It's been a while, huh?

Let me start by saying, I apologise for not updating for so long. It warms my heart to see people still reviewing, following and favouriting me and my stories.

I turn 17 this coming January and following that will be an onslaught of exams. So i have very little free time and don't wish to spend it forcing myself to write something. I've been writing for Avengers and Pirates of the Caribbean in the little free time I've got.

Whilst I cannot promise how long it will take, i will do everything I can to update my existing stories. However, that means they are on indefinite hiatus.

In the meanwhile, I'm trying to post a Pirates of the Caribbean story (one shot) but it isn't currently working. When it does, it will mean the world to me if you check it out. I have posted it on my new AO3 account (same name: KitoH) so if you want to read it before Fanfiction sorts out the problem here, go over there and give me your thought via PM here if you want. Also, i will post a short excerpt of it below for anyone to gauge if they'd be interested in taking a look, either here (if and when it uploads) or on AO3.

Thank you for your continuing support. I miss you guys.

Stay safe everyone.

KitoH.

You And I Are No Strangers - A Pirates of the Caribbean Fanfic

Jack stumbled into the office, shooting a glare at the men who had pushed him in with an unnecessary amount of force. He straightened up and saw Beckett, looking out of the window at his precious Black Pearl. "Remarkable! The last I saw of that ship, she was on fire. A blackened hulk sinking beneath the waves."

— — — — — —

18th March 1715

— — — — — —

Jack squinted as he was brought on to the main deck of the ship. It was a bright day, the complete opposite of how he felt.

His hands were tied up in front of him and if he tilted his head slightly, he could see the 'P' that had been burned into his skin. It was still raw and if he moved his hands too much, it would become unbearably painful. Mercer had held the branding iron in one place for longer than necessary. Jack knew that it would never turn into a proper scar.

Gritting his teeth, he looked up and furrowed his brows when he saw his ship, the Wicked Wench, not too far away. He turned around and saw the coast about a mile behind them.

Almost as if answering the unspoken question, Beckett appeared, ordering, "Prepare the carcass charges."

Jack quickly realised what was going to happen. "She's just a ship. Made of wood, and canvas. You're going to destroy your own property? Just to get back at me?" Maybe he could convince Beckett this was a bad idea.

Unfortunately, Beckett's reply indicated he wouldn't be swayed.

"She's not just a ship to you, Jack. And yes. That's precisely what I am going to do."

"You're like a child." Jack spat. "An overgrown, angry child. Just because you can't have what you want, you do this. It's...twisted. Mad."

Beckett leisurely strolled up to Jack, until he was right in front of the recently branded pirate. "And what is it that I want, Jack?"

"Fear. Love. Respect. None of which you will get from me."

Beckett shook his head. Whether it was in amusement or disappointment, Jack would never know because a moment later, Beckett gave the order to fire.

"NO!" Jack jumped, making the men holding him lose their grips on his arms. One stumbled backwards whilst the other lost his footing and fell overboard after Jack. Once underwater, he swam as fast as possible.

All of his possessions were on that ship. The tribute he had been give after the Battle Outside the Devils Triangle, the bandanna Esmeralda had gifted him the last time he saw her. They may have seemed like silly trinkets and Jack's disdain of his past as a pirate should've meant he would be happy to see them gone. But as he swam towards the Wench, he realised the few things he treasured were either on the ship or was the ship. He had to try.

Jack felt something pierce his shoulder and instinctively opened his mouth to yell in pain. Water rushed into his mouth and he was forced to surface. Gasping, and struggling to stay afloat with his hands still tied together, the disoriented Captain tried to work out what had happened.

"FIRE!" Apparently, Beckett had recovered from the shock of Jack diving and had ordered his men to open fire.

Jack took a deep breath and then dived again, going deep enough that the bullets couldn't reach him.

Ahead, he could see the ship slowly sinking. He had to be quick otherwise it would become unsalvageable.

Jack didn't say a word nor did he move from his place in front of the door as Beckett mused aloud.

"It's curious. Your friends appear to be quite desperate, Jack. Perhaps they no longer believe that a gathering of squabbling pirates can defeat the Flying Dutchman.

And so despair leads to betrayal. But you and I are no strangers to betrayal, are we?"

He ignored the bait. At the mention of the Dutchman, Jack realised this was an opportune moment to look for the heart. He walked over to a dresser decorated with trinkets and fancy containers. He opened them one by one, without saying a word. Beckett had yet to turn around.

"We had a deal, Jack." Beckett sighed tiredly. "I contracted you to deliver cargo on my behalf,"

— — — — — —

3rd January 1710

— — — — — —

The Fair Wind bobbed on the water, not more than half a mile from the port. Beside Jack were two other young men. The three of them were here for a job on the ship.

"Think he'll accept us, Jack?"

Jack grinned at his companion. "If he doesn't, Robert my friend, then you have full permission to toss me overboard."