"Henry, are you sure this is a good idea?" Violet asked again as she watched him casually hop aboard a pirate ship. Admittedly it was his mother's boyfriends, but a pirates nonetheless.
"Violet, it's our anniversary, and I promised you an adventure. Now come on, we won't do anything Killian will spill his rum over."
She giggled like he was hoping, and he held out his hand to assist her on board.
The sharp smell of salt blasted into their faces, somehow even stronger now that the wood of the deck creaked below them. Everything looked the same as the last time he'd been here, right down to the lines tied off and the rigging as highly polished as it could be. Heart pounding painfully in his chest, he turned slightly to still catch a glimpse of the awe on her face. In the whole time they'd been together he'd yet been able to get her really alone, and with his Mom and Killian out in the woods all day looking for something the Dwarfs claimed to have lost, this should be perfect. His other Mom was setting up some town meeting about the latest reason no one should cross the town line, and his grandparents were following Neal around like their lives depended on it now that his Uncle was learning how to walk. There was absolutely nothing that should interrupt this moment.
Just as her shoulders started to relax and and she stepped closer to him with a welcoming smile, she just as quickly let out a wild gasp of surprise and tried to jump away from him, pulling his hand with her. Not fast enough, he felt the point digging right into his ribcage from behind while a hand snagged painfully underneath his chin, securing him into one spot.
"And just what are you two doing aboard my ship?"
Violet released his hand and stumbled even farther back, right over a barrel and collapsing to the ground, her skirt splayed around her still blowing as heavily as her hair. Mouth still half open as if prepared to scream any second once her shock wore off.
Henry felt immediate anger flaring bright at not only watching his girlfriend fall without a chance to catch her, but the words themselves being hissed into his ear. He snapped so viciously he was sure he'd be released from his biting words alone, "I don't know who you think you are, but this isn't your ship!"
Even Henry could claim no real right to it except Killian referring to him as his first mate more often than not. Whoever this person thought they were, they'd be in for a rude awakening if they pushed that blade just one more centimeter into him.
"Well you're wrong there lad," the hot breath panted against his neck, Henry's nose wanting to curl away in protest from the stench. "I've rightfully won the Jolly Roger from old Hook, and I'm here to collect. Whatever lies that scoundrels told you otherwise I'll just have to," there was that last centimeter, and Henry couldn't help the hiss of pain as he felt a dribble of blood start down his back when the blade finally broke skin, "change perspectives."
"Violet, run," he shot at her, using ever last bit of his will to launch himself as far away as he could and still be a distraction. Violet headed him, already on her feet and sprinting to the docks practically before he'd moved. It hadn't been enough, he'd only half torn himself free before his arm was caught in a vice like grip and he was yanked back into this stinking pirates face. He only got a quick glance, far more than he'd have ever wanted, of the weather beaten skin and yellowed teeth before the blade still having a dribble of his blood on it now rested on his breast bone.
"You never did answer me laddie, just who are you to be aboard a pirates ship? Hook back into the business of procuring first mates in a more hands on way? Or, hand on I should say," he stopped and laughed at his own wit, while Henry's bit back the anger rising once more. He'd seen the look Killian gave others when they dared to joke about such a thing, and years ago he could easily imagine the wayward pirate running people through for it. Henry suddenly had that desire now, he wouldn't let anyone mock his family.
"Doesn't matter I suppose," he continues when an answer had been refused. The blade breaking through his shirt and now pressed against his skin, Henry had no choice to but to back up into the mast or be run through as the pirate advanced on him. "Everything aboard this ship belongs to me, and that includes you now."
Hope you enjoyed! I've never written for this fandom before, but I recently binged the whole series and while there's plenty I'd have liked to say throughout, this moment really caught my attention. Blackbeard never did make good on his promise to get this ship back, and I'd be loath to admit how eager I was to see this play out. Now, as usual, I'm doing it myself! How did Blackbeard get there? Ah, that's for me to know and you to find out, along with much more fun to come.