#kai(oc)

Y/N watched this go down from within the captain’s quarters. Mango sat on her shoulder, preening himself without a care in the world. She saw the Ambrion Navy swing over to Calypso’s Wrath, swords drawn. The fight was on, and it was vicious. She saw Kai, Adriana, Nalani, Cosan, Tarius, and even Jodocus lock into battle with various opponents. Cipriano came running out, wielding a cast iron pan like a club. She winced as it clanged against someone’s head.

She glanced at her own sword at her waist. Kai had told her to stay inside the cabin, but it felt… wrong to just hide away while the others risked their lives and freedom while she did nothing.

She made up her mind. She rushed out just as Kai threw someone overboard. Mango took flight from her shoulder; this ride was getting too bumpy. She rushed forward, blocking a man’s blade from coming down on Kai’s back.

Kai whirled around.

“I told you to stay inside!” he barked.

She ignored him, pretending not to hear over the clamor. The man engaged her, swinging and thrusting with a rapidity that made her dizzy. Kai had only been teaching her swordplay for a few months, and this man seemed to have lived by the sword his whole life.

He continued to push her into a defensive position. Her back hit the railing, and she stole a glance at the water below. Drowning wouldn’t be an issue, but a mermaid tail would certainly draw unwanted attention.

“You should’ve listened to your captain,” the man sneered.

The knife in his back pushed all the air from his lungs. His eyes went wide as saucers before Kai pushed him overboard. He held out a hand to Y/N.

“Cabin,” he ordered, “now.”

She took his hand. He led her through the fray, ducking and weaving between blades and men.

He threw open the door and shoved her inside.

“I’ll get you when it’s safe,” he promised.

He never got the chance to close the door. The captain of the Ambrion vessel held his blunderbuss to the side of Kai’s head.

“I’m afraid safety is beyond your reach, Nelson,” the man said.

Kai glared, cursing under his breath. The man gripped his arm like a vice and fired a shot into the air.

The fighting stopped at once.

“Unless you want to see your leader become food for the bottom-feeders, I suggest you drop your weapons.”

“Let him do it!” Kai shouted, “don’t give him the satis-”

The barrel forcing its way into his mouth stopped any further orders from the captain.

Adriana locked eyes with Y/N, whose face burned red with shame. Adriana scowled at the naval officer, but dropped her sword all the same. It fell to the deck with a clatter.

The rest of the crew followed suit. A cacophony of metal on wood assaulted Y/N’s ears. The captain smiled.

“Round them up, men! This time tomorrow, the empire will have one less rabble of pirates to worry about.”

…

Y/N wouldn’t meet anyone’s gaze as she and the rest of the crew were arranged in a line. The naval captain took his time analyzing each one. When he got to Y/N, he tilted her chin up with the tip of his dagger.

“Pretty little thing,” he remarked, “I was wondering why someone like the captain of Calypso’s Wrath would keep such a weak link on his vessel.”

She chanced a look at Kai, who had murder in his eyes. Two lower-ranking officers held him back.

“You all will make a fine example to the colonies of Ambrion,” the captain said, retracting his dagger, “you will serve to show what happens to anyone who dares to engage in the heinous crime of piracy.”

As the captain went to approach Kai, Y/N heard a fluttering of feathers above her. Mango perched himself on a length of rope overlooking the scene.

Someone pushed something cool and sharp into her hand. Adriana gave her a “hurry up” sort of look. Her hands were clasped behind her back, but they were devoid of any bindings.

Y/N took the arrowhead and sawed through the ropes. Once free, she passed it on to the next pirate.

The naval captain was still going on about justice and crime and his brilliance; he just had his dagger up against Kai’s throat when Mango swooped.

He grabbed the dagger in his talons, dropping it into Y/N’s hand. All the officers turned to stare at her. Adriana rolled her eyes and snatched the knife out of her grip.

“Stupid bird,” she muttered, and then, louder, “now!”

Jodocus headbutted the soldier on one side, while Nalani punched the man on the other side. They went down. Mango descended upon the guard responsible for the confiscated weapons, scratching and biting and making quite a fuss.

The pirates followed the bird, grabbing their weapons and taking the soldiers head-on.

Kai laughed at the sight, then swiped a sword from a soldier’s scabbard. He stabbed him in the side and pushed him overboard.

“I never thought I would say this.” He grabbed Y/N by the arm and pulled her close, “but I love that bird!”

Mango flew above the commotion.

“Bilge Blighter!” he squawked happily.

Kai’s joy was replaced by mild annoyance. Y/N couldn’t help but giggle.

“Can’t you teach it to call me something nicer?” he asked, kicking a man in the gut.

“It’s better than what he had been calling you,” Y/N pointed out, “he had been calling you a pigeon-livered b-”

“Do not finish that!”

…

The remaining Ambrion soldiers sailed away with what was left of their ship.

“Good riddance!” Kai shouted, waving his hat, “may you have a tedious return to your coward’s port!”

“And thank you ever so much for the supplies!” Adriana called over her shoulder.

She and Nalani were taking inventory of everything they had stolen off the ship. This would set them up for at least a month!

While the rest of the crew took their pick of the wealth, Y/N hid in the captain’s quarters once more. She hugged herself while Mango nibbled on a strand of her hair.

She turned when the door opened. Kai entered with an expensive-looking bottle and two crystal glasses.

He set everything on the table. He moved her hair aside and gave her a peck on the cheek. Mango did not like this at all and proceeded to fluff himself up and chirp angrily at him. Kai put his hands up in surrender.

Mango huffed one last time and flew into his cage. Kai turned Y/N to face him.

“Whatever is the matter?” he asked, “no one is badly hurt, and the victory is ours.”

“I know…”

A look of concern flashed across Kai’s features.

“Are you injured, Y/N?”

“No,” Y/N said.

Kai said nothing in hopes that Y/N would fill the silence with an explanation. She looked anywhere but at him. He took her chin in his hand and tilted it up, much like the naval captain had, only Kai’s touch was gentle and warm, not at all like the harsh, cold metal of a dagger’s point.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m not a pirate,” Y/N finally said.

“I don’t know how to tell you this, my love, but if you’re not a pirate by now, then you’re well on your way to becoming one.”

“No, I mean. I’m not… a fighter. I’m not tough like Adriana, or strong like Jodocus, or a good swordsman like you. I just get in the way. I’m… I’m a weak link.”

Kai’s jaw set.

“You are more valuable than all the gold on this ship. Who put these thoughts in your head?”

“No one,” Y/N said.

“It was that saphead naval captain wasn’t it?”

Y/N’s silence confirmed it. Kai’s lips were pressed into a thin line.

“I should’ve killed him when I had the chance,” he said.

“You slashed his shoulder open,” Y/N argued.

“Doesn’t mean they couldn’t have patched him up,” Kai replied, “you are not a weak link. Even if you were, everyone has to be the weak link at some point. The most infamous pirates in history started as mere swabbies or cabin boys.”

“Everyone could’ve died because of me,” she said quietly.

“Aye, perhaps,” Kai conceded, “but it wouldn’t be the first time. Did I ever tell you about our misadventure with Jodocus and enchanted lotus flowers?”

Y/N shook her head.

“It is perhaps not my most thrilling tale, but it will serve the purpose we need it to. Come.”

He helped her onto the bed and held her from behind.

“It all started with a storm that could rival the Curse of Casimirian…”

As Kai relayed his tale, Adriana steered the ship into more friendly waters. Mango buried his beak in his feathers and closed his eyes. The rumble of Kai’s chest and the rocking of the ship lulled Y/N into a peaceful sleep.

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