Pairing: Jack, Will (implied J/W)
Word Count: 400
Prompt: Master
Summary: Jack and Will find themselves back in London during the swinging years of the late 1960's.
A/N: Inspired greatly by a close friend's new series that takes our two immortal Captains to New Worlds.

Enjoy!

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Master of Appearances

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Bliss had begun on their very first evening in Swinging London in spring 1967; arriving two weeks shy of the release of Casino Royale, but just in time to mingle with the ever-growing mod generation, and the real reason fueling Jack's return to Her Majesty.

It was a time of enormous upsurge in creativity and optimism created by the gradual loosening of post-war asceticism, so Jack said. Suddenly, it seemed that London was full of innovators. Certainly not the London Jack remembered – not even close.

At a Friday night after-theatre party, Will noticed that Jack was being watched from afar by two gorgeous women who acted as his own personal welcoming committee.

Jack was indeed a master of appearances, but appearances were for appearance's sake, after all. The twinkle in Jack's eye shone for Will, calling to him with wordless charm. Yet, as Jack was cleverly distracted by foreign posh accents - that at first, he thought were put on - the two women slipped themselves under his arms, acquiring their perch for the evening.

Will thought they were prostitutes. Wrong. They were upper-class escapees, roaming in the swampy beds and pungent groves of London, complaining of bourgeois nonsense after every pull from their cigarettes.

Mind you, the same bourgeois that provided them with their ever-shortening miniskirts.

"It was no small thing to ask - forcing ol' whatshisface to step aside, letting a wanted man slip by the law unscathed and unnoticed. At the most, it would have certainly been a test of loyalty – along with gumption. Can't exactly say 'no' to the barrel of a gun, can you?"

Will rolled his eyes as he walked somberly behind the threesome.

"I could have taken him all by myself, but I didn't want him to lose that sword of his. Truth is; I felt sorry for him, and took him under my wing. I was convinced that by the third thrust at the door that he would fail at his little charade. The sword was only iron, after all."

Swift movement, a blade drawn, and cool iron to the skin Jack's throat was what scared the women away. "But there I was, standing against my adversary, after all."

"So you did. Though alongside said adversary presently. Your allegiances have certainly changed since then, have they not?"

Will withdrew his blade, huffing.

"It appears that we've worn out our welcome, William."

"Finally."

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