Despite the rough greeting, the boy and Arthur quickly became..something close to what he would call a friend. (Even if the punch did result in Arthur chasing Alfred around for five minutes, screaming obscenities such as "You Git!" or "Twat!" or even "Little Wanker!", all meant in the nicest way, of course..)
Besides, Alfred wasn't looking for much, the boy obviously just wanted to sit down and chat with someone. Arthur felt he couldn't deny, so he granted Alfred this one wish. After exchanging respects and outputs (the boy was surprisingly insightful for his age) they managed to chat about nothing until nightfall..The same night the village was scheduled to be plundered.
"..I'm afraid I have to go now, Alfred.", sighed Arthur, avoiding eye contact.
"Aww, you have to leave already?", he pouted, "Can't you stay a little longer?"
"You know, it's not often that somebody is begging a pirate to stay in their village."
"But you're different than the other pirates. You're nice..and stuff."
Arthur bit back another laugh, but refrained from patting the boys head this time.
Somehow, the boy tricked Arthur into promising his return..Be it as it may, he decided to gather his crew and leave the new world immediately..Due to return next week, of course.
Somehow their visits to the new world became a regular routine. The crew was a bit skeptical, but didn't question it. After all, they were getting beer and a break out of it. It was unlike the captain to be this charitable..They didn't even question the fact he hardly touched his beer whenever they paid a visit to the village.
Before they knew it, a year had passed.
Arthur was entranced by the boy and found himself bringing him new toys and clothes, and everything that may or may not keep the boy happy..Seeing Alfred with a smile on his face was enough payment, much to his surprise. His pirating ways kept slipping away, and no one took notice besides Arthur himself. He kept his reputation up, however.
He still plundered and pillaged, cheated and stole, but he sheltered Alfred from much of that. In fact, Arthur wasn't really sure why he was doing so..Maybe he had some sort of sympathy for the boy, mixed with a bit of respect..They were nearly one in the same. They grew up with no parents, and those around them pitied their existence, and brushed it off as nothing more than a nuisance. However, Alfred seemed to remain unfazed and only greeted Arthur with a smile on his face. Arthur even respected Alfred for his attitude, and more or less, his impressive. No one was quite sure where that came from, though, even if he wasn't quite strong enough to twirl a buffalo...Well, regardless, he was still fairly strong for his age.
It was only after repairs to the village had been fully established, that Arthur had been worried.
At the time, he was convinced that Alfred's strength alone would be enough to keep him safe..but he never took it into consideration that Hero's don't or simply refuse to harm those around them..Even if they're harmed themselves.
Alfred's Hero complex had grown just as Alfred grew in height. Not much had changed besides his clear change in speech and the more than a little heroic behavior, even if he wasn't really that much of a hero. That didn't seem to matter, however. He swore he'd protect the village, whether they wanted him to or not..and that was a promise he carried till the moment he left.
It was a sunny day, much to the crews liking. They made their annual route and stopped at the docks. Surprisingly, they were greeted by a furious old man, screaming his heart out at a little boy..looking shamefully upset. They awaited the captains orders and he commanded they head to the pub. They obeyed and marched past the man, unfazed by his shouts.
Arthur, however, stayed behind. He bit back his fury and kept his sword out of reach, purposely. The man was furiously yelling at the little boy he'd grown to call a friend, and he demanded an explanation.
"Is there a problem here, sir?"
"Yes there is a problem! Alfred is the problem! He's the one that's led you pirates here, isn't he?! I wouldn't be surprised if he was the very same that led those evil pirates here two years ago! I don't think he understands or cares about the danger that he's put all of us in!"
Before anyone could protest, the man stormed off into the forest, probably back to the village. Alfred sat on the ground, innocently looking up at Arthur...and despite it all, he had a lovely smile on his little face.
"Alfred, are you alright?"
The boy nodded, hugging his knees, "I'm fine, that happens allot. They get angry at me, but I don't mind."
"Why do they get angry with you, Alfred?"
"They don't like me, remember? You're my friend, that's why you have to come back allot."
"..That still doesn't explain why they would take their problems out on you of all people, Alfred."
He merely shrugged, "I dunno, but I don't mind. I'll be their hero someday!"
This time, Arthur did laugh as he scooped the boy up in his arms and playfully ruffled his hair. Alfred laughed too and clutched Arthur's neck. It was then that they both silently realized it, other than each other, they had no real friends.
Their weekly visits continued, and just as Arthur feared, the worst for Alfred had yet to come. It was apparent that the villagers were angry with Alfred for openly inviting the worst pirates to ever sail the seven seas to their home. With no one else to blame, they took their aggressions out on Alfred, and much to Arthur's dismay, he refused to put up a fight.
Their most recent visits consisted of small bandages carelessly wrapped around his head or shoulders as if he'd done it himself. The captain took well to biting back fury, but he was thankful that he'd sometimes "forget" his weapons on the ship.
It was only when the boy was bruised and bloodied, that resisting became far too much.
They docked at the shore just like any other week, and Arthur was the first to get off. The boy was waiting for him as usual, but this time his smile had somehow disappeared.
"What's wrong?", the captain asked with a concerned look and a quiet voice as the crew disappeared toward the pub.
He was sprawled out on the floor, laying on his side with a blank expression on his face-neither happy, nor sad. He almost looked confused.
The boy half-turned over and gave Arthur a weak shrug, "I dunno. Nothing's wrong."
"That was a lie and you know it. Don't lie to me, Alfred, I want to know what happened this instant."
Alfred grumbled but gave off an exhausted nod, "I made people really angry."
Once again, the captain was filled with so much fury, he almost swore he would explode. Without thinking, Arthur scooped Alfred up into his arms and took the time to analyze his less-than-fortunate condition. It was only then that he realized his face and arms were covered in dark bruises, and the gash on his face resulted in a fair amount of blood trailing the length of his body. That sickening image come to life-it even stained his shirt.
"You'll be alright, Alfred. I'm going to help you, do you understand?"
He faintly nodded through half-lidded eyes.
"You mustn't fall asleep, you may have a concussion and you're losing allot of blood. I don't even want to ask who did this to you..I won't be able to contain my temper that much longer, you know."
The boy settled in his arms, gripping his neck as Arthur carried him all the way back to the pub, where the crew was hopefully waiting for them..and hopefully, at least one of them were sober.
Half of the crew was drunk out of their minds, the other half was resting and or partying. Roderich seemed to be waiting for the captain, and he was the first to make a snide remark as Arthur walked in carrying the child.
"Oh, I see. So this is what you've been doing. Here we thought you'd come across treasure, but we've been coming back so you can baby sit someone."
"Shut it. Fetch medical attention immediately!"
Roderich took one look at the child, "Oh my. Elizabeta! Come here right now!"
She was sober for the most part, and luckily, she was very handy with a first-aid kit.
Barely keeping the child awake, Arthur half rocked him/half shook him while Elizabeta treated his wounds. She seemed almost just as surprised as he was..but she's always had a soft spot for kids.
She wrapped a white bandage crookedly around his forehead, just covering his eye, and managed to stop the bleeding, while icing the bruises.
"What happened to him?", she asked.
"I don't want to know.", he bitterly sighed, "What are we going to do about this?"
"Are we actually going to do something? Is he really the reason we've been coming here so often?"
"..Indeed. Though it pains me to admit it, I may or may not have a soft spot for the little wanker.."
"..Well, what do you think we should do, captain?"
He took the minute to ponder.
Leaving the boy here was out of the question..but getting the boy to willingly come with them was better said than done. On the other hand, life here might prove to be safer than life on the sea, where pirates will constantly try to sink their ship and plunder their treasure..Not that life here was any better for him. On top of that, Alfred seemed just as stubborn as Arthur, and he seemed dead set on being the hero..
"Captain? Captain, are you alright?", she asked, lightly snapping in front of his face.
He shook his head of the thoughts as a seemingly brilliant idea surfaced to mind..
"Everyone get back to the ship!", he shouted, careful not to wake Alfred as he'd fallen asleep soon after the bleeding stopped.
"Aye aye captain!"'s rang out throughout the pub, and they each filed out the door and through the forest, back to the ship with Arthur following close behind. However, he made one quick detour..
The villagers were clearly unhappy. Some were shocked, some were angry, some cowered in fear..but all in all, they weren't happy to see him. Whether sour looks were directed toward him or Alfred remained unknown, but he didn't care. Instead, he made sure each villager gathered around by causing a bit of a scene..
It worked, needless to say, and they were all either ready to run the pirate out of the new world or fight for their lives.
He took a deep breath...
"My pirates and I are leaving now, never to return."
Cheers echoed throughout the village.
"However!", he snapped, "You should all thank Alfred F. Jones..your hero and savior. If not for him, you would all be in grave danger now.."
They exchanged concerned looks, then turned their attention towards Alfred with a few gasps.
"Alfred has agreed to become my prisoner..In exchange, I promise to leave America and never return. Is that clear?"
The crowd fell silent, before an old woman dropped to her knees slowly, and knelt before Alfred, still cradled by the fierce pirate.
"Alfred..", she half-whispered, "You've always been our hero."
With that, she gently pat his forehead, and rejoined the crowd. They gave the pirate hateful looks, but he paid no mind. For now he only wondered how he was going to keep Alfred safe..
After all, though village life was harsh, the life of a pirate was all too unforgiving.