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Jaden suddenly found the time to list down the pros and cons of being the Pirate King.

On a good day, the pros outweighed the cons. The Great Sea was vast, and it was all his to explore and have his adventures. It was freedom like no other, untameable and endless, a treasure he'd never give up.

Not even when the Law would hunt him down, there was that thrill that no other adventure could give him. So yeah, being the Pirate King was the best.

That all kinda doesn't mean anything when he's tied to a chair in the middle of a darkened room.

He knows a kidnapping when he sees one. It's in the ropes keeping his arms tied to the back, most of his accessories nowhere to be found and, because he's so goddamn lucky, his weapons nowhere to be found.

"Morning, Captain." A voice reverberates through the walls when a light over his head nearly blinds him. He blinks and the room slowly comes into focus. It's about as dingy as he expected it to be — rotting wood, an eerie quiet, and a light bulb flickering in and out in an annoying rhythm. A strangely familiar scene.

He finds himself in his usual clothes, his mask still fixed on his face, save for his pirate hat.

He doesn't know where it is, nor does he remember the events that led up to this point. The stranger in front of him enters the room, and he can barely see two other guys by the door, guarding his only escape.

"Sleep well?" He doesn't recognize the guy, or the armor trims and banner he wears. He brings in a chair from the outside, dragging it over and sitting in front of him.

He was too casual, too relaxed for a kidnapper. That means he's a prepared man.

Now, Jaden wasn't always on this side of things, being the hostage — but he did understand how these people worked. It would take a while to understand what's going on, and even more to make a plan to get out of there.

Lucky for him, Jaden was a patient man.

"You'll have to forgive my manners, Captain." The man moves slowly and deliberately, as if his every action had meaning to it. His knuckles grazed Jaden's cheek, and it takes every bit in him to not move. "This really isn't personal."

"Is it?" As Jaden looks around and his eyes adjust, he sees it more clearly. Rotting wood hammered in clumsily to hide the black stone walls of the room. A low whistle outside and the faint smell of the ocean spray. A light bulb he had been meaning to fix for some time.

Ever since he lost his pirate civilization yet again, he had slowly moved his things in to Linnwyrm's castle. He was already on his way back here to get one last look at the place, even if it was in ruins. He didn't think he'd come back in such circumstances.

"Believe me, if I had a score to settle with you, I wouldn't go through all this trouble." The man's finger dipped under his mask, tracing the outline of his jaw and this time, he couldn't stop himself from tensing up.

"Dude, all my stuff's gone. I don't have pirates or treasure or anything. Even this base is abandoned." Patience. He takes a breath just as the other guy seemingly gets lost in his own thoughts.

"I'm not here for any of that, Jaden." The finger goes higher, almost brushing against the scar on his lip.

Well, that definitely narrows things down, for sure. The question is certainly on his face, as the man reaches behind his ear, playing with his earring and fiddling with the ends of his mask. He couldn't help but keep an eye as best he can on the hand, steeling himself should he untie it.

"What I want, you can still give me."

Eventually, the hand slips away, the man coming over and slowly circling him. Jaden forces himself to look forward, on that door separating him from freedom. "Can't think of anything I can do for you, buddy."

"Oh, but there is." The man brushes Jaden's hair away, staring idly at him. "It's something only you can give me."

Jaden finally turns his head to him, glaring at his captor. The man is unreadable, and what's worse, is looking straight through him.

"See, what I want, is very simple. You, my friend, will get it for me."

Jaden tilts his head. "There are other bounty hunters to do that for you."

"Oh, no. They wouldn't work." The man's fingers hover over his cheek, not coming closer but not letting him forget his presence. "They wouldn't get the job done."

He raises an eyebrow at that. Almost anyone could do anything for money. What makes Jaden so special? "Aww, I'm flattered you think so highly of me."

The man scoffs. "I would be a fool not to, nor he."

Jaden blinks. It's such a stupid thing to be held captive, now your captor is failing to fill in the blanks. He blames it on just being woken up in a disorienting place that he's confused over what they're talking about. "Dude, there's other ways of getting my attention. I mean, I'll admit. This got my attention."

He keeps his glare fixated on the man, a smirk hidden behind his mask.

"You'll have to forgive my companions. I did tell them not to rough you up too much. Wouldn't wanna damage the goods."

"Oh, is that what I am?" Jaden leans forward, putting himself in the man's gaze, his smirk growing wider. "Here I thought you were smart enough to not test the Pirate King's patience."

"Did I give the impression that I cared about that?" Jaden shrugged. "You've misunderstood."

"Have I? I couldn't tell. Especially when you turned my old storage room into my own cell." He tilts his chin up, a mocking glint in his eye. "Even I have my limits."

"Well, that's good!" The man suddenly shifts his attitude, a smile forming as he clapped for his companions to enter the room. "That certainly makes me feel less guilty about all this."

The man sits on the chair again, leaning forward with that stupid grin on his face. The other two stood behind Jaden, out of his sight. "Guilt? You're out here kidnapping people and you want to talk about feeling guilty over it? What kind of pirate are you?"

"Not pirate. Bandit." His captor lifts Jaden's chin up, his expression as unreadable as it is unpredictable. "And I do feel guilt about this. See, I promised that we'd return you safe, and unharmed."

Those are synonyms. Jaden rolls his eyes and shakes his head. Ransom. Well, he was right about one thing. Money was definitely involved. "Kidnapped by bandits. Now I know I really hit rock bottom. So, how much am I worth? A stack of diamond blocks? Netherite armor?"

The man laughs. "Don't be ridiculous. You are… far more precious than that."

Well, this was getting weird. "I was being generous. Your guys look like they'd settle for a stack of diamonds."

He hears one of the guys behind him nearly unsheathe his sword. His captor merely raises a hand, and he hears the man put his weapon back in. His expressions morphs into something more serious as he stares at Jaden head on. "Don't underestimate your worth, Captain. He doesn't."

Jaden wants to groan and flail his arms about. At best, he looks to the ceiling as if it weren't there to ask the heavens why his captor is being so vague! Being a hostage is dumb, but having nonsensical kidnappers is dumber! "Okay! I get it. I'm a valuable person. King of the Pirates, yeah, that'll do it. What I want to know is who you're trying to get here."

The list of people is not that long. There's Lynn who, in his old, old age of twenty-two, probably already knows that something is wrong. He'd have all the money too, but he's not much of a fighter these days. He attributes it to his old, old age of twenty-two.

Then there's his pirates which, last time he checked, are dead.

So yeah. Not the longest list, for sure.

He's about to respond when one of the other guys speaks up. "Boss, it's almost time."

His captor licks the inside of his cheek, blinking his frustration away. "You'll see."

He motions for the other two to get to him, and Jaden feels them untie the ropes and pull him to his feet. "No sudden movements, Captain. No armor, no trident, no mace. No tricks."

Yeah. He figured he'd have no tricks!

At best, his weapons are with his captors. At worst, they threw it to sea.

He had to make a plan.

He could always go for one of the lackeys and steal their weapons and armor, and just brute force his way out. He could also use one of his old traps as a distraction to catch them off-guard and escaping. Assuming that those traps still work.

They take him to the top of the civilization, where the spray of the ocean breeze mixed with the mist of the clouds and the rain is a welcome thing.

They were kind enough, he supposes, to let him get a view this time. While he did want to take in what's left of his civilization, he did wish it was under better circumstances. Still, as he looked at the abandoned stalls and forgotten boats, all the good memories came back.

Stealing this place from Lobster Man. Building each wall and recruiting his pirates. Fighting the Law. Being the King of the Pirates was an honor no one else will have.

He has no regrets.

"You look like you've come to terms with this ransom." That annoying voice comes back. "Aren't you afraid of dying?"

Sure he was. Who wouldn't be?

What's truly ridiculous is thinking that Jaden was standing up there, wondering about his safety. He's the King of the Pirates. He'll claw out of Hell if he has to.

"You think so highly of yourself." The wind sways with him as he reaches his hand out for the raindrops. "You haven't even told me who you're trying to get here."

If he had his Riptide trident, he could definitely take all of them on by himself. The mystery person they keep being vague about doesn't even have to come. He doesn't even need to exist!

"I'm sure you can connect the dots, Captain."

He really, really doesn't! These aren't dots — they're vaguely shaped ideas existing on different planes of existence! New players are destroying spawn, the Mafia's ender pearl stasis chambers are pulled, and finally, finally Jaden understands what's going on.

He keeps his face as stoic as possible, but his mind is in overdrive. Who would care enough about Jaden?

That's right. He could die here, on top of his pirate empire. Anything is better than to live as some lowlife bandit's bargaining chip.

He thinks back and looks out into the Great Sea. There's one regret though.

That was not having enough adventures out there.

He'd seen many civilizations come and go. So much more there would be after him. Maybe a better Pirate King, one whose empire can last longer than his.

He'd like to think that he once longed to live forever, if not to see what else could come and go. To see what great new thing the world is coming up to, even if it means going through the motions of life. To be a hostage and to be free — and to belong to something as endless as the sea.

"Looks like the rain is letting up. If you had an escape planned, you're about to miss your shot."

Jaden glares at the man. While he hoped he could escape, some part of him is already tired. Forever existed once, and he once believed in forever. Now, he's seen much of the world, and it's as dark as the clouds above him.

The other guy whispers to his boss. "It's been thirty minutes."

The boss mutters back. "He'll come."

"I mean, he knows where this place is, right? 'Cause we kinda just said it was Jaden's pirate base and you said he already knows it by heart."

"He'll come."

This kind of faith is hard to come by these days. Somehow, they believe in this mystery person more than Jaden. He looks to the sky, one hand blocking out the rain from his eyes. As if there's something out there.

Wait.

That person knows this place? By heart?

"Well, if he is, wouldn't he come in like, guns-a-blazing? I mean, he was always the flashy type."

"If he was stupid, yes. If he was smart and was surveilling us invis, then it's all the more reason he wouldn't just barge in. He should know, he's used to being invisible."

What did that mean?

Why is this person used to being invisible?

"I mean, sure. Well, I'm keeping an eye on the sky. Just in case he wants to drop a nuke anyway."

"He won't. We already promised him we wouldn't put Jaden in harm's way."

"He still has his mace. Dude, why'd we agree to be out in the open? We're standing on an objectively big target!"

Nuke?

As in, an orbital strike kind of nuke?

His captor seemed to catch on to Jaden's serious expression. "Finally caught up to the conversation, Captain?"

They weren't denying it. It was definitely him. They're using Jaden as bait to get to Wemmbu.

He's laughing before he realizes it. Full-on and unrestrained laughter, the likes of which can only be described as coming from a place of pure amusement — because the situation was absurd and hilarious.

It takes a second for Jaden to calm down, clutching his stomach from how hard he was laughing. "No way. There's no way. Dude, you think Wemmbu is coming to get me?"

When the two other bandits nervously look at each other, he only laughs harder. The warmth in his chest and his head from near lightheadedness almost drowns out the rain.

What a ridiculous thing. Telling Wemmbu someone like Jaden got himself kidnapped and now, offered as ransom.

"He's gone mad."

"Mad?" Jaden sports the biggest grin on his face. "All of you are mad! What the hell makes you think I can get him to come here?"

What did they even put in the ransom note? It must be something ridiculous. His pirate hat? Is that where that's gone?

The boss shakes his head, masking his surprise with cool aloofness. "Like I said, you mean more to him than you realize."

Jaden wants to grab him by the collar. Actually, his hands are free. He grabs him by the collar. His eyes are wide and frantic, like you just told him the most ridiculous thing. The most absurd and nonsensical thing. "Do you hear yourself? You've done the single most stupid, idiotic thing anyone can do here."

The other two rush to pull him away, but Jaden screams with frenzied laughter.

"Did you even have a plan? Did you set traps or a rail gun somewhere?" Tears are threatening to slip through. God, his stomach hurts. "Tell me! Tell me you have nothing, because you're not gonna get anything! Even you don't believe he's coming!"

The rain hits his face, one final slap to reality as the situation unfolds itself in front of him.

They have no traps, not because they believe the exchange will go well, but because no one will come. They have no plan, not because they eliminated any chance of escape, but because there's nothing to plan an attack for.

Even they believed that Wemmbu would not be stupid enough to come here.

The thought makes Jaden laugh. So much so, that his throat starts to dry. One of the other guys kicks him, bringing him to his knees while the other ties a rope around his wrists behind him. Such a futile effort.

He doesn't want to die a pathetic death, but by God will he die laughing.

His cackling died down into wheezing, and he can't seem to stop.

He's well aware that they did a loose job with the rope, but honestly, he doesn't care about that. The rain feels so good. The smell of the ocean is good. For once, the world that's so dark and gray is good.

Because they'll never have Wemmbu. Not like this.

"Wha… What did you guys even want from him?" He brings himself to look up at his captors. His confused and stupid captors. "You wanted his power? His loyalty?"

"What do you know!" One of the lackeys kicks his back, and he coughs in the midst of his laughter. "His power is his but his loyalty is yours!"

That makes Jaden cackle harder. His throat is really starting to hurt, but he couldn't care about that. "My God. Idiots! All of you!"

He's laughing. He's lost in his thoughts and he's laughing.

He's crying. The rain stopped yet the clouds overhead remain gray. The ocean stilled yet the wind still ripples its waters. His smile is present on his face and hidden away by his mask, yet something wet still drips on his face.

Yes. They're all idiots. Them, for believing that he meant anything to Wemmbu.

Him, for believing that there was a person who could find meaning in someone like Jaden.

He makes himself laugh at the sheer absurdity of the situation. Do they not see it?

He cries into the ground, hoping they'll mistake it for raindrops. They've made so many mistakes, surely this is not any different. They were wrong about him and worst of all, they were wrong about Wemmbu.

The thought makes him want to laugh.

Instead, he lets his tears fall to the ground. A disgusting feeling pools in his stomach, something he refuses to feel in his chest where his heart was still beating erratically.

As if the thought of Wemmbu coming to save him held any merit.

When there's nothing left to do, he straightens up. He's sure another couple of minutes pass, and he's surer now that no one's coming. They all look like fools waiting.

"Nah, honestly bro. Tell me. Why me?" At the very least, he's not gonna call out Eggchan. He's been in worse situations and he wouldn't want to put him in another one. He wouldn't want to put Wemmbu in this scenario with someone whose death can actually matter. Whose life already matters.

He hopes he looks composed, because he doesn't bother reading into the situation any more.

"Why do you believe he's not gonna come?"

"Bro, I asked you first." Jaden gets on his feet. He has half a mind to register that his mask got undone. He stares at the ground, watching the mask flutter in the wind. Something wet drips onto his scar, the one that Wemmbu left behind seasons ago.

"Will telling you change anything?"

What was he hoping for? That Jaden could suddenly will for him to come? That at the mere mention of his name and suddenly Wemmbu could come in an instant? That all he needed to do was believe in that micro-instant that he is someone worth saving?

"He won't come just because I ask him to."

"That's ridiculous!" One of them interrupts. "You followed him in the Caves!"

"That's what I did for him!" He doesn't know why, at the end of his life, he's trying to convince these nameless strangers that Wemmbu was not what they believed him to be. He was powerful, yes. He was loyal, yes. But he is not Jaden's, nor is he Wemmbu's. "He didn't ask me to do that, I just did it!"

The three stood there silently, as if they couldn't acknowledge the very thing Jaden was putting forward and at the same time, not really saying it. If he said it, then that would make dying all the more painful. For Wemmbu.

That's right. He's going to die.

It's a strange feeling, knowing when you'll die. It could be in the next few seconds, it could be in the next hour. Somehow the certainty of his death was surer than his being saved.

He didn't believe he was a good man. He certainly wasn't by any moral standard. The Law hunted him down, Flamefrags betrayed him and he betrayed Flamefrags, and he hurt Wemmbu.

So yes, he would let himself die the same way he'll let himself get captured — without Wemmbu knowing.

He looks up at the sky, and the sun is beginning to peek through the clouds. "It's been an hour now. You still think he's coming?"

The other two lackeys share a glance, as if they were starting to believe in Jaden's words. It's been an hour, and there's no nuke or mace coming to surprise them. Only the boss seems unfazed, like he could not be wrong.

"He will."

Well now Jaden's starting to get pissed. "Oh my God, can you please let go of this stupid idea that Wemmbu's on his way?"

He's not stupid. He won't come here because it's a waste of resources. It's a stupid and trivial thing and if he has any faith in Jaden, it will be to get out of the situation. Part of him wishes he could tell him to his face that he couldn't.

At least, if he could, he would have to walk away from Wemmbu forever.

Either option sucked. Die and let Wemmbu deal with a meaningless death, or live knowing that he never bothered. The only comfort he has with the first option was the fact that he never properly apologized for what happened with Rejoice. Maybe this could finally make up for it.

He didn't know him, not really, but Wemmbu did. He cared for him — and Jaden hurt him for it.

One way or another, he made him believe that the world was harsh and unforgiving.

Forgive and forget.

Jaden did not forget, nor could he ever forgive himself for doing this to someone he's come to care about. Even if that man will never return that affection and sentiment. Even if all his efforts proved to be in vain, and all his apologies won't be enough to get him.

"Believe me, Jaden." What an annoying and persistent voice. "Ask him to help you, and he will be here."

There's a superstition that most pirates believe and tell stories about. If your lips have kissed the ocean's waters, a mere whisper can travel through the waves, your message carried out by all sea creature and life.

Jaden hears all sorts of tall tales from the tavern, but this is the one that stuck to him the most. It was no coincidence that it led him to the beaches near Capitol City. It was no coincidence that Linnwyrm found him that day.

He already said Wemmbu's name twice. Third time's the charm, right?

He casts his gaze downward, as if he could whisper it to the raindrops that made the ground wet. Like it was a shameful and disgusting need to reach out to someone you know you have no right to call a friend.

"Wemmbu."

Unfortunately, it's all he could muster. He didn't recognize himself saying it either, a low voice so obviously haunted by his guilt and, even worse, his feelings.

I need you.

He hopes that, at the very least, the wind will carry this affection for him, if it can't take it away from him.

He's almost lost in his thoughts when the boss is about to lose his composure. "He's supposed to be here!"

Jaden doesn't know what to say to that. Wemmbu would've been far away, so of course his call wouldn't make it in time.

So, cheers to living, knowing it's not enough. Maybe next time, he'll drink to death.

The boss remains steadfast, grabbing Jaden by the collar. "I'm not mistaken, you're the Pirate King!"

"I am."

"You joined the Caves for him!"

"I did."

"You love him!"

"I do."

The breeze is gentle behind him as he speaks. The other two bandits held their breath as everything else just breaks and he finds himself saying all the things that were supposes to die with him.

"I never said I didn't. I just didn't pretend that he loved me back. That was you. All of you, thinking he could love me as much as I do."

His captor lets go. "No, but he does. Of course he does."

"Have you even met him? Did you even know what he's like?" He was the man who could level down empires over and over. He was the man who could climb out of Hell. He was the man who could make fools out of anyone, and Jaden was no exception. "You think he goes around the world, this big and endless world — he has all of that and he chooses to love me? You are mistaken on so many levels but this is just absurd."

"You lie, Captain." As annoying as ever, his voice turns as cold as the wind. "What I don't understand is why."

"You should know better than to underestimate him. He's not the kind of guy to just fall in love. Especially with someone like me." Jaden pities this man. He leans close, as if to whisper. "Not knowing me and my history was your second mistake. Your first was thinking you knew him at all."

Jaden's heartbeat is steady, a dead calm washing over his face.

The boss turns to his lackeys. "Scout the area! He's probably already here."

The two nod and survey the perimeter of the tower before descending.

"Hey! You guys are looking for a bright purple elytra! Literally impossible to miss! You guys are doing great!" Jaden gives them a thumbs up behind his back.

"I'll admit, this little act of yours could've been a good distraction." His captor feigns a passive look, but even he can see a vein nearly bursting.

"You're more of an idiot than I took you for." Jaden raises his head, no longer laughing or crying. He was simply done with this. "You think he's listening to our conversation right now? Does he even get anything from listening in?"

That's right. There's absolutely nothing to gain. Whatever plan he thinks Wemmbu has, it simply doesn't make sense if they're still talking like this.

"You can search all of the Great Sea! Nothing! He won't be there, he won't be anywhere nearby, and if by some reason he is, he wouldn't be there for me."

Why would he? There's so much more to the world than the kingdoms they've seen, and greater still is the ocean.

Jaden knew it very well, that there was no capturing the sea. He could sooner cup all of its waters in its palms before he can catch the wind by his fingertips.

It's why he became a pirate.

"Let me make one thing clear before you finally realize he's not coming. His path may have crossed mine once but those adventures come and go. Wherever he's gone to, it's his now. I have no place in it."

Jaden belatedly realizes (again; with more awareness this time) that his mask had fallen. The smile he's sporting on right now couldn't be more strained. So he gives up and lets himself feel the only thing he can feel without shame or judgment.

It hurts.

It hurts knowing he's not coming.

It hurts knowing why he wouldn't come.

It hurts knowing that if Wemmbu knew he cried like this, he has every right to not be as unfazed and unchanged by his death.

He blinks, the raindrops quietly falling from his hair didn't dare to cool his skin.

"You don't know how to love him, do you?" The man looks affronted which gives Jaden all the more confidence to let his last breath be about him and about the love he's come to know. "Should I tell you?"

He doesn't let the man answer.

"Let me tell you how much I love him." He can't help the smile anymore. "He's impossible, and he's endless, and you don't go asking for the impossible. You don't go looking for the end in infinity, and you don't go believing that someone like that could even admire someone like you."

There were many stories that pirates made up. Of the horizon just beyond their reach, the only place where the sky can meet the sea. Of ships sailing over the clouds, in between two worlds. Always meeting once, then never again.

"You don't love him because he will leave you. You love him because he is… exactly who he is. Even if that is someone who leaves." Something cool grazes his cheek, like tingling. He must be crying again. "So yes, I've made peace with it. With him not loving me back. I don't expect it from him and you shouldn't expect him to jump into danger just because I am."

The cool breeze comes back, tickling his hair behind him this time.

"Don't you get it? He's not as stupid as you make him out to be. He's not as sentimental as you make him out to be. And by God, he is not as in love with me to be here right now!"

It grazes the scar on his lip, and it feels like chiffon or tulle. Like fabric. Like a veil.

He doesn't cast a shadow, but when he turns his head, everything else falls into place.

An invisible veil.

The lightness of a raindrop falling.

The unmistakable look of amusement when Jaden says something stupid.

His captor doesn't know it yet, but his heart thundered in that moment.

The wind carried the ends of Wemmbu's old veil, the one he has used for his new identity, and brushed against his lips. Wemmbu himself did not step forward, only letting the veil and his invisibility fall.

He grinned without shame at Jaden. "Hi, Captain."

The bandit only sputtered in indignation, just as Jaden let his mouth hang open in shock. Nevermind options one and two, here comes a third one: let Wemmbu know everything and live with that!

Jaden groans. "You're a little early."

"Early? I'd say I'm right on time." Wemmbu cackles as he looks through his inventory for a spare set of armor. "You sure bought me some time."

"Oh, please don't tell me you heard all that."

"Guys! Wemmbu's here!" The boss shouts over the edge, but with how far the other two have gone, it would take a miracle to get them to show up.

"Hey buddy, mind if I talk with Jaden real quick?" Wemmbu delivers a long cut down the man's arm. "Thanks!"

He finds an extra netherite chestplate and fastens it over his chest as Jaden makes quick work of the ropes. "Be honest. How much have you heard?"

"Oh, not much, don't worry. I just flew in, y'know, with my bright purple elytra." He equips the pants next.

"Dude." Jaden hides his face, wishing he had a second mask or something. "Look, can we just, forget I said that?"

"I don't know man, you're asking for something impossible." Wemmbu's grin never falters, not even as he kneels to equip Jaden's boots.

"Dude, you don't have to—"

"Shut up."

Jaden closes his mouth. He gets one boot on when the boss comes back, yelling at them with a sword in hand. He's about to cut Wemmbu down, but it's Jaden who moves.

Wemmbu lets the pirate unsheathe his sword and cut through the man's arm. He's seemingly focused on tightening the laces. "Nice form."

"Huh?"

"Nevermind." Wemmbu stands up, rummaging through his inventory again. "I should have a spare helmet too…"

The man is lost in this mini side quest as Jaden kicks the boss away before slicing one of his legs. The man topples over in pain, a pathetic screech sounding out.

"Jaden?" The pirate looks over, Wemmbu beckoning him to come closer with his hand. He easily follows, Wemmbu reaching over his head to fasten the helmet on him.

Jaden can't help but stare at him, while he is completely focused on making the knot as secure as possible. With how close they are, he worries that Wemmbu could see everything.

The tear streaks. The scar.

Wemmbu says nothing about that. "There you go."

Another bandit comes up behind Jaden, but before he has any time to react, Wemmbu launches himself over him, kicking the man all the way to the other side.

The third one (how coordinated were they?) rushes in to Wemmbu's blindspot, and this time, Jaden reacts. He holds him by the waist with one arm and pulls him out of harm's way in one smooth move.

He's not sure which of them laughs first, but he does know that when Wemmbu gives him that knowing look, they're about to have the time of their lives.

With only a sword between them, they get to work. While Jaden goes and knocks one of them off their feet, Wemmbu thrusts his sword into another's shoulder. Then when someone grabs his leg, he tosses the sword over and twists his body, throwing him all the way to the other side.

The two moved with scarily accurate and efficient footwork. Where one strikes from the top, the other swings from below. Where one bashes a head on the ground, the other twists an arm or a leg. Where one had them cornered, the other delivers the final blow.

Jaden goes quiet after that, hoping that finding his trident will take long. Just so that he can avoid talking about all the things he said.

Wemmbu, of course, doesn't let that happen. "How do you find yourself in these situations?"

Jaden shrugs, pocketing the strength and speed potions. "I got unlucky."

The man laughs, muttering something about the King of the Pirates' horrible luck as Jaden begins to loosen the helmet.

"Here."

Wemmbu shakes his head. "It's alright, you can have it."

"Dude, it's fine. I can get their loot." It's honestly not much, but most of his stuff has been transferred to Linnwyrm's base. He discards the armor before Wemmbu could stop him. "How'd you even find me out here?"

The man hummed. "They said to come to your base, so."

So they did give him vague instructions! On second thought, maybe he should look into that some more, because then that would mean that Wemmbu 'knew this place by heart'. Whatever that could mean.

"Honestly, you could get kidnapped by better bandits." Wemmbu waves around a pirate hat. "I didn't even realize this was supposed to be a ransom note. I thought you were trying to give me a gift and the messenger guy was just being weird."

Jaden's about to say something when Wemmbu's expression darkens as he stares at his hat.

"I thought you died. The first line they wrote made me believe that…" His hand tightens its grip.

Jaden couldn't hold back his curiosity. "What were they asking for in exchange?"

That seemed to ground him as he dusted off the hat. "Money or power, probably. I don't remember."

"That's too bad. I wanted to know what I was worth."

Wemmbu doesn't laugh at that. "That's not for them to decide, and by the looks of how you're feeling sorry for yourself, that's not for you to decide either."

Jaden can't say anything when Wemmbu pushes the hat in his chest. So close so suddenly, he didn't register the voice crack.

"I wanted to kill them. I wanted to steal you away and give them a slow and painful death." The sky brightens just a bit more. "That's how much you were worth to me."

They stay like this, Wemmbu with his head down, holding onto the hat as if he was holding onto Jaden, and Jaden not knowing where to put his hands.

He sighs. "Wemmbu, you know I can't be worth that."

The man pulls back, and immediately Jaden wishes he hadn't said that. It gave him the most hurt and confused look Wemmbu ever wore. It almost looks like he wants to crush the hat in his hands. "Why?"

He's really gonna make him say it? After all the other stuff he heard?

"You know why."

He doesn't say it for the same reason Wemmbu doesn't.

The man blinks, meeting his eyes. "You really…"

Even throughout their adventures together, it lingered in the back of his head. The darkness slowly creeping in and the sound of wardens wandering about. He had jumped right into it this time, knowing that Wemmbu doesn't have a choice.

Coming back was Jaden's free will, even though he knows that some part of him was not free from that abandoned civilization.

Jaden shakes his head. "Look, I appreciate you coming all the way out here. I mean, it makes leaving a little harder but—"

"Leaving?" Wemmbu looks so dejected that Jaden doesn't know what to feel. "Where are you going?"

"Well, Lynn's probably wondering about me. It'll be some time before I can get my pirate civilization back, so I'll just…" He trails off.

Wemmbu's eyes shift to the ground, suddenly quiet. He can't read his expression, not that he was the best at understanding what that look was for.

"Can I… have my hat back?"

Wemmbu's ears twitched. Jaden feels a little stupid with his hand out, waiting and staring at the man.

He's about to wave it off, something about having a ransom note as a memento, when Wemmbu steps closer. Jaden's hand freezes in the air as the man brings it over to his head. Slow, as if to prolong their goodbye.

He's uncharacteristically focused on making it presentable on him. He only brushes his damp hair to the side, his thumb coming down to hover over the scar. He remembers the swing of his blade way back then, and he wonders if Wemmbu remembers that too.

He stares a bit too long at his lips, and Jaden wishes he had gotten his mask. That'll be the first thing he'll mention to Lynn.

"Wemmbu." Jaden makes the first move, coming to hold Wemmbu's hand in his own. "Pirates don't really… do this stuff."

Bright and curious eyes blink up at him. "What kind of stuff is that?"

Jaden smiles sadly as he brings his knuckles to his lips. "Promises."

He feels Wemmbu tense at that. He looks even more lost, and Jaden can't bring himself to explain what that means.

"I can't promise that I'll… be perfect, for you. That I'll be the friend that you need." As Jaden steps away, Wemmbu tries to move with him, still confused. He still tries to pry his hand away. "But I swear, one word from you, and I'll do whatever you ask of me."

The man shakes his head, his other hand coming to Jaden's shirt in an attempt to keep him there. "I don't need you to promise me that. Tell me why we can't be friends!"

He wonders what kind of face he's making, if Wemmbu looks so distraught.

"Didn't it mean anything to you?"

That seemed to snap something in Jaden. "Of course it did!"

"Then tell me why you can't come with me! Tell me why you think we aren't friends!" Then, softly. "Tell me why you love me."

Jaden snaps his head up. Wemmbu looks more determined now. To do what exactly, he doesn't know.

"You already know why."

"No, I don't!" He's shouting now. "We can go around in circles over who was hurt more, or who deserved it more, but no. Not this one. Tell me."

It was unfair of him to believe that he could deny Wemmbu the answer. He wouldn't let him go in death, and only someone impossible could make a promise like that. "You would really have me say it? Even after everything you heard?"

He doesn't respond.

Jaden sighs, looking out to the sea. "Being a pirate costs many things. Many precious and important things. That's just part of the job. For the longest time, I was fine with it. Until it cost you."

He thinks about his first adventure, toying with him and Egg. To him, it was all in good fun. He just hasn't realized the depth of Wemmbu's anger. He didn't know him then.

He learned a little more underground. By then, it had become personal, and his ire was as strong and unforgiving as his mace. He'd follow him into the Farlands and he would follow him to his pirate base.

Then he would find him again and he'd realize how much fun it was with him. The adventures and the treasure and the freedom at sea, and someone to share it with. Then he had to go, because he was searching for a new life. One that Jaden wasn't sure he was welcomed into.

Then he came back, and this time, there was nothing to fake or to pretend that they are anything other than they were. Wemmbu was Wemmbu, and Jaden was Jaden — and somehow, they made it work.

He's not sure this time, but one thing's for certain as the idea, the feeling, becomes clear to him:

"When I think about love, I have nothing else to imagine but you. I can't hold the sea I travel or catch the wind beneath you. But in every map I chart a course for, no matter what star I have to guide me or a compass to find the way, your form appears to me, and it comes through, and I find myself looking for you."

He remembers the way his invisible veil grazed his scar. In the back of his mind, it was a kiss as close to heaven as he'll ever get.

He was a fool for thinking he can leave Wemmbu so easily. While it once warmed his heart, it now left a cold feeling in every tear streak.

"So. Now you know and now I can leave."

That was always the point of departure. As Jaden turns to leave, he sets his eyes on the horizon. Hopefully Lynn could hide him until he was ready to rebuild.

He takes one step forward just as two arms embrace his torso.

Wemmbu buries his face in his back, holding on tightly. Jaden hangs his head, debating whether or not he should turn around when he speaks up in a small voice. "Don't go."

He has half a mind to say no to that. "Why shouldn't I?"

"Because you might get kidnapped again."

Admittedly, that gets a laugh out of the man.

"And I want you with me, for every adventure there could be."

Jaden tenses up, as if he's waiting him to say something wrong. "Wemmbu—"

"And I love you."

He stills.

"You're so stupid, Jaden." He says it so affectionately that part of him can't help but believe it.

"You exile me and I trap you." He looks down at where Wemmbu's hands are holding onto his shirt.

"You try to kill me and I try to kill you." He slips a hand over his. Wemmbu twitches at the slightest touch then intertwines their fingers.

"You got this base and now I got you." He can feel the smile pressing on his back.

"You're stupid to think I'll let you go so easily."

Jaden feels his heart drumming and a smile growing. "Am I?"

"Yeah." The clouds have already parted, and the sound of ocean waves lapping by the his empire's edge match the thunderous pulse beating in sync with his. "You're a stupid man, and I'm in love with you."

Wemmbu barely registers the pirate turning around and enveloping him in a tight hug. He buries his face in the crook of his neck, hiding the smile really poorly.

The man hugs him back, if not tighter, laughing as he does.

"I'm sorry." Jaden blurts out.

"What for?"

"I just… feel so happy right now."

"Aww." Wemmbu pulls away just a bit to cup his face in his hands. "And here I thought you were apologizing to me for thinking I wasn't gonna come get you."

Jaden leans into his touch. "That too, I guess."

Wemmbu's smile flickers for a moment, and Jaden realizes why. His thumb ghosted over the scar that he left. It honestly doesn't hurt as much, but feeling him touch it feels electrifying. Like two worlds, two different parts in their lives coming together in this one moment.

He doesn't let him linger there too long. He guides his palm over to his mouth where he places a soft kiss. Wemmbu seems to get his idea, guiding Jaden to move closer, foreheads touching, noses brushing against each other, and just breathing each other in.

Wemmbu smells like summer rain.

His eyes nervously dart between his eyes and his lips, the smile never faltering and the fond look in his eye never dimming.

"Can I—"

Wemmbu leans in and presses his lips firmly against his, as if to ground himself in the reality with him. In the present moment that he is here, in love enough to stand here with him.

Jaden all but melts into it, one hand searching for his and intertwining their fingers. He anchors himself onto the man, chasing after his lips in between kisses and laughter.

He repeats those three words. Over and over. Until Jaden has no choice but to relent to his will and his love. His heart sings with every touch, his soft lips playful and inviting, everything he imagined it would be.

The sun is gentle on their skin, and the breeze picks up all around them, but he doesn't care.

Right now, he is loved, and the best part is that this time, he knows it. He found something eternal once more.