Chapter Text
It was always nice to come to the park after work. Around this time, kids that had just been released from school were running rampant in the playground, and their high-pitched voices rang out across the area. Currently, you were sipping an iced tea and reading a book on a bench in the shade. Some kids were standing at the top of the slide, arguing over who should be the captain of their 'pirate ship'. You didn't pay them much attention. Every ten minutes or so one of them would go down the slide with an excited scream.
"Captain Jones is still the hero!" You chuckled, looking at the cheerful blonde that stood triumphantly at the top of the playground equipment.
As you enjoyed your afternoon, the three children were scheming. The same blonde from before led the discussion.
"Okay guys, so we need to establish dominance in this park." His little sister cocked her head to the side.
"What does 'dominance' mean?" He shrugged.
"I dunno. I just hear them say it a lot on TV." The other boy spoke up.
"It means you have a lot of power."
"But Alfred, you already have a lot of power," said his sister to the leader.
"I know, Michelle. But I need more!" Alfred plopped down on the ground, scratching his head. "How will I get more power, though?"
"Grown-ups are really strong. Maybe we can take power from one of them?" suggested Michelle, looking around.
"There's a grown-up right there!" Both heads turned to the boy's direction, following his gaze. It was you, sitting and reading. A devilish look was shared by the three before a plan was set in motion.
Unbeknownst to you, three children were planning your capture. Alfred would do the talking, Michelle would intimidate you, and Matthew would step in their prisoner resisted.
Chapter 8 was getting intense. You hadn't even realized you'd finished your drink and had been sipping air for the last two minutes. Just as the plot twist hit, someone lowered your book with a long branch.
"Hey--"
"You're coming with us!" said a little boy, standing with his hands on his hips. A little girl beside him was pointing the stick at you.
"What is this?" you asked, looking at the child before you quizzically.
"THIS IS A STICK-UP!" shouted another little boy, pointing a stick at you. You dropped your book and surrendered, deciding to play along.
"Uh-oh, you got me." The little girl smiled and almost dropped her weapon.
"Really? Yay!" She was clearly the youngest of this band of 'pirates'. The older boy cleared his throat and pointed at you.
"Seize her." The other two kids grabbed your hands tightly and led you away. As you walked with them, the leader spoke.
"I am Captain Alfred Jones, and you're my prisoner now."
"Our prisoner," corrected the other blonde with purple eyes.
"Whatever. That's First Mate Matthew. And the baby there is our gunner Michelle."
"I'm not a baby! I'm 5!" she exclaimed. You chuckled.
"No laughing!" Alfred commanded. You lowered your head in mock shame.
Light banter between your captors filled the silence of the mostly empty park. Apparently they couldn't agree on where to go.
They finally decided on the jungle gym, which you assumed was their version of a prison. Alfred paused. He looked up at you, to the small spaces between the bars, back to you, back to the spaces, then back at you again. His crew looked at him with concern before he shook his head sadly.
"I don't think she'll fit," he said, frowning.
"Dad said we can do anything if we put our mind to it," chirped Michelle. She immediately shoved you through the bar and into the equipment. You landed face-first in the sand.
"Hold up guys, I did not sign up for this." The children watched as you tried to squeeze out, but to no avail. "Can I at least have some help?"
"I guess," said Matthew, defeated. They tried to help you, but they got nowhere until someone else stepped in. You looked up to see an angry adult blonde with very...distinct eyebrows.
"Oh, hello." You smiled nervously, realizing that you must've looked a fool right then. He sighed.
"Did my kids do this to you?" he asked, helping you to your feet.
"We were playing pirates!" insisted Alfred. His father only glared at them.
"We were just playing a game and things went a little...off," you said, dusting yourself off. The man was still fuming at his kids.
"I left for 5 minutes. Apologize to this poor woman."
"Sorry Miss..." Michelle trailed off.
"(Y/n). Just (Y/n). It's okay guys, I forgive you."
"All of you, in the car. We're going home." He glared at his children, green eyes flaming.
"But what about Dairy Queen?" asked Alfred. Another look from his father sent him running behind his siblings.
"I truly am sorry for the trouble they caused. They are a handful. Oh, where are my manners?" He extended his hand to you. "I'm Arthur Kirkland."
"(Y/n) (L/n). Great to meet you." You shook hands.
"Perhaps we'll see each other around, I bring the kids here often." You nodded.
"See you around, Arthur." He waved, getting inside his car. Matthew rolled down his window to shout at you.
"Bye Miss (Y/n)!" You chuckled and waved back at the boy.
The large clock tower chimed several times. That was your cue to go home.