Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters used, the world of Harry Potter and everything involved with it belongs to JK Rowling.
Hogwarts - Assignment 2: Medicine: Preparations - Task #4 Injections: Write about someone or something that gets under someone's skin.
Auction - Day 1: Auction 3 - Scobberlotcher
Summary: Regulus is too tired to be dealing with James and his teasing ways.
The docks were rammed. A fleet of over fifty pirate ships had made their way into the harbour over the course of the evening, slowly filling up the space until there was barely any room to breathe. Regulus didn't have the time to be dealing with such a crowd, he could feel the incoming headache at having to try and navigate the ship out of such a contained spot. Regulus was lacking the patience to be dealing with such things so early in the morning.
Shifting his scarf over his left shoulder he proceeded down the rickety dock, ducking and diving to avoid barrels of rum, wicker baskets filled with rations and the odd flying fish. He didn't get paid enough to deal with such chaos. He clutched at his pouch of coins, just enough to pay for the rations they were set to collect before setting sail late that morning. There was no trusting anyone around these parts, sure there was the surface level jovial behaviour between different crews, but when it came down to it they all had their own Captains, and they were loyal to them. You couldn't trust a pirate, and Regulus definitely didn't trust any of the surrounding lot to not pilfer a few extra coins if the opportunity presented itself.
Rounding the corner of the docks, he was faced with the beautiful sight of his home. Y Llong Môr-leidr. The Pirate Ship. Damn it, he would never forgive James for that. No matter the less than original name, she was a stunning vessel. Not as large as many would expect from a ship with such a ruthless reputation, but the pair of masts stood tall while the sails billowed in the steady, yet forceful wind. She looked as if she had been dipped in oil, completely pitch black in colour. She was the danger lurking in the shadows, an omen of death. Perfect for attacks in the dead of night. Regulus loved her with everything he had.
Making his way up the gangplank with swift and practiced steps, he couldn't help but to give a loving pat to the side of the ship. The rest of the crew were busy collecting the last of their goods, and trading off the pillaged riches from their recent trip. Coin was needed if they were to have enough food to survive them weeks on end out to sea, and their coffers had been slowly growing bearer with every trip they took. More Navy vessels had begun to plot alternative courses, and it had become harder for them to find ships to take advantage of.
"Ah, Reggie! You're cuttin' it a bit fine aren't ya?" If there was one person who could both bring a smile to Regulus' face, and then immediately wipe it away, it was his Captain. James Potter. A tall and willowy man with a tangle of brown curls haphazardly tucked underneath his hat, bright hazel eyes that were constantly filled with mischievous adventure and a wry smirk that permanently tugged at his lips. He cut a handsomely intimidating figure as he leant against the mast, fiddling with the cuffs of his long leather coat while those vivid eyes of his continued to track Regulus' every step onto the ship.
"Captain," Regulus acknowledged. "It's pretty crowded out there, it took longer than I expected to make my way around this lot." With a vague wave of his hand, he gestured behind him and towards the rambunctious crowd of both pirates and merchant traders.
"Hmm, I suppose I can let it slide for today," the Captain mused, shrugging himself upright as a wicked twinkle glinted in his eye. "But I best be seeing you do some actual work today Reggie boy, we'll have no scobberlotchers on this ship, I tell you now."
Regulus' jaw dropped. For a moment he thought he had misheard his Captain, had he actually referred to him as such a thing? The twinkle in James' eyes and the grin tugging at his lips told Regulus enough, he hadn't misheard him at all.
"A scobberlotcher?"
"Aye, since your promotion I've been feeling that you've not quite been working your hardest. Strolling up the gangplank without a care in the world that we're runnin' behind, you're losing your touch Regulus."
Inside Regulus knew that James was just messing with him. It wasn't the first time his Captain had tried, and unfortunately succeeded, at getting beneath his skin. Usually Regulus would be irritated by the antics, but never take anything truly to heart. This time however, he was offended. Had it not been him that was up all night plotting their latest courses and counting their coins, valuing their goods and checking in with their traders and informants. Was it not Regulus that got up early every day to check over the ship for any damages, that restocked the gunpowder when short. It was him that did everything bar steer the bloody ship, and James knew it, he also knew that goading Regulus could lead to an entertaining afternoon filled with witty retorts and barbed jabs between the pair.
"I'm a scobberlotcher? Really Captain, you're the biggest scobberlotcher of them all!"
"The audacity of you to infer such a thing, I'm the hardest worker on this whole damn ship."
"Oh really? What exactly have you had to work hard for since your father bought you this ship James?"
"I can't believe you would stoop so low, Reggie. To think that I spent weeks slaving over the name of this grand vessel for you to stand on her deck and treat me with such disrespect." There was a mocking tone to his voice, but Regulus' could feel himself wincing at the hint of hurt that flashed in James' eyes.
"You named the bloody boat Y Llong Môr-leidr, it literally translates into The Pirate Ship James! How exactly did you spend weeks coming up with that?"
"It's called being cultured, Regulus, why don't you try it some time?"
"It's called being lazy and looking for the easy way out! Hey look, you really are a damned scobberlotcher."
They glared at one another, noses almost touching. Neither had noticed that with each enraged jab, they had begun to stalk their way across the deck. The salty sea air whipped their hair around as their breath mingled between them, never having been so physically close before.
It was clear to Regulus that James had not anticipated his anger. He had thought it was a funny little game to play, to tease Regulus while they waited for the rest of the crew to arrive. Unfortunately for him, Regulus was not in the mood to be dealing with James' and his tomfoolery today.
"So, I believe this may have gotten a little tenser than I anticipated." James broke the silence, his voice no louder than a whisper as he gazed at Regulus with a new look in his eyes, as if he had noticed something he'd never seen before.
"I mean, you did insult my work ethic James. I barely sleep anymore with the amount of shit I do for this ship, for this crew, but mostly for you." Regulus rasped, struggling not to let the wave of rage overcome him again.
"I know. I know how hard you work, and I really appreciate it Reggie, trust me I do. I was just trying to have a laugh with you, you've been so serious lately, I just wanted you to have some fun."
"While I appreciate the attempt, perhaps we find something else to joke about instead, aye?" Regulus took a deep breath, steadying himself as he gazed at his Captain. Their connection was electric, a constant humming beneath the surface of their skin as they struggled to contain themselves. "Otherwise I'll have to wage a mutiny, and I've got no time for that Jamie."
The pair snickered as they continued to stare into each other's eyes. They were like magnets, completely drawn to one another and unable to move away.
"Hey Captain, where'd you want the rum?" Parting immediately at the yell, the pair blinked, trying to make sense of what had come over them, unable to understand what had happened between them.
"Whack it in the galley Frank, and be sharp about it!" James called, swaggering his way towards the wheel as the crew began to swarm the deck, leaving Regulus standing in shock and confusion. "Oh and Reggie, let's not joke about mutiny hey? It would be such a shame to watch your pretty face walk the plank."
1,430 words
