time, and though it hurt a little bit to see the place he had grown up in shattered and in ruins, he was at peace with the knowledge that he had helped put an end to the suffering his family had caused.
Furthermore, he found peace in the fact that while being away from his childhood home, he had found a new place he could call home. Knowing his job in the war was over filled him with relief. And though he didn’t want to openly admit it, it was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The Empire had burned down, and Hongjoong hoped the remains of it would be lost to the ashes soon enough.
The trip back to the Crescent was long, but thankfully they found the slider Jongho and Yeosang had brought with them before. Carefully, everyone got in the trunk and Yunho drove them all back to the ship. Just seeing its silhouette against the rising sun filled them all with relief and calm. The ship had survived the battle, and they could just about make the silhouettes of Wooyoung, Mingi and Handong, the only ones who had stayed back to wait for them.
They weren’t the only ones there though. Most of the soldiers that had served Hongjoong as part of the crew had also managed to make it back alive and well to the ship. As soon as they arrived they were surrounded and welcomed by the crew, who celebrated that they had managed to rescue Hongjoong and make it back alive, together. Wooyoung, especially, almost threw himself into Hongjoong’s arms.
“I’m sorry!” Wooyoung exclaimed, holding on to Hongjoong like his life depended on it.
“Woo-”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you and that I didn’t prepare you better for what was going to happen,” he continued, not giving Hongjoong an opportunity to intervene. “I should have told you something, I’m so sorry you had to go through all that blindly-”
Hongjoong grabbed Wooyoung by the face and kissed him quiet, to everyone’s surprise, even himself. Hongjoong was bold, but he didn’t think he had it in himself to be that bold. Still, it felt nice, because Wooyoung immediately melted into the kiss, almost like he had been waiting for it forever. He probably had. Hongjoong allowed himself to linger there for just enough time, if anything, he at least wanted to convey to Wooyoung that he had been long forgiven. They separated after a moment, and Wooyoung exhaled. Hongjoong couldn’t help but dissolve in laughter as the people around them cheered.
“Is this what it takes to make you quiet?” Hongjoong teased. He was still holding Wooyoung’s face between his two palms, and found himself not wanting to let go.
“I’m sorry,” Wooyoung apologized again, to which Hongjoong pressed his face softly, causing his lips to pucker.
“If I hear one more sorry from you, I’ll be mad.” Hongjoong scoffed. “I’m not mad, Wooyoung. I’m not mad at you , at least, for what happened. You did what needed to be done to ensure things would be successful, and I don’t blame you for that.”
“But…”
“No buts,” Hongjoong shook his head, caressing Wooyoung’s cheeks softly. “However, we can talk about this later if you want, just not here, okay?”
Wooyoung nodded, pressing one hand to Hongjoong’s on his face. He had dreamed of being able to touch him, all of them, for so long, that it almost didn’t feel real. The fact that he wasn’t alone anymore didn’t feel real. He was grateful, because every sacrifice he had made along the way had been absolutely worth it.
“Excuse me, Captain Hongjoong?” An unknown voice interrupted their celebrations.
Hongjoong let go of Wooyoung as he turned around and met eyes with one of Chan’s closest allies. He vaguely remembered him from when they had been rescued and taken to the caves where the resistance had been hiding. The crew quieted down as Hongjoong nodded, letting the other man know that he had all of his attention.
“Chan would like to speak to you,” he explained, looking a bit sheepish about being surrounded by a bunch of strangers.
“Right, of course,” with the excitement of finally being reunited with his ship and his crew, Hongjoong had completely forgotten his promise for a moment. It was time he fulfilled it. “Yunho, Hwanwoong, Siyeon, should we go?” He asked, turning to them. Despite everything that had happened, they were still the people he trusted the most. They were a small part that had been left of what he had once called home.
The others looked like they were going to protest for a moment, but upon seeing Hongjoong’s tired face and his limp, they decided against it. They didn’t want to be separated anymore, but they also understood that, once everything was all said and done, they would hopefully have the rest of their lives together. That was far more valuable than following him to a meeting where they didn’t really have anything to do.
“We’ll be back in a moment,” Yunho reassured the crew, noticing the anxious movements and the exchange of whispers.
The man of the Resistance guided them through the ships still anchored there to what Hongjoong recognized to be Chan’s ship. The Resistance’s leader was standing in front of it, talking to other members of his crew, until he spotted them walking towards their ship.
“Hyunjin, you found them! Thank you.” Chan thanked the man who had guided them there, and Hyunjin simply shook his head, smiling softly at Chan before walking away to join the rest of the crew.
“Captain Chan,” Hongjoong greeted, walking towards him with Hwanwoong’s support.
“Captain Hongjoong,” Chan greeted back, nodding his head once. “It’s been a long battle, I’m glad to see you got out well.”
“In part thanks to your people who fought bravely,” Hongjoong smiled. “Thank you, but I assume you didn’t ask for me just to check on me?”
“Straight to the point I see,” Chan scoffed. “We said this to Yunho before, but I think it’s important to tell you as well. You’re no longer a prince, but the significance of the status you once held is unavoidable, we would like it if you left the Empire, for good.”
Hongjoong hadn’t been expecting those words to come from Chan, but it made sense. Despite his sentence and the fact that everyone had voted in favor of his death, he didn’t doubt there would be people trying to gain his favor and convince him of being a leader to fight back the Resistance.
“Of course,” Hongjoong turned to look towards the castle before looking back at Chan. “I personally don’t wish to associate with the Empire anymore as well, so I suppose leaving would be beneficial for all of us.”
Chan’s expression softened as he nodded. He didn’t like being harsh on others, but it was often necessary in order to be taken seriously. He could almost sympathize with Hongjoong as well, understanding of the fact that they were basically stripping him of what he had once called home. However, it was a necessary step for the liberation of the people.
“I’m glad you understand.”
“As for the treasure,” Hongjoong continued. He had already chosen to commit to his promise. “We will be giving it to the Resistance, as economical support to continue with the revolution in the colonized planets.”
“We appreciate that,” Chan smiled, grateful. “Though I do think you should at least keep some of it, so you can start anew.”
Hongjoong looked at him with a little bit of surprise. To be fair, he hadn’t even thought about what they would do to earn money themselves. Chan brought a good point to the discussion, and he nodded.
“Right, of course, thank you.” Hongjoong chuckled. “That’ll certainly be helpful. We should probably start with it now, actually. You can send someone from your side, tell them to look for Seonghwa, he’s the one with the brains for money management.”
“Sure enough,” Chan laughed as well. “Seungmin!” He turned around, calling towards one of the men who were speaking behind them, in a circle. “Would you please go to the Crescent and look for a man named Seonghwa? Tell him it’s about the division of the treasure.”
“Yessir!” Seungmin, who had perked up upon being called, immediately ran off in the direction of the Crescent.
“Yunho, you should go with him, to inform Seonghwa.” Hongjoong suggested.
“Of course,” Yunho nodded. “I’ll see you there.”
“It’s been a pleasure working alongside you,” Hongjoong said, taking a step forward and extending a hand.
“Not at all, the pleasure was mine.” Chan shook his hand firmly. “Take care out there.”
“Good luck with the revolution.”
They began their walk back to the ship, slowly, when suddenly Hwanwoong stopped them and asked Siyeon if she could give them some space to talk. She looked understanding as she nodded, giving Hwanwoong an encouraging pat on the back before walking off by herself. Hongjoong looked at Hwanwoong with some confusion, but waited patiently until the other was ready to call.
“I think I’m going to join the Resistance,” Hwanwoong finally said. Hongjoong’s eyes opened wide but he waited until the other was done talking. “I love you, you’re my family, but… I think I found my call when we were fighting alongside the members of the Resistance.
“I learned so much while we were out there, about the unfairness of the regiment I was a part of, and I want to change that.” Hwanwoong smiled, sheepish. “I know your part in the war is over but, I don’t think mine is.”
“Hwanwoong…” Hongjoong muttered.
“Plus, I kinda need to find my family and try to convince them to join the cause, you know?” Hwanwoong shrugged, almost like he was trying to make excuses.
Hongjoong, with some difficulty, hugged him tightly, bringing him close. Hwanwoong and him had been together most of their lives, and he was as much of a brother to him as Taejoong and Yijoong had been. He was, in fact, the only brother he had left now. But if he understood anything in life, it was that pursuing your convictions was important. It hurt, but he wouldn’t stop him.
“I’m sorry.” Hwanwoong muttered, hugging him back.
“Don’t be,” Hongjoong smiled. “I support you. And I know we’ll see each other again.”
“Of course,” Hwanwoong laughed as well. “Neither of us is sappy enough to say goodbye.”
“You kinda are,” Hongjoong teased.
“Am not,” Hwanwoong rolled his eyes.
They hugged for a little longer, before letting each other go. Hongjoong put his hand on Hwanwoong’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze, before gesturing with his head towards where Chan and his crew were. Hwanwoong looked at him in confusion.
“Go, now.” Hongjoong explained.
“But- your leg-”
“Is still complete and pretty functional, I’ll deal.” Hongjoong interrupted him, giving him a light push towards Chan’s ship.
“Right,” Hwanwoong let go of him slowly, nodding resolutely. “I’ll see you later, Hongjoong.”
“See you soon,” Hongjoong agreed, watching him go.
It took him a little longer to make it to the Crescent, but when he did, Chan’s people had already begun transferring the treasure, and his own crew was waiting for him. The conversation with Hwanwoong had made him realize that these people had been following him so far because of his status as a prince, but he wasn’t one anymore. He wanted to give them the chance to make their own lives.
“Everyone, listen please,” Hongjoong commanded, and the crowd quieted to hear him out. “Hwanwoong is no longer part of our crew, he’s decided to join the Resistance and help them out with what’s left. As you must know, I’m no longer a prince, and none of you owe me anything. I want you all to be able to make your own lives.
“If you wish to go, I won’t stop you, and if you wish to stay a part of the Crescent’s crew, I’ll welcome you with open arms, just… Let me know, I’ll be here.” He explained, knowing that some people would need time to make up their minds.
Siyeon and Handong were the first to approach him, which was certainly a bit unexpected. Handong immediately made him sit down as she started to clean and wrap up the injury on his ankle. Hongjoong didn’t even complain about the pain, grateful that she was helping him at all.
“We’re staying,” Siyeon said, helping support Hongjoong.
“Wait, really?” He turned to look at each of them. “You too, Handong?”
“Of course,” she scoffed. “No offense, but you’d be lost without me to treat your wounds.”
“That’s… fair,” Hongjoong laughed. “Thank you.”
Little by little, the people who had once been his soldiers approached him. To his surprise, a lot of them decided to stay a part of the crew. To the ones who didn’t, he made sure to give them their payment and even offer them a lift to other planets in case they had some specific plans in mind. By the time the treasure had been divided, everyone had made their decision, so he spoke again.
“Thank you so much to everyone who’s decided to part ways, and also to the ones staying. You served me well, but I think it’s time we start our next adventure.” He looked at the people who had protected him on his mission to look for the treasure, and then looked at those who he could only call his soulmates now. “All aboard the Crescent, it’s time to go!”
“Yes, sir!” Their voices echoed together as they began boarding the ship, ready to start anew.
The eight of them were huddled in the Captain’s quarters. Hongjoong had brought extra sheets and pillows to accommodate them all. It wasn’t the most comfortable arrangement, but none of them thought they could stay apart anymore, at least for the time being. It was finally all of them, together, and they would stick close until they got tired of each other.
Seonghwa was sitting with his legs crossed, Mingi’s head resting on his lap as the oldest massaged his head. Yeosang’s own head was resting on Mingi’s stomach, while San sat next to him with Hongjoong to his side. Wooyoung was on Hongjoong’s others side, and then Yunho and Jongho had sat together, a little bit separated from the rest so that they could all look at each other while they spoke.
“So you have a lot of siblings?” Yeosang asked, prompting Mingi to speak more about his hometown.
“Kind of? They’re all adopted.” Mingi hummed. “But I love them very much, I hope we can go visit them.”
“Of course, we need the family stamp of approval,” Hongjoong joked slightly, though he meant it when he said he wanted to go visit and know more about each of them.
“Sure, though I don’t know how much a bunch of kids can approve,” Mingi chuckled.
While they talked, Wooyoung was looking at all of them with a sort of daze to his eyes. Jongho was quick to catch on though, and he leaned forward slightly to get his attention.
“Are you okay?” Jongho’s question prompted everyone to grow quiet. Wooyoung looked at them with a bit of embarrassment and nodded.
“Yeah, I just… still can’t believe this is real, I guess?” Wooyoung raised his shoulders, almost trying to disappear between them.
“That we’re here together?” San asked, gently. They had never seen him be so gentle before.
“Yeah,” Wooyoung nodded. Hongjoong hummed slightly before turning to the rest of them.
“Hey everyone,” he called, making them turn towards him. “We’re staying together now, right?”
“Of course,” Seonghwa was quick to reassure, catching up on what Hongjoong was trying to do.”
“As if you could get rid of any of us,” Yunho mocked.
“We’re together now, Wooyoung,” Hongjoong reassured him, looking at him with a softened gaze. “It’s a promise.”
Wooyoung’s face broke into a smile and he nodded.
“Of course, a promise.” And he meant it, all of them did. They were a family now, and nothing would pull them apart ever again.