Norrington's Darling

Hers

POV: James Norrington

Sparrow is a really bad person, I thought bitterly for the millionth time. Making me take her place.

I sat in the crow's nest, in Zuri's spot. I was curled slightly, miserable and heartbroken. And of course, Sparrow just had to rub it in by making me take her spot.

And it wasn't like I would be useful anyway. My eyes swam, dripping like a leaky faucet. Her own green-rimmed hazel eyes remained in my mind, making me wish desperately for what I seemed to have lost.

I drew in a quavering breath. Those playful eyes danced in front of me, accompanied by soft lips that, I admit, were (at times) nothing less than sultry. A ghostly touch of her hand on my cheek rose to my memory before disappearing like the love I'd lost.

I gripped the wooden rail, trying to keep myself from curling up in a ball and sobbing my heart out. Then I frowned and blinked away the majority of my tears. My finger brushed across a carving in the wood. I examined it closely, realizing it was a detailed and intricate eye. I was surprised by the level of detail—until I remembered the painting Zuri had done of me as a lieutenant. This was certainly something Zuri could do without difficulty.

I scanned the rail, finding other carvings in the wood. And then I found something that made my heart stop. 

Carved with extreme delicacy were two capital letters: J and N. Right next to each other. The letters were worn as if someone had been touching those letters daily for years. Tears sprung to my eyes.

Zuri had carved my initials in the wood of her favorite place on her favorite ship. This place meant everything to her—and she equated me equally to it. A tiny smile began to pull at my mouth.

I looked on and found my first name written out with the same care and beauty not far away from my initials. It was just as care-worn as the J and N. I traced the letters making up James and smiled.

"Oh, Zuri..."

Her eyes reappeared in my mind and I sat back, my mouth twitching in a smile.