The sea feared Captain Rowan Vale.
A pirate captain with a grin sharp as a dagger, smoke curling from the cigar between his fingers, and eyes that always looked like he knew more than he said. Sailors whispered that he could charm storms away and talk enemies into surrendering before a single cannon fired.
But the crew knew the truth.
The only person Captain Rowan listened to without argument was the ship’s cook you.
It started small. Extra portions left on the captain’s table. Late-night conversations in the galley while rain battered the deck above. Rowan leaning against the doorway, hat tilted low, teasing you while stealing bites straight from the pot.
Then came the night the crew caught their terrifying captain sitting quietly in the kitchen at 2 AM while you scolded him for skipping meals again.
No one ever mentioned it aloud.
Still, Rowan kept finding excuses to visit the galley.
“Just checking for poison,” he’d say with that crooked smile.
Even though everyone knew he’d crossed half the ocean for treasure…
…and stayed for the cook.