#they're pirates your honor

[cinnabons-treasure-trove]

Tavern Maid Merlin: [plopping onto Arthur's lap]

Pirate Arthur: Oof! [Arms instinctively circling Merlin's waist] Tiring day treasure?

Tavern Maid Merlin: [leaning against Arthur's chest] Yes. Dealing with this one guy trying to grab my arse—

Arthur had begun drinking before accidentally spitting out his mead across the table, ignoring Merlin's mumbles of cleaning and the wary looks of his crew-mates who had overheard, they knew instantly that their captain would hunt down anyone inappropriately groping his lover; they each looked at one another and almost felt sorry for the poor sod that tried.

Pirate Arthur: [Internally seething] Who was it. I want their name Merlin. [Hands rubbing up and down his lover's flanks]

Tavern Maid Merlin: [rolling his eyes, smirking lightly] Don't worry, Aunty Bertha took care of it, she threw him out the doors flying. [Giggling]

A tall, sturdy, and heavily curvaceous figure walked by with a tray of multiple mugs of overflowing beer threw a fond smile over to Merlin and his friends.

Bertha: Right you are little bird, no one messes with you whilst on my watch!

[alienaliart]

I made this as a wallpaper for my wife 💜

[hellouniversehowareyou]

[norakbubbles]

Luffy x Nami: Unexpected Proposal

Drabble prompt: "But we're not married" "Then marry me"

Warnings: Extreme fluff; Spoilers (I think); Takes place in the future; a couple of theories I'm throwing in

Their hard work had paid off

All the blood, tears, shared laughter, unexpected obstacles, and adventure had come to an end.

Luffy had found the One Piece and became King of the Pirates and the news spread like wildfire. The slaves of Mariejois were free and the Celestial Dragons had been taken care of.

Zoro became the world's greatest swordsman

Sanji found the All Blue

Usopp became a brave warrior of the sea and is known worldwide for his heroics

Chopper finally found the cure to every disease known to mankind, even ones that had been left unsolved for generations

Robin found every Poneglyph

Franky now made ships for people far and wide and is sought out by anyone and everyone

Brook reunited with Laboon

And Jinbei was finally able to convince the fishmen and merfolk to trust humans and how the two races lived in harmony both on land and in the sea

Nami smiled as she watched the celebration going on in Laugh Tale right now. Her own dream was achieved as well. The map of the world was proudly displayed in a glass case made from a strong material that would prevent anything bad from happening. She sighed in content and leaned back against a stone, watching everyone. People they had met along the way were there, even those they fought in the past. The Cross Guild, Perona, Nojiko, Genzo, Foxy, Hancock, Iceburg, Paulie, Zeff, Reiju, Bon Clay, Conis, Shirahoshi and her brothers, King Neptune, Hachi, Camie, Pappag, Duval, Bartolomeo, Viola, Rebecca, Coby, Helmeppo, the entire Revolutionary army, the Heart Pirates, Bonney, Kidd, Kiku, Hiyori, Momo, Yamato, Smoker, Tashigi, Hina, and of course Vivi and Cobra. Hell, even Katakuri and Pudding showed up. Nami laughed as she watched Luffy bicker with Garp before the two fell asleep briefly. She pushed herself off the wall and walked to the extremely large buffet table. Sanji was still cooking up a storm with Zeff and Hachi's help. Good thing, too, since Luffy was eating like he hadn't eaten in days. She refilled her mug with some high-quality wine Mihawk had brought and picked up a small quiche.

"Big party, huh?" Vivi asked, walking next to her friend. She was holding a plate of fruit with a whale skewer in one of the pieces.

"Tell me about it. I'm surprised this island hasn't sunk with how many people are here," Nami replied causing the two to start giggling silently. They stood, saying nothing as they observed everyone around them. The people who they had so many memories with were all celebrating one person and for good reason. Nami's eyes wandered until they landed on Luffy. He was stuffing his face but that's not what caused her gaze to linger. Former warlord Boa Hancock was seated next to him, slightly turned away, a blush on her cheeks and her finger tips pressed against each other as she spoke. Nami couldn't make out what she was saying but was sure it was something about how she loved him. Luffy, of course, didn't register.

"You should tell him." Nami jumped.

"What?"

"You should tell him how you feel," Vivi said, gesturing to the redhead's hand. Nami realized she had gripped the quiche so hard it was now ruined. She sighed and wiped it off.

"You know I can't do that."

"Why not?"

"Because we're Nakama, Vivi! And besides do you think that Luffy even returns my feelings? Much less when he has the undivided attention and affection from the most beautiful woman in the world?!" she shouted. Luckily the party was loud enough that not many people heard her. A couple heads turned but they brushed it off. Vivi set her plate down and took Nami's hands in her own.

"Nami...when I admitted my love for Koza, he didn't believe me at first. He thought that I was joking because I was royalty and he wasn't. It took some time for him to find out I was telling the truth but when he did, he couldn't believe it. He had loved me since we were children and that deep rooted voice in his head told me I would never reciprocate his feelings so he neglected to tell me out of fear... if you do the same, you'll lose Luffy for good. You will still be friends but you will never forget that you had a chance to make your true feelings known and you didn't because you were scared. You and Luffy have faced so much together. He saved you from Arlong, you're the only one he trusts with his hat, and you've fought alongside each other against the deadliest of opponents. You believed that he would be king of the pirates and he believed you would draw a map of the world and now here you both are. Surrounded by people who love and admire you. I have a feeling that Luffy loves you more than you may think. All you have to do is talk to him." By the end, Nami was crying and she threw her arms around Vivi, hugging the princess tightly.

"Thank you..." she mumbled.

"I'll always have your back. Now go," she said, nudging her in Luffy's direction. Nami started to walk in his direction and stood in front of him.

"Eh, Luffy?" He looked up and gave her a big smile.

"Hey, Nami! Have you tried the food? It's so good!" She giggled and nodded.

"Yes I did..." Nami looked at Hancock briefly, whose piercing gaze was boring into her head. "I, uh, was wondering if we could talk alone, Luffy?"

"Hm? Sure! You can have Hammock's seat!" Nami avoided a grin and a laugh at that statement but decided to sit on the other side of Luffy instead. Hancock rolled her eyes and glared at Nami before getting up and walking away, shoving Buggy to the ground in the process.

"So what'd you wanna talk about?" Luffy asked, shoving a piece of cake into his mouth. Nami couldn't help but stare. He was so immature, loud, and messy... but he was also kind, made her laugh, and was fiercely protective of not only her but everyone else who asked for his help. Luffy tilted his head when she didn't say anything.

"Nami, you ok? Are you hungry?" Nami sighed and shook her head with a small smile.

"No, Luffy, I'm not hungry, I,...I need to discuss something very important with you."

"Ok! What is it?" he asked, shoving a whole cantaloupe in his mouth.

"Luffy... ever since I met you, I had this feeling that you were different from any other man I met. The way you went about life so carefree and fearless was intriguing and it made me somewhat scared for your life. However...as I stayed with you and kept getting to know every part of you, my feelings grew into something much more serious. When you put your hat on my head back in Cocoyashi and promised to help me with Arlong, I felt something grow within me. Something that I hadn't felt in so long. And every time you smiled at me, saved me, or even promised to help someone else like Vivi, that something kept growing bigger and bigger. It took some time to come to terms with but Luffy...I fell in love with you. And I fell in love hard. I know you might not reciprocate or even understand the meaning and I understand if that's the case but I just wanted to tell you that-."

"I love you, too." Nami's head snapped up in shock.

"W-What?"

"I love you, too." I talked to Robin about it one time after we got her back from CP9, and I told her that it felt like things were dancing in my stomach whenever I saw you or was close to you. She explained to me that I was in love. I still don't fully get it, but what I do get is that I am in love with you, too." Nami felt like she was going to cry. All of the fear she had initially felt was gone.

"But, what about Boa Hancock?" Luffy shrugged.

"Eh, she's not my type. Also, she's like 12 years older than me, which is kinda weird." Nami couldn't help but laugh a little at that.

"Nami..."

"Yeah?"

"You know I'm King of the Pirates now."

"Of course. Why else would we be having this party?" she said half sarcastically.

"Well...a king needs his queen." Nami gasped softly at that. She turned to look at Luffy searching his eyes for any signs of deception but saw none, only truth.

"Luffy, you know that kings and queens are typically husband and wife, right?"

"I know that. And?"

"But we're not married." Luffy reached over and grabbed her hand.

"Then marry me." The redhead's eyes widened.

"Luffy..."

"Marry me, Nami. I know it's fast but I love you. Be my queen... please." The dam had broke, and Nami had tears streaming down her cheeks. Sanji noticed, and his gaze turned fiery.

"LUFFY!! WHY IS NAMI-SAN CRYING?? WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER??" His yelling caught the attention of pretty much everyone else there, and they all stared at the two. Sanji set his leg on fire and leaped into the air, about to land a flying kick to his captain's face. Nami exhaled a shaky breath.

"Oh, Luffy, of course I'll marry you." Sanji stopped in mid-air and fell on his face.

"WHHAATTT???" everyone shouted at the same time, save for Robin and Vivi, who were both giggling off to the side. Luffy grinned wide and laughed.

"Shishishi! We're gonna be the greatest king and queen ever!" he said, wrapping his stretchy arms around Nami in a tight hug. Nami laughed too and hugged him back just as tightly. Everyone started cheering and clapping. Sanji was face down crying into the dirt. Hancock was off to the side chewing on her sleeve.

"Congrats guys!" Usopp shouted, clapping both of them on the backs. Robin and Chopper hugged Nami while Franky and Jinbei ruffled Luffy's hair.

"Never knew you had it in you, Captain," Zoro said with a smirk, taking a sip of his beer.

"Oi! Strawhat!" Luffy looked up to see Genzo giving him a stern look.

"You remember your promise!" he said, raising his mug. Luffy nodded and bowed.

"And I'll keep that promise!" Everyone's drinks were refilled and Sabo, with his arm around Koala, raised his glass high into the air.

"A toast! To the new king and queen of the pirates!"

"To the king and queen!!" everyone shouted happily. Luffy pulled Nami close to him by her waist and pressed his nose to hers.

"To us," he said. Nami smiled and placed her hand on his cheek.

"To us." They kissed softly as the cheering got louder and Usopp, Franky, and Bartolomeo let a barrage of fireworks off. Luffy and Nami watched the fireworks and Nami stole a glance at her now fiancé's huge grin. She was going to marry her best friend and she was going to be a queen.

And she was going to be the best damn queen the world has ever known.

END

[ofmd-ann]

Bonus:

This is just how (GAY) pirates flirt

[dm3mol-1]

how can anyone from the crew take Zoro and Sanji serious when they're LITERALLY IN EACH OTHER'S FACES when arguing, someone just push them so they could kiss and shut up.

[pooks]

"Officially, Vinsmoke Ichiji and Sanji died at sea, when they escaped from Germa. But there are two young boys at the Baratie, a sea-faring restaurant in the East Blue. They are Red Leg Zeff's sons.

The twin stars of the Baratie.

...although the cooks calls them "ketchup and mustard" to mess with them."

i was in a mood to draw both Ichiji and Sanji growing at the Baratie. Ichiji took on a waiter role since the waitstaff kept running away and someone has to do it.

don't get me wrong, Ichiji can cook and stuff. but that isn't his passion, he dreams of becoming a writer and write great tales about the Grand Line.

also Zeff was the one who told him that an author's hands just as important as they are for a cook. in short, Ichiji and Sanji balances each other (hot-tempered vs. cool-tempered, the sun and the moon, etc.)

another details that gives me feelings; Ichiji and Sanji both resemble their mama Sora and has her eyes

[charliethechandelure]

We'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when...

[bifairywife]

you guys have no idea how hard i laughed at this scene-

even luffy's "ohhh!" moment after kills me i love them so much-

[vinsmokesanjithing]

People don't understand what I mean when I say that we need more fics where Buggy finds Sanji at Zeff restaurant- like when he was still a child- and Buggy ends up turning into something like an uncle for the kid (all the story it's the same, but like with this change, like- not even changing Sanji fighting style, just this..)

[marlynnofmany]

I don't think the artist is on Tumblr, but I've got to share this awesome commission that my D&D group just got.

(It was meant to be a birthday present for me, but someone couldn't wait until then.) (Ahem. @stonetheskald) (Can you blame him? )

I love this because it's both excellent art and extremely accurate to our characters. From left to right:

*Kataryna the mage & airship pilot (who is Better Than You)

*Gu'Yassa the orc butler (who deals out tea and violence)

*Dart the detective ("magic, monocles, and last year's lavender coat")

*Shanty the robot / magician / river pirate / cheerful menace. (She's my character. No one is surprised.)

The ship is Lucy (in the sky, with dragon scales).

The artist is Allyson Vitor, and we are all duly impressed!

[moobell55]

Of Fins and Hearts

~ This won't really make sense now without the actual main story being published, but this is a short sweet Part of my EvaJacks mermaid/Pirate Au~

The setting sun shone down on the cobalt blue water, small rocks and shells gleamed beneath the waves. Various birds flew overhead, flying to the beaches during low tide.

Along the rocky pool sat a man. He was no ordinary man. If the jewels and hops that covered his ears could speak, it would've told the shimmering mermaid below the waves to stay away from him.

But in truth the golden scaled mermaid had never truly feared the pirate. He was too similar to her, and how could she be afraid of someone who was just like her?

The mermaid swam closer, her arms close enough to drag him into the depths if she desired. If Luc was around he would've certainly pulled him down into the light less depths. But Luc wasn't here, and Evangeline had no desire to go find him.

As of lately she had been enchanted by the pirate, just as the pirate was with the mermaid.

He was beautiful for a human. His golden locks curled down to the nape of his neck, curling from the salty air. His ears adorned small hops and bright blue and blood red jewels; Something a land dwelling human wouldn't wear. His paleness had turned into a fair gold, giving him in Evangeline's opinion some much needed color. And his eyes, they were the color of water as it slammed into the sandy shore. They seemed to sparkle, something human eyes almost never did.

As Evangeline swam closer to the edge the pirate took notice of her. She watched as he pulled his black boots off and began rolling up the legs of his trousers.

He dipped his feet into the water, as Evangeline golden fins brushed past him. Her fingers grabbed for the stony ledge besides him, and carefully she pulled herself next to the pirate.

Her golden tail was no longer there, and instead was a pair of legs she was still learning to use. Jacks could laugh all he wanted to, he still had a hard time swimming with a tail.

A rare half smile spread over his face, as his sacred and calloused hand ran over her cheek. The mermaid was used to his rough but tender touches by now.

"Hello Jacks," her voice was sweet like it always seemed to be around him. Water dripped from her pink and gold hair onto the rocks.

Her presence always seemed to make him happier.

"Hello my Evangeline. How fairs my love on this fine evening?"

Her heart swelled at his words like it always did.

"She couldn't be happier now that you're here."

The heart shaped necklace that hung from her neck glowed, recognizing the magic both of them held. Jacks had given it to her when he'd finally declared his love. Claiming it was enchanted to give the wearer legs or a tail to be with whoever wore the other half.

And the necklace had worked, letting her be with her love on the land, but also letting him stay with her in the cobalt seas.

Jacks smiled and his hands found their way into her hair. It was much more lively on the sea than on the dry lands. Carefully his worn hands separated her hair into strands and began weaving them together. She would forever be amazed on how easily he could pick up skills. His braiding even put Lala best braids not shame, not that Evangeline would ever tell her friend that.

"The cottage is not far, if you would like to spend the night with me," his voice was teasing like always. But Jacks knew she would follow him almost anywhere, land or sea.

"I think that would be lovely," his hands caressed her sides and she leaned further into his lean body. She began tracing patterns into his firm legs, knowing how much he preened under her touch.

"Is there any special occasion I should know about?" Her tone was teasing but a small sense of panic flashed into her heart that he might've forgotten.

He laughed, a rumbled sounded in his chest, one Evangeline loved more than anything.

He carefully tied off the long braid and moved his hands to her waist, the sole ring on his finger gleaming in the sunset.

"Oh my love, how could I possibly forget?" His warm breath ran across the back of her neck, sending chills and causing warmth to pool in her stomach.

His hands ran across her exposed middle, his thumbs tracing a line along the underside of the shells that adorned her chest. His touch had always had this effect on her, and the scoundrel loved to tease her to no end.

She turned her head to look at the wonderful man who held her, both in his lap and so closely to his heart. The sun gleamed off his earrings but she could only focus on the way it made his eyes glow, the true jewels he owned.

He ran his hand across her cheek and smiled, the most precious and truest smile she'd ever seen.

"How could I possibly forget the day I married my wife, in this very cove during the same golden sunset?"

He finished his question and his lips dove for hers. The same lips that she's seen bark orders at his crew and mermaids alike. But those lips had always been kinder to her than anybody else.

His lips were the smoothest part of his body, for they had not been scarred from violence or hardened by long hours. Even in his earlier cruelties he'd never once used them against her, his lips were the kindest thing about him.

They sang promises to Evangeline's heart more powerful than any Sirens song against a sailor. They kissed away every drop of pain she's ever felt. Healed every inch of the broken hearts they both shared.

And with every sweet word his whispered, with every kiss he placed on her body, scales and all. She never once questioned him or his love, never once thought he'd break any promise.

He promised on their wedding day that, they would always be together in body, soul and mind. And to prove his love he had the Sea Witch make the magical shells that kept their lives bound.

And so here they stayed, along the sea coves. Close to the land and close to the seas, for even when they shed their true natures they'd always be close to home. To each other.

He pulled away from the breathless mermaid and rested his head against hers.

"Jacks," she hummed.

"Yes my love?" His voice was happy but quiet.

She curled her hands into his golden locks, careful to mind the jewels on his ears.

"Take me to the cottage."

And with her words the dreaded Captain Jacks carried his beloved Evangeline back to their home. The smell of the sea following them all the way there and never once leaving them.

All I can say is Jacks with piercings is probably my new favorite thing.

[cherryblossomtimemachine]

I love how in episode 8 when they're on the ship you can hear Tamar and Nadia kind of teasing each other and they're smiling. They looked so happy to be there together and it makes me giggle. They're just content with being with each other and fighting side by side and it means the world to me.

[krsonmar]

Oh hey lol I found a piece of historical realism in OFMD! /affectionate

watching a video about this cargo ship that blew up in texas in the 40’s and it’s like . i know that with a lot of incidents especially older ones like this the reason that the safety standards were so shitty was because they literally did not know that these kinds of disasters COULD happen (and in many cases these disasters are what MADE the safety standards better) but sometimes you just learn about this shit and you think. how could all these people be so stupid

[luimagines]

Can I request a thing for Kid!Hero Reader where, before their journey starts, they meet the chain in the marketplace while walking around with the ghost!chain? Kinda like the thing i sent where the chain catch a glimpse of the triforce on their hand?

-🍄

Imma have to dig deep to remember all of this mushroom. But let's see what I can do. :D

Masterlist

Content under the cut!

You weren't entirely what to expect but the uncles and grandpa's that followed you around today where a little more quiet than usual. More tense. Which is strange because that's never happened before.

They were always talking. If not one, then another.

But they all seemed to be waiting on baited breath for something to happen.

You tried to ignore the feeling that they were intensely watching everything you did. You wanted to go back to bed and forget the feeling of uneasy but you needed more eggs. And you need more butter.

Deciding that it's better to get it over with, you hike up your big kid pants and go to the market to go get the groceries.

"...Do you remember who they met first?"

"Not a clue. Stop talking."

"Please talk to me." You whisper to the voices beside your ear. "Where did you all go?"

"We're here." The oldest of them speaks calmly, a whisp of a touch over your head. "But today is important. We can't change what's about to happen."

"Will it hurt?" You ask to the wind.

Another whisp of a breath over your cheek. "No. We will protect you as we always have."

"Ok, Grandpa. I'm trusting you." You gulp and continue to walk. With the feeling of the heroes behind you, you take a deep breath and continue on with what you head planned to do.

"Over here!!" A voice calls out.

It almost gives you whiplash. You know that voice.

But it wasn't distorted or faint. You heard it.

A group of boys crosses in front of you. They were all of various ages but recognized a few of them.

"Captain." You say without thinking. He was always wearing that ridiculous scarf.

The young man in question stops and turns to you with such startling speed that you gasp and take a step back. He's so... young.

"Great work, Captain Obvious. You scared them."

"That's not how I remember it."

"Shut up all of you."

You somehow find it in yourself to wave.

He smiles and waves back, getting down on his knee to meet your eyes better. "Hello there. What's your name?"

You tell him your name, staring at him non-to-subtly.

"Where are your parents?" He asks you, catching the attention of the other boys in the group.

You gasp, seeing the bigger guy. He has a scar and paint on his face. You know him too. He's less grumpy. "Grandpa?"

The younger Captain raises and eyebrow and turns to look at those whos attention you've caught.

Oh... You think you can see it now. These are your uncles and grandpas. But they're... here... and Alive? And young. So young. One of them can't be that much older than you but you know him too. He was a pirate when he was a boy. He told you that.

"Relax." The wolf man whispers to your ear. Fur brushes past your other cheek. "We've always protected you. Always have, Always will."

A golden glow shines on your hand.

With a gasp you try to try to hide the calling card for trouble.

Their eyes narrow at once. Of course, they'd recognize it.

Feeling awkward from all their stares, you waves again- with your other not glowing hand. "...I was shopping for lunch. You can come to my house. We can all eat?"

"Oh poor thing. I'm so sorry we scared you so much."

"They're tough. We made sure of it."

"Don't worry Little Buddy. You're doing great."

"We'll be honored." The young captain smiles and it's warm. You smile back. He was always charming but it's different this time.

You don't know how to explain it to them. To tell them just how much they all mean to you... But you don't have to.

They already know.

"We're still here. Right beside you. Every step of the way."

[melonsfantasyworld]

Cassian: I've come to your rescue :)!

Nesta: *pulling her sword from the 10th man that she's killed chest* oh word?

Falling For Your Fools Gold: Chapter 9

A/N: I have to say, this was one of my favorite chapters to write for this fic! It was just so fun, and truly felt like pirates vibes through and through. So, I hope everyone enjoys! :) TW: implied human trafficking and violence/murder/blood

Chapter Masterlist // Previous Part // Next Part

Nesta’s head pounds, a steady beat that throbs from her temples all the way to the back of her skull. She swears she can feel the thrum of it all the way down to her toes, in the tips of her fingers. Her whole body seems to ache, deep in the muscles, leaving her limbs feeling heavy. Between the pain and the way her stomach seems to lurch every other second, Nesta fears that she’s going to be sick.

She tries to focus on her surroundings, to catalog everything. It takes her a moment too long to recognize the rock of a ship beneath her. When did she get aboard again? She can’t remember returning to the docks and the ship. And yet, she can practically taste the sea air on her tongue, the salty quality to it. But there’s something different about it, something that doesn’t hold that familiarity, that grounding ability of the sea breeze she’s grown used to. It’s more damp somehow, the way it settles across her skin, almost foul.

Slowly, carefully, Nesta flexes her fingers, but it’s not the soft blankets that cover the bed in the captain’s cabin she expects beneath her, it’s wood. With a soft groan, she tries to sit up, but her stomach gives another betraying lurch. She scrabbles for purchase with her hand, desperate to steady herself, her other hand grasping at her still pounding head. She tries to breathe through the pain, through the onslaught of sickness, but that foul stench seems to become more potent with every inhale, cloying over her skin and settling like a bad taste at the back of her throat.

She blinks open her eyes, bracing and preparing for cutting sunlight, but all she’s greeted by is cold, damp darkness. It takes a few more blinks for her eyes to fully adjust. She takes in the oil lantern hanging from the ceiling a few feet away from her, the barrels stacked and pressed up against the far wall. But most importantly, she takes in the metal bars surrounding her.

A brig.

She’s in the brig of a ship.

“Welcome back to the world of the living.”

Nesta snaps her attention to the right. Cresseida is curled up on the floor, Emerie’s head cradled in her lap, the bookstore owner still unconscious. Cresseida already has a bruise forming on her cheek, a scab on her bottom lip proof of it being split earlier. It’s a stark reminder of what happened, of the way she fought back. All of the memories of the men in the alleyway flood back to the front of Nesta’s mind, and this time when her stomach lurches, it has nothing to do with the rocking of the ship they’re on. Instinctually, her hand flies to her belt, to her sword there—

“They already took it,” Cresseida offers quietly, her tone almost defeated. She runs a hand through Emerie’s hair, though who exactly the gesture is meant to soothe, Nesta isn’t sure.

Nesta swallows hard, needing another moment before she finds her voice again. “How long was I out?”

“A few hours. You all were unconscious when they brought you in,” another voice answers.

Nesta turns to the left, surprised to find another woman in the brig with them. Her red hair hangs around her shoulders and face, almost obscuring a pair of teal eyes and freckled cheeks. She has her knees curled up to her chest, but she raises her head enough to offer Nesta a small, tentative smile.

“I’m Gwyn,” the woman tells them.

“How long have you been here?” Cresseida asks, her eyes dancing around their surroundings. “Wherever here is.”

“A couple of days I think? It’s hard to tell. I mostly use whenever someone throws me some bread down here as an indicator.”

“Any idea where they’re taking us?” Nesta dares to ask, a question she’s sure is weighing on them all.

“Nowhere good,” Emerie answers, finally awake and pushing up from Cresseida’s lap to sit up properly. “I’ve heard stories about men like these, taking women to Ironcrest to be sold.”

“Sold?” Gwyn whispers, her voice small and horrified.

“I’m not going to let that happen,” Nesta assures them, looking around at the women here with her. “I’m going to get us out of this.”

“And how exactly are you going to do that?” Cresseida asks, raising an expectant eyebrow and looking pointedly down at Nesta’s empty belt, at the sword now missing there.

Nesta can’t help her smirk. She lifts her skirts up and reaches down into her boot, her fingers curling around the cool hilt of her dagger. Using the obvious to keep what’s hidden worked. Perhaps, she’ll have to thank Cassian for that advice after all. If she ever gets to see the pirate captain again. Even if they make it out of this, Nesta has no idea how she’d ever be able to find him and his crew, how she’d navigate back to Windhaven or wherever they may be.

But she can’t worry about that right now.

Nesta pulls her dagger free, brandishing it for the other women to see. She staggers up to her feet and walks over to the door of their cell, reaching a hand outside the bars until she finds the iron of the lock. She frowns as she feels around, trying to get an understanding of the mechanism.

“Give me one of the pins from your hair,” Emerie speaks up from behind Nesta, having gotten to her feet as well.

Nesta nods, reaching up into her hair and pulling the pins out. Her braid untwists and falls down her back, but she hands over the pins and her dagger to Emerie. Emerie steps forward and reaches around to the lock. It takes a few moments of her fiddling, but then the distinct sound of the lock giving way echoes through the space around them.

Nesta pushes open the door, careful to not make too much noise. “I’ll go first to make sure it’s clear, okay?”

When the other women nod their understanding, Nesta takes her dagger back from Emerie. She steps completely out of the cell and makes her way toward the door to the room the brig is in. She pauses, pressing her ear to the wood and listening for any hint of someone on the other side. As the seconds tick by with no sound that Nesta can hear, she pulls the door open enough for her to peek out.

She spots a man sitting atop a barrel further down from the door, and with a quiet gasp she pulls back and out of sight again. She holds her breath, waiting for the sound of footsteps, of shouts, but they never come, just the drip of water from the ceiling and the slosh of the waves against the hull. Tentatively, Nesta leans back out the door again, noticing the man’s back is to her, still blissfully unaware of her presence.

Nesta opens the door wider, taking a small step outside and then another. Every step closer has her heart thundering between her ribs, her chest starting to heave with every deep breath she tries to squeeze through her lungs. She readjusts her grip on her dagger, flexing and unflexing her fingers and praying it doesn’t fall to the ground thanks to her sweaty palm.

A heavy lurch of the ship has Nesta losing her balance and sends her stumbling into the wall. She’s unable to hold in her surprised grunt at being jostled, and the man’s head snaps around at the sound. A moment passes where the two just stare at each other, the man frowning, but then he’s jumping to his feet.

“What the fuck?” the man declares, already reaching toward the sword hanging from his belt. “How did you get out here?”

It’s now or never Nesta realizes.

She rushes forward, her momentum causing her and the man to tumble toward the ground before he can pull his sword from the scabbard. The advantage doesn’t last for long, though. The man certainly has size on his side, and he overpowers Nesta quickly, pinning her down against the wood. Nesta squirms and writhes until she’s able to get a hand free. She uses the heel of her now free hand and drives it straight up against the man’s nose until she feels a distinct crunch, until blood starts to drip down and onto her cheek.

The man howls in pain, rearing back from her. It gives Nesta the chance to roll away and hop back to her feet. The man finally lifts his head again to meet her gaze, and the rage burning across his expression is clear. He clambers to his own feet, lunging toward Nesta, but she’s quicker, dodging under his outstretched arms and landing a punch to his side.

The man stumbles from the blow, his face shifting from anger to bewilderment. “You’re a woman. Where’d you learn to fight?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Nesta snaps, bending low enough that she can sweep the man’s feet out from under him.

The man’s hand fists into the skirts of Nesta’s dress, taking her down with him, but this time, she falls on top of him, both of her hands free. She brings her dagger to the man’s neck, pressing it firmly in both a threat and a promise. It does the trick, keeping him pinned to the ground. His eyes drop down to where the metal is poised against his skin, brows furrowing and jaw slackening like he can’t believe what’s happening, can’t quite comprehend this turn of events. The expression has sick satisfaction curling deep in Nesta’s gut.

“Didn’t you know?” Nesta asks innocently, a smirk tugging across her face. “There’s no such thing as a fair fight, especially with a pirate.”

Nesta pulls back her hand and the dagger just long enough that she can gain momentum, slicing the blade across the man’s throat in a thick, deep line. Blood pours from the wound, pooling beneath the man and seeping into the wood, while he splutters and chokes. And then the man stops moving all together, his eyes open and unseeing.

Nesta’s chest heaves with the exertion of the fight, with the adrenaline. She scrambles off of the man and back to her feet. She waits for the dread to sink in, expects uneasiness at what just occurred to roil her stomach, for her hands to start shaking, but it never comes. Instead, she just feels strong, feels powerful. She thinks back to those times growing up in Adriata, thinks back to the balls and to Tomas, back to all those times she felt weak, but not anymore. She’ll never feel weak again.

She wipes her dagger blade off on her skirts before sliding it back into her boot. She reaches down and pulls free the sword from the now dead man’s scabbard. When she straightens up again, Emerie, Cresseida, and Gwyn are standing in the open doorway leading back into the brig.

“Come on,” Nesta calls to them, gesturing forward with her head.

Nesta keeps the sword raised, poised and ready for any other men they might encounter. They continue down the makeshift hallway and up the ladder to the next level of the ship. It’s there that they run into more of this ship’s crew. Nesta is quick to slice down as many as she can, but Emerie and Cresseida quickly grab the discarded swords to join in.

They fight their way up to the deck, the early dawn light bouncing in golden rays off the black sails pulled taut in the sea breeze overhead. It gives Nesta pause for a moment, the pink and yellow sky, the sun beginning its rise above the horizon. Clearly, she’d been unconscious longer than she realized. How far had they sailed?

The glint of the sun off metal catches Nesta’s attention out of the corner of her eye, drawing her back to reality. She raises her sword just in time for it to clash against another, the clang of metal on metal reverberating all the way down her arm. She turns and shifts her stance, prepared to face off in yet another fight, but her attention is drawn away again, this time by a ship.

A familiar ship.

Pulling up right alongside the current ship she’s on.

A rallying shout echoes out across the waves and morning air, the chaos across the deck skittering to a halt. All eyes turn in the direction of the shout, just in time to watch men swinging across the space between the two ships. Cassian lands firmly on the railing beside Nesta. The sea air ruffles the curls of his hair across his shoulders, the morning light catching on the dark strands and leaving them almost glowing. His eyes burn golden, and when that gaze finds Nesta’s face, that cocksure smirk of his tugs up the left side of his lips. He hops down onto the deck, pulling his sword free with casual ease.

“Miss me, princess?”

Nesta scowls at the dramatics. “What are you doing here?”

“Most would call this rescuing you,” Cassian tells her, turning to take care of the man who’s taken to openly gaping rather than continuing to fight, cutting him down effortlessly.

“I wouldn’t,” Nesta shoots back dryly. “In fact, I had this perfectly under control before you arrived.”

Another man lunges toward them, sword at the ready, and just to prove her point, Nesta steps forward before Cassian can. She disarms the man with a flick of her wrist, swinging her sword in a wide arching motion that slices clean across the man’s chest. He goes stumbling back and falls onto the deck, and Nesta turns back to Cassian, raising an eyebrow pointedly.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Cassian drawls sarcastically. “Should I just take my ship and leave then?”

“Yes,” Nesta seethes, stepping closer to him and baring her teeth.

“And what exactly was your plan after you finished with the crew? Unless you’ve been secretly harboring sailing skills this whole time.”

An awkward throat clear has both their heads snapping in that direction, Baz standing there with a sheepish smile. “Sorry. We uh… we identified the captain of this crew.”

With a nod, Baz turns to walk away, Cassian following behind him. Nesta gives herself a moment to take a steadying breath before following behind them both, glad that Cassian has his back turned to her. Somehow the pirate captain has always been able to read her the way no one else ever has, and Nesta knows that if he had time to study her face closer, he’d see the relief hiding beneath the annoyance there. She still can’t believe that he came for her. There’s certainly no real ties between them, no reason for him not to just sail off without her, continue his business as normal just as he had before raiding Nesta’s father’s ship, but here Cassian and his crew stand.

Cassian and Baz come to a stop near the quarter deck, but to Nesta’s surprise, they both turn back to look at her expectantly. It’s an offering. She continues forward until she is standing in front of a man on his knees, his hands tied behind his back by Cormac. His black hair is haphazard around his face, but it’s his hateful, black eyes that have Nesta’s own anger simmering and rising back to the surface to meet it. She straightens her spine and looks down her nose at this man with cool disdain.

“So you’re the captain that thinks you can just snatch women and sell them?” Nesta demands.

“I don’t have to answer to you, female,” the captain snarls, spitting at Nesta’s feet.

Cormac fists a hand into the captain’s hair and yanks his head back hard. “You’ll regret that.”

The captain pulls his head free from Cormac’s grasp, but the threat has clearly been delivered. Wariness clings to the corner of the captain’s dark eyes, pinches the sides of his mouth. His gaze darts toward Cassian, his expression both expectant and accepting of his fate.

“I don’t know what you’re looking at me for,” Cassian comments, his tone cold. “It’s Lady Death you have to answer to now.”

Four pairs of eyes land back on Nesta, and she realizes with a near silent jolt that she’s Lady Death. The name washes over her and unlocks something deep within her soul, that beast within her purring contently at being recognized, at being named. It’s a key turning in a lock, settles comfortably around her like a second skin.

Nesta steps closer to the ship’s captain. She holds her sword point beneath his chin, lifting until his gaze is forced to meet her own. Whatever he sees on her face finally has his dark eyes widening. She leans down enough that she’s right in his face, that he’ll be able to hear every word that she speaks.

“Most captains get to go down with their ship, but after what you’ve done to me, to my friends, to who knows how many women before us? You don’t deserve that honor. The only thing you deserve is to rot on the ocean floors.”

The captain starts to splutter a response, but Nesta doesn’t even let him get a word out. She pulls her sword back just enough that she can sink the blade into his chest. He lets out a pained grunt, red bubbling up in his mouth and spilling from his lips. Nesta presses deeper still, twisting the hilt of the sword.

“You bitch,” the captain gasps, eyes already glazing over and face paling.

“Burn in hell,” Nesta snarls, finally pulling the sword free and leaving the captain to crumble against the wood of the deck.

“Dispose of him and the rest of the crew,” Cassian orders from behind her.

Baz and Cormac both nod and get to work, but a gentle hand at her elbow has Nesta turning away from them. She comes face to face with Cassian again. His eyebrows are dipped low, concern swimming amongst the greens and golds of his hazel eyes. He reaches into one of the pockets of his jacket, pulling out a handkerchief. Carefully, his hand comes up, sliding the fabric against her cheek, the gentle tenderness of the gesture at odds with the blood that comes away from her face.

“Alright, Nes?” Cassian asks quietly.

“I’m fine,” Nesta assures him, curling her fingers around his wrist and keeping his hand there. “Besides, shouldn’t you be calling me Lady Death now?”

“It seemed a fitting name given the way you took down most of the crew before we even arrived. I guess all that training paid off after all.”

“I was just trying to…”

Nesta trails off. Her friends. She was just trying to protect and help her friends. She turns her head, searching the different faces across the deck until she locates Gwyn, Emerie, and Cresseida standing together. Cresseida has a tear in the sleeve of her dress and Emerie has blood streaked across her own face, but all three of them are alive and whole. The relief at the sight is enough to nearly knock Nesta off her feet.

The four of them have a bond like no other now after what’s happened to them, and Nesta knows she’ll never be able to leave them behind. She thinks about how Emerie and Cresseida may not be able to return to Windhaven again after what’s transpired. She thinks about Cresseida’s wish to travel and see the world. She thinks about that almost too familiar shadow she had recognized in Gwyn’s eyes.

With determination settling with steely resolve in Nesta’s veins, she turns back to Cassian. “My new friends are joining the crew.”

“Are they?” Cassian chuckles lightly. “Last time I checked, it was my ship and my crew.”

“They are joining the crew,” Nesta repeats, enunciating each word slowly so there’s no room for argument.

“And what do I get out of it?”

“What? You get three new crew members.”

Cassian hums unconvinced, tilting his head. “I don’t know if that’s a bargain I want to make.”

Nesta lets out an annoyed huff, rolling her eyes. “What do you want then?”

“A favor.”

“A… favor?”

“Just one, little favor from you that I can use when I decide.”

Nesta worries at her bottom lip with her teeth, glancing toward her friends once more. “Fine. One, single favor. That’s it.”

The smile that pulls across Cassian’s face is almost feline, but he holds out his hand toward Nesta. “It’s a deal then.”

“You’re insufferable,” Nesta mutters with another roll of her eyes, but she slides her hand into Cassian’s regardless.

“Always such a sweet talker, Lady Death,” Cassian teases, bringing their joined hands up to his mouth and pressing a kiss to Nesta’s knuckles.

Nesta scoffs and pulls her hand free from Cassian’s grip, spinning on her heel and heading toward her friends. She pointedly ignores the way Emerie is once again smirking, that knowing glint in the shop owner’s brown eyes. Instead she focuses on Cresseida’s wide eyes, on the way Gwyn is openly gaping.

“Great news. You all can join the crew,” Nesta announces after awkwardly clearing her throat. “Until the next port or however long you’d like.”

“Isn’t that…” Gwyn starts, still staring over Nesta’s shoulder.

“Yep,” Emerie answers smugly.

“And Nesta just—” Cresseida begins to ask.

“Yep.”

Nesta scowls at Emerie. “You’re the worst. Now, come on.”

~ * * * ~

Nesta rings out the remaining water in her hair over the bucket she’s been using to wash herself following the events of the past day. She straightens and grabs her brush, carefully detangling the strands. With each pull of the bristles through her hair, she thinks about being back on this ship, being back in this cabin. She thinks about spending the afternoon introducing Gwyn, Emerie, and Cresseida to everyone on the crew, showing them around, and chatting with Baz about them joining the daily training sessions.

Nesta sets down her brush and begins to separate her hair into three strands, braiding it back and away from her face. The click of the door opening and closing behind her signals Cassian’s arrival. She hears the shuffle of fabric that indicates him removing his jacket, but she finishes her braid, tying the strands together with a ribbon. Once that’s finished, she finally stands up and turns around, watching as Cassian washes the blood from his hands in the water basin.

“So, when can I expect you to cash in your favor?” Nesta asks, stepping toward the bed and the book she had left abandoned there before they went ashore in Windhaven.

“How about right now?” Cassian counters, turning to face her properly.

“Oh? And what—”

Nesta’s words die in the back of her throat as Cassian stalks toward her, backing her up until she’s hitting the edge of the desk. His arms come up, hands settling against the wood either side of her hips, effectively caging her in. Nesta’s breath hitches in her chest at his closeness. Her fingers bury and twist in her skirts, daring him to speak first.

“A kiss,” Cassian tells her, his voice low and rough.

Nesta feels a spark ricochet through her veins at his words, but she keeps her face perfectly neutral, keeps her spine straight, and doesn’t betray even an flicker of how she’s affected. She leans up and presses a quick kiss to Cassian’s cheek before leaning back against the desk again.

“There. Deal done,” Nesta informs him.

“That is not what I meant.”

“But that was a kiss, was it not? Which is exactly what you asked for. And you only get one favor as part of the deal.”

Cassian’s low laugh skitters across Nesta’s skin, leaving goosebumps erupting in its wake. “I should’ve known you’d somehow find a loophole.”

For a moment, neither of them speak, neither of them move, stuck in a staring contest that Nesta is quite confident she is currently losing judging by the way her heart has started to thunder between her ribs. Cassian’s hand comes up between them, gently tugging the ribbon from the ends of Nesta’s hair, fingers carding through the braid until her hair tumbles around her shoulders and down her back. His palm finds her jaw, cradling it there, and despite the rough calluses from years spent at sea, the touch is gentle.

“You tell me to stop, and we stop,” Cassian promises quietly, leaning in so there's only a breath between them.

“What if I say stop right now?” Nesta dares to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Then we stop.”

Nesta knows that she should. Knows that she’s still technically a lady, and this isn’t proper, and by the Cauldron, would her mother be rolling in her grave if she could see Nesta now. But this close together, Nesta can count every gold fleck that makes up the maze of Cassian’s hazel eyes. She can trace the slash through his eyebrow, the pink scar along his cheek. She can feel his own heart galloping away where her hand has settled on his chest, seemingly of its own accord.

And she wants to.

Gods, does she want to, propriety and being a proper lady be damned. Something about Cassian has been drawing her in closer and closer for days now, weeks even. Maybe even since that first day on her father’s ship. Something about the way he never balks from her, never tries to diminish her fire the way she was always taught she should, instead seeming to relish in it, rising to meet it happily. Something about the way he sees her and allows her and her alone to see the true side of him hiding behind the pirate captain's mantle. He gave her a sword and his secrets, and now he’s offering her something more. All Nesta has to do is take it.

Her silence must be answer enough, or perhaps Cassian merely sees something in her expressions, but Nesta doesn’t miss the spark that flares in his eyes, the way the corner of his mouth twitches up in a smirk. His grip tightens on her jaw, just enough that he can tilt her face up more. And then he’s closing the space between them.

Nesta’s eyes flutter closed at the feel of Cassian’s lips pressed against her own. She’s not sure what exactly she was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t the almost delicate slide of their lips together. Too soon it seems Cassian is pulling away, disappointment cold and heavy in Nesta’s gut, but before she can even open her eyes again, Cassian kisses her again.

This time, the kiss is firmer, more insistent. His hands drop to Nesta’s waist, hoisting her up and onto the desk, all without breaking the way their lips slot and slide together. He settles easily into the cradle between her thighs, and Nesta buries her own hands in his hair, tugging until she can feel Cassian’s groan reverberate against her lips, until she can swallow it down. Cassian presses his tongue into her mouth, and Nesta feels like a livewire. Fire licks up her spine and sends her skin sparking, the feel of his lips against her own, of his hands grasping her waist, a delicious brand.

Cassian pulls away again, and Nesta finds herself leaning forward, chasing the kiss. It’s only when Cassian chuckles softly that her eyes snap open again. She’s intoxicated by the glazed over quality of his eyes, the way his pupils are wide and blown out. The way his lips are tinged red and slightly swollen.

“I didn’t say stop,” Nesta says, her voice breathless even to her own ears.

Cassian gently pulls Nesta’s hands free from his hair, pressing a kiss to the pulse point of each wrist. “Another time.”

It’s a promise, a new bargain, and one that Nesta finds herself itching to collect.

—

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