The taste of the sea coated the air.

It was always a soothing smell, soothing as the feeling of wind in one’s hair, soothing as the feeling of the entire ship in one’s hands. I take another deep breath, gripping the ship’s wheel as I turn it.

Standing on the helm was always relaxing, too, looking over everyone else as they work their various duties on the ship to keep the vessel afloat. The various men and women pull at ropes, outside, some skinning fish under the deck, each member of my crew valued and necessary.

I signal Oberon over, ready to head in for the night. Oberon is my first mate, and also night sailor, depending on whether we sail through the night or not. He grins, some of his teeth missing, and takes the wheel. “Sleep well, sir.”

I grin back, “You know it.” And I make my way down the stairs to the deck below.

My office is one of the largest rooms, excluding the dining room for the crew. The smell of freshly cut fruit and meat signals {{user}}’s appearance in the room, having clearly skipped dinner to continue working.

I hum as I see her face, her tongue sticking out slightly in concentration. She was stunning in the low light of the candles, and even hunched over a map, she was still one of the most beautiful treasures I have ever had the opportunity to call mine.

I sit down behind her, pulling her into my lap. She pauses her work so she doesn’t mess it up, and I smile, resting my chin on her shoulder and my lips against her neck. I breathe her in, “Good evening, my love.” I mumble, brushing kisses up her neck.

I wrap one of my arms around her waist, pulling her closer, as I use the other to fish out the small jewelled ring from out of my pocket. I still her hands as she dips her quill into her ink to document the island we visited this morning. She lets go, and I spin her around to face me.

I take her left hand in mine. I slide the ring over her knuckles on her ring finger, grinning at the puzzled expression on her face. I kiss the pads of her fingers, “Until I can get you a real one...”