Chapter Text
Hongjoong was fourteen when he snuck onto the ship with colorful letters on the outside. Hongjoong didn’t know how to read, but he did know it wasn’t a navy ship. So, he made the decision and tried to hide somewhere on that ship.
It took about two hours before one of the men found him, poorly hidden behind a crate on the main deck. It was quite a bad hiding spot and the man who found him had laughed when he yanked Hongjoong by his thin arms towards an older man in a fur coat. The captain of the ship had examined Hongjoong with searching eyes before he asked him what he did on the ship. Hongjoong wasn’t easily scared after living on the streets for a few weeks, but now he was shaking. He broke immediately. He told the man about his orphanage and how they kicked him out the moment he turned fourteen. ‘Too old’, they had said.
When the man in the fur coat asked him what the plan was, Hongjoong stayed silent. He didn’t have plan really. He just wanted to leave the town where everyone looked at him like he was vermin.
“Well, my name is Woojin. Let’s get you clothes that fit you. Or I can turn the ship around and drop you off if you’re scared?”
There was a slight teasing tone to his voice and it had weirdly put Hongjoong at ease. After that, Woojin had given Hongjoong time to adjust. He made sure Hongjoong put on some weight. He was quite thin after living in an abusive orphanage and on the streets after all. When Hongjoong was stronger, Woojin put him to work. At first, he made Hongjoong do the tedious chores. Cleaning the deck, organizing his cabinets. And Hongjoong did it all, desperate to belong.
But when he given Hongjoong a task that required reading, he stuttered out that he couldn’t help Woojin with that. And so, the lessons began. Every day, at least thirty minutes, Hongjoong had to practice reading. While he learned to read, he also learned more of Woojin’s trade.
A merchants-ship. Sailing from one place to the other to trade in spices and exotics ‘new’ things the upper-class of the west would buy for ridiculously high prices. Woojin taught him how he traded in different places, what he had to look out for.
Hongjoong was good at it. Woojin could see how Hongjoong had a good eye for business and trade. So, he started preparing Hongjoong. And with that came also preparing for the dangers of living at sea.
The first few times pirates had threatened the crew of Woojin’s ship, the Destiny, Hongjoong had been told to stay hidden. And with the terror coursing through him, he didn’t have a problem listening.
But when a pirate had found their way inside and found him, things had to change. Hongjoong knew basic defense techniques, but he couldn’t fight off a fully grown, older man. He had been lucky Woojin’s first mate had saved him that time, just before the pirate could slit his throat. After that fight, Woojin had cleaned off the blood on Hongjoong’s neck and comforted him. They talked about learning how to fight. They made plans.
Time went faster after that. Hongjoong had multiple lessons a day. Reading, learning trade, fighting, ship maintenance. But it payed off.
And then Hongjoong was alone.
Woojin died. His mentor, his only father-figure. Ever since then, he’d been the captain.
Being captain wasn’t a problem, he had been training for this. But being alone was. And it only got worse when he got turned into a pirate as well.
He had thought everything was sorted. Woojin and Hongjoong made sure to let the current government know about the transfer of power once Woojin would die. Because ever since Woojin showed signs of sickness and dying, they started preparing. They made sure that the navy knew of Hongjoong’s new status as captain of their merchant ship. They did all the necessary paperwork to have everything sorted. Woojin made sure Hongjoong had everything he needed.
From the moment Woojin died, Hongjoong would be able to manage their ship and small trade-business. The same business Woojin took over from his father, and now passed on to Hongjoong.
But it wasn’t enough.
Hongjoong was alone.
And somehow, he became a pirate.
Sure, he had the crew Woojin left behind, but they were merchants, they didn’t choose to become pirates. They shouldn’t have to be pirates. Hongjoong was lucky to have such a loyal crew, because he wouldn’t have made it out alive if they didn’t choose his side when they reached that first port after Woojin died.
They had docked the ship, like always.
A navy officer had walked aboard, like always.
But things were different when Hongjoong showed his papers. His prove that Woojin left everything to him, the one Woojin signed himself. The navy officer looked unimpressed. “Okay, mister Lee died, but who are you?”
Hongjoong’s mouth fell open.
What? His name is on the paper right?
Before Hongjoong could point at his name, the officer crumpled up the papers and let it fall to the deck.
“Excuse me? Captain Lee left his ship to me. It’s all there.” Hongjoong sighed as he bent down to pick up the paper. When his fingers touched the paper, everything happened fast. Too fast. Woojin’s first mate, who stood next to Hongjoong, moved at lightning-speed with his pistol, aiming at the officer.
When Hongjoong straightened and looked up again, he looked right at the barrel of a gun. Suddenly there were more soldiers on the dock, blocking the way onto land.
The officer would’ve shot at Hongjoong, an unassuming man on the ground, just because he didn’t believe him.
This navy soldier would have shot an unarmed man on his own ship.
Another one of Woojin’s trusted men stepped in front of Hongjoong. “Don’t commit a crime on a ship that isn’t yours, officer. We’ll leave. On the ocean we will be fair game, but don’t break your own laws.” The seasoned sailor’s voice was rough and firm, and even a little threating. It left the much younger navy officer little room to argue.
“Very well.” He said, sounding annoyed to have been interrupted and corrected on his behavior.
Making eye-contact with Hongjoong, he started speaking loudly, as if spreading the news on a market square.
“Mister Kim, I hereby announce to you that as of today, you will be pursued by the Royal navy. If you are to step foot in any of our ports, you will be arrested, convicted and hung for your crimes as a pirate.”
It’s as if the officer memorized his speech, because it flowed too smoothly. And then Hongjoong realized his name was called. ‘Mister Kim’ he had said. They knew who he was. They just didn’t care. He was a pirate to them, whether he wanted to or not.
Hongjoong was in a daze after that. Moving on autopilot. After the officers had left the Destiny, he had asked the first mate to get them out of here. No, he hadn’t asked or ordered them. He had stuttered. He had somehow conveyed his wish to get out of here. He had to sit down for a moment.
This was… the end.
He wasn’t a normal man anymore. And with him, the crew. This crew of normal, mostly middle-aged men were mere pirates now. Some of them were fathers or even grandpas already. Some of them had waiting wives at home. They were a simple crew Woojin had once acquired. Trusted friends. And now he had to tell them they were branded criminals and would die in any navy port.
When the first mate had steered them out of the harbor, he finally spoke to Hongjoong. “Things are going to change. You have to think of a way to navigate through this.” Placing his hands on Hongjoong’s shoulders he continued. “Listen to me. I’m staying. I wouldn’t know where to go if I wanted to leave. But these men…” he gestured towards the deck. “You might want to offer them a choice. And you need to think of the type of captain you want to be.” He paused again. “You need to think of your reign. I’ll follow you, but I won’t be here forever. I’m getting old, you know.” He had chuckled, but it was humorless. Hongjoong had just nodded.
For a moment they just stood there. Swallowing, Hongjoong looked up. The crew was busy, but he saw the tension between them. He had to tell them what was going to happen, even if he didn’t know himself. The first mate nudged his shoulder. “I’ll stand by your side for as long as you’ll have me.” Hongjoong had felt his chest turn heavy. Something got stuck in his throat. He could cry because of those words. But he had to postpone his breakdown for the moment. He took a moment to gather his thoughts. He needed to be strong for this crew. He couldn’t show them he was afraid. He had to show them he was worthy of being their captain. This would be the last moment he ever showed weakness in front of the crew. Clearing his throat, Hongjoong draws attention to himself.
After having announced that the navy would be pursuing them for piracy, the crew had fallen silent. They had a feeling something was wrong, they had seen the interaction from afar, but to hear the words was different. Hongjoong made them an offer. They could come to him and they would find a way to safely return to land. Or they could stay here, loyal to Hongjoong but with a pirate status.
The first few weeks were spent by returning some of the crew to their families. Most of the drop-offs were okay. But there were new dangers Hongjoong had to look out for. He couldn’t just dock the ship in any harbor. He had to find a way to safely step foot on land.
There were some town with docks that didn’t require identification, but most towns weren’t that generous.
In one town, they had docked a distance away from the harbor. It had worked for the most part. They were able to walk into town, get the things they needed, drop of a crewmember and leave again.
Everything would’ve been okay if Hongjoong hadn’t woken up in the middle of the night with a knife to his throat and an arm pushing his shoulders down against his bed.
- - - - - - - -
Hongjoong’s eyes snap open as the cold metal presses against his neck. He is met with the face of a man. With a slight pressure the assailant holds the knife against him, not enough to draw blood yet, but enough to make it sting. As Hongjoong starts to move, a rough and scratchy voice cuts through the silence of Hongjoong’s chamber.
“Don’t move, only speak.”
Hongjoong winces when the pressure against his throat increases. Something warm and wet trickles down towards the side of his neck. Hongjoong’s hands are under the covers, silently and slowly moving towards his side. “What do you want?” he asks, voice scratchy from waking up, but otherwise steady.
“None of your business.” The man answers hastily. When Hongjoong looks at him carefully. The man above him is a thin, tall looking man. There is fire in his eyes and his hands hold the knife with a precision Hongjoong recognizes. This man knows how to fight. But he also looks desperate. For what, Hongjoong isn’t sure about yet. Money? Information? Food? Maybe the man is a hungry stowaway? Either way, the man means danger.
Still silently and slowly moving his hand to his side, Hongjoong tries to approach more carefully. “Well, seeing as you have a knife at my throat, I think it actually is my business. I can give you food if you need that. No need to threaten me.” He says with an even voice. His heart is pounding against his chest. This can go south real fast if he isn’t careful enough.
The man’s hold on the knife is steadfast and the arm pushing him down is starting to tremble due to the force behind it.
Carefully, Hongjoong feels around for the knife he always hides under the covers. When his fingers feel the handle of the knife, his heart jumps. If this ends in a fight, at least he’ll have a weapon. He just hopes he doesn’t need it.
Maybe if this stowaway is just hiding and in need of food, he can get out of this without anyone getting hurt. Hongjoong hopes he isn’t naïve when he offers the man food.
“I’m not letting you go just yet.” The man says. His cold demeanor changes, seemingly out of nowhere. Something more sinister comes to the front. “I don’t want to kill you, but you leave me no choice.” It comes out like a whisper. Hongjoong’s heart stops for a second. “Hold on. No need for unnecessary violence.” Hongjoong tries to bargain. “If it’s food you want, there are crackers on my desk, there.” And with his free hand he pushes the covers down a bit to point at his desk, behind the assailant. It’s a slow and calculated move. Too fast, and the man might get spooked; to deliberate, and the man might notice the knife in his other hand. Still, Hongjoong had to make the way for his weapon easier. The second the man looks away towards his desk, Hongjoong moves. In a swift move, he knocks the knife away from his neck. With another swift move he ducks under the hand with the knife and uses his own knife to lock the assailant between the wall and himself. Pressing him against the wall, Hongjoong feels anger rising in his chest.
How dares this man to just come in, confuse the hell out of Hongjoong and threaten to kill him?
He bangs against the hand holding the knife, making the man drop it and groan in pain. The moment he drops the knife, Hongjoong presses his own knife with similar pressure to the man’s neck. “Be honest.” Hongjoong growls menacingly. “Who are you and what’s your plan?”
The man’s breath is fast but he doesn’t whine or whimper. He seems almost accustomed to pain. And then huffs out a laugh.
“Well shit. You’re more capable than they said you were.”
Hongjoong stills, fear replacing the anger for only a second.
What? Who?
And then the anger returns, more forceful. This wasn’t just some stowaway. This wasn’t just a desperate attempt to survive. This was premeditated. This man knows what he was doing. Hongjoong sees red for a moment. Gripping the knife tighter, making his knuckles go white, Hongjoong presses the knife harder against the man. The man winces, but doesn’t make a sound.
“I asked you a question.” Hongjoong murmurs with a low and steady voice.
The man chuckles again, clearly not fearing for his life. “I saw you at that navy port, a few months ago.” The man says. Hongjoong doesn’t like the vague answer. “I was one of the navy soldiers that pointed a gun at your pirates.” Hongjoong slams the man against the wall again, just wanting to make the man stop laughing.
Of course he remembers that day. How could he forget?
“So, you come onto my ship? To do what?” Hongjoong is getting impatient. If this navy bastard is here to kill him, he already had the chance and missed it. So is the man here for a different reason? Or maybe the bastard underestimated him so bad, that he thought he could beat Hongjoong even after waking him.
For a second, Hongjoong wants to slap himself. He should have made sure no one snuck aboard his ship. He should have made sure the navy knew he was capable, and to never underestimate him.
The man is just laughing. “I am here on a mission. But it seems I won’t get the chance to finish it. So, captain Kim Hongjoong—” The man pauses and looks at Hongjoong with sneaky eyes. “—what is it going to be? The brig? The mast? Ooh maybe the plank?” The man mocks him. Hongjoong’s anger gets the better of him for a moment and he pumps his fist into the stomach of the man. It wipes the smile of the man’s face as he tries to double over. He doesn’t come very far when Hongjoong pushes him back against the wall. Hongjoong feels red hot anger take over his head. “You think I won’t kill you? You say I’m a pirate but your also think of me as weak?” Hongjoong makes eye contact with the man. For the first time he sees fear in the man’s eyes.
“Let me prove you wrong.”
His fist connects with the cheek of the man, sending him to the ground. The man lies, dazed and eyes unfocused, on the ground as Hongjoong kneels beside him and leans over him, pushing him further into the wooden planks. Just when Hongjoong raises his fist again, the door swings open. In the doorway stands the first mate, face illuminated by the candle he’s holding. “What’s happening here?” he hurriedly asks before he spots Hongjoong on the ground, assailant beneath him. Hongjoong’s jaw is tense as he pauses and looks at the man on the ground. The anger in his head slowly dissipates to frustration. He grits through his teeth and he lowers his fist a moment later. “Navy soldier.”
The first mate sets his candle on the desk as he lowers to the ground next to Hongjoong. “Let’s take him to the brig, okay?” he asks carefully. The first mate must’ve sensed the anger in Hongjoong, because his voice has a soft edge, one that makes him think of Woojin. It works just enough, helping Hongjoong take a deep breath to reign in his anger. “Alright.” He breathes out.
The assailant starts laughing—no—he starts roaring. “You’re weak Kim, just kill me!” he yells laughing. And it’s then that Hongjoong sees the desperation in his eyes. He doesn’t care if he dies. He was here for a mission. Probably to kill Hongjoong. He failed. And now he wants to die. Because dying is often better than to be prisoner on a pirate ship. Hongjoong’s anger dissipates completely the moment he realizes that. This man thinks of Hongjoong as a pirate. Logically, Hongjoong already knew that. But with the stamp of a pirate on his head, also come all the stereotypes. This man sees Hongjoong as a ruthless pirate captain, even if he never hurt a single human in his life. And the worst part; Hongjoong was about to become that picture this man has of him.
The realization that Hongjoong is now seen as a real pirate, one that acts like it, sends Hongjoong in a silent anxiety attack. He will forever be judged, based on his ship, his name and his status. Hongjoong isn’t just Captain Kim. He is pirate captain Kim Hongjoong. A nobody turned sea savage according to the navy. He’ll never be able to walk freely.
After the stowaway is taken to the brig, his first mate returns to Hongjoong. “No worries, he’ll see that you’re not as unjust as he thinks.” He says with a wink. Hongjoong thinks about it for a second. Was Hongjoong righteous? Could he still be just? Even with the stamp of pirate on his head? Could he take care of that man? Even though he tried to kill him? Did Hongjoong want that?
The first mate sighs. “Come here, boy.” he says as he pulls Hongjoong to the bed and makes him sit. In silence, the first mate, lights a few candles and gathers a few things. Hongjoong isn’t looking at the things he’s getting.
He’s in his mind. He is a failure. He failed at following Woojin’s footsteps. He should’ve just left, or transferred power over to the first mate. Hongjoong didn’t want this, not like this. He doesn’t want to be a pirate.
The first mate returns with a wet towel. He groans as he kneels in front of Hongjoong. His knees must hurt to do so, Hongjoong absentmindedly thinks. But he is still here, even after everything went wrong.
When he older man brings the towel to Hongjoong’s throat, Hongjoong winces. It’s more painful than it should. Maybe it’s the way the first mate cares softly but firm. Or maybe it’s because the motion feels familiar. He wipes away the blood, the way Woojin would do after they got attacked by pirates that one time.
After that, the older man gently takes Hongjoong’s hands and uncurls his fingers for him, one by one. Hongjoong didn’t even notice how clenched they were. With the same towel, he cleans Hongjoong’s fist. It’s not very bloody, but Hongjoong appreciates the motion.
“You know, just because people think you’re a pirate, doesn’t mean you have to act like one.” The first mate suddenly says. Hongjoong avoids eye contact and just listens. Hands pressed together in front of him, elbows leaning on his knees.
The first mate places his hands on Hongjoong’s shoulders. “We’ll have to look out for the navy, that’s true. And we can’t trade at ports anymore. But,” he pauses for a second, “we can still trade at seaside-villages, the one without the navy running them.” Hongjoong looks up at him. Lips pressed together. It doesn’t sound like an easy way of trading.
“Maybe we’ll have to raid ships, but we can look for the bad ones. We don’t have to be the bad guys. Woojin would’ve wanted you to be righteous.” Hongjoong’s eyes start to sting and he squeezes them shut. “We can be like Woojin for others who don’t have a place to go to.” he says softly while placing a hand on Hongjoong’s shoulder.
And that last sentence places a seed in Hongjoong’s head that stays with him for a while. He doesn’t act on it just yet. He waits, sails the seas with his crew and looks for nothing in particular. He’s not looking for someone to save. He’s just waiting for something to happen. Little does he know that destiny is taking him towards an unsuspecting town, where an orphan boy is waiting for his death. And when they meet, life will never be the same.