Next chapter up! And a day early! I just couldn't wait any longer to post it. Hope y'all enjoy it- we have interaction between Victor and Yuuri! Anyways, on with the story!-Purecinnamonbun
The frigid water furiously splashed over the side of the small boat, tossing it around in the waves, and leaving Yuuri the coldest he'd ever been. But nevertheless, he gritted his teeth forced his frozen hands to plunge the oars into the water, and kept moving away from the Stamni Vicino. The bread and water pouch scratched against his skin, already damp from his soaking shirt.
The ship, about half a mile behind Yuuri, was now full of life, orders being shouted. Out of the corner of his eye, Yuuri could see the anchor being lifted.
He had to work faster.
The first time he'd been caught, at least the pirates had kept him alive.
This time however, he feared that Captain Nikiforov wouldn't be so forgiving.
The waves were growing by the second, and Yuuri was so chilled he was scarcely able to focus on moving the oars.
The ship behind Yuuri was moving.
Fear lodged itself even further in Yuuri's stomach.
Keep rowing.
Keep rowing.
Keep rowing.
Cold.
Dark clouds began to gather on the horizon, and panicked tears started falling from Yuuri's eyes, as he kept going, fuelled by pure adrenaline.
The waves grew ever bigger.
The ship drew closer behind him.
Yuuri fell deeper into despair.
Rain started to beat down onto the dark, inky sea, and thunder crashed above Yuuri. The sky lit up for a brief second. Yuuri's boat began to be tossed around even more, full waves rolling over him, leaving Yuuri gasping for air.
And then finally, the biggest wave Yuuri had ever seen barrelled towards him, flipping the boat, and putting him at the ice cold mercy of the sea.
…
Yuuri could safely say that he regretted everything.
He hoped Mari wouldn't be too mad at him for dying. She'd make a fantastic Queen.
Maybe Phichit would take care of Vicchan for him. He'd had a lot of practice with hamsters, so Yuuri was sure he could handle it.
Minako would have to find a new protégée. He'd never been very good at dancing anyway.
His parents….. his parents would have to find a new prince. Maybe someone who didn't have a knack for getting into dangerous situations. Maybe someone who was handsome, knew what they wanted to do with life, were able to fight for what they believed in, and wouldn't be conquered by the pull of the ocean.
Someone who was nothing like Yuuri.
Slightly more satisfied that his loved ones would be able to handle the legal matter of his death, Yuuri opened his eyes, the salt water stinging them.
He could make out the dark shape of a boat on the surface. His dazed mind couldn't comprehend why. Soon, he was forced to close his eyes, smoothly entering a limbo between conscious and unconscious.
Drowning was cold, Yuuri noted vaguely to himself in his water-clogged mind. Or maybe that was just in the middle of the ocean. It felt like he was being skinned by white-hot knives. And were those arms he felt closing around his middle, the arms of Death, pulling him away?
…
When Yuuri's brain came to, he could safely say that being dead was a lot warmer than being alive. Maybe he was in hell then. Yuuri didn't feel like undergoing the crushing disappointment that he was a terrible person, so kept his eyes closed.
Shifting his foot, Yuuri absent mindedly realised that he was under a blanket. Did they have those in hell?
Wait.
Yuuri's eyes snapped open, and he sat up as fast as he possibly could.
He was in a room.
A few medals adorned the wooden walls, along with hangings and drapes. A half-open closet was on the other side of the room, and Yuuri could see clothes that were clearly very expensive.
Yuuri himself was in a four poster bed with golden sheets and pillows. His hands and feet were untied. He was dressed in a loose shirt, along with pants.
And judging by the bobbing movements, he was on a ship.
"I see you're up." A voice spoke into the room.
Yuuri quickly turned his gaze to the door. There, in all his glory, was Victor Nikiforov, the terror of the Seven Seas.
He was dressed in a white shirt, along with a purple jacket with gold trimmings. His lower half was clad in simple purple breeches. Surprisingly, his head was devoid of a pirate hat.
Victor seemed to notice Yuuri staring, and sighed.
"So silent for the one who saved your life?"
"W-what?" Yuuri squeaked.
"You nearly drowned. I saved you." Victor was smiling.
Yuuri suddenly found a voice to fight back.
"If you hadn't captured me in the FIRST PLACE, I wouldn't have drowned!"
The pirate rolled his eyes.
"Technicalities, zolotose."
Was Yuuri just insulted in a different language?
Victor surveyed him a little, before gesturing to the room.
"This is where you'll be staying. It's nice, is it not? I will have dinner brought to you soon."
And with that, the famous pirate captain was gone, locking the door behind him.
Yuuri slowly sank to his knees. He'd been captured again. Now he wouldn't be able to escape as easily, that's for sure.
Gulping, he levelled a look at the door.
There was only one thing he could do.
Win Victor Nikiforov's trust.
…
Once Victor had locked the door, he turned to face Chris, who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm guessing we aren't holding him for ransom then?"
Victor snorted, starting to walk towards the deck.
"We never were. I just told Yurio that to get him off my back."
Chris rolled his eyes.
"Out of all the people you could've fallen in love with, you chose a Prince?"
"Of course. And I'm going to make him fall in love with me too."
Chapters will get slightly longer, promise!