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Mornings were slow on the Albatross. Millennium Chipper, actually. That’s what it was called because it was carved into the hull definitely not by Chip. Yep.
On days like these, where the crew traveled wherever the currents took them, they all slept in late. It was hard to catch up on sleep when someone always needed to manage the helm. They got by through alternating shifts. Whoever took the very last watch in the early mornings always received the short end of the stick.
These past days, the sea had not been kind to the crew’s voyages. Storms plagued the open water and monsters awakened from beneath the darkness of the sea. But now it seemed the crew had fared the worst of the storm, and finally, they could rest. Thank the gods for that.
The late morning sun shined straight through the cracks from the deck above and Chip woke up slowly. The weight of exhaustion was heavy on his bones as he stretched and collapsed on top of his bed. Gods, he was so fucking tired. What time is it?
He lay in bed, slowly becoming aware of his surroundings. He could feel the cool figure behind him breathing deeply. Gillion. He smiled and it was so painfully soft that if anyone besides himself was aware of it, he’d never show his face again. He turned on his side and adjusted the blankets above him. Gillion's relaxed face was resting in front of his own, mere inches away. Chip breathed, deep and slow, taking in the beauty before him.
Gillion was always uptight when he was awake. Always ready for a fight. Only in his sleep did he seem to find perfect peace. The fish-like scales splattered across his face - on his cheekbones, his jaw, between his eyes - reflect the sunlight from above. Rainbows seemed to be shimmering over his scales and Chip couldn’t resist reaching his hand out. He cupped Gill’s cheek, brushing over the scales with his thumb. It was cool to the touch, but not enough to make him shiver. It was comforting. Gill’s lips parted and the gill’s on his neck flickered with every breath he took. The crown of coral on his head, almost hidden through his frizzy and curly hair, shone with delicate blue light. Chip wouldn’t have noticed it in broad daylight.
Content fluttered into Chip’s chest. Looking at the man beside him, with his stupidly large biceps and perfect hair, he was all too aware of how hard he had fallen. Chip wouldn’t admit it to anyone besides himself, but Chip fell for Gillion the moment Gill had taken his hand.
He curled closer into Gillion’s cool aura and pressed a soft, gentle kiss to his temple. It was so unlike him, all the cheesy and cute moments. He couldn't resist himself. Have you seen his boyfriend?
Chip pulled away from the kiss, lips wet with the natural moisture of Gill’s fishy skin. He could see Gillion’s eyes fluttering open. The tiny scrunches of his nose and eyebrows made Chip want to kiss him even more, so he did. He placed tiny, gentle kisses from his temple to between his eyes and down to his cheek. Satisfied with his work, he leaned back and rubbed his thumb against Gill’s cheek soothingly. Gill was just barely awake now, groggy and eyelids heavy with fatigue. Despite his unconventional wake-up call by kisses, his lips quirked up in such an adoring way. His eyes shone with only admiration and love for Chip . For him. Gods, he was so fucking in love with this man. Fish. Whatever Gillion was.
He ducked his head into Gillion’s chest, falling closer to his boyfriend’s body. Gill’s arm lifted and Chip accepted the embrace with ease.
“Hello, Chip,” Gillion said, albeit loud compared to the quiet melody of the waves flowing. His voice was deep and confident. It felt as though Gill could never tell a single lie, which Chip supposed was true. Most of all, the friendliness and trust Gillion embodied when he spoke to Chip made him feel at home. He felt safe with Gillion no matter where he was.
Chip smiled, carefully spinning his black sea-glass necklace in his hands, admiring it.
“Hey,”
They lay there for gods know how long, but Chip didn’t care. He’d let the wind guide his ship and the waves control his path forever if he could stay in Gillion’s arms for longer. His embrace was warm even if Gill's body temperature was not and the strong arms which enveloped him kept him safe.
They should get up soon. Someone needed to chart their course and steer the ship. It was pure luck at this point that they hadn’t crashed into any rocks or land masses. Not to mention, Chip would actually die of embarrassment if Jay or god forbid Old Man Earl walked in on the couple. He could already imagine the taunts thrown his way. With love, of course, Jay would claim.
He tilted his head up, ready to leave Gillion’s embrace, but Gill's strong eyes staring down at him made him pause. A smile traced through Chip’s lips as he admired his ethereal beauty. Gill was more awake now, smiling down upon Chip with a gentleness only reserved for his boyfriend. Excluding Pretzel, of course. Chip never saw his boyfriend without his frogtapus companion. But it took Chip’s breath away, how Gillion could gaze upon Chip and see his destiny within his eyes. He looked at Chip as if he was worth more than he truly was. As if he were priceless. Chip had the slightest guess that Gillion would tear the Undersea and Oversea apart to save him. That is, only if he were stupid enough to land himself in more trouble than he could handle. And yeah, Chip will give him that, he is a bastard.
On bad days, it scared Chip. But on days like these where he couldn't tear his eyes away from Gillion nor imagine a life without him, he wouldn’t hesitate to do the exact same thing. He'd do it a thousand times over.
He carefully rested his hand above the gills on Gillion's neck that shivered with each breath he took. He sat up slowly, bringing Gill with him, and leaned into him. He curled into Gill’s lap - well, more lay on top of Gill’s lap. He was taller than Gillion. His hands rested on his neck and bare chest. Did he mention his boyfriend had gorgeous abs? He should mention that more often.
His eyes fluttered closed, fully trusting Gillion with every aspect of his protection, and the embrace was peaceful. It was calm and loving and Chip had never felt something more beautiful. The wind blew gently outside and the salt in the air drifted below deck. Chip didn’t doubt the smell was soothing to Gill. To Chip, who had been on the water for every happy moment in his life, it felt like a welcome call home. He tilted his head up and guided Gillion’s down just enough so their foreheads rested together.
Chip closed his eyes and… breathed. He took in Gillion and every beautiful wonder he was. The tips of their noses brushed across each just barely with every rock of the ship. When he opened his eyes, a wide smile broke its way to the surface when Gillion was gazing right back at him. His face was open and vulnerable, a rare sight from the defensive Triton. Gillion looked as if he wanted Chip just enough as Chip wanted him and it made Chip’s heart shatter with adoration. He held his hand against the back of Chip's head and Gillion moved his to Chip’s jaw, carrying it delicately. When Chip tilted his head up and pulled Gillion close, the last thought he had before kissing his boyfriend was,
“Gods, I’m so lucky.”
It was soft. It was kind and overflowing with a love Chip was still oh so new to. When they pulled away, Chip couldn’t stop himself from laughing, eyes wide and cheeks red with bliss.
Forehead against forehead, Chip moved his hand to Gillion’s cheek and met his eyes. Gillion held the hand against his cheek with ease, while his other rested on his waist.
“Hi,” Chip whispered once more, voice light and airy.
Gill smiled and squinted just a tad. Enough so that Chip could see the happiness just through the twinkle in his eyes. It wouldn't surprise Chip if he looked the same.
“Hi,” Gill whispered back. His mouth barely moved from his smile and he never took his eyes off Chip.
Chip’s heart fluttered with butterflies that threatened to burst through the seams and escape. He was so in love with Gillion. He had never felt this before but Chip wanted to wake up in Gillion’s arms every morning. He wanted to sail the seas with his boyfriend and save some island from another stupid curse and he wanted to stay by Gillion’s side throughout it all. He wanted morning kisses and late-night waltzes across the deck. He wanted this love for the rest of his life. He wanted Gillion beside him through every hardship and he wanted to love his boyfriend so deeply he felt like it would kill him. He wanted to protect him from any trouble the Overseas may give him for being different. He wanted to be the comfort Gill could lean on when he trusted no one else. He wanted to love and he wanted to be loved.
Chip was only nineteen, and he was only sailing the ocean with his crew, so he lay in Gillion’s arms and was content. At least, for the time being. Some other adventure will always follow the next pushing Chip towards more. More love and more commitment and more of this. For now, he was happy. And isn’t that enough?
Gillion brushed the hair out of Chip’s eyes and rested a hand on his cheek. Chip leaned closer to him, smiling up at him. He probably looked so stupid, but Gillion’s face was in crystal clear condition. He wanted to see it all.
“You are quite beautiful, Chip,” Gillion stated as if it was a well-known fact and Chip could feel all the blood rush to his face.
He chuckled out a half-assed laugh and turned his head to the side. Well, yeah, Chip knew he was at least decent looking, but compared to Gillion? Barely anything.
“Well, look who’s talking, huh? All this isn't much compared to you.” Chip said with such ease he could have fooled himself.
The remark didn’t fool Gillion, however. Rarely anything could. He turned Chip’s face back to his with the palm of his hand. His face dropped into a slight frown, worrying settled underneath the surface. Chip frowned with discontent and poked Gill’s cheek, trying to lighten the mood.
He plastered on a smile. “Hey Mister Frowny-Face, I just called you pretty. Where’s your smile?”
“Yes, I appreciate it,” Gill started with a frown and took Chip’s hand in his, placing it on top of Chip’s chest. “But in doing so, you are diminishing your own beauty and worth. I do not appreciate that.”
Chip huffed, embarrassment growing by the second. Now, why did the conversation have to go down the trail of his insecurities so quickly?
“Gill, I’m fine. I was just joking around, alright?”
Gillion appeared conflicted, eyebrows drew together with worry. His fin ears were pinned back against his head, ruffling slightly.
“If you say so, Chip. But to me, you are as beautiful as those stars in the sky. You are as charming as those beauties I was never able to witness until I took your hand. I want you to know that you are never anything less than a priceless wonder in my heart.”
Gillion continued spouting poetical nonsense but Chip was too awestruck to listen further. He wasn’t worth all that to anyone. At least, he never had been until now. He wanted to listen to luring thoughts that told him Gill was lying, or that he was only comforting Chip passively. Despite it all, there was one thing Chip knew about Gillion that he had kept in his mind since the very beginning. Gillion doesn’t tell lies. He despises them, to say the least. It meant that every word, every compliment, dazzling comparison, and vow of devotion Gillion aimed Chip’s way was truthful. In every sense of the word, Gillion would forever remain truthful.
God, did Chip get salt water in his eyes? He must have, he could barely see anymore. Yep, definitely salt water. Stupid ocean.
He closed his eyes, trying to stop the tears that were already trailing down his cheeks, and pulled Gillion into another kiss. He cut his boyfriend off, not needing to hear more reassurance that had been falling on deaf ears. God dammit, he loved his boyfriend. He loved every confused smile and passionate battle and he loved that stupidly bright smile he carried in his pocket.
He pulled away, just barely, and murmured a small stuttering of, “Yeah, I, uh, I get it. Yeah, same, y’know.”
Gill’s cool breath tickled his lips as he exhaled and smiled. Chip laughed, a strange feeling of bliss falling over him. This was his boyfriend . This was the man he loved and he loved Chip back. He pressed himself into Gillion’s chest and Gill rested his chin on his head. He had to say something. His heart bubbled and tickled and it felt like he was going to explode if he didn’t say anything.
“I love you.”
When Chip said it, it didn’t feel like a confession or a risk. It felt like the burning, raw truth.
Gillion’s breath stuttered. Chip could feel it from where his chest stopped breathing for a moment. Then, it continued. A cool hand rested on Chip’s head and massaged it gently. Chip melted in Gillion’s embrace further. The embrace felt like home.
“I love you, as well.” Gillion proclaimed with an air of confidence only he could possess.
Chip didn’t doubt it for a second.
Later in the day, Jay would come bursting through the doors, demanding the two “lovebirds” get out of bed and help her man the ship. Chip would shoot up into the air and pretend as if he had never been cuddling with his boyfriend. Gillion would agree to help with a loud, boisterous tone, unlike the gentle whispers he spoke during their morning together. They’d chart their course and Chip would teach Ollie how to pull a prank. Gillion would swim alongside their ship in the water, laughing at the familiar and homely feel. Their day would be good, and once the sun set, they’d map out their own constellation in the bright night sky. Maybe they'd even fall asleep cuddled in each other’s arms.
But at this moment, late in the morning, Chip felt nothing else existed outside of Gillion’s loving embrace and the sunshine paired with the ocean air. He didn’t care if some days their love was delicate or scary because, at this moment, their love felt true. He hoped that it would always stay that way.
Perhaps, it was their destiny.