Notes: Oneshot based on a line in AWE.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean.
The Hai Peng sails peacefully trough the dark water, destroying imaginary, reflected stars in the water on it's way.On this night, nobody can tell where the sky ends and the ocean begins. The crew is restless - these waters are unknown, it feels like they are on the verge of something unspeakable, something they can't place. William Turner is also restless, but he cares not for unknown dangers they soon will have to face. A certain kiss lingers in his mind; the image has burned itself into his head. Even when he's asleep, which is rarely, the kiss haunts him. His nightmares is confusing - lashes against his back, a dagger in his hand, the smell of burned flesh, the vision of a crying woman. Elizabeth. He wonders if she is restless as well. Probably. She is so far away, even when they are right next to each other. Which isn't often. As himself, Elizabeth Swann seeks loneliness, cold and black, but still, tempting and inviting. William carries a great burden, the loss of the woman he loves. Her heart belongs to another. And still, he stays with her, joining her in a life-risking voyage. To fetch back him. Along with his ship. William carries another burden. My father. The promise he made some time ago, seems even more important now. I will not abandon you. Will sighs deeply, his mind clouded with worries. Once Elizabeth learns the truth, they will be complete strangers. Or at least, that's what he fears. They both hide something, unwilling to speak of it. Why won't she tell him? The truth will hurt him, but it will give him...closure.
As much as he fears that closure, he just want her happy. She certainly isn't happy now. He sighs again - the end of the world is close, and he knows it. Maybe this is the right time for closure.
He approaches her, still not knowing what to say, but the words stumble out of his mouth before he gets a chance to think about it.
How long do we continue not talking?" She turns around slowly, her eyes finding his - and the pain on his back is forgotten, for a brief moment. Why does he still love her?She looks away then, her face falling back to the same locked features she's been carrying for the past weeks. Once again, he feels how distant they've become when she replies."Once we rescue Jack everything will be fine." Jack.Jack.Jack. Everything will be fine when Jack is saved. Everything will be fine. The answer hurts him more than she can ever imagine. Of course everything will be fine. For her. For them. Every inch of him aches to confront her with the kiss, to finally find the closure he desperately seeks, but also fears. He looks at her - her eyes reflects his pain - they both suffer.
"Then we rescue Jack." He looks for a way to ease her suffering, he does not know why he does it, but he knows it is a feeble attempt. He would rather take her in his arms and tell her that they will find him and it will all work out, but he can't. I just can't. He can't make out her expression - she stares at him, looks away and then she is gone. He tries to hide his disappointment as she walks away, looking over the reeling in deep thoughts, feeling the closure - their closure not far away.
There. I wrote it, I feel better for it. :) Hope you'll like it.