Not all treasure is silver and gold - Chapter 3

Chapter 1 - Pirates!
Chapter 2 - Its all true

Chapter 3 - Yes Captain


The smoke from the cigarette hanging from his lips curled around his face, as he stood in the doorway. The contrast of the darkness behind him and the bright sun shining into my eyes shielded his looks from my vision. I could only see his impressive dark silhouette, standing proudly in the misty darkness. It almost felt like a dream.

A nightmare.

The dancing, rising smoke gave him a mysterious, dangerous entry as he stood still on his spot for a moment, tall, slim and intimidating. Inhaling and exhaling slowly as Jussi and Jyrki lowered their balled fists and looked up in surprise. All the other men simply jumped off their seats. In fear or delight, I didn't know.

I heard him take a deep breath. Almost a sigh, before he started to speak. Now calm but stern as he spoke gently with a voice so deep I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rising.

"Jussi, Jyrki, break it up."

Of course they obeyed immediately by distancing themselves from each other, as some of the men giggled softly. The sounds was almost like a distanced, blowing wind.

Finally he took a step into the light, and I felt my racing heart skip a beat.

‘Oh dear.’

My breath got caught in my throat when I took in his entire appearance, from his black leather knee-high boot tops to his black leather tri-corner hat.

He was the ultimate balance between black and white. The darkness of his hair and clothing standing out so perfectly against the whiteness of his skin and teeth. I looked at him with awe and fear as his dark boots passed me slowly, walking towards Jussi and Jyrki without noticing me on the floor.

His back showed me the length of his dark hair that waved elegantly over his shoulders from under his hat. Shoulders that were clad by a black coat that ended just above his knees.

"No fighting with one of your brothers. It’s one of the few rules we have and not that hard to remember. Even for the two of you."

His deep voice sounded amused, as he spoke to Jussi and Jyrki with his back towards me, and with hands placed on his slim waist. His accent was just like the others, somewhat Scandinavian, only more delicate and clear. I had no trouble understanding what he was saying whatsoever.

Less of the roughness and aggressiveness, but all the more deep and intimidating. I felt my skin tightening as goose bumps now covered the skin on my arms.

His whole appearance had something so….untouchable.

All of the men chuckled as Jyrki and Jussi grinned a little shyly a gave each other a friendly swat on the shoulder. The whole tension and excitement the fight had brought was gone as the captain laughed in approval. "Good, but now you can both take the nightshift."

Everyone laughed harder in amusement, as they looked at the pouting faces of Jyrki and Jussi, protesting weakly against the oder.

"What? Captain…"

"It might give you the opportunity to relieve the sexual tension between the two of you. Now you’ve got the deck all to yourselves. I know it would do me a huge favour."

The thundering laughter hurt my ears as the captain made this filthy comment in amusement. Even Jussi and Jyrki laughed sheepishly along with the others as they playfully slapped the captain's arm in embarrassment, redness appearing on their cheeks.

Everyone only had attention for their captain now, looking at him in excitement as they grabbed their new treasures to show off.

"Captain, look what we brought with us. We stole ya everything from that snobby governors ship. Look at this loot."

"Jewellery, clothes, weapons. We can sell this and make a pretty penny eyy?"

All of the men started bragging, showing off their stolen goods as the captain turned around, simply nodding and smiling, looking at the gold and silver with little interest and a sly smile.

Finally I could see his face properly in the sunlight, and I now realized another danger of this man. The reason he was indeed so intimidating. It was the combination of his presence and his features that made him as feared and loved as he was. The stories were true.

He was beautiful. Almost like a woman was beautiful.

His hair, obviously styled by the wind and salt of the sea, curled around his flawless face. Piercing eyes as green as the grass in home’s backyard on a beautiful spring day. Surrounded by a thick, black kohl line drawn around his eyes to protect them from the sun. Sparkling as much as the single tiny golden hoops in his ears.

His skin was hardly tanned and spotless, even though I knew he must be spending hours in the burning sun. His rosy, plump lips curled into a satisfied grin as he looked at his excited crew with that twinkle dancing in his emerald eyes.

And his clothing…Such delicacy, even for a pirate.

His breeches were made from such fine, beautiful black silk that it would have made my father jealous. As was the blood red, wide scarf tied around his slim waist over his black coat.

He carried a pistol, a compass, a map and sword, tucked under his belt that contained a big, almost antique buckle with several red stones decorating it. It was worth a fortune. I could tell by only looking at how it sparkled in the daylight.

Underneath, a black waistcoat that was mostly shielded from my vision by his tailored coat, and under that a low-cut, almost too big, black shirt with long sleeves that ended widely around his hands, which were both wrapped with a piece of black cloth. Only his fingers and a golden ring showed. An antique golden ring with a single red stone.

And he was tall. Taller than all the others. With slim round hips that he now used to rest his hands upon.

A piece of his smooth, hairless chest was revealed, and hanging around his neck, resting upon that white and exposed skin, was a beautiful black rosary.

‘Blasphemy’

How dare an evil, sinful creature like himself walk around with the holy symbol of the lord and his son, our saviour Jesus Christ, around his neck.

It was what I should have thought.

But my mind was simply blank as I took in every single piece of him. Every inch, every bit. I just couldn’t look away. He woke something sleeping inside of me, and just looking at him….

He terrified me. In every single way.

And he hadn’t even noticed me yet.

"Aye, seems like we remain the most wealthy pirate ship in history eey." He spoke as the others cheered. The bracelets on their arms jingling as they did, and I just watched everything happening from my spot on the wooden deck at Mige’s feet. Unnoticed. Maybe even forgotten.

It was when I tried to move myself carefully to the right, so I could hide behind a barrel standing next to me, that I could suddenly see the sails of my previous temporary home halfway down into the water.

It was sinking. It was almost completely gone. They had wrecked the beautiful ship that belonged to the Margera family. My father.

There was no hope for my escape. Now I knew I was stuck on this monstrous pirate ship with these killers. I felt tears spilling down my cheeks again as my stomach tightened in sickening fear.

I just wanted to go home.

"Ah, just make sure it’s a fair share, you greedy dogs. No stealing from anyone. Like the last time we had a speck of good parity."

"Aye, like last time….Timo." A voice coming from beside me agreed and I cringed. I wished he would not draw attention to himself, and so to me since I was so close to him.

"Belay Migé, I'd seen that ring first. You took it from me as I was…."

The conversation turned into a playful fight as Migé turned to one of the few man with short, black hair, teasing him while referring to something from the past. Some of the men sighed dramatically while others laughed. Migé simply yelled back something in response as I tried to stay hidden behind my barrel. Hoping the attention would soon return to the captain instead of the man next to me.

My vision blurred and the noise blocked out. All I could think about was home. All I could think about was my father.

How I would be a disappointment for letting this happen to me. How I should have fought against these pirates and killed them all single handedly, as he would surely say.

And still, my eyes were glued to the captain. Still I could not tear my eyes away.

"Enough Timo, Migé. I trust you can all share."

At last, the only man among us with hair as blond as the sun, styled in the same spider-leg model as Dani, opened his mouth to speak as every one else respectfully kept their mouth shut. I realized this man spoke rarely, and therefore was not interrupted once he did.

"Wouldn’t you like your share of the loot, captain?" He spoke softly with his face hidden behind his long, blond strands, earning himself a warm smile from the captain as he did.

"Neh thanks Linde. I’ll just have this bottle of grog. You lads keep the rest."

More cheering. And some old pirate song about rum.

"Avast, I’m going to discuss our next course with first mate Gas. Stop wasting time and put away your booty, ya scallywags. Food is being served, as soon as Migé has prepared it."

He was leaving. Oh thank god he was leaving. He hadn't seen me here behind my barrel.

**

I wanted to thank god on my bare knees, before I felt Migés hand suddenly grabbing my arm and lifting me roughly off the floor. Forcing me to stand.

Oh dear lord no.

"Aye captain, be hearty but….look what other treasure we found on the ship…" He spoke with a grin, wiping the curls of my forehead to show my face, as the captain stopped. So did my heart for that second.

Those spring eyes looked straight into mine for the very first time, and I couldn’t breath. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. I felt so lost as he looked at me with green pools that read my being. I felt so naked, as there shone such curiosity in them.

"I thought I said no survivors." He simply replied as if it was not my very life he was talking about, blowing smoke in my face and never taking his eyes off of me. I just tried not to cough as the smoke tickled my throat and burned my eyes.

I was still crying, I realized as I felt the wetness of my cheeks from the stream of breath grazing my skin gently, and it embarrassed me deeply. Real men didn't cry, as father had told me so many times.

"Aye captain, but this one is a wealthy landlubber, ey. His father is the governor of Westchester . He was the owner of the ship." Jyrki blended in, nodding in agreement as he showed the captain my wig.

"I see, and what is the idea?"

I could only listen silently as they discussed the plans of my life and death right in front of me. Talking about the ransom they could ask my father in return for my life. Planning on sailing to a nearby city to send out a letter.

And all I could do was hear it, say nothing, and do nothing as the captain listed carefully, nodding his head, and finally taking his intense green gaze from my eyes to turn to the others, discussing my destiny.

Finally they seemed to agree.

"Aye, let’s do it." He nodded, turning towards me again and stepping closer. I could almost feel his body heat as he trapped me between Migé and his lean body.

"I suppose he is a real swag. And he is beautiful too." The captain whispered, making my body shiver as he raised one of his cloth covered hands to slowly trace my tears with his index finger. Lightly touching the wet skin of my heated cheek.

I forced myself to look away when his searching eyes found my burning blue ones again.

The warmth of his fingertip, and the sensation of his rough skin against my soft cheek made my knees buckle and my body tingle. I was so afraid of him.

Why? Why did he affect me so immensely?

"Isn’t he? And he's so young."

Jussi whispered from behind me as he stepped closer to the three of us, but Captain Valo’s eyes flickered with warning as he withdraw his finger from my cheek and pointed it at Jussi.

"Back off Jussi. I’ll keep him under my wing as long as he is in our midst, understood?" He spat, making Jussi’s eyes widen.

All of the men agreed with a mumble. Only a few of them seeming a little disappointed. I had no idea why that was, or what their purpose for me had been.

"Captain, you won’t be bothered with this scum. He can sleep under the deck. I can keep an eye on him for ya." Migé then suggested, but the Captain shook his perfect head firmly.

"Belay mates, he will stay in my cabin. He is our guest remember? We will return him as we found him. He’ll be worth the fortune, won’t you boy?"

I could only hear the man chuckle as Migé pushed be forward, flushed against the captain’s body, who immediately took my hand into his bigger, rougher one, as his black fingernails closed over the back.

Then, carefully placing as finger under my chin as he forced me to look up at him. 

**

I could only gasp as I was placed so closely against his warm body, looking up at him and feeling his soft hair grazing the side of my bruised face while the others watched us.

"Answer me boy, I asked you a question." He commanded me. His breath, smelling like alcohol and tobacco, tickling my face as he grabbed my wrist a little tighter. Making me tremble against his smooth chest with the rosary.

I knew not speaking could be the death of me, even as my throat almost refused to let past any sound.

" Y-y-yes."

WHAM

A smack against the back of my head. Making me fall into the captain even more as he carefully held me up with strong arms. The world was spinning once more. How many blows to the head could one take during a day? It felt like it was about to split.

"Migé, only I will correct him, understood? Keep you scurvy hands to yourself."

The captain was yelling to his crewmate now, making it only worse as I tried to cover my ears. Only one hand available to actually do so.

" Aye aye, cap’ain. I’m sorry. I just don’t want him to be disrespectful."

Migé pleaded. At that moment, the captain had started to kneed the back of my hand lightly with his fingers as I was pressed against him like a precious pet.

I bit my trembling bottom lip as I realized this alone was the most intimate experience I had ever shared with another human. Never had I been this close. Not even my own mother had hold me and caressed me like this since I was little.

"No need my dearest Migé. I will teach him what he needs to know. Everything he needs to know." That last bit made all the men snicker, but again I did not understand the joke. I could only feel his warm body pushing me from his only slightly, so he could look at me again.

"And I will learn him some manners along the way. Let’s see if he is a quick study."

Those eyes, piercing trough mine again as everyone looked at me with expectations. I knew what I had to say, and how to say it right this time.

"Y-yes captain."

A smile of approval as the crew applauded wildly and with laughter. I felt like a puppet on strings that could snap any second. Being the middle of the attention only made everything worse.

"Very good my love. I'm so proud."

Sarcasm. Another sin that would led you the depths of hell. That was my only comfort in this situation.

"Now what's your name boy? Let’ see if it fits you right."

More words. Why wouldn’t he just leave me be? Why wouldn’t he just take those enchanting eyes from mine?

"B-B-Brandon Cole Margera….Captain"

I almost forgot his title again, and could feel Migé hand rising behind me. Luckily I remembered in time.

My beautiful name. The name that made me so proud. I gave it to him. And he simply laughed at me.

Chuckling with his deep voice and making my lips tingle as I could feel the vibration grazing them. He was mocking me, and it hurt. They were all mocking me.

"Brandon ? Sorry puss, but that is no name for a pirate grommet. We need something shorter. I shall name you Bam than, since you look pretty beaten. It suits you just fine."

My name. My status. It was one of the only things I had left. And he took it from me like it was nothing more than a piece of unwanted garbage.

Bam? That was not even a human name. How could they make me feel so small after all I had been trough today?

"Perfect captain."

"That suits him just right."

And they all agreed. Didn’t they see he had named me like an animal?

"Thanks mates. Now Bam, age?"

" Fifteen captain."

And why was there shock in his eyes as I told him this? Why was he running his hand up and down my arms? And why did it make me feel like I had when I jumped out of that tree, with butterflies in my belly?

"So young."

He whispered, more to himself than to me, staring with unreadable eyes before turning to his men again.

"Now that is settled….Migé, ya big gobble, set the table for one more person from now on, right next to me where Bam will be sitting." He ordered, grabbing my shoulders to keep me from falling. I guessed he could feel me wobble on my tired legs. Migé simply nodded and all the crew members started wandering off, back to their work.

Leaving me standing alone on the deck with the Captain’s hand firmly around my quivering one.

"And you….you are coming with me, young Bam."