Interning on the Aronnax

Rune Reader: Dabbling

A/N: I renamed the Chronicle arc to the Rune Reader arc (I haven't figured out how to change the title of the previous chapter yet), since it fits the overall theme better.

I have seriously been trying to figure out why Fontaine, who was raised in an open, honest family, would keep Finn a secret for so long. This chapter starts off a series of longer chapters in order to answer this question.

By the end of the next few chapters, you'll probably hate either me or Hammerhead. I'm radically changing how I usually write Hammerhead, but it honestly probably is more canon-suitable.

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Fontaine knew something was on Finn's mind the moment she slipped into their hideout. He was antsy and twitchy, reminding Fontaine of when she'd first taken him aboard.

"What's going on?" Fontaine asked carefully as she sat across from Finn.

Finn stared at the floor and fiddled with his fingers for a moment. He looked up and opened his mouth, then seemed to change his mind. Fontaine waited, unsure of what could be going through his head.

"Why do you trust me?" Finn blurted.

Fontaine raised an eyebrow in confusion. Finn stumbled on.

"I'm a- was... was a pirate, you know that. Pirates steal and-and lie, and why would you trust that? I mean, you didn't even care, but your family sure would. They're amazing and helpful and nice, and why would they let a thieving-"

Fontaine pressed a finger to Finn's lips and halted his rambling, less with the action and more with the words, "Because you're my friend."

An odd expression crossed Finn's face. It was equal parts confusion and joy, with a hint of embarrassed hurt.

Fontaine pursed her lips. From his reaction, Fontaine half-wondered if Finn had ever had someone call him "friend." Surely he had; how could a sixteen-year-old not have any friends?

A sixteen-year-old pirate boy who'd likely lived in a sub his whole life with nothing but adults and a little sister to keep him company. Fontaine was sheltered, but at least she had a few friends and actually met people.

"What brings all this up?" Fontaine asked, trying for casual.

Finn blinked and took a moment to respond. "Well, you know yesterday when Nereus stole the Chronicle, and you and I were looking for him?"

"Yes?"

"You didn't... you never asked me if I'd taken it."

"Of course not. You didn't even know it existed." Fontaine grinned, then grew serious. "Plus, I believe you when you say you don't want to steal and lie anymore."

Finn's eyes widened. Fontaine held back a grimace. Was it really so hard for him to believe that people could take him at his word?

"The Cap'n always... heard what he needed to hear," Finn murmured.

Fontaine waited for Finn to elaborate, but he didn't. Instead, Finn gave her a clearly strained smile.

"Well, that isn't a problem here," Fontaine said. Watching Finn's face, she added, "My parents would believe it, too."

Stark terror flooded Finn's eyes. It took him a moment to hide it, then he refused to meet Fontaine's eyes. He suddenly couldn't sit still.

...Fontaine wondered if Finn realized how easy he was to read. Was he really that scared of her parents? Why?