Against My Will.
James POV:
fuck, I hate him. I hate him and his stupid crown. I cannot stand the way that they let him walk around like he knows everything.
"Hey James, what're you thinking about?" I hear Sirius ask, coming up behind me. This makes this even worse. Sirius Black, my best friend, ran away from home. Now, him leaving home isn't the problem I'm having, it's where his home is located.
"Captain! We've arrived at the docking point!" A crew member shouted. i groan. if Sirius Black and his very attractive boyfriend, Remus Lupin, weren't my best friends, I wouldn't have done this. Of course I was dragged along.
"James please. I'll clean deck for a month!" Sirius had pleaded. And of course I gave in. I mean who wants to clean deck? if I had a choice in anything I would-
"James!" I look up quickly, before I see who had shouted at me; Marlene McKinnon.
"What is it McKinnon? Can't you see I'm busy?" I run a hand through my hair, noticing I need to shower again. Days on the water involve lots of unnecessary sweating. Like, Peter, for example, ensures that the sails are set correctly, and by the end of the day he's sweating his ass off.
"Oh yes, James, I see very well that you are so busy doing nothing except looking at a map upside down." She rolls her eyes, and I flip the map to be right side up.
"What is it you need, Marlene?" I sigh, giving up on thinking about Sirius little brother. Oh yeah, Sirius little brother is the entire reason I'm here; In Scotland.
Regulus Black, the heir to the throne. Sirius ran away because he didn't want to be the heir, or king, or to put up with the abuse his mother and father put him through.
Marlene sighed and leaned against the railing next to me. "You know you can talk to me, right? Like about anything. We grew up on this ship together, I'm here for you." Marlene tried to reassure me.
I love Marlene, but I can't stand constantly being told that exact same phrase. that people are there for me, and that I have friends I can trust.
"Yes Marls, and I appreciate you trying to help, but this isn't an 'everybody focus on James because he's mental', problem. it's a problem I have that is caused by me being in my own way." I reply, taking a deep breath. "Marlene, I really do value our friendship and how you help me cope, but I cannot keep having the same conversation." I stood up and walked away.
Marlene sighed and walked away to hang out with her girlfriend, Dorcas. I feel bad for snapping at her, but everybody makes it seem like I'm going to burst at any moment.
"Sirius," I call out while walking over to him. "When do we have to be at the ball?" The Black royal family is hosting a ball. It's so random, too.
He lifts an eyebrow at me and smirks, "You already want to go? Wow James are you feeling okay?" He teases.
"I'm feelings fine pads," I groan and shove his shoulder lightly. "I just want to get this stupid fancy ball over with. Where do I even put my sword?" I complain.
Sirius laughs at me. "Oh James, when will you learn," He looks at Remus. "You can't take your sword in with you." Remus answers for him.
I think for a second, "I'll just bring knives." Both of them sigh at me but we start discussing the plans for the ball.
"Wait-" I pause the conversation with Remus, Sirius, and Marlene about the ball. "I'm a pirate, and I can't steal from the rich? Sirius, mate, why not?" I ask exasperated.
"James! I used to live there!" Sirius says in surprise, pointing to the castle.
"Well, love, to be fair you did run away, so why does it matter?" Remus steps in to ask so I don't have to face Sirius theatrics.
"Moony, how could you betray me like this!" Sirius gasps putting a hand over his heart dramtically. "My own boyfriend, choosing my best friend over me!"
Marlene and I groan and I put my head in my hands, leaning on the table. "Sirius, you know I love you,"
"Awe James, I love you too-"
"But I said I'd take us here and you could do whatever you needed to do. I have things that I do as a pirate and captain. So while you do what you have to, me and Marlene will take some of the expensive, unimportant items." I say, looking up at everybody to see if there are any objections.
Sirius messes with his hair and mutters French words I couldn't make out under his breath. "Yeah, okay. But what happens if..." Sirius starts and we continue the plan.
So its final. They've decided, (against my better judgment, by the way) that I have to actually be at the ball. Why? Because apparently, I need to 'loosen up a bit'. Their words, not mine.