The Pirate & The Stubborn Prince

Welcome on board

The Lionheart's Captain looked around slightly bored.

Around him the bandits of the "Black Rogue" were on their knees or dead while his men took possession of the ship. He had been promised an unparalleled treasure but on that ship he had found only useless maps, some gold and a lot of louts. It was evident that he had fallen victim of a prank, or more simply they wanted him to do the dirty work.

He was about to order to withdraw when he noticed that a group of his men had gathered around something. Intrigued, he approached them and noticed that they were surrounding a boy held up by Wad, his Master-at-Arms.

Tew, the Quartermaster, answered even before he could ask his question "We found him tied up in prison, he hasn't said anything yet"

Before he could reply, the boy looked up at him and his heart skipped a beat, then it began pounding furiously in his chest. He felt drawn to him for some inexplicable reason; it was the same feeling he had experienced only once before in his life. The Captain forced the past events in the back of his mind and put them aside in order to refocus on the boy in front of him. His clothes looked well-made, but they were covered in dirt and bloodstains. His skinny body -too skinny- could be glimpsed from beneath clothes and his fair skin was covered with bruises. And then, half hidden under ruffled raven hair, there were a pair of beautiful black eyes stubbornly fixed on him. Kongpob took another couple of steps within the group until he was facing the boy. The crew's amused cheering quickly subsided once they realized the presence of their Captain, but the latter barely register them. All his attention was on the beautiful boy, who seemed on the point to collapse, his gaze proud and full of anger.

Painfully beautiful

Noticing his Captain's interest, Wad pushed the prisoner towards him, but as soon as he let him go, the boy tumbled on the ground.

"Well, I have to admit that no one has ever fallen at my feet so quickly" Kongpob couldn't help but comment causing another outburst of laughter from everyone, except the boy who now openly glared at him.

He took another step towards the scowling boy but, once he got close enough, he jumped up and tried to throw himself on him in a desperate attempt to punch him. He won't deny that he appreciated the brave attempt, too bad that his legs were too weak and were about to give out. Before his knees hit the ground again, the Captain bent quickly and surrounded his waist with one arm. The boy began to flail madly as Kongpob hoisted him up over his shoulder and stood.

"I take this one. Tew, you are in command"

"Yes, Captain. What do you want us to do with the rest of the crew?"

The Captain took a look around and shrugged disinterested. "I don't care. Unless the ship is about to sink, don't disturb me"

Then he walked back to his quarters ignoring his crew yelling and whistling, the punches to his back and the curses that came out of the boy's mouth. As they approached his cabin the punches slowed and he became silent. He thought he calmed down until he locked the door behind them and realized that the beauty on his shoulder was trembling slightly.

"P-please, no. I... I'm s-sorry"

His quivering voice made Kongpob paused for a moment, then he set the other down carefully.

As soon as he put him on the bed, the boy backed away until he was with his back against the wall. His body was rigid yet trembling as well, his hands curled into tight fists, and his eyes were moving frantically across the dimly lit room searching for a way out.

Kongpob could see pure fear in his eyes, and he didn't like it. He will have to change his orders. None of those louts who dared to make the beautiful boy so scared deserve to see another day.