one shots (short stories)

riden x alosa: cold

(not my art)

AN: inspired by the book Daughter of the pirate king by Tricia Levenseller

main characters (in case you haven't read the actual book):
- Alosa: captain of the ship (narrator)
- Riden: new recruit on the ship. initially rivals with Alosa's crew.

As we sail the northern seas, a strong storm interrupts our smooth cruz. the weather is atrocious. heavy winds and cold breezes attack us on board. with that being said, some of my crew members have gotten severely sick, due to the low temperature striking - including Riden.
the infirmary has been occupied by 5: Mandsy, who is our crew doctor, and 4 pirates.

"it's overwhelmingly crowded in here captain" Mandsy declared. Given the fact that the infirmary is quite small, she suggested i move at least one 'patient' to another room so that they could be treated elsewhere, separately.

Since Riden was the only one who's cold isn't as severe as the others and didn't have to be supervised by Mandsy the whole time, it was only logical that he would be the one to be moved out to another room.

agreeing to the plan, Mandsy and i helped take Riden to my room, since my bed is big enough for 2. my options are limited.. i guess i have no choice.

Mandsy makes sure all his medicine is neatly placed on the bedside table next to him so that it would be easy for her to check up on him from time to time.

As we left the room, Riden was already asleep.

"Niridia, help me distribute these blankets to the crew would ya?" i said, collecting as many blankets as i can. we count 15 blankets. surely they're not enough for everyone on the ship, given the fact that we had just welcomed new recruits, but we learned to share. yes pirates can share, okay? we're not savages.

As Niridia hands me my blanket, i decide to head to my room in order to plan our next voyage.

The door opens gently, knowing that Riden is a light sleeper. But since the ship is old, it released a creaking sound. Darn it, i hope i didn't wake him.

I approach him step by step, dragging the long blanket from my shoulders to my feet. I could't help but admire his features. As i contemplate his beautiful brown hair spread elegantly on my pillow, i notice my hand travel towards his forehead, caressing it soothingly.

"Alosa" i hear him say. His voice is deep but fragile, coming out as a whisper.

Riden's eyes are still closed. He's slightly shivering, so i gently drop my blanket on top of the sheets covering his body. Tucking it carefully along his sides, the blanket succeeded in reducing his trembling.

"Alosa" he sais my name again, but this time a bit louder than before. It sounded demanding.

"yes Riden?" i reply, still stroking his forehead until my fingertips reach his hair.

"you're gonna get sick.. take the blanket back i don't need it" he speaks with a concerned tone.

"no, you were shivering. I can share blankets with Niridia it's no big deal"

As soon as i say my 1st mate's name, Riden interrupts "don't go to her.. please.. stay here"

After hearing those words from him, i walk across the bed to the other side, and burry myself next to him. his arm then lifts above my head, inviting me closer.

"let's hope this cold isn't contagious" i say, with a shy smile, as he giggles and drifts off to sleep.