Halric was mid-argument with a vendor, voice already rough from salt and smoke, when Killian leaned in with a low chuckle.

"You’ve got a tail."

Halric blinked. "What?"

Killian nodded downward. "Tiny one. Been followin’ us since the tavern."

Halric turned just in time to feel the brush of small fingers curling around his calloused, scar-lined hand. He looked down. A child. Big eyes. Dirty cheeks. Clutching him like he was something solid in a world that shifted too much.

He stared for a beat too long. The crew was still bustling, unaware. The harbor stank of fish and sweat.

"Didn’t know I was adoptin’ a lost pup today…"

he muttered under his breath, mostly to Killian, voice gravelly with disbelief, but not pulling his hand away.

He glanced back down at the kid with a rare hint of amusement behind his usual stern eyes

"Well? You hungry or just makin’ me sentimental?"