Daddy Strong!

From the corner of his eye, he noticed a young mermaid, her tail shimmering in the dim light. She looked petrified, but there was a spark of defiance in her eyes. Jack approached her, his steps measured.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice softer, the raging blue of his eyes calming slightly.

She nodded hesitantly, her voice trembling. "Th-thank you."

He just nodded, turning back to the remaining pirates. Some tried to flee, their instincts for survival kicking in. Others, paralyzed by fear, simply awaited their fate. Jack dispatched them all without a second thought, each one a message to any who would dare threaten the island and its inhabitants.

With the last pirate dealt with, Jack surveyed the scene. Bodies lay scattered, the air thick with the stench of death. The Fishmen emerged from their hiding places, their expressions a mix of gratitude and fear.

A Fishman elder, with scales showing his age and eyes that held wisdom, approached Jack. "We are in your debt," he began, bowing slightly, "but why did you help us?"

Jack's eyes met the elder's. "You think I did this for you?" He chuckled, a sound devoid of warmth. "I did it for me. The thrill of the fight, the rush of power. That's all."

Jack returned to the cafe, the fresh aroma of coffee and baked bread acting as a stark contrast to the smell of death and sea salt still clinging to him. The wooden floorboards creaked softly under his heavy boots, the usual comforting sound feeling out of place after what had just transpired. The vibrant fabrics that hung from the ceiling swayed gently, their colors muted by the soft light filtering through the Sunlight Tree Eve.

Otohime was at the entrance, meticulously removing the barricades she had put in place when the alarms went off. She was always a beacon of warmth in the cafe, her smile radiating kindness and understanding. However, at the sight of Jack, her movements paused, relief evident in her eyes. She approached him, her hand instinctively reaching out to touch his arm. "Jack, why did you do that? It was dangerous."

Jack's azure eyes met hers, his face an unreadable mask. He did not respond, opting instead to walk past her to his seat by the window, where his family awaited. The wood of the table felt cool against his palms, a sharp contrast to the heat of battle that still coursed through his veins.

Before he could get lost in his thoughts, Aria scrambled into his lap, her little hands carefully examining him for any signs of injury. "Daddy, are you okay?" she whispered, concern evident in her wide eyes. Jack's usually calm blue eyes softened as he looked at his daughter, the one person who could pierce through his icy exterior. "I'm fine, princess," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Although others were undoubtedly worried about him, those who knew Jack best recognized that he would never expose his injuries, especially in front of the children.

Robin, who had managed to climb up a chair next to him, peered up with her big, questioning eyes. "Daddy fought pirates?" she asked, her voice a mix of awe and concern.

Jack smirked, ruffling her hair. "Just a little scuffle, little one."

Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold were seated close by, their eyes fixed on Jack. While Hancock and Sandersonia tried to process what had happened, Marigold simply babbled, pointing at Jack with her chubby fingers.

He hated those pirates, but he didn't like the idea of promoting justice when the concept itself was so blurry and twisted. The walls of the café seemed to close in as the weight of what just happened sunk in. The familiar hum of voices filled the room, but an undeniable tension lingered in the air. The quiet chittering of customers resumed, each one avoiding the glaring evidence of the recent battle outside.

Otohime, with her gentle aura, approached Jack without any hint of reproach for his earlier brush-off. Her ability to sense the emotions of those around her often made her interactions seem incredibly genuine and heartfelt. The atmosphere around her was light, and her very presence seemed to calm the room.

"Thank you, Jack." She smiled warmly, taking a moment to fold her hands in front of her as she offered a slight bow. The gesture was more out of deep respect than formality. "I know you don't like to accept it, but I can feel your emotions, even if you do an excellent job of hiding them behind that calm façade. I know you have a good heart, and that you did what you did for the Merpeople. We're all deeply grateful."

He glanced up at her, the tempestuous blue of his eyes now calm. After a short pause, he finally replied, "It was nothing."

Otohime giggled softly. There was something about Jack's constant refusal to take credit that was endearing to her. To most, he was a formidable figure, his calm and stoic demeanor making it hard to read him. But to Otohime, his attempts to appear cold and detached were almost childishly cute. His intentions were transparent to her, and she found his modesty incredibly genuine.

Otohime smiled even brighter at Jack's characteristic response. To those who didn't know him, he seemed like a fortress – unyielding and detached. But she could sense the subtle undertones of his emotions, the ones he expertly buried underneath layers of indifference and nonchalance.

"Is there a reason you always have to play the stoic hero?" Otohime teased lightly, trying to break the intense atmosphere that had settled in the cafe.

He glanced up at her, a trace of amusement in his deep blue eyes. "It's just who I am," Jack responded calmly, the corners of his lips turning up ever so slightly.

Robin, sitting next to him, looked up with wide eyes, still trying to comprehend the series of events. "Daddy strong," she said simply, her little hand reaching for his.

----

Read 45(15 chapters for each novel) advanced chapters in my Patreon!

patreon.com/IWriteFanfic