Interning on the Aronnax

Not a Pirate

Finn fiddled with the lantern and looked away, but Fontaine was stubborn. She simply moved back into his vision and took the lantern. Finn could tell she was trying to be stern, but her eyes were concerned.

"I meant what I said," Finn said. "Yesterday. That I didn't want to be a pirate. And, well, now I'm not."

"Can you do that?" Fontaine asked. "Just quit being a pirate?"

Typically, no. Finn half-expected Hammerhead to track him down and drag him back to the Dark Orca. But at the same time...

"Dad disowned me," Finn said, trying not to wince. Fontaine's horrified look didn't help, so he added, "It happens more often than you'd think."

Fontaine sputtered a bit before managing, "So?"

"So, what?"

"So, what does that have to do with the fact that you're here? How's this time different?"

"It was for real this time," Finn said.

"Hammerhead doesn't seem to be one to stick with his decisions," Fontaine said skeptically and, well, she wasn't wrong. "Won't he just want you back?"

"Eh, not for at least a week," Finn said. "First time he used the Turncoat Curse on me."

"You say that like it should be capitalized," Fontaine commented. "What is that?"

"Eh, nothing anymore," Finn said. "Years ago, though, it meant that... well, let's just say I wouldn't be welcome on too many pirate ships. Or anywhere."

Fontaine raised an eyebrow. Waiting. Finn drew a finger across his throat.

"What?!"

"Nobody does it for real anymore, relax," Finn said, laughing at Fontaine's panicked face. "It's not for real. And even if it was, the Cap'n doesn't dislike me that much. He was just mad and saying things. He always was fond of the old traditions."

"That doesn't make it okay," Fontaine said.

"He's a pirate. That's what pirates do."

"And you aren't a pirate anymore."

"Nope."

Finn waited for Fontaine's disbelieving look or for her to laugh. Instead, she cocked her head and asked a question.

"So... what does that make you now?"

It should have been a simple question, but...

"I... I don't know."

---------------------------------

Fontaine stared at Finn for a long time. How could he not know what he wanted to do? Even if he'd spent his whole life doing what he didn't want... did he think he'd never leave? Had he never entertained the idea of doing anything besides pirating?

"Well," Fontaine said. Finn jumped, making Fontaine wonder how long they'd been silent. "I guess it's decided, then."

"What's decided?"

Fontaine stood. "What I'm doing about you."

"We already-"

"Nope, we're ignoring that plan," Fontaine interrupted, heading for the vent. "You're staying here, and I'm going to find you a purpose on the Aronnax."

"But-"

"No arguments!" Fontaine shot back with a grin.

Just before Fontaine closed the vent, she caught sight of Finn's relieved smile.