A/N: This is something I have had in mind for years and have been working on for a while, though I only have chapters written in bits and pieces and the whole thing is not nearly finished yet. Either way, I finally decided I might as well publish, in case anyone is interested in this kind of thing. The story will mainly star Killian and Liam, though Emma may make an appearance later on, depending on where I decide to go.
Also, I wasn't sure whether to rate this as M or T, but the story is rated higher for a reason. There will be darker themes in later chapters, so please don't read if this bothers you. I'm trying to write a realistic take on what may have happened to two young boys, in slavery, during this time. So, read with caution. There likely won't be anything super graphic, nor will there be strong language, but I'll update the rating if that changes. I will provide trigger warnings on the relevant chapters.
Lastly, reviews are always appreciated. They make my day and bring me joy, haha! Either way, thanks for stopping by and reading. Love you all!
The first tendrils of light glittered on the horizon, sparkling across the still sea in a dizzying display of beauty. Killian stood mesmerized, arms resting on the railing, letting himself forget where he was for just a moment.
Despite everything that had happened, despite the three years he'd already spent in servitude, he loved the sea. Felt drawn to it in a way he didn't understand. Perhaps it was because it was all he'd ever known. The Jones' family had lived next to the sea Killian's whole life, until his father had...
He let himself trail off, unwilling to spoil the morning with such thoughts. He tried to forget about that whenever he could, only allowing it in his darkest moments. When he needed to remind himself that it was his father's fault he was in this situation, not his.
But in the silence of the morning, before the crew woke, Killian didn't need that reminder. It was these quiet moments that kept him going, reminding him that there was a reason to live.
One day, he would be free. Liam had promised him as much. And, though he didn't often believe his brother's words, he allowed himself to in these brief moments. To look out at the ocean and imagine what it would be like, to travel the seas, free.
Just him and Liam. Because Liam would be there, of course.
As if on cue, he heard footsteps behind him, felt an elbow jostle him. Turning, he grinned at his brother, though the look on Liam's face wiped the smile off his own.
"Gods, Killian, you can't just come up here without letting me know. I was terrified when you weren't in bed this morning."
Killian crossed his arms and turned from his brother. "I'm not a child anymore, Liam. And I always come up here, you know that," he pouted. Of course, Liam would need to spoil the morning. He rolled his eyes at the thought, gaining him another shove from his brother's elbow.
"You're barely twelve, Killian. That's still a child," Liam pointed out. "And that means you still need to tell me where the hell you're going."
Letting out a frustrated breath, Killian didn't respond. He knew Liam cared for him, but his brother was so overprotective sometimes. Every aspect of his life on this bloody ship was controlled by someone and it seemed that Liam couldn't let him have even this.
As if reading his thoughts, Liam put a hand on his shoulder, turning Killian towards him. Paused for a moment, until Killian finally met his brother's gaze.
"Killian, you know I worry about you, that's all. I can't handle - " Liam cut off there, for a long moment, eyes drifting briefly out to the sea. Finally, his gaze returned. "I can't handle the thought of something happening to you. I'm not saying you can't come up here. Just let me know, alright?"
As usual, the fight drained from Killian at Liam's concern. His brother was everything to him, and he knew Liam was always looking out for him. He couldn't deny him something as simple as letting him know where he was going.
"Aye, Liam. I'll let you know." The words still held a small remnant of annoyance, but they were sincere.
Liam nodded, choosing to ignore the bare hint of rebellion that remained. He understood Killian's lingering defiance better than anyone, after all, though Liam was always better able to contain his anger. It was why Liam was respected, trusted with things of actual importance on the ship, whereas Killian was sure everyone was just waiting for him to screw something up. Sometimes he wondered if the men purposefully tried to rile him up, when they wanted a bit of entertainment. Which made it all the worse when he gave into them, more times than not.
His backside was littered with fresh and faded scars, reminders of his seeming constant insolence. Liam had them too, although Killian winced at the reminder of how many of his brother's should rightfully belong to him.
Again, Killian forced the thoughts from his head. He spent too much time dwelling on them, on things he couldn't change. Right now, he just wanted to try and enjoy the morning.
As though understanding his brother's silent request, Liam rested his own arms against the railing and stared out at the ocean. Killian moved closer to him, leaning his head against Liam's shoulder. His brother was the last family he had, and he loved Liam with his whole heart.
The boys stood like that for a long time, Liam's presence allowing Killian to focus on falling and rising waves, rather than the ebb and flow of memories that drifted constantly through his mind.
When the sun had come fully over the horizon, footsteps began to sound behind them, as the men came up from below deck. Soon the bell would sound and it would be time for roll call. Soon Liam would need to go off to whatever he was doing, and Killian would be on his own again, assigned to whatever task nobody else wanted to do.
"We should go," Liam said, voicing Killian's own thought.
Still, Killian resisted. "I don't want to."
Liam let out a small breath. "I know, little brother - "
"Younger brother," Killian cut in, too quickly, causing Liam to laugh.
Killian loved hearing that sound, a reminder of how things had been before all of this. Liam rarely laughed now, not that there was much to laugh about.
"Little brother," Liam persisted, and Killian blew out a loud breath of frustration, earning him yet another jab from Liam.
Killian couldn't help but smirk, just slightly, at this, though he still protested: "I'm not so little, Liam. I'm not much smaller than you."
It wasn't true, not even close. At near sixteen, Liam looked almost a man. Next to him, Killian knew he was clearly just a child, though it didn't keep him from bristling whenever anyone said as much.
To his credit, Liam didn't respond to this. Instead, he reiterated his first point: "We should go."
Killian sighed, still not moving from the bars. "I still don't want to."
"That doesn't change anything," Liam pointed out, in such a matter-of-fact tone that Killian found himself bristling.
"It should, though. We shouldn't be here," he pouted, voice raised louder than he intended.
Liam shot a hand over his mouth, looking over his shoulder quickly. "Killian, you can't say that - "
"Why not?" Killian said, words barely understandable through Liam's fingers. "It's true."
"Killian," this time, Liam's voice was harsh, startling Killian into silence. Only when he was quiet did Liam remove his hand.
"You can't say that, alright? You get in enough trouble as it is, and I don't want to watch you take another beating. You've got to try and stay out of trouble."
Killian's eyes lowered slightly at Liam's words, though he knew they were true. He didn't try to get in trouble, but it seemed to always find him anyway. And he was no good at keeping his anger in check, particularly when people seemed intent on riling him up.
"Did you hear me?" Liam wasn't leaving this alone, so Killian simply nodded. Apparently, even this was not enough, as Liam nudged him once again. "I want an answer, Killian."
Killian swallowed, knowing that getting annoyed at Liam's persistence would only prove his brother right. Forced an evenness into his voice when he responded. "Aye, I heard you, Liam. And I'll try. But you know I don't try to get in trouble. I don't exactly like being punished either." The words held a bite, a touch of sarcasm, and Liam simply shot him a small glare in response.
"That's what I'm talking about, Killian. You use that tone with them - " Liam gestured at the men gathering on deck " - and you'll feel the cane again before you know it."
"Okay, you're right, is that what you want to hear?" Killian shot back, feeling frustration rising in him again. This time, he managed to keep his voice low enough for just Liam to hear, though he knew that didn't help his case a great deal. "But it comes easy for you, being perfect. I'm not like that." The words flowed from him too quickly, too honestly, and the anger he'd directed at his brother left with them. Replaced with the simple reminder of his constant failings.
Liam let out a sigh, resting a hand on Killian's shoulder again. As always, he seemed to know exactly what to say. "You know it isn't easy for me, either, Killian. I understand how you feel, I really do. But getting angry is just going to make it worse."
There was a long moment of silence, before Killian finally nodded. Liam was right, as always. And he knew, as always, that his brother was just looking out for him.
"I know. And I will try, Liam. I promise."
Liam nodded, squeezing his shoulder. "Good. I love you, little - younger - brother," he said, meeting Killian's eyes and giving his brother a small smile. Killian returned it, though his effort was a little forced.
"I love you too, Liam," he said, the words entirely honest, unlike his smile.
"C'mon then, let's go." With that, Liam turned to head to where the crew had gathered. Killian didn't follow him, immediately, but turned back towards the ocean. The sun had fully risen now, and the magic of the morning had disappeared.
It seemed fitting.
He stared at the sky for only another moment, before letting out a breath and turning to trail behind Liam.