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"Ship!" The clear voice called from the top of the mast. Rosa smiled grimly. They'd been following a navy ship for weeks now. The one was bringing money from the colonies to the 'motherland'. Some mother it was, though. Taking so much it left its people starving. Well, they weren't going to get away with it.
"Raise the flag! Gear up. We're not leaving without those taxes." There was a chorus of ayes and the Lady Justice's flag unfurled. A rose covered in thorns. As the ship surged forward, her eyes returned to the lookout position. "Huey! Get down and below young man!" She saw the younger boy's shoulders droop, but he hurried to obey. Doubtful he'd stay down once the fighting started, but at least for now he'd be safe. Her second, Celestine, took her spot beside Rosa.
"Looks like the navy hired some mercenaries," she shook her head. "And here I thought they looked down on those who sailed for money." Of course, everyone knew that was bull. The navy claimed to travel the seas for the glory of their nation, but money made a crew happy. At least pirates and mercs never denied that fact. As the mercenary ship made to intercept the Lady Justice, Rosa's eyes narrowed. She knew that one.
"You've got to be kidding me." Signaling, Rosa hurried forward. The ship turned to avoid colliding head on with The Omen. "Hooks, Kiki."
"Aye, Cap'n." The girl let the metal swing back and forth before giving it a good throw. It sank into the other ship's wood. Once the rest of her crew looked ready, Rosa nodded.
"Board!" Together, they leapt across and chaos ensued. Trusting them to fend for themselves, she made a beeline for the helm. Luke rose to meet her, just as she knew he would. As their swords clashed, she rolled her eyes at him.
"Seriously, Luke? Why would you take this job knowing this was our target?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Why would you target this ship knowing it was our job?"
"You never said you were taking the job!" She snapped, knocking his sword away as he took another swing. He frowned.
"But I thought your target was number-"
"The captain became ill." Well, more like got food poisoning by one of Kiki's kitchen concoctions. Rosa wouldn't have been able to track and take two naval vessels, so she ensured one wouldn't be able to leave with the money. Generally speaking, she and Luke tried to avoid clashing with one another. Not because she didn't want to fight him. Rosa enjoyed her spars with her childhood friend. Instead, it was because neither ever managed to win in a timely manner and well...
"They got away, Captain.." Breathless, Celestine joined them. The fighting halted and the crews of both ships watched the navy vessel sail to safety. With the amount of time it took to return to the Lady Justice, prepare it, turn it, and rush to catch up the ship would've been out of sight and too close to its own shores to be worth it. Rosa let out a growl of annoyance.
"What took you so long to catch up?" Luke sheathed his sword and he tilted his head to one side.
"Ugh. Got bogged down in paperwork." To the public, the Lady Justice was a private merchant ship. The fact they pirated royal vessels was a well kept secret. All of her crew dressed differently and the ship underwent a dramatic change after leaving an official port to ensure none would recognize it. Unfortunately, that meant she had to answer paper summons from time to time. "I hope the paycheck was worth it." She grumbled. Luke grinned.
"Well, the paycheck not so much. But, we helped ourselves to a bonus." Confused, Rosa stared at him. Gesturing for her to follow him, he took her below deck as the crews helped each other stand and wait to be seen and treated by the doctors. Snuggled in a corner under a canvas trap, were three large chests. One of them was already opened and Huey was digging his arms elbow deep into gold coins.
"Huey!"
"Davis!" Rosa and Luke spoke at the same time. A blond boy who'd been standing by the side of the chest looked sheepish.
"Sorry, Cap. I just wanted to show Huey what we got."
"This'll be enough to feed my Ma, right Cap'n?" Huey looked up at Rosa. His eyes were wide and hopeful. Rosa sighed.
"Yes, Huey. It's plenty."
"See, I told you this was the better gig." Luke closed the lid and locked it again. After taking Davis' lock picks for the rest of the night, all four headed back up. As they emerged, Luke's on crew doctor approached.
"How's it looking, Aaron?" Luke inquired.
"Good. Nobody broke anything, which is surprising. Although plenty of cuts and blood."
"The fight didn't last long enough for anybody to break something." Rosa's eye flickered to where the naval ship had been. "You know, for supposedly being 'their majesties armor at sea', they fled pretty quick."
"Yea, but they'll be back when they realize we have their money." Luke chuckled. Rosa did wonder how he managed that. Surely a heavy chest full of gold coins would be felt if it were to leave a ship. But, Luke would never tell her. He'd just claim he couldn't share all his secrets.
"Well now, seeing as all of this is your fault," Rosa headed for the edge of the ship. "Dinner is on the harbingers tonight. Race you back." Without waiting for his response, she gathered the rest of her crew and they returned to their ship and set course for Stellis.
~~~
"I still think you should use my treasure map idea." Aaron informed Luke as they followed the Lady Justice. He just snorted.
"I think your idea is stupid."
"Come now, Luke. You two aren't getting any younger. And love is such-"
"I will not paint an X on myself, Aaron."
"It doesn't have to be on yourself." Finished fixing the scratches and dents in the ship, The Omen's carpenter invited himself into the conversation. Marius grinned. "It could just be an X on the ground. And when she gets there, you can be waiting with roses and a ring and ask her to marry you."
"Marriage?!" Luke stiffened. "I haven't even asked if she likes me-"
"She does." After ensuring their course was true, Vyn joined them. "Trust us, she does."
"Are you here to try to convince me as well?" Luke gave Artem a hard look. The cook blinked and shrugged.
"Well, I was going to offer you a meat bun. But if you didn't want it-" Before the man could take it away, Luke snatched it up.
"I'm still not proposing to her."
"If you don't want her, Cap, I'll move in," Marius wiggled his eyebrows and Luke glared at the other man. "X marks the spot where the heart isss." The rest of his crew joined in on the singing and Luke groaned. He could remember when his crew actually had a healthy level of fear for him, but ever since they found out he was sweet on Rosa, they'd given him hell about it. At one point, Aaron had asked why they weren't on the same crew and, given how long the two knew each other, Luke decided it was time to tell someone.
He and Rosa had known each other since childhood. They grew up on the docks and learned the ways of sailing together. When the time came for them to finally join a crew, they'd done so together. Unfortunately, Luke's overprotectiveness tended to cause trouble. Whenever he saw Rosa in danger, all he wanted to do was fight whoever was hurting her- even if he had other orders. Upset and with a warning from their captain, Rosa left without telling him at one port and never returned. It wasn't until eight years later that they met again; she as a pirate and he a mercenary. Deep down, Luke still blamed himself for driving her away. Coupled with the progress she made on her own and the fear his overprotectiveness would stifle her again, he refrained from asking her to consider joining crews. He had no issues stepping down as a captain and becoming her underling, but it wouldn't do if she was captain and he kept trying to fight all her battles for her.
The others didn't know the full story, but they did know how deeply Luke loved her. As much as they joked around, they'd never actually attempt it. Although it was also in part to Rosa's own feelings for Luke. As Stellis port came into view, he was saved from more of their teasing. Once both ships were docked, the crews descended with the treasure chests. First thing was to redistribute them so the trail couldn't be traced back to The Omen and to ensure every family received their fair share. Luke hadn't been able to take all that was taxed from them, but it would help.
~~~
Stellis port was a poor town. It was just one of many coastal colonies set up by the empire for the sole purpose of making money. It was nothing about giving commoners a better life like the crown advertised. People generally contracted to sail abroad and worked for the officers for a couple years before being released. Unfortunately, once released the crown was no longer required to house and feed the person. So, they either took on hard labor jobs on farms or in mines or became so poor they were reduced to beggars or enlisting in the navy. And it was where she and Luke grew up. They were second generation and their parents had done okay, although Luke's developed a target on their backs resulting in their murder when Luke was just a child. Or, as the officers liked to claim, a terrible accident. Rosa was still determined to discover what happened, but had been unable to find any new information in the last couple years.
"Why the long face?" Luke exited the entrance to the Underground- a network of spies and other resistors of the crown's cruelty. They'd take care of the money. "I'm buying you dinner." Rosa blushed at the way that sounded, but smiled a little.
"Just thinking is all." He seemed to want to say something, but after a moment he shook his head.
"Well, shall we? If our crews are going to eat us out of that payment, I at least want some of the food." Rosa laughed but nodded.
Inside The Abyss, the celebration was in full swing. One half of the bar was in combat while the other half cheered. Luke and Rosa took their normal seat and a waitress came by and dropped two plates of food in front of them before expertly making their way back to the kitchen. Although, Rosa didn't fail to notice the wink she gave Luke before leaving. Or the way she leaned so he could see more of her bosom. A stab of jealousy shot through Rosa. It passed as she focused on the 'entertainment'. Celestine was arm wrestling Marius on one table- and winning. Cheers went up as the back of his hand hit the table.
Luke's laugh drew Rosa's attention back to him. He looked so handsome and he was so close. Despite the odor of the bar, all she could smell was Luke. The ocean and teak wood. The ale seemed to bubble in her stomach. Her heart felt light.
"Luke?" He turned to look at her, the smile still on his lips.
"Yes Rosa?"
"Can I- If I were to do something now... would you be mad?" He blinked at her, clearly confused.
"Well.. I mean.. No." Swallowing hard, his coral eyes seemed to darken. Before she could lose her nerve, Rosa leaned forward and kissed him. Luke stiffened for a moment before wrapping an arm around her waist. The bar seemed to go silent- or maybe Rosa was just lost in her own little world, hers and Luke's- before whoops and hollers came from their crewmates and the rest of the patrons. Ignoring them, Rosa pressed closer to Luke. Her fingers gripped his shirt tightly. She never wanted the kiss to end.