Celandine's Chronicle (celandineb) wrote in cels_fic_haven, @ 2008-01-28 12:04:00 |
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Entry tags: | potc fic james/will |
PotC fic: Ready with Every Nod to Tumble Down
Title: Ready with Every Nod to Tumble Down
Author: Zwarte Parel, aka celandineb
Fandom: PotC
Pairing: James/Will
Rating: adult
Warnings: um, sex?
Summary: Will will need a successor, eventually, and chooses James.
Note: Written for cruisedirector for the 3fan_holidays exchange. ~950 words. This turned out much less smutty than I thought it would; my apologies! I also apologize for the woeful lack of holiday celebration and hope that returning from the dead is sufficient justification for celebratory sex. The title is from Shakespeare's Richard III, Act III, scene iv, l. 104.
"Do you fear death?"
The voice seemed to come from very far away. James shook his head slightly, not in answer, but in confusion. The sword had pierced him; he remembered pain, and regret worse than pain that he could not complete his own redemption.
"Do you fear death?" the voice repeated, now sounding more familiar.
James opened his eyes.
"Will Turner." The words came out as a harsh croak. He coughed. "Why are you asking me that?"
"Because I have a proposal for you, Commodore Norrington. Is it Commodore, still?"
"No idea. If one is dead, it seems as if old titles should not apply. Although if I'm here, and you're here, and we're talking, I suppose I'm not dead after all?"
Will shook his head. "You're dead all right. My," he faltered for a moment, "my father killed you."
"Then how...?"
With a smile that managed to be at once shy and proud, Will said, "I borrowed a leaf from Jack's book and bent the rules for you. You can't be alive again, not entirely, but you can delay your end if you'll take oath to me as the captain of the Flying Dutchman, to serve one hundred years before the mast."
James shook his head, bewildered once again. "I don't understand. I thought Davy Jones was captain."
"Gone," said Will laconically. "I'm her captain now, and I need a crew to do the job well. As I mean to. Ten years as captain, and I can be free to return to Elizabeth." He still pronounced her name in near-reverential fashion, James noted absently. "If you agree, I'll bargain with Calypso for you to follow me in the post."
"You'd choose me? Why?" James eyed Will skeptically. "We've scarcely been friends."
"You're the best man I know for the job." Will spoke with calm assurance. "It may have taken you some time to realize what decision you needed to make, but Elizabeth told me what you did to save her."
James nodded. "I do not fear death," he said, "but I love life; so I am willing to accept this half-life that you offer."
"Good." Will grinned at him. "I had hoped you would." He put his hand out and helped James rise to his feet. His hands were strong and calloused, James noticed, and reminded himself that the lad was a blacksmith by training.
"I would ask of you one boon, though, a token in celebration of your choice," Will said, and tugged James close to whisper in his ear.