Varian and the Seven Seas

Chapter Four: Leviathan's End

Varian slumped out of bed, wiping the sleep out of his eyes as he pulled his clothes on.

After tying his hair back with a ribbon, he sheathed his main sword and reached for his father's when he realized it wasn't where he left it. He turned around in a circle but did not see the ruby encrusted hilt anywhere.

Shock and rage filled his face. Clenching his fists, he stormed out of the room, waking up Ruddiger in the process who was peacefully curled up at the bottom of his mattress.

The doors to Hugo's room burst open as the enraged captain rushed to his bedside. Harshly gripping the half-awake blond by his unbuttoned shirt, Varian glared down at him.

"Where is it, Hugo?"

The green eyes blinked up at him. "Mgh...huh?"

He shook him slightly. "Where is my father's sword."

"What are you talking about?" He reached for the glasses on his bedside table.

"You stole it again. I know you did!"

Putting the round frames over his eyes, Hugo gave him an exasperated expression, then glanced behind him. "Uh, you mean that sword?"

Varian turned to see Ruddiger standing in the doorway, holding the ruby encrusted weapon; an apologetic look on the raccoon's face. "Huh? N-No, it was gone, I swear."

Hugo laughed. "You have serious trust issues." Varian turned to look back at him, their faces inches apart. "You can let go of my shirt now."

"Right." He released his grip, pulling his hands back hastily. "I guess Ruddiger placed it somewhere different last night." There was a pause. "Sorry," he added abashedly, rubbing the back of his neck and looking away.

Hugo's hair was long and loose, and as he sat up, his shirt fell off his shoulder to reveal more of his bare chest. He grabbed Varian by the left arm, turning him towards him. "Don't fret, my dove. If this is your way of telling me, you miss me—"

"Shut up," Varian retorted, starting to pull his arm away when he hesitated.

His gaze fell over the old cut on Hugo's cheek. He narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at the wound he'd given the blond several days ago. It was slightly swollen, the incision a yellowish color.

He reached out, lightly brushing it with the side of his finger.

Hugo flinched. "Ach! Careful!"

"It's infected."

"Yeah, no thanks to you. You come in here and accuse me of stealing and then hurt me!"

"It'll get worse if you don't take care of it. Ruddiger," he called, and the raccoon perked up. "Could you bring the—" before he could finish, Ruddiger gave a thumbs up and sprinted out of the room.

Hugo eyed him suspiciously. "What do you care?"

"I mean, I can't exactly track Ruby by myself, so it's important that I keep you alive."

He snorted. "How considerate of you."

The raccoon returned with a small, round metal jar and a folded cloth case, handing it to Varian. "Thanks, Bud." Unscrewing the lid, he dipped his fingers into a semi-translucent cream.

"What's that?"

Varian hesitated, then reached out. "Ointment." Touching the cut, the blond made a hissing sound, flinching again. His pained face quickly relaxed as the raven-haired captain covered the entire wound with the soothing cream.

Hugo examined him carefully, following the blue eyes with his own. "I feel so honored."

"Don't flatter yourself."