Brown Eyes

Chapter 30

(Beth's P.O.V.)

"Look at you!" Hook commented cheerily as I left my bunk. "Finally up and about!"

"And I was right, that stew is disgusting," I mumbled to him and he laughed. "The clothes look good," he complimented, gesturing to my new apparel.

"The boots are a tad too large," I told him. "I stuffed some cloth in the toes, but eventually they'll need replacing."

"No problem, we'll get you some new ones at the next stop," he told me as we walked out onto the deck.

"You're a lot nicer than I expected you to be," I commented and he raised his eyebrows in surprise. "That's a good thing."

"Yes, I know, I just didn't realize I had that kind of reputation," he said. "Im aware that other pirates fear me, but I'm all about good form. Manners, if you will."

"I know what 'good form' means, I lived in a castle, not under a rock," I said and he smiled.

"Maybe it's just because you're young, if you don't mind me saying," he said. "Wouldn't want to scar your childhood more than it's already been."

"Maybe it's a parental thing," I said with a shrug. "Did you ever have kids?"

"No, not really," he said. "However, I was in love with a woman long ago who had a son whom I met briefly. He was easy to bond with."

"Well, I'm sure you'd be a great father," I said. I didn't mean to sound sad, but I think I must have, because I knew he would be a great father, and I'd never have one.

"You know, you don't have to be let off the ship if you don't want to," he said and I looked up, hopefully. "You've been nice company, and I'm sure we could find some chores for you. I could teach you to use a sword, and you could lose that royal attitude, grow some confidence, it could be good for you."

"So... become a real pirate? Like, for how long?" I asked.

"Until you're ready to leave," he said.

"So, I'd be adopted by the crew?" I asked.

"Oh, probably not the whole crew, some of the men are superstitious about women on board of ships," he said.

"So, just you?"

"Sure," he said kindly. "I mean, you do need a father figure in your life, I suppose."

I smiled.

"I think I'd like to stay on the ship," I said. "The views are much more beautiful than those back at the palace. And I've always loved traveling."

"Alright then," he said.

"Alright," I repeated and grinned.

And from that moment on I was formally considered a crew member of the Jolly Roger.

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(Eliza's P.O.V.)

I sighed and twisted and lock of my hair in between my fingers.

Sometimes when I day dream my mind just wanders back to when I was little. I think about back when I had a family. Well, when I had a father. He wasn't exactly a good one, the only thing he ever did was plan my life for me, he never really helped me enjoy my childhood. I've always been afraid of growing up because of him.

Suddenly I felt something on my leg and I jumped and smacked it, but I realized it was Emma.

"Sorry," I said.