Bones in the Ocean by bunflower

Chapter 4

Technoblade's not sure what to expect when he slips into the stores late one night after hearing an odd noise from below, but whatever it was...

It wasn't this.

Because when he slips into the room, there's a sudden clamor-a clattering of pots and pans as they're knocked to the floor, the scuffle of boxes and barrels hastily pushed aside as something-someone makes for an escape. He moves without thinking, lunging forward, his fingers curling around the collar of whatever unfortunate crewmate has just been caught stealing more than their share of rations, and-

An unfamiliar face blinks down at him.

Wide grey eyes, a youthful face half-covered by an odd mask, and messy blonde hair make up the countenance of the stowaway, who begins to thrash and tremble fiercely in Technoblade's grasp. He towers easily over Technoblade but makes for perhaps the least imposing figure he's ever seen; hunching over and holding up his hands placatingly as the captain holds him firmly in place.

"The hell're you doing on this ship?" he snaps, yanking him around to properly face him.

"Don't hurt me," the kid wails, with a paling face and a wobbling voice, and that's when all hell breaks loose.

"Ranboo!"

There are suddenly two more figures in the room, and hands pulling his own roughly away from the boy, who stumbles back into the waiting arms of-

Tubbo?

The gunner is glaring fiercely at him, standing in front of the frightened stowaway, his arms spread as if to shield him away from Technoblade. Tommy is the one holding him, carefully guiding his hands back down to his sides, his blue eyes wide and fierce as he too presses between his captain and the thieving stowaway. There's a commotion above them of pounding feet and muffled voices, the interaction no doubt waking up the rest of the crew, but Technoblade has eyes only for the two members.

"The fuck are you doing?" Tommy cries, as if Technoblade is the one at fault here. The kid has puffed himself up to his full height, teeth bared in a snarl that reminds him that his cabin boy still has quite a vendetta against him.

"What am I doing? He's a stowaway!"

"You were gonna hurt him!" The cabin boy's voice pitches accusingly.

"I wasn't-" Technoblade groans in exasperation, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I wasn't gonna hurt him, Tommy. But he's not exactly supposed to be here, y'know."

"I'm sorry!" The stowaway pipes up from behind his guards, looking for all the world like he'd rather be anywhere than here. "I'm sorry, Mr. Captain Technoblade, sir! I had nowhere else to go, and Tubbo told me I-" he cuts off abruptly, swallows, and shoots a guilty look in the shorter boy's direction. "Tubbo told me I could come with him..."

Ah.

Technoblade heaves a long sigh, and opens his mouth to reprimand them, just as another body comes thundering into the room, cutlass drawn and shoulders poised and ready for a fight.

"Tommy? Tubbo?" Phil gasps out, looking panicked; his hair askew and blue eyes wide and wild as he scans for the boys. When he sees what's happened, his demeanor changes in the blink of an eye, his sword lowering to rest cautiously at his hip. His lips tighten, his eyes narrowing as he locks gazes with the stowaway, who immediately flinches and lowers his head to study the groud. Phil seems to study him for a moment, his expression curious and calculating as he puts two and two together.

And then he sighs.

"Another? Really?"

What?

"He looked so lost!" Tubbo whines plaintively.