The Book of Peace

Gates of Tartarus

...

(Y/N)'s P.O.V

The aurora borealis lights glowed overhead as I walked around the ship, smiling up at them. My gaze moves over to Marina, who was sitting on a bench near the side of the ship and enjoying the breeze. We had changed back to our normal clothing when the temperature went back to normal, and all has been calm for a while.

Sinbad was on the upper deck, lightly turning the wheel every so often to get back on course to the star.

I felt saddness creeping up in me as I sigh, my brows furrowed.

I need to know why.

My feet move up the steps carefully, trying not to disturb him. However Sinbad looks to me anyway, a small smile on his lips as he nods his head.

I move to the railing, leaning back on it and rubbing my arm. I could feel that he was glancing at me every so often, his gaze flicking back forward when I would look up.

"Sinbad...?"

My voice trails off as he looks over at me, his brow raised in silent question.

Why did you leave?

The question was on the tip of my tongue, but it wouldn't come out. I sigh softly, my expression softening.

"Thank you for rescuing me," I finish, a smile spreading on my face.

Sinbad smirks, nodding. "Well, you..."

He trails off, his smirk falling to a more genuine one as his eyes soften.

"... You're welcome," he quietly replies, nodding his head.

"Oh, look! See? You can be nice," I tease fondly, walking over and standing next to him.

"Ha-ha," he replies in a monotone, though a small smile was on his face.

When I don't respond he looks forward, a small sigh escaping me as I look over the ocean.

"This life suits you," I quietly comment.

"Yeah?" Sinbad questions and chuckles, shrugging. "Well, you always knew I wasn't made for dry land."

I let out a short laugh. "Oh, I know. Any chance you got, you'd drag me down to the beach."

Sinbad grins widely as his eyes flicker with familiarity. "That's right!" he chuckles again, his smile falling. "Though I never could tell with you. The shore, or the sea?"

"Oh, come on." I playfully shove his arm, making him make a sound of protest as he laughs. "You know I loved the sea. Even though my father never would let me anywhere near ships, I always wondered what it would be like out there. Even dreamed of a life on it for some time."

Sinbad's brows furrow as I shrug, my eyes averting down.

"But, you know... I have responsibilities in Syracuse. Princess. Yay," I sarcastically cheer, forcing a smile.

"Dymas made you give it up?" Sinbad quietly questions as I look away.

"Well..." I hesitate, slowly nodding. "Yes."

I look back, Sinbad watching me with a saddened expression and a frown as he softly sighs.

"But I don't... blame him," I softly add, my eyes flicking along the waves. "He wants what's best for me. I understand."

Sinbad's lip curves up in a side-smile as he holds his hand out to me, making me slowly set mine in it.

His fingers curl around my hand as he lightly tugs me closer, me blinking rapidly in surprise as he leads me to the wheel of the ship. I look up at him as he wraps my hand around the wheel, him nodding with a grin as he jerks his head to it.