Chapter Text
James has been waiting for this moment for years. The moment he will get what he wants. The beauty that blinded him and destroyed any trace of believing in anything beautiful other than him. Of Salazar's precious prince. The innocent little prince that everyone wants and asks for permission to court. Thousands of people from all over the world go to the balls organized by the ice-hearted king of Salazar and the older brother of Prince Regulus. How does James know the king has a heart of ice?
He knows it because he has felt his cold since the day of his coronation. How he treated his own brother and yelled at him in front of thousands of guests there, just for asking him a question. Of course, James doesn't know what happened exactly, but he felt the sadness of his dear prince then, and vowed to take him. That he will give him a life where he will never be sad and always smile. Because even if James has never seen him smile, he knows that the prince has the most beautiful smile of the few seen on seas or lands.
-James !- Barty practically screamed in James's ear, making him startle. James turns to look at his friend angry, only seeing his crazy smile as usual.
-What the hell are you yelling like that, junior ?- says James angrily, and Barty laughs at him.
- Because you didn't answer the first 10 shouts. Were you thinking about that prince again ? - Barty asks, and James's mind turns to the handsome prince again. Ironic being that James hadn't seen him since the spring festival 2 months ago, where James had only decided to go because he had heard rumors that Prince Regulus would be in charge of this year's festival.
James had then been mesmerized by the jet black curls falling around his head, arranged with his golden crown in leaf shapes catching the curls from his eyes. The eyes that James gets lost in like the bottomless ocean, crystal gray eyes, with the innocent twinkle he has every time someone approaches to speak to him. But James longs to see his smile, which no one has had the honor of seeing, even when the children of the kingdom made him a prince, a crown of flowers and gave it to him. James saw the light on his face, but the smile hadn't appeared, he didn't seem to know how to do it.
-Damn it, James! You keep getting lost in your thoughts. Be careful .- he hears Barty shout again, this time he stopped laughing and looked more serious. Which makes Barty scary when he's not laughing. Because all the tattoos, tousled black hair and dark eyes make him look scarier than he actually is.
-Sorry. What were you saying ? - says James focusing on his friend, not wanting to really upset him. Because Barty isn't exactly the nicest person when he's angry. Remembering the time he once used his sword and lost it in a fight. Not only did Barty pick a fight with him then, but he hadn't spoken to him for a whole week. Just giving him cold looks.
- That we have to anchor. And let's put the plan together. You wouldn't want to fail, would you? - Barty speaks as calmly as he can, making James look towards the approaching shore, seeing the harbor and people moving about on it with various things. Then watching his crew prepare to anchor, all walking from one side of the ship to the other.
-Barty, we've been planning this plan for months, there's no way we're going to fail. Not us, at least.- James speaks seriously, making Barty grin proudly at him.
-Guys, stop talking. After anchoring , we go into town to get supplies. Marlene has been complaining for days that she doesn't have anything left to cook.- Lily appears out of nowhere, practically James' sister from another mother. And sometimes she acts like a mother too, which James finds quite annoying at times to be honest, but he would never give up on her.
- Oh, Evans. Where have you been for the last hour? Busy with Mary around the cabin ?” Barty grinned as Lily frowned before a sly smile appeared on her face.
-No, but I can be busy with you now if you want.- Lily flirts in a way that James and Barty know for sure that she is not serious . Especially after Lily made it clear that men were the most unattractive people to her and she wouldn't let anyone touch her in a non-platonic way. Which James fully understands, firstly because he knows what he went through before he joined his family's crew when he was just a kid, and then that you can't force people to like what they don't want to.
-Of course honey, do you want under or over ?- Barty continues and Lily just laughs, then punches him in the arm, making Barty scream dramatically.
-We anchor !- shouted one of the people on the ship, a few seconds before the ship touched the ground.
- Okay, enough with the joke. Now, we really have to go if we want to be ready by tonight .- says Lily, seriously and James immediately tenses up, because the last thing he wants is for this heist to fail.
-
He has a strange feeling about this day. He feels that something is going to happen. He doesn't know if it's good or bad, but he knows it's going to be something important. Not as important as the fact that months later his brother, the King, asked to see him. Which isn't exactly normal for them, not after Sirius became King or after their parents died. So Regulus is a bit stressed when he arrives in front of the throne room and a guard announces his presence.
Regulus walks forward slowly and bows to his brother, because he is the king after all, and Regulus is no more special than most in this palace.
- Your Majesty .- says Regulus bowing his head respectfully to Sirius, waiting for her to speak. Trying to calm his emotions, which make his heart beat faster than he thought possible and his hands hidden by some elegant gloves, start to sweat.
-There's no need for all that, Regulus. You are my brother , not my servant.- are the first words said by Sirius, but they are spoken with the same coldness that he knows, even if the words have changed, remembering the last meeting with his brother, a few months ago.
- This year you will take care of the spring festival. I'm too busy for that.- Sirius says as soon as he bows and can't even say anything as Sirius had already motioned him out of the room, which Regulus had done without further comment even though he hadn't had time to say anything in the first place.
Regulus enjoyed organizing the festival but was horrified at the idea of being alone among so many people, what hurt him was that his brother didn't know all of this.
-Of course, your majesty.-Regulus stated raising his head to meet his brother's deep blue eyes , highlighted by the black makeup he knows he always wears, making him that much more frightening with his always scowling gaze.
-I have received many requests for permission to be courted, from girls and boys. Which is kind of weird for a girl to court, if you ask me. But I heard that it has become normal to happen. So my question is, do you want to consider the idea of being courted by someone or should I turn them down?" Sirius explained calmly, continuously looking at Regulus who felt trapped in his gaze, seeming to want to read it, or judge it about something.
Regulus hadn't considered marriage, he was too young to think about it. He had never fallen in love, nor could he, given that he was a captive in this palace, always under surveillance. So Regulus doesn't want to be courted, not yet at least. He doesn't want anyone to want him just because he's from the royal family, which he will be in the end, because everyone will want him for that anyway. But he's not ready for that now. After all, his brother is the king and he's 6 years older than him and he's not married.
-Thank you for wanting to consult me, Your Majesty. But I'd rather you turn down the requests. I'm still too young for that and I wouldn't know how to behave in such a situation .- Regulus speaks politely, trying not to annoy his brother like other times with inappropriate words.
-It's okay, I agree with you, anyway. You are excused. You may leave.- Sirius said simply, motioning for his advisor to come over, completely ignoring Regulus bowing again and leaving without another word . Quietly followed by his two guardians, Evan and Pandora.
-I hear you whispering. What's the problem ?- says Regulus, irritated by the two brothers' whispers, suddenly turning towards them. Seeing the regret on Evan's face and the smile on Pandora's.
-Prince Regulus, aren't you happy at least a little that there are so many people who want to court you ?- Pandora asks bravely as Evan elbows her as she stands with her head bowed, Regulus knowing he can feel her eyes on him.
- No, not really. They just want my title and wealth. Not me .- says Regulus dryly. Turning and starting to walk back to his room, still followed by the two.
-I don't think they all want that, Your Highness.- Pandora spoke again behind him, but Regulus had decided not to stop and continued walking.
-Maybe you're right, Pandora. But as I told the king, I'm not ready for such things.- Regulus answers just as he arrived in front of his room, then he turned to face the two again, examining them with his eyes and they are just like last time . Evan with his head bowed and Pandora with a smile on her face.
-Do you have any other questions or can I go to my room ?- Regulus asks genuinely, because he doesn't really mind when someone from the palace asks him a question.
- No, it's okay, Your Highness. Thanks for being kind enough to have a conversation .- Pandora says bowing immediately followed by Evan even though he didn't say anything.
-Okay, good night.- Regulus says before disappearing into his room. Actually his huge room, lonely, nothing special. Full of his books, sheets, quills and ink. Of expensive jewelry, silk clothes and antique decorations. It is filled with more expensive things than most houses in the city, but Regulus feels it as empty as he does.
-You really are the most beautiful thing in this entire palace.- someone says, and Regulus turns scared in the direction of the window, where a man is lying on the windowsill.
A much bigger man than Regulus. Dark skinned, messy hair coming out of his pirate hat, then the sword. And Regulus realizes the situation. A pirate in his room means trouble for him.
Regulus isn't quick enough as he turns and runs for the door, because as soon as he turns he feels silk brought to his mouth before everything goes black and his legs give way.
-
James doesn't know exactly how he did it. He easily entered the prince's room, and the rest was much easier. Because when he got to the ship, with Barty and Lily somehow looking a lot more troubled than they normally would be, he ordered the anchor to be raised and gone as quickly as possible, even though he didn't think the ice-hearted king would— she would really care for the precious prince in James's arms. This time James hadn't stolen anything else, that was what Barty and Lily had taken care of, because as distracted as he was by the lovely prince in his arms, he was failing the first mission.
Initially when the Prince had entered the room in all his glory . With milk white skin, the black curls he is obsessed with, the crown he always wears, dressed in a white silk shirt with a green cape and black pants, accessorized with the prince's indispensable white gloves, the multiple rings over these and a brooch that he was holding the cape. James really wanted to ask him to go with him, but when his face showed that he was scared and wanted to run, James couldn't let him. He just had to steal it like thousands of other riches he had stolen before.
-So this is the precious prince.- Barty speaks approaching James and trying to touch the prince's face, and James just pulled the boy away from his friend's hand.
-Don't touch him, Junior.- James says as seriously as he can, seeing Barty's satisfied grin.
-Already possessive.- Barty taunts him as Lily reappears out of nowhere next to them like a shadow. Making it far more dangerous than many would like to state.
-Are you going to hold him all night? Go to your cabin .- says Lily irritated, even more nervous before leaving. James looked at Barty asking for an explanation but he gave him a sign that he had no idea what happened. With that James retired to his own cabin, laying the prince on the bed comfortably, or as comfortably as he could be dressed like that, and he sat down in the chair at his desk, not wanting the prince to be startled if he got next to him, he'll probably be scared enough to be here to begin with, but James will make him happy until he doesn't want to leave. So James sits down, still looking at him. Mesmerized by his every feature. But his sleeping figure reminds him of his parents.
-Jamie, we know how obsessed you are with this prince, but don't forget, we are pirates, we don't kidnap people to keep them close to us, we only kidnap them for ransom.- says his mother after she told him about the wonderful prince she saw at the festival, wanting it.
James thinks about his mother's words. She wouldn't be happy with what she had done, but James needs him. That's the treasure he wants, and even if he ignores his mother's words, even if he feels remorse about it. He won't give up on him. Because now it belongs to him. This prince is James's. He had been James' since he had first laid eyes on him and he was n't going to let anyone change that. Absolutely nobody.
-
Regulus feels uncomfortable. He does not remember how he fell asleep, or that he fell asleep dressed. When he opens his eyes, he realizes that he is no longer in his room . He is not in his palace. He is in a strange room. Regulus no longer understanding anything that was in it. He then sees a man at the desk in the room, his back is to Regulus, so he is unaware that he has woken up. Then the memory pops into Regulus' head. It's the man in his room. The pirate who kidnapped him . His thoughts are interrupted when the pirate turns around and sees Regulus.
-You woke up. Are you feeling alright? That thing may have made you dizzy .- the man says smiling approaching Regulus who was huddled at the end of the bed with his knees in his hands, looking at the pirate. He was mature, probably older than Sirius. He was wearing an old loose white shirt that exposed his chest and stomach, showing off his sculpted body, simple pants and some boots as old as the rest of his clothes. When he stared too long at the pirate's body, Regulus looked up at his face that seemed to be waiting for his answer.
-I…. why did you kidnap me The king will be angry , Regulus murmured enough to be heard, scared, either by the man in front of him or by his brother who will be angry that he let himself be stolen.
-Oh, this is the first time I've really heard your voice, you know? You have a beautiful voice .- says the man completely ignoring Regulus' question, but he couldn't be angry because this pirate continues to admire him like a treasure. His eyes sparkle when I look at him.
- Will you hurt me? Or will you just ask the king for money ?- Regulus tries to ask again, scared of whatever this man might want from him.
-None .- he says simply. And Regulus must have made a confused face because the man continues .- I took you because I want you to be mine. Because I want to see your smile and be happy. What you're not with that ice-hearted king .- the pirate sits on the opposite side of the bed from Regulus. But what he had said made no sense. Why would a pirate care about him. If he doesn't want money, or the crown. What does it matter if he is happy or not?
-Are you never going to take me home ?- Regulus asks with panic in his voice, not knowing what to do, how to react and what else to say.
wo n't want to be there, when you realize that you are happy with me.- the pirate explained as if it was a normal thing to say to someone who had been kidnapped.
-I don't even know who you are. How can I be happy with you here ?- Regulus continued to ask, trying to think of something. Everyone probably already knew he was gone, so they'll find him. Regulus just needs to be safe.
-Oh. I am Captain James Fleamont Potter. I'm 25 years old and we're on my ship.- James introduces himself extending his hand in recognition and Regulus is slightly amused by this man instead of continuing to be afraid of him.
-Well then. I am Prince Regulus Arcturus Black. I'm 17 years old .- murmured Regulus timidly, extending his trembling hand. And James slowly takes her in his, looking intently at their hands together.
-You don't have to be afraid, my prince. I won't hurt you. I won't touch you if you don't want to. I want you to be happy.-James is smiling still holding his hand and Regulus is now thinking how he can smile so much while Regulus never could. Why does he want to give Regulus happiness when he doesn't even know what it means to him. A train of thoughts run through Regulus's mind at that moment, which is interrupted immediately after by someone knocking on the door and Regulus immediately tenses up, not realizing that he had even been relaxed up until that point.
-James! I need the map with the marks you made.- a man's voice is heard from behind the door, then he watches James get up taking something from the desk, supposed to be a map, Regulus thinks, then he opens the door giving the man what he demanded slamming the door shut before returning to his spot on the bed.
- I know you have your precious prince now but you don't have to be a bastard !- the man shouts then footsteps are heard walking away and James seems unaffected, in fact he is still smiling at Regulus, which is a bit strange.
-Why do you keep smiling like that at me ?- he asks when he gathers the courage to speak.
-Because I'm happy you're here. Does it bother you ? - James looks at him now more seriously, trying to understand if this is the personality of this man or if it's just now.
-Little bit. The world doesn't really smile around me, one of my guards is as smiling as you actually, but he always stands behind me. - explained Regulus sincerely, and the man in front of him just gave a sign of understanding and stopped smiling, miming a small smile, which seems more comforting to him.
-so, are you hungry? Would you like to change your clothes? I took some things from your room that looked more used by you .- James starts asking her questions then bringing a bag with his less extravagant clothes and other things from the desk in his room.
-I'm actually a little hungry .- admits regulus shyly, and James gives him a gentle smile in understanding.
- I'm going to get you something to eat and you can change in the meantime. - says the man and starts to go out the door.
-Aren't you afraid that I'll run away if you leave me alone ?- Regulus suddenly asks and James stops with his hand on the door handle.
-You are not a prisoner here, my prince. I want you to be happy and plus we are at sea, how could you leave now ? - says James honestly before leaving the room. Leaving Regulus to change his clothes and get lost in his thoughts. To be aware of what is happening. What does this pirate really want from him and how to get back home.
But now he really wanted to change his clothes, ditching his stuffy cape and brooch and changing into an emerald green silk shirt and trousers that he only used in his room when he was in too much pain to go out . she.
Then he arranges the bed to look acceptable and sits straight on the edge of it waiting for the man to return with the food, because he is much hungrier than he thought possible.
When the door opened, Regulus wasn't meeting James, but he was most likely another pirate. Also larger than Regulus. Dressed in black and with tattoos on his hands, which Regulus is quite shocked by, as he had never understood how people get them. The man has a look that reminds him of his brother, just as cold and dark, but he has green eyes instead of his brother's bright blue ones.
-Hi. I'm Barty. You're Prince Regulus, aren't you ?” Barty says excitedly, making any trace of believing this scary man disappear.
-Yes. I am Regulus .- he affirms, remembering his voice from earlier when he had come to ask for the map.
- Do you hear ? - says Barty and Regulus looks at him confusedly urging them to continue when he sits down next to him on the edge of the bed. - Who was the blonde at the door of your room in the palace? - finally asks Barty and Regulus becomes more confused by the question. Why would this pirate care about his guards?
-You mean Pandora ?- Regulus asks, still confused and uncomfortable with this boy's proximity to him.
- No girl. The boy . - explained Barty.
-Evan. He's my personal bodyguard. Did you do something to him?" Regulus asks in panic, besides knowing the two brothers since he was a child, Regulus cared about their well being even if he hadn't formed a bond due to their status.
-Not. I just saw it when I was passing by. I didn't do anything to him. He didn't even see me .” Barty explained quickly, calming Regulus and making him relax.
-Then why do you care ?- Regulus asks later. And Barty just grins at him, like he knows something Regulus doesn't.
-Just curious.- is all the pirate says in the end, where right after the door opens again and this time, James appears with a simple tray of food. Looking at him and Barty confused and skeptical, where he finally fixed Barty with an accusing look.
-What the hell are you doing here, Junior ?- he asks in an annoyed tone as he places the tray on the desk in the room and turns to look at Barty again.
- Come on, Potter. I just wanted to meet the Prince. Not everyone has the honor of having him in their cabin.- Barty seems to be teasing him and James just continued to look angry. - Okay, I'm leaving. Bye, prince .- Barty stood up and left without further comment, leaving him and James alone in the room again.
-Did he upset you ?- James asked after a few minutes in which Regulus had just avoided looking in the man's direction, but he could feel his gaze fixed on him. Making Regulus feel so looked at, something new for him considering most avoid looking in his direction and others just ignore his presence.
- No. - he says dryly. Still looking around the room or at his lap where he's looking at his gloved hands he hadn't given up. He doesn't even care when he ever leaves his room without his gloves on. It's a habit picked up since he was little, and his mother had taught him good manners.
-I see that you haven't given up the crown and gloves.- comments the pirate pointing to his head . Regulus completely forgetting about the crown and the thought that he had slept with it on his head pained him. He doesn't know how he could give her up, honestly. She always wears her crown, except when she is bathing or sleeping.
-I can't give them up. It's a habit. Plus I'm sure my brother will soon send a letter to ransom me or send the guards to return me to the palace.- Regulus explained sure of his words, watching them pass over the pirate's face causing him to lose his smile.
-I told you I didn't take you with me for ransom. If too much time passes and you still want to go home, I promise I will.- James says with a trembling and sad voice but Regulus somehow believes him . He knows he will , which is a mistake to trust the person who kidnapped you but somehow he does it unintentionally.
James had taken the tray he had placed on the desk earlier and placed Regulus on the bed next to him. Leaving him to eat he too turned his back sitting at the desk quietly. Instead Regulus looks at the food tray, which has a bowl of soup, slices of bread and some fruit. Something simple that, Regulus had eaten before, so he quietly starts eating without disturbing the other person in the room with noises.
-
Sirius had become a little distracted since last night's meeting with Regulus. It's always the same when they see each other for something trivial that doesn't even require an official date, but they're the only ones who make Sirius see Regulus from time to time.
Now he and all his secretaries are confused with the peace treaty that he wants to make with the neighboring kingdom, but the king who is barely in sight, has not yet responded to his request, or to the hearing. So he's getting more and more stressed , especially since it's been said that wars are raging in the more distant kingdoms and the last thing Sirius wants is to start a war now.
And when this morning couldn't be more busy and stressful, his brother's two guards storm into the throne room in a tacky manner that immediately infuriates Sirius.
"How dare you come in here like that ?" Sirius yelled at the two guards who were kneeling down the next second, panic in their eyes.
-Excuse us, your majesty, but Prince Regulus has disappeared.- speaks the girl among the guards, and Sirius's heart stopped.- There is only this note left.- the girl sends it, and one of the secretaries hands it to him. Sirius panics before opening the ticket.
Your height,
Prince Regulus is miserable under your icy rule, so I've decided he'd better come with me, where I'll give him the happiness he deserves and that you won't. That's why I'll steal it from you .
Captain James Potter
James Potter? Sirius has heard of this pirate. He is one of the biggest thieves in the world. And now he managed to steal his greatest treasure. His precious little brother he will get back, no matter how long it takes, or how much it costs to redeem him, his brother will come home.
-Send a letter immediately to Captain James Potter. And ask him as much as he wants to bring the Prince home unharmed. I'll give it to him anyway. Hurry up . " Sirius shouted to one of the secretaries, then turned his gaze to the two guards. "And you two will choose a crew and go to sea to bring Regulus home. Be ready to go by sunset. Have I made myself clear ?- Sirius asks angrily and the two wince at the rise in his tone and he nods before he rushes out of the throne room, leaving Sirius alone.
Concerned for the welfare of his brother and the kingdom. Worried that his mission to be king is failing day by day .
Thinking and hoping that Regulus was safe and that those Pirates wouldn't harm him. But after writing in the note, he doubts that they really want to hurt him, and this is the only thought that keeps him stable at this crucial moment.
His thoughts are interrupted when one of his secretaries reappears in front of him holding a letter with a royal seal, which Sirius immediately realizes that the neighboring kingdom has finally answered him and he doesn't even wait for the man to speak he is already motioning for him to - hand him the letter, which the man does without much effort.
Sirius takes and opens the envelope faster than he should, but he's been waiting for that king's answer for over 2 weeks and is extremely stressed by all his duties that he doesn't even think he'd remember them if someone didn't remind him.
So he looked over the beautiful handwriting, much more beautiful than Sirius' to be honest, and began to read the king's reply silently.
Dear King Sirius of Salazar,
My apologies for the delay in my reply, but I had to think carefully about an answer that would live up to your request. I would be happy if we could create a peace treaty between our kingdoms, but according to my kingdom council, I should spend some of my time getting to know your kingdom and making a connection between our kingdoms, then if you please you could also visit mine. I apologize if I do not agree with you but this is the ritual of my kingdom and I cannot break it now. That's why I would like to wait for your answer and let's schedule a date.
Godric's King Remus
After reading this letter, Sirius is a bit confused at this king's wish. No other kingdom wanted to make a connection with the kingdom he was making the kingdom with but just like this kingdom, the kingdom of Sirius also has its traditions, that's why he is practically obliged to accept the wish of King Remus. A king that no one has seen for more than 10 years will soon appear in Sirius's palace. And Sirius sure isn't relaxed about it.
On the contrary, he does not know how to behave or how to accommodate another King in his palace. Especially one bigger than him. Because if Sirius is being honest he hasn't had a conversation with anyone other than his servants or his brother since he was still early in his reign. Now he has no friends or relaxation at the balls he organizes.
The ball is only held at the insistence of the council to find someone and get married in the end, because he is a king and needs a partner. What Sirius doesn't want, he doesn't want a person to rule his kingdom with or share a bed with . He doesn't need that. And it infuriates him when someone tells him the opposite of what he wants. Because even with all the stress he has, his kingdom is thriving and he is a king who knows how to rule his subjects. Satisfying everyone as much as they need to be satisfied and getting married isn't going to change that in any way.
That's why he was relieved when Regulus refused courtship requests. Of course he doesn't want to stop his brother from starting a family, but if his 17-year-old brother gets married before him, you'll have to insist on his marriage, which he fiercely avoids.
But it doesn't matter now, all that matters is that Regulus needs to get back to where he belongs as soon as possible, not on a dirty keel with some psychopathic pirates who can hurt him at any time.