Sham of the Sea

Chapter 34

"So."

Y/N's mother looked between Jennie and Y/N sternly, the greying hairs on the old woman's temples giving her a more cold appearance than Y/N had ever seen on her.

Jennie looked at Y/N completely overwhelmed, her hair still in disarray even when she had fixed it after countless times of running her hands through it.

Y/N cleared her throat awkwardly. "She's a nice woman, mum." she mumbled sheepishly, letting Tikki grip her little finger a bit tighter. The kid was sitting on Y/N's lap and sucking on Y/N's thumb, distracting herself with her much larger hands.

"Is this her kid?"

It was not hard to see, they had the exact same nose, but Y/N still nodded, peeking over to a slumped over Jennie. The mighty captain was not all that mighty now that she was sitting opposite of Y/N's mom and Y/N pitied her a bit.

"She is. She's called Tikki. Say hello, Tikki." Y/N gently pulled her hand away, nudging the shy kid that promptly tried to hide within Y/N's clothes. "She's your granny now, alright? Can you say that, gran-ny?"

Tikki just mumbled into Y/N's shoulder, and with a smile, Y/N petted her hair again. With sly eyes, Y/N looked back at her mother, finding her face remarkably softer now. Her mother actually looked as if she was ready to hold Tikki herself, not thinking of her as a dirty pirate brat anymore.

Although, her mother still sent a suspicious glance in Jennie's direction. "I take it your intentions with my daughter are of no pure nature?"

Jennie gasped at that, blushing a deep red that looked even darker around her whitish scar. She hurried to wave her hands dismissively, the panic quite apparent in her eyes. "I didn't mean to-"

"Are you planning to make her a criminal? Somebody who kills people? I did not want my dear daughter to grow up like that. I wanted her to live her life without dirtying her hands."

Jennie exchanged a glance with Y/N, Tikki started nibbling at Y/N's thumb again.

Y/N swallowed thickly looking back at her mother. "I- She does not have to. I have another crew member who does not fight, and I can ensure her safety by my side. My crew is not exchangeable or hired per journey as other ones are. We are one team."

Her mother gave a distant hum, still looking between them three hesitantly.

It was actually Tikki who spoke up, letting Y/N's finger go with a wet noise. "Granny angry at Mama? I... need to protect Mama?" she asked very earnestly, her hands formed to tiny fists already again.

Y/N laughed when she remembered Tikki punching her double last time. "No, no, granny is just a bit too protective of her daughter, baby, don't worry." she hugged the kid a bit closer

They watched as Tikki nod pensively. "Granny... Y/N Mama?"

Y/N's mom actually had to smile now, quickly hiding her face with a cough but Y/N had already pointed an accusing finger at her.

"There! You can't be angry, face it! You already know she is no bad person!"

Her mother hit the table with a huff. "I remember your previous crushes, Y/N! This pirate here might be the most dangerous one the world has ever seen, and yet you try to persuade me with a cute little kid!"

"I am no kid!" Tikki protested immediately, looking ready to fight again.

Y/N held the kid back with a giggle, fondly nodding over at the shy Jennie. "Look at her, she's terrified of you. She would not be if you were not my mom."

"She would not be, would she not love you, airhead." Her mom rolled her eyes while Y/N and Jennie just gasped, looking at each other with big eyes.

The panic was evident in Jennie's eyes and Y/N felt her heart go wild until Tikki poked her chest with a giggle, leaning closer to listen at it.