Maelstrom

Chapter 8

Shanks' POV

You were astounded, truly lost for words after you had pieced together this girl- wild and untamed, free as the wind across the sea- had been dealt such an unlucky hand.

She was very clearly not a lad -as the kid had proven to you like a smug little bastard- was lost in life.

She didn't know who to trust, where to turn to, and you sympathized with her feral, wild and willful nature. You too had loved and lost. Which is why you knew that from the first moment you met the golden eyed girl, even without knowing who she really was- that she was someone, something that you knew you couldn't let slip through your fingers.

Ruse D. Argenti was a wild thing, but you knew that right now- she was struggling to submerge underneath the chaos of the world around her, all without trying to call out for help. She was just so stubborn. Deflective. Untrusting. She seemed prideful too, and you almost smirk at that- she shared more in common with those of her bloodline than just her exotic looking features.

This kid, stubborn and prideful as she was- needed someone she could trust. Someone that she could rely on. Someone that she could drop pretenses around. She needed somewhere or someone to become a place she could call 'home'- and by hell or high water, you were going to make sure that she wouldn't have to continue her journey alone.

"Ruse." Your voice is low and steady, as you look at the kid, contemplating your words before you continue.

"I was serious before y'know." You pause, giving her time to piece together what you were hinting at. "Joining my crew." Her golden eyes widen, before she looks away from you, eyes downcast. Your heart aches slightly as you reach out to her.

"Why would you want someone like me to travel with you? You barely know me. For all you know I could be an assassin or something." She murmurs, looking away from you again, and you sigh softly.

"It's a gut feeling. Call it instinct." You quip back playfully, before continuing.

"Ruse. You've been alone long enough don't you think?" As you speak to the golden eyed girl, you gently lean in, slowly loosening the straps on her face. The worn and weathered leather muzzle slowly becomes more and more loose with each careful tug.

"You can stop now. I'll take care of you, you don't have to be alone anymore." You pause, looking back at her.

Steely grey orbs meet shimmering golden ones, brimming with unshed tears as she blinks them away.

"Join us, kid. You won't regret it. I promise." As you declare this to her, you grip the last straps from the device on her jaw and let it fall.

The trademark leather muzzle she wears to hide herself away now hangs loosely, dangling around her neck.

"Promise?" Her voice is warbled, thick with hesitation and longing.

"I promise." You smile as you stare back at her.

Golden shimmering hues look up at your own grey irises as you let her lean into you, eagerly seeping your warmth.

A slight dampness stains your shirt as you card your fingers through her thick white mane.

She looks around, confusion evident on her face.

You chuckle softly as you realize she was thinking it was raining. The thought was both a tad humorous and just a tinge sad.

Ruse shoots a half-hearted glare your way at the sound of your laughter, as you cough softly to hide it.

You smile as you pull her closer, a warmth stretching from deep inside your chest leaves you feeling breathless.

This kid wouldn't have to be alone anymore.

--

"Hey Shanks?" Ruse questions, her body still pressed against yours- warm and solid.

"Mhmm kid?" You answer back, combing your hands through her hair- soothingly.

"Won't your crew try to kill me?" She asks, her voice laced with amusement and slight hesitation.

Ah, you forgot about that. Your crew did see the girl pull a knife on you, and she did call them a merry bunch of idiots ...well... you suppose bygones will be bygones.

After all, she was Silver's kid so you figured they would be able to warm up to her pretty quick.

"I think you'll manage just fine, kid." You chuckle as she glares at you before you notice that where her muzzle used to be placed, is now an expanse of smooth skin. A scar runs from each of her lips, as if her smile had split open her lips.

You frown before leaning in to get a closer look. Ruse jolts back, not expecting you to sudden be so close in proximity to her.

"The hells Shanks?!" She shouts, trying to lean back but you had captured her arms, preventing her from running away.

Your eyes narrow as you see the scar running from both sides of her lips -carved into her skin- too curved to be caused by an accident or a nasty blunder.

"Did someone do this to you?" Your voice is low and heavy, taunt with restraint, rage burning through your mind.

How could someone carve up a kid? And the marines think pirates are bad? How was the world supposed to think people like him were scum when there were people like that existing in the world, scarring up kids?

You tone down your anger, trying to reign it in after seeing the look on Ruse's face.

She fiddles with her muzzle, nervously scratching at her cheek.

"Yeah well, people don't really like to look at something like that, so I covered it up. Hence this stupid thing," She gestures at her muzzle with a halfhearted shrug.

She continues, "Nobles are fucked up. They see a street rat that stole some bread from the market, and then they take justice in their own hands." She drawls, voice flat and even, a pinch of resentment seeping in.

"Well, in this case they put their hands on me. Gave me a nice and sound beating, but I was a kid, and I was hungry. And really I could give two shit's if they beat me. I did it again, and again, till they caught me. They made sure to teach me a lesson I wouldn't forget."

She laughs bitterly.

"Slashed me from lip to lip, saying that they couldn't waste their food on a street-scum's mouth, preaching that I was trash, only allowed to live humbly by them royal bloods." She sneers, as she continues, "So later that night I slit their throats from vein to vein and I fled town. Figured I could at least do that shitty village the favor of cutting down some noble-scum before I left." She smirks at you, her face scrunched up.

"Still want me to join your crew?" She chuckles, fiddling with her muzzle.

Her body language was curled in, defensive and ready to flee at any given moment.

You smirk, rage still boiling in your blood, but simmering down as you lean down to ruffle her hair.

"Now I know you'll fit right in, kid."

She looks back at you, her eyes wide in shock, as she cocks her head.

"Wow, and here I thought you'd tell me to turn tail and leave. Well, Idiot Captain, let's go meet the crew. And please tell me you have some food for me." She grins at you, her smile wide and cheerful, and you shake your head in amusement.

"Aye, let's get going then lass."

Kids really were something else.

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