well this is a lot to process
James had been a pirate since he was sixteen. That was when James remembered when his life truly began.
His mom died and his dad was sick. He was sitting on the beach with his dad, when he saw a large ship pull into a dock, the dock of the Black Family Castle.
He remembered helping his dad stand up and walking him to the ship. He brought his dad down to the orlop and waited there quietly. After a few hours, a pirate that looked around his age came down to the lower deck of the ship. He drew his sword.
“Who are you guys?!” James’ dad was weak, so James stood. “My dad’s sick. I didn’t know what else to do. Please don’t hurt us.” The pirate stood there for a few seconds then ran upstairs and got the captain of the ship. The Captain walked down with the small pirate.
“Hello son,” the captain said “what’s your name? I’m Frank. Frank Longbottom but you can just call me Frank” he held out his hand for James to shake. James shook it hesitantly. “I’m James.” He said.
“Why’d you sneak onto my ship James?” Frank asked “My dad’s sick. I don’t know how to help him.” Frank turned his attention to James’ dad “I’ll look at him. Barty, take him upstairs, will you?” Barty nodded and led James upstairs. There was a lot of people around his age. He was in a trance from the beautiful blue ocean, when he noticed someone tied up in a corner.
James ran to the boys side, despite Barty trying to stop him, and untied the rope on his mouth. “Are you alright?” James said with a worried tone. The boy responded. “I’m better now. I’m Sirius, what’s your name?”
Barty ran up behind him. “You can’t let him go! Frank said we need to keep him tied up” James refused to leave the boy there tied up. “No! I’m not leaving him tied up down here, he’s just a teenager like us” James finished untying Sirius.
Sirius smiled but stayed behind James and held onto his arm. “You just have to met him, he seems sweet Barty,” James turned to Sirius. “Sirius, this is Barty,” he turned to Barty. “Barty this is Sirius-“
Barty cut him off “I know his name dingus! He’s the prince!” James jaw dropped. He didn’t look like a stuck up, rich, powerful prince. He just looked… well he looked like a normal teen.
“You’re the prince? As in the heir to the throne?” Sirius shrunk in size and he wasn’t speaking as bold as he normally would. “Yeah, I am”
After standing in an awkward silence for a few seconds, Barty broke the silence by going to tie Sirius up again. James stood in between the two. “He won’t do anything Barty, right Sirius?” Sirius seemed to completely drop the scared emotion.
“Yeah, unless he starts something first” A pirate ran over, Sirius looked like he had just seen colors for the first time at the sight of him.the new pirate spoke. “Barty who is this? And who untied the prince!”
“It’s fine Remus, he’ll be fine. And this is James, he snuck onto the ship.” Remus turned to James. “Pleased to meet you, Remus Lupin.”
James remembered the rest of the night vividly. He remembered talking to Sirius and Barty and Remus. He remembered when Frank said James’ father wouldn’t be around for too much longer, but they could stay on the ship for how ever long they wanted. He remembered staring at the stars and listening to Sirius point out the constellations and showing him the star he was named after.
That was his life from then on. When Frank died, it felt like losing a second father. Everyone thought James would be the best Captain, he was always helpful, he was a great leader, and everyone loved him. James couldn’t have imagined a better life.
✧~✧~✧~✧~✧
James saw so many emotions flash across Regulus’ face, without even changing his expression majorly, but it seemed he landed on anger. His hands were clenched in fists of rage. He stared at Sirius like he was nothing until Sirius spoke up.
“Regulus I-“ Regulus dismissed him. He didn’t want to hear what he had to say. Not after ten years. “Save it.” Regulus walked up in front of Sirius. “You left me there for ten years. It looks to me like you aren’t being held damn captive. You just wanted all Walburga and Orions shit gone, you didn’t care how that happened.” Regulus shoved past him and went up the stairs.
They all stayed silent for a second. “Barty,” James took a breath in. “Did you not realize the castle we were at? Did you not take a second to notice the resemblance between Sirius and Regulus.” Barty turned to Sirius apologetically. “Sirius…” Sirius ignored him and walked away, back up the stairs.
“I’m gonna talk to Regulus. You have to talk to Sirius. Captains orders” James said. “Fine. Does Evan have to talk to Sirius as well? He said we should bring Regulus too” James rolled his eyes. “I swear you two will be the death of me.” James went up the stairs and then peaked his head back down “Also clean that up please and thank you”
James went on the deck and looked around for Regulus. He figured at least one remember of his crew would notice a random boy in a fancy suit walking around but apparently not. James looked around every room, nook, and cranny but couldn’t find Regulus anywhere.
The last place he checked was the upper deck, and he found Regulus sitting there looking at the sky. He seemed more peaceful than before. James spoke softly as to not alert him. “Hi”
Regulus turned around, and then looked back out at the sea and setting sun. “Hello” James walked over to Regulus. “I’m sorry.” Regulus looked at him. He was completely expressionless. “For what? It was that idiot friend of yours who apparently ran out of brain cells on the way to the room I was in.”
“Barty just thought he was being smart. Thought we could get money off you. I’ve told him in the past that I don’t do people related bargains but he’s very insistent.”
They say in silence for a while, taking in the view of the setting sun as it went down, down, down, and under the sea.
“I should probably show you where you’ll be sleeping.” James stood up and offered Regulus his hand. Regulus looked at it and stood up on his own without James’ hand. James brushed his hand against his pant leg and then walked to the stairs.
“Cmon” James lead him into the Captains quarters. There were a bunch of blankets and a pillow on the ground. Regulus was confused. “Isn’t this your room?”
“Yes it is, but I figured you’d rather stay in here than with Sirius.” Regulus looked at him and then at the door. James was right, he didn’t want to share a room with Sirius.
“Fine, but I’m a light sleeper. I will know if anyone walks through that door. I will know if you try to move me anywhere or tie me back up. You will not make it off your own ship alive.”
James wanted to fear for his own life but Regulus was really pretty. If anyone was gonna try to kill him, he would let Regulus.
“Got it. Well I’m gonna try to get some shut eye since my crew got drunk without me and now they’re all asleep. We won’t be docking anywhere for a little while so better get used to this. Good night Regulus.”
James climbed into his bed and pulled the covers over himself before Regulus could take notice of his blush. Regulus sat on the ground for a few minutes, just thinking. Thinking on everything.
Did Walburga and Orion even care that he was gone? Was Sirius apologetic in any was possible right now? Was this Regulus’ new life? He wouldn’t mind it. Not having to be prince, soon-to-be king, not having to deal with his parents, getting to see James’ face everyday. He could get used to that.
He just hoped Sirius would apologize. In a way, he understood why Sirius didn’t come back. He wanted to escape the royal life and the abuse. Maybe he found a girl on this ship and fell in love with her.
But Regulus just always thought Sirius would love him more than any girl. Any best friend. Any abusive parent. Him and Sirius were always close.
But the bubble for Regulus had to pop. The peace had to leave.
Apparently peace doesn’t stay.
Regulus got into the blankets and stared at the ceiling. This was his new life. He wouldn’t be able to go back to his castle, and frankly he didn’t want to.
✧~✧~✧~✧~✧
Sirius and Remus were sitting on the upper deck after James and Regulus left. Sirius had his head rested in Remus’ lap and he was looking at the stars.
“Something happened today. Something I never thought would happen.” Sirius said. Remus noticed his tone. “What happened? Are you alright?” Sirius took a breath and responded. “Barty kidnapped my brother, and brought him onto the ship. My brothers on this ship.”
Remus raised his eyebrows and his eyes went wide. “Oh. Didn’t everyone think you were dead?” Sirius sighed “Yes Remus, including Regulus. Now he’s mad, and I can’t blame him! I should’ve gone back. I left him there to deal with our parents for all those years while I lived here and didn’t have to deal with their abuse! Oh my god what have I done-“
Remus sat him up before he could finish his sentence. He sat crisscrossed in front of Sirius and held his head in his hands. Sirius was a bit pink and had some tears on his cheeks.
“Hey, listen to me. It’s not your fault. You were a kid when we took you. You tried to get us to sail back so many times over the years but we said no because we were, and still are, cowards. We didn’t want anything to happen. It’s not your fault Sirius.” Remus kissed his forehead and Sirius wiped the tears from his cheeks.
“I love you” Sirius said with a smile. Remus blushed and responded. “I love you too” Sirius pressed his lips to Remus’ with a smile. Remus returned the kiss happily. He would never not enjoy Sirius’ kisses. Or the way his voice sounded when he told Remus he loved him. Remus was truly in love with this man.
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