*Warning: explicit sex scene*

{ KI }

My beloved does something unexpected.

Well, not that unexpected.

He takes his shoe off and throws it at the Cthulhu poseur. "You SON OF A BITCH COPYCAT."

"Mighty Cthulhu!" The crying captain is on her knees and... prostrate!? Aht's jaw drops. My word, mine too. "I plead thee!"

"No!" He yanks her up and holds her arms, shaking her. "Don't ever! Bow down! To the likes of them! Get a hold of yourself!" And he pulls off another shoe! He rushes to the railing, away from others, and throws it far. It hits the poseur's belly.

I grip the wheel tightly. "Love, what are you doing??"

...I realize about his plan. The ghosts drift towards him instead, leaving others alone. His eyes are telling me he wants to use his power. His frame is growing bigger. They—? With claws and scratches—

They're hurting him!!

"NO!" Agh shit!

A piece of the wheel shatters in my hold. My hand turns fairer and stiffer.

If we're both in an elemental state, we will be like lighthouses. We have worked too hard to stay hidden. The higher spirits had given him many warnings, and I can't stand it if he'll be punished to a much worse fate because of these pathetic spirits.

The poseur roars.

"SHUT UP!" I bark back. Willing myself to be patient, I search every inch of the wheelhouse. There must be something here! Anything! Drawers, cabinets—every compartment! My word, I can feel Aht's aura growing potent.

I shake my hand, it's difficult to stop it. "Aht, wait!"

"What do you mean wait!? I have to do it!"

Flare guns? Pistols? A damn sword or something! Wait— A large drawer I open up contains... Keris. Old, gold necklaces. Dusty bangles. Pieces of jewelry. Numerous foreign heirlooms.

My eyes snap up to Aht. His nostrils exhale black smoke. He shut his eyes, preparing while the ghosts hurt him. His wounded body curls in.

My whole arm transforms into stone. "All of you will regret hurting him." I scowl.

His eyes fling open. The ghosts whirl around and notice that I'm carrying the pulled-out drawer.

"Oh red poppies." I run out of the wheelhouse and to the center deck, shocking other spirits.

"Ki!?"

I throw the bangles far into the ocean with extra help from the... wind, causing one of the ghosts to disappear with a fading screech. They drift to me instead, and I dash in a random pattern to the wheelhouse, sending them on a wild goose chase. Cthulhu reaches for this ship.

"Aht! These things! Get rid of them!"

The bangle throw was a lucky shot. Unsure if I throw them again and they'll reach the sea since I'm far from the railings. Aht staggers my way and I pass the drawer to him before other spirits can catch—!

The poseur lifts the ship!

Others scream their heads off as Aht paces clumsily to the railing. He dumps the heirlooms into the waters. By that, the spirits disappear.

So does Cthulhu.

Aht warns, "Everybody holds onto something!"

All of us manage to when the ship free falls. Your Highness, I hope the ship isn't as high as—!!

We land with a huge splash, soaked all over. The quiet night returns. The waves dwindle. The ship doesn't sink and I don't hear any splitting woods either, thus good news.

"Are all of you fine?" I blow the wet locks out of my face.

Humans are trembling but putting a thumbs up. My Aht, regardless of bloody clothes, seems not in pain anymore.

His back leans on the high railing with his elbows resting on it. "All good, baby. What about you?" His chest rises up and down fast while he flashes me a relieved grin.

My stubborn arousal skyrockets from the damn posture. I rest my head on the wheel and sigh, "Swell."

I straighten up and continue to navigate the ship with a turn of the wheel, hiding my stone arm behind me. Terence climbs down to check the rest of the ship. Captain Bertha consoles Alice as they head to the afterdeck. Feeling a pair of eyes on me, I look at Aht because he hasn't budged yet.

...His look is heated. Maybe he has a bad sense of timing as I do.

____________________

Terence was kind enough to give Aht a spare pair of shoes, and the ladies gradually recovered. Captain wanted Aht and I to rest first before she explains herself later.

She better be.

After returning to our room, Aht and I soon strip for a shower.

The water is running warm. I wordlessly pull Aht to me... We wash each other with soap and shampoo, and his blood sticks to the skin a little. I wash it off of his torso with pressure and clean up his wounds. They're closing up.

I snap up when Aht takes my hand, inspecting the stone when it returns to normal. He kisses my fingertips, like when we first met... His expression is full of fondness and passion. His kiss for me is just the same.

My lips brush his face and shoulder when he washes my hair. "I hate it when you got hurt."

"Ki..."

"Promise me." I hold his cheeks, staring up at him when I emphasize the words. "Promise you won't get yourself hurt. I forbid you to."

His brows crease from understanding. He kisses me, more intense than before with bitten lips and hot breaths on our tongues. Our moans lilt in the bathroom, becoming louder... Our arms are locked on each other's bodies, refusing to separate the contact. His erection strokes my wet folds in pure want.

He breathes out, "Love, are you tired or...?"

"No, my fire. Adrenaline remains high."

"Fuck, yes, me too." He nibbles down my body, nearing my center, and kneels in front of me.

When a helpless moan escapes from my very within, I run my fingers through his hair, tugging it lightly. "But you're hurt?"

"Not anymore." He bites the inside of my thigh.

"Stop teasing me..."

He watches me under his lashes with the filthiest grin. "I was tempted to be on my knees when you took charge of the ship. You can wait."

To be fair, I do like his teases. "When you were angry before Cthulhu came in, you got me there and then. I've waited long enough." But I want him now.

His moans vibrate through me as his delicate lips trail towards my center. Warmth enters and I know it's not from the shower, and his growing stubble brushes on my skin.

"Honestly," he chuckles, "our relationship with time is funny."

"No kidding, I—Aaaaahht..."

He laps me up, taking his time to lick and suck my clit. Soon, he licks all the way up! To my—!!

I cry out when his tongue is trashing deep inside me, swirling, and his lip is nudging my clit! "Aht... Oh God."

His features show pure adoration and love, quite overwhelming. My right kind of overwhelming.

He then puts my thighs on his broad shoulders, pushes me up against the wall, folds me, and goes inside deeper. His rough palms grope my breasts, causing me to squirm in heat. I can't hold on anywhere besides his head.

Panting, I tell him, "I don't know what I did to deserve you, babyy..." His chuckles shake me to the core, dragging my groan out. He— He goes faster with the tongue, and his fingers roll my nipple. "It's coming, it's coming, love."

When he sucks my clit as his hot, rapid breaths tickle my mound... I explode into thousands of stars, crying out to the heavens.

My cries are getting frequent because he doesn't stop! Prolong the highs of my rapture. He's spoiling me...

{ AHT }

She tastes too good.

I gaze up at her when the water's cascading on her strong, salacious body... Shining as her hips move in waves and drive her pussy harder into my mouth. Her slacking jaw goes well with the furrowing brows, releasing delicious cries.

Her animalistic nature eventually comes out to play, judging by the expression. Goodness... My palms hold her waist desperately after the water droplets trickle on me from her pert nipples. My cock is about to burst untouched! I moan, appreciating the meal I'm having.

She trembles and screams, "Fuck me right now! Take me! I'm yours forever—"

I cut her off by licking my way up, causing her to growl. Her tugs on my hair are driving me insaanne. I take her in my arms before kissing her breasts and sucking her nipples. Her back arches when my cock teases against her wetness.

Grabbing a handful of her hair, I make her look straight into my eyes. "What you did to deserve me... I think you're reading my mind still."

Her wolfish grin kisses my nose softly... My shaft plunges into her wet, silken walls, ripping out loud sighs from both of us.

"To answer your question..." I turn off the shower and kiss her forehead. Her eyelashes flutter. "You exist."

And I swear, this all-consuming love shown in her face right here, makes the world brighter than ever.

Her legs encircle my waist when she crashes her lips on mine without mercy, and I fuck her against the slippery wall. Her strong arms wrap around my shoulders, massaging my nape when I nibble her sharp jaw. She licks my cheek in such a vulgar way that my thrusting hips can't slow down. A familiar smell assaults my nostrils... Dry poppies in the rain.

"Your smell is intense, Aht. Smoky herbs. I don't know how— Ahh!"

My thumb then assaults her pearl. "Yours too and I don't know either. Mmh... At this point, I don't care. I missed it."

I remove her from the wall because my foot almost slipped, and I carry her to our bedroom. Before I can lay us on the bed, she's dragging the mattress to the ground with one hand—with great effort—but never breaking her kisses on my neck.

Puffs of my laughter blow her wild locks. "Aww, I was looking forward to shatter the bed."

"Give the Cap a break," she giggles and tugs me down, straddling me... and sinking on my cock repeatedly in a frenzy.

My eyes roll up and my back thuds against the bed's side frame. I let out a long groan, having to grip her waist to prevent climaxing so soon. She fondles my pectorals and nipples, licking—my drool on my chin. Damn, I drool without knowing.

Our pants take up space between us while my core is coiling up. Her breasts friction on my chest when my arm curls around her waist. She feels too amazing... My fingers are occupied with her swollen nub.

I babble on her damp neck when she grasps this little belly fat of mine. A year ago, she realised why she likes it, albeit hasn't told me to this day. I look at her and question without a word.

Her dazed look turns sad, like it always does whenever I ask her. She understands what I mean. "My Aht..."

I thumb her pearl harder, earning a choked cry. She writhes, clawing my chest.

"Tell me..."

With flushing damp skin and a soft, husky voice, she bashfully confesses, "I didn't realise... that I want to fill you up. If I'm a man and you're a woman and pregnant with our child. I've been having this fantasy sometimes."

...A sob wrenches through me. Tears rush up to my eyes. "Oh Ki." My face buries in the crook of her neck when I pound into her flooding walls. She feels tight, drawing my release closer.

"Mmph..." Planting her sweet lips on my nape, she whimpers.

Unravel together with several markings on each other's skins. Wiping away her tears, I keep her hand on my belly.

Embrace until the sun awakes.

____________________

It's seven in the morning when we head out to the front. Terence is behind the wheel and we wave at him. He plasters a faint smile.

"Your captain is sleeping? Where's Alice?" I inquire.

"Yes, and she will wake up any moment. Alice is cooking up breakfast. God knows it's a struggle to assure her not to be scared."

Ki peers his way. "You don't?"

Pensive Terence touches the wheel, hovering over the broken gap. "I-I'd like to think it was all a nightmare."

Ki and I share a look. When humans have the capability to shut out parts of reality from their minds, we don't have the right to force them unless necessary.

"It was," I state.

Terence sighs. At that moment, Bertha reaches upstairs and watches us with guilt. Her prominent eye bags indicate she has little sleep to none.

Ki cocks an eyebrow. "I believe you owe us an explanation." I caress her arm to soothe the irritation.

To soothe mine as well. Ki was chased around by wild ones when this captain was too scared to help after dismissing the hauntings. She could've thrown float rings at them or something while they were distracted! Or told us if she had weapons. Haish, I shouldn't point fingers but I don't tolerate anyone who didn't help Ki's situation.

Bertha grimaces. "Let's sit over there."

I grumble, "Terence doesn't want to hear anything from yesterday."

"Sure. Join me at the back."

We walk together in silence. Ki and I keep glancing at Bertha while she looks to the ground, chewing her lip. The weather is nice. The waves are kind... Could have really fooled us that yesterday was a nightmare.

When we take our seats, Alice comes in with tea and a fresh loaf of banana bread. We thank her and she flashes a watery smile, heading back inside. The poor woman is still shaken up.

"Er... Yesterday happened." Apprehensive, Bertha attempts to make it light.

Though not as good as I usually do. My face stays deadpan while Ki is stoic. We thought Bert was nice, but after what happened, it's hard to trust. Because who the heck would keep a bunch of ancient heirlooms in their wheelhouse!? From other countries too?

"Michael told you I used to transport immigrants, right?" Captain shuts her eyes. "I did it for free, though when the war happened, legal passengers disappeared. My income was suffering and still is. Last year when I carried the immigrants, I asked them to pay me whatever they could give."

I take the banana bread and tear it.

"Hence, the jewelry and others?" Ki takes it when I offer a piece of bread to her, never breaking her piercing stare at the little lady. "Why didn't you sell them off?"

"They were for backups in the future if my trust fund runs out. When I'm desperate. The shops in L.A. weren't interested in these heirlooms."

In an instant, Ki and I exchange knowing looks. The economy is booming, albeit we met some people who were waiting for the other shoe to drop; as if another war will happen and there will be an economic recession again.

"I was saving them up, even when I had to empty my trust fund and find another way for income, which I intended so by going to other countries that might take these heirlooms." Bertha is distraught as ever, crumpling up her bonnet and staring at the floor.

No valuable things to sell off in the future and people are scared to be on her ship. Maybe we both can help her, but for now... I bite off the bread, rough. "You must be confused about all of this." I want to reprimand her more, although she's... frustratingly ingenuous. Ki's benevolence has rubbed off on me.

"Did my previous passengers want to send those—?"

Ki cuts in, "I don't think so. You didn't force them to pay you handsomely, they might as well have given you half of their bread." With that, she takes a bite of her own.

"Most of the immigrants were from southeast countries?" I tear more and reach for a mug of tea. Bertha nods and I tell, "Most people there are Muslims and Hindus. Some dabbled into black magic, but these immigrants might not even practice it."

She stammers. "How...?"

"Probably their ancestors. Cast something onto these antiques for the later generations' protection, and the immigrants weren't aware of it. Among those ghosts, I sensed eight to ten sakas, who were supposed to protect their masters. Uhm. Protect in a detrimental way."

Looking out to the sea, Ki adds, "The other half might have come along when they detected a party of sakas and joined in for fun, attached to those things as well. I saw bhutas too which surprised me."

"Combined with being abandoned by the immigrants."

"Stuck in a drawer for a long time..."

I slurp my tea and glance away while Ki chomps down the last bit of bread.

Bertha puts her head between her knees for a minute. I carefully hand the bread to her—she sits up, dishevelled. "You both know plenty about this... You two are exorcists?"

WHAT? I choke on my tea, coughing like an old sailor.

Ki rubs my back with an amused smile. "Just regular people."

"Oh pumpkin, don't bullshit me. How did you know so much? And don't you think I didn't notice Aht flaring out smokes yesterday!"

"Ehem. Exorcists then."

I sigh and look at my beloved. "Travelling ones. Unorthodox." It's not a... mmmm a lie.

Bertha claps her hands. "Thank you for clearing things up! I should stop Terence's misery and give him a rest. Enjoy yourselves without disturbance any longer." She finishes her tea and walks to the front.

"What about your money?" Ki asks.

Bertha pauses, her brows pinching. "I... I'll think of something. Don't worry too much!" Then, she skips away.

I rest my head on Ki's shoulder. We sigh in unison. "Technically, we didn't lie," she justifies, giving me a pointed look.

I snigger. "Pffft. Technically."

"Not everyone is as understanding as Theo. Her demand for answers shows."

"Ughh. Travelling unorthodox exorcists."

She shakes her head at my display of dismay. "This bread is wonderful. I want to ask Alice for the recipe."

"Feed me, please?"

"What a baby." Her blush and delicate movements to feed me contradict her tone.

I hug her arm and snuggle, basking in her warmth. "It's strange."

"What about?"

"How come I could throw my shoe far until it bounced off of Cthulhu's pot belly? How did you throw those bangles into the water?"

She is quiet for a moment, being all calculating. Never ceases to wonder me. "I think... Taq helped us. Felt like normal winds, but now I remember back, there was a familiar aura. Hers."

I hum in response, mulling over it. Wonder if all these years, her friends helped us before without us knowing.

"Finally in peace." Stroking my hair, she kisses my temple.

Hugging her waist, I ask, "What are we going to do for a month?" She's eyeing me and wiggling her eyebrows. I knew she was going to imply that! "HAHAHA! You silly pervert."

Then, she moves. I'm quite confused until she sits on my lap and hugs me... I breathe her in. She says, "I'm worried, my dear."

"About?"

"If I get close to them, my chest will feel pain."

Okay, Aht. Brave through it. She won't fuss over me. I coax her to look at me and she does. "This physical pain of yours. You are not alone."

"What do you mean?" Her eyes are wary.

"During the first year of banishment, I didn't rest at all because I knew something would happen if I did. When I did..." Don't ramble, steady flow. "On the dirt outside of a village, I was burying myself."

She gasps, and worried lines mar her sweetness.

"I felt my body was ripping apart everywhere when in the real world, my body remained intact. An idle mind is a devil's workshop, they say." Breathing fast and gripping my hand, she's scared. "Oh baby..." I kiss her palm and let it rest on my lips. "I'm here."

"...And what happened?"

"Villagers found me and I had to flee. I don't want it to happen again, and that is why I have travelled far and wide, read books, and learnt things. I want—"

"Groundedness."

"Mhm. By doing many activities. Quite the irony. We both were settled earth spirits and the feeling can be literal."

Her eyes are wet as she caresses my cheek. "Mainly you. Your volcano came from the depths of Earth. Not to mention, it was large."

"So what?"

"Your pain is more—"

"Don't ever compare my pain to yours." My arms squeeze around her waist. "Understand? Yours isn't lighter." I head down and kiss her sternum while she cries in silence.

"Is it strong?"

"Over time, it lessens but it's still here within me, sweetheart. It comes whenever I rest."

"You rest a lot, though," she mumbles.

I chuckle weakly. "Every time I do, I keep seeing you, keep thinking about you, and this urges me to go through the day once more."

A wobbly smile under her tears calms me down enough. "Aht..."

"However, I know I can't depend on you for my will to live. It will be unfair to you. I have to think about myself as well, one day at a time. About how I'm worthy enough to exist."

Sniffling, she rubs her eyes. "Thank you for telling me. Am curious how you willed to live before me when you rested at the inn."

"I thought about Theo. Aunt Jac's food. Ms Sealine's wild tales. In the end, they weren't enough. Most late nights, I ended up walking through empty streets, lost in sceneries, and didn't memorise a single direction."

She has this look of realisation. My smart woman! "That was how you were taken as a slave."

"Mhmm." I gaze at her sheepishly when she laughs. "You're a damn genius, my Ki."

"Haha! So sudden?"

"You found those relics and solved the messiness."

"Luck."

"Nevertheless, you were finding ways to keep me out of trouble, including with feeble human weapons."

Her shy smirk and maroon cheeks tempt me to kiss her again and again! She pulls away, breathless. I grunt.

"Keep it friendly in public, my dear. Let's go to our room." She hauls me all the way, giggling.

I let her do so with a stupid grin pasted over my face.