Chapter Text
"How long does a triton live?"
A simple question, a simple question that would leave a hole burning in Gillions chest. He couldn't refuse an answer to Chip, his friend who had innocently asked a question out of curiosity.
"The oldest triton lived to over 300 years, though most don't make it past 200," Gillion answered. "What about humans?"
"Humans? Well i'd say most of us live to... 70? 80?" Chip answered hesitantly.
Gillion pondered this, and even though he never understood math, he understood something. He was going to outlive Chip. His life which had only truly begun when the boy sitting next to him took his hand from the ocean, was going to end long after Chips. The thought made his stomach sink as he tried to swallow the feelings that tugged on his chest.
"Will you... visit me, once you're gone?" Gillion choked out the words, barely releasing 'gone' from the back of his throat.
"Visit? What do you mean?" Chip questioned, the concept foreign.
"Like after you... die," Gillion stated. He hated how this topic made him so emotional, "and you come back as something new. Like a bird, or a fish," he gestured to the sky above and the sea below.
Chip nodded with understanding, "Of course, Gill," he reassured as he intertwined their hands,"I will always find you."
"You promise?"
"I will. I always will."
His presence offered comfort to Gillion as they sat on the edge of the deck, Jay navigating through the waters on the way to the next adventure. They sat in silence, contemplating many things. The future, the past, the present. Gillion's eyes closed as he let the familiar sounds of the ocean and pressure of Chips head resting on his shoulder calm him and let his breath sway with the rock of the ship as he fell into a cradle of sleep.