47 Vol 1. pt. 47 Patch 8.0: How to Train Your Crew (2/2)
They also feel bad for Fenrir. It's clear to everybody here, except maybe Corwin, that Fenrir is in the right here. He didn't do anything wrong, and they all can tell how deeply he cares about doing things for his friends while rarely if not ever selfishly asking anybody to do anything for him, yet Bonekraka made him sound like a selfish asshole always making others do what he wants. That couldn't be farther from the truth, and they know it has to hurt Fenrir to be accused of anything like that.
Each of the men gets up.
Bonekraka stomps his way off the ship while Fenrir straightens out his clothes and leather vest.
Rock is the first to check on Fenrir followed by Serra and Cassiel.
”Are you okay?” Serra asks.
”Better than ever,” Fenrir says with a smile. They can tell he's forcing it.
Cassiel comes up from behind and presses her hands against Fenrir's back. He can feel her healing him, but she doesn't say anything.
”Well, that happened,” Oleander says.
”Sorry, Olly. I know what sort of position this puts you in,” Fenrir says.
”Don't worry about it. I knew it was going to happen eventually, and I already know I'd rather stay with you. I can only handle his shitty homophobia if you're there to support me.”
”He really is an asshole, isn't he?”
”Yeah, he is.”
Despite them agreeing that Bonekraka is a bad person, they sound sad and disappointed.
”Anyways, Cor, can you teach me about fishing? I haven't done much of it before, and it'd be a nice distraction,” Oleander asks his new apparent boyfriend.
”Is – is it alright to leave things like this?” Corwin asks.
”Don't worry about it. Nothing lasts forever. It wouldn't be the first time we've lost an important friend group member.”
”If you say so. Now, we will need to acquire some rods and bait if you wish for me to teach you. There are several piers on the shop I know of that could be of assistance to us.”
Corwin and Oleander step back off The Shoebill to find a fishing shop.
”I don't feel right about this. I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry,” Cassiel apologizes. ”I… caused the fight, didn't I?”
Fenrir turns around to face her. She can't look him in the eyes.
”You didn't do anything wrong, Cass Cass. Now, if you don't stop sounding so sad, I'm going to poke you and make you squeak again. You're supposed to be a tsun, remember? Call me a bastard and threaten to kill me,” Fenrir says.
”Shut up. Stop trying to act tough, you bastard.”
”Guys have to be tough around the girls they like, don't you know that? Like that old man said earlier, gotta give you my all,” he says, turning back around and straightening Serra's hat so that it's sitting properly atop her head. The girls don't know how to react to what he just said. They both feel bad about everything that just happened, yet it's the first time he's ever admitted to liking them – at least, liking them in an implied way that's more than just friends.
”You picked a shitty time for a confession,” Cassiel says.
”Yeah, I know. I never have been good with 3D girls.”
”I'm with Cass Cass,” Serra says.
”Which means Rock is going to be against me as well. Next thing I know and Tabs down there is going to be agreeing with you two,” Fenrir says.
”I do! I've heard everything! Ya don't confess to the girls ya like when you're soundin' all depressed!” Tabitha shouts from below deck.
”Alright, alright. I already admitted I'm not good at this stuff. I'll redo it properly soon, alright? I'll guarantee your satisfaction or you'll get all money back.”
”You're digging yourself a deeper hole right now,” Cassiel says.
”I know. It's a coping mechanism.”
”Bastard. Let me finish healing you.”
”Hey, Serra. How do you want the fish cooked? You caught the most, so you get to choose,” he changes the subject as Cassiel forcibly heals him.
”However Cass Cass wants,” Serra says.
”That's no fun. Fine, Cass Cass, how do you want the fish cooked?”
”However you want,” Cassiel says with a pout.
”Will you lovebirds just choose how to cook your fish?!” Tabitha shouts. ”And do it away from here! I don't need ya catchin' my baby on fire!”
Fenrir lets out an earnest laugh. ”Alright, let's figure out what to do with these fish,” he says, transferring the fish from their barrel to the now-empty-of-shrimp bucket.