Kidnapped (Arthur and Francis)

[Francis Bonnefoy]

It did not take long for Francis to recognize the familiar story as his and Arthur's. As their story unfolded, tears began to gather in his eyes. He had never expected this; it was a shock to find himself portrayed in a different light, as if he were truly noble and heroic.

At that moment, it didn't matter whether he was or wasn't, only that Arthur saw him in that way.

When Arthur's last words drifted away, Francis couldn't speak. There was a lump in his throat and more than a million thoughts fought to surface in his mind.

"I - " He swallowed with difficulty, a few tears escaping down his cheeks. "Arthur..."

[Cpt. Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur slowly sat up, and as soon as he glanced at Francis and noted his expression and reaction he flushed even more, a bit panicked.

"I-- er--- bloody hell, don't cry--" He remarked, shuffling away a little. "I-I was just telling it to children, I---"

Though he couldn't quite bring up an excuse that he was making everything up. Because he wasn't, and he knew he wasn't. He sighs.

"I'm still bitter over all of your actions because I can't handle anyone actually being that kind to me without expecting payment or being purposely shallow about it. That is why I act so distant and shielded against you. I can't lose the image of you. I can't let you have the chance to -- hah -- actually hurt me--" He burbles, not quite sure where all this truth and insight has come from. He can feel himself panicking a little, though.

"I-I, er--"

[Francis Bonnefoy]

Francis shook his head, taking a deep, shuddering breath. He reached out and silenced Arthur with a hand on Arthur's lips. He continued to stare at Arthur, but his wondrous expression dissolved into confusion and sadness.

"Is that what you really think of me?" he asked thickly. "Arthur, I don't understand. You want to see me as something like a selfless hero, but you don't want to be with me because I can hurt you?"

He blinked back his tears, trying to regain his composure with little success. "I can never hurt you, even if I tried to. Because in the end...I will always remember how much you mean to me."

With a sigh, he pushed himself to sit up straight and look Arthur in the eye. "You said it yourself: not everyone will hurt you. Many are willing to help and love you. If only you'll let them."

[Cpt. Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur can only blink at the other as they speak, but as he sits up, Arthur sighs and looks out at the cabin before him. He draws his knees to his chest, resting his chin on them. Downcast.

"I don't know. I don't know how to. You know what? I didn't realise I was under guard. I guess I always had it but it completely closed up when that sodding boy left me. The thing that made me realise how walled up I was making myself was you." There's a slight sniff. "It's barely affordable to do otherwise as a Pirate, anyway."

[Francis Bonnefoy]

Now Francis was curious. Arthur had mentioned this "boy" a few times before. Just who was this boy, and how did he break Arthur's heart? Had Arthur loved him fiercely?

A hot surge of anger and jealousy spiked up in Francis, but he quashed it down. Since Arthur never fully explained, Francis couldn't yet judge. But Francis still felt protective over the pirate.

He tentatively placed his arm around Arthur's shoulders, drawing the pirate close. With his free hand, he took Arthur's and held it lightly, giving Arthur the chance to pull away.

"What happened? With this...boy?"

[Cpt. Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur barely seemed to notice. He seemed to distance mentally, and just sighed at the air in front of him.

"I became Captain of this ship at age 17, by killing my old captain, and destroying a military and Ruthian ship. Not long after, we found a boy, 14 years old, in the cargo area. We deduced he'd been from one of the ships that had been crashed. I wanted to just dump him when we landed. I didn't want a lad to suffer like I did on a Pirate ship. He reminded me too much of me -- and he probably still had some family left. He seemed pretty well endowed. However, he was having none of it. He went again and again and complained and insisted and would not leave the ship. Practically blackmailed me into keeping him.

He became my Cabin boy. I grew fond of him. He became... well, like a son to me. I taught him the ways, how to look after himself, that sort of thing. Incredible mind for inventing. Very clever, if rather obnoxious. He.. he really liked me back. At least, I thought so. He actually called me...

Uhm. Either way, he stuck around till he was about 17 himself, me 21. Then, one day.. he just... vanished. We had been having a few arguments, but one day, while we were docked, he just got up early one morning, and vanished without a trace. All of his stuff was gone. I went into tpwn and looked for him for... for a long time. I.. couldn't find him. It'd been clear he'd abandoned. Just.. left."

He tenses.

"Wouldn't come out of my cabin for a few days after. Didn't run into him until a couple of months ago. Turns out he's Head inventor of the Ruthians now."

He scowls.

"Ungrateful bastard."

[Francis Bonnefoy]

Francis was caught in a storm of emotions: sorrow, for Arthur's pain and hopelessness; anger, at the person Arthur counted as family and still left and scarred Arthur; and relief, over Arthur's honesty and willingness to trust Francis with the truth.

Without realizing it, he held Arthur closer and pressed his lips into Arthur's hair. At the moment, it was all he felt he could do, no matter how much he wanted to stop Arthur from feeling the sting of abandonment.

"I'm sure you still have a large place in his heart," began Francis soothingly. "But your paths took you in different directions. That does not mean he did not love you." He sighed. "Don't worry. Everything will fall into place and turn out fine."

[Cpt. Arthur Kirkland]

"Yeah, Yeah. Alfred always was an obnoxious brat." He mutters, moving away from Francis to stand up. He looks at the clock on the wall.

"Do you want that tea or not? I would advise that you should leave relatively soon; you've been missing for at least two days. There will be rumours all over."

He tilts his head.

"If someone's smart enough I could end up a target."

[Francis Bonnefoy]

Francis mourned the loss of Arthur's warmth against him, and he regarded the pirate with a hint of reproach. Groaning inwardly at Arthur's reminder, he slumped down on the bed, suddenly drained at the thought of home.

"I've been gone much longer than two days," said Francis wryly. "It doesn't matter where I disappeared off to or for how long. All that matters is that I give them a good show."

He tried for a dismissive smile, but it looked more weary than anything. There was so much he wanted to do, and it could not happen in Granor. He wanted to teach the nobles a lesson. He wanted to escape the hypocrisy, scandals, and corruption in the city. He wanted his privacy. He wanted Arthur by his side. But most of all, he wanted to stay on the ship with Arthur.

[Cpt. Arthur Kirkland]

Arthur can only sigh.

"You give them what you need to give them in order to achieve your means," he reminds. "Even if that means wagging your tails to them like a little puppy. You have to put on a show to bring them down, Francis. I use cloak and dagger tactics. You bloody put on the frills."

And he smirks.

"And I couldn't imagine anyone else better at it. Now, don't give yourself a chance to let all that hard work fall into ruin. ... Please. I-I mean, then it'll just be up to bloody me to get rid of them, won't it? And I doubt you'd like that." He remarks. His expression sobers.

"If it's because you don't want to leave, I'll make a promise with you. No more running. You don't deserve that from me. Not anymore."