"I found fries!" Gary burst in holding food in his arms, a wide smile that fell only slightly at the awkward atmosphere "whoa...what's with the mood?" He blinked, dropping the food he scavenged on the table that was surrounded by Bartolomew's crew and Yak.
The air was thick, as if someone had told them the sky was actually red and pigs could fly- a sense of perplex seriousness around them.
"Gary- where did you get that?" Yak seemed to be the only one unaffected by whatever must have been happening before the blond had made himself present "those are for my employe--"
"Partners in crime!" Gary shoved some fries down Yak's mouth with a wide grin, watching the other process the forced food before he invited himself to the table.
"Wow" Gary whistled as he scanned the dining room "you guys hit a real jackpot here!" He rubbed his hand against the bronze wood of the table, taking in how smooth it felt in comparison to their previous one that was full of splitters, seeming unaware that he was the subject of their silence.
Some studied the human, comparing the cold and arrogant yet wise child to the open idiotic adult before them. Had Yak not made a mistake? Was the Gary he spoke of the same as this wanderer Gary they had come across?
"Here!" Gary seemed to be trying to feed Little Cato "try these while they're still warm" he grinned wide
Shaking his head in attempt to shake off his thoughts about the man before him, Little Cato smiled naturally- Gary's toothy grin being quite contagious.
He didn't hesitate to just take the food, munching it before his ears perked and he reached across to take another
"These are good" he said with a mouthful of fries, his father's scolding going unheard
"Thank you" Yak thanked, taking pride in how they seemed to enjoy the food cooked by his employees in his company
"Thank you!" Gary said with pride as if he had cooked these himself
Taking a moment to snack and talk, the previous story that Yak had told them like a mosquito flying around their ears, the crew ignored the urge to ask more questions. The subject long changed into how, apparently, Gary had stopped by Greece a few years back and caught a glimpse of Yak then who had a "Creepy mustache that looked like a horse's mane brush" as described by Gary.
"I think it's time you pirates begin packing and leading" Yak looked at a silver pocket watch that seemed old but well taken care off, his thick brows knitting with worry for a moment as he scratched his small beard
"Oh" Gary blinked "Gee...Already?" He scratched the back of his neck, almost surprised by his own disappointment.
Standing up, Gary ignored the weird look mixed with curiosity that Yak had given him- it must have been weird from how absent minded Gary had been the time he had bid farewell to Yak years back.
He cleared his throat and nodded with a smile as he placed his hands on his hips for a moment, taking in everyone's details as this might be the last time he'd see them- which is weird right?
This wasn't a first goodbye- why was Gary making this weird? Stop being weird Gary-
"I'll help you guys carry your stuff here" he gave another nod, messing with Little Cato's hair as he walked out
Most of Bartolomew's crew followed, while others stayed behind to prepare their departure.
"Gary..." Avocato called to the blond who was grabbing some of their things, which wasn't a lot but he insisted in helping
"You guys should take some things from the inn!" Gary suggested, already beginning to fold some blankets "Free stuff is good stuff"
"Gary-" Avocato tried again
"Oh! Do you guys need to stop by the food court?" Gary continued to ramble, tucking Bartolomew's coat under his arm "its quite a lot of you, you'll probably need lots of food-"
"Gary!" Bartolomew grabbed the human's shoulder and forcefully turned him to face him, watching Gary yelp and quiet down as he hugged the coat close to his chest in surprise.
Avocato glanced towards his side, watching Fox nod and usher the others out so their Captain could get some privacy to talk to the wanderer
"Gary..." Avocato tried again, unsure of how many times he had said that name as his hands lost their grip on the man's shoulders and slowly slid off "...I-"
Words jumbled in his brain, suddenly whT he wanted to say became to much, he didn't know where or how to begin.
Digging in his pocket, Avocato pulled out the comb he bought the moment they arrived in Greece, studying the object in his hand and feeling as though its worth wasn't enough for Gary. It wasn't ugly but...compared to the golden watch, blue jeweled earring, gold carved piercings...it seemed almost like dirt if not for the pretty detailed drawings of birds and flowers on the stem of the comb.
"Here..." his ears lowered ever so slightly "it's not much but-" he hesitated as he took Gary's hand which seemed so small in comparison to his, the human's palm was soft and pale, fingers long and knuckles red despite his tan "Thank you....for everything"
Avocato watched how the human before him seemed to process, one hand still holding tightly to his coat while the other slowly curled around the comb that had been placed in his hand. His blue eyes; that unlike how Yak described, weren't a pale blue but a bright sky azul that seemed to twinkle even if there were light lacking- slowly trailed down to the object at last.
"This...?" Gary mumbled, studying the comb as he turned it in his hand, his long lashes hiding his eyes as he looked down, seeming not to notice the moment Avocato took his coat back from him
"I thought you'd like it" Avocato cleared his throat awkwardly as he put on his heavy dark blue coat, uncertain that the other would like it but not willing to show his anxiousness
"...why?" Gary's voice was surprisingly quiet
"Well- uhh-" Avocato struggled, avoiding eye contact even if the other still didn't look up "I saw how those gypsies girls played with your hair- yous ended to enjoy it so--"
"No-" Gary shook his head and finally lift his gaze, his eyes keeping Avocato's captive "...why are you giving this to me?" He asked, genuine confusion evident in the way the middle of his eyebrows cresed and his eyes seemed to search for answers
"It's a thank you gift" Avocato was surprised by how softly he spoke himself "and don't worry...I'll still be indebted to you" he added with a small chuckle
"Oh..." Gary blinked before he looked down at the comb in his hands once again, running his fingers against the teeth as if it were something much precious than it actually were "I've never received a gift before..." he whispered, astonished
The ventraxian's ears seemed to perk up at this piece of information that had so obviously been carelessly slipped out, noting from the way the human looked up surprised by himself by telling Avocato such a thing
"I mean- I did " he tried to amend "but that....that was many years ago" his voice grew quiet once more as his lips curled softly as he looked down at the comb.
"Thank you" Gary looked back up "I know it's weird saying thank you to a thank you gift- or whatever that is but--" Gary chuckled "thank you" he rasped, eyes filled with unspoken emotion that was hidden by an awkward smile
"Don't thank me" Avocato smiled and took a deep breath through his nose, feeling...uncomfortable? No- that wasn't the right word for it-
He felt as if he was sat down to read and the world had just began to dissolve around him, as what good books do. Avocato felt as if he had gotten to the good part at last, the interesting part of the story but was being forced to put the book away...
Gary, the wanderer, was a rude fool who didn't seem to know what was danger- that's the first impression he got of him. A thief who was up to no good but...
But now, here, before Avocato, was Gary who had grown quite close to his crew. A man who was filled with knowledge on matters Avocato wasn't but was lacking when it came to common sense.
If Avocato had to described Gary, he'd describe him as loud but intriguing, naive but cultured, beautiful and if Avocato had started of right...perhaps he'd have put in some work-
"Right-" Avocato caught himself at the last thought, surprised by his own mind. Gary disliked him- sure, both seemed to get along at the moment but that didn't change how Gary had made it specifically clear how much he hated the ventraxian or how the captain had treated him previously.
"This goodbye has been dragging on for too long" Gary seemed to get the hint of Avocato's haste, turning to pick up Avocato's Captain hat"So...goodbye" he said casually with the shrug the same way he had done the first time he were on his ship, causing the older to chuckle at how the other didn't change despite their travels together.
"Goodbye Gary the wnaderer" Avocato's eyes creased up with his smile, cordially
"...Goodbye Captain" Gary returned the smile, unlike his usual grins it was much softer and warmer
The large hands of the ventraxian brushed against the human's when he took the hat from his hands and the touch seemed foreign to the captain but even so his ears stood tall as he fixed his posture and expression when he placed his hat on, giving a short and sharp nod of farewell as he finally left, honey colored hair fresh in his mind.
((Chapter 11: