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Gillion wasn't really sure how it had gotten to this point. He and his fellow co-captains had just finished taking down the big bad of the week, a common occurrence for the group as of recent. They'd made it a habit to help those who need it where they could, and although Chip and Jay (mostly Chip) would insist on some kind of physical payment, The pride and valor that washed over Gillion once successfully completing a task was enough reward for him.
During the battle, Gillion had made sure to take the worst of the hits as he always did. Protecting Chip and Jay was his top priority when they were in combat- however he was occasionally unable to stop them from getting hurt, and while that in itself eats at his conscience, he's aware there's little he can do to prevent that fact if he's on the opposite side of the creature they're fighting. Despite this, even though he can't fully protect them, he's easily capable of assisting when they're injured like right now for example.
The three of them were silent for a moment, catching their breaths after a long and frankly- harder than usual battle, but after a moment of silence the first thing Gillion hears is a pained groan coming from Chips direction. With his adrenaline still acting in overdrive, Gillion is quick to make his way over to his co-captain to assess the damage. Chip is currently laying on his back, a dramatic hand thrown over his face as his leg bleeds from a deep gash in the side of the appendage.
It does look painful- so Gillion is quick to react as he crouches down beside Chip, laying his hands gently atop where the entrance of the wound is, his hands glowing a magical teal as his lay on hands make quick work of closing the injury to which Chip let's out a relieved and clearly much needed sigh as he smiles up to Gillion after pushing himself to sit up, patting his shoulder while Gillion checks over his other to see Jay healing her own wounds with her own magical abilities. That was good at least, considering the rest of his healing magic had been used during their battle.
"Thanks for that Gill- It was hurtin' like a bitch."
The appreciative voice from his co-captain and best friend had been the thing to drag his attention back to where it was previously, quick enough to see the overly soft expression on Chips face that had immediately been replaced with his usual crooked grin once Gillion had turned back to him.
When Chip realises his hand is still planted on Gillions shoulder, his face flushes a dusted red before he removes his hand, clearing his throat into his fist and forcing his way onto his feet, dusting his pants off dramatically.
"Ah- well uh. We should get goin'! Places to go- things to do, people to see- yknow' the usual Jazz! Let's go!"
Chips speech was rushed as he quickly pulls Gillion to his feet dragging him by the wrist in the direction of the Albatross, preemptively enough to hear Jay's yell of complaint from a few feet behind as she quickly rose to her own feet, jogging to catch up with her crew.
By time they'd all made it back to the ship, the moon was high in the sky and the rest of the crew had long since called it a night besides.. Ollie. Who was still stood on the main of the deck, looking half asleep.
"You guys are back! You made it! Well - I mean. I totally knew you would but- yknow I'm just happy to see you!"
Ollie gives his usual bright smile to the group, his energetic nature halved due to his tired eyes but even that was enough to put a smile on the faces of the riptide pirates. Well. Most of them. While Chip went to greet Ollie as he usually did, asking him why he was up so late and letting him know that he'd also been missed, Jay simply watched with a smug smile on her face at the parental figure Chip had become and Gill? Well. Gillion was stood at the edge of the ship, facing the waters as he grimaced horribly at the piercing pain all over his body. The adrenaline he'd been experiencing from the fight had undoubtedly been the thing keeping him standing for so long, but as the adrenaline crashed, he could suddenly feel every harsh hit and excruciating blow the creature had sent his way. The pain was horrible. Something he hadn't experienced in so long, the whole ordeal only sending him back to the undersea where the elders would scold him and shove him around for his pitiful attempts at a productive training session.
The elders were always harsh. Harsher then they should've been for a child his age, but he was the chosen one. And with that title and privlage came a mountain of responsibilities that he was destined to uphold. So he could take every hit, every demeaning comment, every deserving punishment because he was the chosen one. And it was his destiny to do so.
Chip looked over to Gill from where he was speaking with Ollie. He had called his name once or twice though it seemed that the other clearly hadn't heard him, and when he turned to face his co-captian, he wasn't met with the usual bright eyes and adorably charming smile that he'd grown to love. Instead, he was just met with the back of Gillions head, his tealish-green curled hair resting over his shoulders and matted with small remenents of blood as he stares off the side of the ship. Gillion admiring the sea wasn't unheard of, infact it was quite the common occurrence, however silence and plainly ignoring wasn't really something that tended to be on Gills to-do list. He would know. So seeing him like that, unmoving and seemingly clutching his gut, something was clearly wrong.
With his usual smug expression, he turns back to Ollie and Jay, waving them off dramatically, requesting Jay take Ollie to bed because it was far past his curfew. Jay simply rolls her eyes at that, gripping and twisting Chips wrist in a playful banter before letting go as Chip tapps out with a high-pitched cry, pouting and holding his arm close to his chest as Jay gives him a smug look and complies with his request, leading Ollie in the direction of his room and glancing back between Chip and Gillion as she left- she had clearly noticed Gillions .. odd, behaviour too, but clearly trusted that Chip knew what he was doing, which is a sentence that should never be uttered by anyone who wishes to lead a truthful life.
Either way, once the two had left the top deck, thats when Chip decided to make his way over to the edge of the ship where Gillion Tidestrider himself was residing, eyes dazed and glossed over as he looked as if he was barely conscious in the moment and something that almost resembled fear was painted across his face. It was a weird look on Gillion, because well.. this was Gillion - freaking - Tidestrider. Champion of the undersea- hero of the Deep and a bunch of other stuff. Fear isn't something he is capable of experiencing to his knowledge, at least not in Chips somewhat short time spent with him. So this, completely foreign expression was Chips immediate guarantee that something was horribly wrong.
Chip simply places a gentle hand on the other man's shoulder, similar to the way he had earlier when Gillion had cured his wounds from the battle, the other man in question recoils violently before blinking away the haze from his eyes as he turns to look at Chip, his usual demeanour instantly kicking in upon seeing his co-captain.
"Ah, Chip! I see Jay and Ollie have retired for the night? Understandable, it's been a long day after all!"
If this were any other day. Any other situation. If Chip were anyone else. He probably would've fell for this. But he wasn't anyone else was he? He was Chip, the man who had studied all of Gillions ticks and manurisms as if it was his own destiny, this was partially an accidental thing, his mind wishing to pay such close attention to the Triton that he'd gotten concerningly good at reading him and usually this would probably be enough to send Chip spiralling but he couldn't, not now. So instead of this, he pushes the heat that was begging to crawl up his face away, leaning against the railing of the ship to return Gillions piercing but oh- so gentle gaze.
"Yeah. Seems so, I'm surprised Ollie managed to stay up so late. But that's not really what I'm here to talk about."
The tritons head simply tilts in the same way it always does when Gillion is slightly confused about anything in the Overseas. That curious and wide-eyed stare would be the death of Chip one day. He was sure of it.
"Really? Well then what is it? It's pretty late, I'm sure getting to the sleeping quarters soon would probably be in our best interest."
Gillions response is for the most part, smooth and unwavering, but when he raises a hand to point in the direction of their sleeping deck, there's a small wince. Almost unnoticeable but Chip caught it. He always does. And then it hits him. It hits him so fast that it was almost suffocating- Gillion was hurt. Hurt from their fight. He's not sure why that fact hadnt even crossed his mind as a possibility since the combat ended, he assumed that Gillions armour was always enough to prevent any proper damage from large hits, that's why he'd made it a common occurrence to take them instead of himself and Jay, but now as he really takes a look over the man stood infront of him- he notices that Gillion isn't wearing his usual armour. The armour he has on is weaker, lighter and torn up in almost every way, large holes in the fabric that show off Gillions usual black undershirt.
"Dude- where's your normal armour? I hadn't even realised you weren't wearing it. Are you hurt? Stupid question- sorry I just-.."
Chip was speechless. Embarrassed almost. Gillion had been so kind to heal him after the fight and he hadn't even bothered to ask if he'd been hurt. Asking was a stupid plan anyway because he'd seen the hits Gillion had been taking first hand! Gillion however, ever the stoic man simply waves off any concerns that Chip was experiencing.
"Don't worry Chip, as Champion of the undersea I can assure you that I'll be just fine. No need to worry."
Chips face scrunches as the triton speaks. That almost sounds like a lie coming from the others mouth except he was sure that Gillion had somehow gaslit himself into believing it was true, so without another word, he takes Gillions wrist back into his hand and turns on his heels heading towards their collective sleeping quarters, Gillion didn't protest, there was a short confused and questioning comment but beyond that he simply allowed Chip to Guide him down the Ships Deck.
When they'd reached the cabin, Jay was already asleep, breathing quietly in her bed on the left side of the room behind the blankets she'd drawn up across the ceiling in order to give herself some extra privacy.
Chip leads Gillion to his own cot, sitting him down on the edge of the bed, only receiving an onslaught of confused glances from the triton as he rummages through the small chest that had been pushed against the rear backboard of his bed.
"This isn't my barrel."
Gillion states matter of factly as if he'd made some grand discovery. Chip releases a silent victory as he retrieves a roll of bandages and a small bottle of alcohol that Jay had commonly used on him during their first few weeks as a crew because she quote, 'didn't want to waste her magic on him'. The bottle was still half full, hadn't been used in a while but he figured it would still do the job. He returns to gillions side, sitting beside him on his small bed.
"Well, aren't you insightful? Take the armour off, Tidestrider."
His own face flushes slightly at the request- he hadn't meant for it to sound so upfront -? Straightforward? Whatever it sounded like. But maybe it didn't sound like anything, maybe he was being an idiot because if anyone wasn't going to pick up on the implications that, that sentence could hold. It was definitely Gillion Tidestrider.
There's a moment of hesitance as Gillion eyes the equipment in Chips hands. A look of what Chip could only describe as Shame creeping its way to his friends face.
"You don't need to do this, Chip. Really."
Gillions voice is soft. Genuine. Nothing like his usual booming energetic tone- not that his usual tone wasn't genuine though Chip certainly couldn't deny his own confusion.
"The hell are you talking about? Stop bein' a dumbass and work with me here."
There's another pause.
"I'm serious, Chip. I will heal on my own just fine- infact in the morning I'll have the capabilities to heal my own wounds."
Chip seriously doesn't understand the insistence Gillion is putting up. They work together all the time, it wasn't uncommon for them to do some kind of crazy combination trick on a beast they're slaying, or to work together to complete a challenge like on desire island.. which.. certainly wasn't something he shouldn't be thinking about right now. Despite this as he scans the Tritons face, that undeniable look of Shame continues to suffocate him.
He takes a minute to think back to the few things Gillion had told him about the undersea, well. The tritions own experiences with the undersea at least.
From what he can remember, his- caretakers? Elders? Whatever he had called them didn't seem to be great at what Chip would expect their job to be. From what he'd been told about them, they weren't the type of guardians you go to when you have bad dreams and need reassurance, or are injured and are in need of healing. They didn't seem like the perfect care-givers. They weren't like Arlin. So Chip couldn't even begin to imagine what kind of bullshit they'd nailed into Gillions head about getting help in situations like this, the thought itself tugged painfully at his heart as he imagined a young Gillion injured and in need of help only to recieve none of what he deserves. But he's here now, and Chip was going to make sure that Gillion didn't need to continue that usless charade.
"Can y' trust me for a sec Gill? Cmon. I know I don't gotta help. But I want to. Humour me for a moment?"
There's certainly a wash of consideration that floods gillions features and Chip can see the exact moment that he gives in and caves to the idea. Maybe due to fatigue- but Chip liked to believe it was due to trust. And If he'd asked Gillion, he would've told him that exact thing.
Gillion nods, removing the charred and bloodstained armour, placing it on the floor beside Chips bed and when Chip stares expectantly, Gillion only gives a short sigh and removes the black undershirt that was still covering his chest, and despite the sigh Chip is certain he can see a small appreciative smile on the others face.
Once the triton removes the item, Chip is finally given the opportunity to assess the damage without getting distracted at all by his co-captiains stature because that would be absurd. Shut up.
He looks over the main wound, a deep gash across his chest and Chip was almost certain he could remember the moment that hit took place. After a minute or so of assessing the damage, he begins cleaning the cuts and wounds, starting with the largest first, cleaning it with the bottled rubbing alcohol and bandaging it, muttering a quiet apology when the older man recoils at the burning from the disinfectant.
For a while there's an almost deafening silence, Chips face flushed at the closeness of this whole interaction. Jeez he was way too easy. His best friend is in pain and the main thing on his mind is how fuckin' good he looks. It's in this moment he becomes increasingly grateful Jay can't read his mind and is fast asleep because he'd never live this down otherwise. Chip continues to work away, bandaging any larger cuts and simply cleaning up any of the others. The entire time he's focused he ofcourse misses the look of fondness on the tritons face, only getting the pleasure to see it once he lifted his head to announce he was done.
Gillion was staring at him with an undisguised admiration and if that doesn't crank up the intensity of the heat covering Chips face at the moment. They sit there, staring at eachother for a short moment before Gillion breaks the ice.
"Thank you, Chip. Truley, you didn't have to. I appreciate it."
Chip releases a short Scoff, rubbing the back of his neck as he attempts to look anywhere but at gillion.
"Yeah well- no need to thank me. Y' apart of the crew Gill and I want to help. We all do, alright? I don't care whatever kind of crazy shit the undersea had drilled into your head. You're not there anymore, you're here. And certainly while you're here, you're allowed to want help. You're allowed to want in general."
It was Gillions turn to flush, a darker blue colour dusting over his face as he smiles softly as the revelation that things in the Overseas were certainly drastically different to his old home. Just, not in the ways he had been taught. And while the elders had attempted to convince him that those of the Overseas were cruel and cold-hearted. Gillion was as sure as ever that that didn't exist in Chip. Because to Gillion, Chip, is perfect.
"You've shown me so much, Chip. Things I never could've dreamt I'd get the privlage to see and experience. My time with you and Jay has been the first time in my life I've truly lived. I care for you so deeply. In ways I wouldnt even know how to begin explaining in common. So if you won't let me thank you for your assistance tonight, then let me thank you for that, instead."
Gillions hands are placed on Chips face, framing the humans Jaw as Chip stares, taken aback by the heartfelt confession, a small smile creeping its way to his face as he places one of his own hands over the tritons, turning his posture to plant a firm kiss on the palm of the others hand to which the other man in question perks up, pupils blown as he returns the soft smile.
"I care about you alot too, Gill. More than you know."
There's an almost childlike wonder that fills Gillions expression, his eyes practically sparkling as he pulls chip forward from where his hands were framing his face, bringing him in for a soft kiss as his eyes slip shut at the contact. Chip freezes for a moment before visibly melting into the action. The kiss is gentle, nothing like the quick one from desire island. That kiss had been good, I mean- ofcourse it had. But this was something else entirely. Like every ounce of Gillions soul and love was going into it so Chip could do nothing but reciprocate with the motion he'd been waiting for since he pulled Gillion onto his ship all that time ago.
The motion is almost rhythmic as Gillions hands move to rest at chips waist and Chips own laying over the tritons shoulders as he drags his fingers through Gillions curls. If this was a dream then Chip certainly never wanted to wake up and as Gillion slowly pulled away, it took everything in Chip to not chase him back down for another kiss. Instead he looks at Gillions smile, the smile that he adores so much paired with the equally giddy expression and before he knows it, Gill is dragging him down to lay in Chips bed. The bed wasn't big, infact. It was quite small, but Gillion made quick work of curling around Chip in such a way that they were both easily able to fit in the small space comfortably, one of Gills legs thrown over his own, an arm over his chest in a tight embrace as he rests his head in the crook of the humans neck.
Chip can feel Gillions quiet breaths against his skin as the man hugs him tighter once Chip shifts to throw his own arm over Gills, reaching back to continue dragging a reassuring hand through Gillions hair and planting a soft kiss on the crown of his head, careful to avoid his coral.
"I love you, Chip."
Gillion mumbles quietly from where he lays against Chip, who responds just as softly as if it was a secret just for the two of them.
"I love you too, Gill."
Chip can't see Gillions face, but he can feel the small smile that forms on it against his neck, continuing to play with the tritons hair as they both ease into a peaceful sleep, excited to see where the rest of their journies would take them in the future. No matter what destiny threw at them, one thing was certain. That they'd conquer it together in their newfound reliance of eachother.