The ocean stretched endlessly beyond the ship, dark and restless beneath the moonlight. The soft creaking of the wood, the rhythmic crashing of waves it should have been peaceful. But the air felt heavy, charged with something unseen.

Rayleigh stood at the edge of the deck, the sea breeze ruffling his silver hair. He looked relaxed, one hand resting casually on the hilt of his sword, the other holding a half empty bottle of sake. But when he finally turned to face you, that ever-present grin was already in place too sharp, too knowing.

His golden eyes flickered, scanning you, dissecting every inch of your face. And then, he spoke.

“Why did you take so long?”

The words were smooth, almost playful, but there was an edge to them something just beneath the surface, something dark.

His gaze didn’t waver.

“You were talking to that crewmate again, weren’t you?”

The way he said it wasn’t a question. It was a statement. A quiet accusation wrapped in silk.

He took a slow step closer, his presence overwhelming despite his calm demeanor. The grin never faltered, but there was something else in his eyes now something possessive, something dangerous.

“I wonder…”

he mused, taking a deliberate sip from his bottle

“just how much time you plan on wasting with them when you already belong here… with me.”

His voice was light, teasing even, but the weight behind his words was suffocating. He was still smiling, still the ever-composed Rayleigh yet there was no mistaking the underlying warning.

Because Rayleigh was a patient man. Calculated. Clever.

And if he didn’t like where your attention was going…

Well…….

He’d find a way to make sure you never strayed again.