"Ye might not want to be doin' that, mate."
Will's body immediately tensed and he whirled around on his heels, the sword still extended in front of him. He rolled his eyes and let his shoulders fall slightly when he saw Jack Sparrow standing in front of him, his kohl-lined eyes wide and his hands held up in the air, surrendering to the tip of the blade held only inches from his face.
"Is that any way to greet yer old captain?" Jack grinned and gave all of his fingers a small wiggle.
Will held his ground for a few seconds, scolding Jack with his eyes. The pirate frowned, drawing his eyebrows together, and Will laughed. He dropped the newly finished sword on the ground and pulled Jack into a hug.
"Jack!" He released his hold on the captian and pushed him back slightly, keeping his hands on his shoulders. "What are you doing here?" he asked with a broad grin.
"Happy to see me?" Jack lifted his head triumphantly, and for the first time, Will noticed that Jack looked slightly...different.
"I see you have a new ornament you decided to add to your clothing," Will commented.
Jack gave him a puzzled look, and then nodded vigorously. He rolled his eyes towards his left shoulder, and at the bright red parrot that rested on top of it. "E's my pet!" he declared triumphantly. Will nodded, trying to suppress a laugh as Jack turned his head towards the parrot and began to speak to it in hushed tones.
"Keeping secrets from me, Jack?" the blacksmith asked.
"No, no, o' course not. I was just sayin' to Will that..."
Will cut him off with a wave of the hand. "What?"
"I said, I was tellin' Will..."
"You named your parrot Will?"
Jack flashed his gold teeth in a broad grin. "I couldn't resist, mate. Last time I saw ye, ya had just as many feathers on that hat o' yours as Will here has coverin' his entire body."
Will glared at Jack. "Well, I can see seven months hasn't changed you at all, Jack. Staying out of trouble?"
" 'M a pirate, mate." He paused. "But I try. Let's just say I 'aven't been charged with a hanging lately."
"Glad to hear it."
"What about you, young William?" Jack placed his elbow against a wall and leaned into it. "Got yer own smithy now, ey?"
Will nodded, smiling slightly. "And my own house, and my own wife."
Jack grinned. "So, ya did manage to steal the wench...I mean the...Elizabeth..." He paused, looking up in thought. "...steal her away from Norrington?"
Will didn't reply, only smiled again. "I'm glad you came back, Captain Sparrow," he said. Jack bowed his head slightly in response and gave Will a sad smile that puzzled the younger man. "So..." Will continued, looking to the ground momentarily. "Why did you come back?" He looked up, worry suddenly in his eyes. "You could be killed! Jack, you're going to face that noose again if Norrington..."
"Oh, don't bloody worry about Norrington," said Jack, waving his hand in the air in dismissal of the idea. "You forget." He took a step towards Will and leaned in slightly. "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow."
Will couldn't help but grin at Jack's words, as well as his scent. No, it wasn't floral. It was...it was...
"Well, I should be on me way." Will's thoughts were interrupted by Jack's voice. The captain took another step towards Will, leaving hardly any space between them.
"You won't stay?" Will asked.
Jack shook his head. "Really 'ave to be going." He tilted his head and kissed Will on the lips roughly. Will pulled back in shock, and Jack grinned. "Give that to Elizabeth for me," he said.
And with that, Captain Jack Sparrow was out the door and gone again, taking one Will with him and leaving the other behind.