The night that followed the big attack had been quiet: the winds hummed by, the waves didn’t chop, Amias believed that it was quite the chance for his crew to rest- they’d never encountered something so serious before. They were usually the ones causing all the havoc. He stood at the helm, keeping the ship heading on course, silently singing to himself. The fog was growing thicker for the night and it seemed to be a good time he anchored down for the day.

“Cap’n?” August’s eyes peeped out from the stairway that lead to the lower deck, “Why did we stop?”

“Well,” Amias stretched, preparing himself to push the heavy pulley that let down the anchor, “an old pirate can only sail so far in one night”

August looked upset, “You’re not old Cap’n! You’re only thirty!” Amias smiled, he knew how much August hated it when he mentioned aging. To August, aging meant getting closer to death, which in turn meant that he’ll be alone again. The boy had stuck himself solid to his Captain’s hip! He hovered around the Captain until he had finished with the chore, watching quietly and wondering what to say. “You’re not lonely anymore are you, Cap’n?”

Amias looked up at August, “I was never lonely to begin with. I have all of you don’t I?”. August grew bright pink. He poked his thigh with his wooden dagger gently in thought.

“I mean…different ‘lonely’”

Amias cocked his head sideways in curiosity and sat down. Different lonely? It was fascinating how much children truly knew and understood regardless of how shallow adults thought they were. In a way, Amias had been ‘different lonely’ before Polaris showed up. Sometimes, he wondered whether Polaris actually filled up an ‘entirely different-ly different loneliness’. No. That would be quite absurd…that would be…Amias didn’t want to think about it. Years on solitary sea could make you delusional clingy.

“Cap’n?”

“Huh?” the Captain gasped, breaking out of his trance, “Yes, August. I suppose you’re right”

“Good”, the boy made his way towards Captain Keggard and plopped himself down on his lap. Since when did August show so much attention? Amias couldn’t put his finger on it but he wondered whether August was just a bit worried he might get replaced. He didn’t question it, he took the rare opportunity to wrap his arms around the child- his child and rest his stubbled chin on his son’s head.

“I don’t want him to leave” August muttered looking up at the empty spot of the North Star in the sky. Amias was taken aback. It seemed the quiet child and the silent adult had taken moments of chances to get to know themselves so much so that it convinced August not to slit his throat. Whatever the case, the Captain realized that he too had not considered the fact that their new companion would someday leave, once he found this ‘missing person’.  Oh, the number of dark ideas that popped into his head: sabotage the mission, change course, Polaris would never know it, he’ll never find what he’s looking for, and he’ll stay; make up some lie that whoever this person is has died!

“Me neither, lad” Amias resorted to saying

“You know, August,” Amias thought, “People…they come and go.” He realized he wasn’t only giving advice to the boy but for his own consolation as well, “You have to get used to it.”

“Even you, Cap’n?” August’s eyes had grown twice their size, the black of the pupil taking up most of the space of the jade irises. A sheet of tears slowly started forming over his optics in lost hope. Amias only nodded silently. He wrapped his arms tighter around his child who buried his face into the crevice of his father-figure’s mighty elbow. When two people have been together through every thick and thin, it was hard to accept letting go. But for the moment, they did their best to forget and enjoy the rare occasion in which they felt the urge to be needed. The sea air was cold, and the soft, episodic rumble of August’s stomach filled in for the silence.

“Aren’t you hungry?” another voice popped in awkwardly. Polaris had changed into one of the Captain’s extra night clothes- a large sack-like nightgown accompanied by a lose pair of socks that sagged around his ankles. It was far from the regal pearl and silver he wore before, giving him a rather goofy look, somewhat the appearance of a confused senior or beggar. But he didn’t need to know that. Amias stifled a laugh. The White Man had two bowls of mushroom soup in his hands, doing his best to keep balance and not spill with his weak sea-legs.

“Someone seems to be feeling better” Amias commented, reaching out to take the two dishes from his friend. He was about to hand one over to August: the boy was fast asleep.

“Yes.” Polaris sat down next to him, taking the hat off of August’s head and setting it on the wooden floor. In the pitch silence, Amias could hear the clatter of utensils in the deck below. Polaris must have served everyone else as well. It made sense that he initiated dinner for everyone- being sick often makes one hungry. However, having someone responsible and knowledgeable enough to take care of everyone was a huge relief- Amias wouldn’t have a reason to worry in case he went down. How much he wished Polaris could just forget his ‘secret mission’ and just stay! Wish…

“Polaris,” Amias contemplated, “You know a lot about the North Star”

“Yes…?” Polaris leaded on, looking quite confused.

“Do you think it can still hear.. If someone hypothetically made a wish?” Amias stumbled, “Considering it isn’t in the sky anymore?” He shifted August’s head on his arm- his bicep was getting sore under the weight. Polaris took a good look at Captain Keggard. His silvery eyes seemed to shimmer as he scanned Amias’s brain quietly. He smiled.

“Does this someone happen to be you?” Polaris asked. Amias squirmed.

“You are a good man, Amias Keggard” Polaris confirmed, “Wherever that star is, it’s bound to hear you”

In the desperation of strong attraction, Amias’s eyes closed and his mind spoke. Polaris heard every word, a sort of ringing in his ears that engraved into his mind and made his vision double with light. He watched Amias, his hair, the frown of his eyebrows as he repeated ‘please’ in his head thrice.

“I wish upon the North Star, that Polaris would stay. That this connection would never end and we won’t part ways. Please, Please, PLEAAASE”

A shiver went down Polaris’s spine. He flushed. His heart beat faster than it ever did before, projecting a dim light that gradually pulsed brighter and brighter. As Amias opened his eyes, he slammed his hand against his chest.

“Well, we better head inside. It’s getting cold” Amias lifted August onto his shoulder and descended towards the cabins. Polaris, left alone, sat there and wondered how on Earth he would make this final wish come true…