Seonghwa awoke somewhere in the middle of the night to a painful pull in his lower body, making a little noise in protest. When he blearily lifted his head to look around he was still alone in that cabin of Hongjoong's and it was also still dark out. He gave another confused whine when the pain did not stop, scrambling over to lit a lantern.

He checked his own body, finding no reasons as to why he could hurt this much but it did not stop at all, Seonghwa squirming against the pain.

So he went out to go find Yunho and ask him about it. He might have caught some dangerous sickness, who could know.

With pitiful little steps he stepped over the deck, already focused on the scuttle when he noticed someone sitting leaned against a mast, snoring away peacefully. The pale moon fell on their red hair and Seonghwa had to grin despite his situation.

He waddled over, crouching down next to Mingi.

"Hey, Mingi. Wake up." He gently poked the other's shoulder until his eyelashes fluttered, a yawn escaping his lips.

"Why? Something wrong?" His voice was deep and groggy from sleep and Seonghwa's smile turned into a grimace when his guts clenched in pain again.

"What are you doing out here?"

"Guarding the ship, obviously. What about you, Princess Swab?"

He was such a great guard. Seonghwa felt very protected.

With a chuckle he ruffled the pirate's hair, making him whine and swat lazily at him.

"I can see that. I was going to search for Yunho, my stomach hurts.", he also explained himself, seeing Mingi regard him a bit more carefully.

"Are you pregnant again? Or is it more like hunger hurting?"

Seonghwa swatted at his shoulder, making the other man laugh again.

"No it's... I don't know there's no injury or blood, just pain."

Mingi blinked. And blinked again. Then he let his head fall back with a tired groan.

"Oh, Captain. He forgot to get you that posion, huh? Idiot."

"Poison?"

"Yeah, we had to drink posion in order to be able to kill those shadows. Don't ask me for details I don't know that creepy magic stuff. Let's get you some before he slices your neck too by accident."

Mingi stood up with a groan about how old he was, leading the way back to the cabin.

So it was the other Seonghwa's pain. But why... It felt odd. It was a pain shooting all through his groin in certain intervals. I did not seem like he was being killed.

It rather felt like the exact thing he had been talking about not that long ago. Like a painful round of sex.

Seonghwa really tried not to go there, not to let his thoughts stray too far but he failed, a creeping seed of doubt settling in his heart. It felt ugly, the emotion seizing him and he quickly concentrated on Mingi and the clear drink he was handing him.

He had to trust Hongjoong.

"Feel better?"

The pain subsided within a few minutes but Seonghwa still felt numb, his head blocked.

"Yeah. Thanks for probably saving my life."

Mingi gave a bright grin.

"No problem, Matey! Try to rest some more, Captain has a lot to talk about with you." He stepped out again before Seonghwa could answer, probably going back to his very important job of manning the deck.

It took Seonghwa a while to fall asleep again.

-

When he awoke next the bright light of the sun was already streaming into the room, making Seonghwa groan. He turned around with a huff, facing the wall but his body collided with something soft, keeping him from it.

Seonghwa grumbled under his breath, carelessly throwing an arm over it to at least hug it close and bury his face within.

A throaty chuckle answered him.

"No, what a cutie you are. How could I even think for one second you were the evil one yesterday?"

Seonghwa gave a embarrassed groan, trying to move away only to get stopped when Hongjoong simply slid a leg between his, hooking it around one thigh tightly. He finally opened his eyes to look at the other, feeling him press a faint kiss against his shoulder.

"Since when did you know?" It felt natural as they wrapped closer around each other, sharing the protective warmth of their bodies underneath the blanket.

"Since I saw you flinching away from him. I expected those bastards to try and trick me with it at first but I know what you look like when you are forced to pretend to be something that you are not." Hongjoong had to laugh, accepting it easily when Seonghwa slid a hand into his hair. He started playing idly with those white strands, letting them slide between his fingers.

"Since when had you known that? The prince thing I mean."

Hongjoong turned to look at him and in a sudden impulse Seonghwa surged forwards to kiss that little pointy nose of his, pulling a surprised giggle out of his captain. Seonghwa retreated with a blush, yelping when Hongjoong pushed his arm underneath his neck suddenly and pulled him closer again.

A faint kiss was brushed on his forehead, Hongjoong's lips settling there while he murmured against Seonghwa's skin.

"I had my assumptions ever since you were really good at deck swabbing. What kind of prince cleans like that? But I was sure when you lifted me. Fool." He laughed again at the indignant squawk Seonghwa made. The baker pushed himself up on the other's chest a bit, looking down at him censoriously.

"What, that was like day two or something! You made me play this role all that time?"

"I think it was hilarious how Yeosang told you your hair grew from screaming and you screamed together because princes are like that, right?" He pulled Seonghwa closer, just laughing at his weak swats on the naked skin of the pirate's torso.

"Rude. Maybe I will think about going back again."

Hongjoong gave another chuckle, pressing a chaste kiss against his lips in apology. Seonghwa kept pouting.

"Why did you return in the first place? Miss me that much?" His eyes had that smug glint again and Seonghwa barely refrained from biting his ear. Maybe those earrings would taste good?

"I won't tell you. It's revenge. Because you were playing with my poor nerves like that. Why were you like this when you already decided to keep me despite my uselessness?!"

"A good question, my dear. As I told you, I have been wrapped around your fingers for a pretty long time. It might have been my motivation to keep you close. However that turned into a motivation to keep you safe, that's why I sent you home. And now look who couldn't live without me."

Seonghwa blushed a deep red, hiding his face in Hongjoong's neck. That confession was abrupt but what did he expect? This was a pirate and they were both men. Nobody here would court the other with flowers.

"I think it's the same for me but I needed that closeness to know you safe.", he mumbled into the other's skin barely audible, Hongjoong rustling around to get him to move away.

"What was that? I did not quite understand you." Oh he did. That smirk was way too obvious. Seonghwa gave him a dry look.

"I can't decide whether I want to shove you off the plank right now of kiss you."

"Can I pick?"

"Can you- No! Of course not!"

"Why don't I get a vote?! My ship!"

"Well my decision! You don't get to decide for me!"

"Oh? Alright then."

Seonghwa protested when Hongjoong suddenly turned him around, settling above his hips triumphant. Seonghwa glared at him, not daring yet to push him off.

Also Hongjoong had apparently been completely naked all this time and Seonghwa enjoyed the view way too much to stop him.

"Well I just decided I want you to make me feel it that you are back. You up for that?"

"Is this you trying to seduce me?"

Hongjong just smirked, grinding back against Seonghwa.

"Did it work?"

It did.

-

"I got a question."

Hongjoong hummed where he was settled against Seonghwa's chest, his heat making it unbearable to still cuddle up underneath a blanket.

"Yesterday... Did you sleep with the other Hwa? Before Mingi got me that poison I felt his pain still."

Hongjoong gave a long sigh at that, shuffling around in order to turn in Seonghwa's arms. They locked eyes, Seonghwa feeling unsure and a tiny bit too nosy. He did not care right? Yes, he might be jealous when Hongjoong did those things with other people but he himself? Ridiculous.

"If I told you I merely went in and sliced his neck on this very bed would you believe me?"

Seonghwa nodded slowly. After all Hongjoong did? Yes, probably.

"I spent enough time with him to know his tricks. He probably wanted me to distrust you again."

Hongjoong sighed heavily, stretching to whisper against Seonghwa's lips.

"Don't have that kind of faith in a pirate. I did do him. I repayed him all of the pain he made you feel, all despair. I forgot about that posion in my rage but I'm glad you found it before I ripped his spine out of his body."

Seonghwa shivered in his hold, leaning closer to catch his warmth again. Hongjoong soothed him with kisses, making him forget that coldness again quickly.

"Thanks for doing that."

"You are not scared? I killed a man with your face without hesitation." Hongjoong nuzzled into his hair, allowing Seonghwa to gently slide a leg between his in order to get closer.

"It does not matter. He was not me. He was some twisted and cruel man and I'm glad to know this does not keep you from killing him. Protecting you, it means protecting you from myself too."

Hongjoong hummed gently, cuddling up against his chest.

"I'm glad to be protected by a man as strong as you, dear Seonghwa."

"Hey. Don't mock me, this is about my ego too." Seonghwa pinched the soft flesh of his hip between his fingers, making Hongjoong squirm and yelp against him.

"What, no! You are strong! You lifted me so easily at that time. Had me fantasizing about you taking me against a wall for weeks." Hongjoong smirked again when Seonghwa shyly grinned, hiding his blush barely.

"You always make it sound as if you kept thinking about nothing else ever since you got to know me. I'm literally so boring. Nobody in my town was interested in some painfully shy and awkward virgin."

"They don't know what they've been missing. You are way more boring than they ever thought."

Seonghwa rolled them around at that, growling at him warningly. He playfully bit down on Hongjoong's collarbone, satisfied with himself when his laughter turned into a little breathless whine.

"If you ever go back everybody will throw themselves at you. You have much more to tell than those peasant boys now and-"

A careful knock from the door interrupted him in the middle of speaking, making both of them turn their heads to the door impatiently.

It was Jongho who carefully stuck his head in, one hand covering his tightly closed eyes.

"Captain, could you get decent real quick? We are being attacked."

Hongjoong rolled his eyes, however getting up quickly. With trained movements he slipped into some clothes, fastening his waistcoat and whip around his hips.

"Wait for me. When we are done out there we will cook up some huge meal and discuss matters with the crew."

Seonghwa had hid beneath the blankets, chasing Hongjoong's heat in the soft furs he was resting on.

"Alright. Try to not ruin the deck again. I will not eat with you before there are no more guts laying around outside.", he warned nagging, making Hongjoong laugh.

"We shall watch out for that."

With that he pulled the door shut behind him, making Seonghwa smile stupidly after him.

**********

Four chapters left~ Maybe five? Around that