Chapter Text
Neo watched as his beautiful ship, the Blue Eagle, sailed away and along with it, his past as its captain. While his team would have bravely sworn to chase after him, without any rations left for them, the possibility of being left to starve in the middle of sea was likely. He reasoned to all of his crew to leave him and quickly find a way back to civilization. Eventually the captain of the ship he was on, got tired of all the yapping and ordered all of his own men to force his crew back on the Blue Eagle. After everything was done, Neo could only watch as his ship slowly sailed away to the horizon.
“Don’t tell me you’re getting sentimental?” the silky voiced chimed in, breaking his concentration off his drifting ship. Neo’s face broke out into a scowl, irritation slowly flooding through him once again.
Snapping his head at the twin captains, he focused a heated glare at the both of them. “What the hell was that?!!”
Salle gave him a smug grin in return, obviously amused by his demeanor. “Oh! Are you angry?”
“Am I angry?!” Neo spat out, not caring that the ropes tied around him were chafing around his arms. “Of course, I’m angry!! A sex slave!?!?”
Salle’s eyes widened at his outburst not expecting just how livid he was. Oh, but Neo was just getting started as he sharpened his glare further. “You turned me into a sex slave?!! You were supposed to kill me! Leave me to die! Not turn me into your, your—plaything!!”
Salle balked for a second as he realized just how angry Neo was. Cessie, the traitor, had only giggled behind him. Clearly leaving him to deal with the backlash. As if she didn’t play along as well. “Come now Neo.” He tried to tease. “Like anyone would believe that I would kill you. It would make more sense to keep you to warm my bed.”
“You were supposed to stick to the plan you, jackass!” Neo seethed. “You’re lucky that I was able to keep my composure when you suddenly strayed away from the script!!”
“Please Neo. We both know you’re used to my flirting by no—“
“Oh! Don’t even start!” Neo narrowed his eyes at the dark-haired captain. Clearly not in the mood to deal with his flirtations. “Do you honestly think that people would believe sex pet over you killing me?? Are you mad?! Now my crew will want to engage in recovery efforts! Haven’t you thought of that?? Hasn’t that crossed your mind!?”
Neo felt his face redden from frustration. He had a feeling that if he wasn’t currently tied to this post, he would have smacked Salle on the nose. Instead, Neo could only engage in a stare-down between him and the captain of the Green Archer.
“Oh Neo! Don’t be too hard on Salle. He just couldn’t help flirting with you when you’re only a few inches away. You know how he is. He’s so impulsive. No better than an animal if you ask me.” Cess chimed in, trying to calm the blue captain down but her words had only invoked the glares from the two men beside her. Feeling the tension focus on her, Cess started sputtering about and making her way towards the back of the pillar that Neo was currently strung to. “Oh! Look Neo! Let me remove those ropes around you. That looks uncomfortable!”
Neo then refocused his glare back at Salle. “You almost ruined everything! Because of what!? You couldn’t keep it in your trousers?!?”
Cessie could help let out a small giggle at the statement, but she quickly stopped and refocused her efforts at untying Neo from his bonds, when Salle leveled another glare at her.
“I didn’t ruin anything! Look your crew believed what was happening!! They left didn’t they!? And why are you so worried about your crew coming after me? If I said I would kill you, they would have still hunted me down for vengeance!” Salle reasoned out, defensive of the decisions he made. The objectives were met after all.
“And you don’t think, desperation to save me from your clutches won’t spur them to move faster?” Neo questioned, throwing Salle another flaw in his plan.
Salle could only roll his eyes at Neo’s objection. Couldn’t they move past this already? “Look. They won’t even try go after you so suddenly. Not only do they need a captain to replace you but they also have the matter of trying to sniff out the mole.”
“That’s true!” Cessie supplied. Having given up on untying the ropes and unsheathing the sword at her side in order to hack the ropes apart. “Since Salle implied the presence of a mole, everyone will probably spend a good portion of the time accusing one another.”
“And of course, no one would have guessed that their mole was their own beloved captain?” Salle proudly said, as he flashed Neo a proud smile. Neo could only grimace in reply, not wanting to admit that Salle’s sly drop of information concerning a possible spy in his crew’s ranks was no short of brilliant.
Neo suddenly felt himself being able to breathe better as he felt the ropes around him slacken. He could only hope that he didn’t get rope burn from being tied up that long. Finally, free from his bonds, Neo lifted his arms up and down, trying to get the kinks out. Feeling the rawness of his skin as he stretched in a certain manner, Neo couldn’t help but let out a hiss of pain.
Before Salle could even help it, he had started edging towards Neo to check if he was okay. He was left to stop in his tracks as the blue-eyed man threw him another glare, daring him to take another step closer. “See! Right there! Reel in your emotions, would you? With the way you were fawning over me, people might have figured out that your interaction with me was a bit too fond between mere strangers.”
Salle in turn threw Neo an unimpressive glare. “Oh please. Don’t just put the blame only on me! Don’t think I didn’t notice you blushing and gawking about. Not my fault you get easily affected.”
Neo let out a sound in offense. “Excuse me? Me? Blushing? Please! When? When did I do that!?” Red face and all, the brunette sputtered out, clearly flustered from embarrassment.
Salle and Cessie looked at each other with knowing glances, both clearly amused by the blue-eyed captain’s denials. “Oh. Neo, it really was cute when you got all ruffled by Salle’s flirtations and you tried so hard to hide it.” Cessie teased as she let out another giggle.
Neo made sure to throw Cessie another dirty glare. Paling a bit at his heated gaze, Cessie proceeded to clear her throat and avert her eyes away from Neo. “Umm…well I better check on my crew” she eeped out as she darted away. Skipping and making her way to her ship.
Neo was left to huff out in annoyance, unable to stop his tell-tale habit of biting his lower lip. Salle couldn’t help but break out into a huge smile. Happy, knowing that after all this time, Neo was still the same boy he fell in love with all those years ago.
“Aww, darling. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s understandable that you couldn’t control your feelings, being so close to me.” Salle exclaimed as he edged towards Neo. His smooth and suave smile plastered on his face. Neo made sure not to look at him so he wouldn’t be ensnared by the green-eyed captain’s charm that he knew so well. “I mean it was a lonely 4 years without you!”
Neo crossed his arms at that. Once again having to deal with Salle’s dramatic accusations. “Please Salle! It’s not like we didn’t meet in between. We met secretly just two months ago.”
Salle chuckled, finally close enough to Neo, to be able to pull him into his arms. “You know that’s not the same. I missed being able to see you every day. To have you in my arms in the morning and in the night.” Salle sighed as he felt his arms curl around Neo’s waist, relieved to have his missing half with him after all this time. “Those 4 years were very very lonely.”
Neo shook his head at Salle, once again having to deal with his dramatic responses. Neo however didn’t break away from Salle’s hold. Because despite Neo’s seemingly cold reaction to Salle, those who really knew Neo at all, know exactly how much the blue-eyed man cared for the captain of the Green Archer. For only in Salle’s presence, would Neo ever feel himself at home. “You should be grateful that it only took 4 years. Be glad that I’m just that amazing. It should have taken around 7 years to get promoted so quickly without whoring myself around.”
Neo felt himself being pulled back a bit. His head no longer cradling Salle’s chest but his eyes were now looking up at Salle’s questioning gaze. Salle looked at him up and down, as if just by one glance everything would come to him. Neo sighed out, knowing exactly what Salle was thinking. “No Salle. Nothing happened. Fine, I admit that there were some people looking for that but nothing ever happened to me.”
Salle took another searching glance, gazing right into Neo’s eyes. After apparently seeing what he wanted to see, Salle let out a sigh in relief and proceeded to leave a kiss on Neo’s forehead. Instead of pulling away, Salle lingered his lips at Neo’s hairline, inhaling Neo’s scent, parchment and gunpowder. Oh how he missed him so.
“Did you infiltrate the system well?” Salle whispered into Neo’s ear, his hand stroking along Neo’s back. Wanting to keep physical contact as much as possible.
Neo couldn’t help but break into a proud smile, knowing full well that he did his job perfectly. “Of course! Not only are we updated with all of the current ships, routes, battle plans and inventions, I made sure to establish contacts within the regime so we are constantly updated.”
Salle pulled away to smile at the beloved man in his arms. Always amazed at just how incredible Neo is. Salle thanked the heavens that he and Neo had met each other when they were young. Both scrappy, street-smart orphans who had nowhere else to go. If any soldier had noticed the potential Neo had at that age, they surely would have brought him up as their own. With no doubt in his mind, Salle knew Neo would have made a fearsome top-ranking official. Pirates wouldn’t have had a chance if he was the one in charge of hunting them down.
Brushing Neo’s cheek with his thumb, Salle gazed at Neo lovingly. Indeed, he was glad that Neo was on their side but more importantly he was glad that Neo was by his side. His and his alone. “So who are your contacts anyway? And how are you exactly planning to stay in contact with them?”
Neo hummed out a sound of appreciation, as he enjoyed the sensation of Salle’s gentle caresses. “You’ve met Miriam right?”
“Right. That scary woman. Mia was it?” Salle’s nose crinkled at the way that general held herself. She made it obvious that she viewed almost everyone below her station. Salle only knew three people that she got along with, her long-trusted friend, Iya; the other infamous pirate who frequented the Pacific; Philipp; and surprisingly Neo. “I don’t know how you can stand that woman.”
“I was able to stand you.” Neo shrugged. “Everyone else just pales in comparison.”
“Oh Neo.” Salle arched an eyebrow at him. His suave and sensuous voice, fliting into his ear. “You of all people know exactly how amazing I really am? I’m truly a cut above the rest.”
Letting out a huff, Neo poked Salle on the side “Let’s not get too cocky.”
Salle’s grin grew more seductive, pulling Neo closer. “Oooh. Speaking of coc—“
“Back to the topic Salle!” Neo interrupted, realizing that he still hadn’t finish his report. After all, he worked hard these past four years. He might as well relay all the results that he gained from his time spent infiltrating the Spanish navy. “Mia will continually give us updates and new information. I left Blue Eggle to her and all information will be carried through her.”
Salle wrinkled his nose again. “Great. I thought you got rid of the vulture.”
Neo slapped Salle in the arm. “He’s an eagle Salle! How dare you call him a vulture?”
Salle raised his hands up in defense from Neo, not wanting to be subjected to further slaps or pinches. “Sure you like that bird just fine because she’s so sweet to you but every time I try to get close she tries to bite my finger off.” And since that bird was attached to Neo, it would mean that every time the bird was back, Salle could never get close to Neo.
“Maybe he wouldn’t bite you, if you stop threatening to eat him!” Neo rebutted, raising an eyebrow at Salle.
“So it’s fine if I get eaten instead” Salle huffed out. Looking at Neo as if he was trying to make sense of him. “You would pick the bird over me?” The taller man accused analyzing the man in front of him, wondering where Neo’s allegiances would lie.
Neo however only threw him a smile. Not uttering a word, his blue-eyes were suddenly drawn towards something behind Salle, his smile only growing bigger. “Oh! Wow! God! Is that the helm?”
Salle pursed his lips as Neo poorly avoided the subject by darting towards the steering mechanism. Purposefully or not, Neo paid no mind to Salle’s pout and instead focused his attention towards the wooden helm. With a bit of wistfulness, Neo couldn’t help but say a small goodbye to the life he had just left behind.
But more importantly, Neo had finally let the flood of memories that he had made on this ship, wash over him again. Feeling relieved that he could do so without the risk of being discovered or pressured by homesickness, Neo recalled the days spent in front of this helm. Laughing, smiling and falling in love with the very man by his side.
After a moment of silence though, the raven-haired man couldn’t help but interrupt the other’s thoughts. “Four years were definitely too long.” He uttered.
Neo couldn’t help but put a halt to all of his thoughts as he felt something was off from the other’s tone. Looking up, Neo found himself eye to eye with the Green Archer captain. Neo himself was confused as he could make out a sudden flood of emotions emanating from the other’s glance. Hints of fear, anxiety. Sadness?
“Have you fallen in love with that other life?” Salle asked before Neo could prod.
Neo was left stunned and before he was able to fully shake off the shock, Salle had continued on. “I get it honestly. Can’t blame you.” The man said as he looked away, not strong enough to see the confirmation in the other’s eyes. “With the Spanish Armada, you made something out of yourself. A prodigious captain, well-known by the surrounding lands where people adore you and you’re not treated like a criminal.”
Salle then turned to look at his crew bustling about. “A much safer and cleaner life than that of a good for nothing pirate.”
“Salle look at me.” Neo called out. His voice unwavering and strong, practically demanding for Salle’s attention which was easily given. Looking him straight in the eye, Neo crossed his arms and scoffed out loud. “Honestly maybe four years was too long of a time.”
Salle wondered if Neo saw how his heart stopped at his words but he had a feeling that he didn’t notice a thing as the other man continued on. “Yup. Four years was definitely too long if all that time by yourself made you delirious enough to think for even a second that I would choose that life over this.”
Salle felt his eyes widen. Feeling his heart lighten from the weight it has been carrying for these past four years. “But…I could see it in your eyes. The way you looked at your ship sailing away.”
Before Salle could get himself into a fluster, Neo silenced him with a hand to his chest, stepping into his space closer. Close enough that it sent Salle shivering with want and desire. God did Salle miss this man.
“I’ll admit I’m going to miss being the captain of a ship. Going to miss being in charge of the helm. Though it was tiring, it was still a fun experience to have.” Neo spoke softly never letting his blue eyes stray from those in green. “But I would never want to spend my life living in that world. In that land that speaks of lies and looks away from their cruelty. How could I forget Salle, all those days where you, Cessie and I were left to starve? How could I forget the ways that they looked at us as no better than dirt? How they cursed at us and pointed us to the nearest ditch they assumed we would die in?”
Salle watched as Neo’s eyes filled with anger and hurt as he recalled those days when the three of them never knew if they were going to make it. The green-eyed captain couldn’t help but feel as well, the resentment slowly burning in his chest. The world turned its back on them so the three of them swore to claw their way through no matter what. It was only through sheer dumb luck and fate that the three of them worked their way up in the underground world, strong and reliable enough to somehow gather a crew and handle two ships, with their infamy slowly trickling into the general knowledge of the lands.
“That world may be full of glamor but it’s no world to live in. It not where I want to be.” Neo softly continued, hand reaching out towards Salle’s face. His thumb gently gliding over Salle’s cheeks, hoping that this small act could help the other man understand. “The world I left behind could never be want I want. It isn’t by your side.”
Salle didn’t care if they were in front of all of his men. His body practically screaming out for the man across from him, Salle pulled Neo into a kiss. Lips sliding over each other. Sighs falling unto each other’s lips. Apparently, it wasn’t only him who needed this, as he felt a moan coming from Neo, rumbling on the surface of his own lips. Pulling him as close as possible, the raven-haired man ran his hand through Neo’s hair, nipping at the other’s lower lip. Relishing in the feel of Neo trembling under his hands, as he glided his free hand down the other’s back, slowly inching downward. Salle felt himself shake with want, letting the tip of his tongue trace the other’s sweet lips, begging for them to open. Wondering if Neo could feel all the desperation and loneliness he had been experiencing for the past 4 years and hopefully communicating to him that Salle could taste it from Neo’s lips as well. Salle tried again to flick the tip of his tongue against the stubborn soft lips and internally rejoiced as he felt them slowly parting away finally allowing him entrance. Before he could, however, a loud exaggerated cough had pulled them away from each other, snapping them back to reality.
“Yuck Salle.” Cessie looked at them with disgust clear on her face. “No offense Neo, but seeing the two of you eat each other faces off is definitely not something I missed when you were gone.”
Salle felt his eyebrow tick in annoyance. “If it makes you feel so bad Cess then I suggest you look away.” He exclaimed as he moved to pull Neo back into a kiss again when this time he was rebutted by a palm to his face.
“Not exactly in the mood to give you a kiss right in front of Cessie.” Neo said awkwardly, deliberately looking away out of embarrassment. He couldn’t help but be pulled in by Salle’s flow.
Salle tsked in annoyance. “Alright then, looks like Neo and I…” he exclaimed by pulling Neo to his side, arm wrapped tightly around his waist. “will just have to make use of the captain’s quarters. Do us a favor Cess and make sure no one bothers us until tomorrow.” He proudly exclaimed as he pulled Neo towards the direction of his bedroom, ignoring the stuttering of an embarrassed Neo and the affronted disgust of Cess as she screamed about him giving out too much information.
“Salle! What is wrong with you?” Neo said wanting to bury his face into his hands.
“How could you accuse that there is something wrong with me?” Salle defended himself, laying the dramatic pretense of false hurt in his voice quite thick. “Is there something wrong with wanting to spend time with my love after being apart from each other for four years?”
“Once again, I’m reminding you that it’s not like we didn’t secretly meet during those four years.” Neo rolled his eyes, secretly happy to listen to Salle’s dramatic ways after being without it for so long.
Salle however, as always, could see right through him. His grin only grew bigger. An arm pulled around Neo’s waist to continue guiding him towards his quarters. “Let’s go! I’m pretty excited to check out the room!”
At Neo’s disbelieving look at that response Salle could only burst out into a small fit of chuckles. “Oh why Neo, of course I’m excited to check out my room! After all I did come across some brand new luxurious furniture to adorn my humble abode.”
Neo stopped immediately, his eyes wide with realization as he snapped his head towards the raven-haired captain. “You looted my stuff and put it into your room!!?” Neo hissed feeling his face flush with anger.
Salle had moved to rub Neo’s back in order to placate him, which proved to be somewhat ineffective. “Now now Neo. It’s no longer just your stuff anymore. Now that you’re back to staying with me, all fancy things we looted are now our stuff.” Salle explained matter-factly.
Neo faced his entire body to glare at Salle “I’m still quite annoyed that you looted my stuff. I’ve grown fond of all of those items.” He grumbled out
“Oh come now!” Salle chuckled quickly pulling Neo along to his room. “I think its way better we keep those items instead of leaving it in your boat! It’s not like you’re going back to them anyway!”
Neo couldn’t help but sputter. “Well yes! Fine I’m not. But there’s just something frustrating about having all my stuff suddenly looted and having them placed in your room.” Neo crossed his arms. “I don’t know maybe I’m just a bit tense.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yeah probably because I can’t get over the fact that most likely everyone in the mainland would have heard that you made me a sex slave!” Neo felt his frustration at Salle’s off script decision flare up once again. Being brought to the room that held all of his old stuff irked him. As if he too was brought to the room only to be possessed like an object by Salle, reminding him of Salle’s botched cover-up.
Salle then opened the door to his quarters, relieved that he reached his objective. Feeling himself slightly flinch as Neo wasn’t quite over that problem. “Ok ok I’m sorry! Let me make it up to you!!”
“Oh!? And how will you do that!?” the blue-eyed man sneered clearly still upset. But Salle could handle that. After all he knew a few ways to placate Neo.
“I’ll think about it!” Salle said quickly pulling Neo into his room and shutting the door behind him. His smug grin finding a place on his face. “But first! How about we try out my brand-new bed that you’ve told me so much about?”