Chapter cinco

Song : Do you wonder by Khai dreams

Before they could commence on sailing back to the ocean, João decided to go on an afternoon walk. As the sun set and the wind arose colder, he closed his eyes to enjoy the early evening to the fullest. Many pirates roamed the streets like him. He also didn't wear his captain's outfit, looking like any other. He wanted to be free of his role. Forget about himself a little.

"H-hey!" A voice passed João as if they had just realized they knew him, even though they didn't.

The captain opened his eyes, hardly turning his head to see who it was. "Oi?" He didn't recognize the man, but he looked so much like him.

The two of them took a long moment to really look at each other. They both had green eyes, brown hair--one ponytail longer than the other, but both wore a ribbon--, both Iberians… They could be mistaken as brothers or even twins.

"Oh hell, we have to have a drink over this." The Spaniard broke the silence after blinking a few times.

João only nodded.

_

"So you're a captain too? Amazing!" The portuguese raised his drink and gulped the alcohol down.

"The only difference is the country of origin and that mole you got there." Antonio, his identity still unknown to João, joked as he too drank the rest of the liquid.

"Man… How crazy is that?" The older brunette, João, leaned on the table, resting his chin in his palm. "So, anyway, why are you here, capitão?" He chuckled, curious about his story.

Antonio kept a carefree expression as he looked at his empty glass, then back at his new friend. "I'm here for business. Big pirate stuff going on!" Even if he yelled this while laughing, everyone around them were wildly getting wasted and too loud to care about them. Antonio leaned on the table as well, copying his twin. "Well, it's true. If I'm being completely honest, I'm really angry. I was so close to finding where the amulet was…" Carriedo was still amused, though started to speak in a lower tone, his face darkening.

"The amulet? You mean the legend about nobles being protected by gods or something..? You really believe in that crap?" João raised an eyebrow.

"If pirates died trying to get their hands on it, then it's real, no?"

"Pirates?" He clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Surely you don't associate yourself with those pathetic no good sailors who chased after a lie their whole lives…" His eyes averted to a few men falling on top of each other, throwing punches at the other over some whore who couldn't care less about them. She had already moved on to a more handsome sailor, rubbing him places not worth mentioning.

Antonio's silent stare brought his attention back. "Oh you really believe the stories-- My bad." João felt a little tingle of guilt for ridiculing the other's beliefs. He never meant to be so insensitive. When he went for another sip of his drink, he realized it was gone. The awkwardness returned between the two.

"I'll get more." The Spaniard got up with both their metal cups, walking to the bar where a bunch of assholes kept yelling for the bartender to get them more alcohol. Antonio punched one of them, knocking the poor sailor out. The others tried to avenge their friend, but the captain threw some gold coins on the floor, attracting their attention to that.

João couldn't help but laugh for a solid five minutes, the time it took for the Spaniard to get them a jug of beer.

"We shouldn't run out for a while at least." He sat back down, filling both their cups and made a toast. "To finding our twin!"

"Sim!" They hit their cups together and drank nearly half of the golden booze. "So, you were talking about being here on business? Is it all related to the amulet?"

While the Spaniard swallowed his sip, he nodded, wiping the brew from his upper lip. "Well, it's actually a pretty long story."

"We got all night." The other pointed with both hands to the bar, showing off the ugly scenery they would call "a casual monday evening".

"De acuerdo, de acuerdo, (Alright, alright--though it also works for 'Okay/OK') if you insist." Antonio got himself comfortable, crossing one leg over the other and leaning back into his wooden chair. "I had heard of the stories of the amulet and, like you, I didn't believe it at first." He lifted his chin up, signing that he agreed with the portuguese. "But then, I fell in love with someone...and well… you can guess how that ended." His gaze seemed to drift elsewhere, making what appeared to be a look of repugnance.

"Yeah." João's eyes also changed, thoughts going to places he was trying to avoid.

"Well, the legend said that it can give you eternal life and beauty. Who says it can't bring someone back from the dead?" Antonio reverted back to his more cheerful self, though, to anyone, he looked morbid.

His words hit the other like lightning. He understood why he suddenly believed in the stories. It was all he had left and the only reason why he was keeping on. João listened carefully after that.

"So, I hired a french nobleman to get me one of those royal families' sons or daughters and he did great. We had this prince, from England, who probably knew where the amulet was hidden. He never broke, though. Kept the secret until he escaped." The pirate took another sip as João's deep green eyes widened. Everything started to make sense, right then and there. He was connecting dots like a constellation. Like pieces of a puzzle.

But he stayed quiet. The more information, the better.

"Yep… He escaped. Slipped right out of my hands." The Spaniard spun around the liquid in its cup, expressionless.

"How?"

Carriedo's yellow-green orbs caught João's concerned expression. Something seemed off.

"We were met with a royal navy ship and they tried to take us down, so we fought back, of course. Those british dogs never realized who we were and just thought they could get away with killing us, but obviously we came out on top." He bragged with a snicker. "But… I didn't realize that… He had gotten on board the other ship during the wreck. I had to get rid of one of my own men for doing such a poor job of keeping the prince in his room. Can you imagine?" The brunette huffed, shaking his head in disbelief.

The more João got to know what kind of man he really was, the more he felt like leaving and going after Arthur. "So, what did you do?"

"I didn't do anything. There was nothing to do. The royal vessel was sinking, all their men were dead… I assumed he got killed in battle. Or at least drowned. Did you know that those putas can't even swim? And they still sail the seas." He laughed again, drinking the rest of his alcohol. He was starting to really feel the buzz.

"If you thought he was dead, why are you here still looking for him?" Lisboa was beginning to alarm the Spaniard. He was asking too many questions instead of laughing along with him.

He furrowed his brows, wondering if he should answer him or not. "Because he's still alive." Antonio scoffed. "Are you trying to get your hands on the brit? Is that why you're suddenly so interested? I thought you didn't believe in these stories."

"No, no!" He leaned back with a forced smile. "I'm just really invested in what you're saying~ You're just a good story-teller, is all." A drop of sweat fell from his forehead, a heavy feeling weighing on him. "Por favor forgive me for finding an interest in your life." He, then, forced a laugh.

"Oh-" Intoxicated like he was, he didn't notice how truly anxious João was. Antonio cackled his lungs out. "Gracias!"

The portuguese drank a little more of his beer as he thought up his next move.

"The reason I'm here is because the princess escaped again! I had him back in Spain. I don't know why he was back there, but I got lucky I guess. I made sure to have contacts from all over Europe in case of something like this." He paused. "Remember I mentioned a Frenchie? His name is Francis Bonnefoy, if you wanted to know… Francis paid some dirty spanish guy to work with him in getting the british prince on board my ship. But that guy remembered what he looked like, so when he spotted him in Spain-" He shrugged.

"He kidnapped him and took him to your ship?"

"Well, technically, Abel, my second in command, brought him to me. The little shit was smart though. He escaped with my horse in a nearby forest and I never saw him again. So, now I'm here looking for Francis, hoping he knows where the princess will go next." Referring Arthur as 'the princess' really irritated João. But he didn't let the other see it.

"I see… That is indeed a long story." The older male sat back, relaxing his shoulders, trying his best to show no form of protest or threat.

"What about you? You must've been through some mierda yourself… No?" The other brunette poured himself another cup of beer.

"Bem, of course. Though, lately, I've been staying here, going around the Caribbean sea, relaxing… I haven't done real business in a long time. Mainly because I miss someone." If João left too soon, Antonio's suspicions would rise and it could get tricky. Therefore, he continued the 'friendly' talk.

"Hah! Tell me about it… When me amor died, I was where you are right now, except… you know, much worse."

"Oh, he isn't dead. Well, I certainly hope not. We seperated when I went back to Portugal for a quick supply run. He went back home for all I know--"

"Wait, your 'love' is a man?? So you're some kind of… sodomist or something..?" With utter disgust, Antonio was about to slit João's throat.

"I-- you do realize some sailors get married right? Like, two men. It's common." Lisboa was not afraid to defend himself as he had participated in two of his crewmates getting married in the past.

"Yes, I know that, but you're not supposed to fuck." Antonio was an active catholic even with all the sins he committed in the past, he still prayed every day. Slaying people in the name of God, wearing his cross at all times and holding it when he was feeling bad in any sense of the word. It was his salvation. He noticed João wearing one too, but after he heard his unholy practices, he decided his friend wasn't catholic like him. His hand automatically grabbed at the cross for protection.

"Look, capitão, I like women too. A lot. But I fell in love with a man. Why is that so wrong? Isn't love… just love?" The portuguese pirate spoke softly, teaching a different side to things. Maybe it would reach Antonio's ears and he would listen to reason. "Besides… What I do in bed with my partners is not really anyone's business. I mean, up until now you didn't know I did these things and you didn't have a problem with me. I'm still the same person, no?"

"..." Carriedo was about to attack João, but he was completely right. It didn't change who he was. It was weird only because Antonio himself made it weird. "...You're right." The Spaniard lowered his head in deep thought.

"I'm afraid I'll have to go back to my crew… They must be worried about me." João took the opportunity to end their conversation since it was becoming fiddly.

"Yeah, me too…" They both got up at the same time. Leaving their drinks behind and walking out through the crowd of pirates to properly say goodbye.

"Well, it was certainly interesting to meet my twin." Lisboa chuckled one more time.

"Si, thank you for accepting my offer." Carriedo extended a hand for a shake.

"Couldn't say no to a free drink." He accepted the handshake with a bright smirk.

"Let's hope we don't meet on the battlefield. Adios, amigo."

"Adeus." They both let go and parted each their own way. As soon as their backs were turned, both João and Antonio switched expressions. The aura the Spaniard was emitting made the portuguese so uneasy he hurried to the ship. And the younger captain couldn't shake off that feeling he had about him. He seemed off when he mentioned the prince. Something was up, he had to find Francis soon.

_

"Attend--! Anto--" The noble frog was not greeted by a friendly Spaniard. If he were being honest, Francis hated getting his hands dirty and his image was more important than his life. Therefore, when Antonio found him in Saint Domingue, he acted as if he didn't know him. He couldn't be affiliated with pirates--not to the public eye. Much to the Spaniard's disgust, he cornered him in an alleyway and shoved him against the brick wall behind the Frenchman. "Écoute, I know I did business with you before, but I have a policy where I don't work with the same person twice. Spécialement des pirates. (Especially pirates.)" Bonnefoy was in a panic, knowing that he couldn't refuse work from Antonio. He was the worst pirate he had ever worked with and hoped he wouldn't have to meet him again.

"No, you listen, puta. You will work for me, and you walk away with all my fortunes, or I could kill you right here." Carriedo wasn't afraid to bluff. Francis was too much of a coward to refuse.

"You wouldn't dare try--" His ocean blue eyes squinted with suspicion. Feeling a foot taller until the pirate pulled out his gun. He placed it against Francis' temple and pressed on the lever, cycling a bullet in the chamber. All he had to do is pull the trigger. "D'accord! (Okay/Alright!) I'll help you." He gulped a hard lump at the back of his throat. "But, I'll have to be paid first."

"You're only getting paid after the job is done." Antonio forced the weapon against the blond's head a little more. "Where is Arthur?"

"Quoi?! (What?!) I don't know?? How am I supposed to know?" Francis took up the pirate's attitude, getting annoyed as well. "You had him, you're supposed to know! And if you don't have him, then that means he went back to England. Do you know what that means to me?!"

"I don't give a shit what that means to you!" Carriedo's pistol finally left the Frenchman's face. He instead held on to the other's blue coat's collar.

Some native stranger heard the commotion coming from where the two were fighting and decided to butt in. "What is going on here?" She asked calmly, though a little nervous. She couldn't have been older than 15 years old, but that didn't stop Antonio from shooting her through the heart. It was a clear shot and he didn't want to be disturbed. Of course, the loud noise attracted others to hurry to the scene, though the two were already gone.

"You killed her?!" Francis panted.

"Who cares? She's just a peasant slave." Antonio held the frog's arms behind his back as they ran away from the murder. "I didn't want to be disturbed, it's her fault for cutting in."

"You're sick." Bonnefoy had no reason to call him sick, though it's true the pirate was worse than most.

"You're one to talk, puta." The spanish captain was able to sneak past any sort of authority to get to a boat where one of his sailors waited for him to escort them back to his vessel.

Once on the pirate ship, Francis was immediately met with unfriendly faces. "Guess I have no choice now." He crossed his arms, giving the brunette an attitude he wasn't going to tolerate. "So, I bet you want to know where Arthur is more likely to go if he can't go home? That's what you meant, right?"

"Si. He wouldn't go back even if he could anyway." Antonio walked them into his office, waving everyone to go to work. Their next stop would be Spain.

"What makes you so sure?" The nobleman asked as he followed him and closed the door behind him.

"Trust me, he doesn't belong to his family and he knows. And… There's something else." Carriedo walked behind his desk and sat down on his chair. "I met someone who might've known him. I'm not sure, but I suspect him." He intertwined his fingers under his jaw and rested his elbows on top of the table.

"What exactly do you mean?" Francis advanced to the work surface, placing his hands on top of it as well. He leaned his body, now more interested than ever, and crossed his right foot behind his leg.

"He looks like me and he's a captain, but he's from Portugal… I met him randomly in the streets of Isla Juana and invited him for drinks. Anyway, I told him about a prince, but I noticed he seemed different when I mentioned he was from England."

"That actually might be useful…" Francis moved one of his hands to play in his freshly cut beard. He mused about what Antonio told him. "Alright, you have my undying fidelité." He shook hands with the pirate, making a deal with the devil yet again. "We'll have to work out a plan." Although he was unsure at first, he was definitely interested now.

"What are you thinking, Bonnefoy?" The Spaniard pushed his back against the chair, casually dropping his filthy boots on his desk.

"He's in Portugal, I'm sure of it. So, we'll have to make it there before the portugese you spoke to."

Antonio raised his hands, comfortably placing them behind his head. "It'll be easy to find him, but I'm pretty sure he'll get to Arthur before us."

"Alors,(So,) he must've left as soon as you two went back to your ships. Idiot." The Frenchman facepalmed, dragging his hand across his features.

"Oi. Be careful what you say next. I can still kill you."

"Sounds to me like you need me." He teased the Spaniard.

This wasn't well received. The frog was met with a dark glare.

"I'm just joking. But if you went through all that trouble to get me knowing he would get his hands on your precious prince, then you won't kill me." Francis' ego hit a nerve. Antonio slammed his palms on the counter.

"Don't test me, Francis!"

"Calme-toi… (Calm down) I was just pointing out the obvious." He snickered, glaring back at the captain.

"You-"

"Captain." Abel opened the door and stopped them from killing or fucking each other.

"¡¿Que?!" He exploded.

"We have a situation." The Dutchman took the captain's hat and gave it to his as he stomped up to his second in command.

Abel was able to save the nobleman's life, but he wouldn't do it again. It appeared as if a ship of angry slaves found out who killed the girl and wanted revenge on the Spaniard's crew. Antonio didn't want to waste his time on them, but if he didn't take care of it, they would follow him to Portugal and possibly make matters worse.

"What the fuck did you do?"

"Nada! (Nothing!) I was having a conversation with Francis and this stupid slave girl disturbed us. Next thing I know, she's dead." The captain exclaimed with his arms high in the air, obviously annoyed.

"You killed a civilian? And didn't think there would be consequences?" Abel raised an eyebrow, though his tone was calm.

"I don't care. Take them out." He ordered, angrily walking up to the quarterdeck and navigating them to Europe as they prepared the canons. He wasn't going to start wasting his time on such nonsense.

_

Flashback

Trigger warning!!

Sexual assault,

suicide and blood.

There was a time Antonio Fernandez Carriedo wasn't always like this. There was a time when he was more carefree, less strict. He was in love and cherished life. He was younger, naive and happy. He would spend his nights singing, dancing and meeting new people in his travels.

Siena. There's something so likable about this gentle name, perhaps because it conjures up images of the vibrant Tuscan town of the same name. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. She came from the same town as her name. Italian, shapes all at the right places, but a strong personality that led men to think she wasn't pure. But that wasn't didn't Antonio. Her dark, waved, velvety hair fell down to her shoulders. Her slightly darker skin tone and moles melted every man's heart she passed in the streets. No one could resist wooing her, but none prevailed. Italians were different from Spaniards and Antonio loved that. Her chestnut eyes seemed softer than her glares. Yet, she was rude and easily annoyed. All he wanted was her. She was the only thing that mattered to him.

When they met, he always believed it was fate. But she didn't. They had passionate nights together, unforgettable dinners and danced in sync better than anyone in the world. He never wanted to go back to Spain.

"You have to." She would say. "Isn't it your duty?" He was reminded of his lie every time he told her he wanted to stay in Italy.

Lies. Always lies. He wasn't just hiding his real identity, he was also inventing a life for himself.

"I don't want to go back." He would say.

But she never approved of him. Eventually, she tried to break things off with him. Though, he would follow her in her own town, stalking everything she did. When she would find out, she would yell for help and curse him out as she should. This never kept him away, until finally he paid someone to attack her.

The man he gave money to had to force himself on her once she was found alone in the streets. Others didn't pay attention to the attack. She begged for someone to come for her, calling for her brothers and sister. But none of the Vargas were there for her. Antonio was conveniently waiting for the right moment, but her screams and cries somehow aroused him. He felt his lower part throbbing, letting the situation go one for a little too long. The Spaniard rescued her not long after her clothes were ripped to shreds, spread all around the streets. People walked all over it, calling her a slut or saying she made advances on the man. Her people turned their back on her and all she had left was Antonio, her savior.

Without knowing about the plan, she thanked him and accepted to stay with him for a while. When it was time for her to go back home, he refused to let her go.

She never saw the faces of her sister and two brothers. Naturally they were devastated when they found out about her kidnapping.

_

"Siena…? Siena!" When the captain came down to see his one sided love covered in her own blood, he had lost his mind. His wide eyes rejected the image and all he could see were blurred shapes by tears. "No! Siena!" He opened her cage in a hurry but couldn't unlock the door fast enough. His shaking hands couldn't keep hold of the keys. "Por favor! Stay alive!" His screams were more painful than dropping to his knees on the cold slippery wood.

He lifted her body, arms wrapped around her like a gift. His sobbing was choked up by short breaths. By the look of things, she had been dead for hours. Her blood was cold and her eyes showed no hint of life. "Por favor! Por favor… Por favor." Antonio was stained by her red liquid. His face buried in her neck, warm tears falling on her cheeks as he leaned over her body. He kept a strong hold on her left arm and one in her soft hair. The brunette let go of a scream heavier than any anchor.

The crew hurried to see what had happened, though they weren't surprised she killed herself. They all watched him as he rocked back and forth with the dead girl in his arms, crying his heart out and calling for her to come back.

Abel had never seen Antonio so devastated, but he knew this would happen. He warned him. Though, Antonio didn't listen.

_

Carriedo felt a single tear forming on the side of his right eye, wiping it off before anyone saw. "Ahora no hay tiempo para pensarlo. (There's no time to think about that now.)" Antonio wasn't the only one thinking about that memory. Abel kept an eye on him from the lower deck. Now, with no one else in their way, they were proceeding to Europe at full speed.

_

João was hoping he'd gotten to Portugal faster, but the ocean was treacherous. Storms and scorching suns were forcing them to slow down the voyage. But João didn't give up. The close they got to their homeland, the closer he got to his lover. Even if Arthur didn't know it yet, the portuguese was his and that was enough to set a smile on his lips.

Their journey was long, but they were finally there, in Porto, Portugal. João wasn't sure what to expect. Arthur wasn't going to be there as soon as he arrived— as if he knew somehow the other was back. Although, the prince really was in Porto. He was so afraid to go back home. He realized what he truly wanted. What he needed…

"Where is your mind at?" His teacher snapped her fingers at the blond. Arthur had a strange hunch that João was back. So maybe he did know…

"Sorry. I was--" The brit shook his head to clear it. He was cut off by an index finger.

"Ah-a-ah! Em português!"

"Desculpa." He chuckled.

"Ótimo. (Good/great)" She smirked. The teacher went through her notes and continued the lesson with her brit.

The two were sitting outside at a cafe-like restaurant, simply enjoying the morning. After Kirkland was able to cross the borders, he decided to exchange work for portuguese lessons with a nice lady. She, as a widow, owned a flower shop and managed her finances herself. Though having someone to help around the shop for free, didn't seem to bother her. She still paid for his food and let him stay in her apartment above the shop. He was most grateful for her kindness.

In the past few weeks, Arthur had claimed Portugal as his new land and made himself at home. More and more people knew him and became friendly.

Meanwhile, João followed his heart, looking for Arthur everywhere. His crew begged for him to stay by the ship since they thought it was impossible for him to even find the brit. He could be anywhere or not even in Portugal, but Lisboa was stubborn. He left the crew to take care of the ship by themselves while he roamed the streets, entering a few shops hoping to see him inside.

It was with deep disappointment that he couldn't even spot the blond hair in the crowd of people. He didn't give up. Even as the world was spinning around him, looking left and right, asking for his Inglaterra. Calling his name… Nothing came up.

Until…

A quiet park caught his attention, close to the beach and looking a lot like that beach they kissed on once. Warm memories kept his heart excited and his mind alerted. Few, slow steps became swift, heavier… louder and then faster and faster… Was it him? Was it really…? It had to be.

"Inglaterra!"

The blond turned his head in shock. No one but him called him as such. He abandoned everything he was doing--holding a casual conversation in portuguese with his florist friend, arm in arm, on the seaside--and swiveled around. He was met with a pair of dark green eyes and a familiar, wide grin. His teacher was visibly confused, though left the two reuniting, guessing it must have been important for them. The brunette ran into Arthur's arms, lifting him in the air and spinning him around. His emotions took control.

They were finally together again and bolder than ever.

Life is short, they both thought.

I love you, they both wanted to say.

_

End chapter