The Distant Lament [Tododeku Fanfic][WIP]

𝐹𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓃 𝒮𝒶𝒾𝓁𝑜𝓇

The Distant Lament
Chapter One
❅Fallen Sailor❅
Third Person

A/N: When you see [♫], play the music provided at the top of the chapter.

     Scorching heat beat down on the waves of the sea below, the smell of salt in the air hung heavy around the ship and crew, and the loud screeches of the sea gulls overhead only added to the uncomfortable environment that was the docks. Being a sailor had many disadvantages and one would have to give up on all the finer luxuries he may have enjoyed prior to becoming one if he wanted to get decent pay, but the demand for those bold enough to carry high-end cargo via a ship out on open water became too great for one to pass up. Yet, despite the uncomfortableness of it all, a young sailor found the job quite relaxing and enjoyable.

     Izuku Midoriya, known as Deku among his crewmates, had been near ships and docks all his life. It had been a dream to him to become a captain and sail the uncharted seas with a crew of his own, discovering the rarest of ores and crops, but his one chance at having that dream realized was squandered by his "childhood friend" winning a contest held in the port town. It was hosted by the greatest captain to ever sail the seas: All Might. Though no one knows the man's true identity townsfolk can't get enough of the tales spread about this legend and all that he's accomplished. Safe to say his announced retirement left unease and concern in the hearts of his followers, but with the contest he hoped to inspire a new hope in he who would prevail.

     It goes without saying that All Might had seen young Izuku's efforts and saw an even greater hope laying dormant within him, therefore he made the young man Katsuki Bakugou's Quarter Master aboard their ship One For All. That was back when the two of them were mere teenagers at the ripe age of seventeen and nineteen, when everything appeared to happen due to fate or miracles.

     Now twenty-one, Izuku remains on One For All but as a mere Cabin Boy now, responsible for serving the Captain and all the Deck Masters rather than aiding said Captain as Quarter Master. His old title went to a young and cheerful man by the name of Eijiro Kirishima, and as much as Izuku should envy the young red head, he couldn't bear to see Katsuki running the ship without someone he could trust as much as he trusts Eijiro. As much as Izuku wished to sail the seas by Katsuki's side, he was content with his new position. Some of his fellow crewmates tell him he's being a pushover, and they may be right, but he never felt more free than when he was the Quarter Master.

     Having made peace with his new rank, Izuku hops between different jobs and errands all in the hopes of becoming well-versed in all the trades that a Captain should know. I'll get there some day, so, for now, I'll keep working hard to become the greatest Captain the world has ever seen -- just like All Might. 

     Hours had passed before those aboard One For All had finished loading the newest shipment, west-bound for Europe. Once everyone was back on deck, Katsuki gave the order to ship out and all hands on deck began their preparations for departure. It's times like these that Izuku has learned to appreciate being the Cabin Boy; he doesn't have any active role in their departures nor does he have to worry about anything going wrong. He feels bad for Eijiro on occasion, but he seems to handle everything with fluid ease unlike him. Stop it. It doesn't matter in the end. Kacchan decided this for me, and I've decided to make the most out of the demotion. Once the ship was out of the port, everyone began to settle and ease into their stations to await further instructions.

     Carrying a couple books in his arms, Izuku made his way for the crow's nest to listen to the ocean's waves and the seagulls as he read his books. However, his journey there was interrupted by a fellow crewmate. She wasn't like the others -- whom follwed Katsuki's orders without much hesitance -- and was real friendly once you got to know her.