Hi and welcome to the one shot I have been writing on since forever xD It's up finally! It's another instalment for my Overshadow Pirate Ateez series so you could theoretically read it without having read the series but I can assure you it's far less cool then xD Aside from the spoilers.

Anyways, I hope you all enjoy reading!

TW: Mpreg (but not really) Male lactation, blood and gore, multiple partners, a tad of omorashi, a lot of smut

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"What be ye doin', sugar?"

Hongjoong leaned in the door of his cabin with one shoulder propped against the wooden frame. Until he had spoken, Seonghwa hadn't noticed him yet, but he ripped his head up instantly when the captain's voice reached him. Wide, startled eyes contrasted with his usually fierce expression.

Hongjoong's eyes trained on the way Seonghwa had bunched up a blanket under his loose shirt. Within an instant, Seonghwa's hand, which had cradled the item with such care, shifted and he yanked the blanket away from his body. His shirt settled to hang loosely on his frame, showing off the tattoos on his tanned skin.

"Nothin'," Seonghwa muttered without missing a beat. Busily, he folded the blanket as if that had been what he was doing all along and he had just slipped.

It wasn't the first time Hongjoong had caught him doing this. The last time it happened, Seonghwa had taken a nap while curled around the same soft blanket. He held it with tender devotion, as if carrying a precious item he had stolen, only that his expression didn't match. Instead of a devious smirk on his slit lips, a yearning tug to his brow bathed his features in wistfulness.

Hongjoong had wondered about it back then but brushed it off as his husband having a tummy ache and soothing it with the help of the blanket. This time, however, Hongjoong didn't go to ask Yunho whether Seonghwa had complained about any pains.

The clack of Hongjoong's heels on the ground had Seonghwa stiffen. He would never mind Hongjoong coming in to sit with him, even if neither of them did any job in particular. Worried, Hongjoong sunk on the mattress next to his lover. When his fingers ran down Seonghwa's spine, the man followed the invitation without a second of hesitation and leaned into Hongjoong's chest.

Hongjoong's treasure wasn't looking at him, too busy with the blanket that was already folded to perfection. Conscious of the faint blush on the man's cheeks, Hongjoong hooked his chin over the other man's shoulder.

"What be ye thinkin' about?"

Seonghwa's fingers tugged on the edges of the blanket. Hongjoong couldn't fathom why he liked it so much. Seonghwa had stolen it from a merchant ship a few weeks ago and he was so in love with the soft fur, he barely let go of it. He enjoyed curling up on it like a bird in its nest and slumbered even more peacefully than usual. Once, when Hongjoong had rolled on top of the man to make love to him while Seonghwa was still on the blanket, he had specifically hauled it away from underneath their bodies and put it on the floor before it got dirty.

Hongjoong both appreciated and loathed the existence of this blanket on his ship. While glad that it entertained Seonghwa so much, he couldn't believe it had taken on such an important role in the man's life.

"Nothin' much. Just about rations an' the next island an' such. What about ye?"

"The only thin' I ever think about be ye," Hongjoong countered while he nuzzled Seonghwa's neck. The man relaxed in his hold, but he had yet to let go of his blanket. Hongjoong eyed the bothersome thing with vicious glares that contradicted his tender kisses to Seonghwa's skin.

When Hongjoong's kisses nipped on Seonghwa's sensitive skin with more pressure and his hand slipped to play with Seonghwa's waistband, the man parted from him with a whine.

"Wait, let me put down my blanket first," he begged through the sweet gasp that escaped his lips. Hongjoong slowed his ministrations, allowing Seonghwa to put the object on the chest at the foot of their bed.

"Why do ye like this blanket so much? Be it softer than them other furs?" Hongjoong ran his free hand over their bed, pleased with the feeling. He had touched Seonghwa's precious blanket fleetingly before and, while it was an expensive, soft fabric, he didn't see any special appeal. The bland beige colour also did nothing much to him.

Against Seonghwa's pleas, Hongjoong reached to bring the blanket back over. One of his hands caught onto Seonghwa's wrists when they tried to drag it off. Seonghwa let Hongjoong restrain him without defiance, just whimpering in the back of his throat. Intrigued by the sensitivity, Hongjoong suckled on Seonghwa's neck while his free hand undid the man's pants. He watched how Seonghwa tried to clench his thighs together, his length filling quicker than usual as it rested against the blanket. Desperately, the dark-haired man kept his hips from bucking.

"Do ye like 'ow it feels on yer skin?"

Hongjoong cupped his blanket-covered hand over Seonghwa's arousal, offering the combination of his fist and the fur to thrust into. Shivering, Seonghwa threw his head back against Hongjoong's shoulder, only to bring it right back down to watch how his glistening tip ground against the pelt.

"Hongjoong... Don't make it dirty." Despite his obvious sensitivity and the way he shuddered in Hongjoong's grip, the man protested. Humming, Hongjoong watched again. Seonghwa's body trembled against his as he refused his hips from chasing the offered pleasure.

"Why do ye care? This entire ship be dirty."

For a moment longer, Seonghwa clenched his eyes shut and withstood. His lips were drawn in a tight line, unwilling to spill their secrets even as Hongjoong pressured him into telling the truth.

When he couldn't resist any longer, Seonghwa freed the leg he was kneeling on and kicked the blanket on the floor. It was the most heartless thing he had done to it so far, and Hongjoong caught the regret in his eyes as he flipped the man over to press him into the sheets. The blanket was out of his reach now, but Seonghwa wasn't. When Hongjoong gripped the man's wrists with more strength this time to pin them above his head, Seonghwa complied with a defeated moan. His hips jerked into Hongjoong's hand on him that lazily moved on his erection.

"Be ye keepin' secrets from me, sugar? I thought we promised each other to nay do that." To make his point clear, Hongjoong hooked a finger around Seonghwa's ring finger that carried the band of their promise on it.

Guilt filled Seonghwa's eyes, battling with the pleasure that had his lids flutter.

"I be sorry. I ain't tryin' to hornswaggle ye," Seonghwa replied. His breathy gasps stuttered when Hongjoong tightened his grip. The captain eyed the blanket, considering picking it up once more.

"Then what be the matter?"

Seonghwa squirmed underneath Hongjoong, his body stretched taut. His gorgeous frame arched against Hongjoong as if trying to distract him seductively, but Hongjoong didn't waver. As the only one weak, Seonghwa's defences crumbled.

"It be a foolish matter. Ye do nay need to waste yer time with it, Pirate King."

Hongjoong bent over Seonghwa to kiss across his neck and collarbone.

"Ye be me 'usband, sugar. No matter about ye can e'er waste me time."

Seonghwa squirmed for a bit longer, trying to mislead Hongjoong into forgetting the purpose of his torture. When he found neither relief nor mercy, he slumped into the sheets, breath heaving. Hongjoong found his flushed cheeks and glassy eyes captivating.

"The woman I took the blanket from on the merchant ship 'ad wrapped 'er baby in it. She threw it at me to distract me while she fled with 'er child." Seonghwa's breaths were ragged, and he took a while to get the words out, but Hongjoong listened well. He hummed, coming up from Seonghwa's chest to look at the man.

"Do ye feel guilty because they might 'ave fed the sharks?" Some people on the ships the pirates robbed sprung into the ocean out of fear. Hongjoong wasn't one to take prisoners, so he let the innocents live and cower away in most cases while the pirates plundered the ship. Only those who meddled with the pirates got slaughtered. If the woman picked jumping over the potential death by blood-thirsty pirates, she and her child didn't make it.

"No, I- ah-" Seonghwa approached his orgasm, his body becoming shakier and the yanks on his wrists in Hongjoong's grip more violent. Hongjoong put his weight on them while he jerked Seonghwa to completion. Spasming in his grip, Seonghwa buried his head in the sheets. His eyes slipped shut as he came, unresponsive to the kiss Hongjoong pressed to his open lips.

As Hongjoong watched the man's tip leak his come over his stomach, he understood. It was that old topic again.

"Ye want a baby?"

Seonghwa twisted out of Hongjoong's grip to bury his face in his pillow, mortified. He didn't react when Hongjoong came after him with a chuckle to wrap an arm around the man's shaking body.

"Don't make fun of me," Seonghwa pleaded, his voice small. Hongjoong nuzzled him affectionately and left kisses all over Seonghwa's nape and shoulder blade.

"Why would I? I know ye adore kids. Ye denied me stealin' ye a newborn so far, but perhaps ye want to reconsider? A lot o' 'em lack a 'ome." Hongjoong had his eyes on it. The city San was from was full of mothers getting pregnant when they never wanted a child. Newborns got drowned or left behind in the nearby forest all the time, hence the name Skull Clearing. He was ready anytime to get Seonghwa a child, and he was also ready to take seafaring slowly for a while so Seonghwa could bring it up in peace. He figured that maybe, since Tikki was already older, Seonghwa couldn't mother her the way he wanted to.

But Seonghwa shook his head, surprising the captain.

"I don't want the child." Seonghwa cradled his pillow closer, as if he had to steel himself about what he was about to say. Hongjoong pressed his ear to Seonghwa's back, listening as his insecure voice rumbled inside of his chest.

"I want to be pregnant with your child, but I don't need an actual baby. I just want that journey, that happiness. After all these years, it still gnaws on me that Liv got to carry your child and I will never be able to. It's a closeness to you I can never achieve." Seonghwa's voice broke as he sobbed into the pillow, but his eyes spilt no tears. Affectionately, Hongjoong tightened his grip on the man. His heart expanded at the love that carried in Seonghwa's wish, at the pure character of his request.

"I should know by now this dream is foolish. I wish I was born a woman."

Seonghwa's pitiful shivering got interrupted by Hongjoong's hand on his stomach. With a soothing hum, Hongjoong stroked the man's flat abdomen.

"Ye be perfect the way ye be, Hwa. Ye already be bringin' up me daughter, makin' me feel far closer to ye than I ever did to Liv."

Gulping, Seonghwa reached for Hongjoong's hand, pressing it against his skin. Warm, Hongjoong let it rest there and hoped Seonghwa collected all the happiness he got out of it.

"Do ye think Yongguk can 'elp? Perhaps we can nay get ye pregnant, but we could imitate a pregnancy fer ye. Like one o' our plays, but fer many months."

When Seonghwa turned around to face Hongjoong, the hope in his doe eyes softened Hongjoong's black heart. With his knuckles tracing Seonghwa's lower stomach, he leaned to kiss the man.

"Do you think he can make it work?" Seonghwa whispered once they parted. Excitement rejuvenated his sad features, taking several years off his face.

"I do nay know, but let's ask 'im. An' if it works, I will breed ye full o' me kids, savvy?"

Seonghwa nodded hastily. His glee had him jittery as he pulled Hongjoong in once more with his arms around his neck to press their lips together. Hongjoong pressed him into the sheets, aroused at the idea of Seonghwa carrying his child.

The stupid blanket remained on the ground, having done its deed.

-

"Make 'im a baby," Hongjoong demanded, his arms crossed.

Yongguk looked up at him with a disbelieving expression where he had studied Yeosang's wooden hand. Their navigator looked no less alarmed.

"I have to make him a baby? You don't want that." Yongguk mocked in disbelief. When Hongjoong's eyes turned murderous, the warlock leaned over the hand again with a giggle to poke at it.

"No, ye scallywag. We want ye to imitate a pregnancy. Do ye 'ave any means to do so?"

Seonghwa sat on the chair by Hongjoong's side. He swayed left and right excitedly, his hands clutched over his chest as he hoped for good news.

Yongguk considered the two of them with a thoughtful hum.

"Perhaps. I have ways to cancel pregnancies, so I should have one to create a phantom of it, as well. Not that I ever tried it."

"I better nay be dangerous," Hongjoong bit out, but Seonghwa shushed him.

"It's fine. Yongguk, please, tell us anything you know."

Yongguk released Yeosang from his grip with a murmur. The navigator got to sit on the side and watch with an expression of astonishment and disbelief as the warlock flicked through some book on his table. His fingers played with a bunch of herbs nearby.

The warlock's hut hadn't changed since the last time Hongjoong was here. It still carried the faint scent of magic that reminded Hongjoong of the sickly sweet air in the mirror dimension.

"I wonder if I could- hmm. You know pregnancies - even artificial ones - can hinder you in your journey and fighting ability, right? If your mind gets too into it, you'll experience symptoms of sickness, as well."

Insecure, Seonghwa looked up at Hongjoong. He did not want to drag their fighting power down.

Hongjoong placed a hand on his husband's shoulder, squeezing lightly.

"That be fine, we'll take jolly care o' 'im."

Yongguk shifted through the items Hongjoong wouldn't dare try to name on his shelf. He murmured under his breath, something about not believing he was doing this.

Yeosang leaned on the table Seonghwa was seated at and regarded the vice-captain with kind warmth.

"I'm sure you'll make a spectacular parent for Hongjoong's child. What is the plan?"

Seonghwa looked up at Hongjoong, searching for an answer. With an arm wrapped around Seonghwa's shoulders, Hongjoong pulled his lover to lean against him comfortably. With a sigh, Seonghwa placed his head on Hongjoong's chest.

"We'll sail shallow waters fer the next few months an' plunder sparingly. As much as I appreciate Yonghwan, I prefer nay to 'ave any run-ins with them Jack Tar the next few weeks. All so our princess can accustom to his pregnancy in peace."

Putty at the idea, Seonghwa melted into Hongjoong's body. Yongguk did not mind their public display of affection as he collected some herbs in a satchel. He amassed a generous amount.

"Sounds wonderful. I'm positive the crew will be delighted to hear that. Wooyoung and San can lean back to plan their marriage together, and the rest of us get a breather before the next adventure. We could visit Tikki."

Hongjoong had suggested the same to his husband before, but Seonghwa had declined it with a blush. The thought of seeing his mother while 'pregnant' both embarrassed and thrilled him. He would love to hear her talk about real pregnancies and help him imagine his, but she might find it scandalising, too. For Seonghwa, the thought of a pregnancy was incredibly arousing, and he doubted that was how his mother had felt carrying him. Hongjoong had smirked about the shy confession, but he didn't comment on it.

"Maybe later," Seonghwa muttered against Hongjoong's half-open shirt. Yeosang nodded with a cheerful grin and fiddled with his hand until Yongguk finished. He handed over the satchel with prepared herbs to Hongjoong. The pirate bounced it a few times in his hand, testing its weight.

"Make a tea out of those once a day before you go to sleep. Use no more than a spoonful or else you will feel sick." To show them how much, Yongguk brandished a sizeable wooden spoon in the air. He handed that one over to Seonghwa. Like his new, most precious possession, Seonghwa cradled it to his chest.

"Thank you, Yongguk," Seonghwa said with the warmth of one whose wishes finally became a reality.

Yongguk scratched his nape as he leaned back in his chair.

"Just go ahead and do your thing. Contact me if you have any trouble."

Ever since the scary spiel with Liv was over, they demanded Yongguk's services less often. They still saw him a lot, dropping by from time to time under the pretense of having some inquiry when actually they paid a friendly visit, but the warlock had withdrawn into reclusion. He explored the limits of human capacities and life by himself, intrigued with the memory their umbras had left. Occasionally, he asked Hongjoong about specifications on his perception, like his senses and wound healing abilities, after he had died and came back. Kira and Liv had left a fascinating heritage for Yongguk to work on. Whenever Hongjoong came by to see the man working tirelessly on yet another magical nonsense, none of the pirates understood, Hongjoong was at least glad to see him having his fun.

Seonghwa stood with a kind nod. He joined Hongjoong at his side as they bid their goodbyes to their magical friend and made their way out of his secluded hut. If the surrounding nature grew any more, it would soon swallow the home of the hermit. Hongjoong respected nature. It was no less untamed as the sea, and its silent growth could be treacherous.

Seonghwa happily held his spoon as the group made their way back to the port on wobbly sea legs. Whenever he met Hongjoong's eyes, a faint blush decorated his cheeks. Each time it happened, Hongjoong's heart swelled more inside of his chest and his lustful thoughts spiralled to a pitch-black vortex of ideas about how he could satisfy his husband. He already knew this game would show him a new side of Seonghwa, one that would be fatally seductive.

They returned to the Precious without a hitch. Most crew members were out to stock up on provisions, but they would raise anchor before nightfall. A naval base hovered in the distance just outside of the city walls, and none of the pirates were too keen on meeting its inhabitants.

Seonghwa scurried off to Hongjoong's cabin the second they set foot on the planks of their ship. Hongjoong let him off the hook to discuss with Yeosang which route was a good one to take for loot, but safe enough to leave Seonghwa to his daydreams.

While Hongjoong and Yeosang sat on the deck and contemplated their maps, the crew members returned to the ship one by one. Yunho came back first with Mingi on his heels. Both of them carried heavy sacks with food that Yunho handed Yeosang and Hongjoong each an apple from. The captain yelled his gratitude after the two men as they took off to secure the rest against the forces of the rough sea.

Hongjoong teeth dug into his apple. Yeosang had speared his fruit on his hook and nibbled from it as if it were a piece of meat on a bone. The sight was both amusing and adorable.

Jongho returned by himself, and he carried a bunch of maps and books Yeosang had requested. He dumped them all on the ground next to their brooding spot and squatted next to the crate Yeosang perched on. The navigator absent-mindedly petted the man's hair. They were less secretive about their relationship these days. Hongjoong wondered if they would get more comfortable showing it off after he made his and Seonghwa's intimate matters even more public.

San and Wooyoung returned last, and they carried themselves with the elevation of two sailors three sheets into the wind. When they tumbled onto the ship arm in arm and with their rings dangling from their necks on their necklaces, Hongjoong greeted them with a wry smirk.

"Ahoy, mateys. Aft from crackin' Jenny's teacup?"

"Ye say it, cap," San giggled. He could only stand with Wooyoung's support and vice versa. Like two poles knocked askew by the flood, they leaned on each other.

"The brassers in this here town be worth e'ery penny, captain. Ye should check 'em out if ye feel like rogerin' somethin' else but yer pretty 'usband." Wooyoung dropped on the ground next to them. Nauseous, he leaned his head against Hongjoong's hip. Unperturbed, Hongjoong spread his legs further so Wooyoung could hang onto his thigh.

"Better nay cast up yer accounts on the new maps," Jongho warned Wooyoung. San stumbled off to see the boys without saying goodbye. The rest of the pirates waited until he got down the stairs without falling before they continued their conversation.

"Thanks fer tellin' me, but I decline. Me sugar 'as everythin' I could e'er want."

Hongjoong's eyes flicked from the way Wooyoung smacked his lips against his thigh to Yeosang. The navigator's watchful gaze provided the usual soothing confidence Hongjoong's rum-fuelled veins needed.

"Shall I tell 'em today? Or tomorrow?"

A smile played around Yeosang's lips.

"Seonghwa will want to start as soon as possible. Perhaps if you announce it today, we can prepare accordingly for tomorrow and celebrate. You will be busy making wishes come true tonight, captain."

Hongjoong's grin broadened when the other two boys whistled at him. They didn't even know what for, but it wasn't hard to guess it had to do with Seonghwa.

"Then ye tell everyone in secret to prepare. I shall go to meet me precious." Hongjoong stood after Wooyoung slithered from his leg like a lazy seal and shrugged his coat up onto his shoulders. With long steps, he crossed the deck while the others hollered their 'good luck's and 'scuttle 'im until 'e mewls' after him.

As usual, Hongjoong knocked on the door leading to their cabin before he intruded. Seonghwa called him to enter without a hitch, and Hongjoong put down the bolt of the door as soon as it shut behind him.

Seonghwa had spread out on the bed on his blanket. The dancing candles in the lanterns warmed the room and cast orange light on the spread of Seonghwa's naked skin. He had dedicated his focus to his book, but the nightstand next to him was cleared off safe from a faithful lantern, a bowl of fresh water to boil over it, his herbs, and his spoon. All ready and waiting to go.

Hongjoong's eyes explored the lingerie the other man wore as he moved from the door. His coat dropped to the floor a moment later, while Seonghwa veiled his excitement by finishing his page.

"You took your time, captain," Seonghwa purred as he finally put the book on the ground underneath the bed where none of them would stomp on it accidentally. When he turned to lean against the pillows, he also exposed his body to Hongjoong. A coy fingertip played with Seonghwa's full lips as he bit it, half shy and half invitingly. Hongjoong had to postpone watching those lidded eyes filled with a desire for him. First, he had to take in the sight of the few pieces of fabric on Seonghwa's tanned body.

The piece of black lace he wore this time hooped around his neck to cradle it in a loving grip. Two stripes of fabric dipped down over his chest to connect with the panties that barely framed his hips and framed his behind too high to hide much. The garment left a sliver of his chest over his sternum free to look at and exposed his entire back.

Hongjoong stalked closer. Greed twinkled in his eyes as he looked upon his elegant treasure, who lounged in front of him with his long legs outstretched. Ink shone in the dips and valleys of his body, contrasting with the faint blush on Seonghwa's cheeks.

No matter how many scars marred Seonghwa's skin, no matter how age and stress ate at him, every day he became more and more beautiful in Hongjoong's eyes.

Hongjoong knelt on the bed to slip his hand over Seonghwa's leg. He dipped to kiss the man's knee, his calf, his thigh. Seonghwa shuddered in his hold but parted his crossed legs willingly for Hongjoong to taste more of his freshly washed skin.

Seonghwa upheld strict hygiene management, probably kudos to his swabbing job onboard. Whenever Hongjoong teased him about it, Seonghwa called him a smelly pirate and forced Hongjoong to take a bath. In times like these, Hongjoong appreciated it most, even if he couldn't care less.

"It been worth the wait. Ye look exquisite, sugar," Hongjoong breathed against Seonghwa's skin. He nipped at a tattooed spot, garnering a hitch in Seonghwa's throat.

"You don't think it's too much? I bought this one thinking of you, but I was unsure whether it fit me since my chest is nowhere as full." Nervous fingertips glided along the seam of the gap in the fabric. Seonghwa's thighs flinched when the long hair on the back of Hongjoong's neck tickled his skin. The little web of pearls forming a chain around his thigh jingled when Hongjoong's fingers brushed past it.

On his way up, Hongjoong took Seonghwa's hands in his to pull them away. The kisses he left on the exposed skin had Seonghwa shiver.

"Nay, it be magnificent. Yer chest might swell now that ye will bear me offspring. Ye should tend to it accordingly."

With a whimper, Seonghwa bit his lip at those words. The weight of his gaze was heavier than usual and Hongjoong revelled in it as he rose his hands to squeeze Seonghwa's chest. He enjoyed Seonghwa clenching his thighs together to squirm under him. Oh, so delicate and womanly, despite him never having had a girl in this way.

"Hongjoong," Seonghwa breathed as he wrapped his arms around the captain's neck, "I want you to breed me until I am dripping with your come and carry your baby inside me. Can you do that for me? Please?"

Hongjoong throbbed in his pants. The sweet proposal woke something primal in him. The idea of breeding his lover full of his babies and making him happy like nature had intended for them to be filled Hongjoong with seething heat. He knew Seonghwa would be spaced out and full of his seed later tonight. Knew how Seonghwa would mutter praise and gratitude around drooling lips. More than ever, Hongjoong lacked patience. He wanted to see it right now, wanted to fulfil Seonghwa's every wish.

"Aye, sugar. I will make ye take so much yer belly will swell with me seed, an' I will keep it deep inside o' ye all night so Yongguk's little spell can unfold its magic."

Enamoured by the idea, Seonghwa pulled Hongjoong down to kiss him. Their tongues tangled between passionate lips and Seonghwa's fingers slipped around Hongjoong's collar to check if the laces at the front of his shirt were loose enough to slip it off. His sweet moans spurred Hongjoong on, and his fingers slid over Seonghwa's sides. The spot of Seonghwa's tattoo of Kira's words for him had become his most sensitive one after the words had been etched into the skin. When Hongjoong flattened his heated palm over it, Seonghwa arched into his touch.

They parted for a moment so Hongjoong could slide his shirt off his body. Seonghwa's hands found his body to roam it at the same moment that Hongjoong dipped to kiss him again. Seonghwa's pillowy lips tasted of fruit and he shuddered when Hongjoong slipped his tongue into the scarred flesh in the corner of his mouth.

When Hongjoong's hand shifted to wrap around Seonghwa's thigh, the man parted his legs without delay. A sweet hum vibrated in his chest when Hongjoong's body slotted against his. The rough fabric of his pants rubbed against the dainty lingerie and created a hellish pleasure on Seonghwa's sensitive middle.

The chain on Seonghwa's thigh jingled when Hongjoong ran his hand over the tattooed flesh. Hongjoong flicked his fingers against it with amusement before his hand slipped under the lace covering only half of Seonghwa's behind. His fingers dug into the supple flesh, pulling and squeezing at it.

As Hongjoong pulled back from their kiss, a string of saliva connected his lips to Seonghwa's. Hongjoong flicked it away with his tongue, enamoured by the way Seonghwa drooled for him already.

"I read that me takin' ye from behind 'eightens yer chances to conceive. Do ye want us to do it like that, or do ye prefer a different position?"

Hongjoong left Seonghwa the time to reply. His lips latched onto the man's neck, biting on the smooth skin. Trembling fingers came up to thread into Hongjoong's hair and weaved through the brown strands that tangled in his nape. Spurred by the fingertips pressing against his nape, Hongjoong sank lower. He trailed a line down the exposed part of Seonghwa's chest to make the man shiver with the passionate touch of his tongue before he nudged the lace fabric aside to kiss at Seonghwa's tattoos.

Usually, Seonghwa wasn't reduced to a whimpering mess so quickly, even if he was sensitive. The thought of what they would do tonight and which of his deepest, darkest fantasies they would tap into had him shivering with anticipation.

"I- I trust you. You did this before so-" Seonghwa interrupted himself around a moan when Hongjoong ground his body into his filling arousal. It strained under the pretty lace garment obscenely, and shudders wracked Seonghwa's body whenever his tip brushed against the rough fabric.

"Last time I did this been an accident. This time, I will put me 'ole passion into breedin' ye, so ye better prepare yerself."

Hongjoong placed a punitive bite on the swell of Seonghwa's chest. He didn't want to think about Liv, not in this setting and not ever.

Choked up by a moan, Seonghwa pushed his body into Hongjoong's hands, seeking more. Hongjoong complied calmly, even when his own hardness pulsed against his hip with the desperate need to drive Seonghwa into the maelstroms of pleasure.

Hongjoong adjusted Seonghwa's straining arousal until the tip poked out over the lace fabric in the slit of his garment. The pirate liked at the soft skin like a kitten, prompting Seonghwa to try and thrust between his lips. Only a small part of his length could be accessed like this, and Seonghwa whined in a complaint about the restriction he had picked himself.

When Hongjoong stretched out his hand for the jar of oil they used all the time, Seonghwa reached for it blindly. Neither released the duel of their stares, both heated with lust as Hongjoong worked his tongue over Seonghwa.

Once he had the jar, his slick fingers slipped under the lace again to feel for Seonghwa's soft entrance. Easing two fingers in happened without resistance. Ever so deliciously, Seonghwa squirmed on them while Hongjoong teased him with his lazy lips.

Hongjoong made sure that the touches of his fingers in the other man's body were moderate. Later, he would have a lot of time scuttling Seonghwa until he was sore, so Hongjoong turned Seonghwa madder with the sweet tension.

When Seonghwa could not take it any longer and his needy keens seemed loud even to his ears in the stuffy room, he reached to pull Hongjoong's free hand up to his lips. Hongjoong adjusted, lying on top of Seonghwa's right leg now while he curled his fingers inside of the man.

Seonghwa stared at Hongjoong when his mouth wrapped around his fingers. The two of them pressed on Seonghwa's tongue, providing him with the weight he craved. Spit shone on them as Hongjoong pulled them back out and mimicked rogering Seonghwa's mouth. The soft, pink flesh of Seonghwa's lips drew the attention of Hongjoong's lidded eyes. His stomach flared up at the imagination of claiming them.

Hongjoong's fingers slid from Seonghwa's lips after a few crude thrusts. The man wrapped his tongue around Hongjoong's digits, getting his entire hand wet. When those doting lips did not halt from the stump of his little finger but sucked on it all the same, Hongjoong shivered with pleasure.

"Captain... I'm impatient," Seonghwa breathed between the digits. They splayed over his face, offering him to thrust his tongue in between.

Hongjoong pulled off the man's erection. His brow lifted at the same time as he added another finger into Seonghwa, making the man clutch onto his hand tighter.

"Be I movin' too slow fer ye, sugar?"

Seonghwa hummed, distracted by the fingers that occupied his mouth. Still, Hongjoong heeded his plea and turned his lover around. For a moment longer, Seonghwa got to suck on his fingers like a starving man while Hongjoong freed himself from his pants. He kicked the fabric off and knelt on the soft blanket while Seonghwa automatically shifted to accommodate him.

"Do ye want to keep wearin' this?" Hongjoong's slippery fingers smoothed over Seonghwa's chest as he brought his hands to his waist. The bits of lace shifted over the man's glistening cheeks when Hongjoong massaged his hands into them.

Spread out in front of him with his muscles shifting under Seonghwa's skin, Seonghwa was the prettiest. His tanned back laid free, exposing the tattoo Hongjoong had put there and the elegant curve of his body.

"No, please take it off." Seonghwa reached to undo the lacing around his neck. A moment later, they slipped the garment down Seonghwa's long legs together and threw it away.

With his lover exposed under him, Hongjoong's heart lurched with delight. His need to give the man the best breeding ever and to take him to heaven with bliss took over Hongjoong as he reached to align his tip with Seonghwa's entrance. The slick noise that sounded between their bodies as he slid inside had both of them moan. Seonghwa's gasp dragged on as he took Hongjoong.

"You need to- hmm, to do it as deep as possible, Joong."

As an answer, Hongjoong leaned over his husband to hook his arms under Seonghwa's chest and held onto his shoulders. The position forced Seonghwa to stay in pace while Hongjoong moved impossibly deep. When Seonghwa's head flew back around his stunned gasp, it knocked against Hongjoong's.

Hongjoong chuckled. The heat inside his lover threatened to melt him, but he loved it more than anything.

"Like this?" Hongjoong kissed Seonghwa's ear as he rolled his hips. He barely pulled out, just pressing deep inside to massage Seonghwa's spots with lazy drags of his length. The drag of each movement made both of them shiver.

Breathless, Seonghwa nodded and hung his head. His arms trembled where they held him up, but they endured as Hongjoong reshaped his insides to leave his mark as deep inside as possible. Seonghwa was weak, scarcely moving his hips as he usually would, to meet Hongjoong's thrusts. He relished in the feeling of being full and was meticulous with his body.

Hongjoong panted against Seonghwa's shoulder as his husband came apart in his arms. The heated skin of Seonghwa's back against Hongjoong's chest stuck the two of them together and created a sticky slide. Hongjoong could feel Seonghwa's every noise through his lips as he kissed the man's throat and nibbled at his skin.

"Hongjoong-" Seonghwa's hair stuck to his nape. Despite their rather tame rocking, Seonghwa's lips never closed around their moans and his body trembled and shivered at the intensity.

"What be it, precious? Need more?" Hongjoong reached to jerk Seonghwa off, but his movements were lazy and mismatched his thrusting pace. He knew both of them were waiting for it. This round was not about technique or teasing, Seonghwa just wanted to have Hongjoong come inside of him, and Hongjoong just wanted to comply. Since it would be a long night, Hongjoong made sure Seonghwa did not orgasm yet.

"So deep," Seonghwa gasped out. His eyes rolled back behind his shaggily falling hair when Hongjoong pressed the heel of his hand against the man's stomach to squeeze down on himself from the outside. Feeling Hongjoong moving through his stomach, Seonghwa arched into him even more.

"Please. Please do it. I can't wait any longer."

Hongjoong chuckled. He leaned to Seonghwa's ear, his pace quickening to slam inside his lover. Seonghwa shook all over and sweat and precome dripped onto his precious blanket that promoted his fertility.

"Want me to breed ye already? Can nay wait to 'ave yer stomach stuffed?"

Seonghwa desperately nodded his head. He hissed when Hongjoong dug his teeth into his lobe. Heat pooled in his belly, ignited by the imagination of how euphoric Seonghwa would be soon. With no attempt to stop it, Hongjoong let it wash over him and placed the last thrust that settled him deep inside and locked their bodies together.

Seonghwa lurched in Hongjoong's arms, not prepared for the fullness, but Hongjoong trapped him in place. Shuddering, he leaned his head against Seonghwa's shoulders as he came in his lover.

The warmth spreading inside Seonghwa's body sparked exhilaration in both of them. Hongjoong pressed kisses on the spread of Seonghwa's shoulders and nape. His right hand had let go of Seonghwa's heavy arousal to caress his stomach, right at the place where a woman would receive his seed.

"Ye did jolly, precious. 'Ow do ye feel?"

Seonghwa craned his head to look at Hongjoong. Without parting their bodies, Hongjoong leaned to kiss him and licked over the scars at the corners of Seonghwa's mouth. They tasted salty on his tongue.

"So happy- I'm... So, so happy, Joong," Seonghwa's voice cracked around the words. His arms still trembled, so Hongjoong wrapped his arm around Seonghwa's chest. With his husband pulled close to his body, Hongjoong tipped them over to lie on their sides. When his softened length nearly slipped from Seonghwa at the movement, Seonghwa desperately pressed back against it, keeping it inside.

"Ye better tighten up jolly, so ye will nay spill anythin'." Hongjoong's fingers caressed Seonghwa's wet cheek, wiping his tears for him. They stuck close together to keep up the bond between them.

Even knowing Seonghwa would not truly be pregnant, Hongjoong's heart swelled with contentment.

Seonghwa sniffled into his blanket. His ringed hand clutched at it delicately, uncaring of the mess he made.

Hongjoong gave himself a minute of recovery as he held his lover close. Their naked bodies matched with each other like puzzle pieces and Seonghwa relished every touch Hongjoong placed on his tanned skin. He repainted the shapes of scars, of the tattoos, of Seonghwa's body.

By the time Seonghwa calmed down from his first rush of emotions, Hongjoong ground into him again. The taller man craned his head back to look at Hongjoong and love twinkled in his reddened eyes.

"More, Joong, please," he breathed as he connected their lips over his shoulder. Humming, Hongjoong reached to seize Seonghwa's hip with one hand to regulate his slow thrusts. Seonghwa kissed dreamily, at the same time sloppy and distracted. His eyes shut as bliss overtook him again and relaxed his features into an expression of delight.

Hongjoong wanted to paint this expression, wanted to immortalise every line of Seonghwa's soft features on paper.

The slide between them was easy and slick thanks to Hongjoong's come as he rocked into his husband. This time, he was less concentrated on depth and his release. He found the right angle to jam his tip against Seonghwa's nerves and made that his sole goal. The first thrust had Seonghwa's head fly back to lie on Hongjoong's shoulder. Every single one after that pulled the sweetest noises from his lover.

Hongjoong hooked an arm under Seonghwa's leg and pulled it up so he had more room to drive deep into the man. In the stuffy air of his unventilated cabin, Seonghwa's moans echoed.

"Ye be leakin' all o'er yer blanket. Did ye imagine doin' this since ye grabbed it? To get yer child made on it?" Sweat clung to Hongjoong's brow as he hooked Seonghwa's leg over the crook of his arm to extend his hand to Seonghwa's arousal. The dribbles from the tip smeared in Hongjoong's hands as he jerked him off. When Seonghwa tightened around him instantly, stomach fluttering, Hongjoong cursed under his breath.

Seonghwa could not form words, so he keened in response. His head whipped into the sheets, overwhelmed by Hongjoong's ruthless pace.

When Hongjoong stilled suddenly, Seonghwa gasped for a shuddering breath. His eyes fluttered open only after a beat had passed. Putty on his soft blanket, he watched how Hongjoong rearranged their bodies so Seonghwa could spread on his back comfortably while Hongjoong settled between his thighs.

"Don't let it slip out," Seonghwa muttered around his abused throat. Hongjoong chuckled as he wormed his way under Seonghwa's long leg and dipped between them. Pretty and with his sweaty chest heaving, Seonghwa laid under him. Eyes filled with desire watched as Hongjoong dotingly sorted their legs around his body. When he leaned forward to try out the new angle and to find Seonghwa's spots again, Seonghwa reached out a trembling hand towards Hongjoong. It cradled his jaw to pull him in and Hongjoong heeded the call without hesitation. Their heated pace slowed as they kissed romantically. When Hongjoong reached to hold Seonghwa's hand wearing the ring in his, Seonghwa shuddered in sweet pleasure.

Hongjoong sat back with his heart ignited. Seonghwa cradled his stomach in one hand, pressing lightly to feel Hongjoong moving inside as he picked up his pace. Laboured pants mixed with honeyed whimpers and whines for more. The adorable pink tip of Seonghwa's hardness brushed over his fingers, demanding attention, but Seonghwa was too caught up to mind it. His hand clutched Hongjoong's tightly.

With the last few thrusts, both of them unravelled in the best way. Their bodies melted until Hongjoong did not know anymore which belonged to who. Seonghwa held onto him for dear life and threw his sweaty head back when his orgasm wracked through him.

Once more, Hongjoong settled to fill his lover up. He shuddered until the tips of his toes, more sensitive during the second round. When he collapsed onto Seonghwa's chest, the other man pulled him close to kiss Hongjoong's scalp and forehead dotingly. Trembling, their bodies calmed to share each other's heat.

"Give me a moment, sugar. Just some rest, then we can go again." Hongjoong snuggled against Seonghwa's chest, that was spotted with love marks. Chuckling, Seonghwa brushed his fingers through Hongjoong's hair.

"You did well, Pirate King. Take a rest." Seonghwa reached for the wooden plug he had prepared beforehand. Hongjoong grumbled, eyes slipping shut, as Seonghwa manoeuvred him to exchange Hongjoong inside of him with the toy.

Once both of them were cosied up on the warm blanket, Hongjoong dropped his hand to splay over Seonghwa's stomach. No word was needed for Seonghwa to giggle shyly before he kissed Hongjoong's forehead once more.

Later, after the third round of the night that left both of them spent, Seonghwa drank his tea. He sat between Hongjoong's legs, happy and cared for, as he sipped the magic-infused liquid. Hongjoong never stopped caressing Seonghwa's stomach and hips all night, and his glowing husband fell asleep, sated long after midnight had settled over the ocean.

-

Hongjoong slept for an eternity, but he was amused to find Seonghwa fast asleep even as Hongjoong woke long after noon. The captain stretched for a minute and relished in the utter relaxation of his muscles after last night. While he watched Seonghwa's soft features in sleep, excitement swirled in his belly for once Seonghwa woke. Would he feel any different? Would he like it?

Hongjoong hoped he would not be in pain.

As he rolled out of bed to get dressed, Hongjoong reminded himself to ask Yunho about a soothing tea in case Seonghwa suffered. He trusted Yongguk's spells, but it was no secret that pregnancies could mean pain and cramps. Since they could not know yet whether that was the case for Seonghwa's fabricated pregnancy, Hongjoong would rather be safe.

The sun of late summer shone down on Hongjoong as he stepped outside onto the deck. He had taken his coat since the warm days mixed with cold ones recently, but he discarded it outside on the railing next to Yeosang when he became too hot in it soon. His helmsman grinned at Hongjoong when he oversaw the situation on the peaceful ship. Everybody did their work or played around. Shanties passed the crew's mouths, and the splashing of the Precious cutting through the water added to the serene tranquillity.

They rarely got peaceful days, but they had become more frequent without their umbras looming in the dark corners of the ship. Hongjoong rejoiced to see his men only busy with regular pirate tasks.

"Ahoy, captain. 'Ad a jolly night?" Yunho scaled the stairs next to them to bring food. At the sight of the warm stew in the bowls he carried, Hongjoong's stomach grumbled.

"By Jones, I 'ad. Seonghwa be takin' a caulk still, but ye can leave the grub at his side. I will wake 'im soon."

"Aye, aye." Yunho handed Hongjoong one bowl and a chunk of fresh bread before he dipped inside the cabin. Hongjoong wolfed down his food as if he had not eaten in days. Yeosang nagged him to slow down, but Hongjoong just glared at him over the top of his bowl, lips dripping.

After Hongjoong had emptied the dish with a satisfied groan, he turned to Yeosang . Ever since he had lost his hand, he had difficulties steering the ship. On calm days like these, he got to stand at the wheel, but whenever Hongjoong wasn't available, Yunho or San took over for him to fight bigger waves. Violent tugs on Yeosang's wrists still pained him.

Yunho passed them, collecting the bowl, before he dipped back into the galley.

"Did ye tell 'em mates?"

Yeosang's toothy smirk in the sun had him look like an angel. His ponytail whipped behind him as he nodded.

"I did. Though Jongho suggested we postpone the festival until Seonghwa regained his strength and grew accustomed to the situation. We didn't want to confuse him by celebrating when his mind hasn't wrapped around the idea yet."

Hongjoong nodded, proud of his ever so witty crew.

"That be a jolly idea. I will wake 'im now an' ask what 'e feels ready to do. I imagine 'e might get 'ungrier these days."

After bidding their goodbyes to each other, Hongjoong snuck back inside his cabin. He closed the door behind him as not to disturb the peaceful view of Seonghwa snuggled against his baby blanket. The warmth of the room had prompted him to throw off the regular covers, so his lean body was exposed to Hongjoong's eyes. When Hongjoong sat by his side to run his hand over the flower tattoos climbing up his hip, pride swelled in his chest at the sight of the marks he had left on Seonghwa's skin the day prior.

"Show a leg, sugar. We be waitin' to 'ear 'ow ye feel."

Hongjoong leaned over Seonghwa to kiss his cheek. The touch of his lips had Seonghwa stir.

A moment later, Seonghwa batted his sleepy eyelashes open. Disoriented eyes filled with glee when he recognised Hongjoong. As Seonghwa wrapped his arms around Hongjoong's waist to hug him with the glow of sleep still clinging to him, the captain lifted his hand to run through Seonghwa's dark locks.

"Jolly mornin', sugar," Hongjoong hummed when Seonghwa put his head on the pirate's thigh and closed his eyes to doze a few moments longer. The caresses on his face and hair drew soft noises from his throat.

"'Ow be ye feelin'?"

Seonghwa breathed in Hongjoong's scent of the sea. When he burrowed deeper into Hongjoong's stomach, the captain had to chuckle.

"'M queasy. Also unsure whether it be me mind tellin' me nay to walk fer I might spill yer precious seed, or whether me body lost all strength."

Endeared by the sleepy drawl of Seonghwa's muffled voice, Hongjoong took the steaming bowl Yunho had left on the barrel they used as a nightstand. The scent of food prompted Seonghwa to perk up. The rumbling of his stomach had both of them snicker.

"That be jolly. Ye can take it slow with work today," Hongjoong said as Seonghwa ate. The prince leaned against his king for support and Hongjoong cradled him close. As time passed, Seonghwa shook off all sleepiness.

Once Seonghwa finished eating and sat up to peer down at his stomach with eyes searching for a change, Hongjoong stood to find some clothes for his husband. Seonghwa got dressed with the occasional grimace of pain or surprised moan when the toy inside of him shifted. As soon as he was done, he lifted his arms into the air to beckon at Hongjoong to come closer with an adorable pout.

With a chuckle, Hongjoong bent to pick him up. He left a kiss on Seonghwa's jutting as he sunk into Hongjoong's embrace. Seonghwa's arms wrapped around Hongjoong's neck to thread into his hair coyly as he held on.

Seonghwa opened the door to the cabin so Hongjoong could carry him outside. As soon as Seonghwa ducked into Hongjoong's shoulder to shield his eyes from the bright rays of the sun, the deck broke out in cheers.

"What do me old eyes spy?! Be it the matey with the sweetest moans on board whom we 'ad the delight o' listenin' to all night?" San yelled from where he perched on a cannon.

Next to him, Mingi shook his head.

"Nay, it be the matey with the prettiest o' all faces among ye sons o' biscuit eaters."

Wooyoung perked up in the crow's nest to exclaim from high above them.

"It be the matey with the sparklin' eyes who robbed our Capt'n o' 'is 'eart!"

Hongjoong chortled as he descended the stairs. Yeosang watched on where he leaned against the wheel with an expression of fond amusement.

"Ye scallywags be right an' wrong at the same time," Hongjoong called back. "'Tis 'ere be me wife carryin' me child."

The roars that broke out on deck were deafening. Seonghwa ducked his head from all the attention, but Hongjoong saw him grin where he hid his blush in Hongjoong's shirt. His fingers clutched the fabric in his hand, holding on in embarrassment.

"Congratulations, matey! This time when ye visit Yunho fer checkups, 'e better nay run a rig on ye," Jongho cheered from his position near the mast, where he taught Hojun how to play the Hurdy Gurdy so they could make music together on slow days.

When Seonghwa peered up to swipe his eyes over the expectant crew, Hongjoong halted in his step down to the galley. He adjusted his grip when Seonghwa leaned up, calling loud enough that even Wooyoung up in the crow's nest heard his answer.

"I'll nail 'is guts against the mast if 'e takes the child o' the pirate rulers lightly!"

The clamour rising on the ship shook the ocean. Through his laughter, Hongjoong carried Seonghwa off while the crew discussed their usual bets and howled about the imagination.

Proud to have defended his viewpoint, Seonghwa snuggled against Hongjoong again. Hongjoong praised him for the win as they joined Yunho downstairs. Seonghwa would help the other man with meal preparations since he should take a rest for today.

Yunho grinned at them with the same nasty expression as the rest of the crew. When Seonghwa claimed Yunho was just jealous, the cook rammed the tip of a knife into the table in front of the vice captain and leaned in close. Hongjoong didn't hear what the man purred in Seonghwa's ear, but Seonghwa blushed and ducked away.

Hongjoong left them to their devices as he joined his crew back on deck. The brilliantly shining ocean offered endless opportunities in front of him. Swayed by his love for the sea, Hongjoong took the wheel from Yeosang so the navigator could do his logging duties. Under his breath, he hummed the song that Seonghwa had come up with for their crew. The melody was simple but addictive, and it echoed in the back of Hongjoong's mind like the call of a siren.

For a while, they sailed in peace. Hongjoong relished in the wind's fingers playing with his hair, in the giggles and fooleries of his crew members, and the reminder of his husband being only a ship's length away from him as he dreamed of carrying Hongjoong's child. As Seonghwa had said, nothing quite connected two lovers like having a child together, and even if the junction of Seonghwa and Hongjoong was not blessed by nature, Hongjoong knew their bond had tightened impossibly just by Seonghwa wishing for this.

In his mind, Hongjoong tried to imagine what a child by the two of them would look like. Hongjoong would want it to look more like Seonghwa than he, but he knew Seonghwa argued for the opposite. Whenever he mentioned Tikki, he gushed about her adorable features that were so similar to Hongjoong's. Perhaps a combination of Seonghwa's eyes and Hongjoong's nose would look cute. Though Hongjoong would never give up Seonghwa's nose in their combined genes. Perhaps Hongjoong's lips and Seonghwa's nose?

What if their kid ended up having San's eyes?

Hongjoong snorted to himself at the thought. The list of things wrong with the idea was long, but he could not help his amusement. He also remembered Seonghwa's naturally bright hair colour that he found precious as molten gold, but knew got Seonghwa into a lot of trouble. Perhaps their child would be better off having Hongjoong's hair.

If he told Seonghwa about these thoughts, the other man might try drawing the child that would never be born. Hongjoong did not want Seonghwa to grow too attached to the idea. So far, his pregnancy should work out without a hitch and disappear just as smoothly. Once he got the taste of loss, however, Hongjoong would not know how to fulfil Seonghwa's wishes anymore. Seonghwa might get caught up in his ideas of their child growing up with Tikki, picking names, picking clothes, just to be defeated by the thought that there would be no child.

Hongjoong kept those thoughts well sealed in his own heart. The longer he thought about it, the surer he got his daughter would be a horrible influence as a sibling.

Lost in thought, Hongjoong did not pay attention to his surroundings. By the time he noticed San had slinked up to stand at his side, the man put his chin on Hongjoong's shoulder to blow a hot breath against his neck. With a hum, Hongjoong stored his thoughts for later as he wrapped his free arm around San's waist. Putty in his hands, San leaned against him.

"Ye look to be troubled, captain," San purred with his accent from the east. "Be ye nay 'appy with the outcome o' Princess Swab's wishes?"

"Oh, I be, fear nay. I just been wonderin' whether 'e might be upset that 'e ain't gettin' a child out o' it."

San brushed his fingers through Hongjoong's hair. The warmth of their bodies was bordering on being bothersome under the warm sun, but Hongjoong did not mind it. The warm skin of San's exposed upper body under his hands was worth holding.

"Ye could always offer 'im to make a child with another lass - one we trust, this time - an' bring it up as yer own," San suggested. It was the only method, but not only did the thought of a stranger between them ignite frenzied jealousy in Hongjoong, but he also disliked the thought of the bond Seonghwa might develop to her. Hongjoong had a hard time loving his own child because of Liv's parts in her. He did not want to end up hating Seonghwa's kid because there was a woman in the picture.

Hongjoong shook his head with a sigh.

"I doubt either o' us likes that idea. From what we 'ave spied o' 'im with ladies, I also doubt 'e could do it."

Seonghwa had expressed no sort of interest in women. They even seemed to make him uneasy most of the time, likely kudos to Liv.

"What about ye an' Woo? 'Avin child wishes yet?"

San shrugged. His fingers toyed with the laces of Hongjoong's shirt.

"We discussed it once, but as long as we be sailin', a brat 'as no place 'ere. Though Woo suggested tryin' to impregnate a wench at the same time. Perhaps that works."

Hongjoong chuckled.

"Who knows? Though there would still be a lady in the picture."

"Aye. It be nay an option fer ye." San tipped his head to blink against the sun. The sky was so clear that instead of a storm, they would have to fear a calm, but so far, they were fine.

"I will ask Hwa about 'is feelings about it when time comes. Fer now, 'e 'as many months ahead o' 'im to enjoy an' battle first," Hongjoong concluded as Yeosang came back out to discuss his progress with Hongjoong.

San pressed a kiss to Hongjoong's jaw before he retreated.

"Aye, let's regard the present as the time we focus on, nay the after." With a grin, San skipped off.

Hongjoong was a man of his promise. He would gift Seonghwa the world if he could, and he would ensure Seonghwa would enjoy himself during his pregnancy, too.

-

Seonghwa's pregnancy started out slowly, as a real one would. In the first few weeks, he barely noticed a difference. Some evenings he sprung Hongjoong, fearing it had not worked. On others, he rested on their bed and petted his stomach, sure that however the process changed his body, it took place as it should.

After about six weeks, when autumn had fully dawned upon them and called for San to wear a shirt, Seonghwa complained about feeling nauseous on several mornings. When Yunho checked on him with a grin, he assured Seonghwa he was fine and that his body tricked him into the fake symptoms of pregnancy. He did not miss the opportunity to point out that nausea could not appear earlier in pregnancies, shattering Seonghwa's dread from a few years back when he had still been an unstudied, innocent baker lad.

The sea did not help Seonghwa's trouble with eating and the need to vomit, but that stage passed. Seonghwa sat out most days the pirates spend at ports to make sure he had fresh food that he would need for his body to work out the tea-induced stress. From time to time, he relaxed outside playing with the boys until the crew returned, only to greet Hongjoong with a hug and kisses as soon as he came into sight.

Seonghwa's morning sickness disappeared after a couple of weeks, and soon, he entered the stage of bodily changes that had the mighty Pirate Prince shy. The first time Hongjoong heard of them was about four months into Seonghwa's pregnancy. Hongjoong came in from the deck where he had ordered the crew to get ready for winter and to keep their shovels ready if the first snow fell. When he entered the cabin, he found Seonghwa seated on the bed like most times, but he had tears in his eyes as he peeked under the blanket in his lap. His book lay discarded at his side, and the pirate had tucked his shirt under his chin to look at his belly.

Hongjoong rushed to his side the moment he saw the wetness on Seonghwa's cheeks.

"What be the matter, precious? Everythin' alright?"

A vortex of monstrous predictions swirled in Hongjoong's mind. Of something having gone wrong with Yongguk's spell, about Seonghwa having got hurt, about anything and everything.

But when Seonghwa lifted his eyes to Hongjoong, happiness filled them until Hongjoong choked on it.

"I'm sure of it. My stomach starts to show."

Hongjoong gasped, frozen in position for a moment. Then, he reached to tug the blanket off his husband.

"Show me," he whispered in a rough voice.

Seonghwa did, and he was right. The pirate had gained only a little weight despite eating much more to accustom his body to the idea of pregnancy. It was easy to tell how his stomach gained more than the rest of him, even if it was subtle.

Awed, Hongjoong ran his hands over Seonghwa's belly. Neither of them knew how Yongguk's sorcery worked, and neither could care. The shaking of Seonghwa's hands was real when Hongjoong dipped to kiss his tummy that no longer showed the lean lines of his abs, but had swelled the barest bit.

"Beautiful. Ye be so beautiful, Hwa," Hongjoong muttered between his kisses. One of Seonghwa's hands came down to cradle Hongjoong's jaw. The metal of his ring was heated on Hongjoong's skin as Seonghwa pulled him up to kiss him. Their kisses had them tumbling into the sheets as Hongjoong explored the new shape of Seonghwa's body and worshipped it with his hands and lips.

Seonghwa had grown more sensitive to touch to his chest as well. Hongjoong swore his chest had gained just enough to still be excused as a trained male's chest, like Mingi's or Hongjoong's were, but obvious enough that the softness was due to Seonghwa's pregnancy, not the natural growth of his body. No matter with how many blushes Seonghwa denied him, Hongjoong enjoyed playing with the other male's delicate nipples even more now.

After another few weeks, Seonghwa's stomach properly bulged under his shirt. It was incredibly arousing to Seonghwa whenever Hongjoong took him from behind and Seonghwa got to feel the curve with his hands, but it also affected the crew. In the first few weeks, they sat outside with Seonghwa and got to touch and kiss his stomach, in awe of what his body was doing. They all pretended they could feel the baby inside and chuckled when Seonghwa had to hide his bashful smiles in his hands.

But soon, one after the other, of them approached Hongjoong in private and expressed their heightened attraction to Seonghwa with his pregnant glow. Seeing him all motherly and full of Hongjoong's child woke their urges to provide for the pregnancy. Before Hongjoong knew what was happening, all six of his key crew members regarded Seonghwa with dark need swimming in their eyes whenever he appeared on deck. They were envious of how Seonghwa stood with Hongjoong at the wheel with both of their hands resting on Seonghwa's stomach, and even when Hongjoong told them to get off on each other, they reacted snappishly.

Hongjoong paid great attention not to expose Seonghwa to the others too much in that period. Their occasional intimacy shared in front of the crew's eyes switched to the privacy of the bedroom. Hongjoong lied he did not want Seonghwa to get cold and weaken his immune system further, but Seonghwa noticed his upset. Disregarding his own delight in the episodes when the entire crew could watch what they were doing, he grew worried about Hongjoong's possessiveness.

They lay in bed together with Seonghwa's back pressed against Hongjoong's chest when he mentioned it the first time. Hongjoong's hands drew circles on Seonghwa's stomach, warming the cute little bulge.

"I saw you arguing with Wooyoung earlier," Seonghwa said. As always, when he was serious, his voice dropped out of their slang and into the grammar he was most comfortable using. He only did it when he feared not to get his message across entirely (or when Hongjoong took him so good, Seonghwa had no brain left to think anymore and resorted to default.)

Hongjoong sighed into Seonghwa's dark hair. It had grown in the past few months, faster than it usually would. Seonghwa wore it tied in a small ponytail at the back of his neck most of the time. Since it was late, his hair was open, and offered a warm softness for Hongjoong to bury his face in.

"It been nothin' important."

"You quarrel with the crew a lot these days."

When Hongjoong did not reply, Seonghwa continued.

"I don't notice any issues between them. Is there a matter you are keeping from me? I might be emotional recently, but I still want my share of the crew's concern. I care."

Hongjoong sighed. His hands cradled Seonghwa's stomach, protecting it from any harm even in the loving peace of their cabin.

"They been lustin' after ye. Yer pregnant body appeals to their deadlights."

Seonghwa hummed. No mood swing sounded in the tone.

"Do you remember many years ago when we met again after our parting and got trapped by the cult of Liv's people?"

Hongjoong kissed Seonghwa's nape.

"'Ow could I forget?"

"When we returned, and you stopped being captain because of Hanbyeol and Youjin, the crew decided together to take you in their midst to roger that nonsense out of you. Remember my uniform?"

When Hongjoong huffed out a pearl of laughter, Seonghwa grinned about the warm breath tickling his skin.

"I remember."

"How about we do the same with me this time?"

The thought needed a moment to register in Hongjoong's head. Then he pushed himself up on his elbow abruptly. Seonghwa turned in his arm with a patient smile to look up at him.

"What? Why?"

"So they get their fill. Why would I deny them of it when I relish in the eroticism it brings? I trust them. Don't you?" Seonghwa brushed Hongjoong's stray hair behind his ear. His fingers jingled the pearls and shells woven into it.

"This be different," Hongjoong defended. He had no reason to react protectively, since he counted on his crew just as much. Even knowing Seonghwa would get his will, Hongjoong could not help his envy.

"It isn't an emergency this time, aye. It's just a good time. Won't you allow me, captain?" With his sparkling doe eyes, Seonghwa gave Hongjoong a begging glance. Hongjoong's resolve crumbled, both hating and loving the mental image. He leaned down to press his forehead against Seonghwa's, growling into his face.

"Ye want 'em to take ye? All o' 'em to ravage ye until ye can nay walk?"

"Aye," Seonghwa breathed back. "I want 'em to fill me up an' leave their mark since this child can only e'er be yers, captain, but they adore it ardently."

Hongjoong gritted his jaw, fighting the opposing urges. Then he yanked himself back.

"Fine. Let me call 'em together, then. I 'ope ye know what ye be gettin' yerselves into."

Hongjoong knew. He knew the bliss of getting taken apart by his crew, by the very men he adored so passionately, if differently than Seonghwa. He knew Seonghwa felt the same about them. His husband deserved to have all of his wishes fulfilled. This setting was a peculiar one, and it would not return. Hongjoong understood the urgency of both the crew and Seonghwa. Hongjoong was the only one to have his fill with his soft and pregnant lover every so often.

When Hongjoong marched down into the crew quarters, he found that most of his men had settled in for the night already. Wooyoung and Mingi sat on the ground with Jaemin and Seungmin, playing Liar's Dice while the rest tried to ignore their squeals and hollers for cheating. Jongho and Yeosang had squeezed into one bunk together, holding each other as they rested with Yeosang's head on Jongho's chest.

The appearance of their seething captain had all of them falling into a stunned silence. The clack of his heels on the ground was rarely so sharp, so all of them looked at him with startled eyes.

"Main crew, assemble in the galley. The rest o' ye may rest."

Hongjoong strutted back out without leaving room for discussion. Confused, the mates scrambled to put on their coats and followed him into the snowy night. Since he had asked for them specifically, they knew they were not under attack, but the Captain had peculiar timing.

While the crew shuffled into the galley, Hongjoong went to fetch Seonghwa upstairs. The man had dressed his body in one of the delicately falling dresses he liked to wear, and the fabric held by thin straps over his shoulders accentuated his breast. Hongjoong nodded at him wordlessly as he held out Seonghwa's coat and snatched the box with playthings to join them.

They arrived in the galley to a confused crew seated at the table. Their fatigue had perished with Hongjoong's sudden call, and they chattered among each other full of theories about what was going down.

When Seonghwa stepped in with Hongjoong, they greeted the vice-captain like a court their queen. They rained praises and generous compliments at him. The hearts in their eyes veiled the darkness looming beyond.

Hongjoong put down the crate next to the door and leaned on the wall next to it. Waiting, he watched how Seonghwa approached the table confidently.

"I prepared somethin' fer ye," Seonghwa began with a sugary grin. Bewildered, the crew exchanged glances.

When Seonghwa beckoned Wooyoung and San to stand up, they were at his sides immediately. None of them even glanced at Hongjoong as San wrapped an arm around Seonghwa's waist while Wooyoung leaned against his shoulder coyly.

"Hongjoong told me about yer infatuation with me body. I wanted to offer it to ye all. Tonight, ye can 'ave the fun with it ye yearned fer."

Yunho's eyes widened before they flicked over to Hongjoong. Steely, Hongjoong kept his silence as he watched. He knew no harm would come upon Seonghwa, but ugly jealousy ate at his heart.

San covered his mouth with his hand as he gasped. Then he huddled closer to Seonghwa, who already held the other man's waist with his arm in a mirror of San's grip.

"Really? Ye will let us?" Awed, San's eyes reflected the same need as the rest of the crew.

Seonghwa chuckled as he nuzzled against San's temple.

"E'en better. I want ye to. All o' ye." Seonghwa sent a heated gaze into the room that got echoed by the other crew members.

Hongjoong caught Jongho's gaze as the man leaned back on the bench to look at him. After getting a heated stare but no further reaction, the shipwright stood from his seat gracefully. He rounded the corner of the table Yunho and Mingi perched on with silent reverence to access Seonghwa. When he hooked one arm around Seonghwa's knees to lift him into his arm, Seonghwa grabbed onto him with a surprised sound. The display of strength flattered him, and Hongjoong knew he was extra bashful around Jongho because the two had done nothing together.

"What be we waitin' fer, then? Make sure our pregnant princess be comfortable," Jongho ordered to rip the others out of their trance. Instantly, movement came into them. Yeosang dashed out of the room to get some blankets. When he passed Hongjoong, he patted his shoulder in gratitude before he dipped outside.

Hongjoong watched as the crew figured out their positions. San dropped to his knees the second he could to look up at Seonghwa with big and pleading eyes. As much as the man liked to dominate, he had developed a submissive role for Seonghwa after Hongjoong had reigned him in multiple times. Seonghwa smiled as he threaded his hand into San's hair to pull him in.

Yunho sat on the table behind Seonghwa after Jongho had put him down on it and went to arrange the benches so nobody would trip over them. His large hands unbuttoned Seonghwa's coat while the vice-captain shivered in the man's hold. With one hand steadying himself on Yunho's shoulder, the other one in San's hair as he nosed his way up Seonghwa's leg, Seonghwa turned his head to look around who was left.

Mingi was not ready yet and still processed the sudden offer from their most wanted crew member. Wooyoung, on the other hand, crawled onto the bench at Seonghwa's side without hesitation. He grinned as he sunk his lips on Seonghwa's to pull a pleased whine from Seonghwa's throat. As they kissed, Yunho lowered his face to the exposed side of Seonghwa's neck to kiss over the unmarred skin. His fingers fully shifted the coat open but still left it on Seonghwa's body in case he would get cold.

Yeosang returned with a bunch of blankets. With Mingi's help, they spread them out over the table and the floor underneath, creating a nest for Seonghwa to be comfortable in while the pirates took him apart.

Since nobody wanted to put any pressure on Seonghwa's stomach, they needed a moment to figure out a position for him. Unbothered by the discussion, San dipped under the silky skirt of Seonghwa's dress and made his path up to his crotch. Seonghwa threaded his fingers through San's hair as the man's head moved under the skirt and drew the sweetest moans from Seonghwa's lips. The way San's hands cradled and massaged Seonghwa's belly gave away his reverent fascination with it. Hongjoong was thankful for the tender care. It made Seonghwa gleam with a motherly fondness.

Hongjoong's jealousy evened the longer he observed how much Seonghwa enjoyed himself. He kept his arms crossed, but the crease in his brow smoothed out. Seonghwa's face displayed his undying adoration for the crew and his pleasure at being held by them. It was impossible to resist the affectionate demeanour.

"Which one of us do you want, Hwa? Enlighten us of your desires." Yeosang helped Seonghwa undress. Every so often, his hand ran over the slight curve of Seonghwa's stomach, appreciating how the gesture made Seonghwa sigh dreamily.

Seonghwa was beyond words in their setting. When he reached out his hand towards Wooyoung, the lookout stepped in immediately to help Seonghwa arrange his body. His arm wrapped around Seonghwa's naked waist to spin Seonghwa around until he could support his body with his hands on the table. San adjusted with them. Once his fingers were back to hold Seonghwa's stomach and his slick lips continued their ministrations between Seonghwa's legs, Wooyoung found his spot behind Hongjoong's husband. His hands trailed over Seonghwa's spine, lips kissing at his shoulders as he took the oil Yeosang had carried over.

Yunho slipped from the bench to kneel behind San and freed him of his clothes. The soft mewl and gasps of the man as Yunho slipped his long fingers inside of him heated the group of men. Hongjoong counted seven erections and once more, apprehension shone through his outer layer. He didn't want Seonghwa to get hurt or to take on too much, even when the man had asked for this.

Wooyoung pressed up against Seonghwa's back as he lowered his hand to the vice-captain's entrance. A muttered curse passed through his lips when his fingers got swallowed with ease.

"Yeo, come-" Seonghwa raised his head against Wooyoung's shoulder when pleasure overwhelmed him.

Wooyoung and Jongho were the only ones left in the crew that had not partaken in any games with Seonghwa until now. Yeosang had been introduced to their private time once when Seonghwa had wanted to try out double-penetrating the former prince together with Hongjoong. Their lips on each other were those of two sweethearts craving for someone to hold them as they clung to each other. Yeosang drank up Seonghwa's desperate noises until he dipped to his neck to let Seonghwa breathe. By his side, Mingi did the same.

Whenever Seonghwa felt confident in his balance, he extended one hand to massage either Yeosang or Mingi. The former was a bigger mess, since Jongho demanded half of his attention by his side. Every so often, Seonghwa succumbed to Wooyoung's fingers inside of him and arched back against the lookout. The amount of pleasure crashing into him from every direction visibly took the man's breath away and reduced him to a panting wreck. Yet, the entire crew appreciated his beauty. The parted lips, needy hands, and white-swelling stomach that they all tended to so dotingly reminded the hungry pirates of their affections.

"Can ye take me, Hwa?" Wooyoung breathed into Seonghwa's ear. He rutted against the taller male with both hands wrapped around his body now, desperate.

In response, Seonghwa bent over more to push his behind into Wooyoung's crotch. San had to adjust his position and keened when Yunho's hands came after him.

Hongjoong watched with a coil of desire in his stomach how Wooyoung bottomed out in Seonghwa. He was careful, his roaming hands caressing and petting Seonghwa to make sure he was pleased. Once he was buried to the hilt, he flicked his hair back and waited for a moment before he dared to move.

The game between Wooyoung and San continued as usual when Wooyoung thrust into Seonghwa. His every move got a hum out of San, pleasing all three of them.

Yunho knelt behind San with less mercy and scuttled him as he wished, while San opened up to him more and more in his greed. From time to time, Yunho extended a long arm to run his fingers over Seonghwa's stomach in appreciation. When Wooyoung got too rough for San's throat to take the abuse via Seonghwa any longer, Yunho pressed him face down onto the blankets and snapped his hips into the sobbing man.

Seonghwa was choked up, but he found the might to cradle Mingi's features with delicate fingers to pull him in for a kiss. The one-eyed man drunk up Seonghwa's moans as if they fuelled him.

The stifling air smelled of sex, and Hongjoong's body protested against him just standing at the wall to observe. It wanted to become part of the winding, writhing pile of men and find its own satisfaction, but he didn't allow it.

Wooyoung's tanned hands contrasted with Seonghwa's pale hips as the man jerked Seonghwa to meet his every thrust. Only the necklace with the ring shone on the lookout's fight-trained and scarred body.

Hongjoong's eyes swiped from Wooyoung to the scar on San's hip, lost in memories. The men who once hated each other tried so hard now to please Seonghwa. As Wooyoung rammed inside of the pliant man to serve them both, however, Seonghwa suddenly scrambled to dig his fingers into his hand on his waist.

"Wait-"

Alert, Hongjoong pushed off the wall, about to step in. Seonghwa's face was still contorted in pleasure, but his lips trembled as they tried to form words.

"I can't- Go easy, my bladder is sensitive ever since."

Wooyoung slowed for a moment to check on him and found Seonghwa still yearned for his touch. The moment a shrewd smirk spread across his lips, Hongjoong sunk back against the wall.

Seonghwa's eyes widened when Wooyoung slammed back in and purposefully angled his thrusts towards the man's prostate. Rich pleasure mixed with desperation to hold back in Seonghwa's brow. He bit his lips, his noises stifled as his arousal dribbled fluid on the tabletop.

"Be it? Ye still 'ave a long evenin' ahead o' ye. Perhaps I could 'elp ye let go?" Wooyoung whispered in Seonghwa's ear. Their skin slapped together as he abused Seonghwa's bladder until Seonghwa couldn't hold back anymore with his helpless body.

"No, Woo-" The weak plea mixed with a moan of undulating pleasure as Seonghwa ceased his bashful resistance.

Hongjoong watched how Seonghwa crumbled and wet the blankets. It wasn't a lot since the need to pee had got stronger ever since his body believed to be pregnant, but he didn't drink as much as the urge would suggest.

Still, Seonghwa sobbed into his hand, tears collecting in his eyes from humiliation. His body trembled like that of a foal, nearly collapsing from how good he felt at the unexpected event. Wooyoung snickered and stroked him until Seonghwa was comfortable again and could adjust over the dark spot on the blanket. The lookout quickened his pace, particularly fired up by having got Seonghwa to let loose for him.

Aroused by the spectacle of vulnerability, the crew cooed at Seonghwa's debauched state. They muttered praises and compliments at him, calling him beautiful, calling him precious, all while he brokenly moaned their names since he received so much love but could not split himself into six pieces to respond to it all.

A sheen of sweat shimmered on Seonghwa's skin when Wooyoung drove into him for the last few times. His eyes fluttered shut, head sinking against Seonghwa's shoulder when he spilled inside.

"Rogerin' a pregnant person be- ah, phenomenal," he breathed. After he had kissed Seonghwa over his shoulder, he slipped away to sit down and rest his exhausted legs.

Seonghwa stretched his hand out for Jongho while Hongjoong observed the trickle of Wooyoung's come running down the inside of Seonghwa's thigh.

"Me?" Jongho let go of Yeosang to blink at Seonghwa in confusion.

"If ye want," Seonghwa whispered with reddened lips. "I want ye to stuff me as full as possible."

Jongho gulped. A silent agreement between him and Yeosang had Hongjoong chuckle. The captain adjusted his arousal in his pants.

Jongho could enter Seonghwa's body without trouble. The wet squelches were heightened by Wooyoung's seed in Seonghwa. Since all of them were already pent up, Jongho set a quick pace from the beginning. His muscular arms held Seonghwa as he rammed into him. Between Seonghwa's fingers overflowed high-pitched moans.

San was the next to come. He pushed himself up with his last strength to take Seonghwa into his mouth again, only to fall apart between Seonghwa and Yunho mewling as Yunho jerked him off until he spilt on the nasty blankets. Afterward, San stayed in position to let himself get used by the two to get off while his eyes rolled back into his skull.

Jongho hooked one of Seonghwa's legs over his arm and balanced their bodies with one hand on the table as he thrust into him. Shivering and trembling, Seonghwa held onto him with one hand while the other treaded through Mingi's hair as the red-haired man sucked marks onto Seonghwa's chest.

"Comin'-" Seonghwa warned them seconds before his head flew back and dark hair spread over Jongho's shoulder. His breathless sounds reached their peak as his hips stuttered between both places of stimulation.

San swallowed dutifully and pulled off after to slump to the ground. His noises were the loudest as Yunho slammed into him a few more times until he came as well. He picked San up to take him with him without parting their bodies as they sat down next to Wooyoung. San melted into their affection as he sleepily rested on Yunho's shoulder.

Hongjoong's eyes were on Seonghwa. Now that fewer people hovered around him, the radiance of his skin became more apparent. He concentrated on jerking off Mingi, whose deep grunts got breathless smiles out of Seonghwa every so often.

Jongho was about to finish as well. The muscles in his arms and back flexed as he used Seonghwa as if he weighed nothing.

Moments later, Jongho stilled with a shuddering groan. He was reluctant to part from the tight hold Seonghwa had on his body. More white gushed out of Seonghwa as Jongho helped him to place his leg on the soiled table for stability. He soothed Seonghwa's overwhelmed sobs by wiping his tears and assuring him it was fine.

Jongho dragged Yeosang with him to finish him while Seonghwa made Mingi come with his hands. He licked up the splatters that landed on his lips before he stilled for a moment, heaving. The crew watched him with rapt attention, hunger, and the readiness to serve shining in their dark eyes.

When Seonghwa lifted his head, he searched for someone.

Hongjoong's breath got stuck in his throat when their eyes met and he was struck once more by Seonghwa's beauty. Those glistening, wet eyes that carried the stars and Hongjoong's world curled when Seonghwa smiled breathlessly. He was covered in come and dirty from head to toe, but Hongjoong did not linger for even a second when Seonghwa beckoned him to come closer.

Hongjoong stumbled into Seonghwa's arms. When their lips met, the world was complete. The stars aligned just for them and no dark magic in the world could part them.

"Be ye jolly?" Hongjoong whispered against the other man's lips without ever stepping back. Seonghwa inhaled the words, and they made him chuckle.

"I be. Will ye do me, as well? I would like ye to." Playful fingers tugged on the waistband of Hongjoong's pants. He was rock hard underneath, and he knew he would come the moment he touched Seonghwa.

"Want me to scuttle ye once more? Me pregnant wife?"

"I do."

With a hum, Hongjoong moved behind Seonghwa's body, that was propped up so enticingly. His lips found Seonghwa's shoulder to kiss the heated skin as he plunged in.

Seonghwa was warm in his arms, his body used to their dynamic as he pushed back into Hongjoong's every thrust. Despite the first unusual tameness of the entire crew ever since Seonghwa got pregnant, the satisfaction sprouting in both of their chests like flowers in full bloom was immense.

When Hongjoong came inside to mix with Jongho's and Wooyoung's traces, Seonghwa groaned at the fullness. He slumped into Hongjoong's arms to let the crew pamper him. His tired smiles as he got all the kisses he wanted radiated such cosiness Hongjoong did not doubt that fulfilling Seonghwa's fantasies of carrying his child was one of the greatest gifts he had ever given his lover.

-

Things got to a point when moving became increasingly difficult for Seonghwa. His stomach was in the way a lot of the time and even if he had no weight in it that dragged him down, the constant feeling of tension restricted him. He spent most of his days in bed reading or drawing, but he still enjoyed Hongjoong holding him during the nights as they both pretended it was their sex Seonghwa needed to stay pregnant, not the tea Yongguk had provided.

Hongjoong stood at the wheel and bickered with San, who was very invested in the Pirate Prince carrying the Pirate King's child when they spotted a navy flag on the horizon.

"Jack Tar!" Wooyoung yelled at the same time Hongjoong unhooked his spyglass from his belt to check on the ship. It was a single one, either a patrol or a scout ship, that cut the peaceful waters. The enemy had spotted them already, and the panic breaking out at the recognition of their flag curled the corners of Hongjoong's lips.

"All men to their weapons!" Hongjoong's call sent his crew members into a flurry. They raced past each other to ready the cannons, snatched their guns and sabres, and shoved barrels and crates aside to make room for the fight.

Hongjoong stood in his coat and with his weapons on his belt, as always. He peered over his shoulder when Yeosang stretched his head into the cabin to inform Seonghwa of the attack. The man had been feverish these past few days and complained about cramps that came with the last few days of his pregnancy. Though he wouldn't give birth to anything, Hongjoong wondered what would happen once he reached that peak.

Seonghwa's thin voice was confident as he wished them good luck.

Cannon fire welcomed the navy ship as it aligned with the pirates out of duty. Foolish hope to win the fight glimmered in the soldier's eyes until they found the crew armed to the teeth with weapons and with bloodlust pooling in their eyes.

Hongjoong's crew was particularly invested in protecting their pregnant mate and they relished in the screams of men ripped apart by cannon and bullet fire. Blood bathed the navy ship red before they sent out their forlorn hope squad to take at least a few pirates with them on their way to Davy Jones' locker.

Gunfire from Yeosang and Wooyoung hailed upon them. Yunho stood at the helm in front of the captain's cabin, blunderbuss in hands as he shot down the soldiers dangling on their ropes. Their shredded bodies dropped into the ocean, licking between the two ships to feed the sharks.

Hongjoong's whip slashed left and right. He stood in the centre of his ship, barely moving as his crew protected him from fire. Again and again his whip cracked through the air to shave people's weapons out of their hands or to drag them in so he could slit their throats. On his blood-caked heels, he towered between them as they bled out at his feet.

The enemy ship's shipwright was a sight to behold. He was a broad, burly man who knocked off Jongho as if he were a kitten when the man stormed at him with his fists poised to carve in his skull. Under drawn brows, Hongjoong watched how Jongho knocked into a couple of barrels and got sent sprawling to the ground. He flailed about, Wooyoung hurrying to his aid while the shipwright advanced. Sweat glistened on his bald head as his narrow eyes focused on the nonchalant pirate captain.

Hongjoong flicked back his whip and beckoned him to come closer with his fingers. His cheeky grin brought a bout of rage over the shipwright as he stormed the plank to access Hongjoong.

Yunho hurried to switch to his sabre and fought off the sailors that tried to make use of Hongjoong's distraction. However, just as Hongjoong readied his wrists to strike, the shipwright suddenly turned right and jumped up the stairs. His thundering steps brought him right to the cabin the pirates had protected so conspicuously.

With a curse on his lips, Hongjoong ran after him. By the time he swung over the railing, the shipwright had ripped the door open, his sword raised to strike into whatever was inside. He froze in his movement, eyes bulging out of his head in terror when he laid sight on the pregnant man resting on the bed. To him, Seonghwa must have looked like a freak of nature.

"By God-" Before the shipwright got to sneer at Seonghwa, a shot sounded from inside the cabin. The bullet hit his forearm, knocking his weapon out of his hand at the same moment Hongjoong scaled the massive man's back to wrap his legs around his shoulders. Howling, the man ducked, trying to shake Hongjoong off and whirling around to pick up his weapon in his good hand.

Hongjoong held on to his chin as he checked inside of the cabin, making sure Seonghwa was alright.

The vice-captain rested on the bed, gun having sunken to his side now that Hongjoong showed up. His book was discarded, and the blankets bunched around his feet where he had kicked them off. He writhed in discomfort, his glassy eyes lidded in his flushed face. Under his wide shirt, he cradled his soft chest and full stomach.

"Ye alright, sugar?" Hongjoong asked while he slung the whip around the shipwright's neck, pulling it taut. The man gagged, collapsing on one knee as he tried to throw Hongjoong off. Hongjoong rode him like a wild horse as he slashed his sword at his knee tendons, forcing the man to kneel entirely.

"Joong," Seonghwa breathed, pain filtering into his voice. When his hand dipped between his legs to reach for his throbbing arousal, Hongjoong's lips curled into a smile.

From blue lips and red eyes, the shipwright tried to spit an insult at Seonghwa, but Hongjoong didn't let him. He dropped his sword to ram a knife into the man's side and caught himself on his back when the man crashed to the floor. A shaky hand pushed him up to all fours while his bloodied fingers desperately hauled on the whip's grip.

"Do ye enjoy this, sugar? Did our child make ye bloodthirsty?" Hongjoong crooned. He licked his lips as he watched how Seonghwa stared at the dying man, his fingers slipping to his entrance.

When Seonghwa bit his lip and dropped the head against the pillows, Hongjoong ended it. His knife cut a bloody smile into the man's throat and he gargled on his own blood as he collapsed. Hongjoong stood, eyes wide with madness, as he glanced out on the deck.

His crew had calmed, searching the enemy ship for what it was worth. Blood and guts covered both decks that were saturated by ghostly silence.

Hongjoong turned and shed his dirtied coat while he neared Seonghwa. The man's fingers weakly moved inside, never enough to satisfy him.

Hongjoong crawled onto the bed, still in his boots, as he had no time to open the laces. His fingers left bloody imprints on Seonghwa's hips as he hauled him closer on his baby blanket. When his fingers slapped Seonghwa's hands away, the man keened.

Not leaving him to wait, Hongjoong pressed the pad of his thumb to the man's entrance. He found it wet, much wetter than the oil would make him. A pool of weird slick had gathered under Seonghwa's bottom and stained his precious fur.

"You're so wet," Hongjoong whispered, awed. When his thumb tugged on Seonghwa's soft rim, his fluttering entrance pushed out another glob of clear slick.

"I think it's- ah- whatever Yongguk planned as an equivalent of giving birth." Tears shimmered in Seonghwa's eyes, but they weren't pained. Hongjoong kissed them away while he undid his breeches. The sight of Seonghwa feverish and leaking in their sheets had him painfully hard, and he didn't care for the red smears he left on his lover's body as he plunged deep inside.

"To the depths... I've never felt ye this wet before." The pressure of Seonghwa's body was heavenly and more and more squelching slick awaited Hongjoong inside. His shallow thrusts were nasty, and they had Seonghwa writhing on the sheets as his hands clawed at anything he could reach.

"More, please- Please-" Seonghwa begged, body spasming as he clamped down on Hongjoong. His back arched, pushing his swollen breast at Hongjoong when the captain leaned over him. As his hips snapped into his lover to worship his feverish beauty, the adrenaline from the fight spiked in his blood. Hongjoong growled, hands digging into Seonghwa's hips as his animalistic instincts took care of his desire to help his pregnant precious through his birth.

Slick gushed out of Seonghwa at every thrust, and his mewls filled the room to travel outside onto the blood-soaked deck. Hongjoong's heels dug into the bed, every thrust driving him impossibly further into Seonghwa's welcoming heat.

Seonghwa came untouched, but neither of them stopped. As come splattered over his chest, his erection never softened, and Hongjoong jabbed at his nerve points until the man sobbed for more.

Seonghwa's arms wrapped around Hongjoong's nape, holding him close as Hongjoong licked the salty tears off his cheeks. He plundered Seonghwa's open mouth until Seonghwa choked on his moans, nails scratching over Hongjoong's back from how deep he went.

Whimpers of Hongjoong's names and pleas for more tumbled from Seonghwa's lips. His eyes had rolled back in his head, no longer coherent from how good he felt.

Hongjoong cursed, holding back the need to come in his abdomen to scuttle Seonghwa into the sheets even harder.

When Hongjoong downed his lips onto the man's chest, Seonghwa jerked in his arms. His hands flew to Hongjoong's hair, his moan bordering a yell as Hongjoong tasted a foreign liquid on his tongue.

Surprised, he pulled back, never stopping his punitive thrusts into Seonghwa's divine body as he regarded the man's chest. A trickle of white pearls oozed from his nipple where Hongjoong had latched. Upon Hongjoong squeezing his chest, more came out and trailed over Seonghwa's tattooed sides.

In utter awe, Hongjoong slowed and stared up at Seonghwa's face. Tears and sweat streaked the man's face as he panted for air.

"Seonghwa, ye- Ye be makin' milk." Hongjoong whispered in awe. Upon Seonghwa's shaky nod, the pirate gazed upon his chest once more, smitten.

"Hongjoong," Seonghwa sobbed, unable to say more.

Hongjoong smiled at him reassuringly before he went feral.

His hips slammed into Seonghwa so deep the man's back arched with a surprised gasp. Vicious teeth dug into his chest when Hongjoong closed his lips around his sensitive nipple again and sucked, hard.

Seonghwa's hands ripped on his hair, yanked and squeezed at Hongjoong's shoulders as Hongjoong drank from him like a starving man. Seonghwa's keens penetrated the heady air and Hongjoong felt him come again when his neglected length twitched between them. He fell apart in Hongjoong's arms, his body spilling slick, milk, and semen as it came apart at the seams. The slide between them was so smooth Hongjoong nearly slipped out of him, but he bore deeper, trying to become one with Seonghwa's god-like body.

Hongjoong gulped down Seonghwa's milk, relishing in the taste that was like nothing he had ever tasted before. He swore it was heavenly simply because it came from Seonghwa. No other thought blessed his maddened mind. When one nipple appeared empty, he switched to the other one and pressed his face into the soft flesh Seonghwa offered to him.

"Joong- Captain- Please, I can't-"

Hongjoong dug his hands into Seonghwa's lips as he left bite marks that jerked through Seonghwa's entire body. His tiring hips kicked into their last sprint as he drove again and again into Seonghwa. Drool streaked over Seonghwa's cheek, adding to the mess they made as his hands fell from Hongjoong's shoulders, too weak to hold up. Instead, he clung to his blanket, his face contorted in pleasure.

As soon as Hongjoong wrapped a hand around Seonghwa, he came again. Pitiful spurts of come smeared on his stomach as he buried his head in the pillows. His leg strained against Hongjoong's grip and Hongjoong stretched it out next to his body, knowing Seonghwa tended to cramp after a while in this position.

When Hongjoong came, he flung back his sweaty hair. His orgasm made him shudder and cling to Seonghwa as if they would plummet into the ocean if he didn't. He felt winged from the throes of pleasure, as if he had gained supernatural powers. As if he could lift mountains and rocks, his body tensed up as he rode out his high.

He stayed locked inside of Seonghwa when he hauled his crying lover into a hug. Seonghwa clung to him, unable to express his overwhelming pleasure as they stayed joined.

Hongjoong put his lips on Seonghwa's chest again, going for another taste while Seonghwa shuddered in his arms. His stomach had lost some of its size, but the accumulated liquid inside of him the tea had assembled instead of a child still poured from him.

"That warlock be a mad lad," Hongjoong panted against Seonghwa's lips when they kissed. Seonghwa giggled weakly, putty in Hongjoong's arms, as they stuck to each other in their nasty cabin.

"'ow be ye feelin'?" Hongjoong inquired, worried he might have gone too far in his frenzy.

Seonghwa pulled him against his sticky body.

"'Appier than I've e'er been."

Relieved, Hongjoong rolled them into the sheets again to listen to Seonghwa's every demand as he helped him through the end of his pregnancy.

-

After a week, Seonghwa's body reverted to normal. He still produced milk that Hongjoong lapped up every evening, but according to Yeosang's readings, that was a feature Seonghwa's body had developed all by itself from the triggered pregnancy and not as part of Yongguk's promises. Seonghwa was awed and shy at the same time at the idea he could cultivate his body into doing that more often.

When Wooyoung had come up and cheekily asked for a taste, Hongjoong had shoved him away with a hiss.

It was all his. His Seonghwa. His beautiful, glowing husband.

Against Hongjoong's expectations, Seonghwa wasn't miserable about not getting a child. Just how he had promised; he enjoyed his pregnancy and the attention he got from it, but he lived calmly without the conventional payoff. Hongjoong was surprised to find that instead of Seonghwa, he was the one disappointed in the outcome.

In the past months, he had adored the idea of Seonghwa carrying his child so much he was upset there was none. His head was filled with possibilities of what could have been, how sweet their own kid would be, and if he should ask Yongguk once more if there truly was no option to have a child grow inside of Seonghwa.

Hongjoong stood at the stern of the ship and kicked his feet against the railing while he sulked to himself. His bond to Seonghwa was deeper than ever and the stars looked upon them fondly, but he felt the missing link like a painful hole in his heart. Despite being aware there never had been a child, he felt as if Seonghwa had lost it and as if their attempt had failed.

He knew not to bother Seonghwa with this. Seonghwa had got his wish and Seonghwa hadn't stopped smiling for days. The entire crew was in love with his basking.

Steps behind Hongjoong alerted him of his husband's arrival. With a sigh, he schooled his face and looked out over the sea with his usual wistful gaze, pretending it wasn't because of a different reason.

Seonghwa leaned next to him and stared with him into the endless blue spread. He wore his regular light coat now that it fit him again without his stomach keeping him from closing it. As usual, he looked gorgeous and Hongjoong didn't find it in him to diminish his delight.

"A penny fer yer thoughts, captain?"

Hongjoong hummed.

"Just thinkin' about future plans an' treasure 'unts," he lied. The words came over his lips effortlessly, though his eyes remained detached.

"Ye been thinkin' about future plans an' treasure 'unts so much these days I feel I have nay seen ye fer a week."

With a chuckle, Hongjoong turned to look at Seonghwa. The ever so warm eyes of his husband contrasted with his horrific scars and the intimidating darkness of his brows. Hongjoong was deeply in love with everything about him.

"I apologise. I did nay want ye to feel alone."

Seonghwa stemmed his hands onto the railing and breathed in the ocean air. The wind played with his dark curls and whipped them left and right.

"I never feel lonely on this ship. Them mates know to entertain me," Seonghwa assured him. Still, the crease of worry had yet to recede from his brows.

When Hongjoong scoffed, Seonghwa's lips curled into a crooked grin. His hand with his ring inched closer to Hongjoong's to lock their pinkies together on the railing. His finger charmingly wound around the stump.

"'Ungry mutts, all o' em. They act as if they be drownin' e'en when they 'ave each other."

Hongjoong turned his head to glare at the deck. He spotted Yunho and Mingi playing cards and tumbling into each other's sides with laughter, Yeosang trying to chat up Jongho while leaning against the mast awkwardly, and Woosan making out in the crow's nest. What liars they were, thirsting after Seonghwa as if he were the only person on board.

Seonghwa's finger squeezed Hongjoong's affectionately.

"They just be in love with their captain an' their crew as much as they love the sea."

Hongjoong turned back towards Seonghwa and his tender smile. With a sigh, he looked out over the ocean again.

"'Ow about we visit yer mother an' Tikki? I'll figure out our next treasure 'unt until then."

"I would like that."

Hongjoong did not have to mourn a child that would never exist. He had a child, one Seonghwa claimed as his own and adored with all of his heart. Seeing them with each other would soothe Hongjoong's wildly beating heart, as he liked the idea of Seonghwa with his child more than he had anticipated originally.

Now that they were back on track, they had many other treasures to find and secrets to explore. Hongjoong knew that no matter how temporary his moping was now, Seonghwa would find new ways to entice him and rob Hongjoong's every bit of sanity for how much he loved his Pirate Prince.