Work Text:
“How did I get here? Am I going to survive? Why did it have to be my boat?” The thoughts raced through Stanley’s head as he was huddled in a small compartment of his ship. He was sailing to promote his father’s business but with his luck, his ship got hijacked. Now he was hiding from pirates and reflecting on the past twenty years of his life. “god damn it, I should’ve done more.” He muttered, accepting the idea that this would be the end of his life. He knew that he wouldn’t serve any use to the pirates. He and his entire family were poor, if they tried to use him for ransom his family would laugh and practically say “Good riddance!” His breath hitched the second he heard the door to the room he was in open. His hands flung up to his mouth, silencing any sound that would come out.
“Alright, I know someone is in here. Come out and I’ll make this easy for ya!” A voice boomed. It didn’t have the stereotypical pirate accent that Stan heard people imitate before but it was intimidating, to say the least. The noirette could feel his heart beating rapidly as his hands grasped his face tighter. This was it for Stanley Marsh, the guy who didn’t live long enough to do anything with his life. The question is how did he want to go out? He could either make his presence known and his fate less painful or keep hiding and probably get a cruel end to his short life. In both outcomes, he would die in the end. He might as well make it harder on the pirate and make himself go out with a bang.
He was careful not to make a sound; if the pirate wanted to get him, they would have to find him. He stayed curled up while he heard the man rummage through the room. The sound of boots hitting the wood of the boat got louder as the pirate approached the area Stan was hidden. He squeezed his eyes shut knowing he was about to be found.
“Heh, there ya are.” The pirate chuckled before moving a barrel out of the way. He couldn’t help but laugh a bit at the sight of a grown man curled up. He found it cute how scared the guy was.
At the sound of his laughter, Stan opened his eyes and looked up at the pirate. He was met with a blond-haired guy whose face was littered with faint scars. He had to admit, this pirate looked to be exactly his type. Judging by the pirate’s attire, he looked to be the captain. Great. Stan’s face grew cold, trying to hide his fear. “Are you going to kill me or what?” He asked impatiently.
Apparently, his whole ‘not scared’ act wasn’t working since the pirate chuckled “You talk too confidently for someone who looks like he’s about to cry.” He looked Stan up and down “You’re quite literally shivering your timbers.” He laughed a little before muttering “Man I love that phrase.”
Stan was actually getting pissed at this point, he already accepted his death so why not kill him at this point. Why did this guy have to make fun of him? Just put him out of his misery, damn it!
The pirate detected his anger and gave a grin, “I ain’t going to kill ya, not yet anyways. We ain’t that horrible.”
“Then what do you want?” He snapped. The blonde’s eyes widened at the other's sudden outburst before smiling again.
“That’s for me to know and for you to find out. Now, get up before I make you.” Stan reluctantly nodded and stood up. “You and everyone else on this ship will be fine as long as you don’t piss me off. Now, I need you to follow me.” The pirate turned and left the room. Stan followed, not wanting to know what would happen if he didn’t.
As he looked around he saw multiple pirates on the deck. He kept his eyes ahead of him not wanting to make eye contact.
“Why so tense?” The captain asked. Stan didn’t know if he was being sarcastic or genuine with this question. Either way, it pissed him off.
“It might be because the boat I’m on was overrun by pirates who could kill me. Not sure if that’s it though.” He bit back, his words laced with venom.
“Most others would tell you to watch your temper when you speak to them.” The pirate turned and faced Stan before leaning in, “Unlike them, I like them feisty.” Stan immediately pulled back and stepped away. His face flushed a bright pink while the pirate laughed. “I also like them easily flustered.” He commented before shaking his head “But, that isn’t important now! Come on.” He continued the walk as Stan glared at the back of his head. Who the hell was this guy and who did he think he was? And why the hell did Stan like it? Of course, Stan wouldn’t dwell on the last question.
Stan followed the pirate to the quarters where all the original sailors were staying. “You will stay here with the others till we arrive.”
“Where exactly are we going?” Stan asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Wherever you all came from or well at least close. We should be there by tomorrow.”
“Are you serious? We came all this way just to be taken back?” He stomped his foot. All the others in the cabin were silently watching the exchange. They fully expected the black-haired man to be killed for talking back. They didn’t expect the captain to smile and hold back laughter.
“Oh, I like you already. Now, I recommend you stop now before I throw you off the boat.”
Stan huffed before storming into the room, “I loathe you.” He muttered as the pirate closed the door. He walked over to Wendy, someone he became acquainted with when he first boarded the boat. She was the closest to a friend that Stan had on the ship. She looked at him like he was crazy before whisper yelling “What on earth were you doing? You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”
“I was just saying what we were all thinking.” He crossed his arms before sitting next to her.
“Well, next time be wiser. Pirates are dangerous, you know?”
It was the dead of night and it seemed that Stan was the only one who couldn’t sleep. He stared at the wall as he listened to the faint sounds of breathing and the occasional snoring. He didn’t know how the others could even sleep when pirates were around. He let out a long sigh before deciding what to do. He carefully got up and exited his quarters. He was sure that the pirates would also be asleep as he made his way out to the deck. Even so, he made sure to be as quiet as a mouse while he made his way to the deck. He walked up to the railing and rested his arms on it. He closed his eyes as the cool ocean breeze weaved through his short hair. For the first time in hours, he could feel the tenseness from his body fading. He allowed himself to relax as he listened to the calm splashing of water and the sound of his own breath.
That was until he heard a familiar voice behind him. “I see someone left his quarters. You should most likely stay in there, for your own good.” Stan’s eyes shot open as the figure approached behind him. He was certain the pirate was going to kill him then and there but instead, the man leaned on the railings next to him.
Stan looked at him and calmly responded “No, I’d much prefer to be out here. It’s much more relaxing, don’t you think?” He asked. He decided to ask for the others' opinions since it could get him on the pirate’s good side. If he was on his good side, his chance of dying would be lessened.
“I suppose it is.” The pirate sighed, looking out at the open water ahead of him.
“I apologize for earlier, I was being rude when I should have thanked you,” Stan muttered.
“Thanking me for what?” The pirate asked, his eyes meeting Stan’s blue ones.
“Keeping me alive. I know that the majority of pirates don’t do that.” He explained. At first, he said this just to make the pirate like him but he realized he did feel some sort of gratitude.
“I told you, we aren’t horrible.”
“I see that now,” Stan mumbled before gazing off into the sea again. The two remained in silence. “If I’m honest, I don’t want to go back.” He whispered.
“You’d prefer to stay on a pirate’s boat?” The scarred man asked, almost laughing as if it was insane.
Stan was silent for a second after. Even though he had just met the pirate, he enjoyed his company far more than the one of his family. He was cocky and confident in a way that seemed endearing. Stan would be lying if he said he didn’t feel the slightest thing when the pirate teased him by leaning in earlier. He grinned as he decided to return the flirting, “I would if it was your boat.” He noted how a faint blush tainted the pirate's cheeks.
“I never caught your name. I would like to know.” The pirate looked at Stan expectantly.
“Stanley Marsh, but I’d much prefer you call me Stan. What is yours?”
The pirate looked at Stan, debating whether or not to tell him his name. “Kenny but you can call me yours.” He finally responded with a wink and grin. His grin widened as Stan laughed quietly at the attempt at flirting.
“That was so bad!” He whispered while laughing.
“I know. But it made you smile.” Kenny readjusted his hat.
“That is true.” Stan pushed a lock of his hair behind his ear, not noticing the red prominently covering Kenny’s face.
The only thing going through Kenny’s mind was “Why is this guy so pretty?” The second Kenny saw the noirette he thought he was just some random guy who happened to be attractive but the second he somewhat knew Stan, he felt some connection. The blond had never felt that kind of connection before. The closest he’s ever felt to that was how he felt around his fellow crew mates but this was different. It was better and exciting. He was used to flirting with people and them reciprocating. Even then, he felt little to nothing. But the second Stan flirted back, the pirate's heart was set ablaze. If Stan wanted to stay on his pirate’s ship with him as he hinted at earlier, who would Kenny be to deny him?
“Have you ever kissed someone?” Stan suddenly asked. Kenny’s eyes shot open and his face somehow got even redder.
“Of course I have! I’ve kissed so many people I can’t even count how many!” Kenny spat out, trying to keep his confident demeanor. Stan looked at him with a raised eyebrow before facing the water once more.
“Well, then, would you kiss me?” Stan looked Kenny in the eye expectantly. He was amused to see the once so confident pirate seem like such a mess.
“Well I,” Kenny gulped, he would never admit it but he was nervous. He was never nervous when it came to kissing but he supposed there was a first time for everything. “I can kiss you if you want.”
“Well it’s what I want.” Stan smiled almost smugly. Kenny nodded and began to lean in. Since they were the same height, it would be easy for their lips to meet. They were seconds away from kissing when a voice made them jump away.
“Captain! One of the travelers is missing from their quarters and-“ The pirate stopped talking as soon as he saw Stan, who looked ever so flustered. This pirate was short and blonde with a long scar along his eye. He looked back from Kenny to Stan, looking shell shocked.
“Ah yes, this man just wanted to talk to me about something very important and so I allowed him out of the cabin. I apologize for not alerting you, Leo.” Kenny lied, quickly composing himself.
“Oh, jeez, I‘m sorry for interrupting you guys!” The pirate, supposedly named Leo, apologized.
“It’s fine, you were just doing your job,” Kenny assured the other pirate.
Stan watched the two interact and he was mortified. One of the pirates almost caught him kissing the captain. What if he actually walked in on them while kissing. The thought made him turn an even brighter shade of red. “I suppose I should head back now.” Stan looked at the two pirates before making his way back to the cabin.
Kenny sighed in a loving manner as he watched the other leave. Leo looked at him and tilted his head. “You weren’t talking about important things, were you?” He asked. He knew his captain well and could read him like a book.
“Oh, it was important alright.” Kenny replied almost dreamily.
“Captain, you know we will never see him again when we drop them off. You shouldn’t get attached.” Leo narrowed his eyes.
“Yes but what if he stays?”
“Why would he want to? And what about our code on how we shall never fall for someone who could so easily take us all down?” Leo crossed his arms and glared at his captain. They always stuck to their word and had no exceptions.
“I know I shouldn’t but things don’t always turn out how we want. I want to see how things will play out. Trust me, I’m your captain for a reason.” Kenny placed his hands on the shorter man’s shoulders. Leo sighed before nodding.
“You are captain for a reason. I’m just not sure.”
“You don’t have to be sure, you just have to trust. Now let’s get some rest, we have a long day ahead of us.” The pirates headed back with the rest.
Stan, as per usual, woke up late. All the others had awoken hours prior except for Stan. As he groggily sat up, he looked around to find the other passengers packing their things. True to Kenny’s word, they had arrived back at the mainland and would most likely be set free. Stan didn’t want to leave though. It didn’t matter that he just met the pirate, he felt something. He didn’t want to abandon it so quickly. Deep down, he knew he would have to go. He reluctantly began to pack his belongings with the others.
“If you all are ready, I will escort you off the boat.” A pirate, Leo, announced as he entered the room. Majority of the others were finished and followed him out. Since Stan had just started packing, it wasn’t a long time before he was the last one there. He sat there on the floor and continued to pack his items. That was until a certain pirate entered the room.
“So, you’re leaving.” Kenny said, not as a question but as a statement. When Stan turned to face him, all Stan could see was disappointment on the captain’s face. Despite knowing this pirate for a day, he could feel his heart hurt from the emotion displayed on his face. “What about what you said last night? Did you not mean what ya said?”
“I assure you I meant every word.”
“Then why are you leaving? I thought there was…” Kenny hesitated, clearly uncomfortable showing weakness “a connection?” Stan felt his eyes widen and he stood up and approached the pirate. Kenny was avoiding all eye contact with Stan. He looked up to face the other when Stan took his hands in his own.
“There was. I want to join you, I promise. It’s just that I need to see my family before I do and prepare myself. I need time. If you want me to come with you, will you wait for me just for a little bit?” Stan asked, his eyes were practically shining with hope. Kenny nodded and leaned in to continue what they began the previous night before they got interrupted. The black-haired man eagerly accepted the kiss and crashed his lips against the pirate’s.
If you told Stan that he would be kissing the same pirate he thought was going to kill him the previous day, shockingly there’d be a chance he’d believe you. His hands, despite being interlocked with Kenny's, were trembling. He felt the softest squeeze of his hand’s and somehow melted even further into the kiss. He unconsciously stepped closer just to lean into the pirate. The blonde unlocked his left hand from Stan’s to cup the noirette’s cheek sweetly, the touch sent shivers down Stan’s spine. Neither one of them wanted the kiss to end.
The idea that Leo proposed to Kenny the previous night no longer mattered. It didn’t seem like Stan would rat them out or betray their crew in any way. And if he did, it would be worth it if it meant Kenny got to kiss him like this.
Eventually, the two had to part to catch their breaths. Stan breathed heavily as he rested his forehead against Kenny’s. They stared into each other's eyes despite the very unappealing angle. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered in that moment. Before Stan knew it, Kenny had pulled him into another kiss. He didn’t mind though. He allowed Kenny’s hands to travel to his waists to pull him in closer. Stan’s hands grabbed at Kenny’s blond hair and he ran his hand through his locks. Stan let out a small gasp and pulled back, embarrassed by his own reaction. The pirate didn’t care though, he had the dopiest grin on his face. He ran his hand through his black hair and sighed “I believe I have to get going. I’ll see you again?”
Kenny knew then and there that he would wait as long as Stan needed. No matter what, it would be worth it.