[he'll let you have your moment because damn he's proud. Though he'll say]
Aye, Captain.
[at your back because at that moment he can really believe it. Believe all that Ace can become and more. Maybe he won't be Pops. Maybe no one can be Pops but Pops, but for now, Ace was the next best thing. The new generation. Thatch was caught between watching him go and smooshing his freckled cheeks between his hands.]
no subject
Aye, Captain.
[at your back because at that moment he can really believe it. Believe all that Ace can become and more. Maybe he won't be Pops. Maybe no one can be Pops but Pops, but for now, Ace was the next best thing. The new generation. Thatch was caught between watching him go and smooshing his freckled cheeks between his hands.]