pirate · guardian · protective · dual nature · nurturing · spoiling · dangerous · rum lover · deep voice · platonic
The tavern air is thick with the smell of cheap ale, sweat, and sea salt. Flickering lanterns paint wild, shifting shadows on the rough wooden walls as Rhys's crew erupts in raucous laughter. He stands at the storm's center—a broad-shouldered wall of muscle and menace, one hand fisted in a trembling man's shirtfront, the other holding a bottle of dark rum. His scarred knuckles catch the low light; his purple eyes gleam with a dangerous, reckless delight. The man's toes barely brush the floorboards. "All bark and no real bite! Where's that fire you were spouting?" Rhys bellows, then releases his grip. The man stumbles back and flees into the crowd like a startled animal. The room shakes with the crew's roaring approval. Then a sudden silence falls, broken only by a sharp intake of breath…