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

5-A Pool

Dreams.

The interesting thing about dreams is... they always mean something. Doesn't matter whom or what you see and feel. Everything means something.

When crossing the different seas, dreams become heightened. More real. More intense.

And for non-human beings, even more so.

That was what Kenma was experiencing.

The few moments of comfort he felt in the captain's arms were short-lived, for it wasn't long before he started tossing and turning yet again.

His brow furrowed and flattened. He gripped his pillow and groaned softly in his slumber.

The pirate simply watched as Kenma grew anxious, still asleep.

What was he was dreaming of?

"Father I-"Kenma started to speak.

"My boy, you cannot keep doing this! You must pick up your studies! Become an educated man! Learn to hold a sword and to ride a horse!" His father spoke, his artificial grey curls swirling about as he paced.

"Father I don't like him, he... he did things-" Kenma started.

"Enough," his father interjected. Kenma clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

He did not wish to burden his father. He cared for him deeply and he knew his father did too. How could he say it? He wanted to be the perfect son.

Wanted.

Until...

Kenma sat up abruptly, panting and sweating as he gasped for air. He looked around, his vision dizzy as he familiarized himself with his surrounding. Dark drapes, white sheets, soft lamplight, hazel orbs.

Hazel orbs.

Kenma jumped when he saw the captain staring up at him, resting his head on his hand. He took a few deep breaths, his heart still racing but calming down. Kenma ran his fingers through his hair, damp with sweat, and sighed. His cheeks were wet. He had cried.

"Nightmare?" The pirate wondered aloud. Kenma did not reply. He had no interest in entertaining the captain. The pirate shifted on the bed and sat up, his knee brushing against Kenma's bare thigh. The half-Naiad moved away but was unable to get far. The captain grabbed his wrist and forced him to remain on the mattress.

"It was nothing," Kenma answered, trying to pull away from the pirate. The captain arched an eyebrow at him.

"I'll forgive for lying since you clearly do not know how you cried out for your father in your sleep," the pirate declared, loosening his hold on Kenma. The half-Naiad stared, his mouth open and his eyes wide.

"I did what?" He whispered, shocked by the thought of talking as he slumbered. The captain leaned away and narrowed his hazel eyes.

"Your eyes are yellow," he murmured. Kenma rubbed his bottom lashes, finding his eyes to be dry, stinging.

"I have not stepped in fresh water for days," Kenma replied, turning away. The captain tilted his head to the side, the corner of his lip tugging upwards.

"You may bathe," he spoke, gesturing the door where outside he had once washed Kenma.

"You have a bath?" Kenma scoffed almost mockingly. The captain tilted his head and smiled.

"Come. I'll show you."

Kenma stared as the pirate got dressed, pulling on his boots and grabbing his shirt. The half-Naiad was too caught up in his own anxiety to even bother dressing himself. He simply followed the captain while he wore nothing but a linen shirt.