Fenris

[just_hex]

Hex had set himself up in the galley to peel the potatoes for Hannibal, out of the way. He knew how the cook liked it done and was quick and precise.

He took the last root out of the water to remove the skin when Fenris walked in. Hex flashed him a warm smile.

"The water isn't hot enough for tea," he apologized. "You'll have to put it on."

Comments

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned, genuinely confused. “I mean Nyx. I met him.” Were there more,

[just_hex]

At the very sound of his name, Hex was overtaken with the most smitten grin and warmth in his eyes.

"Prince Nyx, yeah," he nodded. "Him, too."

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned at him. "You do realize he is a prisoner here, don't you? Bound by magic against his will?"

[just_hex]

Hex grew suspiciously quiet.

"Yeah...I know," he said, looking down.

[stolenlife]

"I confess, even knowing that I'm in his good graces now, I worry... that if the captain is someone who condones slavery, that he might not hesitate to sell me back to my former master," Fenris said, uncomfortably. "And I will not go back."

[just_hex]

"He wouldn't sell you. He don't do that. And...and that's not why Nyx is Bound," he replied awkwardly.

[stolenlife]

"Does it matter?" Fenris asked sourly.

[just_hex]

"Sort of," he nodded awkwardly. "While we're out to sea, definitely."

[stolenlife]

Fenris stopped peeling, and looked up at him. "Look, I'm not going to make trouble," he said. "I have to look out for myself now. But I've spent the entirety of my life that I can remember bound to a man who used human magic in the cruelest ways you can imagine. It gives me no pleasure to see anyone's free will bound by magic."

[just_hex]

"It's safer for everyone," he said, knowing that was a lie.

It wasn't safe for him at all. WHen Bond wanted to take Nyx back, Hex, as his Keeper, would need to die. Nyx had been quite clear.

But it was safer for Nyx. Physically, at least.

[stolenlife]

Fenris very nearly said, so why does he want to leave so badly then, but thought better of it. Fenris had no idea what Nyx might be saying to whom.

"You don't even seem entirely convinced of that," said Fenris. Then added, "I'm used to people like that. The ones who looked at me with pity, and then embarrassed when they said nothing."

[just_hex]

"No one can hurt him, yeah?" Hex insisted. "He'll be fine until Bond wants to take him back and then...if he thinks I'm going to die easy, he's mistaken..." he added, the words trailing away until he was barely mumbling.

[stolenlife]

Fenris' eyes narrowed a touch. "What do you have to do with it?"

[just_hex]

"I'm his Keeper," he said simply.

[stolenlife]

Fenris bristled visibly, but to his credit, he didn't jump to immediate conclusions. Instead he said calmly, "You'll need to explain to me what that means."

[just_hex]

Hex shrugged, ashamed to admit he didn't understand, and the more he learned, the worse it got.

"I got to take care of him until I die," he said. "Except I don't know anything about nymphs, really. I'm trying. I wish Bond had picked someone else."

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned. "So is he bound to you or are you bound to him?" Perhaps the answer was both, but... "What would happen if you left?"

[just_hex]

"Nothing good, probably," he said. "I don't know, though. I read a book, but Nyx said it was all wrong. All lies from people who use nymphs for...things."

[stolenlife]

"So you're telling me that this magic is binding your free will as well?" Fenris said, looking a bit skeptical. Hex seemed to lack sympathy for Nyx's plight.

[just_hex]

"Bond told me to do it..." he said, as if that explained it.

This was Bond's ship Hex's free will only went so far.

[stolenlife]

Fenris frowned. "I'm very grateful to Bond for allowing me to stare here. But there are things he could ask of me that I absolutely would not do." And couldn't help but mutter, "Regardless of what his wizard might think."

[just_hex]

"What do you think he asked me to do?" Hex snapped bitterly. "Beat it and fuck it and treat it like shit until he wanted it back? Go-on."

He wiped up his mess and tossed the cloth aside.

"He told me to take care of a vulnerable fae. Make sure the crew didn't fuck him to death and then fight over his corpse. Forgot to mention the only way to free him is to kill me. I'm so glad you're so much more bloody elevated that you wouldn't do anything the captain asked. Good for you, mate. You're too bloody superior to be a pirate. Huzzah," he spat bitterly.

[stolenlife]

Fenris tensed. Bristling like a cat sensing a predator.

"Hit a nerve did I," he said coldly. "Fine. I'm certainly glad you're not mistreating him, and as I said, it sounds as if you're bound, too. It's also none of my business." He set down the knife with a clank on the counter.

[just_hex]

"You made it your business when you wouldn't shut up," he replied. "You got a lot to learn about being at sea."

[stolenlife]

"For fuck's sake, you spent the first ten minutes of this conversation trying to get my life story and then asking me if I wanted your advice," Fenris muttered as he put the knife away. "But you're right, lesson learned. I don't know why I thought I should give a single shit about anyone other than myself here."