#verse; i've got blood on my name v2

[cxptainflint]

Negotiations

@thomashxmilton

Captain Flint strode onto the deck, his presence demanding attention like something on the horizon. His gaze was piercing, sharp. The crew stayed mostly silent at his appearance from his cabin, other than the words said here and there about the work they were doing. With every step, the planks beneath his boots echoed, each making a prominent sound as he walked to Silver's side as they eyed the Revenge in the distance.

He felt these negotiations were going to be short-lived if he had anything to say about it. He and Blackbeard have rarely seen eye to eye on anything except for specific occasions. Flint was sure this time would be no different. He stood with Silver and watched as two climbed down from the ship to come towards the Walrus. With the spyglass in hand, he contemplated looking to see who was coming to the ship. Not yet. Izzy Hands no doubt, but he was uncertain who else would come due to the new ... captain situation he had heard about.

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Izzy made his way with help, to the small boat below with the other man in tow. Thankful for the upper body strength he'd gained. He tried to hold the boat steady as Thomas joined him, hands on both oars. Deep breaths were taken as he recalled the details of what they had discussed with Edward and Bonnet. He knew Thomas would remember, he was always incredibly detail-oriented. "Ready to go?" Izzy asked, making sure he got comfortable first. "I don't have high hopes for these negotiations I'll admit."

[cxptainflint]

Flint's brows continued to furrow in disbelief, his eyes slightly widened as Stede's words truly made him rethink his decision to do this. He shifted almost uncomfortably at first, a faint flush creeping up his neck as he struggled to find the right words to respond. His nose goes above and his brow stays raised, moving his sword to his side as he listens to him. "I wouldn't recommend saying that again." Then again, if there is anything he has learned from being around the man, it's that he was going to do what he wanted.

With this interaction, he was incredibly thankful the crew was off on shore at this moment. He stays quiet as he collects his thoughts. "Are you going to keep striking poses or do you want to fight?" he asked, holding up his sword to fight him. "Come at me, like you mean it. Like it is life or death. I can take it, I promise you that."

Continued from here. @cxptainflint

Stede stood some feet away from the other Captain, a sword in his own hand, ready to watch whatever it was that Flint was about to show him. After all, he still wasn't that great with a sword, though he sure has held his own as of late, but there was always more to learn. Especially for him. He's learned some from Edward, Izzy and now he was about to learn more from the Captain James Flint which he was very excited about. He's heard the stories and legends and he's even witnessed the man fight which was nothing short of incredible. So here the blond Captain was waiting for the ginger Captain to teach and train him.

And not even a second after the man raises his blade does Stede make that razzle dazzle comment. A comment that seemed to give Flint pause, his expression one of bewilderment as he stares back at him. Has he not heard that term before? Huh. "Well... yes? You know," he waves the blade in his hand. "Flashy! Showy." He strikes a pose then, one arm behind his back while the other holds the sword out, but when Flint continues to stare at him like he is, Stede clears his throat and relaxes back into a casual stance. "Right, um... Carry on, Captain!"

[cxptainflint]

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[cxptainflint]

"Fucking right," he remarked, lowly. Flint was well aware that rum could do that but at this point he was more concerned with how much he had. He could hold his own liquor quite well, it was a fact. However, he had a certain lurch in his stomach while sitting up in the bed. It was not a good one.

He acknowledged his request for privacy, letting his eyes look across the space to try and concentrate on something else, if even for a few seconds. He sighed as he put his own legs off the side of the bed, eyes still looking away to give him the privacy he asked for.

With how he's been the past few years? He knew he wasn't, at least not in this moment anyway. Easier said than done to get into it depending on the person. Yet he still felt slightly insulted at the insinuation. "Don't tell anyone," he remarks, sighing. Then again, he was sure some of his crew definitely remembered the other coming onto the ship the previous night, despite him having little to no memory of it.

ᒥ☠ᒧ—        "Rum will do that," He rubs his head, the headache of too much rum still going strong. Ah, yes, and when he tripped over the boots and ate it face first on the floor. That had really stirred the headache. Just the thought of how much it hurt had him kick the boots as he got up to retrieve his clothes. He keeps the blanket wrapped tight around him as he picked up shirt, trousers, and lathers.

"Look away, mate. Need privacy." Like they hadn't just spent the night intimately. If given privacy, he drops the blanket and begins to dress. Trousers were the first slid on, so the other didn't have to keep turned away long. Next was his under shirt.

"Don't recall much m'self, if 'm bein' honest. Like how I managed ta get ya into bed, I'd be proud of m'self if you were a good fuck. Ya not." Blackbeard was very honest when he wanted to be, rudely so, in fact.

[cxptainflint]

"Yeah, James Flint," Izzy adds, concentrating on making sure the boat is secure. The look on his face, the way he responded, gave him some pause. He then followed Thomas up to the deck. Once up there, he stood proudly beside Thomas. However, something was off. Completely.

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Once the two were on the deck, James did not know what to think. It was impossible. It can't be. He had not even greeted them, he just stared. Silver interjected, introducing himself to both ...the man he thought was Thomas and Izzy. However, whatever came out of his mouth was silent to him. He could tell Silver and Izzy were talking but he heard none of what he was saying. Izzy had introduced Thomas to them but Flint missed that with his mind distracted in a thousand directions. His gaze faltered, eyes widening as if he'd seen a ghost. He blinked once, twice, and fixed his stare on him, a silent plea was hidden in his expression. Flint shook his head, knowing he still had to put on a show, yet he had to know for sure.

"I'd like to speak with you, privately," he spoke with a slight crack in his voice, gesturing to the cabin before he met their eyes again.

Izzy then looked over to Thomas, curious as to his reply.

Thomas listened to Izzy and nodded, "I know you all do, I just don't want to let you guys down." Looking ahead towards the Walrus, as they approached he could see an intimidating figure watching them as they got closer. While he couldn't see his features at first, there was something about the man and how he stood that made Thomas think he knew him, or at least used to.

Once they got to the Walrus, Thomas helped Izzy tie off the dingy and looked up, only to see a face he thought long gone to him, a face that he only ever saw in his dreams.

"J--James?"

[cxptainflint]

He began moving the oars slowly, beginning their short trek to the other ship. Izzy carried a sense of certainty about the trip to the Walrus. However, he would be lying if he said it was going to go smoothly. They have had dealings with Flint in the past, and some ended in arguments. Nearly fights. He did have faith in Thomas yet he still had worries. Izzy knew Ed did as well. "He can be unreasonable, got his fucking moments that's for sure," Izzy replies, sighing softly. "Felt like maybe you can bring a fresh perspective into our negotiation methods. I believe in you, you know that. I'll be beside you the whole time."

------

After a considerable time in between, Flint continued standing beside Silver as the boat began to approach the ship. He had already mapped out what was to be the negotiations in his mind and he was considerably confident. If they were to be allies, it would be under his terms. Not Blackbeard's, and not Stede Bonnet's. After a few moments of silence between him and Silver, he used the spyglass to see who was coming. He knew Izzy, he always did follow around Blackbeard's every whim.

As he looks through the spyglass, his breath catches in his throat. The look on his face was frozen in disbelief. He knew Silver would notice but thankfully he had gone to the side of the ship to help them up. He grips the spyglass tightly, knuckles whitening due to his newly heightened emotional state. Flint knew he would have to maintain that facade of his. "There's... no fucking way, I---." His eyes widened as he put the spyglass down. He wouldn't believe it. His heart lurched in his chest, now beating rapidly. "No... no. That's... not possible."

Thomas was nervous to prove his worth to the crew that had embraced him so quickly as one of their own. Izzy had convinced Stede that Thomas would be ideal for these negotiations considering his past in parliament. He had heard stories of this Captain Flint and he was admittedly nervous about the situation, but he knew he would be safe with Izzy at his side.

Once situated in the boat, Thomas asked, "Is Flint really that unreasonable?" He watched him as they rowed away, "if we are so concerned that he won't listen to reason then why are we attempting this in the first place?"

[cxptainflint]

"No, you.. you were trying to tell me about what had happened," he replied, softly. Him kissing his hand felt so gentle. With their hands embraced with one another, there was a warmth through James Flint, as if he felt like his heart was also embraced. It was tender, keeping him in the moment. He felt a sense of comfort and reassurance, one that he believed was for the most part long gone. His touch felt like a lifeline. He could feel tears continuing to come down his own face.

"It's... so hard for me to believe that you're here, but you are..." he spoke, almost at a mumble. It was so much harder for him than he thought. The sense of relief was second to a mixture of other various emotions he felt. He just wanted to fall into his arms and just stay there. To feel that safety. "I don't... even remember what you and Izzy came to the ship for now.."

Thomas looked to James with a sad smile, his hands still in his, "It's okay. I was rambling. . ." He looked to James, squeezing his hand he said, "it was too much at once, I'm sorry." He held his hand for the longest time before bringing it to his lips and kissing it, then placing his palm in James' hand, he could feel the tears well up in his own eyes. Christ how he had dreamt of that touch for so long.

"I've missed you so much," Thomas admitted, "so much I couldn't breathe." He kept his face in his hand, as to try and reassure him that he was there. "And here you are. . ."

[cxptainflint]

He was thankful that Thomas made the motion for them to sit down. His hands gripped his tightly at points, reaffirming that he was there. He heard bits and pieces of what he said, if he had to recall full sentences he would fail miserably. After he spoke of learning to become a pirate, his mind wandered off. Flint's gaze drifted into the distance, his expression fully off as if he were lost in his thoughts. His eyes fixed elsewhere as if looking for answers of some kind.

He suddenly felt the touch on his hand slightly magnified, bringing him back from being lost in thought. "Sorry I," he began, pausing. He felt as if he was at a loss for words. "I... will be honest, I did not hear anything after you said you've been learning to be a pirate. I'm ..sorry." It was as if his mind was still having trouble comprehending that Thomas was even there.

Thomas guided him to the chairs by his desk and sat them both down, keeping his hands in James's, needing that reassurance that they were both there, that this was indeed happening. "I've been learning to become a pirate. Considering my past in parliament, Izzy thought I could be rather skilled in negotiations. With everything happening right now, England is breathing down our necks, they know, we all know, we stand a better chance against them on a united front instead of every ship for themselves."

Looking at their hands, Thomas said, "they fear you, James, and well within reason, but they know you have one of the strongest crews in the Carribean. . ."

[cxptainflint]

Even though Thomas told him it was not a trick, Flint still had immense difficulty believing it. This is a trick, it has to be. It just has to be. He felt as if the exterior, the walls that had held Captain Flint up had begun to slightly crumble. James felt himself nearly tremble at his own continued touch to his cheek, feeling his hand on his also added to that stir within.

He listened attentively, to everything he said, paying more attention than usual. Just hearing his voice brought a sensation of calmness that he believed was long lost. He wanted to kiss him so badly in that moment, but he held it back, along with the majority of his tears. Although, a few of them had chosen to flow. "I'm... so thankful they found you. I can't believe this. What do you do-," he spoke, beginning to ask him questions about his life there before his sobs came forward.

"It's no trick, I swear it." Thomas said, putting his hand over James' that cupped his cheek, pressing it firmer against his skin, almost as if to remind both of them that they were there, they were alive and they were real.

He nodded, explaining, "my father, lead me to believe you and Miranda had perished once you were forced to flee London. I was distraught, with you gone I had nothing to live for." He recalled what had happened, "after about two years in Bedlam, I was told I was being shipped to the Americas to work on some plantation as I was being transported, their crew took us over. Izzy, he -- and the crew took pity on me, helped me heal and offered me a place amongst their crew. After such horrors, and such loss, I wasn't going to turn them down."

[cxptainflint]

His hand stayed on his cheek. The feeling of his hand on his made his heart flutter to places that he'd sworn it had forgotten. Even though Thomas had reiterated that it was in fact him, Flint still had a hard time believing it. After everything that had happened and all of his efforts, he was alive. Alive. Here. In front of him. It was incredibly difficult for him to grasp. "If this is a trick it is of the worst kind," he voiced, looking to his eyes. His own heart beating so fast.

It took him a few moments in between to speak again. He still could not believe he was even talking with him. "You've been with ...Blackbeard's crew? This whole time?" he asked, his tone turning a little more serious as he thought about what all he had heard of the man recently. Regarding a certain record and other things. "I have to say... when they were discussing the idea of negotiations... had no idea it would be you coming with Hands."

Thomas took in a breath when James touched him, his heart nearly beating out of his chest. Leaning into his touch his eyes closed, putting a hand on top of his a moment, "It's me, I swear it, it's me." He turned his head into his hand a moment and gave his palm a gentle kiss before looking back at him, "it's me my love, I promise, no tricks."

He looked at James and explained, "after I was discharged from Bedlam, I was put on a ship meant for the Americas when pirates took it over, in the chaos, I escaped. I was picked up by the crew of the Revenge, whom I have been with ever since."

[cxptainflint]

He did not respond after he did to his request, instead, he stood there in an obvious silence filled with tension. Flint could feel Silver's gaze on him as he looked at the man he thought was Thomas. He was still marked with incredible disbelief at the idea it was him. Even though he sure looked like him, spoke like him. Stood like him. It sure felt familiar to him. He tried to shake it off, knowing he still had to show the crew that nothing was wrong. The man could hear his own heart beating rapidly.

Once they were alone, it took everything in him to not immediately believe it was him after all this time. It did not feel possible to him. Hearing his words come from his lips, he nearly fell to his knees in belief. "T-Thomas..." he muttered at a distance away from him, standing in disbelief. "How... you're... how are you here..." He took a few steps closer, wanting to reach to touch his cheek but he refrained from doing so at first. His hand fell at his own hesitation, but then he did it again. This time it rested on his cheek. "I ... cannot...believe my eyes.." Once he knew it was him, Flint knew his own tears would flow. Ones he had held in for so long.

Thomas was too stunned to speak at first but then blinked, giving a firm nod he said, "of course, J--Captain." He nearly called him James, and he could imagine that wouldn't go over well. Looking back at Izzy a moment he said, "I'll be right back."

Following James into the Captain's quarters, Thomas felt his heart pounding in his chest, it felt like every inch of him was on fire as he looked at the man he thought long gone.

"J--James." He said slightly above a whisper, almost sounding like a prayer. "