A/N: Long time no see! Ok, ok, ok, thats not something to add an exclamation mark to. Thats a BAD thing. But, hey, its getting VERY close to the end, and I'm getting excited.
But! The ending isn't very clear yet, I have a couple of choices. The details are at the bottom, dont forget to vote!
Hope everyone is still here, though I doubt it. And, thats all my fault, I know it. So, without further ado, here you are!
Chapter 14: Storm Approaching
Thursday, May 21- Hermione – Draco's room
The morning after. It's that moment when you don't know what to expect or what to feel. It's that time of trial and confusion where truths are laid out, and lies turn cold. It's tense and frustrating, and it scared the hell out of Hermione. After all that's ever happened, she didn't want to make the mistake of being too confident of how he felt about her. She seemed sure he loved her, but there was always that chance. Always.
So as the rising sun lit up her face, Hermione crossed her fingers and kept her eyes on the man next to her. She watched him for signs of waking, and every time he shifted even a little, she would tense.
But, she found herself drowsing eventually. She was still held in his arms- he hadn't lied. So, warm and cuddled against his chest, right by his heart, she dozed off. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and her breathe evened. She relaxed, and dreamt of purple fields of lilies, and shades of gray.
Somewhere between waking and sleeping, though, she saw Draco. She saw his wolfish grin, his deep blue eyes, his rugged features. And, she fell in love all over again. He rubbed her back, and smoothed her hair. He talked softly to her, gentle and deep.
Hermione came slowly to, and found him grinning at her. "Good morning." She only barely caught herself from blushing, but a slight tint of pink spread its way across her face.
"Good morning," she answered, her voice barely above a whisper. There was silence for a long stretch of time. Hermione fiddled in his arms, but Draco seemed perfectly content. Unable to stand it much longer, the burning question flew from her lips hurriedly. "So, what now?"
Draco stared into space for a while, his face nearly unreadable. But, after practice, Hermione had learnt some of his hidden expressions. He stared vacantly; his eyebrows were scrunched a little. He was thinking. He didn't know. Hermione bit her lip, waiting patiently for him to work it out.
Finally, he turned back to her and asked, "Does it really matter?"
She opened her mouth to say something, but immediately closed it. Does it matter? Of course it matters! What on earth does he mean? "How could it not matter? I mean, I have to know… where do we go from here?"
Thursday, May 21-Draco – Draco's room
Where do we go from here? The question resonated through him because… he didn't know the answer. And he didn't like it when he didn't know the answer. Well, maybe he did know the answer, he was only afraid to say. But… he hated being afraid.
Dammit, this is confusing. Oh, did I mention he hated being confused?
"Well, where do you want it to go?" Her face was blank, and another wave of pink settled over her. He loved it when that happened.
"Where do I…? I don't… I mean… Well, you see that's hard. Because um…" She laughed uncertainly, and he could have sworn he fell in love with her all over again. The morning after is always hard. It always will be, but for once, he had an idea of what he should do. At least of what he wanted to do.
Hermione continued to babble about nothing, but Draco had tuned most of the rest out. He leaned down over her, cradling her in his arms, and stole a kiss. A long, sweet, absolutely delicious kiss. And he stole another, and another. He could taste her, and it was the greatest taste in the world. But, all good things must come to an end.
Afraid he would get carried away, Draco broke apart, but let his face still linger near hers. She was breathless and breathtaking staring back at him with her large brown eyes. "How about this. You be my girl, and make me happier than I ever remember being." He smiled, a little nervous she would reject him. "Hermione?"
She giggled in response, kissing him again and again.
Thursday, May 21- Draco- Pirate ship
She felt so small in his arms, but in his heart, he knew she was so much bigger. Her personality, her smile, she was as big as the world. And, that was probably what attracted him so much. She was the fire, and he was the moth drawn to it, hypnotized by it. He loved every second he spent by it, and worked only towards getting closer.
Honestly, he didn't have any clue what was happening to him, or what he was feeling. All he knew was that, for once on his life, he felt real again. Alive. The air was finally being pumped through him. He loved it. He loved her. And he couldn't get enough.
She wiggled in his arms, and he smiled down at her. She smiled back up at him, and the world was spinnig again. They continued to stare out at the open ocean, spread like the world before them. A world that had never given much of anything good to him, and now… now all his dreams had seemed to come true in the form of one person. And that person was leaning against him right now; cuddled in his open arms.
Draco wans't really the firmest believer in love, and just by glancing at him, he seemed a sharp, severe young man, but he knew better now. A few months ago he would have scoffed at the idea of love at first sight, or true love, or anything to do with love. He was strictly a realist. But now it was different. Everything else had changed, it was only natural that this would change too.
He could feel love at this very moment, and he knew it to be real. It was almost tangible hanging in the air. There were stars in his eyes, and he felt like a completely different person. Love had changed him, Hermione had changed him. And it was wonderful.
The pirate ship passed by calmly and smoothly. And everything seemed right. Everthing continued to flow right. And, everything semed to be going his way.
They spent the rest of the morning, and most of the afternoon just being with each other. They talked, they kissed, they were in complete bliss. Even the crew somehow knew to leave them alone- somehow knew what was happening. And they didn't seem to mind. Draco and Hermione spent the hours just loving each other, the same way they had the night before.
And that was the morning after.
Monday, May 25- Hermione – Pirate ship
Each day had its own rhythm. A steady, but still somewhat unpredictable rhythm. Get up, walk around the deck talking, help the crew with any chores and do what needs to be done, watch sunset, talk with the crew, and tell stories, and finally, fall asleep in each others arms. It seemed like nothing could mar the perfectness of each day.
This evening, Hermione was left to her own devices, though, during sunset. Draco was busy discussing some plans with his first mate, Montague. They were scheduled to make another stop. It would be another day and night, nothing long. She would meet another good friend, other bartender, and everything would follow as before.
Truth be told, though, not everything was sunshine and stars. She hadn't only been thinking of Draco the entire time. She had been thinking of home. Since that night in Draco's room, and their first kiss, she was brought back to wonder what she would do. What could she do? It seemed too late to go back home. She had a place in this crew, and they needed her just as much as she needed them. And, not to mention Draco. She didn't think she could tear herself away from him, ever. He was everything she never knew she always wanted, as corny as that sounded.
This ship, this crew, these people, they were everything to her. It was terribly regretful to leave her family and friends behind, but if they really wanted what was best for her, then they would understand her choice. The only problem was: how to tell them?
She doubted she could see them in person. Not only was that too painful, but if they refused, where would she be? Then again, she really wanted to see everyone one last time before leaving for a new life. She deserved to give them that at least. It was either see them in person or send a letter, and both had its good points and its bad points. She was so unsure.
Hermione needed to clear her head. To get all this worrying out of her mind. She had found her dream, right? She should be happier! She should be celebrating, not fussing about how to leave her old life behind.
Sighing, but smiling all the same, Hermione walked aimlessly along the ship's deck. She made small conversations with some of the men, but mostly avoided talking to them. It was calming being out there, with no one talking to you, and bothering your peace.
Sometimes, she could walk up to the bow, a soft salty breeze running through her hair. She would close her eyes, take a breath, and open them again, feeling freer than before. Without being able to see what she was standing on, she could imagine herself as a bird, soaring across the crystal blue waves, open to the world. That's what she loved so much about being on a ship. It was like she was away from the troubles of the world, exploring in her own little fantasy. Free.
That's all she ever wanted and it was the greatest thing in the world. Being free. No one to tell her what to do, what to say, how to act. Being with people she wanted to be with, and… loving who she wanted to love. Freedom was priceless and beautiful, and now, walking amidship, she felt as if she had all the freedom she could ever hope for.
Monday, May 25- Draco– Pirate ship
Draco wiped his brow. It had been a hot day, a hot week. It was as if winter turned to summer, skipping over spring. "So, we'll make port here, gather supplies, and Robert can drop off the rest of the money." Standing over a crude map of Europe, Draco pointed out the destination. Beside him, Montague grunted his agreement. "That all then? We should make it there in a day or two. Perfect timing too, looks like a storm's coming."
Satisfied that their plans were spread out so quickly, he glanced over at his long- time first mate. But there was worry in the face that looked back at him. Draco raised an eyebrow- a signal for Montague to talk, but he seemed hesitant.
"Well, Draco… it's about Hermione." He shifted a little on his feet, but forced his eyes to swing towards Draco. "She's… been here a while, and-"
"And what?"
"And… you know I like Hermione. It's just that she's been a long way from home for a long time. Her family is probably freaking out. And…"
Draco shook his head, disturbed. "I hope I don't know where you're going with this, Montague. I… I love her, and I'm not about to give her up, not even for her family."
"Yes, yes, I know, and that's not what I mean. We'd all love it if she could stay forever, but-. But sometimes when she's alone, and I can see the look on her face, I can tell."
"Tell what?"
Montague looked up at Draco, angry at himself for bringing this up. But it was too late to forget it. "That she misses them."
"Misses them?" He looked furious. "She can't miss them! I mean, she gave them up for me- us. She's a part of the crew now. She couldn't possibly think of going back now."
"No, Draco, she didn't give them up for us. Since when did she ever say that? Hermione was forced aboard, and she may have thought of staying, but I bet she's thought of leaving too." He tried to break it gently to Draco, he really did, but it didn't seem to be working.
"No! What are you talking about? She said she'd stay with me, she said she'd be mine! She wouldn't just leave… she wouldn't." Draco lost his fury in a moment of beffudlement. He slumped against the cabin wall as a smiling, laughing image of Hermione fell through his mind- caught for a moment, then disapearing through the darkness. He choked back a sob, amazed that she could make him feel this way. "She's going to leave isn't she?" He spoke in a soft, uncertain voice, the voice of a weary child.
"I don't know Draco, I don't know"
Monday, May 25-Higgs – Pirate ship
Higgs swung his legs over the ships rail, but tugged at the safety rope tied around his waist to be sure. The spray tickled his feet as they passed over another large wave. He fought down the urge to giggle like a little boy. If only he could be young again, young and strong. Well, the prime of his life may have passed, but he'd be sure to live the golden years through with as much joy as he could.
Glancing from side to side, he found Hermione staring pensively down at the churning foam, and barnacle filled hull. And, he saw something in her that he was always afraid he would find in himself. Wistful longing, and maybe a little regret.
Sighing, Higgs took one last joyful flirt with the waves, then hopped back on board. If he didn't tackle this now, he would fret over it all night. And, he wasn't going to kid himself. He was an old man and the loss of even a few hours would make him grumpy as hell.
Higgs untied the rope around his waist, then gazed into the clear blue sky. There were no clouds, and nearly no wind. But even still, he could feel something in the air. Something just a little… wrong. He could feel it, taste it, nearly touch it as it wrapped itself around him.
And, with an otherworldly sense, he knew what it was. A storm. A storm was coming, and it would be one he wouldn't forget. Maybe one he wouldn't survive. This was a unique storm, and it was fast on it's was towards them. He paused, and then returned his gaze to the woman caught in her own thoughts.
With a strange sense of clarity, Higgs walked by Hermione, and spoke as he passed. "You know, a very wise man once said: 'Love isn't something you can choose. Love is random, but love is great.'"
She blinked up at him, as if seeing him for the first time. The first time as the man he really was. "I don't get it…" she pleaded, hoping for an answer. Any answer.
"You can love a man, Hermione, but you can also love a friend, or family. And, sometimes, you love them so much, that you must choose between them."
She opened and closed her mouth, confused. She stared out ahead at the sea, thinking it over for a moment, and turned back to see him walking away "Wait, but…!"
But Higgs had already made his way from her. He'd done what he could. And, it was time to leave her alone to think it over-to choose.
Then, once again, he felt something, knew something. And, he knew that she could feel it too. She could feel the storm coming, and it wasn't going to be easy.
A/N:
Thats all for now! I just have one thing to ask- a vote. And, i hope you can get back to me on what you think soon. You see, I havent been updating a lot recently, and i feel really bad about it. So, a proposition. Vote on whether you want me to keep going with the story as I have been, or do you want me to take off a couple months, get ahead a couple of chapters, then get back on track. It's up to you!
And, one thast thing- one more vote. I have two endings in mind, and i cant decide which to use. The first one has action, but ends corny. The second one is more drama-filled, and a not-as-corny ending.
The action one will take 5-6 chapters, and the drama one will take 3-4. It's your decision, and i'll count the votes fairly.
Have a great weekend, byebye!
Tastetherain
