i was rooting for you, mate

Elizabeth has a crush on the blacksmith's apprentice. Her mother has a few mercenary words with her. ✦ potc au, 1.5k words

“If there is an accusation to be made, I would appreciate your typical candor,” Elizabeth says smoothly.

Fine, then. Elizabeth graciously allows Penny the first salvo. “Dally with the boy if you must,” she says with a sniff, “but remember the pressure you exert, dear Eliza. Not only on society here in Port Royal, but on the boy himself.”

Elizabeth colors in surprise. “What did you say?”

“Which part?” Penny counts on her fingers. “Society, pressure—”

“The first part.”

“Dalliance? Sometimes, infatuation can be solved as simply as that.”

“Infatuation?” Elizabeth asks.

Penny inclines her head. “You asked for my candor.”

Bad Luck

James frowned and looked over at Gibbs, wondering if he was trying to be helpful or if he just liked to hear himself talk—or both. The man had always been a talker, a compelling storyteller, and rarely missed a chance to share a tall tale. “But it was only a chapter,” Gibbs continued. “Turns out I’ve got a knack for matchmaking. If someone’s looking for a crew, or a carpenter or a fine navigator, or what have you, he comes to me first and I’ll put him in touch with the right man for the job. Found my way again. Gave myself a new purpose, you know?” James still just frowned. Gibbs sighed and leaned back against the railing, then pulled out a flask and took a small drink from it. James caught himself eyeing the flask, and his body ached for a taste of rum with renewed fervor. He looked quickly away, but not before Gibbs noticed his lingering gaze. “You sure you don’t want some?” Gibbs asked. “Seems you’ve gotten used to having your fill of the stuff, and like I said, we’ve got plenty.” James shook his head. “It wasn’t always like last night,” he said. He had quickly learned that his days were much more tolerable when he didn’t wake up with a ruthless headache after spending half the night puking in a gutter—or off the pier. “I’m not that far gone. I intend to break this horrid habit.” Gibbs shrugged and put the flask away, then looked up at the sails with a slight frown. “Wind’s picking up.”

. our Captain of Sorrows . [insp]

[ ko-fi / full res download ]

details:

Some self indulgent norribeth -- finished the rendering for practice.

i admit i am not the most prolific reader of fic, particularly when it involves characters i'm writing! so i am perhaps not a great authority in this matter.

but! here are a few! in no particular order:

the vain title take Of lord of thee, and arbiter of war - by tortoiseshells (rated t, 6k words) (not really romantic in the traditional sense but god do i think about this one so much)

hold me like no other by bowditch (rated t, 4k words) (this one is cheating bc it was a birthday present but it makes me insane every time alright)

Here is a truth (here is another truth) by deweydecibelsystem (rated m, 2k words)

the things you do for love will come back to you one by one by rosehips (rated t, 44k words)

calluses by kuryakin (rated g, 1.6k words)