𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

🎗️ tell me who you were

It was late.

The wind brushed gently through the trees outside the safehouse as most of the others slept.

Nico sat in the common room near the fireplace, half-awake, turning a worn compass over in his hand.

The fire cast a flickering gold light on his face, softening the shadows under his eyes.

Bea entered quietly, barefoot, her sweater slipping off one shoulder. She didn't speak right away - just settled into the chair across from him, tucking her legs beneath her.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked softly.

Nico shook his head. "Not really."

There was a beat of silence before Bea spoke again, her voice even gentler.

"Nico... can I ask you something?"

He glanced up, meeting her eyes.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

He waited.

"...What's your full name?"

Nico blinked.

Out of all the things she could've asked - that was not what he expected.

Not how many people have you killed, or do you regret leaving the pirates, or even are you really one of us now.

Just: what's your name?

He hesitated.

Then, for the first time in years, he said it out loud:

"...Nico Elian Marrow."

Bea tilted her head, repeating it under her breath. "Elian?"

"It was my mother's choice. Before the pirates. Before the sea took everything."

He exhaled slowly.

"I haven't said it out loud since I was a kid. Didn't think it mattered anymore."

Bea's eyes were soft. "It matters to me."

Nico looked at her, surprised.

"You keep carrying your past like it's this chain around your neck," Bea continued, voice steady. "But I don't think your name is a chain. I think it's a part of who you are. The part that still hopes. Still fights."

He swallowed hard.

"I don't deserve that kind of faith."

"Yes, you do."

She stood and crossed the space between them. Sat beside him. Close. She took his hand, gently, in both of hers.

"I want to know who you were," Bea whispered. "So I can understand who you are now."

Nico was quiet for a long moment.

Then he leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes, her hand still in his.

"Alright," he murmured. "Then I'll tell you everything."

★