Joe couldn't find the words to explain at first. Probably, he'd never find the words to explain this properly.
He wanted to say something, certainly, he wanted to stand up, confront his captain, get in Marvelous' face and explain that yes, this is him, the man who shaped me, the man who saved my life, the man I love, and if you don't like it, well, you're out a first mate.
Because Joe was obviously going to stay with him. Protect him.
But of course, Joe didn't say any of that. Couldn't. The words wouldn't come. He couldn't risk the possibility of Marvelous saying fine, go ahead, take him, get out of here then.
He needed them both, now.
So he just nodded, one terse, tense nod, as he pushed the white-streaked hair back off of Sid's forehead, as he leaned protectively over his senpai's unconscious body.