It was only a short while after Jack and Will had returned to the governor's house that they had sat down at the piano. "Oi, Will," Jack asked, his eyes flitting around their surroundings. "Why is my good ole' friend the governor never here?" Will gave a dry laugh in reply, and then winced slightly. The wounds on his chest stung. "He's out for the month, with Elizabeth. Off to visit some family in England," he said dismissively, staring at the piano.

Jack nodded, exaggeratedly. "Oh." "Yes."

There was an uncomfortable silence between the two of them, before Jack spoke up again. "Will, when you walked in on me that time, do you want to know the song I was playing?" Will's eyes were surprised. "You'd play it for me?" he asked, trying to keep the hope and appreciation out of his voice. Jack gave him a warm smile and a soft pat on the back. "Of course. And don't tell anyone, but I wrote it m'self." Will felt himself grin. "Fascinating. I'd love to hear it."

Jack nodded his head to the left, indicating he needed Will to get up. Will obeyed without a second thought, standing up quickly. Jack began to play a few scattered notes, but then they settled into a song, into a beautifully haunting melody. Just when Will thought he could lose himself to the brilliance of the music, Jack began to sing, his voice deep and rough, but charming at the same time. "I'm fifteen for a moment…caught in between ten and twenty and I'm, just dreaming…counting the ways, to where you are…"

Will stared at Jack, who was perfectly content, sitting at the piano, his fingers flying with skillful ease over the keys. "I'm twenty-two for a moment…you feel better than ever and …we're on fire, on our way back from Mars…" Jack closed his eyes, and then slowly opened them again, letting the sound of the music, of his music; wash over him the tides of the sea he loved so much. "Fifteen, there's still time for you…time to buy, and time to lose…fifteen, there's never a wish better than this…when you've only got a hundred years to live…"

Jack's voice died out, as did the music. He removed his hands, and held them up. "There," he said, embarrassed that he had let Will see such a private part of him. "There ye have it." Will nodded, his mouth open slightly. "That--I mean it was--it was amazing," he said, stumbling over words. "It was--more that amazing, absolutely--absolutely…" Jack gave a sheepish smile and scratched the back of his head. "Thanks, mate," he mumbled, then scooted over so Will could resume his seat next to him.

The two of them played a few scales, which Jack had recently taught Will, but then Will stopped and sighed. "Jack, that song you made…can you teach it to me?" Jack cocked his head to the side. "You," he said, pointing to Will. He nodded and pointed at himself. "Yes, me." "Want to learn my song?" Will sighed, annoyed with how long this was taking Jack. "Yes, I want to learn how to play your song." Jack put a finger to his lips, as if he was having a deep inner conflict on whether or not to teach the young man the song or not. After a few moments of drawn-out expressions, his face brightened into an irritatingly cheery smile. "Okay!" he declared proudly. "I will teach you how to sing and play my song." Will rolled his eyes. "About bloody time," he murmured. Jack shot him a mock-glare.

"Okay. This song requires two hands, not just one; like this." Jack demonstrated, reaching across Will to get to the keys. Will forced himself looked at where Jack's hands were place, instead of focusing on the warm body that was pressed closer to his. Jack played the first few notes very slowly, letting Will see them. "Can you do that?" he asked, after playing. Will nodded. "But, where do I put my hands again?" he asked, his face flushing and butterflies arising in his belly, although he didn't know why. Jack's eyes flickered with a smile in the dull candlelight. "Okay, Will," he said gently, and the unusual tone caused Will's pulse to race even faster. Slowly, he took the blacksmith's hands in his own, then pressed them onto the keys, spreading out the fingers and playing the music ever so slowly.

They played together like that for a while, Jack's hands guiding Will's, as the music slid through the air. The melody and tempo still stayed soft and slow, but Will began to feel the rhythm creep into his consciousness, and the only thing he was aware of as the piano; of the feel of Jack's warm steady hands on his, making this whole new feeling and perception of music that he never had before; of truly letting oneself go into the piece, putting his soul into it, shaping it, and letting it play him, instead of him playing it.

The song tinkled off, and Will was brought down from his natural high, the room slowly creeping back to him through the corners of his eyes, and into his mind. He felt sleepy, but one look at Jack and his mind had thrown off the tired feeling. Will felt his heart flutter inside of his chest. Will turned to face Jack, who faced him in return. Will closed his eyes, opening them slowly. Then he leaned in, hesitating, allowing Jack the opportunity to move. He didn't, though; he just leaned closer into the blacksmith. He gently raised a hand to cup Will's cheek, and, bringing the blacksmith's face closer to his own, Jack pressed his lips to Will's.

Will closed his eyes, letting his hand move to Jack's free one and slip inside of it. Jack was kissing him; he should have been revolted and angered and ready to charge the man with heinous crimes. But he wasn't. He should have wanted Elizabeth, wanted her in his arms instead of a pirate, instead of a man. But he didn't. He wanted it, and was un-used to this feeling of wanting; he wanted Jack like he wanted the music. A peculiar desire, but a desire nonetheless.

Jack tilted his head at a different angle, giving him more access to Will's mouth. He felt Will's hand crawl into his own, and he clasped his fingers around it. They stayed like that for a while, just soft hands and sweet lips, until Jack pulled away gently. Will, in annoyance, tried to move in closer to Jack to keep their mouths connected. Jack gave a small laugh and put his hands to Will's shoulders, keeping the blacksmith back a few inches.

"That's enough for today, love," he whispered, keeping a smile from forming when he saw Will pout. "I'll be back tomorrow, same time, just like I always am. Savvy?" Will nodded ruefully. "Okay, Jack," he sighed. He stiffened up when he felt the pirate's arm slip around his shoulder and chest, but relaxed immediately. Jack gave him a long, soft kiss on his temple. "I'll be back," he whispered, and then he was out the window.

--

There. I feel like I fixed my disgrace from last chapter XD

I like how they bonded over the piano. Something as simple as music can draw people together in many ways; I met two of my best friends in the world when we played the flute. Also...forgive me if my knowledge of the piano is inferior; I haven't played it since I was, like, ten, and I'm almost 15 now. So yeah. And psh, they're not entirely together...YET. :)

And the song is '100 Years' by Five for Fighting. I don't own it.