Skybound: a USUK fanfic

One Frenchmen and One More Dilema

     Alfred imagined he looked like a cod as he saw the two blondes next to him interact. Sure they made snarky remarks at each other like they hated the others guts, but small smiles in between the chattering kept catching him off guard. The fire in the pirate captains eyes was replaced with amusement and Alfred hated it. For some reason he wanted Arthur to look at him instead.
     " I'm guessing from the conversation that you two somehow know each other." Alfred cut in.
    " Unfortunately, oui. Promise not to arrest me, but I was mon lapins co-captain back in my more rebellious days." Alfred stares in shock at Francis confession. He looks towards Arthur for confirmation.
     " It's true. This bloke was the best swordsman a pirate could ever want, and he could fly pretty decently too. Not better than me of course." Arthur says.
    " But your younger than Francis right? So that means you started out as a captain when you were pretty young!" Alfred says in awe. Arthur sends him a glare.
     " That's right, but I don't feel like going over details with you." Alfred sees him rub his arm and a feeling of guilt creeps up his throat.
     " Hey, look, I'm sorry..." He starts, but Francis cuts him off.
     " So sourcils, it looks like you've finally been caught. What exactly happened to you though since your not with your crew over there?" He points over his shoulder at Arthur's crew, which is being corralled into single file lines.
     " Well, I didn't exactly make it onto the ship...and ended up on the back of a night hawk with him." Arthur cocks his head in Alfred's direction.
      " Only to find out your savior is a bounty hunter, oui? Oh how ironic." Arthur clicks his tongue and Alfred feels guilty again.
      "And what exactly happened to your clothes? It looks like you've lost your pants. Honhonhon it looks like you've been a bit naughty Captain Kirkland.  I didn't think you had it in you, but I guess it's been a long time since you've had any action, oui?" Arthur jumps at him, aiming his hands for Francis throat. Alfred grabs him and keeps him away from the Frenchman. The Brits face is as red as a cherry tomato.
     " Anyways, Alfred, why don't you let him go? I found petite Mathieu on board crying his eyes out and half delirious that his big brother was going to kill ' nice mister Arthur'. It seems that a week earlier Arthur crew came across a small zeplin from the Limelight District.  Said zeplin was carrying illegal firearms and had taken some people hostage. In those people were your brother." Alfred face mirrors a piece of paper. " Dear Arthur here, not only rescued your brother, but confiscated the illegal weapons. Sadly those are all at the bottom of the ocean now. I think that perhaps we need to overlook the fact we captured him. " Arthur looks just as shocked as Alfred does that the Frenchman is vouching for him.
" Francis, you know I can't do that. We sent out a broadcast to the Military that we had Arthur's ship locked into our canons sights. They'll know somethings up if we suddenly say we lost them." Alfred says and Arthur deflates slightly. " And I can't either. It doesn't matter if he's done nothing wrong recently. I'm glad he was returning Mattie but I can't forgive any pirate. It's just not right." Francis narrows his eyes at him.
     " I see, well I guess there's nothing we can do about it then. I guess the dirty pirate in me should be leaving now before I tarnish your pride. Mon lapin, I'll be back with some clothes that should fit you." Francis turns tail and leaves. Alfred gapes at his retreating figure.
     " I didn't...I didn't mean it like that..I just." He's at a loss of words and the guilty feelings gnaws and pulls at his insides.
     " It's whatever Jones. Now lead me to my crew so I can wait for the jail to pick us up. Id rather not be in your company right now. " Arthur shivers slightly as the feeling of cold air washes over him. His thin shirt doesn't help the situation.  Suddenly something warm is dropped on his shoulders and he realizes that Alfred has given him his bomber jacket. The thing is huge and hangs down to the top of his thighs, but it's warmth is a relief.
     " I'm sorry but you have to stay with me for the time being. The storm hasn't let up yet and I'd rather you stay by me instead of  your crew. That's dangerous. I wouldn't want you to scheme up anything." He softly turns the captain back towards the staircase. " I'm going to bring you back to your room, and I'll tell Francis to bring you your clothes." Alfred grabs Arthur's hand and he splutters rapidly, face heating up. Alfred laughs at him.
     " I'm perfectly capable of walking by myself thank you." They start going up the staircase, Arthur tries to pull his hand from Alfred but his grip is too tight.
     " I know you're perfectly capable of that but your also pretty good at running away.  I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself again. You almost became a human Popsicle." Arthur stops struggling and follows behind Alfred. Their hands clasped together.
      " Why do you treat me so nicely even though your just going to turn me in?" Arthur asks.
     " I've been asking that question myself, and honestly it probably just boils down to the fact that there's something special I like about you." Arthur blushes and rolls his eyes.
   "That's bloody awful. You're just saying that to get information from me. " Arthur bites. Alfred opens the door at the top of the landing and let's Arthur through first.
     " Maybe, but I do apologize about earlier. It's just that my early years are kinda tough to talk about. I have a lot of trust issues." Alfred leads them down the hall.
     " That's surprising. You're so brash and so positive, it's hard to believe that someone like you can have such a sob story as a background.... I'm truly sorry about your parents."
     " Nah, it's all in the past I should get over it...hopefully. Anyways I'll send Francis up sometime soon with your clothes and probably dinner. It doesn't seem like the storm is going to stop until tomorrow evening. Until then we're not really going anywhere because the winds are too harsh." They come to the room Arthur woke up in, and Alfred realizes he's still holding Arthur's hand. He lets go and Arthur also apparently realizes that they've been holding hands this entire time. He goes red and dodges Alfred's eyes.
     " Are you really going to turn me in to the authorities? If you are, let my crew go and just turn me in. They're all innocent and the military just want me right?" Alfred is surprised by the request.
     " I'm...I'm not sure yet. If I don't I'll be as bad as any other criminal. I'll see what I can do for your crew though." Alfred says. Arthur looks relieved and nods slightly.
     " Thank you. One more question. Will you leave this door unlocked? After all of this you should be able to trust me with an unlocked door. Yes?" He narrows his green eyes and Alfred grins sheepishly at him.
     " Ah about that, I'm gonna have to say no darling. What kind of captain would I be if I left a criminal in an unlocked room? A silly one if I say so." Arthur looks scandalized while Alfred chuckles.
     " I will give you one of these though." He grabs a small gold orb connected to a chain from out of his pocket and holds it out in front of him. The orb swings back and forth in front of Arthur. " This is a little invention I like to call a Listen Orb. All you have to do is hold it in your palm and your thoughts instantly connect to the person who has the matching necklace. That would be me." He takes out another similar orb, this one silver.
     " What do you want me to do with this?" Arthur takes the orb gingerly and slips it over his head.
     " It's so we can communicate. If you need anything, just call for me using that. It's pretty useful." He smiles and Arthur's stomach does a flip. " Anyways, it's getting late. Francis should be here soon. See you later!" And he pushes the captain into the room.
     " Hey! You bloody yank! Get back here!" He pounds on the door and tries to turn the doorknob; it doesn't budge and he hears a heavy clunk from outside. " You really locked it! You bloody prat!"
Alfred sprints away from the door laughing loudly " Sorry dude!"
      Arthur doesn't stop yelling until Alfred is already halfway down the hall.

....................
Wow that was really freaking cheesy. Anyways, you get to meet a bit more of Francis and a bit more of Arthur's past. Next chapter will entail a bit more of how Arthur and Francis know each other. Alfred's going to be an ass though so super sorry. He's very emotional.