The Pirate's Treasure Ch.10

The Pirate's Treasure

Chapter Ten: His Royal Brother
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Lovino wakes up with an intense feeling of melancholy. Last week Antonio informed him that he could not leave, so he cannot see his youngest brother. Today they are docking in some random town to get supplies and all Lovino wants is to get away long enough to see his brother, just a little while. He knows Antonio won't allow it though, the man 'needs' him around.
A heavy sigh escapes the man's lips as he sits up in bed, paying no attention to the man next to him. It isn't fair to be torn between two brothers. Why could his father stop at him? Was that so much to ask? Lovino's eyes going to the large tub of water still in Antonio's room. The water has been changed every few days, even though he does not go in it. Perhaps it will help him clear his head. Granted it isn't large enough to do laps or anything, but surely it will feel good to return to water after so long.

Gently getting out of bed, sure not to wake Antonio up, Lovino goes to the tank and sheds his clothing before getting in. The feeling is both relaxing and nostalgic, leading Lovino to close his eyes as he goes completely under. Floating there, many things come to mind; Antonio, Feliciano, and Marcello. Memories of being raised by his father, of teaching his brothers how to swim and hone in on their abilities, and of being captured and taken away from it all. He's more than willing now, the idea of seeing the world is incredible.

The thoughts of his brothers leave him feeling sick to his stomach, though. Like the day Feliciano first met humans, when he came back he spoke of them so happily, eager to see Ludwig again. If only Lovino could have seen what was going to come. Feliciano was important to him; not much younger than Lovino they were truly raised together by parents with a strong bond. The two snuck out of the castle together, played pranks together, and would read on the world above sea together. They were inseparable until Ludwig.

His relationship with Marcello is far different though. By the time he had come their mother was sick, and soon died. He was raised in a home where for the first few years their father couldn't so much as look at him, making Lovino more like a father. Lovino was more protective of Marcello when he was young, making the boy quite spoiled and more than cocky. Marcello is smart and would spend most days learning new things just for the sake of learning, eagerly showing Lovino his accomplishments after mastering them.

Of course he is older now, and although he is still a cocky nerd, he now no longer looks to Lovino as a sort of father figure. They are on equal ground now and rather than showing off to Lovino, he will drag the man into his new ideas and lessons. Without Marcello, Lovino would have grown into a mischievous little tyrant rather than a cultured young prince.

Not wanting to think of his brothers anymore, Lovino opens his eyes again, seeing a large amount of the diamond shaped jewels his tears create. They are different this time, though. Rather than being the light colors they have been in the past, these are all darker. Grim shades of blues and reds now surrounded him in the water, floating signs of his sorrow that were far more valuable than any of the jewels he had made yet.

He wonders briefly if he should give them to Antonio, or keep them out of sight to avoid any questions. Quickly snatching the jewels up, Lovino decides against hiding them from the pirate and instead lays them on the counter beside the bed before drying himself off and returning to it.

Later in the morning Lovino is awoken by a familiar smile. Antonio and the jewels are nowhere to be seen, but in their stead is Matthew waiting patiently for him to wake.

"Hello Lovino, we have docked." Matthew informs him. "And Antonio told me to wake you. He seems bothered by something…did you two fight?"

Lovino looks to the blonde confused. "No…I don't think so…"

"Huh. Well, get dressed and come on. We are meeting them at a nice shop to get more clothing!" Matthew says excitedly, leaving the room to give Lovino privacy.

Soon the two are on land with the rest of the crew, everyone finding new clothing as one member slips away, the youngest member of either crew.

Peter is Arthur's young brother, his responsibility. He loves Arthur and his crew, but today he wants more than to be a third wheel. Today Peter is going to go on his own adventure, maybe find some people to add to their crew that would be there for him! Of course he's only thirteen, so the grown-ups who would want to work for him would be sketchy. Perhaps he'll see another kid?

Smiling to himself, Peter heads around town to search for lackeys. On his way he meets many adults, none of which give him the time of day. Soon he end up at the ocean, sitting on a large rock.

"I'm never gonna find someone who will be loyal to only me." Peter sighs sadly, looking out to the water, unaware of what is beneath it. "Simply because I am a child doesn't make me unimportant…"

"I agree!" A voice calls from ahead of him.

"Huh?" Peter looks ahead, seeing a boy floating in the water. He looks similar to the mermaid that Antonio's crew has, but with more of a mischievous look, and younger. "A-are you a mermaid?" He blurts out without thinking and the boy laughs.

"That is right, I am the third prince of King Romulus." The merman answers, lifting his light blue tail above the water for Peter to see. "My name is Marcello, who are you?" Marcello asks and Peter smiles at him.

"I'm Peter, the second son of…um…well, mother said he was a pirate…" Peter says awkwardly as Marcello comes closer.

"A pirate, like the humans that keep taking my brothers?" Marcello asks and Peter nods.

"Sorry about that…it must be awful losing your brothers in such a way." Peter mumbles, thinking of how sad he would be if Arthur just disappeared one day.

"It is not too bad, I suppose. I have tracked my eldest brother to this location." Marcello explains, before looking at Peter with a smile. "However, I think I would rather help you." He says, winking at the boy.

"H-huh…?"

"You wanted someone loyal to only you, right?" Marcello asks, lifting himself out of the water and onto the rocks, his tail gone. "Well I am at your service~!" He adds, grinning at the boy.

Peter stares at him in shocked silence for a long time, overwhelmed by the fact he not only got a lackey, but a mermaid at that. A currently very naked mermaid…well…merman. Definitely merman. "U-um…you need clothing…" He stutters out and Marcello looks down at himself.

"Ah, you are right, may I borrow a piece of yours? I know how you humans prefer to hide your lower extremities." Marcello says, reaching toward Peter. "Your shirt shall suffice."

"A-ah! Wait!" Peter cries, moving back. "Y-you don't just go around clawing at men for their clothing!"

Marcello looks at him blankly. "Ah…I see. Be that as it may, would you mind lending me some of your garments anyhow?"

"You talk funny." Peter says, unbuttoning his shirt. "Is that mermaid language? It's how Lovino speaks as well."

"Ah, so you know my brother, hm? Well, it is not our way of speaking, it is yours. I suppose it is the speaking of a higher status than your own." Marcello answers, taking the shirt and putting it on. "So where shall we go now, master?" He asks playfully, making Peter blush.

"Y-you don't have to call me that." Peter says awkwardly, staring down at the ground.

"But I want to." Marcello whispers in his ear teasingly. Humans are far more fun than he had ever expected. Cuter, too.

"I-I see…how strange…but…alright. I'll take you to the shop to buy some clothes now, I guess. Then we can go eat and then meet up with the others!" Peter says excitedly. "Today will be amazing!"

"I look forward to it." Marcello smiles, following him back into town and to a small shop. Inside they are immediately greeted by a man with a pair of pants.

"I see you are in need of clothing! Let us get you measured and fitted for some!" He says, dragging the boys into a room where the other customers do not need to see him.

Marcello looks around as the man measure him. "Hmm…what fabric do you like, master?" He asks Peter, who blushes more.

"U-um! I guess…maybe…this one?" Peter mumbles, holding out a fabric.

"A wonderful choice!" The worker exclaims before going to work getting Marcello dressed. Once they are all done and Peter has paid, the two head out on their way again.

"This clothing is very restricting…how do you deal with it?" Marcello asks and Peter shrugs.

"We don't really notice it, honestly. Humans are put in clothing at birth. I feel better in it than out of it." Peter explains and Marcello sighs.

"I see, that is a true shame. I'm sure your beautiful when disrobed." Marcello says, making Peter go a dark red.

"Wh-? Wh-? I-I don't know what to say to that!" He stutters awkwardly.

"Perhaps you should say 'I would love to prove you right, Marcello~'. I would greatly appreciate that response." Marcello offers.

"Marcello…correct me if I am wrong…" Peter begins, looking at the merman wearily. "But are you…trying to…flirt with me?"

"How observant master is!" Marcello praises, making Peter tense up.

"R-really? Wait! Huh? How are you so calm about such a thing?" Peter exclaims and Marcello smiles.

"Men together is not strange underwater." Marcello explains. "Why? Are you not interested?"

"I...I don't know!" Peter cries, looking away embarrassed. "I have never thought of being with a guy!"

"Well master, I would highly appreciate if you would consider it." Marcello says calmly, paying no attention to the nervous twitches of Peter's eye.

"I...I think we should find brother now…"

"Oh yes! I would very much like to see Lovino and the horrid pirate who took him from me!"

Peter looks at Marcello curiously. "What do you plan on doing to the pirate, exactly?"

"Why killing him, of course!" Marcello answers, smiling to the boy.
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A/N: Seborga has arrived! He is quite the straight shooter. Annyywaayysss, yeah...I was just gonna cover the brothers relationships to Lovino here...than I thought...I wanted to have Marcello pop up and chill with Peter. So...hope you enjoy...next one will start with Marcello and Peter.