𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

pirate lessons

A few days later, the safe house was buzzing with quieter energy.

Everyone was patching wounds, cleaning gear, or just trying to catch a breath before the next storm came.

Nico found himself in the training yard, where Bea was showing Nancy and Harriet how to handle a bow better.

Arrows thwacked against the targets with varying degrees of success.

Bea spotted Nico lingering by the fence, arms crossed and an amused smirk.

"Hey, Pirate," she called, loud enough for all three girls to hear. "You wanna learn how to shoot a bow, or just stand there looking broody?"

Nico raised an eyebrow. "You think a pirate needs lessons from a Glader?"

Nancy laughed. "I'd pay to see that."

Bea handed him a bow. "Come on. If you want to belong, you've gotta learn the basics."

Nico took the bow, awkward at first. "Never thought I'd hold anything besides a sword or a rope."

"Yeah, well, swords are a little last century around here," Bea teased.

He nocked an arrow, trying to get the stance right. Harriet gave pointers, and after a few shaky shots, one arrow finally landed dead center.

Everyone cheered.

Nico smiled — genuine and a little surprised.

Bea clapped him on the shoulder. "See? You're one of us now. Pirate and archer."

Nico laughed. "Guess I better watch my back, now I've got two sets of enemies."

Bea grinned. "Nah. We protect our own."

Nico looked around at the group — the friends who fought beside him, trusted him, laughed with him.

And for the first time in a long time, he felt it — the quiet strength of belonging.

★