Title: A night like the feathers of a raven

Rating:PG/T

Characters: USUK; OC

Word Count:939

Summary: Alfred reminded me so much of the lad with optimistic eyes I had confessed my love of the sea to.

Disclaimer: Nothing in here belongs to me, get it? It belongs to himaruya. That's the guy's name, right?


" Wow, Artie," gasped Alfred breathlessly. "This is awesome and great. And wohoo is that a pirate flag?" And then he darted around the ship, being here one second and there the other I would have informed him about everything on the reconstructed ship – it is called Jolly Roger, you bloody wanker – wouldn't he be acting like flying mint bunny on the crack called sugar.

As it was I merely smiled at his childish antics. In this moment he reminded me of another lad I had known centuries ago.

"Captain,Sir," the young man – in reality he was just a boy, 14 years old, but the boy prided himself on being the member of a pirate crew and therefore a man – reported with bright eyes. " We have checked over anything and the whole ship is in perfect condition."

Here the lad paused but I didn't hurry him. Then he spluttered eagerly: "Can I have the first shift of night guard?"

I just had to chuckle. The brunette lad was just too eager to prove his worth, after all he was the youngest and latest of my crew.

At the last port we had restocked food and water for our voyage he had come to me with nothing but the clothes on his back and demanded to be allowed to join the crew. I had told him that the pirate life wasn't what he thought it would be. It wasn't always treasure and heaps of gold and victorious battles. It was also blood and deaths of friends and foes and ongoing, lurking betrayal but the lad was adamant.

He had said that no matter what he wanted to be on my ship and when I set sail he would be on it – with or without my consent. I preferred one more helping hand we had to feed over a rat hiding in the storage and stealing our food.

"Lad go to sleep, you will need it. I have already take over the first shift." I finally answered him.

He didn't follow my advice – it wasn't quite an order yet – instead he sat down next to me. I looked away from him to the tranquil sea. At the sight I couldn't suppress a smile.

The night sky was as dark as a raven's wing, the stars were diamonds in the sky and Luna was watching over us diligently, her light breaking on the water's surface, merely caressing it and being reflected back. A light breeze washed over the sea causing little waves to hit my ship gently and that was the only noise in the otherwise quiet night.

A hesitant voice cut through the silence and asked me nervously: "Sir, if it isn't too personal, will you tell me why you became a pirate?"

Because I had to, because I loved fighting and plundering and pillaging, because I desired to tear down France's and Spain's empires. All these reasons shot through my head but I couldn't tell the little optimistic fool – who was trying to run away from something; yes I could see that. I found the prefect response.

"Because I'm in love with our stormy lady." He blinked perplexed and tilted his head first to one side and then to the other. I laughed quietly and satisfied his non-verbal curiosity.

"The sea, my boy, the sea. She has one hell of a temper to deal with like all women. But what she gives me back for all the trouble I go through is it worth." He still didn't understand me clearly so I attempted to explain better.

"Look at the vast sea! Don't you think of the freedom to choose, to sail to wherever you want to? Don't you feel the thrill of adventure when you you are cradled in Lady Sea's arms ? She is our ally at time and our enemy at times but she is always there."

I wasn't sure this was better but the lad's eyes shone with understanding now and he looked out to the sea with brand-new eyes.

I knew that the whispered words weren't meant for me so I tried to forget.

It was night and we had decided to sleep on board. However I couldn't sleep haunted by the ghosts of my past. So I stood up and made my way towards the bug of the ship.

The sea was just as beautiful as back then. I wondered if sailing the seven seas in our time would be just as fun as in the age of pirates. Probably not.

Suddenly I was hugged from behind and a kiss was pressed to my mop of hair before America settled his head on my right shoulder.

"What is bothering you. Artie? I've noticed that since we boarded this ship you' have been distracted." He murmured into my ear with sleep tinting his voice heavily.

For a moment I said nothing. Then I told him not to worry, it was nothing he should bother with but I cuddled into him seeking his warmth. His arms tightened around me in comfort and he kissed my cheek soothingly.

I wasn't in love with the sea anymore – no, my heart belonged only to Alfred now – but I still looked at her with the eyes of an ex-lover. And I hoped that William, the lad, had been embraced by the sea like he had wished in the night so long ago and on the day of is last fight when he was in his twenties and died in my arms.