Hey guise~ Sorry for the wait! Had to figure this shit out first! But man oh man this has turned into an AWESOME plotbunny. It. Is. Going. To. Be. EPIC. Nnnggggghhhh. So enjoy 3


Chapter Three: Parley my Arse

It had been half a month since the crew of the Time Bandit left port of Italy and had been at sea when it happened. When everything really started.

"Roddy, you have the bandages right?" Captain Antonio asked in poking his head into the Austrian's tiny office aboard the ship.

"As I always do, Antonio," he replied, not looking up from his work as always.
Lovino glanced over Antonio and mumbled, "You aren't hurt, are you?"

"Huh?" As if just noticing the boy's presence, Antonio blinked then smiled at him, shaking his

head. "It was just an accident, nothing to worry about it."

"Oh okay..."

"They're in the cabinet," Roderich mumbled. "Where they always are. Get them yourself."

"Don't I feel loved," his captain laughed half heartedly as he received the wrappings.

"My heart beats for your presence," Roderich drawled, glancing up finally with a smirk.

Antonio grasped his chest dramatically, "Oh I'm sure not as mine does for yours."

"Why aren't you two in theater rather than pirating?" Lovino asked, rolling his eyes.

"Everything's fake!" Antonio winked with a sidelong smirk. "I prefer real blood."

Lovino scowled and looked away. "Great to know."

"We are pirates~" In his coo Antonio gently fiddled with his pulled down sleeve, pulling it from the skin in minuscule gestures. At a point he winced, finally just laughing and leaving the two.

"Can you go check on him?" Roderich sighed. "He's not good at wrapping bandages."

Lovino pouted and was about to complain, but quickly jumped up and followed Antonio under Roderich's cold glare. "Hey, Antonio, do you need help wrapping that?"

Already to his door by then, Antonio stopped before it to shake his head and smile. "I can take care of something like this."

"Roderich said you suck at bandages," Lovino replied stubbornly, crossing his arms.

"Aah," Spain brought up a finger in bringing up his point, "but when does Roderich say I'm good at anything? I suck all around according to him! So you can't necessarily take his word for it can you?"

"It's still hard to wrap your own arm. Just let me do it. I'm your personal servant aren't I? There's no pride to worry about."

"Aren't you cute, being so helpful~" Antonio patted the Italian's head and laughed.

Red filled Lovino's cheeks as he swatted away Antonio's hand. "Shut up!"

"What, you aren't cute?"

"No!" Lovino snapped, grabbing Antonio's arm and the bandages to start rolling up his sleeve. "I'm not."

The moment his arm was taken in Lovino's hand Antonio winced at the contact and had to bite his lip to keep from crying out. "Fuck Lovi. If you're gonna be like that I'm better off doing it myself," he said in pulling his sleeve down before it could be tugged up.

"Oh- I-" Lovino blushed even more and dropped his hands. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I didn't realize it was so bad. You made it sound like it was no big deal. It's your fault for misleading me. Let me do it. I promise I'll be gentle."

Damn it all. Antonio could only argue so much. "If you're going to be so damn insistent..."

"I feel bad now! It's an obligation now that I hurt you!" Lovino huffed and pushed Antonio into his room so he could push him into his chair. He grabbed a stool and sat before Antonio to gently peel his sleeve up. "What the hell is this?"

Against the almost charred skin the air made Antonio hiss after having kept it covered for so long. Decorating the inside of his left arm was a fresh burn mark in the awkward shape of a rose. It looked like a branding of an animal or a slave, and one that wasn't done long before at that.

"It's nothing, okay? Can you just wrap it quickly?" Through his teeth Antonio spoke these words, only one eye open as he continued to wince. Fuck this was a really bad one.

"Mio Dio, what happened? Should I clean this before I wrap it? When did you get this? Are you okay?"

"Didn't I just fucking say it's nothing? Just wrap it up."

Lovino winced and ducked his head as he gently wrapped the burn. It was rare when Antonio became harsh, but when he did, he was serious and scary. It was difficult to keep his hands trembling from worry and fright. Just as he finished a dark hand rose up to touch his. When he looked up Lovino met eyes with Antonio as he gave a strained smile. "Gracias."

The blush was back. Lovino looked away and mumbled, "I said it was an obligation, didn't I?"

"Yes, yes you did. And you're done." In a laugh Antonio took his arm slowly and replaced his sleeve over the wrappings. "So go tell Roddy you did as you were told and get back to work, huh? Don't wanna piss him off."

"Yeah. Of course." Lovino jumped to his feet and with a shy glance backwards, went back to Roderich's cabin.

Antonio sighed and slid his hand over his face. "Well that... Went as well as it could have."

...

"Fuck."


Lovino woke in a cold sweat, heart pounding in his ears and breath hitched as tears welled in his eyes. He had been going so well the past month without thinking about them.

Of the screams. The flames. His brother's terrified wails and his mother's wavering voice as she tried to comfort them. The cold, emotionless stares. The shackles that held him to the slave trader's prison wall. The wandering hands...

A sob racked through his quivering body as he curled around his knees. The bed felt so empty without his stupid brother coming in at the middle of the night due to nightmares or lack of heat. Lovino sniffed and slowly slid off the mattress, thought process lost as he slowly maneuvered in the dark to Antonio. Quietly as he could, he slipped under the covers next to the captain on the pallet and curled into him. It was as close as he could get to Feliciano. He drifted back to an uneasy sleep.

As it would any other warrior contact made Antonio wake instantly. He jerkily cranes his neck back to see the source while simultaneously reaching for the dagger beneath his pillow. The man's heart was on hyper drive. Someone was trying to kill him in his sleep. He had to survive, kill them at all costs. He had to-!

"Lovino?" He felt light headed when his breathing stopped mixed with his still rapidly beating heart, adrenaline rushing through him to only be stilled the moment it reached its destinations. What in the-? Why was he fucking right there? He was supposed to be in the bed! Was he insane? Who snuck up on a fucking criminal in his sleep?

Were those tears in his eyes? Blood ran cold and thus neutralized his killer instinct. So that was it. With a soft sigh Antonio slowly shifted onto his other side so as to face the boy. He hugged him close and touched his hair gently.

Lovino whimpered quietly and buried his face in Antonio's chest, small sobs still shaking his body.

Into brunette strands Antonio sighed then took a deep breath. If anyone was up and heard this he would never hear the end if it. However...

It was a soft sound. The sort one makes when it is meant for one person and one alone. A kind sound.

"Ahora mi nino, chico lindo mio

Duermete mi nino, que estoy aqui contigo

Suenate mi nino, suena de to abuelos

Suenate mi nino, que estan contigo

Ahora mi nino, chico lindo mio

Duermete mi nino, de mi corazon."

The soothing lullaby pulled the tension and tears out of Lovino as he slowly relaxed into Antonio's embrace and drifted into a peaceful sleep, a smile of sorts on his face.

"Duermete mi nino." Antonio repeated and kissed Lovino's hair.

The morning brought an exhausted and confused Lovino as he woke in Antonio's arms. At first he was going to freak out, but then the memories of his nightmares hit and he froze. He had slept fine afterwards. Thanks to Antonio... He sighed and nuzzled the man. "Grazie..."

Again Antonio reacted quickly, though now it was just a sudden twitch and quick opening of his eyes. In seeing Lovino it was now an immediate calm. He smiled. "Mornin'."

"Oh-" Lovino glanced up, then away, cheeks turning red, but didn't pull away. "Sorry, didn't mean to wake you."

"Mm. I was only half asleep anyway."

"Oh, good..." He glanced up and mumbled again, "Grazie..."

"As long as you're feeling better."

"Ah yeah... I just had a bad dream. I hope I wasn't a bother."

"It's fine," the man rubbed his eyes faintly, still tired. But he did continue to smile faintly. "Once you're calm you have a cute sleeping face."

"Wh-what! You weirdo!" Lovino jumped to his feet, bright red and scowling. "Pervert! Don't look at me when I sleep! I'm going to get breakfast!" In a huff, he stomped out the cabin.

"… That went well too."


He arrived not two days later.

At the calls of Gilbert from above everyone rushed onto the deck to see a large and extravagant ship heading towards them, surrounded by a number of smaller vessels. Antonio looked to Roderich, then Francis. Roderich turned to Antonio with a stern glare as Francis visibly paled. "Why didn't you tell us we were meeting him?"

"I wasn't aware he was so close." Antonio looked away, feeling shame for his actions. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"Who is that?" Lovino asked as he approached the three.

"Important business partner. Or rather," Antonio turned his gaze back to the approaching ships, "another pirate."

"How did he know where we are," Lovino inquired in wonder.

Francis opened his mouth to reply, but shut it without a word under Roderich's shake of the head.

"Lovino, you stay in Roderich's cabin with him. Do not come out under any circumstances, you hear me?" Voice stern in the order, Antonio could not rip his eyes away from the horizon.

"What? Why-"

"Don't argue. Just go," Roderich ordered, turning his hard gaze to the boy, who head to the cabin sulking. "Will you be fine with Francis and Gilbert?" He asked Antonio, brows raised.

His voice was low when Antonio responded. "Yeah. It'll be okay."

"You should have told me when it appeared," Roderich muttered crossly. It was too late now. "Be careful. And don't irritate him Francis. I don't want a repeat of last time."

"Oh cher, if only I could promise that," Francis replied with a forced chuckle.

"Are you ready?" As he climbed down from his point in the crow's nest Antonio spoke to Gilbert.

"When aren't I ready?" Gilbert snickered and winked.

At such confidence Antonio grinned himself.

Not long later Arthur stepped onto the dock of the nearly empty deck of the Spanish ship, save Antonio, Gilbert, and Francis. He wore a bright red coat that ended mid-calf. Its folded back lapel was black with gold accents to match the similarly colored epaulettes at either shoulder. Beneath was a fine white gentleman's shirt with a lacy cravat and everything, cut partially by the gold chain holding an oval shaped jade pendant. The arms he held crossed over his chest showed the lacy ends of his sleeves, as he wore his coat draped over his shoulders, while its hem was hidden by the black pants and blood red sash that spilled down his side. His brown boots rose just short of his knees. To finish the ensemble was hid elaborate black hat, massive white feather and all.

When the Englishman spoke it wasn't quite near the scallywag clip as most others of his career were given to. It was closer to a refined English, though it had its Cockney tints. "How's it been, Antonio?" He asked with a lazily smug smirk.

"As good as it could be, Arthur." Despite the hardened look he'd held before Antonio now spoke for coolly himself, one hand calmly resting on the hilt of his sword.

The fear that had drained Francis' face of color earlier was gone as he smiled cockily and spoke in a singsong voice, "Replaced Alfred yet~?"

To this Arthur scowled considerably, but did not respond. Again he looked to Antonio. "I see you still haven't learned to control your men."

"I'm afraid I'm not as talented as you," Antonio replied sourly.

"I didn't realize having free thought was being mutinous," Gilbert added, sticking his tongue out childishly.

"I didn't realize you could perform the mere task of thought."

"You came for a reason, Arthur. What was it?" There was a bit of a glare now. Antonio did not enjoy having this man on his ship, and just as the blond had given his insult a pair of his men had climbed aboard after him.

"Oh, the usual," Arthur shrugged nonchalantly, "to tell you to get into shape and start acting your part. It was bad enough that someone like you had to take the role, and you've made it worse with all of your foolishness."

"Oh yeah cause everything is so serious with you in charge," Gilbert shot back for his captain.

France smiled and leaned against his albino friend. "It certainly was a lot of funny business when I was with you, mon amour."

"Yeah Arthur, don't insult us!"

With a wave of his hand Arthur ordered his men to stand down, both having already unsheathed their swords. All he did with the sword at his throat was stare back at Antonio. "It's a shame that you have no ability. You're supposed to have a fair bit. At least that's what the old wives tale says," he tapped above his own vibrant green eyes a few shades away from Antonio's, "however, I still cannot sense a single ounce of-" He paused, losing the haughty grin with surprised widened eyes. That wasn't possible.

Arthur shoved the sword from his neck. He didn't even care that'd he given himself a thin cut over his neck in doing so. Where was it coming from?

"Where are you going?" With a growl Antonio moved to intercept Arthur as he walked the length of the ship, only to be caught himself by one of the other pirate's men.

"What's his deal?" Gilbert whispered to Francis curiously.

The blond stroked his stubbled chin with raised brows. "He senses something..."

At the door into Roderich's cabin Arthur burst into only to stand in the opening and stare in, his

eyes instantly falling on the brunet boy in the corner. This was a new face. "Who are you?"

Lovino didn't have the chance to reply beyond a scowl before Roderich got to his feet with wide eyes. "Arthur! What are you doing here?"

"Who is he?" Arthur snapped.

"He is Antonio's servant. How did you get down here?"

"Antonio's servant?" The man repeated, his eyes not leaving Lovino. "Isn't this an interesting turn of events."

Arthur may have spoke again if it weren't for Antonio finally making his way down to them, leaving Gilbert and Francis the other two. In quick movements Antonio was in the room and practically throwing Arthur into a wall by his caught arm before he was on top of him, pressing him against the boards with a crazed look in his eye. He'd managed to get some blood on his coat from a few men above, some two or three joining when they heard the sounds of a fight. "Don't you dare touch him bastard!"

Even again met with that sword and now a truly murderous expression Arthur laughed in Antonio's face. "I see you've finally found one, huh? Good on ya!"

"Found one- hey!" Lovino got to his feet, ignoring Roderich's order for him to stay put, and stomped over to the pirate captains. "I'm here by choice! Fuck you! He just made me his servant because he's stupid!"

"Oh yes. So stupid." Arthur gave Antonio a smirk. On cue the Spanish male winced. In his being released Arthur gave Lovino a side glance. "Interesting indeed," he repeated before leaving.

"Who the fuck is that," Lovino grumbled.

"Nobody. He's nobody." Yells from the deck above were followed by departing footsteps. Grasping his wrapped arm, Antonio turned to Lovino. "Nobody."

"O-okay?"

Gilbert's shout didn't allow any more discussion between the two. "Toni! The eyebrows is talking about weird stuff about our kid!"

"Just ignore him!" Releasing a sigh Antonio collapsed into a chair, still tightly holding his arm. "Damn it all to hell."

"Antonio, are you okay?" Roderich rushed to his side and tore the bandages off.

The still healing burn now held its shape traced in slices to the skin, like a blade had been taken to it in slow precision. "That bastard," he growled, "knowing I can't defend myself."

"H-how did he do that?" Lovino gasped, kneeling on Antonio's side as Roderich grabbed fresh bandages. "He didn't even pull his blade!"

"Lovi how about you go up and see how Gil and Franny are doing?" Antonio suggest in another flinch of pain.

"If you insist..." Lovino slowly got up and head to the deck.

"What was he talking about?" Roderich asked the second the boy was out of sight. "Why did he seek Lovino out?"

"He may have," the truth made Antonio wince, he didn't like it at all, "what I'm lacking."

"You mean-" Roderich's eyes grew wide in disbelief. "But that would mean..."

"Yeah." Now Antonio narrowed his eyes at Roderich. "Don't tell him anything. He won't get pulled into this shit, not if I can help it."

"But Antonio, he may be what you need to get the upper hand in this battle." Roderich finished wrapping the fresh wound and met Antonio's eyes. "You would stand a chance being on a level ground, finally."

"He isn't part of this. He's even less connected to it all than I was. He doesn't... The boy doesn't need this on his plate," he breathed, remembering that helpless child that had clung to him. How could he dump this onto someone like that?

"But he's indebted to you and would take the responsibility anyways."

"Would he?" Antonio persisted. "Knowing all that comes with it?"

"He's a sweet kid beneath his scowling and curses," Roderich sighed. "He wants to help, be useful. Why not let him if Arthur believes he has what you need?"

"Because he could get killed!"

"He would have been dead if you hadn't brought him aboard."

"That doesn't give me the right to put him in that situation." A long, tired sigh left the man as he held his hands over his face, leaning it back and slumping in the chair. "It's hell Rod. All of the shit they put you through."

"I know Antonio, but you can protect him. And by using him you can finally end it."

... He let out a sigh through his nose. "Only if he agrees to it. I'm not forcing him into anything."

Roderich nodded, satisfied with his answer. "Just explain everything and ask."

"Yeah." Antonio looked at his newly bandaged arm. It still hurt. They always hurt for the longest time. "Yeah."

End of Chapter Three


Sorry for the wait guys! When it comes to plots… Well, we're more romantics than we are adventurers at times ^^; A pirate story calls for adventure and little quests to run off on. We chewed on this for a while. I asked my Bestie for help, and with one sentence an entire massive plot was born in my mind that only grew deeper as Haya and I talked it out O.o You have no effing idea. This was originally supposed to be pretty simply. Just exploring character psyches, backgrounds, and relationships with some stuff mixed in. Now it's just… A monster o.o So if you were wanting something simple I'm sorry :/ You've lost all hope

(Haya butting in. Just wanna say, subject for the emails going between us? PLOT SLAP. Oh yeah xD)

Parley = a discussion between enemies in which there's a promise that no fights will occur