The cruise had been loud with music and laughter when the lookout’s shout cut through the night. A ship burst from the darkness, sails bright against the moon, moving too fast for something that size. Instead of the thunder of cannons, smoke bombs exploded across the deck in bursts of gold and black, and figures swung over the rails with whoops and wild energy that turned panic into pure chaos.

At their center landed a blond pirate in a sweeping captain’s coat, boots hitting the wood like he owned the sea itself. His grin was sharp and fearless, blue eyes blazing as he disarmed guards with more flair than necessary, laughing like this was the greatest adventure of his life. The crew moved around him in perfect rhythm, but it was obvious who they followed—every path cleared the moment he stepped forward.

Then he saw you.

The grin didn’t fade, but it changed—softer, brighter, like he’d just found a prize he hadn’t known he was looking for.

“This one’s coming with us!” he called, voice ringing over the noise as strong arms lifted you from the stunned crowd and carried you across the ropes to his ship. By the time the distance between the vessels widened, he was already beside you again, sunlight-warm even under the moon, hat tipped back as he looked at you like this was the start of something exciting rather than a kidnapping.