Bones in the Ocean by bunflower

Chapter 15

Eret is waiting for them when they return to the cabin.

After a night of celebration-as merry as it's been in a while, with Wilbur leading the crew in a short but joyful chorus-Technoblade and Phil had decided to retire early to the captain's quarters. Though their bond had been clumsily mended, there's still a lot to talk about, and Technoblade finds himself exhaling weakly in relief when Phil closes the door carefully shut behind him. His friend is smiling fondly, waving a cheery goodbye to whatever crewmates still linger outside, and his voice is light and friendly as he speaks.

"Right-that went pretty well, I think. How 'bout a drink, Techno? Gods know we could both use-fucking shit!"

He turns, and finds himself staring directly into the clouded, milky-white eyes of Eret.

Technoblade bursts out into laughter as Phil staggers backward, clutching a hand to his chest. Eret laughs too-deep and rumbling and musical, the corners of her eyes crinkling as she waves Phil off with a smile.

"Sorry," Technoblade wheezes. "I was gonna tell you, but-" He breaks off into another peal of laughter, Eret not far behind.

"Oh, fuck off," Phil hisses, but there's no real venom behind it, even as he swats playfully at the back of Technoblade's head. He moves toward Eret with teasing intent, but, as if sensing him, Eret darts gracefully away, just out of reach, moving to settle comfortably on the edge of Technoblade's bed with her long skirt draping loosely as she crosses her ankles. She looks stern then, the light atmosphere beginning to fade as Technoblade and Phil both sense her urgency and settle down into chairs across from her.

"I hope you boys are done fighting each other," she says calmly, as the two of them sheepishly duck their heads like scolded children, "-because there's a much bigger battle ahead of us."

"The island?"

"The island." Eret's face hardens a little more, her brows furrowing and her hands folding white-knuckled in her lap. "Phil, how long until we reach its shores?"

Phil frowns, and moves swiftly to the table, where the maps and charts have been spread out.

"Two, maybe three days? If the wind's in our favor." His lips twitch in a nervous smile. "Guess we've just gotta hope for smooth sailing 'til then." His stress is evident-his shoulders hunched, his breathing a little shaky as he trails his finger along the dotted coastline, in search of the one island that truly matters. When he finds it, his hand rests there, his eyes wide and desperately hopeful. His voice is more of a whisper when he next speaks, quiet and almost breathless. "It's so close, mate. We're so close."

Technoblade grins, kicking up his feet to cross at his knees.

"You're almost free of it, Phil. Just a little longer." And then he makes the mistake of looking sideways, of glancing in the direction of their other companion, and-

Eret looks solemn.

Technoblade's heart sinks.

"...It's not gonna be that easy, is it?" Technoblade reluctantly questions. Phil's expression falls as he hears him, turning to face Eret with a questioning look. Eret takes a moment to respond, her hands still folded carefully as she raises them up to her mouth in thought.

"...I don't know," she responds, and for the first time, Technoblade sees genuine confusion on her face. That in and of itself is unsettling, but paired with the confession...

"It's not over yet," Technoblade murmurs, and it's less of a question that he intends. Beside him, Phil makes a sharp noise of protest, his head jerking to stare accusingly at him, though he looks more fearful than anything.