[Trigger warning violent]

Water splash onto an unconscious man tied to a wooden chair. The man jerks violently yet the rope around his chest and limbs unable him to move. Water travels down his wounded body and mixes with blood dripping to the dusty floor. A pair of bruised eyes glare at the captors in front of him.

“Captain Arrow, he refused to reveal a thing about the pirate king.” Putting down a water bucket to the ground, a man reports to a figure beside him.

“Still not speaking? What a loyal dog.” Scowling, Captain Arrow grips the captive’s chin and blows a puff of smoke into his face, making the prisoner let out hoarse and painful coughs.

Captain Arrow pushes the man’s bruised face away and peers at another figure leaning against a wall behind him. “What do you think, Captain Billy? Shall we capture another crew?”

"No,” Captain Billy rejects the suggestion, he strides forward and stands next to Arrow. “Hongjoong will get suspicious. One is enough.”

"You bilge rats! You will never get anything from me." The prisoner seethes and spat his saliva mixing with blood toward the two men. They remain in their spot, nonchalant by the vulgar action.

“You will speak today.” Captain Billy smirks and signals his man to open the door.

Lights travel into the small dark room once the door opens. Two men drag a woman inside the room. She tosses around, screaming and crying. “Let me go, Pirates!”

"If you don't speak, you know what will happen to your favorite ." Billy turns to the captive who has gone shocked. He stares at the woman with fear shown in his eyes, his mouth quivering.

“He's just a customer. I have nothing to do with him! Please let me go!” The woman glances at the man on the chair and turns to beg Billy.

“Too bad, he's fond of you.” Billy grabs the woman's face, his hand pulls out a sharp dagger and places it on her cheek. He turns to give the captive a sadistic smirk. “So where shall we start? How about you tell me did you went to Wonderland, what kind of power Hongjoong possess and what're treasures that he's hiding?"

The captive’s pupils dilate as Billy presses the dagger into the delicate flesh of the woman. An ear-splitting scream pierce outside the room and continue on like the place has turned into an eternal hell.

---

Water that has passed won't flow backward, just like a word, once it is spoken, it can never turn back. I realized when it was too late.

The guys stared blankly at me when I complimented Yeosang's sister out of blue. Seonghwa's smirk grew wider as if he knew what I was trying to do. However, Yeojin's brother only let out an ‘Oh’ and nothing more. No one speaks a word until Hongjoong dispelled the awkward situation by asking the surgeon to clear the misunderstanding with his sister. To my disappointment he didn’t acknowledge my protest stares. Instead the tiny man requested Yeosang to accompany me out of the quarter room because he had an urgent meeting going on.

Sulking, I left the room with Yeosang.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult your sister.” I quickly apologize to him, afraid that he’ll get angry.

“It's ok, I know what she is like. She isn't a bad person, just a little stubborn.” Walking by my side, he gives me a tired smile. My face twists a little after hearing his description of his sister.

When Yeosang notices my expression, he adds with a solemn look, "Well, maybe so stubborn and mean, and a bit impolite most of the time.”

Even though I want to agree with his comment, I can only shake my head in disapproval. “Because she misunderstands that I’m Wooyoung’s lover so she hates me. I completely understand her action.”

I lied.

An angelic smile spread on Yeosang’s lips. I feel a sense of accomplishment after seeing brightness return to his face. After that we quietly head toward the open. As we step onto the main deck, a loud slap reaches our ears. The original noisy commotion on the deck dies down. We spot two figures in the middle of the crowd. Yeojin's hand raises in the air while Wooyoung's face turns the other way, we can assume what happened a moment ago.

“You’re terrible!” She screams at the first mate and runs toward the gangway, and disembarks the ship.

"Yeojin!" Yeosang shouts in panic. He glares at Wooyoung for a millisecond and dash after his sister.

Wooyoung runs his fingers through his hair and curses out of frustration. His fury gaze meets my eyes, causing him to be taken aback then he immediately breaks our eye contact and walks away.

"They argued really badly." Mingi pops out of nowhere, making me jump into the air. I place my hand on my thumping heart and look at the taller man. “You eavesdropped into their conversation?”

Mingi shakes his head, “They were shouting. The whole port probably heard them.”

I scrunch my face. It must feel terrible for the whole crew to know about their quarrel, especially the crew only consisting of gossipers.

“Hey, can you look after him?” Mingi nudges my shoulder.

I point at my face and Mingi nods. I shake my head yet he is still nodding his head.

“He needs someone to talk to right now and he apparently doesn't want to see my face so please, Shooting Star.”

Because Mingi pleaded me with his full aegyo, I lost my stance.

---

Angry red handprint on Wooyoung's left cheek visible for me to see as soon as I step onto the poop deck. Standing at the rail, he glares at the sea, his shoulder slouch.

I carefully step toward him and stop several paces away. I clear my throat to get his attention.

Wooyoung doesn’t budge in the slightest, still glowers at the sea as if it was the culprit that slapped him.

Not knowing what to do, I stand idly next to him, staring forward. Many anchored vessels at the bay bobbing up and down cause by the gentle waves. People travel on rowboats from their ships to the shore and vice versa. More ships sail into Nassau and more ships leave the port, they sail toward the horizon until big vessels turn into small dots. Yet, Wooyoung doesn’t unseal his mouth. I start to worry.

"You okay?" Stupid question yet effective as he scoffs, breaking the silence.

“She ruined my handsome face, you think I’m okay?”

Since his mouth is working just fine, so he’s okay.

“You still look handsome though. The slap just added a natural blushing to your cheek. So now you look extra handsome. But you need to get a slap on another cheek to make it even.”

After my comment, Wooyoung immediately turns toward me, crossing his arms “Are you here to comfort me or attack me?”

“Of course, I’m here to attack you.” I give him the sweetest smile I could gather.

Wooyoung lets out a soft chuckle and saunters closer to me. “Fine, but I only accept your lips on here.” He points at his right cheek.

It’s my turn to snort. My hand reaches to squeeze his swollen cheek. He yelps and pats his reddened face, glaring dagger at me. “You, women, are so mean.”

I shrug my shoulder. “What did you say to her to earn a slap anyway?”

After the question left my mouth, I quickly bit my tongue. I shouldn’t ask him such a sensitive question but it’s too late as Wooyoung’s expression instantly turns bitter. He exhales and stares into the sea.

“Nothing much. I told her, I never loved her—that I just used her because I was bored. She didn’t believe me so I told her how annoying she was. My life got better after she was gone. After I said off and disappear from my face, she delivered this slap on my gorgeous face.”

“Serve you right.” Mumbling, I scrunch my nose. There’s a better way to say apart from being a jerk. Moreover, he doesn’t look a tad bit delighted after she finally let him go. Instead, he went to sulk on the poop deck.

“You still love her?” My damn mouth slips out a silly question once again.

Wooyoung remains silent for a while, I begin to feel uneasy. I open my mouth to apologize at the same time as he speaks.

“She crushed my heart a long time ago. The feelings are gone, only anger remains.” Waves of emotion reflect inside his unfocused gaze. “When I joined Ateez crew, she told me she was leaving Nassau. I thought because I was a pirate so I didn’t spend much time with her. So I convinced Seonghwa who hated her gut to allow her to work as a surgeon on our ship together with Yeosang.”

Seems like the grumpy quartermaster hates everyone’s gut. It’s not surprising anymore.

“Believe it or not, Seonghwa agreed. But Yeojin refused, saying she wouldn’t work on a pirate ship. We had a big argument. She insisted on leaving, to choose her own future. After that day, she left Nassau without telling anyone. Her disappearance made Yeosang and I devastated for a while. One year later, our ship boarded at Tortuga. Guess who I found.” Wooyoung smiles bitterly.

I can guess right away who he met there.

“She was hanging out with another pirate band, laughing happily with them. But the most up part was she worked as a surgeon for that crew. I confronted her. She still insisted on choosing her own life, her future. So I guessed her future had nothing to do with me. And now she wanted to come back to me, saying I was the only one who truly cared for her. Bull.”

“Yea, bull.” I listen to his past story and feel pity toward the purple haired first mate. She made a mistake leaving her lover and selfishly wants him back like he’s an object. How could a person like her is Yeosang’s sister?

Wooyoung ruffles his hair and exhales loudly. “So embarrassing right? I was dumped by a girl because I have no future. Unlike you, little Star, you love me because of who I am. You are willing to help me although your acting was terrible.”

I grimace, my palm feeling itchy to slap a certain someone. “Don’t ever drag me into your mess again.”

“Right, sorry.” Surprisingly, he apologized to me. “Now captain and Sannie are aiming for my head. I gotta lay low for a while.”

I snorted.

“Hey I’m serious. Sannie didn’t come back to the room last night. I had to sleep with one eye open in case he attacked me when I was unconscious.”

I shake my head at his over exaggeration. “You’re so helpless.”

“Thank you for your concern. By the way, there’s nothing to worry about anymore. Yeojin won’t come slap you for being my new lover, I already told her the truth. And I won’t join the fight to steal your heart either. Right now my heart isn’t ready to love. So don’t misunderstand my kind gesture as something else.”

I breathe to calm my nerves. I came here to comfort him, on the other hand, I’m being attacked by the heartbroken guy.

“Whoever believes you must be a fool. I saw you flirting with every woman you walk past. And what about Aurora?”

Wooyoung instantly contorts his face. “How does that woman appear in this conversation?”

“Well, you seemed to like her.” I thought he still has feelings for her as I often heard him mention her after the witch’s lair.

“Well, I gotta admit she's the prettiest woman I ever encountered. But looks don't justify her betrayal.” He crosses his arm and squints his eyes at me. “What are you trying to get at? You said we were chasing her in the past, are there anything we need to know? Did you hide anything from us?”

I fervently shake my head and wave my hands. I hide nothing except the fact that they’re an idol in another world and I'm their hardcore fan.

Wooyoung clicks his tongue, observing me. Suddenly, he claps his hands, making my skin jump. A mischievous smirk gradually stretches across his face.

“Are you jealous?”

“No! Why should I?” I turn my face away from him as I can’t tolerate his scrutinizing gaze.

“Of course, you’re jealous because you read how we chased after her, how we confessed to her, and how we make love-”

I abruptly hit his arm to shut him up. “Eww! You dirty mind! The book is young adult friendly alright!”

“Sure sure.” Wooyoung chuckles merrily after successfully teasing me. “But I’m curious though, have any of us ever kissed her?”

My face scrunches up automatically after listening to Wooyoung’s question. He doesn't appear bashful at all about this kind of topic. On the other hand, blush creeps up my face. I fake a cough and answer him. “Well, yeah.”

Wooyoung gasps, eyes gone bigger twice the original size. “Wow, who!?”

“All, except San.” I can’t help but giggle at his bewilder reaction.

“Woah! What!!!???” His high pitch tone rings in my ears. At this rate, I bet those ships that are travelling across the ocean can hear him.

“Um...San wasn’t interested in her, but the others pursued her. Aurora rejected all of you. Some gave up and remained as her friend, but some continue courting her.”

Wooyoung nods. “I have a feeling that I belong in the latter group.” Suddenly he curses and grabs my shoulder. “Even Seonghwa?!”

“Yes. He kissed her on the lips once.” It sounds unbelievable to think of the stoic quartermaster going soft on the female lead and even initiating a kiss. I was squealing so hard at that scene. However when I recall it at this moment, I shudder uncontrollably.

“! No way!!” Wooyoung stares at me in disbelief. After seeing my seriousness, he curses and climbs on the rail as if he’s gonna leap into water. “The world is so cruel. I can’t believe the heartless quartermaster is capable of kissing someone. Oh god! I can’t live anymore. Little Star, don’t stop me. Let me jump!”

I snort, crossing my arms, watching him acting like a mad man. “You may jump, no one is holding you.”

Wooyoung stops his antics and jumps back onto the ground. He cups my face with both hands. “You’re so heartless. Aren’t you jealous? Captain kissed her. And other guys kissed her. Even I kissed her.”

“Why should I?” I try to sound normal although I feel a slight pang in my heart.

“Liar. Watch her take captain away and I’ll ask you again.” He lets go of my face and places his hands on my shoulder, staring into my soul.

“What if he doesn’t belong to me in the first place.” I refuse to meet his sharp gaze and look at the blue water below the ship.

Suddenly, he pulls me into the hug. “Remember, you still have me.” He pauses for a second and continues. “We’re friends, alright. Even if I’m too hot to resist, you have to withstand your urge.”

I scoff, yet my arms wrap around his waist. “Thanks Wooyoung.”

After hugging for a while, we continue conversing and bickering on ridiculous matters until he tells us to leave as he has work to do.

When we step onto the main deck, I spot an unfamiliar man standing among the crew surrounding him. He’s as tall as Ateez titan line, with a broad shoulder and right amount of muscle, honey glowing skin, defined cheekbones and sharp jawline. In conclusion, he’s indeed a good looking man.

The handsome stranger peers in our direction and smiles brightly, “Wooyoung!”

“Erik.” However, Wooyoung greets the man with less enthusiasm. The man named Erik doesn’t falter by Wooyoung rudeness, his gaze falls on me. And I see how his eyes go round with starstruck in them.

“And who’s this lady?” Erik asks Wooyoung without breaking his eye contact with me.

Wooyoung snorts, refusing to tell him. An unfriendly aura exudes from the first mate, so I decide to introduce myself.

“Um hi, I’m Star.” I give the stranger a polite smile.

Erik’s smile grows wider. “Beautiful name for a beautiful lady. I’m Erik, captain of the Reprisal.”

I have an urge to ask him whether his ship's full name is Pirate king’s Reprisal but I stop myself from being weird.

Erik extends his hand toward me. Pondering if I should shake his hand or not, I peer at the sour faced Wooyoung and the hand that is waiting for me to grab.

Since I don’t want to appear rude toward this man, I slowly extend my hand to grab his. However, someone snatches my hand and pulls me into his embrace.

---

“The missing crew from yesterday was last seen at a e house. We still couldn’t find him until now.” Seonghwa reports, creases appear between his brow as he feels something off with the missing person. No matter how drunk they were in the past, they always found that person less than an hour. “I’ll order the crew to be more careful and to travel at least in a group of three.”

Hongjoong nods in approval, eyes gluing at the map on the table.

“Captain, what will you do with Star? She doesn’t want to leave. Are you going to force her?” The brave soul, aka Yunho, asks Hongjoong.

Hongjoong doesn’t answer him but sighs. At the meeting yesterday, Yeosang suggested the idea to temporarily let Star stay with his runaway sister who he recently reunited. Although Yeojin isn’t the best choice, she’s Yeosang’s sister. He appointed her here today to talk on the matter but his flirtatious first mate ruined the plan.

“With me.” A hoarse voice speaks up. Everyone turns to the quiet combatant with raising brows. Even though San says without context, they understand what he meant.

“You’re going to stay with Star here?” Yunho asks, baffled by the fact that San is the one who suggested the idea.

“No!” Hongjoong immediately growls. As he’s going to scold the combatant, Seonghwa cut him off.

“You have to fight with us, not to become a babysitter.” Until recently, Seonghwa regretted ordering San to keep an eye on Star. If he ordered someone else, his combatant wouldn’t completely change into a new person.

Because of the trio's reaction, San’s face hardened. He suddenly gets off the chair and heads toward the door.

“San! Remember you need to prepare for tonight’s mission. Stop worrying about a nonsensical matter.” Seonghwa yells after San, exasperated.

Before San steps outside the room, the door abruptly opens. Jim startles when he faces the dark expression combatant.

“Captain, Mr.Erik has arrived.” The cabin boy reports to Hongjoong, stepping aside to make way for San to leave the room.

“I’m coming.” Hongjoong replied. “Let’s go.” He turns to Seonghwa and Yunho and leads them outside the room.

When the trio reaches the main deck, they spot San embracing Star while sending death glare at Erik. The latter guy only confusedly stares at San in return.

“What’s the hell is going on?!” Hongjoong interferes, stepping between San and Erik. Wooyoung at the side answers. “Well, Erik tried to grabs little Star’s hand.”

Hongjoong whips his head toward the culprit. Erik jolts when Wooyoung accused him. “I just intended to greet her. I didn’t mean to make her uncomfortable.” Then he turns toward Star. “I’m sorry, my lady. I was rude toward you.”

Star wriggles herself from San’s grasp, glaring at San and Wooyoung in the process. “Oh no, you didn’t do anything wrong. These guys were just overreacting.”

The overreacting guys can only snort inside their minds.

Erik nods and gives her an infamous smile that has melted half of women’s hearts in Nassau. While Star returns him a small smile. Because of their interaction, it lit fire in the onlookers’ hearts.

“Since it was a misunderstanding, then I shall not hold you accountable.” Hongjoong speaks to Erik and peers at Wooyoung and San. “But for those who overreacted and accused my good friend of uncommitted crime better stop their blatant lies. Because I have a low tolerance of liars.”

Wooyoung fakes a cough and turns away. However, San stares right back at Hongjoong without fear. Everyone on the scene can sense an enmity between them. Erik, who is oblivious by the fight, scratches his neck awkwardly. He saw a beautiful woman on the ship and only greeted her. How on earth did the situation go worse?

“Let’s keep going. The governor must be waiting.” Seonghwa breaks the tension. He used the old man as an excuse, who cares if that man is waiting.

“Yea yea, let’s go.” Yunho chime in when he sees fire erupt inside both men's eyes.

Hongjoong says nothing, he breaks eye contact with San to look at his little treasure for a brief second and then he starts walking toward the gangway. Seonghwa follows him, mumbling something under his breath.

Before Erik leaves, he turns to speak to Star. “Hope we have a chance to meet again Miss Star.”

Star smiles stiffly and nods her head. Yunho walks toward the clueless man and places his arm on Erik's shoulder, whispering into his ear.

Erik yelps, face drain of blood, and looks apologetically at Star before disembarking the ship.

---

I watch the trio and Erik leave the ship, then I turn to glare at Wooyoung. “Why did you say that? He almost got in trouble. And you,” She whips her head toward San. “I was just shaking his hand. Can’t I make new friends?”

Wooyoung snorts. “You have no idea. That man is dangerous. Half of the women here got their hearts broken by that guy.”

San doesn’t utter a word but his sharp gaze tells me that he agrees with his friend.

I sigh.

Then someone in the crowd chime in. “First mate Wooyoung is right. Captain Erik was best at everything except the reputation with women.” The crowd nod in agreement. Wooyoung’s mouth transforms into a smug grin, but falters immediately once the crew continue with their remark. “ We used to have him as our first mate. He worked twice harder than the current one. To think of it, why do we always have a lecher as our first mate?” The crew shake their heads and return to their works as there’s nothing else to see anymore.

“Yah!!! I’m right here!!!” Wooyoung yells after them. However, they are immune to his enrage shout.

“Jung Wooyoung!” Another voice interrupts Wooyoung from shouting at the crew. The surgeon stomps into the ship, diabolic aura emitting from his angelic figure. Wooyoung instantly shut his mouth, his Adam’s apple bobs slightly as he swallows saliva.

“Follow me.” With a simple command from the angel, Wooyoung follows him with no choice. He ruffles his hair, cursing under his breath. Both of them disappear into the lower deck.

As a good friend, I pray for him to survive the devil mode Yeosang. On the other hand, I hope Yeosang would knock some sense into him.

My train of thought ends when a cold hand grips my wrist. I turn to look at the figure that is standing beside me. As soon as I meet his dark gaze, I know I’m somehow in trouble. I look left and right; however, no one would be able to rescue me from the real devil.

San pulled me all the way to my cabin. As if a cat got my tongue, I didn’t let out a cry of protest. I gain into my sense after he bolts the door. The devil slowly strides toward me like a predator ready to tear its prey apart.

But I’m no longer a prey that feared him in the past, because now I know he wouldn’t hurt me. Hence I cross my arms and raise my chin up. I should be the one who is angry at him for being rude toward that Erik guy.

“Liar.” Low whispers escape from his thin lips.

My mouth hangs open, yesterday he called me a coward, today I received a new name. Did he change his mind and come to hate me? The thought terrifies me. It takes a moment to find my own voice. “E-excuse me? When did I lie to you?”

He doesn’t answer until he stops right in front of me. His void expression makes my nerves rise.

“You said you’d end it with him.” He emphasizes each word slowly, it came to me like cold water that seeped into my heart. while guilt widespread through my body like wildfire. Recalling the conversation with him at the beach yesterday, I told him I’d stop my feelings with Hongjoong. Yet at night, instead of kicking Hongjoong from my bed, I let him squeeze in with me.

I’m an indeed liar.

“I tried but I can’t stop my feelings.” When I was with Hongjoong, it’s like my feelings overtake my logic and I couldn’t control myself.

“Then don't tell me to stop.” His tone isn’t in pleading nor anger tone, but fills with unyielding intensity.

Every word that leaves his mouth weighs heavily in my chest. “It’s for your own good. You’ll only end up hurting yourself and I’d hate myself for hurting you.”

San doesn’t respond, he only lifts his hand to gently caressing my cheek. The cold touch makes me shiver.

“Why do you like me so much?” The question escapes my mouth before I realize.

His eyes glow and he rests another hand on my waist. “Because it’s you.”

That was a really San way to answer. However, it made my heart leap. I press my lips together and turn my face away when he starts to lean closer.

“I understand because I’m too hot to resist but you need to withstand your urge.” I borrowed Wooyoung’s line, expecting the cocky statement will make him withdraw. But the man in front of me chuckles in his throat, I feel his hot breath fanning on my cheek, then he shifts to my ears.

“What if I can’t.” His lips brush against my earlobe.

Spontaneously, my hands place on his chest to push him away but he wouldn’t budge by my weak strength. I feel his nose brushing on my cheek moving toward my lips. My heart is pounding so hard against my rib cage, an alarm in my brain goes off, warning me to stop this inSANity. Before I find a willpower to stop him, he kisses at the corner of my mouth. It was as light as a feather, yet it threw me into turmoil.

My knees buckle. When I almost fall down to the floor, San scoops me up with a pair of strong arms. His mouth tugs upward, looking impressive for making me vulnerable. He places me down on my bed and sits next to me. I clutch my erratic heart, trying to figure out what to do next. Should I scream at him, kick him out of my room, or...

“You can’t resist your urge either.” He whispers. His husky voice makes my situation worse. My whole body is consumed by flame. A long mirror at the corner of the room reflects my beet red face and neck.

“M-my urge?” My voice came out a pitch higher than usual. “It’s your urge!” I hit his chest out of reflex and that gave him an opportunity to hold my hand. I try to pull back but his strong grip refuses to let go.

“I’ll go with you wherever you come from.” He says, staring deep into my eyes.

“After I told you everything?” The first time I heard him was at the fake Wonderland. At that time, he didn’t know about the book. But since now that he knows about the truth, he still thinks of coming with me?

“Um.” He hums in his throats as an answer.

Like a giant wave crashing onto me, I’m overwhelmed by a strange feeling. His stunning face doesn't help me calm down. Red color swirls in his black orbs as he waits for my answer.

I bite my lower lip, unable to find the right words to refuse him. How could a book character come into the real world?

“You agree.” San says after I stay silent over several seconds, his smile stretching wider.

I quickly shake my head. “But it won’t work-” A cold finger presses against my lips. His smile gradually fades. I swallow words down my throat. He knows my weakness, he knows I am soft-hearted, and uses it against me. Sighing, I grab his hand away from my mouth.

To my surprise, San lies down on my lap, his body curling to fit into my small bed, he presses my hand on his cheek. I hold my other arm up in the air, shocked by his action. His dark eyes look up to mine. “You agree.” He repeats and closes his eyes.

After a whole minute, I scoff. He’s the definition of stubbornness. He only hears what he wants to hear and disregards other opinions. Yet, I don’t have a heart to retaliate against him. Because these pirates are so crafty, my plan to guard my heart failed miserably for many times. At this rate I don’t know what to do anymore.

I look down to observe San’s face. He looks harmless as if the devil mode turns off when he’s sleeping. I brush his black and red streak fringe away from his closed eyelids and forehead. If he wore slick back hair, the whole seven seas would burn by his hotness. Although there's scars on his face, it didn’t hinder his handsomeness at all. My finger travels to his eyes, they are so sharp and intense. And his high nose bridge and his lips. I recall how they felt on my lips…

I quickly snap out of my unholy thoughts. I must stop this insanity! I chant the same line from this morning.

Then my eyes spot his dirty worn out boots. “Ugh, no shoes on my bed.”

However, San doesn't wake up, steady breathing sound returns as an answer. Wooyoung told me he didn’t come back to the room last night so he didn’t get to sleep all night? I softly pat his head. He may act like a strong superman, but he’s still a human who was hurt deeply by the others. So he became less expressive about his emotions and has a unique way to convey them. Even until now, I can't figure him out.

Seeing him sleep peacefully, I start to doze off.

I jolt awake when I hear a knock on the door.

“Star, are you inside the room?” A soft voice belonging to the surgeon muffle behind the door. I try to get up but unable to move my body. I look downward and see an arm resting on my stomach. My head whips to the side, meeting with the combatant’s face an inch apart from mine.

Blood rushing to my cheeks as well as the memory where I allow him to sleep on my lap. But how do I end up in this position? The only answer points at the culprit who’s lying next to me.

“San.” I pinch his cheek but he doesn’t respond.

“Star.” The voice calls me again. I glimpse between the door and the sleeping man in contemplation. Should I pretend that I’m not inside the room? But the ship isn’t that big so he will know from the others that I always stay in my cabin. Since it’s Yeosang, he won’t complain if he sees San, right?

Carefully, I lift San’s arm and get up from my bed. I adjust my hair and outfit, and proceed to open the door.

“Sorry Yeosang, I slept in.” I use my body to hide the view inside my room.

Yeosang nods. “Sorry for intruding. But I have something to talk to you about. May I get inside?”

“Well...” I look into the room; however, the man who was supposed to sleep on my bed had already disappeared. While I’m being flabbergasted, Yeosang calls for me again.

“Err...come in.” I step into my room with Yeosang following inside. He sits on Aurora’s bed and I sit on my bed across from him, shifting uncomfortably and scanning around my room.

“I’m the one who suggested the idea for you to live with Yeojin. I’m sorry that I didn’t ask for your opinion. At first Hongjoong planned to let you stay at one of our taverns but I think it’s dangerous for you to live alone.” Yeosang begins explaining, appearing serious. “I’ve talked to my sister. She understood the situation and is willing to let you stay at our house. She may be hard to be with but I believe she’ll come to like you.”

I nod, still wondering where San’s gone into. Oh, he must be inside the bathroom.

“Star?” Yeosang calls for my attention.

“Oh, sorry. Please continue.” Startle, I snap into reality.

Yeosang frowns slightly, but continues speaking. “We aren’t sure when the war will be over so I can’t tell how long you have to stay with her.”

At the mention of the war, my mood immediately turns grim.

“Aren’t there a way to avoid the war?”

Yeosang exhales a long sigh. “There is.”

My ears perk at his answer.

“But we have to surrender Hongjoong, Wonderland map and Aurora and you.”

“What the hell!” I curse out loud, bolt to my feet.

Yeosang blinks at my outbreak. I scratch my head and sit back down.

“That was actually a secret deal that the governor and some of the captains made with the Royal Navy. So we have no choice but to win this war. And later we have to deal with people who are after the Wonderland map. At this moment they have no idea that we lost it.”

“And that tiny captain hid it from me.” I chew on my lip. The issue is so big. Hongjoong could’ve told me last night, but he decided to hide me in the dark.

Yeosang smiled tiredly. “Because he didn’t want you to be worried.”

“Still…he could’ve told me.” I pout, playing with the helm of my shirt.

Yeosang gets up from Aurora’s bed and sits next to me, patting my back. “You’re precious to us so we’ll do everything to protect you.”

The more he speaks, the more helpless I feel. “I’m sorry I can’t help you guys. I’m just a fake seeress and don’t know how to fight.”

Yeosang’s hand froze, then he wrapped me into a hug. My head rests on his shoulder while his chin places on top of my head.

“Please don’t think that way. You’re the reason why we still alive. Without you, some of us may still wander in the dark and indulge in making mistakes. Do you know how much you change each and everyone of us?” His voice is soft and tender.

“Yea, I noticed how Seonghwa’s threat became advanced every time I talked to him.”

Yeosang chuckles. “That guy has a mouth of a weapon. If he threatens you again, tell me, I’ll teach him to not mess with the surgeon’s favorite patient.”

“Ohhhh” I cooed, “The mighty Yeosangie is the best.” Both of us giggle. The gloomy atmosphere from the previous conversation is gone. Then I pull away from his warm hug. “But I don’t like being your patient though.”

Thinking, Yeosang grabs his chin. “Hmm, right, the others call you by pretty names. I should give you one too.” He quiet for a while then his mouth curves into an angelic smile, so dazzling that my eyes blur for a moment.

“Whenever I have free time, I like to stare at the night sky, wondering how it’s like out there. Will there be any people on those stars?” I listen to him while he’s staring outside the window. Then his soft gaze turns to meet mine. “How about Starry Sky.”

Can you hear that? My scream that resonate across the vast sky.

“You don’t like it?” Because I’m busily fangirling in my head, I didn’t react to the name.

“I LOVE IT!” After screaming into his face, I covered my mouth as my voice came out like a squawking duck.

Yeosang giggles at my reaction. “Well, I’ll call you Starry for short then.” He scratches his cheek bashfully.

I nod, grinning at him. He pats my head, and our eyes connect. His eyes roam around my face and his smile slowly fades when he stares at my lips. The room instantly turns silent. Suddenly, we clears our throats and look away.

“Well, did you murder Wooyoung before coming here?” I change the topic to clear the awkwardness.

Yeosang snorts. Then he immediately recompose himself. “Death is too merciful for him.” Still, his words are scary. I look warily at him until he corrects himself. “I just talked to him. And I hope that he’ll act as a decent human being from now on.”

I swallow my saliva and make a mental note not to make Yeosang angry.

“But I couldn’t entirely blame him though.” He sighs. “My sister is also at fault here.”

I nod, because Wooyoung already told me a glimpse of their problem, but I have a lot of questions that I’m afraid to ask the heartbroken guy. “Why did you allow him with your sister in the first place?”

“We have known each other since young. He wasn’t this kind of person. Until my sister broke his heart, he completely changed into a new person. ”

Upon hearing they knew each other from a young age, my curiosity surged.

“It’s not in my place to talk about their problem. It’s for them to solve it.” It’s like he said that to stop me from being nosy. I falter and remain quiet.

“Love is so complicated.” Yeosang mutters out of blue.

I let his words sink in my mind. He’s right, love isn’t a foreign word yet it’s so complicated.

I feel a warm hand placed on top of mine. I look up to meet his eyes.

“I don’t want it to be complicated between us. I’ll stay as your friend. But if any of the guys hurt your feelings, I won’t hesitate to step in and take you away.” His brown orbs gleaming with resoluteness. In the next second later, they return to their usual softness.

“I’ll take my leave and won’t bother your beauty sleep anymore, Starry.” He kisses on top of my head and gets up.

I waited for him to say that he was just joking but he already exited the room.

I sit absentmindedly on my bed, repeating the scene in my head which I am unable to hear the bathroom’s door open and footsteps approaching me. Until a pair of strong arms encircle around my waist, I gain my sense.

“Starry.” The way San said my new pet name caused goosebumps to rise on my arms.

I unclasp his arms and look at him over my shoulder. He sits on my bed, cross legged. Then I notice that he’s barefoot.

I look around my room and spot his boots beside my boots next to my bed. Then it hit me.

Did Yeosang recognize his boots?

“Ahh! This is so complicated!”

San quietly watches me tugging my hair with a hint of smirk. Later on, I stop my crazy action and glare at him.

“Do you know what you did wrong? You weren’t supposed to sleep on my bed without my permission.”

He tilts his head to the side like an innocent little kitten. But he can’t fool me, he’s the devil that lures me into his trap so many times.

San discards his smirk and he flops down to my bed, shutting his eyes.

“Hey, didn’t you hear what I just said?” I poke his waist but he stays still like a statue.

Rolling my eyes, I turn around to get up; however, a pair of strong arms seize my waist, pulling me back to the bed. Then San uses my lap as a pillow once again.

“Seriously, you crafty man.”

Why these pirates keep making my life complicate?

.｡･ﾟﾟ･(｡╯︵╰｡)･ﾟﾟ･｡.

I'm sorry for the long wait. I wish I could write faster. My dear readers, thank you very much for your patient. 

BTW today (27th Feb) is the last day to vote Kingdom introduction stage on Whosfan. Don't forget to vote!! And let's prepare for their comeback つ≧▽≦)つ