Legends of the Treasure Child

Now that reality had set in fully for the crew, Jack enjoyed more respect than ever. They’d sit around the warm oven in the kitchen during the evenings, or in circles on deck, drinking, while each recounted their version of the encounter with the demon. There was not a shred of doubt about Jack’s ‘condition’ any more, no doubting looks upon John and where he came from. The discussions concerning countermeasures against the demon and spooky stories about flying demons went lively, often with raised voices and animated gestures. John would often listen in, and have a good laugh at their vivid and often far fetched stories. The new crewmen, young men and boys would sit and listen to the elders speak, the hairs on their backs rigid with fright. The young ones would often gaze at John, keeping their distance yet allured by his striking looks and demonic eyes. They were intrigued by the relationship between Jack Sparrow and his demon son, yet they frowned at the stories about Jack being with child. How could that be? He was a man? The questions were many, and only the elders dared interact with John on the subject, though once in a while, a youngster would be singled out to go up to the helm and ask Jack an impertinent question they'd been going around for weeks wondering about. They soon discovered that Jack was secretive, avoiding their inquieries and keeping things personal. He often refered to John, and John would have to answer on Jack's behalf. He proved to be more open about things than Jack, sharing tales of his heritage, answering all sorts of peculiar questions with a good portion of patience.

"I don't see why you spend som much time talking to those whelps! they're here to do a job, not to listen to fairy tales!" Jack sighed, relaxing againt John's chest. They were lying in John's bed, and John gently massaged Jack's belly. The skin there was strained, as the belly grew fast, faster than with John. Jack pictured himself as big as a galleon by the time he came to the end of the pregnany, and he didn't particulary look forward to it. His brows were drawn upwards in despair, and he nuzzled against John, drawing some comfort from his warm and dry skin. They lay in silence for a while, listening to the great waves outside which crashed against the hulls of the Black Pearl. John continued to caress the belly with soft strokes, brushing against Jack's pubic hairs which were barely visible over the hem of the sleeping blanket. Jack had a burdened heart these days. He was naseous, easily growing tired and troubled by thoughts abot the Thyrion and the future. An eternity of pregnancies. An eternity of being sick, moody and alone with one's thoughts, an eternity of giving birth, enduring the pains over and over, having to watch the children grow up all too fast. Where did the happy days go? How did it all get to be this way? An eternity being hunted down and raped by a demon. Over and over. Jack sighed heavily, and put an arm around John's waist, turning to lay chest against chest. He could feel them already. The evolving breasts, his nipples turning sore, aching and itching by even the slightest change of temperature.

"It's important to invest time in these young men, Dad. They're the future crewmen of the Pearl, and of other vessels. Their understanding of our situation is vital to your success and your reputation. The more they feel secure, the more loyal they'll be. Cooperating with them is vital, and the right thing to do" John said to him softly, like he was speaking to a child.

"I don't want to cooperate. I don't care about me reptuation. I just...!"

"Just what?"

"I just want it all to go away so I can have a moment's peace" Jack answered, his voice muffled as he was still burying his face against John's chest, smelling his skin, "I don't think I will be gettin' out of bed tomorrow morn'. You can go and be capt'n in me stead. I'm hungry" Jack said absentmindedly, drifting off to sleep.

"Let's talk about this in the morning" John smiled at him, studying the beads in his beard, "how did you come by these anyway? Your beads?"

"None of your business, whelp" Jack said sleepily, turning away from John and tucking himself in.

"You got a bed over there you know. Your bed. There" John gestured at the empty bed across the room.

"Good night" was Jack's reply.

John laid down but remained awake, thinking things through. Great things awaited in England, and he'd have to be more tactfull than ever. They would reach the coast in about a month, and that would be the true and official start of the Sparrow Salvage Company Ltd. The key problem would be to do business with people without spooking them too much, for John knew he easily got carried away with his demonic ways. It was simply in his blood. There would lots of fun also. For there were many priests in England. the whole country littered with them! All for him! Hm, yes, well time for that later.And he needed stronger protection for the Pearl and for Jack. And he was determined to seek out the angelspawn and cut their heads off. No matter what they would pay! But for the moment, he needed to stay with Jack and support him, all though he wondered at how the Crimson Lotus fared.
He listened to Jack's steady breathing, watched his chest and shoulders steady rise and fall with the breaths. The children inside his belly were on the move, kicking around, growing, demanding more space in his body. If he stayed completely still and focused, John could mentally zoom his mind inside Jack's belly and be with them, watching their unfinished structure develop, cell by cell. Like an enormous intricate puzzle, adding one piece of the puzzle to another, establishing the outline of wings to be, multiplying everything by two, each cell a perfect mirror image of the other. Two of a kind. Two hellcats in one bag.

The End.