Chapter 2.
Because Gilbert was a native German speaker on a mainly Spanish boat, conversation was hard to come by sometimes. He would often find himself going off on some detailed story to a crew mate only to discover the other had no idea what he was saying. It was incredibly frustrating. He had to remember to speak in English, at least half of the crew could speak somewhat decently.
One crew member who so happened to speak English was Lovino.
Lovino was an Italian sailor who had been on the ship when Antonio first arrived aboard. Romano, as Antonio so lovingly calls him soon became the ship-wide consensus as the Italians official nick name. Much to the grumpy little Italians chagrin.
Since Romano was only seventeen years old, he was the closest to the age of Gilbert who by now had just reached his fourteenth birthday , the two by default had become something in the lines of friends.
O
"Ok listen up Gilbert" Romano said loudly to get the others attention. As he placed a large pot on the galley bench." Next year as you know I will be turning eighteen, do you know what that means?" He says with a grin.
Gilbert turned to look up at him from his seat at one of the mess tables. "Ooh~ it finally means you're old enough for the captain to walk you down the isle in a pretty white dress~? Niyo Niyo~" The boy teased playfully.
The Italian blushed and huffed as the other sailors in ear-shot laughed. "Dammit Gilbert. NO!" He gave the other a light reprimand with his fist colliding with the younger boys shoulder.
Gilbert rubbed his shoulder and chuckled.
"As I was trying to say, It means that the Captain and the crew can no longer lump me in with helping you with cabin duties any more." He grinned in a accomplished manner. "I am a cook not a cleaner! SO I need to make sure you know everything you need to know"
Gilbert rolled his eyes. "Oh come on Romano! You know awesome me is capable of swabbing decks and helping serve food"
It was true that Romano was meant to be employed at the ships cook, but since Antonio often spoilt the young albino it also meant that the Italian ended up having to pick up the slack. Oddly enough this only seemed to make Romano angry at his Captain 'since he should know better' then to spoil anyone on the ship
"I know you can do those things... but you rarely bother.." Romano rolls his eyes copying the motion of the Prussian.
"Pft looks who is talking~ I know Captain has trouble with you doing anything other then cooking~" He chuckles and teases playfully.
Romano huffs "Well if he stops telling me to do things that I was not hired to do then I wouldn't have a problem!" Romano explained in an annoyed tone "AND he always skips out on his Captain duties!" He continues. "We are in port to get supplies and yet I still have not seen a barrel of anything come down here, how the fucking hell am I meant to organise dinner if I don't even know what I even have to work with! And of course I will be blamed for not having dinner ready on time." He threw his hands up in frustration and annoyance. "BAH!"
Gilbert watched in an amused fashion. The exaggerated tones and movements of Italians had always been something of a novelty to a boy raised on a ship of Germanic sailors.
"Well... Antonio said he was going to be busy today so I guess that means he is doing something important at least" He looks thoughtful. "He told me to stay down here and help you out. Which I don't mind doing... but usually when we dock I accompany him.." He voiced his growing thoughts.
Romano looked at him curiously. "Maybe he just wanted time away from you" He says bluntly as he decides it's best to use up all the old ingredients now instead of waiting for new ones.
"...eh?" This thought had never even crossed his mind.
"Tch! He is probably just doing boring paperwork..." He grumbles and looked annoyed. "He just doesn't want to bore the awesome me!" He nods with a huff.
"Of course, sure, whatever you say Gil" Romano replies, unconvinced as he starts to chop some onions.
Gilbert stands up. "I bet if I go there right now he will just be doing boring paperwork! You will see!" Gilbert does not like being ignored or proven wrong, not at all.
Lovino snorted slighted "Yeah great. Tell him when you see him that if he doesn't have my kitchen supplies on board today I am leaving to get a proper job on land" He said in a half serious tone.
Gilbert didn't reply and was already half way up the stairs stomping up to the deck. He walked up to the first sailor he saw. "Is Antonio still on board?" He asked, slightly impatient. "Awesome me needs to talk to him"
Ah.. it's the Captains pet, the sailor thought to himself. "He's in his Cabin, but he is busy I suggest you don't bother him"
Gilbert did not know it but most of the crew did not take him that seriously. They of course knew of his father, any pirate worth his ropes did. Some were not sure if Antonio was hoping for a valuable crew member when he matured or even if it was for the gloating rights he now had to say he had hold of the only known surviving things from that already infamous fight between those two pirate crews. But most had decided that it was because the captain found him adorable although most could not see the appeal at all. So the crew would call him the Captains pet, but Gilbert, not knowing Spanish any more then basic greetings and commands was none the wiser.
Gilbert looked annoyed. Busy? He thought to himself? To busy for me? That was something that did not sit well at all. I can disturb whoever I want to!
He huffed and walked off towards Antonio's Cabin. After all, it was his cabin too.
Gilbert did not bother to knock he just tried to open in. Locked. He scowled. He felt offended, as if this locked door was a direct insult just for him.
He knocked on the door. "Captain! It's awesome me!" He grumbled. "Open the door!" He said in a way truly unfitting his rank of cabin boy.
No response.
He put his hands on his hips and scowled. He was never use to being ignored.
He hated to have to use this... but it was an emergency after all. He rummaged through the little satchel he kept on his belt and pulled out a key. Once before Gilbert had been locked out of the captains cabin. Antonio had been playing cards with some people and had gotten frustrated with Gilberts' demanding attitude had locked him out and told him to clean the deck. Which led to a tantrum and then to Gilbert hiding in a barrel in the Galley in which he slept in all night. This of course had put Antonio into a panic, thinking the other had snuck off the ship. Gilbert this time was prepared and had swiped Antonios' spare key from his dresser, he doubted the Captain had even noticed yet.
He grinned triumphantly. No one could tell the awesome me what I can and can't do! He thought to himself with a smirk. He put the key in the lock and opened the door victoriously.
"Kesesese~ you better not be slacking off Captain~! It takes more then locked doors to-" He stopped. His eyes met a pair of slightly confused and amused blue eyes. "...Eh?" His face darkened as he say a stranger holding onto Antonio.
He didn't really have time to think. "Get your hands off my Captain!" He lunged at the unknown stranger. The man seemed oddly surprised that a young boy had just barged in and attacked him, and was taken off guard as Gilbert tackled him to the ground.
"Gilbert!" Antonio gaped in surprise.
Lucky for the man, Gilbert was not armed. After gathering his senses he smiled and flipped the boy over with ease. "My my~ You are a feisty little one are you not~?" The blonde man chuckled.
"Gah! Let go of me you ass-hole!" Gilbert squirmed and flailed. "I won't let you hurt him!" He growled seriously, trying to kick and bite the other. Gilbert might be a handful but he was amazingly loyal to those who he cared about. He had grown rather attached to his Spanish Captain.
The man chuckled. "Hurt? Non! I was merely playing with my dear friend" He smiled. "Isn't that right Antonio~?"
Gilbert followed his gaze to look at his Captain, who he noticed was grinning sheepishly. Gilberts angry face turned to one of confusion.
"Huh? He's not hurting you...?" He blinked. When both the other two started to laugh he knew he had missed something.
"Francis, you can let him go now~" Antonio chuckled. "Gilbert.." He said in a more serious tone. "Sit on that chair until I tell you to move."
Gilbert knew he was in trouble. He gulped slightly, still grumbling as the man named Francis let him go and he went to sit down.
Francis pouted slightly "I have not seen you in so long Antonio. You better make it up to me later~"
"Si, Si Hermano~" Antonio used the term of endearment on his long time friend.
"But it seems my little Albinito needs a talking to...in more ways then one.." He grumbled slightly.
Gilbert watched the others trying not to look annoyed, he knew Antonio had a harder time punishing him if he had a regretful look on his face.
"Now Gilbert.." Antonio tried to be serious with the boy. "What did I say about me being busy today?" He crossed his arms. "Also… explain to me how you managed to get in, I do not remember giving you a key"
Yes.. He was in trouble. "Um…. Awesome me… just thought…it would be a good precaution to take…"
The Captain rubbed in head in frustration. "I think Lovino has been teaching you bad habits…"
Francis spoke up "Oh come on Antonio~ The little dear was just worried about his captain~" The man smiled and moved over to get a better look at the boy. He tilted the boys chin up to have a look at him properly. "Hmm~ So this is Beilschmidts' eldest.." The man thought out loud in a pondering French accent "… He must take after his mother… although… I am betting he would look more like him if it wasn't for the albinism.."
Gilbert frowned and pushed the others hand away. "Awesome me is a lot like my father! You don't know me at all.." He grumbled.
"Ahh~" The Frenchman shrugged. "Your father was a tall stoic man~ You are a little rabid bunny~ But who knows~ you may fill out just yet"
Gilbert was about to lunge at the other again but Antonio had a hand on Gilberts shoulder now. "He is just teasing Albinito .. You are your own person after all~" He smiles and ruffles the boys hair.
Francis sighed. "Ah~ There is your problem Antonio~ your spoil your crew way to much. But I can see why, you always have such cute little cabin boys" He leant down and kissed the boys ear in a teasing fashion.
Gilbert almost fell off his seat but Antonio still had a hold of him. "Don't kiss me you creepy pervert!" His face now sporting a blush.
Antonio chuckled. "Cute yes, obedient? No" Antonio kissed Gilbert other cheek. "You don't like kisses, do you Gilbert~?" He grinned.
The boy rubbed his face blushing and looking grossed out. "Ew. Not from either of you, neither of you are pretty or girls!"
Francis pouted. "You offend me my dear~" He sighed dramatically. "Don't tell me my gorgeous good looks are starting to become sea battered~!"
"Fine I take it back, you are a girl, you are just old and creepy" Gilbert rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
Francis looked mortified. "I take it back too! You are not cute at all!" He clung to Antonio. "Antonio! I am not old am I?" He whined.
Antonio chuckled "Of course not Hermano, you are my age.. And we are not even close to reaching thirty…" He patted his friend on the shoulder with a smile.
"So…." Gilbert raised a brow. Everyone seeming to have forgotten that Gilbert was meant to be getting scolded. "Who exactly are you?"
Francis looked up " Oh me~? How rude I did not introduce myself properly~" He stood up straight and smiled " I am Lord Francis Bonnefoy, of the noble French Bonnefoy family, and most importantly, Mr Fernandez's long time acquaintance~" He did a small polite bow.
"To put it simply Gilbert, he is my long time friend from my childhood, I don't get to see him much since I became wanted for treason in Spain…" Antonio smiled sheepishly.
"Ah Antonio~ you should have known better then to gossip about royalty~ no matter how ugly and promiscuous they are, they might just get offended~" Francis tutted playfully.
"Yes.. I was a spoilt idiot…and I really have no one to blame but myself.. But you know that my father and myself are very grateful for helping me get out of there alive.. I really did not want to loose my head~"
"Yes.. I will be sure to tell Lord Fernandez that you are alive and well…" Francis smiled, speaking in a more serious tone.
"I wish I could say the same about my old Captain.. If it was not for him I would not have escaped in time…and you would have probably been questioned.." Antonio reminisced slightly, to this day people believed that Antonio had just fled by joining a pirate crew and that they had aided him in exchange for his gold. "And to think… I was more worried about the English pirates hampering my escape…"
Gilbert felt out of the loop again.
"Wait Wait! You are a Lord, Captain! You never told me any of that!" He was a little shocked.
"Well… you never asked~" Antonio replied simply.
"..." Gilbert pouted. "Well. It's not like you are anymore if you are not allowed in your home country…" He really should ask and listen more..
Antonio deflated slighted. "Why must you prove Francis's point about not being cute Gilbert!" Grumbles slightly and gives him a wack on the side of his head. Not too hard but enough to prove his point.
Gilbert huffed and rubbed where he was hit. No matter what, no one hit as hard as his Vati did so this never really bothered more then his ego.
Francis chuckled slightly "…Well. He is spirited at least…. Maybe some hope for him yet, make sure to train him well, he has a warriors spirit~" Francis smiled.
Antonio chuckled "Si, if I do not throw him overboard first~!" He teased and ruffled the boys hair.
"Oh! And that reminds me… please… make sure you knock…and if I don't answer please do not assume I am being murdered…" Antonio sighed, he no longer could be bothered punishing the boy, all those memories distracting him.
Francis chuckled. "For all you know he could have been doing something naughty and you would be all traumatised~"
Gilbert looked slightly grossed out. "But you're a man.. I think the crew would have been chatting about it loudly if there was a girl even as far as the horizon away.."
Francis gave Antonio a look. "Antonio, I think you need to have a talk with this boy.. In more ways then one"
Thank you for the reviews~ I am slowly writing between work and cosplay, but I will always update! Definatly a lot more story to go~ But reviews remind me to not be lazy!
Gilbert really needs to learn that the world does not revolve around his awesome self.. But 'The talk' from Antonio and Francis?… Now that is a terrible punishment..
It seems like Lovi ends up as a scapegoat as usual.