So this is a quick one shot continuing from where the movie left off, except it skips forward to that night. In this story at least, they're all staying at Tia Dalma's for a day or so before leaving. WE with hints of JE. And I don't own POTC or anything related to it, of course. Please R&R!
"She loves him," Will whispered to the night, testing the words. "She loves Jack."
Will sat up in his cot and examined the loft Tia Dalma had stuck them all. Elizabeth had still not come up. It was late, past midnight, and Elizabeth was still downstairs, her voice inaudible. But every so often he heard Tia Dalma's strong, accented voice floating up to the loft. With a sigh Will flopped back onto his bed and stared at the ceiling.
And to think, once Norrington was out of the picture, Will actually believed they were going to be married.
A moment later a floorboard creaked. "Will?" Elizabeth whispered in a hoarse voice. Will lifted his head. She stood there, arms crossed, with a tear soaked face. He sat up.
"What's wrong?" he asked. Her face shattered and she took a seat on the bed, burrowing her face into Will's chest as she sobbed. He held her close.
"Is it Jack?" Will whispered. She continued to sob.
"It's all my fault," she cried in a muffled voice.
"He elected to stay behind. It was his choice, Elizabeth."
She gasped and cried harder.
He couldn't even comfort her.
Did he even deserve her?
But more than anything, more than wanting her to marry him, Will just wanted her to be happy. From the moment he had stepped into Tia Dalma's shack he had known--he had to do whatever it took to make her happy. Will would always be there for her, even if it meant wiping up the tears wept for Jack.
After a few more moments she pulled away and looked at him hard in the eyes. "I love you, Will," she said.
He knit his eyebrows together and paused. "I love you too," he replied finally. She nodded and sniffled. Then she laid back down on the small narrow bed and closed her eyes. Will watched her for a moment before joining her, wrapping his arms around her and closing his own eyes.
Tomorrow, Will would wonder if she had meant what she said. Tomorrow, Will would wonder if she loved Jack. Tomorrow, Will would question everything.
But tonight, he had Elizabeth in his arms, and that was enough.