Aurora (Chapter 15) - ATEEZ OT8 Pirate!AU
Genre: Adventure/Romance (Mostly fluff)
Rating: PG-13 (select chapters will have strong language, violence, and suggestive situations)
Disclaimer: Our main girl has a name but feel free to self-insert.
Tag List: @unatempesta-dipensieri @sugarrimajins @masterninjacow @twancingyunhoe @wheeinwhanders-chat
Word Count: 959
Mingi wouldn’t stop pacing the room. Just next door, Jangmi was screaming and sobbing but no one would let him go be with her. “We already have her signature. We just need yours.” A scholar handed Mingi a marriage contract. He stared at it, feeling his heart racing with each stroke of the quill. It wasn’t the wedding he had wanted for them but she was his wife now.
“Please. Can I see her?” He choked on his words. “My wife is having a baby and she needs me.”
“Mingi, that’s not how things work. Men aren’t allowed in the room unless they’re a doctor.” Hongjoong held Mingi’s arm gently. “She’s strong. I’m sure she’s…” He trailed off when he heard a baby crying. Everyone fell silent, even the queen who had been speaking quietly with Jongho.
A nurse came to stand in the doorway. “Would you like to see the baby?” Her eyes quickly scanned the room full of men but judging by the look of extreme concern on Mingi’s face, she figured he was the husband. “She’s perfect.”
Mingi nodded, rendered speechless. A daughter… He had a daughter. Hongjoong let go of him as he left to go see Jangmi. Mingi stepped into the room. The nurses were taking away the bloodied sheets. Jangmi had a freshly cleaned baby swaddled in a blanket and cradled in her arms. “She looks just like him.” Mingi murmured. Jangmi nodded, smiling through tears and kissing the baby’s forehead gently. “He’ll always be with you both…” Mingi sat on the edge of the bed, kissing Jangmi before caressing the child’s cheek. “And so will I.”
There was nothing that could make him leave his family behind. His wife, his daughter - they were his everything. He’d defend them with his sword and with his life. Raising a little girl would prove difficult on a pirate ship but they had the means and the drive to keep her healthy and safe. They had powerful friends and could hide her away in the capital if need be.
“I love you so much.” Jangmi tugged him into another kiss as the nurses finished cleaning up the room.
“Should we fetch the other men?” A nurse cleared her throat. Mingi nodded, all smiles as he gazed upon his small family.
“What are you gonna name her?” His voice was quiet, not wanting to wake the sleeping newborn.
“Song Hwayoung,” Jangmi answered. “So she carries both of her fathers with her.”
“That’s perfect.” Hongjoong chuckled, standing in the doorway, one hand holding Nozomi’s. “I’m sure Seonghwa is looking down at you three with the biggest smile on his face.”
Once Jangmi was cleared to leave, the group collected the gifts the queen had given them for the baby; a crib, lots of clothes in varying sizes, toys, diapers, anything they could possibly need. Jangmi relied on Mingi to help her walk normally, still a bit weak from the labor of bringing a new life into the world. They reached the docks and began loading the items onto the deck.
“On to the next port.” Mingi grinned.
“Not for everyone.” Jongho cleared his throat. “I’m… I’m staying here.”
“What?” Hongjoong’s eyebrows shot up and he spun around to face the youngest member of the crew.
“The queen has formally asked to court me. I’ll be given a position and if we both get along and agree, I’ll be king.” Jongho looked the crew over. “I’ve treasured every moment I spent as a member of this crew but I want to go back to the life I once knew.” He gave a deep bow. “I wish you all the best and you are always welcome to stay as my guests.”
“It has been a pleasure.” Hongjoong bowed in return, resulting in bows from the whole crew. “Best of luck with your life here in the capital. There is always room for you on the Aurora if you change your mind.”
“Thank you.” Jongho gave a wistful smile, eyes taking in the crew again as if for the last time. “You will always be my family.”
Despite parting ways, the crew continued to keep tabs on Jongho. They listened to the gossip at every port, looking for him in the conversations of strangers. He had married the queen within a month of when they had left him behind and become the new king of Joseon. He continued to advocate for the lower-class and made sure the citizens of Joseon were happy.
Finally, the day came when they docked at the capital again.
Hwayoung - now six years old - ran ahead of the group and crashed right into a boy who looked of about the same age. “I’m sorry.” She bowed, eyes wide as she noticed the guards standing around him. “Uh… I’m Song Hwayoung.”
“I’m Choi Donghyun, the crown prince of Joseon.” He stood taller and the whole crew froze, looking at the boy. They had heard about Jongho having a son but they hadn’t expected to meet him like this. “You’re my dad’s old friends, right? He draws you a lot.” He looked between the crew before taking Hwayoung’s hand. “Come with me. He wants to talk to you. There’s a lot to catch up on.”
They were led through the palace courtyard and to the throne room. Jongho sat next to his queen, dressed as the king he was. They had never seen him this regal - this powerful and elegant. One-by-one the crew fell into deep bows of reverence for their king. It wasn’t until they lifted their heads that they saw the solemn desperation in his eyes. Without having to ask, they knew he was about to ask for their help. They had to work together once again.
A/N: I’m not sure how I feel about it but I’ve re-written this too many times and I’m ready to move on to another story so this is the last chapter of Aurora!