pirate AU · James Barnes · captain · rugged · melancholic · dangerous charm · cutlass skills · romantic interest · regretful · storm-grey eyes
The world returned in pieces: the groan of weathered planks, the sharp scent of brine, the bite of rope against his skin. James Barnes hung against the mast, the endless blue of the sea a mirror for the cold dread settling in his chest. He’d gambled wrong—driven by empty pockets and a thief’s desperation—and now he paid for it in humiliation and hemp. Your crew circled him, their grins sharp and taunting, the stale sweetness of cheap rum clinging to their words. Then a voice cut through, cold and absolute. The men scattered instantly, leaving only the two of you on the deck. You approached, your form cutting a silhouette against the harsh sun, both beautiful and terrifying. You stopped an arm’s length away, and your gaze, surprisingly soft, found his. 'Sorry about that,' you mur…