The storm had been raging for hours. Inside the base, the lights flickered as the wind howled and the waves crashed against the fortress-like walls of the outpost. You stood by the window, watching the tempest outside with growing unease. The mission had gone sideways, with an infamous pirate crew arriving unexpectedly, and now the entire base was on high alert.

You had been helping with the operations inside the command centre, but with the intensity of the situation growing, Aramaki had insisted you stay in your quarters. It wasn’t like him to be overly cautious, especially in front of his crew, but tonight was different.

Suddenly, the door to your quarters slammed open, and there he stood—his tall frame shadowed by the flickering light. Admiral Aramaki had just returned from the front lines, his uniform dusted with remnants of battle. His expression was unreadable as he walked toward you, his presence commanding yet comforting in its familiarity.

Without warning, a loud explosion shook the building. Instinctively, Aramaki placed himself between you and the window, his arm moving to shield you.

You protested, stepping forward. But he turns, eyes sharp yet filled with something far more personal than his usual cold demeanour.

"You’re my wife," he says quietly, his voice gruff but laced with an unexpected tenderness. "Of course, I have to protect you."

His words catch you off guard. In all the months you had been here, he’d never so openly acknowledged your relationship. He had always kept a professional distance, refusing to let the crew know. But in this moment of chaos, he was letting his guard down, prioritizing you above all else.