"We need to talk." Hydrangea said as she picked at her dinner.
He nodded as he watched her eat. "About what?"
She eyed him, "Many things."
He nodded and stole a chunk of hardtack from her plate, "What things."
She shot a playful glare at him and he played innocent. She rolled her eyes, but her face soon sobered, "When I said I wasn't strong anymore… how am I still strong?"
He smiled calmly, "Hydrangea. One thing that has never changed about you, is your heart. You have kindness. And that in itself is a strength."
"I don't feel strong, Bastian." She admitted.
He was quiet as he formulated his words, his eyes scanning each inch of her face. "I don't feel strong either."
She looked up, startled at his words, "You don't?"
He shook his head, "No. But I have to be. And I can be when I need to be. But when I don't, I just… lose it all."
She thinned her lips, "Do you-You don't have to pretend with me. I-I understand if you don't want to be strong."
He looked up from her food and met her eyes. He nodded and waited for her to finish her meal.
As soon as she was finished and stood he drew her into his arms.
"Bastian. What are you trying to do now?"
"Nothing." He just wanted her in his arms. She was his strength when he had none. But he couldn't tell her, the words didn't feel right on his tongue. He'd already revealed too much of himself as it was.
"Another thing we need to talk about is last night." She said.
"Which part of last night?" There were many parts to last night.
"The drinking part." She muttered.
"Ah. Yes." He thought they'd already talked about it. What else was there to say?
"I'm sorry that I went with Aidana. I shouldn't have and I shouldn't have drunk the rum."
"Darling, I'm not upset with you."
Her brows furrowed, "You're not?"
He licked his lips, "Not anymore."
"Then are you upset with Aidana?" She asked.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, "Yes."
She humphed and stormed out of his grip and to the bed.
He sighed and walked to the bed. He sat on the edge and set his boots on the ground before stripping himself of his shirt.
He swung the blankets up and laid down beneath them. Hydrangea had her back turned to him, he could practically feel the annoyance rolling off of her.
"Do you really care for Aidana that much?" He asked in exasperation.
"No." She answered coldly, "But I think you're prejudiced against her."
He scoffed and looked at the back of her head, "And why would you think that?"
"Because she's brash and you see that as disrespectful. I think she's fun."
He slowly rolled his eyes to look at her, "Fun? You call her rudeness fun?"
"Rudeness. Hah, it's just the way she talks."
He rolled his eyes and scoffed, "I sincerely doubt it."
"Oh, really?" She rolled over to look at him, supporting herself on her elbow, his eyes automatically traced over the bruises that were still etched on her face and neck, "And if I talked like this all the time, would you consider me rude?" Her voice had altered to her native accent and he felt his skin warm.
"No. I'd think you were trying to seduce me."
Her eyes shifted to confusion, "Seduce…?" She looked at him and he saw blood slowly redden her cheeks. Her mouth opened to speak but nothing came out.
He watched her stunned features for a few seconds more before he whispered, "If you do plan on seducing me, my flower. I must warn you that it appears as though the crew heard us last night."
He brushed a strand of her soft hair away from her beet-red face. Her mouth gaped open, "They heard us?" He could see the horror in her eyes.
He held in a laugh and continued in his hushed voice, "Yes. So, if your seduction succeeds, then I suggest we try to be as silent as possible."
She nodded slowly but he could still see the shock and mortification written across her now paling face.
He fought desperately to keep a smile from his face. He didn't care if anyone heard them or not. If Hydrangea's moans carried beyond their cabin, then his crew would hear just how well he could please his wife.
His hand crept up her thigh which was still covered in her breeches. He could feel her skin heat beneath it. He watched as her face flushed pink once more and her lids hooded.
He trailed his hand up the swell of her hip then up her arm. He felt her shiver and he grinned. He traced her collarbone followed by her jaw. He could see the goosebumps pebbling her skin and watched as her eyes closed. As soon as his thumb traced the outside of her lips he retracted his hand and gave her a quick peck, then turned around.
His teasing nature compelled him to see if she would truly seduce him. The thought of his Hydrangea seducing him was enough to make him harder. But he'd wait and see how much she wanted it.
He did his best not to adjust from how uncomfortable he was. He could feel Hydrangea squirming in the blanket next to him.
But he would not break. He wanted to see her initiate it. She had said this morning that she wanted to "do it", and he would gladly let her. Just as soon as she made the first move.
After another few minutes his body had begun calming down as slumber began to take him, when he felt her warm fingers on his shoulder.
"Bastian?"
He rolled over and faked drowsiness, "Yes?"
"Were you sleeping? Sorry, I thought you were still awake. I-I'll just…"
"What is it?" He asked curiously. Her cheeks her still flushed and he could see she was breathing faster than normal. A smile slowly crept onto his face.
She shook her head, "It's-I.." She raised her eyes to meet his. He could see a timid hunger in them that instantly made his hands itch to touch her.
"I want you… to… I want…"
He did his best to be patient, but it was agony.
He saw a fire light in her eyes and the next instant she crashed her lips to his.