The Wraith of Jack

Part Twenty-One: "Love You More"

****
A muffled cough alerted Will that Jack was awake. A few more racked the pirate’s frame before he could breathe well again. The captain could hear Jack approaching the main room, causing him to get to his feet. He smiled caringly despite the fact of being stunned by the man’s appearance. The thick hair was disheveled; his eyes were swollen and red as if he had spent time weeping and had not slept at all. A blanket was draped about his shoulders, and before long, Will’s gaze landed on his hands. They each had cloth wrapped around them, blood visible against the white color.

Will was about to speak, but Jack beat him to it.

“You still here?” he inquired huskily. “Could’ve sworn I told ya to leave.”

He trudged to the kitchen with Will close behind.

“Amelia not here yet?” he asked as he poured himself a glass of water from the pitcher on the counter.
“She’s already been by. I told her she could have the day off.”
Jack slammed the container down and turned to look at him. “You did what?” His posture conveyed his agitation.
“We need to talk alone.”
“What makes ye think you can just come here and take over? I have no right to; how are you any different?”
“Jack,” the young man said sternly. “We need to talk.”
The pirate shrugged. “About what? If you’re expectin’ me to come apart and melt into your arms for solace, you’re sorely mistaken, William Turner.”

He brushed past Will and went to the sofa. He plopped down lazily, sprawling himself out on the furniture.

“So what was that yesterday?” Will questioned and hovered over him. “You had no reservations about holding on to me. Why has that changed? Why were you so thrilled, yet now you’re intent on getting me out the door?”
Jack concealed his countenance with his hands. His voice was obscured when he spoke. “Why are you doin’ this to me, William? Drop it, all right? Please. For me.”
“Is that what you want?”
There was a minute of silence until Jack answered. “Yes.”
“And do you want me to leave? If you tell me again that you don’t want me here, I will walk out that door and never bother you again. Is that what you really want?”

Jack sighed and rubbed his face tiredly before letting his hands fall to his sides. “I have no idea of what I want, Will. Odd, isn’t it? I used to know exactly what I wanted – what to obtain, where to sail, what future I envisioned. I was Captain Jack Sparrow; I knew everything. But now, there’s not a single thing I’m sure of. I thought you were somethin’ I knew, but it’s not possible. And quite frankly, I don’t deserve you, love,” he ended with a small laugh.

He sat up as Will knelt in front of him. The captain entwined his fingers with the four on Jack’s right hand.

“Don’t you ever say that again,” Will said gently, yet with utter seriousness. “You don’t deserve to be walking on one leg. You don’t deserve to be without the most important part of your hands; the beautiful hands that had so much life in them, such strength. You don’t deserve to feel scared when someone touches you because of the violations they did to you. But what you do deserve, Jack….You deserve to be happy. You deserve me. And I wish you could know that I am here for you; I will always be here for you, and I will protect you. Never question the things I tell you, the feelings I have. You may be debilitated, but you make me weak in turn just by looking at me.”

As Will spoke, tears trickled from Jack’s eyes. When the young man finished, Jack could not verbalize anything that he wished to say.

“Jack,” Will prodded softly.

The pirate shook from the way his name was spoken, and he fell to the floor to cling to the captain. Will petted his hair and rocked him gently as he sobbed uncontrollably.

“Shhh….Shhh….I have you. I won’t let go,” Will whispered soothingly. “I won’t let go. Let it out. I’ve got you.”
“Will,” Jack choked. “I don’t know what to do.” His words came at a rapid pace from the uneven breaths. “There’s nothing I can offer James for his hospitality other than myself. I know he’s upset because I won’t allow him many times. Even though I was afraid and still recovering, I couldn’t deny him any longer. If he’s willing to sacrifice his home to me, why shouldn’t I be able to do the same and sacrifice myself?

Ever since they defiled me that day….I can’t sleep. I can’t eat. I can barely think about anythin’ other than what they did. It lasted so long, Will. They wouldn’t stop. And I did nothing! I just let them have their fun. They didn’t even clean their vile spill from me. I can still feel it trickling down my leg, in my mouth, on my face.”

He stopped in an attempt to take control of his breathing, but it proved useless. When he began to speak again, Will was shocked to hear even more sorrow in his voice.

“They fucked me in the place where we first met, Will. I always looked back on that fond memory of crossing blades with you for the first time with happiness, but now it’ll just hold the detesting memory of them forcing themselves onto me. I can’t tell James. I can’t bring myself to burden him with it. It’s mortifying and not somethin’ I’m proud of. I didn’t even bother calling for help; no one came to rescue me when they did it in that hell hole. Why would someone come then?

I’m tryin’ to be content here, Will. I am trying so hard. But I can’t. The sea calls to me every time I step outside, and it’s difficult to ignore. I used to scan the horizon to see if you were comin’, but there was never anything. I don’t know why James still consents to sheltering me here. I can barely show gratitude. The only way I know how to express it is by lyin’ on me back under him. When he returns in a week or so, I won’t refuse him if he wants to bugger me senseless. Whenever he’d like it. He deserves to have somethin’ in return….”

The tears were smeared on his cheeks as he wiped them on his hand. He inhaled deeply and released it, quaking immensely.

“And then I think….I think of how easy it would be to just get rid of all of it. No pain. No humiliation. No debts to pay. He keeps a pistol in the cabinet next to the bed. There’s a stream not far from here that would be deep enough to submerge myself entirely. Why don’t I do it? I’m a fucking coward William. Besides, I may as well be dead now. I’m immune to joy. I’m no better off than Barbossa was with that curse.”

Will helplessly wept from listening to Jack’s confessions. He did not have a clue as to what to say. Jack slumped against his chest and clawed at his back. The pirate’s cries slowly grew quiet from the physical and emotional drain of the expression. The captain cradled him like a child and held his head to him. It had been a long time since he had seen Jack in such a vulnerable, depressed state.

Jack became intensely exhausted from his grief, and he went to sleep in Will’s arms. Will kept his word; he refused to let him go.

****
A shaky exhale of breath came from Jack before he opened his eyes. He was still wrapped securely in Will’s embrace with his back resting against him; he was extremely thankful for not being alone.

“What did you do to your hands?” Will inquired, concerned. The knuckles were what had produced the blood to appear on the bandages.
Jack let the young man take one of them in his and inspect it. “I punched the wall,” he said nonchalantly.
Will could not refrain from laughing.
“My pain is funny to you?” Jack asked with a grin and feigned offense.
“Of course not.”

Will raised the injured body part to his lips and kissed each knuckle individually. Jack sighed pleasantly. The captain proceeded to do the same with the other and then slid his hands down Jack’s arms to envelope him from behind. He kissed the pirate’s ear and made a trail to the slightly exposed shoulder blade.

“I’m sorry for tellin’ you all that,” Jack uttered. “I didn’t mean to come undone.”
“There’s no need to apologize. I’m glad you told me. I want you to feel as if you can share anything with me.”
“I do now.”

Jack tilted his head to the side for Will to pay more attention to the soft skin of his throat. The young male nibbled and licked, causing Jack to emit a tiny sound of enjoyment. Will rubbed his palms against Jack’s chest and smiled from the delicious noise he instigated. The pirate put his own on Will’s and applied more pressure to create greater friction.

“Ohhnn….” he whimpered and began to tremble. “Take me, Will. I need to feel you inside me.”
The captain ceased his ministrations and stared at him timidly. “Are you sure you’re ready for me to?”
Jack nodded stiffly. “Yes,” he gasped. “It’s been too long since I felt you.”
“As it has been for me.”

Jack whipped around and straddled Will’s waist. He was pressed against the sofa as the young man seized his lips with his own. He grunted and scratched at the toned back as Will’s hand groped his flaccid member through his breeches. There was a tug on Will’s shirt, prompting him to remove it. They broke away and Will lifted his arms for Jack to rid him of it. The pirate threw it aside and greedily attacked Will’s mouth once more. Will copulated the inside of Jack’s with his tongue, exploring and tasting. The older man grinded his hips against his lover’s, making Will aware of the ever growing need Jack had.

They parted once again, and Will relieved Jack of his shirt. His fingers flew through the task of unbuttoning the man’s breeches. Jack extended his arms above him and arched upward. He yelped in surprise when Will pulled on his leg to make him lie on the floor. A devious grin graced the captain’s face, and Jack smiled debauchedly in return.

The last article of clothing was discarded; Jack abruptly felt embarrassed as he lay entirely naked in every sense of the word before Will. A burst of flutters overwhelmed him, making him close his eyes from disgrace.

“I can’t do this, Will,” he whispered breathlessly. “I can’t.”
Will put his hand to Jack’s flushed visage and voiced encouragingly, “Let me do this for you, Jack. Just like before, do you remember? It’s all right to give in. I will not hurt you. Just let me re-teach you once again.”

Jack could not bring himself to dissatisfy; he nodded and opened his eyes halfway. He observed Will shedding his garb, but the man did not move onto his body as he had expected. Instead, Will settled beside him and said into his ear, “Close your eyes and relax.”

The pirate obeyed hesitantly. He gasped as fingertips caressed his shoulder and ghosted over his chest. They went to his thigh, across his waist, and danced along his side. There was a brief moment of no contact as Will moved over Jack. His palms kneaded the pirate’s torso, and he soon came upon a spot of pleasure.

Jack whimpered gloriously as Will fondled his nipples. His toes curled and his breath hitched in his throat. Thumbs circled each one, hardening them until they protruded noticeably from his chest. Will bent down and let his tongue replace his fingers on the left one, while his hand still toyed with the other. Jack gasped and arched upward into the touch. Smooth lips soon encompassed it and sucked on the tender nipple diligently. His tongue occasionally swirled about it, eliciting numerous sounds of ecstasy from Jack.

“Oh, Will,” he panted desperately. “Don’t stop.” A teasing bite was the response. “Ahh….Don’t stop.”

Will left a wet trail behind as he forged a path downward with his tongue. The skin flinched from the contact. He stopped when he licked Jack’s hardened member from base to tip.

“Roll over,” he said shakily.

Jack did not waste any time in complying. Will re-settled himself and began to massage the pirate’s back. Jack groaned, and he was pleased to have all of the tenseness and stress fade away to nothingness. The captain traced several of the scars from the whip with his nimble digits before placing kisses onto them.

Once Jack was loosened up to Will’s liking, the pirate felt a hot exhale of breath on his neck.

“Are you ready for me?” the former blacksmith questioned with lust in his voice.
“God, yes,” Jack whispered wantonly. “Take me. Fuck me, William.”

His mind and body were wholly caught within the inferno of rapture that he did not notice Will getting up to fetch a bottle of lubricant from his coat. When he returned, the captain slicked his fingers and grasped Jack’s hip.

“Don’t be afraid to let me know if you want to stop,” Will said gently.
Jack nodded his head.

Will inserted his index finger into Jack’s body. Jack moaned boisterously and grabbed a fistful of the blankets. White flashes were in front of his eyes as he was submerged in depraved enjoyment. Another digit was added to stroke and caress the sore, delicate muscles; they leisurely inched their way farther into Jack’s warmth, making Jack squirm with eagerness. He was ready and hungry to have Will penetrate him.

The young man detected this and removed his fingers slowly. He applied the lubricant to his erection, got to his knees, and hoisted Jack’s hips.

A loud whine came from Jack’s opened mouth as Will began to enter him at an achingly, unhurried pace. His breath was labored; continuous whimpers were emitted from him. Tears stung at his eyes as he was suddenly thrown into the blacksmith’s shop with the three men.

“Stop! Please, stop, Will!” he begged pitifully. “Please stop.”

Will stilled himself and gazed at Jack’s frightened expression. He could feel the man shaking incessantly beneath him.

“All right. All right. There’s no need to be afraid, Jack. It’s me. It’s not them. I will not hurt you. I promise.”

Jack covered his face with his hands as he cried. Will remained immobile, waiting to see if the pirate would recover from the relapse to continue. After several minutes, he started to pull out of Jack, but a tremulous hand rested atop his and Jack shook his head.

“Don’t,” he said weakly. “Don’t stop. I have to do this. Otherwise, I fear I will never be able to do this again.”
“Are you certain?”
“I need it, Will. Please.”

His face became tense, and he hissed as Will commenced easing into him fully. Will gave a gentle thrust, causing Jack to practically wail. Another made the pirate moan beautifully.

“More,” he gasped. “I’m all yours, darlin’.”

He surrendered entirely. Will smiled and pulled back. He powerfully drove himself into Jack, creating breathy noises from the man beneath him. He went slowly at first, each time prolonging the action of pushing in and out of the pirate. His strong hands held onto Jack, though one soon deviated and cupped Jack’s arousal to stroke it.

“Uhhnn….” Jack sighed heavily. “Will. Harder.”

Will was content to oblige him. He sped his pace, and as the thrusts grew more forceful, Jack voiced his bliss louder. The captain pounded vigorously into his thin frame, dominating him to declare him his own.

Jack blindly searched for something to grab, and he soon found a pillow on the sofa. He dragged his fingers down it as if wanting to rip it apart. His lungs were on fire as he breathed quickly. His entire being was consumed by flames.

Will began to groan and he threw his head back. The combination of having his firm member groped and the passion with which Will moved inside him finally brought the pirate to climax. He spilt himself onto the captain’s hand that returned to hold the side of his hip.

It was not long before Will shuddered and halted his propulsions. He ejaculated into Jack’s body with a quivering moan.

Neither of them could move. Their slender frames were shining from sweat. Will snaked his arms about Jack’s torso and rested his head on the man’s back. Their trembling breaths were all that could be heard.

Jack’s arms gave out, and he collapsed to the floor with a grunt. Will was about to move off of him, yet he was stopped by Jack’s voice.

“Stay with me like this. Don’t leave me.”
Will rubbed his face against the perspiring back and kissed it softly. “I won’t.”
“I love you, Will.”
The young man kissed him a few more times before answering, “As I love you.”

He sighed and turned to lie on his side, taking Jack with him. The pirate moved to face him and tucked his head under Will’s chin. They cuddled as close to each other as they could, cherishing the moment of sharing such wild intimacy and tenderness.

There was simply nothing that needed to be said as they held one another on the disarrayed bedding, quaking from their release in one another’s reassuring arms.


Part Twenty-Two: "Tied Down"

****
Will woke in the morning from feeling Jack shaking against him. The pirate was overcome with a number of harsh coughs, though he was still asleep. Will was about to wake him, but a rapping on the door drew his attention.

“Shit,” he muttered and hurriedly threw on his clothes. He cautiously peered out the window to ascertain who it was. “Shit.”

He could not leave it unanswered; perhaps it was concerning a serious matter. A deep breath and he straightened his posture before opening the door.

“Mr. Turner?” Lieutenant Groves expressed, surprised.
“Good morning, sir.”
“I was expecting Mr. Norrington.”
“He’s away on business. He asked me to take care of the house while he is gone.”

A few coughs sounded from inside the room, causing Groves to look in.

“Is someone with you?”
Will opened his mouth, pleading for some excuse to come out. He chuckled and shifted to where Groves could not discern Jack on the floor. “It’s just the….dog,” he fumbled. “He has a….cold.”
Groves cocked his head curiously. “I didn’t know James had a pet.”
Will shrugged. “I didn’t either.”
“I’ll just hand this over to you then.” He removed an envelope from inside his coat and gave it to Will.
“What’s this?”
“James sent a request to the governor to write a pardon for Jack Sparrow if he happened to return to Port Royal. Quite frankly, I don’t understand why, but then again, he’s changed a lot since he resigned.”
Will turned the item over to study it and frowned. “Does this mean Jack would be free to walk around and not have to worry about being arrested?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be sure to pass this right along to him.”
“Thank you. Good day, Will.”

Will nodded and shut the door once Groves had stepped off the porch. He went to Jack’s side and shook his shoulder. The pirate was suffering from a number of sharp coughs, and he was wheezing faintly.

“Jack. Wake up. Wake up.”

Jack opened his eyes and curled up on his side. The captain squeezed his arm gently as he released more from his lungs. He recovered from the exertion, panting for breath.

“Are you all right?” Will questioned softly with worry.
Jack nodded. “Yes,” he replied weakly. “I don’t know what it is.”
“I wouldn’t think it’d be something to fret over.”
“Christ, no. It’s not that bad. Besides, happens every once in awhile to everyone, right?”
“I suppose. Listen, I have good news for you.”
“What be it?”
“I hold here in my hand a pardon for a Mr. Jack Sparrow.”
Jack snatched the envelope and tore into it. His eyes darted over the words as he read it quickly. “I don’t believe this,” he uttered. “Why?”
“I don’t know. I guess James didn’t want you to have to disguise yourself.”
Jack tossed it aside and laughed. “It’s not like I’ll be goin’ back into town anytime soon, if at all.”

Will knew what the pirate was alluding to, and he nodded understandingly.

“If you want,” he said comfortingly, “I could go with you. That’s if you ever did feel up to it.”
“Thanks, love. But I just don’t see it happenin’. What would people think if they saw a respectable man such as yourself escorting a handicapped pirate like me?”
“Since when did you care about others’ opinion of you?”
Jack scowled at him, but said nothing.

Will lie beside him and Jack snuggled against him. He stroked the pirate’s hair and kissed the top of his head.

“What did you want to do today?” he questioned.
“Hmm….I could show you around this place. It is quite a beautiful area.”
“That sounds nice.”
“But who knows if I’ll be able to walk, ay?”
Will laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You were invigoratin’ last night, and no doubt leaving me very sore,” he exaggerated, though he did feel the consequences from their intimacy.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“You know I did.”
“Then what are you complaining for?”
“You’re such a bastard, Will. Another trait from your father, I assume.”

Will grinned and kissed him delicately. He had a feeling that it would be some time before they went on their adventure.

****
The gentle rush of the stream was refreshing. There was a small breeze, making it a cool day.

“This is so delicious, Will,” Jack stated delightedly. He held up his bottle of rum and Will clanked his against it.
“How long has it been?”
Jack swallowed a large gulp and licked his lips. “Too long. You enjoyin’ your own little stash aboard the Pearl?”
“Once in a while. Certainly not to the extent that you did.”

Jack smiled and leaned against him. Will placed his arm about his shoulders and sighed. They relaxed in silence for a period before the pirate finally spoke.

“I’d be lyin’ if I said I wanted you to go back to her,” he voiced distantly.
“I don’t have to. If you wish for me to stay, I will.”
“We both know that can’t happen. And I gave her to you to keep the name alive.”
“But Jack-”
“Please, Will, just….Forget I mentioned it. Return to her. For me?”

The captain put his lips to Jack’s for a sensual kiss. “I’d do anything for you,” he whispered when they parted.

****
A low moan was muffled as Will let his tongue move into Jack’s mouth. Their eyes were closed as the relished the exciting sensations of one another. Jack grasped at the bare, muscled back, while Will inched his hand from the pirate’s cheek to the side of his chest. The younger man was absolutely pleased with himself for happening upon a spot that Jack could not avoid voicing his feeling of ecstasy. It was entirely stimulating to have Jack tremble against him as he fondled the man’s nipple with his thumb. It was also thrilling to have the pirate wholly give himself to Will; the captain could only hope that he provided Jack with as much pleasure as he experienced.

He eased Jack to lie on his back, never once separating from the man’s lips. The blanket they had brought out was incredibly soft against Jack’s hot skin. It created more tingles to shiver up and down his spine. He slid his palms along Will’s dorsal side and up to his neck. Will emitted a groan and let his fingers clasp around the pirate’s arousal. His hair was yanked roughly in response.

Jack bent his leg and wrapped it about Will’s back. Will accepted the invite and prepared to lay claim on Jack’s tanned frame. He broke away from their kiss, allowing both of them to pant for air.

In the moonlight, as Will penetrated the willing body under him slowly, Jack had never been more smitten with his lover. The glow provided him with an ethereal appearance. It gave him a sense of purity, causing Jack to giggle from the thought; Will was far from pure these days.

The younger man began to thrust into him, making him cry out in a quivering voice. As one of the captain’s hands caressed his torso, Jack knew no one had the ability to make him quake and make him as exhilarated as Will did.

Will was able to touch him in ways he thought to be impossible. The young man made him feel alive; he made him feel as if all of the tortures he went through were nothing but a dream.

Will made him feel desirable again.

****
“Never done this before.”
Will ceased placing kisses onto Jack’s arm and looked at his face. “Done what?”
“That….outside. Under a tree. It was unbelievable.”
Will laughed. “I’m very happy I could help make it be that way.”

A moment of stillness passed as they listened to the soothing nature sounds about them. Jack shifted a little in Will’s arms in order to gaze behind him to see the captain’s visage and to view the sky.

“It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?” he said faintly.
“It is. I haven’t seen it this clear in a long time.”
“One could just get lost in it. Like a sea itself; so vast and breathtaking.”
“And so many stars. They’re quite bright tonight.”
Jack paused before saying cheerfully, “Let’s make a wish, eh?”
“What?”
“Let’s pick one of them and make a wish. Then, when you go off sailin’ and I’m here, we’ll still have somethin’ between us. I can know you’re lookin’ at it, and you can be assured I am too.”
“That’s oddly romantic of you.”
“Oh, shut up and pick one.”

They searched in silence for a period before Will pointed to one glowing awfully brilliant.

“How about that star?”
“Perfect. Close your eyes.”

Will smiled from doing something childish, especially at the order of Jack Sparrow, and did as he was told. Jack shut his and breathed in deeply. They allotted one another ample time to think of one and cast it before opening their eyes once again.

“What did you wish for?” Jack questioned with a grin.
Will playfully shoved him. “I can’t tell you! That’s the whole point, isn’t it? Otherwise, it won’t come true.”
“Come on, Will. I promise you it won’t change a thing,” he prodded giddily.
“All right. I wished that you will never know such pain again and that you will always know happiness.”
Jack massaged Will’s hand in his own and held it to his chest. “Thank you, love.”
“What was yours?”
“I wished that you will experience and have the freedom I had and never be tied down.” Jack paused before admitting, “Now that I think about it, I was tied down.”
“How? You were the most liberated, untamable person I ever knew.”
“I had my freedom. I had any woman or man I wanted to lay with; get in and out in the least amount of time possible, no questions asked. I never settled for just one person when there were so many left to meet and bed,” he said with a laugh. “And I had the Pearl. That was all I needed. But she was my freedom. She was what allowed me to go anywhere and everywhere. I was tied to her. Perhaps that’s why I say never be tied down. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, Will. Leave her knowing I would never come aboard her again. She no longer could be mine. If you don’t settle, you can’t know that rip in your heart. Yet I’m doin’ it again to meself.”
Will stroked Jack’s hair and gazed at him with sympathy. “How are you doing it again?”
“I’ve found and accepted that I’m tied to you.”

Will pulled on the pirate’s shoulder gently to stare into his brown eyes directly. Jack’s expression was sullen and conveyed defeat.

“I won’t cause you to feel hurt,” Will said helplessly.
“You don’t mean to, but when you leave, I’ll feel it.”

Jack embraced Will as the captain rested his head against his chest and put strong arms around him.

“I’m sorry to tell you then that the last part of your wish did not come true,” the young man said with a smile.
“How so?” Jack tilted his head and frowned.
“I’m already tied to you.”

Jack closed his eyes and sighed heavily. He combed his fingers through Will’s hair, while Will licked and kissed his smooth skin.

In his mind, Jack tried desperately to cut the invisible rope that Will had around him.

It proved futile, and he could not bring himself to feel disappointment.