Chapter Text
the seas were calm. they were peaceful and a beautiful colour blue that could dim and change colours as the day went by. it had mesmerized a boy that lived near a port.
the little boy had seen ships dock and go off into the horizon. he had always woken up at sunrise to watch the colours change from a dark blue to a soft orange and yellow until he had to go work by the docks.
the impressionable brunet had seen his fair share of navy captains and pirates (he had even talked to one of the most praised and well-known navy captains, admiral sam). it had left the boy a good impression on the people who navigated the seas.
he wouldn't have imagined that this would happen.
——
another boy, however, sat next to the abysmal blue of the ocean wanting to run away yet he couldn't. the boy had been handcuffed to a pole.
he watched as the men went and moved things in and out of the ship. the black and white haired boy wasn't allowed as he tried to escape before only to be caught by the gunner, only for them to be promoted to quartermaster after.
he felt the cold hit his feet as he focused on anything but the bruises and cuts that adorned his skin. he was only but a crewmate in the ship, he was worth nothing other than extra man power.
he sighed as his ropes had been pulled up and now being dragged to the deck, where he was left to sweep and cater to the others needs.
when they set out for sail, all he wanted was for the perpetual blue seas to end, and to be on land and stay there, be with family, and find a friend.
"weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen!"
—————————————
"CANNON, FIRE!"
BANG!
the brunet had covered his ears in time for the canon, a crash accompanying soon after. the boy laughed as he heard the boat start to collapse on itself, his laugher ever growing as others ran past.
"READY FIRE!" the orders from their captain had rung across the battlefield as they scuffled with a navy ship.
"well come on now people, let's get the next one in!" the younger had told the team as they all ran by, tubbo taking the moment to fill the chamber with gunpowder before the four of them started loading the cannon ball.
"FIRE IN THE HOLE!" tubbo had taken the call-out as his sign. he lit it up and waited, covering his ears and running away from it.
CRASH!
another wonderful hit by the boy. the ship by now had been hit in it's weak spots. the ship slowly filling with water as it sunk further into sea.
the gunner team had now walked back to deck, thinking everything was fine, after all,.they had just won a scuttle with a navy boat.
despite it being a smaller one, it is an achievement for the pirate group.
tubbo had walked out, standing next to captain technoblade looking at where the ship had sunk. the captain had let out a whistle.
"phew, look at them go. slowly sinkin' down to davy jones' locker"
the younger had nodded and left to go find the other crewmates as the only ones spotted were their captain, their quartermaster, the gunners and a few mates who could hold their own in a fight.
click
the click of a gun had made the lad freeze in place, feeling the metal near his temple.
others had soon seen tubbo being held hostage by a surviving navy recruit. they stared at the man in fear and shock.
"one move, and the boy dies" the older man threatened clocking the gun harder against tubbos skull.
nobody moved as the air weighed heavy with anxiety and expectance. captain technoblade had not moved, despite knowing how capable the boy was, he was still scared, he didn't want to loose one of their own to a navy scum like them.
their quartermaster, phil, still sat atop the crows nest, hearing the commotion and looking down. his eyes widened yet he stood still, he knew what could happen, and those navy fools knew how to shoot a bullet into someone's skull.
"you're missing one last thing, navy" tubbo had spoken up, tilting his head so he could side eye the navy crewmate. his glare threatened the pride of the man as he trembled slightly under his deadly gaze.
" d ead men tell no tales"
the government official had taken his last breath as he was stabbed with a small knife. the boy was armed to the teeth for a reason, it was good that he had the idea of keeping blades hidden underneath his sleeves.
the mans knees buckled as tubbo stepped forwards so the body wouldn't hit him. blood pooled underneath him and soaked the wooden planks as he stared at the dead man, his eyes devoid of any emotion.
the quartermaster came down from his crows nest, grabbing the body and throwing it overboard, him joining the rest of his crew at the bottom of the sea.
———
clean up was rough after that. captain techno had fought teeth and nail with the admiral of the navy's ship, the quartermaster had been exchanging bullets with other members from the navy that had gotten on the boat and the gunner and his group of members had been loading up cannons as well as protecting the ship from any other navy members that sneaked in.
it was dark out now and the crew had gathered on the deck, sharing a meal and some booze in celebration of their battle.
tubbo had been the last one to come to the celebrations. he had taken a moment in his own room, trying desperately to keep his mind in check yet no matter how hard he tried, he still felt as if he weren't there. like he wasn't himself and he wasn't there,.on the pirate ship, surrounded by friends. nothing to him felt real and he felt as of he were spectating through his own eyes,.unable to anything other than watch. his brain hadn't taken lightly being held at gunpoint.
"hi tubbo" eret had waved at him, the other now watching the boy walk up to them, his gaze looked to be in another world; he wasn't here with them at the moment.
tubbo waved as others greeted. he sat down near tommy and techno. they offered him food yet he declined.
as he stared into the oblivion, an arm had swooped over his shoulders in a friendly greeting.
"hey, tub-" a knife was held at their throat,. tubbo stared menacingly at the other.
then, as if a flip was switched in his brain, his eyes widened and he quickly hid the knife under his sleeve.
"niki- fuck- I'm so sorry, i didn't- i didn't mean to-" he cut himself off as he held his head in his hands. a pounding headache had now presented itself in his mind. the sudden change from being an observer and going back to his body wasn't nice.
the others looked at tubbo with wide eyes, not expecting the younger to pull out a knife to niki- the nicest person ever to be aboard a pirate ship.
eret stared at him solemnly, his lips curving into a small comforting smile.
"another episode?"
tubbo only nodded, tears threatening to fall as he shook. tommy slowly wrapped his hands around him.
———————
it was now probably past midnight, the crew was still lively chatting. though one man had been missing since the clean up had started.
their quartermaster still hasn't come back.
"hey, anyone seen phil around?" wilbur had spoken up, looking around. most shook their head and others mumbled a simple 'no'.
"well speak of devil and he may come, look at the man of the hour" captain techno had said, pointing his glass towards the two people approaching.
"hi mate" phil had waved to the rest.
"who's the new one there?" eret said, looking at the tall shadow that stood behind phil.
"this is a new crewmate, found 'im hidden in an empty cabin near the kitchen. please welcome them " phil nodded to the boy and he slowly came to light.
the others suddenly jumped up and grabbed their cutglass, branding them towards the boy.
he had the navy's uniform on.
"phil step away from him" captain technoblade had walked forwards, his cutglass dangerously close to the youngers neck, his hand grazing his gun.
phil pushed his cutglass away and chuckled.
"they're no threat. they're just a young boy wanting to get away from his life. thought they'd like a new life with us"
the others stared in disbelief but soon sheathed their swords and sat back down, slowly returning back to their conversations.
phil cleared his throat and the others stared at him, waiting for him to speak.
"this is ranboo. they like to be referred to by they and them because of things in their past but if you can't help it, they're fine with he and him" phil smiled warmly to the young boy, welcoming them to the crew.
"I'm technoblade, the captain of this ship. I'll be waiting to see what you can offer to the group" techno had gotten up and held out a hand, one that ranboo had held shakily and shook.
the others had now gone back to their conversations as phil and ranboo sat down next to tubbo.
"hey there bossman, I'm the gunner. i have the authority over the cannons" tubbo waved.
ranboo now had a moment to look at everyone. tubbo had a bandana on his hair, pushing down his hair over his eyes. he had a small smile and what seems like burn marks on the left side of his cheek and several other burn marks. he wore a white poofy long sleeve shirt and maroon pants with a belt as well as knee high boots.
"i like your guys' outfits, much better than the ones I've had to wear" ranboo said, looking down at his navy uniform, gods how much he wanted to get rid of it.
"hey, we can get you some spare clothes, i don't think the crew will like ye with the navy's wear around this ship" phil chuckled and bumped his hand on ranboos shoulder.
"i would like that, yes" they smiled fondly.
———————
the night was filled with endless chatted but soon they decided all to go to sleep, other than a couple crew members that were on night duty.
phil and captain technoblade had helped them with their room, setting up a hammock for the night so that they could at least have a comfortable sleep.
tubbo had went in and out of their room, both finding it hard to sleep and chattered some more, their conversations flowing perfectly before tubbo had left to go sleep.
ranboo that night had found out,
maybe life at sea wouldn't be so bad if they were with them