Prologue

Francis was still kind of getting used to pirate life. He'd been aboard The Raven for just under a month, and he was somehow the First Mate. It didn't make much sense to him, although Captain Kirkland did say that it was because how outspoken he was. In the military, all of the backtalk would've gotten him in trouble. So, after about a month, Francis was the First Mate. That's fine, he could handle it, as long as Kirkland didn't die anytime soon.

To be truthful, Francis was a little scared of Arthur Kirkland. Being in the French Navy for so long, he's heard stories about the Kirkland name. How ruthless and merciless Arthur Kirkland could be to his enemies and his crew, but he didn't really seem it. From living on Kirkland's ship, Francis had observed the kindness that he had to most of his crew, and the loyalty and respect he gave each of them. Arthur was a simple man, if you respect him, he'll respect you, if you disrespect him, he'll disrespect you. Out of all things Arthur Kirkland was, he wasn't abusive like the rumors Francis had once heard. Kirkland allowed everyone to speak their minds on his ship, in fact, he encouraged it, for Arthur didn't know everything. Reasons like that is why Francis was currently the First Mate. But, Francis couldn't say that all of the past information that he was given was false rumors, he had seen Arthur in battle, and was pretty merciless. Then again, he was a pirate.

But, they weren't in battle, so Francis had nothing to worry about. Actually, they weren't even on the sea. They were on land, in the Caribbean. Francis and Arthur were carrying the last two boxes of supplies through the streets, and to The Raven. Ahead of him, he saw Arthur slow to a stop, staring down an alley. The captain turned and looked at his surroundings before he jogged off in the direction of his ship. Francis picked up his pace, following the young captain.

"Capitaine, is there something wrong?" Francis asked as the two ran up the ramp and onto Arthur's ship.

"I need to go and get something." Arthur said, quickly setting the box down and running off. "Follow me, Bonnefoy."

Francis did the same as Arthur, setting down his box and running after him. "What exactly are you getting?"

"I saw two boys in the alleyway, I'm making sure that they're alright." Arthur panted, not slowing his pace.

Francis narrowed his eyes at the Brit. Arthur was a ruthless pirate, and he was concerned about two boys? This didn't add up. Although Francis knew that Arthur cared about and respected his crew, he didn't expect Arthur to care so much about two random boys. He didn't seem like the kind of man who would check on two random orphans on the street.

Arthur made a quick, sharp turn into an alley and immediately stopped, Francis doing the same, almost running into him. Francis moved around Arthur so he could see the seemingly dead boys lying on the ground. "Are they dead?" Francis asked.

Arthur shook his head, getting down onto his knees. "No, they'd be pale if they were dead. Look," He said, pointing at one of the boys faces, "they're faces are flushed, they must be sick."

Francis bent down next to the other boy, putting his hand on the child's cheek. "It's feels like this one has a fever."

"This one too." Arthur added, taking his hand off of the other child's cheek.

Francis watched as Arthur tried waking the boy lying in front of him. "Wake up." Arthur ordered, "Come on, wake up, you're fever can't be that bad."

Francis began doing the same to the other boy, shaking him lightly. "Wake up, please. You don't feel too warm, wake up." After enough effort, Francis heard a soft groan come in Arthur's direction.

"There you go," Arthur said to the blonde who was shifting slightly on the ground.

"Huh?" The boy croaked, looking up at Arthur.

"Are you alright?" Arthur asked.

"Who?" The boy responded.

Francis saw Arthur give the short blonde a smile. "I'm Arthur. What's your name?"

The boy stared up at Arthur. "Where's Mattie?"

Francis looked down at the child in his arms. What this Mattie? Who knows? "Is this him?" Francis asked.

The boy looked over slowly and nodded.

"Hey, what's your name?" Arthur asked again.

"Alfred."

"Alfred," Arthur echoed, "a wonderful name. Can you tell me where your parents are?"

"Don't have any." Alfred replied softly, closing his eyes. "Tired."

Francis looked up to Arthur, wondering exactly what he had in mind. The captain was staring down at the short blonde in his arms with a sad expression, he almost looked like he was about to cry. This was a side of Arthur that Francis had never seen before. "Capitaine?" Francis asked, "Are you alright?"

Without a word, Arthur stood, holding the boy in his arms. "Does that one have a pulse?" He questioned, nodding his head to the child in Francis' arms.

Francis looked down, put three fingers on the side of the blonde's neck, and felt a slow pulse. "A slow one."

Arthur nodded at him. "Pick him up and follow me."

Francis followed Kirkland's orders, doing what he was told. "Capitaine, what exactly are we doing?"

"Saving two lives." Arthur stated.

Francis looked over to Arthur, who had begun running his fingers through the young boy's hair. "Not that I'm against helping those in need, but why? I mean, this is very random."

"These two are so young, and already dying. I don't want to see these two denied life." Arthur answered.

Francis could understand that, who wouldn't want to help a child in need? "Still seems a little random, but okay." He mumbled to himself.

They walked up the ramp, onto the main deck and started walking to Arthur's quarters. Francis looked around the deck, wondering what people were thinking.

"What the hell?" Francis heard behind him.

Francis looked over to see Alistair staring at him and Arthur in confusion.

"I don't have time to explain, Kilt." Arthur snapped at the kilt-wearing Scot.

Alistair huffed and walked off, and Francis continued following Kirkland into his quarters and to Arthur's bed where he set down the young boy in his arms.

.

After tending to the boys for most of the night, which included helping Arthur give them a cold bath, they eventually lowered they boy's fever. So much so that they were both awake, although one didn't want to talk to either of them.

Francis glanced over to Arthur, who hadn't slept all night due to tending to the young boys. "Capitaine, maybe you should get some sleep."

Arthur shook his head. "No, I need to watch over the boys."

"I can." Francis offered.

Arthur looked over to Francis. "No, you should get us sailing. I trust Kiku and all, but he shouldn't be doing everything around here."

"Wait, what do you mean get us sailing?" Francis exclaimed.

"You used to be a naval captain yourself, I know that you can pilot my ship."

Francis shook his head. "No, that's not what I'm worried about. It's just…" He trailed off, staring at the young boys, who were both still sick. He lowered his voice. "What are you planning on doing with them?"

Kirkland glanced over at the young boys, Alfred and Matthew, and stood up, walking away from his bed and to his desk. "I'm not exactly sure yet. I know I can't just leave them on the streets."

"We can put them in an orphanage." Francis suggested.

"Hell no," Arthur stated, "too dangerous, they'd get sick in a day."

Francis looked up to the ceiling, thinking of what else. There were only two other options. "We can leave them on somebody's doorstep?"

"Abandoning them?" Arthur added.

"That wouldn't be abandoning them, they'd be with a family."

Arthur shook his head, crossing his arms stubbornly. "No. Who knows if that house would be abusive, or neglectful. That could be the house of a murderer!"

"You're a murderer." Francis reminded.

Arthur gazed in the direction of the now sleeping children. "I just want them to be safe. Have a home with people who care about them and will protect them."

Francis stared at the young captain in confusion. Like before, he knew that Arthur Kirkland was a very dangerous, yet caring man. He knew that Arthur cared about life, and respected others, but he didn't expect Arthur to be so protective to this Alfred and Matthew, two orphaned boys.

"What?" Arthur exclaimed, and Francis realized that Arthur was now holding his stare.

"Nothing, Capitaine, just…"

"Just what?" Arthur prompted.

Francis glanced to Matthew, who was shifting uncomfortably on Arthur's bed. "What are you planning on doing?"

Arthur sighed, closing his eyes. "I don't know if this is a good idea, but I'm thinking of keeping them here."

"Why? I could be dangerous." Francis argued.

Arthur turned and looked at the twins. "Yes, but I know that I will keep them safe. I won't let anything happen to them."

"This is so sweet of you to do this." Francis commented.

Arthur turned and scowled at Francis. "I'm not sweet."

Francis smirked playfully. "Are you sure? You seemed to take on quite the motherly role a while ago."

"Motherly?" Arthur snapped, glaring at him.

Francis' smile grew. "Oui."

Arthur snorted. "I'm no mum."

"In all seriousness, Capitaine, you already seem like a great father."

Arthur's body stiffened. "F-father?"

"Oui," Francis answered, "I mean, if you're going to keep them here, it sounds like you're adopting them."

Arthur straightened his posture. "I guess you're right, I am a father." He agreed before a fearful look appeared on his face as he put a hand to his forehead. "I'm a father."

Francis laughed. "It'll be fine, Capitaine, you'll be great."

"N-n-no I won't!" Arthur exclaimed. "My father was horrible, I'll be just as bad! Maybe I shouldn't do this..."

"Oh, come on!" Francis reassured, "you can learn from your father's mistakes. What did he do that made him so horrible?"

Arthur froze, not even breathing. He shook his head, letting out a sigh. "Nothing, it doesn't matter."

"Capitaine?" Francis asked in a concerned voice.

"I won't repeat the mistakes of my father." Arthur stated firmly, turning his head to the sleeping orphans.

"So you're keeping them?" Francis asked.

"Yes."

"Congratulations, Arthur, you're a father!" Francis cheered.

A simple smile appeared on Arthur's face. "I guess I am."

There was a silence, but Francis eventually remembered Arthur's order from a while ago. "I'll go get us sailing." Francis said, pointing at the door. "Where are we headed?"

Arthur shrugged. "Somewhere east."

"Somewhere east." Francis echoed, nodding his head and walking off.

The beginning of my newest story! Yay!

(only one prologue, trust me on this)

Anywho, I hope I caught your interest. The next chapter will pick up seven years later. (Matthew and Alfred are 3 now, will be 10 in Chapter 1)

PIRATES!

~Feliks Out! (^J^)