My sleep was a comfortable one and I awoke in better spirits than I had imagined possible. I rolled up my bedding and cautiously made my way towards Flints room. I listened at the door for a moment before gently opening it to look inside. The captain remained in his chair next to the window, although now he was asleep; his body slumped in a most uncomfortable fashion. A half empty glass and bottle were set before him, along with another that was entirely empty. The rum had done it's work.
I moved into the room and a board creaked loudly under my weight. I worried that I might awaken him but his sleep was deep. Standing before him I considered what to do next. Now would be the time to end him, if that was still my intention.
It was not, I knew that as I looked upon him, curled in a state of sorrow and inebriation. Instead I moved to hoist him out of his seat, he mumbled some as I took him into my arms and slung him over my shoulder. I carried him easily to the bed. Carefully I placed him down, laying him flat and was surprised to find his eyes on straightening, half open and locked to mine own.
"Serving your captain once more." He smiled gently, "You always were a far better pirate than us all."
I knew not what to say and stood motionless. These words had set of such an ache inside myself. His cool, calm inspecting eyes flit over me. "Your hand, is it well enough?"
"It's not broken." I croaked.
His concern was unexpected and caused me to blink awkwardly.
"That's good."
His face looked tired. "Lie next to me until I sleep again Billy."
I struggled to understand this new command.
"What?"
Flint smoothed his hand over the blanket, motioning.
"Here."
There were no earthly reasons why I should entertain his request, in fact there many reasons why I should not, yet I found myself moving onto the bed to lay beside him.
At once he moved, rolling towards me, draping an arm across my chest.
His body lay hot against my side, his face on my shoulder, just below my own.
I stared at the ceiling, sure that he could hear the noise of my heart beating wildly in my chest.
We lay together in silence with only the birdsong from the open window interrupting our hushed embrace.
After a while I was able to relax a little. I noticed his breath against my neck, the feel of his hand resting on my breast and found that it gave me great peace. I liked this intimacy a little too well. In honesty, I felt as though a weight had been lifted from my tired bones, I found myself longing for him to move his hand to caress the back of my neck as he had done before.
The sound of his breathing became that of someone who had passed into sleep, tentatively I moved away, detaching myself.
I had to clear my mind.