Molci

The thing with Saparata and ShoeBilly is that although they trusted each other, the thought of completely destroying each other is also in the back of their minds. Their bond is ... not that strong. Saps believes that Billy did most of his bidding only because he pays him. Billy believes that Saps would send him to die without a second thought as well, even though he is one of the valuable asset for Cindercrest.

There are always these thoughts in their minds about the other betraying. They know full well they couldn't trust one another, and they know if given the chance, one of them would betray. The thing is, they didn't know when or how.

They are always suspicious of each other, but it doesn’t really show much to outsiders. Even if they know they don’t trust one another, it has always pushed into the back of their minds, so it doesn’t affect how they treat each other much. There's no warm up time for them to actually be friends since ShoeBilly rejects that idea so much that if Saps said a thing about them being close to one, he might just change his whole attitude and demeanor to be even more cold with him.

ShoeBilly tested him once as well, for fun. He tried to serve him poison. Yes IT WAS FOR FUNNN OKAY— he just want to see if he trust him enough to drink it or if he would even know what it is and he recieve his answer really fast. It takes just one look from Saps then he called Billy out. The conversation goes some what like:

“ Here’s your morning coffee. "

Saparata turns, he takes one glance at the coffee and turns away.

" I'm pretty sure I didn't ask for the addition poison. "

“ What poison? "

" You know what I mean, bring me a new cup, Billy. "

" How did you know? "

He didn't answer the last question, he just gave him a look.

That did not help them get closer in any way— in fact, it seems to make Saps even more suspicious of Billy, but he lowkey didn't care, so… there's always that underlying tension even if they are close. They just really don't fully trust one another. They didn't even try, but surprisingly, they didn't hurt one another...

Yet.

Every time they were mad, they didn't take it out on each other and avoided the other like the plague, so no conflict would start.

Apart from being scared of what the other could do, they are in a somewhat healthy friendship ig...

I think between Saparata and Shoebilly. They always have this front that they are business partners. Everything with them they claim it's all business. If one or the other is hurt, they would be worried but using the excuse that oh well, they are my benefactor, so like if they are hurt, it’s going to be BAD for me.

Which behind close door they treated each other like any other close friends. But because Shoebilly is so ANTI-FRIENDS, Saparata has come up with a new way to approach to him.

Anyway, I do think they care for each other to a point. Saps lowkey likes working with Shoebilly because he listens to everything he asks for and does everything for him. As for Billy, he viewed Saparata as an ATM but also with his code as a mercenary, he also prides himself on providing the best service.

With Saps, he is always composed and calm he never really outright rejects requests unless it’s fucking weird like “Billy, can you wash my feet? " he might just punch Saps, but usually, it's nothing too weird, so he'd do just about anything for him. And Saps is really pleased to have this small minion at his disposal. Bro cooked… bro cleaned, bro did his laundry, and bro's also so good at fighting. It's a win-win for Saps.

There are a few times Saps has seen Billy lose his composure. It is rare, but there is a specific moment, it was when he lost his fight with Wemmbu and came back hurt. ( I might draw this. I MIGHT. But no promises. )

Billy’s moods affect Saps as well. If he's angry and irritated, Saps also would be in some kind of the same mood. Since they are close, if his " business partner " doesn't feel comfortable for whatever reason, he would be bummed about it too.

In the same sense, Sap's mood also affected Billy. If Sap's in an irritated or angry state, he would try to calm him down with food or something he could grab at the moment. It's just not a good idea for both of them to engage with each other when the other is in a bad state of mind, and they know this. They are like professionals bro.

They can read each other like an open book. Sap knows when Billy is in a bad mood he might even know why too. Billy also knows when Sap's lying and being manipulative because he is NOT stupid.

They are literally like partners in crime.

Birds of a feather flock together am I right?

Following this, would it be right to consider Jaden quite lonely? Sure, he has his pirate subjects, but it doesn't seem like he'd be quite close with any of them in a more 'friend' way. Everyone else he's betrayed and since then cut off, focusing more on his civ than any friendships.

Which could probably be the reason why he didn't protest to coming with Egg despite not actually getting a reason for it in Wemmbu's ep. He has proper friends again! Even if they have a rough history (though they seem content to ignore it? I hope we do get a conversation about abandoned civ from them!)

Also why he sounded so disappointed to having to leave. Bro just wanted a side quest to do with friends, y'know?