Super Junior: Parchment and Blood (2/?)
Parchment and Blood
Super Junior (and SJ-M): AU (pirates (!!!))
Zhou Mi/Kyuhyun (more later), PG, adventure
Summary: An upstanding junior officer in the Royal Navy with a bright future ahead of him, Cho Kyuhyun's world was upturned and thrown into disarray when he wakes to find his town burning and a pirate ship on the horizon.
Chapters: Prologue. o1. o2.
Chapter Two
A hand shoved at Kyuhyun's back and he went tumbling forward, sharp with pain as his knees crashed into something very solid. His hands were tied behind his back and he was blindfolded and gagged. Completely helpless, he could only grit his teeth in anger. He was going to have a few bruises in the morning. He struggled to bring himself upright; he guessed that they were on a small boat, rocking gently on the mild morning waves.
He was roughly pushed straight, and the blindfold tugged off his face gently. The lanky man who had gone to his house crouched before him, the moonlight illuminating his smile. “Are you thirsty?”
“Zhou Mi, don't coddle him. You're always too nice to prisoners.” One of the bigger men frowned in their direction. The man before him sighed went to whisper quietly to one of the other men. So, Zhou Mi. Kyuhyun supposed Seasoning was just a nickname. Weren't pirate names supposed to be along the lines of wooden legs and missing eyes and scraggly beards? Out the corner of his eye Kyuhyun could see that other man, the one with light coloured hair, gently remove Ryeowook's blindfold.
Four of the pirates had set to rowing, heading for the dark ship Kyuhyun had seen from his window earlier that night. Kyuhyun looked at each of them carefully. They were young men, lean and tanned, their muscles tensing and stretching with the strain of rowing. Their weapons shone in the pale light of the moon, flecked with blood.
“Hey. Hey, you!” The man with the scarves snapped his fingers at him, trying to get his attention. “Listen up, I've got a few questions for you.”
Kyuhyun pressed his lips tightly closed, making an obvious line. The man scowled. “You think you're being brave? Look, I don't want to hurt your friend over there,” he nodded at Ryeowook, “but I will if you don't play nice, got it?” Kyuhyun stared at him, unblinking; he had expected this. The man sighed. “Fine, fine. Alright.” He moved to Ryeowook, pulling a cruel knife from under his vest and looked at it contemplatively. Ryeowook stared at him with terrified eyes. Kyuhyun held his breath. “It'd be so much easier if you went along with me, you know. Easier for you, easier for your friend, easier for me and definitely easier for the boys.” He indicated the other pirates. “It's a real chore, always having to clean blood off the boats.”
One of the other pirates snorted. “How would you know, you never clean up after yourself.”
“No, that's your job.” The man waved his knife around airily. The pirate sitting at the opposite end of the boat scowled. “Hyung, shut up and stop fooling around.”
“You shut up, Kibum.” He glared at the other man. “I'll do it my way, you got that?”
Kibum glared back. “Your way almost got Donghae killed tonight.” Kyuhyun's eyes flicked towards the man Zhou Mi was talking to - he was pressing a cloth to his shoulder, stained deep red with blood. “Why couldn't we just have sneaked into the town and grabbed him?”
“Ah, but where's the fun in that?” The man returned his attention to Kyuhyun, scooting over until he was in front of him. He stood, looking down at Kyuhyun imperiously, the boat rocking dangerously and sending Kyuhyun sideways. “You. First, tell me your name.”
“Heechul-hyung!” Kibum hissed. “We know who he is already! This boat is tiny and crowded, so before we capsize, sit down.”
The man scowled, but sat down anyway. “Come on, then. Your name.”
“I told you, it's Kui Xian.” Ryeowook didn't look like he'd be able to withstand torture - the mere presence of a knife at his throat had left him shaking in fear. It would be better to answer and lie.
“...Right. What do you do?” The man folded his arms.
“I'm a scholar.” Kyuhyun said, thinking of his younger cousin. “I travel a lot, for my research. I was in town visiting my mother, since it's been a while since I've seen her.”
“I see. And your father?”
Kyuhyun had been expecting this question. “My father, he's dead. He used to be in the navy, but was killed two years ago.”
“Hm, that's unfortunate. How does your mother keep keep that lovely house, then? Considering a scholar's income. I don't suppose you've got some nice little fortune tucked away somewhere?”
“I- the governor, he's my grandfather. It's his house. I don't have much money of my own.” Kyuhyun said in a rush. It wasn't a lie, really. Was that why they had come, had taken Kyuhyun? But if they were looking for money and were interested in his financial status, wouldn't they have looted the town? The boat carried only men, devoid of coin or gold; nothing had been taken. Except Ryeowook and himself, that is.
“Huh, is that so.” The little boat had reached the ship, and coarse, knotted ropes dropped down for them to climb, barely visible in the moonlight. Heechul stood, grabbing one. “We'll continue this onboard, follow me.”
“Uh, my hands are still tied? I can't climb up.”
“Not my hands, not my problem.” Heechul pulled himself up the rope and swung his legs over the side, disappearing from sight.
Kibum and Zhou Mi hoisted the injured pirate - Donghae - up onto their shoulders, and hands reached down to help him up as he grabbed a rope to steady himself. One by one, the pirates disappeared onto the ship. The man with light hair crouched down in front of Kyuhyun.
“Hi.” He smiled. “I'm Sungmin.” He produced a dagger from his sleeve and reached behind Kyuhyun, slicing through his bonds. He did the same for Ryeowook while Kyuhyun rubbed at his sore wrists. “Up you go.” He indicated the ropes with his dagger. “Don't try anything funny.”
The two of them stretched; Kyuhyun's muscles were beginning to get cramped from his uncomfortable position. He climbed up quickly and turned to give Ryeowook a hand.
When Ryeowook was safely on deck Kyuhyun turned back to face the pirates, most of whom had scattered, seeing to various things upon the ship, a few of them working at raising the anchor. His eyes sought out Heechul, who was overseeing the hoisting of the sails. Heechul glanced over at him, and nodded to Sungmin, who was still standing next to Kyuhyun.
“Right, come over here, both of you.” Sungmin ushered them over to a corner of the deck, out of the way. “Turn around, would you? Look out over there, I want you to see something.”
Ryeowook turned caught Kyuhyun's eye and gave him a tiny, reassuring smile before turning to face the shore obediently. Kyuhyun glanced at the busy crew and then back at Sungmin's dagger, weighing his chances. Even if he jumped overboard, he'd have to leave Ryeowook behind - he couldn't swim. And even if he did leave him behind, surely one of these men would come after him. There was no point.
He turned around, facing the land as instructed. There was a sudden, sharp pain as something dull struck the back of his head, and he sank to the floor, unconscious.
***
“Wake up. Wake up! OI.”
Kyuhyun cracked an eye open, squinting in the bright sunlight and groaned. “Unghh, wha-”
A bucket of cold water was poured over his head. Kyuhyun shouted, shocked. “I was already awake!”
“I know, but I had the bucket ready and everything, you know?” Kyuhyun glared at Heechul, who stood over him with an amused expression. Ryeowook was sitting next to Kyuhyun, gasping for air and thoroughly soaked. Kyuhyun struggled upright, his head swimming with pain from the blow he received last night. His hands were bound once more.
“What the hell.” Kyuhyun said flatly. “Look, what do you want from me? I've answered your questions. And you didn't have to knock us out, it's not like we could've gone anywhere.”
“Don't be stupid.” Heechul snorted disdainfully. “Answered our questions, Kui Xian? We didn't buy that for a moment. We know exactly who you are, Cho Kyuhyun. A scholar? Pfft.” His eyes narrowed. “Your father's commandeering the Seabird, am I correct?”
So. They wanted him because of his father after all. Kyuhyun said nothing, lifting his chin defiantly.
“God, would you just give me some straight answers? I'm going to get them anyway, you might as well indulge me before the knives come out.”
Kyuhyun didn't reply. Heechul sighed. “Kangin, would you?”
One of the pirates from the previous night stepped forward, cracking his knuckles eagerly. Ryeowook squeaked and scooted back as far as he could as the man loomed over him, menacing. Keeping their mouths shut and withstanding torture was fine in theory, but Kyuhyun had little doubt either he or Ryeowook would stay silent for long. He hadn't been trained for this.
“Alright! Fine, yes! My father is in charge of the Seabird!”
“See, that wasn't so hard was it? I didn't even have to threaten you, really. Just needed to check that we got the right one, after all.”
“What? Get the right one? You weren't sure? Who is your captain,” Kyuhyun demanded loudly, “let me speak to him!”
“I am.” Heechul said promptly, straightening his back and wearing an imperious expression. “I never really introduced myself, did I? How rude of me.” He flourished his hand and gave a dramatic, sweeping bow. “Captain Kim Heechul.” The man with soft eyes standing behind him snorted into his fist, hiding a smile. Heechul whirled around and glared at him. “What, is that funny to you? Hankyung, stop laughing! I'm captain!”
“Heechul's captain!” Donghae's voice came from above them, grinning as he swung on the ropes attached to the mast. Wait, wasn't he wounded? Kyuhyun wondered, staring at the man's bare shoulder and recalling the previous night, the dark wet stain and the wince in the pirate's eyes. It was fine, the skin smooth and unblemished. Donghae leaped lightly to the deck. “Captain Heechul!” His voice took on a dramatic tone. “Terror of the seas. Doer of dastardly deeds! Wanted everywhere.”
Heechul beamed. “Yes, I am.” He ruffled Donghae's hair. He shot a dirty look at Hankyung, who simply looked amused. “I'm glad at least someone appreciates my presence.”
“You're a terror, alright.” Someone muttered.
Heechul spun around. “Who said that.” He hissed.
“What,” Kyuhyun said incredulously, “the hell is wrong with you people?”
Who ties up a prisoner and begins questioning them, only to start bickering with your subordinates about rank? If they were subordinates at all, that was. Heechul seemed to be the man in charge, but the crew's attitude was definitely not respect towards their supposed leader.
“What's wrong with us? What's wrong with you.” Heechul scoffed. “You're not exactly in a position to be asking that, you know.”
“You attacked my town. You kidnap us. You ransack and pillage and loot. You've probably killed dozens of innocent people! I have absolutely no intention of helping you, so stop wasting my time here!”
“Hey, we're not that bad.” One of the other pirates pouted a little. “We don't kill people just for fun, just nick them a few times, so don't worry about your town. This time we didn't even nick that many people! We only kill people who want to kill us. Or accidentally. Mostly we just set things on fire.”
“Oh, that's okay then. You just set things on fire. May I remind you that these are homes, in which live women and children, which are filled with memory and laughter and-”
“Well, alright, okay, fine. Next time we'll just kill the lot of them so they don't feel the loss.” Heechul lifted his lip in a sneer.
Kyuhyun glared at him. “You do enough as it is! The smith, he was down-”
Kangin yawned. “Just a light wound, he'll be fine. I knocked him over the head and he went down pretty easily, actually.”
“You don't know that! He could have fallen badly, be bleeding under his skin! He could have-”
Heechul waved his hand disinterestedly. “Yeah, yeah. We're murderers. Bad, evil pirates.” He stood and turn to Kangin. “This is getting boring. I'm going to go see Teukie-hyung. You lot can babysit them. Have 'em keelhauled if they gives you too much trouble. Just make sure they doesn't drown.” He nodded at Kyuhun. “Don't give him any food. I'm sure he'll be more forthcoming after he's missed a few meals. Hankyung, let's go.” He turned and entered the cabins, the man with soft eyes following him after a moment's pause.
Sungmin came over to them, crouching down. “Sorry about that. Hey, can you fight at all?” He asked Ryeowook. He shook his head mutely. Kyuhyun had offered to teach him before, but Ryeowook preferred the use of Kyuhyun's library.
“I see. Well, what do you know about the upkeep of a ship?”
“...Not much.” Ryeowook kept his head down.
“Hm. Well, you'll learn.” He smiled encouragingly. “I don't think this is really necessary,” he leaned across and freed Ryeowook's hands, “you just need to stick near me, okay? Stay where I can see you, or... oh! I know, why don't you head down to the kitchens? There's a kid named Henry there, he'll know what to do.”
Ryeowook stood uncertainly, clearly not wanting to be separated from Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun nodded at him. It's okay, go. He hoped this Henry wasn't aggressive, whoever he was. Ryeowook had learned how to defend himself from attack, but hadn't actually put the lessons to practice. He was nervous and shy in front of strangers, forget strange pirates.
Sungmin gave him directions before turning back to Kyuhyun. “You, on the other hand, I can't set loose so sit nice and quiet for now, okay? I don't want to have you locked up in the brig with the other bilgerats.” He turned and followed Heechul's earlier path to the cabins.
Kyuhyun groaned. He longed to stretch out his arms, his shoulders aching. His skin was beginning to feel thin and too tight under the burning sun.
The pirate Kyuhyun recognised as Kibum came down and sat near him. He held up a wickedly curved scimitar, sunlight reflecting into Kyuhyun's eyes, looking at it contemplatively before pulling something out from his pouch and beginning to sharpen it, the sound of it slicing the air. Kibum glanced up at Kyuhyun and smiled, keeping his eyes locked with Kyuhyun's. A shiver ran down his spine. The man was dangerous. Was he here to keep an eye on him? Probably.
Kyuhyun leaned back onto the ship's side, watching the activity on deck. He couldn't even see any land. He had no idea where they were headed, nor how long he would be sitting there, guarded and wrists bound.
The ship lurched and swayed as the wind blew, traveling onward over the seemingly endless sea.
Super Junior (and SJ-M): AU (pirates (!!!))
Zhou Mi/Kyuhyun (more later), PG, adventure
Summary: An upstanding junior officer in the Royal Navy with a bright future ahead of him, Cho Kyuhyun's world was upturned and thrown into disarray when he wakes to find his town burning and a pirate ship on the horizon.
Chapters: Prologue. o1. o2.
Chapter Two
A hand shoved at Kyuhyun's back and he went tumbling forward, sharp with pain as his knees crashed into something very solid. His hands were tied behind his back and he was blindfolded and gagged. Completely helpless, he could only grit his teeth in anger. He was going to have a few bruises in the morning. He struggled to bring himself upright; he guessed that they were on a small boat, rocking gently on the mild morning waves.
He was roughly pushed straight, and the blindfold tugged off his face gently. The lanky man who had gone to his house crouched before him, the moonlight illuminating his smile. “Are you thirsty?”
“Zhou Mi, don't coddle him. You're always too nice to prisoners.” One of the bigger men frowned in their direction. The man before him sighed went to whisper quietly to one of the other men. So, Zhou Mi. Kyuhyun supposed Seasoning was just a nickname. Weren't pirate names supposed to be along the lines of wooden legs and missing eyes and scraggly beards? Out the corner of his eye Kyuhyun could see that other man, the one with light coloured hair, gently remove Ryeowook's blindfold.
Four of the pirates had set to rowing, heading for the dark ship Kyuhyun had seen from his window earlier that night. Kyuhyun looked at each of them carefully. They were young men, lean and tanned, their muscles tensing and stretching with the strain of rowing. Their weapons shone in the pale light of the moon, flecked with blood.
“Hey. Hey, you!” The man with the scarves snapped his fingers at him, trying to get his attention. “Listen up, I've got a few questions for you.”
Kyuhyun pressed his lips tightly closed, making an obvious line. The man scowled. “You think you're being brave? Look, I don't want to hurt your friend over there,” he nodded at Ryeowook, “but I will if you don't play nice, got it?” Kyuhyun stared at him, unblinking; he had expected this. The man sighed. “Fine, fine. Alright.” He moved to Ryeowook, pulling a cruel knife from under his vest and looked at it contemplatively. Ryeowook stared at him with terrified eyes. Kyuhyun held his breath. “It'd be so much easier if you went along with me, you know. Easier for you, easier for your friend, easier for me and definitely easier for the boys.” He indicated the other pirates. “It's a real chore, always having to clean blood off the boats.”
One of the other pirates snorted. “How would you know, you never clean up after yourself.”
“No, that's your job.” The man waved his knife around airily. The pirate sitting at the opposite end of the boat scowled. “Hyung, shut up and stop fooling around.”
“You shut up, Kibum.” He glared at the other man. “I'll do it my way, you got that?”
Kibum glared back. “Your way almost got Donghae killed tonight.” Kyuhyun's eyes flicked towards the man Zhou Mi was talking to - he was pressing a cloth to his shoulder, stained deep red with blood. “Why couldn't we just have sneaked into the town and grabbed him?”
“Ah, but where's the fun in that?” The man returned his attention to Kyuhyun, scooting over until he was in front of him. He stood, looking down at Kyuhyun imperiously, the boat rocking dangerously and sending Kyuhyun sideways. “You. First, tell me your name.”
“Heechul-hyung!” Kibum hissed. “We know who he is already! This boat is tiny and crowded, so before we capsize, sit down.”
The man scowled, but sat down anyway. “Come on, then. Your name.”
“I told you, it's Kui Xian.” Ryeowook didn't look like he'd be able to withstand torture - the mere presence of a knife at his throat had left him shaking in fear. It would be better to answer and lie.
“...Right. What do you do?” The man folded his arms.
“I'm a scholar.” Kyuhyun said, thinking of his younger cousin. “I travel a lot, for my research. I was in town visiting my mother, since it's been a while since I've seen her.”
“I see. And your father?”
Kyuhyun had been expecting this question. “My father, he's dead. He used to be in the navy, but was killed two years ago.”
“Hm, that's unfortunate. How does your mother keep keep that lovely house, then? Considering a scholar's income. I don't suppose you've got some nice little fortune tucked away somewhere?”
“I- the governor, he's my grandfather. It's his house. I don't have much money of my own.” Kyuhyun said in a rush. It wasn't a lie, really. Was that why they had come, had taken Kyuhyun? But if they were looking for money and were interested in his financial status, wouldn't they have looted the town? The boat carried only men, devoid of coin or gold; nothing had been taken. Except Ryeowook and himself, that is.
“Huh, is that so.” The little boat had reached the ship, and coarse, knotted ropes dropped down for them to climb, barely visible in the moonlight. Heechul stood, grabbing one. “We'll continue this onboard, follow me.”
“Uh, my hands are still tied? I can't climb up.”
“Not my hands, not my problem.” Heechul pulled himself up the rope and swung his legs over the side, disappearing from sight.
Kibum and Zhou Mi hoisted the injured pirate - Donghae - up onto their shoulders, and hands reached down to help him up as he grabbed a rope to steady himself. One by one, the pirates disappeared onto the ship. The man with light hair crouched down in front of Kyuhyun.
“Hi.” He smiled. “I'm Sungmin.” He produced a dagger from his sleeve and reached behind Kyuhyun, slicing through his bonds. He did the same for Ryeowook while Kyuhyun rubbed at his sore wrists. “Up you go.” He indicated the ropes with his dagger. “Don't try anything funny.”
The two of them stretched; Kyuhyun's muscles were beginning to get cramped from his uncomfortable position. He climbed up quickly and turned to give Ryeowook a hand.
When Ryeowook was safely on deck Kyuhyun turned back to face the pirates, most of whom had scattered, seeing to various things upon the ship, a few of them working at raising the anchor. His eyes sought out Heechul, who was overseeing the hoisting of the sails. Heechul glanced over at him, and nodded to Sungmin, who was still standing next to Kyuhyun.
“Right, come over here, both of you.” Sungmin ushered them over to a corner of the deck, out of the way. “Turn around, would you? Look out over there, I want you to see something.”
Ryeowook turned caught Kyuhyun's eye and gave him a tiny, reassuring smile before turning to face the shore obediently. Kyuhyun glanced at the busy crew and then back at Sungmin's dagger, weighing his chances. Even if he jumped overboard, he'd have to leave Ryeowook behind - he couldn't swim. And even if he did leave him behind, surely one of these men would come after him. There was no point.
He turned around, facing the land as instructed. There was a sudden, sharp pain as something dull struck the back of his head, and he sank to the floor, unconscious.
***
“Wake up. Wake up! OI.”
Kyuhyun cracked an eye open, squinting in the bright sunlight and groaned. “Unghh, wha-”
A bucket of cold water was poured over his head. Kyuhyun shouted, shocked. “I was already awake!”
“I know, but I had the bucket ready and everything, you know?” Kyuhyun glared at Heechul, who stood over him with an amused expression. Ryeowook was sitting next to Kyuhyun, gasping for air and thoroughly soaked. Kyuhyun struggled upright, his head swimming with pain from the blow he received last night. His hands were bound once more.
“What the hell.” Kyuhyun said flatly. “Look, what do you want from me? I've answered your questions. And you didn't have to knock us out, it's not like we could've gone anywhere.”
“Don't be stupid.” Heechul snorted disdainfully. “Answered our questions, Kui Xian? We didn't buy that for a moment. We know exactly who you are, Cho Kyuhyun. A scholar? Pfft.” His eyes narrowed. “Your father's commandeering the Seabird, am I correct?”
So. They wanted him because of his father after all. Kyuhyun said nothing, lifting his chin defiantly.
“God, would you just give me some straight answers? I'm going to get them anyway, you might as well indulge me before the knives come out.”
Kyuhyun didn't reply. Heechul sighed. “Kangin, would you?”
One of the pirates from the previous night stepped forward, cracking his knuckles eagerly. Ryeowook squeaked and scooted back as far as he could as the man loomed over him, menacing. Keeping their mouths shut and withstanding torture was fine in theory, but Kyuhyun had little doubt either he or Ryeowook would stay silent for long. He hadn't been trained for this.
“Alright! Fine, yes! My father is in charge of the Seabird!”
“See, that wasn't so hard was it? I didn't even have to threaten you, really. Just needed to check that we got the right one, after all.”
“What? Get the right one? You weren't sure? Who is your captain,” Kyuhyun demanded loudly, “let me speak to him!”
“I am.” Heechul said promptly, straightening his back and wearing an imperious expression. “I never really introduced myself, did I? How rude of me.” He flourished his hand and gave a dramatic, sweeping bow. “Captain Kim Heechul.” The man with soft eyes standing behind him snorted into his fist, hiding a smile. Heechul whirled around and glared at him. “What, is that funny to you? Hankyung, stop laughing! I'm captain!”
“Heechul's captain!” Donghae's voice came from above them, grinning as he swung on the ropes attached to the mast. Wait, wasn't he wounded? Kyuhyun wondered, staring at the man's bare shoulder and recalling the previous night, the dark wet stain and the wince in the pirate's eyes. It was fine, the skin smooth and unblemished. Donghae leaped lightly to the deck. “Captain Heechul!” His voice took on a dramatic tone. “Terror of the seas. Doer of dastardly deeds! Wanted everywhere.”
Heechul beamed. “Yes, I am.” He ruffled Donghae's hair. He shot a dirty look at Hankyung, who simply looked amused. “I'm glad at least someone appreciates my presence.”
“You're a terror, alright.” Someone muttered.
Heechul spun around. “Who said that.” He hissed.
“What,” Kyuhyun said incredulously, “the hell is wrong with you people?”
Who ties up a prisoner and begins questioning them, only to start bickering with your subordinates about rank? If they were subordinates at all, that was. Heechul seemed to be the man in charge, but the crew's attitude was definitely not respect towards their supposed leader.
“What's wrong with us? What's wrong with you.” Heechul scoffed. “You're not exactly in a position to be asking that, you know.”
“You attacked my town. You kidnap us. You ransack and pillage and loot. You've probably killed dozens of innocent people! I have absolutely no intention of helping you, so stop wasting my time here!”
“Hey, we're not that bad.” One of the other pirates pouted a little. “We don't kill people just for fun, just nick them a few times, so don't worry about your town. This time we didn't even nick that many people! We only kill people who want to kill us. Or accidentally. Mostly we just set things on fire.”
“Oh, that's okay then. You just set things on fire. May I remind you that these are homes, in which live women and children, which are filled with memory and laughter and-”
“Well, alright, okay, fine. Next time we'll just kill the lot of them so they don't feel the loss.” Heechul lifted his lip in a sneer.
Kyuhyun glared at him. “You do enough as it is! The smith, he was down-”
Kangin yawned. “Just a light wound, he'll be fine. I knocked him over the head and he went down pretty easily, actually.”
“You don't know that! He could have fallen badly, be bleeding under his skin! He could have-”
Heechul waved his hand disinterestedly. “Yeah, yeah. We're murderers. Bad, evil pirates.” He stood and turn to Kangin. “This is getting boring. I'm going to go see Teukie-hyung. You lot can babysit them. Have 'em keelhauled if they gives you too much trouble. Just make sure they doesn't drown.” He nodded at Kyuhun. “Don't give him any food. I'm sure he'll be more forthcoming after he's missed a few meals. Hankyung, let's go.” He turned and entered the cabins, the man with soft eyes following him after a moment's pause.
Sungmin came over to them, crouching down. “Sorry about that. Hey, can you fight at all?” He asked Ryeowook. He shook his head mutely. Kyuhyun had offered to teach him before, but Ryeowook preferred the use of Kyuhyun's library.
“I see. Well, what do you know about the upkeep of a ship?”
“...Not much.” Ryeowook kept his head down.
“Hm. Well, you'll learn.” He smiled encouragingly. “I don't think this is really necessary,” he leaned across and freed Ryeowook's hands, “you just need to stick near me, okay? Stay where I can see you, or... oh! I know, why don't you head down to the kitchens? There's a kid named Henry there, he'll know what to do.”
Ryeowook stood uncertainly, clearly not wanting to be separated from Kyuhyun. Kyuhyun nodded at him. It's okay, go. He hoped this Henry wasn't aggressive, whoever he was. Ryeowook had learned how to defend himself from attack, but hadn't actually put the lessons to practice. He was nervous and shy in front of strangers, forget strange pirates.
Sungmin gave him directions before turning back to Kyuhyun. “You, on the other hand, I can't set loose so sit nice and quiet for now, okay? I don't want to have you locked up in the brig with the other bilgerats.” He turned and followed Heechul's earlier path to the cabins.
Kyuhyun groaned. He longed to stretch out his arms, his shoulders aching. His skin was beginning to feel thin and too tight under the burning sun.
The pirate Kyuhyun recognised as Kibum came down and sat near him. He held up a wickedly curved scimitar, sunlight reflecting into Kyuhyun's eyes, looking at it contemplatively before pulling something out from his pouch and beginning to sharpen it, the sound of it slicing the air. Kibum glanced up at Kyuhyun and smiled, keeping his eyes locked with Kyuhyun's. A shiver ran down his spine. The man was dangerous. Was he here to keep an eye on him? Probably.
Kyuhyun leaned back onto the ship's side, watching the activity on deck. He couldn't even see any land. He had no idea where they were headed, nor how long he would be sitting there, guarded and wrists bound.
The ship lurched and swayed as the wind blew, traveling onward over the seemingly endless sea.