And At The End Of The Drink, Both Glass And Blue, I'll Always Love Only You

4-An Interesting Past

It felt like many years had passed since Kenma last stood on solid ground.

The dock didn't count since it was a floating plank of wood, but as soon as he stepped onto the stone path, all the swaying and rocking came to a stop.

The gentle ocean breeze blew out his frizzy hair, forcing him to tie it up.

"Cap'n, should we really be lettin' 'im out?" One crewmate asked. The captain smiled and glanced at Kenma.

"I doubt 'e'll run."

Kenma was tempted to start sprinting just to spite the pirate with his smug expression but thought better.

Kuroo walked ahead, Yaku by his side. Kenma walked a meter or so behind them, looking around the port in awe.

Tradesmen lined the street, selling spices, meats, jewels, alcohol, and handcrafts in exchange for silver coins or passage to the next port.

Kenma bumped into a mule that had a cart attached to his back. He jumped away and watched the creature move on, a short and scruffy man glaring at him for a moment before he followed the animal.

Kenma gasped softly when someone grabbed his arm, pulling him in their chest.

"Stay close," the captain advised, releasing his grasp and walking again.

They were in front of a run-down-looking pub, the stench of a pigsty and body odor burning Kenma's nose.

He could hear loud strings playing rapidly as gunshots went off, the sky covered in sparks and smoke from all the gunpowder.

Yaku pushed open the creaky wooden door and Kuroo held it open for Kenma.

The air was thick and humid inside the pub. Crowded, much to Kenma's displeasure.

A glass bottle went flying and would have hit Kenma in the face if he hadn't ducked in time.

Kenma had never experienced a bar fight himself but it was clear he would never want to again.

The chance of getting punched by a stranger or doused in pig manure was never higher than in that pub.

Women in various ragged dresses and worn corsets walked around, serving alcohol and offering themselves to the pirates and merchants for a bit of money.

It was fascinating how quickly garments dropped to the floor when one was drunk and aroused.

The captain gripped Kenma's shirt, clearly unable to trust the boy to fend for himself. Pulling Kenma through the chaotic pub, he stopped at the bar and forced Kenma to sit on one of the barstools. He then called over the bartender.

"Two glasses," he said whilst knocking on the counter and sliding two silver coins. The bartender stared at the precious metal and then looked up at the captain.

He was old, perhaps forty or fifty in years, with a rugged grey beard and wrinkled tanned skin. His clothes were just as grimy as the crew.

"Tha's not enough," he declared. The pirate sighed and leaned closer. He grabbed the man's collar and pulled him over the counter, the bartender gasping in fear.

"I think it is," the captain whispered before releasing the man. The bartender hurried over and poured two glasses of amber liquid and slammed them on the counter.

"Jus' so y'know, it's goin' on yer tab," the bartender warned, muttering a few incoherent words undoubtedly cursing out the captain.

The pirate smiled, raising his mug before downing his drink. Yaku took the other, swallowing his in just a few seconds.