Disclaimer: I own none of the characters!

Notes: As promised, have some JeanMarco (AND ON JEAN'S BIRTHDAY). Next update will be the end of the pirates (for real this time) and a reunion everyone has been asking for. Also: a lot of people have been asking about a "Little Mermaid" chapter. Don't worry, it's definitely coming, but it'll be a part of the mini-series (it's actually going to be the next mini chapter).

Eren leaned against the edge of the ship, looking out over the shining water. Mist sprayed his face with each crash of a wave against the ship's side. He was surrounded by water. On every side. There was no escape, nowhere to swim to.

But at least the view was great and the food wasn't as awful as he'd expect for a pirate ship. He still wasn't used to it after being spoiled by Petra and her cooking.

He picked at his fingers and felt the smooth curve of metal. He looked down and gasped at the glint of gold against tan skin. Through all the commotion—through all the running and blood and kidnapping and ocean—he had managed to forget about the piece of gold.

Eren pulled off the ring Kitts had given him, disgusted by its existence. Everything had finally caught up to him. All of his emotions. His anger and fears and despair. He gripped the ring tight and threw it as far as he could over the edge of the ship.

It was impossible to see where it splashed in the water. Eren didn't care, however. The ring was gone. Sinking to the bottom of that endless ocean. A part of a sickening memory Eren hoped he could forget.

He sighed and somehow felt lighter. A faint smile graced his lips and he leaned against the railing again, this time resting his head against his arms. He closed his eyes, wondering for a brief moment, what Levi was doing. How he was doing. How everyone was doing…

He heard humming and looked up as Marco approached him.

Eren grabbed the mop he had set against the railing, stood at attention and saluted. Marco chuckled.

"Good afternoon sir!" Eren cried. Marco smiled, a rather warm smile for a pirate captain, and leaned against the railing.

"Good afternoon. How are you fairing today?"

"Ah…I'm doing fine, sir, thank you."

Eren kept his eyes down, focused on the mop in his hand. Marco laughed and Eren glanced back up.

"You don't have to be so formal with me."

"You're the captain of this ship. I'm just being courteous."

"How did you ever end up with Jean? You're very nice."

"Hm?" Eren's eyes widened. "We're just friends."

"So Jean was serious when he said you're the bride of a prince?" Marco inquired. Eren groaned and rolled his eyes.

"He's such a dumbshit. I'm no bride!"

Eren slammed the broom against the railing in his frustration. Marco raised his eyebrows, a look of amusement still playing on his face.

"I'm going to kick his ass."

Jean was busying himself cleaning boots and swords in the cold cellar. Unlike Eren, he didn't need to be out in the warm sun constantly. Or outside at all. He was rather content with sitting in the shade than doing extreme manual labor on deck.

And his cleaning partner was passed out drunk, meaning Jean could slack off without getting yelled at. He honestly saw no downside to his current position.

Until there were gentle steps coming down the stairs.

Jean picked up his pace, shining the sword in hand when Marco appeared. The captain waved to him and smiled and Jean held up a hand in response. Marco laughed at Jean's hasty movements.

"Not too loud. This guy is napping."

Marco tilted his head and slinked over. He prodded the sleeping pirate on the barrel and the man slowly started to fall over.

"Oh, it looks like—" thunk "—he is."

The pirate snorted and shot up, glaring at Jean. But when he caught sight of Marco he quickly scrambled to his feet. Marco threw back the tails of his coat, taking his place on the barrel. Jean watched curiously, still cleaning the sword in his hand.

"Why don't you go up on deck for a while? Get some fresh air. I'll stay here with Jean."

The pirate mumbled something in agreement and stumbled to the stairs. Jean snorted.

"I don't need you to keep me company."

Marco picked up a sword, one Jean had already cleaned, and looked it over. "Yes, but I figured I'd show you how to properly clean these sabers."

"Excuse me! My cleaning it just fine!" Jean snapped. "I don't need some criminal teaching—"

With a fwip and a flick of his wrist, Marco pressed the tip of the sword to Jean's neck and Jean was quickly subdued. Marco watched his Adam's apple bob as he swallowed nervously.

"I think you could learn quite a bit from this criminal," Marco lightly hummed, with a smile on his lips. "Mr. Thief."

He pulled the sword away and picked up a rag, using his hook. He rested the sword in his lap, picked the rag with his hand off his hook and started to polish the metal. Jean watched, mildly curious, and rubbing his throat.

"So uh…how did you…you know?" Jean muttered, nodding towards Marco's hook.

"Hm?"

"Your hand? Hook? I mean—Fuck…" Jean looked away and rubbed his temples. Marco's sweet laughter filled the room again.

"How did I lose it? It's alright, I don't mind if you ask. People are often too afraid to ask me. I should have known you wouldn't be."

"What's that supposed to mean?!"

Marco hummed, moving the rag along metal and flipping the sword over once he was satisfied. "I got into a fight with a witch wearing a crocodile cloak. She was better with a sword than I thought."

"Ouch…," Jean winced. "Can you still swordfight?"

"Of course! It's been a challenge, since I'm not naturally left-handed, but I've learned. I can out-sword most men I know."

"Most, huh? I'd like to see that," Jean mused. Marco raised an eyebrow and he nodded to the swords at their feet.

"Shall we?"

"Huh? Really? Here? You want to…?"

"Just a quick one," Marco said. He stuck out his tongue in a teasingly way that made Jean's cheeks turn as red as his coat. "Unless you're too scared."

"Like hell I am!"

Jean jumped up, holding the saber he had been cleaning. Marco calmly rose and the two of them walked to the middle of the room, away from the cells and closer to the barrels of rum. Marco shed his red coat, tossing it onto one of the wooden barrels and Jean admired—no, he was just looking, he told himself—the captain's body (no, no his clothes, he was looking at Marco's clothes).

A simple white shirt, tucked into brown trousers, and loosely tied around the neck. He wore a red sash around his waist and a pair of black, shiny boots. Marco was well-dressed, for a pirate.

"Five points?" Jean asked, holding out his sword. Marco did the same.

"Five it is. Allez."

Jean rushed Marco. But as he stuck out his arm to tap him with the blade, Marco parried it with an effortless flick of his wrist. He held the sword at Jean's arm, giving him a gentle poke.

"Fuck!" Jean snapped, walking back to his place. "Point, yeah whatever."

Marco chuckled. "Allez."

This time Jean was slow in his approach, planning out just how he should go about this duel. Trying to—

Marco practically ran forward, knocked his sword away and tapped the blade to his chest. Jean was speechless.

"Point," Marco hummed, turning away.

Jean huffed. "Allez."

This time, he was ready. Their swords clashed over and over. But every time Jean managed to parry an attack, Marco was able to recover and block. With a final, quick step, Jean managed to strike Marco on the arm.

"Point! Fuck yes!" Jean cheered.

"So you are good!" Marco cried, his voice thick with sarcasm. Jean stuck out his tongue.

"Allez."

Another point for Marco. And another. Jean scored.

"It's been a pleasure, Jean," Marco said, as he hummed another "Allez".

Jean charged. Marco parried. Jean was fast, attacking again. And again Marco parried away his saber. Jean lunged, missed, and cursed as his sword was lodged into the wood of the ship's wall.

He groaned out loud as Marco tapped him on the side with his sword.

"I believe that's game."

"Ahh…fuck."

Jean jerked his sword from the wood and turned with a heavy sigh. Marco patted him on the shoulder.

"You're really good," Marco said with a shining smile. Fuck, how could a pirate have a shining smile like that? It made no sense.

"Thanks…yeah." Jean grimaced at his own reply. He realized it sounded stupid after he said it.

"Let's go have a drink. We can rest up and cool down. It's hot in here."

Jean really couldn't complain about that. Having a drink was never something to turn down.

They put away the swords and Jean followed Marco up the stairs. The fresh sea air felt nice on Jean's face and neck after so much movement in that confined, smelly space. He ran his fingers through his hair, pleased with the breeze. He smiled big.

"Pirate wench!"

Jean sneered and opened his eyes as Eren taunted him from across the deck. "Housewife!"

Eren stared at his mop and then glared back to Jean. He turned up his nose and followed Marco in the captain's quarters of the ship.

Jean pulled out a chair and flopped in it as Marco poured them drinks.

"You and Eren are really close it seems?" Marco asked.

"Eh, a little, I guess. If I had to choose someone to be stuck on a boat with, it'd be him so I can't complain. We've known each other since we were little," Jean rambled. Marco sat down across from him, placing their drinks on the table.

"That's very impressive."

Jean shrugged. "He's still an asshole."

"An asshole you're good friends with."

"Yeah I guess. But that's all we are. Friends, I mean," Jean said. He quickly slapped his hand to head. That was stupid. Everything he was saying was stupid. Why would he even mention something like that to Marco? It wasn't like the pirate captain cared.

Right?

"So why are you even going to Shiganshina? Going to collect some treasure?"

"Not exactly," Marco hummed. "Although, collecting treasure is my specialty."

"Oh is it? Then why aren't you fawning over Eren's oh-so jewel-like eyes? Not trying to add them to your collection."

Jean had heard it his entire life. Caribbean blue. Emerald green. Exotic. Flowery terms person after person used to describe the "jewels" known as Eren's eyes. Even thinking about it sounded flowery and stupid and senseless. He smacked his head again and groaned at his own comment.

A smirk spread over Marco's lips as he sipped his drink. "Not exactly. Although your friend does, in fact, have lovely eyes, I'm more fond of browns and bronze and amber shades."

Jean was about to smart off to Marco again when he realized he had amber eyes. Instead of words, a bright shade of red came across his cheeks. It was met with a smug grin on Marco's face and Jean looked away with an unhappy huff.

Pirates were not supposed to be charming at all.

Jean sat on the railing of the ship, his hands wrapped tight around the wood. Eren sat next to him, tying rope and mumbling to himself. The air felt nice, fresh against his skin as it mixed with the cool of the salty water. A few other pirates lingered on deck as the setting sun cast a warm glow over them.

It was a perfect evening.

"It's going to get too dark soon," Eren snapped. "Finish up with your rope or else we won't be able to see shit. Even with the candles, it'll be hard."

Jean grunted and picked up his rope, fiddling with it.

"Hey, shitface…"

"What?" Eren replied.

"Can I ask you something?"

Eren groaned and sat up straight, facing Jean. "Wha—"

Jean grabbed him by the jaw and caught Eren's lips with his own. Eren sat, stunned and wide eyed and unable to really respond.

He waited, though. Jean waited for that spark Eren spoke of before. He waited because he had to know. But when he pulled away, feeling the same, he stared at Eren in confusion.

"Why?"

"You said that whenever you find your true love, you feel weird when you kiss them," Jean said. "For years…I always thought you…But ever since we've been on this stupid ship I've been questioning that. And I had to make sure."

"Jean…"

"I know, I'm sorry," Jean hissed. "But I've had a hard time accepting this and it's terrifying to think that…you've finally met the person you're meant to be with…"

Eren slapped him across the face and then punched his arm. "You fucker! We've kissed before! You would have felt it then!"

"I had to make sure, asswipe!"

"Fucktard!"

"Fuckface!"

"Horseface!"

That was it. They crashed into each other, a mess of limbs and hair-pulling and flying punches. But by the time they had tired each other out, all they could do was laugh.

Jean couldn't sleep. He swayed in his hammock for what felt like hours. Unable to get comfortable, and tired of listening to Eren's snoring, he slid out of his hammock and tiptoed up the stairs. He walked out onto the deck, expecting to be engulfed in darkness.

But how he was wrong.

The moon was overhead, full and silver and beautiful. The sky was freckled (no, not freckled) scattered with stars. Millions upon billons, all glittering and reflecting off the smooth water. He smiled, relishing in the breathtaking sight, and was suddenly happy he couldn't sleep.

"Jean?"

Jean looked up at the gentle voice and saw Marco standing at the ship's wheel. He was looking over the railing, on his tiptoes, as he slowly steered the ship. Jean smiled and hurried over to the stairs.

"Sir?"

"What are you doing awake?"

"Ah…couldn't sleep," Jean said, leaning against the railing. He looked Marco over. The man had his coat slung over his shoulders and his pajamas underneath. Simple and easy. "You?"

"Same. But on nights like these, how could I?"

Jean smiled, looking back up at the sky. And suddenly he realized how much luster they lacked. Those stars that had been so breathtaking only moments before failed to hold his interest and attention. Those beautiful stars were nothing compared to the man in front of him.

"You have a point…"

Marco laughed and stood back from the wheel. He held out a hand. "Come here."

As if Jean could deny such a command.

He walked over and Marco took his hand in his own, wrapping it around one of the pegs of the wheel. Jean wrapped his other hand around another one; seeing as Marco's hook prevented him from guiding Jean's hand to it.

"So this is what it's like to be the captain of a ship," Jean hummed. "The view isn't bad."

"Not at all."

Jean smiled at the soft words as they fell against his ear. Marco had leaned in, resting his head against Jean's mess of hair.

"I kissed Eren. Today. I mean I had a reason. And I—"

"It's alright," Marco whispered, a gentle smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

"I know, but Marco, I need to tell you something," Jean said, letting the wheel go to turn around. "I—"

"Jean." At the sound of Marco's voice, Jean stopped his stuttering. Marco raised his hook, catching the moon's light. "When I fought that witch, it was because I was upset. I asked her to tell me my future and she did. I expected fame and fortune but instead she said that I would one day fall in love with a thief. Those words infuriated me. I was young and love wasn't on my mind. I demanded she change my future; or tell me how to do it myself. And she said that it was destiny. After I left, I fled to the sea to avoid it. And I soon found myself…lonely. Then one day…news of this thief started giving me and my men an awful name. And it was then that I realized…she was right."

Jean flushed bright red and he smiled. His heart fluttered in a way he was sure was impossible. And he was terrified. Scared and frightened because the feeling was truly foreign.

Marco tucked a hand against Jean's cheek and gave him a small tug. That small tug was all Jean needed to leap forward, kissing Marco like he had kissed Eren.

And he felt it. That spark he had sought for when he kissed Eren. It hurt and it stung but it was a pain he welcomed. He didn't pull back; he relished in it, wrapping his arms around Marco's neck as the pirate captain held him around the waist.

The stars were spinning overhead when they parted. All a blur of silver against blue velvet, the moon shining on their faces, illuminating Marco's freckles and the soft shade of pink on Jean's cheeks. Jean could still feel the stinging tingle of that lover's first kiss on his lips and he was more than ready to relieve it with another.

It was around midmorning when Jean finally stirred. He smiled, burrowing his nose into the crook of Marco's neck. The captain smiled and ran his hand through Jean's messy hair. Instead of the usual hook, Marco had replaced it with a blunt, leather covering; one to hide the fleshy stump without the sharp hook.

Jean trailed his fingers over the covering and along Marco's arm, relishing in the way Marco inhaled and shuddered under his hand. Loving the curves and definition of Marco's muscles.

"Good morning, my thief," Marco hummed.

"Good morning, my captain."

They shared more than a few kisses and Jean did what he could to stay quiet. Even with the multiple layers of the ship and the crashing waves at its sides, he feared someone would hear just what he was up to in the captain's quarters. Soon after they started to dress, achingly pulling on their clothes and preparing to start their day, there was a knocking at the door. Jean blushed, looking to Marco.

"Don't worry about it," Marco reassured, walking to the door. "You don't have to answer to anyone, so don't panic."

Jean smiled, feeling a little better, though the thought still made him shudder in delight. The captain of the Jolly Roger, the feared pirate captain that so many spoke of, was his and only his. And he belonged to Marco in return.

"Eren?"

"I was looking for Jean," came Eren's voice. "I couldn't find him anywhere and I was afraid he'd maybe fell off the ship because he's a dumbass like that."

"I can assure you, Jean is fine," Marco said.

"What the fuck, Jaeger, worried about me?" Jean teased, slinking over. Eren's eyes widened.

"Well at least I cared enough to search for your lame ass!"

They bickered for some time, Marco going over to the table and picking up a few apples. He ate one himself, cutting the other into slices to feed to his parrot.

"There are mermaids and they would have drowned you! They hate horses!"

"How about we see if they drown little shits like you?!"

"Why don't you both calm down. Sit down, have a drink and get some food?" Marco asked, nodding to the bowl of fruit. Eren eyed the bowl.

"There are apples…"

"And you call me the horse?" Jean snarked, walking over to pick up an orange.

"Raaaaaaaaaaah you call me the horse," repeated Mr. Smee as Marco fed him another slice of apple.

Eren laughed. "Heh, that's a pretty good impression."

"Raaaaaaaaaaah do it harder, captain. Raaaaaaaaaaaah, fuck me harder."

Eren spun around to stare at Jean, who had paled to an inhuman shade of white with wide amber eyes. Marco flushed red, covering his mouth.

"Raaaaaaaaaaaaah, harder faster. Raaaaaaaaaaaah."

"Is that…?" Eren muttered, torn between horror and laughter.

"Eren, just shut up," Jean said, his voice shaking with embarrassment. Even Marco couldn't help but look away to hide his face. "Just for once, shut up."

Mr. Smee ruffled his feathers because he certainly had no plans to shut up any time soon.