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You hummed as you walked along the docks, eyes searching the rows of ships with an anxious frown. It had been exactly three months since Sinbad had set sail on his first real adventure and you’d been nervous on his behalf since he sailed off into the distance back in August. You’d vehemently denied going, telling him you’d needed an actual vacation after the whole Dead Tide Fleet situation. And in the end, he couldn’t argue with that. You had definitely had enough sailing for a while so you stayed with the ladies of Brineville. Your days were spent studying with Hammie and going into Rustport to find out the latest gossip from Lucca or relaxing on the beaches and watching Chippy train with the various friends he’d made. But everything seemed just a little duller with your favorite Captain gone.
You were pulled from your thoughts by sneezing at your feet. You looked down to see chippy holding his nose and sniffling as he huddled closer to you. “Chippy is freezing, Magister!” He gripped onto your skirts with his little paws and you gave him a small nod, face softening. “It seems winter is around the corner,” he shivered for exaggeration.
“November is here,” you smiled down at him, pulling your shawl close around your chest as the wind picked up. It hit your face with an icy bite and you turned to look at the ships again.
“It feels like Sinbad’s adventure was just yesterday,” Hammie said thoughtfully as she shivered next to Chippy. From behind you, you heard that familiar cocky voice that you missed so much, and your smile grew to reach your eyes. You spun on your heel to see Sinbad moseying over. He was carrying a bag over his shoulder with that big grin he always had when he had something up his sleeve. He quickened his pace once he knew you'd seen him.
“Hey, I heard my name!” He was delighted to see you, your reaction only adding to that when you’d turned to look at him. You looked like a child on Christmas, hands clasped in front of you with a big smile on your face. He wasn’t sure if it was because of the bag or him but either way, he’d take it. “Long time no see, old friends!” He said it jovially and your hamsters giggled with delight of their own as they stepped towards him. Before you could say anything he was reaching into his mystery bag to show off his treasure. “Here, it’s a gift for you,” he produced a big red bag with rattling contents and presented it to one of your hamsters.
“Wow,” Chippy exclaimed as Sinbad lowered gift the down to him. “Sunflower seeds and nuts! And they come in different flavors!” Oh, it seemed as if your familiar had fallen in love. He took them with wide, excited eyes, looking back at Sinbad with gratitude.
“And for you,” Sinbad held out something to Hammie and she nodded gratefully. It was a small silver dagger wrapped in an embroidered handkerchief that looked just as dainty as her. “Thank you, Sinbad,” she exclaimed happily. Chippy echoed her gratitude as he held his snacks close. As they said their greetings you watched happily, arms crossed as they exchanged words and the hamsters got their long-awaited pats. Once he stood back up you took a step closer, head inclined upwards to look at him. Your eyes twinkled in the sunlight and he looked back at you with his full attention.
“Did you forget about someone?” You raised a brow, taking another step towards him and practically coming chest to chest with him. He knew you were only teasing him but his cheeks grew pink regardless. He cleared his throat a little as you stared at each other.
“Heh, of course not,” he replied quickly. “I could never exclude the greatest mage out there!” He seemed a little bashful as he reached into his bag again. Then, with a flourish, he revealed a glass bottle, about the size of a wine bottle, filled with a brilliant scene of blue. Inside a tiny ship sailed over a blue undulating light, as if it were floating on the sea. He grinned at you as you took it in your hands with a curious expression. “I found this beauty on a treasure hunt! The lid can't be opened, and it won't shatter! Pretty cool, right?” He watched as you examined it then your face for your reaction. He’d seen it and instantly thought you’d like it.
“Is this… a ship in a bottle?” You raised a brow at him with a smile before looking back at your new possession. “It has a unique magical aura...”
He nodded, rubbing his hands together. “I asked someone who knows their stuff. They said the ship can “sail.” With a little magical guidance, it'll guide you exactly where you need to go.” The thoughtfulness of it made you pout your lips, brows furrowed a little.
“Aww,” you cooed. “This is so sweet! Thank you so much,” you moved to wrap an arm around him while you cradled the bottle in the other. He nodded, chuckling as he hugged you back. “Of course,” he nodded. After that you were quick to tell Hammie and Chippy to go have a little fun while you and Sinbad caught up, assuring them you were taking their things back to the house with you.
—
By the time you got back to the little cabin you’d been staying in while in Brineville the sun was high in the sky and the cold had subsided just a bit. Selfishly you were glad it was still too cold for the ladies of the town to be out and about because you finally had Sinbad all to yourself. All throughout his adventures he’d been writing you and things had only gotten friendlier over time and now that he was back you wanted nothing more than to just have a moment alone. As soon as the door shut behind him the bag was on the floor his arms were wrapping around your waist to envelop you in a long-awaited hug. A real one this time. You giggled as you wrapped your arms around him, fingers combing through the hair at the nape of his neck. You just stood there for a moment holding each other, taking it all in while you had the chance. It had been far too long since you’d touched him or heard his voice or seen that smile. You savored the feeling of each other, he’d never wanted to be so close to someone like that before.
After a while, you finally broke the silence. “I missed you,” you said quietly. His hand found the back of your head and he petted your hair as he nodded. It was comforting and you let yourself relax into him. You'd been going for so long… it was nice to finally have a break.
“I missed you too,” he replied just as softly. Then he pulled away just a little and you pouted up at him. “Ya know,” he grinned back down at you and you huffed a little at the man's stalling.
“What?”
“The bottle wasn’t the only thing I’ve got for you.” His grin had turned into a smirk as he stared you down, eyes flashing with something you couldn’t quite place.
“Really?” You quirked a brow and suddenly he was leaning in and pressing his lips to yours, making your entire body tingle with nerves. It took you only moments before you were winding your arms around him tighter than you had been and reciprocating the gesture with as much intensity as him. The tips of his fingers kneaded into your hips, groaning a little when you nipped his bottom lip before you pulled away. You were both breathless, looking at each other with big dopey grins.
“Good enough gift?” He quirked a brow and you giggled, unable to stop from smiling.
“Better than good enough,” you hummed, standing on your tip toes to kiss him again.