To Sail the High Seas: England x Reader ch28

Chapter 28

As soon as the door to the dingy room swung open, its sole prisoner tensed. His eyes were downcast to the floor, and it you could tell that the brunet had been struggling against his restraints by the dark bruises which were forming on his wrists. He was frightened, you realised, and having been in a similar situation yourself not too long ago, you could understand why with painful clarity. Pirate or not, the position he was currently in was not a favourable one.
“Calm down, it’s only me.”
“Señorita?” He looked up at you with confusion evident in his pretty eyes, and this only grew when he noticed that you were alone.
“He’s not coming back, at least not for a while. He needs to cool his head.”
“We’ve known each other such a short time, and yet you have amazed me more times than I can count. Who exactly are you again?”
“I’m just me.” You gave a small shrug before sitting beside the Spaniard.
“Well, being just you es bastante increíble.”
“What did I tell you about flattery Carriedo?”
“And what did I tell you about calling me Antonio, señorita?”
Giving him an amused glare, you ran your fingers up his arm and along his collarbone before gently spreading his shirt aside and pulling it from his shoulders. You allowed your eyes to wander across his tanned chest before remembering what it was you were actually supposed to be doing. Feeling his smug gaze upon you, you lifted your appreciative stare and met his eyes.
“If this was what you wanted señorita you needed only ask, I can assure you I am more than happy to comply for a beautiful woman such as yourself.”
“Good god, you two are more similar than you know.” Not giving him time to reply, you ran the damp cloth across the longest of his injuries, causing him to instantly recoil with a sharp hiss of pain. Rolling your eyes at the Spanish curses which he was now muttering under his breath, you beckoned for him to shuffle closer again so you could finish the job.
“You should warn a man before you do something like that.”
“I’m relatively sure that even treating the enemy’s wounds would normally achieve a beating, showing you any more consideration might risk the Captain’s fury and I would so hate to make him angry again.”
“You’re very sharp tongued for a woman.” He flinched when you pressed the cloth against another of his wounds, but didn’t venture to pull away.
“So I’ve been told.”
“Kirkland seemed so very adamant that I would suffer had so much as touched you, and yet he allowed you to return to my side alone: why?”
“I can be very persuasive.”
“I don’t doubt that.” His cheeky grin was infectious and you soon found yourself smiling in return.
“You’re going to be trouble, I can tell.”
“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.”

After having treated the Spaniard’s wounds, you returned to the cabin with a slight crease in your brow. This, however, was quickly transformed into silent giggles as you closed the heavy oak door behind you only to be greeted by the sight of a rather desolate Captain lying spread-eagled in the centre of the room. At the sound of the door, he quickly scrambled up, but was far too late to stop your mirth.
“In polite society, it is custom to knock before entering a gentleman’s room.” You made an attempt to reply, but laughter took the place of words and you sank to the floor clutching your stomach.
“This is really rather undignified, love.”
“And that wasn’t?” You’re shoulders still shaking, you looked up into his flushed face and snorted once again. “What on earth were you doing?”
You gained only an embarrassed grumble in reply as Arthur offered you his hand. Gratefully you took it, and he pulled you swiftly to your feet.
“How is your dear Carriedo anyway?” You didn’t miss the edge to his words, deciding - with a concealed smirk - to torment him further.
“Antonio is doing quite well actually, he much appreciated the attention.”
“I bet he did.”
“Arthur?”
“What.”
“You’re not pouting are you?” Green eyes met yours defiantly, daring you to repeat those words, and yet the sulking expression he wore didn’t waver. “Oh good God you are.”
“Gentlemen do not pout.”
“Then it’s a good thing there aren’t any gentlemen here to see you acting so childish.”
“I resent that comment.” You smoothly wrapped your arms around his neck, instantly appeasing his anger.
“You do realise I met the man for the first time this morning, not to mention he pointed a gun at me. It wasn’t exactly a promising first meeting.”
“If I remember correctly, our first meeting wasn’t what one would describe as promising eith- Just a moment what do you mean he pointed a gun at you?”
“Ah, that…” You grimaced, already regretting that you’d let that particular piece of information slip.
“That bloody Spaniard, I should skin him alive!”
“Yes I’m sure you’d love to do that, but I was pointing a gun at him too so I feel like it was only fair. Besides which, he really did save Peter.”

You quickly recapped the important aspects of your day, from the moment you left the cabin to interrupting the torture session, conveniently glossing over your friendly conversation with the foreign Captain seeing as you were sure Arthur wouldn’t approve.
“So in short: you left the cabin, trailed the Spanish to that room, Carriedo emerged with a mysterious piece of paper, they caught Peter, both you and Carriedo shot the same man for striking said brother of mine, and then he just let you go.”
“And got himself captured, yes.”
“Are you sure you’re alright?” You couldn’t help but smile at his concern.
“I already told you, he didn’t lay a hand on me.”
“Not that, though obviously it concerns me, this would be your second kill and after seeing how you reacted last time I must say you appear to handling this remarkably well but still…” He trailed off, his eyes searching you for some response to his words.
“Thank you, but really I’m fine.” Despite the fact that you really did feel quite unaffected by the whole thing, the blond gave you a disbelieving frown before dropping the topic.
“Alright. I’m not convinced, but I’m not going to push you either.”
“Aw Artie, you’re quite the softie ain’t ya.” He groaned at the familiar nickname.
“Allistor has contaminated you, I shouldn’t let you spend so much time with him.”
“I barely see him as it is because a certain somebody keeps him so damn busy.”
“I’m clearly not keeping him busy enough if he has time to flirt with you.”
“He doesn’t have time, that’s the problem. A girl might start to feel lonely you know.” At your teasing, strong arms lifted you up and your legs automatically latched onto his waist as you used your hands to steady yourself. You felt the captain hum happily against your neck before the implications of his reply caused you to slap his cheek playfully.
“If you’re feeling lonely, I most defiantly have a solution which we’d both enjoy.”