Prince of the Seven Seas (Larry Stylinson AU)

Chapter 2

**Credit to Oxeh**

Time was unbearably slow.

Though it was slow, Louis had to say he was grateful in a way.

Harry hadn’t put the blind fold back over his eyes before he stomped off and with that, Louis got a full view of the dark and damp room he sat in. To say the place was horrible would be an understatement. Nothing but closed walls, a single lantern-candle above that had burned out of wax ages ago, and a door straight ahead that kept him reminded that he was a prisoner… Well, that and practically everything else around him.

His good clothes were further dirtied from sitting on the grim coated floorboards. Having that in mind, he could only imagine how torn up he looked.

Even if the capture of his ship had to only have been a few hours back, Louis knew that he must have looked a mess. From his resistance since he’d been subdued and tied he had worked up a sweat and being placed in this salt smelling box, it wasn’t exactly helping him. Around him he could feel every rock the ship made and at any rate he could assume his position on the massive boat was toward the lower levels.

Louis’s thoughts fleeted to his fate at this point.

He knew wasn’t going to be killed, or at least he wasn’t going to be just yet. 

His fingers trailed over the cold collar fastened to his neck. Even though his wrists were still heavy and gave the low clanks while he moved, it was the reminder of his lifeline that extended out farther than those not so fortunate.

The only he was still alive and collared was because he was a prince… He’d have to be daft to not know that.

His knowledge of the slave trade was vastly limited though considering how Harry just shackled him and left, it was kind of safe to assume that though Louis wouldn’t be on the ship very long, when he got off, things wouldn’t be much brighter.

From a prince to someone’s slave.

Not if he had anything to say about it.

He’d refuse and defy everything. He would much rather jump overboard while doing a barrel roll to be at the mercy of the sea creatures down under. His fall from grace would be one that was honorable at the very least.

The familiar sound of feet moving in favor of the hall hit Louis’s ears and he found himself tensing up instantly.

Louis released a preparatory breath and pushed himself against the wall behind him to sit more upright as the door knob audibly turned and was opened,

“Certainly is dark in here… Harry didn’t think to change the light in the candle before he ran to take his wank?”

Clearly a male with a young voice, Louis found himself watching up through his hair as the stranger, with an oil lamp clutched by the handle. A lad with a brown hair that appeared somewhat exasperated by everything in the room.

“Christ and look at this room… What the hell was Harry thinking?” He ran a hand through his hair as placed the burning lamp on the hook that once held the lifeless candle in replacement.

Unable to help himself, Louis cringed, “I doubt he’s capable of doing that. I’m willing to bet that he never had a proper education.”

He didn’t know why he talked. Honestly, the man within the room with him could have very well just turned to him and slapped or kicked him for speaking ill of the captain of the ship, not to mention it wasn’t like Louis’s opinion would mean anything.

“Yeah, you’re right. He doesn’t think much… Or at all.” The words weren’t laced with sarcasm as Louis intentionally expected, “But anyways, I’m Liam, the First Mate of One Direction.”