Resist Everything Except Temptation

Chapter 10

Author's Note: Here we go, the final chapter. I just wanted to say a massive thank you to anyone who has stuck with me on this story, it means the absolute world to me and I am very proud of it. Another thank you to people who have commented throughout, I love reading the feedback and it makes my day to know that people feel strongly enough that they leave their thoughts!

Lastly, special thank you to my best pal Julie (jewelsfae) who inspired the character Jules (yes, she is a real person). You've been the biggest support since the night I started this gem.

One last time, you can find me at domestic-harry

Enjoy!
-Lis xx

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"I think I'm getting better at this," Louis breathlessly laughed, his fingers clamped around a fistful of twisted rope.

Steve looked over his shoulder, pausing his step as he grinned down at Louis, "I would hope so, it's been long enough."

Louis snorted and lightly knocked his knuckles against the sole of Steve's boot, "Keep climbing, Aoki."

The wind gently whipped around them as they climbed towards the mizzen. Louis' biceps flexed with each pull of his upper-body weight. Orange and pink hues bathed their skin as the sun began to tear through the horizon, the sky bleeding into a compilation of pastels as the new day began.

Steve scaled onto the post first, shimmying down the barrel of wood to give Louis room. Louis inhaled through his nose as his fingers reached out to haul himself over the mizzen, only exhaling once his thighs were straddled around the post. He rested his back against the main post, his head lolling to the side as he let the morning greet them with the gently rock of the current and seagull melodies.

"Good to have you back."

Louis let a small smile tip his mouth upwards, "Good to be back."

Steve's ever relaxed countenance didn't waver as he leaned back and laid his spine flat against the post. Louis watched as his feet gently swayed to and fro, remaining tranquil even though they were a third of a league above ground. As it would turn out, the life of piracy seemed to agree with Steve.

"Did I miss anything good?" Louis asked, immediately grinning when he saw the corner of Steve's mouth twitch. "Oh, I did, didn't I? What have you been up to, you salty dog?"

"Been working on new tune, actually," Steve slightly craned his neck to wink at Louis before settling back down. "Turns out Sheeran is a good mate to have. Gemma, too."

"Aye?" Louis' brows raised, his foot lightly kicking out to hit Steve's.

Steve nodded, letting out a quiet laugh, "She can't sing for shit, though."

"Neither can you," Louis chirped, the corners of his eyes crinkling with mirth.

"Which is why I don't bother," Steve countered. He reached over his head and toyed with a piece of his raven hair, "Gemma on the either hand...We've been trying to figure how to tell her that she should stick to fiddle."

Louis cackled, "Might want to make sure her dagger is hidden when you tell her."

Steve laughed, his chest shaking from the movement, "Exactly why I haven't said anything."

They let silence stretch between them as their laughter died down, sinking into the feeling of the world coming to life around them. A few men were pattering around on the deck below, their voiced too quiet to carry up towards the mizzen. Louis' fingers mindlessly toyed with the hem of his tunic as he watched the tresses of Steve's hair fitfully dance in the breeze.