Shout out to Cardfighter By Maple, Rani-Girl, IvyTheKitty, and Vintage Sherry!
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Amelia was pacing around the cabin the next afternoon after dropping food off in the brig. She'd run through every wild escape plan, every option she could think of. Then after Lovina had admitted to her failed escape attempt, Amelia had revised several of her favorite plans.
There was one that had the best chance of success. The only problem with it was that she couldn't let either of the others in on it, especially not Madeline. Amelia's favorite stories growing up, the ones she'd begged their nurse for the most, were tails of heroes and heroines. She'd always craved the chance to do something heroic, to save people and make things better. It had been her dearest wish for so long, and now that she had the chance she wasn't about to let it slip away.
Maddy won't like it, thought Amelia, her pace slowing. I can't ask her, I'll have to tell her. At the last possible minute.
It was something she'd been wrestling with since that morning. After several hours of pacing and muttering to herself, Amelia had come to the conclusion that she did, in fact, like Arthur. She hadn't enjoyed keeping up pretenses for potential suitors back home, and so had ditched them as soon as their parents had left them alone. Usually an hour or so of Amelia being Amelia was enough to send them packing. She talked, she laughed loudly, swore like a proud sailor, belched, ditches her shoes, and beat them in horse races. None of the above suited them very well.
Amelia had done all that and more when Arthur had captured her. He had yet to see her act like the upper class lady she was supposed to be. Not only did he not seem to mind, the man actually seemed to enjoy it. She'd won ten of their twelve chess games, and he hadn't thrown a fit or flipped the board on her like one particularly bratty so called gentleman had. When he wasn't been a grabby lecher and they had a half-decent conversation, he listened to her so she had felt inclined to return the favor. Aside from other girls, like her sister and Lovina, she hadn't had that long a conversation with anyone, ever. Not only that, but she'd found herself enjoying it.
Physically she had the least amount of complaints. Amelia had, reluctantly, included that into her decision making. Even though he didn't like his own short stature she didn't mind. She found him handsome, not that she'd ever tell him that, and his oversized eyebrows were downright adorable. The few times she hadn't been in the mood to make herself board-stiff, she had reluctantly admitted he wasn't that bad a kisser. He was gentle with her, if occasionally grabby.
As much as she hated to admit it, the only real problem Amelia had with Arthur was that he was a pirate. As a general rule, this meant he stole and killed for a living. She could live with being on a ship most of the time, in fact sailing to see the world sounded like a dream to her. It was the pirating bit she didn't like. She preferred it to the British Navy, but still. It was hardly like he could go back with such a price on his head.
Maybe I could do something about it, she thought wearily. There's gotta be something. I'm a heroine, I'll figure something out.
Taking a deep breath, Amelia squared her shoulders and strode out of the cabin. She climbed up to the helm where Arthur was checking the horizon with a spyglass. Not waiting for him to give her his attention she demanded, "Where are we?"
The pirate lowered the bronze device, frowning at her. "What?"
"Where are we?" she repeated. "How far from the next friendly port?"
"A day's sail. We need to restock on supplies and I need to unload these mercenaries. You wouldn't believe how much they eat. Why?"
"Maddy and Lovina are getting off with them. You're going to let them go and you're not going to hunt them down afterward."
Arthur's eyebrows shot up. "Why the bloody hell would I do that?"
"Because I'm going to make a deal with you. If you let them go, you have my word I'll stay. I won't try to run, I won't fight you. I'll be your wife and do whatever being a pirate's wife entails."
For a long minute Arthur just stared at her. Amelia wasn't sure if the look on his face was surprise or interest or both. She was about to demand he stop whichever it was when he finally spoke.
"I think the wedding can wait a bit, love. But tell me, why should I believe you? What is keeping you from running the moment your sister has her freedom?"
Amelia drew herself up to her full height. "A heroine doesn't go back on her word."
Arthur regarded her, asking, "You've been on this ship for eight days. Why are you just now making this offer?"
"It was bad enough it was just me and Maddy. If Lovina sticks around bad things are going to happen to her. Admit it, Artie, if Carriedo doesn't come after her you're going to get drunk and do something messed up."
The pirate arched his brows at this. Amelia had only seen him drunk once, and that was enough. Their first night in Tortuga, he'd stumbled into the cabin so intoxicated he couldn't walk a straight line. He hadn't been speaking coherently, but apparently he'd come back with the notion the cabin was now his privet bordello. Fortunately he was easy to avoid in that state, and Amelia had been able to knock him out with a paperweight before he'd done more than grab a handful of her backside.
No, it wasn't the idea he'd do something to Lovina if he got drunk, Amelia knew that much. Even he admitted he couldn't hold his liquor. This was confirmed when he asked, "What makes you think he will?"
"Because she is to him what I am to you. That is why you took her, isn't it? At least if she's not on board anymore it'll be easier to get rid of him when he finds us."
Arthur seemed to consider this. "Not a bad strategy, though I was under the impression you hated criminals. Forgive me if I doubt you will be content living as the bride of one. There is also the small matter of the British Navy trying to get a noose around my neck."
"We'll burn that bridge when we get to it. No, I don't like criminals very much, but sometimes they're better than nobles. I like my freedom, and if given the choice between marrying some noble bastard and a pirate bastard, I think I'd go with the pirate. At least if he gets to be too much I can slit his throat and take over his ship. If nothing else it should be more fun."
To Amelia's surprise, Arthur threw his head back and laughed. It wasn't the crazy laugh she'd heard that time some idiot privateer thought they'd take him on, or the chilling one that had sent chills up her spine when they were closing in on Carriedo. It was a genuine, full laugh without a trace of questionable sanity or sadistic delight.
"What's so funny?" she demanded, fists on hips.
Still chuckling, a grin stretching his face, Arthur answered, "You are, love. Considering you told me just yesterday you wanted to shoot me, this is quite a turn around. Either you were bluffing or something finally worked."
"Nothing worked," she protested.
"Is that so? Then what?"
Amelia decided she was tired of arguing. What she'd said was true enough, given the choice between the suitors her parents had presented her with and Arthur, the pirate really was preferable. Besides, she'd heard stories of women who'd done just what she'd said, taking over their husbands businesses or crews when they were killed or died. If anything the fact she had been the one to kill Arthur would be a boon when faced with his crew. She'd been aboard long enough to know that much. They were as ruthless as he was, only less smart and with fewer morals.
Deciding to just take the plunge, Amelia grabbed the pirate by the lapels of his long coat and yanked him close. As soon as the distance was short enough, she planted a kiss squarely on his mouth. Amelia's eyes were shut the moment she was sure of her aim, deciding to try and enjoy it for the first time. Arthur's surprise didn't last long, and even as he reacted enthusiastically Amelia felt him grip her by the arms gently.
Amelia didn't deny she'd refused to even consider enjoying the kisses before. Now, she found, they weren't so bad. She was out of breath when Arthur pulled away, gasping a little as she opened her eyes.
Eyes burning, Arthur asked in a slightly husky voice, "I take it all that protesting was on principle?"
"Do we have a deal or not?" she demanded tartly, though she didn't pull away. Now that she was letting herself enjoy these things, she found there was a lot to enjoy. Maybe she could work on getting him into a less illegal line of work later. A heroine had to prioritize. Sister and friend first, the world later. She really did think getting the infamous Arthur Kirkland off the pirating craze would be saving the world, or at least part of it.
"When we leave port they won't be on board. Though I have to wonder if your sister will appreciate it."
"She won't. I was kinda hoping she wouldn't have a choice in the matter."
The pirate arched an eyebrow. "That would be a first."
Ignoring this, she said, "I want sword lessons and I want a new wardrobe. Something that looks like a pirate and not...boring. And I want a hat, something blue, but with a smaller feather."
Arthur chuckled. "You're surprisingly enthusiastic, not that I'm complaining."
"Hey, if you're gonna do something, do it right. Don't half ass it. I'm serious about the hat. No tight corsets, either."
"Certainly not. If you're going to fight it would be counterproductive to have you fainting after every stroke. I don't suppose you'd be opposed to trousers of some kind? If you don't I understand-
Amelia squealed in delight, bouncing up and down before thoughtlessly throwing her arms around his neck. "Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, Artie! No one ever let me wear breeches before!"
"Can't breathe, love," wheezed Arthur, trying to pry her arms from his neck. When she stepped back though, bouncing in place, there was a crooked smile on his face.
"Pants, pants, I get to wear pants," hummed Amelia, all but bouncing back towards the main deck. But when she reached the top of the short steps she sobered, turning to look back at him. "Don't tell them, alright? Maddie won't go if she finds out."
"It's not like I go down there every day," Arthur pointed out, shrugging. "The deal is made, love, do not worry."
Satisfied, Amelia went to get them their lunch.
BREAK/BREAK\BREAK
Lovina knew something was up. She only knew this because Madeline had been frowning after her sister when Amelia left. Then there was the fact the American hadn't stayed to chat as she usually did.
Once she was gone Lovina asked, "What's wrong?"
Madeline tore her eyes away from the stairs, still frowning. "I don't know. Something was...different."
Lovina frowned. "What was it?"
"I'm not sure," said Madeline, and then shook it off. "It's probably nothing. She's probably just cooking up some harebrained escape plan. Did you know the first day we were here she was convinced we could ride a pod of dolphins to land?"
Lovina considered it, and then realized it did sound like something Amelia would cook up. When one person did most of the chattering, it didn't take long to figure out how their mind worked. "Feh, think she'll come up with something that would actually work?"
Madeline paled. "I almost wish she wouldn't."
"Why not? The sooner we get out of here the better."
"Because knowing her she'll try to be the hero and not get out herself," snapped Madeline. Then she closed her eyes, taking a calming breath. "Sorry. Can we please talk about something else?"
Lovina thought for a moment. "I think you were telling me how to make maple syrup before she showed up."
BREAK/BREAK\BREAK
Amelia soon found she liked catching Arthur off guard. It was adorable, in her opinion, how a man who had irked her to no end with lecherous behavior became a cautious gentlemen when she casually sprawled out half over him that night. Never one to find a normal sleeping position comfortable, Amelia usually woke up more comfortable than when she'd fallen asleep. Embracing it, she settled herself half on top of him, head on his chest and one arm flung over his shoulder her hand rested on a pillow. She paused, knowing she usually had one leg tucked up higher than the other. Deciding to do it if for no other reason than to fluster him farther, she stretched her lower body out to the side and moved her knee up until she hit Arthur's hip.
"Uh, Amelia? What are you doing?"
"Getting comfortable. It's not like I don't end up this way anyhow." Settling herself down, Amelia closed her eyes. Her lips twitched upward in satisfaction when she heard just how fast his heart was beating.
Rather than protest, though, he simply settled a hand on her upper back, between her shoulder blades, and left it at that.
BREAK/BREAK\BREAK
The next morning, Amelia found herself in an even more compromising position that when she'd fallen asleep. She was now completely on top of Arthur, her new pillow being his collar bone. While it wasn't the best pillow she'd ever had, it wasn't completely uncomfortable either. One hand was tucked under her chin, the other thrown out to the side. After a moment she decided both legs were on one side of her oversized pillow, at least.
Then she noticed what it was that had woken her. Arthur was awake, but he wasn't extracting himself like he had in the past. Rather he had apparently opted to stay put and wait on her to wake up. Amelia decided he must have been waiting long enough for him to get uncomfortable, because he was idly stroking her hair. It felt nice, but it was enough to bring her back to the land of the living.
"'Morning," he chuckled, apparently noticing her open eyes.
Amelia closed them again, grunting in response.
"I'm afraid you're going to have to get off me now."
She sighed, but reluctantly rolled off the pirate. Stretching all four limbs, Amelia yawned and asked, "So what's this port you'll be stopping at?"
"New Madrid. It's not very aptly named, they never got it as thriving as they'd hoped. As long as we cause no trouble and do honest business they don't mind us."
"When should we get there?"
"Tonight, I think. Why?"
Amelia chewed her lip. "Can you do it at the last minute?"
Arthur was quiet for a moment, and then a hand settled over hers. "Of course, love."
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