Tag: tidefated

Cutler’s hands clutched at the crust of bread between them, fingers digging into it as if that might help him keep it. His eyes were wide, and he felt as if he couldn’t speak as he stared at the girl like a caught deer. Theft, he knew, was punishable by death among pirates. He didn’t know if that applied to the brother’s kitchens as well, and he wasn’t sure what horrified him more- that he might die for this, or that he’d been brought so low at all. | Abigail caught him stealing food I guess?

Abigail had been quite startled by the man’s appearance in the kitchens – and from the look of him, he hadn’t been prepared to meet with her, either. She glanced behind her for a moment – keeping an eye on the man in case he tried anything – and determined if need be it wouldn’t be too hard to catch Miss Anne’s attention. A simple shout, and this would be put in hand rather swiftly – but if violence could be avoided – 

Turning back, Abigail made her way down toward him, careful to appear nonthreatening. “I’m afraid Mister Jack won’t take too kindly to thievery,” She couldn’t let him think he would be allowed to get away with this frequently after all, “But if you want to give me a hand for an hour or two, I can send you off with a meal and some bread you can take home, and we can keep this little secret between us – that sound alright?”

@tidefated

🔫 take a bullet for my muse | JOJI TO ABIGAIL RIP it’s prolly relatively minor but STILL SCARY

{ Nonverbal Starters }

The moment it happened, she remembered only the sound of her own scream as she grabbed on to him, too terrified to register the wound as minor – there was blood blossoming against his shirt, and her mind could not function beyond the need to make it stop. 

Thankfully the threat at hand was briskly managed by their friends – had her panic cost more than the damage already laid down before her, it was doubtful she would have ever recovered. As it was, the ship’s surgeon had made it to Joji eventually and Billy had been able to pry her away long enough for the poor man to do his job. 

Though she had been assured repeatedly by their mutual friend that all would be well, the thought that she might lose him had shaken her to the very depths of her being. The moment that she was permitted to see him, she’d raced off and been only too quick to press herself in against his good side, her arm wrapping around his waist as though somehow her small form could protect him from all the evils in the world that could harm him. 

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She was quiet for some time, simply reassuring herself that he was alright by the way he held her, and the warmth that came from him. She knew it was foolish to be angry – but there, amid all the fear and sorrow, was a white hot spark that seemed the only protection she had from the other two. 

“Never do that again,” She managed, pressing her forehead in against his neck. “Promise me – please.” She couldn’t lose him – there were days when it felt like he was all she really had that truly made any sort of sense. She’d take a thousand bullets, if it meant she would never have to fear living a day without him in it. 

@tidefated

‘ could you shut up for five minutes? ’ | Billy to Hume here we go I guess

{ Pick A Fight } 

Graham’s lips parted on a retort – but in the end, he simply looked away. He was deferring leadership to this man often enough, he had to wonder how long it would be before the men saw fit to name Billy captain of the Scarborough in his stead. It might well be for the best, all around, if their captain was as thoroughly pirate as the head quartermaster was. 

On a ship this big, they were operating with division heads – a quartermaster to each, which formed a sort of council with Graham and Billy presiding as the final votes on actions taken. In truth Graham wouldn’t mind stepping down and taking up a post among the council instead – but he knew that could not be done without shaking morale, and that was not something he could or would afford. Which meant he had to continue being the one to make these damned and hellacious decisions. 

Huffing, he waved a hand, indicating he would argue no further. Taking a seat, he reached into his desk and withdrew two glasses from their safe box, and a bottle for them to drink from. Indicating Billy should take a seat, and a drink, and take control of the talking while Graham shut up for five minutes – if not more. 

‘ are you telling me you thought of all of that right there on the spot? ’ | William to Hume ( you know he couldn’t resist freckle boy )

{ Devotion Suspect X Starters }

“Oh, no lieutenant Bush! Not at all, that would be quite the extravagant tale of brilliance, and most certainly not suited to me,” Graham laughed, his amusement at the idea warm and completely lacking any sense of indignation toward what some might consider a calling out of sorts. “My third lieutenant, Ben Ali – he was the one to piece together what they were about on the aft – I was just the one that executed the final order.” 

He was also the one assigned the sum total of the credit by the admiralty, which was why he deliberately told this tale so boisterously as to encourage call outs such as these. Something needed to be done to draw further attention to that young man’s efforts, whether the admiralty liked it or not. 

“ The more ignorant they are, the more opinions they have. ” | Edward maybe don’t grumble about the Admiralty under your breath in front of Hume, he’s too sharp not to pick up on that.

{ Iconic Lines }

“My goodness, Captain,” The carefully affected tone gave no true indication of Graham’s own opinion – which, considering the other man’s particular note of complaint might well have been an action born of deliberate wisdom. It came as little surprise to him that a man who had held command as long as Pellew would have his share of malcontent – but as the man was always so carefully circumspect it was unusual to hear him denounce the admiralty quite so thoroughly as this. 

Rather than challenge the man however, Graham simply offered a smile that seemed to indicate he knew full well he likely had not been meant to hear that thought expressed. “I think we could both use some fresh air while we await their deliberations, don’t you?” He suggested, offering the man a literal escape from the frustrations of dealing with the admiralty at least for a time. It would be two hours before they were set to be present – nothing said they had to wait here in the interim. 

☠️ protect my muse | Billy to Charles?

{ Random Acts }

The intervention comes from an unexpected quarter – a clash of metal alerting him even as he struggled to regain his feet, and he watched on in silence as Billy bore the brunt of the assault before lashing out with his foot and hauling his opponent off his own. The finish was quick – efficient and permanent, and their eyes met in the ensuing silence. 

For several moments, the world held its breath as acknowledgement shifted between the two of them. Any doubt that was still harbored that Billy Bones was a man of the Ranger now fell away, as Charles inclined his head and offered his humility in a rare show of gratitude before picking up his sword and striding over. 

“There’s more over the ridge,” The information was offered at close range, their shoulders almost brushing – and with a slight cant, Charles brushed against Billy before leading the way. An unnecessary touch, the claim was as silent as it was absolute – the acceptance entirely complete without a word spoken.

Though an observant sort might recognize that Billy now stood among a select few aboard the Ranger, there were none present to witness the exchange and attest to it. 

🛏️ carry my muse to bed | Joji to Abigail

{ Random Acts }

A smile split across her face as she felt the ground leave, her lover’s firm arms lifting her right out of her chair and causing her to lift her arms on a newly developed instinct, looping them lightly around his shoulders. “I overdid it again, didn’t I?” She guessed, laughter bubbling on her lips as she was settled into their bed with a care. 

He was as gentle as he was immovable sometimes, and it only endeared him to her further. She had said she would be done in another hour – though a glance to the candle told her she had in fact been at it for three. “Whoop,” The small, sheepish sound was followed up by he shifting up so that she could bump his nose with hers. “You really are too good to me,” A soft accusation, sealed with a kiss to his lips before she settled back, arranging herself so that he could join her once he’d set the candle out. 

“Is that my shirt?” William to Horatio

{ Meme } 

“Do forgive me Mister Bush,” Horatio chattered, even as he hauled his lieutenant’s coat tighter around his shoulders, finding that the extra space afforded to the broader man gave the air too much opportunity to chill him. “I am afraid Doughty has my uniform at pr – at present,” Christ he was cold, but there had been nothing for it. 

Someone needed to direct the carpenters and while there were men aboard who could swim, few could do so as well as Horatio and they all knew it. With how cold the water was, they couldn’t take a risk with a weak swimmer – Horatio could not in good conscience allow for it, so despite the fact he had known there would be nothing on deck for him to curl into when he got up again, he had done what he believed necessary. 

“It’s my fault sir,” Matthews chimed in, owning the truth of it, “Figured you wouldn’t mind keeping the captain from catching a chill.” Horatio tilted his head, because in truth he had thought the man had asked, but there was little to be done about it now. 

💨 catch my muse in a lie | William to Hume

{ Random Acts }

Ah – now, either word had finally reached the admiralty that the Scarborough and her entire crew had gone rogue, or Lieutenant Bush was even more observant than Graham had ever granted him credit for. Regardless, the accusation hung heavily in the air between them – and his dismissal of it had been met with sharp enough disdain that he knew himself to be caught out. Still – 

“We appear to be at an impasse, lieutenant,” He offered quietly, clearly reluctant to be the first to strike. Though it had not been for long, Bush had been stationed on the Scarborough in the past – back when he had been a fourth lieutenant, though now he had climbed his way up the rungs to second, and good on him for that. He was a steady sailor, and his heart had always been an honest one. 

Despite the shortness of their work together, and the distance travelled since, Graham considered William Bush to be part of his flock – and he could not in good conscience see harm done to him. “May I ask what it is you intend to do?” The crew were too many for Bush to arrest him in this bar – and they could be well under way by the time he raised the alarm, but the fighting would be brutal once it was engaged, and Graham would see that avoided if he could.