Life's Pursuit
folder
Pirates of the Caribbean (All) › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
3
Views:
3,724
Reviews:
4
Recommended:
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Currently Reading:
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Category:
Pirates of the Caribbean (All) › Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
3
Views:
3,724
Reviews:
4
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 3
Life’s Pursuits
by Prentice
Pairing: Cpt. Jack Sparrow/ Comm. Norrington
Distribution: Ask and ye shall receive.
Warnings: m/m situations, mild violence, harsh language
Spoilers: Pirates of the Caribbean Curse of the Black
Pearl
Summary: It can take a lifetime to realize what you
really want but only an instant to realize you've already found it.
Disclaimer:
Any and all characters and situations are
property and copyright of Disney. No profit is made. No infringement intended.
------
Chapter 3
As far as engagement parties went, Norrington
was no expert. He’d only attended two such functions during his years as an
officer and at both he had been called away for an emergency at the fort. But,
for as far as his knowledge went, thinctinction was becoming a success in the
eyes of all those invited from Port Royal. Many of the gentlemen present were
becoming back-slapping happy with the amount of doctored punch being served and
the number of ladies present. The women were similarly pleased with giggles
replacing the back slapping.
the quiet that was the Governor’s small garden. He had only just escaped being
pulled into a conversation with another mother hoping to boost her daughter’s
appeal. As if that were possible. Not only was Norrington not willing but also unable to pledge his desires to
someone else so soon but the witless girl that the mother had been posturing to
him was already engaged to one of the lower ranked seaman whom it appeared she
truly did love. Not that seemed to stop the mother, however.The Commodore’s lips twisted into a frown. Was everyone destined to be in
love now? It seemed, even now out in the gardens where he could see couples
having secret rendezvous in dark corners, everyone but himself had stars in
their eyes tonight. Everyone. He had even seen Gillette being charmed by a young lady whom had pulled the
same shy smile accosting on himself. He didn’t begrudge the young man. Let him,
and anyone else, have their stars and their baubles while they could. Too soon
would they realize that life was bittersweet at best. The things you wanted most
would be taken.Norrington shook his head, side stepping a couple who were whispering and
giggling to each other. He was not going to become bitter. Elizabeth had chosen.
Turner had chosen. They would be happy. Taking a deep cleansing breath of the salty sea air, the Commodore quick
stepped down a set of rock stairs, unconsciously moving himself farther away
from the sounds of merry making within the Swann household and closer to the
thunderous sounds of sea spray hitting the cliffs edge. It was a reassuring
sound. One that never failed to bring any internal storm back down to a gentle
rumble. Norrington had never lived far from the ocean, even as a child. He had been
born in a port town very much like that of Port Royal. It had been small, quiet
and comfortable. Just what a young boy needed when being raised by his mother
alone. A gentle smile played across the Commodore’s lips as the memories resurfaced.
His mother had tried so very hard to raise him by herself while his father had
been shipped from one port to another helping the British Royal Navy. His father
had been an officer just as he was now. Serving his country and the sea
faithfully till the day he died. Norrington had barely been seventeen when it
happened. The day that the news came, his love for the sea solidified. It was the only
place he wanted to be. Within a month, he was packing his bags, kissing his
mother goodbye and signing away his life to the sea. He had never looked back.Norrington sighed, sweeping his hat from off his wig covered head and turning
on his heels to admire the dancing lights from the Swann household. He had
hoped, at one time, in the small recesses of his heart that one day he would be
able to share those memories with Elizabeth while standing here, overlooking a
richly lavish home they could call their own. But, it seemed, he would never get
that chance. Not with Elizabeth. Maybe, not ever.
-----
A soft gust of wind and the distant tinkering of laughter reached the navalofficers ears as he turned the last circlet of the walkway in the garden. Long
since he had stopped seeing couples hiding in corners to try to have a moments
privacy. Obviously they had deemed walking this far not worth the trouble. But
still, he had trudged on. Allowing the cool salt air and the serenity of his
surroundings invade his mind and body and put him at ease. At some point during his solitary walk, his mind had drifted onto the more
enjoyable task of planning his next ‘attack’ on Sparrow. Undoubtedly, the man
must have weighed anchor at some point. Especially after it was news on the seas
that he, the Commodore, was back in port for a short time. Sparrow and his crew
had probably saw it fit to take their rest while they could.That was what he would have done if he were the pirate. Stopping, Norrington
frowned. Since when had he begun comparing what he would do if he were in the
pirates shoes to what the pirate was actually doing? The commodore shook his head, tapping his hat softly against his leg. This
was getting completely ridiculous. Here he was, standing yards away from the
engagement party of the woman he had loved, and he was here, alone, standing in
the gardens comparing notes out of Sparrow’s book, so to speak. It was disturbing. Very disturbing.Norrington’s lips twisted, looking down at the hat cradled in his hands. He
had received it just shortly before his coronation to Commodore. He had received
it from Elizabeth. Gut wrenching pain swelled inside him even as his fingers tightened their
hold. He coulven ven now, remember the sparkle in Elizabeth’s eyes as she has
watched him open the tissue lined box and see for the first time, the gift she
had felt necessary. Norrington sighed, turning the hat over in his hands and
running a finger over the felt lined edges. She had said he needed more style. He always looked so somber in his navy
blues. Norrington’s fingers clenched. He had always thought before then he
looked of the sea. Dark. Dangerous. But giving. So with a smile, he had placed it upon his head and worn it since. Even this
morning, as he was getting ready for the day and this party, he had unthinkingly
picked it up and placed it on his head. Perhaps, that was why Elizabeth had
greeted him so warmly. Perhaps, just perhaps, she had thought of it as a peace
offering and a testament that he meant no ill will. Norrington nodded. Yes, a peace offering sounded so much better than saying
he was love sick and lonely and that this hat alone was a small token that made
him feel that in some way, he was not. Turning that hat over in his hands once
again, the Commodore felt his hands tremble. Sometimes, even the smallest of objects could mock you with it’s simplicity.