In Deep Water
Pairing: Pirate! Hobie Brown x fem! Reader
Word count: 8.7k
Tags: Use of Y/N sparsely, no specific physical description of the reader, CW vomit mention, CW Inaccurate medical procedures, CW injury, TW blood, CW violence, TW death, CW guns.
Between the Devil and the Sea Masterlist
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CHAPTER 7 >>> CHAPTER 8
The laughter gets louder as the source of it shows itself aboard the black hellion, the fog makes way like a curtain opening to start a performance.
Hobie's grip is tight, fingers weaved around your arm, bruisingly strong. Your nails dig into his flesh as the uniformed man tilts his head to look at you, his toothy yellowing grin thrown in your direction. His powdered white wig flutters in the breeze, medals glinting off the single lamp on the bow, hands resting on the pommel of his pristine sword. The angelic figure head is a stark contrast to the devil sneering down.
The blackened wood of his ship groans as it continues to break a part of the revenge. The sails unfurled behind him, blue wings fluttering in the wind.
The angel of death has come.
“Look at what we have here.” He clicks his tongue, eyes boring a hole through your skulls, he narrows them into slits, and like a snake, he slithers as close as he can, tethering close to the edge. There's a flash of emotion in his eyes, snarling, the navy man chuckles, the mere sound makes you want to cower. “Hello little birdy, now how far did you fly to get where you are now?”
Hobie clenches his jaw, stepping over to hide you from his view. His hand never leaves yours, the dull ache from his hold says that this isn't just a nightmare.
You want to wake up even if it means losing his hold on you.
“Oh where are my manners? Mummy would whip me if she ever knew I didn't introduce myself to a lady.”
Hobie shifts his weight, ready to pounce if need be. You grab his shirt, making sure he doesn't do anything drastic. Subtly flicking your eyes to the side, you see the crew do the same. They look at you with fear in their eyes, the hunter’s gazes illuminating their contorted faces.
You can't help but let out a shuddering breath, the sound echoing around the open waters, hoping to get your cry for help to somebody who can do something, anything to get you and everyone out to safety.
“My name's Captain Mathias Bradshaw.” He drawls, thin lips curling into a smirk. “This here is my little merry band of sailors who has a bone to pick with—” pointing at Hobie with his thick finger, white cosmetic smeared on his palms. “Him. The red hydra. I forgot to greet you yet, long time no see you rapscallion.”
You hear Hobie's shallow breathing. Grey eyes thundering, a storm brewing, lightning flowing through his veins. The only reason why he doesn't let himself loose on Mathias is your touch.
“You see here, sweetheart,” The man addresses you and you only. “For the past three years your so-called captain and I have had a bit of a tiff.” He chuckles coldly. “A rivalry of sorts.” He pauses, looking over his shoulder. “Is it still a rivalry if you're leagues above your rival?”
“No, sir.” A gruff voice says, hidden behind the mist.
Mathias turns back around. “Well, we got our answer then.”
Hobie sneakily murmurs to you. “Hide—”
“I'm not done talking!” The sudden outburst makes you jump in your skin.
“You should've been done with your senseless dialogue a long time ago.” Hobie straightens his posture, head held high, a picture of a pirate captain. “Come down here and fight like a fuckin' man, show me your flames and I'll show mine.”
The man scoffs, amusement in his green eyes. “Flames? Yours is barely a spark.”
Hobie scoffs. “Let's be done with it then. Get the closure we both want, fight me in single combat.” Mathias knits his brows, Hobie smirks. “No? Thought you were a gentleman, where's your fuckin' honour?”
A booming laugh replaces Mathias’ scowl. “I guess it died with your little red hair—”
Hobie lets go of you, drawing his gun, pointing it directly at the monster's head. The crew takes this as their cue, doing the same, pointing their weapons towards the men surrounding them.
There's hunger in his eyes, beneath the swirling grey there's a hunger waiting to be fed.
The enemy ships don't even aim their cannons at the revenge, instead they float still in the water, unmoving, the men aboard their ships smirk in your direction like you're being served to them on a silver platter. It's then you notice the sons of the sea’s ship is no more. They took the brunt of the hellion’s collision.
No longer their sails fly, their crow's nest and pieces of wood lay floating in dark waters.
Left behind, slowly drowning in the depths.
You feel droplets sliding on your cheeks, for a second you thought it's your tears. And then more and more of it comes pouring down, splashing on the wooden floorboards.
Thunder booms from a distance, lightning flashes in the sky, lighting everyone's scornful faces.
A few of Karl's men stand with Hobie, clutching their injuries. You don't see Robbie, his lack of presence makes you glare at the sneering men.
“Say her fuckin’ name.” Hobie says through gritted teeth. “After what you did— Say her name.”
“Eh.” Mathias shrugs, “I forgot.” the laughter of his men echoes in the mist.
“You fucker—!” Hobie's hand shakes despite this, he draws the golden gun, aiming it at the navy man whose smirk gets wider.
“I recognize that little blunderbuss.” He chuckles, wiggling his pointing finger, “She pointed that at my head too, you'll be unsuccessful just like she was.”
It takes every fiber inside Hobie to not just shoot and face the consequences later. But he's surrounded, his crew is surrounded, they have no chance of escaping death if he shoots. The only option he has is through single combat and to appeal to the man's ego. He's hoping the idea works.
One look over his shoulder, one glance at your trembling face and he's back to that day, the day MJ was lost. He prays that this day doesn't end the same way three years ago.
“Little dove,” Mathias’ devilish eyes roam over your trembling body. “Look at you,” he chuckles lowly, “I'd say dear ol' Hobie here got an upgrade just because this one's got her head still glued on her neck!”
Hobie almost shoots him until someone from his crew screams, their voice full of malice, venom dripping with every utterance.
“Fuck you!” Gwen exclaims, “Don't you have any honour? She's dead and you're still spitting on her watery grave! After everything you've put her through!”
“Ah! Gwen Stacy, the ballerina turned pirate. How you doin', miss Stacy? I heard your father's still down in the stables, trying to repay his debt to the crown.” he rags her on, scoffing.
“You're still defending her? She's a traitor, a navy spy. The greatest one we've ever had in fact. Her only downfall is loving a bunch of…” he sucks in his teeth, trying to find the word. “Thieves like you. Love got her head cut off and love will be your ruin too.” Flicking his eyes to you, he observes everyone's faces after his tirade.
Hobie steps between Gwen and Mathias, his guns still raised, eyes brimming with the anger of a forsaken God. Yet he remains calm, clearing his throat, standing tall.
“Mathias Bradshaw, I challenge you to single combat, a duel. I win, you let us go. You win and you get to take us all back to the capital.” Hobie's voice booms louder than the thunder above. Lightning strikes near, the water sizzles at the contact. “I know a man of your stature can't say no.”
The man in the uniform guffaws loudly, broad shoulders shaking. “Oh that's hilarious, you think you'd win against me, little pirate? Hmm?”
“Yes.” Hobie doesn't miss a beat.
Mathias smiles, “I guess this one's less messy than what I was planning. Name your terms.”
“Guns only, five bullets. You get shot three times you lose.”
“I'll add a tiny thing to your wager.” The navy man looks over to your direction, pointing his crooked finger at you. “Same terms but I get to keep your little bird.”
Hobie turns to you, wide eyes staring back at you. “No—” He's already shaking his head before you speak up.
“Deal!” You roar above the thunder storm, deciding your own fate. The rain is getting heavier, drenching your terrified self. “The captain will take your terms as long as you honour it.” Nodding to Hobie, he holsters his weapon away from you.
Mathias cackles in the background.
Gently holding on to your arm, you already know what he'll say.
“Don't. Do you know what you just agreed to?”
“I do,” you stare at his raging eyes but they're tender when he looks at you. “I know you can take him, I trust you.” Taking his hand away from your arm, you squeeze him once before pulling him towards you. “Don't play fair, because he won't.” you whisper. “Fucking obliterate him, for MJ.”
Hobie takes you in like it's the last thing he'll ever do. He imprints your touch in his mind, wanting to remember the softness of it when the bullets get too much for him to bear.
He nods slowly, still unsure of your decision. If you trust him enough to sell your soul then he'll fight to the death so you don't have to.
With one last look at you, he turns around, facing up to the man he loathes the most, wanting to just strangle him with his bare hands. Maybe he'll do just that.
For the crew.
Mathias takes his blue coat off, grinning the entire time.
For MJ.
He grabs on to a rope, rappelling off the black hellion, landing in a thunderous impact on the deck.
For you.
Now that he's leveled with your gaze, he's a lot smaller down on the deck, stout with a round belly, face painted with white lead that's currently melting in the downpour. Hobie's taller and slimmer but he makes up for it in his agility and speed. You've seen him fight but Mathias' form could be compared to Finn's build, all muscle and strength hidden behind his uniform.
You're glad this was a duel of pistols if it was any other fight Hobie could be in trouble.
A few of his men do the same, jumping off the hellion while the ones on the smaller ships stay on board but keeping their eyes peeled.
Surrounding the bloodsail pirates, the hands of Mathias' men never leave the pommels of their rapiers. Hobie clenches his jaw, now standing before the king's flame, he can't help but gaze behind the man, back to you and his crew.
Gwen goes to your side, lacing her trembling fingers through yours, Pav sidles behind you, clutching the back of your vest. Miles stands next to Gwen, holding her other hand. You see them look at eachother with a knowing glance and glimmering eyes.
Your eyes meet Hobie's, you give him a nod, eyes full of fury, and trembling lips. You mouth a ‘Bleed him dry’.
The simple act of Hobie smiling at you, makes you tear up. It's the same one he gives you after you patch him up, it's the same one when he handed you the hot chocolate. It's the same smile that makes your heart flutter in your chest.
You're afraid as you part with the crowd to the side of the duelists, lest you get caught in the crossfire. As the one in front, you get a good look at the enemy on the other side, all lined up perfectly like the obedient soldier men that they are. You roam your eyes to their faces, wondering how they could obey a man like Mathias.
You assume the uniformed man walking towards the duelists is Mathias' right hand man. Left eye covered in an eye patch, his hazel eyes observe you. He's carrying a large wooden box, pristine and smooth at the edges with golden locks and embellishments. He opens it with a creak, rain water landing on the wood and soaking the velvet inside.
“You're the challenger, you get the first pick.” Mathias gestures towards Hobie, all smiles like he's not about to meet the end of a bullet.
You stand on your tippy toes to take a peek inside. There are two dueling pistols, flintlocks. One white as fresh snow, one is black like the hellion.
Hobie takes his pick, pocketing what you assume is the five bullets. The black gun in his hand shines when a lightning strikes the mast of the hellion. You hear splintering wood in the distance.
He steps back in place, measuring the metal’s weight in his hand.
“Good choice.” Mathias eyes down the gun. “Death has touched that one.”
Hobie glares, baring his teeth. If only that was enough to kill the man before him.
Mathias takes the remaining gun, wiggling it in his hand. “You ready, little pirate?”
Hobie doesn't show an ounce of fear. “You're going to die today.”
“How confident, confidence alone won't help you aim straight.”
Your entire body shakes whilst they stand back to back, guns raised on their sides. They walk slowly, counting their steps.
The pouring rain doesn't help, raindrops obscuring your vision, the cold mixing in with the ice in your veins.
With every step Hobie takes,
Five
with every hit of his boots on the floorboards,
Four
your heart tries to escape,
Three
pulse hammering,
Two
threatening to give out. Afraid of what's to come. No one else dares to make a sound.
One
Standing end to end on the dock, they turn around swiftly.
After a beat, the man with the box yells. “Fire!”
Bang!
The sound echoes out in the dark, above all the rain and thunder.
Hobie hits his mark, Mathias groans, clutching his dominant shoulder. Smoke bellows out of their guns, dissolving into the rain.
Your words are repeating in Hobie's head ‘Don't play fair’ you say, then he won't play fair.
He notices his bleeding arm, looking down he sees the bullet nicked his skin, leaving an angry gash in its wake. The wood behind him gets the brunt of the bullet, the metal embedding inside, splintering a gaping hole.
You jump when Mathias laughs along the thunder. More and more lightning pierces the sky. You can taste iron in your mouth, not realizing the pain from biting the inside of your cheeks.
They reload, Mathias’ man observing with his watchful eye, making sure they both adhere to the rules; but you highly doubt he's doing it for fairness sake.
Metallic clanking, gunpowder clinking against steel, Mathias' voice enters the fray to your dismay.
“You know, you were too easy to fool.” He starts, finishing up his reload. “You never asked why I left my lieutenant in your hands and why was it so damn easy for you to get my travel documents.” Smiling, the lead on his face melts further, dripping on the floorboards, the white paint mixing in with his blood. “Just like I said, love will be your downfall.”
Hobie doesn't have enough time to squabble, instead he would let his aim talk for him.
“Twenty paces!” The eye patch man yells again.
Hobie and Mathias move forwards, getting closer and closer to each other. You want to put a stop to the duel, but you have to trust Hobie that he'll make it, that he'll win. He has to.
You dare not blink.
“Fire!”
Bang!
Hobie almost keels over, his shoulder heavily bleeds, trembling hand holding his flesh together. You see him smile underneath the pain, following his gaze, Mathias clutches his shooting hand, groaning and hissing. It looks like Hobie shot a hole right in the man's hand. The white gun lays on the bloodied floor, discarded.
Gwen's hold on you tightens, you can hear Pavitr sob quietly.
You catch Hobie's eyes. There's hope in the swirling grey, nodding, you encourage him, mouthing an ‘end it’. He seems to understand, straightening his stance, he reloads the gun as best as he can with an injured shoulder.
Mathias wheezes out a strained laugh. “I gotta hand it to you, your aim is pretty good.” He stands, grabbing his gun on the way up with his uninjured hand. “No matter how amazing your aim is, you're still bloody blind!” He screams, spit flying out of his mouth.
“My two bullets that's in you say otherwise.” Hobie tilts his head mockingly.
“No, no, no.” Mathias clicks his tongue, waving the gun wildly. “You still don't get it do you? You're not asking questions, letting everything fall into your lap, thinking God's on your side on your little revenge quest. But he's not,” he chuckles. “Sacrificing my lieutenant was the best decision I've ever made, especially knowing the fucker can absolutely sing. Loose lips sink ships, little pirate. Do remember that. Especially since you didn't seem to learn from it last time.”
Hobie's face falls, dread filling his chest.
“Bribing the governor to plant my travel documents and telling him to go unwind in a brothel for a couple of days was well worth my coin.” Mathias stretches his shoulder, reloading his pistol with bloodied hands.
He continues. “The two idiots at the gates were…well idiots, I barely had to do anything to them. The lock was a false security to make you sweat a little bit.” The king's flame proves himself. “You're blind. You've focused so much on taking me down that you didn't notice the little details. It's either that or you're also deaf, preferring not to hear your crew's concerns.”
“Not a very good attribute for a supposed captain.” he shrugs, he says his words mockingly.
“Fuck you!” Hobie aims directly at his rival's head.
It's all his fault, everything that led up to this point is his fault.
The gun trembles in his hold. Mathias looks pleased, smiling at Hobie.
“You know the rules.” Mathias sucks in his teeth. “Don't fire until lieutenant Dubois says so or I win and I get your little bird.” he looks over at you. “Oh we're gonna have so much fun together, every night, every day.” His laughter makes you want to grab the nearest knife and shove it down his throat.
You don't back down from his disgusting gaze. “If he doesn't kill you, I will.” Pavitr tries to hold you back. “And it won't be quick.” your voice shakes from sheer anger.
“I look forward to it, duchess.” Mathias spares you one last glance.
You don't notice how Hobie looks angrier than he did, he's clearly holding back. His glare alone could burn a hole through Mathias' skull. Yet he stands tall, getting a second wind; he's gonna shoot a hole in his skull instead.
His head goes a hundred knots per hour, thinking of all the what ifs. What if he just listened, what if he didn't let her stay, what if, what if, what if, the words are tattooed in his mind, clawing and biting at his psyche.
“Ten paces!”
They walk in sync, closer to each other more than ever. Pausing in place, they stare each other down, Mathias' smile never leaving his lips. Hobie's scowl gets deeper with every second that passes.
“Fire—!”
“Fuck this.” Mathias lunges in surprise, grappling Hobie.
Hobie doesn't get a chance to dodge, his gun clattering on the floor as the heavier man tackles him to the ground. The wet floors make it hard for Hobie to find leverage against Mathias who's currently choking him with his large arm.
Chaos ensues, everyone breaks the line, unsheathing their weapons, fighting, steel and skin clashing. Pistols going off left and right, but your main focus is on the two men writhing on the floor.
You hear Hobie choke so you run faster, taking a fallen dagger from a corpse, you quickly dodge people, determined to save Hobie.
“This is what happens when you let your feelings decide for you!” Mathias yells above the mayhem.
Finally making it close to them, in one swift movement, you stab Mathias on his back, crimson ebbs on his white shirt like spiderwebs. He screams, letting go of Hobie.
You don't spare him a glance as you take Hobie by his arm, dragging him below deck. Shutting the doors closed, Mathias bids you farewell with one last cackling.
Guiding him through the corridors, you hope the winding hallways help make it harder for the enemies to find you.
“Y/N.” He wheezes out.
“Don't fucking talk.” Your feet brings you to the galley. Sitting him down, he plops like a fish on the chair, head lolling to the side.
Slapping his cheek, he wakes back up with a groan. “Actually, keep talking. Stay awake, please.”
Hobie nods, “I need to go back up, I can't leave them there.” He tries to stand but your hands stop him, making him sit back down.
“You can't help in this state. Let me treat you then you can go and help.” You look in his pained eyes. “Please, at least let me help with your shoulder.” your other hand fumbles to his back, searching for an exit wound. You already know the answer when you feel the hot crimson weeping out from the puncture left behind.
You plead with your eyes.
“Alright, do what you have to do. Make it quick.” he nods, you leave his side to light a fire in the hearth, laying a metal poker on top of the hot coals. “Can I tell you a story?”
“Whatever keeps you awake.” Taking out the first aid kit from your bag, you notice your hands tremble. They never shake when you're treating someone, with your back turned away from him, you swallow down a sob.
“There was this girl, she had red hair like one of those…” he sighs, injuries aching, throat throbbing. “Apples.”
You reach his side once again, trembling fingers dipping into the wound ointment. “You have a way with words.”
He grabs your shaking hands in his, “Are you alright?”
You pause in your frantic movements, blinking rapidly. “Y-you’re the one who's bleeding right now.”
“You're shaking.”
You twist your wrists away from his touch. “I'm alright, worry about yourself and your crew.”
“You're a part of my crew”
“Shut– just…” you exhale. “Continue your story.”
Hobie nods, eyes drooping. “She just one day showed up on the docks, asking for a place.” He inhales sharply. “I needed to fill the second ship so I agreed, I let her in. I shouldn't have done it.” His eyes well up but no tears fall. “I should've turned her away but she was determined, she had the skills to stay— can you give me somethin’ for the pain? A fuckin' rum or wine, anythin’”
“No alcohol, if you want to bleed out be my guest.” You hold a cloth above his wound, pressing down to stop the bleeding as much as you can.
“Fucker!” He stomps his foot, “you can be such a little shit sometimes you know?”
You can hear the struggle upstairs. Weirdly enough, there's no sound of cannons firing.
“I know—” the ship tilts suddenly, flinging you and Hobie brutally to the side. You do your best to shield his injured self, taking the brunt of the impact, back stinging from the wall.
He lands on top of you, arms on your side, face hidden on the crook of your neck. You can feel his staggered breathing on your skin.
Bottles and pans fly towards you two. Pushing him away, you guide each other to the corner of the room, huddled together, protected by the hearth.
“Shit!” Hobie protects your head with his hand when a pot flies towards you. The ship keeps turning and tossing the both of you until it finally straightens out, you can feel how fast its going by how wild the utensils are swinging.
“Someone got hold of the helm.” He whispers, his cool hand on your tender shoulder. “We're running.” Hobie doesn't say it with pride or dejection, he utters it with embarrassment.
“That's good,” you stand up, giving him a helping hand. “We can get out—”
The unmistakable sound of a cannonball whizzes past and the ship lunges harshly on the side again. You can hear frantic yells from above.
Hobie takes your hand, “I need to get up there.”
Helping him up, you nod. “And you will, let me close that wound off and give you something for the pain and we'll go back up there.”
“Y/N, you can't—”
“We will go up there.” the fire in your eyes makes him obey. “Sit down, I'll make this quick but not painless.”
He flops down, masking the pain with a grimace. Inhaling, he continues. “I let MJ in.”
You pause for a second before taking the metal poker. “Even after seeing all the bloody signs.” He sighs. “Maybe I am blind.”
You hold his face tenderly. “You were, but you still have a chance to change that. You can still help your crew. Make it right for their sake.”
He holds the back of your neck, kneading the skin with his bloodied fingers. “I don't regret letting you stay.”
You look at him apologetically. “You will after this.” Shoving the leather pot holder in his mouth, moving aside his clothes. “Inhale” you place the hot poker directly on his bullet wound, cauterizing the gaping hole.
It sizzles, Hobie holds on to your sides tightly, bunching up the fabric in his hands. Muffled screams eaten up by the leather in his mouth.
You move the rod away once it's done. Hobie's eyes roll in the back of his head. Slapping him lightly, he wakes back up.
“Stay awake, hey. Look at me.” He stares at you through half-lidded eyes. “There you are, captain.” You smile to reassure him. He gives you a tired nod. “Now for the exit wound.”
Hobie inhales, more than ready this time around. His skin is clammy, eyes red from the brimming tears. He clenches his entire body, determined to get it over with. Twisting around in his seat, he hopes the ship doesn't rock as you push the searing metal poker on the back of his shoulder.
With a muffled yell from him, you take the tool away, letting it cool down. Moving his head with your hand, you look at him apologetically.
“I'm sorry, if I warned you first you would've flinched.”
Hobie spits the leather out of his mouth, patting your cheek with his sweaty hand, he leaves it there, stroking your skin.
“I wouldn't have flinched.” He chuckles through the searing pain.
“Of course you wouldn't.” You hold his hand that's on top of your cheek. “You did good.”
He laughs, hand leaving your skin to hold your hand instead. “Not the first time I've felt fire.”
You smile, without thinking, you lay your forehead on his as more cannonballs fly around the revenge.
“You did good too.” He whispers. Eyes closed, he leans away. “Now get me something for the pain and let's get the bastard.”
You smile, nodding to him. Taking a bottle from your bag, you rub mint oil on his upper lip, igniting his nerves, keeping him awake.
“That's the only thing I have that could help. I can't give you alcohol.”
Hobie tentatively stands up, “Maybe after this then.” He groans, slightly limping. “‘m gonna need an entire crate of ‘em.” he thinks adrenaline is enough to keep him on his feet.
He faces you, a ghost of a smile on his pained face. Hobie bends at the waist, you scramble to help him but he refuses with his hand raising to stop you. Taking something from inside his boot, he grabs a shiny and slender thing.
“Here.” Hobie hands a silver dagger to you, intricate carvings of a turtle and a sea snake looping around the glimmering handle. “Somethin’ to defend yourself.”
“Are you sure? It looks—”
“I don't mind givin’ it to you.” He closes your hand around the hilt. “Make sure this one hits his neck this time.”
“I will.” Your eyes fill with determination, adrenaline still coursing through you.
He wobbles towards the door, sparing you a smile on the way.
“Hobie,” you call after him. “Continue your story after this?”
“Only if you tell me yours.” He looks over his shoulder, giving you the same smile he always has.
You scoff with a small smile, “Maybe I will.”
“Let's fuckin’ go and be pirates then.”
—
Getting up the deck was tedious work with all the rocking and shifting from the ship and the wild waves, add that with all the cannon balls whizzing past, it was like riding an angry bull. Meeting halfway with Karl on the way there made it easier, filling your chest with hope.
“Where's Robbie?!” He frantically yells, forehead bleeding, hands gripping Hobie's vest.
“I-I don't know.” Karl's face falls. “But we'll find him, I know he got out.”
“Got out from what?” His voice trembles, “what happened, Hobie?”
Hobie holds his friend’s wrist, “I'm sorry.” Karl weeps. “Go find Robbie and your crew.” He shakes his head. “And get the hell out of here, he's after me not you.”
Karl's eyes fill with tears, flicking towards you who look on with sad eyes. “What about you and the others?”
“We'll find a way out. We always do, remember?” Hobie reassures him with a smile. “Take one of my dinghies, and row the hell out of here.” he takes Karl's hands away from his vest. “We'll see you back at the old place, yeah?”
“You fucking better, Hobart or I'll drown you myself.” Karl takes your hand briefly, nodding. “I hope I see you again, doc.”
“Me too, captain. Find Robbie.”
You part ways with Karl, praying that he finds Robbie and what remains of his men.
“Ready, trouble?” Hobie gets your attention by brushing his pinky against the back of your hand.
“I'm right behind you.”
—
It's war.
The moment Hobie opened the door to the deck you smell petrichor and blood in the air.
You get a glimpse of the battle before he could shut the doors. Bodies, both pirates and navy alike lay motionless on the floor. The sound of thunder mixes in with the pained yells, flashes of lightning illuminates the night sky and you see the faces of the dead clearly.
Two-fingers lay face first on the deck, arms bent at an angle, blood pooling from his head. Through the smoke and splintered wood, Foul screams when a sword plunges through his heart, silencing him immediately. Danny takes a bullet for Finn who promptly avenges him with his cutlass, swiftly separating the man's head from his body.
One face you were hoping was among the dead was missing. Mathias isn't on board.
Something flashes in his eyes when he looks at you. Grabbing your arm, he leans in, your heart stops.
Hobie moves past your head to press his forehead on your shoulder. Bathing in your presence, hand squeezing your skin
“Hobie?”
He smiles, moving his hand up to cup your jaw. Chuckling, he cleans his dried blood off your cheek with his thumb. “Do me a favour, Scuttlebutt?”
“What is it? We need to get up there!”
Hobie ignores you, leaning away. “Survive for me would you? Live, find your family. Promise me.” He sniffs, eyes glinting.
“What?”
“Just promise me, trouble.” He shakes you.
“Alright I promise. Can we—”
“I'm sorry.”
“What—?” Hobie pushes you hard, you fall off the steps, landing on your behind, he exits without looking back, shutting the doors closed. “What the fuck?!”
You rattle the doorknob but it's no use, he locked it on the outside. Frustrated, you try to kick in the door, hurting yourself from the hard wood.
“Fuck! Hobie!” You bang the door, peeking through the keyhole you see carnage as Hobie makes quick work of the remaining men. “Let me help!”
The sound of cannon balls going off almost deafens your eardrums. If only you had your lockpick you could open it.
Your lockpick.
It's a stretch but you still run towards your cabin, feet thudding loudly, echoing around the hallways that you've memorized.
You feel relieved after seeing your door. Shouldering it open, you frantically search for the metal on the shelves. The tip of it scratches your hand but you don't care, already bolting off towards the exit. Running off with your bag tied around you, hoping the medical kit inside is enough to treat the wounded, you hold the lockpick in your hand while you run.
Your hope dwindles with every cannon hitting the ship.
Doors whizz past, ankle stinging, the sounds of screams and gunfire makes you sprint faster.
You don't notice the blood soaked hulking man leaving Hobie's cabin.
Running into him, you stagger, tumbling down, heart falling into your stomach as he looks down at you through his nose.
“Hello there.”
Scrambling to get to your feet, you slide under his legs, stabbing his achilles heel with your lockpick. The man screams in agony, you take the opportunity to sprint like you've never ran before. You'd take running away from O’hara any day.
Your lungs scream for you to stop, but you go on as you hear thundering stomping behind you.
There's no exit and you can't run forever.
The metallic click rings behind you, rounding the corner, you barely dodge the bullet aimed at you, nicking your hip.
“Shit!” You almost fall yet you continue on, entering the library, you shut the doors behind you, locking it swiftly.
Lifting your hand away, the sight of your own blood turns your fear into fury. With your trembling hands, you unsheathe the dagger from your belt.
You have a promise to keep, and you never break a promise.
Hiding behind the armchair you always sat on, you crouch down, gripping the dagger, ready to strike like a viper in the sand.
You look back on what she taught you, “Strike fast and hit hard. Don't give them a chance to get back up.” her voice whispers it to you and you intend to follow it.
The door bursts open, splintering the wood to a thousand pieces.
“The captain wants you alive, little birdy. This doesn't have to hurt if you just come with me, eh?” You hear him chuckle lowly, blatantly lying to you.
His heavy footsteps thud closer.
You use the shadows as your guide, the oil lamp left open on the corner table does the work. For once you thank Gwen for forgetting to close the light.
“I can help with your wound. Glue your wings back together again” he whistles. “The red hydra can't help you with that but I can. I'm a surgeon you see.” Getting closer and closer, you time your strike right.
You come out of your hiding place with a battle cry. Still crouches down, “I highly doubt that!” Slicing his tendons in one quick movement. The second he falls to his knees, you stab him in the neck.
Stepping back, he chokes in his own blood. With wide eyes you flinch when he stands, seemingly unaffected but his shaking pupils say otherwise. With a garbled noise from your assailant, he reaches for you.
“What the fuck?!”
With a split second decision, you dodge his hands, moving backwards, throwing books from the shelves which bounce almost harmlessly on his head and body.
There's a loud thrumming sound outside, its warbling is almost mechanical but definitely something an animal could've made.
He heard it too, pausing in his movement for a second before he lunged towards you. With a scream, your back against the corner, he jumps you.
Your head hits the wall in an ugly crunch, seeing stars, sliding down the wall, landing on the floor, he chokes you with his bare hands. Indistinct noises escape from his mouth, your dagger nowhere to be found in his throat. His entire body hides anything in front of you, drowning your vision, filling it with your murderer. His blood drips down on your face, almost drowning you in it.
You know he's running on fumes but based on your vision fading, lungs gasping for air, you think you'd go out first before him.
Hands grazing something metallic on the floor next to you, you inch your fingers towards it. Finally finding your grip, you smack it on his head.
You've got a promise to keep after all.
He yells, the oil from the lamp spreading on his skin and clothes, engulfing him in flames.
You frantically roll away, killing the fire clinging to your clothes until there's nothing left but burned cloth.
The flames light up the entire room in orange and reds, the paper around him helps feed the fire as he tries to desperately put it out.
There's that thrumming again.
You watch on, holding your tender neck. Your face is flat, eyes reflecting the fire that's quickly eating at the man. Fabric burns on his flesh, flesh turns into charred muscle, the fire eats at that too until he falls, silence hanging in the room except for the fire cackling, ashes and flames surrounding his corpse.
You stand up, ratty shoes stepping over fire to grab the fallen dagger with a thick cloth from your bag.
For a second you stand amidst the fire.
The thrumming outside and the warmth wakes you up, flames licking at your clothes, it's heat scorching your skin, nose filling with smoke. Even with all the pain you still escape with your life, determined to keep your promise.
Running outside the former library, the cracking of splintering wood fills your ears, you instinctively dodge, backing away before the mast of the revenge falls on your head.
Shielding your face, you cower. The mast stills, sharp wood lay next to your feet. Tentatively opening your eyes, the sounds from above are clearer in your ears, all the screams and guns going off, you hear it loud and clear that you can decipher whose screams belong to whom.
The fog enters below deck through the gaping hole left by the broken mast. All the while, the smoke from the library rises up, replacing the mist.
Your exit.
You don't hesitate to climb up. Jagged edges of sharp wood rip amd snag your clothes, stabbing your skin. Finding leverage, you manage to prop yourself up on the deck, meeting face to face with a lifeless Ned.
The light in his eyes is gone, unsung music escaping from his open lips. Skin dirtied by flowing ichor.
You don't hear anything else other than skin meeting skin in a brutal dance.
“No.” You quickly jump up, leaving the fire behind you to consume, to devour what's left of the revenge. “Ned?”
Desperately feeling for a pulse, your heart wretches in your throat, saliva filling your mouth, bile rising up from your gut.
There's no pulse.
With a choked sob, you close his eyes for him. The sound of wet punching makes you turn to your side. Hobie's eyes are wild, vicious and desperate, bloodied knuckles pummeling the man under him. Skin broken, nose cracked, skull open for the world to see. Yet, Hobie doesn't stop even with the obvious signs of death. Fueled by rage, he paints the wooden floorboards with the man's brain.
It all feels sickenly real, your heart is still beating in sync with his punches but there's so much death around you that you feel like you're a part of the dead. Blood and smoke filling your senses, adrenaline slowly washed away like the tides.
You're sitting in a graveyard and nobody else has noticed.
“Hobie.”
His fists pound harshly through the man's head, splintered wood now embedded in his skin.
You apprehensively crawl towards him, your various injuries aching, blood seeping out from your hip. The chaos around you still continues on while he still doesn't stop.
“Hobie—” your fingers brush his arm, he flinches back, fist raised to knock you out. But he halts, knuckles kissing the tip of your nose, painting it with crimson.
With wide eyes, he heaves, muscles tensed, grief all over his expression. You shove your fear down, holding his raised knuckles, moving it away gently. You hold his face in your other hand, smearing the fresh ichor on his cheeks, staining your own skin.
“It's done, he's dead.” You nod, caressing his face, turning it away from the carnage below him. “Hobie,” you unclench his fist carefully, shattered bone and hair sticking to him. With a shallow breath, you let the tears flow on your cheeks. “He's dead.”
His face flashes with fury only to be triumphed over by misery. With a heavy heart, he nods.
Behind Hobie, a uniformed man raises his pistol, without a second thought, you take the golden blunderbuss from his waist, hastily aiming it directly at the man's head.
Your ears ring, the smoke from the gun blinds you for a second before you see your target fall dead with a bullet right between his eyes, blood splattering like fireworks from his head.
Hobie looks at you in surprise, taking his gun away from you carefully. Hands soft on your raised skin. He pats your cheek and you could only shake your head.
“We need to—” the ship collides with something, Hobie holds you close, covering you away from debris. With his embrace, he protects you. Scarred hand on the back of your head, face hiding in the crook of your neck. Leather, sea salt and blood invades your senses.
The hellion is once again looming over the revenge, its golden façade cracking under the damage made by Hobie's ship.
Mathias shows himself, looking worse for wear, he wobbles on two feet, clutching his injuries.
You hear footsteps around you, raising your head, eyes widening at what's left of the crew, they stand behind you and Hobie. Wiping blood off their faces, reloading their guns, sharpening their swords. The red sails of the people's revenge still fly above, more than ready to take what they're owed, no matter what it takes.
Gwen's blond hair is dipped in ruby red, hands tight around her blunderbuss. Miles wipes his face clean, stepping next to Gwen with clenched jaw. Pavitr stands directly behind you, face covered in what you hoped to be someone else's blood. He nods, reassuring you.
Yuri and James take one look at Ned, their expression alone could make you weep again. Finn, crouches down next to you, nodding wordlessly, blue eyes glossy.
Hobie exhales, with shaky legs he stands up, helping you back to your feet. Gripping your knife, you scowl at the man above.
“How cute. The power of friendship isn't enough to save you.” Mathias says through gritted teeth.
The rest of his crew arrives, there's less ships than before, proving how the bloodsail pirates is a force to be reckoned with. They have what Mathias doesn't have, giving them something worth fighting for.
Mathias nods, signaling his ship to turn their cannons towards you and your family.
You step in front of Hobie. “I have a proposition!” Yelling above the rain and metallic clanking, you push away Hobie's hand from your shoulder.
“What is it?” The man rolls his eyes, looking incredibly bored. “We can't be here all night.”
“Me,” the crew voices their concerns, Hobie takes your hand, face terrified.
You smile, “it's alright.” Whispering to him and the crew only. With tearful eyes, you turn back to the devil above. “You seem like you really want me, so fucking take me instead. Let them go.”
You feel the heat beneath your feet. The fire devours everything just a few feet below you.
They all yell your name behind you. Protests fill your ears but you choose to ignore them. You feel his calloused fingers squeeze your hand.
The man guffaws, “Holy shit! You like them that much?” He observes Hobie's contorted face.
“You like her that much?” He chuckles. “You know what? I don't even want you that much, sure, get on up here, birdy!”
There's that thrumming and warbling again. It's much clearer now that you're above, it seems like it's coming from beneath the ship.
“Come here and take me then!” The rain mixes in with your salty tears. Raising your arms, shoving everyone away, you taunt him. “But let them go or I'll plunge this dagger through your eye!”
“Christ, you're as insane as him. Perfect for eachother eh?” he sighs, gesturing for his cannons to cease. “I'm already satisfied even though a few of your men escaped from a dinghy but eh, I'm sure I'll get them soon enough. Just like how I'll get you one day, little pirate. I'm a very patient man, I'll wait three more years if I have to.”
Hobie's face is full of anguish when he swivels you around to look at him. “Don't fuckin' do this. He won't keep his word,” he flicks his eyes to Mathias, then back to you, grey eyes darker than before. “the moment you step foot on that ship he'll kill you.” his mind comes back to that fateful day.
He can't let that happen again, not to you.
You look at him softly. “I know, but I'll make it hard for him, that'll give you enough time to escape. Hobie, I have nothing else, just this.” swallowing the lump in your throat, there's heat under your eyes. Taking his hand, you squeeze it once. “Let me do this, for you and for them. You still have to get your revenge so let me do this. Don't let him win.”
“You promised.” His voice cracks.
“I don't think I can keep it now.” You flick your eyes behind him, the crew looks on with grief marring their eyes. “They're too young for this, Gwen, Pav and Miles, they deserve to live too.”
You hear the rope fall from the hellion's deck. “I'm glad I got stuck in that net even though you made me walk the plank.” chuckling through the tears, you give them your best smile to remember you by.
“Don't leave.” he pleads.
Sliding your hand away, you take one last look at them, making a sketch of their faces in your mind to remember when the inevitable happens.
“I have to go now or this won't work.”
The captain has no plan on how to fix it, how to fix everything, and he beats himself bloody for it.
Turning around, with every step you take feels heavier than the last. You make amends to her in your mind, praying that it reaches back home. You also thank her, but you don't regret running away that day.
You'll never know what lies for you up north or if there's someone there waiting for you. If there is someone, you apologize to them too.
You leave traces of yourself to the people behind you with the hope you live on through those pieces. That at least they won't forget your name.
The howling wind and rain whips at your drenched form, committing the feel of it to memory.
Grabbing the rope, you fight the urge to look behind.
“Hurry up, birdy!” Mathias cackles. “Come on then—!”
The thrumming is deafening, everything seems to freeze mid motion.
Giant mounds of flesh rise up from the water. Snake-like features curl above, rising to the heavens, cutting through the grey clouds.
You can't help but be mesmerized by the beauty of it. Iridescent scales glimmer against the lightning, cracked scales teeming in gold. the lightning bolts ricochet off their scaly skin, unharmed.
More serpents appear from the depths, towers of scaled flesh. They rain sea water from above, dripping from their massive bodies.
One curls just above the hellion, opening its eyes, revealing an entire ocean in its orbs.
You can't stop looking at it, petrified.
“Dragons.” You say in awe.
“Y/N!” Hobie races towards you. His hand brushes against your shirt, so close yet so far.
You get yanked up with the hellion, grip still frozen on the ropes. Holding on for life, the beast has curled around the ship, in your peripheral you see men jumping off, splashing down into the depths, taking their chances in the cold.
Facing the creature, they trill and thrum, crushing the hellion and the navy ships in their massive jaws and swirling flesh.
You wake up from the trance they had you in, almost losing your grip off the rope.
“No!” You screech, saving yourself, arm socket straining against your weight. Twirling the rope around your hand, you tie it just like how they taught you.
Palms burning on the hemp, looking down, you're hanging high above the revenge. You watch as the crew frantically unties a dinghy while Hobie and Finn stay behind, they're too far for you to make out what they're doing.
Your only chance is to jump in the water but you know that'll be the end of you.
Water parts for something swimming fast under the water, it moves towards the Revenge. You scream their names in an attempt to warn them.
“Gwen!” Your throat struggles from the screaming. “Brace yourselves!”
The serpent crashes on the starboard side, away from where the small boat hangs. Hobie clings to the remaining mast, knife in his hand. Heart pounding, you watch as Gwen runs towards Hobie, he yells, she shakes her head but in the end she bolts for the dinghy. You nod, hoping she saw that you forgave her.
The beast constricts around the helion, crashing the oak and its gilded carvings in its wrapped body.
You sway in the wind with the serpent’s movements, praying that the rope hangs on to the figure head. The figure head of an angel looks down at you, lifeless eyes observing your slow demise.
This is the end for you, you've never thought you'd be killed by a mythical being turned into reality but here you are, hanging on by a thread, waiting for death to come.
With one last glimpse at the revenge, you see the fire finally reaching above deck. Gwen and the others lower down on the dinghy while Hobie grabs onto a rope, cutting the knot off the steel rings, remembering James' teachings, if he keeps doing that he’ll get yanked up, and with the wild wind, it will surely be a disaster.
You yell his name in a futile attempt to stop his effort at saving you.
Finn raises something in his hands, heaving it over his shoulder.
You sharply turn your head when a snapping sound fills your ears. The hemp untangles, with the rope breaking in the middle, you close your eyes.
The sea serpent lets out a guttural scream, the sound alone sends shivers down your spine. It uncurls around the hellion and you get a glimpse of a sharp harpoon sticking out from its eye.
Falling with the hellion, the serpent's eyes turn from blue to a bloody red, bathing everything in its gaze in crimson. it's the last thing you see before you shut your eyes.
You feel a familiar arm around your middle, looking over your shoulder, you think you've already died.
“I've got you!” Hobie yells, with him carrying you and his hand grasping on the rising rope, he struggles to hold on.
So you help him, wrapping your arm behind him, you hold the rope in the other, face close to his as you two fly above the revenge, swinging and whipping uncontrollably in the storm.
The beast trills, jaw unhinging, its rows of shark like teeth in full display.
“Shit!” Hobie manipulates the rope to swing you two away from its sharp teeth.
It fails to catch you, instead it turns its attention to Finn on the deck.
“Finn! Run!” Your blood curdling scream gets his attention, yet he pays no heed.
But everyone already knows it's too late, with one last fight in him, he raises his harpoon, yelling, meeting the serpent's opened mouth halfway.
It swallows him whole.
You just stare at where Finn once stood, he leaves patches of his ichor on the floor.
The revenge sinks, fire and water engulfing Hobie's home, your home.
“Love!” The name rots in his mouth, it gets you out of your frozen state. “I—”
The last standing mast cracks and breaks apart. You lose your grip on Hobie.
And you fall once again. For a second you fly, eyes peering towards the clearing sky, with white clouds in your vision, you brace for impact.
“MJ!”
That's the last thing you hear as you fall in the depths in a harsh splash.
A/N: so sorry for the late update!! Hope you like it 🫶 (if i forgot to put any warnings on the tags please tell me)
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