#sassy pirate will scarlet now owns my heart

[the-darkdragonfly]

Chapter 5 (NEW!)

Tempest: A Captain Duckling Tale

A Princess on the run. A Captain chasing a ghost. Two lost souls meant to find each other.

♥️♥️♥️

A flask was passed over her shoulder, wiggling enticingly in front of her face. Emma smiled, taking the offered drink with a chirp of thanks. Will plopped down beside her, his gaze finding what had kept her occupied, a flush blooming across her cheeks. 

“Oh, aye?” 

Killian was at the helm, a striking figure against the blue of the sea and sky. 

She blushed and William winked, a knowing smile on his lips before he showed her the daggers he kept in a sheath at the small of his back, the carvings on them familiar and she passed her thumb over the delicate work. 

“I love Arendelle,” Emma whispered, the wind drowning out most of the longing in her voice. 

“I don’t,” Will snarked, tossing his knife into the air, Emma’s breath lodging in her throat until he caught the handle, a twirled flair from his wrist and a pointed eyebrow raise from her. 

“Although,” Emma said, almost distracted again with her memories of her friend’s home, “it’s not the most hospitable place to sail through in the winter.” 

“I agree, milady. But Cap’n wouldn't let it slow us down, went straight through it, pointed the nose of the ship into the blizzard and held her steady. The old man’s one hell of a captain, lass.”  

A shadow fell across them. 

“Old man?”

Will coughed. 

“Bilge duty, now.”

He groaned, glowering at his Captain as Killian smirked- you should be used to it, boy, you have spent a good deal of time down there- heaving himself up and muttering as he strode down the length of the ship to the sharp ladder which led straight to the belly of the large craft. 

♥️♥️♥️

Read the rest here.

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[loukja]

The Princess and the Guard - Sneaking out

There was a soft knock on the door. Aurora angled her head. She had been waiting, hoping, all day. “Yes?”

Vexx stuck his head in her room, and immediately raised his eyebrows. “What are you doing on the floor?”

“Good evening to you, too, my saviour in a world of boredom, my sunshine on a dark day,” she stretched out one arm towards him in a dramatic gesture. She was, as he had stated, lying sprawled across the floor, her head towards the door, so she saw him in an upside-down perspective.

“Gee, get a hold of yourself,” Vexx closed the door behind him and strolled across her room, stepping over her, and helping himself to a glass of water from the pitcher that was set on a side-table. “Were you throwing a tantrum because everyone’s out at the party and you had to stay behind?”

“I’m was not throwing a tantrum. I might be sulking a bit, though.”

“Tzz, if this is ‘sulking a bit’ then I guess I never want to witness a royal tantrum” for a moment he looked disapproving, but that passed quickly, replaced by a little smirk. “Bannon was dozing when I turned the corner, you could’ve easily snuck out. Right through the front door. If you ask me he’s more of a decoration than a guard, and not even a pretty one.”

“Thankfully my second guard is dashing and highly qualified.”

Vexx grinned. “Are you hitting on me, princess?”

“Yes, is it working?” she grinned back, but her blush kind of stabbed her attempt at nonchalance in the back.

“Always,” his smile was dazzling, but then he turned away.

She sat up, considering his broad back as he looked out on the lush gardens that stretched before her windows. “About sneaking out… would you like to?”

He glanced at her over his shoulder, eyebrows raised. “To sneak out?”

Aurora buried her fingers in the carpet, pulling at the soft threats. “Yes. I mean, there is no one around to notice, right? We could explore the park? It’s huge.”

“What do you want us to do, princess? Climb off the balcony?”

“We… wouldn’t have to do that? I know a more discreet way? I could show you.”

Something in his posture shifted, and there suddenly was a new light in his eyes. “Really?”

A smile spread over her face, proud to have caught his attention. “Yes. But you can tell no one that I know that way. Or better, not tell anybody about it at all.”

“You’ve been doing this before, haven’t you?”

“Proposing sneaking out to my guard? No, never,” she gave him an angelic expression and he laughed.

“Who would have thought, princess? You’re not as well behaved as you let on.”

Aurora got up. “Well, I never went far. I wouldn’t even call it misbehaving. Come on,” she went up to one of the walls and ran her fingers over the intricate stucco. Then she pulled at the wall-panel and it swung outward into the room, revealing a narrow corridor inside the wall. “Tadaa.”

“Tadaa indeed,” Vexx climbed in after her and stepped back, to let her pull the panel shut behind them. As she did, they were sealed in darkness and stale air. “Don’t we need some light?” For some reason he had lowered his voice to a whisper.

“No, I know this place very well, just trust me.” She turned to lead the way and startled slightly when she felt his fingers brush against her arm, running down over her wrist before he tangled his fingers with hers.

“If I stumble and fall I’m taking you with me,” he said, and she could hear his grin.

“Have a little faith, you dumbass,” it was much easier to be sassy in the dark. Still, she tightened her grip on his hand and pulled him with her, whispering out when there were steps or turns.

“Just how many rooms are connected to this?” he asked after a while, his voice still hushed.

“I wouldn’t know for sure. Probably a lot. There are a ton of secret passageways in the palace. Well, there are a good few for servants, but there are also the ones like this that are not used by anyone.”

“Except for our little explorer princess, I assume?”

“I’m pretty sure I haven’t found half of the ones there are,” she admitted, but she couldn’t help a little proud smile.

“You have to show me sometimes,” he murmured, crowding close to her as she stopped in front of a door, her fingers searching for the latch to open it.

“Do I now?”

“Mhmm, because I like hidden places and sneaking around,” his breath tickled her neck as he bowed his head down towards her. For a moment she was oh so tempted to press her back against his body, to reach back and lace her fingers through his scarlet hair and pull his head down to her, to feel his lips on her skin. She bit her own lip hard, trying to banish these thoughts.

“But a girl’s gotta keep her secrets,” she whispered back, finally opening the door and letting go of his hand as she danced out of his reach into the warm evening.

Vexx chuckled as he followed her out. “Just imagine all the adventures we could have.”

“Maybe I will,” she twirled, letting her dress billow around her, “but for now, let’s focus on our adventure at hand.” With that she turned and dashed over the lawn towards the woods.

The trees were far spaced, cultivated things. With the setting sun that dipped the woods in golden light Aurora felt a bit like in a fairytale. She took a glance over her shoulder at Vexx. Who would he be in a fairytale? Her prince? A clever guy who outsmarts everyone and thus gains the favour of nobility? Or maybe the wolf, out to take whatever he wants? That predatory smile of his would sure be fitting for that role.

He showed her a nicer version of a smile, cocking his head. “What are you dreaming about, princess?”

“Fairytales,” she admitted, and he chuckled.

“Really? You already live in one, what is there left to dream about?”

She wondered if he was just teasing her, because she thought she heard a light edge to his words.

“Being locked away in a palace isn’t exactly the part that excites me in tales,” she tried to read his face, but he wasn’t making it easy for her.

“What part do you want? Being poisoned by an evil stepmom? Lost in the woods? Eaten by a wolf or captured by a dragon?” he narrowed his eyes a little. “Or were you hoping for a prince to come and safe you from your dire fate?”

“I know my fate isn’t dire. And I wasn’t hoping for a prince…” she bit her lip to supress a pout. Because she knew she was privileged, but she had also not chosen this life and she felt like he was judging her for not being happy with it.

“Well, if you’re not insisting on a prince specifically, we can arrange for some fairytale moments for you. Like the kissing while you sleep and can’t give your consent bit, I could totally do that if you wish it,” his grin was suggestive, and she could feel heat rise into her cheeks, even though he was clearly joking.

“Knock it off, you jackass,” she slapped his arm, trying to downplay her embarrassment. Because him kissing her had been a recurring daydream of hers.

“Hey, princesses aren’t meant to resort to violence!” he laughed.

“Well, maybe I was dreaming of a scenario in which I’m not a princess, but…” she searched for something, “a lost boy,” she propped her hands on her waist and struck a Peter Pan pose.

“And you’d just fight pirates and play games all day?” he inquired with a smirk.

“Exactly!” she glanced at him, and then she jumped forward, tapping his arm. “Tag, you’re it,” she called out as she took off.

“Alright, I’ll just give you a bit of a head start,” Vexx’s voice carried behind her, and part of her wanted to challenge him for being condescending like that. But then he was way taller than her, so probably way faster, too. Thankfully her dress just reached her knees and had a wide skirt that allowed her to run unhindered. She dashed through the trees, willing herself to go even faster when she heard Vexx call out behind her: “Alright, I’m coming!”

She jumped over a log that looked like someone had artfully arranged it into the scenery, which was probably the case. While she was weaving through the trees her sides already started to sting. Running wasn’t something she often got to do, but it felt good and free and when she burst out onto a meadow that actually looked wild and untamed she allowed herself to spin around to see how close Vexx already was. Dandelions exploded around her as her skirt billowed around her thighs, the seeds dancing through the air around her like glitter in a snow globe. Vexx was almost on her, running so much faster than her, but she spun out of his reach, even though now it was just a question of time. She dodged and zig zagged through the thigh high grass. When Vexx lunged for her and sent them both toppling into the grass she squealed. For a short moment his arm was around her waist, for a heartbeat she was above him. And then they were lying side by side in the grass, her chest rising and falling rapidly while he did not seem out of breath at all.

“Got you,” he told her with a smile that sent a shiver down her spine and gave her butterflies.

“Only…” she drew a deep breath, “because you had an advantage. You tallish freak.”

He laughed. “Don’t blame me. You picked the game, you sore loser.”

When she turned her face up towards the sunset sky and huffed, he reached out and tugged at a curl of her hair. “But you were faster than I anticipated, I give you that.”

She looked back at him, her eyebrows raised. “Just how slow did you think I am?”

“Pretty slow. And I thought you would fall over the first thing in your way because you always have your head in the clouds.”

She gasped in mock offence. “The audacity! I do not!”

“Of course not. You’re the most grounded person I know, little dreamer,” there was a softness in his voice that she wasn’t used to. He was still absentmindedly playing with the tips of her hair, his gaze locked with hers, the sunlight filtering through the grass painting golden specks on his face. His gaze dropped to her lips, just for a second, and her heart seemed to climb up her throat. And then he reached out, his finger brushing against her cheek. Her breath stalled. Vexx held up his fingertip and the single eyelash balanced on it. “Make a wish, princess.”

“Aren’t you too grounded to suggest something like that? And shouldn’t it be your wish?”

Vexx just smiled and raised an eyebrow at her, waiting. And so she blew the lash away, concentrating on one thought: I wish he’d fall in love with me.

[the-darkdragonfly]

Chapter 6 (NEW!!)

Tempest - A Captain Duckling Tale

A Princess on the run. A Captain chasing a ghost. Two lost souls meant to find each other.

♥️♥️♥️

It was past midnight when chaos erupted outside her window, shots fired into the darkness, the only warning the world received before being plunged into madness. 

No! 

Emma screamed, voice lost among the chaos of the dock, the shouts and clashing of swords and blades, and the guttural cry of pain which came from Will Scarlet as he fell to the wooden deck, red blood pouring from a deep wound on his side. 

Emma screamed again, skirts tangling in her legs as she slid against the pile, the pistol she had taken from Killian’s quarters when the trouble started heavy in her hands. 

But she had shot one before, and while she may have never shot at someone, she knew with deadly certainty that she could. Will had curled onto his side, and she needed to get to him before it was too late. 

Tick Tock. 

His playful voice from the evening before as she played chess on the deck with him under the stars- hurry up, I don’t ‘ave all night- the scratch of Killian’s beard still rough and fleeting on the skin of her throat. 

Killian was there, snarling and frantic, cutting his way through the throng of bandits intent to take them down, Emma’s pistol trained on the scene, but she had no clear shot. 

Tick Tock. 

♥️♥️♥️

Read the rest here.

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[the-darkdragonfly]

Tempest - A Captain Duckling Tale

Chapter Three

A Princess on the run. A Captain chasing a ghost. Two lost souls meant to find each other.

♥️♥️♥️

Blackbeard. 

The bastard had a name, Emma gritted her teeth, hands shaking in anger, the neatly tied wrapping on her palm holding fast and secure. 

The sting of loneliness prickled on her skin, behind her eyes. Her parents would be beside them themselves. But the memory of the sickly skinned man in the dungeon with his hand reaching through the bars of the cage which had held him since before she was born, Neal at the top of the stairs calling her name, solidified the pain in her heart into a fierceness. She would build a wall around that feeling, that fear which had choked the hope from her soul. She would keep them contained and safe and hold onto them like a weapon. He’d whispered to her- Emma Emma Emma Emma- called her so many things she couldn’t remember, her heart pounding in terror, his fingers inches from her stomach. 

A promise. A prophecy. Her name scrolled across a roll of paper, the ink still dark after so many years. 

Emma Emma Emma Emma

He would never find her now. She could keep her parents safe, leave the nightmare of bad judgement and childish choices behind her. Perhaps she could convince them to sail for a distant port, she could start over somewhere, learn to live with the choice which was thrust upon her, build walls around her heart high enough to keep the feeling of drowning inside. 

Blackbeard. 

♥️♥️♥️

Read the rest here on A03

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[the-darkdragonfly]

Tempest: A Captain Duckling Tale, Chapter One (again)

Hello friends!

As some of you know, I started this re-write earlier this year. I love this tale, but it wasn’t going the way I wanted it to and I wasn’t happy with how it was turning out. So! Instead of turfing it - which I did consider - I am decided to re-write this whole thing to line up with where I was actually planning on having it go in the first place. It’s a little darker and a whole lot better (in my humble opinion).

Some of chapter one is different, but the changes will really start rolling in for chapter two (and onwards). 

I really hope you all like this and thank you for sticking around (please note - rating had been updated) and I truly hope you all like this new direction as much as I do. 

Also - so many hugs to @elizabeethan & @donteattheappleshook for beta'ing this feral creature and helping me tame her into something much better ♥️

And now, on with the new Chapter One! 

♥️♥️♥️

In the end, there wasn’t much on board worth salvaging, a few trunks and several bags of coin; standard fare. The crew made fast work of it, and it hadn’t taken more than a quarter hour to transfer the goods from the Revenge to the lower hold on the Jolly. 

“Captain!” Smee’s voice rang clear in the now quiet night, cannons having stopped their unrelenting assault, the soft crack-hissing of the still smouldering fire from the Revenge’s forecastle popping in the background. 

Killian turned, giving the first mate his undivided attention. “We’re missing Scarlet, sir.” 

Of bloody course they were.

He barely contained his eye roll, as undignified as it was, and pushed away from the helm. 

“Get her ready to set sail, I’ll find him.” He moved across the wide gangplank connecting the two ships, the Revenge now resting heavily on her port side. He took the stairs two at a time, the creaking of the hull ominous in the dark hallway. 

“Scarlet!” He called, irritation colouring his voice, ears straining against the crackling of wood. He had been pulling the lad out from where he had no business being since he was the height of Killian’s hip, sallow faced and serious. You’re a pirate- Killian remembered his voice, sharp despite his size, ears too large for his head while the bruise on his face had bloomed into a dark shade of purple. 

Killian had nodded solemnly before lowering down, his knee in the pool of blood which ran through the street- aye, I am that. 

He had always had a soft place for children, the wide-eyed stares which reminded him so much of himself as he and Liam scrapped and survived despite the cruelness of men, had been unable to protect so many of them while under the service of Pan, he had done what he could for the ones he encountered along the way.

But this boy was different, and when he held out his hook, the lad took the curve of the metal, wiped quickly clean of the blood and gore which had clung to it from the skirmish on the street only moments before. Killian produced the small knife, having pulled it free from where the lad had lodged in the kidney of the man who had pulled a pistol on Smee.   

The boy had followed him, knife tucked carefully into the leather pouch, trotting dutifully at his heels into the tavern and hovered safely behind the swirl of his long coat. A sharp exchange of words and a slash across the barman's face, rivers of blood on the polished wood, and the child was free. 

The walk back to the Jolly has been a short one, but the boy's small stride had slowed them considerably- what’s your name, lad?- and as the sails of the Jolly came into view, crisp and white and pulling tightly on her lines like a beast ready for battle, he felt a small hand tug once on his jacket before curling itself around his hook. 

They call me Scarlet, ‘cause of me mum. 

♥️♥️♥️

Read the new & improved Chapter One here on A03

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[the-darkdragonfly]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME (or, Tempest's newest update, Chapter 4!)

Tempest: A Captain Duckling Tale

To celebrate my birthday, and because I have a Chill-Level of zero at the best of time, I am a few days early with this update.

A Princess on the run. A Captain chasing a ghost. Two lost souls meant to find each other.

♥️♥️♥️

The days passed slowly; sun beating down on the deck of the ship as she watched the horizon, water stretching for as far as she could see. 

She had asked to be useful the afternoon her pendant had been returned to be, the feeling of it around her neck like an offering of some sort. 

William would stop by, sitting with her on a crate secured to the side of the ship- this is the gunwale, and that there is the helm- the two of them sharing a flask of rum back and forth as he told her tales of his life on board the ship they called the Jolly Roger. He was different on deck, the bravado she saw when they had been alone, and even with the Captain who stood above them, hook slung casually on the large wheel as he studied a map secured to the railing with a large flat stone, replaced with a militant type of energy, orders given and followed, his voice snapping like the sails which billowed above them. 

Killian, his name sending a flutter through her stomach, a feeling of nervousness replaced with a different kind of tension, shouted from the helm, voice like the shot of a cannon in the dying light- on deck, Scarlet!- calling William away from her as she watched the waves rise and fall across the expanse of the sea. 

“Aye Captain,” his voice was deeper here, surrounded by the other men of the crew, none of the teasing and playfulness she had seen, but the mischievous light in his eye was still there and she knew she had witnessed something private and special. Will had told her a small portion of his story- I would have died, I think, if he hadn’t brought me here- as they ate alone together in the galley. And she thought it strange, tragic perhaps, that the same could be said for herself. 

Read the rest here!

♥️♥️♥️

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[the-darkdragonfly]

Tempest - A Captain Duckling Tale

Chapter Two

A Princess on the run. A Captain chasing a ghost. Two lost souls meant to find each other.

♥️♥️♥️

Her father had heard them one afternoon, Emma on the rail of the barn, Neal’s hands steady as he groomed the dark bay stallion which belonged to his King. He had laughed, a forefinger chucked under her chin and he praised the imagination of the boy they had taken in to raise alongside her. 

It was before. And it had been so much more simple then. 

But there had been something in her father’s eyes when she asked him if it was real, the tale of the man with a hook for a hand who fought crocodiles and mermaids and fed children to demons on a deserted island, that hammered her heart, and his reply- no, of course not, my darling- fell flat and cold in the space between them. 

That was the only time he had lied to her. 

She had forgotten, until now, that day in the barn. And as the ship creaked peacefully around her, lulled on the gentle waves which had tried so desperately to kill her only hours before, she could easily recall the smell of the hay, the sound of the horses as they moved about their stalls. She remembered the stretch of Neal’s shoulders under the linen of his shirt, the snarl of his voice when she finally had gotten up the courage to ask him why the man in the dungeon called him Bae. 

What was her father doing now? Emma wondered, silent still as she watched the dangerous form of the man who sat at the table, careful and relaxed, a vision of unaffected indifference. But his jaw twitched twice and she saw the lines of tension and fatigue nipping at his soul. He may be a monster; but he was still just a man.

Had her father found her horse, still tethered loosely at the dock, likely stomping and irritated to be left behind on such an adventure, and the note she had left, tear stained and sloppy, adrenaline quaking beneath her skin. 

She knew her parents. They would never stop looking for her. They would never give up hope.

Hope was something they semeed to have in spades, though as she cried silently that night on the floor of her bedroom, scared and stupid and so very much alone, she knew all the hope in the world wouldn’t stop the raw terror of the unknown thing which settled itself into her heart. 

Her father would be devastated. Angry and unable to find a target for his rage. She hadn’t said why. In all of her fury and the scorn she bore across her soul and painful understanding now burned into her blood, she wouldn’t betray him like he had her. They were the only family he had ever known, and while the thought of him wasting away for decades beside the rot of a human he once called father, she knew in her heart of hearts that she would never give him away. Her father would be devastated. He would blame himself, and Emma wouldn’t allow that burden to be carried by anyone by herself. 

Would he ever forgive her? 

Perhaps it didn’t matter. 

For she couldn’t begin to forgive herself. 

♥️♥️♥️

Read the rest here on A03

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[the-darkdragonfly]

WIP Wednesday: Tempest -A Captain Duckling Tale

Chapter Two {coming Tuesday, June 14}

A Princess on the run. A Captain chasing a ghost. Two lost souls meant to find each other.

♥️♥️♥️

Her father had heard them one afternoon, Emma on the rail of the barn, Neal’s hands steady as he groomed the dark bay stallion which belonged to his King. He had laughed, a forefinger chucked under her chin and he praised the imagination of the boy they had taken in to raise alongside her. 

It was before. And it had been so much more simple then. 

But there had been something in her father’s eyes when she asked him if it was real, the tale of the man with a hook for a hand who fought crocodiles and mermaids and fed children to demons on a deserted island, that hammered her heart, and his reply- no, of course not, my darling- fell flat and cold in the space between them. 

That was the only time he had lied to her. 

She had forgotten, until now, that day in the barn. And as the ship creaked peacefully around her, lulled on the gentle waves which had tried so desperately to kill her only hours before, she could easily recall the smell of the hay, the sound of the horses as they moved about their stalls. She remembered the stretch of Neal’s shoulders under the linen of his shirt, the snarl of his voice when she finally had gotten up the courage to ask him why the man in the dungeon called him Bae. 

What was her father doing now? Emma wondered, silent still as she watched the dangerous form of the man who sat at the table, careful and relaxed, a vision of unaffected indifference. But his jaw twitched twice and she saw the lines of tension and fatigue nipping at his soul. He may be a monster; but he was still just a man.

Had her father found her horse, still tethered loosely at the dock, likely stomping and irritated to be left behind on such an adventure, and the note she had left, tear stained and sloppy, adrenaline quaking beneath her skin. 

She knew her parents. They would never stop looking for her. They would never give up hope.

Hope was something they semeed to have in spades, though as she cried silently that night on the floor of her bedroom, scared and stupid and so very much alone, she knew all the hope in the world wouldn’t stop the raw terror of the unknown thing which settled itself into her heart. 

Her father would be devastated. Angry and unable to find a target for his rage. She hadn’t said why. In all of her fury and the scorn she bore across her soul and painful understanding now burned into her blood, she wouldn’t betray him like he had her. They were the only family he had ever known, and while the thought of him wasting away for decades beside the rot of a human he once called father, she knew in her heart of hearts that she would never give him away. Her father would be devastated. He would blame himself, and Emma wouldn’t allow that burden to be carried by anyone by herself. 

Would he ever forgive her? 

Perhaps it didn’t matter. 

For she couldn’t begin to forgive herself. 

♥️♥️♥️

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Tag List (let me know if you would like to be added!):

@elizabeethan @donteattheappleshook @sailtoafarawayland @teamhook @wefoundloveunderthelight @caught-in-the-filter @batana54 @ultraluckycatnd @veryverynotgood @snowbellewells @hollyethecurious @jrob64 @kmomof4 @artistic-writer @gingerpolyglot @xarandomdreamx @xhookswenchx @justanother-unluckysoul @itsfabianadocarmo @zaharadessert @jadehowlettthewolf @xsjax @karlyfr13s @tiganasummertree @wyntereyez @klynn-stormz @onceratheart18 @rkrbirdgirl @ouatdaily @blowmiakisscolin @courtorderedcake @winterbaby89 @pirateprincessofpizza @superchocovian @deckerstarblanche @jlsadphoenix @alexa-fangirl-forever @stahlop @undercaffinatednightmare @lostintheskyfaraway @anmylica @motherkatereloyshipper @last-tsarina @lfh1226-linda @hookedmom @yikes-00 @midnightsuki @eve-dusk