𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘, 𝖺 𝗀𝗅𝖺𝖽𝖾𝗋𝗌 𝖺𝗅𝖻𝗎𝗆

the past can't have me anymore

[SETTING.🧭]  Open sea, just miles from Iron Lion. Nico's crew vs. Blackmore's fleet.

The sea boiled with cannon fire.

Explosions lit the sky as the Right Arm rebels fought to keep their ship afloat. Blackmore's fleet had cut off every exit route, trapping them in a narrow channel like a wolfpack closing in on prey.

Nico barked orders over the roar of cannon blasts, his voice sharp, commanding.

"Matt, port side! Watch that second hull!"

"Gally, reload faster, or we're swimming home!"

The boys moved like fire through rain, precise and practiced. Even Hugo had taken two shots already, picking off pirates that got too bold.

But Nico?

He didn't fire. He didn't grab a sword.

Not yet.

He waited.

He knew Blackmore would come.

And sure enough, amid the smoke and shouts, a grappling hook slammed onto their deck. A dozen boots followed, and at the center of them...

Blackmore.

His long coat whipped in the wind, salt-grey hair wild, gold teeth gleaming in a twisted grin. A rapier hung at his side, but his stare went straight to Nico.

"Thought you could sail off and become a hero, Marrow?"

Nico didn't flinch.

"I did. And I'd do it again."

"You left your crew. Your blood. For what? A woman?"

"For my wife."

Blackmore chuckled darkly. "Then you'll die trying to get back to her."

He drew his sword.

So did Nico.

For a moment, it was only the two of them on deck — past vs. present. Blood vs. heart.

And then, they clashed.

The blades rang loud. Steel striking steel like thunder cracking the sky. Blackmore was fast, but Nico was angrier. 

More determined. Every step he took, every strike he landed, was for Bea.

For the home he built.

For the child waiting for him.

For every version of himself he had to burn away to become the man she saw in him.

"Still the same boy who couldn't kill without shaking," Blackmore sneered, pushing Nico back.

Nico growled through clenched teeth. "Still the same coward who needed fear to be followed."

He lunged. A blade-to-blade parry. A turn. Nico drove his sword into the deck beside Blackmore's foot, pinning his coat. One swift kick to the gut knocked the pirate captain down.

Blackmore laughed, bloody and furious. "What now? Gonna kill me?"

Nico stood over him, blade raised. His crew behind him, silent.

"No," Nico said. "I'm done letting the past decide who I am."

He threw Blackmore's sword overboard.

"Tell the rest of them," Nico added, voice low, deadly calm. "They try this again, next time, I won't hesitate."

He turned. "Boys, cut the lines."

Gally and Matt slashed the ropes. The ships broke contact. The Iron Lion cliffs returned to view.

And Nico?

He finally exhaled.

Because nothing — no one — was going to keep him from Bea again.