Pairing: Francis Drake x MC (Half-vampire)
Part of : Ikevamp 7th anniversary hosted by @yanderepuck
Tag: Hurt/Comfort Trust issues Fluff Realization of feelings First Kiss
Author’s Note: A simple date become so much more as feelings resurface as trust wax and wane like a tide culminating in a triumph of love. 🥰
@kissmetwicekissmedeadly @aquagirl1978
@william-rex @writingwhimsey
@fang-and-feather @moonstruckmelancholic
@lichtluv @wistfulwanderingone
@rjthirsty @ike-garden2024
You can find me on AO3 as QueenJuliet 😊
Thank you for everyone who will like, reblog, or comment please be gentle with me english is not my first language so please do not leave rude comments I apologise for eventual errors I hope you will like it 😊
It was such a wonderful day, not a cloud on the horizon dwelled in the clear blue sky above, a smoldering sun shone high and bright since dawn while birds chirped happily between the vegetation.
The slow lulling rhythm of the waves lapping at the shore and the frizzy breeze of the river completed the picture as Francis walked down the street hand in hand with her.
The long slow cruise down the Seine he brought her in was filled with laughter as they chatted up about everything and nothing.
As ever he was on the water he felt comfortable, an invincible captain that so many of friends and foes alike praised him … yet nothing of that praise touched him more than the amazed gaze of his little fawn, looking at him like he was the goddess of the sea personified.
It was exactly like that he felt each time she sat on his cruise with him, weaving words of admiration about him so skillfully she could have almost sewed him a cape for the silver tongue she had.
“You see Francis I must confess I enjoy being with you.”
“As I do my little fawn.”
The sun had long left space for the moon who now hung in the sky when they returned to the harbor, the stars glimmered happily reflected in the river’s darkened waters making the atmosphere all the more magical.
“You see my fawn, I have a confession to make to you.”
“Oh Francis, I hope you didn't mind me chatting so much.”
“Because you see I am quite smitten with you.”
“What I am saying is that I love you.”
“Oh Francis I love you too.”
The kiss that followed should have been sweet and soft … a bit less soft and perfumed though.
The scent invaded his nostrils … her scent.
It was unmistakeable … sweet and tender.
Impossible to confound with anything else her perfume was …
With a startle Francis pulled away from his pillow hitting his hand on the covers in frustration with a groan of rage.
Another one of his dreams including her.
To state he was smitten would have been an understatement.
He was madly in love with her.
He had to tell her or he risked going mad for real.
Ah how he would have liked to know how to ask her out on a date, he could have seeked help from some of his friends from the mansion but immediately shook his head.
He was Francis Drake, proud privateer of the Royal Navy, nor the sea nor war has ever tamed him; he wouldn't have stoop so low as to ask anyone for help.
He wouldn't have bent to trust someone, not even for the girl that had stolen his heart.
Ah what a good little pirate she was too to steal the bounty from a privateer with his name was indeed laughable.
A smile danced on his lips, determination began to burn in his heart as with resolve Francis got up from the bed, wasting no time washing up and getting ready for the day with a boast he stomped out in the parlour announcing.
“I will ask my little fawn out today ?”
Galileo's aloof answer didn’t dampen Francis' spirit because a moment later he pointed his finger at him.
“And you are going to help me ?”
His companion's curt reply didn't stop Francis from approaching him though.
“You only need to sit comfortably and hear me alright ?”
“I suppose you won't accept a no.”
Galielo sighed in resignation, slumping his back on the soft cushions of the sofa he crossed his fingers on his lap looking up at his friend.
“Feel free to give me your opinion on how I am doing. I would like nothing more for my proposal to be perfect.”
“You are asking her out on a date not proposing an engagement.”
“Still everything must be perfect for her.”
Galileo looked down at his dog sharing the same dejected expression as him, gently patting the place on the couch next to him smiling as Sidereus obediently sat next to him, wagging his tail as he dived his finger to caress its soft fur.
“Little fawn can we go out ?”
“It sound like you are asking Sidereus to go to the park”
The dog in question barked, as if agreeing with his owner's opinion.
A groan left Francis lips
“Absolutely not, that is your date. I can't invent something in your place.”
“Geez calm down, I haven't asked you to take me on a tour of the world.”
“Good idea because I wouldn't have.”
“But you will bring your lover.”
“I won't patch you up and don't ask my lover either.”
Another sigh rolled from the privateer's lips.
“Do you want to go out with me ?”
“Yes in a tour of the less respectable taverns in the city.” Galileo answered by taking up a book on the table only to read the plot on the cover and place it back with a scoff.
“Would you mind taking a drink with me?”
In a gesture Francis learnt its hidden meaning from his friend's explanation, Galileo flapped his fingers back and forth, before switching to move them fast to the left and to the right toward the door.
“What do you say about a night out?”
“What do you say about leaving me alone ?”
Galileo asked back, a smile on his lips as he gazed fondly at Sidereus yapping happily as he rubbed his soft furry belly.
“Damn it Galileo you are not making it easy for me.”
“It isn't my fault your lines are awful, work on yourself better.”
“Would you like to go on a date with me, my little fawn?”
“To be your first time asking someone out is pretty decent.”
"Let's hope she won't ditch you mid date.”
Francis simply smiled at him.
I don’t see her doing it.
In a melodramatic manner he donned his cape before waving off at Galileo sauntering out of the door.
The capital was quite crowded, nothing different from the English one, though the call of the water never failed to attract him in fact even through the maze of roads and alley Francis managed to find the river in time to the little fawn wandering around the shore.
“Good afternoon little fawn.”
“Good afternoon to you Francis.”
“It is such a good day for a cruise, don't you think.”
The moment was perfect, the tourists had just boarded a cruise leaving them alone on the sidewalk.
Francis mustered all his courage, filling his lungs with the fresh air of the river before looking straight into her colorful eyes.
“Would you like to go on a date with me?”
Francis did his best to be nonchalant about the whole thing while his heart instead was beating like crazy, he waited with bathed breath for her answer, almost panicking as she opened her pretty lips.
“Nothing more than bringing you on a great boat trip around Paris.”
The confusion in her eyes told him maybe she didn't feel the same kind of affection, maybe she didn't even think of him as a friend.
In a desperate attempt to catch her attention and elicit a positive answer Francis patted the ship’s candid flank.
“It will be fun, trust me.”
Naive as she was, he was confident she had blind faith in him.
Her voice was less excited than he hoped for it to be.
But he had other concerns.
Especially because as he approached her she pulled back.
The signs of the scars of a betrayal.
And blind he was to have not noticed before there was a reason why she kept anyone at arm’s length.
A reason that had little to do with her timid demeanour and much more to do with the fear she had of placing her trust on someone else … again.
His charming mask sliding off as he took her hand in his, there was worry in his gaze as he peered at her.
“You don't have to come with me if you don't want to.”
Sure the sun returned to her smile as she squeezed his hand back lightly looking up at him, a hint of insecurity still, swam in her irises but the excitement in them was much brighter.
Then off we go, to sail toward our trip.
Francis' smile returned as he hoped on the boat helping her on before making all the adjustment to finally set off on their date.
The waves opened to greet the boat sailing between them, the seagulls screeched waving at the clouds as they flew high in front of the sun burning bright on the scene, glimmer of lights played hide and seek between the veils of water while little curious fireflies buzzed around the shores of the river.
His very own nymph laying against the pillow of the boat idly playing with her hand in the water splashing him from time to time.
It seemed she had lowered her guard.
There was genuine mirth in her eyes as she laughed and he swore she had never looked more beautiful.
Happy and free smiling at him with her cheeks flushed and her hat keeping her soft hair in order as the ribbon lazily billowed in the wind brushing through her curls.
The sun reflected in her gorgeous eyes of that peculiar colour that never failed to amaze him as she gazed at him and a gentle smile on her lips.
She was made of the same things dreams were made of.
Magic, happiness, a sprinkle of naivete and a carefree innocence.
All things Francis never knew but damned he wanted to know more of … together with her.
His heart skipped faster.
Faster than the boat fearlessly sailing the waves as if it was part of the river itself.
The droplets of water splashed on his cheeks, the familiar sensation of the wind through his white locks made him smile.
Francis never considered England his home.
But now in Paris centuries apart from his period
With that peculiar dhampir girl born from pureblood parents whose families liked to mingle with humans and the likes.
Francis felt he had finally come home.
His heart was an ocean of affection.
Waves overlapping his scars that like signs on the sand faded away under the wave of love.
His safe harbor in a storm.
His lighthouse in the dark sea.
Francis' light blue eyes crinkled with affection as he gazed at her, she was bright like the sun laughing as the rivers droplets splashed on her pretty face and the frills of her dress danced around her moved by the breeze, while her unruly locks tickled her nose.
If only he could trust her with his heart.
If only she could trust him with her heart.
More like a mirage created by a mermaid to guide men towards their demise.
“How are you faring my little fawn?”
Francis' voice took her off guard, her smile though was not less shining as she looked at him.
His tone was light but the anxiety he felt was nothing to scoff at, his heart was beating madly as he waited for her answer.
“Yes …. I must admit you were right.”
A sigh left his lips curling in a smug smirk as he focused his gaze on her.
They both bursted out laughing.
Her laugh a crystal wind chime singing in the wind
Enough to mesmerise him and make him lose his mind and composure altogether.
Francis’ love waxed and waned like the ocean tides were ruled by the moon, his were ruled by her moods.
The feelings he had in his chest greater and more turbulent than the ocean itself
A feeling harboured in his heart for her alone.
Rare like a lone flower in the desert and as beautiful as sunrays reflecting on the sea.
The one who guided him through the maze of his scars toward mysterious places made of feelings and happiness.
Francis savored them like a thirsty man with fresh water, an hungry man with a banquet.
To her he looked upon for directions.
He who took pride in his independence found himself compiled to follow a route mapped from her.
The only one that sparkled in the night sky showed him the way. Still there in the morning melted among the sparkling light of the sun, whose rays chased the waves on the surface of the sea.
Her colorful eyes crinkled as they gazed at him glimmering with love, a soft smile on her lips so full of hope.
It would have been the perfect occasion for a confession.
He was about to stop rowing only to take her hand and confess a feeling that so long had him wrapped around her fingers.
Yet a moment later a chagrined cloud darkened her gaze souring her smile.
With a sigh her gaze fell upon her lap as her fingers fidgeted with the trim of her skirt.
The sign of someone who burned once got scared from the fire.
“Are you alright little fawn?”
She nodded, keeping her eyes down.
“Do you know if you need a heads up you can talk to me.” Francis turned to look at her, rowing slower waiting for her answer.
“I promise you can trust me.”
Too bold for the garish light of day more suited would have been to be whispered in the dark of the night where hearts can bond and mistakes can be mended.
The heartbreaking expression in her eyes was the push that Francis needed to stop rowing, in a rush he threw an anchor in the river and ran to her side.
“You don't have to force yourself.”
He sat in front of her, bending his head to look at her eyes.
“I wish I could trust you Francis so much.”
His voice was firm as he declared that, while his fingers wrapped so gently around her hands almost to protect them.
His tone had a softer edge to it, something she desperately wanted to believe in.
“Because I know how much it hurts betrayal.”
Francis wrapped his arms around her waist, his hand kept her head on his chest caressing her curls as the other went to rub circles on her back.
She huddled in his embrace nuzzling her nose in his broad chest.
It was something little and yet it moved him to the core pushing him to tighten his grip around her in an attempt to protect her from her own demons.
Oh the way she pronounced his name.
Like he was something good.
Someone worthy of affection.
His rough fingers were unbearably gentle as he raised her face gazing into her eyes.
So vulnerable and innocent.
So long ago he forgot even how it felt like to rely on someone.
Maybe because he never had the luxury of having someone to rely on, heartedly.
“I will never do anything to hurt you.”
She raised her head on his shoulder while her fingers clinged tightly to his shirt, letting the cape wrapped around them both warm her up from the frizzy breeze of the evening.
“I swore it on my life.” That phrase caught her attention.
As a switch has been activated she pulled away looking at him, disbelief in her gaze as she peered in his blue eyes reading in them nothing but honesty.
“And if I ever do something that wounds you, betray me and I will gladly take the bullet for you.”
There was something electric in those words and in the way he looked at her straight in the eyes as he pronounced his vow.
“I am serious my little I won’t joke around feelings.”
Francis brought one of her hands to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on its back before entwining their fingers together.
“I …think I may give it a try.”
“It's better than nothing.”
“You may trust me too, Francis.”
His eyes obscured for a fraction looking scary and mysterious like the unexplored depth of the ocean.
But the clouds got brushed away from her fingers gently caressing his cheeks, taming the raging stormy sea in his eyes until they returned to the aquamarine calm sea she loved so much.
“I don't want to hurt you nor I plan to do anything that may wound you.” It was her turn to squeeze his hand in her, gently sliding her thumb on his palm.
“I won’t betray you either Francis”
Oh how long he yearned to hear them.
How much he wanted to trust those words.
Her eyes were so clear and honest.
But for once he would have tried to be the kind of man she could have been proud and worthy of.
Even the words stuck in his throat.
Yet she deserved to hear them.
It was laughable that he who had met and conquered storms and naval battles was now scared of telling such a simple phrase to his lover.
“I will do my best to trust you, my fawn.”
A bright, purer than the sun culled on her lips as she shifted closer to him.
She stood her pinky finger toward him.
The only one he would have kept.
He hooked his pinky finger with her own.
Basking in the radiant smile on her face.
After a while he used to collect all his courage Francis spoke once more.
“Now that this is settled I have something to tell you.”
He took her face once more, brushing his fingers on the apple of cheeks.
They were so soft and red he wondered if they would have tasted as sweet as the imagined theme … or even sweeter.
“Mind you because I am telling this only once and only to you.”
He pressed his lips to hers. It was a soft gentle kiss enough to take her breath away, reluctantly he pulled away only to admire her eyes widened and glimmering with emotions as she looked at him.
Another kiss on her forehead
His soft confession moved her to the core.
“I plan to take good care of you so will you let me steal you away?”
She lowered her head to conceal her blush, before looking once more in those blue eyes so full of affection to fill her heart with the smouldering warmth of his love.
“Yes a thousand times yes.”
She reached to place a soft kiss of her own on his lips, a satisfied expression on her features as she saw a light blush spread on his cheek once they pulled away from one another with most reluctance.
“Good to know that because you see pirates aren't really generous when it means giving away their bounty and I, my dear, am no exception.”
“I am immensely happy to hear that.”
She reached to brush her nose on his, reveling in the carefree smile curling on his lips.
“Whisk me away, my captain, to travel around the world and beyond.”
“With the greatest pleasure.”
A smug smirk danced on his lips as he stood up once more on the boat taking on the row, winking at her as he adjusted his hat, his finger curling on the feathers as he basked in her giggles.
What a crazy deal people made when in love.
But they would have done their best to be worthy of one another.
That was the promise they made and for once in all their lives they wanted to believe in it so strongly to smother any insecurities.
He said to trust him and she believed him it was now his turn to believe her words and trust her.
Her honesty and happiness clear in her gaze as she looked up at him nuzzling playfully in the crook of her neck before leaving a soft kiss on her skin making her giggle, before raising up his lips to melt on hers once more in a sweet slow kiss they parted reluctantly only to stare at one another with fond smiles.
