The Sole Prince

The ocean cowers in your presence.

"How would you feel about a farewell party?" Sage asks one night as the two cuddle in bed.

"I think it's only proper for a pirate captain departing his ship," James says happily.

"And for a valued crewmate leaving as well."

"I don't know if I'd go that far."

"I'd go even further, if you'd like," Sage says with a laugh. James laughs as well. "It would be a party for us to say goodbye. I mean, the majority of the crew doesn't even know our plan yet."

"How do you think they'll react?"

"It seems only time will tell. But I think they'll be okay."

"Well, I wouldn't be okay if you were leaving me," James says. Sage smiles.

"Oh, how I love you," the older man adds, pulling the younger man closer to him. "I was thinking for the party to be in about two weeks. That'll give the crew enough time to adjust to the news before it's actually happening."

"Sounds perfect."

"And," Sage says, softly. "I just want to be sure that going to another party won't be stressful after what happened last party."

"You should really be asking yourself that. You're the one who got stabbed." Sage refuses to take the serious look of his face, which means James is going to have to give a real answer. "Another party will be great. A way to rewrite the story, you know. And also, I think everybody on this ship is a little too scared to touch me now. The captain is knife-happy!"

"Anything to protect my love." They seal the conversation with a kiss.

And so, two weeks pass as the two men plan the event along with Celine, Eric, and Scotty. It's quite simple, really. The only thing needed for a successful party out at sea is booze, and they sure do have a lot of that; Celine made sure of it. Sage allows the word to spread throughout the ship as well, mostly because Scotty can't keep his mouth shut, telling every pirate as soon as he heard the news from Sage.

Eventually, two weeks comes and goes, and the night of the party is here. And, as always, Sage shows up at his cabin to escort him and his love to the party, fashionably late. Familiar knocks make James perk up, his heart already beating faster.

"Are you ready for the party, sweetheart?" Sage asks, walking into the room after a few moments, letting the door close behind him.

"I think," James says. "I won't have to do anything, though, right?"

"All you have to do is show up," the older man says, walking to the younger man sitting on the edge of the bed and giving him a quick kiss. "Let me change quickly, then we can leave," he continues, walking over to his dresser, pulling out a separate, better-quality jacket to wear. A surprise to no one is that it's black.

"I've never seen you wear that before," James says, standing up from his spot on the bed and walking over to the man changing. "I like it on you."

"My dad gave it to me," Sage says, turning around to face the smaller man. "It was what I was wearing on the day I had to leave."

"I'm sorry."

"No need to be sorry. It's a good memory, really— the day he gave it to me. It's why I wear it on special occasions," the larger man replies with a smile, followed by another kiss. "All set?"

"Indeed."

And so, the two depart the cabin, making their way into the dining hall, the loud buzz of drunk pirates seeping out of the room and into the two men's ears from feet away.