A Pirate's Tale [Larry Stylinson]

11 - Fight Me

The crew made their return by evening, after hours of roaming around the city and picking up all kinds of goods. Everyone had both their hands filled with supplies which were promptly brought onto the ship, under the strictly observing eyes of their captain.

Louis stood next to him and just fidgeted a little with the sword in his hand. After a good few hours of training, the bones in his body had grown significantly more tired and his skin was unusually warm from the sun.
So much for a few, calm lessons on the beach.

But it was fun Louis had to admit. Just Harry and him at the beach, with no one to disturb or demand Harry's immediate attention, was great. They could focus on the training and especially on getting Louis to a point, where he would not instantly die if involved in a fight.
Nonetheless, it got late too soon and Harry sadly had other things to do. Such as supervising his crew. So the slightly disappointed Louis just stood next to him, turning the sword he got from the captain in his hand, back and forth, watching as the light reflected from every angle.

By the time the last men had returned, Louis grew curious to where Dean was, cause he wasn't with the rest. But right then, the boy came running like a chicken, trying to catch up with the group, a bit further behind. He almost stumbled over his own feet as he hurried towards Louis. He dragged a sword along with him, that seemed way too heavy. Yet he had a big grin on his face, which Louis could only return. The scene looked so silly, he basically couldn't help himself, but laugh about it.

Louis walked a little towards Dean, making them meet further away from Harry and the ship. Out of direct hearing range.
,,Where have you been?" Louis playfully asked, nudging the heavily breathing teen in the side.
,,Gimme a minute first." Dean bent down a little, stemming his hands on his knees as he hastily tried to fill his lungs with enough air.
,,Mate. Let me give ya a tip. If someone say's they'll wait for ya, don't trust 'em."

Louis chuckled a little, almost feeling sorry for the lad.
,,Anyways. I got this new sword and I wanna try it out."
,,Right now? On me?"
,,Sure! After all, I still have my bet going on with Niall. And if the captain wont guarantee my win, then I might as well do it myself."
,,Ok. Let's do it then." Louis excitedly said, gripping his sword a little more tightly, pointing it up.

,,Not so fast."
Harry stopped the two, before they could run down to the beach and start their promised fight. Even though Louis was already a bit tired. The excitement hyped him up again. But now Harry destroyed it by feeling the need to add a word or two.
,,I don't trust you two alone, so Liam will be watching you."

Dean and Louis nodded obediently. They had no choice but to go with it, really. And it was a thousand times better than having Harry watch them. Dean probably wouldn't be able to recover after losing in front of the eyes of his 'oh so beloved' captain. So they were indeed better off with Liam.

,,Come back soon. We'll be leaving once the sun has fully gone down." Harry notified his crew mate, who took a quick glance at the already fading sun before he nodded and went off to go with the boys.
,,That's barely enough time." Dean whispered to Louis. He was careful not to let the captain hear it. So he spoke just loud enough for Louis to hear. Might end bad otherwise.
Styles surely didn't appreciate people who put themselves above him or his commands. He straight up killed them. At least that's what Louis knew from the town's talk. It always ended bad.

,,It's plenty of time to beat you over and over again." Louis finally responded. A little smirk on his lips to mock Chicken.
,,Ya wish, mate."
,,Well, let's find out then. I will win though."
,,In your dreams."
Liam just rolled his eyes as the two hastily walked to the shore. God, he had better things to do then watch two children fight. But he could at least enjoy the last bit of sun and take a nap before they went back to the ship. And he could give Louis the blouse he bought for him in secret. The captain wouldn't have to know.

----------------------

Minute after minute passed, filling the time frame of over an hour. But neither Louis, nor Dean noticed, cause they were having a great deal of fun, fighting, while laughing about the most peculiar things. And it was also not their job to keep the time in check. It was Liam's, who had actually spent most of it napping the evening away. It got to the point where the had to wake him up, telling him about the agreement they had with the captain.

Soon after, the three of them were on their way back. Dean walking ahead with Louis by his side, till Liam nudged his arm, gesturing him to stop. Louis took the hint, letting himself fall back ever so slightly.

„I actually got you something from the marketplace." Liam smiled, keeping his voice on the low.
„What? Really?"
The brown eyed man whipped out a new, white blouse, handing it to Louis.
„Thought you might like it since yours is a little bloody still." he added.

Louis was overcome with joy. He didn't expect for someone to be so kind to him, let alone have the idea of giving him a gift.
„You're too kind, Liam. I'll make sure I repay you once the chance occurs."
„No worries. It's a present. You don't need to repay me."