(Y/N)'s P.O.V
Silver's body shields Jim and me while Jim hugs me tightly to his chest, both of our hearts hammering like crazy.
I peek up at Jim, only to see him already looking at me. He adjusts his grip on me so one arm was around my waist and the other was holding the back of my neck, and he shoves my head into his chest.
I don't complain, and rewrap my arms tightly around him and nuzzling into his chest, noticing his heart beating even quicker when I do this.
Everything was quiet and developed in darkness.
... For about 10 seconds.
I gasp and Silver holds Jim and I closer to himself and the pillar when the ship suddenly jolts, and a large massive wave explodes from behind us, and we actually manage to ride the wave out of the black hole.
Everyone was jolted and thrown around, however Silver kept us firmly in place against the pillar using his strength strength. A moment passes before I slowly open my eyes, Silver releasing a breath as he looks around.
The crew all start cheering and complimenting Amelia, and she actually smiles at the group, her ears perking a bit as she sighs softly with relief.
Morph turns into goop on the floor as he loudly coos with relief, making me laugh as I grin widely at him. I make a move to pull away from Jim's embrace, but it only tightens and I playfully roll my eyes.
"C'mon, Jim!" I laugh, trying to get myself free as my hands pry at his arms around me. "Silver! Help! Please!"
He laughs slightly with amusement as he watches us, a sigh of defeat leaving me as I slump dramatically in Jim's arms, knowing he wasn't going to release me as his forehead rests on my shoulder.
"Captain! That was... My goodness! That was--" Delbert laughs, getting himself free from a bundle of rope he fell into. "That was the most-- that was the absolutely--"
"Oh, tish-tosh." Amelia interrupts his rambling, politely. "Actually, Doctor... Your astronomical advice was most helpful." Amelia grins and walks away and I notice a blush rise on Delbert's face.
"Well... Uh, uh, thank... Thank you very much," he stammers. "I have a lot of help to offer anatomically- uh, ananamonically-- uh! As-astronomically!"
Delbert face palms himself and I snort, shaking my head. Amelia's ears flicker at my laugh and she walks down the stairs to us.
"You're... okay."
My face perks up a bit as Jim quietly speaks, seeming to be muttering to himself as he lifts his forehead off my shoulder, his arms still around me as he sighs deeply while looking over my face with concern.
"You... You are okay, right?" His voice came out weaker than normal.
I look up to him, grinning with a nod. "Yeah. I am. I'm okay, Jim."
Jim sighs softly as he slowly nods at this, slowly and hesitantly removing his arms from around me.
"Well, I must congratulate you, Mr. Silver!" Amelia starts as Silver joins me and Jim, standing next to Jim. He smirks down, looking between us proudly. "Your cabin boy did a bang-up job with those lifelines, and your cabin girl was the only one that took notice of a rope that was left tied. If she hadn't of untied it, this whole plan would not have worked and we would have been lost."
Silver lightly chuckles as he nudges Jim, Jim nudging him back harder with a laugh. Silver laughs back, gently shoving Jim away with his hand, making Jim bump into me and I laugh.
I help Jim steady himself and Silver places a hand on top of my head, ruffling it gently with a grin.
He pulls away as I smile up at him.
I have to thank him... That's the second time he has saved my life.
I open my mouth, but Amelia beats me to speaking.
"All hands accounted for, Mr. Arrow?" She asks, expecting a quick answer from her trusty second in command.
I look up, my eyebrows furrowing as I glance around for the golem. I felt my heart nearly freeze in fear when Scroop starts approaching, and I latch myself onto Jim's arm, my eyes narrowing as I stare at the alien.
Jim looks down at me with concern, frowning a bit as he angles his body so Scroop couldn't see me.
"What's wrong?" he whispers softly, frowning deeply as he glances to Scroop.
"I-- I--" I start, but was cut off by Amelia.
"Mr. Arrow?" Amelia demands again, her ears perking as she frowns.
Scroop lightly hisses as he stands in front of Amelia, Mr. Arrow's hat in his claw.
"I'm afraid Mr. Arrow has been lost," Scroop says, his voice filled with remorse. He hands Amelia his hat before speaking. "His lifeline was not secured."
I felt Jim tense next to me, and my gaze snaps up.
Jim's eyes were wide in disbelief and I shake my head, unlatching myself from him and stomping to Scroop.
"You know that's a lie!" I growl, shoving him.
He barely stumbles and looks at me with a glare. If looks could kill, I would have been 10 feet under. He makes a move to step forward, but stops as Amelia places her hand on my shoulder. She looks at me with sadness before glancing to Jim, disappointment and sorrow evident in her eyes.
"No! He checked them all!" I exclaim, shaking my head.
Jim snaps out of his daze, shoving past a couple of crew members to check the lifelines. I rush and join him, my heart sinking when I see Mr. Arrow's rope wasn't there.
"I... I did... I checked them all... They were secure," Jim's voice was quiet, and broken. "I swear!"
Amelia's gaze hardens at Jim, making his expression fall from mortified to guilt.
I look over at Silver, and see he has a fiery glare fixated on someone.
I follow his gaze and realize he was glaring daggers at Scroop.
Amelia's voice drags my gaze from Silver to her.
"Mr. Arrow was a..." Her ears droop as she holds his hat. She clears her throat, holding back tears. "Ahem. Fine spacer... Finer than most of us could ever hope to be." I look up to Delbert, who looks down in sadness. "But he knew the risks, as do we all. Resume your posts. We must carry on." Amelia turns and starts walking up the stairs and I turn to Jim.
His breathing picks up and I reach out to him.
"Jim--" He jolts away from my touch before racing away, leaving only Silver and me. We both look at each other with melancholy-filled expressions before I notice Amelia heading into the map room.
I narrow my eyes and with a snarl, I start stomping to follow her when Silver stops me.
"Woah, Lassie," he calmly speaks.
"Silver, I have to talk to her. This was not Jim's fault!" I retaliate, trying to get past him, but he blocks me each time.
"Yellin' at the Captain won't do anything but make things worse, Lass," he tries to reason, and I manage to slip past him, only to be grabbed by the back of my shirt and yanked back to where I was.
"But Silver-- she-- Mr. Arrow-- Scroop!" I hiss out, rambling and exclaiming in anger as I throw my hands up while pacing.
"Scroop?" He questions, making me freeze at my words.
"... Nothing..." I breathe out, shaking my head as I walk to the ledge, leaning forward on the ledge.
"We both know it's not 'nothing', Lassie. What's wrong?" He softly asks, joining me.
I remain silent for a moment.
"Before you... Saved me," I close my eyes, thinking of the horrid scene. "Scroop was looking down at me. And... His eyes-- they... They were so filled with hate and bloodlust..." I stop for a moment, looking over at Silver, who was watching me with narrowed eyes. "His eyes... They were the same one's I saw the days my parents were murdered and my house was set on fire."
Silver's eyes widen, staring at me.
"I couldn't see the man past the flames, but I saw his eyes clear as day. That was the same day I met Jim... Jim broke down my door, making the man with the yellow eyes flee my house before he could kill me."
"Oh... Lass..." Silver breathes out, sympathetic before hugging me.
"If it wasn't for Jim, I would be dead," I shakily sigh as he rubs my back, much like my father used to.
"Seems like you and Jimbo was meant to be," Silver jokes after a few moments of silence, and he pulls away.
I laugh and roll my eyes, "first Sarah, now you?" I angrily demand, a smile on my lips to show I wasn't mad.
"Jim's mum gives ya a hard time about that?" Silver snorts, nudging my shoulder.
"Yeah... She thinks it would be the best thing ever if we got together," I snort. "Jim doesn't even like me like that." Probably. "He only sees me as a little sister--"
I'm cut off by Silver's booming laughter.
"Oh, Lass!" He howls with laughter, patting my shoulder, "you really is a daft one, ain't ya?"
"Huh?"
"You do realize that the boy has feelings for ya, right?" Silver wipes away a tear after calming himself down.
"What? No, he doesn't," I tilt my head as he takes in a deep breath.
"Good luck to ya, Jimbo," he says to himself like a silent prayer.
I roll my eyes with a grin, suddenly frowning when I see Jim's figure sitting on some netting nearby.
It had gotten darker out, and we passed by a beautiful blue cluster of stars.
Silver and I look at each other and nod, making our way over to Jim.
"... I know it wasn't your fault, Jim." I speak softly, making him slightly jump at the sudden noise.
"Lassie is right. It weren't your fault, you know," Silver agrees.
He turns to look at me before facing forward again, staying silent.
"Jim?" I gently call, but he continues looking forward. "Jim, look at me? Please?"
I gasp as he swings himself off the net with great speed before crushing me in a hug.
He quickly pulls me away from him, keeping his hands firmly on my shoulders as he looks at me in anger, not at me, but at himself.
"Don't you two get it?! I screwed up!" He shouts, releasing me and pacing. "For two seconds I though that maybe I could do something right, but--" Jim stops and shakes his head, angrily running a hand through his hair. "Aagh!" He screams in rage, turning away and walking to a pillar, leaning against it. "I just--" He pauses, looking back at me and turning away, stuffing his hands in his pocket. "Just forget it. Forget it."
"Jim, tell me." I firmly, but gently demand as I walk over to him. "Please."
He looks back at me and I use my best puppy-dog eyes, making a small smile form on his face before it drops and he snaps his head away.
"It's just... What if I lost you, too?" Jim replies, his voice quiet. I look back at Silver, who was looking at Jim with a sympathetic expression. "What if your rope wasn't secured? You went over the ledge, (Y/N)!" His voice raises as he pushes himself from the pillar and stomps over to me. "What if your lifeline had failed, too?! You would be--" the words get stuck in his throat, and he shakes his head. "
I frown and slowly reach up, cupping his cheek and wiping away a small stray tear that escaped his eye. He leans into my hand and shuts his eyes.
"I'm good for nothing," Jim says, making my eyes narrow.
Silver seemed to decide he had enough of Jim's self-attacking attitude, and he stomped over.
"Now, you listen to me, James Hawkins. You too, (Y/N) (L/N)!" Silver speaks seriously, using our real names.
"Ye both have the makings of greatness in ya's. But you gotta take the helm and chart your own course," Silver smiles encouragingly at both of us.
A few more tears escape Jim's eyes, his eyebrows furrowed sadly.
"Stick to it, no matter the squalls. And when the time comes you get yer chances and show what you're made of." Silver smiles, looking up at the sky. "And, well, I hope I'm there... Catching some of the light coming off you two on those days."
Jim sniffles as Silver grins down at us. I lightly nudge Jim over to Silver, and he slowly rests his head on Silver's stomach while crying. I smile softly and join Jim, hugging Silver and Jim tightly. Jim wraps an arm around me and one around Silver as well.
...
Silver's P.O.V
My eyes widen at the two young ones embracing me, and I nervously look around for any crew members watching.
Jim sobs quietly and I deem it safe to allow myself to be weak.
"There, there." I softly comfort, patting his back with my normal hand. "Lad," I call as he continues. "It's alright, Jimbo." I hug both of them tightly and rest my cheek against Jim's head. "It's alright."
I freeze when I realize what I did, and nervously clear my throat, pushing them away.
"Now, Jim, (Y/N), I, um... I best be getting about my watch," I awkwardly smile and motion to the deck. "And yous two should best gettin' some shut-eye!"
I gently shove them towards the stairs leading to their quarters and they look at each other before smiling back at me with wide grins.
I smile and wave back, and Jim grabs (Y/N)'s hand as they walk down the stairs.
My smile drops and my hand slightly droops as they disappear and Morph joijs me.
"Getting in too deep here, Morphy," I sigh, looking down. "Next thing ya know, they'll be saying I've gone soft." Morph nudges my cheek and I chuckle.
I rub the back of my neck and shrug before turning and preparing for my night watch.
...
Scroop's P.O.V
I sneer, witnessing the whole event transpire.
I look over at the Captain, scoffing as he talks to his ridiculous pink pet.
He rubs his neck and walks away, and I turn back to the stairs.
That story she told him... I thought I recognized that girl. I'll make sure I finish what I started, Cabin Girl.
...
owo I finished! Yas!
Hmm, I've been wondering when I want Jim to confess to you, because I don't want to just do it at the end of the book.
You people came for romance! So I dont want to end the book right after the romance blooms!
It may be next chapter, but I'm not sure yet.
I've been writing down multiple times Jim could confess, and haven't picked one yet. You'll know by the next few chapters what I chose owo
If you have any ideas, lemme know!
Fare thee well, Lovelies! ð
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