Title: Zatlatzonco
Chapter: Nine
Pairing: Jack/Will/Elizabeth
Archive: At my site (http://www.angelfire.com/ct/CheshiresCastle/) by tomorrow afternoon. The first parts at ffnet (under Cheshire), next parts will get there when they get there. Anyone else, please ask, first.
Warnings: Adult content, adult language, violence, SPOILERS for the whole movie, slash, menage-a-trois
Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as all of its characters, events, places, and plot points, are property of Disney. This is a non-profit fanwork for entertainment purposes only, and does not in any way take money away from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, or its owners. In fact, if anything, it encourages viewership and the purchase of merchandise.
Author's Notes: More Jack and Will. ^.^ Oh, and I should be posting at least once a week with a new chapter...I'm back from the workshop (as much as I hate that fact ::sigh:: It was so great)! I've already started on chapter ten, and am about a page into it. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed chapter eight since I've been away! And I'm sorry I haven't been here to comment on all the wonderful fics that have been posted!
IX
"There's bad luck again...leave you alone for a few months and you go and grow a sense of humor."
"You were the one who decided to leave me alone." Will winced as soon as the words left him.
Jack seemed to consider them, too. Exactly the thing Will didn't want: he had noticed the intent behind them. "Why were you and the little bit out here on the big bad waters all by your lonesome and on a merchant ship?"
They broke apart, just in time for Will to be jarred against a gunwall. Glaring, he slashed at a neck, jumping first onto the wall, and then flipping over the pirate. He noticed a quick glance--a clear order--given his way by Jack, and soon he was running up onto the poop deck, taking care of the enemy blundering around there.
"You never answered my question, mate." Jack was on the stairs, dueling with an opponent who had proven to be quite a good swordsman. But Will didn't worry, he had fought against Jack before, and knew just how skilled he could be. And Jack hadn't been trying to kill him.
Will swung his sword around wildly for a moment, taking his opponent by surprise, and then kicked him right in the groin. He winced in sympathy, patting the guy on the head before pushing him down the steps and into another man, who had been about to offer assistance. Captain Jack Sparrow gave his patented smirk as he ascended to the flatter surface of the poop.
"It was for me, a gift."
They were thankfully being given a moment to catch their breaths, Jack surveying the work of his crew with a critical eye. "Taking gifts from the lass, now? More of a pirate than admitted, ye are."
"It was a gift from Governor Swann, an engagement gift for the both of us." He sighed, in some ways Jack was right. Taking gifts from Elizabeth was taking advantage of the "treasure" he had so longed for, her money and her status being used for his own ends. The only thing that justified the trip in his head was that he wasn't the one who had decided upon it, had even protested against it.
Jack raised his eyebrows. He was still watching the pirates scurrying around the ship, seemingly searching for someone amidst the many faces. "And whys about would the kindly Governor be giving you lovebirds a trip?"
"Elizabeth asked him to." Will kept to short answers...they were the least likely not to get him into trouble. He knew it was a foolish thing to want; Jack Sparrow brought trouble upon anyone around him.
"And why for was the lovely Miss Swann asking for such a thing?"
"She thought I would like it."
"Ah," as if that answered everything. Maybe for Jack it did. Maybe he had an uncanny ability to read between the lines and find out that which Will wished to keep from him. "Because you seemed to be missing the sea?" So much for the "maybe".
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
"In a manner of speaking you were staring off into the distance every time at her fancy mansion, 'membering the feel o' the spray and the rock o' the ship." Jack stopped his searching, took a few swaying steps until he was right at the other's side. "I tolds you, Will, someday you're gonna have to square with the pirate in ye, savvy?"
"I missed the sea, Jack, not pirating," he clarified, but even his protest seemed to enliven Jack.
"But the excitement, what would the sea be without that? Action is what makes the blood inside you boil, what draws you back to the cold-hearted embrace of seafoam and salt water."
"Just because it's what you like, doesn't mean that is what I enjoy about the ocean. Sailing does not just regard piracy. There are many other occupations that would give me a life on the open sea."
"Aye. But none which calls to you so strongly, eh?"
Will was ever so thankful as someone noticed the two unoccupied men standing on the poopdeck. "I never said it called to me."
They both stood casually, and the wait seemed to last for entire minutes as the enemies ran up the stairs. There were three pirates, two of them lanky and tall (it was always amusing to see Jack seemingly so small against the taller males they would be fighting), one shorter and stocky. All brandished their weapons with yells.
Just before a cutlass came down upon Jack's neck he moved, swaying to the side and swiping his blade at the opponent. Will was quickly moving back and forth between a sword and a pirate who had grabbed a marlinespike at the last minute before battle broke. Of course he would be the one unfairly attacked when the captain of the Black Pearl stood within arms length of him.
He lost track of everything except his own fight. Too focused on the straining of his arm and the pains from small cuts and bruises painted over his flesh, he barely noticed when suddenly the man with the sword was gone. Standing in his place was the smirking vision of pirating legend, Jack. He had distracted the pirate with the marlinespike more than long enough for Will to finish him off with a single well-aimed slash.
"It does call to you," at first he was confused, but then was reminded of their conversation before the fighting once again started. He was surprised that Jack was displaying a better memory than him.
Will crouched down, cleaning his blade on the least unsavory piece of clothing which covered one of their fallen enemies. Jack continued on without acknowledging the glares Will shot at him from the corner of his eyes, "You wouldn't be as great a fighter, wouldn't take such pride in the work, if you didn't feel your father's blood within ye."
"What's your sudden interest in me? You have a full crew, and no need of a young blacksmith."
Standing, Will held his sword gently at his side, glancing down at himself and trying to make a mental tally of the injuries he had received. He was still excited from the fighting and unable to feel the pain that would surely hit him in a few hours, bringing with it not a few death wishes. That was always the case, but at least his body usually waited until he was out of danger to begin harassing him.
"Yes, I do have a full crew. All of them tried and true, with a few youngins in the mix." Jack once again looked down at the crew, watched their fighting and looting, pride glowing in his features. "I took note of what happened last time I had a crew on my Pearl: I made sure everyone is as trustworthy as a pirate can be."
Jack paused, following a fight with his eyes for a moment, mouth whispering encouragement to a twenty-something pirate with a saber. Will also turned his attention to the match, feeling an untraceable twinge at how easily it had distracted Jack. Watching the pirates was exciting, of course, but he winced every time blood was drawn or a bruise was made.
"Maybe," Jack continued after turning back to face Will, "I'm simply concerned about that loyalty. You may be a bit overeager about bravery and heroism, but I've trusted you with my life, and would do it again. You'd be a great match for this crew, mate. You'd get along with all of them, and they'd like you." He took a breath. "Savvy?"
Will was touched, in a way. Jack was saying things that no pirate should ever be expected to mutter, and obviously meaning them. From the serious look on Jack's face he knew that it was a matter of almost painful confession. "Savvy," was the only response he could give to that, but it seemed to cheer Jack up--making Will wonder if he didn't just agree to some deal he hadn't known they were making.
Chapter: Nine
Pairing: Jack/Will/Elizabeth
Archive: At my site (http://www.angelfire.com/ct/CheshiresCastle/) by tomorrow afternoon. The first parts at ffnet (under Cheshire), next parts will get there when they get there. Anyone else, please ask, first.
Warnings: Adult content, adult language, violence, SPOILERS for the whole movie, slash, menage-a-trois
Disclaimer: Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as all of its characters, events, places, and plot points, are property of Disney. This is a non-profit fanwork for entertainment purposes only, and does not in any way take money away from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, or its owners. In fact, if anything, it encourages viewership and the purchase of merchandise.
Author's Notes: More Jack and Will. ^.^ Oh, and I should be posting at least once a week with a new chapter...I'm back from the workshop (as much as I hate that fact ::sigh:: It was so great)! I've already started on chapter ten, and am about a page into it. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed chapter eight since I've been away! And I'm sorry I haven't been here to comment on all the wonderful fics that have been posted!
IX
"There's bad luck again...leave you alone for a few months and you go and grow a sense of humor."
"You were the one who decided to leave me alone." Will winced as soon as the words left him.
Jack seemed to consider them, too. Exactly the thing Will didn't want: he had noticed the intent behind them. "Why were you and the little bit out here on the big bad waters all by your lonesome and on a merchant ship?"
They broke apart, just in time for Will to be jarred against a gunwall. Glaring, he slashed at a neck, jumping first onto the wall, and then flipping over the pirate. He noticed a quick glance--a clear order--given his way by Jack, and soon he was running up onto the poop deck, taking care of the enemy blundering around there.
"You never answered my question, mate." Jack was on the stairs, dueling with an opponent who had proven to be quite a good swordsman. But Will didn't worry, he had fought against Jack before, and knew just how skilled he could be. And Jack hadn't been trying to kill him.
Will swung his sword around wildly for a moment, taking his opponent by surprise, and then kicked him right in the groin. He winced in sympathy, patting the guy on the head before pushing him down the steps and into another man, who had been about to offer assistance. Captain Jack Sparrow gave his patented smirk as he ascended to the flatter surface of the poop.
"It was for me, a gift."
They were thankfully being given a moment to catch their breaths, Jack surveying the work of his crew with a critical eye. "Taking gifts from the lass, now? More of a pirate than admitted, ye are."
"It was a gift from Governor Swann, an engagement gift for the both of us." He sighed, in some ways Jack was right. Taking gifts from Elizabeth was taking advantage of the "treasure" he had so longed for, her money and her status being used for his own ends. The only thing that justified the trip in his head was that he wasn't the one who had decided upon it, had even protested against it.
Jack raised his eyebrows. He was still watching the pirates scurrying around the ship, seemingly searching for someone amidst the many faces. "And whys about would the kindly Governor be giving you lovebirds a trip?"
"Elizabeth asked him to." Will kept to short answers...they were the least likely not to get him into trouble. He knew it was a foolish thing to want; Jack Sparrow brought trouble upon anyone around him.
"And why for was the lovely Miss Swann asking for such a thing?"
"She thought I would like it."
"Ah," as if that answered everything. Maybe for Jack it did. Maybe he had an uncanny ability to read between the lines and find out that which Will wished to keep from him. "Because you seemed to be missing the sea?" So much for the "maybe".
"In a manner of speaking, yes."
"In a manner of speaking you were staring off into the distance every time at her fancy mansion, 'membering the feel o' the spray and the rock o' the ship." Jack stopped his searching, took a few swaying steps until he was right at the other's side. "I tolds you, Will, someday you're gonna have to square with the pirate in ye, savvy?"
"I missed the sea, Jack, not pirating," he clarified, but even his protest seemed to enliven Jack.
"But the excitement, what would the sea be without that? Action is what makes the blood inside you boil, what draws you back to the cold-hearted embrace of seafoam and salt water."
"Just because it's what you like, doesn't mean that is what I enjoy about the ocean. Sailing does not just regard piracy. There are many other occupations that would give me a life on the open sea."
"Aye. But none which calls to you so strongly, eh?"
Will was ever so thankful as someone noticed the two unoccupied men standing on the poopdeck. "I never said it called to me."
They both stood casually, and the wait seemed to last for entire minutes as the enemies ran up the stairs. There were three pirates, two of them lanky and tall (it was always amusing to see Jack seemingly so small against the taller males they would be fighting), one shorter and stocky. All brandished their weapons with yells.
Just before a cutlass came down upon Jack's neck he moved, swaying to the side and swiping his blade at the opponent. Will was quickly moving back and forth between a sword and a pirate who had grabbed a marlinespike at the last minute before battle broke. Of course he would be the one unfairly attacked when the captain of the Black Pearl stood within arms length of him.
He lost track of everything except his own fight. Too focused on the straining of his arm and the pains from small cuts and bruises painted over his flesh, he barely noticed when suddenly the man with the sword was gone. Standing in his place was the smirking vision of pirating legend, Jack. He had distracted the pirate with the marlinespike more than long enough for Will to finish him off with a single well-aimed slash.
"It does call to you," at first he was confused, but then was reminded of their conversation before the fighting once again started. He was surprised that Jack was displaying a better memory than him.
Will crouched down, cleaning his blade on the least unsavory piece of clothing which covered one of their fallen enemies. Jack continued on without acknowledging the glares Will shot at him from the corner of his eyes, "You wouldn't be as great a fighter, wouldn't take such pride in the work, if you didn't feel your father's blood within ye."
"What's your sudden interest in me? You have a full crew, and no need of a young blacksmith."
Standing, Will held his sword gently at his side, glancing down at himself and trying to make a mental tally of the injuries he had received. He was still excited from the fighting and unable to feel the pain that would surely hit him in a few hours, bringing with it not a few death wishes. That was always the case, but at least his body usually waited until he was out of danger to begin harassing him.
"Yes, I do have a full crew. All of them tried and true, with a few youngins in the mix." Jack once again looked down at the crew, watched their fighting and looting, pride glowing in his features. "I took note of what happened last time I had a crew on my Pearl: I made sure everyone is as trustworthy as a pirate can be."
Jack paused, following a fight with his eyes for a moment, mouth whispering encouragement to a twenty-something pirate with a saber. Will also turned his attention to the match, feeling an untraceable twinge at how easily it had distracted Jack. Watching the pirates was exciting, of course, but he winced every time blood was drawn or a bruise was made.
"Maybe," Jack continued after turning back to face Will, "I'm simply concerned about that loyalty. You may be a bit overeager about bravery and heroism, but I've trusted you with my life, and would do it again. You'd be a great match for this crew, mate. You'd get along with all of them, and they'd like you." He took a breath. "Savvy?"
Will was touched, in a way. Jack was saying things that no pirate should ever be expected to mutter, and obviously meaning them. From the serious look on Jack's face he knew that it was a matter of almost painful confession. "Savvy," was the only response he could give to that, but it seemed to cheer Jack up--making Will wonder if he didn't just agree to some deal he hadn't known they were making.