Title: The Past Never Lets Go.
Summary: The past never truly dies, it's always there. The sequel to "The Rewrite" but if you haven't read it you don't really need too.
Chapter 7/?
Writer: Azure K Mello
Distribution: ask.
Rating: R for now.
Will walked slowly along the streets where he had grown up. After leaving Elizabeth he had had every intention of going directly back to the ship but he was enjoying this pointless wandering. It gave him time to think, brood. Was his father alive? Was it even possible for the man to be dead? Was he still under the curse or had Will broken it for him? Did Will want to see the man? How would he compare to the father he had created for himself in his own mind? Would his father like him? Would Jack leave him? Will had always been good at sensing things, changes in the wind. And for some unknown reason he was positive that his father was alive and on his way. And, as shameful as it made Will feel, he didn't want to see the man.
Distracted, he only realized that he was being followed when a blade flew over his shoulder and hit the ground. Thrown with a huge force the blade twanged and planted itself in the earth. With a slight smile Will didn't turn around as he said, "You missed, Commodore."
"What a pity," came James Norrington's voice, "Maybe I'll have better aim next time. . . I saw some of your. . . companions this morning. I was wondering when you would turn up."
"We're having a day off," he said with a slight smile. No one knew about James and him. James had held himself responsible for Will's actions while the boy grew up. The man's mind was so firmly rooted in matters of honor that he had felt it was his duty to take Will under his wing. And as the boy grew up they had become friends. Society would never have understood. It just wasn't on for two people of such different classes to care for one another. But in many ways, James Norrington was the closest thing to a father that Will had ever known. At times they had disliked each other, fought for Elizabeth's attention but that didn't stop them caring about each other. Will knew that Norrington disapproved of his choice to become a pirate but he also knew that James trusted him not to do anything wicked. After all Will was a moral man and Norrington knew that, he had instilled most of those moral himself.
"Are you happy, William?" the question shocked Norrington as much as it shocked Will. People did not discuss personal matters in the street. However, James didn't foresee having a conversation with Will anywhere but in the road and it needed to be asked as the young pirate didn't look well.
Before he even opened his mouth Will knew he would be lying, "Very."
"Because you could come back. You have a place here." James could see the boy was miserable and wanted to save the man he still viewed as a child.
Laughing Will said softly, "Don't lie, James. This isn't where I belong anymore."
"You could stay, within a few weeks it would be as if all this never happened."
"I want it to have happened. I don't want to make all this time null. My life is with the Pearl and Jack."
James didn't like to think about Jack and Will. As a Christian he feared for Will's soul. He didn't want this boy to burn because of who he took to his bed. But he wanted Will to be happy, he had such a miserable childhood growing up in the forge, he deserved to be happy. But he wasn't. Though people wouldn't believe it James was a forward thinking man. He couldn't see God damning Will for finding happiness. But Will wasn't happy. "Your life could be here, with Elizabeth at your side and making the best blades in all the Caribbean."
"And I would be miserable," said Will with a heavy sigh. He thought of the conversation from easer days when they would argue about books and politics. When they would have to agree to disagree. He had never thought there would come a time when they would have to agree to disagree about his lifestyle. "I can't be anything but what I am. And I can't have any life than that which I was destine to have." And even as the words left his mouth Will saw the truth in them. His place was at Jack's side regardless of whether or not the man loved him. It was how things were meant to be.
Will slid silently into bed and kissed Jack's forehead. The man looked peaceful in his sleep. Will was pleased that Jack seemed to not be having any dreams. Dreams for Jack were never pleasant experiences. He was startled when Jack spoke with no sleep in his voice. "A letter came via messenger. We're wanted in Tortuga."
"Who wants us?" asked Will softly. It was not uncommon for them to get summonsed to someone presence. People always wanted Will and Jack to attend their dinners. After all the pair were the pirate equivalents to royalty. What was odd was Jack's willingness to go. It was rare that they ever headed any of the invitations, they were too busy for stuffy dinners.
"I don't know. It was signed "a friend" sort of intriguing. Didn't say much in the note."
"Who was it addressed to?" sometimes they had wonderfully imaginative headings. One had called Jack "Sir" another had referred to Will as Jack's chattels.
"Just me. Sort of odd that."
The hair rose on Will's neck and he had the most disgusting feeling of certainness as to the identity of the sender. He told himself he was being a fool and tried to find sleep.