Not all treasure is silver and gold.

Elizabeth: You don't think I can fight because of my gender!

James: I don't think you can fight because you're in a wedding dress. For what it's worth, I don't think Jack can fight in that dress either.

Jack: Perhaps not. But I would make a radiant bride.

endless will turner - part 21

When first he’d agreed to this new life, three hundred-odd years ago, the world had been a different place. Ever there had been duties beyond those of the simple grim he had become in order to fulfil his penance: ferrying and protecting souls was but a small piece of the jigsaw, and active hunting was order of the day.

That had been when such errant creatures stalked the earth in number. As progress rolled on ever faster, as a boulder down a hill taking with it great swathes of land, the greatest of evils began to reside more and more in the hearts of men. It was less of a given duty for Nathaniel, and less often were his services called upon for more than guarding the church he was last inhabiting.

This time, it had been over sixty years since last he had been able to set foot off of the ecclesiastical grounds of the inner-city church he had wandered into. All things told it was more tolerable than the last thirty prior to that in a tiny rural chapel; there were people to watch and, on rare occasion, converse with, when they wandered through the graveyard pathways as a shortcut between city streets.

It was one such man, using this shortcut, who Nathaniel had never expected to see again. Perhaps, all told, he should have. Memories he had long dismissed battered back into his present senses.

It was dark, and he was first alerted by the chatter and noise of partygoers making their way between bars when he spotted the figure not so far behind. He’d thought it poor taste, initially; then funny; then stood dumbstruck as it hit him that no human was capable of such accurate imitation. No.

A heavy hand descended as though from nowhere onto Jack’s shoulder, gripping tightly as though he feared the man would, as ever, slip away. “Sparrow?!”

[Surprise modern day pounce for @killmebutneverinsultme ]

As safety went, Jack had never been one to keep well to it. Granted this island was one of the more favourable toward his sort these days, he was still a celebrity and he wasn't supposed to go sneaking off by himself. But he always did and always would. He was a free spirit. Even his contracts couldn't have anything that truly curbed his freedoms.

Having given Gibbs the slip from the hotel, Sparrow was wobbling his merry way down a well-learnt path in search of a further drink or three before he planned on stealing aboard his beloved ship again. The slosh of the ocean was preferred to quiet luxury.

The hand grabbed him and instilled a spike of terror. The familiar voice began to settle into his memory amid a brief attempt to scuffle with the threat. No sooner had he struggled around and reconciled the shape of the man with the sound, he goggled. His stomach looped and not completely unpleasantly either.

"Nate?" he blurted. "Izzat you?"

endless will turner- part 15

His reaction drew a smile from her, breaking past her grumpy facade. He had a way of doing that, this Captain Jack Sparrow, and Sylvie could not yet decide if he was doing it on purpose or if his charm was entirely accidental.

“I have not heard of your dear ship, no,” she lied, amused by this passion that slid in between his words when talking of the vessel. The Black Pearl was not a name to be heard often, but she had heard it before in the mouths of those who had not yet known that their doom was on its way. “But if she’s nearly as beautiful as me then she must be a sight.” Sylvie allowed her smile to grow, even if she was still somewhat tentative around Jack.

Jack managed not to pout that she hadn't heard tell of his ship. The universe was a hair bigger than one planet and he didn't want to be too renowned considering just how much worse there was out there in the unknown than a Kraken. Still, it was nice to be recognised, particularly when wooing delightful, dangerous damsels.

"Aye, that she is. Me an' the Pearl, we go way back. Bonded for life, we are, as much as. By my reckoning, you're the sort to value freedom above all else. That's what she is. The heart and soul of it. We'd make a great team, you an' me, love. Sail with me awhile."

Jack: Care to give a free sample to a pretty person?

James, manning a bake sale and tired of their shit: Sure! You know one?

Jack:

Jack: Care to give a free sample to an ugly person?

James did not believe him. Not for a moment, as much as he wanted to. What a cruel world, where one could not trust his own soul mate. A crueller world, he supposed, where his soul mate was a pirate.

He sighed, shaking his head and taking the very obvious risk as he unlocked the cuffs that kept the man prisoner. His fingers brushed against Jack’s skin, and there was that sensation of burning again, like his soul would burst into pieces if he did not establish contact right now. It had an intensity so great that James sharply pulled his hands back the moment the bindings were off.

“Right,” he coughed. “Dinner. Follow me.”

Even had Norrington not jerked his hands back so quickly, Jack could not ignore the sensation that passed between them. For a man so used to throwing himself at what he wanted (within reason), to find that what he wanted was the commodore was enough for him to make an almost pained grunt. He hoped it was disguised plenty by the removal of the cuffs.

Out of habit more than discomfort, he rubbed his wrists and began to follow Norrington. The thought of food allowed him to easily paste on a big grin. First he could fill his belly then worry about how to escape and continue his quest to kill Barbossa and take back his beloved ship.

"What'll we be having?"

"Of course I'm sure," Loki snapped, though in reality he didn't feel sure at all. This place certainly seemed, certainly felt different, but how much did he truly know about the place he'd just left? Certainly not enough to be completely sure that this wasn't just another, less interesting part of it, though the absence of Alioth looming over his new surroundings was a comfort.

He sighed, turning back to face his companion with an irritated expression.

"Is that so? It took me 2 days to escape my last prison. How long have you spent languishing in this one? The state I found you in doesn't exactly inspire confidence." He crossed his arms over his chest and his frown grew more pronounced. He didn't particularly want to accept any form of help, even if it was just information, but there could be no denying that any knowledge the man could give him would be invaluable.

"My name is Loki. Though as you seem so fond of titles, perhaps 'Your Royal Highness' would be a more suitable form of address, Captain."

Jack regarded the stranger sullenly on the subject of how long he had been here. The truth was that he had no clue, except that it had been a very long time, and he couldn't guarantee time didn't work differently here either.

Suspicion crept across his face at the name he was given. He was a well-travelled man and a name like that was almost as recognisable as Odin or Thor. Were it not for the earlier magical display, he would have put the moniker down to a Nordic background and mean or cheeky parents. The title only made his eyebrows rise higher.

"Royalty? No wonder you got no bloody patience. What kingdom do you hail from? Not as it'll make a lick of difference down 'ere."

As irritable as his words were, Jack's tone had eased off. He was wary of just how dangerous this likely god was if he were to grow angry.

Strange laughs. It's a deep rich sound that echoes both in the back of his own throat and along the walls of the hold.

Oh, this is going to be fun.

"Strange folk..." Interesting word choice. Accidental, most likely, but it amuses him enough that Stephen decides this man shall be the first to enjoy his undivided attention in this world. But, for that to happen, he'd rather they be alone and undisturbed.

"I mean you no harm," he lies. "And I'll tell you all you'd like to know, but I'll speak to you and only you, Captain."

Jack takes a deep breath, steeling himself no matter how wide his eyes remain. Whatever or whoever this thing is probably follows the usual rules of 'guns mean sod all'. With the added, not-so-reassuring assurance of meaning no harm, he decides to holster his pistol once more.

He looks to his remaining backup man and inclines his head to the stairs, providing him with the relief of escape, however long this thing allows it. Jack himself keeps the whereabouts of the stairs constantly in mind so he can flee if necessary.

"Ordinarily, you should be addressing me in my cabin, but perhaps given the circumstances and crew comfort, I'll permit an audience down 'ere. How's about you show y'self?"

@forevermuses

Jack: Let's just agree to both say we're sorry on the count of three.

Jack: One... two... three.

James: ...

Jack: ...

Jack: See, now I'm just disappointed in both of us.

/ @killmebutneverinsultme / continued from here /

Giving a firm nod, Jack set to relieving the unconscious torturer of his coat. “Put this on and take ‘is ribbon. Just need to pass for first glance as soldiers, which you’ll do better’n me. We get out together, out the side gate, through the quiet part of town, slip past Fort Rupert. There’s a dinghy waiting.”

He kept an ear out for any other guards. If his men were doing their job, there should still be a window of confusion for them to flee while the town mistook false mayhem for a raid. They’d have to be careful, of course, or they might not forgive their captain losing men for the sake of rescuing his lover.

“Move like you’re part of the scenery. We’ll be out of this before you know it.” He didn’t dare smile, the fear of losing James too great.

James did as he was told, for one could take the man out of the King's Navy but one could not take the ease of following orders out of the man. He shrugged on the coat and, with a hidden wince as the movement pulled on injured skin, tied the ribbon with a practised knot. His beard was an awful giveaway, but they had the blessing of the darkness of a near moonless night to hide such things.

With repressed dread in every step, the pair made their way through the path Jack had detailed. They expertly weaved through the chaos, avoiding eye contact by keeping their heads down as they rushed through.

After what felt like hours, James allowed himself a relieved exhale when the dinghy entered his vision.

"Get us out of here, Jack," he whispered, wanting nothing more than to wake up from this nightmare. "I want to see the Pearl."

Once James was safely in the rowboat, Jack's worried countenance smoothed into the cool practicality of a captain. There was starting to be time for him to experience his feelings and he was not ready for them at all. He stuffed them down and focused on getting James the hell away from this island and back to the shelter of the Pearl.

They found her waiting around the next corner, soon to rendezvous with the group who had fled to another scrap of beach. Jack brought his partner to his cabin and left him temporarily to see to the crew and ensure the pickup went as planned. One man had been lost to the mission, but he had caused his own folly and they didn't feel too discouraged in applying the Code.

Once the wind was in the ship's sails and they could easily outrun any pursuers, Jack returned to James' side. He perched upon the edge of the bed, aching to touch him.

"You're safe now," he said quietly, no hiding the grief in his stare. He was relieved, of course, but this sort of thing changed a man. "If there's anything you need..."

James: I am going to need you to swear-

Jack: Fuck.

James:

James: ...swear as in promise.