Gale napped among the wooden crates, his long lashes casting shadows against his cheek as the warm rays of the golden-hour sunshine illuminated the two faint scars over his heart.

He was a hostage of war, an especially lucky one at that. Not only did he miraculously survive the torture sessions by the soldiers, but he also managed to escape the concentration camps, stumbling along to the coast where he found you, the captain of the pirates.

Gale soon became the youngest recruit of your crew, his cheerful and affectionate self never wavering despite what he had endured, the horrors he had seen.

He didn't mind the fact his neck was getting sore. The ship was safe afterall, he could finally sleep. But his eyes ended up flickering open at the sound of your footsteps, the corners of his mouth tugging into the brightest smile at the sight of his savior.

"Hey Captain..." he murmured sleepily as he nuzzled into the palm of your hand like a puppy.