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

XVII

It was getting late, and the only light left was the swaying lamps across the deck. Osamu wanted them all to eat something before going to bed, so they forced down a piece of ham or two before heading down to their quarters. 

Tobio didn't eat, barely acknowledging anything as he sat in Atsumu's lap, heading leaning against the Captain's shoulder as he looked at nothing. Physically he was present, sometimes shifting to get comfortable, but his mind floated in a grey mist, thinking so much until it became nothing but white noise in his ears. The Prince felt something in his hair, sometimes running across his scalp in a soothing way that made his eyes fall shut; at last, he had fallen asleep.

When he heard the soft, even breaths below him, Atsumu slowly withdrew his hand from running through Tobio's black locks to settle back around his waist. The pair had stayed up on deck, and the Captain was thankful the night was warm so neither would catch a cold. Kita had stayed up too, keeping watch up in the Crow's Nest to keep them all safe. 

The night was quiet, meaning Atsumu's thoughts grew too loud. Today had been difficult for him, a reminder of their struggles and how hard it was for them to rebuild their lives after running away from their home. How they learned to fight, to barter, even how to run a ship. But now they were successful, happy and free, and he knew that today (as much as it made them reminisce their pasts) was a reminder of how far they had come.

And, as Captain of Inarizaki's Revenge, it was his job to celebrate this and to encourage his crew to do their best. They put their trust in him and he would not fail them. He watched the moon travel across the sky, dazzling amongst the gleaming stars with its comforting presence. Even in the darkest of times there was always hope. 

His hope came in the form of Tobio, the boy who had suddenly started shaking in his arms. The peaceful atmosphere vanished, and Atsumu's eyes were alert as he watched Tobio squirm in his arms, nails digging painfully into his skin as he turned to burrow his face into Atsumu's jacket to muffle any sounds. His breaths turned jagged as his body shook with each inhale, flinching when Atsumu's grip around him tightened.  

He was having a nightmare, Atsumu realised, and this was how he was never able to wake Atsumu up. He'd muffle his sounds with his pillow, inflicting pain on himself to tether him to reality and not let the dreams consume him. 

Atsumu had to pull Tobio's hands away from his forearms when he began to draw blood, eyes narrowing at the red droplets forming on his skin. There were several similar marks along his forearms, so small you had to be looking closely to see them; it infuriated Atsumu that he hadn't been paying enough attention to see that Prince was harming himself...

Pushing down his worries he held Tobio closer, hushing him and whispering sweet nothings in his ear until the shaking stopped and his breaths turned slow and quiet. The Captain shivered himself at the now cold air, so he picked up Tobio and carried him to their quarters, not wanting them to get sick after such a difficult day. 

Atsumu also held deep sorrows about their past, and visiting their homeland was always a reminder of their origin as a crew. But it made him feel strong as a Captain that he had managed to grow from his suffering, even prouder that he and his friends had created such a name for themselves and no longer had to worry about food and shelter. And it made the face that Tobio was here with them even more precious, that he was now safe with them from anymore pain and loss.

King Kageyama may have tried to end them, to destroy the legacy they created, but they had grown and would no longer fall under such tyranny again...

Spirits were lifted amongst the crew the next day. Osamu had cooked a wonderful breakfast of bacon and eggs, and they were near one of their eldest and most trusted relations: the merchant Sakusa Kiyoomi of Itachiyama. The port was a two day journey, and with good winds they could make it even sooner. They finished the daily chores quickly, and were soon putting efforts into perfecting their sails and trajectory to reach Itachiyama.

This was a port they frequented often several years back, their friend helping them access weapons and the very ship they sailed today when they began their journey under the name of Inarizaki's Revenge. Sakusa made sure they stopped by port at least one a year under the pretence of business, but the crew knew that deep down it was because Sakusa worried about them. 

He was similar in age amongst the pirates, but since their homeland was ruined they were rather unstable and angry when they met. They had matured over the years, their minds focusing on adventure and treasure, becoming real pirates, yet Sakusa still worried over them. Them, and the fact that their ship was always 'disgusting and germy'.

Atsumu told Tobio as much, the Prince laughed lightly and said he was excited to meet the merchant.

"Does he specialise in any particular trade?" asked Tobio. "Hoshiumi was a fan of all sorts of oddities."

"He has several connections across the seas. Whatever you need he can get, but that means his fees are rather expensive. We have plenty of money, but he gives us a discount due to our friendship."

"He sounds nice."

"He is." Atsumu gave a chuckle before continuing. "Just don't take it to heart if he says you need a bath."

"I do need a bath. We all do, but the weather is too cold."

"I'm sure if yer ask nice enough he'll let yer use his tub."

"Isn't that... indecent?"

"We're pirates! Indecent is our middle name!"

The pair stood in amiable silence after that, spotting the faint traces of land upon the horizon. Tobio tried his hand at the wheel, changing their trajectory ever so slightly so they were in direct line of the port. He must have been good at it if the soft kiss the Captain left on his neck was anything to go by. A soft kiss that turned to several longer kisses on the lips until Suna whistled from above, making them blush and separate. Laughter was heard from above, the two lovers sharing a look before bursting into laughter too.