Chapter Text
Alex was double checking the luggage to make sure they weren’t forgetting anything, god forbid one of the little knickknacks Sophia had purchased for whoever on the crew be left behind. “Did she really have to buy something for everyone?” He thought to himself as sorted the extra suitcase they’d had to buy just for souvenirs for the crew. Wina had called earlier to let them know the Silvana would be there some time that afternoon. At the moment Sophia was talking to Vincent on the phone, having called him feeling guilty about the night before.
“No, he’s not angry anymore. Not at you anyway.” Sophia said smiling.
Rolling his eyes Alex grabbed something else out of the suit case and stared at it. “Who is the weird, ugly looking bracelet for?” He asked, not caring that Sophia was in the middle of a conversation.
Sophia looked over at the item he held up for her to see. “That’s not a bracelet. It’s a collar.”
Alex blinked at her. “You bought a souvenir for Dio’s cat?”
“Of course I did. Aphid is a member of the crew just like anyone else.”
“No, she’s not. If she were ‘a member of the crew just like anyone else,’ I could make her understand that I don’t appreciate having half-eaten rodents left in front of my door every morning.”
“She does that because she likes you.” Sophia replied smiling.
Alex gave her a flat look, before sighing and pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’m going to go sit on the balcony for a while. I’m not sure I want to know what else you bought.”
Sophia giggled to herself as she watched him step out, leaving the door open.
“Um..Hello?” Vincent said over the phone wondering if Sophia had forgotten him.
“Sorry, Alex was asking about something.” Sophia said still giggling a bit.
“So, you’re both ok then?” He asked.
“Yes, we’re fine. We actually ended up talking about some things we wouldn’t have if you hadn’t called.” Sophia answered sitting on the bed, she fussing with the sheets with her free hand. On the other end Vincent paused for a while.
“...Something happened didn’t it?” He finally asked quietly.
“Yes” The answer was nearly a whisper.
“Before, or after I called?”
“Before, we..We wanted to wait and tell you in person...I’m sorry...” She hadn’t expected that to slip out. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes.
“No, Sophia. Don’t be sorry, don’t ever be sorry. Not when you’re happy.” Vincent said softly.
Sophia tried to say something else, but all that came out was a partly stifled sob. She jumped a bit when Alex sat beside her and wrapped his arm around her before taking the phone. Turning she buried her face in his shoulder, and tried not to cry. She ended up missing part of the conversation.
“Ha, ..You realize you’ll probably have to stand in line, don’t you?” Alex said smiling a bit. “No, she’s all right... Are you?” Alex asked quietly, he reached up with his free hand, and began playing with the end of Sophia’s braid. Sophia looked up at him in time to see him roll his eyes. “What exactly is that supposed to mean?” Another pause, Alex snorted “You’ll have to learn to aim first.”
Sophia smiled a bit cuddling against Alex. She felt better now. She sighed softly, and told herself everything would be all right.
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“I can’t believe you are eating again. We just had lunch.” Alex said watching Sophia nibbling on what was left of the waffle cone of her ice cream. They were taking a last stroll over the beach was they watched for the Silvana.
“Ice cream doesn’t count as food.” Sophia said smiling at him.
“There’s some on your face.”
Sophia blinked, feeling her face. “There is? Where?”
“Right there.” Alex said leaning forward, and licking the spot of chocolate ice cream just below her lip, before kissing her. While she was distracted, he took the last of her cone and when he pulled away popped it in his own mouth.
“Hey!” Sophia shouted trying to sound angry but unable to keep the smile off her face. “I fully intend to add that to the chocolates you owe me now, you thief.”
Alex shrugged grinning. “Fine with me.” He looked up past her. “Well it looks like vacation is just about over.”
She turned to see the Silvana in the distance just visible now over the ocean. She smiled.
They waited at the hotel, doing one last luggage check before the mechanics showed up the help with the bags. When Alex wasn’t paying attention they would give her ‘looks’, trying to find out if anything had happened, but she ignored them. After getting back to the ship she couldn’t avoid Wina however while she was unpacking, something Alex had put off himself, he was already back on the bridge relieving Campbell, Wina came into her room looking anxious. Sophia turned unable to hide her smile and took a deep breath.
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Campbell sighed as he walked back to his room. He didn’t think he’d ever been so grateful to see the captain in his life. He wondered if it was too soon to ask for leave of his own. The crew was like family to him, and just like any family after being in charge of the lot he was ready to get away. Thinking back he wondered how he had survived while the captain, and XO had been at the palace.
Nearly reaching his room, he jumped about two feet in the air at the sudden long, excited, high-pitched squeal coming from Sophia’s room. Deciding he didn’t want to know he walked into his room fell onto the bed and covered his head with a pillow to muffle the noise.
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It took two days for things to get completely back to normal. Though Dio was still proudly showing off Aphid’s new collar to anyone he could get to hold still for more than a minute. There were also some changes, and what impact they would have on the future was not yet known.
For the longest time Captain Alex Row’s desk had only ever had one decoration. A single photograph with four people in it. Now there was a tiny, but slowly growing collection of photos. A picture of Alex, Vincent, and Sophia, the day Alex had finally been well enough to leave the hospital for good was hanging on the wall beside the desk. Dr. Actias’ daughter Luna had taken it, despite Alex’s protest. One with Claus, and the others who lived with him standing together on the porch of their farm house. Lavie had sent it months ago along with a letter complaining about how ‘certain people’ never found the time to visit. And now siting right next to the photo of Hamilcar, George, Euris, and himself was a new Photo. In it he was smiling, standing beside Sophia on the beach.
Sound asleep in the bed, which he now actually used instead of sleeping on his sofa, or in a chair Alex rolled over slightly, wrapped his arms around Sophia and pulled her closer. Smiling in her sleep she cuddled against him. In a few hours they would wake, and go about their day pretending she hadn’t snuck into his room in the night. For now they slept, not knowing what the future would hold, but knowing they would face it together.