Thanks again for reading this. I didn't expect so many people to see it. I'm super excited. Anyways, I'd like to thank Mrs. Stockholm for being my beta. She's a wonderful writer and her feedback has been invaluable. As always, if you have comments please let me know.

Chapter 4

It was hard to believe that a nearly a year had already passed since the day that Lovino and Feliciano had joined the crew. Feliciano became like the cute little brother that many of the men had never even known that they had wanted. He was loved by everyone and Lovino was happy to see that he had adjusted so well. Still, he couldn't help but feel a hint of jealousy. He had hoped that with this new beginning, he would have been able to escape his brother's shadow.

Instead, he was just considered obstinate and lazy by the rest of the fucking crew. It was the same here as it was anywhere else. The only person that seemed to see past his name calling and clumsiness was Antonio. The bastard wasn't even bothered by Lovino's insults.

The thought of the way Antonio laughed it off, made Lovino shiver. It was something about the sparkle in the Spaniard's green eyes. Those eyes were always so full of life and understanding. They were the kind of eyes that would pull you in and get to know the real you.

"Are you going to stand there all day?" The voice seemed out of place as Lovino thoughts were interrupted. It took a moment to register that the very eyes he had just been thinking about were peering at him through sloppy brown bangs with an amused curiosity.

Lovino felt his cheeks get hot and he turned so that the other man couldn't see his blush. "What do you want, Bastard?" he asked trying to regain his composer.

"Well," Antonio started, the amusement obvious in his voice, "I was getting kind of concerned about you."

Lovino gave him a puzzled look which only caused the Spaniard to raise an eyebrow. He glared at Antonio and crossed his arms. He didn't like how the Bastard always seemed to take pleasure in his mistakes. It just made him angry.

"I sent you down here to get my map nearly a half hour ago," he said moving closer to the already flustered Italian.

Lovino's face reddened once again as he was overwhelmed by the captain's slightly spicy scent. He body screamed for him to back away, but he couldn't move. Just when he though he was about to burst, Antonio reached behind him and grabbed a rolled up parcel. Lovino hadn't even realized that he was standing in front of the desk until the man walked away with a smirk.

Antonio felt just a slight bit of guiltiness as he left the room. Not only did he feel guilty for teasing him like that, but also for the feelings he felt towards him. Lovino was too young and he knew that, but he couldn't help it. The boy was just too adorable when he was embarrassed. Still, that was no excuse. He shook his head, trying to free himself of the unwanted thoughts. He had important things to attend to.

As he reached the deck of the ship, he walked over to Carlos. He used one of the barrels as a table, unrolling the map and using his two daggers to hold it in place.

"The merchant ship is due to arrive here," he pointed to a small area on the map, "at some point today. We should wait here to ambush them."

"Yes, sir," the first mate nodded in agreement. "Just one question, sir." He hesitated as if unsure of how to ask. "What about the boys. They haven't actually been here during an ambush before. I'm afraid that they are sorely unprepared."

Antonio looked a short distance off towards where Feliciano sat with one of the older crew men. It seemed that he was listening to yet another tale of the adventures this ship had faced. The boy loved to hear stories.

"I think that it's time they learn. We can't keep them in the dark forever," Antonio didn't really want to allow them to be a part of this dangerous job, but he knew that Lovino was getting restless. He long to be a part of the action. Though, he was certain that he wouldn't allow his younger brother to be a part of this. "Lovino and Feliciano are old enough to decide for themselves."

"Old enough to decide what?" Lovino's voice was laced with impatience, it was clear that he thought that something was being hidden from him.

"Well, my boy," Antonio said turning to face him. "We're staging an ambush for tonight. You and Feliciano are welcome to join us if you want."

An expression of excitement flashed across Lovino's face before changing to fear and finally being replaced with his usual look of indifference. "You can't let Feliciano go. It's too dangerous."

"You can't protect him forever, Lovino," Antonio said. He knew what the Italian was going through. He felt very much the same, but about someone different.

"What do you know, b*****d?" He crossed his arms and sent a glare in the Spaniard's direction.

With a sigh Antonio spoke once again. "This time, I will give him something to do away from the danger, but next time, he will get the choice."

Lovino's expression changed slightly as he let out his breath. He didn't say anything, so Antonio continued.

"And what about you? Will you be joining us?" He hoped that the boy would say no, but he knew the answer before he had even asked the question. Lovino would never pass up the chance.

"Well, I can't let you idiots do this on your own."