Chapter Text
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Flint was holding a nearly empty mug of rum with a slight smile, settled back in his chair and just watching the other three men at the table talk.
The meal was long over with and cleared away, and both Quinn and Slade had left already, but Flint lingered anyway despite the fact he was no longer needed there. He hadn't really had a chance to just relax and watch Charles talk unless they were in bed, and he was enjoying it too much to leave. He was quite sure Charles would get on the Ranger the next morning to begin getting to know her with at least two friends on board, Rackham and Quinn, and he was glad.
Charles had spent the last two hours or more getting to know his new shipmates, and it was very obvious to Flint that Charles liked them, especially Rackham, who had stayed even after his superiors left. Charles and Rackham seemed to have a similar sense of humor and they got along well, and Flint enjoyed watching them talk to each other. Flint's only real worry about Charles taking on the Ranger's captaincy had been that Charles wouldn't truly be welcomed by his crew because of the circumstances, but Rackham's obvious desire to be friends had set Flint's mind at ease.
Rackham was smart and funny and seemed well-read despite his age, and he was a definite gossip, full of information about the Ranger's crew and happy to share with his new Captain. He obviously liked Charles and enjoyed being the center of his attention, and it had been easy for Charles to keep him talking while they shared a bottle of rum. There had even been a few points in the conversation that Flint could have sworn Rackham was flirting with Charles, who was so completely oblivious to it that Flint had barely been able to keep from laughing.
Bonny was still there too, sitting at the opposite end of the table from Flint with the same mug of rum he'd had all evening, but the boy was so silent he might as well have left. Bonny watched them from under the brim of his battered slouch hat, usually only one brilliant blue eye visible as he listened to the conversation, but his expression never changed. It made Flint wonder what the boy's story was, how he ended up on a pirate crew so young. He had a feeling the kid had been through Hell and come out the other side trusting no one except Rackham, who was obviously very conscious of Bonny's presence and glanced towards him often to check on him.
Charles and Rackham had just finished off their rum when an angry voice bellowed downstairs, "Flint! Call off your damn Chinaman!"
Flint had no trouble recognizing the voice and neither did Charles, who looked at Flint quickly as Flint put down his rum and called back, "Let him pass, Joji! Alone!"
Joji was actually from Japan, but Flint wasn't surprised Teach couldn't tell that by looking at him. Few could, and even fewer recognized the weapons Joji carried as the traditional weapons of a samurai warrior or would have known what a ronin was. Flint only knew because Joji had told him late one night when they were both drunk and homesick, several months before they joined the crew of the Walrus. Joji had actually been the one to introduce Flint to Gates, who Joji had served with on a merchant vessel before Gates left it and joined the crew of the Walrus.
"This can't go well," Rackham murmured, making Charles look at him. "Don't worry though," Rackham was quick to add. "We've got your back."
Flint took advantage of Charles' distraction to pull his pistol, keeping it in his lap out of sight. He knew that despite everything Teach had done, Charles didn't want him dead for the simple reason that Teach had saved his life, but Flint had no qualms about doing whatever was necessary. Teach was well-known for using the four pistols he carried very freely when he was angered, and Flint wasn't taking any chances. He would much rather make Charles angry at him than watch him die.
Teach stomped up the stairs a moment later, scowling. He looked first at Charles and then at Flint before he caught Rackham's eye and growled angrily, "Give us the room!"
Rackham was obviously worried but he looked at Charles instead of obeying, making Flint smile slightly as Rackham asked, "Will that be all, Captain Vane?"
"Yes, go ahead back to camp," Charles replied calmly, giving Rackham a reassuring smile even though he was feeling a little nervous himself. He didn't want Rackham or Bonny to see it, and he refused to give Teach the satisfaction. "Take Bonny with you."
Rackham nodded and both he and Bonny stood, neither of them looking at Teach as Rackham asked quietly, "Will you be joining us tonight, Captain?"
"No, I've got a room here," Charles said easily. "I'll move my things out to the ship tomorrow morning sometime."
"I'll have a longboat at camp waiting, sir," Rackham promised and then turned to go, giving Teach a respectful nod as he passed him with Bonny moving so close to his heels the boy might as well have been his shadow.
Teach stalked over to the table after they were gone, putting his fists on it to lean across it towards Charles as he glared at Charles and growled quietly, "What the fuck do you think you're doing, boy?"
"Making my own way, just like you said I'd have to do if I didn't like taking orders from your crew," Charles replied just as quietly, managing to at least look calm despite Teach's anger. "I don't."
Teach glared at Charles a few more moments and then looked at Flint, still leaning on the table. "And I suppose you're who I have to thank for this... insanity? I know their Quartermaster's had the Ranger in your pocket for months now, and the boy doesn't have the coin to pay off that debt it's being said he paid for them. He spends every bit he gets on whores and rum."
"Quinn asked me for my opinion," Flint said calmly. "I gave it. Charles is smart, he knows the business of running a ship far better than Kelso ever did, and he's exceptionally loyal to his crew."
"Which'd be why he's jumping ship on his crew with no warning at all," Teach said scathingly.
"Perhaps I should have said he's loyal to those who deserve it," Flint replied quietly.
Teach bristled angrily as he straightened up. "The fuck are you trying to say, Flint?"
"I think you heard me," Flint said, unable to stop himself.
Teach glared at Flint for a few moments, right hand clenching and unclenching, and Flint was starting to think he'd go for one of his pistols when Teach suddenly looked at Charles again. "If you do this, there's no going back. We're done."
"We've been done since you kicked me out of your cabin," Charles said very quietly, meeting Teach's gaze. "I told you right after that I'd never bend over for you again and I'd be leaving the crew when I found something better. It's not my fault you didn't believe me."
Teach flushed, livid as he growled, "I should have thrown you off the fuckin' ship then."
"If you did, I'd still be here," Charles said quietly, "and I'd still be Captain of the Ranger right now. Nothing I have done here tonight is because of you. You saved my life once, but that was a long time ago and my gratitude only goes so far." He snorted softly. "It shouldn't be a surprise I've left your crew. I told you a dozen times that one day you would look up and I'd be gone. Today is that day."
Teach glared at Charles a moment longer and then looked at Flint. "You better not start spreading shite, Flint, or I'll know who it was talking out of turn."
"And you had best remember who has his back," Flint replied softly, meeting Teach's gaze. "If I hear you've done anything to him or his crew, the whole fucking island will know about you and your cabin boys. Count on it."
Teach stared at Flint as he growled, "No one threatens me and lives to tell the tale."
"I thought not telling tales is the whole point you were trying to make," Flint said quietly, trying hard to keep a firm rein on his temper. "And don't think that killing me would keep your secrets, either. If I die by your hand, I promise you the word will still spread exactly why you wanted to keep me quiet. I am far too smart to make it that easy for you to shut me up."
Teach stared into Flint's eyes. "You'd lose the Walrus if I walk down there and tell your crew you're fucking him. Then it wouldn't matter what you said next. They'd all believe me, especially with that bullshite about you not touching whores because you're loyal to some witch woman."
"You'd lose your fleet if you did," Charles said then, quiet but sharp. Teach looked at him, surprised, and Charles added, "They know me well enough that they would believe me, too, no matter what lies you tried to come up with. Everyone knows I tell shite like it is even if it gets me a beating, and I know things about you that you can't explain away."
Teach stared at Charles a moment longer and then looked at Flint, eyes still narrow and angry. "Why did you even start this, Flint? I always thought you backed the boy up in those fights trying to stay on my good side."
"I did at first, but then I noticed what he was fighting about and decided I liked his style," Flint replied very quietly, adding a little more firmly, "Now, well… I always protect what's mine."
Teach's eyes widened slightly and he looked at Charles, staring into Charles' eyes asked angrily, "Before or after?"
"After," Charles replied quietly, not needing to ask what Teach meant. Teach had just realized his threat to tell the world Flint was fucking him was true, not just a convenient lie, and surely wanted to know if it started before or after Teach tossed Charles aside. Charles was a little surprised Flint had told Teach about them in such a way he was practically daring Teach to object, but Charles couldn't really find it in himself to get upset by it. Just the opposite, in fact. He didn't need Flint to protect him, to take care of him, but if he was being completely honest with himself he loved knowing Flint was going to do it anyway.
Teach kept staring into Charles' eyes for a short while in silence, then said abruptly, "Don't you ask me for anything, not ever again."
"I wasn't planning to," Charles replied.
Teach looked at Flint. "And you would do well to stay away from me and mine."
Flint snorted. "You have absolutely nothing I want, Teach. As long as you take it like a man, this ends here. You go your way and we will go ours, and we all get to go on with our lives as we see fit."
Teach stared at Flint and moment longer and then abruptly turned to go, walking to the stairs before he stopped, not looking back. "Don't come near my ship or my camp, Charles. If you do, I'll kill you."
"I will avoid your territory just as I expect you and your men to avoid mine," Charles agreed, "but Nassau is my home. If we pass on the street I expect you to ignore me, just as I'll do for you."
Teach nodded and continued down the stairs, leaving them alone.
Charles swallowed hard, relieved and honestly a little shocked it went so well. He had expected Teach to be a lot more violent, or try to at least. With Flint there to watch his back, he had known Teach wouldn't be able to give him the beating Teach was sure to think he deserved. That was a large part of why he had felt so safe facing Teach at all. If a fight had begun, Flint would have jumped in instantly, and his men would have been up there within moments, too.
Charles looked at Flint after a few minutes, trying to make light of it as he murmured, "Well, that went well."
Flint chuckled. "Lot better than I expected." He lifted his hand out of his lap to lay his pistol on the table, making Charles' eyes widen slightly in surprise. "I thought I might have to kill him to get you truly free."
Charles stared at Flint. "You were ready to kill him?"
"From the moment I found out how he treated you," Flint admitted softly. "I thought you deserved better long before I loved you."
Charles smiled and was opening his mouth to reply when he heard boots on the stairs and looked towards the sound. Joji stopped at the top of the stairs, looking relieved as he asked, "Is it done, Captain?"
"Yes, it is," Flint replied. "Tell the men to stay well away from Teach's camp, though, and to give his crews a wide berth. He's pissed at me and would like an excuse to start trouble." He looked at Charles, asking more softly, "Can I assume our crews stand together if it comes to a fight?"
"Always," Charles agreed, not even needing to think. "Quinn will go along with it, I think. We could stand against the Revenge crew easy enough, but it would be a different story if the others who look to him joined in."
Flint nodded, giving Charles a crooked smile. "My thoughts too." He looked back towards Joji. "So yes, even with the Ranger's crew on our side, don't piss any of Teach's people off if it can be avoided."
Joji nodded. "I'll pass the word." He hesitated and then asked, "Do you want a few of us to stand guard here tonight?"
"No, that won't be necessary," Flint answered. "Teach and I came to an understanding. He and his men will not be coming here after me."
Joji glanced at Charles and then back at Flint as he said more quietly, "I was thinking more to help you keep him away from Vane. Word is Teach wants him dead."
"Wanted him dead," Flint corrected, not at all surprised Joji had heard that. He was fairly sure it had been true until Teach realized Flint and whoever Flint had confided in would retaliate if Teach touched him. The fact Flint hadn't actually confided in anyone that could influence the pirates as Teach feared was quite beside the point. Charles prided himself on never lying, but Flint would do whatever was necessary to protect those he loved. "Like I said, we came to an understanding. As long as we stay out of Teach's territory, he's going to stay out of ours."
Joji smiled. "Glad to hear it, Captain." He looked at Vane, adding, "Congratulations, by the way." He grinned. "Captain Vane."
Charles grinned at that too, he couldn't help it. "Thank you, Joji."
Joji nodded to Charles, then looked back at Flint. "Good night, Captain."
"Good night," Flint replied, smiling.
Joji turned and walked quickly back down the stairs, leaving them alone again.
Flint looked at Charles, smiling as he murmured very softly, "I think it's time for bed." He smirked. "Captain."
Charles grinned and said barely loud enough for Flint to hear, "There's a distinct possibility you won't get any sleep tonight."
"I am quite sure I'll find some way to cope," Flint replied, smirking as he stood up. He reached for his pistol and tucked it back into his belt as he headed for the door, not looking back when he heard Charles' chair move and then Charles' light step behind him.
Flint glanced around when he reached the tavern's common room, smiling when he saw his men were already gone and the place was nearly deserted despite the fact it was early yet by Nassau standards. Word had obviously spread that there might be a battle there that night and people had made themselves scarce. Rackham and Bonny were the only ones left, sitting at a table near the back door to the tavern, and Flint was glad they seemed so determined to support Charles as he nodded to them and headed towards the kitchen, where he could see a lamp was still burning.
Charles walked quickly towards Rackham and Bonny's table, a little surprised as he said, "I thought I told you to head back to camp."
"I could not in good conscience leave until I was certain you were alright, Captain," Rackham replied quickly. "We couldn't let Flint's men have all the fun if there was a fight."
Flint paused near the kitchen door, amused as he looked back towards them to listen.
"Jack ain't much with a sword," Bonny added, "but he's a dead shot an' I got two swords so we kinda even out."
Charles gave Rackham and Bonny a surprised, slightly wry smile. "You were going to fight Teach and his men for me? Just the two of you?"
"You're our Captain," Bonny said, hard and annoyed. "'S our fuckin' job."
Charles grinned at Bonny. "What are you so pissed about all the time?"
"Life," Bonny replied instantly, standing up. He looked at Rackham, swatting his shoulder lightly. "He's fine, Jack. Let's go."
Rackham stood, giving Bonny a bemused look as he murmured, "A little respect?"
Bonny scowled at Rackham, then looked at Charles again as he said grudgingly, "If that's okay with you, Cap'n."
"It is," Charles replied, still amused. "I'll see you both in the morning."
"Of course, Captain," Rackham replied, smiling. "Good night." He reached out to give Bonny a little push to start him moving, and the two of them walked quickly to the nearby door and left.
Charles headed for the stairs chuckling as he shook his head, and Flint grinned as he continued into the kitchen.
Giselle was sitting at the table with a cup of tea, smiling and looking much happier than earlier as she looked up at him and murmured, "Joji told me the danger is done."
"Yes, Teach and I made an agreement," Flint replied softly, walking over to stand by her. "I wanted to make sure you know so you'd stop worrying."
Giselle smiled a little wider. "I will always worry, cher, but for now yes, I feel much better."
"Something else you and I have in common," Flint murmured, smiling, then changed the subject. "I'm sorry we ran off all your custom."
"I am not," Giselle said with a soft laugh. "I plan to enjoy my night off." She smiled, standing as she added, "As does Joji."
Flint laughed and raised his voice a bit, "You don't have to hide from me, Joji."
The kitchen door opened and Joji stepped inside, closing it and smirking at Flint as he said softly, "I was watching the men leave, but I could say the same to you, Captain." Flint's eyebrows rose in surprise and Joji laughed, then looked at Giselle, adding, "Let's go, Giselle. Vane will be waiting for him."
Giselle stared at Joji a moment and then looked at Flint. "You told him?"
Flint shook his head, still surprised, and they both looked back at Joji.
Joji snorted softly, giving Giselle an amused look. "I have known him for nearly as long as I have known you. I heard something while they spoke to Teach, and I knew it was true the moment I saw the Captain look at Vane afterwards." He looked at Flint, adding, "Though it was a bit of a surprise."
Flint frowned slightly. "Am I truly that transparent?"
"Only to someone who knows you so well," Joji replied, smiling. "No one else would see it."
"Hopefully not," Flint said quietly, still worried.
"I am sure, James," Joji said more firmly. "I know the risks, I would warn you if there was a problem. No one else was close enough to hear anything, and they would not see in you what I do."
Flint looked at Joji for a moment and then nodded, relieved. Joji would never lie to him, he knew. "Thanks."
Joji nodded, smiling. "Good night, Captain."
"Good night." Flint looked at Giselle as he added, "Bonne nuit, mon amie."
"Good night, cher," Giselle murmured, smiling as she leaned to kiss his cheek, then moved towards Joji and the kitchen door. "Would you bar the back door before you go up? Joji got the front one after Teach left."
"Of course," Flint agreed, watching as Joji opened the door for her and let her go out, then nodded to Flint and followed her, smirking.
Flint waited until he heard the lock on the kitchen door click, then moved to get a candle in a tin holder off of a shelf, lighting it with the lamp on the table. He blew out the lamp and then walked back into the common room with the candle, going to bar the back door as he promised before he headed upstairs to join Charles.
They had some celebrating to do.
~ End