Ch. 14:

USUK

Alfred stood at the bow of the Joker. Watching the crew below fixing up the ship, as luck would have it they found a small island that came complete with a place to fix your ship and some small stores and houses. The crew talked about celebrating at the tavern when the ship was all fixed up.

Alfred had wanted to help them but more than one insisted he should just relax after the fight, he guessed they didn't want a recently scarred boy working with heavy equipment.

Alfred looked out at the stars. He couldn't get over this view. It was so beautiful and big. He used to hate how small the older kids at the orphanage made him feel. Joke was on them when he grew to be taller than any of them.

But now…he liked how small the sky made him felt, it made him think of the adventures to be had…the stories to be told…the treasure to be found.

And all treasure isn't just silver and gold, he thought as he heard footsteps behind him.

He turned to look and saw it was Arthur, finally up from his nap. The pirate looked awkward when he met Alfred's eye. Alfred wished he wouldn't; now he felt awkward.

"I didn't mean to sleep as long as I did," Arthur told him apologetically, coming to stand by Arthur's side and watch the stars.

"I don't think anyone minded," Alfred assured him, "You deserved it."

Arthur gave him a tight lipped smile, "Star gazing are we?"

Alfred nodded, "I really like it, the sky, the ship… It's all really amazing."

He hadn't meant to remind Arthur of the unbroken promise from years ago, but apparently he did.

Arthur shot him a shattered look, "I was going to you know. I had every intention of coming back to give you."

Alfred looked at him with surprise, "Why didn't you?"

"…I was on my way, years ago, not long after we first met. When we had a really awful fight with Antonio Carriedo, that Spaniard you met. It was during a storm, both sides of the crew died from wounds, some even fell overboard, I was nearly torn to shreds. And while I was lying in bed, slowly healing I realized how easily you could've died if I came and retrieved you. You were just a child and I thought life would be easier for you on land. But maybe I could've at least explained that to you. Instead I turned the ship around." He looked up at Alfred beseechingly, "I never wanted to break that promise, and I'm sorry."

Alfred's cheeks flushed slightly and he looked away, "Oh, no, don't worry about it. I'm over it."

Arthur stared at him, incredulously, "You're over it? You've been pouting for days and just like that…you're over it?"

"Seeing you get stabbed clean through made me get over petty promises from years ago."

Arthur winced, "Ah, yes, that."

That strange, confusing, tender moment hanging over them, it was something they needed to talk about but neither wanted to.

"Hey, Arthur," Alfred broke the silence a few minutes later. "Can you teach me how to fight with a sword?"

Arthur gave him a look, "What? Why?"

"Well, you're always going on about how Carriedo comes after you, and that crazy Viking guy might come back. I can't have you saving me all the time, I don't know if I told you this but I am considered a hero where I'm from. And…I really think it would be cool." The last was said with a blush and a childish smile.

Arthur bit back a smile, "Sure. I suppose that is a decent enough of a time killer."

Not twenty minutes later some of the crew, Lukas included, watch with rapt attention and amusement as Alfred continually bested their captain in sword play.

Arthur was trying to be a good sport as he slashed at the young man, only for Alfred to easily dodge and knock Arthur off his feet with the broad side of his blade. He was starting to think Alfred had lied about not being able to fight with a sword.

One of the crew pointed this out and Alfred smiled sheepishly, "I was always told I was a fast learner and one of the soldiers I knew was pretty good with a blade and taught me a couple of things."

Arthur scowled as he got to his feet, annoyed with his newfound bumps and bruises he tried to save face in front of his crew, "Well, it appeared I took a stabbing for you for no reason."

Alfred seemed a little distraught to hear that and Arthur swallowed his guilt, that was a little low, but his stab wound was still throbbing. "But, you may just be talented to join the Joker crew."

Most of the crew gave hearty cheers to that, Alfred had won them all over quite quickly. But the boy and Lukas just looked at Arthur with surprise; he himself was even surprised at the words that just came out of his mouth. He couldn't remember the last time he had personally invited someone to join his crew. Most of them were strangers that followed them from ports and bars.

Before Arthur could say more, though he hadn't been totally positive of what to say, a rain drop plopped on his nose and he looked up just as a downpour was starting.

"Alright men, let's hurry and make sure the ship's hull is covered them get out of this rain, I want this finished up tomorrow."

As he talked he didn't notice Alfred's fear as he saw the approaching storm, nor him dashing into the cabin.

An hour later, the wound of the ship properly covered for the night, Arthur walked into his cabin, dripping wet.

Opening and closing the door behind him he let out a sigh, "This storm is quite the annoyance…." And it had turned into a full-blown storm, full of lighting and thunder.

Stripping off his cloak and boots he approached his bed, ready to get some more rest which he desperately needed when:

"Alfred? What in heaven's name are you doing?"

The boy was shaking under the covers of Arthur's bed, apparently not hearing the captain.

"Alfred." Arthur pulled back the covers to see the trembling boy was pale as a ghost. "Come on Alfred, get up. You look like you ran smack into death himself."

Alfred wrestled the covers away from Arthur and buried himself back under them again; he made a small sound that sounded like a sob.

Arthur was now concerned for Alfred's mental health and feeling pity for his pathetic-ness. "Alfred…come now, there's no sense in acting this way."

"S-shut up, I-I'm not acting any way!"

"You're acting like a child Alfred, there's no need to fear a little thunder. It's only noise.

Alfred didn't say anything, not until another clap of thunder that made him yelp loudly and shaking violently.

Arthur sighed and sat on the bed, "Come now, Alfred, I need sleep. And so do you. It's just a little rain and sound. Honestly, the sea is scarier than a little storm."

"It's not just sound," Alfred moaned, "It's…it's…"

"Alfred. Thunder is the sound lightening makes. It's just delayed because light travels faster than sound."

Suddenly Alfred sat up and glared at Arthur, his eyes red and puffy, his face still pale with fear. "IT'S SCREAMS, ARTHUR! It is screams…" he hung his head, almost as if he was ashamed of the loud outburst.

Arthur, having slightly jumped from the yell, now furrowed his brow, "Alfred, I don't know who told you that but it most certainly is not true. Think about it. How does that even make sense? No human can make that sound."

Alfred shook his head as if frustrated, "I-I know it's not actually screams. But I…It's just…" Another clap of thunder had him sucking in a breath and diving back under the blankets.

I can't believe I'm about to do this, Arthur thought to himself as he wrapped his arms around Alfred, with his back on the head board he allowed the boy's head to lay on his chest where he could hear Arthur's heart beat-which was at a perfectly steady, normal rate thank you very much.

Alfred had gone rigid for a second from the sudden position, but a flash of lighting had him wrapping his own arms around the pirate and break into sobs, his face buried in Arthur's chest.

With a pitying look and a reluctant sigh Arthur spoke, "If I let you sleep next to me, can we both get some shut-eye?"

But to his surprise Alfred pulled out of his grip, "N-no. Sorry, Arthur. I won't be able to sleep tonight. I've never slept during a storm." He looked pathetically out the window where the rain turned the sky gray. "I'll-I'll go find somewhere else so you can sleep."

"Never slept during a storm," Arthur gaped. "Well, why? Why do they frighten you so much?"

Alfred turned away, "… My parents died during a storm… the-the kids at the orphanage told me every time I heard thunder it was their screams. I know they lied but it…it still scared me."

A sudden lump filled Arthur's throat at sight of the sad boy, "Alfred… wouldn't you think your parents would want you to be brave?" He had recalled how Alfred had called himself a hero.

The young man looked over his shoulder to give him a heartbroken look, "Yes, and I do try…I really do…"

"You don't have to try alone now, Alfred." Arthur bit his tongue, why did he keep saying stuff like this?

"… Sorry," Alfred breathed quietly. "You're tired, you need to sleep." He crawled out of the bed. "I don't want to bother you. See you in the morning."

"Alfred," Arthur furrowed his brow, "I don't know what kind of people you grew up with… But I absolutely refuse to let you be curled up alone somewhere shaking in fear." And he meant those words, which were terrifying.

Alfred stopped, "I'm sorry, Arthur…"

"Why? Alfred…just come here." He patted the bed.

With a heavy, shaky sigh Alfred sat next to him. "Because I'm a burden, because I want to be a hero but I keep letting people down, you… Matthew…"

"We'll find your friend," Arthur promised. "And besides, the only person you're letting down is yourself."

Alfred looked at him with confusion, "What do you mean?"

Arthur offered a small smile, "Just think on it. You'll figure it out. Now, let's at least try to get some sleep, yes?

"O-ok," Alfred agreed just as another clap of thunder sent him under the covers.

With a pitying smile the captain of the Joker crawled under the blanket with him, and put a comforting arm around the boy.

Alfred snuggled closer; he was so warm, like Arthur's personal furnace. "T-thanks, Arthur. You didn't have to do this."

"It's…It's no problem."

He felt Alfred smile against his chest, "You're a nice guy…" With the thunder still rumbling he flinched, but tried to put on a brave face.

"Not many would think that of a pirate," Arthur grinned softly. "Now try and get some rest."

"Right," Alfred said doubtfully, trying to scoot even closer. "Rest."

Arthur was beginning to drift to sleep when Alfred spoke up again.

"Hey, Arthur, earlier…did you meant it? About me joining the crew?"

Arthur was glad it was dark otherwise his blush would've shown. "I-I was only joking."

Alfred practically deflated and Arthur swallowed. "But, if you want to…after this whole ordeal is over. I wouldn't be against it."

Alfred didn't reply, just tightened his grip on the man. And Arthur went to sleep with the oddest feeling blossoming in his heart.