Norrington's Darling

A Look Like That

POV: James Norrington

Night fell quickly. Zuri climbed down from the crow's nest and strode to her brother. She glanced at me as she walked by and let her finger trail over my sore shoulders. I smiled weakly at her, though I doubted she saw a thing. 

My muscles were strained and sore, even for someone like me. My knees were in excruciating pain. My skin was tingling. My throat was parched. My lips were dry. The pain was all over my body.

I wanted more than anything to melt to putty in Zuri's arms. I wanted her to hold me and rub my sore back as we fell asleep. But I knew Sparrow would probably do everything to keep the two of us apart tonight.

I swallowed roughly and went back to work, scrubbing long after everyone else had retired. Sparrow watched me the entire time, lording over me. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Zuri watching us from her cabin door.

Finally, Sparrow crouched. "You can stop now, Norrington."

I stopped and tried to get to my feet, wobbling as I did. Sparrow put out an arm to steady me, then dropped it when I could stand on my own. I stumbled as I moved to go belowdecks, but I caught sight of Zuri.

She stood at her door still, but both arms were out, her palms upturned and her fingers slightly splayed. Her expression was kind and gentle. The soft yellow glow from the cabin's lantern was inviting.

I changed direction and stumbled toward her. I collapsed into a half-hug when I reached her, my arms wrapped around her waist and my head in her chest. My legs had given out beneath me. Zuri's arms wrapped around my neck, her hands resting on my back.

"Come on, James," she whispered. "Try and stand. You can collapse on my bed."

She planted a soft kiss on my head.

Zuri helped me up and brought me inside her cabin. She returned to the door after I collapsed on her bed, my muscles aching after my attempt at using them for something other than scrubbing and kneeling. She closed the door.

She sat down and brought my head to her lap. She brushed a few loose strands of hair from my eyes and forehead, her expression soft and loving. Her fingertips caressed my cheekbones and the beard that had formed on my chin.

"You know," she said softly, "I might just be able to get used to this scruffy, long-haired man who calls himself James Norrington."

I didn't smile. "I'm not in the mood."

Zuri's expression became one of sympathy. "Does it hurt that much?"

I nodded.

"Can you roll over a little?"

"Why?" I asked.

"Just give me your back," she ordered. I did as I was told and she slipped out from underneath my head. I whined. She kissed my forehead.

"I'll come back, don't you worry," she promised.

She straddled me at my waist and started to massage my shoulder blades, pressing down hard with her thumbs. I sighed through my nose, relaxing my shoulders, as she did. Slowly, her massaging began to alleviate the pain in my shoulder muscles.

"That feels good," I muttered. 

"I knew it would," Zuri murmured in my ear. "I knew it would."

She moved further down. When she reached my waist, she moved from her seat on my waist to sit directly on my hips, which made me blush despite myself. She continued her massage for a few minutes longer. Then she got off me and laid down beside me.