Maelstrom

Chapter 22

Ruse's POV

The small shoreside town is bustling with people, loud voices ringing throughout the streets. I can tell that this place is somewhere Shanks and the rest of the crew had wanted to restock at, but I figured, why not enjoy it while we're here?

I discard my trademark cloak, not really thinking that anyone here would spot a small-time pirate like myself, probably more focused on the infamous Red Haired Pirates that I had traveled with.

"Hey pretty lady, care for a drink?" A voice intercedes from behind me.

Pretty lady huh? Maybe I could swindle a couple free drinks from this unlucky bastard, I thought with a small grin.

"Oya? You think I'm pretty? How fortune, I think you're rather handsome Mr....?" I reply, waiting for the unknown man to give his name.

He's wearing a loose kimono, a sword sheathed at his hip, his dark brown eyes framed by a pair of glasses, brunette locks styled in a messy but cute sort of way. He wasn't too hard on the eyes, but he was more of a 'cute puppy' to me than a 'handsome rugged hound.' I met his friendly gaze, golden eyes flickering up in a mock-surprised way, as if assessing his features and seeing he was more...well, more visually appealing to you. But he didn't need to know that, I snicker internally, deciding to wrap an arm around his shoulders, gently guiding him to a nearby bar.

A couple hours later:

"And then I said, 'You can't really expect me to fight that beast of a man!'-" I nod my head, half-heartedly listening to the free-booze man, Quentin was his name, giving a "Oh really?" or a "You sly dog, you didn't!" Every so often so he wouldn't realize I really hadn't been listening to a word he had been saying. The plan worked surprisingly well, almost too well in fact, as I had been struggling to get through the doors, trying to make my way back to the Red Force half-drunk.

In the end, I had somehow made it back, waking up cocooned in warm blankets, a certain red haired pirate snoozing next to me. Figures, leave it to them to make my drinking habits rise up once again. With a light chuckle I roll my eyes, before nestling back up to my redhead companion. He had already finished his business here, having come to fetch me from my drunken stupor, and brought me back to the ship, according to Beckman at least.

I sigh, before leaning over my comfortable spot on the cot, pausing a moment to admire the idiot next to me. He really was quite something, and not just his looks. His stubbornness, his strength, his fierce loyalty and comradery. He was truly a free spirit, caged by no one, traversing the seas for adventure.

I grin, carding a hand through his crimson hair, snickering at the grumbling he made, still half-asleep.

And if I pressed a small kiss across his cheek- well, no one would've seen anyways.

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