Yixing rely a couple minutes later with a fairly tall man who looked roughly the same age as Jongin. His hair was a soft brown color, a little bit lighter than Jongin's own. Jongin thought he seemed like a nice guy. He also made note that this person was also very attractive. 

Yixing smiled brightly as he just about pushed the guy further into the room. “Jongin this is Mark, Mark, Jongin.” 

Both Mark and Jongin smiled meekly at each other while exchanging small hellos. Yixing seemed to smile wider at their interaction as he clapped his hands together, looking at both boys in the process. “Well I'll just leave you two alone to get better acquainted with one another. See you both in the dining hall when you're ready.” 

Without another word Yixing was gone. At first neither Mark or Jongin said a word. They both weren't entirely sure where to start with each other. Mark was looking down and Jongin thought he saw blush spreading across his cheeks. Just the thoughts of why Mark could possibly be blushing made Jongin blush as well. “Are you hungry?” Mark asked. 

“Maybe a little… I just mostly feel tired, I want to rest a little more.” Jongin replied, still looking down. 

“I'm not entirely sure where you'll be sleeping for the night, but you're welcome to come to my room if you'd like. It's not much of an upgrade from here, but it’s a little more homey than medical. Plus Bambam spends most of his time in Yugyeom and a Sehun’s room so there's a bed that's hardly ever used so I'm sure he won't mind you spending just one night. You know, if you want.”  

Jongin considered declining the offer because he didn't want to sleep in a stranger's room, however he really didn't want to stay in this small room any longer. Jongin looked up for the first time in their conversation and looked directly at Mark. He couldn't help but smile at the hopefulness that the other’s face had shown. “Okay.” Jongin said.

Mark also smiled as he calmly walked to Jongin's side. Mark helped the younger to stand on somewhat shaky legs, keeping his hands and arms ready to catch Jongin just in case those shaky legs gave out. Jongin smiled at the gesture, somewhat shocked, but also thankful that Mark was being so caring to someone he didn't know. Yes, Mark certainly seemed nice. 

***

Jongin was definitely happy that he chose into move to Mark's room. It was much larger than medical and indeed more comfortable, but what Jongin noticed the most was there were windows. Jongin couldn't help but immediately feel both warm and grateful as he looked around the room. There wasn't much in the way of stuff; a couple of shelves that seemed mostly empty save for a few little things, one large dresser in the center of the room, two mirrors placed on opposite ends of the room and finally two beds. The beds looked kind of small, Jongin guessed they weren't that much larger from the bed in the medical room. “This is it.” Mark said. “I know it's not much, but it's the only room with more than one window aside from the captain’s.” 

Jongin smiled gently, but didn't move from his place. Mark was confused by this at first until he suddenly realized why Jongin wasn't moving. He didn't know where to go. “Right, I'm sorry…” Mark chuckled as he spoke. Charming. Jongin thought. Mark pointed to the bed on the right side of the room and helped Jongin to it as much as he could without feeling as though he were in the younger boy's way. 

Jongin thanked him quietly as he settled in a sitting position. The bed in here was far more comfortable than the bed in the medical room and for that, Jongin was incredibly thankful. His back felt so stiff from lying on that bed with minimal movement for so long. 

Mark stood near Jongin, but he was sure he remained at a distance that seemed comfortable. He was content watching a seemingly happy Jongin stare out the small window. Mark liked the way the light from outside flowed into the room to sparkle on Jongin's skin. He thought the way Jongin admired the outside with that small smile and wonder filled expression was one of the most amazing things he's ever seen. 

Mark would've been happy watching Jongin like this for the rest of forever if, he hadn't suddenly remembered he was going to tell Yixing Jongin was in his room. He snapped out of his daze and stood up straight. “Jongin,” Jongin looked at Mark when he heard his voice. “I should go tell Yixing you're here, he’ll get worried if I don't. Are you...okay?” 

Jongin giggled at the expression Marl wore; as if we were afraid that Jongin would turn to sand the moment he turned his back on him. When Jongin nodded Mark smiled and left in a hurry. Jongin thought maybe it was because he wanted to return quicker. 

Jongin enjoyed this moment. He liked the way the sea looked at night. This was the closest he's ever been to it and it was even more amazing that anything he had ever dreamed of. Jongin absolutely loved the way the small waves crashed on the boat, swaying it ever so gently one wouldn't even notice if they weren't looking for it. The stars shimmered in the sky and reflected their light off the surface of the water and Jongin swore he could see little fish anywhere where there was light. 

Suddenly Jongin felt a wave of sleepiness wash over his body, compelling him to lie down. He was somewhat reluctant to look away from the waves, but he found comfort in the fact that he wasn't alone, Mark would return soon. 

*** 

When Mark did return, he found Jongin curled under the unused blanket Bambam stole from Mark’s bed months ago. Mark recalled Bambam saying, blanket has character and would add something flashy to his bed. Mark was still baffled at how Bambam cared so much about the bed that he never slept in.

Mark smiled at the sleeping boy and decided it was probably a good time for him to sleep as well. He was just about ready, he'd done everything in his nightly routine, he pulled his shirt over his head and approached his bed when he heard footsteps. He turned around to see none other than Bambam standing in the doorway. “Bed time already?” Bambam said. 

“Jongin was tired and so I am.” 

“Did you give away my bed?” Bambam asked.

“Can you call it yours if you don't sleep in it? You and Yugyeom practically share a bed, I didn't think you'd notice if Jongin slept here for the night.” 

“You mean for the next two weeks?” 

Mark looked quizzically at Bambam, who simply chuckled at him. “We're heading to the eastern lands. Somewhere around Chansai I think.” 

This was new information to Mark but he did his best to play it off as if the news didn't concern him. He hummed to which Bambam smiled. “You're excited you get to spend more time with Jongin aren't you?”

“No.” Yes. 

“You'd rather have him in here than me though right?” 

“Of course, you're annoying and you steal my things. Jongin is quiet and peaceful.” And beautiful and sweet.

Bambam chuckled and his heel to leave, however he quickly looked back at Mark before he was gone. “Be careful. This, him… don't do anything you'll regret.” 

With that Bambam was gone. Mark wasn't entirely sure what exactly Bambam meant, but he decided that it would be for the best to just forget about it. Besides it's not like he liked Jongin as anything, he barely knew him. Mark was simply just being nice because he knew Jongin had been through a lot. 

Mark laid down and got as comfortable as he could and closed his eyes. Normally Mark could fall asleep within a few minutes, but right now he couldn't stop tossing and turning. It wasn't more than maybe 10 minutes later Mark decided he definitely couldn't sleep with everything on his mind and gave up trying. He stayed up staring at the ceiling in a peaceful state until he was entire caught up in his own thoughts. Mark found that all of his thoughts revolved around one particular person who was currently sleeping soundly on a bed just a few feet away from him. His thoughts were mostly the same; Jongin is beautiful. Jongin is sweet. Jongin is cute. I want to know him better. I hope he wants to know me better too. 

Just then, Mark heard the sound of soft whispering. Mark had to completely stop moving and even stop his breathing to make sure someone was actually speaking and it wasn't simply in his dreams. Mark rolled over in his bed to face the one Jongin was in. “Jongin is that you?” Mark asked. 

“Did I wake you up?” Jongin asked the quietest voice he could. 

“No, I haven't been able to sleep.” Mark replied. 

Oh. Jongin thought, thinking he'd voiced it out loud. The two sat in silence for a moment before Jongin spoke up again. “Um… Mark?” 

“Yes?” 

“Um, well I-I know it's late probably, but i-if you didn't mind I'm really hungry now all of the sudden.” 

Jongin couldn't see what face Mark was making, but he was still terrified of his silence. “If you want we can go down to the dining hall and maybe cook something really fast…?” 

Jongin smiled even though he was fairly certain that Mark couldn't see him. 

***

When they entered the dining Jongin took a seat at the table closest to the wall and furthest from the door, but still keeping a clear line of vision into the hall. It was dark, so Jongin couldn't see much, but he felt most comfortable here just in case something happened. When Mark saw his choice he chuckled. “That's where I always sit too.” 

Jongin blushed and looked down. “I don't really know how to cook anything except eggs…” Mark said looking around. 

Jongin giggled. “Go for it.” 

With the go ahead Mark began cooking. He smiled and hummed while he stirred things. Jongin smiled as Mark danced around while grabbing different things. Jongin thought he moved with a certain skill, perhaps not dance skill, something akin to it. Jongin wasn't sure what got into him when he said, “You move beautifully.” 

He immediately began blushing and looked away from Mark, who also had a tinge of pink fanning across his cheeks. The two sat in silence for a few moments until suddenly Mark realized his eggs were on the edge of burning. He yelled out for them and immediately began running around trying to salvage his eggs. 

When he had finally gotten the eggs safely onto two separate plates he walked towards Jongin, who was laughing and smiling so wide his eyes were in a cute crescent shape. Mark set down the plates, chuckling. “It's not funny. We could've burned the whole ship down. Not mention the eggs.” 

At this comment Jongin only laughed harder. Jongin's laugh seemed to be infectious and Mark couldn't help but laugh along with him. 

After a few more moments of that, the two calmed themselves down enough to catch their breaths. Jongin looked down at the eggs he honestly forgot about in his fit of laughter, then grabbed the fork he didn't notice Mark set down and began eating, rather quickly. “You should slow down. You could choke.” 

“I feel like I haven't eaten in days-no, years!” Jongin replied, continuing to eat until there wasn't anything left on his plate. 

When both of them were finished, they just sat in silence. “Mark?” 

Mark looked up only to see Jongin still looking down. “Yes?” 

“Why are you being so kind? Aren't you...a pirate?” 

“Ha, kinda. We call ourselves pirates because it's the only name that explains what we do. All the pillage and such though, we don't really do that. The Black Pearl has a reputation to it, not a good one, but it's all stories so much as I can tell. Chanyeol makes us pay for things and we've never boarded another ship without reason and we follow pretty much all the laws required of a ship, except when it comes to docking, Chanyeol has us dock wherever he wants. No one argues because, we call ourselves pirates and this ship has a lot of stories attached to it.” 

“Oh. Have you ever been a real pirate. Like with all the pillage and such?” 

Mark shook his head. Jongin nodded and looked up. “So how did you end up on this ship?” 

“I'm actually fairly new to it, the rest of the crew has at least six months on me.” Mark paused and his brows furrowed for a moment before he continued. “There was an original crew of only seven; Chanyeol, Baekhyun, Junior, Jaebum, Lay, Jackson and Xiumin. They added more when the rumors started to get worse and people wanted to attack. I was a prisoner on another ship when Chanyeol found me. Lay saved my life, kinda like how he did for you.” 

Jongin noticed how Mark looked down and gently traced a couple fingers over his forearm. “I'm sorry.” Jongin said softly. 

“Don't be.” Mark looked up and smiled. “That stuff is all in the past. I'm okay now. Besides, you got stabbed like less than 24 hours ago. How's that feeling by the way?” 

“Yixing put this weird cream on me that made me think of mint, but really strongly, but not because of how it smelled more like like how it felt, now I feel fine.” 

Mark smiled. Jongin smiled back. 

***

Their conversations went on for some time after that, though neither of them seemed to notice the passing of time. When finally Jongin and Mark decided they should sleep the sun was already beginning to rise. 

Back in Mark’s room Jongin climbed under the his blanket and drifted off quickly. Mark glanced at the already sleeping boy and smiled as he too fell asleep. 

Sometime later that night Mark was awoken by the feeling of rustling in his bed. He felt something warm next to him and when he looked down there was a person. Mark had to wait a moment to let his eyes adjust to the dim light in the room before he could clearly make out who was now lying in his bed. Dark hair, golden skin, Jongin was lying asleep in Mark's bed. At first Mark was concerned and slightly afraid of this, but after looking at the peaceful form of the other he couldn't bring himself to awake the younger. Mark glanced at the shut door to his room then, back at Jongin. After a moment he allowed himself to be overcome with sleep once again.