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It wasn't the first time Lucius noticed since they managed to get back on board. Since their captains made up from their dramatic breakup that got them all a bit traumatized.
It wasn't even the second time Lucius noticed it, he just didn't know how to approach it. But Pete was overextending himself.
And not in the way he'd normally gloat about it later.
It was in the way he kept on working on the ship long hours, really working on the ship. Going up and down the ropes of the main mast, staying hours on the crow's nest, keeping Buttons company until late at night.
He was sleeping less, stumbling more, and Lucius was getting worried Pete was going to get himself killed.
Lucius knew some things were not Pete's strong suit, and watching him falling, getting up and trying again, all the while putting himself in danger was getting out of hand.
It all came down the day he caught Pete in a knife fight with Jim.
"What's going on here?" He intervened, frantically looking from the two fighting to the rest of the crew, who had stopped doing their tasks to watch the fight.
Lucius' blood ran cold. Against a normal person, sure, maybe Pete would have a chance of winning. But this was Jim.
"Relax," Olu said, stepping in. "Jim's just teaching Pete a couple of moves."
Lucius flinched horrified as Pete fell face first on the ground. "A couple of moves? Did he do something to piss Jim off that you’re not telling me?”
“Mate.” Olu grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. “Breathe, alright? Pete’s fine.”
“That is not what I would call fine.” His eyes fell again on the fight just in time to see Pete defending himself from a hard blow. He staggered back, grunting at the bruise that no doubt would blossom on his forearms. “No, I’m calling it quits–Hey!”
Later, after Roach helped him bandage the worst of Pete’s injuries (there weren’t many, Olu was right, they had been training), Lucius dragged Pete down beneath the main deck to an empty room. He closed the door behind himself before turning to look at Pete.
“What was that for?” Pete asked, his face turned into a confused frown.
“What was that? You’re– asking me?” Lucius scoffed. “I should be the one asking.”
“Hang on, babe.” Pete raised his hands. “I’m confused. Let’s start over.”
Lucius let out a sigh to calm himself. “Right now, back in the main deck. What were you training for?”
Pete eyed Lucius. “Is this a trick question?”
“Just answer me, babe.”
“To get better at knife fighting, I guess.” Pete shrugged.
“Yeah, okay, you lack that ability, but that’s never been a problem before, has it?” Lucius waited for Pete to nod in agreement. “So what’s changed?”
Pete shifted from one foot to the other.
“It’s stupid,” he grumbled. Something inside Lucius melted.
“Honey, I’ve seen you sweep the main deck more times lately than ever in my whole life, you’ve been getting better with your knots recently, too. And now learning stuff from Jim? Whatever’s been bothering can’t possibly be stupid.” He gently gathered Pete’s hand between his own. “What’s wrong?”
A beat passed before Pete relented, slumping his shoulders.
“I know you love me for my strength and my great pirate skills–”
“I literally love you for more than those things, actually, but okay.”
Pete continued like Lucius hadn’t just cut him. “But ever since Izzy ditched us on that island and you weren’t there with us, I–” Pete tightened his grip around Lucius’ hand. There were so many raw emotions displayed on his face, so many more than he usually let himself show. “I promised myself I wouldn’t let that happen again.”
It hit Lucius then. Oh.
“So that’s why you’re trying to become a better pirate.” Lucius’ heart skipped a beat. “To protect me.”
Pete shrugged and looked down, self conscious. “I guess so.”
“Babe, look at me.” Lucius set a finger under Pete’s chin and nudged him until they locked eyes. “No one’s ever done that for me before.”
Pete blushed and threw his head to the side. “No one really loved you then.”
Lucius scoffed, smiling. He wrapped his arms behind Pete’s head and pulled him in close until their noses were bumping.
“Not the way you do.”
He sealed that with a kiss.
The next day, before Pete could slip off from under Lucius’ arms like he’d been doing the past couple of weeks, Lucius just tightened his grip.
“You’re staying right here this morning. And after we fully wake up, we’re getting some breakfast. Sounds good?”
Pete sighed. “But–”
“Don’t overtax yourself, honey. I like you just the way you are.” Lucius cut, leaving sweet pecks on the side of Pete’s face, on his neck, feeling his stubble burn against his lips.
Pete relaxed back into the embrace, making himself comfortable again.
“Just today,” Pete grumbled and went back to sleep.
“Alright.” Lucius smiled. “And tomorrow,” he whispered.