I Believed That I Was Safe. (Pt. 2)
(The second part of Ship in a Bottle, hope you enjoy :3)
Acho wasn’t stupid. He knew something was up.
It started about a month ago. In the market, he noticed that one of the Kestrel’s had something new around his neck. A group of pirates from every faction surrounded was looking at it curiously. He was hidden in the walls of Hook’s shack so he couldn’t get a good look through the boards. He tried to perk his mouse like ears to hear the conversation but was unable to understand any words so he brushed it off and continued with his routine. Next, he started noticing that all the pirates were more observant. He had nearly been catch by the fur of his tail multiple times by one of the Herons, Owen he thinks. Even the kites have been getting more dangerous then they already were. A browned hair boy had ransacked all the crates and boxes around the town, clearly frustrated when he couldn’t find what he was looking for. Luckily for Acho, he had been safely watching from the walls of the tavern.
The bad feeling increased when he was in the Nightingale base, resting in the walls were his room was after a long journey back from the town. He had stepped out onto the roof to talk to the stars when one of his fellow Nightingales, Apo he believed, walked out holding something tiny in his hands. It wasn’t until Apo spoke that Acho’s bad feeling made sense.
“I hope Sausage’s tiny will loves this wardrobe! The poor guy had only this coat for so long.” The human hums to himself.
Acho’s eyes widen as he spots the coat in Apo’s hands.
It was Scott’s.
Fear filled Acho’s heart and mind. Scott had gotten caught? How? When? Acho slapped his cheeks to dispel his panicked thoughts. Now is not the time. He told himself firmly. So Scott was with the human Sausage. And Sausage was with the Kestrel. Looks like he had a trip to plan. Acho apologized to the stars for cutting the talk short before he left. He had a brother to save and a journey to prepare for.
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Scott didn’t know how long he was in captivity.
By day, he was in his glorified cage, hanging from Sausages neck. By night, he was thankful taken out of the small jar, but was tosses and locked into a small chest. Sausage had furnished the box with cotton and fabric for his bed and placed food and water in every night. Scott had tries to escape multiple times but every attempt failed and ended up with a punishment of some sort. His ribs were still sore from the last attempt.
He was recently given a few new clothes that Sausage had commissioned for him, which he’s not sure how to feel about. It means he cares somewhat. But Scott’s not sure if Sausage cares about him personally or if he just cares about his image. His new clothes are golden and sparkly. Clearly made to make him stand out.
Currently Scott is in his box, sitting on his bed with his knees pressed up to his chest. He had learned to cry silently after two weeks. Once Sausage heard him crying one night, so in an attempt to comfort him, he held him close through the night. After that, Scott was too scared to make a loud sob. His ears drooped and his tail curled around his boots as he thinks about it.
He wished he had at least got to tell Acho how sorry he was. That he stood up to their parents more. He regretted not being a better big brother. He wanted to tell Acho that he wished he could back in time and fix his mistakes.
Tears gathered in his eyes as he flinched as Sausage’s snored ratted the wooden container. Getting up from his bed, Scott made his way to the water bowl and sat down next to it as it was the farthest away from Sausage. Leaning against it, he sniffles and hiccups into his arms. Scott continued to cry till his eyes had dried out.
Lifting his head up, Scott catch a glimpse of his reflection. Red shot eyes stared back at him. His once fluffy ginger hair was a tangled greasy matted mess. He had tried to keep it up for the first week but after Sausage had kept ruffling it he had given up. He idly wondered if he would be better just accepting his fate as a pet. He dips his fingers in the water, watching the ripples distribute his reflection.
His thoughts were broken by the sound of something clanking on the nightstand outside the chest. Scrambling up, Scott hurriedly to one of the cracks of the chest. Peeking through, Scott spotted a hook caught on the edge of the dresser. Shock filled him as his little brother pulled himself over the edge and clambered fully onto the dresser.
“Acho!” Relieve plausible in Scott’s voice.
Acho’s head snapped over to him and he hurried over to the crack.
“Scott! Thank goodness you’re okay!” He gives him a weak smile. “I thought I would be too late. Hold on, I’ll get you out of there.”
Digging around in his bag, Acho pulled out a large paper clip and climbed up to the lock on the chest.
“Please be careful. He’s a light sleeper.” Scott warned quietly.
Acho nodded distracted as he concentrated on pressing the paper clips on the mechanism release. He grin triumphantly as a quiet click was heard. Careful, he lowered the lock onto the desk. Then he pushes open the top of the box.
Scott quickly leaped up, with the help of Acho, he was able to climb out of the box chest with little trouble. Both brothers shimmied down the rope of the hook and quickly got out of the Kestrel base in the dead of the night.
Once they both agreed it was safe, Scott hugged Acho tightly.
“I’m so sorry, brother. I should have been there more.” He whispered as he tears up again.
Acho held him in his arms. “It’s okay Scott, I never blamed you. I understand you were just a kid as well. I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Scott smiled at his brother, happy to be reunited at last.