Xan pushed a wooden stool out for him before proffering Finn a plate. Like the night before Finn reached out slowly and gently grasped it. He sat down on the stool, still cautiously eyeing the pirate. Xan merely tipped his head in a nod before digging into his own.

Xan focused on his own plate for a while. He could feel the kid’s heavy gaze, suspicious and guarded.

Finally, Finn gave up on trying to see all the pirate’s ulterior motives and dug into the still steaming meal. It was the best thing he’d had to eat in months and his appetite was in much better shape than the evening before.

Xan glanced back at Finn about halfway through his own meal to see the kid was nearly finished. He was devouring his food with much more vigor. He felt a bubble of happiness settle in his chest. Finn seemed to enjoy the food and his appetite appeared to be coming back. Maybe they’d be able to fill out his bony frame sooner.

He felt eager to soothe the black rings under Finn’s eyes, for the hollows of his cheeks to fill in, the bruising to heal. For a moment he was swept off his feet with how much be craved to see Finn strong and healthy. The feeling was so intense it nearly ached. He felt increasingly unsettled with how quickly he was forming an attachment to Finn.

He tried to mollify himself.

He had literally bought a weak, scrawny kid about to be sold as a slave to a brothel. He’d always been softhearted. It was his greatest strength as well as fault. He enjoyed caring for others and had simply come across a young boy in a desperate situation. Of course, he wanted to see Finn well. He was also now responsible for him. His emotional drive to provide and care for Finn were completely valid. It was likely he felt so strongly because Finn was so child-like and he was reminiscing about his own sister’s youth. It was all very reasonable.

They finished eating in silence. Xan gestured for Finn to hand him the plate back. Finn looked from Xan to the empty plate and back like he either didn’t understand or didn’t want to give the plate back.

“Come on now. I need to get these back down to the kitchen if we want to have plates for lunch today.”

Finn reluctantly handed it over and Xan condensed and stacked their little pile.

“So, what’s the plan for today?”

“The plan for today is I’m taking this back to the kitchen, and then hopefully I have plenty of work to do getting us underway and out of this trash heap of a port.”

“So how do I fit into this?”

“You fit into this by staying put.” Xan gave him a pointed look.

“What?! You’re just going to leave me cooped up here all day long while you prance around? Would you like me to pose up against the wall like a portrait or on the floor like a rug?”

Apparently arguing was going to be a reoccurring theme. Xan couldn’t fault him too much given the situation, but he’d put his foot down, nonetheless.

And if I let you come with me could I trust you wouldn’t try and run away?”

Silence.

“Exactly. So, like I said, you’ll stay here while I get to work. We’ll find you something to do after we get out to sea. For the time being, try to keep yourself entertained. There’s plenty of books in here and you are more than welcome to any of them.”

“And who said I could read? Kind of presumptuous of you.”

Xan was stunned silent. He was embarrassed with himself not to have thought of that first. Reading and other education weren’t as limited in his home country, but elsewhere reading could often be restricted as an elite activity and made unattainable to those of lower status.

“My apologies, it was a bit arrogant of me to assume. Not everyone is given such an opportunity. I’m still certain you will find a way to keep yourself busy while I am gone. Perhaps taking a nap would do you some good. I’ll be back by with lunch.”

There was tense silence as Xan made his way to the door.

“Whatever you say, your highness.”

Xan froze. His expression soured and he stepped outside.

He turned and faced down Finn who wore a cocky smirky grin for what he thought was a clever little dig at the pirate.

At least until he saw the coldness in Xan’s eyes. “Do not call me that.” His voice was like ice water.

Finn’s expression dropped.

And just like that the door was being shut and locked, leaving Finn alone with his thoughts.