My Precious Cargo ⚔ Volume 2 (An AtsuKage ff) ✔

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The next few days passed with an air of worry over the ship. Not knowing whether Atsumu and Tobio were followed, whether the men on his father's council reported to their father about their ship, or whether the King himself was on that port too... they all had their reasons to be concerned.

The Prince wasn't doing well either. It seemed that since they had begun this quest their misfortunes had risen. From Tobio being drugged by the witches, to the flash storms that seemed to follow them everywhere, and then the little one's panic attack, it was as if some celestial being was trying to deter them from their hunt. But this was the treasure hunt of a lifetime, and being a pirate was about overcoming all obstacles in the way.

Tobio spent most of his time in the Captain's quarters. He didn't eat much and constantly sat looking out the window, fearful of one of his father's ships appearing on the horizon. Sleep was a luxury at this point; in the week that had passed since the incident at the port, he might have slept five hours total.

Atsumu was worried, and this led to the crew worrying too. At night he only slept a little, the rest of the night watching his love from the corner of his eye as he sat in the window seat and looked up at the full moon. 

"Sweetheart," he called out with a groan, pushing up onto an elbow, "come back to bed."

Tobio would look over to him with passive eyes, not really present with him. Then he would turn back around and keep looking out the window.

"Maybe later." he would always reply with.

They sailed on, but there wasn't as much excitement as before. Suna spent a lot of time with Tobio, the two sharing a sort of bond that allowed them to understand each other's emotions and thoughts deeply, and whenever anyone asked he said it was to get off doing tasks. But they could see the pity in his eyes during mealtimes. 

One week turned to two, and none of them could pull Tobio out of this slump. Even Kita couldn't get through to him, only managing small conversation when bringing him his meals even when he knew the food would be just as he left it when he came back later on. Osamu would talk with Atsumu in the evenings, both of them standing by the wheel and wondering how to help their youngest.

"It's been a damn fortnight and he's not getting any better." Atsumu stated, sighing as his hands turned white on the wheel. "What am I supposed to do?"

"He's been through a lot, you know he has. Things like this, you can only wait them out. Yer giving him all he needs by being with him." Osamu tried to comfort, but the crease in his twin's eyebrow didn't lessen.

"He spends all his day by the window, doesn't eat or talk or read. It's almost like..." Atsumu trailed off, his frown deepening as his thoughts clashed around in his head. 

"Like?" pressed Osamu.

"Like he knows something is going to happen. Resignation, that's what I see in his eyes. And even when we just got him back, something tries to dampen his spirit."

"Tsumu..."

"I told yer, didn't I? Bringing him with us, keeping him here, we should have found somewhere safe for him to stay and then-"

"Yer can't finish that sentence and yer know it. There isn't any way you'd leave him behind, and like hell he'd accept it."

"Samu-"

"Tsumu, you love him! You love him as much as our pa loved our ma! Don't you dare give up, you hear me!" Osamu exclaimed, taking a step closer to his twin. "He needs you, no matter how long it takes, and yer gonna stay by his side like you promised! You... we'll get through this, aye?"

Atsumu seemed stunned for a moment at his brother's outburst since he was usually the more vocal of the two. But then he smiled, nodding at his brother before pulling him into a hug. Osamu was surprised but returned the gesture, knowing now wasn't a time for bickering and banter: his brother needed him. Holding Atsumu close, he rubbed a hand up and down his back when his twin's shoulders shook ever so slightly, and rested his chin on his shoulder as he looked beyond them and towards the horizon. The sun had set, leaving an inky navy blue splayed ahead of them, only the glimmering stars above them providing them guidance. 

"Tsumu... what's that?" he asked, gently pulling away from his brother and turning them to the right.

Coming at them was a ship, the swaying lanterns giving their position away. It was bigger than theirs, their sails and masts billowing from the speed at which they travelled. Atsumu pulled out his spyglass to get a closer look, taking a step back and hitting Osamu when he put it down.

"It's him."

"You mean..."

"Tobio's father."

As the ship grew closer, Osamu raced down the stairs and below deck, waking everyone up and telling them to get armed. The initial reluctance was pushed aside at the panicked look on Osamu's face, and Kita began to instruct everyone on what to do whilst the grey-haired male went back up to his brother who was sharply watching the approaching ship.

"Tsumu, go to Tobio."

"Right."

Atsumu put his spyglass away before rushing across deck to his quarters, opening the door to find Tobio already looking in his direction. He seemed awake, alert, his blue eyes gleaming with knowledge.

"He's here, isn't he." he stated, no question in his tone.

"Aye." Atsumu replied gravelly, not knowing what he should do. Why did Tobio seem so calm about it?

"Go to the crew. I'll join you soon." Tobio stood up.

Atsumu was hesitant, not wanting anything to happen to the Prince whilst he was in a panic and not thinking straight. But they were on a ship, there wasn't exactly any escape routes. Besides, they were pirates not cowards. With a nod he turned to leave, before rushing over to Tobio and kissing him. He only meant to stay for a second, but when he pulled back Tobio pulled him back in as if it was the last time they would do this. 

When they finally did part, Tobio was looking at him with a gaze he once more couldn't understand, and he didn't want to take one step away.

"Go." Tobio urged, giving him one more kiss before pushing him away, turning around to get ready himself.

Leaving his quarters he saw the ship was now a mere 50 meters away, and the crew were looking between it and himself with a sea of confused and worried faces.

"Be on your guard." he instructed, adjusting his hat before heading up to the wheel and turning them to face the ship.

Time slowed down as they came face to face with the Kageyama ship. And, just as he expected, King Kageyama was standing at his wheel, his crown shining menacingly in the moonlight. Looking down at them with an expression only describable as pure rage, he held out a hand for his soldiers to not attack.

Atsumu's golden eyes bored into the steely grey ones opposite him, and held his head high as he returned his glare.

"Miya Atsumu-" the King began.

"Captain." several of his crew called out, making Atsumu smirk.

"Captain." the king repeated with a sneer that could challenge the devil. "You have my property and I will be taking it back."

"Over my dead body."