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It was early in the morning. The Astalicia was halfway through her voyage from Sharlayan to Limsa Lominsa and sailors aboard prayed for the promise of familiar waters soon. Ilsabard was nice, but definitely too cold for a Lominsan's sensibilities.

One of the sailors were hoisting the sails, when he noticed their very own acting captain pull on one of the ropes alongside him.

"Cap'n, ya sure about handlin' this one?” The lad asked in a worried tone.

"What're you blabbin' about? It's like liftin' a finger, easy. Don't trust me huh, lad?" Sicard scoffed at his crewmate, rolling his eyes while he continued to pull the rope that lifted one of the Astalicia's sail. "Shame on ya."
"S'not that, Cap'n! I-" Whatever the Roegadyn was about to say got cut by another worried voice that shrilled the acting captain's name.

Emmanelain emerged from the stairs that lead to the Astalicia's deck. The Elezen was obviously out of breath, as if he'd ran a solo marathon around the vessel's chambers. "Sicard! Come back down this instant!"

"Ha?!" The pirate replied with an annoyed growl. 'Course, he expected the Elezen to follow him wherever he went, but this was the rare time Sicard wanted to be away from Emmanelain. "And why in bloody hells should I do that, huh?"

The lordling stomped his way into Sicard's personal space. Still out of breath from searching for his partner up and down the decks, one could say his day was going splendid. " 'Why?' You dare ask me why? Because you're ill and should be resting, that's why!" Emmanelain huffed and puffed, trying his best to calm himself down. He was annoyed, incredibly so, but more importantly he grew worried for Sicard's health.

As expected of the Astalicia's acting captain, Sicard spent every waking moment denying that he was sick. Everyone already noticed that there was something off about him, but the man continued with his daily duties as he would every day. It was the first time Emmanelain had seen him like this, and he was in no way pleased with the way his partner pushed himself the way he did.

Sicard clicked his tongue in annoyance. It was loud enough for the Elezen to hear, and that was the last straw to break the camels back. "I've had it! We're going back whether you like it or not!" Without warning, Emmanelain grabbed Sicard by the wrist and dragged him straight into the vessel's belly.

Sicard quickly struggled against his restraint, damning his slowed senses for letting him get caught off guard.

"Oi! Let go, Em!"

Not even the endearing nickname could faze the young lord. Not this time, at least. Emmanelain continued his long strides down the hall while a struggling Sicard followed unwillingly. Thankfully the captain's quarters were close by, so they reached their destination in a flash.

The pair barged past the decorated door which led to the quarters. Not taking any chances of escape, Emmanelain made sure to sit Sicard down on the bed before hurriedly locking them inside. After hearing the locks click, he finally relaxed and let himself properly catch his breath.

For a while, neither of them spoke a word. Only silence and the sound of heavy breathing filled the room.

Unlike what he usually does in their moments together, Sicard didn't dare tease his man. He was in no position to do so after getting Emmanelain so worked up like this. He couldn't even tell what the other must be feeling right now. Was he mad? Definitely, but it's the first time he'd saw the man actually fume.

Not a perfect share of first times for this lot, huh?

Someone had to break the silence at one point, and it was Emmanelain who spoke first.

"Why... why won't you listen to me?"

Sicard froze. It was a simple question, really, but the way Emmanelain asked him... it was almost painful for the pirate to hear.

He's never been in this situation before, but he felt he had crossed a line somewhere. Normally this would be laughable, as he's crossed many lines with many folk before. This time, however, his heart was struck with a pang of guilt. He felt guilty for unnecessarily worrying Emmanelain. He felt bad.

When Sicard answered with silence, Emmanelain turned from the door and slowly stepped towards the sulking Hyur. He studied him, looking over the slumped figure while the fog in his mind started to clear.

The Elezen took a deep breath, letting the nerves and worry flow out as he exhaled. His anger has washed out, and all that's left was worry for his beloved. "Sicard." Emmanelain called out as he sat on the bed next to his man. "You do know I care about you, right?"

How could he possibly answer these questions? Sicard asked himself and the gods above. It's as if metaphorical salt got rubbed into his metaphorical wound. There was an obvious answer, of course, but he didn't have the heart to say it out loud to his worried partner.

"Oh, you old cove." It was Emmanelain's turn to use Sicard's pet name. "If you were wondering, I am certainly not mad." He then poked the other on the cheek. "Not anymore, that is." This made Sicard turn his head and finally meet Emmanelain's gaze. He was smiling. Glowing, even. Despite their mad dash to his quarters, Emmanelain still looked perfect.

Was Sicard hallucinating? Or has Emmanelain turned into an angel? Eitherway, he'd figure out the truth. Slowly, the pirate leaned forward to close their gap. He pressed a chaste kiss against the other's bottom lip, quickly retracting himself afterwards.

Their gazes met, and Sicard took the opportunity to make amends. " 'm sorry," Sicard grumbled, "for bein' stubborn and all."

This threw Emmanelain into a fit. The young lord couldn't help but chuckle at the mumbled apology. Never in his days did he think Sicard would be cute, but there he was, thinking exactly that.

Emmanelain wrapped his arms around the smaller man. He couldn't take the sad display before him anymore. Now, he just wanted for Sicard to take it easy and get a proper amount of rest.

"No need for apologies, my love." He moved to kiss the top of Sicard's head. "What would the Executioners say if they saw you in this sorry state?" "That I deserve the plank and they'd savor the very moment I fall." Sicard quickly replied, his wits ever sharp and ready.

Emmanelain made an annoyed face at that retort. "Sicard! Don't give me that grim imagery!"

The pirate chuckled with his low voice, the first time he's done so today. "What? I gave an answer. Was it not good enough for you, my lord?"

The Elezen rolled his eyes at the pleasantries, but sure enough the light banter made him smile. "No, it's not sufficient at all. I require you to climb in bed with me this instant." He squished the pirate's cheeks with a hand before he continued. "No funny business, you hear? We are going to rest."

Letting his resolve finally falter, Sicard sighed heavily as he heeded the command. He was in this for the long haul, after all. No use in resisting the man who has his heart. "Alright, alright. Ya got me, Em. I'll rest."

They silently crawled into the covers, but not before sharing a tender kiss to seal their deal. Night fell and the sun rose, marking another busy day aboard the Astalicia done and over with.

---

The following day: there were now two people down with a cold. A Seawolf crewmate begrudgingly took care of the idiot couple, careful to not get infected with their insufferable display of affection.