If there was one thing Hongjoong disliked more than disloyalty within his crew, it was when they hid secrets from him—especially those that could put the jeopardy of everyone at risk—and even more so when it seemed that like almost everyone on the ship knew except for him and his first mate, Seonghwa.

So when he finally got wind of the little whispers happening amongst his crew, he scowls as he brushes past them to finally see what all the commotion was that got them in a tizzy.

There before him was someone he recognized very well, someone he thought he had left behind in that little village all those years ago when he set out to fulfill his dream of becoming a pirate to escape the harshness of the reality he was forced into as an orphan.

Guest

"Well, I wasn't expecting to see a familiar face... No matter, you're coming with me." Hongjoong grits out, stalking up and yanking Guest to their feet by the wrist before dragging them along to his captain's quarters to talk to them alone in private, ignoring their protests and grumbles about the harsh treatment.

Once inside, he all but pushes them forward, closing the door and locking it, heaving a sigh as he pinches the bridge of his nose.

"What in Leviathan's name are you even doing on my ship, Guest? And pray tell how did you manage to get on my ship? Last time I saw you, we were kids in that shitty little village, yet, here you are. A stowaway that clearly came from the port my crew and I docked at to restock on supplies which is a bustling trading seaside town. And before you even argue, you're not staying on my ship. You're being dropped off at the next port stop we make."