I looked out at the twinkling stars from my classroom, always a different scenery here. Dancing gases of various colors, sometimes other planets stood out to the eye, and the occasional shooting star would flit by. There were space vehicles that would fly past the school, most likely heading to the H1-Space Station. Space used to fascinate me…

Now it was a reminder of my past. Always trying to break my strength to nothing but misery for what I had lost that was dear to me. Teaching in a classroom where one wall was all glass did not help me forget, since the final frontier was almost in my reach. It made me consider what it would be like to lose myself into its' mysterious abyss to lose these torturous memories. Then I could possibly forget who I am, why I was alive, and use it as a way to erase the scars that marked my heart. Something that wasn't repaired correctly. Space would welcome me and make it possible. Yet something held me back…

"Mr. Kirkland?"

Blinking my eyes, I noticed that I had been pushing my right hand against the glass. Janet, a student of mine, was standing beside me with a look of concern. "Did you not understand the homework?"

"Sir, we didn't receive homework today."

"Oh," I scratched my cheek, "I must've forgotten."

"I finished washing the desks for you, is there anything else I can do?"

"Thank you but no, everything is all set."

"…Is something wrong?" Janet whispered.

"Of course not! Life is just…" My eyes turned back to look at the stars in the distance, "Swell."

(About 200 years ago)

As a boy, I was left to be ordered around by my second eldest brother, Allistor. He was one of the best pirates I knew, and the only one with hair as red as the blood he shed. I always wanted to be as great as my brother but he disregarded my hopes and dreams with the wave of his hand. Allistor believed that I was only meant for cleaning his ship, The Emerald Eye, and being beaten for his amusement. This caused me to lose my brotherly love for him for it was immediately replaced with hatred. One night, on my tenth birthday, I vowed that I would make my brother pay for what he had done to me. And revenge stayed within my thoughts for quite a few years.

Today I was left to scrub the white floors of the ship on my hanks and knees. A bucket of soapy water and a scrub-brush were the only things that kept me company. Allistor had threatened my magical friends so that they would avoid me. Many of Allistor's crew would kick the bucket over, or kick me, whenever they passed by. Some made fun of me for being friends with faeries, calling me a girl. There was nothing I could do about it though since I was not as nearly as strong as these men. Just a sixteen year old knave to his brother.

Captain Allistor returned to the ship by the time I had started cleaning the deck. I was in between two rows of monitors that had some meaning I was uneducated about. The beeping sounds they made nearly drowned out my brother's voice when he announced his arrival. Many of the navigators who worked on the deck cheered and asked about what he saw on the planet, Kresh. Of course I ignored them, it didn't matter since I had no care about what Allistor had to say.

Until I caught word of his prisoner. What did the people of Kresh look like? Were they similar to humans? I couldn't help but peer over a desk while scrubbing blindly with one hand.

"This lass here is quite a feisty one, something I like of my women. Isn't she a beauty or what?" Chuckling to himself, Allistor took a hold of the girl's chin and leaned up close to her face. Their noses nearly touching. "I would say so."

The girl spat at the captain's face, causing a few crewmembers to laugh. She had no clue that my brother enjoyed those who put up a fight. It was considered to be one of his "turn-ons." My brother wiped the spit away with the back of one glove before giving his captive a sly grin. I couldn't help but wish that her chains broke so that she could slam a fist to his face.

He idly stroked the fabric of her Victorian-styled dress, "Alright, lassie, how about I spit on yer pretty covering so that I may take it off?"

"You can take your spit and stick it up your ass," she hissed.

"Arthur, come here."

My eyes went wide. How ashamed I felt for this young miss to see me clothed in nothing but rags compared to my brother's brilliant outfit. Although I'd love to tear his blue and white overcoat, something he always kept looking brand new just to make myself feel better. When I stood before the girl, I knew she was probably thinking I was some kind of boy who was picked up from a space gas station.

Allistor tilted his hat up, "Blimey, ye haven't had the time to bathe?"

"N-no, Captain." I could just imagine my short blonde hair being a disgusting mess, but my brother wanted it that way. He only said that to make me feel even worse before the young lady.

"This wasn't what I called ye over for, though." He put an arm around the prisoner's waist, "I want ye to tell the lass about how well women are treated when with me."

Immediately my throat tightened. The girl before me was younger than I was by a possible year or two, an age that I haven't seen of a person in a long time. My brother usually brought women around his age aboard his ship, early twenties. I knew that people these days made couples in their early teens, if not younger than the little age of twelve. Yet by the way this prisoner made herself appear of royalty, other than her pretty face, I wasn't surprised Allistor wanted her out of all the wenches he has bedded. They were pleased with his expertise, but for this girl, I knew she wouldn't comply.

"Well? Speak, or I'll punch yer deadlights out."

Hesitantly I met her (e/c) eyes, "W-women are treated with-with upmost respect, m'lady. The corsair beside you w-will make you feel welcome."

"Hear, that?" Allistor whispered in her ear. "Now tell me, what's yer name, lassie?"

"Go to Hell."

"Tsk, what a shame. I'll see to it that ye tell me yer name soon enough."

From that day on, the prisoner never said a word to anyone but her captivator. And when she did, it was a nasty comment. I tried to ignore the girl whenever she passed by in silence but I would look up when I felt she wasn't looking at me. She seemed to be everywhere I was working and yet I couldn't scrounge up the courage to say something to her. Yet I could in my thoughts, compliments mostly about how enchanting she was in the dresses Allistor forced her to wear. Of course she would still be pretty without them…But a boy like me can't daydream about such things. Ladies liked pirates who seemed strong, rich, and had a romantic charm. Something I didn't have. But I still yearned for her to at least say something kind to me…

A day came when I had taken a beating from a couple of crewmates that my convertair broke. The convertair is a small rectangular box and flat piece of metal that is connected with a thin wire. It is a machine that converts whatever one breathes in into air so that oxygen isn't a need anymore. Convenient when out in space. Oxygen was still present aboard The Emerald Eye so that in these cases, no men would die, but the convertair must be fixed quickly.

I stood in front of a window revealing a world of many stars. My reflection could barely be seen but I had to use it to my advantage. With a knife, I slit a line upon the right side of my neck where the convertair was placed. Blood trickled down as I gently tugged at the machine, but it wouldn't come out. The plate was jammed in under a thin layer of muscle that hurt worse than Hell. Sweat began to form on my skin as breathing became an issue.

"Do you need help?"

Whipping around, my eyes befell Allistor's lady. She held a small box against her chest that I suspected to be a repair kit. My cheeks reddened when I looked there, the particular purple and red dress she wore had quite a low collar. Something Allistor was fond of. I took my ragged bandana off my head and held it to my bleeding neck as a way to look as if I was more focused on my convertair than looking at her bosom.

Then she stepped towards me, "I'm a bit short compared to your height. Could you lie down somewhere so that I may repair your convertair?"

Calmly I lied on the floor with my open wound facing upwards. She looked at me with surprise, as if she expected me to take her to an infirmary room. But the lady smiled and sat down behind my back to start her work.

"I've seen you around often, what's your name?"

"Arthur Kirkland, m'lady."

"Oh? You're Allistor's brother?"

I let out an annoyed sigh, "Yes."

"I'm _ Héderváry."

Silence followed after our exchange of names. I suppose it was needed so that _ could focus on unsheathing my convertair out of my neck with tools out of her repair kit. Where she found that was something I wasn't going to question, but I was grateful she did. Even more grateful for her help. This wasn't so bad! I mean, a nice lady around my age was doing something for me without asking for anything in return. If she did, I'd do it.

When the plate slid out, I cringed and groaned from the uncomfortable feeling. Her gentle fingers rested my bloodied bandana against my neck with just enough pressure to numb it. Then _ grabbed my hand and placed it on the fabric so that she could work on fixing the inner works of the convertair.

"How old are ye, _?"

"Fifteen."

"Nine years younger than Allistor," I muttered. It was definitely something I didn't support but couldn't change.

"And you're…Seventeen?"

"Sixteen."

She took a deep breath, "You must be picked on by your brother often."

"Every day."

"How can you tell the difference between day and night out here in space?"

"By how our bodies feel. Like if everybody is feeling tired, it's late." I waited for her to ask anything more about it, but she said nothing. So I decided to start a different topic, "Have ye ever been in space before?"

"No, it is quite a wonderful sight for my first time."

I smiled, "The first thing I remember when I came into Outer Space was looking back at me planet, Earth. It was a lush green and deep blue…Spotted with white."

"Sounds lovely."

"Ye do-" I halted. Oh dear god I can't believe I let that slip! I believed her voice was how an angel would sound like but I would never have said that on purpose. _ had no reason to accept my compliment of her voice, I was just a grimy boy to her. "Too," I finished.

_ patted my arm, "Thank you, Arthur."

We began seeing each other much more often in secret. _ would pull me into closets, unseen corners, or any other place we wouldn't be caught together. I never had a real human friend before and I felt less empty inside at the thought of being accepted for being me. She appeared so happy to be in my company rather than Allistor's, even when we were chest to chest in storage closets. Most of our conversations would be about our past, present, and hopeful future. Other than that, it was about if the other was feeling okay and wasn't hungry. So we cared about each other, friends can do that, right?

The pantry was empty of pirates except for me when _ came in. I was peeling potatoes until she placed a hand on my shoulder as a gesture for me to stop. Happily I set the peeler and potato on the counter beside me before standing up. Her shiny (h/c) was wet and I knew she had just taken a shower with Allistor again. With a sigh, I silently wished that _ had bathed with me when I did early this morning. She gave me a small smile and my jealousy subsided. At least my brother never saw her smile.

"Did he do anything sexual?" I whispered.

"No, Allistor won't until I return his love. Something I'll never do."

Sink me! Damn am I glad that she will never love him, that I had a chance. But I could test it right now if I wanted to. Just lean forward…Keep my hands to myself…And give her the best first kiss she could ever ask for. I bit my lip as I gazed at her angelic face without breaking contact with her eyes.

I decided now or never.

_ inhaled sharply when my lips met hers. She quickly reacted though, enough that my hands were shaking with need to rest on her waist. Just to feel those curves while enjoying this kiss would make my day feel 100% better than it has been in years. Then, on the verge of dying from her soft lips, she let her mouth open just enough for my tongue to slip inside. May I suffer a dance with Jack Ketch for I surely didn't deserve this delightful, passionate kiss? Resting her hands on my shoulders, _ pulled me closer against her body. I let out a slight groan as her hot tongue moved with mine…I had just signed my death wish for this moment.

Then she leaned back, "Allistor said he's going to give me five days before he makes me be a part of his pirate wedding. What is that?"

"It's when ye become husband and wife through an exchange of vows and…" I lowered my gaze, "And sex."

"You-you won't let that happen, right?"

"I can't do anything about it, love."

"Unless?"

"Unless we have one…But I wouldn't do such a thing at yer age!" Softly I stroked her cheek as her lip quivered, "It would make yer wedding night with Allistor mean nothing if we did though."

"Arthur…"

"Then we'll make it a promise, I will give ye yer wedding night with me as long as you stay by my side. Forever."

Her face lit up, "Really? Can we last forever?"

"I'll make it so."

Son of Allistor the Asshole I don't know if I can survive a wedding night with a girl I have just met almost six months ago. _ is definitely the love of my life, and I couldn't let her be touched by my brother whether she liked it or not. This felt so rushed but it was needed. It defined our future together if I managed to leave my enslavement aboard The Emerald Eye. But to do this in my tiny bedroom that only consisted of a creaky small cot was not what I wanted. I longed to make love to _ upon a bed that must've belonged to royalty in a room that made us feel comfortable. All I could do was steal many blankets and lie them on the floor since the cot would most likely break during this moment. To make this night as special as I could.

When we began, we were full of excitement and lust. The way _ kissed was so good that it could've been labeled as dessert until later on. Our heated breathing caused the room temperature to go up and we were sweating like crazy upon the blankets as we caressed each other's bare skin. I could feel my convertair working like crazy by the time sweat was dripping off my face and my skin was hot enough to cook eggs. _ was a flushed mess beneath me, willingly pressing her lower regions against mine. She was so young, unable to fully control her body's greed for what I had. It just made my own greed grow and I couldn't help but make our wedding night stretch on.

I licked one pert nipple while pinching and tugging playfully at the other. "Do you cross your heart and wish for your soul to end up in Davy Jones' Locker?" I whispered before sucking the same nipple, making her squirm beneath me.

"I do," she hissed. Her hands softly tugged at my hair as I continued to play with her breasts," And do you cross your heart and wish for your soul to end up in Davy Jones' Locker?"

"Mmm, I do." Slowly I trailed kisses down her middle, thumbing _'s wet entrance with a grin upon my face. My breathing quickened as she moaned to thumb her harder, "Do you sell your body to me?"

"Ah~I do." I inserted a finger into her warm cavern and her back arched up from the intrusion. _ rocked herself against my hand while looking at me through the dim light, "Do you…Sell your body to me?" She asked seductively.

Calmly I inserted a second finger, "I do, love." My lover moaned my name and I leaned down to kiss her during my strokes. I exhaled as she explored my chest with one hand, "And do you wish for no other man but me?"

_ watched me take my fingers out of her, only to lick her love-leakage slow and sensually before her. She smiled, "I do."

I laughed.

In a sitting position, I lifted _ up so that her open entrance was above my erection. Quietly she leaned down so that her lips were by my ear, "And do you wish for no other woman but me?" Her body teasingly lowered and I cursed under my breath, making her smile wider.

"I do."

Then the heat intensified so much that I thought I was near a sun. Having such wet muscle clamped around my hard-on felt so good that I just might die and come back to do feel it again. _, now my wife, shuddered as she became used to my thick length before trying to move. My arms tightened around her waist as she slid herself up slowly at first before going back down. Then her speed quickened and I thought I'd go insane because of it. It felt like hours of this sensual wedding night that Allistor would be raging mad if he ever found out. But I didn't care about him. _ meant more to me than space itself.

I knew I had to give in soon, and once I spilled my seed deep within my wife, she collapsed against me. Softly I rubbed her back, "Promise?"

"Promise," _ mumbled and kissed my cheek.

The next day, a surprise visit from Cailean, my eldest brother, came along. He was just a bit taller than Allistor but wasn't so big on piracy. I wasn't that fond of him since he treated me just as bad as my second oldest brother. The two talked for a bit, _ by Allistor's side the whole time. Silently I scrubbed the floor behind the steering wheel, just a few feet away, barely listening to what was going on.

Cailean brushed back his brown hair, "Then get rid of her if she hasn't complied already."

"But-"

"Here, I can drop her off when I stop by F32-Space Station. No problem! Then you can pick up a nice wench who'll do your bidding."

"I suppose," Allistor muttered.

Shakily I looked up to see my brother taking _'s hand and leading her away from the deck. My wife was being taken away from me and if I did anything, Allistor would have me hanged. Then I'd never have a chance with her again. To see her glance back at me tore my heart though, enough that I never thought it'd heal again.