For Pan, as part of the Ultimate Fic Exchange Challenge.
Sirius can feel it in his bones. The witch's curse has really taken its toll on him over the past five months. He feels as though he's wasting away to nothing, though his body betrays no signs of his weakness.
"You thought that you could just lay with me like a common whore?" Marlene had demanded, hellfire blazing in her eyes. "I curse you, Sirius Black! You and your cold heart. You will turn to dust within a year if you cannot find someone to thaw the ice in your chest."
Sirius has tried. But being one of the most feared pirates on the seven seas doesn't give him much time for romantic connections. On shore, he had fallen into bed after bed, hoping a pretty face would break the spell. Much to his disgust, he's only grown weaker with each passing day.
"Captain?" James says, rushing into his cabin. "Stowaway."
Sirius sighs, forcing himself to stand tall and strong. A pirate has no use for weakness. "Bring him in."
James nods before dismissing himself. A moment later, he returns with Peter, dragging a young man behind them. The man looks up at him, his face scarred, his tawny eyes pleading.
Sirius appraises him, trying to ignore the sudden flutter in his chest. "Leave us," he orders.
His men exchange uncertain glances before nodding. "Aye aye, Captain," Peter says with a salute before leading James out.
"What's your name?"
"Remus. Remus Lupin."
"You fancy yourself a sailor, Remus?"
"No, sir. I- I only hoped to make it to Scotland. There are teaching opportunities, and I-"
Sirius raises a hand to silence him. He studies the other man curiously, circling him as his eyes look Remus up and down. "I will grant you safe passage. Well, as safe as the Marauder can manage," he chuckles. "But do not mistake this for a free ride. A pirate doesn't just give."
"I- I'm sorry?"
"I hope a brief stint as a pirate won't harm your teaching career. James!"
His first mate rushes in, and Sirius rolls his eyes. Of course he had been listening at the door. "Take our new friend to one of the empty cabins. I'll have Peter bring him some grub."
James salutes and takes Remus by the arm, escorting him out.
Sirius watches them go, shaking his head. Mercy hasn't been in his nature for a long time. He hopes his change of heart won't prove to be a mistake.
…
The night is the only thing that brings him comfort. Remus has always been fond of nighttime, often seeking solace in shadows and moonlight.
His stomach lurches suddenly, and he leans against the edge of the boat, but looking down at the crashing waves only worsens his nausea.
"Bad idea, looking down," comes a voice.
Remus doesn't dare look up. He's certain that if he moves, he will spill the contents of his stomach. "If you have a better solution, I'm all ears," he grumbles.
Suddenly, the infamous Captain Black leans against the rail beside him, gesturing toward something in the distance. "Keep an eye on the horizon. It's a fixed point,' he suggests. "Not exactly a brilliant idea stowing away on a ship if you don't have the stomach for the sea."
Remus couldn't begin to list the stupid things he's done. Taking a chance with the most ruthless crew of pirates, however, had definitely topped his list. It's still a miracle that he isn't dead.
Hesitantly, Remus moves his gaze to the horizon. His stomach doesn't settle magically, but he thinks that maybe it will be more tolerable. "Thank you," he says.
The Captain nods, pushing himself away from the railing. "You know how to fight?" he asks.
"Fight?" Remus echoes, unable to hide the tremble from his voice. "No. Of course not."
Sirius looks at him with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "I'll train you in the morning. If anything happens, you'll be expected to defend our ship. You should get some rest. I'd hate to run you through because you can't focus."
"Sleep," Remus agrees with a tired nod.
…
Sirius presses his blade to Remus' throat. "And if we were under attack right now, you would be dead," he explains with a smirk.
He returns his sword to his side. In a flash, Remus grabs his sword and lunges, pressing the tip to Sirius' stomach. "And pirates sometimes take prisoners, and they would do well to not be unarmed," he counters.
Sirius raises his hands in mock surrender, letting out a laugh. "You'll need more than just brains to keep you alive at sea, but it's helped you today," he concedes. "But remember, most of us don't know mercy. You'll do well to remember that."
Remus starts to hand Sirius the sword, but Sirius shakes his head. "Keep it. Can't have you running around unarmed."
Remus nods, staring at the sword in awe.
"You're dismissed."
As Remus leaves, Sirius watches him, curious. He can't explain it, but since the strange man has been on the ship, Sirius doesn't feel the ache so strongly in his bones. It's the first time in months that he's felt anything close to peace.
…
It amazes Remus how normal it has become to be on the ship. He's learned to fight, to man the cannons, to steer the ship. He almost wishes he could stay.
He returns to his cabin, sitting on his cot and pulling out a book, and he can't help but to laugh. He's lived a thousand lives through the written word, but here he is now, actually living the adventures he had loved as a child.
The door opens, and Sirius enters. He looks at the book, brows raised. "We'll arrive in Scotland in two days' time," he announces.
Remus nods, and he feels a sudden wave of longing was over him. He doesn't know if it's for Scotland and the opportunities that await him, or for the ship and the adventures that he'll miss.
Sirius looks like he wants to say something more, but instead, he turns and exits. Alone, Remus stretches out in his cot, opening the book.
…
"You could stay," Sirius offers. "A mind like yours, you'd be a fine navigator."
He can see the conflicting emotions on Remus' face, and he feels relieved to realize that he's given it thought. At least Sirius isn't selfishly clinging to hope.
"I'm not sure that this life is for me," Remus says. "So far, we haven't been attacked, but I know that luck won't hold. I'm not sure that I can live a life of war and thievery."
Sirius' lips quirk into a bitter smile. "No," he agrees. "I believe you are built for more honorable things."
Remus takes him by the hand, and Sirius feels that ridiculous flutter in his chest again. He doesn't hurt anymore. His curse is lifting.
The door bursts open, and James stumbles in, a sword in his back. "Peter," he gasps, collapsing to the floor. "Mutiny."
Sirius' eyes widen, and he rushes to his first mate, checking for a pulse and finding none. He looks at Remus, shaking his head. "I can't ask you to fight."
Remus draws his sword. "You don't have to."
…
"You little rat!" Sirius screams, lunging at Peter.
Peter moves with surprising speed, a grin on his face. "A man has to do what he must to survive," he says simply.
"A ship is approaching," Remus warns.
"What have you done?" Sirius demands.
"Captain Riddle approached me in Italy. He promised me wealth, power, things you could never give me. All I have to do is hand you over to his crew."
Remus frowns. Riddle is known across the land as the most ruthless cutthroat. No one dares to speak of him above a whisper. "You've killed us all," he says, his body cold with panic.
Peter laughs. "I haven't killed myself. No more acting as errand boy. This ship will be mine!"
Remus reacts without thought, grateful that Peter doesn't see him as a threat. Peter's eyes are fixed so intently on Sirius that he doesn't even notice Remus approaching until Remus buries his sword in Peter's stomach. He removes it, horrified as it comes out scarlet.
"I- I-"
Remus feels like he might faint and join the dying man on the floor, but Sirius grabs him firmly by the shoulders. "You did what you had to do. Now, quickly. We haven't much time."
In a daze, Remus nods, not fully understanding. He allows Sirius to pull him away.
…
"What sort of pirate ship has life rafts?"
"It's for the safety of my crew. You're all I have left now," Sirius says, slipping a compass into Remus' hand. "You have to go. Live your life in Scotland. Do better things."
"You can come with me," Remus offers.
Sirius closes his eyes. The temptation is far too great. But this is the only life he's ever known. Since he'd run away at sixteen, he's been on the sea. He doesn't know how to live a normal life now. "Keep your course. You'll make it to Scotland soon," be says at last, handing Remus a bag filled with food, water, and gold. "You'll be taken care of."
"Sirius, if you stay, you'll die. Come with me," Remus insists.
"A Captain does not abandon his ship. I will not hand her over so easily," Sirius says, hesitating.
He cups Remus' face in his hands, pressing a quick kiss to his lips. "Go. Now."
As he watches Remus drift away, Sirius lets out a bitter laugh. He has broken his curse, but he will still die. Fates could be so cruel.