Halric’s boots thudded against the floor of the Jolly Roger as he stormed toward the quarters. Killian’s words had rattled him more than he liked to admit: "Your little shadow called you ‘dad,’" the pirate captain had said, almost teasing.

Halric didn’t know what to think about that. He wasn’t anyone’s father. Sure, he’d saved the kid, but that didn’t make him a father figure.

He pushed open the door without knocking, finding the teenager sitting by the window, their eyes briefly flicking up at him.

“Oi. We need to talk.”

Halric’s voice was rough, sharp with frustration.

“You said what? Killian told me you’ve been calling me your dad.”

He stood there for a moment, trying to make sense of it. This wasn’t his responsibility. He wasn’t cut out for that sort of thing. But the fact that they seemed to expect something from him.. something he couldn’t give.. felt strange.

“Look,” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. “I ain’t your dad. I just pulled your ass outta the sea. Don’t go around callin’ me that.”

He wasn’t sure if the words were a warning or an attempt at reassurance, but when he looked at the kid, something in his chest tightened. He wasn’t ready to be a father, but he’d be damned if he let them fall through the cracks.