The Characters in this Fanfiction are human versions of the characters from Hetalia set in a pirate AU.

Warnings: Human names used of course. Slight course language.

Chapter 1

The white haired boy hurried in blur along the docks, all the things he owned in the world in a pack on his back, he had been waiting all day, getting more anxious as the day wore on. He was trying to keep his panicked and tired red eyes on the horizon. Any minute now…. Any minute now, his fathers ship would come into view. Gilbert didn't have the best long distance eyesight, a result from his albinism, it made him feel so helpless sometimes, especially when he was looking out for ships. Of course his father was okay. There was no way his awesome father could loose to that Italian. He tried to ask people if they knew what happened after the battle between the two famous pirate ships. But either they did not speak English or German or simply just did not know or care.

He saw a ship come into blurred view on the horizon and his heart raced hopefully, he squinted and tried to make out if he recognised it. He moved down to wait at the piers, he watched the battered ship come into focus, it wasn't his fathers or the old Italians. But maybe they knew just what happened.

The Spanish man directed the crew to moor in the harbour as he finally felt it was possible to relax a bit. The Spaniard sighed and rubbed his forehead. The boat had gotten caught up in the fight. His Captain was dead, half of the crew had already decided to leave since the captains death meant that the young barely twenty year old Antonio as first mate would take his place. That man had been like a father to Antonio since he left his home in Spain and now, he was gone. He had to solider on. He had to carry on for the sake of the ship and remaining crew. He would need supplies and new sailors, but it was hard to shake the utter devastation he felt right now.

Antonio's train of though was broken as he walked off the ship and up the pier. "Oi Mister!" Gilbert yelled out in greeting. "Your ship looks like you were caught up in the fight! Do you know what happened to the two boats? Who won?" Gilbert panted in his thick German accent, catching his breath.

Antonio looked down at the small boy who would barely be hitting his teenage years at the oldest. "Oh…Hola. Si… I was caught up in that fight.. Neither fared well in the end…much worse off that me."

Gilberts eyes widen in alarm. "And my fathers ship.. The German boat.. What happened to it?" The boy almost clinging to the mans sleeve, eyes locked onto the green ones of the stranger, searching for answers.

The Spaniards heart went out to the young boy who had too lost a father. He rest a hand on the boys shoulder. "I'm sorry… I do believe both boats took severe damage… and the weather was rough last night.. Our ship barely made it to port-" Gilbert cut him off.

"Nein! Vati's ship could never sink! Not ever!" He shook his head in denial.
Antonio patted the boys shoulder slightly. "…Querido..", He looked at the dishevelled boy and he knew that he was now most likely homeless. "Do you have any family or friends you could stay with while you wait for news on your father then…?" His heart melted already by the boys troubles.
Gilberts' face saddened slightly but it was replaced by a hopeful determined look "No.. not in this port..I am waiting for my Vati…"

"Well why don't you come with me into town and we can ask if anyone has heard anything.. And you can't wait for your father on an empty stomach can you?"
Gilbert thought about the offer for a moment. He was always told not to go anywhere with strangers, but at the moment there was a lot more scarier looking people on the dock and it was getting dark. He nodded, he had not eaten since yesterday.

"Good boy~!" the Spaniard smiled. "Now. You can keep me company while I interview some new staff" He puts a hand on the others shoulder. "My name is Antonio Fernandez Carriedo by the way… but I guess that's captain now.."
Gilbert nods again "Ja. I have done that before. My father brings me to things like that, he says its good practice for when awesome me becomes a captain too. And, awesome me is Gilbert Weilschmidt"
Antonio smiles wider "So you have schooling then? What else are you learning?" He asks half in curiosity but also wanting to know if the boy will be useful.

"Well!" Gilbert perked up as someone was giving him attention. "Vati teaches me English obviously, but also I can read and write in English and German. I know map reading, geography and some maths… and of course the practical stuff like sailing, using a pistol and a sword and lots of other awesome things! Niyo Niyo~" He boasts proudly letting out that verbal tick of his that happens whenever he is excited or enthusiastic about something, as Captain Carriedo listens and nods as they walk into town. "Vati taught me himself.. Although Bruder is learning with his tutor…" His face falls. "…But I don't know where that is…. Ludwig was onshore somewhere doing some classes…. So I have to find him if Vati does not turn up soon.. But I'm sure he will soon anyway" the boys worried face returning.

Carriedo sighs softly. "Well. I'm sure we will. But lets get you sorted out first ok? Your father and brother wouldn't want you going cold and hungry now"
"Mmhm!" Gil smiles and nods determinately.

The two arrive back at the ship about three hours later. Antonio had enjoyed the enthusiastic company and odd skill the other had at choosing crew. Gilbert yawns as he boards the ship, he rubs his eyes slightly. "Oi Antonio.. Where can I sleep?" Gilbert has shared a room with his father and brother on his ship and was not use too a communal sleeping arrangement.
"Well I can set up a cot in my quarters for now….you're a bit to young to be sharing with the rest… But first you need a bath… you stink" Carriedo says in a parental manner.
Gilbert freezes. "Bath?…..I don't stink! Its just my manly scent!" Gilbert had always been an effort to keep clean even his father had trouble with it. It often resulted in his father tossing him into the river when they came ashore.

"No. You stink. Now come on" He grabs the other wrist who instantly becomes dead weight. "Really…?" Gilbert does not respond. Antonio sighs. He was not a push over that's for sure. He just had a soft spot for children. "Gilbert. If you do not bathe yourself, I will bathe you myself." Antonio said seriously.

Gil blushes. "N-Nein! No way you pervert!" Any blush was always very visible on his pale skin.
"Then I suggest you get on your feet like a man and follow me" Antonio said finally.
Gilbert huffed and made a fuss as he got to his feet pouting and nodded "Yes Captain…"
"Good" Antonio smiles and leads him too his new quarters, they are Antonio's new quarters to. Its modestly decorated, it was obvious that the last captain must have been Spanish himself considering not only was the ship itself of Spanish design but the interior as well resembling the fashion of the country at the time. "Now wait here while I set up a bath for you" Antonio instructs. Gilbert nods and sits on the floor looking around the room as he waits.

Antonio soon comes back with two other sailors carrying a large tub of water who set it down on the floor and leave without barely giving a curious look at Gilbert. Gilbert stares at the tub with disdain.

"Now strip and bathe so you can get some well needed sleep" Antonio says handing Gil some soap and then moving to the bed pulling a cot bed out from under it moving it next to the wall then goes to sit on his bed pulling off his shoes.

Gilbert watches the man. "…Aren't you going to leave?" Gil tries not to look embarrassed.
Antonio raises a brow not use to such modesty. "You have nothing I have not seen before and in much better quality" He waves off Gils question. "Plus I need to make sure you actually wash yourself, as long as you are on this ship and in these quarters you will clean yourself"
Gilbert scowls and turns to face away from the other with a huff. "Well don't look too much then!" He frowns and starts to take off his dirty clothes as the older man makes a mental note to burn those rags later.

"Of course~ Of course~" The Captain opens a bag and pulls out some older clothes that were his when he was younger. Gilbert was just so scrawny he hoped it would something would fit him. But for now he pulls out a large clean bed shirt. Antonio looks up and notices the boy is just sitting in the tub facing away from him. "…Querido.. You have to scrub yourself to get clean"
Gilbert frowns more. "Go away! I can clean myself!" he growls and splashes the other slightly. Antonio blinks. "….You obviously can't…" Antonio puts his hand on the others head and pushes him under the water, holds him there for a moment then lets the flailing boy surface.

Antonio then moves his hand to hold onto his wrist and grabs the soap with the other starting to scrub the others hair. Gilbert is growling in annoyance, his eyes closed to keep the soap out.
Antonio chuckled "To think your hair was actually that white under all that filth" His nose crinkles at the sight of how dirty the water has already become.

Gilbert huffed. "Bathing is for girls" He couldn't help but blush.
Antonio rolled his eyes but couldn't help but smile just a little, Gilbert was just so adorable. "No it isn't.. and like I said Its not pleasant being stuck on a ship filled with filth covered men.. Its just inviting disease anyway"

"Yeah yeah…." Gilbert sighed as the Spaniard washed the soap out of his hair. This argument was reminding him of his father and it was slowly starting to sink in that he might not see him again.
"Antonio….. If my Father does not come back…. How will I find my brother..?" He asked, needing some sort of answer.

Antonio stopped as he picked up a towel. "Well… I guess we will have to look for him then" He said as if the answer was simple.
Gilbert perks up a little "Really! You will help me find them?"
Antonio had a hard time refusing such a cute face. "Of course Albinito we travel to a lot of ports so we will be able to ask around. So when was the last time you saw your brother..? His appearance? You said he had a tutor.. Tell me what you know and we will go from there" Antonio asks petting the others hair.

"Well…" Gilbert fidgets thoughtfully. "Bruder is about two years younger then me… blonde, blue eyes and always is so serious!" He thinks more. "Well… it happened at sea… a German ship pulled up next to ours and Bruder went with them.. Vati said Bruder was going to get some tutoring… I didn't like his tutor.. He seemed like a pompous snob. All I know about him is his name is Roderich… blue eyes, black hair… way to much lace."
Antonio sighs. "So you don't know where they went?"
Gilbert looks a bit deflated "No…..c-can I get out of the bath now? it's a bit cold"
Antonio nodded as the other gave him the details that he knew.. "ah.. I see" He grabs a towel and lets the other get out of the now filthy water. "I think its time you get some sleep, we have a lot to do in the morning." Antonio had a feeling they had a long search ahead of them.

O

Gilbert was born to be a pirate. He never felt more at home then on a ship. Well he was born on one. He only ever went ashore as a child when his fathers ship docked and they went on land to get supplies or socialise and get information or new crew. There were just, certain things that he never liked to mention to others or talk about that impaired his life slightly as a pirate.

O

Gilbert laid on his captains bed. His face full of discomfort and pain.
"It h-hurts" he whines his face completely red.
"I know.." He captain sighs trying to keep the boy from moving to much.
"But you know better then to go around with no shirt on… look what happens when you do…." Antonio strokes the others hair and the boy winces.

"AAhhhhh~! You look so cute all sunburnt like that! Your hair looks so white when your face and chest is so red~!" Antonio chuckles breaking his serious expression.

"S-shutup! Its hot today! The other crew members don't have to wear them on hot days when they are swimming!" He whines and huffs. Life is so unfair!
"Well most of the other crew are Spanish and Italian and are more sun resistant than you Albinito~!" Antonio chuckles, he himself and most of the other crew were a healthy tan while Gilberts skin stood out in the crowd as the unusually pale that he is.

Gilbert scowled. "Its not my fault! I can't help that I burn!" He tried to ignore the painful burn but the heat of it was pretty bad especially on his face and chest. Antonio shook his head. "No…its not…" He sighed feeling a little bad about the teasing. "Its just a thing that nature does from time to time…. I'm not sure how it happens exactly… although back in Spain I had met a few like you.. And it seems to be a trait that is passed on in families… like all other things~!" He smiled.

Now Antonio was a rather cheerful person.. Often oblivious to things in social settings and can be a bit silly at times. But he was not stupid. Far from it. He had formal schooling as a child like all the boys of rich families and did quite well. He was not as uneducated to think Gilberts' skin colour was a bad omen or illness as many people did.

Gilbert continues to whine. "I-It still burns"
Antonio rolls his eyes. "Of course it does.. Just stay out of the sun, keep drinking water and remember to keep putting this burn salve on it." Antonio rubbed the ointment gently on the boys chest to demonstrate. "Just remember that pale skin burns more then darker skin.. You have to watch out Quiero… keep your hat on outside and your shirt. Otherwise you will get so burnt you will die"

The boy tried not to wince. He thought the idea from dying from the sun was a very un-awesome way to die. He nodded.

Gilbert watched as his captain used a cloth to wipe the ointment of his hand and get ready to go back on deck. He was starting to get more attached to his captain. He was like the fun older brother he never had, that could teach him cool new things and get him out of trouble. He started to think about his real brother.. His face saddened slightly. He hoped wherever his brother was he was safe and happy. And not alone.

Antonio saw the sad expression. "….Quiero?" He tilted his head. "Just get some sleep ok? Don't worry about your deck duties today." Antonio smiled.
Gilbert perked up just a little. "Ah! Danke..I think .. I do need a sleep." Gil got comfortable and closed his eyes. He hoped that when he woke up he wouldn't be so burnt and get a good lead on where his brother was.

Antonio let the boy have his bed. It was the most comfortable place on this ship and the sight of Gil in pain set off all his natural instincts to help the boy.

The boy had been here a few weeks now, starting to mesh into the new routine along with all the other new crew Antonio had hired on the day they met. Gilbert eased his loneliness. The void his mentor and captain had left when he died. He didn't even realise yet how much he was attached to this boy already and how much he was spoiling him. Antonio smiled to himself as he let the boy rest and headed back on to the deck.

O

Gilbert threw down the pistol in frustration. "FUCK THIS I'VE HAD IT!" He yells letting his annoyance be heard.

"Gilbert! Don't throw your pistol its dangerous and expensive!" He frowns at the boys childish actions picking up the discarded weapon.

"I DON'T CARE! I DON'T WANT IT ANYMORE!" Gilbert stomps off down to the kitchen where he can be alone.

The Spaniard huffed. Gilbert was defiantly not cute today. He sighs looking over the pistol. It wasn't broken…. thankfully. He wondered why Gilbert was so upset… so sure.. The boy was a bad aim.. But his handling wasn't bad. He would learn if he practised. He sighed and decided to go talk to him. He was his guardian after all now.

Gilbert was sitting on a barrel in the kitchen pouting looking utterly annoyed and frustrated. He pretended like his Captain was not there.

"Gilbert….?" Antonio tried to get his attention but still sound serious. "Your actions were uncalled for. You should not act that way during training. I should punish you for your actions. No one should be able to get away such rude behaviour to their captain!" He says firmly.
Gilbert pouted and looked away. "Not my fault…" He grumbled and Antonio was a bit confused that the other looked embarrassed and shameful.

Why could Antonio never stay mad at Gilbert? Antonio sighed and sits next to the other. "What's wrong Quiero?" He ruffles the boys hair slightly. "These things take time.. You don't have to feel bad that your not amazing at shooting straight away" He smiles encouragingly.
The albino shifted uncomfortably. "I said its NOT that…" He blushed and felt stupid, he hated this.. He felt so useless.. He should be more awesome. Just like his father.

"Then what is it then? Just tell me and I can help!" The Captain beamed.

"No.. you can't." The young teen sighed in an exasperated and sad tone. "The thing is… I can't SEE the target that well… things that far away… are just a blur…" He looked as if he had just blurted a huge weakness.

Antonio blinked in realisation. "Ah.. now that makes sense…" He looked thoughtful for a moment then beamed as he thought of a solution. "Wait here~!" The man quickly stood up and exited up to the deck. Gilbert blinked.. What kind of reaction was that! He just told the other a big secret and he bolts off! He sits there with is arms crossed and considers hiding from the other. But the Captain soon returns carrying something behind his back. Gil looks at the other curiously wondering what it could be. "Eh? You got something for me then?"

Antonio nods and shows the other the boys sword. The one he was carrying around when he found the boy.

"…..My fathers sword…? What has that got to do with this?" He furrows his brow.
"Si~! Everything~!" he smiles. "Your father gave you this to protect yourself right? Well he could of as easily given you a pistol but he didn't! He knows you very well Quiero!" Antonio hands the boy the sword who is trying to understand his captains excited talking. "Si~! Quiero~! You are better suited for close combat~! Your fast and young and your strong for your size. And your vision is fine at that distance so that won't get in your way"

It clicks for Gilbert "Ah! Its true! I am pretty awesome and suited as a swordsman! Vati was already teaching me.. He doesn't really let me near guns." Gilbert looks delighted. His father was so awesome. He seemed to forget his Captains part in this.

Antonio smiled. "Well as of your training from now on I will focus on teaching you to fight with the sword. More awesome then a gun, Si?"

"Ja! I will be the most awesome swordsman ever~ Niyo Niyo~! " Gilbert smiled happily his bad mood fading.

Antonio nodded with a grin. "Now go put your sword away training is over"
"Yes Captain~!" He smiled as he stood up and started to head up to the deck.
"Oh and Quiero.." Antonio called after him. "Make sure when you put it away you swab the entire deck…I swear you got gun powder everywhere when you threw your gun on the ground" Antonio was not letting the boy get away that easily from being rude no matter the circumstance.

Gil groaned and grumbled. "Gah… yes Sir…" He trudged upstairs to get started.
Antonio calls after him "And make sure you get it done quick! You need your rest for training tomorrow~!"

A lot of you after reading this might thing Gils role would be a lot better suited to Romano. But since this Fanfiction is based of a rp I used to do things turned out this way. One thing I love about Rps is that you can have fun adapting to new circumstances. Romano in that RP was only a few years younger then Antonio, he is also aboard this ship and he's going to show up in later chapters.