Tender

                                    

                                          
As the last traces of twilight faded into the deep hues of night, Seonghwa and Hongjoong wandered through the quiet, cobblestone streets of the port town. The gentle hum of nighttime activities, distant conversations, and the occasional clatter of horse-drawn carts echoed softly around them. The air was cool and crisp, carrying the faint scent of the sea and the warmth of the town's glowing lanterns.
The tension of the day had slipped away, leaving the two of them in comfortable silence. Seonghwa found solace in Hongjoong's presence, the soft cadence of their footsteps matching in sync. The captain had a way of making things feel less complicated, even when his sharp wit and unpredictable nature kept everyone else on edge.
"You always seem at ease, even after a storm," Seonghwa remarked, glancing at Hongjoong, his eyes catching the soft light reflected in his captain's gaze.
Hongjoong smiled, a small chuckle escaping him. "Years of practice," he replied, eyes scanning the horizon. "You learn to roll with whatever the sea throws at you."
They strolled through the marketplace, now quiet after the day's bustling trade. The vendors had long since packed up, and only a few locals lingered around, sharing drinks and stories in low voices. Hongjoong's hands rested casually in his coat pockets as they walked, but there was an air of contemplation about him, something unspoken.
"I know you have your secrets, but you haven't really told much about your life before all of this," Hongjoong began, breaking the stillness. "What's your story?"
Seonghwa hesitated for a moment. "It's not an interesting tale," he answered, though there was weight to his words. His past wasn't something he could share easily, not yet. But here, walking with Hongjoong, there was a quiet understanding that didn't demand more than he was willing to give.
Hongjoong hummed in response, not pressing further. "I owe you," he said suddenly, his tone shifting. "For the hat. I haven't forgotten."
Seonghwa smiled faintly. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
"It was to me," Hongjoong insisted, slowing his pace and turning to face Seonghwa, his expression more serious now. "You can ask for anything you want in return."
Seonghwa's eyes flickered with curiosity. "I didn't do it expecting anything."
"Well, I still want to repay you. If you don't have anything in mind... I can repay you in another way," Hongjoong said, his voice lowering, filled with a subtle suggestion that made Seonghwa's breath hitch.
"How?" Seonghwa asked, barely above a whisper, though his heart pounded in his chest.
Hongjoong stepped closer, his hand gently brushing against Seonghwa's arm before rising to cradle his jaw. Seonghwa's breath stilled as Hongjoong's lips met his in a soft, lingering kiss. At first, it was innocent, tentative—a fleeting connection that carried the warmth of an unspoken promise. But it wasn't long before the kisses deepened, each one a little more intense, filled with a hunger neither of them had fully acknowledged until now.
The quiet street seemed to disappear around them as they lost themselves in each other. Hongjoong's fingers tangled in Seonghwa's hair, and Seonghwa leaned into the kiss, feeling a heat coil low in his stomach. The world narrowed to just the two of them, their breaths mingling in the cool night air.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless and dazed, Hongjoong's gaze lingered on Seonghwa, his voice barely a murmur. "We don't have to go back to the ship tonight."
Seonghwa's pulse raced. "And where would we stay?"
Hongjoong's smirk returned, though it was softer this time. "There's an inn nearby. Private. Quiet."