For @urcadelimabean! She mentioned wanting some Flint and Anne interaction and I loved the idea!
James exited his cabin with a sigh, unable to find any sleep this night. The next day would prove hectic with Rackham's rescue and he found himself restless in anticipation.
He started walking the deck, trying to see if stretching his muscles would help when he cam across Anne Bonny leaning against the side of the ship, hat off and long hair rustled by the breeze. He frowned and approached slowly, giving the woman plenty of time to hear him.
Anne turned to glance at him before turning back away, seemly content to ignore his presence. But he could see the way she gripped the railing, knuckles white. The set of her shoulders was tense and strained. Sighing to himself he turned to speak to her.
"We will get Jack back," he muttered, voice low and certain.
Anne sighed and nodded. "I know," she agreed. "It's not just that, things have changed so fucking fast around here," she said. "If we lose Jack, I've got nothing else."
James frowned, eyeing the young woman. They'd all heard stories of her, and her fierce protectiveness of Jack, and now apparently Max. Vane cared for her a great deal as well. He could admit to having a good deal of respect for the woman, even before he respected Charles. He sighed, ran a hand over his face, and turned to look out at the dark ocean.
"I've recently lost the woman I love," he muttered, clearing his throat against the lump that still rose when he thought of Miranda. "She, too, was all I had left in the world. It was utterly devastating. I... know I'm never going to fully recover from this," he sighed. "I won't let the same thing happen to you," he vowed, turning back to face the woman beside him once more.
Anne watched him was a look of surprise on her face. James was struck by how young it made her look, how open. She didn't seem to have anything to say to that, so he simply cleared his throat again and made to push off against the rail. "It's late, you'll need your rest for tomorrow. Try to get some sleep," he ordered.
The young woman nodded and as he made his way back into his cabin he thought he heard a soft thank you coming from a few feet away.
