unwrtnskies

[unwrtnskies]

"it doesn't matter. you don't really care, so don't waste your breath asking." xavier replied, giving a shrug. what a terrible mistake this had been. stepping in here, approaching ryker, he should've kept walking. he should've gone anywhere but the nest, yet here he was. and honestly, it shouldn't have stung as bad as it did when ryker gets up to leave. what had he truly been expecting? still, he's hurt. “yeah.” he should have left it at that, should just shut his mouth, but he didn’t. “you’re good at that,” he added, bitterly. he felt his blood boil with frustration.

xavier cursed himself for being the reason he was in this situation. it was foolish to have approached the siren, especially here, it's not like the two of them should even be interacting anyway. he wasn't even sure how to act normal around him when they weren't around people, let alone trying to act casual in a space full of people. he sighed , “don't bother." he wants to reach out, to carefully take hold of ryker's wrist, pull him back to him, but he's already made a fool of himself once tonight.

suddenly he felt like he needed to drink until he could no longer see straight, no longer knew his name, enough that he could be found slumped somewhere in the morning. one bad mistake after another. that seemed to be xavier's way of doing things. and he could already hear kiara's laughter over the situation, over how foolish he was for coming in here to begin with.

without looking at the siren anymore, he gets up to leave the spot they were just sharing. "after tonight, you'll never have to worry about seeing my face here again." he says, an empty promise. that was all he could say without continuing on like a rambling fool. but in a way, though he didn't want to admit it, he knew he was lying. there was a pull with ryker that xavier could not explain nor deny it. even after all this time, even after everything, he gravitated so easily towards the other. rather than leave the nest, xavier finds himself getting a drink. it would be easier to erase his mind of ryker while he was with another siren if he had something in him to help.

it was hard not to think about their good times, despite how much ryker tried to not do so. it just made him curse himself for opening his mouth which made xavier try to help. an innocent confession turned into ryker shattering their relationship and selfishly, he was okay with that. because the nest was the only place he felt safe abd xavier really couldn't promise him that everything will be okay if he managed to leave the place.

them being broken up was better and ryker didn't care that xavier resented him for that. maybe in their core they were both just selfish pirates. looking at him in the nest, ryker hoped and dreaded that xavier would come towards him, the inner chant that this would be a bad idea replaying in his head over and over again until it was too late, until the man himself did come over and did sit next to him. ryker hated to admit that his heart still beats for the other man. it's not that he stopped caring for xavier he was just protecting himself and masking it as simply not wanting to be in a relationship with him anymore because he just liked being a siren.

"not going to be alone for long." ryker shrugged his shoulders, he could find a client easy enough if he wanted to, given how many people were around at the moment. "i'm fine, you?" ryker said out of politeness, he almost even asked xavier what he was doing here but bit his lip instead, what a dumb fucking question. he's probably here to find a siren to take to bed, not ryker though, because that will be a very, very bad idea and at this point ryker has had enough of those when it came to xavier.

ryker thought that honestly it was better if they didn't talk because he was still feeling that pull, how couldn't he feel it when xavier was near? but he'll fight it, this time he won't let himself give in to the man that has charmed just like ryker charmed xavier. "i have to go," he went to get up, hoping to latch on to the first client he sees.

[unwrtnskies]

matias looks down at elijah's hands as they reach out to take the crane, touched by how careful he was in taking it. at the feeling of elijah's fingers brushing against his they instinctively reach out when elijah's hand moved, chasing that gentle touch for just a moment longer. once the crane was gone his hand fell easily back to his side. he watched elijah for a second before looking down at the paper crane as well, silently wondering what the other was thinking. but soon he finds that his gaze has strayed from the paper crane to elijah's fingertips, a very subtle change in glance. already he missed how they felt against his skin and suddenly he felt a little envious of the paper crane.

"it's easy when you have the right muse to inspire you." matias replies, warmly smiling. "your apprentice, hm? a chance to spend hours working alongside you, hearing stories of your journeys, and learning from you? i can think of no better fate." it was true, he couldn't. often times when matias closed his eyes he could see elijah smiling, feel his touch in the gentle breeze, and hear his laughter in his dreams. it was easier to make light of things when he felt like he was letting himself get too close, though at times it was also easy to give into how much he wanted to get close to elijah. except voices of his past haunted him still, reminding him that he could not get attached to anyone. he was not deserving of such a thing.

when their gaze met it felt like elijah had gotten a grip on his lungs, the core of his stomach tightened, and suddenly he needed to remember how to breathe again. as elijah continued matias found himself leaning a bit, not wanting to miss a single word. he could feel that ache for the other grow with a desire of wanting nothing more to close the small distance between them. he had to casually shove his hands into his pockets so as to avoid reaching out to touch the other, despite how his hands were practically itching to do so. "it worked. i thought about you a lot." he paused, softly clearing his throat, " you know, i had my best nights rest when you'd come to visit. new days meant another chance to see you again, hear another story, another joke, and that alone gave me all the reason to smile." he still had the very first tiny creation elijah had left for him, even now he would take it out on hard days to help get him through. "i pray you never tire of it."

his heart skips a beat to hear elijah liked the gift, that it meant a lot, and he moves to sit next to him. "oh, no. no task could ever be dreadful if it meant doing it for you, i can assure you. one thousand, one million, i'd fold every paper crane with a bright smile and no complaints." he can't help how his smile gets a bit coy at the last thing elijah says, finding that he suddenly needs to look at his hands as a momentary distraction. "such a kind thing to say, love. you make me blush." after a second, mat looked back up to elijah again, he silently wondered if the other can hear how loud his heart was now beating in his chest.

and he knew he shouldn't be, but he was utterly enchanted by the man next to him. "here we are. once more reunited with one another, after all the odds, and it makes me wonder, what do you wish to do? we could sit here and talk for hours. you could tell me story after story of your journey's since we last saw each other, or we can sit in utter silence if that's what you desire. i'm happily yours either way."

Elijah took the paper crane with a care that bordered on reverence, as though it were spun from goldleaf or starlight, rather than the modest folds of parchment shaped by familiar hands. The gift was small—small in the way a seashell might be, or a prayer—but it struck something deep in him, quiet and warm, like a song he thought he’d long forgotten. His calloused fingers brushed Matias’s briefly as he accepted it, the touch fleeting and gentle. And though the gunmaster didn’t look up right away, he could feel the other man’s eyes searching for something. Approval. Softness. Something the he would always find with him.

“Becoming quite the craftsman yourself, are you?” Elijah hummed, deep and warm, as a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Slow and full of fondness. “Maybe I should take you on as my apprentice.” There was humor in the words, yes—but it was the kind of humor born of affection, of the way his heart always felt slightly less guarded in Matias’s company. The other’s words tugged at his heartstrings and he could only make a little light of the situation to keep himself from reaching out and wrapping his arms around the other. Eager to find the familiar lines of his body, caress every part that sometimes even haunted his dreams. 

He finally looked up, the crane resting in his large palm, the white of the paper stark against his skin, like a secret between them. “You know,” he went on, voice a little lower, like he was afraid of frightening the moment away, “it’s funny. I used to start leaving those folded creations behind just so I could tell myself you’d think of me for a little longer once I was gone. Fool’s logic, maybe. But I needed something. And I hoped maybe you’d find a smile in its folds. Even if there was so little to smile about…” His thumb brushed gently over the crease of one wing, marveling at the delicacy of it. “I guess it became a habit I refuse to get rid of.”

“You didn’t have to give me anything, Matias. But this gift means a lot to me.”  A beat passed—one that hummed with things unspoken, with time lost and glances never acted on. Then, a smile again, quiet and earnest. “I do like it” the gun master replied, as he patted on the small couch next to him to invite the other to sit. “Very much so. -- You’ve always had clever hands, chéri. But do not unnecessarily roughen them with such a dreadful task. I do not need a wish, when life has already rewarded me so greatly with our reunion.”

[unwrtnskies]

"totally immune." matias voice was playful and light. it was easy to be this way with ryker because the man had not only been there for him since day one, but he was just an easy person to talk to. which, honestly, is probably one of the many reasons he made such a great siren. he did wonder how much of the lucky-go lucky attitude was a mask for things that lay further beneath the surface, but then he wondered if perhaps ryker was simply just a happy guy. he had to remind himself that it was possible for people to be happy without it being a mask.

"stop. you're going to make me blush if you keep on giving me compliments like that," matias joked, laughing a bit. it was nice to hear that the other could see him being good here, mostly he wanted to make them all proud. he was damaged, not broken. "mmm. are you?" he smirked. "maybe we should test out each other's flexibility. it might benefit us to know that little bit about one another, given we will be in competition with each other soon, it would wise to be well versed on what we are going to be up against with each other." matias joked, partially.

he hums happily as his body became a bit heavier, feeling ryker's hand run through his hair, relaxation hitting him all at once. “i think so.” he yawned, settling back in. once more his arm draped lazily around ryker's body, giving him a gently squeeze, easily finding his place next to him. his eyes fluttered shut and for a second all he could hear was the drumming of ryker's heart in his chest.

matias sleepily smiled to himself, "your heart song is beautiful, ryker." very slowly sleep began to finally take over for matias. everything faded and a blanket of comfort took over him. he was safe, ryker was here, the monsters were not coming back, and he felt at peace. tomorrow would be another day, but at least for today things were good. for tonight, the nightmares would be nonexistent.

"oh yeah? you think you're immune to my charms?" ryker chuckled, it was a skill that came naturally to him. maybe it was because he was so energetic and outgoing, clients feel at ease with him and that also included the other sirens, who all thought of him as happy-go-lucky. which ryker liked, he hated that darkness that still resided inside him and wishes that one day it would simply disappear.

they were in the same boat, ryker himself was very flexible, which meant there was very little he would say no to when it comes to clients. whatever they wanted or needed, he's always more than happy to provide. "the harder the better? well, maybe you will be a great siren." he smirked. "but don't let it get to your head, i'm pretty flexible myself." and here is what he's used to, the humorous banter, the laughter that would make anybody feel calm.

ryker nodded, "yeah." it really started because he understood what matias was going through, going from a place of horror to a place that was a whole lot safer and the transition from that can be jarring, believing that you can sleep without one eye open was a hard to get used to. it why he latched himself to the other man, hoping to help him where ryker was too stubborn to ask for help himself, just hoped their connection won't fade once matias will no longer need him.

he ran his hand through matias' hair. "do you wanna try to sleep now?" a gentle offer that came with it's own share of fears. ryker didn't often spend the night with people but when he did and he happens to have a nightmare he would always act shocked and that he hadn't had it in awhile but he hasn't had any yet while sleeping in matias' room, maybe his mind was too busy making sure matias slept soundly instead.

[unwrtnskies]

distracting herself with their dance was easier than the conversation at hand because she could pretend that this all it was just a dance between the two of them. perhaps that's exactly all it ever would be, knowing she was too terrified to bring herself to let it go further. yet as much as she kept him at arm's length there were times in which it was hard to do that, nights in which she wanted to be selfish for a moment. for even when she was not at port he stayed on her mind, her affections for him burned bright, and she found all she wanted was to return to tortuga so they could continue their dance.

his answer about looking for when she wasn't around surprised her to hear despite how her expression did not change, gazing at him with a look of silent adoration at the response. could he tell she did the same? knowing he didn't really leave tortuga, if ever, she still looked for him in the crowds, as foolish as it was. and as he leaned closer, she remained perfectly still in the same spot. the sweeter he was to her, the more she told herself this was just part of their dance. isabella looked at him for a second that could be deemed a bit too long with an inviting gaze that silently answered his question.

she turned to place some coin on the table to pay for the drink not even half drunk, getting up from where they were sitting to make her leave, abandoning the scarf, giving him one last glance before walking out into the night. a short distance away was their destination, the spot she first allowed herself to feel something for dorian, just being here flooded her mind with the memory of the first time they danced, a place that at times haunted her dreams.

she wondered, even after the time passed, if they could still fall in step with each other as easily as they had that night. all that was around them were the noises of the night, the stars above that gathering for their performance, with a small breeze that passed every so often. a hand reached out for him, asking to close the distance between them, but she let him take the lead here. still, she asked, "why do you look for me?"

there was a thrum of something new under dorian's skin, the same as any other time he was with isabella. as if all of his cells were being rewritten and telling him to follow her lead no matter where it took him. it was exciting, but not in the way that things usually were. dorian felt a pull, an attraction, one that died down when she went away but flared up again dangerously whenever she came back. she kept him at arm's length as much as she let him in, and saints, he was addicted to it. addicted to anything that could harm him, a need to play with fire to see how close he could get to being burned.

"of course i do." he answered earnestly in response to her jape about trying to find her when she wasn't around, but it was laced in enough of his charisma that it could be perceived as simple flirtation, enough to keep her on the surface if that was where she wanted to stay. he dipped his chin slightly at the look in her eyes, the other conversation they were having running underneath just their words. if he could understand so much just from her eyes, he could only imagine what he could decipher from her touch.

her question made him smile, an easy grin spreading over his lips to flash his teeth. he leaned closer, his eyes on hers. "i remember how you looked, bathing in silver light as if you belonged to the night itself." not to him, never to him. "even the stars stopped to watch." his voice was low, dipped in honey. "and i remember every step. is this an invitation, preciosa?"

[unwrtnskies]

[unwrtnskies]

matias pushed himself off the wall but remained in the same spot, as much as he wanted to get closer. "do you think i find you to be as common as everyone else that comes my way? that i would give you a title the same as any other?" he challenged, playfully. "you're actually the only person i have said that to, it's a title reserved just for you. believe it or not."

there was a part of him that wanted to leave the tavern behind for a moment, mute the world, get lost somewhere under the blanket of the night sky. while there was also another part of him that wanted nico to get the drink he had come for in the first place, and he also felt guilty stealing time from the man. he was still in the process of understanding tortuga and the people who resided in it. everyone here was much more kinder than what he was used to, then again, he also only knew the people who entered his room from the town he used to be kept prisoner in.

mat looked back at the wooden tavern for a brief second before returning his attention to nico, warmly smiling. “admittedly, i was thinking of taking my leave from this place. the night is beautiful, the breeze just right, and the stars seem to be beaming tonight. i had thought to maybe take a walk somewhere further from the town a bit, perhaps out by a nearby cliff, to oversee the ocean.” he paused, “however, if you should like a drink, we can always go inside. what would you prefer, handsome?”

nico always felt a little uneasy whenever his feet were on solid ground. he had spent most of his childhood out at sea. he was more comfortable on the waves than he was off of them and it wasn't just that. it was who he might fight when he was on land that made him want to stay away. he didn't want to get wrapped up in the same old feelings that he always would.

it was why he had waited until late before he headed to the tavern. the later it was, the more chance that dorian was busy with the nest. it took him a little while longer to navigate the island than he would typically - he had stopped by to see his mother. but he picked his way through eventually.

a small smile slipped onto nicos lips as he heard the familiar voice, "i'm sure that you say that to everyone." he laughed. he certainly felt a little more at ease to see the other. he felt like he could let go of his worries - at least a little bit. "i was going to get a drink." he nodded. "but i guess the answer to your question is that i'll be going where you are."

[unwrtnskies]

“really it’s whatever you wish to call me, but yes.” matias easily replies, still holding a warm smile. he watched as the man settled in, making sure to remain in the same spot he was in, leaving a small distance between the two. At the mention of undesirables matias wanted to say that nothing compared to his old home, where almost everyone fell under that category, but he didn’t. “no, dorian makes sure of it.” which was true, the man took good care of his nest.

he turns his body so he’s facing gideon more, giving him his full attention. “how are you enjoying your stay in tortuga in the meantime? do you think you’ll be around for a bit longer or do you suspect you’ll be on a journey soon?”

"Yes, yes. Afternoon. Matias, isn't it?" He looks the siren up and down. A flatterer, like the rest of them. A flirt hoping to catch a couple moments of his time in exchange for coin? Likely. Today, it doesn't matter. Gideon sits beside him, careful not to touch the other man.

"Busy today. S'ppose it makes sense with so many ships stuck in port. No undesirables roughing up the place, I'd hope?"

[unwrtnskies]

xavier entered the nest with purpose, but also caution. he wanted to see ryker just as much as he wanted to erase every ounce of the siren from his memory, his soul, his heart, everything that he could, though it was proving to be impossible task. the man was etched in him like an imaginary string that wrapped itself around him and made it nearly impossible to breathe. it was painful, still, but gods did he crave the man more than his lungs needed oxygen. and he knew he should leave it alone, leave ryker locked away in the furthest parts of his mind, but he burned for him. his body physically ached for the other man to touch him again and he longed to get lost in his scent once more. it was enough to drive the man mad, and in a way, it had.

he noticed ryker right away, because of course he did, even in a crowded room, xavier would know how to find the man no matter the circumstances. now when he came to the nest he never approached the siren but instead pretend like he did not even exist in same room or on this same planet. siren after siren he would go through but they were never the same, and why should they be? ryker had been a fire that captivated xavier long before this nest he now called a home, there was nothing in his mind that compared to what the other gave him. they had shared stories, opened up each other’s souls, peeked into windows no one else had before. xavier couldn’t replicate that even if the man tried. and he had, tried it so many times before, just to come up short every time.

xavier shouldn’t be here, yet he was. he also shouldn’t have fallen in love with a siren, yet he did. things were better off buried away, but still he came around. there was a part of him that screamed at him to tell the man the truth, to let him know why he would be safe with him out there in the world, in hopes of putting any fears to rest. but he didn’t and that was the problem.

as he looked to one siren, then another, xavier found himself not in the mood for games tonight. but did he listen to himself? no. if he had he would’ve turned and walked back out the doors to head to the tavern or the ship he called home. because he knew the moment he walked back out these doors he would return to pretending like ryker did not exist to him, and he had to tell himself it was better off this way. still he waits a moment, mingling with another siren in the meantime, before eventually approaching ryker. he sits down next to him, relaxed as ever, making sure to keep a small distance between them. “such a pretty face to be alone,” he turned his head slightly to look at the man, “how are you?”

at the siren's nest @unwrtnskies ( xavier )

rarely, even the sirens weren't immune to their own song and dance. honestly, ryker should've known better before letting his heart open but xavier was so... different, like an invisible force connecting them by their similar sense of humor and the ease in which they got along. he never imagined he'd find love here, someone he eventually shared his dreams and nightmares with; almost even believing they had a future.

but no, he broke up with xavier for a reason. sure, it was ryker's fault for telling him his little dream of sailing the seas but the fear of those pirates coming back to take him was too much for ryker to bear so yes, he chose to break up with xavier rather than tell him the truth about said fears. he was willing to argue, walk away- anything else but tell xavier what was really going on.

seeing him in the nest wasn't a surprise. it's not like he was banned from the place just because they were broken up. they were both adults after all. but ryker couldn't help but glance at him, even if it was a quick one before looking back to rest of the room, he needed to get up and find a client to flirt with, just so he can distract himself from xavier being here.

[unwrtnskies]

to: elijah ( @tidecalld ) location: the siren’s nest, matias’s room

“i have something for you.” matias smiled at elijah, moving to get something from underneath his pillow. “you inspired me, actually, in making this, with your little gifts.” he means, of course, the bills elijah hid in his room in different shapes. something so small that meant so much to matias. he retrieves a small folded paper from underneath the pillow, carefully fixing the slightly crinkled sides, making sure it’s as presentable as possible, gently cupping his hand over the paper. “i did not know where to put it so it wasn’t ruined or accidentally taken before you came,” he explains, turning around to face the other again. there was not a single ounce of him that felt like elijah would be anything but kind in terms of his little gift, still he felt the need to explain.

for matias, elijah had always been someone special. he was the only one who visited him in his old brothel that had a soft touch, and the only one who cared about his well being. the visits from him were the ones that helped matias sleep comfortably through the night, if only because there was a chance that he could return the next day. there were many of times he wished he had the courage to ask elijah to help him, to take him far away from the brothel, but he never felt like he deserved such a thing. still, when he was gone, matias thought about the pirate. reuniting in tortuga was a surprise, a pleasant one at that.

carefully he takes his hand covering the folded piece of paper off, revealing a tiny paper crane. “from the moment we met, back then, you’ve always made me feel like i could have wings to soar. you brought me peace, hope, and healing during the worst time of my life. i will always be so grateful to you for everything you’ve done for me and all the kindness you’ve shown me.” he holds the paper crane out, offering it to elijah, “if i could i would fold you one thousand paper cranes, so that you may be granted a single wish.“ he paused, “do you like it?”

[unwrtnskies]

[ michael b. jordan, cis man, thirty-seven, he/him ] for the crimes of piracy XAVIER BARLOW/ BLACKHART  is hereby wanted. those who surrender them dead or alive to the crown will receive NINTY pounds. they’re famously known to be part of the RAIDER’S REVENGE as their BURNER. before engaging be warned as they can be MANIPULATIVE AND DECEIVING, but if you’re lucky they’ll be LAID BACK AND AMICABLE. legends say that when you speak their name you’re reminded of STEADY HANDS THAT MOVE AS QUICK AS LIGHTENING, WATCHING THE WORLD BURN WHILE DRINKING A LARGE PINT OF ALE, BARING THE WEIGHT OF A GUILTY CONSCIOUS.

attention: this bio includes mentions or murder tw, death tw, and assholeness

a man born at sea, who will die at sea, xavier barlow comes in like a hurricane, leaving destruction in his path, with little to no remorse. he never knew his mother, the woman passed shortly after giving birth to him, leaving his father to be his sole caretaker.

his father was a pirate aboard a ship that was ruled by a captain who was the very definition of backstabbing. ruthless to his crew, to merchants, to almost everyone, but he kept his friends happy. it wasn’t because he wanted happy friendships, it simply benefited the captain to have people close to steal things from. and steal he did.

xavier grew up learning everything about the ship he lived on and in the process ended up wiggling his way into the cold captains heart. maybe it was because the captain could mold xavier into anything he wanted, turn him into the perfect weapon of destruction, and it was a power he enjoyed having. he enjoyed it so much that he had xavier’s father killed one night while xavier slept when they were docked at a town. he told the boy his father had abandoned him, betrayed them all by going rogue, but the truth was his father was dead. left to drown in the ocean and left there by the crew he once called a family.

xavier became more ruthless as time went on, forged from the fires of destruction that came with being the ‘son’ of a captain so brutal. he grew a fascination with fire from a young age, which only grew with him. the idea of something being rebuilt from ashes enchanted him, and he was mesmerized watching things be engulfed in flames. ships, houses, taverns, anything that could be set ablaze would be if you left it up to him. he was merciless and with that came the nickname “blackhart”.

there was talks about a ship being run by a captain that his own considered a friend and there came the day in which his captain wanted that ship. it was bigger, faster, stronger, and better. and for once, xavier did not agree with what was being done. it felt wrong. why this particular incident felt wrong compared to everything else he had seen and done was beyond him, but it did.

so, they docked next to the ship, they went forward with the plan. he stayed behind but it didn’t change the outcome. the betrayal happened, the captain of the other ship died, prisoners were taken by force, and the ship became theirs.

he probably wouldn’t have kept this on his conscious had he not met the spitfire named ryker. he saw how the other fought bravely against them, how he protected those that needed it, and endured every punishment thrown his way. it was brutal the things done to the other for speaking up and xavier silently tried his hardest to help. some punishments he would claim he would do on his own but never did and others he had managed to convince his ‘father’ to lighten up. but xavier could not protect him from everything, try as he might, and for the punishments he couldn’t he would simply look away or distract himself with something else to forget to torment going on below deck.

eventually they dock at tortuga and that light that burned so bright aboard a ship so dark was taken. he knew it was for the best, to leave ryker behind, but he hated it nonetheless. he leaves with the ship he’s known since birth for a couple more months, until finally he leaves that ship entirely. it was probably thanks to the captain falling ill and having a weakened mind that he was so free to walk away, but he didn’t question it. he was rogue for a while until he found a new home in the raider’s revenge.

some time passes and xavier once again found himself in tortuga. he found himself desperate to see if that hotheaded man was still around, and delighted when he found him at the nest. it was never in the cards for him to fall in love with the siren, all he wanted was to get to know him better, but he fell hard. just like his personality it was fierce, fun, passionate, and it lit up his soul in ways he couldn’t describe. and even if he had intentions of telling ryker about his past, about his part on that ship that killed his father, he didn’t. in the end they had a bad break up and in the end xavier vowed to never let someone back in like that again.

Fun Facts:

xavier might be a savage on the inside but he’s actually friendly with almost anyone. he has a tongue on him that will get him into trouble, but he’s always got a way out. he can come off as a jokester but he knows how to lock in when it’s needed.

he loves fire. he loves watching it burn, loves watching it grow, loves creating it, everything about it. he believes the element is his one true love.

he loves red flags. probably because he is a walking red flag, but that’s beside the point. he has a small collection of little red flags and every so often he will leave one behind after burning something down to the ground.

he is fiercely loyal to his captain and the raider’s revenge. it’s all fun and games until you say the wrong thing and then KABOOM goes the dynamite personality of his.

Sexuality:

Bisexual.

Personality:

hurricane mixed with a little bit of sunshine. he can be hot headed at the worst of time, while level headed at the best. he believes life shouldn’t be taken so seriously because everyone is just going to die anyway so, what’s the point? but he also wants to be immortal so he can sail the seas until the end of time. he cracks jokes because it’s just part of his personality but he also likes to lure people in with his charisma to get what he needs. overall, he has a good heart, he’s just a bit misguided.

Relationship Status:

Single

[unwrtnskies]

matias's story was not a happy one by any means, but it's had moments in which he wasn't disillusioned. one day he was going to tell ryker about those moments in which he was more carefree and all about the things he enjoyed doing before he had become a prisoner. and one day he hoped that ryker would tell him his story. what was his life was before the nest, what brought ryker here, and if he ever wanted to leave it.

it had crossed mat's mind to ask him about it, but everything had become so easily about his recovery that the thought just kept getting pushed away for another day. because there was freedom here, but nothing truly compared to being out in the open world. much like ryker, matias hoped that the other had some wonderful memories to keep him company when there was nothing else but himself. he hoped the world had shown him more kindness than not, it’s all he felt ryker deserved. he could only imagine what ryker was like outside of the nest with wings soaring freely.

"oh, i have no doubt. if i were a client here i would be utterly enchanted by you. but, i am not a client. so i cannot possibly be bewitched by your song." still, it sounded like good fun. “but, how can i turn down such a delightful offer? i’m in.” he would wait until a couple more bruises disappeared and then he would have a bit more confidence. “as for working hard,” mat hummed, “i’ve been known to be pretty flexible, and i do so enjoy a challenge. the harder, the better.” flirting was one of the things he loved doing with just about anyone who came his way, as much as he loved receiving it. it made him feel good and he wanted others to feel just as good.

the conversation shifts to something a little softer now, more intimate, as they return to the topic of reassurances. both of them determined to let the other know that they were there for each other. as he looked at ryker it hit him that this was the first time he has ever had someone be so close to him. it also hit him that he would fight tooth and nail to keep this safe haven they created between the two of them protected against all costs. he would protect ryker at all costs. “stuck with all of you, especially you?” he reached up to carefully pinch ryker’s shirt between his fingers, bringing them closer to each other, he smiled, “promise?”

when ryker was a pirate, sailing the seas with his father, more often than not there was a wild side that came out. years of being influenced by people who wanted treasures and seek to see if the told tales were true, it made ryker rough around the edges with the soul of a spitfire. his father encouraged it, others saw it as him acting as he pleases because of the fact that his father was the captain. now, in the nest, the soul of the spitfire is dimed but his outgoing personality and captivating spirit lives on, maybe that's why he gets along with his clients so well or maybe he was always meant to be a siren. he wasn't sure his late father would agree.

it made him wonder what type of life matias had, if he ever felt true happiness during his time on this earth or was it always... bad. ryker hoped it wasn't, he hoped that there were moments in life where matias looked at fondly, like ryker did. but for now, all ryker could do is do this small part of trying to help matias heal from his injuries while and he would continue to do so as long as matias would welcome him.

"we can make a bet who can bring more money to the nest, but i'm telling you, i'm tough competition." ryker grinned from ear to ear, which was elevated by hearing matias laugh at his joke. "you can gonna have to work really hard." yes he was flirting but it's like asking a person to stop breathing, ryker can't help but flirt with anyone.

his smile was warm. "i should be the one saying that to you, that i'm here, that you're safe and that we'll take care of you." ryker hoped that it would give matias small comfort after all. "all you have to do is ask and i'll sleep right here." he wasn't going to say no to their little sleepovers, even after matias will heal and finally trust that he's in a safe place. and at his own words being thrown at him, ryker laughed. "never, you're stuck will all of the sirens in this place, especially me."

[unwrtnskies]

"i suppose that's true." he looked at dorian for a moment with a thoughtful gaze, taking in those playful dark eyes for a moment, warmly smiling. "thank you. truly. you've been nothing but good to me since..." his voice trails off, not needing to finish what he was going to say. they both knew how he was the night dorian found him and matias did not want to turn this walk into a sad one. "who knows," his smile grows a bit more, " i might be knocking on it sooner than you think."

matias had missed the way dorian's face flashed into something else, probably for the best, he would've assumed he had angered the other by mistake. he looked over when dorian commented on the drunken man, touched to hear such words leave the other man's lips regarding him. the words carried a bit more weight when they came from dorian, for many reasons. still, he wondered. rather than comment on the matter, he too went silent on it. the conversation lightened the moment dorian's features softened and matias felt himself smiling a little once more. dorian's hand came forward to touch his shoulder and for once matias did not flinch at his movements.

he softly chuckled, shaking his head. "i used to spend nights praying to the gods that i would be free of my room, clawing at the wall until my nails bled. i was so desperate to get out. and tonight, i was out. i was out and all i could think about was how much i wanted to be back at the nest. every day the place starts to feel a little bit more like a home. i find myself wanting to stay longer, but i also find myself curious about one thing. it's something i've been wanting to ask you since the night you found me, but i haven't figured out the best way to ask. please don't be upset."

he looked over to dorian, "i was nothing to you, to anyone, when you found me. you could've left me where you found me and no one would've missed me. in all my life i have never had anyone show me the sort of kindness you showed me that night, even my own parents didn't even care what happened to me. i’ve never really met anyone quite like you. it..well it puzzles me.” he sighed, "at times i do not know how to handle all the things you’ve offered me so far. like this newfound freedom…i still expect it all to be some cruel joke. i can’t help but ask, why did you decide to help me?”

"a night when i don't want to be bothered?" dorian chuckled low, shaking his head. "the only night that will be is when i already have company, and i'm sure you'll know." his eyes were dark but playful. "otherwise, knock as loud as you like. you won't find me turning you away." and he meant it, whether matias was ready to accept that or not.

there was a flash of something unrecognisable across dorian's face, a flare of his nostrils, as matias mentioned being grabbed in the tavern. dorian didn't like it when his sirens were grabbed, even if a patron was paying for the pleasure of it. "you deserve better than careless hands." he huffed, not wanting to comment on it too much. he didn't want to drive matias further into the untrusting hole he already lived in.

he let his features soften again, a practiced art that he wore so effortlessly, and exhaled slowly as the tension faded. "i'm faring just fine. tide's behaving, as far as someone like me could tell you anyway. but i'm all the better for your company." he clasped a hand around matias' shoulders, treating him as he would any other.

but dorian could sense the slight ease about matias, more so than usual even if he was still wound tight, and took advantage to press a little. "how are you finding the nest? truly."

[unwrtnskies]

at the mention of it being a gift isabella suppresses the urge to smile a bit more, so rarely did she get gifts. especially ones made with such careful detail. she looked to the scarf again, it was a beautiful piece, and being the woman that she was, isabella could not help herself when she responds, “a gift, hm? is it laced with poison?” she waits a few seconds before cracking a genuine smile across her red tinted lips, “i ask in jest. thank you, my sweet. what a beautiful gift and such a kind gesture.”

she reached for the scarf despite it having been lowered, gently taking it from the other woman. slender fingers run along the etches of the purple satin, tracing over the carefully knitted pattern, admiring it for a moment longer. “my dear, you have vision, beautiful craftsmanship, and you find muse in those around you, you are an artist. a very talented one at that.” she proceeds to wrap the scarf around her head, carefully tucking a bit of her red hair away. “what’s your name, mi flor?”

"Oh! No! Absolutely not. It's a gift, really." It seems a fair enough assumption. If someone had come up to her in the marketplace with the same store, Madalena would have assumed it was some form of scam. "It's just..."

She hesitates, her hands dropping back to her sides, the scarf going with it. "I can't really consider myself an artist, but there are a lot of interesting people in port, especially lately, and I...got inspired, I guess. It's not really something I could sell anyway. I mostly tailor or make custom garments."

[unwrtnskies]

she was relieved to hear he was doing fine, his laughter an added reassurance. it's all she ever hoped for when it came to him, happiness, which is part of what kept her from allowing herself to entirely give into the pull she felt when he was around. his question unintentionally forms a wall up within her, an attempt to block out any feelings his concern stirred. why should she let herself believe he cares? it was just a ploy, a way to weaken her, isabella had convinced herself he just wanted to break her down enough to turn against her. so when he began to slip through, and he so easily did it, she pushed.

her attention shifts from him to the cup on the table instead, lifting the wooden mug, distracting herself from having to respond right away. things were far from okay. her ship was damaged, supplies onboard had either run out or been swept away by the storm, and she was no closer to getting it fixed today than she was yesterday. she had gotten a minor injury due to crashing into the sharp end of a broken wooden board during the storm, which had also set her back. this was the problem with being without a crew, having to figure it all out alone, but she always managed.

with her mug secured in both her hands, she leaned back again, her attention returns to him, “you say that as if you look for me when i am not around.” she took a generous swig of her drink, letting her tongue glide across her bottom lip to lick a bit of froth from the ale, before returning the mug to the table. she found that this evening she did not feel like drinking until the sun rose. finally, she answers his question with a very simple, “yes.” her gaze lingered on his with a softness that silently told him ‘i’m okay.’ there he went, finding cracks to slip through, “do you remember how to dance underneath the moonlight, cariño?“

dorian didn't answer straight away. he watched the scarf fall between them like a line in the sand, like something delicate and deliberate—like something she wanted him to notice. he did, of course he did. he noticed everything when it came to her.

with everyone else, it was simple. he knew the game, knew the rhythm of desire and indulgence, knew how to take what was offered and offer something glittering in return. but with isabella? she unsettled him. she didn't play the same way. he could never quite tell if she was inviting him in or demanding he stay out. and gods help him, he wanted to find out.

he didn't comment on it, despite the teases that formed on his forked tongue, not like he would for anyone else. not for her, she was different. he leaned back, nursing his drink, and turned his attention to her question. "you know me." his lips curved into that salazar smile. "came away mostly unscathed. the nest still stands, thank the stars, otherwise tortuga itself might fall." he laughed, a deep rumble.

"but i didn't see you before." he narrowed his eyes, perceptively taking in all of her features. he would know if she was in tortuga, it was as though he could feel it. as though that hair of hers was the flame that lit all of his instincts on fire. "did it bring you in?" unspoken, in his eyes, he asked, are you all right?

[unwrtnskies]

to: nico ( @seasxltkisses ) location: the devil’s cask, outside

the new found freedom matias had was starting to grow on him. he was leaving the nest a little more each night, not for long and only when he was done with his clients, then he would return before it became too late. a part of him still waited for the hammer to come flying down, yet it never did. all that continued to happen was that the days went on with him growing more comfortable and he healed more by the moment. tonight was a rare night for matias who had ended up staying out later than he usually did. he wondered if dorian would he upset or proud that he was finally comfortable enough to do such a thing without apologizing for it.

he was standing outside the tavern, with a gentle flame that kept the building bright in the darkness reflecting off his soft skin, trading the loud drunken laughter and conversations coming from inside the tavern for a moment of tranquility. he leaned against the building, looking up to the stars for a moment, wondering if perhaps he should head back to the nest. but just when he had made up his mind, he spots a familiar figure approaching the tavern.

matias smiled, “be still my beating heart, if it isn’t the most handsome man in all of tortuga.” he wanted to approach him but he would never do that unless told to do so by the other. “are you heading inside to quench your thirst or simply walking by?”

[unwrtnskies]

[unwrtnskies]

i can’t sleep. would you stay here a while? ( klio & mattias )

There was no hesitation on his part as he moved to be next to Klio. He understood restless night, they cursed him, and he wanted nothing more than to help anyone who had them get rid of them. Mat looked at Klio with a warm smile and gentle gaze. It actually meant a lot to him that she wanted him to stay, giving him the chance to take away someone's restlessness for once. He reached out to take one of her hands in his, gently brushing the pad of his thumb against her knuckles, wanting to comfort her. "I'm right here, okay? " He gives her hand a little squeeze, hoping to give some reassurance. "I'm here and I am not going to go anywhere until you wish it so."