JRWI tings :P

No.17

//Riptide Campaign!

Chip angst my beloved >:)
tis v late rn so i dont think its that good? but it was fun to write! please excuse any typos or skewed sentences lmao
also im not sure if ive ever said this in the other chapters but im open for any kind of requests! i wont do anything like smut because im pretty sure the jrwi crew arent comfy with it, even if they were i am not ;')
but yes! requests are fine by me..! I am running low on b r a i n space lmao - you can request in any chapter's comments or by private message if thats better! even maybe incorrect quotes that would be cool to turn into a oneshot?
also please forgive me if im a bit weird for writing, ive been listening to TAZ Amnesty since i stopped after the balance arc and deeply missed TAZ ;') i recommend The Adventure Zone if you haven't listened to it! Same kind of goofy vibes as JRWI and little sparkles of angst ;')

TW// none? (as always, please tell me if there are any!)
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Despite the playful banter between Chip and Gillion, they butted heads just about as often as they messed around. It was a very...exhausting relationship to watch, especially for someone like Jay. Someone who usually cut to the chase with how she felt about what someone did or said and how they could rectify the action, which was usually apologise and leave her to cool off. After knowing Chip for so long, Jay knew this was how Chip would want to fix an argument. That was, if he wasn't as stubborn as the triton he was arguing with.

The three had just docked at an island, another town of people looking for help. It seemed that even thought not consciously attempting to, the trio were following after Niklaus, seeming as this was a town of people who were cursed, much like Loffinlot and the Island of Desire. The second the three realised that they were following after Niklaus' mess, tensions were definitely raised, mainly being a reaction out of concern for their cursed companion, Gillion. It was clear that he was just as nervous, though he would never admit it. He had people to safe, right? That is where the argument set off. Gillion was making big promises to townsfolk, promising that himself, Chip and Jay would stay as long as it took to restore normality back to the victims. Of course this was not the first time, however last time Gillion did this, he was cursed by a creepy warlock. Jay could see this conflict coming from a mile away, already practising her deep breaths to not get back onto the ship and leave the two on the island to bicker, replacing the urge to leave by simply heading to the inn where the three were staying.

"Gill! Okay, look. I get it. You're into being this whole hero. Prophecy or whatever. That's fine! But at least talk to us about what you're planning or wanting to do! We're a crew! Whatever you agree to, you drag me and Jay along with you!" Chip's anger was clear, though it was mainly, again, stemming from concern for his friend. Gillion simply looked at Chip with a tired expression.
"Chip. I understand that. However I have said this before, I will always fill you in on any plan I have for the three of us. If I act on my own, it is because I have taken something upon myself to deal with. I will help these innocent people, Chip. I cannot just stay on this island and watch as they suffer." Chip rolled his eyes, scoffing at what Gillion was saying.
"That's all well and good, man. But we're still getting dragged into your shit! And last time you tried to help a bunch of people, you got into a contract with the bad guy!"
"That was my own decision, Chip. When the time comes for me to uphold my end of the deal, I shall-"
"I get it, Gill. I'm sick of hearing all of this talk about 'striking you down if you have to hurt someone'. We're not having this talk again. I-" Chip let out a frustrated huff, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't know about Jay, Gill, but I'm not a fucking hero. I'm not you. I don't do the whole 'saving people to fulfil my destiny'. That's you, man. And every time you do that? You're dragging me and Jay into your shit."

A moment of silence fell between the two. Chip standing his ground and holding his annoyed expression, facing Gillion. Gillion met his anger with a slightly puzzled look. "You say you are not a hero, Chip...?" The sudden change of tone from being tired to more soft and confused caught the brunette off guard.
"Wh- I- Yeah. No, Gill. M'not a fucking hero. I'm a pirate. I...Y'know. Steal things and try to con people into giving me gold. So no I'm not a hero-" Chip's face turned from angry to more of a deadpan expression, his adrenaline lowering from his obvious explanation, almost patronising in a way.
"If you are not a hero, then what are you. Other than a pirate, of course. Because from how I see things..." Gillion trailed off, seeming to think before speaking, which admittedly, was a very rare thing to witness. "You offered Jay entry onto your vessel for her to escape a path that she did not want to venture down, allowing her to explore other options and finally feely much more comfortable on her current destined path... You did this again for...well, for me. You pulled me from the sea and allowed for me to stay on your vessel. Both acts of immense kindness at the price of nothing, might I add." Gillion raised a brow slightly as he finished, loosely crossing his arms. Chip stood there, dumbfounded at the sudden speech Gillion had given him. Sure, the triton had said similar things before, but never to this level. It was sweet, but it was also painful to hear, mainly from Chip not being able to completely believe him.

Chip's thoughts were interrupted by Gillion's  voice, speaking up to break the new silence that'd fallen. "It may not be a prophecy foretold by elders, or have required immense training from a young age, Chip, but I still see those two acts examples of being a hero. They were selfless and kind. I know I have said differently in the past when we...fought, but you, as well as Jay, are prime examples and confirmations to my doubts of the stories told in the undersea of humans. That there are humans who are not evil and selfish... I know you do not always see it, but I truly believe you are a good person, Chip. You can be thoughtful and it is clear that you would do anything for those who are in need. You've shown in on Loffinlot and on the Island of Desire. You-"
"Alright, alright. Enough, Gill. I get it. I get the point. Just stop talking, okay?" The sudden interruption from Chip did indeed stop Gillion's spiel. His sincerity now being mixed with concern that he had overstepped seeing that Chip was now looking down at the ground, awkwardly kicking at a clump of grass or a few small stones.
"I..I apologise if I pushed too much, Chip, I just...I just want you to see things from my perspective..." Chip didn't need to look up to see that Gillion was a bit upset by his harsh attempt to stop the conversation. Yet another piece of evidence as to how much he was not a hero. He couldn't even get out of a conversation without upsetting someone. Very heroic. Chip felt his shoulders slump, a small tired sigh escaping him before going to speak up, getting cut off by...arms around him?

Gillion took a few steps forward, carefully and gently wrapping his arms around Chip, once he was holding the smaller male, his grip tightened slightly, but not enough to where Chip wouldn't be able to push him away if he wanted to. "I...we do not need to carry on the conversation further if you do not wish to, Chip. We also do not need to make everything complicated by trying to save everyone before vanquishing the evil that most likely still inhabits the island, if you wish to do that at all, that is...I am sorry for pushing so much on this, Chip. Please forgive me for my stubbornness..." Chip struggled to find something to say. Gillion usually took a lot longer as well as a talk with Jay to figure out if he needed to apologise or not. He didn't even need to either! This was all on Chip, yet here they were. Before Chip said anything, he returned the affection Gillion was showing, hugging him back and almost relaxing into the embrace. It'd definitely been a while since he felt a hug like this. After a few more seconds of Chip's silent enjoyment of the embrace, he spoke up.
"Well...I..I don't think you have to apologise, Gill. I appreciate it though. M'sorry too...I-I...We do need to help these people out, you're right. It wouldn't be fair to just up and leave, y'know? Plus we could learn something that could be a lead to know where Niklaus is..." Chip pulled away and nodded, clearing his throat before crossing his arms, ignore the soft smile he earned from Gillion.

With that, the two set off in the direction of the inn, where the found that Jay had already gone up to her room and assumedly went to sleep. Both had separate rooms, one opposite the other, so before leaving and turning in for the night, they both shared a small smile before turning and entering their rooms. Chip hesitated slightly. swearing up and down that he heard Gillion mutter something, but shrugging it off as he felt how tired he really was. Gillion grinned to himself, muttering a small "Definitely a hero." under his breath before entering his room, pretending not to hear the hesitation from behind him.

That next morning, the three regrouped outside of the inn, Chip going over the plan he came up with. Figure out what curse was put on the people of the village. Track down the source, either kill it or free it from the curse, head for Niklaus. Jay simply nodded, having already figured the plan would end up being something like that, Gillion also nodding, smiling in approval of the plan. And from there, the three set off to work on trying to get as much information as they could.

Gillion's words never really left Chip's mind. Nothing in particular, since everything he had said the previous night meant a lot to him. Maybe things would work out after all...Especially if Gillion really meant all of what he said (which Chip was sure he did since the triton hated lying) after what he had seen the pirate do to get a few extra gold or to get a bit more information out of someone. The fact that Gillion really thought that much of Chip almost made him...proud? He wasn't sure. But he definitely had a lot more confidence in himself and for the plan he had made to work.