Chapter Text
In hindsight- she should have been paying attention when she walked into the first mate’s cabin. And really should have knocked. Morgana did have manners unlike her ass of a brother.
“Oh Gods!” It was silent as the door slammed shut behind her stunned form. Perhaps not the most appropriate thing to say, barging into someone’s private moment. In her defense she was in shock, Merlin was most definitely not in a condition to be receiving any person.
“Shit- sorry.” She floundered awkwardly- turning her entire body to face another direction, refusing to cover her eyes like a petulant child. Morgana shuffled from one booted foot to another, and heard him quickly shifting his cotton clothes as he stood. Licking her chapped lips in a nervous manner the woman clasped her hands behind her back, feeling the cool silver rings against her hot flesh.
The second mate had accidentally walked in on Merlin… what did her brother call it- oh yes ‘helping himself’. She turned red from the embarrassment, her entire body ceasing to function under the weight of seeing her superior so exposed. In truth Morgana was also worried about a possible punishment, she had intruded her superior’s personal space. Nothing too drastic- probably cleaning the kitchens… where as if Merlin had barged into her room it would have earned him a serious throttling.
Hearing the floorboards creak as the first mate stood caused her to question herself as to why she had not already fled to the helm- and tell Arthur to sod off. Arthur… the second in command gritted her teeth.
~
“Morgana.” The Captain called down to his sister, who was adjusting the cannon which had given them some form of a fit in a previous naval battle. The dark haired woman stood, wiping her grease stained hands on her thick trousers.
Looking up to her brother, she shielded her eyes. “Yes Captain?” The golden haired leader currently squinted through his fine monocular Morgana had given him as a name day present.
He waved briefly at her, and she ascended the stairs quickly to stand next to her half sibling. “Do tell me exactly where my useless excuse of a first mate is?”
Scoffing the woman crossed her arms. “How am I supposed to know?” For a long amount of time, Morgana had held a grudge against the pale man for taking the position of first mate. But as the year had worn on, she had come to respect his higher position. But oh- how she had tormented Merlin in an endless fashion. She had challenged him to practice every day, tripping him when he walked near her (not her finest moment). But they had always carried on sharp and witty banter that seemed as if it would never end.
“Well…” Arthur began, “…the way you two carry on, I would assume you’d know where he is at every moment.” He pulled the golden object down, shirt billowing in the wind some- a smirk played across his face.
“W-What?” She asked flustered, her pitch rising a bit high. “How do we ‘carry on’ Arthur?” the second mate asked, feigning confusion. Just as the tosser was about to open his mouth- Morgana held up a hand.
“Don’t answer. I can find him, what do you need him for?”
She really wanted to punch the smug look right off his face. The last time she had done that, the Captain had forced her to give him bedside manner. “We are to make port soon, I’m sure he will wish to be on deck should anything of consequence occurs.”
As he stood tall, Morgana was reminded of their proper upbringing. Uther thought them dead- it made her snort before pausing. “This isn’t Tortuga.” She said carefully, not many ports allowed for pirates. Thankfully they had only recently taken down their black flag.
“It is not dear Sister.” Arthur exaggerated, “Your powers of observation are unparalleled…” seeing her pointed look, he continued in fear of her fist. “We need supplies and information not available to us in Tortuga.”
For the moment, the Lady Morgana took his word in a serious manner before taking pause. No she recognized the land mass they rapidly approached. This was the island where the maid Guinevere had been employed… her eyes narrowed but chose to say nothing. The girl was sweet, but hated pirates. Then again- were they really pirates? They sailed with no colors, and occasionally looted a vessel… Morgana shook the thoughts from her head as she nodded to the Captain before making her way down to the deck in search of Merlin.
As she walked through the kitchen’s and small infirmary- the second mate pondered on the mysterious man who had saved the two of them from another pirate ship. He had been the Captain of a much smaller crew and vessel, where they had been on a voyage to visit their father in the Americas. They were nobility, and apparently much more valuable than either had thought until the attacking pirates had discovered their name.
In the middle of the fight, Morgana’s skirts had been torn into tatters when a large man cornered her as she brandished a small dagger. As he lunged, she did as well. Unfortunately her dress was ruined, as blood covered the entire front. It was then the dark haired woman had looked up to see the Commander of the vessel be stabbed, and a sword at Arthur’s throat. Her breath caught, with such a pathetic crew they would both be killed.
If she were truthful, Morgana would admit that what happened next was a bit of a blur. Somehow another vessel had come up on the fight, joining to defend theirs. That’s when she had seen Merlin for the first time- wearing the most ridiculous hat. Though she’d never tell him nor Arthur she thought it looked especially attractive on him.
From there their situation had simultaneously improved and deteriorated. They gained a new family, vessel and clothes. But she would be lying if she didn’t prefer breaches to the cumbersome gowns. Sighing Morgana shoved open the doors to the brig. That left his chambers, which were up a large amount of stairs. Quickly climbing them, the second mate pondered their visit to the island. In a way she was thankful Arthur had decided on the Port containing Gwen- instead of Tortuga.
She loathed that wretched place. Sure, the men were allowed to whore and drink their way through the night and into morn. The women were as well- but not her. Captain Arthur had forbid her from letting a man touch her, once a drunkard had done just that and he was nearly murdered by a stumbling Arthur. Never would a man not apart of their crew lay even a helping hand upon her person. All of Tortuga knew, and therefore she did not keep any company as many of the sailing women did.
Then again, Tortuga did have one person she abhorred for reasons she would refuse to speak of on pain of death. Some little mousy girl, was one of the cleaner women there. She was no whore, just a bar maid. And Merlin liked her sweet and kind disposition. Claiming that ‘it was nice to see a woman untouched by the world around her’. That comment had earned him her silence for a week and a half, Morgana had been more upset with herself for letting the first mate’s comment bother her so. Why did his opinion matter to her so?
As she walked over the new wood floors, she adjusted her large leather belt that held her pale blue shirt in place. In time she had found a thin and comfortable corset that women of the lower class used- it proved to be very useful in keeping her put together. Resting her hand on the second, lower slung belt which held her sword- Morgana found his door and rushed in.
“Mer-”
Her form had frozen, green eyes taking in Merlin’s form on his large bed. For a moment she was confused, as to the rather erotic sounds coming from him, then he moaned briefly. His head whipped around so quickly at her intake of breathe, Morgana thought he would have broken his neck. His eyes were wide, staring at her in momentary shock. But she had not gazed into his unfathomably deep eyes, Morgana’s own green gaze fell in embarrassment to his taught arm gripping… oh shit. Her brain lurched to a violent halt.
~
Back in the present, the second mate squeezed her eyes shut in hopes that she might will away the vivid image of his member throbbing. So that is what men spoke to each other about during puberty… it made her wonder if women did the same…
“Morgana?” His voice sounded rough, startling her.
Clearing her throat, Morgana turned to face him with her eyes only meeting his feet. “Arthur told me to inform you that we will be making port soon…” her hands fiddled with the hem of her low cut shirt, “… I am sorry I interrupted you. It was rude.” And possibly scarred her for the rest of her days. What would Arthur say? Nothing. Because each of them enjoyed their dignity far too much.
But it did cause her to wonder exactly why Merlin needed to satisfy himself now. They had not been away a week from Tortuga where she was nearly certain he and his wench had partaken in each other. Were all men that way? Who was he thinking of?
The first mate cleared his throat as well, “It’s ah- alright.” She could see him scratch the back of his head in uncertainty. “Is there any way I can persuade you not to tell Arthur.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, Morgana finally looked up. “No need to ask twice. He’d never leave me alone about it.” Perhaps if she pretended it never happened they could continue.
“Good… why?” Merlin asked, the tone of curiosity and surprise in his voice.
Pretending she hadn’t just seen his most intimate part was not working. “Oh- well I’ve never been with- I mean seen… I…” Morgana flushed anew, heat taking over her chest and ears. “I should go.”
Quickly, the second mate slid past Merlin, her chest brushing against his as Morgana maneuvered away from his desk and his person. As soon as the woman exited the room, she clasped a hand to her eyes- groaning. How Merlin wasn’t embarrassed was beyond her comprehension.
But through the door a very flustered and even more frustrated first mate, kicked over a chair in a mild fit of embarrassment.