The uncertain footsteps on the ladder had him scrambling for a hiding place.
From the darkness, he watched her smile widely at this other version of himself and it took everything in his power to fight the jealousy bubbling in his gut. She clutched at the pirate's coat and leaned in to kiss him. Clenching his jaw, he tried to ignore the pain of watching a scene that had played out so many times in his dreams, yet was still beyond his reach in reality.
Good thing the pirate was well within his reach.
Enough.