Debts To Be Settled

10

The boat rocks unsteadily across the azure blue. Waves of cerulean and white crash into the bronze hull, splashing across the name of the ship, Spirit. Tommy places his arms down on the railing. He leans his head against his forearm. He pulls both of his thighs to the side onto the rough material of the seats. The rest of his leg hangs off the side, unable to reach the lacquered wooden floorboards. A salty wind runs through his hair, knocking down his hood. He shivers as the wind descends through his hoodie. He pulls his body tighter together in an effort to preserve his body heat. A clamps his fingers down against his elbows, trying to create a circuit of warmth. It is a miserable effort, but the single-minded determination and his focus on the beautiful waves across the hull soothes his fears enough that he isn't panicking in front of everyone.

Tommy, like most people, has many fears. There are three major ones, however. He is afraid of being captured for his healing abilities and of the deep, unsettling darkness that breathes inside the tiny corners of the room. His other fear is drowning. This fear is similar to his nyctophobia in the sense that they both came from childhood traumas. Tommy takes in a deep breath, tasting the humidity on his tongue as if he were eating water straight from the air. He takes another one, muffling it through the fabric of his hoodie. He continues breathing like this, reminding himself with each breath that he can do this without any struggle. There is no one holding his throat, keeping him down, trapping him in the confines of porcelain white and fuzzy sandy tile. The water is far below him, sometimes splashing his clothes but otherwise remaining far away. Tommy is fine, and he would very much like his body to understand that fact sooner rather than later.

Something moves in the corner of his eye. He glances over to see Nymph shuffling around. Unlike him, she is sitting with her body facing the interior of the ship. Her feet are firmly planted on the ground. Her hands rest comfortably in her lap. She turns her attention towards something on the second level of the ship. She stares with deep concentration. When she has figured something out, she continues turning her head. Tommy meets Nymph's brown eyes. She untenses almost immediately, a smile assuaging her face. Her eyebrows knit together a second later. Tommy swallows, trying to push down the uncomfortable clamminess that is overtaking his skin. Nymph reaches for his hand, taking it into her own. Her skin is soft and warm, dispelling the quiet tremors continuing up Tommy's arm.

Tommy feels moderately better with Nymph at his side. At the moment, she still technically owes him her life. She has the power to manipulate water, and with their most recent healing session, she should have full control over abilities. If Tommy is thrown from the deck, Nymph will be coming after him. She will have the power to save his life. She could push the water away. She could use it to pull them both up to the surface. She could even use the water itself to drag Tommy back up. No matter what she decides to do, she has the means and reason to do it. Tommy derives comfort from that even as he reminds himself not to completely put his life in Nymph's hands.

Nymph scoots a little closer. She wraps both of her hands around the one she has taken from Tommy. He stares down at their hands instead of staring at the ocean. Maybe he also derives comfort from Nymph herself, but he won't be admitting that out loud any time soon. He doesn't want the vigilante to know she holds any sort of sway over him. She doesn't, not really, but he doesn't want the truth of the matter to be misconstrued.

"Here you two are!" A voice yells to be heard over the howling wind. Tommy jumps, pulling back away from Nymph. She rolls her eyes. She leans back against the railing, crossing her arms over her chest. She stretches her legs out as someone descends quickly from the metal staircase that leads up to the upper deck of the ship. The person in question is Dream.

Unlike Tommy and Nymph, Dream is wearing professional clothing made for this sort of weather and environment. He wears black pants with plenty of pockets and neon green stripes for visibility. His pants are made from a shiny fabric that moderates internal temperature, allows for a wide-range of mobility, and is extremely durable against all kinds of wear and tear. His jacket is made from a similar material, though it has a reverse color palette as his pants. Dream's left shoulder is decorated with a very specific symbol of two golden rings making an X around a black sphere with a white XD on it. Dream compliments his outfit with a smiling mask that hangs off the side of his face, revealing his bright green eyes and cheerful grin.