Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Waves lapped at the wooden sides of the Albatross as it drifted through the water. The sun glinted off of Alphonse's metal body, reflecting across the deck. Ollie sat by Drey, listening closely to the stories he was telling about the Black Rose with wide, curious eyes and an expression of awe on his face. Below, in the captain's quarters, three people sat, laughing about the game of cards they played. A young man with brown hair threw down his cards.

"I win!" He exclaimed, crossing his arms and looking smugly at the other two.

"Chip, that's not how you play this game." Said the young woman with orange hair.

"Well then how do you play, huh? Your sorry ass didn't explain," Chip replied, looking at her.

"Oh! So these are not edible?" Both people looked at their teal-skinned companion, who held several cards in his mouth, biting into them with sharp, shark-like teeth.

"Gill! No! Spit them out!" Jay yelped, before trying and failing to stifle a laugh and doubling over.

"Buddy. Pal. Why would you eat the goddamn cards," Chip said, confused. He held his hands out in an exasperated gesture.

"They contained moisture! Moisture, Chip! Why wouldn't I eat the cards?" Gill answered. He continued to chew, his tail thumping cheerfully on the floor behind him as his fins twitched. He grinned.

"Both of you are idiots," hissed Jay through fits of laughter. Tears pricked her eyes as she gasped for air, holding her stomach. Chip stood up and went over to shake Gillion, trying to tear the cards away from his fishy friend. Gillion resisted, continuing to eat the cards on the grounds that they were "snack flavored and full of moisture". Eventually, Chip got ahold of the cards. Gillion sighed, before looking directly at him.

"It was not your destiny to have those cards."

Chip shivered visibly.

"I'm going up. You keep being fishy, Gill." He said, turning around and running up the stairs two at a time.

"I'm also gonna head to the top deck. You coming?" Jay took a deep breath, brushing dust off her pants as she stood up.

"Yes!" Came the reply, as Gillion stood up as well. He only barely avoided knocking his coral on the wooden ceiling as he began following Jay up the stairs. As he looked at the low ceiling from a few steps up, he felt a slight prick in his left wrist. Glancing down, Gillion saw the crescent moon embedded in his skin. Was it that big before? Shaking his head, he continued up the stairs onto the bright top deck.

Squinting against the warm sunlight, Jay extended the spyglass and looked through it.

"How's the weather going to be today?" She asked. It gave a quick response, dark clouds covering the glass. She looked up at the clear sky. "Weird," was her only remark.

"Chip! Any ideas where we should go next? We don't really have an objective right now!"

"Not really! Anything interesting in the North Sea?" He called in reply.

Jay shrugged, looking around through the spyglass in hopes of seeing anything that might be nearby. By her count, they had left Allport about five days previously.

"Alphonse! Any ideas as to where to go?" She asked. The warforged turned to her.

"None come to mind Cap'n," Alphonse responded, in his usual metallic southern voice. Jay sighed.

"I can't think of anything either. For once, I was thinking we should just... sail in a random direction and see what we find." She clipped the spyglass back onto her belt. "Well...onwards?"

"ONWARDS! TO OUR DESTINIES!" Shouted Gillion from the bow of the ship.

———

Later in the day, Jay began to see the dark clouds foretold by the spyglass. They gathered along the edges of the sky, foreboding. The wind had begun to pick up as they sailed roughly due north-west. (The direction had been decided between the crew through a game of rock-paper-scissors.) Chip waltzed up from below deck, whistling suspiciously.

"Oh, hey, Jay! Didn't see ya there," He said, ducking around to her other side as if hiding.

"What'd you do this time?" Asked Jay. Chip leaned against her shoulder.

"Nothing, nothing! Just some-" He was cut off by the sound of Gryffon's deep voice echoing from what sounded like the kitchen.

"NEXT ISLAND, I'M LEAVING. I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH MY ARM, REGARDLESS OF YOUR STATUS AS CAPTAIN." Chip shuddered.

"...Complications." Jay gave him an amused look, before turning back to the ocean.

Suddenly, Gillion rushed across the ship and jumped into the water behind Jay and Chip.

"What the hell?" Chip spun around to look at where Gill had disappeared into the water. "GILL?" He shouted. The triton poked his head up, grinning.

"Yes?"

"What are you doing?"

"These are frogtopus waters!" Gillion held up Pretzel, who chirruped happily.

"You're saying there are like... frogtopus habitats around?"

"Mhm!" He disappeared under the water again. Jay leaned over the rail.

"BE BACK SOON, WE'VE GOT A STORM COMING!" She called. The only acknowledgment was Gillion's tail, which flipped above water before vanishing again. Underwater, Gill swam deeper. The very slight bioluminescence of his markings lit up flashes of pink as Pretzel kept up. A glimpse of bright green flitted past, and he turned to look. A small green frogtopus had passed by. Reaching out a hand, he saw yet again that Crescent moon engraved in his skin. A dark shadow seemed to have spread from around it, now enveloping his wrist in what seemed to be dark purple. It was like a tattoo, in which it seemed to be in his skin itself.

Uncomfortably, Gill noticed that a slight prickling had begun. It was easy to ignore at this point and was in a very small spot, but it was certainly there. He shook himself, looking around for the green frogtopus again.

I'm sure it's nothing.

The water around him was dark and empty. Even with darkvision, Gillion couldn't see any more frogtupi. As such, he rose to the surface just as the first drops of rain began to fall. The wind blew them directly into his eyes and he blinked, latching onto the Albatross and pulling himself aboard.

"We'll need you up here, Gill. Just in case, now that the storm's rolling in." Jay said, gripping the railing as the waves started to pick up, rocking the ship. Rain splattered the deck, hitting harder now as the wind howled against the sails. Chip stood on the main deck, holding tightly to a rope that was keeping one sail steady. The wood was quickly becoming slick with water.

As Gillion jumped onto the main deck to assist, lightning broke the sky. Thunder echoed in their eardrums. Seizing a rope, Gill pulled it hard, redirecting the second sail to stabilize the ship. As lightning cracked in the sky, hitting the writhing water, his pupils lit up unnaturally and electricity flickered across his coral and his skin, which looked like it was glowing from the inside out. Light burned just beneath the surface like bright fireflies trying to escape. He struggled to keep his grip on the rope with the static dancing across his armor.

"GILL? YOU OKAY?" Chip shouted over the roaring thunder.

"I AM FINE, CHIP!" Came the reply, nearly drowned out by the sound. Gill tied down the rope, slipping across the deck to help Chip. Jay had taken control of the helm, holding tightly and breathing hard with the effort. With both Gill and Chip on the rope, the sail stayed in control easily. The crew was holding on well so far through the storm, with Ollie downstairs with everyone else. Alphonse had also gone downstairs, trusting the captains.

They were holding on well- at least until the lightning got worse. It started striking closer and closer to the ship. Chip heard Gill shout something he didn't catch before moving towards the bow, standing in a more open spot. He raised Destiny's Blade towards the sky. Electricity sparked from his coral as his hair floated upwards as if underwater. The blade of his sword lit up blue, sparking and shining. Gillion planted his feet, bracing his tail against the wood.

"GILL? WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?" Screamed Jay from the helm. It became obvious as the lightning that struck was funneled toward his sword. It seemed to be absorbed, adding to the energy that crackled along his body. Gill grimaced, his fins pinned against his head.

"I AM PROTECTING THE REST OF THE SHIP, JAY!" He responded, through gritted teeth as another strike was channeled onto his sword. Evidently, his energy was being drained by the effort. Chip looked at Gill, struggling to keep a hold of the rope, unable to assist.

"YOU CAN'T KEEP DOING THAT GILL, WE'LL SURVIVE!" He called. Gill began to turn to him, just as lightning cracked again. The momentary distraction had made a difference, it hit him full-on. Gillion felt a burning sensation, like the ends of all his nerves were being seared. It hurt. He didn't see a thing before the pain overtook him, only brightness and the echo of thunder in his eardrums before Gillion Tidestrider hit the deck with a heavy thud, singed and unconscious.

Chapter Text

When Gillion first started to blink awake, he was hit with a bone-shattering headache. Everything was bright and saturated. His ears rang a high pitch that only lessened slightly when he awoke further. He sat up, glancing down at his hands, both of which were stinging. They had slightly different scars now, more traces of lightning. But on his left… Gillion’s breath caught.

The dark from the Crescent moon had crept up his hand and down his forearm, nearly his whole palm was dark with seemingly ink and the shadow traced down his veins to almost his elbow. The centermost parts of the slowly expanding mark had devolved into pins and needles. Apprehensive, he bandaged his arm and hand. It would make sense, surely. It wasn’t causing him trouble (yet.) But it surely wasn’t lying to simply not mention it.

Gillion shifted in the tub of water, appreciating that his co-captains had taken the time to put him there. As he tried to move, however, a wave of dizziness crashed over his head.

“Gill?” Jay watched as he scrunched his face up and pressed the base of his hands against his forehead. She hesitated before placing a hand on his arm.
“Are you okay?” She asked. When he looked at her, his eyes were slightly foggy, like he wasn’t seeing her properly. When he spoke, his voice sounded like he’d eaten a swordfish.

“…Jay?”

“I’m right here.” She patted him, before thinking a moment and casting cure wounds on him again. This was likely the second, maybe third time she’d cast it since the previous day. The triton blinked, and his eyes cleared up again.

“Thank you, Jay.” He smiled (though it was closer to a grimace.) Gillion pushed himself up, getting out of the tub unsteadily. Jay kept her hand on him, but he moved quicker than her as he left the room and she lost her grip. Faintly she heard Chip’s voice.

“Why are you already up and walking?” He seemed to be asking.

“I have been healed! I feel fine, Chip!” Gill’s voice was as bright as ever, Jay noticed. Like he hadn’t recently been struck by lightning yet again. This was the third time that she recalled.

“Course you do.” The sound of steps got louder. Chip entered the room. “Did you heal him again?” He asked, an exasperated expression on his face. She matched his face.

“Yes, I did,” She responded. Her voice was exhausted, her hair unkempt. He shrugged.

“Maybe next time we let him wait it out and learn to… I dunno, rest a bit?” Jay laughed.
“I agree with you there. Gill needs to stop with all this self-sacrificing. I tried talking to him about it before, but…” She pressed her lips into a thin line. “Went about as well as you’d expect from him,”

Gillion stepped back down the stairs, after deciding that instead of going up to the main deck, he would go and see if his grandfather was awake. Finn Tidestrider. He could only barely remember some of his stories. The darker blue triton was very aged, even from what Gillion could remember. He had always been the eccentric family member, telling tall tales from around the seas, speaking of interesting creatures or a new form of shell. With slight amusement, he could recall long talks on the elusive crawfish. Pushing open the door, he found Drey Ferin already there.

“Greetings!” He called, to get his attention. Drey looked up at him, his long black hair brushed back at last.

“Hello.” His voice was tired and rough. It too had gotten better since the B.L.O.C.K, but still sounded scratchy.

“He isn’t awake yet?” Inquired Gillion. Drey shook his head.

“He has yet to wake up at all, as far as I’m concerned. Course, if I’d been a bird for an unsure amount of time, I’d also crash for days,” He said, a small, sad grin on his face.

“I don’t believe I’ve tried healing him yet.” Gillion sat down on the floor on his knees, placing a hand on his grandfather’s chest. He could feel the energy flowing through and away from him. Yet something was slightly different now. His energy drained quickly, and he had to remove his hand very suddenly, like he’d been burned.

“You good, kid?” Drey asked, having noticed his reaction. He looked over Gillion’s shoulder at Finn.

“I… am perfectly fine. I’m sure I’m just tired!” He responded. Even as he spoke, a guilty feeling buried itself in his stomach.

“Hmm.” Gillion tensed. “You should get more rest, then. You’re a brave kid, fish boy. I trust you know your limits. But maybe stop getting struck by lightning for a bit?” The old Ferin chuckled, stepping away to leave room for Gillion to stand up and leave. He took the opportunity, standing up.

“Let me know if he wakes up, please.” His voice was uncharacteristically soft as he left the room. Another wave of dizziness washed over him as he walked up the stairs yet again. He felt drained, like he’d been casting spells all night long without rest. The sun seemed too bright. Too glaring. Gillion shaded his eyes with a hand, looking out around.

Chip and Jay stepped out into the light as well.

“Think there are any islands round’ here?” Asked Chip, looking around at the ocean.

“Probably. I’ll look, we need to refresh supplies.” Jay spun the spyglass in her hands for a moment, before trodding the deck to the bow and looking through it. “I think I backwards jinxed it, there’s an island in the distance. Doesn’t look like there are any cities on it from what I can see, but you never know. Should we stop there?” The other captains collectively nodded. Jay folded the spyglass again and clipped it onto her belt.

“You’re on helm this time Chip. Alphonse is still downstairs.” He frowned, begrudgingly taking up the helm. Gill had taken Pretzel off his shoulder, smiling at her tiredly and talking(?) with her. (Could they talk to each other? It certainly seemed so at times.)

Gillion set Pretzel down on the railing of the ship. Playing with her was taking his mind off the uncomfortable, numb prickly feeling in his left hand. He knew instinctively what it meant that it was getting worse. However hard he tried to ignore it, he simply couldn’t anymore. Gillion unwrapped the bandage on his hand. The dark, inky color had covered his entire hand now and had started climbing his arm in the shape of dark veins. Right where it has always been, the moon on his wrist was now a silvery white, sticking out among the dark colors. He bandaged it back up. The last thing he needed was for Chip and Jay to worry more about him. He would be fine!

Chapter Text

The Albatross was anchored a bit offshore, giving it space to leave. Chip stretched his arms above his head as he stepped onto the land. The island was bare, with volcanic rock covering it. It would have seemed completely flat if not for the small cluster of thick trees off in the distance. Chip would have thought he was imagining it if Jay hadn’t, at that moment, called it out.

“Trees over there. Possibly food too. Wanna risk it?” She had her hands in her pockets, seeming very relaxed.

“Sure,” Chip yawned, cupping a hand around his mouth. “Where’s Gill?” Jay pointed back toward the Albatross in response.

“Said he was tired. Before you make a face at me, yes, I thought it was weird. But we can’t assume something’s wrong just yet. It’s not like he hasn’t been struck by lightning before,” Jay said.

“Are we going to go explore?” Ollie piped up (after begging to come with them). She gave him a smile.

“Yeah, we are. You can come with us this time.” The widest of smiles appeared on his face, and he pumped his fist triumphantly. Chip gave her a look she couldn’t quite interpret at first, but saw something like worry. She patted him on the back as they started walking, Ollie talking about something excitedly.

“He’ll be fine, Chip. We can’t just keep him on the ship, he needs to get off every once in a while.” He replied with a sigh.
The cooled volcanic rock created wide plains of dark stone. Ollie did a cartwheel across the flat, keeping an ecstatic grin on his face. As they got closer to the trees, they saw it was what seemed to be a water pool. An oasis, almost. The ship was far now, but not too far. Chip could see Drey coming up onto the deck. He turned back to the cluster of trees.

“Think there’s any good fruit in there?” He asked.

“Maybe. We can bring some to Earl next time we’re in Allport,” answered Jay. Chip nodded in agreement.

“Definitely.” He looked over to where Ollie stood, keeping an eye on the boy. He was ecstatic.

“Chip! Do you think there’ll be monsters in here?” Ollie’s eyes sparkled.

“Maybe. Maybe not,” He replied. “You better watch out for them if there are!” Chip’s face split into a joking smile, as he poked the small boy in the chest. “They might eat you, you know!” Ollie giggled, running a short distance away to escape.

The trio continued the trek to the distant trees, Jay and Chip trailing behind an energetic Ollie. They scattered small stones across the flat as they walked, making small conversation. Slowly, the oasis grew closer, until they were able to see a small pool of water at the center. Sunlight glittered blindingly off of it, sending flowing reflections to dance on the tree trunks and the grass.

“WOAH!” gasped Ollie. Jay set her hands on her hips, looking around the patch.
Chip, however, had already moved onto the grass, and begun looking for fruits or other resources. Nothing seemed to be moving other than Jay’s fellow pirates, and, deeming it safe, she joined them in the oasis.

“Sure is convenient we came to this spot on the island. I can’t tell how big it is just from here.” She sat down on the grass, propping herself up on her hands. “Lava flat as far as the eye can see, I’d guess,” Chip nodded at her from a short distance. Turning back to a tree, he jumped at it, digging his fingers into the bark as he started shimmying cautiously up the trunk. As soon as he let one hand off to try and pick a fruit just above him, however, his grip was lost and he slid onto the ground again. He turned to find Jay laughing at him, tears pricking her eyes as she buried her head in her knees to try and mask it. Indignant, Chip got up and whacked her gently, to which she just laughed harder.

“You climb it then! You try and dig your grimy hands into the smooth bark of a tree without any branches! Bet you’ll fall too!” Jay lifted her head, her eyes still glimmering with tears of laughter. She smirked at Chip.

“Ok then, Chibo. Maybe I will!” Jay made her way over to the tree, looking up at it as she assessed a strategy. Chip looked on with his hands on his hips, a scrutinizing look on his face. Jay began her climb, holding tightly onto the slight grooves in the tree as she continued upwards. She made it most of the way up before she felt herself start to slip down the tree again. Determined, Jay held tighter and tried to keep moving upwards. However, it backfired as her hands finally slipped and she fell from the tree, landing on her back and gasping as the air was knocked from her lungs. She looked up to find Chip nearly falling over from laughter, holding his stomach as he wiped a fake tear from his eye.

“Oh, dear disciple! How far you have fallen!”

“Shut the fuck up.”

Chip held a hand out to Jay, offering to help her up. She took it, before pushing him to the ground.

“Hey!” Chip yelped. “Uncalled for!” It was Jay’s turn to laugh again as she lay down on the ground. The sun had warmed the grass over time, and all the walking to get here and the heat were making her drowsy.

Ah. It’s probably fine if I just rest my eyes for a while, right?

She blinked, her eyelids heavy.

Just for a moment.