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Chip doesn’t think he’s ever been so scared in his life. Well, except maybe when those gross black yucky dudes attacked the Midnight Rose. Or when a hole opened up to swallow his dad— his crew in the middle of the sea. Or—
Well, the point is he’s really scared, okay? He was a kid when all that stuff happened. Now, he’s older. There’s no one to take responsibility for his mistakes. No one other than him.
Gillion groans quietly, scrunching up his face. Chip rests a hand on his forearm. He really hopes Jay will get back soon.
Jay’s mom— May? — slowly rises from her spot at Gillion’s side.
“My magic is doing everything it can to keep him alive,” she murmurs, fingertips barely touching his shoulder. “All we can do now is hope for Jay-Jay’s swift return.”
Despite himself, he smiles.
“Jay-Jay’s swift, all right.” he nervously strokes his thumb across Gillion’s clammy flesh, “Not sure if you saw, but she doesn’t have those wings for nothin’.” He vaguely motions towards his back.
Gillion wheezes a weak laugh. “Wings for the Navigator. Like a bird.” He continues giggling. Jay’s mom smiles towards Gillion, though he can see the nervous tension in her shoulders.
“It seems my daughter has changed quite a bit since I last saw her,” she speaks softly, a bittersweet smile finding it’s way onto her face. “I don’t remember Jay having any tattoos when she left Featherbrook.” She raises an eyebrow at Chip. He laughs nervously, not wanting to incite the wrath of yet another mother of his crew-mate. It dies out as his thumb finds the dark lettering on the inside of Gil’s wrist.
“We all have some.” Their eyes find each other in the candlelight and Chip feels the absurd need to dissolve the tension. He pats Gil’s side gingerly and stands. He unties the sash around his waist, motioning towards the flames on his chest. He spins on his heel and slides his jacket off his shoulders and down to his elbows, revealing his tattoos of a coral crown and small blue jay. Jay’s mom gasps. Chip abruptly remembers these are no longer the only tattoos that mar his flesh. The map burns in memory of its appearance. He shrugs his coat back into place. As he turns back to face his audience, Gil reaches out a hand from the table and fists it in his coat, just above the hip.
“We’re matching,” he whispers, as if remembering that Chip bears the mark of Niklaus as well.
May Ferin’s eyes linger on Gillion’s aquamarine coral crown. Chip can see her realization that, if the crown is for Gillion…
“You two were practically at each other’s throats when you were last here” There are tears in her eyes, a wobbly smile on her lips.
“Still are half the time, it feels like.” Chip returns her small smile with one of his own.
“But,” he sighs, “even when she wants to wring it herself, she’s saving my neck. She’s saved my life more times than I can count. She’s family.” His head turns to Gil. “They both are.”
Gillion’s eyes have all but fogged over as his condition deteriorates, but he still manages a half-smile even as he winces afterward.
“He wasn’t with you last time you were here, was he?” It’s not a question. Still, he confirms.
“We found this fish belly-up in the Southern Sea not too far from here. Almost like destiny” He grins and squeezes Gillion’s hand gently.
“She really cares about the two of you.” May laughs softly. “What am I saying?” She holds a hand to her forehead, “Of course she does, you all have been traveling together for months.”
“We’re co-captains, you know.” Chip sinks back into his chair at Gil’s side. “You should be proud of her.”
“I am. But it’s hard not to worry.” A hand drifts to Gillion’s hair, as if to comfort him. “I mean, she’s co-captain of a pirate ship . It’s a dangerous lifestyle. Not to mention her father…”
Gillion breaks his silence, “My sword got stuck in his chest.” Chip’s lips press together in a thin line. He’s not sure if he should laugh or scream. “Twice.”
May looks like she’s not sure either.
“He’s not happy with her. I mean obviously, ‘cause we have wanted posters and he’s.. vice-admiral of the navy… But we’ve run into him.” Chip’s leg is bouncing. Is it hot in here? Featherbrook is really humid, he’s sweating. “He’s okay though. As in alive. Gil didn’t kill him.” He adds.
The veins in Gillion’s torso throb with thick, black ooze. His eyes are squeezed tightly shut and his hand is almost white with the strength that it grips Chip’s.
“I would have liked to try those raspberry cookies.” He gulps a large breath.
“You will, Gil.” Chip blinks. His chin is wet. “We’ll make some as soon as we get you back on the Albatross— or whatever we replace her with.”
Gillion’s hand begins to slacken.
“Or we’ll bake them back at the mansion, so we can give some to Ollie and his mom!”
May places one hand on Chip’s shoulder and one amidst her magic plants. Gil’s face loses its tension as the dark curse surges up the pulse point in his neck.
Jay bursts through the doors.