Im sorry this took so long to get out, im kinda a slow writer. I am also working on other projects
[Anyways this was beta read by @Cloudless_Sky as always.]
The smell of salt was thick in the air. The waves of the deep blue ocean crashed onto the sides of the ship. It was a lovely morning. Not a storm cloud in sight - the temperature had plummeted due to the storm which had battered them all the previous night.
Even though the air was cooler outside, Edward was sitting inside his quarters. He had just awoken.
Due to him staying up until sunset - he had slept until late afternoon. Sunrise was the time most everyone on the ship got up - although it depended on what time everyone went to bed that night.
He hoped his Captain wouldnât get mad at him for not being out on deck - he doubted this, but the thought still lingered at the edge of his mind.
He thought about what they asked him, about what he would do if they died. It wasnât the question that scared him, it was the possibility that it would happen. Player was always running into trouble; getting themself hurt.
He remembers when Player went missing - for most of those weeks, the anxiety that Player was truly dead had crept up and rooted itself deep into Edwardâs mind.
Edward wouldnât know what to do with himself if his Captain died. Maybe he would turn himself in - at least the Grand Navy would know what to do with him.
If Edward was being honest with himself, he did actually know what they would do with him. On one hand he doesnât think they would kill him - but on other hand he did break into Silverhold. So maybe they would.
Gods he didnât like thinking about, what he would do if his Captain died. Death would come for them all eventually, but Edward hoped it would be a long while before that happened.
- Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of someone at the door was brought to Edwardâs attention by the sound of knocking. He gripped the edge of the bed, just before standing up and walking over to the door.
His hand gripped the doorknob. And he pulled it open.
âYes-?â His voice sounded soft, he internally cringed at the sound of it.
The warm sound of his Captainâs voice fills his ears. âGood, youâre awake,â Edward stiffened his posture at the sight of his Captain. âIs something wrong, sir?â anxiety filled his mind, he desperately hoped nothing bad had happened.
âOh, not all,â Player waved their hand dismissively, âI know you stayed up late last night, so I wanted to see if you were still sleeping.â Player talked with a friendly smile on their face. There was still an undertone of tiredness.
âNope, Iâm awake now-â the anxiety that once made its home in Edwardâs mind was now gone, taking its place was relief. âStill a little tired, but Iâll live.â
Player nodded at him, the memory of last night seemed to flood their mind- their face blushing a little bit.
âAm I going to see you up on deck?â Player inquired. âYes, Iâll be up there.â He tries to salute Player, but hits his hand on the halfway open door. Ow
âGood,â they looked at the lower half of Edwardâs body, and looked back up at him - Playerâs face burning a deeper red "And uh- maybe get some pants on.ââ
Edward looked down at himself then back up, blushing. He realized what Player was talking about, âO-Of course, Captain.â He was barely able to choke those words out.
Player gave him a friendly smile, and started back up the hallway. Edward closed the door, and let out a sigh- hoping the blush on his face would go away.
God, that was embarrassing - he hadnât realized he was still in his sleepwear, it just felt normal - so when he answered the door he hadnât realized it. He wondered what Player wore to bed- he blushed as an interesting thought crossed his mind, but he quickly shot that down. It wasnât a professional way to think of his Captain.
He should probably just get some pants and his armor on, and head up to the deck. And hoped Player would forget that ever happened. He slightly doubted that they would though.
â
As Edward stepped on to the deck, a gust of wind blew through his hair, messing it up.
He ran a hand through his fluffy locks, squinting at the bright afternoon sun; the ship is usually a flurry of busy morning activity. But due to it being afternoon all of that was gone, and replaced with peacefulness.
Morden and Player were looking over a map - Morden said something to Player that Edward couldnât quite catch, most likely something about the ship.
When he had been on watch duty last night- he didnât really pay attention to if the ship stayed on course. Mostly looking for pirates - and the Grand Navy.
Edward started up the stairs to the helm of the ship, approaching Player.
âIs there anything you need me to do, Captain.â His posture stiffened as he spoke.
They turned their head towards him, Player chuckled, âYou donât need to be formal all the time.â
He mumbled a quick apology.
He took a moment to look at Playerâs face, they had some scarring, but that did little to diminish the attractiveness of their face. He took a closer look, the eye bags that were on their face last night were no longer as prominent. Maybe the hug did help Player sleep better, he desperately hoped it did.
Player looked back at Morden, before speaking. âI think that should be fine now, thank you Morden.â
He nodded, "Itâs no big deal.â and waved. He walked down to the main area of the deck.
Player smiled as Morden left, for some reason it seemed Player looked happier around Morden, they smiled brighter - their voice sounded happier.
Player put their hand on his shoulder, breaking him out of his train of thought. âYou needed to talk to me?â
âDo you want me to do anything around the ship?â
Player thought for a moment, before speaking. âI donât think thereâs anything for you to do. Modern already helped me with what you usually do.â Player removed their hand to run it through their hair. Trying to keep it out of their face.
âOh - are you sure Captain?â Edwardâs face saddened just for a moment before turning back to normal.
âI believe so.â
He nodded - feeling a little out of place, at that moment he felt a little useless. He looked down at his boots, waiting for Player to say something.
A second of awkward silence was shared between the two, Before Player decided to speak. âThank you for the hug last night.â was a little bit random for the moment but Edward appreciated the âthank youâ as most people would.
He couldnât stop his face breaking out into a smile. Looking back up to speak âDid it help you to sleep?â
Player nodded âI got more sleep than I usually do - so I would say yes.â
Edwardâs smiles widened. âGood.â
ââŚâ
âYouâre a good hugger.â Player commented.
Edwardâs face almost immediately flushed a deep red. He always felt a little embarrassed getting compliments from his Captain- donât get him wrong he liked it, he just wasnât used to getting compliments from his Captain. He rarely ever got any from his Captain when he was in the Grand Navy.
Although when he became one he made sure to compliment his crew, on their good work.
Before he could say thank you, player quickly added in a slight panic, âIâm sorry, that was weird of me.â
âNo - no, Itâs fine - I like getting compliments from you.â His voice quieted down, realizing what he just said.
âOh - good, Iâll make sure to compliment you more then.â They sounded a little relieved.
Edward was going to say âI hope soâ, but he felt that would make the conversation take an awkward turn. So he just thanked Player instead. He enjoyed talking to his Captain, not just this specific - but in general, it felt relaxing. Which was a big comparison to his time in the Grand Navy. Which felt more mechanical - rather than natural.
âBecause you asked me Iâm going to ask you. how did you sleep, Edward-?â
Not great Edward would have said, I mean he did go to bed at sunrise. Although he did not sleep much in the between when he went to bed and the time he woke up.
âEh - couldâve been betterâ
Player laughed at that- Edward loved it when they laughed. âYou and I both, buddy.â They playfully punch Edwardâs shoulder.
âSo⌠see any pirates on watch last night?â Edward could tell that Player was trying to keep their dry conversation alive. And it wasnât working very well.
Now Edward did see âpiratesâ if thatâs what you want to call three people on a boat trying not to sink it. He had recognized the people on the ship - he had seen them at sailors lodge. Player convinced some soldiers not to arrest the fools. Apparently from what he had overheard the Captain of the ship was telling everyone there that they were piratesâŚ? Edward wasnât too sure he had heard the conversation correctly.
âEh - I guess. I did see a ship, if thatâs what youâre asking.â
Player nodded their head, âDid they sail close to us?â
âNo.â
âThatâs good, we wouldnât want any unwanted fighting.â
ââŚâ
âAre you sure there isnât anything you want me to do?â
âYes, Iâm sure.â
