Chapter Text
Silver was the only one who could cook at least an edible dish on Ironbeard's ship. Each time they had a stop on some planet or port a lot of different creatures picked up their place on his rich and big ship, this was happening because of how much available space it had. Of course, everyone knew they take place of someone who died not so long ago in a battle, was left behind or imprisoned by the navy. Whatever the cause was, they didn't care. Ironbeard always had booty, he and his crew (if they could survive) got away with money in their pockets and it was the only one thing that mattered.
Today, in the far-away port, a ship with the skull on the flag put down its anchor, black sail was putted down by crew that lost half of its number in latest battle with navy for a trade ship. Ironbeard had never left his quarters and it was a rare sight to see him outside at all, but there’s always were eager creatures to get under his flag.
For John it meant he had to go and buy provision, make a plan for their month raid until they again stop somewhere to get more of "fresh meat".
First mate of Ironbeard was recruiting anyone who would meet unspoken characteristics, it could be anyone from slim and tall to wide and short. Glass eyes with no fear or emotions at all slid into boy's soul, they hold on them for a while before speak up.
"Who?" - their voice was fast but clear, they didn't want to say more or less, just enough to get information they want and doesn't matter if the person they speak with understand them.
Jim squints his eyes, he haven't heard this creature asked anybody this before, it was only "yes" or "no", to make pirate let on the ship. So they obviously wasn't asking for his name.
"Human?" - boy was unsure, but it was the first thing he thought of since there were no other human around, not only that but they were not that often to meet, especially in this place, pretty far from center of Kingdom.
First mate said nothing, it wasn't what they asked. Perhaps they aware of his race or just doesn't care.
"Well, a cook, or a cabin boy? Doing things nobody want to?" - he said it, waving his hands around a bit. He knows he's not the strongest, or fastest or whatever they wanted from pirates. He looked weak and small around all those bastards around.
"Yes" - this strange-looking creature spoke and agreed on taking Jim, he could pass.
Young man take a look on them at last time before go forward. It was something hidden in dozen layers of rigged cloth, horns and spikes were peeking out from and under them. Only one visible part was their bandaged face, their three blurry white eyes that was looking at you from their height. Person was curled in spine and shoulders a bit so their face could meet Jim's if they wanted to bend over a bit more.
Their stop not lasted long, it was only a 24-hour so they could go away fast if someone like navy or other pirates would like to attack.
Silver and few others who helped him carrying stuff came back right before the ship launch, they loaded all cargo and it was a lot. Captain had around 60 crew members and they all had to eat. After the death of two cooks John was the one who left in the galley. He didn't pay attention to new faces and bodies, his main focus was on the saying to creatures where to leave boxes, barrels and other things, he was in control of it, running out and in the storage room and galley. Biggest pain was a water barrels since idiots around him could easily break them because they care not about putting it down gently and he learnt it bad way in his previous experience.
It was two hours after they went into space, Silver finally sat down in the galley that finally got silent. It was not the biggest kitchen but space is enough for five of cooks standing here without any trouble.
John was panting and sitting on the wooden box since there no chairs or tables he used boxes as such. He was sweating and put down his bandana, he had a large glass bottle in his hand with water inside and for one sit up it almost gone.
"...hey" - someone said quietly and nonchalant.
Silver didn't know it's someone here, his ears twitched back, to the sound.
"Huh?" - bear-like man turn around his body, he wanders with his green eyes around a slim figure sitting on the barrel in the corner. - "must be fresh blood 'ere, eh?"
Jim looks at him, he's not sure but this guy must be the youngest here, after the Jim himself. He's not threatening either, his soft features mixed up with muscles under them. If someone older tried to speak with Jim, he won't answer probably or would try to get rid of them.
"Yeah, my name is James"
"Hmm... Ah, Jimbo!" - he wipes his hands with shirt but it doesn't help much, it's as wet as his hands. Silver stick out right sweaty palm to the boy.
"John. John Silver" - he continues, smile spreads on his face slowly and his eyes full of tiredness but still focused on the boy with light in them.
Jim takes his hand and shake it. It's very hot and sweaty... John's shake firm and boy can feel his manly grip on his weak arm.
"This dude sent me here so It looks like I'm going to work with you now, Silver"
"Aye, i really need more workin' hands now" - after breaking up their handshake Silver gripped collar of shirt to get rid of it through the head.
"Have you worked here alone all this time?"
"Nope, chief an’ second cook were with me before. Both died not so long ago." - he says it without any regret in voice as he drops down shirt on boxes under him.
"Oh... I'm sorry" - Jim could guess so he feels a bit awkward now.
"M-m? Don't worry 'bout that, pal. I'm finally in charge now but sucks it's ton o' work here"
Jim can get a proper look on him now. Broad chest and shoulders, wide waist and hips, despite his fit and pretty muscular shape he has flesh on him and it's very visible how stocky he is. Fat hides strong arms and abs. Despite that look he still looks like a young man, his overall frame hints on that. He's sweating and breath heavily but walks around galley to collect stuff he needs for work.
Not like Jim thinks too much about guy's words but it's only a bit sad for him someone died and Silver doesn't even feel bad about that. But after all, he's on pirate's ship.
"How long are you here?" - Jim stands up after John, not getting to close to him and standing behind, observe what he does.
"Can't say for sure, an year or two." - he picks up paper and graphite to write something with his right hand. - "what 'bout ye? Wonder what such young boy's doin' here"
"I'm here for the same thing you and others are" - he goes closer and see broad underlining of John on the paper, it's hard for him to understand it.
"Ahh, aye, money... Ya know, we can speak later when job is done. I already did ration for month so ye need only to obey me commands. Understood?" - Silver turn his head to meet Jim's eyes. He's not in awe of word "obey" but he doesn't complain either, nodding his head. - "Understood?" - he tilts to him a bit closer, waiting for real answer.
"Aye-aye, cap" - Jim says lazily because he doesn't see sense in saying it out loud at all if he nodded.
"Attaboy, and now..." - Silver points out on some things around, giving him brief descriptions of what he should do, but the only one thing Jim thinks of is a praise. it made him uneasy somehow.
Silver and John both are working in the galley, they're preparing some gallets and dry meat for a long time trip. It mostly Silver's instructions and monotone work for Jim, while he works with peeling and chopping Silver works on dishes.
It's a hardwork, not less, but Jim feels a bit better when Silver has time to say how good he does it.
There's no night or day time on the ship, but somehow Silver knows when their job is done, as well as pirates on the ship knows when it's time to sleep.
John lead his new worker to the corridor somewhere hidden in the galley, it's a door on the left and on the right side.
"I had to use second room as storage fer cargo, so we share one place now." - Silver open left door, letting Jim in. - "well, ye would prefer bed over hammock anyway, aye? This room has two beds an’ that one had three hammocks. Maybe it's harder t' work but at least both of us won't have much problems. It was a nightmare with five dudes 'ere"
Jim get rid of his jacket already because of the heat in the galley and he place it on the nail at the left side of the door.
Room is not small and it's enough to have a space between two beds. They look like two wooden blocks that "built into" floor, so it wont tilt while sailing. They have some kind of Pull-out drawer in them as well. Jim landed on matress and it's indeed better than hammock. Table was standing between beds and had a chair under it.
Silver sat down at his bed on the right side. Jim could see bunch of posters on his wall, a lot of different stuff with languag e he doesn't know. It feels like Silver was collecting it from places or ships he were in before. Boy gave a glince on the chest between Silver's bed and wall in front of it. Probably it wasn't enough space in drawer bed and he put other stuff there.
"Ya hardworker, Jimbo. I thought yer not gonna help me that much" - Silver says, he put elbows on knees, looking at the boy.
"My hands are sore now, but yeah... It's just not that hard to work with you together. I thought it will be harder because it's grumpy pirates around."
"Ye right, it was much worse with those ol' bastards. Never wanted to wash a dish and cooked so shitty i was about to gag. But i knew they did good stuff fo’ 'emselves. Cook privilege to grab anythin' ye want."
Silver sniffed, while working he had a few seconds to splash his body with water so he could cool down a bit. Now he's not that hot and can lay down peacefully.
"Don't worry, tomorrow will be easier, we did preparations today and now can forget 'bout that for a while"
Jim smiled slightly, he was incredibly tired and he kind of liked his new roommate. It was easy with him. Boy get rid of shirt and pants, leaving them in the bottom of bed and snugging under the blanket himself.
"Tired, eh?" - Silver turn his head to the boy.
"A lot" - Jim filled lungs with air and breat out slowly.
"Al'ight... just wanna say ye so skinny and small, no wonder there no human on any pirate ship." - Jim wasn't so skinny as Silver says but in comparison to any other species it was a truth.
"As i see you lost a lot of crew members and i bet they were much stronger than me. It didn't help them to get back alive"
"Huh! Yeah, that's true. Ya know, even better that ye like that. And also work in the galley, we have more chances to survive here." - he stands up to take off his pants too. - "first mate not stupid in their choosin'. They know the bigger creature is the more food it need..."
Silver pull down his pant and left it on the floor, it's dirty anyway. Jim was looking at him with half hooded eyes until he looked down at his boxers. Damn this dude has a huge bulge. And thick thighs. Jim probably was staring at it too long before look up at Silver again.
"At least ye don't need much, two small bowls a day an’ it's enough" - Silver looks back at him, not sure whay caused him to open his eyes so wide. But they've blue and he noticed it the moment he looked at him first time.
"What's matte'? Don't ya worry, i have enough food to fatten you up." - he giggled, it wasn't in his mind to give him small bowls for his hard work.
"Uhh, no, it's not that, nevermind." - his eyes wander on posters behind Silvers back now.
"Hm? It's better to ask now if ye want, I won't bite." - Silver sat down on the bed, je stretching his hands after he lifted too much boxes today.
"Not really ask, but i surprised how you don't knocking things off when turn around." - his eyes did a fast glance between legs and then back.
It made Silver laugh shortly, but with heavy vibration around.
"Aye i have big nuts. But one thing that can knock somethin' off is me ass. Thankfully in the galley enough space fer it" - he chuckle when lay down on bed. Pretty fast his face relaxed.
Jim smiled at that, not like he was paying a lot of attention to it before Silver said it.
"Good night" - Jim says it before turn around and face the wall.
Perhaps it was unexpected for Silver and he didn't answered right away. But before fall sleep he smiled.
"G'night, lad"
Jim woke up from a noise, then a huge palm landed on his shoulder. Boy frowned and tried to get away from it, his back and legs were sore and he just wished to lay a bit more… After yesterday intense workout his limbs could barely lift itself.
“Jimbo, I’m gonna prepare…” - as words were fading in his mind slowly, Jim nodded with closed eyes before turn around.
“hUh!” - he opened eyes widely after felt a slap on his bum through the blanket.
Jim didn’t notice how Silver left the room, he was left alone here for now. It didn’t take long to put pants and shirt on and then head to the galley.
Silver was heating up pots, he gave a look on the yellow papers pinned up to the rope that were swinging from the celling.
“So, ye probably noticed we have a whole variosity of stinky pirates here and not all o’ them can eat the same food” - cook turned around so he could look at slim figure - “I won’t go into details… just sayin’ if ye wish why we have two pots here. So, take yer place at this one, ye can look at receipt there” - huge man was walking around, pointing out on things to show them.
“isn’t it more expensive? Buying extra products and also cook it so it takes more time”
“Nah, not really. It does consume more time however it cheaper ‘cause… well, look. Porridge ye’re cookin’ is from bran.” - Silver’s eyes lowered onto the huge white bag in the corner. - “me cooking is from… let’s call it insects.” - he takes a brown bag, it’s much more of them laying around but as Silver lift it up, it weight almost nothing. John pouts shiny little rocks into the pot.
“It looks like rocks” - Jim’s trying to look closer at things that weight almost nothing and as soon as they appear in the boiling pot, water takes a black colour.
John pick up one of those things and show it to Jim. It’s an oval shape shiny carapace on his palm. With a good squeeze he shatters it and throw into the pot. - “we have twice more of those than bran, for the same price.”
“do they like it, this dish?” - Jim asks with a pure interest in his eyes.
“Nobody complained yet” - Silver smiles, he put some more ingridients and stir black water in the pot.
As they finished cooking, Jim got too much courage to try this black thing to taste it since Silver was trying it as well and nothing bad happened. He regret it the second liquid touched his tongue, it was stuffy and sour, something like legs, shells and tiny tails were crunching on teeth giving off a salty taste.
Silver laughed at boy’s face giving him glass of water to ger rid of after taste.
“We ain’t eat this anyway, go and serve them food then go back.”
It took time to give all crew members food, most of them were staring at Jim with cocked eyebrow or anything else they had instead of it. For them it was a rare sight and even if they talked stuff behind Jim’s back nobody haven’t tried to bully him yet. Creatures is too busy by eating and they don’t want to have serious problems with any of cooks on this ship but it doesn’t mean they don’t want to have fun, after all most of their time they wander around the deck.
As soon as Jim went back to Silver, he was sitting on the small crate and eating. He gave another bowl to Jim, making more space for him to sit down.
“It’s not what either of us cooked, Silver, did you?…” - Jim noticed taste of the milk and grain.
“Eat with yer mouth shut, Jimbo.” - he smirked, closing eyes to feel sugar on his tongue.
Cooks indeed have a bit more privilege than regular crew member, but would be better if they never know about that. Silver’s dish reminded Jim of the homemade hot food when their inn was still standing. They finally have time to relax so the first thing Jim did is fell onto the bed and closed eyes.
“Much better when I can make ‘em wash dishes. Told ‘em if even one plate be shattered next time they will eat food from the floor.” - Silver says it with some kind of triumph.
“You don’t think if you will do it often it can make them angry? And how did you manage to force them anyway?”
“First mate knows there should be work to give ‘em otherwise it can cause a chaos. New crew can be rebelious but old one know what would be if not obey to first mate or captain.” - he take some snacks he bought back then in the port. It’s some kind of candies and he suggest them to Jim.
“Punishment?” - Jim takes few of them, looking up at Silver
“Death” - he smiles back when meet boy’s gaze. - “Usually it enough to kill one member so others would know their place. And I cook special dishes for first mate so they kinda listen to me. But don’t say anything to crew, get it?”
“Sure, I’m not dumb” - Not like he was going to tell it to someone and not like he want to meet anyone from the crew anyway.
Candies are sweet and soft, they’re almost melting on tongue. Silver chew some of them as well, his eyes and restful face in front of Jim’s. It makes them both staring at eachother for quite a long time when they sit on their own beds.
“Wanna play cards?”
“Yeah”
It was just a few games before Jim felt a need. Mostly they both don’t leave galley, though sometimes they have to go out and pee.
This ship is long enough to find yourself a spot somewhere far from others and do the job quickly. Jim still feeling nervous when standing out there and only breeze of Etherium soothing him a bit.
In the middle of this he heard tapping sounds on the wood, he gave a sneaky side eye through his shoulder.
“Uegh” - face, or what resemble a face met Jim’s own. Few thousand eyes were peeking at what boy has between his legs. - “humanz such a dizguzting creaturz.”
Tall and long bug-like creature with centipede body is mounting over Jim. Boy’s not sure but he feels like pirate’s face frowned in disgust. He quickly lost interest in human body after inspecting it very closely with his tiny eyes moving separately.
“You waz the one who cooked today meal?” - he pulls his others legs and body closer to the edge of a ship where curently Jim is standing.
“Silver was cooking for you and others” - Jim’s trying hard to finish his bisuness faster, but he was holding it for too long.
“Say him it’z too watery. I want to eat, not drink.”
“I’ll get him know this… can you move?”
Long body of pirate surround Jim’s from all sides, and when he’s done it was no space to step for him. Creature was drilling him with eyes before slither his mass away.
“Yea.”
“Thanks.”
While Jim’s going in fast pace back to the galley he’s feeling creeps on the body. The last thing he wanted is someone staring at him like that. In the room he can see Silver who’s ruffle cards in his hands.
“What’s wrong pal, Ethereum wind blew up against the stream?”
Jim smiles lazily from this stupid joke. - “Met a guy up there, he said your cooking was too watery.”
“Hm?” - Silver grunts quietly, his hands stop for a second. - “I see.. don’t worry ‘bout that. Ye look tired enough”
And Jim was tired, muscles tensed in his shoulders and he had trouble with sleeping on the back.
“Jim, ye need somethin’?”
“No, you’re right I’m just tired from yesterday, my shoulders and back hurt a bit but it’s alright… really” - He sits down at the bed, put pressure on his left shoulder with left hand and gives it a good squeeze
“Ye could just ask me to help, we don’t have a doc here but I know a bit how to relieve pain” - John put cards away at the table and sit down on Jim’s bed. - “turn ‘round”
Silver sits down on boy’s bed and when he turned around they both were facing one direction, John behind Jim and looking at his back and Jim in front of him at the corner of bed, looking at the wall.
Wide palms of ursid fall down at Jim’s shoulders, he gripped them tightly.
“Are you going to do a massage?…”
“Yea. Ya don’t wanna me to?”
“I don’t mind, just don’t crush my bones”
Jim already noticed how touchy John is, so it’s not that weird of suggestion. The only one thing he’s thinking of is how really strong Silver is, his grip is tight enough to keep him on place and when he gives pressure Jim can feel it in bones.
It’s not the softest massage, more feels like Silver is kneading dought and expecting it to be softer over time.
After few minutes it feels like a tough fight. Jim frowns sitting down there, and he quickly lost his posture.
“Lay down, lad.”
It doesn’t matter would Jim lay down or not because Silver is already putting him on the bed on his stomach. John feels some kind of ardour, he somehow getting more invested in this.
Jim can’t complain about pain in his shoulders anymore since he can’t feel anything but burning sensation all over his back, he grunts into pillow under him.
“Silvah.. I’m noh a dought, y’know?” - boy’s muffled sounds comes in rather annoyed tone
“Why, ye’r as pale and as tough as it…”
Sometimes Silver’s claws were touching boy’s skin at the surface but he managed to do no damage. After few strong strokes this punishment was over and Jim could breath in easily. John said something before left the room and Jim begin slowly drift to sleep.
To Jim’s surprise he feels a bit better after John’s help. They both doing preparation for dinner and after a qucik nap boy has a cheerful mood.
Silver’s experience can’t compare with Jim’s, while human boy was peeling vegetables ursid at this time was separating meat from fat and bones (they had plenty of meat supplies that was stored at the bottom of ship in the coldest place). Obviously, cheap meat has more sub product than actual meat, but Silver could cut even smallest part of it to keep it for better dishes. Fat is useful in many way, now it’s a substance for soup but later it can be a fuel or some sort of medicine. John’s mind was probably not paying a lot of attention to what he’s doing with hands, he was whistling some melody and shaking head in rhythm.
Jim catches himself looking too intensely at John and his hands so at one moment his head dropped down to stare at the bucket with trash.
“Hey, Jim. If someone from crew would call ye with ‘em, don’t go”
“Why?” - Jim lifts up head only to see that ursid takes a big breath.
“Well, it’s not a problem now but in few weeks they can feel more bored.” - he wash hands and knife, it takes time to get rid of meat smell from his fingers. - “So they can seek for a partner. Most likely for someone who doesn’t aware of this habit”
“Oh”
Actually Jim didn’t think about this before and now he’s even more happy he has to share room with Silver and not with other dozen creatures down there.
“And you?” - Jim asks with a bit of hesitation in voice
“Hah, it depends. I’m busy most o’ time anyway” - he put ingredients in soup, leave it to boil - “And I have preferences too so if I don’t like anyone I have to wait until port…”
Silver stands in front of Jim and his hand on one of the barrel, he put his weight on it.
“Why? Have stuff on yer mind?” - cook smirks, he cocks up a brow and look at Jim who chuckles.
“Uh, not really, just curious…”
Boy already peeled everything he had to and he moves a trash can out of his way to put down a knife.
“I mean you’re nice guy… and… yeah.” - Jim wander around the galley with his sight, avoiding huge Silver figure right in center of it.
“Chill, Jimbo” - it makes him laugh how nervous Jim is over nothing - “I’m not going to force ye into anything, I was just curious too”
They both a bit nervous now, Silver stands with a small smile and rub back of the neck, Jim only peek at him time from time before speak again.
“Do we have anything else to do?”
“Nah, soup will be done in hour or two so we have a spare time”
“So… wanna cuddle?”