𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 (𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞!𝐚𝐮) 𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐙

CH. 57 ~ The Captains' Meeting

Knock knock!

The light rapport on the wooden surface of the door of the sickbay is what wakes me up from the substantial amount of sleep I've had. I groggily wake up, rubbing the prior tiredness out of my eyes that are a bit puffed up and red from the crying yesterday.

As I sit up, I notice that I'm still on the floor, right where I fell when I stumbled into the sickbay after finding out the grave news of Yunho's passing.

The news still hangs heavy in my chest, bringing along an air of guilt with it.

I try to push those depressing thoughts out of my head, figuring that I must've passed out on the floor last night and getting up to see who is knocking on my door.

I become a bit hesitant when I do reach it though, afraid that it might be someone who's come to yell at me for what happened to Yunho. I pray that it's not Yeosang or Mingi that's waiting for me beyond the wooden door because quite frankly, I don't think I can face the two men to whom I promised to bring Yunho back.

And as if the gods were listening to my prayers, it was neither of them.

"Sun-Mi." Jongho's stern voice greets, void of any emotions that would link to how he's feeling currently. The young battle master was never the expressive type but something is telling me that he's caved in to himself further. I wouldn't blame him.

"Hey, Jongho." I greet back bleakly, my eyes barely open, not feeling the energy to express more. "Did you need something from me?"

The athletic man stands there, staring at me with a serious countenance, studying me closely to the point where I feel naked under his scrutinizing eye. I instinctively hug myself, afraid that he might swing something at me when his arm stretches out and he pulls me toward him for a hug.

Out of all the members of the crew, Jongho and San were the only ones who've never hugged me. And here I stand now, mind-boggled as to why the man's hands are wrapped around me. Before I can vocalize my suspicion, Jongho beats me to the punch.

"I should've gone with you," he mutters, loud enough for me to catch wind of what he said. "I should've followed you the minute you decided to go back to find Seonghwa." His voice breaks at the last syllable and he grips me tighter, shaking a little.

Understanding what he's trying to say, I lift my hands to reciprocate the hug, rubbing his back comfortingly to soothe him. He sniffles quietly, pulling back and sagging his shoulder when he lets go.

"No, you shouldn't have. You did the right thing."

"But—,"

"If you had gone with me, the things that possessed Yunho would have possessed you. And I couldn't have let that happen." I pause, "you stayed with Bina because you knew she would need your help. You did well." He nods minutely, avoiding my gaze by looking away. He seems pensive, just standing there as if waiting for me to resume the conversation when he beats me to it again.

"Hongjoong had, um, told me to tell you to meet him at the gangplank in five minutes."

"Did he tell you what for?" I ask, clearly intrigued that Captain wanted to see me so soon but also annoyed that I'd have to spend the day outside of the comfort of the sickbay.

"He didn't specify. He just told me to tell you." I nod, telling Jongho to not worry and then closing the door when he walks away.

I turn around with furrowed brows, perplexed on what Eye-patch could possibly want with me.

Am I getting kicked off the crew for what happened to Yunho?

Getting ready to meet up with Eye-patch, I subconsciously bite my nails, pacing my room in angst and worry.