Open Sea [Private RP YellowPerch and Raycu]

[Raychu]

Sidney began to pace the floors of the upper deck, trying to fire himself out. His anxiety had spiked when he thought about his lover cheating on him. Sosuke would never do something like that, he even said he loved the boy, so why was he so worried. The men kept trying to calm him, reassuring him Sosuke only seemed to have eyes for him now. It wasn't working, he couldn't push the thought out of his head. When Mina suggested he go look for him, he frowned, but did as she had said. He ran all over town for hours trying to find his lover, hoping he would show up. A few civilians said they had seen him, unsure where he had gone to. His search ended, going into a tavern for a drink. He didn't even think about returning to the ship now, if Sosuke was there, he would've just wasted his time. He was still angry, it might just get worse again thinking about how he wasted his time. He stared at a girl, frowning. What was so good about them? Because they had breasts? He saw no appeal in them at all.

 

Mina wrote in her journal as Sidney paced the ship, unconsciously following him with her eyes. This is the possessive trait she had warned Sosuke about, clearly being expressed in Sidney. He was panicking because the other had left him for a long time, causing fears to arise. She could see it in the way he was acting. His anger would worsen when the other man did show up, unsure if he could trust his lover for being gone so long. "Why don't you go look for him then?" She regretted her suggestion, seeing the boy run off the ship, down the bridge. Hours passed as she waited for their return. No Sidney, no Sosuke. Where were they? Sidney must be going mad if he didn't find the other, surprised neither of them had returned once it got dark. She was worried, waiting outside, sitting against the railing, waiting for the arrival.

[YellowPerch]

When they finally finished the cultivating, Sosuke noticed the setting of the sun. By now he probably had a multitude of men angry at him, including Sidney already being angry. Then if Mina caught wind of all of this, she would surely lash out at him. The farmer thanked Sosuke with a drink, but he declined. He needed to get back to the ship, even if it meant he would get a lasing. He wouldn't be surprised if the men decided to stop following him either. Even though they had followed him this far. Sosuke grabbed his coat from the fence and pulled it on. The night's seemed to be cooler on this side of the island a little more. After that he ran his fingers through his hair, fixing the strands that had fallen out from the hard work. He felt calmer now, glad to have gotten all his frustration out in hard work. It was dark, so unfortunately they would end up having to sail first thing in the morning. Sosuke decided he would be the first to wake before anyone. That way by the time they woke up they would be out at sea. Sosuke left to return to the town and the ship unprepared for what was coming.

 

On the far side of the island, a small fishing boat docked. A man dressed in black and blue, with an interesting pair of goggles on his head stepped out of the boat. He had caught himself in a storm just days ago and was thrown of course. Now he was unable to return without figuring out where he was. He looked around, noticing the large pirate ship to the side of his dinky. He scoffed at it, before looking around some more and seeing a tavern just a ways from the dock. He was in luck. He grabbed his things from the boat and threw them over his shoulder. He headed for the tavern as he dug out his pouch. When he entered he looked around. A young wench was cleaning up, while the bar tender was staring at him. He happened to notice a younger man sitting lazily at a table. The way he dressed seemed like he was part of the pirate crew supposedly docked here. He ignored the pirate and set his stuff down at the tavern's long counter. He sat down, resting his elbows on the counter and intertwining his fingers. "I'm hoping you can put me up for the night. I'm afraid I've sailed off course from a storm." The bar tender groaned in response before he looked through his small book. "I''ve got a room."

[Raychu]

Mina was done waiting, getting up, ready to go find the two herself. Walking down the bridge, she ran into Sosuke. "Oh, so you're back," she said as she looked around. She started to turn in circles, panicked that the younger boy was not with his lover. "Where's Sidney? You big lug! Is he not with you?" She pushed him aside, a loud sigh escaping her lips. "How is he not with you? He went looking for you! We need to find him," her voice raising higher. She headed down the bridge in a hurry, heading straight into town. She had no reason to worry over Sidney, but in a way she did. Obviously Sosuke liked him, a lot, if something were to happen to the boy, she'd feel responsible for sending him to look for the idiot. "Where were you?" She was starting to snap at him, terrified for the safety of Sidney. He was extremely panicky when he left, in no position to even be out alone, definitely not late at night.

 

Sidney stared at the boy who entered, his eyes narrowing. He looked a lot like... Sosuke? Or maybe it was more of a resemblance. Maybe he was going mad, missing him so much he was imagining things. Looking at the nose it looked identical to Sosuke's, knowing he wasn't going completely crazy. He knew his lovers nose, and the eyes were just as the same in color. He wasn't crazy, this was a striking resemblance, as if this was a relative or something. He perked up, deciding to ask the boy. It might have been insane for him to do so, but if he was wrong at least he'd never see the person again. "Excuse me," he said as he cleared his throat to catch his attention. "I know this is going to sound... I sound insane already, but are you perhaps related to Sosuke..." What was his last name again? He never said it much, never using his surname with the crew. "His surname has seemed to slip my mind, I'm sure it started with the letter H though. Forgive my rudeness." He shouldn't have asked, this was stupid of him. He was having delusions, hallucinations, there was no way he could be related to Sosuke.

[YellowPerch]

The boy at the counter turned his attention to the pirate as he was spoken to. Sosuke? H? What was he talking about? Then his body shivered. Sosuke.... It couldn't have been the same Sosuke, could it? The boy spoke up, his voice barely audible above the bar tenders dish clattering. "Do you mean, Sosuke Hatake? The man of great fame and bounties?" The boy narrowed his eyes at the other. Who was he to call the famous pirate by name? Of course, any words he would have lashed out at him stopped cold when the door to the tavern slammed open. "I told you it's not always m-" The one loud enough to disturb an entire household quickly stopped shouting. Staring at the boy sitting just a ways from where Sidney sat. The boy's eyes widened at the sight. His lean body starting to shake violently.

 

Sosuke had returned to the town and watched as everyone closed their doors for the night. He wasn't looking when he bumped into something small. "Oh, so your back." It was Mina he had bumped into. "Ah, I'm back." He started to wonder where she was rushing off to so quickly. But before he could ask she spoke out, sounding rather worried. "Where's Sidney? You big lug! Is he not with you?" With that Sosuke was pushed aside aggressively. When she walked off announcing that he had run off looking for him, Sosuke slapped his forehead. He really was an idiot. There was no end to the troubles he would cause Sidney. Sosuke followed behind her, looking in every direction he could for the other pirate. He didn't think Sidney knew about the other town. And if he did, Sosuke would have bumped into him first, right? "Just, calm down first, Mina." He grasped hold of her wrist, stopping her from running all over the place. "Let's look in the tavern first before we leave the town." Sosuke pointed at the tavern. When they began walking that way, he and Mina engaged in another one of their spats. Clealry Sosuke was upsetting everyone lately. He slammed open the door as he shouted back. "I told you, It's not always m-" He had looked up from Mina to look into the tavern. When he did not only did he spot Sidney, instantly, but he also spotted someone else, who looked rather familiar to him.

[Raychu]

Sidney frowned, the look on his face showing he was wrong in the end. He was about to laugh at how the other addressed him as the man of great fame and bounties. No one on the ship ever even mentioned how famous he was, that was silly. Before he could talk further about it, the door was slammed open, his eyes going to Sosuke and Mina. Ah, had they come looking for him? He looked back at the boy, seeing his face. Having the two right there to compare they really did look similar in facial features. Theres no doubt in the navigators mind now, they had to be related, the silence filling the room when they locked eyes proved it in his mind. He tensed when he saw Mina run off, crying. He felt the need to go after her, but Sosuke knew her best. Seeing the face Sosuke made, he was confused. What in the world was going on?

 

Mina was infuriated, never had she been this angry at her childhood friend excpst for when he left her. When Sosuke grabbed her wrist, she yanked it out of his hand, showing the anger very clearly. She wasn't just angry for Sidney of the crew, she was angry at her childhood friend for becoming so reckless and inconsiderate, he was never this bad as a kid. "You are the lowest of the low today! I don't know what you did to piss Sidney off, but he was so worried that he pushed his anger aside to look for you! Oh! He crew is upset you decided to take another day on the island when you promised to sail! What the hell is up with you today?" She was snapping at him, holding nothing back. She held a glare as he tried to rebut against her, only to cut himself off as he looked towards the people in the tavern. Her eyes followed, locking with the strangers. "Oh," she said so quietly that even a mouse couldn't hear. She backed up, shaking her head no, as if this couldn't be happening. It seemed like it took the other a minute to realize as well. She bolted from the tavern, making her way back to the ship. She was fine knowing Sidney was safe. But she wasn't fine herself, tears starting to form. Was she going mad? Was she hallucinating him?

[YellowPerch]

Sosuke noticed when Mina ran out of the tavern. He was going to run after her, to bring her back. She needed to see whatever this thing was to the end. But his body was frozen still. He couldn't move. He felt his legs shaking uncontrollably. What was he looking at? There was Sidney, beautiful, definitely upset, Sidney. But there, there at the counter. A mirage? Was he going mad? Maybe he hit his head or something while working? He rose a shaky hand up to his chest. It hurt, no really it hurt. His breathing was escalating rapidly and his vision was blurring. What the hell was going on? Suddenly Sosuke lost his balance and he tumbled to the floor on his knees. He was hyperventilating. His chest hurt, his head hurt and his eyes stung harder then they ever had before. He slammed a hand on the floor as he bent over, he couldn't relieve the pain at all. He needed someone to stop it. Anyone... "S-sid-ne-yy" his voice sounded strangled, he wasn't sure if the other could hear him. He gripped the fabric of his shirt tighter.

 

The boy sat in his chair and watched the two as they entered the tavern. He held up a hand at them. "Yo" that was the only thing he said before Mina took off running. He noticed how Sosuke didn't go after her, like he used to when they were kids. Of course he himself didn't go after her either. But that was because he knew Mina. There was no calming her down right now. And she was already arguing with Sosuke before they entered. So she was already heated up from it. How did they end up together though? He was going to ask Sosuke until the other slammed to the ground, his breathing heavy. "Oh jeez" the boy got off his chair and went over to Sosuke, placing a hand on his back. He was calling out to him, but it didn't look like he could hear. Then suddenly he heard Sosuke's voice. He was calling out to someone. He looked at the other watching in horror. "He's calling out for someone named Sidney. Who-" his words never finished when Sidney jumped in. However the boy never moved away from Sosuke.

[Raychu]

Mina got to the ship, heading straight into the cabin. She mad, she's gone insane and needs to be locked up. There is no way he's alive, absolutely no way. If he was, why did he never come back? He left her stranded there, knowing she hated being alone. She rocked on the bed, trying to calm herself. She would push this memory out of her mind, make herself forget. She didn't want to remember him, Sosuke forced that. Her emotions were running wild, that right before didn't help. She wanted to stay locked up in the cabin, try to forget it all. Then again she wanted to make sure for herself that she wasn't having a nightmare, or that she hasn't gone mad. Getting up after she finished crying, she headed out, back towards the tavern.

 

Sidney was so confused and lost, feeling so useless. When the other called his name, he snapped out of his daze, hopping off his chair and heading towards. He knelt down, running his fingers through his lover's hair. "You need to breathe Sosuke," he hummed. He sat on his feet, pulling the other onto his back, making Sosuke lay his head in the navigator's lap. "Hey, look at me. You're fine, completely fine." He didn't know what else to do besides try to calm the other with words. He cupped th man's cheeks, leaning down and lightly kissing him. "See? You're good. Just breathe. Only look at me, okay? I love you." He forced a smile, even though it was bad. He hummed a small tune, combing his fingers through his lover's hair. He started to feel guilty for throwing his fit this morning, making the man run off, only to come look for him. Look where he ended up, this was the navigator's fault. If he had just stayed on the ship this wouldn't have happened.

[YellowPerch]

The boy watched silently as Sidney re-positioned Sosuke into his lap. His brow raised. The other seemed to be so used to it, that it seemed like Sosuke had these attacks often. He didn't think this man, the most famous man he knew, let himself grow so weak to situations. He watched as the other placed a kiss on Sosuke. He started to wonder about their relationship as well. The Sosuke he knew never gave in to other's. Not unless they were Mina and his family. What had the boy been missing since that fateful day. He noticed Sosuke's shaking body start to relax against the touches.

 

Sosuke felt his body moved. However he couldn't make out how or where it was moving to. He felt pressure underneath him as his body was laid backwards. His head rested on something soft. He tried to open his eyes, to clear his vision. But nothing was helping. He closed them again. Gripping on to his chest as very slowly he regained his boundaries. Sosuke started to feel finger's running through his hair, at first he couldn't tell whose they were. But after the voice continued to talk to him, he soon realized who it was. He felt a kiss placed on his lips and his breathing slowed. His body still shook violently, as he lifted a hand towards Sidney. Sosuke's eyes were open now, and all though his vision wasn't utterly clear, he could make out shapes. He touched Sidney's cheek and stroked it with his thumb. "Sid...ney..." His voice was raspy still. is attack taking a very large toll on him.

[Raychu]

Sidney held Sosuke's hand against his cheek, squeezing it tightly. "Sh, don't talk. I'm here," he spoke softly, placing the hand back down. He leaned down, placing another kiss on his lips. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise." He pulled up, looking at the stranger. From the way they both were acting, they did know each other. He looked back down at his lover, stroking his cheek gently. He grabbed his hand, lacing his fingers through. He had no idea what he was doing, he just knew it was working, her keep doing. "You need to calm down, love. Just focus on your breaths." He brought the hand to his lips, kissing so lightly, scared he'd somehow make it worse. "I need you to try and focus on calming yourself down, I need you to be alright." He cooed his words, taking that mother role again. He was so scared, scared that his lover wouldn't calm down. He had only cried in front of the navigator once, having a small break down, nothing to this extreme. He was clueless.

 

Mina walked into the tavern slowly, rushing over to Sosuke's side. She was surprised, Sidney had it under control really well. His sweet coos and little gestures were calming the man pretty quickly. It would take her hours to calm him down when he got like this. She felt jealous that her best friend was being ripped away but something like love, this was no time for her jealousy. She sat patiently, watching. She completely ignored that familiar stranger, not even willing to make eye contact. Until she knew her best friend was completely okay. His body slowly stopped shaking, causing her to have have a relieved smile overtake her face. This day obviously had to be the worst in her life besides when the two left her. A simple guy like Sidney seemed to make it better, just by seeing him make her best friend feel better. She still refused to look at the stranger, even if Sosuke was calming down.

[YellowPerch]

Sosuke felt Sidney reach up and touch his hand. He would have protested against him moving it away, but he had no strength in him to do so. He closed his eyes as Sidney calmly spoke to him. He felt the softness of his lips once more before pulling away and lacing their fingers together. Sosuke's breathing was starting to normal out. The soft touches of his lover, the quiet sound of his voice, everything his senses brought to him sent him into a calm state. Soon enough he was opening his eyes again, able to make out just a little bit more of the world around him. He looked up, finding Sidney above him. He tried to let a small smile, to let the other know he was better. He looked tired though, the attack having a great impact on him. Then he looked to his left, finding Mina there, her expression was definitely that of worry. He flashed her the same smile. But instead of turning to face his other side, Sosuke slumped into sleep as he whispered out a name. "Nnnn-bo" With that he was asleep, his attack having passed through him.

 

The boy watched the scene quietly. After the second kiss from the smaller pirate, he decided that the relationship was much further in then just Captain and crew. The door to the tavern flew open and Mina entered the tavern again. However she ignored his presence, not even looking his way. She knelt down on the other side of Sosuke, worry taking over her. He wanted to say something, to point out that it really was him. But he decided against it, internally sighing away his troubles. He looked up and noticed the young wench and bar tender staring heavily at them. Probably thinking if the pirate died in their tavern there would be trouble for them. He looked back down in time to see Sosuke open his eyes look at Sidney with a smile, and flash the same look at Mina. However before he drifted to sleep, the older pirate quietly called out his name. The boy watched the others for their reactions to Sosuke's words.

[Raychu]

Sidney sighed in relief as the other drifted off to sleep after becoming calm. Though the man was heavy, with Mina's help he could probably carry him back to the ship. He kept combing his fingers through the hair, a soft smile on his face. He felt like an idiot for screaming at the other this morning, hoping Sosuke would forgive him for being childish. He looked back to the stranger, his eyes narrowing. "I take it that you two are related then?" Mina spoke up before the stranger had time to answer. That's his younger brother, Nibo. She clicked her tongue, causing Sidney to look at her. She looked so angry and upset at the same time. "Oh, I see. I think we should get him to the ship, he's not going to sleep on the tavern floor. I can't stay in this position all night either." He sat the man up, wrapping his arm around his side, making Sosuke stand up with him. Mina helped him, snapping at the boy about not leaving. It took awhile for them to get back once they left, setting Sosuke in the cabin. Mina decided to go to sleep in the hammocks, the navigator would be there to make sure she was fine.

 

Mina frowned at the words coming out, sighing. She wasn't crazy if Sosuke saw it to. Hearing Sidney's question, she interrupted the other man talking. "That's his younger brother, Nibo." Her tongue clicked as she looked at him, anger overtaking her. Why was she angry at the boy? Because he left her, never even sent her a letter to say he was alive. Gone right after he confessed, never considering how she felt. She assumed he died, though she thought the same for Sosuke, it was different with Nibo. She helped Sosuke up with Sidney, nodding at his words. The poor guy went through so much in one night, Sidney showing signs of guilt. It wasn't his fault that the man had a panic attack, it wasn't Nibo's either. She looked back at the boy, scowling. "I'm sure he won't want to leave without talking with you. Stick around." Her tone a bit snappy, not meaning to. She wanted to catch up with just as much as his brother would, she couldn't bring herself to say that. Once they got back, she headed station to a hammock, the men shocked to see her. Sidney snapped at them before heading to bed. Following his lead after writing in he journal.

 

______________________________

 

Sidney awoke bright and early, checking on his lover. Mina was up with him, obviously not getting much sleep. He wanted to try and interact, but decided against it. His priority was Sosuke. He sat on the other side of the bed, brushing his hand on the man'a cheek, smiling. He leaned down for a kiss, accidentally waking him up. "Oh, sorry. How are you feeling?" He murmured softly, sitting back up. The man'a face wasn't as pale as yesterday, regaining his color. "I think we should wait until late today to begin sailing, I want to make sure you're stable for it. The men aren't mad, I cleared that up for you. I'm sorry about yesterday, for screaming at you. I was worried when you didn't come back," his voice quieting. He decided to stop talking before he rambled on too much. "Mina told... your brother that you'd want to talk with him. I think you should. Leaving it the way it is will only make it worse."

 

Mina was up right when Sidney got up, writing in her journal once more. She watched Sidney tell the men about what happened, their anger for not sailing yesterday vanished. If Sosuke were to try and explain himself he was sure it wouldn't have turned out the same way. Sidney had an amazing way with words, no wonder he was great for her best friend. He could calm anyone down in seconds, so caring for people around him. He took a burden on himself, once Sosuke would probably never realize. He vanished into the cabin, checking on his lover. She decided a walk would be best, wanting to get away from the ship for awhile. She advised the younger boy to say they shouldn't sail today, remembering Sosuke saying something about sailing the next day during their little fight. She walked by the tavern, fighting the urge to go in and find Nibo. She couldn't fight it, returning to be tavern. The barman looked at her, raising a brow. His question if she was here to cause another scene such as the night before made her laugh. She wanted to see if that stupid boy had left, he had not. She sat at the bar, waiting for him to come down from the room he was in.

[YellowPerch]

The boy smiled down at the older pirate, glad to see he was safe. He noticed when Sidney looked his way and asked about their relation to each other. But before he could answer, mouth partly open in an attempt to speak, Mina cut in. He closed his eyes with a sigh at the sound of her harsh voice. Yeah, he supposed he deserved it. But it wasn't like he could entirely control the facts of what happened. When Sidney decided to get Sosuke back to the ship, he wanted to help. He wanted to be by his brother longer, even if he was sleeping. Mina cut in once again, grabbing Sosuke from his other side. She turned back towards him, demanding that he stay and not leave. He silently nodded, not wanting to feel the wrath of her anger. He watched as they left, heading back to the ship. Nibo apologized to the bar keep and asked for a room. The wench nodded telling him to follow her. He grabbed his things and followed.

___________________________________________________________

The following morning came in a flash. Sosuke slept in longer then he normally would have once again. However it was the brush of skin against his and and the touch of lips to his that had him coming to his senses once more. Sosuke groaned quietly, instantly hearing the sound of Sidney's voice. He felt disoriented at first, but after hearing his lover beside him, he soon calmed again. Sosuke opened his eyes, a smile on his face as he looked to his side. "I'm feeling better." He looked around the room, he wondered how he got to his cabin. And if he was here, where was Mina. He didn't see sign of the girl in the cabin. He looked back at Sidney as the navigator went on to say they wouldn't be sailing until he was better. Sosuke groaned at that statement. "How many times am I going to put them down....?" He closed his eyes again as Sidney fell quiet, even apologizing for his yelling. How many times would he make Sidney apologize for something he didn't do? He was going to have to tell his lover the truth behind the anger he felt. When Sidney mentioned his brother, Sosuke's eyes flew open. His brother....so that really was-? He wasn't going crazy. He sighed and brought his hand up to the bridge of his nose. "Sidney....I have a feeling I'm going to punch him when I see him again...."

 

Nibo was up bright and early the following day. He had washed himself and redressed all in time before the tavern wench knocked on his door. He opened it and she instantly apologized for interrupting. "But you have a visitor waiting for you." With that she nodded and left. Nibo was left standing in place by the door. A visitor? For him? It couldn't have been Sosuke right? That attack yesterday would keep him out for a little bit, wouldn't it? Nibo closed the door behind him and left to the tavern. When he entered he anticipated meeting with an angry, sad, hysterical brother of a pirate. Instead, he found Mina sitting at the counter waiting for him. He sighed when she saw him standing there and he walked over. He silently sat down on the stool next to her.

[Raychu]

"I had to make sure you didn't leave," he mumbled. She brushed her hair back, knowing he saw through her lie. She was never good at lying to him, Nibo could tell that she lied in seconds, always making her admit the truth. "Remember when I broke your favorite cup and was so scared to tell you, I ignored you for a week? I remember you thought you did something to upset me, only to find out I was just scared of you getting angry. You never once got angry with me." Recalling the past was a bit harsh, all the things she wanted to forget were held in the back of her mind, waiting to be needed once more. She looked at him, frowning. "Why? Why didn't you... never mind, we all have our faults don't we? I guess I'm just angry, not even having a real reason to be." She looked down in her lap, clenching her hands into fists on the bar. "I should hit you right now, I really should. Just like I should've hit you when you made me cry for the first time. That was when you confessed wasn't it? I think I cried because I thought you were playing a game with me knowing none of the boy's in town liked me. I was so stupid." She laughed, a small laugh, quicking turning to silence. She would've broke it, but her tongue was tied, saying as much as she needed to for the time being.

 

Sidney laughed softly, running his finger's through Sosuke's hair. "Stop beating yourself up over it. I think everyone understands when their captain has a major attack that they need rest. Don't get upset, they want you to be okay, like I do. I wouldn't let you sail like this anyway," he chirped, leaning down, kissing him again. "Punch him? I would stop you before you did it. I'm sure he has his own reasons. Mina seemed like she has a right to punch him more than you do. Just like when she punched you." He laughed again, before pursing his lips into a thin line. "I know it's not my place, but I would like to know why you got so... panicked. You don't have to tell me though, I understand."

[YellowPerch]

Nino sat quietly in his stool as listened to Mina talk. He could tell from the moment she spoke that she had lied about her being there. 'Making sure I didn't leave?' He thought to himself, a very small hint of a smile forming at the edges of his lips. He listened when she spoke about the time she broke his cup. Yeah, that week had been torture for Nibo. He had no idea what he had done to her to deserve a week of not being spoken to. They fell silent for a moment, before Mina tried bringing up why he never came back. Then she clenched her fists in anger, claiming that she wanted to hit him. He knew what she felt, he knew what he did to her, what he did to Sosuke. He couldn't fathom what he would say to apologize, but he tried anyway. "I couldn't come back right away. The government had us classed as wanted criminals.....it was just harder to return after. I didn't know what I would find going back." He was quiet again until he spoke up about his confession. "That day, my words were true. I'd never lie about something like that, especially not to you."

 

Sosuke felt as Sidney ran his fingers through his hair. The feeling he loved returning to him. "Still, I'm the captain. I'm supposed to keep my crew happy. Even if it means dressing my body over it." Sosuke leaned into the kiss as the other leaned down. When he moved away Sosuke let himself smile a bit at Sidney's claim of not letting him sail. "She has every right to hit him. But still, after getting separated from each other after that day...I just want to hit....just once..." His voice was starting to get raspy from the tightness in his chest. Recalling the day he and Nibo no longer saw each other, or knew if the other was alive. The moment had fallen silent until Sidney had asked about his attack. Sosuke looked at him and slowly sat up. Then he looked down at his hands, palms facing up towards him. "It is the first time...there was a time when I was a kid. My mother had to help calm me down, Nibo too. Then it happened again, the day's lost everything. But I didn't have someone to calm me down. That's probably what made it worse for future attacks. Before you joined the crew I had one, the doc tried to calm me down, but I just couldn't. I had another one after you had joined as well..." He looked up at Sidney then. "Remember the day we docked and I ran off into the forest of the merchant city? It wasn't because I was excited to buy something like I claimed. I went into the forest to panick. And then yesterday....but, I was able to calm down faster this time. Because of you." His silence fell over them for a second before he whispered again. "I guess my body isn't as strong as I had thought it would be...."

[Raychu]

Mina set the side of her face on the counter, showing no signs of happiness. "Of course I knew that. Not even a letter, not a thing was from you. I waited and waited, sooner or later I just assumed you two had died. Do you know how guilty I felt for never saying anything about that confession? It killed me for years all because you decided it would be best to never try to get in contact again." She raised a hand, yanking his ear a bit. She wouldn't punch him like she had with his brother, but she would inflict some pain to make herself feel better. She let go, sitting up again, leaning the stool back and she held the counter with her hands so she didn't fall. "Hey, I got a marriage proposal. I couldn't say yes because he doesn't understand me. I knew someone who did though. He was a quiet child, cleaning up after his brother all the time. I played with him often, soon I realized I liked him more than a friend. He was so kind to me, I really did like him. The problem I'm facing though, do I still like him?"

 

Sidney rolled his eyes when his captain kept putting himself down about not sailing. The men would've tried to punch him if he attempted to sail, they cared about him just as much as Sidney did. Health for their captain was more important than sailing the seas. What if something bad happened when they were sailing? They wouldn't stand for it, blaming themselves for letting him sail. He flicked his forehead when he claimed his body wasn't strong, pouting. "Stop taking the burden on yourself, you stupid pirate. We're all here for you, if you would stop trying to lock up about it, maybe you wouldn't have these issues. I was here for you all the way through when joining the crew, all of us were. I won't let you hold the weight of the rock anymore, I'm here to help. So let me help, no fighting it either. I said I loved you, that means I'm here for you," he said softly, a wide smile forming on his face. "One tiny punch, don't do it too hard. On the arm only. Try to stay calm, I'll be there for you."

[YellowPerch]

Nibo watched as Mina lowered her face to the counter. He closed his eyes when she spoke. She felt guilty? He felt guilty knowing she was waiting. That Sosuke was waiting. At least, he hoped they were waiting. "I'm sorry...I, I guess I was scared. I dind't know what you would think of me if I just showed up back on that island. And then there was Sosuke...I had no idea if was even there. I just...couldn't imagine coming home and finding out I was the only one who survived. And then I saw him again...on the wanted posters...But I still never did anything about it." Mina's hand reached up for his ear without him knowing, and suddenly it was being pulled. "Owowowow, Mina! That hurts! Its going to rip off." She stopped pulling then and Nibo threw his hand up to his ear to rub at it. Now he knew why he didn't return home. But it was when her next statement came that had him frozen on the spot. A marriage proposal? Mina? He looked down at the counter at her words, but his eyes slightly widened as she recalled the younger him. If she still liked him? Did she not anymore? He closed his eyes and sighed. "Well, what would you do if you found out he still liked you?" Nibo looked straight at Mina then.

 

Sosuke's forehead was flicked by a single finger from Sidney. "O-ow! What?" Sosuke fell silent when Sidney sternly told him to stop taking the burden on himself. He looked back down at his hands. It wasn't all that easy to do. Sosuke was someone who took all the burden on to himself to make sure others were happy. A personality of his he created from when he was younger. But he smiled at Sidney's 'I said I loved you' comment and Sosuke nodded. When he looked up at the other, he noticed a wide smile crossing his lips. He truly was a lucky man to have someone like Sidney by his side. Then he let out a chuckle when Sidney gave him permission to hit his brother, lightly, in the arm. Surely with Sidney by his side he would be able to keep some calm to him. "Thanks, Sidney...I truly do love you."

[Raychu]

Mina felt no guilt for pulling on his ear, she got exactly what she wanted out of it. Hearing the question she looked back at him, click ugh her tongue. "I think I'd be really happy. I would definitely say my feelings this time. Then I think I would run off and leave him like he had done to me. Leave him waiting as the years passed by, let him feel the loneliness I felt," her words serious. She then smiled a soft smile. "I don't think I could do that though. I'm not as evil as he is. I need him, now that I know he's alive, I can't bring myself to leave him. How am I supposed to put my trust in him like I had before? How do I know he truly feels the same as when he was a child. Years have passed, surely someone came by who was much better than I." Her eyes began to water, thinking about how alone she felt without Nibo there. "Dammit, I've cried enough in two days. I need to stop." She frantically wiped the tears off her cheeks, getting up from the stool. She hated crying in public, not doing it often. Without a word, she left the tavern like her had the night before, trying to get the tears to stop. At least she had her turn to confess.

 

Sidney kissed him again after his confession. "I love you too. I'll say it as many times as you want me to, I love you. More than anything," he said in a hushed tone. Kissing him again, this kiss lasted a bit longer than the other ones, before he decided to pull up. "I'm sure he's still at the tavern, when do you want to go? Not right now, I won't let that happen of course. He won't be leaving anytime soon, not with the way your friend spooked him." He laughed, remembering Mina's anger, women sure are scary, maybe that's why he doesn't like him. He's used to Sosuke's anger, Mina reached a whole new level. She looked like the type to throw punches before anyone else. "Yeah, I doubt he's leaving." He leaned down, kissing his lover again, this time a bit tougher. Pulling up, he kissed his nose. "I'm so happy that you're okay. I was so scared. I thought I was only making it worse last night."

[YellowPerch]

Nibo smiled at the thought that she would be happy. But when she continued to tell him she would let him feel the pain she went through he nodded. "Well, I suppose he would deserve it." But MIna went on, claiming she wasn't that mean, like he was. He looked back at her as she wanted to know how to trust him again. He opened his mouth to say something, but he stopped when she tried wiping at her tears. Two days? What happened this whole time without him being here? Then she got up, leaving the tavern completely. Nibo knew she was one to run away from feelings. But he was one to chase after them. Before she could run too far off from the tavern, he ran after her. He caught up and grabbed her hand, gently, pulling her to face him. "You can trust him. He wouldn't hurt you again, not like before." He held out a small locket, inside a picture, a picture of Mina. "Since the time he left, until the day he saw you again. No one has come as close to him as you did." He held onto her hand a little tighter, making sure she wouldn't pull away.

 

Sosuke received another kiss from his lover, before he pulled back. He confirmed Sosuke's confession with his own, a light inside him coming to life again. He got a second kiss, this one lasting a little longer. Sosuke leaned in to it before Sidney pulled away. Although he wanted a longer kiss, Sosuke enjoyed the short ones he got from Sidney. They were his and his alone. When Sidney asked Sosuke when he wanted to go see Nibo he answered with "Now" only to be turned down my Sidney. He pouted at the orders to stay and not go see him. But Sidney's expression after mentioning Mina made him relax knowing he was right. There was no way Nibo would have let so quickly. Sidney leaned in and gave Sosuke another kiss, this one more rough. Sosuke closed his eyes and smiled in the kiss, before Sidney pulled away and kissed his nose. The younger pirate sure knew how to hold his own against Sosuke. He lost his smile after Sidney's comment and Sosuke reached out to pull his forehead against his. "To be honest, I was too. My mother used to be the only one to calm me. And after I lost her and my attacks grew worse....I honestly thought I'd end up dead from having a panic attack. But you proved that theory wrong." He opened his eyes and looked into Sidney's. "If I lose you, I definitely won't survive my next attack."

[Raychu]

Mina tried to pull her hand away, only to be turned to face the boy instead. He looked at the locket, her eyes widening. She wiped her eyes, the tears slowly stopping. She ran her finger against the picture gently. It was just a picture, a simple picture, it meant the world to her though. She looked up at him, pouting. "How Nibo? How am I supposed to put anymore trust in you like I had before?" Her snappy tone returning, not because she was angry with him, but with herself. She yanked her hand again, his tight hold preventing her from doing so. "This is the first time in my entire life that you have chased after me. I don't know if I should be happy or upset. You're such a conflicting person, I don't even know what to feel for you anymore," she sighed. She used her other hand to pry his off of the hand he held onto, shaking her wrist. Then she slapped him across the face, hard. She held nothing back. "That is for leaving me alone right after you confessed, making me think you died, never returning even though you were alive, and making me worry for you everyday, feeling such a terrible guilt!" She then kissed him, cupping his cheeks. "That's for being okay, for still loving me, and for making the attempt to fix things now, even if it is really late."

 

Sidney allowed himself to be pulled down, giving a small him as response when the other started talking about his mother being the only one able to calm him down before. He smiled widely when the other stated he needed the younger pirate around or he wouldn't survive the neck attack. "Ah, I guess I need to be with you forever then. I can't leave your side now, I must make sure you live to the fullest," he hummed. He really did love this man, so much. "I'm going to be nice, I know how impatient you get. We can go see your brother now if you want. No more scaring me for today, yesterday was enough." He laughed, kissing his lover again. He crawled on top of him, leaning into the kiss more. He pulled up after a bit, sitting on his lap. "You say I'm the demon, I feel like you are the demon instead. You caught my heart, unwilling to let it go. Much crueler than I. You have to take good care of it, okay?" He kissed the man once more before getting off of him, crawling off the bed. "Come on, get up before I change my mind about letting you leave."

[YellowPerch]

Nibo held on tight. There was no way he was letting her go. Not again. "I know its hard, but...just...just believe in me Mina. Besides Sosuke you were the only one who knew exactly how I thought. You know I don't lie. I can't lie...not to you." She tried to pull away again, but he wasn't having it. He tucked the locket back into his pocket as she spoke out about him chasing after her for the first time. "I've always wanted to chase after you Mina and when I finally did I broke your heart, your trust. After years of being away from you I realized I was an idiot. I wanted to come get you again...but I was afraid of what you would think of me." Just then Nibo was slapped, hard across the face. He deserved it, that he knew. He fell silent when she yelled out at him. He let the grip he had on her wrist. He needed to find another way of apologizing to her. But then, just as quickly as she slapped him, she cupped his face between her hands and kissed him. Nibo's eyes widened in shock. He wasn't expecting Mina's words at all. Nibo clenched his fist and attempted to hug her, hoping she wouldn't pull away. "Mina...I'm so sorry...for these past years...for that day. All of it."

 

Sosuke's face split into a smile when Sidney hummed with a positive response. Not allowed to leave his side? Making sure he survives? Yeah, Sosuke could deal with that. In fact he would make sure he would. Sidney meant the word to him, more so then he ever thought he would. Sosuke let out a small chuckle at Sidney's comment. He truly didn't mean to scare him. But if he came back sooner he'd still be in a grumpy mood. He didn't think Sidney would forget his anger so quickly either. Suddenly Sidney was crawling on top of Sosuke and kissing him. Sosuke wrapped his arms around Sidney's waist and held him there. Sidney pulled back calling him a demon. "Ah, I guess we're both demons together. Cursed to hold each other's hearts in our own hands. I won't ever let your heart break. Its mine to protect and hold. Forever." Sidney lowered himself again and kissed Sosuke, he kissed back. When he was hoping to deepen the kiss, the younger pirate crawled off of him and started walking for the door, calling back to him. Sosuke mumbled to him, still sitting on the bed. "I'm about to change my own mind right now."

[Raychu]

Nibo was right, she did know him, she knew he wouldn't lie. Or so she thought she knew him, now she had to relearn everything she knew about the boy. But hearing the excuses of how he was going to come back for her, only irritated her more. If he was going to chase her, go back for her, he would've done it. When he hugged her, she didn't hug back at first, hesitant to do so. "You have no right so say I know you, knowing that you wouldn't lie, then turn around saying you wouldn't know I how I react if you came back. That's a lie! You knew me better than anyone, even Sosuke! You knew I wouldn't have thought of you any differently, I swore you knew I liked you from the beginning. All my time and attention was you after I started acting so odd. You knew... you stupid," she went quiet, hugging him back tightly. He was here now, trying to make amends. "I hate that I love you. You don't even know what happened to me when you left." She nuzzled her face into his shoulder, sighing loudly. "I won't let this go for awhile. I'm sorry, you know I hold grudges. I'll try though, I really want to be with you now. This is your second chance."

 

Sidney, walked back in, pulling him out of the bed. "You can't change your mind, I'll make you see him at some point today. You aren't getting out of it, sorry." He pulled the man up, pushing him towards his coat and boots. "Get your stuff on, no fighting me. You know I don't like it when you argue with me, we can see him later, you at least need to get out for some sunshine. Greet the crew, make them stop worrying over you. They haven't made a peep since last night so you could get proper sleep." He handed him his coat as he was putting on his boots. He pushed him out of the cabin, using all the strength he had to make him move. He wasn't strong, but he would get his way someone, Sosuke knew that. The navigator didn't play these kinds of games, he made sure he was able to get what he wanted no matter what. His lover knew this all too well, he had done it multiple times before, even if it was in a completely different situation. He closed the door, looking at the men who were cleaning the ship, nodding approvingly. They even were doing a deep clean. He elbowed his lover in the side, making him talk.

[YellowPerch]

Nibo didn't feel Mina hug back. This only made him feel his attempts weren't doing him any good. He twitched as she yelled at him, claiming he was lying about his words. Maybe he was. He had no idea how he himself felt anymore, his words contradicting he didn't think she would hug back he was going to let go. But then she hugged him, just as tightly as he first did. He thought he would lose all his strength then. After all these years they were together again. At this point he didn't care if actually did love him. He just didn't want her to hate him, to lose her completely as even a friend. He felt her nuzzle her face against his shoulder and he hugged tighter. He heard her comment, about not being able to let his mistakes go. But she was willing to give him another chance and he was truly glad she did. "I understand if you can't let it go. I deserve anything you throw at me right now. I'll make sure to make it right. I won't waste this chance with something stupid again."

 

Sosuke was pulled out of the bed by a very forceful Sidney. As soon as he was pulled off the bed, the younger pirate started pushing him towards his coat and boots. He wondered where they went after he found himself in his bed. Sosuke sighed at the force of Sidney's words. He knew he had to greet the crew. But he wanted to do something else. Something that involved the two of them staying in the cabin. But he wasn't going to get his way any time soon. He pulled on his boots and Sidney passed him his coat. Before he even finished putting on the coat, Sidney was pushing Sosuke out of the cabin door. He allowed he other to push him, although he didn't help at all. Before he was pushed out the door Sosuke caught a glimpse of his hair in the mirror across the room. "My hair is a complete mess. He quickly ran his hands through his hair in a last minute attempt to tame it just before exiting the cabin. Sosuke looked out as he saw the men cleaning the ship. They were even doing one hell of a deep clean. Sidney, Sidney got to them, definitely. When he was elbowed in the side Sosuke threw up a hand in an awkward wave. "Y-yo!"

[Raychu]

Mina pulled back, tears starting to form again. "I always was the crybaby, wasn't I?" She said as she tried to wipe them away once more. This time this didn't start to flow as at much, a few drops here and there, quickly being wiped away. She looked at him, removing his arms from being around her. She took a few steps back, she smiled widely, brushing the hair out of her face. "I still have a chance to properly say it, right? I love you, Nibo," the words spoken softly. Of course she was still angry at him, much more than she ever was at Sosuke. Nibo knew exactly what he did, Sosuke was trying to escape from hurting. She took a few steps forwards, pulling Nibo into another kiss. She pulled back after a bit, hugging him again. "You're a fool, my fool." She continued to hug him, refusing to pull away. "I don't remember you being clingy. You've grown older, things change right?" Pulling back from the hug once more, she looked him up and down. "Your body has changed a lot too, you look damn good. Your aging did you well."

 

The crew started to laugh at how awkward he was, Sidney included. "Yo? Really captain? You've never once said yo on this ship, don't change that now," the navigator said through his laughs. The men seemed pleased to see his was up, returning back to their cleaning after their laughing fit. Sidney was very pleased to see this, something made them do this, it wasn't him though. Maybe his cleanings just wore off on them. He grabbed his captain's hand, pulling off the ship, across the bridge, deciding that the men were okay with just seeing him. "Yo," he snickered, teasing the man for it. He recalled the man's younger brother saying the same thing in the tavern. Maybe that was the speech he used as a kid, it surely changed a lot then. "We are going for a walk, you can decide whether or not you want to see your brother. Now or later, it's not going to be never. One punch, only on the arm." He decided to go over the rules of the punching again, reminding him he was still going to see Nibo, whether he liked it or not.

[YellowPerch]

Nibo kept his hands wrapped around Mina. He didn't want to let her go. Not that he had her, here, with him. He held on as she stepped back a bit, wiping away her tears. "Who were we 'Knights' if we didn't have a damsel in distress?" He recalled the time Sosuke forced Nibo into playing knights with him and going around protecting people. Most always Mina. She removed his hands from around her and he twitched at the loss of contact with her. But when she spoke her words to him, he didn't mind that she stepped away. His face broke into a smile along with her. Then he was pulled into another kiss, his eyes closing. Even when she pulled away and returned to hug him, his eyes remained closed. Her fool. He liked the sound of that. He liked being hers. Even if she wasn't completely his. She pulled back again after mentioning his clingy personality. "I suppose losing someone you love does that to people." She probably ignored the sentence then, because she went on to look him up and down and comment on his appearance. He laughed, a joyful, honest laugh. He was glad to have her coming back to her old self.

 

Sosuke flinched when the crew burst out into laughter. What was so wrong with saying 'Yo' to them? Had he really never said it before? As kids the three musketeers used to say it all the time. Had his speech really changed that much since becoming a pirate? Sosuke signed when they continued to laugh very slowly falling into a snicker, then his hand was pulled, Sidney leading him away. They crossed the deck and down the bridge before Sidney decided to snicker at his choice of words again. Sosuke groaned and pulled at the hand tugging him away. When the other faced him he gently grasped his cheeks with one hand and squeezed them. "You are going to get it later. Trust me." Sidney laughed it off and claimed they were going for a walk instead. He mentioned how he was going to be able to punch his brother on the arm. And he chuckled. Leave it to his navigator to even monitor how many and how hard he was allowed to hit people. Then when he was about to be pulled along by Sidney again, Sosuke noticed to figures standing in the middle of the street together. "Looks like it might be now, Sidney." Sosuke held his ground as he watched the two from closest to the ship.

[Raychu]

Mina looked over, seeing Sosuke and Sidney standing together. "He's going to punch you harder than I slapped you, love," she laughed softly. He already had a red cheek, he'd have a sore body part tomorrow. She grabbed his wrist, pulling Nibo towards Sosuke and his lover, not worrying about the pain the boy was about to get. She did feel a bit guilty for slapping him, it could've been a nicer slap. It was obvious she hit him too. She let his wrist go, standing by Sidney, out of the way of what was going to happen. She had no doubt her hotheaded friend was going to punch his brother, Nibo did deserved it, even if it was bringing him a lot of pain. She looked at Sidney, seeing he was watching his lover like a hawk. Sosuke punched Nibo's arm, his lover immediately pulling him back like he was a dog. Yeah, Sidney was meant for him, no doubt about it. Mina went back to Nibo's side, rubbing where he was punched gently. "I guess this means I'm not coming with you on the ship. After I begged too." Too bad, I bet it would've been fun. Sidney's comment made her smile, he was slowly warming up to her. So very slow.

 

Sidney turned towards the other when he tugged the hand, raising an eyebrow. Was he really going to try and complain? He knew he wasn't going to get his way. When then man squeezed his cheek, his cheeks heated up at the words. "I-," he cut himself off, knowing that Sosuke would get his way with what he wanted later. He smiled, nodding at the other. The navigator looked up when he saw Mina pulling Sosuke's younger brother their way. When he was close in view, he cringed at the red mark on his cheek. It was obvious Mina did it, women's wrath really is scary. Sosuke immediately went in for the punch, his eyes locked on him. When the other got a good punch in, he pulled him back, keep him an arm's distance away from Nibo. Mina walked back over to the boy, getting gentle with him. She really was scary, mean one second, kind the next. Terrible. When she commented about not boarding the ship, he forgot she was even going to. "Too bad, I bet it would've been fun," he commented back, looking at the ground.