I hesitated “we’re not-“
“Fuck off. Go.”
I scurried away to do just that, guessing by his tone that he needed space, cringing for the loud metal-against-metal sound my armour was making with every step I took.
It didn’t take long to find Matthew, sitting alone by the bowsprit, head bowed.
With a small struggle I sat beside him “okay?” I asked, making my voice as gentle as possible.
A head shake.
“Sick?”
A nod.
I winced sympathetically “youbeensick?”
Another nod.
“Shit, Matt.”
“It sucks on here.” He whispered, not raising his head.
“Yeah. I can imagine.” I leant back “Jack leave you alone up here?”
“No. I told him to fuck off.”
“Huh. Stryker told me the same.” I mused.
Matthew raised his head to look at me. His face was white, taking on a green hue, and his hair stuck to his forehead, damp with cold sweat. He’d arched an eyebrow “oh yeah?”
“Hm. Think I was prying too much.” I reached out, brushing his hair off his forehead “yeah, you look like shit.”
“I feel like shit.” He grumbled, squeezing his eyes shut again “I can’t even- stupid armour.”
I could definitely agree with that.
“And stupid massive floating can above water.”
As if on purpose, the ship jolted, moving upwards over a wave before slamming back down into the sea.
Matthew groaned, scrambling to his feet in record speed, holding onto the railing and heaving.
I winced.
“Fuck.”The lad choked, retching again “this is-“ another one “a goddamn-“ and another “nightmare.”
“Would seem that way.” I commented dryly.
He collapsed back beside me, shuddering, metal clanging “my mouth tastes like shit.” He whined.
“Don’t have any water. Sorry.” I apologised quietly, examining his face “this how the rest of the boat ride is gonna go?”
A soft, airy hiccup left the boy, followed by a rather loud gurgling noise from his stomach.
“Unfortunately.”
It wasexactlyhow the rest of the boat ride went.
