(1721 words)

(y/n)'s POV 

"That should do it" 

Looking at Linebeck as he had his back to me. Putting his tools on the crate, he turned and looked at me. Smiling gently as I walked over he put his hands on my hips and looked down at me. Putting my hands on his chest I looked at him. 

"I would love being able to fix the ship with you. I'll even teach our kids how to take proper care of her" 

Blushing gently I looked at him and nodded. Kissing his lips gently, I leaned into him.. His arms wrapped around me and I smiled. Looking up at him I hummed gently. "We better tell the other two that the ship is ready to go" 

He hummed and looked at me for a moment. "Before we do that, I want to say something" 

Tilting my head as I looked at him he sighed gently. His hand grabbed mine and he squeezed gently. "The final battle is coming up with Bellum. I should tell you that, you mean more to me than the sea. More than my ship, more than treasure. You're the best thing I've ever found..." he stopped as he looked at me. Biting his lip he hugged me tightly. "I love you" 

Feeling my eyes water, I buried my face into his chest. "Don't talk like that. I promised that I would come back to you, I still will." He buried his face into my neck as he held me tightly. Pulling back I felt him grab his other hand. 

"I want you to have this." he said as he held up the Regal Ring I gave him. I looked up at him and then back to the ring. "Linebeck I-" 

"Wear this while you're fighting Bellum. If any time you think that you won't make it, look at this ring and you'll know that I'll be waiting for you to get back. No matter how long it takes" Feeling a couple tears run down my face, I bit my lip as I looked at him. Wiping them away with his thumbs he leaned down and kissed me gently. 

Hugging him tightly as we stood there for a moment, I listened to his heart as it was pounding. Looking up at him, I sighed. "We need to get this adventure over with. That way I can start my next adventure with you" 

He smiled wide before he kissed me. Letting me go he walked to the engine and turned a few things before the engine kicked on. Looking at me he smiled wide. "What are we waiting for? Let's get you and the boy to see Zauz!" Getting up the stairs we were on our way to the island. The trip was a short one and before I knew it we were pulling into the harbor. Stepping onto land I sighed gently. My fingers fiddled with the ring as it was on my left hand. 

Following the boy up to Zauz's house, we walked inside. He turned to look at us and smiled gently. "So you have found the pure metals. I'm not surprised, you've both been the true hero of the Ocean King. Please hand me the three pure metals." Digging into his pocket, he handed the man the three pure metals. 

"The Crimsonine, Azurine and Aquanine. I've never seen metal like this, I bet I can forge a might sword with these. But it'll take some time" Nodding as we looked at the redhead. He started to melt down the metals. Leaving the house we made our way to the harbor and were stopped by the postmaster as he had a letter for us. 

"Special dee-livery! Watch out! Incoming! This is a letter from Jolene. Ahem! Should be a good one... To the two that travel with Linebeck, so you got me and you got me good! Humiliation burns hot in my pirate blood. And so, my mind is haunted by this one searing word... REVENGE! Yes! I demand a rematch to see who's truly the strongest of the sea! I've sharpened my skills since we last clashed. I am unbeatable! All will fall beneath my blade! Oh, yes. Somewhere on these vast seas, your paths will cross again." 

Crossing my arms and looking at Link. "When we catch her again, I'll handle Jolene. You and Linebeck can hide in the crate." I said. He looked at us but nodded. Getting onto the ship we left quickly. Using the telescope while I was at the prow I looked around for her ship. Seeing her I hummed gently. 

Turning to the cabin I leaned in the door way and looked at Linebeck. "You take Link and get in the crate, I'll handle her." Looking up from the controls of the ship he sighed. "You better be careful." he said before he went to find Link. Sitting at the prow of the ship I waited to hear her boots on the deck. 

"You! You're not the kid in green! Where's Linebeck?" 

Standing slowly as I looked at her I hummed gently. "Not here, not anymore." She looked at me as she fiddled with her sword. "And what happened to him?" she asked as she looked around the ship. 

"I threw him overboard. I thought that he was nothing but trouble." I watched her clench her jaw. "Then I'll just have to fight you instead! Since you do love the man!" Looking at her surprised. She smirked before she jumped at me. 

"It seems that I've found out your little secret. I didn't know for sure but I did have a hunch. I'd say that you two are madly in love. But I wouldn't waist your time. He said he felt the same about me, but he ended up leaving without notice." 

Growling I looked at her before I pulled my dagger. She jumped at me and I stepped to the side to dodge her. Grabbing her hair I pulled her over and kicked her sword from her hands "This is the last time you show up here looking for Linebeck! Get off of my ship and never come back here. I don't ever want to see you again" I said. She nodded quickly before I let her go. Watching her leave the ship and take off in hers, I grabbed her sword and went below deck. 

Opening the crate Link jumped out of it while Linebeck stood up. Looking at him he gulped gently. "What did she say to you?" 

"That apparently you'll leave me, just like you did to her." He went to bring me to him but I stepped away. Watching him sigh he got out of the crate and closed it. Stepping closer to me, I backed myself against the wall. Putting his hands on the wall next to me, he put his forehead to mine. 

"Jolene and I were in two different worlds. She had her vast seas and i had mine." he looked at me and I turned away from him. "What's the difference between her and I?" I asked. Looking at him I saw him look surprised. 

"You are my world." hearing him say that I pushed him away from me. Heading for the door I felt his hand wrap around my wrist. Looking at him he tried to grab my hips. "Listen to me, (y/n). Don't leave me just because Jolene said something about me. I thought you would trust me enough that it didn't matter what anyone else said about me." 

Looking at him I shook my head. "We can talk about this after the fight with Bellum. For now there's nothing to say." His hands fell from my sides as I went back up the stairs. Finding Link we set a course for Zauz's island to get the sword. Once we arrived at the port I bit my lip as I haven't seen Linebeck since I left him below deck. 

I felt bad for not letting him explain himself, but we had a more pressing matter. Feeling my heart strain I touched the ring on my finger. This made my heart pound, as I felt the urge to run to him. Shaking my head I went back to see Zauz. The sword was done and he handed it over to Link. After that we made our way to Mercay. Link had gone to bed some time ago and I was left in the cabin steering the ship as I navigated the waters. 

The only light on the ship was the one in front of the prow and the two on the sides, other than that the deck was completely dark. Dropping anchor in the ocean, I stepped out onto the deck. Running a hand through my hair I listened to the sounds of the ocean, as it was calmer during the night. Leaning on the rail I sighed gently. 

"I wasn't lying you know." 

Turning as I heard a voice, I saw Linebeck. He actually came out from below deck. Hearing his boots click on the wooden deck, he stepped closer to me. "I would never do anything to hurt you, you mean too much to me. When I told you that I would be willing to lose it all, I meant it. The only thing I'm not willing to lose is you.... not without a fight." 

He cupped my cheek with his hand as he looked at me. "You can be mad at me all you want, I'm not going to stop loving you." Biting on the inside of my lip, I leaned into him a little. Watching him smile made my heart jump. Looking away from him I felt my heart start to strain. Feeling his hands leave my body I heard his boots clack along the deck as he went back inside. 

Shaking my head I walked over to the side of the deck and rose the anchor. It was going to be a long trip to Mercay Island. I had the entire night to think about what to do. Should I believe that Linebeck is going to leave me? Or should I live in the moment and not worry about what will happen in the future? There weren't enough Goddesses or Spirits to give me that advice.