If there were one thing that Francis discovered over the last couple of days, it would be that he hated Alfred F. Jones. Why, he couldn't determine exactly. Perhaps it was the mere sight of him close to Arthur. Perhaps it was the way in which he looked at the captain- that charming smile and twinkling blue eyes.

Or perhaps it wasn't how Alfred acted around Arthur. Maybe it was vice versa. The way Arthur's cheeks would turn a gentle pink whenever Alfred smiled at him, the way he would watch him leave when he thought no one was looking. Maybe.

One thing was absolute. Francis hated Alfred. Despised may be a better term for this emotion. Yes, that would suffice.

Alfred, of course, was oblivious to this. Like he would to everyone else, he would smile at the first mate and wave at him happily with that brilliant smile. It was though nothing could bring him down, despite his situation. Though he would make a few French jokes now and then, they were all in good spirit (even if Arthur found them absolutely bloody hilarious).

As much as he wanted to, Francis didn't let his hatred show. He was French, from the country of l'amour! He was a lover, not a fighter, as he would often insist no matter how much this contradicted itself when the crew found themselves in a battle. He wouldn't retaliate to Alfred's obnoxious comments though said American had no idea much he was irritating him.

Francis was glad for Tortuga for a number of reasons. The first obvious reasons were sea, sun, and sex. It was that simple and it didn't need explaining. The last reason was that because Arthur had let them off the ship, and they could do whatever the hell they wanted once they'd completed chores and such, he barely saw Alfred. But this was also a bad thing because Arthur had insisted Alfred stay by his side at all times for the duration of their time on land. Francis had no choice but to grit his teeth and deal with it the best he could.

However, that being said, Francis had been planning revenge. Francis wanted Alfred off the ship and away from Arthur. He wanted Alfred out of their lives forever and then things could go back to how they were before. The way Francis liked it.

Another reason Francis now liked Tortuga, was that when Arthur came back to the ship the previous night, he told Francis that he had encountered 'that idiot Spaniard' in Feliks' tavern and this put Francis in such a happy mood he could dance around if he wanted to. But he didn't want to, so he did no such thing.

The next day, Francis arranged for them to meet in Feliks' tavern in the afternoon. It had been a long time since he'd seen one of his oldest friends and he thought it was about time for a catch up. Francis sat at a table, a little early for their meeting, and watched out of the window with a vacant expression.

The tavern door opened and Francis looked up and a smile plastered his face as he saw the familiar face of his friend.

"Antonio, mon ami! It's been too long!" Francis exclaimed as he hurried towards his friend and held his arms out for a hug. Antonio smiled in return and embraced him quickly and said in reply, "Si, too long indeed. I trust you remember Lovino?" he indicated to the scowling young man beside him. Francis chuckled.

"How could I forget," he made to move closer but Lovino backed away quickly and glared at him.

"Come near me and I will destroy your most prized possession!" he spat as his glare intensified. Francis just smiled, though the threat unnerved him. Lovino was deadly serious and Francis really didn't want to loose his prized possession. How else would he be able to show his love?

Antonio pouted at his first mate, "Lovi, be nice."

"No! And stop calling me that, you stupid tomato bastard!"

Ah, so affectionate.

Francis shook his head, "You haven't changed one bit."

Antonio decided that the tension between his two friends was a little too much to handle so he decided to try and lighten the atmosphere by asking, "So, who would like a drink?"

Lovino merely shook his head but Francis decided to take him up on that offer.

"Wine, s'il vous plaît."

Antonio nodded with a bright smile and hurried towards the bar. Lovino huffed once again and brushed past Francis and took a seat at the table he was previously sitting at.

The Frenchman followed and sat opposite him and smiled a bit but his smile was only returned with a glare.

"So…" Francis began, trying to make some kind of conversation with Lovino, "Have you heard from your brother lately?"

Lovino's glare darkened and he snapped, "No! And don't talk about him."

Francis sighed. That failed, didn't it?

Luckily for him, Antonio returned to the table with their drinks and sat next to Lovino and placed Francis' wine glass in front of him. He looked between them and wondered why they didn't get along. Well, he knew why, but he didn't want to go there.

"So, how is everything?" Antonio asked, "I saw Arthur yesterday."

"Yes, he did mention your meeting," Francis replied and took a sip of his wine, "Life is… tolerable, I suppose."

"What is bothering you?" Antonio asked. Lovino wasn't interested in their conversation and he looked out the window again with a bored expression. Neither of the two noticed. Francis ran a hand through his silky locks and sighed deeply.

"Many things, mon ami, none of which you could help me with."

"Perhaps talking about them may help?" Antonio suggested with a small smile. Francis held his wine lass up and inspected the liquid within it before looking up.

"I take it you have met our new 'addition' to the crew?" Francis asked and Antonio nodded, "Si. You are talking about Alfred?"

"Oui, the one and only apparently…"

"I like him, he seems nice," Antonio smiled, "Is he bothering you in some way?"

Francis merely looked up at him and Antonio smiled knowingly, "He's getting in the way, isn't he? With Arthur?"

Francis narrowed his eyes and nodded. Antonio shook his head, "And you don't know what to do about it?"

"I have been thinking of ways to… dispose of him, but none would work."

"Throw him overboard…" Lovino piped up and spared Francis a brief glance before looking back out the window. Antonio laughed and patted Lovino's head, which in return his hand got slapped and he was glared at.

"I wish I could, mon cher, I wish I could."

"I don't understand why you hate him so much," Antonio sighed.

"If only you knew the truth…" Francis said quietly and Lovino lanced over at him.

"The truth about what?"

"Alfred. You both really have no idea."

Lovino shrugged, having not met Alfred. Antonio however, looked confused.

"Alfred told me his ship was attacked and Arthur rescued him."

Francis laughed, "Really?"

The Spanish captain was now suspicious, "Francis… something doesn't feel right."

Francis looked down into his wine glass again and inspected the liquid once more before replying, "Alfred hasn't been honest with you."

Antonio looked as though he figured as much. He'd guessed this when Francis started to laugh, "So… what is the truth?"

"It is a secret that I shall tell you both with the trust that you do not repeat what I am to say," Francis stated and leaned in a bit closer. Lovino had now given the Frenchman his full attention and both he and his captain leaned in a bit too in order to hear Francis clearer.

"Alfred Jones works against pirates. He is our enemy. Arthur and the crew attacked his ship one day in order to kill him but instead, for some bizarre reason, he did not and is now forcing him to work on the ship."

Antonio and Lovino looked at each other, both shocked. Antonio more so because of the lie Alfred had told. He had trusted him with his own story too.

"So why haven't you killed him yet?" Lovino asked, rather shocked that Francis hadn't taken matters into his own hands.

"I would, if Arthur wouldn't shoot me where I stood if he ever found out. If he ever found out about what I'm telling you I am surely doomed."

Antonio sat back against his chair and looked thoughtful for a second. Lovino glanced over at him and asked, "What are you thinking?"

A shadow passed over Antonio's face and he smiled a bit, "Francis, I think I know someone who can help you…"


Francis was happy.

He was so happy there was no way he could put it into words.

He returned to the ship before sundown wearing a smug smile.

From the railing, Alfred looked over at the first mate and being oblivious to the reason behind his smirk, he waved at him with a bright smile, "Hey Francis! Where have you been all day?"

Francis looked over at him and his smirk broadened slightly, "Oh, nowhere, mon cher. Just… getting reacquainted."

Alfred shrugged and looked back out to the horizon. Francis noted that he liked to look at the sunsets.

"Goodnight, mon cher," Francis said and walked across the deck and inside the ship. Alfred waved again, "Night!"

Francis walked into his cabin and locked the door behind him. He was still smirking.

Oh he was very happy. Very happy indeed.


A/N: Oh no, what's this? Francis is plotting something with Antonio? D:

And at last, after being mentioned so many times, Lovi makes his debut!

I just want to thank you guys for your suggestions for Ivan, and I have chosen my favourite idea. I won't say, though, because I don't want to ruin anything! ^^

Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you continue to review and whatnot.

Have a nice day!

~Iggy :)

Edit: Corrected minor grammatical errors :3