HIRAETH // Captain Puffy X Reader

22

You didn't say anything to anyone, but it seemed the ship caught wind of the fact that you had finally fully changed sides anyway. Maybe it was the radiant smile on Puffy's face as you strode out of her cabin by her side, or the fact that she was holding the map in her hand, completely unbothered that you were within full reach of the paper.

Either way, Gemma smiled when she saw you, that twinkle in her eye again. 

"Gem!" Puffy called, gesturing for her first mate to follow you both up to the helm of the ship. Gemma handed off what she had been doing to one of the other crewmates and followed after you, taking her place near leaning against the railing on the edge of the deck. 

Puffy reached over to grab an empty crate, flipping it over so that she could spread the map over the makeshift table. Almost the entirety of the parchment was colored now - the island could be in sight at any moment. You glanced off the stern of the boat, finding the navy ship easily; the only blip on the otherwise blue horizon. The blue and cyan flags fluttered high in the wind, and you couldn't help but feel a stab of shame looking at them. 

This newfound opposition to the crown you had served for so long would take some getting used to. 

On the map, Puffy marked where the ship was currently. "We better start seeing some indication that we're close, because this map says we're basically on top of this island and I'm not seeing anything."

"I'm sure we'll see something today." Gemma assured. 

Puffy seemed skeptical still. "You don't think it's underwater do you?" She asked. "Do we even have stuff for that, if it is?"

"I think we might." Gemma said. 

"Can you go put some of it together, just in case?" Puffy asked. 

Gemma pushed away from the side of the railing, heading back down towards the hold. "Aye aye captain." She said, voice completely deadpan. 

Puffy leaned over the rail to watch her go. "That was rude and uncalled for!" She called to Gemma's retreating figure. With a huff, she turned back around, looking back to the map. "She only does that when she thinks I'm being ridiculous."

"Well," You said. "You do seem... a little stressed."

"Of course I'm stressed." Puffy said. "We should  be at the island by now, and we've got a navy ship on our tail. If they catch us before we get to the end of this map, it's all over and we've got nothing to show for it. Not to mention I've got precious cargo on board."

Of course - the navy didn't even know about Tubbo, and now would not be the best time for them to find out. "I'm sure it'll be alright." You said, trying to sound reassuring. "They don't call you a living legend for nothing."

"They might have to take the 'living' off that title if things start going south." Puffy said, still poring over the map. 

You leaned on the railing, looking down at the sea beneath you again. The sea was almost the same color as the crown's flag here, and you could see a light coming from under the waves - you must be over a reef. If you squinted, you could see the muted colors of coral structures, like a city under the sea. 

You could still feel Puffy's nervous energy as she muttered and plotted on the map. You didn't know how you had ever thought she was disloyal - this uncertainty about the future of her crew was tearing her apart. The effect wasn't completely lost on you either - if the navy caught up, this wonderful dream you had committed yourself to was over and you would probably spend the rest of your life in a cell for your betrayal.

A breeze fluttered by and you turned, watching it part through Puffy's hair and send the curls puffing out in every which way. You couldn't help but smile as Puffy spluttered hair out of her mouth, clearing her vision again. She caught sight of you, turning to pin you with a look.

"Something funny, Y/N?" She asked. 

You shrugged, going back to your surveying of the sea. Your eyes skimmed over the waves, catching on something in front of the ship, a ways away. You squinted, trying to get a better look at the mass-

"Land ho!"

The cry came from the crow's nest and Puffy's head snapped up from where she had been looking at the map, instead striding forward to lean over the front rail of the deck and peer towards the mass of land. A wide smile broke out on her face. 

You joined her at the railing, leaning forward to get a better look at the island of legend. From here, it just looked like a long flat strip of land, just a few blocks above the level of the ocean. It was definitely land though - you could just make out the outline of some trees in the distance, no doubt other foliage as well.

Puffy pulled the map off the top of the crate, and sure enough, just an edge of the island was colored now. You could almost feel the relief radiating off her as she looked back and forth between the land in front of you and the map. 

"See?" You joked. "You were just being silly." 

Puffy huffed, rolling the map back up and knocking into you with her shoulder. "I was well within my rights to worry."

Your stomach flipped at the simple touch. You had seen her do the same thing with other members of the crew all the time, but to be on the receiving end of the simple friendliness felt... good. Like you were really part of the crew now. 

You knocked back into Puffy's shoulder, returning the gesture. Out of the corner of your eye, you could see her grin, fist tightening around the map. "It's just a matter of getting there now."