The Perfect Storm: Triple Threat

First Mate (readxreader)

(reader reads read x reader)(hough)(LOVE U BILLY MWAH)

You slam your tankard down onto the wood table in front of you, causing it to shake precariously. Read shouts something gleefully across the table as she steadies it once again and takes another long swig from her own tankard. You swivel around in your seat until you're facing the bartender and shout across the tavern to him.

"Keep the rum flowing! Another round for all!" your request sends the patrons of the tavern into a reverie. There's cheering and stomping; the joy is absolutely infectious. However, there is one person in attendance who seems unaffected. 

As you stand from your seat and raise your tankard to join in with the cacophonous cheers, you fail to notice Read watching you with a vested interest. Her elbows rest on the table as she places her chin atop her folded hands, waiting for the right moment to--

"Read! Have another! We're the ones paying for it anyway; we might as well." You slide another tankard of rum across your table towards her. 

She chuckles lightly, then sighs. "Captain, you are... a generous one. I'll leave it at that." 

"Only the best for my fellow dregs, right?" Something flashes in Read's eyes when you drop that line. You're concerned for a moment that perhaps she didn't take too kindly to being referred to as 'dregs'. "In the... kindest way possible, I mean." You stutter through. 

"Captain, there's nothing I'd rather be." There's a softness in Read's gaze that stirs something inside of you. In this moment, you can't help but focus in on her, taking in all of her gorgeous features; the way her soft, platinum locks twist and flip, framing her pale, angular face. Her thin, wispy lashes cast a light shade over crystal blue eyes. And her rouge -- it perfectly complements the color of her soft lips. You're busy tracing the outline of her cupid's bow when you're snapped back to reality. "Captain... how would you like to go on a walk?"

"Oh!" Her request has caught you completely off-guard. "A walk?" You suck in a breath. Another moment alone with her sounds terribly tempting. 

"Aye, Captain. A walk. Before we lose the ability to walk a straight line." Read teases. You glance sidelong at the full tankard on the table before you, then nod. 

"Right, then we should get a move on." You turn your face toward the door, effectively concealing your burning cheeks. You get up from your chair and make your way towards the door out into the night where the darkness will pick up the duty of hiding your ever-spreading blush. 

Read follows soon after, closing the door of the tavern behind her before catching up to walk at your side down the cobblestone street. The tension is thick enough to slice with a knife as the two of you meander down the street in relative silence, save for the clicking of two pairs of heels. You feel like you might be sweating a little more if you were entirely sober, but the liquid courage you'd had earlier seems to have loosened you up a bit. 

Read is the first one to break the growing silence between you two. "Captain, I--"

"Read, you don't have to call me 'Captain'. We're friends, you and I. You can call me Y/N." 

"Y/N..." The utterance of your name steals your breath and you find yourself at the mercy of her words. You're nearly knocked flat when Read lets out a breathy chuckle. However, much to your chagrin, she doesn't continue. 

"Yes?" You prod, hoping she will answer. But whatever is staying her tongue seems to have a vice grip on her. Though mere moments ago you were filled with hope, the longer the silence stretches, the more it seems to dissipate. She takes a sharp breath, then stops walking. You whip around to face her, but the darkness has concealed her face making it impossible for you to discern what she may be feeling. "Read?" You nearly choke. "Is something wrong?"