#tavington/female reader

[a-pirate-my-hearties]

“My hobby is making fun of you when you talk.” or “We’re not going to steal someone’s dog.” with Colonel Tavington?

#69. We’re not going to steal someone’s dog

Ship: Colonel Tavington/Female Reader

Words: 946

Warnings: animal abuse

"This is ridiculous.”

Tavington crossed his arms, displeased expression on his face, lips pressed into a thin line. He had enough trouble with his subordinates’ behaviour without Y/n’s wild ideas. Somebody has been insolently stealing food from the kitchen, one of the army’s messengers has gone missing two days ago and now this? He could not stand all that chaos.

"Y/n, that’s one of the most irresponsible things you’ve ever t – "

"Tavington, save yourself all that patronizing talk, alright?”, said Y/n in a raised tone. She was fuming. She knew Tavington will be obstinate, as he’d usually be, but this time she won’t let him. "There’s an animal suffering out there. I saw it.”

"We’re not stealing someone’s dog!”, Tavington hissed, almost losing his composure. Little did he know, it was more about his concern for Y/n’s safety than the actual decision she wanted to make, however responsible or not. Y/n hasn’t been the British army’s spy for long, but she was one of the best, though still almost a child, barely eighteen. Her brazen, open, honest personality in contrast with the discreet, dangerous work she was doing. Tavington wasn’t sure why, but he… was quite fond of her. She was one of the very few people who actually dared to speak openly to him, not caring for the societal expectations nor his reputation and though most would find that dangerous or stupid, he found it admirable and courageous.

But he’d rarely admit it.

He watched Y/n drawing a deep breath before she spoke.

"William, listen”, she said almost pleadingly, "I saw that dog being mistreated the other day. Kicked, downtrodden like a useless puppet.”. She swallowed hard, eyes suddenly downcast. Then she looked Tavington in the eyes with a newfound courage.

"I know how you feel about your horses – were somebody to touch them without your permission, harm them, you’d give them lashing in no time. How’s a dog any different?!”, she finished with passion, waiting for his answer.

There was a moment of silence before Tavington spoke, gathering his words.

"Y/n… a well cared-for horse in the army… is a necessity. It’s not quite the same.”, he said, drawling every word carefully. Nothing could quite escape Y/n’s observant eye and that was beginning to annoy him. He saw her opening her mouth to speak. "But then I guess”, he continued in a quasi-annoyed tone, "I can make an exception for you. Only this one time.”

Y/n gasped in glee and clapped her hands and made a move as if she wanted to hug Tavington, but he only cocked an eyebrow at her, giving her an amused expression and she nodded, staying in place.

"Thanks William.”

"But be discreet. If anyone sees you, I don’t know you.”

Y/n smiled. She knew it was not true. The last time she had trouble coming back from her mission, he sent four of his best men after her.

"Don’t worry about me.”

He shook his head and smirked. "Now go.”

~*~*~*~*~

Y/n knew how to be invisible, swift and quick. She decided to move in by the dusk, luckily the house she was aiming for was not far from the quarters the army was staying in.

Treading carefully behind the trees, she saw the little dumpy cottage. By the cottage there was an equally miserably looking kennel and by the kennel layed the thinnest, dirtiest dog one’s eyes could have ever see. Even though Y/n has seen him before, her heart still squeezed in pain and sympathy towards the neglected animal. She had to hide further beneath the tree when one of the inhabitants of the house went outside to spill out the hogwash on the already dirty, muddy ground.

"What are ye lookin’ at, ye useless, dirty parasite!”, the man shouted at the dog, kicking it in the ribs and spitting on the ground before returning to the cottage. The dog whimpered pitifully and tucked his tail between his legs.

Y/n was furious, but she remembered she had to be quick and quiet. She picked out a piece of juicy meat from her pocket and started slowly approach the dog with her hand outstrechted towards him.

"Here, doggy doggy!”, she whispered in an inviting tone, smiling at the dog, then looking at the windows of the house, controlling the situation. It took her a moment to pique the dog's attention, for he was so beaten and tired. But the smell of the meat made his ears point slighlty and his foggy stare focus just a little bit. He stood up and looked around for the source of the smell.

"Here, doggy doggy, such a good dog”, whispered Y/n, moving backwards towards the trees, the dog slowly following her now. It took only a few more moments and they both were in the safe distance from the cottage.

"Got you! Such a good boy”, Y/n said, petting the neglected animal, that looked at her with pleading, glassy eyes. "Here boy, eat. I have more for you at your new home.”

~*~*~*~*~

"Good God, what is that creature?”, Tavington asked, partly disgusted, partly pitying the animal.

Y/n simply glared at Tavington before going back to feeding and pettting the dog. "You will be so beautiful soon, he’ll see, we will take such good care of you”, she talked to the dog in a low silly voice, earning a groan from Tavington.

"Another mouth to feed. Splendid.”

"You let me do it, Tavington, now deal with it.”

He let out a heavy sigh. "I suppose I did. What shall we name him?”

Y/n looked up at Tavington, feigning the expression of deep thought.

"I think… we shall name him Bill.”

***

Before anyone says anything about the reader’s age here, I see their relationship in this particular drabble as more of a brother/sister kind of relation? It made more sense for this request :) I hope it’s ok! :)

Also this is obviously not the height of my writing abilities and I’m sorry, but I hope you can still enjoy it 😅