[TC04] The Greatest Of Treasure
Rating: PG-13
Subject: Kangin | Pairing: Donghae/Sungmin
Genre: AU!Drama, Minor!Romance
Theme: Blinds
Summary: In these waters, he youthfully embarks to live a life aimed for gold, risks, giving back to his loyal men with no being to stand in his way. He lived by this oath, but after it had all been said and done, he wondered what was left.
Warning: Unbeta'd, I apologize for all errors.
// Blinds //
The sheering cries for help reaches his ear, the screaming and loud thuds, all soon silenced as he opens his door and steps onto the deck. Under the beating sun and calm winds, such a scene ruined by the reddening pool forming in the water.
Kangin steps onto the second boat, "Found anything?"
"Some gold, but not much." His crew informs him, he purses his lips, such a waste, but they hadn't found a good haul in a long while. He examines the boat but isn't impressed by it either.
"Not him! Please-"
Kangin assumes long ago that he had lost all the humanity in himself, when even a woman's pleas falls on deaf ears. Yesung is nearly done with his work. Kangin looks back just in time to see someone smaller in the devil's clutches, the razors dangerously close to his neck.
"Stop!" Kangin bellows, Yesung paused just right before slashing the kid's neck. The captain steps forward toward the child who remains in the man's grasp, eyes not meeting his. He steps closer, and he's somehow sure he could see the shoulders tense on the child.
He feared him, and that was good.
"Take him." Kangin orders after a look over.
Yesung furrows his eyebrows, "What are we suppose to do with him?"
Kangin returns a look that silences him, the man then examines the child as he would any recruit. There was always the need for new blood.
"For now, have him clean up this mess. If we choose to sell it, it can't be in this condition."
The crew scavenged what they could, knowing exactly what was worthy and what not to take.
He returned to his room, looking through the door's window to see the child still at work. Sungmin cleaned up every bit of the blood spilled from the former passengers; it may have been his close friends, family possibly, but Kangin didn't need to know, and so he didn't ask.
He tugged the strings and the blinds fell low, flipped closed on the scene. He chooses not to look.
-
// 12 years later //
-
"You're joking."
"Not at all," Siwon smirked, "I merely walked out of there, and not a single cop realized who I was." Kangin laughed with him, both sitting on the creaking wooden chairs within the dingy room. There had been better, but with the full glasses in their hands, there was little complaint.
"If you come by this weekend, I'll show you what imported should truly taste like." Siwon offered.
"Unfortunately I can't accept, we'll be gone by the evening after next."
Siwon tapped his finger against his then empty glass. "More whiskey." Siwon demanded to the only other young man in the room, he gave no reaction that he heard him and continued to mop the floors without so much as a second look.
"Sungmin, do as he says." Kangin orders, the young man is notably displeased but lowers his mop and heads to the cellar.
"That boy of yours doesn't listen." Siwon added quietly, his good mood gone. Kangin exhaled,
"He's just stubborn."
Siwon scoffs. "Is he that noble? To choose who he listens to and who he ignores? Don't tell me this is your new method of training your men?"
"Are you that concerned that I'll lose control of them?"
Siwon paused slightly before shaking his head. "I've always been envious of your crew, as everyone had, I just hope not to see it go under because of that one."
Kangin's smile was never quite kind, but a warning. Siwon could only laugh lightly as he stood up. "I didn't realize how late it had been, I'll be off."
Kangin nodded once, minutes after his departure, he heard the footsteps nearing towards the room. "Were you purposely taking your time?"
"Not at all, Captain." Sungmin replied, he stepped forward and with the opened bottle, poured its pure remnants into his raised glass.
"Remember to sell it quickly before the evening, the guards make their rounds around then. Of course Donghae understands the guards better than anyone, he could probably help you. However, if you get caught, I will leave you behind."
"Yes, Captain." Sungmin's answers were automatic, drilled into him.
He knew what crossed Sungmin's mind. The young man may have feared him, worked day to night until he was taught their way, but still he detached himself, setting himself apart from the rest of them. He was determined to never become one of them, even if he was no better, but Sungmin still attempted as such.
-
The blind turned slowly, one tugged down as he peered through the shabby hotel window. He could see Sungmin speaking with a local merchant, chatting up as always when he could, something he couldn't reprimand as long as he got the products needed.
This port had been a favorite of theirs over the years, Sungmin became the tradesman amongst them, the one the locals trusted. He never had to worry about sending him off, the man knew his responsibilities. It was noticeable when Sungmin didn't.
"You were done hours ago,"
Sungmin lowered his head, he gave no instance of an apology.
"I won't stop you from your activities, but if it wastes any more of our time, I will hand over the job over to someone more efficiently. Understand?"
"...Yes, Captain."
He knew what he saw.
A front of respect, a wave of claimed friendship and understanding, shadowing the deeper traces of something more. Kangin chooses not to see, it'd only bring more trouble than it was worth.
-
Kangin hurried through the door, the water spilling across the floor from the dented bucket. "What's going on?"
Sungmin's reddened eyes gaze up at the captain, but then look back on the ground in shame. Yesung keeps his back to him, but the oldest can glimpse at the cold glare. "That merchant skipped out on his payment, he's defending him. He tries to hide it as if it were nothing."
"That can't be all," Yesung was reckless, yes, but never this impulsive.
"Hmph," Yesung narrowed his darkened eyes even further. "A faggot serves with us Captain, did you know?"
Sungmin froze.
"He's been spending some time with him, hasn't he? I caught them kissing in the back-"
"No! It's not true-"
"I know what I saw." Yesung interjects, with another sharp blow, Sungmin was forced back onto the ground. "That Donghae of yours is not strong, I don't even think he can fight back..."
Sungmin grabbed onto Yesung's leg, head raised, his knees stained from the soiled water. "Don't kill him, please." He pleaded.
Yesung shoves him roughly onto the still wet floor, "I don't take orders from you." He snapped.
"Yesung," Kangin says, "We have other interests in this port. If it goes around we're killing them, they might not be so keen."
Yesung doesn't like such an answer. "Captain, if this gets around-"
"Are you questioning me?"
The man paired with the worst of reputations was silenced, because even with his track record, there was still a man stronger than he. In bitter silence, Yesung shoved past the crippled figure and left the room.
In the tense atmosphere of the room, the older could hear a wavering breath.
"A man doesn't cry." Kangin says firmly, Sungmin nodded his head but refused to show his face. Kangin glances at the wet spots forming tiny ripples but says nothing.
The next afternoon they ready their boat, the crew unaware of the events that occurred since Yesung hadn't told them a thing but Kangin observed him carefully. When Sungmin walks past him, Yesung gives him no snide remark, but ignores his very existence. Sungmin is readily aboard without complaint or holding back, also a first.
Just as they set sail and embark on their next route, Kangin looks back to the distant pier to see the familiar merchant standing by the edge. Even beneath the harsh sun that burdens his vision, he can see his sorrow.
"We won't be back for a while, have you said your goodbyes?" He asks quietly to Sungmin who hasn't once turned around and kept his back to the city.
Sungmin visibly clears his throat.
"You won't even look back? Not once?"
Sungmin doesn't. A part of him wondered if it may have been from pride, to prove to both the Captain and Yesung that his orientation had never shifted.
But then he sees his stinging eyes, and knows it doesn't involve pride. He couldn't bear to say this goodbye.
-
//Five Years Later//
-
"I honestly didn't think we'd return here." Kangin hears his crew mention loudly, he looks outside his half lowered window, the sun was still as hot, the skies just as blue. The city from his obscured vision had changed, but not too much.
"I don't think it's any different."
"Maybe not, but the people could be. We may have a harder time trading in some of our goods."
"We could have returned earlier, kept up our load if it hadn't been for the Captain."
Kangin hears the cheerful chatter come to a stop, Yesung's voice crisp and clear.
"Prison has done some of us good," One tried to joke. "If we weren't caught-"
"The cops could have been finished." Yesung uttered.
"We were outnumbered."
Yesung shifted his sharp gaze to his Captain who stepped out of the room, but this time he doesn't back down. "If we done things like before, we could have easily taken them all. Or are you developing a conscious in your old age?"
The crew watched the exchange from a short distance, all the movement on deck pauses to listen. "You all swore loyalty to me," Kangin reminds.
"Except this isn't the captain we swore we'd always follow." Yesung daringly turns his back on him, and once the boat reaches the pier, does as needed without another word.
He knew this unsettled the crew, but with just another short command, they hurriedly tied the boat. He looks from the corner of his eye as Sungmin slowly approach the ledge.
Sungmin maintained his cold expression as stepped on ground. Sungmin continued to train himself to be aloof to everything, indifferent.
It's only as he sees him glance at the market signs, some of which hadn't changed over the years, does he seen a brief glimmer of hope. But Sungmin quickly shuns it away before either of the crew could see.
"Where's Yesung?" One of the crew members asked, Kangin scans about and realize he is missing.
"Don't worry about him." Kangin assured, the crew quickly return to their work and unload their cargo.
When he walks into town, he sees that his reputation can still scare off some, but there are new merchants who do not know to be afraid. Before, Kangin would have this taken care of, but these days, he finds it tiresome.
"I haven't seen you around," A familiar voice greets. Kangin smiles by habit, but its strained as Siwon approaches him. "I thought we had seen the last of you when the foreigners caught you."
"There was nothing they can hold us on."
Siwon chuckles, "Your crew still has a trick or two up their sleeve. If one ever needed to disappear, you're the one to turn to."
Kangin looks at the nearest hostel, he couldn't stand for long and dragged himself over, but still hid his lack of strength from the other. He settled within the creaky walls, the building coming apart it seemed any day now, but it was cheap and so he bared with it.
He didn't have much days in him to continue this trade, not much longer now.
That early evening the door opened, and he observed as Yesung treaded through.
"What are you doing here?" Kangin asked.
Yesung didn't answer, scanning around the room first. "That queer isn't here... He's probably off sucking dick."
Kangin clenched his hand on the handlebars of his chair, Yesung can obviously see his words causing agitation, but it no longer bothers him.
"He'll be back soon," Kangin spoke.
Yesung smirks deviously, challenging him with that look alone.
Dawn was soon approaching, and there was no sign of Sungmin. Yesung remained waiting by the doorway for the youngest to come and detail his exchange, just as he should always do.
Kangin tensed as the skies began brightening outside, the aging man can no longer control his crew. The further time passed, the more prominent Yesung's confidence reigned.
There's finally a knock on his door, the Captain looks up just as a man walks in, but it isn't someone of his crew.
Siwon stands tall, not greeting him, but asking Yesung instead, "Has he always been rebellious?"
"Worst."
"We can't have that." Siwon stated.
A sense of dread overcomes the man as Yesung grins widely.
"How do you take care of that then?" Yesung asks mockingly, to this, Siwon smiles.
"I'm sure you know how. It's an old fashioned method that has always worked before, Kangin once stood by it." Siwon meets the former Captain's eyes. "Once he shows compassion, he shows weakness. These were your famous words."
"Leave him be," Kangin finally speaks, forcing himself to stand up. He hears the back doors open, and see those of the crew gradually filling in.
Yesung scowls. "I'm tired of you protecting him."
"As am I." Siwon utters. He looked back to the crew, "Hold him back."
The crew obeys without question, holding him back, and Kangin finds he can't find the strength to stop them as he once could. He struggles as best as he could, but nothing could be done.
"We'll all look for him, and Yesung, if you find him or his lover first. Kill them." Siwon said simply. "He's useless in this state now. There's no sense in bringing him back."
The moment Yesung walked out of the room with Siwon in tow, he felt his crew's hold on him weaken just slightly. Kangin used whatever strength he had and pulled away.
Yes, these were the men he'd once die for, but no longer. They followed someone else, and they were strangers in his way. Each punch, his blow were met, but as more of the crew men entered, the weakened walls began to break.
"Run!"
The upper roof came apart just as the others escaped at full pace, one didn't fair as well. Beneath the collapsed rubble and debris, crushing his back, struggling for breath. He outstretched his hand, unconsciously reaching for help.
"Captain?!"
Kangin looks up to see Sungmin rushes towards him, the sun fully above through the opened cracks. He wasn't aware that he knocked out for so long.
"Get out. Leave before they find you."
"But-"
"Do it." Kangin orders, and Sungmin is torn. A captain's order is law, but he cannot leave him, not in this state.
But why?
Hadn't he always hated him? After what he had done to his family, to the people he knew, killed before his very eyes, leaving him in such a state would be the greatest retribution.
Still, even after every sinful act, he dared to worry for this young man as if he were his kin. His own flesh and blood.
He feels himself being pulled out, but only vaguely. He feels the drops hit his shoulders and he wishes he could tell him to stop, he isn't fit for another man's tears. He isn't worthy of his help, not a corrupted soul as he.
Run. Leave, Kangin struggles to mouth. Be safe.
And all he then sees, is black.
-
The spots of light slowly form into his vision. He is no longer on the ground, but on brittle hay, a cloth over his head but a sheet hovering around him at all sides.
"Are you alright?" He looks up to see a fellow doctor checking him over. "You've been through a rough point in your life, haven't you?"
He chooses not to answer, the doctor continues his routine while speaking mainly to himself. Unaware of the treacherous man laying in his quarters, whose bounty astounded many, whose infamous name once struck fear in seamen alike. However, unlike before, this doctor met no threat.
The declared, unnamed patient is declared nonverbal, unable or refusing to speak. Kangin lives with his diagnosis and never speaks again.
The blinds lift up by someone else's accord, and he does nothing as the rays hit his dried skin. He listens without rebuttal, obeys his doctor's orders, assumes as an ordinary man as the weeks pass by.
There was nothing to his name, and he felt oddly content with such.
He hears of the spread fire news through the various patients that come and go within the small cabin, able to hear their clear gossip, of the merchant's shack that had been ransacked and destroyed. How they've been searching for him throughout the city but they've vanished without a trace.
There's been no sign of either the timid merchant nor of the rogue pirate.
The man stripped of identity, all connections severed, and still he chooses to hear. And as the news travels to his ears, the corners of his lips curve upward.
His loyal crewsman obeyed his commands, found the greatest an ordinary life could offer. He could find no greater treasure nor satisfaction than that.
rssj1314's Remember These Words | HaeMin
[Previous: HenHyuk (Pins)] | [ Next: YeHen (Wolves)]
Subject: Kangin | Pairing: Donghae/Sungmin
Genre: AU!Drama, Minor!Romance
Theme: Blinds
Summary: In these waters, he youthfully embarks to live a life aimed for gold, risks, giving back to his loyal men with no being to stand in his way. He lived by this oath, but after it had all been said and done, he wondered what was left.
Warning: Unbeta'd, I apologize for all errors.
// Blinds //
The sheering cries for help reaches his ear, the screaming and loud thuds, all soon silenced as he opens his door and steps onto the deck. Under the beating sun and calm winds, such a scene ruined by the reddening pool forming in the water.
Kangin steps onto the second boat, "Found anything?"
"Some gold, but not much." His crew informs him, he purses his lips, such a waste, but they hadn't found a good haul in a long while. He examines the boat but isn't impressed by it either.
"Not him! Please-"
Kangin assumes long ago that he had lost all the humanity in himself, when even a woman's pleas falls on deaf ears. Yesung is nearly done with his work. Kangin looks back just in time to see someone smaller in the devil's clutches, the razors dangerously close to his neck.
"Stop!" Kangin bellows, Yesung paused just right before slashing the kid's neck. The captain steps forward toward the child who remains in the man's grasp, eyes not meeting his. He steps closer, and he's somehow sure he could see the shoulders tense on the child.
He feared him, and that was good.
"Take him." Kangin orders after a look over.
Yesung furrows his eyebrows, "What are we suppose to do with him?"
Kangin returns a look that silences him, the man then examines the child as he would any recruit. There was always the need for new blood.
"For now, have him clean up this mess. If we choose to sell it, it can't be in this condition."
The crew scavenged what they could, knowing exactly what was worthy and what not to take.
He returned to his room, looking through the door's window to see the child still at work. Sungmin cleaned up every bit of the blood spilled from the former passengers; it may have been his close friends, family possibly, but Kangin didn't need to know, and so he didn't ask.
He tugged the strings and the blinds fell low, flipped closed on the scene. He chooses not to look.
-
// 12 years later //
-
"You're joking."
"Not at all," Siwon smirked, "I merely walked out of there, and not a single cop realized who I was." Kangin laughed with him, both sitting on the creaking wooden chairs within the dingy room. There had been better, but with the full glasses in their hands, there was little complaint.
"If you come by this weekend, I'll show you what imported should truly taste like." Siwon offered.
"Unfortunately I can't accept, we'll be gone by the evening after next."
Siwon tapped his finger against his then empty glass. "More whiskey." Siwon demanded to the only other young man in the room, he gave no reaction that he heard him and continued to mop the floors without so much as a second look.
"Sungmin, do as he says." Kangin orders, the young man is notably displeased but lowers his mop and heads to the cellar.
"That boy of yours doesn't listen." Siwon added quietly, his good mood gone. Kangin exhaled,
"He's just stubborn."
Siwon scoffs. "Is he that noble? To choose who he listens to and who he ignores? Don't tell me this is your new method of training your men?"
"Are you that concerned that I'll lose control of them?"
Siwon paused slightly before shaking his head. "I've always been envious of your crew, as everyone had, I just hope not to see it go under because of that one."
Kangin's smile was never quite kind, but a warning. Siwon could only laugh lightly as he stood up. "I didn't realize how late it had been, I'll be off."
Kangin nodded once, minutes after his departure, he heard the footsteps nearing towards the room. "Were you purposely taking your time?"
"Not at all, Captain." Sungmin replied, he stepped forward and with the opened bottle, poured its pure remnants into his raised glass.
"Remember to sell it quickly before the evening, the guards make their rounds around then. Of course Donghae understands the guards better than anyone, he could probably help you. However, if you get caught, I will leave you behind."
"Yes, Captain." Sungmin's answers were automatic, drilled into him.
He knew what crossed Sungmin's mind. The young man may have feared him, worked day to night until he was taught their way, but still he detached himself, setting himself apart from the rest of them. He was determined to never become one of them, even if he was no better, but Sungmin still attempted as such.
-
The blind turned slowly, one tugged down as he peered through the shabby hotel window. He could see Sungmin speaking with a local merchant, chatting up as always when he could, something he couldn't reprimand as long as he got the products needed.
This port had been a favorite of theirs over the years, Sungmin became the tradesman amongst them, the one the locals trusted. He never had to worry about sending him off, the man knew his responsibilities. It was noticeable when Sungmin didn't.
"You were done hours ago,"
Sungmin lowered his head, he gave no instance of an apology.
"I won't stop you from your activities, but if it wastes any more of our time, I will hand over the job over to someone more efficiently. Understand?"
"...Yes, Captain."
He knew what he saw.
A front of respect, a wave of claimed friendship and understanding, shadowing the deeper traces of something more. Kangin chooses not to see, it'd only bring more trouble than it was worth.
-
Kangin hurried through the door, the water spilling across the floor from the dented bucket. "What's going on?"
Sungmin's reddened eyes gaze up at the captain, but then look back on the ground in shame. Yesung keeps his back to him, but the oldest can glimpse at the cold glare. "That merchant skipped out on his payment, he's defending him. He tries to hide it as if it were nothing."
"That can't be all," Yesung was reckless, yes, but never this impulsive.
"Hmph," Yesung narrowed his darkened eyes even further. "A faggot serves with us Captain, did you know?"
Sungmin froze.
"He's been spending some time with him, hasn't he? I caught them kissing in the back-"
"No! It's not true-"
"I know what I saw." Yesung interjects, with another sharp blow, Sungmin was forced back onto the ground. "That Donghae of yours is not strong, I don't even think he can fight back..."
Sungmin grabbed onto Yesung's leg, head raised, his knees stained from the soiled water. "Don't kill him, please." He pleaded.
Yesung shoves him roughly onto the still wet floor, "I don't take orders from you." He snapped.
"Yesung," Kangin says, "We have other interests in this port. If it goes around we're killing them, they might not be so keen."
Yesung doesn't like such an answer. "Captain, if this gets around-"
"Are you questioning me?"
The man paired with the worst of reputations was silenced, because even with his track record, there was still a man stronger than he. In bitter silence, Yesung shoved past the crippled figure and left the room.
In the tense atmosphere of the room, the older could hear a wavering breath.
"A man doesn't cry." Kangin says firmly, Sungmin nodded his head but refused to show his face. Kangin glances at the wet spots forming tiny ripples but says nothing.
The next afternoon they ready their boat, the crew unaware of the events that occurred since Yesung hadn't told them a thing but Kangin observed him carefully. When Sungmin walks past him, Yesung gives him no snide remark, but ignores his very existence. Sungmin is readily aboard without complaint or holding back, also a first.
Just as they set sail and embark on their next route, Kangin looks back to the distant pier to see the familiar merchant standing by the edge. Even beneath the harsh sun that burdens his vision, he can see his sorrow.
"We won't be back for a while, have you said your goodbyes?" He asks quietly to Sungmin who hasn't once turned around and kept his back to the city.
Sungmin visibly clears his throat.
"You won't even look back? Not once?"
Sungmin doesn't. A part of him wondered if it may have been from pride, to prove to both the Captain and Yesung that his orientation had never shifted.
But then he sees his stinging eyes, and knows it doesn't involve pride. He couldn't bear to say this goodbye.
-
//Five Years Later//
-
"I honestly didn't think we'd return here." Kangin hears his crew mention loudly, he looks outside his half lowered window, the sun was still as hot, the skies just as blue. The city from his obscured vision had changed, but not too much.
"I don't think it's any different."
"Maybe not, but the people could be. We may have a harder time trading in some of our goods."
"We could have returned earlier, kept up our load if it hadn't been for the Captain."
Kangin hears the cheerful chatter come to a stop, Yesung's voice crisp and clear.
"Prison has done some of us good," One tried to joke. "If we weren't caught-"
"The cops could have been finished." Yesung uttered.
"We were outnumbered."
Yesung shifted his sharp gaze to his Captain who stepped out of the room, but this time he doesn't back down. "If we done things like before, we could have easily taken them all. Or are you developing a conscious in your old age?"
The crew watched the exchange from a short distance, all the movement on deck pauses to listen. "You all swore loyalty to me," Kangin reminds.
"Except this isn't the captain we swore we'd always follow." Yesung daringly turns his back on him, and once the boat reaches the pier, does as needed without another word.
He knew this unsettled the crew, but with just another short command, they hurriedly tied the boat. He looks from the corner of his eye as Sungmin slowly approach the ledge.
Sungmin maintained his cold expression as stepped on ground. Sungmin continued to train himself to be aloof to everything, indifferent.
It's only as he sees him glance at the market signs, some of which hadn't changed over the years, does he seen a brief glimmer of hope. But Sungmin quickly shuns it away before either of the crew could see.
"Where's Yesung?" One of the crew members asked, Kangin scans about and realize he is missing.
"Don't worry about him." Kangin assured, the crew quickly return to their work and unload their cargo.
When he walks into town, he sees that his reputation can still scare off some, but there are new merchants who do not know to be afraid. Before, Kangin would have this taken care of, but these days, he finds it tiresome.
"I haven't seen you around," A familiar voice greets. Kangin smiles by habit, but its strained as Siwon approaches him. "I thought we had seen the last of you when the foreigners caught you."
"There was nothing they can hold us on."
Siwon chuckles, "Your crew still has a trick or two up their sleeve. If one ever needed to disappear, you're the one to turn to."
Kangin looks at the nearest hostel, he couldn't stand for long and dragged himself over, but still hid his lack of strength from the other. He settled within the creaky walls, the building coming apart it seemed any day now, but it was cheap and so he bared with it.
He didn't have much days in him to continue this trade, not much longer now.
That early evening the door opened, and he observed as Yesung treaded through.
"What are you doing here?" Kangin asked.
Yesung didn't answer, scanning around the room first. "That queer isn't here... He's probably off sucking dick."
Kangin clenched his hand on the handlebars of his chair, Yesung can obviously see his words causing agitation, but it no longer bothers him.
"He'll be back soon," Kangin spoke.
Yesung smirks deviously, challenging him with that look alone.
Dawn was soon approaching, and there was no sign of Sungmin. Yesung remained waiting by the doorway for the youngest to come and detail his exchange, just as he should always do.
Kangin tensed as the skies began brightening outside, the aging man can no longer control his crew. The further time passed, the more prominent Yesung's confidence reigned.
There's finally a knock on his door, the Captain looks up just as a man walks in, but it isn't someone of his crew.
Siwon stands tall, not greeting him, but asking Yesung instead, "Has he always been rebellious?"
"Worst."
"We can't have that." Siwon stated.
A sense of dread overcomes the man as Yesung grins widely.
"How do you take care of that then?" Yesung asks mockingly, to this, Siwon smiles.
"I'm sure you know how. It's an old fashioned method that has always worked before, Kangin once stood by it." Siwon meets the former Captain's eyes. "Once he shows compassion, he shows weakness. These were your famous words."
"Leave him be," Kangin finally speaks, forcing himself to stand up. He hears the back doors open, and see those of the crew gradually filling in.
Yesung scowls. "I'm tired of you protecting him."
"As am I." Siwon utters. He looked back to the crew, "Hold him back."
The crew obeys without question, holding him back, and Kangin finds he can't find the strength to stop them as he once could. He struggles as best as he could, but nothing could be done.
"We'll all look for him, and Yesung, if you find him or his lover first. Kill them." Siwon said simply. "He's useless in this state now. There's no sense in bringing him back."
The moment Yesung walked out of the room with Siwon in tow, he felt his crew's hold on him weaken just slightly. Kangin used whatever strength he had and pulled away.
Yes, these were the men he'd once die for, but no longer. They followed someone else, and they were strangers in his way. Each punch, his blow were met, but as more of the crew men entered, the weakened walls began to break.
"Run!"
The upper roof came apart just as the others escaped at full pace, one didn't fair as well. Beneath the collapsed rubble and debris, crushing his back, struggling for breath. He outstretched his hand, unconsciously reaching for help.
"Captain?!"
Kangin looks up to see Sungmin rushes towards him, the sun fully above through the opened cracks. He wasn't aware that he knocked out for so long.
"Get out. Leave before they find you."
"But-"
"Do it." Kangin orders, and Sungmin is torn. A captain's order is law, but he cannot leave him, not in this state.
But why?
Hadn't he always hated him? After what he had done to his family, to the people he knew, killed before his very eyes, leaving him in such a state would be the greatest retribution.
Still, even after every sinful act, he dared to worry for this young man as if he were his kin. His own flesh and blood.
He feels himself being pulled out, but only vaguely. He feels the drops hit his shoulders and he wishes he could tell him to stop, he isn't fit for another man's tears. He isn't worthy of his help, not a corrupted soul as he.
Run. Leave, Kangin struggles to mouth. Be safe.
And all he then sees, is black.
-
The spots of light slowly form into his vision. He is no longer on the ground, but on brittle hay, a cloth over his head but a sheet hovering around him at all sides.
"Are you alright?" He looks up to see a fellow doctor checking him over. "You've been through a rough point in your life, haven't you?"
He chooses not to answer, the doctor continues his routine while speaking mainly to himself. Unaware of the treacherous man laying in his quarters, whose bounty astounded many, whose infamous name once struck fear in seamen alike. However, unlike before, this doctor met no threat.
The declared, unnamed patient is declared nonverbal, unable or refusing to speak. Kangin lives with his diagnosis and never speaks again.
The blinds lift up by someone else's accord, and he does nothing as the rays hit his dried skin. He listens without rebuttal, obeys his doctor's orders, assumes as an ordinary man as the weeks pass by.
There was nothing to his name, and he felt oddly content with such.
He hears of the spread fire news through the various patients that come and go within the small cabin, able to hear their clear gossip, of the merchant's shack that had been ransacked and destroyed. How they've been searching for him throughout the city but they've vanished without a trace.
There's been no sign of either the timid merchant nor of the rogue pirate.
The man stripped of identity, all connections severed, and still he chooses to hear. And as the news travels to his ears, the corners of his lips curve upward.
His loyal crewsman obeyed his commands, found the greatest an ordinary life could offer. He could find no greater treasure nor satisfaction than that.
rssj1314's Remember These Words | HaeMin
[Previous: HenHyuk (Pins)] | [ Next: YeHen (Wolves)]