Chapter Text
Damn this shit hurts.
That was pretty much the only thought in Chip’s brain as he limped through the woods. He trailed after Gill and Jay. Gill was using his whalebone sword to slice through the thick foliage of the forest, and Jay was marching behind him. Chip rested his weight against one of the trees and exhaled harshly. When his ship was first blown up this morning, Chip didn’t even think about the burning pain in his leg. He was too focused on the fact that his ship blew up. But now, several hours of Gillion dragging him through the ocean later; it was all he could think about.
Oohh, my leg hurts so bad - god he was pathetic. Nobody else was limping around and complaining. And Gill had swam for four hours straight carrying him and Jay.
Chip lifted his leg as he moved to walk again. Searing pain shot through his leg. Chip sucked in a sharp breath between his gritted teeth, and tried to wait for the pain to stop.
God, fuck this.
“Hey, uh - guys? Could we take a quick break?”
Gill stopped mid swing and turned to look at Chip, his brows furrowed in worry.
“Is everything alright, Chip?” Gill sheathed his sword and rushed back towards Chip - like Chip was in immediate danger or about to die or something.
“I’m fine, I’m fine - just need a minute.” Chip forced as much of usual confidence into his voice as he could. As he spoke, he slid down the tree he was leaning against. He couldn’t hold back the wince as he plopped onto the grass.
“Are you alright?” Gill asked again. Gill knelt beside him in the grass, far too close to his wounded leg for Chip’s taste.
“I’m fine, seriously. I think we’ve all earned a little break after today, right?” Chip said, as he tried to nonchalantly shift his leg away from Gillion and closer to himself. It’s not that he didn’t trust Gill, it’s just that he had only just met the guy a few weeks ago. Gill was good and honorable and stuff - and probably never had to sit down when his leg was hurting a little bit. But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be an ass to Chip. This guy barely had a scratch on him after a whole ass explosion. There’s no telling what he would think if he saw Chip wimping out over a little scrape on his leg.
Chip winced as he tried to shift his leg again. Okay, maybe it was bigger than a scrape. But the point is, there was no reason to tell Gill - or Jay for that matter. Chip was perfectly capable of toughing through this.
“Besides,” Chip continued. “You're probably tired after all that swimming, huh Gill?”
“Oh, me? No, I’m fine; I could go for another few hours, probably.” Gill replied, rolling his shoulders like this was all so easy for him. Now don’t get him wrong, Chip liked the guy. He was fun to mess with and a great asset to the crew; but that doesn’t mean Chip likes to hear him gloat.
Okay, maybe he’s not actually gloating. But it certainly feels like he is.
“Yeah, alright… What about you, Jay-jay?” Chip turned to look at the redhead, who was standing a little further off and observing the area.
“Don’t call me that,” She replied without even glancing at him. “I’m doing alright though, I’m just gonna… go… take care of some business. I’ll be right back.” Jay said as she started to back away from the group.
“Do you need me to go with you, Jay?” Gill asked, immediately standing up and moving to follow her.
“No! No, Gill - I’ll be fine by myself. I just need to -”
Even without Jay finishing her sentence; Chip could see where this was going.
“No, you should go with her, Gill. I mean what if she needs protecting?” Chip swiftly interrupted her. He tried to hold back a snicker. If they were gonna get his ship blown up; he could at least have a little fun with them in return, right?
Gill looked between Jay and Chip, clearly unsure who he should listen to.
“Chip; shut up.” Jay said with a deep sigh. She rubbed her eyes harshly before turning to Gill. “Gill, I’ll be fine. I just need to relieve myself, I don’t need any protection right now. “
“Oh,” Gill said, looking at the ground with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. His mouth made a perfect “o” shape. Chip couldn’t hold back his laughter this time. Jay turned over her shoulder and flipped Chip off as she walked into the woods. Chip would’ve sent her one back, but he was too busy doubling over in laughter. Jay quickly disappeared into the forest, probably walking further than she needed too - and Gill kneeled at Chip’s side again. Gill’s intense, blood red eyes scanned the surrounding areas - like he was a guard on patrol.
As Chip leaned back against the tree again, his leg throbbed. He grunted at the unexpected pain. Messing with Gill and Jay had been a nice distraction, but that can only work for so long. Gill whipped his head to Chip at the noise, and suddenly that intense gaze was focused completely on Chip. Chip felt like an animal caught in a trap, unable to move or even blink as Gill studied him.
“What?” Chip asked, shifting away from Gill.
“Are you sure you’re alright, Chip? You’ve deflected every time I’ve asked you so far.” Gill said. For someone who’s usually so naive - especially when it comes to other people - it’s unfair for him to be so perceptive now.
“Dude, I’m fine - seriously. I just cut my leg in the explosion.” Chip said with a harsh glare. Maybe that would get him to drop it.
“Can I see it?”
Yeah, fat chance.
Chip narrowed his eyes at Gill, studying his face for the weak point in his caring facade. But he couldn’t find one. Gill looked genuinely concerned for him, like he seriously wanted to help. And as much as he didn’t want to admit it, Chip could use some help.
Chip huffed out a sigh and turned his glare towards the trees around them.
“Yeah, whatever man.” Gill immediately turned his attention to Chip’s legs, looking for the injury. Chip had to shift the injured leg closer to Gil, and then pull his pant leg up to his upper thigh. It was far more skin than he was usually comfortable showing, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. Gill sat fully onto the ground and leaned closer to Chip, looking over the wound. Chip watched him like a hawk, but his attention was torn between Gill and the gnarly burn along his leg. He didn’t even realize he was burnt.
“That does look painful,” Gill said, then he turned his gaze to Chip. “Can I heal this?”
“Huh?”
“Can I heal this? I don’t want to do anything without your permission, but this is something I can heal pretty easily.”
“You can heal?”
How long has he known this guy? And he just kept that information to himself? Chip could feel his eyes bulging out of his head as he stared at this weird fish man.
“Yes, it was a crucial part of my training.” Gill said, and he said it so simply - like it was something everybody did and knew about. Chip couldn’t even think of a reply - sarcastic or serious. Several seconds later, Chip blinked rapidly and fully processed what Gill was saying.
“Your what?” Chip asked. “You know what - yeah, sure. Heal me.” If this guy really could heal people, Chip wasn’t about to question it.
“Okay, this might sting.” Gill readied his hands over the wound, and took a steadying breath. Then he slowly pushed his hands onto Chip’s leg, and his hands started glowing. Chip flinched as the pain on his leg flared, but he tried his best not to move away. It looked like Gill was holding fire in his hands - well, if the fire was entirely blue. And if there wasn't any heat to it.
Chip groaned in pain. Okay, there was the heat. It felt like somebody had slapped a really bad sunburn. But compared to the pain he had been dealing with it; it was way better. Chip could feel the skin growing back together along his leg, and it was about as uncomfortable as it sounds. To his surprise, Chip felt the same burning feeling on other parts of his body; across his stomach, his left arm, and a little on his cheek too. Had he really been that injured?
When Chip opened his eyes - no, he did not remember closing them - Gill’s hands had stopped glowing. But his eyes still held traces of magic - like sparkles dancing among the red. Chip could honestly stare into them for hours if it weren’t for how much concern Chip saw directed at him. Chip blinked a couple of times and realized he was staring at a living person and quickly averted his gaze.
“How do you feel?” Gill asked hesitantly. Gill tilted his head to try to meet Chip's gaze again, and Chip tried not to stare as a lock of green hair slid across his face. Chip turned his focus onto his newly healed body - there wasn’t even a scar on his leg.
“Holy shit... Holy shit! This is incredible!” Chip exclaimed as he examined the rest of his body. Every scratch and cut from walking through the forest, all the burns, even the fatigue in his limbs was gone! Gill smiled at him, and Chip could see a sparkle of pride in Gill’s eyes at Chip’s reaction. To be fair, this whole thing was pretty incredible; so sue him for being amazed by real, actual magic.
Chip leapt up to his feet and took a few steps as a test, and sure enough there was no pain anywhere. Chip turned to Gill with a huge smile.
“You are welcome, Chip.” Gill replied politely as he stood to his feet.
“Oh - thank you, Gill.” Chip said, then he stuck his hand out for a shake. Like they were sealing a deal of some sort.
For a moment they stared at each other, Chip at Gill, and Gill at Chip’s outstretched hand. Then slowly, like Chip might spook, Gill reached his hand out and grasped Chip's gently. Chip chuckled at the strangeness before almost as a reflex dapping Gill up. Gill’s hand was stiff and unmoving in response.
“What are you doing?” Gill asked, his brows furrowed.
“Trying to teach you something. Here, follow my lead.”