Pre-rum

Title: Pre-rum (1/2)

Author: Lydia NightShade

Pairing: Jack Sparrow/Will Turner

Rating: R over all; this part PG-13

Summary: This is the prequel to The Price of Rum. You can read this one on it’s own. This is really just written to take a break from the angst going on in Price of Rum, it’s how my Jack and Will met. DESPITE THE WARNINGS IT’S NOT A REALLY DARK FIC! I swear! There’s a feel good ending and lot’s of cuddly Jack and Will.

Warnings: attempted (only attempted) rape and violence (nothing really bad), mentions of abuse but don’t fret, all of it’s PG-13 at best. This isn’t supposed to be a really dark fic, it’s R for the /consensual/ sex scene later on. And it’s AU, so no skeletons or Elizabeth.

Disclaimer: If these were my characters I’d be living in a mansion in New Zealand right now with a killer entertainment unit and LOTR playing non-stop…considering I’m hunched over a laptop in my mother’s house in the US, I think it’s safe to say I made this up.

Feedback: You know I love it!

Beta: Me mum and me sister…yar matey they be…/nice/…..whoo-hoo!

Author’s Notes: Yeeehaaaa! I’m feeling good! Just had a lovely walk at the reservoir and saw my hawk buddy, she had a chipmunk in her claws…wonder if it was Chip or Dale. (Mum says she’s my spirit animal or totem, heh!) Hehehehehe, okay kiddies, here’s the prequel…as for the name, I couldn’t resist. Yeah, after all the angst in TPOR I had to write this. Of course there is some angst in here but it’s so mild compared. Also I think this will help explain why my Will is so wimpy in the bar when Barbossa was hitting on him and just why he’s kind of “girlie”. I can’t help it! I think he’s so adorable, and I think it’s sexy when a guy has some innocence to him, the little boy qualities I guess. Blah! All right, in this story Will is about 17. As for Jack, he’d be like 34 I think. Bad at math. I suppose you could call this a hurt/comfort. Oh and let’s pretend that J. Brown isn’t short and fat and that he could actually pose a threat. Thank you!

Author’s Notes 2: Ye know the drill…speech “blah”; thoughts ‘blah’; scene change/passage of time *~*~*~*~*~*

Dedication: To my beloved readers! You guys have been so awesome with the support and nice feedback through the trials and tribulations of my first fic. You guys rock! ^_^


It was a quiet night in Port Royal. The citizens walked the streets through the market place buying necessities and frivolous items alike. It was a relatively peaceful town. The people mostly kept to themselves and didn’t get into their neighbor’s business unless it directly affected them. Late at night, however, in one small corner of the town, angry shouts and bottles crashing could be heard coming from J Brown’s modest blacksmith shop. Another bottle smashed and a thin figure could be seen rushing out of the shop into the night. It was the same routine every night.

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Captain Jack Sparrow stood at the wheel of the Black Pearl. He gazed out over the ocean with a look of confidence and detachment. They were heading into Port Royal for a brief time. After a year at sea, he and the crew longed for a night on dry land. It was a beautiful day; he picked up his compass and checked their position. A smirk crossed his face, “Take heart men! We reach Port Royal by nightfall!” he shouted happily. A cheer went up from the men before they set back to their duties. “Finally, a place to get a decent meal and a pint of rum…perhaps even some pleasurable company.” he said with a lecherous smile.


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True to his word, the crew of the Black Pearl arrived at Port Royal just as the sun was setting. They docked, paid the dock man three shillings to not ask for a name, and then Jack gave the crew leave for the night. He was just gathering his money when he heard a knock on his cabin door. ‘Of course,’ he thought annoyed, ‘what grand emergency is there now?’

He opened the door to find his first mate Craig standing in the doorway.

“Begging your pardon Captain, but I was wondering what your plans were for the evening?” he said smiling hopefully, shifting from one foot to the other nervously.

“Well, to be honest Craig, I was looking forward to spending some time alone…in a pub…with rum…perhaps a whore as well.” He said nonchalantly. Craig’s smile fell and he looked dejected.

“Oh…I see.” He said scratching the back of his head and staring at the floor. Jack gave him a sympathetic smile and placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder.

“Perhaps another time, eh mate?” Craig raised his head to meet Jack’s gaze and gave him a halfhearted smile.

“Aye, another time then…enjoy your whore,” he said sincerely and walked off.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In another part of Port Royal, a young man was busy toiling away in a blacksmith shop, fulfilling yet another order. He paused a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow before looking out the window. “Sunset…he’ll be back soon,” the young man said worriedly. His master, J. Brown, was a notorious drunk. What people didn’t know, however, was that he was abusive when intoxicated, especially to his young protégé. ‘Like it’s not enough I do all his work,’ he thought bitterly as he put down the order and went to fix something for the drunk to eat.

J. Brown was the town blacksmith and master to William Turner, an orphan he’d taken in when he was just a small boy. Brown taught Will everything he knew about the craft…which didn’t take long. He wasn’t always a drunk. In the beginning Brown had taken good care of Will. The boy even grew to think of him as a father. It was because Brown was the only father figure he’d ever known, that Will continued to tolerate the abuse. He told no one. When it got too bad, he would just leave for a few hours until the man passed out. As it was he already had a black eye from last night’s encounter. The dinner Will had prepared was not to Brown’s liking.

Will had just finished setting up the table when the door to the shop flew open and his master came staggering in. Brown spent his days in the pub drinking, while Will stayed at forge filling the orders. It was fine by Will. He didn’t really want anyone to see his bruises anyway. He could smell the booze on the man already, ‘He must have really overdone it this time,’ he thought nervously, as he regarded the man defensively.

“You’re back…I made dinner…it’s your favorite…chicken…marinated in whiskey,” (lol, I don’t know) Will stated trying not to sound disgusted. He never understood how the man could eat such foul meals and still be alive. Brown only sneered, plopped himself down and began shoveling food into his mouth. ‘Why do I even set utensils…he never uses them.’ Will thought shaking his head at the sight before him.

“Have you finish-sh-ed…the S-Smi-Smith order?” the drunk slurred between mouthfuls. Will grimaced as food came tumbling out of the man’s mouth but he forced himself to answer.

“I was just about to,” he said softly, moving back over to where he’d left the sword. He was about to grab his mallet when a dish crashed on the block right in front of him. ‘…he’s mad,’ Will thought sadly as he turned to face his master.

“Why the hell haven’t you finished?! You had all damn day!” he shouted angrily as he started grabbing things from the table and throwing them at Will’s head. Fortunately, years of nightly practice had made Will a very adept dodger. “You’re worthless! Why the hell do I keep you around?!” the man continued to scream as he threw anything that wasn’t bolted down at the frightened young man. “I’ve had it with you! Get out! And don’t come back!”

“What?” Will asked shocked. Brown had never kicked him out before, he had always run for his life, but he’d never been told to leave and never return before.

“Are you deaf? I SAID GET THE HELL OUT AND DON’T COME BACK!!” The drunk boomed as he threw a chair at Will, barely missing him. Will watched the chair splinter against the wall. It wasn’t until Brown lunged at him that he took action. He let out a surprised yelp, as he jumped to the side. Brown went crashing to the floor, groaning in pain. Will didn’t waste the opportunity, he ran from the room, fast as lightening, to his chambers. He threw his few meager possessions into a bag, grabbed his coat and ran from the shop.

He didn’t stop until he got to the pub. It was where he ran every night. Since, the pub was the closest place that was open late, it was the only place for Will to run to. It was rather ironic that the place that caused the source of his problem became his nightly refuge. His only friend was the bartender. James knew what Brown was like when he got drunk. He felt sorry for Will and often gave him free food and a room to stay in if he could. Will took a few calming breaths before he entered the pub, he didn’t want to draw any more attention to himself than his black eye would already. He smoothed out his clothes and composed himself before he slowly pushed the door open.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“More rum please!” Jack shouted waving his hand to get the serving girl’s attention. He’d been sitting in the pub for about an hour or so and he was rather bored. The locals were not what he would call interesting company, and the bar whores were less tempting than a yeti in a teddy. ‘Is it too much to ask for?’ he thought as he surveyed the room again, looking for /anything/ attractive. It was at this point that one of the whores came up to him and leaned down close to his face, exposing her cleavage.

“Big spender, eh? How about spending some on me?” she asked, trying to sound seductive. However to Jack’s ears it sounded more like the braying of a dying donkey. ‘My that’s a handsome mustache she has,’ he thought slightly tipsy. He placed his hand on her shoulder and gently pushed her away.

“Sorry love, not for all the rum in the Caribbean,” he said reaching for his bottle. Enraged, the women slapped him and stormed off. “I didn’t deserve that,” he whined, and then paused to think it over, “…well, maybe a little.” He shrugged and took another swig from his bottle. Leaning back further into the couch he was on.

Jack’s mouth dropped open when the door to the pub opened slowly and a young, slightly disheveled, man entered. ‘Now there’s something interesting,’ he thought. The young man’s hair was in a loose ponytail and strands of his curls fell in his face. He looked slightly nervous; clutching a small bag to his chest like it was his only lifeline. The adolescent’s eyes scanned the room, before he made his way over to the bar in hurried steps.

Jack noticed the ugly black eye instantly, ‘Wonder who gave him that,’ he thought concerned. He was still in awe of the stranger. ‘He’s the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen,’ he thought lustfully.

Will made his way to the bar, expecting to see James, but instead he found a face he didn’t know. He sat down and looked at the man confused. ‘James always works at night.’

“What’ll it be lad?” the unfamiliar bartender asked him. Will hesitated, looking like he didn’t know what to say.

“…I’m sorry but…doesn’t James usually work at this time?” he asked looking at the man hopefully. ‘Maybe he’s on a break,’ he hoped.

“Ah, you must be a regular. Yes James does usually work this shift, but he won’t be anymore. Now, what can I get for you?” He asked leaning his hands on the counter.

“Why won’t he be working it anymore?” Will asked, sounding somewhat desperate. His only friend in the world was missing.

“His wife, back in England, died. He had to set sail on the first ship back this morning. With her dead there was no one to look after their children.” The man said sadly. Will frowned; he knew how much James loved his family. They were the reason he worked every night, to save up enough to send for them. Even though he felt for his friend, he couldn’t help but worry about himself as well. With James gone he had no one else to turn to. He had hoped that James would give him a place to stay until he could support himself. Now he really was alone in the world.

“You alright son?” Will looked up at him sadly and shrugged. “You two must have been really close,” the man said, his voice having a hint of sympathy.

“Yes, we were.” Will said softly staring down at the counter, scratching at a crumb. The bartender observed him with pity. It was obvious the kid was down on his luck.

“Hey, would you like something…on the house? I know it won’t help much but…you seem like the world is on your shoulder,” he said sympathetically. Will looked up at the man with a halfhearted smile. He shrugged.

“Sure, that would be good,” he said softly.

“What do you want?” The man asked with a smile.

“Um…what do you recommend?” Will asked, unsure of himself, he’d never drank before.

“We’ve got some nice rum in.”

“Okay,” he said apathetically. ‘Worst night of my life…if I’m going to start drinking it might as well be now.’ The bartender brought him over a small glass with the brown liquid. Will looked at it for a moment before he hesitantly brought it up to his lips. ‘Oh what the hell.’ he thought as he dumped the entire contents into his mouth in one shot. It burned! Will’s eyes bugged out and he spit the liquid back into the glass, coughing and hacking. The bartender had to laugh.

“First time eh?” He asked with a hint of a laugh on his voice.

“That stuff is abhorrent!” Will shouted trying to get his coughing under control. Still laughing the bartender mercifully brought Will a mug of water to help ease the boy’s burning throat. Will took it and chugged the entire mug before he asked for more. ‘Why do you hate me god?’ he thought miserably as he laid his head down on the counter to fully enjoy his pity party.

Through all the coughing and hacking Will had failed to notice the very amused pirate captain lounging on the couch in the corner. Jack had witnessed the boy’s adventure in drinking and thought it adorable as well as amusing. ‘I bet he’s a virgin too,’ he thought smiling to himself as he took another swig from his bottle. Oh yes, he /had/ to get to know this young man better. He was about to get up and approach the young man, when some else beat him to it and plunked down next to Will. He was a tall, strong built man, with a five o’clock shadow and long greasy hair.

“Light weight eh?” the man said in a gruff voice. Will raised his head up slowly and observed the man with overtaxed, annoyed eyes. ‘Like my life isn’t going bad enough! I have to get insulted by a behemoth that doesn’t understand what soap is,’ Will thought cynically as he gave the man an angry smirk.

“Go. Away.” He flat lined, staring at the man with an unamused expression.

“Oh, a fiery one! Bet you’re an animal in the sack,” he said leaning in and giving a sleazy smile. Will grimaced and shuddered. ‘Please /god/, strike one of us dead right now…preferably /me/!’ He thought placing his head in his hands. He felt a hand on his thigh and let his head fall on the counter.

“Look,” he sighed, “I’m having the worst night of my life and I would really just like to drink my water in private.” Will spoke with his head still resting on the counter.

“I bet I can turn that frown, upside down.” The man said sliding his hand up Will’s leg. ‘He did /not/ just say that…’ Will thought annoyed as he placed his hand over the man’s to stop its ascent.

“As much as that does sweeten the pot…” Will said yanking the man’s hand from his leg and tilting his head to the side to glare at the man sarcastically, “I’ll have to decline. Besides…I’d be terrible company anyway…I’m really quite frigid…/yes/ that /must/ be it.” He said turning back to drink his water. But the man just wouldn’t leave him alone.

“Stop being so stuck up! You think you’re better than me?!” the man sneered, obviously getting angry. ‘Not /think/, I /know/.’ Will thought, but he decided not to express it. “You’re nothing special, just another future prostitute! You should be grateful /anyone/ takes an interest in you!” Will had had enough.

“I /said/ GO AWAY!” He shouted as he took his mug and slammed it against the man’s face, completely drenching him and causing him to fall off his stool. Will did his best to control his laughter as the man sputtered and tried to regain his dignity. He stopped laughing, though, when the man sprang to his feet and grabbed him by the throat.

“You little whelp!” The man sneered as he squeezed. Will started to panic, until he saw a pistol held up to the man’s temple. ‘Who?’ he thought, confused as to the identity of his savior.

“That’ll be enough.” A calm, scratchy voice said with just a hint of danger. Jack stood next to the man with his pistol drawn and pressed to the rouge’s temple. The man slowly released his grip on Will’s throat and turned to face Jack.

“What? He your property?” the man asked annoyed. Jack just narrowed his eyes and cocked his pistol.

“No. But he asked you to leave…I concur…savvy?” He said smirking and flashing his gold teeth. The entire time Will was watching the situation with baited breath, his eyes wide. ‘Who the heck is this guy? Why is he defending me?’ He thought worrying his bottom lip. A voice behind him startled him, and he jumped slightly.

“All right men! Put the gun away or take it outside! I’ll have no blood shed in my bar.” The bartender spoke up aiming his musket at the two. Jack smiled and held his gun and his hands up in a sign of submission. “Okay, Steven, I think you should leave.” The bartender said to the angry man, pointing the rifle in his face.

“Why do I have to leave?! He’s the troublemaker!” he shouted pointing at Will. Will gave him a shocked look before he turned to the bartender to plead his case, but he was cut off.

“I’m no fool, Steven. I saw the whole thing. You’ve been a problem for quite sometime now, but frankly I think we can do without your business. Get out, you’re banned from here.” He said calmly, glaring at the man. Steve glared fire at them before he grabbed his coat and stormed out, grumbling to himself. Will let out a breath, he didn’t know he’d been holding in, and slumped back against the counter. He ran his hands over his face and tucked the stray stands of his hair behind his ears. The bartender put his musket away and went back to his job as if nothing had happened.

“Are you alright?” Jack asked sitting down on the now empty stool next to Will. Will looked at him cautiously and gave Jack a half-smile.

“Compared to what?” He asked laughing slightly and shrugging. He rubbed the back of his neck with his left hand and stared down at the floor. Jack frowned. The boy seemed terribly depressed. ‘What could cause someone to be so down?’ he wondered staring at the handsome young man before him.

“Can I buy you a drink?” he asked not knowing how else to proceed with the conversation. He was always so bad at this. Women were easy…he knew they would be interested. The nasty look he received from the young man made his heart fall into his stomach. ‘Oops…’

“I should have known. Everyone wants something. I suppose you think I owe you something because you helped me…well I didn’t /ask/ for your help! I can look after myself!” He shouted getting up and moving to the other end of the bar. This night kept going from bad to worse. It took Jack a few moments to react, he was so shocked by the unexpected outburst. He shook his head and followed the young man. He was rather annoyed to be thanked with accusations. He grabbed Will by the arm and spun him around.

“Let go of me!” Will seethed while trying to pull his arm from Jack’s grasp. But Jack was surprisingly strong and held him tighter.

“First of all, you’re welcome. Second, I wasn’t expecting any kind of payment. I just wanted to get to know you better. And third, if you’re so good at taking care of yourself then why do you have that nice shinny eye?” Jack said smirking and releasing Will’s arm. Will bowed his head and rubbed his arm where Jack had been holding him. He felt bad about offending someone that was just trying to be nice to him, but he didn’t have to answer to anybody. When was the last time anyone had stopped to consider his feelings?

“First of all, that’s none of your business. Second, like I said, I didn’t ask for your help. And third, I want nothing to do with some drunk pirate that tried to pick me up in a pub!” With that, he stormed off to the far corner of the pub to try and figure out his next move. If he had had anywhere else to go he would have stormed out.

“Fine.” Jack snapped and made his way back to his former seat, finding his drink still had still not been brought. He balled his fists in frustration and shouted louder than necessary, “And where the hell is my bloody rum?!”

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It had been about an hour that Will sat stewing in the corner of the pub. That lousy pirate kept staring at him and smiling smugly as the whores threw themselves at him shamelessly. ‘I won’t let him get to me, I won’t let him get to me…’ his mind kept repeating over and over. Why was this man bothering him so much? Why did he keep staring at him? Why did it feel like the man could see right through him to his very soul? “Bugger.” Will grumbled under his breath clutching his bag closer to his chest.

An hour of thinking and he still had no idea what he was going to do. ‘Where on earth can I go with no money, no connections, and no one to fall back on?’ He thought dejectedly, shifting in his seat slightly. He started to wish he had left the shop more often, or that he wasn’t an orphan, or broke. ‘Can’t think about that…’ he scolded himself as he shook his head. He started chewing on his bottom lip for about the fiftieth time that night. ‘What am I going to do?!’ he thought starting to get panicked.

Just then the bartender slammed a mug loudly on the bar to gain the attention of everyone in the pub, “All right ladies and gentlemen, closing time. I don’t care where you go, but you can’t stay here!” With that he started shoeing out the last remaining drunks. Will panicked. Where was he supposed to go? ‘Maybe I can barter a room out of him,’ he thought hopefully as he approached the man. “Closing time lad, sorry you can’t have one for the road.” He said pushing a drunk out the door.

“Oh, no, I was wondering if you had any rooms available upstairs?” Will spoke in an unsure voice.

“Five shillings a night, meals not included.” The man flat lined, sounding tired and annoyed.

“Um…yes…about the money…I was hoping there was someway I could, perhaps, work it off? Sort of pay in trade?” Will asked nervously, silently praying the man would agree. The man smirked at him and shook his head.

“Sorry lad, you don’t have anything I want and we have enough help around here. Although if you’re nice enough to one of the drunks they might take you home with them.” Will gave him a disgusted look.

“That’s not what I meant! Honest work!”

“Oh you’d earn it, believe me. But like I said we don’t need any more help…honest or not. Now, seeing as how you have no money, I’ll have to ask you to leave, it being closing time and all.” Will was desperate. He really didn’t want to sleep in the street.

“/Please!/ I’ll do anything! Scrub floors, wash tables, dishes, linens…turndown beds…any job you don’t want to do.” he begged with pleading eyes. But the bartender was untouched by his plight.

“Sorry lad, five shillings or get out,” he said unsympathetically. Will stared at him for a moment then sighed and rushed passed him. He shivered as the cool night air hit him. He put his bag down for a moment and slipped his coat on, wrapping it tightly around himself. He’d never wanted to cry more in his life, but he refused. A hand on his shoulder surprised him and he elbowed the mystery person square in the nose. He heard a bottle smash and an angry yelp.

“AHHHH! WHY THE BLOODY HELL DID YOU DO THAT?!! …YOU SPILLED MY RUM!! WHY WOULD YOU SPILL MY RUM?!!” The now very nasal sounding captain shouted, clutching his nose. Will didn’t know whether to laugh or be afraid. This man was the biggest klutz he’d ever seen…but he was still a pirate, he could tell by the clothes.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was you…if I had I would have kneed you in the groin as well,” he said smugly grabbing his bag and walking away.

“What is wrong with you?! Why are you so stupid?!” Jack asked completely undone. He’d been nothing but pleasant to the lad since he’d met the beautiful stranger and all he received was contempt from him. Why the hell was he still chasing after him anyway? This was too much work for a one-night stand. ‘Maybe you want more,’ a small voice said smugly in the back of his head. ‘Oh we aren’t even /thinking/ that!’ he shouted back. He was so busy arguing with himself he failed to notice that Will had turned around and said something. “What was that?” Jack asked confused and a little embarrassed.

“Never mind…Just. Leave. Me /Alone/!” Will shouted angrily as he stormed off down the street. Jack watched him leave, still holding his nose. He didn’t know why but he had the urge to follow the young man. The only reason he had come to talk to him was because he saw the way Will had been pleading with the bartender. ‘This is what I get for trying to be concerned. What happened to my motto? I seem to remember something about: Take what you can, give nothing back?’ he scolded himself even as he felt his feet moving in the direction of the young man. ‘Not good…’ he thought as his body moved without the consent of his brain, quietly stalking his handsome young target.

‘Lousy, pretentious, arrogant, drunk, ugly, smug bastard!’ Will seethed to himself as he stormed down the street. ‘Well…maybe not ugly…sod it all! Why am I even thinking about /him/! I have no where to go and no money!’ He turned down an alley, completely lost in thought. He wasn’t even paying attention to where he was going until he stopped and looked up. He let out a sobbing laugh when he realized he’d found his way back to Brown’s shop. He slowly made his way up to the door and held out his hand as if to knock, but he froze. ‘GET OUT AND NEVER COME BACK!’ The man’s cruel words flashed through his mind again. He couldn’t come back. He wasn’t wanted. Will turned around and ran back into the alley.

He heard footsteps behind him and sighed. “I said leave me alo…” His sentence was cut off, however, as a hand was placed over his mouth and his wrist was grabbed and tugged behind his back, twisted painfully. He screamed but it was muffled by the hand, his eyes were wide and panicked searching for any sign of help. His breathing was coming in quick frightened pants. Who was attacking him?

“I told you I’d take that frown off your face you little whelp!” Will’s struggles sed. ed. It was the man from the bar, ‘Why wasn’t I nicer to him?!’ Will thought regrettably. “Still think you’re better than me? You’ll pay for getting me banned!” he growled angrily, twisting Will’s wrist so much he thought it would snap. Will bit his hand at the same time as he dug the heel of his shoe into the man’s foot. When his attacker let out a yelp of pain, Will used his free arm to drive his elbow back into the man’s ribs. The grip on his wrist was released and he reached to grab his bag, but the man grabbed him by his ponytail. Will let out a yell of pain as he could feel his hair being ripped from his scull. The tie he always used broke and his hair fell around his face, freeing him once again.

He started to run but the man lunged at him, causing them both to fall to the ground. The man turned Will over so they were facing each other and backhanded the boy. Will fought back until he felt the cold steel of a blade being pressed against his throat. “Help!” he screamed until the knife was pressed harder.

“Shut up! Just make this easy on yourself and be still!” The man snarled as he tugged Will’s jacket open.

“No! Get off me!” Will screamed as he punched the man square in his jaw.

“You little asshole!” He screamed as he stabbed Will right through his left shoulder, slamming his hand over Will’s mouth to muffle the sound. Will screamed into his hand and squeezed his eyes shut. The man removed the knife and grabbed Will by his hair before slamming the back of Will’s head against the street, almost knocking him unconscious. Dazed and in pain, Will ceased his struggles holding his head in an attempt to stop the throbbing, before he gave up and let his arm fall to his side. The man ran the knife down Will’s throat and tore open his shirt, smiling at the expanse of pale, smooth flesh. Will looked up at him with clouded, watery eyes pleading silently to have mercy on him, but his attacker had no pity on him.

Just as the man was reaching for the ties to Will’s leggings a shot was heard. Silence. The man stared down at Will in disbelief before he slumped forward…dead. Will just lay there in disbelief, not sure of what just happened. He heard footsteps approach and tried to push the body off him to get away. ‘What if it’s a robber…he’ll shoot me too…’ but he was still groggy from the violent jolt to his head and much weaker than normal.

“Rapists…lowest scum of the earth…besides pedophiles eh?” He heard the same low scratchy voice say. ‘That pirate…’ Will thought as he looked up with blurry eyes to his rescuer. Jack bent down and yanked the dead man off of Will before he knelt down next to Will to see if he’d been too late. Will flinched from his touch, thougnd tnd tried to back away.

“No! Leave me alone!” He shouted sounding like a frightened child.

“Peace lad. I mean ye no harm,” Jack said softly placing his hand gently on Will’s injured shoulder. He felt the warm blood and noticed the boy’s flinch and grimace of pain. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing…I’ll be fine.” Will said in a voice just above a whisper. He blushed and pulled his shirt closed wrapping his arms around himself. Jack frowned. With the amount of blood he felt, he knew it was no small wound.

“Don’t be stupid. Let me look at it, you may need attention.” Jack said pulling at Will’s shirt in order to get a better look at the injury.

“What do you care?!” Will shouted angrily, holding his shirt closed with one hand and hng hng his head with the other. His head was still throbbing and his shoulder was on fire. He just wanted to go home and sob himself to sleep but he didn’t have a home to go to and he was just almost raped. That was the last straw he felt his eyes tearing up. He placed his head in his hands and started crying.

Jack felt his heart wrench. ‘Poor lad,’ he thought sympathetically. He gathered Will’s slight frame in his arms and held him close. He felt him stiffen at first but then gradually relax into the embrace as he continued to let out all the grief he’d suppressed for god knows how many years. “Shhh, don’t cry. It’s all right. You’re safe now. No one’s going to hurt you.” Jack cooed as he gently rubbed Will’s back in slow comforting circles.

He didn’t know how long they sat there like that but when Jack heard the sobs stop he looked down to find that the beautiful adolescent had fallen asleep right in his arms. He had to smile at the angelic face and how good it felt to hold him. ‘Well I can’t just leave him here,’ he thought as he picked up Will’s bag and flung it over his shoulder before he scooped up Will and cradled him to his chest. “Don’t worry, little one. I’ll look after you,” he whispered softly, placing a soft kiss to Will’s forehead before heading back to his room at the inn.

TBC.


There see! That wasn’t so bad now was it? I told you there’d be mushy cushy stuff! Wait until next chapter when I really pour on the sap! Then again…what’s sappy to me may just be normal for those of you that are emotionally well adjusted and not suppressed…wow…psycho babble…HOT DAMN I LEARNED SOMETHING IN COLLEGE!

Okay, so that’s my explanation as to why Will was so timid when Barbossa was hitting on him in Price of Rum. I figured if you almost got raped the last time you were nasty to some scary stranger that was hitting on you the next time you’d be a /bit/ nicer. Oh and I know I had some lame pickup lines in there but my cheesy sense of humor and real life experience of getting hit on by pathetic men just came a crashing on through! I’ve also been hit on during one of the worst moments of my life and I too slammed my head down on the table so it’s not so unrealistic…it’s surprisingly satisfying!