Newbie's Skill

Fifteen

I didn't feel myself being engulfed in water, so I peeked at what happened. Sure, I was dangling in the air, and Champ was barking up a storm, probably waking every crew mate on board...but who caught me?

"Damn it, Kid. Why would you even think about it?" Marco growled from above. I looked up at him. Him and Ace had just barely grabbed my shirt in time. I wiggled around, trying to free myself of them.

"Let me go," I demanded.

"Not a chance!" Ace barked. I flinched at his tone. "Thatch, get Pops!"

"On it," Thatch said, rushing off.

"Just let your misery end," I cried. "Just drop me!"

"Still a no," Marco huffed. "Come on. You're our brother. Snap out of it."

"If you'd ask, you'd know at the very least half of this crew doesn't feel the same," I sobbed. Just let me go in peace. Please, Ace. Please, Marco. Let me rid all of you of your misery. You won't be in danger anymore. Just drop me into the ocean.

"I'm not losing you, too," Ace said, voice shaky and tears streaming down his face. "I can't go through that again. At least I can do something this time." I cried at his words. I really did love him like a brother. He's the only true brother figure I've ever had. Memories of the past week flooded my mind. I was happy for once. Yet no one else was, so I may as well just move on.

My shirt slipped from their grasp. Finally. I closed my eyes, but I fell onto a large hand. It lifted me up back onto the deck. Why did everyone have to ruin my plans? My watery eyes looked up to see Pops with a hurt expression, and I just sobbed harder, completely ignoring the constant throb in my side. Pops was the one person I did not want to see me in this state. I couldn't help but break down in front of him. I didn't want to go, but it could have set everything back to normal for them.

"Pops, I-" I hiccuped. I was probably shedding enough tears to drown the ship.

"Hush, my son. It's all over now," he stated. I couldn't help but seek his safe embrace. It was weird. I didn't know if he allowed it, but no one seemed to say anything. They all just seemed to sit down, seeming relaxed. Ace sniffled a few times, trying desperately to stop his tears. Marco rubbed his back soothingly with a look of empathy.

My sobs gradually eased as I wore myself out. My head was pounding, and my rib cage throbbed painfully. I just sat in silence, fighting against the sleep. I didn't want to sleep yet. I just wanted to be held a little while longer. I wondered if he minded me in his lap, in his arms. Ace never minded, but Pops was different...

"Pops," I murmured, slightly subconscious. He rubbed his thumb on my head, causing me to sink deeper into the darkness.

"Sleep, Son. We can discuss this when you calm down."

"Will you...really be...my dad?" I slurred, losing to the darkness.

"Always."