Treasure Planet: Jim x Kael (OC)

Thirteen

          I woke up much earlier than anyone, surprisingly enough, as I was not known for being a morning person. I yawned as I stretched. My wrist had a yellowish bruise near the palm of my hand, which I poked as soon as I noticed it, of course.

          After wincing at my impulsivity, I rubbed the sleep out of my tear crusted eyes. I dreamt of my mother, in the night. I smiled, my heart full of warmth. I couldn't remember what we were doing, but I knew she was there.

          It was... bittersweet, seeing her but knowing it wasn't real. I yawned again as I stood, grabbing my outfit for the day. Loose trousers with my belt and thigh packs, and an off white button up with the sleeves rolled up. It was similar to what I wore the first day aboard, except now I wasn't as strict about keeping up appearances.

          I grabbed my pocket mirror, flipping it open to look at my face. My eyes were droopy with sleep and still a bit puffy, my nose was still a little too big for my liking, and my lips were chapped and peeling. Yet, I looked refreshed, which was again, surprising considering what had occurred only yesterday.

          I tugged on my bangs, which had started to fall into my eyes. My hair was getting to an annoying length. I'd have to cut it soon.

          I stared a little longer, seeing the light catch one of my only felinid traits. The slits of my eyes got thinner as the mirror reflected the light, but it allowed for the dark squash-like colour to brighten into a gold. The same eyes my great grandmother had. The same eyes my grandmother had. The same eyes my mother had.

         I stopped my train of thought flipping the mirror shut and pocketing it. Instead, I thought of what Silver was going to cook up for breakfast, as I quietly exited the crew's quarters. 

          I wasn't much of a tea drinker when I boarded the R.L.S. Legacy, opting for a nice cup of coffee instead, but with how quiet the morning was I couldn't resist. I sat as I blew away the steam rising from my mug. Nearly dying put a lot into perspective for me, now that I was calm enough to think clearly.

          "I think I understand what the captain meant now." I mumbled to no one.

          Accept what you feel and move on. It was told to me when I was confused about my liking Jim, but now I could see it meant more than that. It didn't have to just be about my internal struggle, but in all aspects of my emotions. Even the grief of my mother, and the grudge against my father I didn't realize I still had. I had to move on.

          I took a sip of the beverage heating my hands, letting the flavour coat my tongue. It was wonderful to have a little time to myself, but of course time marched on.

          I heard familiar laughter as a little pink morphling zoomed past me and into a large barrel of purps. I chuckled at the sight. Soon followed Jim as he struggled to hop down the stairs while tugging on one of his boots.

          "Oh, hey! Good morning." He said, eyes landing on me.

          I nodded at him, pointing toward the barrel I sat next to. "Mornin'." I stood to look for Morph in the fruit as well.

          He nodded, immediately understanding, quietly stepping toward me. I placed my hands on the side of the large barrel, peering in and waiting.

          One of the purps grew an eye to peek up at us before quickly shutting it to hide once again. Jim lunged before I could think.

          "Ha! Busted!" He laughed, diving into the purple fruit.