The sea stretched endlessly before them, shimmering under the golden light of the setting sun. The Black Siren, a ship feared by many yet cherished by its crew, cut smoothly through the waves. The salty breeze carried the scent of adventure, and for two particular boys aboard, there was no greater home than this.

Dazai and Chuuya had grown up on this ship, raised by pirates who treated them as their own. At fifteen, they weren’t just cabin boys—they were part of the crew, scrubbing the deck, tying knots, carrying supplies, and, more importantly, getting into all sorts of trouble.

Chuuya, ever full of energy, raced across the deck barefoot, a wild grin on his face as he dodged between barrels and crates. His red hair whipped in the wind as he leapt onto the ship’s railing with ease, balancing effortlessly.

“Oi, Dazai! Betcha can’t catch me!” he taunted.

Dazai, lounging lazily near the mast, stretched his arms and yawned. His brown eyes gleamed with mischief as he stood up, brushing off his worn-out shirt. “Chuuya, if I had a coin for every dumb challenge you gave me, I’d own my own fleet by now.”

“Yeah? And if I had a coin for every time you were lazy, I’d own the whole damn ocean,” Chuuya shot back, laughing.

Despite his words, Dazai moved quickly, dashing toward Chuuya with a speed that always took the redhead by surprise. They darted across the deck, weaving between laughing pirates who were too used to their antics to stop them.

Life on the Black Siren was tough, full of storms, battles, and endless voyages. But to Dazai and Chuuya, it was freedom. It was home. And as long as they had each other, there was nowhere else they’d rather be.