Ja'far hadn't expected to last on this ship for a day let alone a few weeks. It'd been nearly a month and a half and he'd almost forgotten what land felt like. Not that it really bothered him. He kept busy. There was just so much on this ship that needed to be done and so many lazy people. He did three times the amount of work as everyone else. It wasn't like Sinbad actually expected them to do the work. So long as it was done before they reached port he was usually a very happy man. Ja'far wasn't content with that. That was how things got lost, how they got screwed over with prices.
Ja'far didn't even have the patience with the captain to explain to him how much money he'd lost over the years. It was a wonder they had any at all. He didn't even understand how they could call themselves pirates. They gave to the needy and didn't even loot ships. These guys were just a bunch of idiots. The stories, no, the lies he had been told about this crew were just sickening. These people were built up to be feared heartless pirates. He could understand how that rumor might have come about. They were all pretty intimidating. Especially the big guy. The silent red head, whom he was currently working with.
Maybe it was his silence that made him so terrifying or perhaps it was just his height or muscle mass. Ja'far wasn't exactly sure. It wasn't like he'd never dealt or worked with burly men before. He was actually extremely used to working with people who were bigger than him. Ja'far was aware that he was a rather small man. He never complained about it though. It made it easier for him to take out his targets. Still this man kind of creeped him out. It was hard not to inch away from him, but he was doing a good job of helping him.
They were currently working on rearranging the ship. They needed to make more room. Silly captains follow silly rumors, Ja'far thought taking a short break on top of one of the crates. He was making his way to an island that was supposed to have large amounts of gold, probably from ship wrecks. It just sounded like a trap to him. How did Sinbad suppose all of that gold got there? Ja'far sighed looking over at the man working with him.
"Don't you ever wonder if you're working for an idiot," Ja'far asked not expecting an answer. He didn't get one either. He got a long quiet stare from the other man. He let out another sigh looking away from him. "I just keep trying to figure out what everyone sees in him. Of course he's a good captain, if you ignore the fact that he throws around gold like it's his job. He's rather kind, but sometimes I wonder if he's just stupid rather than kind." Ja'far shook his head hopping off the crate. He needed to keep moving things.
Masrur did most of the work. Ja'far wasn't really upset about that. He was much bigger and clearly stronger than he could ever hope to be. He'd done what he could and he supposed that was more than enough for him. He'd done much more for this ship just by being here so only being able to move some of the things that need to be moved didn't really bother him. The work was done and that's all he really cared about.
He dusted his hands off as he came back on the deck. It felt like he's been below deck forever. The sun burned his eyes. He hadn't felt that sensation since the first time he was locked up below deck. He looked around. It seemed that everyone was excited to stop at this island. Ja'far thought them a bunch of idiots. They were sailing to their doom. Well at least if they all died he could make his escape. He looked up at the captain, the idiot sailing the ship right to their death. God he was wearing that stupid smile of his too. He looked so pleased with himself. Ja'far could strangle him. He was a fucking idiot. Maybe that was the reason it was so easy for him to smile.
Sinbad looked down at Ja'far his smile widening for some fucking reason. Ja'far wanted to throw a dagger in his direction and find out if he could damage that pretty face of his. Even Ja'far had to admit that he was disgustingly attractive. If he had it his way he's keep that man as a sex slave, but he didn't quite agree with things like that. If they're not doing it on their own free will then what's the point. Ja'far shook his head pushing those thoughts out of his head. They weren't healthy.
"What the hell are you smiling at," Ja'far yelled up at him, still debating if he should throw a dagger or not. "It's fucking creepy, don't look at me like that."
Sinbad shook his head making his way down to the younger man. He had such a foul mouth. Normally he would scold for his crew for speaking in such a manner, but Ja'far wasn't technically part of his crew. He could only comment on it and hope the man would stop saying such things on his own.
"You have such a foul mouth you know. It's a good thing no women are on deck, or I'd have to smack you. Speaking of witch, will you keep an eye on Pisti for me? I don't want her coming on land with us. She's far too fragile and I worry about her. She can join us at a later time when she's gown some more."
Ja'far crossed his arms over his chest. He didn't like it when the man said things like that to him. He was going to speak however he wanted. "Why the fuck do I have to do it?"
Sinbad smiled ruffling his hair. If Ja'far was insistent on pissing him off, then Sinbad could do the same. "You're the best body guard I could ask for, besides for Masrur. But I need him." Ja'far swatted the man's hand away.
"Fine, I'll do it if I have to, but don't blame me if she ends up dying. I'm not exactly used to saving lives you know." Ja'far was trying to glare up at the man, but Sinbad's face grew darker than he'd ever seen it. The man grabbed his shirt almost forcing a yelp from him.
"If Pisti gets hurt, whether it's your fault or not, I will cut you open and throw you over the side of the ship. Do you understand me?" It was hard for Ja'far to keep the calm angry face that he always had on. He didn't know this man had it in him to be terrifying like this. It was something he'd never expected. Ja'far let out a huff shoving himself away from the man.
"What the hell is wrong with you? I'm an assassin. It's not exactly like I'm used to saving people. I'm not saying I'm going to kill her." He stomped away still trying to keep the upper hand even though it was pretty clear he didn't have it. He would keep telling himself he did anyway. It didn't take him long to find the small girl.
"Hey brat," Ja'far said tugging on her hair softly. "Sinbad asked me to watch after you." She turned around glaring at him. He was impressed. She was so cute, but she looked so deadly. He wanted to ask how she did it. His impression soon disappeared when she crossed her arms over her chest and stomped her foot like a child.
"That's no fair. Why does he have to keep treating me like a child? I can do things on my own," She turned away from him pouting. Ja'far rolled his eyes are her.
"Probably because you act like one," He replied pushing down the urge to smack her across the face. Ja'far didn't like dealing with whiny little brats. It's been a long time since he's had to deal with them and he just wasn't going to stand for it. "Maybe if you act like an adult you'll be treated like one, but if you really feel like throwing a tantrum, then be my guest."
The glare she gave him might have been more threatening if he were a normal person. He was used to cold stairs though and honestly it wasn't the coldest one he'd ever seen. "Don't play this game with me girl. You will lose and Sinbad told me not to hurt you, so can we skip this and just get down to you listening to me?"
Pisti looked away for a moment before opening her mouth. She looked like she was about to argue with him. She shut her mouth when she looked back at him. He wanted to give her a smug look, but chose not to knowing it'd only piss her off. This girl had a temper, one that could almost match Ja'far's. Challenging her would prove to be difficult. So Ja'far would just have to always keep the upper hand around her.
It didn't take them near as long as Ja'far had hoped to reach the island and much to his dismay they made it to shore without a scratch. He rolled his eyes. So Sinbad actually knew what he was doing, that was a surprise. He sat back watching Pisti bother the crew members. He knew that he probably should have stopped her, but what was the point.
"Come on Sharr! Sinbad told Ja'far to watch after me. Why can't I come? Look at him, does he look like he's going to let me get hurt." She looked back at Ja'far almost regretting that question. He didn't look like he cared about her safety at all. "Don't be a dick Sharr," She shoved against him, even if it was useless. Ja'far let out a sigh walking over and picking the girl up. It was easy even with the way she thrashed against him.
"I told Sinbad I'd watch you, not that I'd follow you on a stupid expedition. I have no interest in going on that Island. It's hot and the sun is out. I will burn like you wouldn't believe. We're staying below deck." He didn't even bother checking to see if the crew had taken the chance and left while she was distracted. He placed her down standing directly in front of her.
"You pail freak, let me go. I'm going to join them whether you like it or not. You can't keep me here. I'll tell Sinbad you touched me in inappropriate places!" Ja'far looked her over unable to keep a smirk from his face.
"There are a million reasons why that won't work, one of the main ones being, I like men. So, good luck with that Pisti." He snorted moving towards the door. He placed a barrel in front of it before sitting down on top of it.
"Aren't you a little young to know things like that though?" Ja'far raised a brow at her his hands suddenly balling into fists. He didn't want to admit that he cared if someone was doing that to her. Honestly he couldn't help it. He'd gone through something like that when he was younger and honestly it was just sick. Adults shouldn't touch children. The look that crossed her face shouldn't have hurt his heart the way it did. Every ounce of him wanted to go and hold her just so she'd feel better.
"I promised I wouldn't talk about it. I was told that I shouldn't talk about it or I'd die." She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. "You'll protect me won't you Ja'far?" He looked over at her his heart aching to see her look like that. He could only imagine who would do that to her. Sinbad was the first person to cross his mind. Though Ja'far really wanted to believe that Sinbad wouldn't do something like that to her. Especially with the way he was always trying to protect her.
He couldn't help hopping off the barrel moving closer to the girl. He placed a hand on her shoulder pulling it back quickly as she flinched away from his touch. "I promised Sinbad I would protect you, but I swear I'll protect you from anything bad." Ja'far knew it was dangerous to be kind, to care about anyone. Giving a shit about anyone just caused problems, for everyone.
That's why he honestly shouldn't have been surprised when something hard smacked him on the side of the head. He shouldn't have been so completely shocked when his eyesight when blurry and he fell to the floor. He lay there, helplessly his vision fading only being able to see Pisti run away from him. She was going to be so dead when he regained consciousness.