Chapter 8 Part 1: Secrets Revealed

“Kiyeon.” Yeosang says poking her as he is attempting to wake her up. “Kiyeon,” he says again, pouting.

“Mmmm” She mutters and her grey eyes open. “What?” she says looking up at him.

“You hungry?” Yeosang asks with a smile.

“That’s why you woke me? Ughhh” she mutters and pulls the covers over her face.

“Come on. Captain wants to know what skills you have. He’s gonna test you after we eat.” Her brother says, pulling the blanket off of her.

“Okay okay. Im up.” she says sighing as she sits up and runs a hand through her blue hair. Letting out a tired yawn she gets up and grabs a clean change of Yeosang’s clothes.

“Why my clothes?” He asks looking at her.

“Because i don't have any clean clothes. So for now I'll wear some of yours.” She says before heading behind a changing station and changes into the clothes.

“Okay fine. Come on let’s go eat. I’m starving.” Yeosang complains as she walks over to him.

“Okay, I’m ready.” She says and they walk out together to the kitchen.

They arrive at the kitchen to see San and Wooyoung cooking together.

“Wooyoung-ah, I didn't know you could cook.” Yeosang teases with a smile.

The young gunner rolls his eyes “Sannie is teaching me” he responds as the cook smiles and kisses his cheek.

“You guys are cute,” Kiyeon says with a smile as San hands a plate to her and Yeosang.

“We know,” San says, smiling brightly causing the twins to laugh as they sit down to eat. The rest of the officers walk in looking tired, especially the two oldest.

“Hyungs, why do you look so tired?” Mingi asks, walking in with Yunho.

“We stayed up late talking.” Seonghwa says with a yawn as he sits down on a counter as San hands him a plate.

“I’m gonna go eat on the deck” Kiyeon says to Yeosang who nods and watches her walk out. He notices Hongjoong hasn’t stopped staring at her since he walked in.

“Captain. Why do you keep staring at her?” He asks quietly after walking next to the older one.

“Seonghwa will talk to you about it later” The captain responds before starting to eat.

Yeosang looks confused as he starts to eat as well.

“I’m gonna go check on the rest of the crew,” Wooyoung says to San who nods and watches his lover leave the room.

Out on the deck Kiyeon is sitting by the edge looking out at the water as she eats when a certain purple haired gunner walks up to her.

“Why not eat with your brother?” He asks, sitting next to her.

“I don’t like the way Hongjoong keeps staring at me. It’s like he expects me to do something and I don’t know what it is.” She says with a sigh as she looks at him.

“He’s always nervous when new people join the crew. Once you get to know him more he’ll be calmer.” Wooyoung says with a slight smile.

“Thanks.” She says a bit bluntly and looks back out at the water. “What do we expect to find in the western seas?” She asks.

“We are looking for some old friends. The crew StrayKids.” He responds. “They went missing a few months before you joined the crew. They were our allies and we would all travel together. Last we saw them was in the eastern seas when their captain, Chan, said they were going to sail towards the western seas.” He says looking out at the water.

“They’ve been missing that long? Wow.” She says looking over at him.

“Yeah. They are like our best friends. When they went missing everyone’s mood went sour. Especially Hongjoongs, he’s best friends with Chan.” He says a bit sadly.

“By the way. What is Hongjoong going to test me on?” Kiyeon asks turning so she’s facing the gunner.

“To see what your skills are. If you could be a gunner, a fighter, a cook, whatever your best at. Yeosang hyung is pushing for you to become another officer.” He says facing her.

She smiles a bit. “I’m not that skilled. I guess the only thing I’m really good at is picking locks and stealing. Back home the king would lock me in my room a lot so I learned how to pick locks.” She explains.

“A locksmith could be really useful actually. Tell that to the captain and show him your skills.” He says getting up. “I need to go check on the rest of the crew. See you later.” He says smiling before going to check on the rest of the crew.

She smiles and looks back out at the sea, enjoying the water spraying onto her face and the smell of the salt.

“Yeosang. What’s our position?” Hongjoong asks from the wheel to his navigator.

“We are about a day's journey from the island port that leads into the western seas.” Yeosang responds as he is looking at maps and a compass.

“Mingi. Take the wheel. I’m gonna go test Kiyeon.” Hongjoong says walking down to where the girl is sparring with Jongho.

He watches with interest at her swordsmanship as she seems to be a perfect match for their quartermaster. That is until her sword is kicked from her hand and a blade is pointed at her throat.

“Well done. You had me on my toes.” Jongho says smiling at her.

“Thanks.” She responds running a hand through her hair and picking up her sword. She sheaths it as Hongjoong walks over.

“Wooyoung told me that you can pick locks. That true?” He asks looking at her.

From an upper deck, Yeosang has given directions to Mingi before watching his sister and captain talk.

“Yeosang-ah. Can we Talk?” A voice asks and he turns to look at Seonghwa.

“Of course hyung.” He says and they go down to his and Hongjoongs room.

“What about?” He asks and leans against the desk as the oldest sits down.

“I’m gonna be straight forward. Is Kiyeon a siren?” He asks, looking at Yeosang.

“What? I don’t think so. If she is, she hasn’t told me” Yeosang says, surprised. “Is that why the captain keeps staring at her?” He asks, tilting his head a bit.

The oldest nods and grabs a book from off the desk. He flips to a bookmarked page and shows Yeosang. “One clear sign of a siren is the change of their eye color. Kiyeons eyes have turned blue before.” He says.

“I mean, yeah.. but that doesn’t mean that she’s a-“ he starts to say.

“They are known for their beauty and their angelic singing voice.” Seonghwa reads.

‘Her singing voice is amazing.. and she has always been sought out by suitors..’ Yeosang thinks as he reads along with Seonghwa.

“The siren gene is only passed down to females. Sirens are excellent swimmers and can breathe underwater.” Seonghwa reads before looking up at Yeosang.

“She’s never swam before. We have a royal pool back gone, but father never let her swim. He also never let her sing.” Yeosang says leaning back with a frown. “It’s possible that she is, but wouldn’t she know?” He asks.

“Didn’t you say that she’s your adopted twin?” Seonghwa asks as he closes the book. “If so, It’s possible that her mother was friends with yours-“ he starts to say before being interrupted.

“She was. My mother had told Kiyeon and I at a young age that she was adopted and that she was close friends with Kiyeons mother. That’s why my mother is kiyeons godmother.” Yeosang says looking at him.

“Well maybe your parents knew and just didn’t tell you guys.” Seonghwa suggests before they hear shouting coming from the deck. “What the-“ the oldest starts to say before San runs in.

“Hyungs… Kiyeon and Hongjoong are fighting. Like actually fighting.” He says panicked and the three rush out to the deck where the crew is standing off to the sides.

Yeosang watches as a cut appears on his sister's face after being hit with Hongjoongs sword.

“Why are they fighting?” Seonghwa asks.

“It started off as a friendly spar but Hongjoong hyung is taking it too seriously.” Mingi says as he watches. “And I think that he offended Kiyeon'' he adds.

The sounds of metal hitting metal the two continue to fight as if their lives depend on it.

Angered, the oldest member's eyes glow yellow as he mutters something under his breath causing the fighters to freeze in their spots.

“Seonghwa?!” Hongjoong says in surprise as the rest of the officers walk down, Jongho taking both their swords away.

“You, our room. Now” Seonghwa says glaring at Hongjoong, who’s body moves on its own. He turns to look at Kiyeon who unfreezes. “Yeosang-ah. Take her to the med bay. I’ll deal with her later.” The oldest says before going back to his room, grabbing Hongjoong by the front of his collar and pushing him against the wall. “What the hell was that?” He asks, glaring down at his captain.

“What the hell was what? We were sparring.” Hongjoong says defensively, not making eye contact with the eldest.

“Bullshit. In spars you never aim for the face. Never Hongjoong! That’s a rule you set.” He says looking down at his captain. “Why?” He says.

“I was testing her skills and we started talking about what happened to her on the 3Winds. She’s an amazing locksmith so I suggested that she could steal for us-“ Hongjoong starts to explain before getting slapped.

“You may be my captain but I am the oldest. And one thing. You made it a rule that we never steal. NEVER.” The oldest says angrily. “Until we get to the western seas you are staying in here. Got that.” He says glaring at the other.

Hongjoong looks like he wants to fight back but only looks away. “Fine” he mutters as Seonghwa leaves the room.

In the med bay Yeosang is talking to his twin. “He seriously said that?” He says surprised after hearing her side.

“He wants me to steal. To use me. I never wanted to do those things on the 3Winds. I was forced. I was beaten every day if I didn’t do what they wanted.” She says tears in her eyes. “The fact that Hongjoong knew that yet he still said that is so hurtful.” She says looking down.

“Hongjoong may be an idiot, but he means well. I’m sorry this happened Kiyeon.” Seonghwa says walking into the room. The rest of the officers look at him. “Mingi-ah. I’ve confined Hongjoong to his room until we reach the western seas. Everyone go do your jobs.” He says and they all walk out. “You too Yeosang.” He adds looking at the navigator who reluctantly nods and leaves.

“You can do that?” Kiyeon questions, starting to notice the small details of the older man in front of her. The way his eyes appear to sparkle, the way his short black hair falls over his forehead, his sharp features. Every little detail caught her attention, noticing how handsome he really was in her eyes.

“I am the oldest officer on the ship. Hongjoong knows not to piss me off.” The eldest says and puts a small bandage over the cut, noticing her eyes staring at him.

She nods and a sigh escapes her lips. “I never wanted any of this. I just wanted to find Yeosang and make sure he’s safe.” She says softly, and looks away as a tear rolls down her cheek.

Seeing his hand getting close to her face she shut her eyes expecting some sort of impact only to be faced with a soft touch wiping her tears away, a soft sigh of relief passing her lips soon opening her eyes again. She was met with a gentle smile from the man that was in front of her giving her the comfort that she didn't know she needed “We never get exactly what we want the way we expect. But you have found him. You have beaten all odds and survived being on the 3Winds. Be proud of yourself Kiyeon.” He says gently and places a hand over hers, his thumb gently running over her hand.

A light blush appears on her cheeks and she nods. “Thank you Seonghwa.” She says smiling a bit.

“Come on. Let’s go back out to the others. Also from what I saw, you are a great swordsman. Well, woman.” He says smiling with a light laugh.

She laughs with him and the two head back out to the deck to join Mingi and Yeosang by the wheel.