A Rough Couple of Seasons

by firecooking

Summary:

With spring coming around, Bigg City goes through the usual seasonal change when the weather warms, including the sudden spike in heats around the City.

This year, with a uptick in work around the port, Zero Marine ends up with a few new faces, and even more new problems with it

Notes:

I'm so sorry folks, feel free to stone me in the comments

Chapter 1

Zorran and Zero were sitting in the storage room going through the inventory.

 

Zero whipped his face with his handkerchief, gagging as he sniffled.

 

“Oh what’s your issue?” Zorran hissed.

 

Zero sniffled and shoved his handkerchief into his coat. “The pollen this year is awful. I have a headache.”

 

Zorran snorted, “You are immature-”

 

Zero made a loud snort and coughed. “Would you stop bitching- sorry.” Zero pulled his handkerchief back out and blew his nose.

 

Zorran glared at him. “You are really pushing your luck.”

 

Zero glared at Zorran. “Look, even if you weren’t on temperament it’s not like I could actually smell anything right now.”

 

Zorran rolled his eyes. “That means nothing, you know that right?”

 

“I could not care less.” Zero shoved away his handkerchief again. “I hate spring.”

 

Zorran sneered and turned back to the inventory. “Who doesn't?”

 

“Betas.” Zorran huffed.

 

Zero shook his head. “Still not fun for them.” 

 

Zorran scrabbled something onto his clipboard. “I can’t imagine being surrounded with all this stupidity. Or the hormones.”

 

“My father’s never complained. But he’s not an easily upsetable man.” Zero huffed, walking over to Zorran and looking over his shoulder. “I know I ask this every year but-”

 

“I’m not taking off.” Zorran snapped.

 

“Your hands are shaking.” Zero said, walking over to a crate and opening it. “And you are clearly bloated.”

 

“Do you take mental notes of how I look?” Zorran glared at Zero.

 

“No, but you clearly show when you’re in heat.” Zero said, digging in the crate. “Do we have enough canvas?”

 

“Yes.” Zorran wrote something down. “And thanks a lot, make me feel better, why don't you?”

 

“I’m just observing my surroundings.” Zero said, lidding the crate again. “You could live to observe your surroundings better too.”

 

Zorran huffed and pulled the papers off his clipboard. “Are we done now?”

 

“Need a rest?” Zero asked, taking the pages. “Like the week off?”

 

“Would you leave it?” Zorran hissed. “I am not useless.”

 

“I know it’s uncomfortable.” Zero said quickly. “And forbid your temperament wears off.”

 

“Do you worry this much about your own daughter?” Zorran sneered.

 

“Worse, every waking moment.” Zero said bluntly. “I don’t want to be pushy, but it’s been on my mind these last few seasons that it’s not a safe world these times of year.”

 

Zorran rolled his eyes. “Well you just keep that girl of yours on temperament through the season until she presents and you’ll be fine.”

 

“Do you know how hard it is to keep a teenager doing the smart thing?” Zero sneered. “You were a teenager, Zorran, you know exactly what they do.”

 

Zorran snorted. “Look, she has the access to temperament and she should be grateful for it.” He hissed, venom in his words as he tensed up.

 

Zero was taken back slightly. He gave Zorran an uncomfortable look before he relaxed back down. “I’m sorry, I know it’s a sore spot for you. I’m just worried.”

 

Zorran took a harsh breath. “Whatever, would you stop worrying about her and then pinning it on me ? If I can trust her to be smart enough at any time, you should be able to trust her in season.”

 

“I just don’t trust whatever doctors that had access to her before I had her.” Zero said, voice going hush. “I don’t want her to end up like my mother.”

 

Zorran put a hand on Zero’s shoulder. “Zasha will be fine. And whatever happens you’ll be there for her.”

 

Zero looked at Zorran and gave a softened sigh. “I know, I’m just her father, it’s my job to worry.”

 

“Almost time for briefing, isn’t it sir?” Zorran said, letting go of Zero’s shoulder and putting his clipboard under his arm.

 

“Might as well do it down here today.” Zero nodded, putting the papers in his coat with a shuffle.

 

Stepping out of the storage room, Zero made a loud whistle.

 

The crewmembers around all flinched at the noise.

 

Zero, standing for a few moments on the dockside, suddenly made a small gag into his hand.

 

The crew converged.

 

“Zorran, you gotta go home.” Zak sneered.

 

Zorran, gagging himself, glared at Zak.

 

“It’s not me.” Zorran gagged.

 

“Really Zorran, Zak’s right, this is really strong.” Zebedee backed up.

 

“It’s not him.” Zero said, voice going hoarse. “We’ve just finished the inventory, I didn’t get anything.”

 

Zebedee sighed. “Really sir, you know heat can make you funny whose knows what you two where-”

 

“You finish that sentence and you are losing vocal chord privileges.” Zorran snapped at the large man.

 

Zebedee put his hands up. “Noted, nevermind I said anything.”

 

“It’s really bad.” Zip said, his voice squeaking as he gagged.

 

“She’s fine!” Zorran gestured at Zaffre.

 

“I’m not in heat.” Zaffre crossed her arms and huffed.

 

“I know you aren't.” Zorran hissed. “How are you fine? Even Zeb’s gagging and he’s the dullest beta I know.”

 

“Hey-” Zebedee called.

 

“I’m a woman?” Zaffre shrugged.

 

“Maybe it is her.” Zak laughed. “Who knows what she’s gotten into lately.”

 

“Hey!” Zaffre yelped. “It’s not me, Zak .”

 

Zorran rolled his eyes. “Whatever, this might be blowing in from anywhere. Let’s all just get to work, no issues then.”

 

“Right.” Zero nodded. “Alright, shlubs, here’s the work for the day-”

---

Zorran was breathing hard as he and Zip moved towlines into storage.

 

“-And no incidents at all?” Zorran looked at Zip with a glare.

 

“Not one.” Zip smiled back at Zorran.

 

“And you are being safe?” Zorran added.

 

“I’m not a child.” Zip huffed, “I’ve been around un tempered folks before.”

 

“I don’t need to deal with you, since the temper makes you sick.” Zorran snapped. “The betas around here were gagging on that heat this morning, I’m very happy you didn’t lose your head and rut.”

 

Zip shrugged as tossed a line into the pile. “It’s not hard, just have to distract yourself.”

 

“Whatever, Zip. Trust me, I badger because I do not want to deal with a young alphas rut.” Zorran shivered. “Horrible stuff.”

 

Zip shrugged again. “I know that, even if it gets bad, I can deal with it, you know?”

 

“And you are being safe when you do?” Zorran narrowed his eyes at Zip.

 

“Always.” Zip put his hands up. “Me and Ten, we’ve never done anything stupid I swear.” Zip rubbed his neck. “Hercules would kill me. Or worse.”

 

“I’ll kill you, or worse, young man.” Zorran snapped.

 

“Yes sir.” Zip nodded curtly. “Speaking of, are we about wrapped up? I’ve a date night and TC gets upset when I’m held long.”

 

“But when Star keeps him on the water it’s not an issue?” Zorran chuckled, amused.

 

Zip laughed. “Look, he and his captain is a subject I dont touch.” Zip put up his hands. “Now really-”

 

“Run along, kid.” Zorran gestured over his shoulder. “Stay safe, and I mean it.”

 

“I will, I will.” Zip laughed. “See you in the morning, and you go and get rest tonight, you work yourself too hard when you’re in season.”

 

Zorran waved Zip off with a glare, the younger man skittering off.

 

Zorran picked up a tow line and started moving it, grumbling to himself.

 

He wasn’t stupid. So curses to anyone else here worrying about him.

 

Curses the being honest thing, too. 

 

Knowing everyone around you’s status had less benefits than negatives, besides maybe knowing who’d be a problem and how. 

 

Zero was at least the kind of guy who would hire anyone capable. So it was understandable that status’ where needed to keep things safe. Forbid Zorran slipped up one dose of temper and was suddenly found between three of his crewmates, absolutely dreadful thought. 

 

Well, unrealistic too, but still a worry.

 

Hard to find work as an omega even in this day and age, let alone as a worker.

 

He did still wonder who that heat was that morning, it was bad.

Chapter 2

Summary:

Zorran the sufferer

It was impossible.

 

Yes, yes that was an overstatement of the situation but it felt impossible.

 

Listening to the radio as he laid back on his bed, he didn’t quite have the energy to do much of anything.

 

He glanced at the radio, listening to the fuzz about the day's news usually helped him unwind but today it was just annoying him.

 

More warnings, more idiots not taking things as seriously as they should.

 

Why should be have to live in fear about everything? About his temperament wearing off or his coworkers getting too sensitive being around him long term, or someone else’s smell making him a target.

 

It wasn’t fair. It’d never be fair.

 

He gritted his teeth, listening about those poor omegas. The poor folks who just wanted to go to the store, and ended up harassed. Those who couldn’t take their temper for whatever reason and ended up in a mess they didn’t need. People who couldn’t get jobs, who had to hide their status’.

 

So many people who’d lose a job when their slick became visible on accident, because they just couldn’t be fit to build a house, or lay brick, or run a vehicle. It was senseless. It was pointless.

 

The poor people on the radio who have it broadcast to the world they missed their temper, or their protection, and some alpha tracked them down and made it their problem. It wasn’t right, and never had been right, but it didn’t matter.

 

It wouldn’t matter until people tried to make it matter.

 

And while things were improving every day, that didn’t mean it was going to be over and equal for a long long time.

 

People like Zero were becoming more and more prevalent. Alphas who are sympathetic to the misery of being an omega. Zero was raised by an alpha and a beta who knew to raise their boy right. It was such a shame that Mrs Zero, the poor woman, had to go through the suffering she did to learn what had happened to her. The fact she never let being an alpha stop her from singing for omega rights, for women's rights on top of it too, was comforting in some way.

 

Zorran was glad his own parents didn’t elect to mulatale their omega son. Then, omega boys were seen as valuable in some cases, and given a hell of a lot more than omega girls, or alpha girls. Then, it was more advantageous to be an omega girl than an alpha girl. He knew the misery for those poor girls who couldn’t live up to what was expected of them. Horrible.

 

One day, if he ever chose to carry again and then keep it, never would he care what the station or gender was. Never. It wasn’t right.

 

He finally sat up and groaned at the bloated cramping mess that was his abdomin.

 

Hissing he stood, turning off the radio as he wobbled to his kitchen. He needed to sustain hmself or all the energy his body was making with this heat would wither away.

 

He tried to hide it at work, the others wouldn’t understand. Well, maybe Zero would.

 

The poor man held himself together very well, but Zorran could tell he was getting sensitive over the years, and that one day, he wasn’t going to just get a light rut spell and be able to eat it away.

 

Zorran shivered, tensing up.

 

He didn’t want to think about Zero rutting. Because of him.

 

The man wasn’t that much bigger than him at all, but if he wanted to, Zorran knew he was doomed.

 

He might be able to kick Zip off him, as long as the young man didn’t get any bigger. Then again, Zip had growing to do still, it was evident the way he kept ending his day so tired and sore in his bones.

 

The rest were all betas, and if they ended up rutting, Zorran could easily get them off, beta’s heat and rut cycles were so mild.

 

And Zaffre wouldn’t be an issue, even if she rutted, beta women just didn't have the right equipment.

 

Then again, Zero said she didn’t want to talk about her status with the rest of the crew, so he was assuming.

 

If she wasn’t a beta, he’d only assume she was a fixed alpha. If that was so, the poor girl really didn’t have anything going for her. But he didn’t want to assume. All Zero ever said was not to worry about her heats, he trusted that. That was enough. Besides, he never smelled heat off her onc and it’d been long enough.

 

Zorran finally looked at his hands, sighing as he rubbed his fingers and thumb together on his hand. 

 

Sticky.

 

He was just eating pickles straight from the jar. Again.

 

He had to stop doing that.

 

He closed his jar and washed his hands after putting it back in his ice box.

 

He needed sleep, as much of it as he could. This heat was already kicking his ass, he really didn't want to be tired and bloated and cranky.

---

Zorran felt a little stupid that was true.

 

He was curled up on the office couch, he could feel himself shaking as he laid on his side.

 

He’d made a big mistake.

 

Even with temper he was sensitive, and keeping himself from leaking was a top priority.

 

So when he got in that scuffle he really wasn’t thinking.

 

He knew better than to antagonize that Big Mac while they were on the same contract.

 

And then, when Zorran got a bit too cocky and Big Mac got a bit to done, Zorran made the idiot mistake of shoving the bigger man.

 

And that’s when Big Mac gut punched him.

 

And that’s why he was here, leaking on his bosses couch and quivering.

 

Big Mac apologized almost instantly when the man toppled and yelped and whimpered and slick started to leak out.

 

Zorran was whimpering now still, even with Big Mac having limped Zorran back here to the Zero dock, promising to tow his ship back when he was done with the contracts.

 

Having those gentleman types in port always helped when something this stupid arose.

 

He had no clue what was up with Big Mac, but based on the ‘big’ that correlated with his size, Big Mac was probably an Alpha that was now feeling like a beta having put his hand on an omega in heat.

 

Advantages were few and far between, but the embarrassment Big Mac would feel for probably weeks was going to be worth everything he could squeeze from it.

 

Zorran took a deep breath as another cramp hit him, whimpering slightly louder. He looked up at his boss, who was at the desk trying to hold his tongue, as Zero made a cough.

 

“Zorran.” Zero said mindlessly. ”Do you want the rest of the week off?”

 

”No.” Zorran snapped instantly.

 

Zero made a tisk and looked at some of his paperwork, he wet his finger and flipped through some pages quickly. “You really should think about how good it would be for you to let yourself rest. You know I pay medical leave if it’s important or work related, and I don’t blame you. I never would. But I do blame your stupidity today for staining my couch. That’s going to be expensive, and sticky, Zorran.”

 

Zorran growled and sat up, fighting through his winces. “I am fine, I just need to relax and I can get back to-“

 

”And you clearly are taking the rest of today off, Mr Banks.”

 

Zorran sneered, tensing up. “Don’t mister me, mister.” He snapped.

 

Zero looked up over his paperwork at Zorran, he tisked again, the way Zorran could just tell the man tisked his teenaged daughter.

 

”Zo, I really mean it when I mean it’ll be better for us all.”

 

Zorran felt his face tick as he glared at Zero. “I am a good hard worker and I can suffer a week of this stupid heat if it means proving it, got it?”

 

”I never said you weren’t.” Zero licked his finger and folded down some pages, nodding before taking a note. “I simply am asking you not to make yourself suffer when you are in pain, uncomfortable, and clearly not in your normal head space.”

 

”I can work!” Zorran snapped. “I’m not useless!”

 

Zero gave Zorran a glance. “I never said you were useless, Zorran.”

 

Zorran gritted his teeth. “I’m not taking the week off.”

 

”Fine, suit yourself.” Zero sighed. “But take the rest of today off, you are unsightly.”

 

Zorran sneered. “I am fine-“

 

”That is an order.” Zero snapped, slamming down a paper.

 

Zorran huffed. “Fine, Captain Zero sir.

 

”Good.” Zero gave a curt, self satisfied nod. “Now when you feel like you can wallow home, get off my couch.”

Chapter 3

Summary:

Zorran, Zak, and Zebedee get in a scuffle

There was a growl under Zorrans breath as he hefted a coil over his shoulder.

 

He gulped hard and gasped as he hefted his coil across the deck of his ship.

 

“You know, Zorran, you really oughta take a break.” Zak said, trailing behind Zorran with two coils.

 

“Gotta-” Zorran panted. “Get these coils locked up so we can get goin’.”

 

Zak hummed as he put down his coils, watching Zorran drop his own coil.

 

Zak gave Zorran a glance over. “You are pathetic, you know.”

 

“Give him a break.” Zebedee said with a shrug as he brought over his own coils.

 

“He can’t even take his heat, he’s worthless to be in charge around here.” Zak sneered. “Most folks can deal with their heats, and ruts even.”

 

“Come on.” Zebedee shoved Zak lightly. “Just ‘cause you’re a beta doesn't mean that everyone can get through their season as easily as you can.”

 

“I’m just saying, he lets his heat eat him up, and he’s out here struggling, it’s just pathetic.” Zak sneered.

 

“Look, do you think if you were an alpha, you’d be able to handle your ruts?” Zorran snapped.

 

“If I was an alpha, I’d just deal with you.” Zak barked back.

 

Zorran instantly swung back. “You shut the fuck up!” He hissed, swinging at Zak, who coughed as Zorran nailed him in the chest.

 

Zak wheezed, then grabbed Zorran’s arm, pulling the man closer and throwing a fist at Zorran, nailing him in the jaw.

 

“You need to learn your place!” Zak snarled, picking Zorran up by the shirt.

 

Zorran kicked Zak in the abdomen, to which the man folded like a house of cards, yelping and gasping.

 

Zak threw Zorran at the ground, before jamming his heel into Zorrans midsection, Zorran screeching in agony.

 

Zebedee grabbed Zak, dragging him back and off Zorran. “Zak come on, leave ‘em be!”

 

Zorran struggled to sit up, panting and squeaking. 

 

He kicked Zak in the leg, topping Zak and Zebedee forwards. Zebedee let go of Zak as he fell, causing Zak to dart forwards and grab Zorran by the collar and punch him in the face again.

 

Zorran grabbed Zak by the shirt and kneed him in the gut, flipping Zak over and slamming his head down into the dockside. Zorran started to wail down on Zak.

 

“YOU NEVER THREATEN ME LIKE THAT AGAIN? YOU HEAR ME?”

 

Zak got a hand up, clasping it around Zorrans throat, before throwing the man over and pinning him down, straddling Zorran’s hips and using his freehand to grab his knife from his belt.

 

Zebedee grabbed Zak’s arm, holding the man back from plunging the blade in his hand into Zorran.

 

“Stop it! Please!” Zebedee yelped. “Come on! Stop it!”

 

Zorran scratched at Zak’s arm and face as he bucked and tried to get free of Zak’s pin down, gurgling and gasping as the larger man pressed his weight down against him, choking him in a tight grasp.

 

“You need to be fixed, you old bitch!” Zak hissed, trying to fight his hand back from Zebedee. “You pathetic mop-up!”

 

There was a sharp whistle and the three stopped, looking towards the noise.

 

Zero was pulling his fingers from his mouth, glaring at the three.

 

“Get up!” Zero snapped. “Now! Up!”

 

Zak let go of Zorran, standing up as Zebedee let go of his arm and Zorran started to gasp, coughing as he sat up, curling up around his midsection.

 

“I said up!” Zero snarled.

 

Zebedee leaned down and pulled Zorran up from the ground, the man shaking and dripping slick down onto the dock.

 

Zero glared at the three as Zebedee balanced Zorran onto his feet, the man quivering and whimpering.

 

Zero snarled as he looked at the three in front of him.

 

“I expect better of you all.” Zero snapped, venom in his voice.

 

“Sorry sir.” Zebedee mumbled, looking down as he finally let go of Zorran.

 

“Zak-” Zorran started, before squeaking and shaking.

 

“I heard all three of you.” Zero snapped. “You-” Zero pointed at Zak. “If I ever hear you say anything of the sort again about Zorran I will have you to Davy Jones’ Locker in the hour. Zorran you know better than to get into fights twice this week you’ve been on my dock covered in your own slick and whimpering. On top of it, you’ve covered Zak too.” Zero snarled, gesturing at Zak.

 

Zorran started to pipe up again. “He-”

 

“I heard him!” Zero snapped. “But you are a danger to yourself when you are in heat and I’m sick of it! Go home! I don’t want to see you back here until you’re out of season!” Zero snapped. “Zak, I don’t want to see you the rest of this week!”

 

“Sir this is stupid you’re the one who put this omega in charge-” Zak started to defend.

 

“Hush!” Zero snapped. “Out! Both of you! Get out of my dock with all that slick! And you Zebedee! I hope you like overtime.”

 

“Oh sir, please-” Zebedee started to whine.

 

“Then you put a stop to fights better then!” Zero snapped.

 

Zebedee deflated as Zorran and Zak started to stomp out of the area.

Chapter 4

Notes:

Guy's I edited this chapter let me know if you can actually tell or if that's a fruitless effort lol

Zero sighed as he looked at a page of the paper packets across his table.

 

He hated being down two men, especially because he was needing to get a head again.

 

He looked up and took a drink of his tea as his teenager leaned into the door frame.

 

“Daddy?” Zasha asked, her voice wavering.

 

Zero put down his mug of tea. “Yes dear?”

 

Zasha rubbed the door frame with her hand, looking at the floor. “Are you almost done with work?”

 

Zero put down the paper in his hand. “What do you need?”

 

“No, it can wait until you are done with work.” Zasha said quietly. “Can you come to my room when you are done?”

 

Zero cocked his head at her. “Zash, I shouldn’t be bringing work home in the first place, I can take a break-”

 

“No, you can finish.” And Zasha disappeared behind the door frame.

 

Zero let out a tight breath.

 

He was worried. It wasn’t like her to play coy, or nervous. He was raising a confident young woman.

 

But, if she wanted his undivided attention, then he needed to finish his work. He looked down at the job applications carefully laid out across his desk.

 

He picked the paper he had been holding back up, Constance Border was his top choice on the hiring block. She was a fine young woman who had a good work history and came with a recommendation letter from the stable she’d been working at as a farm hand.

 

He was impressed with it, and he knew from experience with Zaffre that women did really well in his company. He was a great modern boss! Constance would do a great job in his new ocean tug. As long as she could handle herself around Zak, he’d have a good employee for years to come.

 

Trickier was that she wasn’t the only Border applying.

 

Nickleby Border, a very well rounded young man, was up for his carrier tug's job.

 

He didn’t hate the other Border’s application but found it strange that a man with a masters degree in literature was applying to his tugboat company. He came with a similar recommendation from the same stables, but his work history before the job was academic and– indoorsy … to say the least.

 

But, Zero felt weird not bringing on one if he brought on the other. He wasn’t sure the relation between the two but it was very evident.

 

He’d bring both in for the interview then, it was only fair. He’d make a decision then.

 

That was settled then.

 

He put together the two applications and set them aside, gathering the rest together to be reviewed if the two Border’s didn’t work out.

 

He stood from his table and ventured across his apartment, worried.

 

It wasn’t like Zasha to be upset the way she was in the door earlier.

 

He reached her bedroom door and paused a moment, taking a breath to steady himself.

 

Then he knocked carefully, taking care to not be too loud or quiet.

 

“Zash, I’m ready to talk.” Zero said frankly.

 

He waited a moment and heard something crash.

 

He knocked again. “Zasha, dear?”

 

There was another brief pause.

 

Zasha’s voice was quiet, and wavering. “C-come in.”

 

Zero cracked open the door and immediately saw paper and books scattered on her floor.

 

He reeled back, gulping as he opened the door fully.

 

“Oh baby, what’s wrong? “Zero asked quickly.

 

Zasha was sitting in the middle of her bed, curled up around a pillow and her face half buried in it. Her room around her looked ransacked. Everything was misplaced and moved. It looked like someone had destroyed it.

 

“Daddy… help.” Zasha whimpered.

 

Zero started to walk across the room when he started to cough lightly and gag. He steadied himself with a sharp hiss.

 

He knew that smell.

 

He knew it all too well.

 

He pulled out his handkerchief and covered his mouth and nose, taking a small hiss of a breath as he adjusted.

 

“Zasha, are you okay?” Zero asked, his voice strained.

 

Zasha adjusted, hugging the pillow tighter. “Daddy I’m a monster.” And she buried her face in the pillow, starting to hiccup and cry.

 

Zero took a gulp and tucked away his handkerchief, finally getting over the heavy thick wall of pheromones. He walked to the bed, sitting down on the edge.

 

He patted next to himself, smiling at her as he gulped down his need to gag.

 

“Let’s talk, okay Zash?” Zero said, his voice strained but soft.

 

Zasha looked up at him, sniffling. “Daddy, I don’t want to be a freak.”

 

“Hush, baby.” And Zero scooted back across the bed next to his daughter. Hugging her softly he leaned her head into his chest. “You are a growing girl, you are strong and brave, and you are beautiful and going to be an amazing woman.”

 

Zasha started to sniffle harder. “I don’t want to be an alpha!” she yelped, her tears starting to flow more. “I-I can’t s-stop it!” She added, hiccuping as she cried.

 

“Oh shh.” Zero adjusted his hug on her, resting his chin in her hair after kissing the top of her head. “You are going to be a great alpha, Zash. Rut’s are hard to manage at first, you know that.” Zero said gently.  “Have you been reading the books I gave you to read?”

 

Zasha nodded quietly. Zero hummed and leaned back, tilting her face to look at him. He wiped away a few tears from her face and put her hair behind her ear.

 

“You just need to find a non destructive outlet, you’ll get through this.” Zero smiled at her. “Alpha’s run in the family then, hey?”

 

Zasha started to laugh slightly. “You and me are adopted, dad.”

 

“Like that matters.” Zero hugged her tight again. “You just remember your family loves you, okay? And you’ll get through this. If you need to be alone, or you need to be comforted, you let me know okay?”

 

Zasha nodded quietly again. “Thanks dad. I love you, dad.”

 

“I love you too, oytzer.” Zero said gently. “I love you more than you’ll ever know.”

 

Zasha made a sniffle and cuddled into her dad tightly.

 

Zero pet her hair softly as he held her back, even tighter.

Chapter 5

Summary:

Zero conducts an interview, and finds some new employee's

Zero sat down at his desk.

 

“Mr Border, sit, please.”

 

Zero gestured across his desk towards the empty chair. 

 

A young scrawny man sat down in the chair, nervously looking around himself.

 

“So, Mr Border.” Zero said as the man scooted into the desk. “Can I talk to you, man to man?”

 

The young man adjusted his hands, folding them together and into his lap. “Yessir.”

 

Zero leaned back in his chair, nodding. “You seem like a nice young man, and Miss Border who was just in here, is she anyone to you?”

 

Nickleby looked at his lap. “She’s my sister, sir.”

 

“Ah,” Zero nodded again. “Then, Mr Border, I’ll be frank with you.” Zero adjusted to sit up. “I’m very impressed by your sister's resume, she’d make a great fit for my company.”

 

“That’s great sir.” Nickleby said, his face breaking its nervous grimace. “Connie’s a great worker, I promise you that.”

 

“I hope so,” Zero said quickly. “I’m already sold on hiring her.”

 

“Oh, really sir?” Nickleby sat up and beamed. “That’s amazing, did you tell her?”

 

“Well, that depends on something else.” Zero shrugged and thought for a moment. “You see, I’m in a predicament, I want to hire your sister, but the thing is, why should I hire you?”

 

Nickleby sat up and looked at Zero with wide eyes. “What’s her employment have to do with me, sir?”

 

“Well, you see, I don’t want to hire your sister then not hire you. That just seems like bad business, you should understand my reasoning, you are a smart man, yes?” Zero offered. “That degree of yours seems to say it. But then, smart men with degrees don’t end up working under other men with degrees, do they?”

 

Nickleby gulped and leaned back. “Well I uh,-” Nickleby looked around. “I’ll be honest with you, sir, I’d want Constance to have the job, please.”

 

Zero leaned back, and smirked at Nickleby. “Why’s that?”

 

“She’s a great worker, she’s been a great worker all her life. She needs a good job. I want her to have it, please.” Nickleby pleaded.

 

Zero looked at Nickleby, then up at his ceiling, leaning back further. “And why’s it you are pleading for her job, when I asked why you should have a job, Mr Border?”

 

“Well…” Nickleby looked down at his hand. “She liked the stables, sir.It was a good job for her. She’s a bit wild but it was everything she loved. I’ve never been the best at working job’s like she handles. But I just couldn’t take sitting in a stuffy room full of old men who just talked at me anymore, sir. I just wanted a break, and now we are here, sir. I’ll do anything to help her get a job, and I want her to be happy. I’ve got to keep her happy. And they didn’t like me at the stables, sir. They never did. They wanted me gone, and they lost Constance because of it.”

 

Nickleby leaned forwards and buried his face in his hand. “I’m just looking to make a living. I just can’t find a job that’ll take me and my degree, so if you can, take Constance, please sir.” He looked up at Zero and held his hands together, pleading. “I only want the best for her. She said I should apply too, she wanted the ocean going job so bad. Said it’d be a thrill. And she said to me that I’d be a great fit for the carrier job. It’s technical and it’s something I’d have people and things to look over, but I know I have bad credentials, sir. Please, I just need her to get the job.”

 

Zero sat up and hummed. He held a hand across the desk. “She’s got the job, Mr Border.”

 

Nickleby looked at Zero’s hand before relief crossed his face. He grabbed Zero’s hand and shook it.

 

“Thank you sir. I appreciate that so mu-”

 

“And so do you.” Zero added.

 

Nickleby gulped. “Me sir?”

 

“Yes, you, Mr Border. You show a great deal of loyalty to your sister, and the fact she’s dragging you here means she has a great deal of loyalty back. She left what sounds like her best gig to accommodate you, so I expect that you two are a package deal. You are not my first pick that is true, but you just make sure that your sister stays here, and I’ll make sure you have some job security. If you’re bad enough on deck, we’ll see what we can do. Maybe I’d fancy having a dispatcher or office worker to take off the load. I’d like to spend some time with my daughter some days. Deal?”

 

“Yes sir!” Nickleby lit up. “Absolutely sir!”

 

“Good.” Zero stood. “Let’s tell that sister of yours the good news then, shall we Mr Border?”

 

“Yessir.” Nickleby nodded.

 

The two stood and walked from the office.

 

In the hallway, a young woman, similar in looks to Nickleby, sat on the banister over the stairs. She was looking in a compact adjusting her lipstick with her finger.

 

Zero cleared his throat.

 

The woman jumped a bit and snapped her compact.

 

“Oh!” She quickly stood, wobbling as she got to her feet with a slam. “Hello sir!”

 

Zero stopped and put his hands behind his back. “Nice to see you again, Miss Border. I’m happy to let you know you and Mr Border here have both gotten the job.”

 

She instantly started to squeal.

 

“Thank you sir! Thank you!” Constance darted forwards and grabbed Nickleby into a hug, picking him up and spinning him as his back cracked. “This is perfect!”

 

“Connie!” Nickleby whined. “Please-”

 

Zero made a small puff, akin to a laugh. “Alright, you two have employment paperwork to fill out. Come on.”

 

Constance put down Nickleby, smiling brightly. “When do we start?”

 

“Does tomorrow sound good? I’ll need my second in command to start off training. Maybe give my third in command his first training assignment.” Zero nodded. “Now come, the paperwork must be finished soon.”

Chapter 6

Summary:

It’s a party! Part one!

Zorran nodded to the doorman as he stepped into the building.

 

Removing his hat he patted some snow off his shoulders before walking further into the lobby. Looking around he sighed. The mixed use building was decorated beautifully as always despite the cold gloomy outside.

 

He sometimes forgot that, while he liked to live modestly, the company he worked for was rather well off at the end of the day. The Captain made sure of it.

 

Even in the poor months, Zero supplemented as well as he could with his work outside of the company. Zorran had no shame in that work. Being a front was never something he was embarrassed about. Anyways it gave him credit, and he has status in his company's other work.

 

“Mind the gap.”

 

Zorran looked at the elevator man as he stepped into the machine.

 

“54, please.”

 

The rest of the ride required no more conversation, with a moment of wait, a few more folks stepped onto the elevator and called out floors.

 

Zorran came back to attention hearing another call for 54.

 

He looked over to see Zip brushing snow off his… boyfriend .

 

Zorran was about to snap about how it was inappropriate to bring the enemy here, but he caught himself.

 

This young man, as much as Zorran hated him, was now the coworker of his boss's daughter. The circumstances behind that was beyond him but Zorran knew better than to tell Zasha no. Zorran only really knew him by his ship's name. He'd heard most names of many people around the port but couldn't remember what this one's name was. Not that it mattered. Not a single soul in port did he know who used their actual name while working.

 

“Jesse, stop fussing.” Zip hissed.

 

Well that answered that.

 

“Why do I have to come to this cruddy party, Mina?” The young man snapped back.

 

“Oh don't give me that.” Zip pouted. “You’d disappoint that dear sweet girl?”

 

“She's a bloody demon and you know it!” The young man snapped.

 

Zorran took his opportunity to lean forwards and snicker in the man's ear. “Are you going to talk like that about the girl of the hour, Ten Cents?”

 

Ten Cents jumped. “Back off, you human boiler sludge.”

 

Zorran stood back up straight and chuckled to himself. “Been peaceful at work, Zip, has it?”

 

“If you ignore Zebedee’s complaining.” Zip chuckled. “You back soon?”

 

“Tomorrow.” Zorran nodded.

 

“Great,” Ten Cents snapped. “Back to villains in port.”

 

“No worse than your clumsy bootlick happy lot, ey Tenny?” Zorran chuckled.

 

“Hey!” Ten Cents turned and glared at Zorran, face going red.

 

“54.”

 

Zip, Ten Cents, and Zorran all quickly stepped off the elevator with a quick thank you.

 

The three walked down the hallway of the building.

 

Coming to apartment A, Zorran knocked quickly.

 

The door opened quickly, Zero, looking ragged, greeted them. “You’re early.”

 

“Oh don't give me that.” Zorran fussed. “Where is my niece?”

 

Zero snorted and seethed as he stepped back, letting Zorran push past him and shove his coat and hat at the man.

 

“Auntie Zo is here! Where is my little girl?” Zorran called, marching his way through the apartment towards the teenagers happy squeal.

 

Zero rubbed one of his eyes and sighed, shoulders falling.

 

Zip laughed to himself, under his breath. “I figured you’d need the help, Ben.”

 

Ten Cents sputtered as Zip stepped into the apartment, taking off his coat and passing it to Zero.

 

Zero looked at Ten Cents as he started to hang the coats by his door carefully.

 

“I assume my brat invited you, Mr Adler?” Zero asked as turned back to Ten Cents, holding out a hand.

 

 Ten Cents looked at Zero’s hand and gulped. “Uh, yes Captain Zero, sir.”

 

Zero snorted. “Please, I’m out of work, it’s not captain here.” He grabbed Ten Cents’ coat from the man‘s hands. “Now Zip, if you and Adler here could help me with getting the great room set up that would be very appreciated."

 

---

Zero snapped open the door. “You two are late!”

 

Zaffre was smiling at him while Zak glared.

 

“Snow's bad out there!” Zak hissed.

 

“And why are you two together?” Zero added.

 

“We met in the lobby!” Zaffre peeped.

 

“Why am I supposed to believe that?” Zero snapped.

 

”Really.” Zaffre wined, before going into a pout.

 

Zero wavered, his anger softening on his face and his shoulders falling as Zafre gave him big eyes and a sad quiver on her lips.

 

“Alright, fine, give me your coats.” Zero snapped.

 

Zaffre handed over her coat, giving Zero a rough hug before skipping past.

 

Zak tossed his coat at his captain, sneering. “Don’tr wanna come to no party.” Zak growled.

 

As they made their way to the great room, Zero started yelping about getting ready for the party to begin, while Zug gave Zak and Zaffre a scoff.

 

”You two are unbeliveable.” He sneered.

 

Zaffre Laughed as Zak gave the smaller man a glare.

 

“Alright!” Zero clapped his hands. “Here comes the birthday girl!”

 

The guests all made a cheer as Zasha skipped out into the great room, beaming.

---

“Oh what a lovely hostess.”

 

A woman who was hanging off Zebedee's arm leaned down and smiled at Zasha who was handing her a drink.

 

“Thank you Miss Daphne.” Zasha chirped, giving a small curtsy.

 

“Oh what a lovely birthday girl.” Daphne cheered. “I must say you are dressed absolutely stunningly, that's such a pretty necklace young lady.”

 

“My Auntie Zo helped me!” Zasha beamed, twisting as she stood.

 

“Oh. And who's your Auntie Zo?” Daphne asked.

 

Zasha pointed at Zorran, who was snickering with Zak.

 

Daphne looked at Zorran and went pale. “O-oh- well….” she slipped her arm out from Zebedee's arm. “Oh let me go get a plate.”

 

Zorran and Zak started to laugh harder as Zak patted Zasha's shoulder, the teenager laughing as well.

 

Zebedee glared at the three.

 

“You could be nicer to Daph guys, she's a good woman.” Zebedee huffed. “My mom even likes her.”

 

“You said that about the last three.” Zak elbowed Zebedee. “Especially that Mary girl who's getting half your paycheck.”

 

Zorran started to wheeze. “You've been a good dead beat lately or have you seen the thing?”

 

Zebedee was turning bright red. “Not in front of the kid.” Zebedee defended, hissing through his teeth.

 

“Who you’ve seen more than your own kid, isn't that right Uncle Zeb?” Zasha said with a fake saccharine innocence.

 

“Why don't I go check on Daph.” And Zebedee scootered away.

 

Zorran shook his head as he calmed down. “Zash, don't let your father hear you talking like that.”

 

“Talking like what?”

 

Zorran jumped and looked behind himself at Zero.

 

“N-nothing Ben.” Zorran blurted.

 

“That's not what I heard.” Zero snapped. “Come on.”

 

And Zero dragged Zorran away.

Chapter 7

Summary:

The Party part 2!

Zero pushed Zorran into his home office.

 

Zorran brushed off his shoulders as he turned and faced Zero, glaring.

 

“You have a lot of nerve pushing me around like that, mister.” Zorran hissed.

 

“You have a lot of nerve being such a horrible influence on my daughter, Mr Banks. I thought you wanted her to have a good life, huh?” Zero snarled, his upper lip twitching as he bore his teeth.

 

Zorran snorted, tensing up. “She's not a baby, she’s smart and she likes ribbing her family . I'm here to be there for her. To be her friend. To be a shoulder to lean on. That's the agreement, Ben.”

 

“She’s my daughter, and you are trying to undermine me trying to raise a proper young lady.” Zero snapped. “You don't get to do anything to undermine me, or you can easily be gone, you hear me, Mr Banks?”

 

“I can ruin your relationship with her in a heartbeat, Ruben, you don’t threaten to take her away from me.” Zorran snarled back.

 

“Oh she’s not to be taken away from you.” Zero said, his voice going thick and slimy. “No, no Zo, you and I both know that you’d have a very unfortunate accident, or slip up, and you would be the one taken away.” Zero crossed his arms and looked down at Zorran.

 

Zorran bit his lip and balled up his fists. “You make empty threats, like you make empty promises.”

 

“When have I ever failed you on a promise?” Zero snarled. “Or are you just trying to find ways to get under my skin, Zorran?”

 

“You say that like you haven’t been skinning me for what, 12 or 13 years!” Zorran snarled.

 

”It’s 17 years 4 months but who's counting, clearly not you, can you even count?” Zero huffed. “Whatever, if you cannot behave and be a good influence, then you can leave!”

 

”I’m not leaving her!” Zorran snapped.

 

”You say that like you haven't already.” Zero said, smirking at Zorran. “Now, you stop being a bad influence on my daughter and teaching her to be unladylike.”

 

“I-“

 

The office door knocked.

 

The door opened and Jacob leaned into the room.

 

”Is everything alright between you two?” The man asked gently.

 

”Just sorting out an issue, father.” Zero said bluntly.

 

Jacob stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. “That is not what the little princess has informed me, boys.”

 

Jacob gave both a disappointed look. Zorran looked at the floor.

 

”Sorry, sir.” Zorran muttered.

 

”You know, Zasha, she doesn't like you two fighting.” Jacob stated. “And it’s her 14th birthday, you must be kind to her feelings, please boys.”

 

Zero sighed and he adjusted his jacket. “This is true, father.”

 

”Good, now come back to the party, she misses you both.” Jacob nodded and stepped out of the room.

 

Zorran looked at Zero and huffed. “You did break a promise.” Zorran hissed as he walked for the door. “You didn’t tell me she was an alpha, you didn’t keep me updated. She had to tell me herself.”

 

Zero puffed. He adjusted his hair with a snort. “She asked me to let her tell you the news. I respect my daughters wishes above all, you know that Zorran.”

 

Zorran hummed. “That makes you a better father than I’d a been,” He looked at the floor.

 

”You did what was right, remember that.” Zero added, following Zorran out of the room.

 

Out in the great room, Zasha skipped over, grabbing Zero’s arm. “Daddy! Daddy look what Uncle Zip and Ten Cents got me!”

 

Zero laughed. “Oh, I do hope it’s nothing that I will have to deal with.” Zero sighed. “Or will have to return to the pair.”

 

Zero gave Zip a glare as he was dragged across the room.

 

Zip just smiled, Ten Cents shivered.

 

Zorran meandered over. “What’d you get her?”

 

Zip just smiled. “A typewriter.”

 

”He’s going to kill us.” Ten Cents whimpered.

 

“It’s good to get her learning.” Zip beamed.

 

Zorran ruffled the younger man’s hair. “Perfect.”

 

There was a loud ding across the room.

 

”Oh he’s going to kill you, kid.” Zorran chuckled.

 

”All the big writers have typewriters!” Zasha squealed over the crowd, to various giggles and chuckles.

 

”Oh who's a good uncle.” Mrs Zero stepped out of the crowd and stepped up to Zip, pinching his cheek. “A good, educational, lovely, thoughtful, and absolutely dreadfully annoying gift.” She cheered, patting Zip’s cheek as she let go of it. “And I’m sure you’re man helped too.”

 

”Naturally, Ma’am.” Zip beamed.

 

Mrs Zero gave Ten Cents a shoulder pat. “Perfect, Jesse.”

 

Ten Cents shifted awkwardly, tensing up.

 

Zero marched through the crowd, an angered look on his face as he pointed at Zip, who gave him a flaunty wave.

 

”She’s going to get so much practice for the workforce, isn’t she Ben?” Zip cheered.

 

Zero growled. Zorran patted the man's back.

 

”She’ll be so ready, and it’ll help her bond with that Kennedy boy you want her to get close too.” Zorran chuckled.

 

Zero grumbled, and crossed his arms. “Fine.”

Chapter 8

Summary:

Zorran, Zero and Zasha go to work

Nickleby and Constance have their first day of work

Zorran gets mad

Usual stuff, mostly

Zorran was yawning as he walked into work.

 

He hadn't made it home the night before but he wasn't complaining.

 

Zasha had begged him to stay and talk until he needed to rest, and Zero reluctantly had given him a place to sleep.

 

Now he was nodding as the girl walked between him and Zero, skipping with youthful energy and flaunting her uniform.

 

Zorran had a spare of his own on his ship, so that wasn't an issue.

 

He still didn't know why she was in the enemy's colours but again, he knew better than to say no. Zero did too. Unless this was the result of a hard no.

 

Neither seemed to answer him with the full story and he had a feeling he'd never truly know, not for many years. Maybe if he asked the other Captain, but he hadn't seen him out of that office in a long time.

 

“Bye! See you later!” Zasha squealed, running along towards the enemy and disappearing behind the building.

 

Zero sighed as she rounded the corner, his shoulders falling and his head tilting with a small smile across his face. He watched the space between the Star dock and the trees quietly.

 

“I’m getting my uniform.” Zorran snapped, trudging towards the zero docks.

 

“Well hurry it and get to my office, we have some important work.” Zero snapped.

 

Zorran brushed him off and disappeared.

---

“What do you mean you hired two people!” Zorran slammed his hands on the desk.

 

Zero looked at Zorran tiredly.

 

“Yes, we needed two employees,” Zero said bluntly.

 

Zorran gestured at Constance and Nickleby. “And I wasn’t allowed to verify they could work on ship!?”

 

“What-” Constance started to say something but Nickleby elbowed her gently and she quieted up.

 

“We’d have to train them anyway?” Zero shrugged.

 

“That-” Zorran stammered and gasped. “I have to train two of them from the ground up!?”

 

“No, you’ll be training Miss Border.” Zero said bluntly. “Zak will be training Mr Border.”

 

“I have to train that thing?” Zak snapped from the back of the office, gesturing at Nickleby. “The booklicker?”

 

“Hey-” Nickleby was now elbowed by Constance.

 

“How do you know that?” Zero huffed at Zak, sounding more confused than anything.

 

“He’s got that soft coddle look to him.” Zak shrugged. “And why does Zorran get the pretty girl?”

 

“Because he isn’t calling her pretty as the first utterance out of his mouth about Miss Border.” Zero snapped.

 

Zak huffed.

 

Sensing Zak had half the mind to shut up, Zero continued. “You two just have to do the basics with them. Zaffre’s going to finish them off for sea training. Zorran, you remember our projects?”

 

“Due in may you are, sir?” Zorran snickered. “Must be a proud mother.”

 

Zero glared at his employee. “The Zircon and The Zinc?”

 

“You got The Zinc a snack girl?” Zak chuckled.

 

“Miss Border will be our helmsman for Zircon, and Mr Border will be the helmsman on Zinc,” Zero stated. “Is that clear? Now can we get started with the formalities?”

 

Zorran sighed. “Yes sir.”

 

“Sure.” Zak shrugged.

 

“Are you two ready, Miss and Mr Border?” Zero asked, gesturing at the two chairs across from him at the desk.

 

Constance lit up, grabbing Nickleby’s arm and pulling him across the room. “Yes sir!”

 

The two sat quickly.

 

“Perfect, let’s get going with the code of conduct for on deck.” Zero flipped a page on his clipboard. “Zorran can-”

 

Zero was cut off by his phone ringing. He picked it up in a snap.

 

“Zero Mar-” Zero was cut off by the other side of the line. Zero stood, keeping the phone on his ear. “I’ll be right there.” He nodded as quickly got his desk in line. “Yes, yes I’m on the way.” And Zero hung up his phone.

 

“Sir?” Zorran asked as Zero adjusted his suit jacket.

 

“I’ve an emergency with my daughter to attend to.” Zero said quickly.

 

Zorran stood up. “What’s-”

 

“You stay here and finish the orientation.” Zero said quickly. “You cannot attend to this.”

 

Zorran scoffed. “Zash is-”

 

“No. You cannot.” Zero was halfway across the room when he stopped and turned on his heels, going back to his desk and opening a drawer. He pulled out a handful of candy sticks.

 

Zorran gave Zero a look and the man nodded, before he was gone from the room.

 

There was a moment of pause before Zorran took a deep breath and rounded the desk, sitting down and picking up the clipboard. “Alright, Nickleby and Constance, let’s get through this quickly. It’s mostly common sense.”

 

“That’s asking alot.” Zak chuckled.

 

“Of you, maybe.” Zorran snapped, before starting to list off what was written on the pages.

Chapter 9

Summary:

Zero calms down his daughter

Cinstance and Nickleby star their straining and are immediately distracted

Zero carefully opened a door, quietly peering into a dimly lit room.

 

Zasha sat in the middle of the floor, curled up in a fetal position, quivering and crying.

 

Zero sighed and closed the door as he stepped into the room.

 

He tried to smile, but a somber look remained in his eyes. He stepped closer to her trying to keep his steps light.

 

“Hey? How’s my princess doing?”

 

Zasha didn’t move more than she kept quivering, his cry’s quiet as she stayed curled up.

 

Zero knelt down as he approached, resting on his knees next to her quietly.

 

He leaned down, putting a hand on her shoulder gently.

 

She tore her shoulder away, sitting up and scooting away.

 

“Don’t touch me!” She yelped. “Please, please I’m a monster!”

 

Zero quietly shushed her, gently reaching out and tucking her hair behind her ears. “Hush, oytzer, please.”

 

“I’m a monster,” she sobbed, hiccuping lightly as she buried her face in her knees.

 

Zero gave her a soft, sad look. “You are not a monster, I promise.”

 

“I’m a danger.” Zasha whimpered.

 

“You are not.” Zero shuffled in his pockets, pulling out his candy sticks. “Here, why don’t you have one?”

 

Zasha looked up and sniffled. “Why?”

 

“Food always helps me.” Zero gave his out stretched hand a small shake to encourage her.

 

“Y-you have ruts?” Zasha whimpered.

 

Zero’s shoulders fell. “Baby, I know I don’t seem it but they drive me crazy. I do everything in my power to never let it show. I could never let it take over my life when I have you to look out for, you know? And I know just how hard it is for any to control those urges and the fog. I’ve always found eating them away helps me, it’s a distraction. Why do you think I eat so much?”

 

Zasha looked at her father quietly for a moment before reaching for a stick. “Do you have butterscotch?”

 

Zero chuckled. “Of course I do.” He hummed as he adjusted the sticks in his hand and offered her one of her choices. “You’re just like your uncle.”

 

Zasha made a small chuckle as she stuck the stick in her mouth. “Why do you always say that?” The tension started to leave her shoulders, her voice was now muffled behind her candy stick. “We just like similar things. All that babysitting, I figure.”

 

“Well I suppose that could be why,” Zero chuckled. “Be careful of those braces.” He scooted closer to her and sat as she sucked on her candy stick. “You want a hug?”

 

“Always.” And she leaned into her fathers side, snuggling her head into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her.

 

“Do you want to come back to work with me? Mr Star said he’d okay some time off… if you want.” Zero said, resting his chis on her head and gently rocking her. “I wouldn’t mind you hanging around my office, like you used too.”

 

“Wouldn’t I get in the way, like I used to?” Zasha giggled.

 

“I didn’t know what I’d miss.” Zero kissed her hair. “I wouldn’t mind stepping on your tub boasts and tripping over you colouring in the middle of my floor. I’d do anything to have that back.”

 

“Well, by the time I have kids, you better be retired.” Zasha laughed, “you can babysit.”

 

“S’not the same.” Zero sighed. “And what kind of father would I be if I stole the joy of having a business meeting ruined by your precious little ones from you?”

 

Zasha hummed, snuggling into Zero’s chest more as she finished her candy stick. “Well then, maybe I wouldn’t mind being your nuisance for the day. You deserve it, for being the best dad.”

 

“And you deserve to be treated like a princess.” Zero kissed her hair again, before standing and dragging her up in his arms. “At least I can still carry you.”

 

“Dad!”

---

Zorran was adjusting a coil of rope over his shoulder. “It’ll be easy, make sure he doesn't drown, teach him how not to lose fingers.”

 

“I don’t see why you are so worried.” Zak snapped. “I’m not stupid like you all seem to think. It’s not like I’m performing surgery here. I’m keeping a nerd and all his fingers on my ship.”

 

The two looked over as the door to the building opened, Zero looking around. He saw the two and let out a breath.

 

“I thought you four were gone.” Zero grumbled. “I saw you finished the paperwork.”

 

“Yes sir, ready for you to sort. We have the two running coils,” Zorran said, adjusting the coil on his shoulder.

 

“Do you?” Zero snorted, gesturing behind them.

 

Across the dock, Constance was standing blushing with her back against the building.

 

In front of her was Zaffre, her forearm was against the building next to Constance’s head. Zaffre was leaning with her other hand in her pocket, smiling as she talked to Constance.

 

“You know, Zorran’s good and all as a teacher but he really can’t show you the… nitty gritty of what good sailing is. You know careful rope work, strong knots and the throw and pull of the helm.” Zaffre leaning in closer. “I could, uh, show you around later tonight, yeah?”

 

Constance laughed awkwardly. “Well, I think I’ll have had enough boating for one day, maybe another time.”

 

Zaffre hummed, adjusting again and leaning in closer. “Of course, how callous of me thinking you’d want to work late day one. Maybe I could take you for a chaser tonight, help you unwind after such a tough day.”

 

Constance laughed again. “I’m really flattered, but I think I’ll be okay.” She put a hand on Zaffre’s chest.

 

“No need to be shy, lamb-chop.” Zaffre purred.

 

“I’m not into women.” Constance blurted.

 

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.”  Zaffre instantly stood up and backed up. “I really am, I thought you were giving chase.”

 

“Oh, was I being leading?” Constance gasped. “No, no I’m flattered just-”

 

“No, I understand.” Zaffre said bluntly. “I really apologize, I shouldn’t have assumed. I get it, I'm not what a girl like you is looking for, you deserve better, yeah.”

 

Constance gasped and smacked Zaffre’s arm lightly. “You don’t talk about yourself like that.” She huffed. “You are charming and sweet, and quite handsome.”

 

“Really?”

 

“But I need a man, you know? A handsome, strong man who’d like a girl like me.”

 

“Understood, I can’t believe men aren't lining up at your door.”

 

“It’s… complicated.” Constance swept her hair behind her ear and looked at the ground. “I don’t exactly mesh with the kind of man I want, in that way.”

 

Zaffre gasped and made a small confused blabber. “You are the entire package!? Can I change your mind? I’d kill for a swell gal like you.”

 

Constance giggled. “Constance.”

 

“Zaffre, well, Marie but Zaffre, please.”

 

The two shook hands, giggling.

 

“Does everyone have funny names around here?” Constance asked, stifling her giggles.

 

“Funny names? Well not entirely.” Zaffre laughed. “You met Constanzo and Howard.” And she gestured over to Zorran and Zak.

 

“Don’t call me that.” Zorran shouted over blandly.

 

“Names just happen.” Zaffre conformed. “Who knows, you’ll pick something up. Like you.” Zaffre pointed into the storage room. “Gangly pallid thing glaring at me, what’s your name?”

 

Nickleby shuffled out of the storage room with a rope coil on his shoulder, glaring daggers at Zaffre. 

 

“Nickleby.”

 

Zaffre snorted and made a squeak as she tried not to laugh. “No, no you will be eaten alive.” She looked at the three men across the dock. “What ship is he helming?”

 

“The Zinc.” Zero called over.

 

“You are Zinc now.” Zaffre said, nodding self satisfied.

 

“My name’s not funny.” Nickleby snapped.

 

“Not anymore, Zinc.” Zaffre chuckled. “And you must be Zircon then, Connie?”

 

“I’d say that’d work just fine. Connie from one or Connie from the other.” Constance giggled.

 

“Oh you don’t have to change your name so soon, you at least have a proper one.” Zaffre laughed. She patted Constace’s shoulder. “I’ve held you up long enough, I’ve gotta get my restocks done.”

 

“You do.” Zero snapped over, Zaffre skittered into the storage room, beaming to herself. Constance and Nickleby both darted to move coils.

 

Zero turned to Zorran and Zak. “No injuries, please?”

 

“I’ve never killed a greenhorn before.” Zorran shrugged.

 

“No but he’s tried.” Zero gestured at Zak.

 

Zak nodded wordlessly, making a light shrug as be agreed.

 

“Anyways, how was Zash, sir?” Zorran asked, his voice lowering.

 

“I’m proud of her.” Zero said quickly. “John says she isolated herself as soon as she started to rut.”

 

“Poor thing.” Zorran sighed. “I’m glad she’s alright.”

 

“She’s taking the day off, me and John agreed she needed to calm down, and John needs to air out the office.” Zero looked up at the office. “Maybe come by after briefing, but she’s still worked up and… you know….”

 

Zorran nodded solemnly. “I’m just glad she’s okay.”

 

“She’s resilient. She’ll learn how to cope as she grows.” Zero sighed.

 

“I know she needs to grow but wouldn’t she stop it already.” Zorran chuckled.

 

“I couldn’t agree more.” Zero said quickly.

 

“Gag.” Zak cut in.

 

“Well if this is too soppy, go run coils.” And Zorran threw his coil at Zak, who tensed up as it hit his midsection with a violent cough.

 

“Don’t hit me!” Zak snapped, tensing up and his voice booming through the dock.

 

“Go.” Zero huffed. “Both of you, get to your work. You already have light duty for training.”

 

Both muttered an “aye sir” and caught up with their respective Border to get to work.

 

Zero went back up to his office.

Chapter 10

Summary:

Zinc has a very bad day

Zak grumbled to himself.

 

He was throwing his wheel as he approached a small inlet to grab a barge from, coasting his tug in at an angle towards the inlet.

 

He glanced at his new co-worker and grumbled.

 

The gangly weirdo had sat on the stool Zak had ordered him too and looked at the floor. His face was a muddy pale colour.

 

Zak snorted and he pulled his wheel, forcing his tug to straighten out perpendicular to its coasting motion as he pulled the throttle back, letting his tug coast into position in front of the inlet and ready to attach lines to the aft.

 

The dweeb looked out the window and then up at Zak, a look of confusion on his face.

 

“What?” Zak snapped. “What’s the matter, stringpole?”

 

“How’d you calculate the inertia to do that?” he said, his nasal greeting on Zak’s ears.

 

“Because I’m good at my job, do you think I’m what, an amateur?” Zak snapped, he made a light backhanded slap to the man’s ear.

 

He yelped, bringing his hand to his ear and seething. “Why’d you hit me?”

 

“Stop being smart.” Zak hissed. “Come on, we've got to get the payload.”

 

The thing stood awkwardly and followed Zak out of the wheelhouse.

 

“Fancy driving, Chauffeur!” Big Mac yelled from across a dock, working on his own contract.

 

Zak sneered at the man, sending him an obscene gesture.

 

“He’s gotta impress the pretty boy with him, of course!” Sunshine jeered in addition from where he was helping the other.

 

Zak rolled his eyes as he moved towards the aft of his ship.

 

“Ignore the rabble.” Zak hissed in a low quiet voice.

 

“You know that ships a lady, do you think she enjoys the rough riding of Le Mans?” Big Mac yelled.

 

“Zak’s no gentleman then, is he?” Sunshine added. “How many guys literally blow the top off their lady?”

 

Zak tensed up, grabbing a bucket off his deck and throwing it towards the two men on the dock.

 

“YOU KEEP YOUR YAP SHUT!” Zak yelled.

 

The thing behind him jumped and squeaked.

 

Zak glared at him and held his hand out toward it.

 

Zak was stared at by the idiot.

 

“The paperwork?” Zak snapped.

 

“T-the what?” He said, his voice cracking in fear.

 

Zak made a growling yell and smacked the thing in the chest.

 

“I told you to get my clipboard!” Zak snarled.

 

Zak rolled his eyes as the man shrunk up. 

 

“No, no you did not.” He said meekly.

 

“Well then I expect you to be smarter, book boy!” Zak sneered.

 

And he stomped to his wheelhouse again.

 

Zak slammed the door on his ship as he balled his fists.

 

He took a moment to breathe deeply, seething.

 

His fists relaxed as he leaned against the door he slammed.

 

He knew he had to play nice, and Zero would have his head if he didn’t at least attempt to train that thing he was in charge of. The Captain would have him strung up in the storage room and draining to be butchered by end of day.

 

Zak took two more deep breaths before pressing his thumb into the spot between his eyebrows. His system was still out of whack and he was getting more headaches than he usually had. When would this misery end? He couldn’t let everything annoy him like this, not like he didn't know he was irritable but it was getting worse and he knew it. Zorran would have his ass if he got more unstable, and then Zak would never make soldier. And if Zorran, that omega, could be a made man, Zak could. He just had to keep it together, show he really was what he said he was without revealing his actual cards, and not let the seasons mess with his head.

 

He stepped forwards when the tension in his head started fading. He had a job to do and he liked to keep it. Steady work where he was on call to his Captain and Caporegime for anything needed. So he had to train that thing.

 

He grabbed his clipboard and pencil, and looked out the windows.

 

He felt his blood pressure raise as he saw the thing now being harassed.

 

Big Mac and Sunshine were on his deck, slowly cornering his protege as the thing clearly kept his mouth shut and shook his head.

 

Maybe the captain had hired someone from the other business.

 

In any case, Zak slammed his wheelhouse door open.

 

“OY!” Zak bellowed. “GET OFF MY SHIP!”

 

“We’re just tryin’ ta get his name.” Sunshine yelled, hands going up as he backed up.

 

Zak rushed his deck. “I said off!”

 

“Hey!” Big Mac stepped between Zak and the thing. “Why’s he so scared?”

 

“He’s stupid, he doesn't talk much.” Zak gestured at the thing. “Tell them your name, boy.” Zak commanded.

 

The thing gasped and tensed up. “Yes sir, it’s N-”

 

“We’ve been through this.” Zak snapped, cutting off the thing before he embarrassed himself for the rest of time. “It’s Zinc, now you all get off my deck!”

 

“My name’s not!” He whined.

 

“Seems chatty when you bully him.” Sunshine laughed. “Fine, fine. We’ll get going, come on Mac, we’ll leave Zaklina and Not Zinc.”

 

Zak tensed up, fingers digging into his palm and the clipboard. “Off!” And he pointed off his ship.

 

The two conceded, laughing as they walked back to their own work.

 

Zak looked at this thing. “I’ve told you, you were told, your name is Zinc.”

 

“But it’s not.” He whined.

 

“Would you rather be Bee boy? Spare change? Off brand Ten Cents?”

 

Zinc looked at the deck. “No.”

 

“Good boy, Zinc, now can you inventory this barge? I assume you can count.” Zak shoved the clipboard at the annoying idiot. “The barge informational plate is on the head of it, make sure this is the payload, got it?”

 

“Yes sir.” Zinc nodded, scampering off to the barge, nearly slipping as he stepped down onto the old thing.

 

Zak hummed to himself as he watched the thing start to look for the identification plate.

 

He could get used to this.

 

---

Zak wasn’t paying attention… until he was.

 

He hadn’t realized that he could even move that fast but now Zinc was looking up at him from the deck as Zak panted hard, trying to hiss air back into his chest.

 

Zinc was stammering and whining.

 

Zak had told him to release a line.

 

This was something he’d done thousands of times, and he hadn’t realized just how many times he’d done it since he was trained.

 

“WHAT WERE YOU DOING?” Zak screamed down at the young man, quivering on the deck.

 

“R-releasing a line?” Zinc shrunk down and kept quivering. “Did I do it wrong?”

 

“DON’T STICK YOUR FUCKING HANDS INTO A MIDSHIPMAN'S HITCH OR UNDER A LINE ON A BOLLARD UNDER A LOAD ARE YOU LOOKING TO END UP CALLED HALF FINGERS, ZINC!?”

 

Zinc started shaking more as Zak panted, starting to cough and wheeze.

 

“I’m sorry.” Zinc stammered.

 

“Why are you apologizing to me!?” Zak yelled, starting to cough into his arm. “You’re the one with the hand to lose!”

 

Zinc stood. “Are you okay?”

 

Zak gestured the young man away as he put a hand on his thigh, leaning over, and hacked as hard as he could to clear his lungs, getting air back into his chest before he grew faint. He stood up and took two deep breaths.

 

“Look.” Zak snarled, his voice hoarse. “You are not losing any body parts on my deck, now here.”

 

Zak grabbed the tail to the hitch on the bollard to release, he slid the butt of his palm up under the wraps around the bollard and shoved them up, slipping them free as he held the line. The line was now released, and Zak broke apart the now safe to touch knot.

 

“You never put those fingers in a place you don't know, got it?” Zak snapped.

 

“Yes sir,” Zinc nodded. “Thank you,” He mumbled, looking at the deck.

 

“Whatever.” Zak whipped the line at Zinc, the man yipping as he was hit with the end of the line. “Now coil this as you go and release the line from the barge, that should be easier.”

 

Zinc nodded and walked off.

 

Zak took two more deep breaths.

 

This job was going to kill him.

---

Zak watched as his new idiot struggled to tie a knot. He tapped his foot and glared.

 

He wanted to be done for the day.

 

“Oh give him a break, Zak.”

 

Zak turned and glared at Zebedee, not even faking a smirk or some other shitty look. “He’s practicing.”

 

“Have you actually taught him the knots, let him practice?” Zebedee hissed.

 

“I did, and now he’s practicing.” Zak gestured at Zinc. “It’s how I practiced.”

 

“And how long till you were good at the job?”

 

“Don’t bust my chops, Zeb.”

 

Zebedee put his hands up and shrugged. “Jus’ sayin’.”

 

“Is this okay?” Zinc asked meekly.

 

“ZINC!”

 

Zak snapped Zinc’s ear into his grip and pulled the young man off the ship and onto the dock roughly.

 

“What was that for?” Zebedee yelled, nearly tripping as he shuffled back from getting hit with Zinc.

 

Zak’s face was going red. “DON’T PUT YOUR FOOT BETWEEN THE DOCK AND THE SHIP YOU HEAR ME?”

 

Zinc nodded mutely before taking a shaky breath. “Yes sir.”

 

“You have to watch your limbs because I’m not going to be there to help you keep them! Got it!? Now up!” Zak tugged Zinc’s ear, keeping hold as the man stood. “I didn’t hear you!”

 

“Yes sir, no limbs lost sir!” Zinc mewled.

 

Zak finally let go of the young man's ear.

 

Zinc snapped his hand up, rubbing his ear as it now throbbed and turned red.

 

“Zak, don't hurt the poor guy.” Zebedee huffed.

 

“Well would you rather his ear hurt or his entire leg hurt when his foot is crushed between hundreds of tonnes of metal and the dock!” Zak snapped at Zebedee.

 

Zebedee opened his mouth to say something but stopped himself. “That's… fair. Sorry.”

 

Zak huffed as he watched Zorran march for him, Constance skipping along on his tail.

 

“Zero wants us up in the office with the kids.” Zorran nodded curtly.

 

“Fine.” Zak sighed.

 

The group quickly shuffled up to the office.

 

In the office, Zero was filling out some papers, nodding as he listened to his daughter. Zasha was sitting on the edge of her desk, kicking her feet as she rambled on.

 

She turned and stopped blabbering as she saw the door open.

 

“Auntie!” And Zasha jumped off the desk and ran towards the group.

 

“Oh come here!” Zorran opened his arms, accepting the hug from the teenager. “Oh I was worried when I heard you were in a pickle.” Zorran mumbled, voice muffled in her hair as he kissed her temple.

 

“I’m fine.” Zasha chirped.

 

“Come on, I'm not paying you by the hour to dilly dally around.” Zero snapped, moving aside his papers and capping his pen. He stood quickly. “I have some temporary uniforms for Mr and Miss Border, one moment.” And Zero walked off towards the storage room.

 

“Oh who is this young lady!” Constance gushed, leaning down as Zasha let go of Zorran.

 

Zasha shoved a hand into Constance's chest. “Zasha S Zero, ma’am. And you must be Constance Border!”

 

“It’s just Connie, and how’d you guess?” Constance laughed, shaking the young girl's hand.

 

“I read daddy’s paperwork when I’m not supposed to.” Zasha beamed at her. She looked at Zinc and Held a hand to him as well. “And this is Nickleby Border MLitt?”

 

Zinc gulped and took her hand lightly, squeaking as she gripped his hand tightly to shake.

 

“Y-yes ma’am.” Zinc nodded.

 

“We’re calling him Zinc.” Zorran chuckled.

 

“Oh good, I’m not allowed to make fun of people here but at Star’s dock you would have had it relentlessly.” Zasha said bluntly.

 

Zinc grumbled. “My name’s not funny.”

 

Connie put her arm around her brother's shoulders. “It is a nice name,”

 

Zinc fumed.

 

“Okay, Connie, Zinc, come here.” Zero snapped, holding two bundles of clothes and two coats over his arm.

 

And now Zinc stuttered out as he fumed harder. “Come on!”

 

“You all said it finally.” Zero said, completely uninterested. “Come on yourselves. She looks like a cowboy and he looks like he’s never seen the sun or work.”

 

The two walked over and Zero handed over the clothes.

 

“You’ll get your proper uniforms if you manage to get through training.” Zero said flatly. “As you can see from the other’s, I'm not picky about the everyday work wear if it’s got proper branding and the colour's match for the most part.” Zero gestured at Zorran and Zak.

 

“I like my overalls.” Zorran said with a huff.

 

“And I can’t out complain that one.” Zero sneered. “Anyways, I’m not picky about my employee’s picks like, socks and handkerchief and the like, that's stupid, but when you are told to dress up in your good uniforms you wear these, these stay as prim as possible, got it? When you have more I’ll be less picky. We have dry cleaning drop offs once a week.”

 

“Why’s that?” Connie cocked her head at Zero.

 

“I get dry cleaning wholesale and I like to offer that to my employees as a benefit, and those proper uniforms are to stay good looking. When you have your assigned ships they’ll most likely stay in your crew quarters. We are a modern, sleek, and well dressed company that serves our harbour. You two will need to get boots and dress shoes fitted soon enough as well.” Zero nodded.

 

Connie looked up from where she was rifling through the clothes she was handed. “Why do I have a tie?”

 

Zero looked at her for a moment. “Well I’ve learned through my previous employee’s that I, well, a ‘proper’ women's uniform is neither safe nor decent to work in.”

 

“I have to wear a suit?” Connie whined.

 

“Uh.” Zero thought for a moment. “Well no, these are just temporary, you’ll have something more proper after your training period. I promise ma’am.”

 

“Suck up.” Zak chuckled. Zorran elbowed him.

 

“And for you two, how have things gone?” Zero called over.

 

“Good, sir.” Zorran nodded. “Connie here is quick at the uptake, we’re due on course for her to be starting deck work in the next few days.”

 

Zak snorted. “That's all? I’ve got stringpole here already on line work and the paperwork.”

 

Zero and Zorran both gave Zak a look. 

 

“He cannot be that advanced already.” Zorran said, a gasp.

 

“Oh I’ve stopped him from losing several digits and limbs already today but he’s already got the basic knots, line arrangements, and paper stuff down. Once that’s firm he’s onto the helm. It’s how I learned.” Zak nodded. “You two are too cautious.”

 

“I don’t want to pay him the rest of his life because he’s lost a hand.” Zero pointed at Zinc.

 

“That’s why I hit him.” Zak nodded.

 

“You have been what!” Zero suddenly tensed up.

 

“No, that’s normal.” Zorran quickly cut in. “If your trainee tries anything with their hands that's dangerous you smack them away, remember Zip?”

 

“Yeah, that’s how I’ve been training too.” Zasha nodded.

 

Zero huffed. “Whatever. No abuse charges, will you please.” Zero adjusted his coat and snorted. “You are all dismissed for the day.”

 

“With that sorted, will you be joining us to the Cafe tonight, Ben?” Zorran called over.

 

“I have a date.” Zero said bluntly.

 

“Really?” Zorran chuckled.

 

“Daddy’s taking me to Morgon’s for ice cream.” Zasha chirped, beaming and swinging her arms.

 

“Ah, then I wish you the best date I can.” Zorran chuckled. “Zak?”

 

“Eh,” He shrugged. “I have a headache.”

 

“I feel that.” Zorran sighed. “I’ve been cramping all day and sore. No reason not to have a-”

 

“Yeah, cause you’re still recovering from your little whore display!” Zak snapped, tensing up.

 

“Do I have to send you both home another week?” Zero barked. “Zak you play nice and Zorran you-”

 

“I don’t need more time off!” Zorran snapped.

 

“Are you sure? You’re still emotional and sappy.” Zak sneered. “Just get kn-”

 

“Zak, you finish that sentence in front of my daughter and you are not walking out of here!” Zero snapped. “Get out of my office!”

 

“Fine!” And Zak walked through the door, slamming it as hard as he could, causing the glass to crack.

 

“HOWARD COSTELLO THAT WINDOWS COMING OUT OF YOUR PAY!” Zero bellowed after the storming away man.

Chapter 11

Summary:

Down at the Cafe

Connie laughed as she stood. “Oh stop being such a sour puss.”

 

Zinc gave her a glare as she walked away. He sunk down in the booth and buried himself in the book he was reading further.

 

“So’s Zinc, what cha readin’?” Zebedee asked softly, looking at the young man buried in his book.

 

“Nothing you know,” Zinc muttered, flipping a page.

 

“Well, sure maybe I don’t but maybe I might wanna read it, never know?” Zebedee laughed awkwardly.

 

Zinc was quiet for a moment, then carefully put his bookmark into his book.

 

“Well, it’s a thesis book written using the proletariat experience in the hard labour of the slaughterhouse industry, and this slaughter house industry is used as the basis to show the disabling and horrible conditions of the labourers work and shows how uncontrolled industry leads to unfair power exchanges, including focus on intentional disabling work for immigrint betas and how at risk and poor women are coerced into rape and prostitution at the absense of male aphas and betas,” Zinc flipped through the pages of his book with his thumb, looking at Zebedee intensely. “I’m re-reading it to recontextualize this work against my new experiences, but I’ve already written a thesis on it and am quite familiar with the text. Do you want to read it?”

 

Zebedee gave an absent stare back to Zinc, before shrugging. “Sure, sound’s interesting.”

 

Zinc slid the book across the table to Zebedee. “Don’t mind my annotations,"

 

Zebedee picked up the book and opened it, nodding dismissively. “No issue, I need a new book.”

 

“Zebedee what is wrong with you, I’m not sure you know how to read let alone read something that dull without pictures.” Zug laughed, he elbowed Zip next to him, who squeaked and gulped.

 

“W-what do you mean people die in the meat industry.” Zip squeaked.

 

Zorran pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. “Don’t think about it too hard, Zip.”

 

“B-but what do they do to those people, and t-the women-” Zip started to break up.

 

“Well, usually it’s quite simple, women who are disadvantaged or put in a position where their boss has an unreasonable amount of power over them end up having to succumb to violence, often sexual in nature, to-”

 

“Can we stop talking about this?” Zaffre cut over Zinc, her voice quiet and shaken. “I-I don't want to talk about this.”

 

Zinc nodded curtly. “Of course, ma’am.”

 

Connie skipped back to the table, carrying a drink and something behind her back. “Oh, are we socializing?” She beamed at her brother.

 

Zinc huffed and leaned back. “Unfortunately.”

 

Connie leaned forwards and put what was behind her back in front of Zinc.

 

Zinc lit up as the glass of milk came into his view, “gee, thanks!”

 

“Of course,” Connie chimed, she kissed Zinc’s cheek as she sat down with her scotch and picked up his wine glass and took a drink, “sister tax.”

 

Zinc snorted, “of course.”

 

“Oh, you're siblings?” Zebedee mused, turning a page in the book. “Thought you was cousins.”

 

“Nope, little brother and big sister.” Connie giggled.

 

“It was 8 minutes,” Zinc seethed.

 

“Twins?” Zaffre chimed, “you two are from the same batch and he ended up like that?”

 

“Well someone needed the brains,” Connie giggled.

 

“Well after you kicked me in the head for 9 months I ought to take her brain and give her the mush she left me with.” Zinc hummed.

 

“You love me,” Connie chirped, leaning her head on his shoulder.

 

“Unfortunately,” Zinc snorted.

Notes:

Thanks for reading, have a great morning/afternoon/night