Heeeyyy, so sorry it's been a while, and by a while I mean I'm graduating in 3 days. I've just lost all motivation for writing till now, but this now keeps my mind occupied so I don't have to think about the fact that I'll no longer be a high schooler, lol. Oh how time flies, and speaking of how time flies, I worry I rushed the plot in this a little. Idk, let me know what you think. Hope you enjoy this chapter, brought to you by me watching Vox Machina repeatedly, which is maybe a problem!!

Warning: mentions of injury and blood, and Remus shamelessly flirting

The next three days Patton worked hard, Remus could see that. He'd honestly make a good pirate if he wasn't so soft-hearted, Remus figured. And no matter how often Remus orders Patton about the ship, the crew rarely did it unless they need an extra pair of hands. Patton always agreed and did what Remus said with a smile and sheer determination, no matter how tired Patton seemed. Honestly, Remus doesn't know why he ordered Patton around so often. Sure, that's what a cabin boy is for, but he never ordered someone to do something he could easily do himself. Perhaps it's just because Remus is wondering why he's here. Why did this happy, cute little prince just abandon his home where they're cared for and fed with his younger brother?

"You wanted to see me, Captain Duke?" Patton asked, standing at the entrance of Remus' quarters. Remus ignores the strange feeling at the sight, the want he felt of getting used to seeing Patton at his door like that.

"Yes, Pat, come in. And you can just call me 'Cap' or 'Duke' you know," he can't get attached to this prince, he won't stick around long, and he's probably looking for a pretty girl to marry anyway. He honestly doesn't know how he immediately fell for Patton, when the glasses-wearing man fell in front of him all Remus could think was: 'cute boy!' and that was partially the reason Remus spared them. It didn't go away after a day or two like Remus thought it would - Remus had no problem getting guys, believe him - and this wasn't like he wanted a one-night-stand from Patton, who probably isn't the type to do those. For some reason this is sticking.

"Oh, okay then, Cap," Patton hesitantly used the shortened term and walked in, closing the door behind him, "What do you need?" Remus bit back the lewd response that came to mind, he called Patton in for a specific reason, don't get off-track.

"I was just wondering something. You don't have to answer of course, but it seems to me you and your brother were living in the lap of luxury, being princes and such. So why throw all that away and run?" the real question Remus wanted to ask was why Patton's father didn't want him back, but perhaps a more vague question is best. Patton knows him as a ruthless pirate captain, it would be foolish to give personal information if it can be used against you. Remus studied Patton, noticing he slightly shrunk in on himself, and was quiet for a short period of time while looking around, probably thinking of an answer.

"Well, uhhh, my father was going to force Virgil to marry a princess, but he doesn't want to, and I can't stand to see him do something that'll make him miserable. So I suggested we run away that night, and we did," Patton finished. That was his reason for Virgil, but not for him, Remus knows he isn't saying something, but he won't pry. It's not his place.

"Okay then," Remus nods, and Patton visibly relaxed at Remus accepting his response. So there was something he's holding back, Remus observed, "we'll be reaching Samhain Port tomorrow, you and Virgil are free to walk around as long as I, or Janus, are with you. It may be a neutral port, but that doesn't stop people from robbing others, or starting fights. As long as we stay low we'll be fine," Remus informed Patton, who nodded in response.

"Okay, thanks, Cap," Patton bounded out of Remus' quarters, the pirate captain following soon after when he heard dinner was ready. As Remus observed everyone sitting around and talking, he was somewhat happy to find Patton conversing with the crew, and even Virgil chimed in once in a while. Remus was glad Patton and Virgil have started to find their place in the crew, and seemed to get the hang of their jobs easily enough. Virgil shifting things about, cleaning the deck, and Remus had him occasionally helping Janus with lookout since they seemed to get along. And Patton tying and untying ropes to raise or lower the sails, securing supplies they have, helping the other crew members with something, or getting stuff Remus would ask for.

After the crew finished eating dinner and milling about, a few who were drinking started a shanty, some of the crew danced about as they sang. Remus thought nothing of it, he was too tired today to join in the dancing, but he belted out the lyrics like there was no tomorrow. As his eyes swept over his crew they stopped on Patton, who was laughing as he watched with a wide smile. A genuinely happy smile, with a musical laugh. He smiled, and Remus fell in love instantly.

Shit. This is bad. Why is it bad? Remus doesn't know, he doesn't know how either, but it's bad. In such a short amount of time? Well if Rapunzel in the storybooks fell for a man after just four pages, then Remus supposed he wasn't really rushing it. But Patton isn't staying, he's going to live on land with Virgil, probably getting themselves a cozy life, and that life isn't for Remus. Even if he can't have it, Remus is still happy for himself. Few good things have happened to him since the incident, and he's sure his brother would encourage him to chase after Patton. So maybe, if it's only for a short time, he can have something with Patton.

————————————————————————

"Janus, Janus, Janus, Janus!" Remus yelled, bursting into the first mate cabin. Janus jumped at his sudden intrusion, then sighed and rubs the bridge of his nose. It was well after dinner and everyone had gone to bed, except for Remus, who was steering the ship and keeping watch that night.

"What do you want, Re? I'm busy. And shouldn't you be keeping watch?" Janus turned to face Remus and placed down his embroidery on the desk. It's his hobby.

"Reek's got it, anyway, that's not important right now!" Remus was ready to burst with how excited he was, "I'm in love with Patton!" he blurted out. Remus expected a "how do you know?" or even "you are the complete opposite of him, it'll never work out", but what he got was a slap upside the head.

"Ow! What was that for?" the captain whines, rubbing a sore spot on the back of his head.

"For being a complete idiot! You barely met this man, and we can't even trust him completely! What are you? A silly princess in those fairytale books?" Remus pouted at Janus' scolding, he didn't really expect that to come from his friend.

"Jeez, what crawled up your ass and died?" Remus grumbled, making Janus pause and sigh again.

"Nothing, Remus, but just think about it for a minute. We're wanted pirates, and you're a prince presumed dead," Remus rolls his eyes, Janus is always bringing this up, "I'm not blocking you from him, or saying you shouldn't date him. I just want you to wait a bit longer before you decide if you actually love him. Do you even know anything about him?" that made Remus pause. Does he know anything about Patton? Aside from the obvious that he's a runaway prince and his brother is Virgil, no, he doesn't.

"You're right, I don't know anything about him," Remus nods in agreement, he can't believe he was going to dive headfirst into a relationship without knowing anything about Patton, "so I'll just stalk him till I know everything about him!" That earned Remus another whack to the back of the head.

"No!"

"No? Then what do I do?"

Janus runs his hands down his face, "oh my god, you talk to him, Remus. Ask him, like, what his favorite food is, and get it for him when we get to Samhain." Remus' face lights up and he grins in a way Janus hasn't seen in a while.

"You're a genius, Jan! Thanks!"

"Yup, that's me," Janus sighs while Remus pulls him into a side hug, then watches the captain bound out of his room, "here for my genius voice of reason that Remus obviously needs, because he can't do normal things when it comes to shit like this," he grumbled, sitting back down and resuming his embroidery.

————————————————————————

Both princes wanted to go into town, honestly glad to be back on dry land, so Virgil went with Janus and Patton went with Remus. No, this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Remus begged Janus the night before to hang out at a different area with Virgil because he wanted alone time with Patton. He will get to know Patton, and hopefully Patton won't suspect the casual questions.

Samhain Port is a jack-of-all-trades kinda place. Here they have a library filled with an immeasurable amount of knowledge, some fabric, watch, glasses, and wallet stores and stands, along with plenty others. But this place isn't known for it's variety, it's known for its safety. People running always come here for either rest, sanctuary, or to start up new lives. Here everyone minds their business, no one cares about bounty, so Remus can walk around without a mask hiding his beautiful face.

'...Now what? Shit, I didn't think ahead! How do you start normal conversation?' now that Remus has Patton alone, he realized he didn't know what a normal conversation even was. Thankfully, he didn't have to stress over talking for long before Patton spoke.

"So, what are you here for?" he swung his arms slightly as he walked, Remus had to hold his hands behind his back so he won't just reach out and hold Patton's hand.

"Mostly to relax, pirating is hard work you know," Remus grins, Patton's giggle at his joking tone almost made Remus trip over his own feet. That was the sweetest, most beautiful thing he's ever heard, "uhh," Remus' brain had to catch up for a second, "a - and before we leave we're gonna pick up more supplies. What's your favorite food?" he abruptly switched topics.

Patton seemed a bit caught off-guard, not expecting the abrupt switch, "ummm, for a meal, I'd say chicken or fish, especially lobster. But just food, it's definitely cookies," Patton smiles as he swung his arms at his side. Okay, Remus can work with that.

————————————————————————

Virgil followed Janus as the first mate wandered the market, shopkeepers holding up their wares and yelling prices out, trying to get a customer in. Janus seemed to ignore each and every one of them till he came across a fabric and clothing shop, Tarrant already inside.

"Come on, you'll need different clothes if you're gonna be working under the sun," Janus pulled Virgil into the store and dragged the young man up and down clothing aisles to find clothes that would suit his occupation.

"Where'd Duke and Patton go?" Virgil asked as he looked through some shirts.

"Hell if I know. Probably getting food now if I know the captain well enough, which I do," Janus answered, Virgil was about to ask another question when Janus froze, looking at something over the young prince's shoulder.

"What is-" Virgil turned to look, but Janus grabbed his shoulder and ducked behind a basket of felt fabric.

"Shh!" Janus hissed, looking out the window of the shop. Virgil followed his eye-line to a man with two guards at his side, "shit, we gotta get out of here," Janus mumbled.

"What? Why?" Virgil asked, breaking his gaze from the man and looking up at Janus, brows furrowed.

"Tarrant, finish up, quickly. That bastard is here, I'll find the captain and Patton while you gather the rest of the crew, be ready to leave immediately after we board," Janus ignored Virgil's question and gave his orders to Tarrant, who seemed to know what and who the first mate was talking about. The large man nodded and went to pay for whatever he had in his hands, plus what Janus gave him for Virgil with some extra coin, while Janus ushered Virgil out and almost desperately looked around for the captain and Patton.

"What's going on? Who was that man you're afraid of?" Virgil questioned, jogging to keep up with Janus' quick and long strides.

"Later," was all Janus said with a finality in his tone that shut Virgil up. They didn't have to look for long, because soon Remus and Patton were running towards them, with Remus making a hurried gesture to turn around and go back. That's what Janus did, dragging Virgil behind him and not stopping till they got back on the ship. Janus let out a relived huff at seeing the rest of the crew on the ship.

"Wait, wait, what about Patton?" Virgil asked when they stopped.

"I'm sure they'll be fine," Janus dismissed, "come on crew, we gotta get ready to leave the moment they step on the ship," the crew set to work at Janus' order.

————————————————————————

Remus and Patton were, in fact, not fine. Patton was hiding behind a pile of crates, an onslaught of arrows between him and Remus, who was cornered on the edge of the pier. Patton has no idea how they got cornered like this, but he's not leaving without Duke. So, ignoring his captain's orders, Patton bobbed and weaved through the onslaught of arrows to where Duke was. It was probably the most impulsive and dangerous thing he's ever done.

"Patton, I told you to go back! I can get myself out of this!" Patton shook his head.

"I'm not leaving you in this mess," Duke groaned at Patton's stubbornness, but he's there now, so there's nothing the captain can do.

"Fine, we run when they reload," Duke ordered, Patton nodded and they both sat in wait. When the time came they made a desperate run for the ship on the opposite end of the pier, past all the  kingdom ships with guards on them. Just when they were about to make it, the prince from earlier that confronted Duke and started this fight ran right for them, spear ready to throw. Patton didn't mean to freeze, but before he could think about the foolish action he was pushed to the side from behind and the spear hit its target. Duke yelled in pain and fell to his knees, spear lodged in his side.

The prince walked up and violently tore the spear out, "you've been a thorn in my side for years, glad to see you won't be a problem anymore," and walked away. This gave time for Patton to rush up, grab Duke, and run to the ship. Duke stumbled along with him, clutching his side and clenching his teeth.

"By the way, the name's Remus," the captain's eyes shut just before they got on to the ship and Patton had to drag Duke the rest of the way. He collapsed when he got on board with the captain - Remus - and as everyone rushed to their post and set sail, Patton grabbed a nearby rag to try and stem the bleeding.

"Okay, hang in there Cap, you'll be alright," Patton mumbled, blinking tears from his eyes as he saw Remus' face growing paler, "Janus, get over here!" Patton called out, Janus rushed over, pausing when he saw the state his best friend was in, then kneels next to Patton.

"What happened?"

"I'll explain later, help me get him to his quarters, I can patch him up from there," Janus nodded and did as Patton ordered, ignoring the fact that he shouldn't be taking orders from a cabin boy given the severity of the situation.

————————————————————————

It was a tiring few hours, the whole crew was worried about their captain and Patton was the only one medically able to help. Patton was able to stitch up Duke's side after making sure no vital organs or blood vessels were hit, which by some miracle they weren't, all the while processing the bomb Remus dropped on him by telling the prince his name before passing out. Patton bandaged the captain's torso and the bleeding stopped shortly after. All everyone had to do was wait, easier said than done when the captain arrived on the brink of death. Patton stayed by his side night and day, Janus would bring him food and he'd explain what happened and give Janus updates on Remus' health, and Patton would frequently change Duke's bandages. Everything seemed to be going fine, till the captain ripped the stitches in his sleep and started bleeding again, so Patton had to cut the shirt off to fix it.

'I am looking respectfully. He is hurt, just focus on the wound. I am looking respectfully, I am looking respectfully,' Patton repeated, but he couldn't help but let his eyes wander over to Remus' toned and broad chest, and rake down his torso. Remus was thankfully asleep, or else he definitely would've caught Patton looking, still passed out from the blood loss. The blood loss! Right, he's hurt! Patton snapped out of his daze and went back to disinfecting the wound and stitching it back up, then wrapped clean bandages around his torso, resisting the urge to let his hands linger. 'Now is not the time to be gay Patton,' he chided to himself, 'he's hurt and passed out, and you need to be here when he wakes up to make sure he won't rip the stitches.' so Patton sat and waited, occupying himself with a book he bought before they were attacked.

Hours passed and when Remus woke up the first thing he saw was Patton bathed in the late afternoon glow of the sun, the light catching his messy golden curls like a halo, making him look more like an angel than he already was. A soft smile was gracing Patton's lips as he read the book sitting in his lap, Remus fell into a trance as he stared at Patton. Patton glanced up to Remus like he does every few minutes, then back down to his book, only for his head to snap back up and do a double take. Yep, Remus' eyes were open and on him.

"Oh, you're up!" Patton leapt to his feet, "I'll go get Janus," and before Remus could protest, the glasses-wearing man rushed out of the room to get their sharpest eye, and Remus' best friend. Remus huffed, great, just great. Now he won't be alone with Patton, he can't gaze at the beautiful golden-haired man as he read in the light of the late afternoon sun, and he'll be lectured by Janus. Speaking of, he is currently standing in the doorway, and he didn't look happy.

"Don't. You'll rip the stitches," he said as Remus was about to sit up.

"Hey, Jannie," Remus chuckled, feeling like a sheepish boy who's in trouble with his mother for playing in the mud in his nice pants.

"'Hey'? You get a spear to the side, and almost die, and all I get is 'hey'?!" oh boy, here it comes, "That was the stupidest thing you could've ever done Remus! What  were you thinking?!" and for the next half hour Janus lectured while Patton stood off to the side, and Remus was stuck lying down and listening. He wouldn't risk looking at Patton to cure his boredom because Patton was just looking at him worriedly, maybe a bit of flirting wouldn't hurt.

Remus' eyes flicked over to Patton and smirked, "If you're trying to memorize me shirtless for later all you have to do is ask, angel, and I'll walk around on deck shirtless. Or just come into my quarters and ask, you might get lucky and see more.~" Remus winked and Patton's dark blush spread all the way to the tips of his ears, Remus resisted the urge to laugh at Patton's adorable squeak and him trying to stammer something out. He was slightly disappointed when Patton shyly looked away, he is so much more interesting than what's out the window, go back to looking at him Patton!

"Unbe-fucking-lievable." Janus mumbles, oh right, he's still here, "you almost die. I come in to lecture you. And you decide to flirt instead. Whooo, okay, okay, I - I'm going up to the crows nest," and Janus, fuming, stormed out of Remus' quarters, slamming the door behind him.

"Uhh, shou - should..?" Patton looked at the door that Janus slammed close.

"Nah, let him cool off first," Remus answered Patton's unasked question, and starts to sit up.

"What are you doing? You need to stay down, you could rip the stitches!" Patton rushed over to push him back down on the bed, but Remus was already sitting up.

"I'm not staying in here while everyone else is out there, I'm the captain. A little scratch isn't gonna stop me," he gave Patton a crooked grin while Patton looked at him, dumbfounded.

"'A little scratch'? You almost bled to death, Remus!" Patton cried, Remus waved his hand, dismissing the prince's worry.

"Help me stand, sweet cheeks?" his grin turned to a charming smile that Patton probably would've blushed at if he wasn't so worried about Remus ripping the stitches.

"No, we can't risk-"

"I promise I'll be careful!" Remus cut in, but Patton continues.

"We can't risk your stitches ripping," he finished, Remus groaned.

"Come on, I've had worse! Pleeaasse, I'll die of boredom in heeeree!" he whined, then looked Patton up and down and grinned, "unless you wanna entertain me.~" he sent Patton a flirty wink and was amused with how fast his face reddened, and how his demeanor rapidly shifted from worried to shy and surprised.

"F - fine," Patton grumbled, and helped Remus stand while the captain inwardly cheered and put most of his body weight on the cabin boy, "but if the stitches rip I'm letting you bleed out," Patton added.

Remus chuckles as they leave his quarters, "No you won't," the cheeky smile Remus gave him tempted Patton to just drop him and leave him on the deck, but the prince just huffs in response to Remus being right. And now Remus was giving Patton this stupid smug grin, because Remus knows that Patton knows he's right. Thankfully the rest of the crew grabbed Remus' attention, all glad to see their captain alive and on his feet, leaving Patton to ponder the sudden change in his feelings. Remus was..fun, sure he's also flirty and lewd, but their time in Samhain was the most fun Patton's ever had, and he was intriguing and funny and seemed to genuinely care and listen when Patton went on a ramble on why he likes or dislikes something.

"You're blushing, Pat," Patton almost jumped out of his skin, he was so lost in thought he didn't notice Virgil beside him.

"What do you mean?" Patton hoped playing ignorant would work.

"You shouldn't get attached to him Patton, he's a pirate, and we're not sticking around at all either," he knows Virgil doesn't mean to be harsh, but those words still stung a little.

"I know, Virge, I just can't help it. He's just so fun and he listens to what I say and," Patton cuts himself off with a sigh, "I know it'll never happen, or work out given the distance, but there's still a chance it could," Patton looked so hopeful, Virgil didn't have the heart to tell him otherwise. As if summoned by talking about him, Remus walked over to them.

"It'll take one to two weeks to get to our destination, where you two will be able to live peacefully without the burden of royalty over your heads. By the way, Virgil, the name's Remus," the younger prince was a little caught off-guard being told that out of the blue, "your brother earned my trust and that branch was extended to you," Remus explained at Virgil's obvious confusion.

Virgil breathed out a small laugh, "Good to know someone has to save your life in order to earn your trust," Remus grinned.

"Well I don't just almost die for anyone," Patton sidled away from the two to let them joke around a little, deciding to pop in on Janus and see if he's still mad. He climbed up to the crows nest to see Janus staring out at the horizon, but before he could say anything, Janus spoke.

"What really brought you onto that trading vessel? I know what you said to Remus when he asked, but what about you?" Janus didn't break his gaze from the horizon line as he asked, Patton sighed at the question, knowing he can't dodge it forever.

"My father and older brother didn't really care about me, the moment I insisted I wouldn't marry a princess it was like I didn't exist, just because I can't be a pawn in their stupid royalty game. They treated me like a child, like I know nothing of the kingdom I'm a part of," the bitterness that creeped into Patton's voice shocked Janus, Patton seems like the person to not hold grudges and easily forgive, guess he judged Patton wrong, "I don't know what I would've done if Virgil said no to running away, I already had a bag packed and ready to go."

"I don't think you would've," Janus spoke.

"How do you know?"

"Because you're dependent on each other, it's quite obvious. You rely on keeping the one person that cares about you close, he relies on your protection and care," Janus stated as if it was obvious.

"Remus says we'll be there in one to two weeks," Patton said, abruptly changing the subject.

4300 words

Time Done: 1:05 A.M., June 5, 2022

Soooo sorry it's long, and the ending is slightly awkward, I couldn't think of a proper one. I honestly have no idea on what to do for the next chapter, like, I want to put down everything I have, but I don't want to rush the plot either with a massive time skip. I'll figure something out soon. So, until next time!

Love you all~
Xxx