Turning A Blind Eye

The next morning, I awoke to something soft brushing against my face. It wasn’t hair or flesh, and when I reached out it was as soft as...silk. A silk - something - was brushing against my face, it’s cool surface tickling my cheek. I shuddered at the touch as it instantly reminded me of Jack.

“Wakey, wakey,” a soft voice whispered into my ear, and I chuckled.

“I am awake! What are you doing?” I reached out blindly with my right hand, the material blocking what little sight I had. My hand didn’t find Jack, but the material was suddenly dropped onto my face and I picked it up. It felt different from the bolt of silk Jack had brought me the other night. It was shaped. Sown.

“AnaMaria made yer a shirt. It’s blue silk, luv.” Jack’s voice was further away than before, and I assumed he was sitting on the chair opposite the bed. I heard the clink of glass and bottle, and realised he had poured himself a Rum.

“Jack...I...” I began. I didn’t know what to say. I felt like I needed to say something. Thanks for the shirt maybe, but I had to get more out. I needed to say - apologise - about what I’d tried to do yesterday. “I’m sorry...about the whole...”

“Do yer hate me, Will?” Jack asked, breaking my concentration. I heard another glass of Rum poured and immediately thrown back. I guessed he was a little nervous too. Jack might love his Rum, but not this early in the morning...but then again; he might have never made it to bed.

“No...I don’t...I-I...” Why the hell can’t I find the words! I’ve never been tongued-tied with Jack before - Never! Only Elizabeth, and that was because I was in love with her and couldn’t tell her... Oh shit! I took a deep breath and started again. “Jack, how can you bear to touch me? I’m a monster...” I felt tears prick my eyes and I hugged myself, wrapping my arms around the blue shirt pressed to my chest. “My eyes...Oh god! I must look like a freak!”

Suddenly, in a flash of movement, a shadow moved across the room and I was in Jack’s arms and for the first time I didn’t fight being there. Arms and hands were wrapped around me, a solid chest pressed against my face, a small beard brushing my forehead where his chin rested.

“No Will! Yer so beautiful...more than...err...more than the Pearl herself!” His fingers touched my face, stroking the soft skin of my cheeks and chin. My small moustache and beard were long gone since AnaMaria had shaved me when I was unable. Though I now do it myself, I rather like not having them. Short nailed fingers move further up my face, and attentively touch my eyes. “There’s nothing ugly in you, Will. These scars are proof of courage, where lesser men wouldn’t have fought as you did.”

“I didn’t fight!!” I cried, pulling my face from his hands and burying it into his shoulder. “I didn’t! Three time now...”

“No Will. You fought. When I brought yer ‘ere, you were so ill, a poison in yer blood but you lived. You tried to end it but couldn’t. You have done things, learned things, where lesser scum would have given up. You are no coward; you’re my Will, Savvy?”

Jack’s strong hands lifted my face and hot lips descended on mine. This kiss was different from the other. Stronger. More passionate. More desperate. Jack’s tongue filled my mouth, making it hard to breathe, but I didn‘t want to if it meant he‘d stop. I clutched my fingers into his shirt and hair, dragging him even closer. He tasted like Rum and the ocean - like Jack Sparrow should taste. I moaned as his tongue reached further inside, tasting my tonsils, my fingers wrapped in shirt sleeve and black hair...until he drew away, gasping.

“What a mouth!” he moaned, before covering my mouth again, his tongue even more impatient to search out every corner.

Boy, can this man kiss. I almost swooned like a woman with his attentions. I started to return the kiss, my tongue duelling with his and my teeth scraping against his powerful muscle. He kept thrusting it into my mouth in the parody of sex, and I was lost. My fingers dug into his arm and great handfuls of hair were pulled, as I drew him closer. Jack’s arms were suddenly around me, and I was crushed to his chest. I couldn’t stop the small yelp of surprise as his lithe body fitted against mine. For a moment, I struggled with my legs, but then gave up and just wrapped them around his waist until I was sitting in Captain Jack Sparrow’s lap! Much better.

Jack’s not a large man, tall but with a lithe muscular frame. His poor clothing, baggy and ragged makes him look even skinnier...well, they did when I could see them. Now all I could feel was strong, firm muscle. Powerful arms, wide firm chest, long tapered fingers that carded through my hair, and ran down my neck, as our kiss grew even more impassioned. His firm thighs were crushed beneath my weight, and by heaven, when I shifted...oh, his erection brushed against my ass. I couldn’t help but tense.

“Shhh me Will,” Jack whispers into my mouth as he breaks the kiss. “I’ll not do anything yer don’t want.”

I sighed softly, wrapping my arms around his strong back, and resting my head onto his shoulder. His hair smelt of salt and oil, which surprised me because I always thought the dreadlocks would smell bad. Dirty. He didn’t however, he smelled clean. Which was really a shock. I couldn’t say that Jack was the cleanest fellow I’ve ever seen...when I could see. Had he washed to come to see me? Shocking him and myself I laved my tongue along the length of his throat. Jack groaned, his hands slipping down from my shoulders to my ass. He squeezed once, groaned again, and then wrapped his hands around me, holding me tight.

“Not if you be doing more of that, luv.”

I giggled in an unmanly way and rested my head once again on his shoulder. And there I sat in Jack’ lap.

Jack tasted clean and confirmed my suspicious that he must have had his yearly bath the night before. His hair smelled of lavender oil, and I could feel the trinkets in it against my face. His bandana was wrapped around his head as usual, and he wore less than ripe smelling clothing. With all the facts I got the idea that Jack Sparrow was indeed trying to seduce me. Just that by itself gave me the courage to remain in Jack’s arms. I wanted to be there, yet at the same time, was terrified that I was. At least I wasn’t dreaming his desire. It was real. He wanted to be here, it wasn’t just me thinking that he did.

“I’m scared, Jack,” I whispered into his ear.

“I know luv,” he replied, fingers smoothing my hair. It had grown longer in the last 8 months, some of it was plaited with beads, and some turned into dreadlocks. I guess I looked like a pirate now. I never wanted to be one, it was against everything I believed in, but now it’s the only life I know. I can never leave...oh, by all that’s holy, I am in love. With Jack!! He’s what holds me here, makes me want to live, to learn, to even be something I once despised. I would do anything for him.

Our, well, cuddle was abruptly interrupted by a sudden knock on my cabin door. “What!!” Jack growled his arms involuntary tightening around me.

“Don’t snap at me, Jack Sparrow!” a female voice shouted back. I grinned as AnaMaria threw open the door, and barged in. I loved her sharp wit, and also her almost male like personality. She had presence and demanded respect, unlike other women I’ve known.

“Capt’ Sparrow to you,” Jack growls, holding me close. I’m startled that he would do so in the presence of another. Two men holding each other. Him in shirt and beeches, me only in my long sleeping shirt. Did it disgust her, as it once did me?

“Whatever,” she tuts. “Will, I’ve done yer some breeches, dark navy silk they are.” Her hands touched my shoulder and guided me to take the new clothing from her. The navy silk was so soft against my fingers that I wondered what it would feel like against my lower regions. A shiver passed through me, and Jack must have known my thoughts because that bulge in his trousers pressed harder against my arse.

“Now come on, Jack. He’ll be wanting to try them new clothes on.”

AnaMaria’s hands pulled at Jack‘s arms and he slowly released me. “I’ll leave yer to dress, precious,” he purred, finally allowing AnaMaria to pull him away.

I stood on unsteady feet, unsure of what just happened. Jack kissed me. I kissed him back. I liked kissing him. I want to do it again. And I was aroused by it. I smiled softly, touching my bruised lips. Maybe I think too much. Maybe I should just let fate take its course. See where Jack leads me. I’m not saying it didn’t scare me, it did, but what other choice did I have? I’m was blind, my only home was the Black Pearl, and I was falling in love with her Captain.

~*~*~*~

Later, when I appeared on deck in my new clothing, dark navy silk breeches, black boots, and blue silk shirt, I think I caused quite a commotion. I heard a couple of wolf whistles, but Mr Gibbs soon but a stop to that, shouting for the sails to be tied off. I lifted my face towards the sun, feeling the strong wind against my skin. The sails needed to be fully unfurled, giving the Black Pearl plenty of power and speed. I turned my face away from the brightness, and made my way to the aft and Wheel. I knew this ship like the back of my hand; I could find any rigging or step without feeling for them.

I heard Jack shouting orders at the Wheel, and made my way to stand beside him. I didn’t interrupt, just stood there, feeling the sun and wind against my skin. The breeze made my new silk clothing flutter, causing gooseflesh along my arms and legs. Yes, silk is a very sensual material.

“Hmmm...soft.” Jack’s voice spoke tenderly against my ear as he broke into my internal thoughts and I turned to face him. I might not have my sight, but I always try and face the person I’m speaking too. “Yer should always be dressed in silks, Will.” A rough hand stroked my arm; rubbing the silk against my flesh and making me shiver. “Yer so soft, Will. So smooth.” Jack’s hand glided down to mine and drew me forward towards the wheel. I took hold of the struts, and held her course.

“Not soft,” I mumbled, “blacksmiths hands they were.”

“Seductive hands they are,” Jack purrs into my ear, and then he’s gone. “Keep her straight on this course!” My Captain shouts back.

~*~*~*~

I remained the helmsman all day until Mr Gibbs took over after he’d had an early dinner. I was about to bid him goodnight and go to the galley, when he informed me that my dinner was to be served in my cabin. That was a surprise since over the last couple of weeks, I’d taken to eating with the rest of the crew. I thanked him and with slight confusion returned to my cabin. When I arrived the most wonderful smells assaulted my nose. Roast fish, with what smelled like potatoes. It’s been a long time since we had any of them!

“Will yer join me, luv,” Jack asked, the sound of glass tinkling as he poured out some Rum. (Couldn’t be anything but Rum!!)

“Err, right,” I stuttered, carefully making my way to the table and taking a seat. The food smelt delicious.

We ate in near silence, the only conversation was about the day and where Jack planned to head next. He wanted to return to Tortuga and sell what they had looted and stock up with supplies. Jack hated spending too much time on dry land and away from his precious ship.

After the meal was done, I washed it down with another glass of Rum, and wondered what Jack had in store. To my utter surprise, he came and knelt beside me, kissed my fingers and then left. “Goodnight, my beautiful Will,” he called as he closed the door behind him.

*~*~*~*~

Each night for a week, Jack and I shared our evening meal; he kissed my hand and then left. Leaving me totally confused and miserable. I couldn’t understand what was happening, and Jack hadn’t kissed me again like he did before with all tongue and lips.

AnaMaria had made more clothing, not just in silk but with fine linens, velvet and even a hide jacket. Each night Jack would present me with these gifts, asking me to wear them the next day. I was even more confused.

It was then that we arrived at Tortuga, and everything changed.

TBC