Chapter Text
Loud laughter, shouts and sea shanties were all merged together in the chaotic debauchery of the saloon, it surely kept the late nights alive, a common scene on the one of many saloons in Tortuga.
Nowhere in the world was nearly as wild as this island was… Dangerous pirates lurking everywhere, prostitutes, drunk bastards and all species of scum filled it to the brim, the place was basically a pirate heaven, and the tavern wasn’t going to be any different.
The scent of spilled rum and sweat thickned in the stuffy air, you could feel it passing through your nostrils and filling your lungs—unpleasant at first, but one you’d long since grown accustomed to. The bottle in your hands did wonders to help you ease out your nerves and pay no mind to it.
You watched the saloon’s activities as you absentmindedly sipped on your drink, comfortably sitting on a table in the corner and well hidden from potential threats under the dim flickering candlelight. You could feel the buzz and warmth your drink provided, making you feel content.
You honestly enjoyed the lonely company, the rowdy pirates were always too drunk to even be able to acknowledge your existence. Silently laughing to yourself every now and then as many scenes unfolded before your eyes.
That is, before you noticed a presence approach. Dragging a chair against the wooden floor and sitting right next to you.
You turned your head to glance at the person, meeting dark eyes who seemed just as curious as your own.
The prolonged silence made you raise an eyebrow. “Hello?”
The man just smirked, replying with your name and a small bow of his head.
You nodded at his direction. “Jack Sparrow.”
You’d certainly recognized him, how could you not? An infamous figure between pirates like yourself.
“Captain.” He was quick to correct.
“Right. Captain Jack Sparrow.” You replied, slightly unsurprised with his antics.
Jack leaned back in his chair, draping one arm over the backrest like he belonged there. “See? Much better. Rolls off the tongue, don’t it, doll?”
“If you say so.” You shrugged, not wanting to engage in this conversation any further and returning to your previous activities.
The peace didn’t last long once again as the bottle of rum you’ve been sipping on was snatched off of your hands. Sparrow took a long swig of it before cracking a charming grin towards you.
“Now, I don’t mean to impose anything, but rumor has it you’re rather good at knowin’ things before they’re known.” He stated, gesturing vaguely, his rings catching the dim candlelight.
This made you raise your eyebrows again, just what was he talking about?
“And, as luck would have it, I find myself in a rather unfortunate predicament that requires a bit of… foresight.” He leaned slightly closer as he talked through narrowed eyes. “You wouldn’t happen to have seen anything—say, something of mine—wanderin’ off in the wrong hands, would you?”
You frowned, leaning back into your seat. “Didn’t take you for the type to seek out a fortune teller, Sparrow.”
“Captain Sparrow, love. And normally I wouldn’t, but like I said, luck and I seem to be in a bit of a disagreement at the moment.” He tilted his head as if gauging whether you’ll play along.
“Is that so?” You copied his motion, tilting your head and crossing your legs. He nodded in reply.
“Then I am very sorry for you, but you’ll have to seek out another fortune teller to help you with this.”
“Why?”
“Because I do not engage in this sort of thing anymore.” You snatched the bottle of rum back from him.
“Why not?” He frowned in confusion.
You paused before taking a sip, there was no reason not to. “Because… I don’t?” You replied, gesturing with your hands.
“C’on, darling, won’t you help out a poor soul?” He pleaded, leaning closer to you.
You pondered for a few seconds before sighing. “Let me guess… Your compass?”
Jack’s smirked, flashing gold between his teeth. “Knew I came to the right person.”
“Well… Buy another one?” You replied, vaguely gesturing in the air as you pointed the obvious.
“I can’t.” He replied.
“Why not?” You furrowed your brows in confusion.
Jack leaned back slightly, waving a ringed finger in the air. “Ah, I could get another compass—easily, in fact. But this one… this one is special.”
You scoffed. “Special?”
Jack clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “Not just any compass, love. This particular beauty doesn’t point north—it points to what I want most.” He tapped a finger against his chest, as if that would somehow clarify things.”That’s why I need me compass back.”
“You had a magical compass?” You stared at him for a moment, unimpressed. “And you just… lost it?”
Jack looked vaguely offended. “It was misplaced,” he corrected, then muttered under his breath, “Or stolen, but that’s beside the point.”
You sighed, setting your drink down with a quiet thud. “And you expect me to just know where it is?”
Jack leaned in slightly, voice lowering. “Well, that is the general idea, aye.” He tucked a strand of your hair behind your ears. “Isn’t that your job, love?”
“Not anymore.” You corrected with a groan. You held his gaze for a moment, fingers tracing patterns in the condensation on your glass as you thought about it.
“What do I get in return?”
Jack’s smirk widened even more. “Ah, now we’re talkin’.” He straightened, adjusting his coat like he had all the leverage in the world. “A favor from Captain Jack Sparrow. And trust me, love, those are in very high demand.”
You raised an eyebrow as a laugh threatened to leave your throat, you still felt skeptical about it, but couldn’t help but to find it amusing.
“Oh yeah? What assures me that you will keep your word? From what I know, you owe everyone in the Brethren Court—“
“No, no, no, no. Listen to me, dear, that’s an completely different case.” He interrupted, shaking his head and leaning closer with an convincing grin. “I am a man of my word… When it suits me.”
You huffed. “That’s exactly my point.”
He drummed his fingers against the table, then reached for the rum again—but you were quicker, pulling the bottle just out of his reach. His smirk faltered for the briefest second before he let out a slow, thoughtful hum.
“Alright, how ‘bout this? You help me find me compass, and in return… I do you a favor. A proper one. Anything you’d like. No tricks, no loopholes—just good, honest piracy.”
You raised an eyebrow. “That’s an oxymoron.”
Jack pointed at you. “That’s a big word for someone who pretends not to dabble in fortunes anymore.”
Your lips twitched, but you bit back a smirk. He was a clever one.
Jack leaned in again, voice dropping to a whisper. “So? Do we have a deal, love?”
Your fingers tapped absently against the bottle as you considered it. Helping him find the compass wouldn’t be hard—you already had a gut feeling about where it probably was. But considering his fame… working with Jack Sparrow meant stepping into unpredictable waters.
Still… anything you’d like? This could be valuable.
You sighed, with reluctance. “Fine. But you best not make me regret it.”
Jack’s grin was triumphant. He raised his hand as if swearing an oath. “Cross my heart, doll. Now then—where do we start?”