Chapter Text
·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·
Loud sounds of gushing waves could be heard from below the floorboards. Usually, it wasn’t difficult to fall asleep to the noise. Grian was accustomed to it. But on this particular night, he found himself wider awake than ever. He lay back on his hammock, tilting his head to glance over at his younger brother. The blonde child was snuggled up against him, sound asleep.
Although the boy seemed at peace, Grian could tell there was something wrong. A few days ago, Jimmy had fallen ill. It wasn’t just cabin fever, although their captain had insisted it must’ve been. It turned out to be some rare illness. Perhaps even incurable if they didn’t manage to reach a nearby island in time to search for new medicine.
But this didn’t matter. The captain dismissed it as nothing more than a mere cold. He scolded Grian for insulting his honour, reminding him that he was just a lowly cabin boy with a long debt of service to pay off. For his insolence, Grian was punished with a few whips to his ankles. They were sore now, deeming him almost unable to walk. But he pulled through for his brother’s sake.
Jimmy coughed twice, frowning in his sleep, disturbing the stillness of the night. It almost startled Grian, who looked down again and wrapped his younger brother closer to him for warmth. They huddled together underneath a makeshift blanket made from an old cloak, the both of them wearing dirty rags that were once pale and white. Grian had cut holes through both of their clothing to give their wings room to breathe, though Jimmy’s were much smaller and weaker. That and, they’d both had their wings clipped and picked at as punishment, and as a way to keep them trapped on this ship.
Grian sighed wistfully, staring up between the gaps of the floorboards. Not even the gentle swaying of the boat could put him to sleep. Not when his mind could never afford to rest. He gazed up at the little stars he could see between those gaps. And for once, he closed his eyes tight and prayed.
He prayed that his brother would live to see the sun shine again. To see him happy and healthy in some optimistic universe where they weren’t made to suffer at the hands of their captain. A place where they weren’t slaves in bondage. Where they were free.
Jimmy shivered as a breeze passed through the gaps, so Grian held his smaller, frailer figure closer. As the child was sound asleep, Grian quietly whispered his prayers into the darkness of the night. Sea waves accompanying his hushed voice.
“Whatever deity is out there, I beg of you, save my brother.”
He nearly chokes up, glancing down at the boy’s pale and decaying state. Tears sting at his eyes. But there’s a look of determination when he directs his gaze back up at the stars. He knows he sounds desperate, that’s because he is, but he’s also not afraid of what it may come to.
“Please, no matter the cost. Save him.”
⋆｡°✩
Grian awoke to the sound of a horn being blown from above. The sun had barely shone through the slits above them when the horn sounded off. He didn’t recognise it to be theirs, ‘theirs’ meaning belonging to their master’s ship. It was unfamiliar. And that scared him.
Startled by the sudden noise, his younger brother stirred awake beside him. Still huddled into his warmth as he’d been shivering and coughing throughout the night. His skin was still deathly pale, his blonde hair devoid of its usual brightness, his beige shirt dirtied with stains. Grian leaned over and shook him awake, concern written all over his face.
“Timmy, wake up. Timmy!” He quietly shouted.
The boy rose out of the hammock, rubbing his eyes with his oversized sleeves in confusion. The shirt he was wearing didn’t belong to him, it was Grian’s who’d been given his clothes by the captain. Apparently, the crew hadn’t accounted for there being children on board.
Jimmy blinked a few times before staring over at his older brother with a puzzled expression.
“What is it?”
Before he could get an answer, Grian grabbed him by his arm and pulled him over to hide behind a stack of boxes filled with supplies. He quickly shushed him before Jimmy could yell out, and gestured towards above the deck.
They saw shadows passing over the creaking floorboards, the footsteps heavy and almost clanky. There was commotion going on up there, it sounded as if they’d come to a halt and were now conversing with whoever had blown that horn. But that didn’t seem to last long, as the two brothers soon heard the cries and shouts of battle as the clinking of swords went on. Splatters of blood sprayed through the gaps. Jimmy watched on in horror, Grian wrapping an arm around him and pulling him in closer.
He tilted Jimmy’s head up to direct his gaze elsewhere; he didn’t deserve to see such violence at a young age. Grimacing at the sound of battle above them, he looked back to see his brother trembling. It was hard to tell if it was from his sickness or fear, but he guessed that fear must’ve played a pretty big part.
As the violence raged on, Grian began to consider his options. While trying his best to comfort Jimmy, he thought of an escape plan. If they’d been raided by pirates, then it wasn’t looking likely that the both of them would get off this boat alive. He guessed their original captain was long dead by now. If they perhaps submitted themselves as slaves, they could be spared. But that was a big ‘if’. Most likely they’d be thrown off board.
He glanced down at his younger brother. Grian wasn’t going to risk anything if it meant the younger wouldn’t survive. Jimmy was all he had. Jimmy was his whole world. He promised to protect him for the rest of his cursed life.
That’s when the fighting suddenly paused. It went radio silent.
Grian peeked over at the floorboards of the deck. He couldn’t see anything from where they were. All he could do was hold onto his brother tightly. But even that, it seems, wasn’t enough.
A trapdoor was opened above them, and a hand reached down and grabbed Jimmy by his collar.
“TIM!”
He yelled out above him in desperation, confused as to how he’d slipped through his fingers so easily.
The brunette watched as Jimmy was lifted into the air and inspected over by some unknown female figure. Her hair was blazing orange, and her skin pale green. She had stitches over her face and arms, and was wearing a torn navy blue outfit, bandana wrapped around her forehead.
Grian didn’t really care who she was. It didn’t matter when he immediately leapt up from below the deck and threatened her with his dagger. Though he was shorter, he still posed just as much of a threat by pointing the dagger towards her stomach.
She almost seemed amused, looking between him and the boy she’d lifted into the air. He was still dangling above as she held onto him by his collar, his legs and arms flailing about as he tried to break free. As if the dagger hadn’t been enough to scare her, Grian decided to make it quite clear by yelling out.
“Let go of him NOW!”
He stepped closer, his hands both trembling as he held onto the weapon tightly. Grimacing with fear in his eyes. Afraid of what would happen to Jimmy, but also afraid of what he might have to do.
The woman looked back at him with a smile. It was cunning but not unfriendly. Her face almost reminded Grian of what a zombie might look like, a rather attractive zombie at that. Her eyes were fiery red and her lips tinted black with makeup, glittery blue eyeshadow over her eyelids. Her long and flowy orange hair was messily strewn about over her shoulders, herself wearing an off-shoulder top and matching corset around her waist.
She had one hand on her hip, a belt at the side, and the other still gripped onto Jimmy who she held in the air as she yelled.
“Oy, Captain! I found ‘em.”
Grian’s panic was even more prevalent than before. His fight or flight started to seep into his instincts. They seemed to be pirates from what he’d gathered from their clothing, which meant, essentially, that he and Jimmy were screwed. That fact became clear enough when he heard the captain’s footsteps slowly trek over to their side of the deck.
He could practically hear the smirk in his voice.
“Why thank you, Cleo.” He briefly glanced over at the shipmate, who nodded her head back.
The light-haired brunette kept his dagger wavering in the direction of the new captain approaching him. But when he finally got a good look, he couldn’t help but lower it a bit as he was left in awe.
“Well hello there, little bird.”
He spoke with such confidence. It broke down all of Grian’s walls.
This captain was tall and well-built, unlike the previous owner of the ship. Though his slightly tanned face was covered in scars, he still managed to look… well, beautiful. His dark brown flocks of hair were a tad bit long, reaching up to his neck, tied into a small braid. His captain’s hat sat neatly atop his head, a blue feather in it. It suited him surprisingly well, but shook Grian all the same.
He wore a plain white shirt underneath, the collar stood up and the top part of his chest exposed just below his collarbone. Grian was finding it hard not to stare. On top of that he wore a red piece of cloth wrapped across and then around his waist, a few brown straps that held his pistol too. And to top off his captain look, was a short black cloak over his shoulders with gold trimmings and tassels across the front.
It seemed the captain was well aware of the other’s intensive staring, as he playfully leaned over with his cane and came face to face with the shorter man.
“Not much of a talker, are you?”
Grian leaned back a bit, suddenly afraid of how close the captain had gotten. His eyes scanned over the other, the dagger still trembling in his hands. Still, he plucked up the courage needed to protect his younger brother.
He lunged forward, causing the captain to fall back against the deck. With a large thump, he hit the wooden ground and winced in pain. One of the crew members moved to help, but he held up a hand in response.
It didn’t stop Grian from shadowing over the captain, sitting on top of him and trying his best to pin him down. He pressed the dagger close to his neck, his own breathing ragged and heavy. He pushed himself to do it, to kill the man right there and then. But something stopped him.
For no reason, the captain began to smile. He smiled, and it was genuine. It was real. And it gave Grian a fluttering moment of warmth. He hadn’t felt that in a long time. Perhaps even never.
“I… I just tried to kill you.” He manages to breathe out in confusion. “So why are you… smiling??”
The captain hums, “I can’t help it. To see a creature as beautiful as you, I’d rather die here by your hand than retaliate back.”
‘Beautiful?’ Grian couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Or maybe, he didn’t want to believe it. Or perhaps he was imagining things. Although that definitely wasn’t true, since he could feel the captain’s breath brush past his cheek with how close they were.
His cheeks flushed red, and he was momentarily stunned. It left his guard open, and he almost missed the subtle way the captain smirked as his dagger lowered again.
Before he knew it, Grian was turned around with his hands behind his back. There was a tight grip around his wrists that made him yelp out in pain. He heard his brother’s bird cry a few steps away from him, as he was made to kneel down by the captain.
The man sighed, “Y’know, I really wasn’t planning on using any more violent means. I’ve already killed your captain and the rest of his crew, and rigged this boat to blow up any remaining survivors.”
He leaned in beside Grian’s ear and whispered, “I’m doing you and your brother a mercy, so think carefully about what you choose, songbird.”
The parrot hybrid’s blood began to boil at the sound of the nickname. He’d been ridiculed his whole life on this ship by those who saw him as different. Who saw him as nothing but a pesky little bird, useless at everything but cleaning and tidying and various other disgusting chores. They’d been even worse on his brother, who was much younger than him and didn’t deserve the pain he’d been through.
He tried not to give away his emotion, but the choke in his voice couldn’t be helped.
“He’s just a child.” Grian swallowed. “Please, I’m begging you, don’t hurt him.”
Confused, the captain did a double take and looked between Grian and his brother. He gasped quietly upon a small realisation, and gestured for Cleo to put the boy back down.
“Hurt him? Oh no, no, no, of course not.” He waved his hand in dismissal, then let go of the shorter man’s wrists to set him free.
“We’re pirates, but we’re not monsters.” The captain remarks, gesturing for Grian to go towards his brother.
The hybrid still seems confused, slowly getting up from where he’d knelt on the ground and looking between the captain and his shipmate, Cleo. He hesitated for a moment, but it was only brief as he ran towards Jimmy and wrapped in his arms. The child reciprocated the hug, notably shaking and terrified. Grian didn’t dare to let go for even a second, holding onto the boy as tightly as possible. He reached a hand up to stroke his hair gently, fingers brushing against his blond locks.
He found that his heavy breathing had slowed down, now reassured by his brother’s safety as he held him in his arms. The little boy buried his face into Grian’s chest, his feathers ruffled and body trembling. Backing away a bit so they’d be face to face, Grian reaching over to cup the boy’s cheek.
Jimmy hesitated a moment, before shakily getting his words out. “Grian, what’s gonna happen? Will we... be killed?”
Those wide blue eyes stare up at him, afraid. And Grian can’t help but smile with a sorrowful look in his eyes. He strokes his cheek lightly and leans forward, touching their heads together.
“I swear to you, as long as I’m here, nothing bad will ever happen.”
Jimmy sighs, and leans into the touch. “I’m scared.”
“I know. I am too.”
Grian admits. He admits it because he thought his brother ought to know. Although he’s young, he needs to be prepared for the real world. What they’ve been dealing with is already harsh enough. Grian’s afraid he’ll never be able to face the cruel realities that come with their lives.
“Ahem.” Cleo coughs, glancing over at the two brothers.
In response, Grian latches his arms over Jimmy protectively, keeping him right by his side at all times. He glares over at the woman, who just shrugs it off.
“Don’t mean to interrupt your little moment, but we better get a move on. Ay, Captain?”
She brings the attention back to the tall captain who’d been so conniving earlier. There’s a bright smile on his face as he replies.
“Correct as always, Cleo! I almost forgot we’d rigged the ship.”
He gestures for the brothers to follow him across the wooden plank, leading over to the other side that was his ship. Grian already saw just how lively the crew were upon entering with only one foot in. He kept his arms tied to Jimmy the whole time, but admired the grand pirate ship around him.
Grian watched as Cleo went over to another woman in blonde to tell her something, and with the nod of her head the other woman had gone off to repair the side of the ship of its very little damage. He observed Cleo as she then walked over to a shorter man wearing some kind of mossy camouflage (?) getup as they chatted away while moving over a few boxes to clear the area.
They climbed up the mast, out of distance which left Grian to return to wondering about why on earth they hadn’t been killed yet. He plucked up the courage to walk up to the captain, who was still standing nearby, and frowned a little as he spoke.
“You said you were doing me and my brother ‘a mercy’. If you’re going to kill us now instead, then get it over with. But only me. Just keep Tim alive, that’s all I ask.”
The captain tilts his head, confused.
“Hm? Oh goodness, we aren’t gonna kill you!” He exclaims rather dramatically in a playful manner.
Laughing to himself, then smiling subtly over at the man beneath him.
“You’ll fit right in with the rest of my crew.”
Grian’s eyes widened. So they were still slaves bound to a boat. Nothing had changed. He’d hoped for liberation, but no. They were just property waiting to either be stolen or abused. He sighed.
“You knew we were slaves, didn’t you?”
“It’s hard not to figure at least that out.” The captain replied calmly, “However, I won’t be treating you as such. Not on my ship.”
The parrot hybrid glanced over at him confused, still hiding Jimmy behind his wing.
“What do you mean?”
The pirate captain smiled, a cunning, knowing smile that almost seemed too friendly to be considered evil. In the bright sunlight of the day that reflected across the sea waves, Grian could see how the captain’s tan skin shone, how the sweat on his body glimmered in the heat. How clear the scars appeared on his face, tears in his skin that couldn’t help but leave Grian wondering how he’d gotten them.
His voice boomed loud and clear in Grian’s ears, and he feared that perhaps that voice would be his undoing.
“Starting today, you’ll be our new cabin boys.”
·:*¨༺ ♱✮♱ ༻¨*:·