Chapter 4
The first order of business was for Lupin's first mate--Evans, she was called--to return to their ship and pick up their belongings and the rest of their crew. As this happened, Sirius and James gave their new guests the tour.
"This ship is brilliant," McKinnon--the blonde with the scary eye makeup--breathed, running a hand along the gold-filagreed railing. Sirius beamed at this.
"Thank you so much," Sirius replied.
"Yeah, who'd you nick this from, Black?" Lupin asked, seeming genuinely curious. Sirius tried not to blush art hearing his surname from the lips of Remus Lupin.
"I didn't," Sirius replied, uncomfortable. "I bought this beauty--used my entire inheritance to do it, but a worthy purchase."
Sirius tried to sound confident, but it was clear that Lupin and McKinnon were trying not to laugh at him. James, sensing Sirius's discomfort, cut in quickly.
"So this is the galley! Macdonald is a fantastic chef, she really knows what she's doing. Of course, we've run out of provisions, so we've not been eating so well in the past few," James told them, smiling brightly. "We plan to stop for groceries soon, of course."
"We have provisions," Lupin offered, not unkindly. "We're abandoning our ship anyway, so Evans will likely grab 'em before she nips back over here."
"That's very gracious of you," Sirius said, grinning at Lupin. He nodded in response.
Sirius and James then led Lupin and McKinnon to the crew's head--finished with a shower and white marble everything. Over the top, maybe, but Sirius Black cared a lot about personal hygiene. This time, McKinnon and Lupin didn't even bother hiding their reactions to the decor.
"Buggerin' fuck!" McKinnon exclaimed, in awe. "This bathroom's nicer than the Queen's!"
"Not true, actually," James argued. "I worked for her. Much nicer restrooms at the palace, I assure you."
"Is this faucet made out of solid gold?" Lupin asked, eyebrows raised appreciatively.
"Indeed," Sirius replied, a hint of pride in his voice.
Next, they showed McKinnon and Lupin the library.
"A library," Lupin muttered, laughing. "A bloody library. I like the way you lads think, I'll tell ya that."
"It was my idea," Sirius immediately answered.
Then they showed them the crew quarters--each crew member had their own room, with two to spare.
"Of course, some people are going to have to share now that your crew is here," James explained. "But no matter, there's plenty of space."
"Yes, we can go abovedecks now and discuss sleeping arrangements," McKinnon agreed.
Introductions were made: Lupin's crew consisted of Evans, Al, McKinnon, a short lad named Pettigrew, and a beautiful girl named Dorcas. With twelve bunks and fourteen crewmembers, it was decided that the Prewett twins would share. So would Dorcas and McKinnon, who interestingly enough, seemed rather keen.
As the crew members went to to their posts--and Lupin's group brought their stuff to their new rooms--Sirius pulled Lupin aside.
"And you can have my quarters," Sirius said to Lupin. It seemed best that the murderous pirate get the nicest room. "There are clean sheets in the linens closet--thread count is astronomical, and you get your own head."
Lupin's eyes widened. "Nah, mate, don't wanna take your bed. I'll just bunk in with Pettigrew. S' your ship, after all."
Sirius shook his head adamantly. "No, I'm quite certain that you should have the captain's quarters. Really, it's a gorgeous room, and I can just share with Potter."
Lupin frowned, considering it. "We'll share, how about?"
Sirius's heart just about stopped beating. He tried to hide his delighted surprise.
"Bloody hell, you looked terrified! Not going to share a bed with you, Black, I'll kip on the floor."
Oh. That made more sense.
Sirius nodded, smiling. "We can be cooperative captains, then. Wonderful!"
Lupin gave him a weak smile, then went to speak with Evans. Sirius couldn't help but feel like something was bothering Lupin, and wanted to urge the man to share his feelings, the way the rest of the Gryffin crew did. Then again, someone as dangerous as Lupin would be likely to find that silly.
The remainder of the day passed uneventfully. The two crews seemed to get on fairly well, discussing who would take which posts and making casual conversation. Potter flirted with Evans, which he seemed to think was an endeavor at which he was succeeding. Sirius noticed, however, that Evans herself did not seem all that impressed. The only person who wasn't on deck and joining in the good-natured sailing fun was Remus Lupin.
He had retreated to the captain's quarters ages ago, and didn't even emerge for lunch--Evans brought him some bread and water. Sirius, who'd been watching Al give Longbottom a knife-throwing tutorial, decided to go and check in on the other captain.
Sirius straightened his vest and wiped his hands on his breeches. He removed his tricorn and ran his hand through his shoulder-length hair, before placing the hat back on his head. Once he was certain that he looked satisfactory, he knocked on the door with the heavy gold knocker.
"Who's it?" Lupin called from inside.
"It's me," Sirius answered, and then realized that he needed to be more specific. "Sirius Black."
"It's not really a good time, mate."
"I'll be very quick, I just need to grab something." A lie.
"Alright."
Sirius slowly pushed the door open to see Lupin sitting on the bearskin rug, holding an entire bottle of mulled wine in one hand. With his shoulders slumped and his eyes unfocused from the liquor, Lupin didn't look remotely scary. He just looked sad.
"That's the wine I was looking for!" Sirius exclaimed, sitting down across from Lupin. He crossed his legs like the other captain, and their knees were nearly touching. "Nothing like a little mid-afternoon mulled wine, that's what I always say."
Lupin looked unamused. "Really?"
"No. I just wanted to see how you're doing. Big transitions, like switching ships, can be really difficult for some people. I remember, when I was nine, my family bought this summer home in Nice-"
"It's not that," Lupin interrupted. Sirius searched Lupin's gorgeous eyes, hoping that he'd elaborate. He did not.
"Do you mind if I ask you what is bothering you?"
Lupin looked down at the floor. He was quiet for a few moments. "I'm so sick of being a pirate."
The soft pout on Lupin's mouth was so pretty that Sirius was distracted, and it took him a second to process what Lupin had said. Being sick of piracy seemed impossible. It was a lifestyle filled with wild encounters and life-threatening risks.
"Why?" Sirius asked gently.
Lupin continued to avoid eye contact. "It's...not something I want to talk about. Sorry."
"Don't apologize," Sirius said. "Is there anything I can do?"
Lupin shrugged. Sirius thought for a moment, and then remembered what he had tucked into the drawer in his bedside table. He reached over and grabbed the tin of chocolate truffles.
"Care for one?" Sirius asked, removing the lid. "They're brilliant."
Lupin's eyes lit up at the sight. "Is that chocolate?"
Sirius nodded, pleased to have made Lupin look slightly less miserable.
"I've only had this stuff a few times, you know," Lupin told him, grinning and reaching into the tin. "And blimey, it's good."
"Indeed," Sirius agreed. "I leave this in the stand next to the bed, so please do help yourself to more at any time."
He stood up to go, feeling like Lupin might need his time alone. As he closed the door, he heard Lupin call out "thanks Black!".
Sirius smiled to himself. Maybe his luck was improving.