Chapter 1: An Unlikely Observer

The salty sea air whipped through Hyunjin's short, dark hair as he stood at the bow of the ship, gazing out at the endless expanse of water. His broad shoulders were tense, his eyes narrowed against the sun's glare. He had always been a man of action, not one to shy away from a challenge, but since joining this cursed pirate crew, he'd felt like an outsider. As he scanned the horizon, a figure emerged from the shadows of the ship's wheelhouse. Bangchan, the captain, stood with his back to Hyunjin, his eyes fixed on the navigation charts spread out before him. His rugged features were set in a contemplative expression, his sharp jawline and piercing gaze a testament to his authority. Hyunjin snorted, turning his attention back to the sea. He had little use for the captain or his crew. They were a motley bunch, each with their own quirks and secrets. He had seen the way they looked at him – with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. Like he was a puzzle they couldn't quite solve. Bangchan, however, seemed different. His eyes, a deep, piercing brown, seemed to hold a quiet intensity, as if he saw right through Hyunjin's gruff exterior. Hyunjin felt a shiver run down his spine as he caught the captain's gaze, but Bangchan merely nodded and returned to his charts. The rest of the crew was scattered about the ship, each lost in their own thoughts. Changbin and Seungmin were arguing over a game of cards, their voices rising and falling in a familiar cadence. Jisung and Felix were busy checking the rigging, their laughter carrying on the wind. Minho and Jeongin were on watch, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of danger. Hyunjin snorted, his eyes drifting back to Bangchan. The captain seemed to be watching him, his eyes flicking towards Hyunjin before returning to his charts. Hyunjin felt a twinge of annoyance, but pushed it aside. He had better things to do than worry about the captain's opinions. As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the sea, Hyunjin turned to make his way back to his duties. He had barely taken a step when Bangchan's voice stopped him. "Hyunjin." He turned, his eyes narrowing. "What?" Bangchan's expression was neutral, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of curiosity. "Just checking on you. You're not getting into too much trouble, I hope?" Hyunjin's snort was immediate. "I can take care of myself." Bangchan chuckled, the sound low and smooth. "I'm sure you can. But just in case, keep an ear out for the lookout. We're approaching a narrow strait." Hyunjin nodded, his eyes flicking towards the captain before he turned away. He couldn't shake the feeling that Bangchan was watching him, waiting for him to slip up. But as he walked away, he caught a glimpse of the captain's eyes, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. The air seemed to thicken, the tension between them palpable. Hyunjin's heart skipped a beat before he looked away, his face neutral. But as he disappeared into the crowd, Bangchan's eyes lingered on the spot where Hyunjin had stood, a small, enigmatic smile playing on his lips. The captain's gaze drifted out to sea, his thoughts lost in the ebb and flow of the waves. He had a feeling about Hyunjin, a sense that the man was hiding something beneath his rough exterior. But Bangchan wasn't one to push people for answers. He waited, observing, and letting the currents of fate guide him. As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, Hyunjin found himself glancing back at Bangchan, their eyes meeting across the deck. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the world around them melting away. And then, Bangchan smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Hyunjin's heart skipped a beat as he turned away, his face burning with a mixture of confusion and curiosity. What was it about the captain that made him feel so...seen?