Cresting Waves

The Isle

Zayn spends the night worrying over Liam's wound, hoping it won't get infected. He changes the bandages every few hours until the blood is no longer seeping through. Liam tries to distract him with kisses, little nips to his lips and hints of tongue. Zayn indulges him a few times, but always pulls away when things get too heated to ensure Liam hasn't split the skin again.

Liam laughs at him, his eyes warm and sparkling as he gazes up at Zayn. Zayn's hair is still a mess, doubly so from running his hands through it while waiting through the battle. Eventually, Liam falls asleep with his lips smudged up against Zayn's. Zayn is too pent up for sleep, so he takes one last peek beneath Liam's bandages before crossing the room to the desk and taking out his sketchpad and pencils.

He starts up a portrait of Liam's sleeping face, tracing the strong lines of his jaw and brow, the way his curls soften the cut of his forehead. His deep set eyes and dark lashes fanning over chiseled cheekbones. He carves out the shape of Liam's full lips, looking kiss-bitten and red, parted slightly in his sleep. Shading is difficult in the low light of the lamp, but he makes sure to add the dark freckle marks across his cheek and the bridge of his nose.

Liam is beautiful, in a rugged way you wouldn't expect from a pirate. Then again, none of the men aboard The Dread Persephone are what Zayn expected pirates to be like. He certainly hadn't known he'd be treated with such respect and gentleness. To be courted, and...and loved by a pirate. He had fairly expected them to slit his throat and dump him overboard the night he became a liability to them.

But for all their kindness, and all his fond regards for certain members among them, there is still the unwavering fact that they spirited him away from his home for ransom and refuse to return him.

Zayn flips towards the middle of the book, where Liam had tucked the letters he'd written to his family. His fingers trace over his sister's names, over the 'Dearest Baba and Ammi' . Zayn sniffs, glancing over at Liam to check the other man is still sleeping. Liam is snoring softly, his eyes fluttering with dreams.

Zayn slides the sketchbook back into the desk and tiptoes out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He just needs some space to breathe-to look at the stars and feel like his life isn't so big at the moment. He creeps on to the deck, used to the sounds of the night shift crew moving about. He aims for his usual haunt near the quarterdeck, but there's somebody already standing there.

It's Louis. Of course. Who else would he happen to run into in his hour of distress but the very man at the root of all of it. Zayn swipes at his tears angrily, sidling up to the railing and tipping his head back to look at the stars. He sees Louis glance at him through the corner of his eye.

Zayn taps his bare foot against the deck, leaning forward on his forearms. The stars reflect on the surface of the sea, turning it into a glittering wash of diamonds. "Once we've left the island," he starts, hoping, praying, that Louis' generosity will extend to this. "Will you return me to my home?"

Louis is characteristically silent, his jaw tight. He avoids Zayn's gaze, lacing his fingers together behind his back. "We cannot pass through those waters with a hostage. If they rightly assume we have killed you, they will fire on our ship immediately. I cannot risk the safety of my crew for you."

Zayn chokes back a sob, biting his lip. He knew this was the answer-he shouldn't have even asked. But it's been nearly nine months since Harry kidnapped him from his bed and brought him aboard. He misses his parents, his sisters, his mum. Zayn wasn't built to live on a ship, despite the great camadery he's found here. He wants to go home.

"Malik...Zayn." Louis' hand, warm and strong, curves over his shoulder. "I'm sorry. Truly, I am. If there was any way to deliver you safely to your own doorstep, I'd do it myself." After that, Louis walks away down the length of the ship.