One black ship floated on the serene and windless sea, slowly and soundlessly drifting on the waters and basking in the morning sunlight. The ship, with its grandiose stature, was home to one of the most successful and feared sea-dwellers known in history - the crews of The White Victory. On the black body of mass stood Sungmin, watching the reflection of the sun shimmering on the glassy waters as he performed his morning exercise routines before anyone else was awake.

“I need to check with Donghae about the directions,” Sungmin muttered to himself as he stretched his back, holding the railings and focusing on the tensions that ran through his body.

On a usual day, he would be accompanied by Shindong, the chef, to exercise, but today was an exception. It was Shindong's birthday, and thus - according to the rules that the crews abided by on their ship - he could be asleep until whenever he wished. Being pirates, their lives revolved around waking up early, and so the special days were appreciated by all eight crew members of The White Victory.

It was also common knowledge that Heechul valued his so-called ‘beauty sleep’ the most out of them, and Sungmin couldn’t help but chuckle as he remembered the oldest mumbling “lucky ” the previous night, non-serious envy hinted within his words.

Ryeowook also cared much about his health, but he was always the early riser, much like Sungmin himself. Sungmin shared many similar values with the younger, and though he wasn’t the type to have close relationships with others, he always enjoyed the younger’s company.

Of course, there's others, Sungmin thought as he threw his arms over his head and began stretching his arms. Like a certain Lee Hyukjae and Lee Donghae, who were basically attached by the hips.

Sungmin halted his actions as he heard a faint sound of a door shutting behind him.

“Hyung?” a soft voice sounded from the stairs leading to the main deck, and Sungmin turned around to see a young boy stretch his arms and yawn. He smiled to himself as Ryeowook made his way up to the main deck.

“Good morning, Ryeowook-ah.” Sungmin smiled at the younger, who reciprocated the action.

After briefly thinking about a conversation-starter, Sungmin turned to the younger again, who was checking the masts to see if they were in good condition. “Hey, I bet five pieces if Hyukjae wakes up later than Shindong today,” Sungmin challenged.

“I don’t know, hyung. Five silver pieces seem to be quite a lot for a simple bet.” Ryeowook laughed lightly, his gaze shifting from the sails to his captain but hands continuing to feel the wooden pillars.

gold“Five pieces.” Sungmin smirked mischievously.

The younger gasped playfully. “You aren’t serious.”

“Try me,” Sungmin replied.

As the others slowly emerged from their rooms (Sungmin had sworn loudly, but comically, when Hyukjae popped up from behind Youngwoon - Ryeowook gave an amused chuckle and happily received the five pieces of gold) and started their day on the ship, Sungmin thought of the next few weeks and their current objectives. He had to check the library for more information on the deed, the captain sighed. But first, the matter at hand was that they needed food for the birthday feast arranged for the evening.

“Alright, we’re docking at the northeast port of Moonsbay Island. Our main target: food supplies. Can you do that, Donghae?” Sungmin ordered to the sailing master, who stood on the crow’s nest looking over the seemingly endless continuation of the clear sea.

Aye aye, “cap’ain,” Donghae mockingly replied, gazing down from where he stood as he did a two-finger salute.

Hyukjae rolled his eyes from below. “Watch your mouth, Sea Artist. You’re gonna tick off Captain if you keep talking like .”

“You’re telling me to watch my mouth? Besides, it’s Sailing Master, you dimwit,” Donghae retorted, cheeks puffing and lips forming the slightest pout.

“Aww, is wittle Donghae upsweat?” Hyukjae cooed.

“Sod off, monkey.”

Sungmin could only chuckle at the encounter. It wasn't a rare sight to see them going at each other’s heads, constantly arguing about something (“I call you Sea Artist because it’s damn hilarious imagining you as an artist,” Hyukjae sniggered. “SAILING MASTER,” the other replied forcefully. Hyukjae laughed some more, resulting in a loud smack to resonate and Hyukjae rubbing his left shoulder tenderly.), and Sungmin couldn’t help but be a little jealous of their close friendship. Perhaps I’m lonely, the captain thought. After this quest, I’ll take a break to find someone significant in my life.

-

When Shindong finally showed up to the main deck, the sun was already high above everyone’s heads, and most of them were getting ready to dock at Moonsbay. The cook yawned and stretched. “Guys, am I still on cooking today? I mean, it's not such a big deal but it's my birthday today, so -”

“Don't worry, hyung. I've got that all covered up!” Ryeowook chirped from the side, showing Shindong the bundle of vegetables - where did that come from? Sungmin pondered - that he clutched firmly in his hands.

Heechul, appearing out of nowhere, hooked an arm around Shindong and pointed at the sky. “It’s such a nice day, Shindong-ah. You know, I’ve learned a few recipes from Hangeng that I thought I could -”

eating one of your - or as you claim it to be Geng not“HYUNG, NO!” Ryeowook abruptly screamed, eyes widening with fear of the trauma; an incident that happened a few years ago. “We are absolutely hyung’s - cooking ‘extravaganza’, especially on Shindong hyung’s birthday!”

Heechul rolled his eyes, a sarcastic retort at the tip of his tongue. Although Heechul absolutely knew that his cooking adventures never ended without a screech of horror from at least two of their crew - and a burnt pan to go with it - his intentions were good… most of the times. However, he was too slow to word his defense and was drowned out by Donghae’s excited voice.

“Moonsbay, here we come!” Donghae shouted, a wide smile painted on his face. Sungmin, who was watching the whole scene with Heechul and Ryeowook unfold before him, averted his gaze to Hyukjae, who was looking up at Donghae with a small smile dancing on his lips. The captain ran his fingers through his hair and nodded knowingly.

) and all of the crew members flooded out of the ship towards the bay where many merchants had their stands and shops open. ,” Donghae said, and Sungmin could only nod in agreement. “It’s just, you know? Always worrying.”ages“Captain, I’ve done this for The anchoring of the ship was successful (Moonsbay was exceptionally famous for their technology of preserved food, which Sungmin found useful in their journeys. The captain commanded the others to scatter around to purchase food from different stalls, and to meet back at the ship in time for takeoff.

Shindong approached a crusty food stal