Yes, fine. Savvy,” she muttered.“Aw lovey, yer a fine-lookin’ woman, it’s not that,” Tom said apologetically. “All jokin’ aside, if it ain’t the captain, or it ain’t Jon…” He shrugged again. “There just ain’t anyone else.

Tom reached out and let his knuckles graze Jon’s arm, a hidden touch just to ground him for the span of a heartbeat. Maybe Jon would turn a blind eye. Maybe they’d continue to live in denial that they both loved a fucking monster.Jon smiled at the brief caress, and Tom felt his chest get tight.

Baltsaros’s face was flushed, his lip curled into a slight sneer as he stared back at Jon. He felt a rush of adrenaline as he realized what the captain wanted from him.“Hit him again,” Jon said. “And don’t hold back this time.

Jon had seen the lie immediately for what it was: diplomacy. He had a feeling that, given the chance, Tom would hold him close every night. Instead, the first mate chose to distance himself so as not to interfere with the captain’s affection for Jon. A sacrifice.

As his step crossed the threshold, he left behind his weaknesses and doubts, finally setting aside the boy to become the man he had to be.