no man returns...except this idiot

by Anonymous

Summary:

Legend says no man who sets foot on Sunburst's island ever returns. Captain Rocket, renowned idiot, does it anyway.

Or, the story of how one pirate learned that hot people can, in fact, commit violence.

Chapter 1: from greed to crushing in 0.5 seconds.

Summary:

There was just something about the way the guy stood. His armor- maybe it was the way the light bounced off. The regal, but somewhat lazy way he moved. His fiery skin, like the setting sun, and the way the edges of his robes almost seemed to flicker with heat.

 

Oh yeah. Rocket’s attention had completely shifted.

 

“I…I want that baddie..” Rocket muttered under his breath, his eye now locked on Sunburst. He didn’t even try to hide the way his expression turned from greedy pirate to…a bit of a fool.

Notes:

HEEE'SSS BAAAAAAACK

ok i dont remember sum chapter names nd what i put for chapter summary so it may not be completely accurate

i wont post everythign all at once cuz. i wanna work and chapters too so im at least getting work done too

Captain Rocket had heard a lot of warnings in his life.

 

“Don’t sail into that storm, Rocket.”

 

“Maybe don’t steal from an entire navy fleet, Rocket.”

 

“That island is cursed, Rocket. No man who steps foot on it ever returns.”

 

And yet, here he was, still alive, still thriving, and now rowing himself straight toward that island with a stupid grin on his face.

 

___

 

Rocket wasn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. Actually he wasn’t even IN the shed. He was the tool that had somehow gotten left out in the rain, rusting away in some random alleyway. I mean, he was a pirate after all. A very small, chaotic pirate, leading a crew of misfits with the same questionable moral compass as him.

 

You had Rocket himself- captain by title, troublemaker by choice. Rocket stood leaning casually against the mast, his trademark grin plastered on his face as the wind tousled his unruly hair. He was the embodiment of chaos, and he loved it. Same couldn’t be said for his crew.

 

Zuka, the crew’s unofficial ‘voice of reason’ and someone Rocket deemed close enough to be his dad, leaned over the edge of the ship with a half empty bottle of rum in his hand, eyeing Rocket with a mixture of amusement and skepticism. Missing one arm didn’t seem to slow him down much, but then again, Zuka was tough in a way that didn’t need to be said out loud. Though, he only gave advice when asked to, but it was usually worth something listening to.

 

Zuka squinted out at the distance. “You sure about this? That island’s been cursed by more than one pirate, y’know. Last time someone went, they came back a skeleton.” He chuckled dryly at his own joke, which was reasonable since it wasn’t all that funny.

 

Rocket didn’t flinch. “Skeletons? Pfft, sounds like exactly what I’m after. Don’t tell me you’re scared now.”

 

Zuka raised his bottle and took a long swig. “Scared? No, just realistic. Can’t eat treasures if you’re dead.”

 

Rocket waved him off like it was nothing. “Oh, I’ll just take the treasure and leave before whatever’s ‘haunting’ the place even notices me. Simple as that.”

 

Zuka sighed. “You’ve got a lot of faith in simplicity.” He didn’t push further. Rocket was going to do what Rocket wanted to do.

 

Medkit, standing near the back of the ship, overheard the conversation. With his usual stoic expression and well-pressed clothes, Medkit looked out of place on a pirate ship as a butler at brawl. He was a little tall, a little intimidating, and had a way of giving people the feeling that they were being judged- even if he wasn’t saying anything. But unlike Zuka, Medkit was the kind of guy who didn’t hesitate to be the buzzkill when needed. He didn’t care if you were going to get yourself killed, but he wasn’t about to let the rest of the crew die because their captain had a “good feeling” about a treasure hunt.

 

He adjusted his eyepatch and walked up to Rocket, arms crossed. “Captain, you know this island is dangerous, right?”

 

Rocket gave him an exaggerated, mischievous grin. “And that’s exactly why it's perfect! Who’s gonna get there first, huh? Me? Or whatever deity’s guarding all that gold?” He gestured dramatically, as if he were already in the middle of the treasure-laden cave.

 

Medkit rubbed his forehead, looking like he was already getting a headache from Rocket’s “genius” ideas. “You’re the one who’ll get there last, ‘cause you’ll be dead. Do me a favor and don’t let yourself get killed this time.”

 

“Aw, come on ‘Kit. You and I both know you’d miss me if I wasn’t around.” Rocket teased, giving him a slap on the back. Medkit didn’t flinch.

 

“Don’t make me lie to you.” Medkit’s voice was flat, but there was a hint of something else there- maybe begrudging affection, or maybe he just didn’t want to deal with Rocket’s antics without having to save him from some ridiculous stunt.

 

Just then, a voice from behind broke in, though this time, it wasn’t from one of the usual suspects.

 

“Are yer’ all seriously just…gon’ sail off like that?”

 

Scythe, the crew’s self appointed second-in-command, had emerged from the quarter’s below deck. She was the kind of person who didn’t waste time on pleasantries, and frankly, that was what made her so intimidating. Other than her already questionable wooden mask of course, but in general she was sharp- in both attitude and skill- and didn’t have much patience for nonsense, despite goofing off herself sometimes.

 

Rocket raised an eyebrow, half expecting her to give him the usual “are you insane?” look. He got that look a lot. But this time, Scythe was different. She did have that look, but she also had a hint of exasperated amusement, like she wasn’t surprised in the slightest that Rocket was about to get them all into another mess.

 

“You’re not exactly the first person I’d take advice from when it comes to ‘not dying’ Scythe,” Rocket said, gesturing towards her prosthetic arm despite having a hook for a hand and a peg for a leg.

 

Scythe leaned against the mast, rolling her eye. “m’ just sayin’, it’s yer’ death wish. You ain’t the one who gets to deal with it. I’ll just make sure m’ not goin’ down with ya.”

 

“You’ll be fine,” Rocket said with a wink, or what could be considered one with his own eyepatch, knowing full well Scythe just wouldn’t let him fail. Probably. Hopefully. If anything, she’d probably drag him out of whatever trouble he got himself into, whether he liked it or not.

 

“Yeah, yeah, keep talkin’.” Scythe smirked, but there was a glimmer of fondness in her eyes that no one else seemed to notice. “M’ just here for the treasure, don’t get me wrong. But m’ also here to make sure yer’ not dead before we even get there.”

 

Zuka chuckled under his breath, obviously enjoying the banter between Scythe and Rocket. He could already tell this was going to be another one of his adventures that would make for great stories at the bar later.

 

Medkit finally uncrossed his arms. “Alright, I’m not going to sit here and lecture you for the hundredth time about ‘making smart choices’, Rocket. But if this goes south, I’m tying you up and dragging you back myself. Got it?”

 

Rocket saluted dramatically. “Aye, aye, Cap’n ‘Kit! I’ll be on my best behavior!”

 

Medkit shot him a deadpan stare. “If by ‘best behavior’, you mean ‘reckless’, then sure.”

 

Scythe patted Rocket on the back in mock sympathy. “Looks like it’s all up to ya, Rocket. Ya either find treasure, or ya either get eaten alive by sum’ cursed creature. Either way, M’ gettin’ paid.”

 

Rocket grinned. “That’s the spirit, Scythe! See, I knew you’d come around! Anyway, let me get this treasure!”

 

Medkit groaned. “I swear if you die over a treasure hunt because you had a ‘feeling’, I’m going to make sure your funeral is incredibly inconvenient.”

 

Rocket flashed him a grin.

 

“If I die, then we all have to die! When we all come back as ghosts, I’m gonna haunt you for your sense of humor.”

 

Medkit didn’t crack a smile, but his voice was steady and sarcastic.

 

“You say that like it’s a threat. I’ll just have to make sure your ghost gets assigned the worst corner of the ship.”

 

___

 

The crew stood on deck, watching Rocket prepare for his solo journey to the mysterious island.

 

“Well, if he doesn’t come back, we know where to look for the treasure,” Zuka called from the ship, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

 

Rocket, already halfway into a rowboat with a map dramatically clutched in his hand, shot him another supposed wink. “Oh, I’ll be back. I mean, treasure doesn’t go anywhere. And besides,” he added with a self-satisfied grin, “I’m practically invincible.”

 

“Yeah, okay, good luck with that.” Zuka tossed the empty bottle of rum into the sea. “Just don’t come back dead. I’m not doing any funeral arrangements. Medkit would be the only one who’d have a fit, too.”

 

Medkit, standing near the mast with his usual deadpan expression, spoke up, though it was more like a warning. “If you get yourself killed, I’m not responsible for cleaning up the mess. Again.” He looked over at Rocket, pointedly glaring, and added, “And I’d prefer you not get eaten by whatever lurks on that island.”

 

‘Relax, Medkit. I know,” Rocket said, leaning over the side of the boat, giving him a dramatic salute. “And if I come back, I’ll bring you something shiny!”

 

Scythe, leaning against the ship’s rail, crossed her arms. She had her usual air of sarcastic amusement about her. “We’ll see if that shiny thing is yer’ skeleton.”

 

Rocket chuckled, tapping his rowboat. “Skeletons? That’s soooo last century. I’ll be back with treasure, alive, and maybe even a new story to make you all jealous.”

 

Zuka snorted at the thought. “Jealous of your ‘treasure’? If you come back with another rock, I’ll throw you overboard.”

 

“Noted.” Rocket rolled his eye, but his grin never wavered. “If I don’t come back, just know I died doing what I love! And of course you'll miss me, terribly.”

 

“You’re damn right I will.” Zuka smirked, grabbing another bottle of rum. “Now go on and get yourself killed already, Captain.”

 

Rocket gave a thumbs-up before grabbing the oars and setting them into the water, his boat slowly drifting away from their ship and into open sea.

 

The crew watched, two with a smirk and the other with a face of indifference as their captain set off toward what could very well be his doom. Scythe offered Zuka a look.

 

“Think he’s really gonna find anythin’?”

 

“I think he’s gonna find trouble,” Zuka said, leaning against the ship’s railing. “But that’s Rocket for you.”

 

Medkit adjusted his eyepatch, his eternal frown deepening. “I wish he’d take things seriously. It’s not just some walk in the park. Whatever, or Whoever’s on that island could be worse than what he thinks. But then again…he’s Rocket.” Medkit sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

 

“Worse than he thinks? Yer’ actin’ like he actually thinks,” Scythe remarked with a small chuckle, rolling her eyes.

 

With one last look toward the ship, Rocket waved with a grin. He didn’t know if it was the wind making his hair stick up in every direction or if it was just his natural, exaggerated style, but he looked pretty damn cool if he did say so himself.

 

___

The island wasn’t too far, but it felt like it. Rocket was paddling with all the energy of a man determined to get to an island, find treasure, and tell everyone he was right. The island loomed ahead, a bit mysterious, its jagged cliffs disappearing into mist and the trees swaying lazily in the breeze. But despite the ominous fog and mysterious air surrounding it, there was an undeniable beauty. Tall, elegant palms stretched high above the pristine white sand beaches, and vibrant flowers in strange hues dotted the landscape. The air was fresh, almost too perfect, as if the island was hiding dark secrets…

 

Rocket squinted, narrowing his eye dramatically. “Nothing scary about this, right? It’s probably just…haunted by ghosts who are mad I’m interrupting vacation.” He chuckled to himself, doing a bit of an over-the-top eyebrow raise as he continued rowing.

 

The boat rocked gently, and Rocket found himself strangely calm, even as he neared the island’s shore. Maybe it was the false sense of security provided by the gentle waves lapping at the boat. Maybe it was his obvious self-confidence, which never wavered. “This is gonna be easy,” he muttered, guiding the boat closer to the shoreline.

 

As the boat scraped against the sand, Rocket hopped out, a little too quickly, and stumbled for a second. But with a swift recovery and another supposed wink to nobody in particular, he brushed the sand off his clothes “Not even close,” he murmured, standing tall with an exaggerated flick of his hair.

 

The island had a serenity to it that felt…unsettling. Every breeze, every rustle of leaves in the distance, seemed like it was trying to tell him something- something that didn’t quite make sense yet. Oh well. Rocket wasn’t one to overthink things. He pulled out the map, examining it with the focus of a man who was about to claim fame. It was old and crinkled, showing the general area of where these riches should be hidden. And there it was, just ahead- X marked the spot.

 

“Okay, okay, just follow the path, grab the treasure, and I’m back in no time. Easy,” Rocket mumbled to himself as he stuffed the map back into his pocket, deciding it was time to follow the trail marked on his adventure-seeking, adrenaline-chasing heart.

 

The journey, of course, was a complete mess. The path he followed was narrow and winding. Surrounded by thick foliage that nearly tripped him twice. Rocket grumbled at the brambles scratching at his legs. “I swear, if this is some kind of ‘test’ or weird cosmic thing, I’m gonna lose it.”

 

The air grew thick as he walked deeper into the island. The trees above blocked out most of the sun, leaving only a soft, filtered light to guide him through the dense underbrush. It was beautiful, yes, but the isolation started to feel less peaceful and more…lonely. And with every step, the silence seemed to grow heavier, pressing in on him like the island itself was waiting. Watching.

 

“It’s fine,” Rocket muttered to himself. “It’s totally fine. There’s treasure. And I’m about to be a legend. Not a big deal. A tiny bit of spook, but nothing the amazing Captain Rocket can’t handle!”

 

Soon, he came upon the entrance to a cave, hidden beneath the roots of a colossal tree. The ground around the cave was covered in moss, and the air had a strange chill. Rocket paused for a moment, looking at the dark entrance. He wasn’t going to chicken out no, of course. He’d come this far.

 

With a deep breath, he ventured inside. His footsteps echoed as he carefully made his way into the cave, his eye adjusting to the dim light. And then, just as he thought he might be in some kind of trap, he turned a corner and froze.

 

Before him lay a massive treasure trove, glimmering gold and sparkling jewels piled high in every corner. It was too perfect. Too easy.

 

“Okay, wow,” Rocket breathed, blinking in disbelief. “I found it. I actually found it.”

 

He stepped forward, the excitement practically bubbling over. Coins, chests of jewels, and artifacts beyond his wildest dreams were scattered across the cavern floor. But what caught his eye wasn’t just the treasure- it was the eerie, almost giving glow of the gold.

 

Something about it felt…off. But nah, Rocket shrugged it off. He wasn’t here for ghost stories or curses.

 

“Guess I’ll just take a little bit…or, like, all of it !” Rocket said to no one in particular. “What’s the harm, right?”

 

And that’s when the entire cave seemed to tremble.

 

The ground shook beneath him. He staggered, catching his balance, but the sensation of something ancient and powerful rising in the depths of the earth was unmistakable.

 

Rocket paused, looking around, his earlier bravado faltering. “Okay, that was not in the brochure.”

 

___

Out of nowhere, a burst of light flared in the center of the cavern. It wasn’t soft or gentle- no, this was like someone had cranked the brightness all the way to the max. Rocket instinctively shielded his eyes, his heart racing. What the hell was going on now?

 

The light dimmed just enough for him to make out a figure standing in the center of it. And it was- well, Rocket had never quite seen that before.

 

The figure was tall, definitely. And the first thing Rocket noticed was the deep, burnt skin. He had armor that gleamed, but in the way that made you think it was more for show than practicality. Dark red robes flowed from his hips, reaching just above his knees. His feet were adorned with sandals, the kind that were clearly meant for someone who wasn’t planning on walking gently anytime soon.

 

But it wasn’t his appearance that struck Rocket the most. Oh no. It was the way the figure moved. Everything was deliberate, confident. And yet… maybe a little bit tired? Like he was really over the whole god thing and just wanted to get on with his day.

 

“Who dares to disturb my domain?” the figure’s voice rang out- elegant, melodic. So smooth it practically sang through the air.

 

Rocket, of course, was too busy gawking to think of any coherent response. He blinked, focusing on the golden light around him, the treasure, then back to the figure in front of him. It took him a few seconds to process.

 

“Oh, uh, right,” Rocket said, coughing awkwardly. He straightened up, trying to muster his usual bravado. “I’m just here to uh…loot. Nothing personal.”

 

The figure narrowed his eyes. “Loot?” He stepped forward, the movement slow but powerful. “You speak of my sacred treasures as if they were mere objects.” His tone was cool, controlled, dripping with the kind of elegance you’d expect from someone who could probably obliterate you with a single snap of their fingers.

 

Rocket, however, wasn’t all that intimidated. He was used to this. Gods, monsters, you name it- he'd dealt with them all (in his dreams). He gave a small shrug and a grin, trying to be nonchalant.

 

“Yeah, well, you know how it goes.” Rocket said, still eyeing the gold. “A pirate’s gotta eat, right?”

 

The figure didn’t seem impressed, his lip curling downwards even more ever so slightly. “You would desecrate the sanctity of this place for your own gain?” His voice was still graceful, but there was a slight edge to it now, like he was seriously considering whether or not to just end this conversation altogether.

 

But Rocket, being Rocket, just grinned wider. “Look, I’m not picky. A little treasure, a little gold- hell, I’ll even take some of those shiny rocks if you’re feeling generous.”

 

The figure blinked, clearly taken aback for a second. Then he sighed, shaking his head like this was so beneath him. “I tire of this,” he said in a tone that would’ve been regal, if not for the casual undertone. “You are beneath me. You and your…greed.”

 

And that’s when it happened.

 

Rocket’s brain, the part that had been too busy trying to get a solid grasp on this deity and what was going on, finally took a moment to appreciate the situation.

 

His gaze flickered up from the treasure, slowly scanning the figure before him. And then, like a switch flipping in his brain, everything changed. It was as if he finally recalled what exactly the legends warned him about.

 

Treasure? Forget it.

 

Sunburst?

 

Now that was a different story.

 

There was just something about the way the guy stood. His armor- maybe it was the way the light bounced off. The regal, but somewhat lazy way he moved. His fiery skin, like the setting sun, and the way the edges of his robes almost seemed to flicker with heat.

 

Oh yeah. Rocket’s attention had completely shifted.

 

“I…I want that baddie..” Rocket muttered under his breath, his eye now locked on Sunburst. He didn’t even try to hide the way his expression turned from greedy pirate to…a bit of a fool.

 

Sunburst blinked, his eyebrow quirked. “Did you say something?” he asked, his voice a little more relaxed now. Casual, even. Clearly, he wasn’t in the mood for being all high and mighty anymore.

 

Rocket, now way into the idea of impressing this hot deity, scratched his head, trying to keep up the cool pirate act while completely forgetting everything that had made him even remotely intimidating in the first place. “I-uh, I said I’m a fan of your work, you know?” he stammered. “That whole sun god thing you’ve got going on is pretty- well, it’s pretty hot.”

 

Sunburst’s expression darkened just a tad. “Is this how you approach all your…conquests?” he asked, his voice still dripping with that casual, almost bored tone.

 

Rocket’s mind raced as he tried to salvage the situation. “I mean…not always? But hey, you’re not exactly the average treasure hoarder, are you? You’re more of a…fiery god sort of deal, right?”

 

Sunburst sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as if trying to stave off an impending headache. “Look, I’m just going to say this once. You can’t have me, alright? No amount of flattery or..ridiculous pirate nonsense is going to change that.”

 

Rocket grinned, completely undeterred. “Oh, I’m not asking for much. Just a little bit of your time. Maybe a dinner date? A nice walk by the sunset? Which is supposed to be you by the way, I know I’m quite the joker-”

 

Sunburst, clearly losing his patience, raised a hand and summoned a burst of light so intense Rocket had to shield his eyes again. “Enough. I’ve had enough of this foolishness.”

 

And then, as if it was the most casual thing in the world, Sunburst flicked his wrist.

 

Rocket didn’t even have time to react. One second, he was standing there, trying to work up the courage to ask for a date with a deity, and the next… he was flying backwards and slamming into the rocky wall of the cavern with a deafening crash.

 

His head rang, his vision blurred, and before he could even process what happened, everything went black.

Notes:

Hi

Chapter 2: fine dining (kind of)

Summary:

Rocket’s eye twitched. “You didn’t even chew-” he started, before sighing and struggling against the ropes, livid. “You are a menace.”

Sunburst returned to spearing fish without a care in the world. “So I’ve been told.”

Rocket groaned and let his head thud back against the tree. “I’m going to starve,” he muttered. “I’m going to die here, tied to a tree, watching you eat like an actual goblin.”

Notes:

i think this is like everyone's favorite chapter so here

it took a while cuz i had to go to like 5 different government dentists at 5 in the morning and 4 of them didn't take people my age

i hope u enjoy i might post the next one in like a day or six

Rocket’s first conscious thought was that his head hurt. His second was that, based on the way the world was currently upside down, something had gone very, very wrong.

 

“Oh cool,” he muttered, blinking blearily at the sky. “I’m dead.”

 

Then he squinted. Nope. Still alive. Unfortunate.

 

The ground was a little too far below him, which was concerning, considering he was pretty sure he wasn’t supposed to be this acquainted with tree bark. His arms were bound behind his back, rope coiled tight around his torso, but the real kicker was his legs- tied together and looped over a sturdy branch, leaving him dangling upside down like some kind of pirate-turned-windchime.

 

He wiggled experimentally. The branch did not budge.

 

Fantastic.

 

Before he could get too deep into his current predicament, a soft shhink of metal against stone reached his ears.

 

Rocket craned his neck and- oh.

 

Sitting on a nearby log, humming a tune like this was just another peaceful evening, was the single most radiant man Rocket had ever laid his gold-hungry eyes on.

 

Skin like burnished bronze, wrapped in deep red robes and elegant armor. His long hair, streaked with gold like sunlit flames, framed his sharp features perfectly. He had those fancy metal sandals, the kind that made someone look either extremely powerful or extremely prepared to kick someone into the afterlife.

 

Sunburst.

 

A literal deity.

 

Currently sitting there, leisurely sharpening his blade on a rock like he didn’t have a pirate captain hanging from a tree five feet away.

 

Rocket took a second. Just one.

 

Then, he grinned.

 

“Well, well, well,” he drawled, tilting his head as best as he could while upside down. “You must be the oh-so legendary Sunburst.”

 

Sunburst didn’t even glance up from his sword. “Ah, you’re awake.”

 

Rocket expected something grander. Maybe another deep, celestial voice booming with divine judgement. Maybe something cryptic again, like ‘Foolish mortal, you dare disturb my sacred domain?’

 

Instead, he got…casual indifference.

 

It was kind of throwing him off.

 

“You,uh-” He cleared his throat. “You know, for a fearsome guardian deity, you don’t sound that intimidating.”

 

Sunburst finally looked up. His gaze unreadable, his expression perfectly neutral. “Should I?”

 

Rocket opened his mouth. Then shut it.

 

He wasn’t sure what he was expecting, but it sure as hell wasn’t this.

 

Sunburst gave him a slow, once-over, eyes drifting over Rocket’s ridiculous upside-down predicament before calmly going back to his blade. “If you’re waiting for me to smite you,I’m afraid that’s not on my schedule for today.”

 

“Oh, good,” Rocket said. “Because I’d hate to die before getting to know such a handsome deity.”

 

The words were out before he even thought about them.

 

Sunburst’s hands paused for just a fraction of a second before resuming their steady rhythm. His face, to Rocket’s disappointment, remained utterly blank.

 

But Rocket wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.

 

“So,” he continued, voice dripping with charm, “how’s a guy like you end up all alone on an island? Must get awfully lonely, huh?”

 

Sunburst exhaled through his nose. It wasn’t a sigh, but it was close. “I guard this island. I do not…live on it.”

 

“Yeah, yeah, guarding, scary deity stuff, but what do you do? You got any hobbies?”

 

Sunburst lifted his sword in emphasis.

 

“...Right. That’s uh. That’s fun.”

 

Sunburst finally gave him a real look. And by real look, Rocket meant he was getting absolutely stared at like an unfortunate bug caught under someone’s boot.

 

“You certainly talk a lot for someone in your position.”

 

Rocket grinned. “ You certainly don’t talk a lot for someone with a voice that nice.”

 

For the first time since Rocket had woken up, Sunburst actually reacted. His lips twitched, whether in amusement or irritation, Rocket wasn’t sure.

 

But Rocket, being Rocket, took it as encouragement.

 

“So, about letting me down-”

 

“No.”

 

“C’mon, I’m harmless!”

 

“You tried to steal from my island.”

 

“Okay, technically I tried to borrow from your island-”

 

Sunburst gave him a slow blink that somehow radiated disappointment.

 

Rocket cleared his throat. “-And I deeply regret my actions…”

 

Sunburst resumed sharpening his blade.

 

Rocket shifted slightly, testing the ropes. Still not budging.

 

Alright. Plan B.

 

“You know, I meant what I said earlier,” Rocket tried again, voice deliberately smooth. “About you being handsome.”

 

Nothing.

 

“I mean, seriously. Tall, radiant, built like a god- oh wait.”

 

Silence.

 

Rocket grinned wider. “You’re like, divinely attractive.”

 

Nothing.

He wiggled his eyebrows. “Every thought about starting a club? I’d be your number one fan.”

 

Sunburst calmly stood up. Walked over. Grabbed the tree branch.

 

And shook it.

 

Violently.

 

Rocket let out an undignified yelp as he swung wildly, vision blurring as the world whipped back and forth like some kind of cruel amusement ride.

 

“WAIT-”

 

Sunburst let go, and Rocket was left spinning.

 

He groaned, trying to blink the dizziness away. “Okay, point taken.”

 

Sunburst hummed, adjusting his grip on his sword. “You still think I’m not a deity?”

 

Rocket would have answered.

 

He was going to.

 

But the next thing he knew, there was a blur of motion, a sharp sensation near the rope holding his ankles-

 

And then he was falling.

 

Fast.

 

“Wait-”

 

Thud.

 

A heartbeat of silence.

 

Then, Sunburst casually sat back down, picked up his blade, and resumed humming.

 

Rocket did not get back up.

 

___

Rocket had never been tied to so many trees in his life.

 

That was his first thought upon waking up- again.

 

The good news? He was no longer upside down. The bad news? He was now lashed firmly to the bark of a tree, arms pinned behind him, legs still bound. The universe, it seemed, was determined to keep him humble.

 

He groaned, rolling his shoulders as best as he could. Everything ached, and judging by the dried blood on his temple, his previous landing had not been particularly graceful.

 

“Fantastic,” he muttered, sifting against the ropes. “Back to being a glorified decoration.”

 

The sound of the waves crashing nearby made him tilt his head.

 

And that’s when he saw him, possibly falling in-love all over again.

 

Sunburst stood at the edge of the shoreline, his silhouette backlit by the early morning light. His robes, deep red, fluttered in the sea breeze. His sword gleamed as he raised it high- then stabbed it clean into the water.

 

Rocket blinked.

 

Sunburst withdrew his blade- now impaling a still-wriggling fish- and without an ounce of hesitation, shoved the entire thing into his mouth.

 

Raw.

 

Alive.

 

Still flopping.

 

Rocket watched, horrified, as the deity bit down, chewed twice, and swallowed before repeating the process with another unfortunate fish.

 

The scene played out multiple times. Stab. Spear. Bite. Chew. Swallow. Repeat.

 

Rocket had seen a lot of things in his life.

 

He had done a lot of things in his life.

 

But nothing- nothing could have prepared him for watching an actual deity mind you, devour raw, still-squirming seafood like it was his personal buffett.

 

He didn’t know whether to be disgusted or impressed.

 

Sunburst had all the grace and elegance of a divine being, yet here he was, eating like a feral dog.

 

Finally, Rocket cleared his throat. “Hey Sunshine!”

 

Sunburst didn’t turn around. “You’re awake.”

 

Rocket sighed. “Yeah, yeah. Again. You planning to untie me, or is this just my life now?”

 

Sunburst, to absolutely no one’s surprise, did not answer.

 

Instead, he speared another fish, lifted it to his mouth, and bit down- this time, just as the fish let out a last, pitiful flop.

 

Rocket grimaced. “Gods man, you ever heard of cooking?”

 

Sunburst shrugged. “Unnecessary.”

 

Rocket made a face. “Riiiight…because you’re a big, mighty deity and don’t need mortal luxuries like flavor.”

 

“Exactly.”

 

“ And you’re too good for a plate apparently.”

 

Sunburst finally turned his head, staring at Rocket with a blank expression. “Why would I need a plate?”

 

Rocket opened his mouth, paused, then shut it.

 

There was no winning this argument..

 

His stomach decided to make its presence known by growling loudly.

 

Sunburst glanced at him.

 

Rocket, being Rocket, grinned.

 

“Well,” he drawled, tilting his head, “if you’re sooo above mortal luxuries, maybe you could spare some of your divine cuisine?”

 

Sunburst didn’t respond.

 

Rocket opened his mouth expectantly. Go on Sunshine, feed me!!!

 

A beat of silence.

 

Then Sunburst turned away, briefly vanishing into the nearby foliage. Rocket frowned. Wait, is he-

 

Before he could finish the thought, Sunburst returned, walked right up to him, and without a word-

 

-shoved a handful of flowers into his mouth.

 

Rocket gagged almost immediately. “MMGH-”

 

Sunburst, looking entirely unbothered, dusted off his hands and walked back to the shoreline.

 

Rocket coughed, choked, and violently spat out the petals. “What- what the hell was that?!!”

 

Sunburst, calmly spearing another fish: “Food.”

 

“Food?!” Rocket sputtered. “You were eating a fish! Why didn’t I get fish?!”

 

Sunburst finally turned, leveling him with the most matter-of-fact expression Rocket had ever seen. “You didn’t specify.”

 

“I OPENED MY MOUTH-”

 

Sunburst raised an eyebrow. “And?”

 

Rocket gawked at him. “You- I-”

 

A deep breath.

 

A slow exhale.

 

“Okay,” Rocket said, voice straining. “Alright. Let me clarify, my dearest Sunburst. I would like fish. Not flowers. Fish. ”

 

Sunburst hummed thoughtfully. Then, with deliberate slowness, he raised his sword and speared another fish.

 

Rocket grinned. “Now we’re talking.”

 

Sunburst lifted the fish.

 

Rocket opened his mouth again, eye alight with victory.

 

Sunburst took one step closer.

 

And then-

 

Chomp.

 

The fish was gone.

 

Rocket’s mouth was still hanging open. His eye widened. “Did you-”

 

The fin flopped from the corner of Sunburst’s mouth, before it slowly slipped further into his mouth. Then he swallowed.

 

Rocket inhaled sharply. “You…you’re doing this on purpose aren’t you?”

 

Sunburst looked at him, entirely deadpan. “You didn’t specify who’s mouth to put it in. Should’ve said so before I started chewing.”

 

Rocket’s eye twitched. “You didn’t even chew-” he started, before sighing and struggling against the ropes, livid. “You are a menace.”

 

Sunburst returned to spearing fish without a care in the world. “So I’ve been told.”

 

Rocket groaned and let his head thud back against the tree. “I’m going to starve,” he muttered. “I’m going to die here, tied to a tree, watching you eat like an actual goblin.”

 

Sunburst didn’t even spare him a glance

 

Rocket closed his eyes, exhaling sharply.

 

Then his stomach growled.

 

Again.

 

Loud.

 

Sunburst smirked.

 

Rocket opened his one eye. “Don’t you dare-”

 

Sunburst vanished into foliage once more.

 

Rocket groaned. “Oh for the love of-”

 

Moments later, Sunburst returned.

 

With more flowers.

 

Rocket, immediately: “DON’T!”

 

Sunburst lifted the flowers, expression neutral. “Open wide.”

 

“SUNBURST, I SWEAR TO-”

 

And just like that, Rocket found his mouth full of petals once again.

 

He gagged, choked, violently sputtered, and Sunburst calmly walked back to the water, humming.

 

Rocket spat out the flowers, seething. “I hate you.”

 

Sunburst did not respond. 

 

Rocket scowled. “I do.”

 

Sunburst hummed again.

 

Rocket groaned and let his head fall back against the bark. “This is my life now.”

 

Another loud stomach growl.

 

Sunburst slowly turned.

 

Rocket glared. “I swear to the gods-”

 

Sunburst held up another handful of petals. “As said god, this is my blessing.”

 

Rocket slumped against the ropes, defeated. “I hate it here.”

 

Sunburst, casually popping another raw fish into his mouth, smirked.

 

___

Rocket had always prided himself on his ability to get out of bad situations.

 

Bars? Escaped.

 

Jail cells? Conquered.

 

Sticky- near-death scenarios? Walked out like a champ.

 

But Sunburst?

 

Sunburst, the Sunburst, deity of fire, light, and apparently raw seafood appreciation- had thoroughly bested him.

 

Which was why Rocket found himself untied at last, standing near the shoreline, watching as Sunburst casually kicked a metal foot into his back- sending him skidding onto the wet sand.

 

Rocket wheezed. “Ow?”

 

Sunburst dusted off his hands as if that had been a particularly tedious task. “Leave.”

 

Rocket blinked up at him. “That’s it? No last words? No passionate farewell?”

 

Sunburst stared at him. “Go.”

 

Rocket pushed himself up onto his elbows, ignoring how the damp sand clung to his clothes. “At least let me take a souvenir or something. You know, for the trauma.”

 

Sunburst raised a brow. “Trauma?”

 

Rocket gasped dramatically. “I was held hostage, tied to a tree, and force-fed flowers! I have suffered!!”

 

Sunburst crossed his arms.

 

Rocket grinned, pushing himself fully upright. “So, since you’re kicking me off your little divine island-” He placed a hand over his heart. “Tragic, really. -why not be a gracious host and let me take a little something with me?”

 

Sunburst remained silent.

 

Rocket took that as permission to continue.

 

“Could be some treasure,” he mused, tilting his head. “A little gold? Some jewels? Ooh, what about you? I’ll take you. ”

 

That, apparently, was the last straw.

 

Sunburst sighed- deeply, and with a flick of his wrist, the wind exploded around them.

 

Rocket had precisely half a second to react before a sudden blast of air hit him full force, sending a wave of ocean water slamming into him.

 

His boat, previously resting near the shore, lurched backward, nearly drifting off completely before the tide settled.

 

Rocket stood there, drenched.

 

His entire body soaked.

 

His clothes, clinging to him.

 

His hair, absolutely ruined.

 

He blinked, wiping the saltwater from his face. “I deserved that.”

 

Sunburst, to his credit, looked completely unbothered. He stepped forward, gaze unreadable, before raising his hand and-

 

Rocket’s breath hitched.

 

Oh, this was it.

 

This was the moment.

 

Sunburst was going to grab his hand, to bestow upon him some final treasure. Some divine gift. Maybe even a kiss-

 

Sunburst took Rocket’s wrist, lifted his hand-

 

-and dropped a massive ruby into his palm.

 

Rocket blinked.

 

Sunburst let go. “Leave.”

 

Rocket glanced back down at the ruby, then back at Sunburst. “...Not the gift I expected, but I’ll take it.”

 

Sunburst did not dignify that with a response.

 

Rocket smirked. “You know, this could be seen as a sign of affection. Giving me a precious stone? Quite romantic.”

 

Sunburst remained silent.

 

Rocket tossed the ruby into the air and caught it. “Or maybe it’s a bribe! Trying to get rid of me with pretty things? Scandalous.”

 

Sunburst sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “ Why are you still here?”

 

Rocket took a step back toward his boat, lifting the ruby. “Alright, alright, I am leaving. But before I go-”

 

He flashed a dazzling grin. “ Bye-bye, darling! ”

 

Sunburst stiffened.

 

Rocket caught the movement, his smirk widening. “Aww, don’t be shy. I’ll be back!”

 

Sunburst frowned, crossing his arms. “You won’t.”

 

Rocket simply winked, turning to climb onto his boat. “See you later, Sunshine. ”

 

And with that, he hopped aboard, and started paddling away from the island.

 

Sunburst watched as Rocket’s boat disappeared past the waves.

 

The wind had settled.

 

The tide was calm.

 

The island was quiet once more.

 

And yet-

 

Sunburst exhaled. “ He’s going to come back, isn’t he ?”

 

The sea did not answer.

 

But deep down, he already knew he was going to have another pirate problem.

Chapter 3: from stalking to...well, stalking

Summary:

Medkit pinched the bridge of his nose. “...I..I need a drink..”

It was 8 in the morning.

Scythe leaned forward. “So lemme get this straight. Ya met a literal deity, and instead of bein’ smitten with fear, ya were just-”

“Smitten,” Rocket confirmed.

Zuka groaned. “Please don’t tell me-”

“Oh, yes I did.”

Scythe’s eye widened. “Ya flirted with him??”

Notes:

got so excited at dotf i forgot i was supposed to update today

There were a lot of things Medkit expected to deal with when he woke up this morning. A hangover wasn’t one of them (for once). The distant sound of Scythe and Zuka arguing over breakfast was expected. What wasn’t expected?

 

Captain Rocket- who had left on his big, dangerous, solo expedition to the island of no return- walking through the door looking just fine.

 

Not injured. Not missing an arm. Not even a little bit traumatized. Just…casually strolling in, slightly damp, slightly sun-kissed, and holding a giant ruby in one hand like he had just gone on a vacation.

 

Medkit stared, Scythe stopped mid-bite into her breakfast, Zuka, who was stirring a pot, his single hand gripping the spoon so tightly it snapped in half.

 

Rocket grinned, tossing the ruby up and catching it effortlessly.

 

“Miss me?”

 

Silence.

 

Then:

 

“YOU ABSOLUTE DUMBASS!”

 

Rocket barely had time to dodge as a spoon (or well, half of one) went flying past his head with scarily good accuracy.

 

“What the hell are you doing back already!?” Medkit snapped, standing up so fast his chair nearly toppled over. “You were supposed to be gone for days!”

 

Zuka ran a hand down his face. “Captain, please, please tell me you didn’t come back because you got scared.”

 

Rocket gasped, dramatically clutching his chest. “Scared? Me? Never! I’m Captain Rocket, the most fearless pirate to ever sail the seas-”

 

“Yer’ rowed inna tiny boat, like a moron.” Scythe interrupted. “Don’t seem very fearless to me.”

 

Rocket waved a hand. “Details.”

 

Zuka pointed at the ruby. “What’s that?”

 

Rocket beamed. “A gift from yes, THE guardian deity of the island!”

 

More silence. The crew exchanged glances. Then:

 

“So yer’ sayin’ the literal monster that murders everyone who steps foot on that island just…gave ya treasure?”

 

“And let you leave?”

 

“And you’re back, unharmed, alive, with a souvenir?”

 

“Yup!”

 

Medkit pinched the bridge of his nose. “...I..I need a drink..”

 

It was 8 in the morning.

 

Scythe leaned forward. “So lemme get this straight. Ya met a literal deity, and instead of bein’ smitten with fear, ya were just-”

 

“Smitten,” Rocket confirmed.

 

Zuka groaned. “Please don’t tell me-”

 

“Oh, yes I did.”

 

Scythe’s eye widened. “Ya flirted with him??”

 

“Have you seen him?” Rocket gestured vaguely at the air, as if that would somehow summon Sunburst’s godly presence right then and there. “He’s hot. ”

 

Medkit was already downing a bottle of something that was definitely not water. “Did you at least get some treasure?”

 

Rocket held up the ruby.

 

“More?”

 

“Nope, just this.”

 

“...So you flirted with a murder deity, got a single ruby, and then left?”

 

“Correct!”

 

“..And yer’ happy with that?”

 

“...Not exactly.”

 

Everyone braced themselves.

 

Rocket grinned, tossing the ruby and catching it again. “That’s why I’m going back!”

 

Chaos. Absolute chaos.

 

“ARE YOU-” Zuka inhaled deeply through his nose, gripping the counter as if it was the only thing keeping him grounded. “..INSANE?”

 

Rocket shrugged. “Possibly.”

 

“You escaped death, and you’re going back!?” Medkit slammed his bottle down. “Do you have a death wish?”

 

“Nope, I have a Sunburst wish!” Rocket said brightly.

 

Scythe groaned. “This is why we needa HR department..”

 

Zuka was messaging his temple. “Captain- Rocket, please..”

 

But Rocket was already strolling towards the door. “Don’t wait up for me, lads! But first I’m gonna trade this thing!” He gestured towards the ruby in his hand. 

 

“You’re going to die.”

 

“Then I’ll die pretty!”

 

“This is the worst day of m’ life..”

 

Zuka sighed and muttered, “I need a vacation.”

 

And with that, Rocket was gone.

 

Again, and probably (hopefully) forever.

 

___

Rocket strolled through the marketplace, tossing the ruby into the air and catching it like it was a simple trinket. Which, to him, it was. The weight of the gem felt nice in his hand, but he wasn’t entirely sure it was worth much. Probably a couple hundred BUX at most, right? Either way, it was shiny, and shiny things usually meant money, so here he was.

 

The market was its usual chaotic mess- merchants shouting over each other, the pleasant scent of salt and spices mixing with the not so pleasant scent of fish and sweat, and sailors haggling over prices like their lives depended on it. A few thieves darted between the stalls, pocketing apples and bits of jewelry when no one was looking, though Rocket had no doubt they’d be caught eventually. Pickpockets weren’t exactly subtle around here.

 

He made his way toward a particular stall nestled between two bigger shops. The place was packed with glittering trinkets, rare stones, and enough stolen treasures to make a navy officer cry. The owner of the stall was an older man with a balding head, a gut that stretched the seams of his fancy vest, and beady little eyes that had seen one too many bad deals. The second he noticed Rocket approaching, his face twisted into a look of pure suspicion.

 

“If it ain’t the infamous Captain Rocket,” the shopkeeper grumbled, adjusting his vest as he crossed his arms. “What kinda stolen nonsense are you tryin’ to sell me today?”

 

Rocket gasped, placing a hand over his heart. “I would never steal, dear merchant! You wound me..”

 

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow. “Uh-huh. That’s what you said last time, and yet I remember gettin’ a visit from a very angry noble afterward.”

 

“That was a misunderstanding-”

 

“You sold me a crown off a king’s head.”

 

Rocket grinned. “And didn’t you make a fortune off it?”

 

The shopkeeper pinched the bridge of his nose. “What do ya want??”

 

Rocket, still grinning, plucked the ruby from his pocket and placed it onto the counter with an exaggerated flourish. 

 

The shopkeeper barely glanced at it. “A ruby? I got plenty of-”

 

Then he actually looked at it.

 

And his entire body froze.

 

Rocket frowned as the man’s eyes went impossibly wide, his breath hitching in his throat. His wrinkled fingers trembled as he reached out, hesitated, then picked up the ruby(?) like it might explode.

 

The silence dragged.

 

“Uh,” Rocket said, tilting his head. “You good there?”

 

The shopkeeper didn’t respond. His fingers ran over the gem’s surface with almost religious reverence, his mouth opening and closing as if he seemed to struggle for words.

 

Finally, in a voice so weak it was barely a whisper, he rasped, “...This is a Sun’s Tear. ”

 

Rocket blinked. “A what now?”

 

The shopkeeper looked up at him, horror and disbelief warring in his eyes.

 

“A Sun’s Tear,” he repeated, voice hoarse. “A gem so rare that only a handful exist in the world. Sad to be made from the essence of the very sun itself. Blessed by those above. Worth more than an entire kingdom.”

 

Rocket stared at him.

 

Then at the ruby.

 

Then back at him.

 

“Huh.”

 

The shopkeeper’s hands shook.

 

“How- where did you get this!?” he demanded.

 

Rocket considered lying. Then immediately decided against it because that required effort.

 

“Some guy gave it to me,” he said.

 

“Some guy-” His voice broke, and he gripped the counter like it was the only thing keeping him standing. “SOME GUY!?!?”

 

Rocket shrugged. “Well, he was a deity. A hot one. But y’know. Details.”

 

The shopkeeper screamed into his hands.

 

A few people nearby glanced over in mild interest before shrugging and returning to their business. They’d seen stranger things in this market.

 

Rocket, meanwhile, had grown bored. He drummed his fingers against the counter, waiting for the old man to regain his composure. When that didn’t happen, he cleared his throat.

 

“So, uh. What’s it worth?”

 

The shopkeeper slowly lifted his head, staring at him with an expression that could only be described as sheer devastation. He looked at the gem. Then his register. Then back at the gem.

 

Finally, with the trembling desperation of a man about to make possibly the dumbest and most reckless decision of his life, he croaked, “I will give you everything I have in this register. Right now.”

 

Rocket blinked. “Oh.”

 

He looked at the register, which was overflowing with stacks upon stacks of BUX.

 

He looked at the shopkeeper, who was now visibly vibrating with excitement. 

 

Then he shrugged. “Alright.”

 

And just like that, he handed over a gem worth more than an entire kingdom in exchange for what was, relatively speaking, pocket change.

 

The shopkeeper made a noise somewhere between a wheeze and an unholy squeal as he snatched the ruby from the counter, cradling it like a newborn child. Rocket, meanwhile, casually grabbed the stacks of BUX and began stuffing them into his pockets. (He also took some jewels too, surely the old man didn’t mind.)

 

By the time he turned to leave, the shopkeeper had collapsed onto his knees, whispering prayers to every deity he could think of.

 

Rocket paused at the stall’s entrance, glancing over his shoulder. “You okay there, old man?”

 

The shopkeeper didn’t answer. He was too busy weeping.

 

Rocket shrugged and strolled out of the marketplace, feeling quite pleased with himself.

 

The moral of the story?

 

Rocket was still the dumbest man alive.

 

___

Sneaking onto his ship should not have been this difficult.

 

Rocket had pulled off impossible heists, navigated past the sharpest watchmen, and ALMOST stole from a deity, yet somehow, getting past his own sleeping crew felt like the riskiest job of his life.

 

The deck was quiet, save for the soft creaking of wood and the gentle splash of waves against the hull. The moonlight painted everything in a ghostly silver glow, highlighting the absolute battlefield of discarded tankards, boots, and miscellaneous objects strewn across the floor.

 

Rocket had to pause.

 

Why was there a whole-ass sword just lying there?

 

Who leaves their weapon unattended?

 

He stepped over it carefully, narrowly avoiding a pair of dice that would’ve absolutely gotten him caught if they clattered against the floor. A true master thief like himself? He knew better than to fall for such rookie traps!

 

Then, finally, he reached the entrance to the sleeping quarters.

 

He took a deep breath, cracked his knuckles, and pushed the door open.

 

…And immediately had to slap a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing.

 

His crew looked like they had survived a war.

 

Or lost one.

 

Medkit was slumped over a small table, completely unconscious, his face pressed against the wood in a small pool of his own drool. His fingers twitched every so often, as if still grasping for a bottle that had long since slipped from his grip. Speaking of- his mostly empty bottle of rum danged from his limp hand, swaying slightly with the ship’s movement. Every few seconds, he muttered something in his sleep.

 

“No, Rocket, M’ not patchin’ up your dumbass again…”

 

Rocket made a mental note to get injured just to spite him.

 

Scythe had somehow managed to wedge herself into one of the hammocks- sideways. One leg hung off the side at an unnatural angle, and one of her arms was dangling limply toward the floor. Her other hand was clutching a dagger to her chest like a teddy bear. Every few seconds, her body twitched, as if she was in the middle of viciously stabbing someone in her dreams.

 

Rocket decided he was against waking her up.

 

Then, there was Zuka.

 

Rocket had to blink a few times because, at first, Zuka seemed to be the only one sleeping normally.

 

Until Rocket noticed that his blanket was actually a fishing net.

 

He was curled up in the corner, his head completely buried under the net like it was a cozy quilt. His soft, rhythmic snoring echoed through the room.

 

Rocket had no idea how that happened.

 

Did Zuka just… willingly choose to sleep like that? Was it some kind of ritual? Was this a fisherman thing?? Rocket made a mental note to ask in the morning.

 

After a few more seconds of deep disappointment in his crew, he tiptoed across the room, maneuvering past a scattered pile of coins and a very suspiciously placed bear trap.

 

Finally, he slipped into his own quarters, closing the door behind him with a relieved sigh.

 

Now, finally, he could bask in his victory.

 

Grinning like a madman,he threw his coat over the chair at his desk before plopping into the seat, spinning around just for the fun of it.

 

Then, with all the flourish of a master thief revealing his greatest prize, he reached into his pocket and pulled out-

 

A few strands of Sunburst’s hair.

 

He turned them over between his fingers, admiring the golden-red sheen as they caught in the candle light.

 

“A true masterpiece of thievery,” he thought smugly.

 

How he had gotten it? Well…

 

___

The sun was blazing, the ocean wind was sharp, and Rocket was still tied to the bark of the tree, choking on flowers.

 

After sputtering for a bit longer, Rocket let a lopsided smile come on his face. Great, now he was flower-drunk. “Come on, Sunshine! A-Atleast a kiss for my efforts?” he tried again.

 

Sunburst’s expression was completely blank as he leaned in, and with the mercy of a merciless god, he raised a hand and flicked him on the forehead.

 

“GAH-”

 

Rocket’s head hit the bark of the tree with a loud thump, blood already dripping back down from his temples as his head fell limp.

 

Sunburst sighed, walking back to the shore and adjusting his robes and grumbling something about him being too idiotic.

 

Rocket, instead of answering, simply tried to catch his breath, his teeth clamped down on something-

 

Which was a handful of hair strands belonging to Sunburst.

 

___

Back in his room, Rocket smirked proudly as he pinned the hairs to the wall with a rusty nail.

 

Above it, in messy handwriting, he scratched in a title:

 

“my darling sunburst collection!! :)”

 

So far, the collection only had one item.

 

For now.

 

But oh, it would only grow.

 

Rocket leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head, staring at his newly started collection with the pride a man might have for his first-born child.

 

Sunburst was so screwed.

 

Yawning, Rocket finally kicked off his boots and collapsed onto his bed. His mind was already spinning with ideas for his next grand heist- Operation Steal More of Sunburst’s Stuff (And Maybe His Heart).

 

With that final thought, he fell into a blissful sleep.

 

His stupidly lovesick grin did not fade.

 

___

Sunburst stood at the shoreline, sharpening his sword.

 

Everything was peaceful. The wind was calm. The sea whispered against the shore. The stars twinkled overhead.

 

…Then, suddenly, he froze.

 

A shiver ran down his spine.

 

His brow furrowed. His grip on his sword tightened. Slowly, he raised a hand to his head, brushing over his hair-

 

And paused.

 

Nothing there felt off, except maybe his hair feeling a bit more flat in areas.

 

But something, he knew something was wrong.

 

He couldn’t explain it, but a sinking feeling settled into his gut. Like, something deeply, fundamentally cursed had just occurred.

 

A long silence stretched between him and the waves.

 

Then, finally, in a voice drenched in absolute exhaustion, he muttered:

 

“...He’s gonna keep doing this, isn’t he?”

 

The ocean did not answer.

 

But he already knew.

 

Sunburst sighed, dragging a hand down his face.

 

“ Gods help me.. .”

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of chase dih 🥀💔