Captain
Chapter Seventeen
Aftermath
Damn be it, I'm more of a liar then I thought. I think I got attached to that last crew more then any others. Sure miss Mullins, that ugly bastard.
Anyway, I'm back at my dad's manor. He's given up sailing, retired early. Wish he hadn't though, I sure miss the sea more then ever. Hell, I've given new and better meaning to the term seasick, I think. What I wouldn't give to see just one of the crew, I could care less if it's Mullins and he's got a bone to pick with me. Damn I wouldn't even mind being beaten to a pulp if it meant I got to see one of the old crew.
It's not like it was when I left the other ships. The other ships I'd been kicked off had left me with harsh words, and I'd always had another crew to move right onto. But now there's only dad and my new puppy Tinkerbell.
Since we live near the Baggins' Tavern I go and visit Mrs. Hibs sometimes, I even work there when I get real bored. It was such a laugh watching her expression when she recognized me when she came to take my order. She announced to the entire tavern I, Tristen, was back. It's still strange to me, hearing my real name after I grew so used to the name Trent. It's taken some getting used to, walking in these dresses as well.
So here I sit in the Baggins' Tavern. It's another slow day with barely any customers. My dad sits in a corner speaking with Mrs. Hibs, those two really been getting along keenly.
Suddenly the door to the tavern opens and I look over to see who it is. It's a boy, looks about a year older then my seventeen years. Seems familiar, his black hair down to his shined black boots. Behind him enters a man I recognize with a glance.
"Mullins!" I scream and run at the pair. Of course where there's Mullins there's Nat, the first boy I thought looked familiar.
Mullins looks over at me just in time as I throw myself at him, leaping up high enough to wrap my arms around his shoulders and squeeze him tightly. He chuckles real lightly; so much as a smile is unlikely of the great bloke. I pull back and stare into his smirking face in utter disbelief.
"Holy shit." I murmur as he gives me a good healthy, choking, hug before dropping me and staring down at me. I look over at Nat, who's still managed to grow and look more mature. "What're you both doing here? It's been half a year and I haven't heard one word about the-," but Nat quickly silences me by pressing my lips with a finger.
"After that last rendezvous over in China, the navy hasn't been given our crew any peace." Surprisingly it was Mullins that answered.
"You can pronounce rendezvous?" I asked mocking shocked. Mullins frowns at me but Nat chuckles a bit. I look back at Nat and he smiles back at me. "So what happened? You given it a year's silence before rearing yer ugly heads again?" Mullins cracks another smile that really does shock me.
"Exactly." Says Nat and chuckles again.
I give him a quick once over, taking in the proper clothes, the new stylish haircut. Which reminds me, I've grown my hair backs out, still bothersome as ever though.
"You look…" I trail off, not quite sure of the words I'm looking for, then I smirk as a few come to me. "You look like a lost pup." There's a special glint in his blue eyes at that saying. I giggle lightly as I hug him around the shoulders, though a lot gentler then I did to Mullins. I'm still short enough to stand on my tiptoes to come only up to Nat's shoulder, and slim but strong as a sapling, but I'm not sure Nat could take the sudden throwing of my lightweight at him. I'd probably knock him to the ground.
As I pull away from him though, surprisingly strong arms snake around my waist and I'll admit I'm shocked senseless at this. Before I can question Nat's doing he's kissed me full on the lips, and now I really have gone senseless.
But as soon as he'd started it he ended it and pulled back, though I could just glimpse his content smirk. Well I'll admit I'm a bit disappointed. Why'd he end it so quick?
"Tristen? Who are your friends?" Asks Mrs. Hibs from somewhere to my left and I'm not sure I'm fully aware she's really there.
"This here is Nat, an old mate of mine. The biggest and ugliest is Mullins…" I smirk as Mullins frowns at me once again. "No hard feelings Mullins, but I think you deserve the nicknames after breaking most of me ribs." I said, holding back a giggle as Mrs. Hibs gave him one of her most frightening glares. "No harm done Mrs. Hibs, over and done with. Dad!" I call to where dad sits observing everything. "You remember Mullins and Nat." I say, pulling out of Nat's grasp and going to stand behind Mrs. Hibs.
"Would you boys like anything to drink or eat?"
"Boys?" I murmur, glancing at Mullins who looks like he's thinking along the same lines.
"Bit of lunch sounds good." Says Nat. I nod and go off to get things ready, already knowing both their favorite foods.
A minute later I come back, balancing the tray of stew and chicken legs on the palms of my hands. Once I've set down the tray on their table both dig in like they haven't had decent food in a long time. I giggle before turning and walking off, over to help another customer whose just come in and sat down.
"Why haven't you asked her yet, boy?" I strain to hear Mullins' low growls.
Ask me? Ask me what?
"Shut up Mullins, you forget her sense of hearing?" At this I have to smirk. So Nat hasn't forgotten! I could always count on him, to ruin my fun.
Guess I'll find out then soon enough.
Five minutes later I arrive back at their table and sit down. Both have stopped whispering abruptly, which makes me know they were talking about me.
"How's Captain been?" I throw a glance over at my dad whose talking interestedly with Mrs. Hibs, but I know better. After all, I did inherit my sense of hearing from him, so I know he's listening intently. At that I have to smirk before looking back across the table at Mullins and Nat.
"Pain in the ass, as usual. We've docked here for a bit, Captain says we'll be here a week or two. Damn navy ships." Mullins glances at my dad and I giggle lightly, knowing exactly why.
"You've both changed so much! Nat you're looking proper, and by god Mullins, you're actually looking happy! Before I'd never seen you so much as smirk." Mullins smiles at this and again I'm shocked.
"That's because you were always about. I didn't trust you as far as I could throw you." I wince at this but try and cover it up with a giggle, I know better. Nat caught me flinch and by the frown he's wearing suspect he knows exactly why. "And I could throw you pretty far, aye?" He chuckles and I giggle along.
"Well you did make an impression!" He laughs a bit harder as I rub my firm abdomens. Even Nat's cracked a smirk.
"Always was one to laugh about anything." Says Nat and I have to agree.
"Wouldn't be the same if she didn't." Says Mullins and I stare at him, astonished. Though it's not exactly a complement, that's probably as good as I'll get with Mullins. "Don't look so shocked, wench. I still don't trust you any,"
"You had good reason." My mood darkens slightly and I avoid Mullins or Nat's eye.
"Cheer up, lass. You've got a good home, real family. Nothing to complain about." Says Mullins and I have to smile, but a bit pathetically.
"Got plenty to complain about. I planned on sailing until I'd trespassed every ship on water." As usual, when speaking about the ocean I throw a longing glance out the window where there's a great view of the ocean, though nothing like the harbor. "Never will get used to these damned land legs." I feel eyes burrowing into the back of my head and I know I must change the subject quickly. "Aw well, for once you're right, Mullins me mate. Nat, what's the matter? Since when you afraid of me?" I turn a glance to Nat who smiles awkwardly at me.
"I ain't afraid of yah." He says. My smile becomes a bit hollow as I guess the meaning behind his words. Does that mean he hasn't forgiven me? Not that I deserve it, he was my best friend and I did lie to him, even when he'd saved my life. "Don't look at me like that, I've forgiven yah, long ago. Sides, the entire crew had their guesses bout you."
"Damn he's right. Even on the hottest days you clung to that rag of a shirt of yours like it was a lifeline. Actually that's too bad. You've filled out nicely." Mullin says with a smile as his eyes begin to wander and impulsively I lift a hand and cover a bit. Out the corner of my eye I catch Nat throwing Mullins a real filthy look.
"Perverted old bat." I mumble and glare him right in the eye. Mullins chuckles a bit.
"Always knew how to spoil and old bat's fun." I giggle along with him.
"Miss!" Aw damn. "Miss!" Calls the other customer and I stand to go over and aide him.
"Sit down, wench." Growls Mullins and I raise an eyebrow at him. "Nat's got something to ask yah but every time he's getting the nerve yer always leaving him to dry." My eyebrow is now raised at Nat, who's blushing furiously and trying to cover it up by taking a long swig of his drink.
"Miss!" Calls the other customer.
"Shut up!" I snap and throw a threatening glare over at the man. Mrs. Hibs smiles kindly at me, which I can see out the corner of my eye, before she stands instead to go and aide the customer. I smirk and look back a Nat who's giving me a fearful eye but it's only a mocking fear, only a smaller man than he would be afraid of little old me. "Yer costing me Nat, spit it out already."
Nat glances at Mullins then takes another swig of his drink and averts his eyes. I throw a questioning glance at Mullins who only shakes his head then stands. He waits until Mullins has sat down at another table out of earshot before inclining his head a touch.
"You wanna spend the week I'm docked with me?" He murmurs so even I have to strain to hear him. I smile brightly at him.
"Course Nat. Wouldn't have it any other way, would I?" He looks up a bit but he's frowning, so I frown back at him. "What? Change yer mind already?"
"I meant me, you spend all my land time here, with only me." I raise an eyebrow again but he's got me to smile again. It's funny seeing him this shy when I've seen him flirt shamelessly plenty of other times. Maybe I should press his buttons a bit, for all time's sake.
"You asking me on a date then?" He blushes a bit but doesn't look away, only nods. "Like I said before, course Nat. Wouldn't have it any other away, would I?" Oh that got him to smile! Looks like a boy at Christmas now, he does. So without more of a warning I lean in and kiss him full on the lips, and now I'm the one blushing furiously. If only me dad and Mullins weren't here.
"That's me boy!" Mullins whoops. I try and pull back, embarrassed, but Nat's only deepening the kiss.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Well, how'd you all like it? I couldn't help it! But look at the bright side, it's only a teeny tiny lemon. Thanks so much for reading! And for reviewing, you all have got my gratitude and I really can't thank you people enough!
Disclaimer: I don't own Peter Pan. I do own any of my original characters, and the brightest side is I never have to put in another of these disclaimers! (until my next fan fiction-_-)