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“Hamlets.” Thomas read the word that Joji was pointing at and then, after Joji’s look of confusion continued, said “Small villages.”
Joji nodded and then returned to his book. Thomas waited a moment and then returned to his own, the far less fun volume of the Walrus’s financial records. They were seated in the sitting room of his, James and Miranda’s Nassau home.
James and Miranda had gone to a meeting with Eleanor and Mr. Scott. Thomas had considered going along, but he was behind on his book keeping, and Joji had been taking every chance he could get to continue Don Quixote. Besides he trusted James and Miranda with the plotting to get whatever James had set his eyes on. Not to mention that they could probably do without him getting uncomfortable whenever the talk turned to the seemingly always necessary violence.
Thomas had been making peace with that necessity. He knew that it was only James and Miranda’s violence that kept him alive and out of his father’s clutches, that all of the freedom and happiness they had found here depended on it. Still it hurt that all of their ideas of freedom and choice, the ideas he had once talked of in his salon meetings, could only be carried out with blood and murder.
The finance books held some of that violence, but it was manageable. He had learned not to dwell on the injury payments, or to pay attention to the source of stains on goods that he had to note.
Thomas spared a glance as Joji made one of his reading noises, a slightly stronger inhale denoting surprise and wonder. Thomas had grown to know those noises very well in the seven years that Joji had been reading with him.
It had started before that, when Thomas had just started keeping the Walrus’s records. He would mutter to himself as he worked and Joji would stand nearby, calming himself after the excitement of battle and watching Thomas work. Thomas had a feeling that Joji had been under orders to protect him, but that had never been confirmed.
Joji had watched the papers with such interest that Thomas had started explaining the words and letters as he worked. After ten minutes he had caught himself, realising that he had been letting out his not yet unlearned english arrogance, but Joji had said "keep going." The first words Thomas had heard from him.
From there they had proceeded to pamphlets and letters and now Joji had read nearly two thirds of the small library that Thomas, James and Miranda had accumulated at their home.
Thomas fell into the numbers. The silence was comfortable and soft, punctuated every so often by a small noise from Joji that would set Thomas smiling and wondering where in the book he had gotten.
He got up after an hour to adjust the wick in the oil lamp and add a few logs to the fire. It was an hour after that that he came up with the final figure for the crew's next pay.
It was higher than expected due to a lucky increase in the price of tobacco. "Everyone's share is gonna be about twenty pieces higher than we thought," Thomas said. Joji nodded with a pleased half smile.
“That should give me enough for a good jacket for Captain Flint,” Thomas said. James probably wouldn’t like him saying that where the crew could hear, but Thomas had a feeling that Joji had a good sense of his and the captain’s relationship, and wasn’t going to be a problem. Thomas had conceded to not calling him James around the crew, but he would not be pushed into not talking about him at all.
Besides, the whole crew could probably agree that their captain could use a better jacket, something that would better fit the legend and terror he had built around his name. Thomas had been on the lookout for such a jacket every time he had the chance to walk through Nassau’s market, and on every ship they took. It was only a matter of time before he found one.
His work done, Thomas put aside the record book and set about preparing supper. His skill as a cook had grown since he'd arrived at Nassau but was still barely more than rudimentary. He cut vegetables and a section of salted meat before combining them in a pot to cook into a hopefully decent soup.
As the soup cooked Thomas sat back down with his own book. Another hour passed before the door opened and James walked in. His shoulders eased as the door closed behind him and he let go of his performance.
“Welcome home,” Thomas said, closing his book and standing up.
James smiled at him and moved forward starting to say something, until he noticed Joji, who was still intent on his book. James swallowed his smile and brought his shoulders up into the tight formation Flint held them in. The words he had started to say disappeared and instead he just nodded at Thomas.
“Oh, relax James,” Thomas said. James’s seriousness was amusing to see in their own home, but the humor was outweighed by the pain of seeing him uncomfortable.
James couldn’t think of anything to do but glare pleadingly at Thomas, totally unsure of how to hold his Flint image against the relaxed and loose feeling of being home with Thomas.
“Joji just stopped by to read some more of Don Quixote.” Thomas moved closer to James, who couldn't bring himself to avoid him. "I was thinking that he could stay for supper."
Flint stood there in utter uncertainty, wanting to refuse outright, but unable to do so while looking in Thomas's hopeful eyes.
Joji marked his place in the book and then stood up. He also looked somewhat uncomfortable, but Thomas couldn’t read him as well as he could James.
"I don't want to intrude, I'm sure you would rather have some time alone," Joji said.
James' mind raced into wondering if Joji was insinuating anything about that time alone, giving Thomas a chance to answer first. "Nonsense! We'd be happy to have you.” Thomas raised an eyebrow pressuring James to voice his agreement.
“Of course,” James grumbled.
“Thank you for having me then.”
Thomas flashed a smile of victory at James and then headed to the cupboard. “Will Miranda be joining us?”
“No, she stayed to discuss a… personal matter with Eleanor.” James said, stilted and confused in how to censor himself.
“Alright.” Thomas smiled as he got out three bowls. He was sure he would be hearing about Eleanor’s continued infatuation with Max when Miranda returned.
He filled the bowls as James removed his coat and, after a moment of hesitation, set his sword aside. Joji stood silently out of the way. They each glanced at the other, trying to think of things to say to the other that weren’t orders or lookout reports.
After a moment James gave up on conversation and moved next to Thomas to grab three spoons and the bowl that Thomas didn’t have a hand for.
They settled in at the table, and started eating. Joji nodded his approval of the soup. James had seemingly relaxed somewhat, because after finishing his first spoonful he voiced his advice like he did most times when Thomas cooked.
“You put the potatoes in too late.”
Joji’s eyes widened in shock, before he recovered himself enough to look impassive as he watched Thomas, expecting an offended reaction.
Thomas just chuckled. “James…” James flinched at the use of his name so he corrected himself with a widening smile. “The captain was the one who taught me to cook, so I always want his opinion on what I make.”
Joji nodded his understanding and took another bite.
“So, Captain, you’ve read Don Quixote, right?” Thomas asked, letting his amusement drip off of the word captain.
“Yes, years ago. We found it on a trading sloop, the Matabele.”
“Oh, I don’t think I was there for that.”
“It was before I convinced Gates to have you. They were transporting luxury items to Virginia. Their captain surrendered immediately.”
“The lookout fell out of the rigging when he saw the black,” Joji added, drawing a laugh from Thomas, and a smile from James.
“As interesting as the story of you finding the book is, I think I’ll have to argue that the story in the book is a little more interesting.”
Joji and Flint nodded their agreement, but neither were willing to speak. Joji for fear of offending the feared captain Flint and James for fear of letting his guise slip.
“You know funnily enough, Miranda once compared me to the titular knight,” Thomas continued, goading James into responding and letting the silence push Joji to speak.
Joji succumbed first. “You have his chivalry,” he offered. “I don’t think there is another man on this island who would let me into his home.”
James couldn’t help himself but add onto that. “That’s led him to quite some confusion. I remember our first night here, he thought that Noonan’s was an actual inn. Booked a room and everything.”
“Did he not notice how the women were dressed?” Joji asked.
“He just thought that was the latest fashion on Nassau,” James said, the words trailing into a laugh that spread to Joji.
Thomas smiled through his growing blush. “I will have you know that Idelle was most understanding of the whole situation, and we have remained friends to this day.”
“She was just so relieved she didn’t have to service you.”
Thomas laughed at that. “And you were glad of that as well if I recall correctly,” he said, pushing James a little farther.
James’s mood dried at the implication but he allowed a small nod of agreement as his laughter died.
When I first got here I almost traded my sword for a chicken,” Joji said. “I was trying to join a crew, but I only knew a little English and the man I thought was a captain was only a street vendor. I kept saying pirate, crew, and boat and showing him my sword and he just kept nodding and showing me different wares he had.”
James’s laughter returned gently, joining Joji and Thomas’s. “Eventually after I shook my head at the chicken he grumbled about ‘bloody pirates’ and I recognized those words so I got excited and kept saying ‘yes,’ which he thought was about the chicken, so he tried to hand it to me. I didn’t want the chicken, so I shoved it back towards him, and he got all pissed about that. I think he was gonna attack me until Mr. Gates came over.”
“That’s Mr. Gates for you. Perhaps the only person in Nassau as nice as Thomas,” James said.
Thomas smiled at not being called ‘Mr. Hamilton,’ but didn’t bother scaring James by mentioning it. “Indeed, he is a fine gentleman. Perhaps we should invite him to dinner sometime.”
“I’m sure he already gets enough of us and is grateful for every break he can get.”
“Perhaps so,” Thomas said. They settled back to eating, Joji and Flint each relaxing enough that when Thomas started talking about the book again they were happy to share their opinions. The conversation flowed into a discussion of the weaponry in the book and how different warfare was when it was written. Thomas was happy to just listen to the two warriors' experiences of battle.
James was letting out the vicious tactician that he always tried to hide from Thomas, and Joji’s account of warfare in Japan was a fascinating replacement for the brief mentions of war in the east that Thomas had read.
He refilled their bowls as they discussed pre gunpowder infantry formations. They had to pause after every tenth word to offer a roundabout description because neither knew the correct translation.
Thomas almost brought them quill and paper so they could draw diagrams, but he stopped himself, knowing that that was the sort of expensive indulgence they could no longer afford. Instead he sat and listened, glad to hear Joji’s voice so much and enjoying James’s voice and knowledge
Eventually the conversation petered out and Thomas spoke up. “Well it has been a wonderful evening, but I think it might be time for us to retire. There’s plenty of work to be done tomorrow if we are to sail the day after.”
Joji nodded and rose. “Thank you for having me, you have a beautiful home.”
James nodded back, falling back into uncertainty about how formal a farewell to give.
Thomas walked Joji out with friendly ease. “Of course, it was our pleasure to have you, and Quixote will be here for you whenever you next have the time." Joji left and Thomas closed the door behind him, before turning back to James.
James had stood up and he was struggling to settle back into his peaceful home self before realising he already had. Thomas stepped up to him before that realization could worry him. He placed his hands on James’s shoulders and kissed his forehead. “I’m proud of you.”
“What for?”
“For not kicking Joji and me out, for letting yourself show even though he was here, and for having fun with a member of your crew.”
“There’s a reason I try not to,” James said, without any real judgement or bite.
“I know, but Joji doesn’t judge, nor does he gossip.” Thomas’s fingers gently eased out James’s shoulders. “His smirk will just be a little wider the next time he hears Turk going on about the black magic Miranda gets up to in here.”
“I know, but…”
Thomas’s hands stilled, waiting for the sentiment he knew was coming.
“All the monstrous things that Flint has done, how can I just let him break bread with one of the men he’s led into that life?”
“You have never done a monstrous thing in your life.” Thomas pulled James into his arms and stroked his hair as he continued. “And all the blood you have shed has been for those men and for this house. We both know the pain of losing our home, and the joy of finding a new one. How can we not offer the same to your men?”
James reached his hands up to hold Thomas. “I never lost my home, I never lost you.”
Thomas just smiled into James’s neck, unable to find words to express his gratitude and love. Miranda found them still embracing when she walked in a minute later.
“Now this is not the reaction I expected from you hearing our plan.”
Thomas glanced up, over the head of James. “Actually we haven’t yet had the chance to discuss your meeting.”
“Oh,” Miranda hung her hat by the door and removed her sword belt, placing it with James and Thomas’s. “Is everything all right?”
James nodded and offered Miranda a hand which she happily took. He wasn’t ready to speak though, so Thomas answered the question. “We’re fine, we had a lovely dinner with Joji who stopped by for more of Don Quixote. How is Eleanor?”
“She saw Max this afternoon, and told me all about it in great detail.” Miranda stepped into their space, placing a hand on Thomas’s shoulder. “Perhaps in another month they will have a conversation.”
All three shared a smile at the woe and hope of watching Max and Eleanor stumble around each other.
“Now, what new plans have the two of you concocted today?” Thomas asked.
James let Miranda explain, her words soothing him. Each rumble of Thomas’s chest when he asked a question was another blessing of this life he led. As the plans echoed in their warm house, he couldn’t quite tell if it was Flint or McGraw listening. Perhaps there was no real difference. Flint was welcome and wanted in this place, and he was surrounded by people who would gladly hold him, whatever name he called himself.