- An AU where everyone is a pirate. (no magic)
No matter the time of day the crows nest was always in the sun. There was never any shade to hide under when the mid-day heat became too much. Harry’s skin had tanned considerably ever since he’d taken up the position.
Yet he still felt the familiar sting of blistering skin on the back of his neck. Sweat was beading across his brow and his shirt was plastered to his skin. A subtle breeze swept through his hair. The unruly and untidy locks were currently being restrained by a red bandana. The fabric had darkened considerably as his perspiration soaked into it.
He scanned the never ending blue horizon. Blue sky meeting even deeper blue water for miles. Every small dip and sway of the ship was amplified in the crows nest. Any time Harry would change position he’d grip the tip of the mast for support as the world churned beneath him.
Resting his back against the stiff wood of the barrel he peered into the distance his eyes struggling as they made shapes and pictures out of nothing. He rubbed at his eyes and shut them briefly to give them a break from the unyielding blue.
He let out an annoyed huff as he felt someone clambering up the main mast towards the barrel. Two pale hands appeared around the rim of the barrel followed by Draco’s agitating face.
Harry watched with a scowl as Draco hoisted himself up and began to climb into the cramped space. He had half a mind to give him a good hard shove and watch him plummet to the deck below. But alas, he knew better.
“Ahoy, Potter.” Draco sneered, his face bright pink with sun burn,” Snoozing away up here while the rest of the crew does the real work, eh?”
“At least I’m doing my job. Unless... You haven’t already fumbled your new position, have you?” Harry feigned mock concern.
Draco’s lip curled back in anger,” Please, you weren’t even a scallywag until a few months ago. Stop acting like you’re so much better than me.”
Harry grit his teeth,” Stop calling me that. Have you ever considered that I am just naturally better than you? Hmm?”
“Better at what? Standing around all day doing nothing? Why don’t you take a turn at scrubbing the decks like the rest of us? Anybody can sit up here and stare into the distance, you’re not impressing anyone.”
“Well, anyone but you. Apparently.” Harry knew he was close to getting decked in the face but he really enjoyed the look on Draco’s face.
“You bring that up one more time and you’ll be spitting teeth, savvy?” His jawbone was clearly evident beneath his skin as he ground his teeth together, eyes glaring.
That look. That look right there is what he lived and breathed for.
Harry’s grin only widened as he nodded,” If you wanted to relieve me of my duty so badly all you had to do was ask.”
Before Draco could respond he swung his legs over the side of the barrel and began to shimmy down the mast.
He wasn’t allowed to leave the crows nest until someone came up to replace him. Normally he wouldn’t leave his replacement up in the hot sun for more than thirty minutes but he kind of wanted to see just how red Draco would get. Since he wouldn’t be able to come down until Harry came back up.
The captain wanted the barrel manned at all times.
Unlike Harry, Draco’s skin refused to tan and burned profusely. At least on the deck you could hide in the shade of the sails during the heat of the day.
He’d made it halfway down the mast before Draco had come to his senses and his face appeared over the rim of barrel,” Potter! Get back up here right now!”
He simply snorted and descended until his feet hit the wood of the deck. As he made his way into the cool protection of the shade he could hear Malfoy screaming at him,” You filthy fucking bilgesucker! You better watch your back! You hear me?!”
Harry can’t help but be overcome with laughter. He knew Malfoy probably meant what he was saying but the whole situation was kind of his own fault.
He also knew he should leave it alone and stop adding fuel to the fire but that wasn’t about to stop him from shouting back,” Guess you should’ve brought your hat! Oh, wait...”
Every six months they would make port to restock and Malfoy had bought himself a very expensive sleek black hat with an ostrich feather stuck in the left side. Once they had returned to the ship Harry had promptly ripped the hat from his head and flung it into the ocean. It had earned him a black eye but it was so worth it.
Besides, Malfoy had totally deserved it. His first month aboard the ship Malfoy had stolen his only pair of work clothes and dropped them into the sea. He’d been forced to run about in only his undergarments for six months.
Draco’s screaming increased in ferocity and volume.
Harry made a spectacle out of waving and spun around dramatically as he headed to the stern of the ship to get some water. His mouth was dry and scratchy and his throat burned every time he swallowed. He really did need a break from the sun this just gave him the perfect opportunity.
The water onboard was never cold. You’d be lucky if it was just warm. But still, it was water and when you’d gone all day in the blazing sun without any it was fucking delicious.
The only problem was trying to get back into the crows nest without Malfoy killing him. He had the means to Harry just hoped he wasn’t stupid enough to actually do it. But then again, Harry also had a pistol tucked securely against his waistband.
Harry had a feeling that Malfoy wouldn’t retaliate yet though. He’d wait and bide his time. That way Harry would never know when or what he would do to get back at him.
It wasn’t much different than how Harry normally lived. Draco would always find a way to cause him misery. Even if he had to go out of his way to do it Malfoy would make sure he ruined Harry’s day.
Harry just didn’t know why. Ever since he’d joined their crew Malfoy had hated him. He didn’t treat any of the other crew this way. So why him?
