Benj was jumping from the row boat as soon as it docked at the port of Tortuga. Will made a complaining noise as he was left to tie up the boat but Benj ignored him. Excitement was humming in his veins and eagerness was spread across his face. He grinned widely, relaxing with the dirt under his feet and the sounds of chaos surrounding him.

Night had fallen and the three of them could already see various drunk men brawling on the shore as others walked past. The sound of fighting, shouts, cheers and music was audible. The place was a muddy and dirty city of shacks barely resembling buildings. All was lit by brightly blazing torches, the stars sparkling above them. It was a place where the liquor ran freely and money was stolen and scars were won. It was not a place for the faint hearted or for the naive. For Jack and Benj, it was a welcome sight of fellow scoundrels. A place where both of them had spent many a good time. For Will however, well the man was looking slightly disgusted.

"Oi Benj!" Jack called as Benj began running into town. "Meet you here at dawn!"

"See you Jack!" Benj called back, feet carrying him way and excitement bubbling in his stomach. He waved at them without turning, chasing the distant sound of music.

Will watched the young man disappear into the crowd with a frown. "Where is he going? Can he just leave like that? Is it safe?"

Jack laughed as he swiped a half empty bottle of gin out of a passed out man's hand. The pirate stepped over the prone body cheerily as the man groaned. Will's eyebrows raised as he walked around the drunkard. "Don't you worry yourself", Jack waved a hand in general direction Benj had vanished. "He's a pirate lad. No one would think of harming him. He'll be back first thing in the morning. Now let's go this way". He strolled off towards a particularly busy bar. Will sighed with a roll of his eyes and followed him.

——

Benj twisted past a couple of men locked in fisticuffs and through the door to a inn. The sign swinging over the door proclaimed the place as 'The Merman's Treasure', much to Benj's amusement. The name always made him laugh, the story behind it a long and friendly tale. Inside stunk of the sour smell of alcohol and the salty stench of sweat and body odour. Table and chairs formed a circle round the edge of the room. Most of them occupied by people, sailors and pirates back from sea. Whores, wives and husbands all with them, laughing and enjoying the merriment.

On a small stage opposite the door was a small group of musicians. Some Benj recognised and he waved at them. The men and women waving back cheerily as they continued to play. He made his way to the bar and leant back against the wooden surface. A barmaid who knew him placed a full tankard of ale next to him and Benj took a swig. The musicians were playing a slow but cheerful tune. The evening still too early for the real chaos to start.

"I've told Jeannette you're here", the waitress smiled. Benj thanked her and turned back to watching the room. When he was halfway through his pint, a shout made him raise his head.

"Benjy!" A high voice called. Jeannette appeared and threw herself over him in a enthusiastic embraced. Benj barely had time to see her dark bushy hair and red dress before he was pulled down and her lips were on his. He responded eagerly, arms encircling her small waist as she pressed their bodies together. Her lips were soft and devouring. When they finally pulled away for air, Benj's lips swollen and face flushed, he was able to take a good look at her.

Jeannette was a small and incredibly attractive curvy woman with dark nut brown skin and long curls of hair. She was wearing a red dress with a tight low cut bodice. Her well endowed breasts practically bursting over the edge. She grinned at him cheekily, shoulders golden in the light of the torches. Brown eyes wide and glittering. "It's good to see you. You joining us for the night?" She pressed her body against his side, breasts against his elbow.

Benj laughed, overjoyed to see her. "If your husband does not mind", he replied, pecking her on the cheek.

"I don't mind", a male voice answered. Benj turned just in time to have a rougher pair of lips pressed to his, clauses hands cupping his face. This kiss was roughed, but no less demanding. Benj had his breath stolen from his lungs as a large arm wrapped round his waist. Other hand pulling on his long hair.

"That was a enjoyable welcome Issac", Benj panted as he was released. Jeannette giggled as he sagged against her. Issac gave a deep full laugh as he squeezed Benj's shoulders. Issac was a tall man with skin as dark as oak. His head was shaven which emphasised his sharp cheekbones and strong figure. The scar threw is eyebrow was red against his green eyes. He stood a few inches taller than Benj, clothed in casual work clothes.

"It's good to see you little merman", Issac grinned. His voice slightly tinged with his Arabian accent. He leaned down and pecked Jeannette on the brow. "It's been to long".

"It has my friend", Benj sighed. The three of them had a long and complicated friendship. They had met on Tortuga when they were mere teens. Jeannette had fled slavery and Issac was a orphan. Now the pair of them owned the inn and were happily married. Benj, as much as he loved them, couldn't abandon the sea. And neither of them ever asked that of him. So when he stopped off at Tortuga, he always came to their inn where the both of them waited with welcome arms. He loved them. They were his oldest friends, other than Jack. His occasional lovers and his confidants. Issac and Jeannette maybe in a loving marriage, but they both loved him too and often asked him to join them at night. It was casual. Benj adding a little spice to their sex life. And the two of them there to relieve Benj after a long journey at sea. Nothing more than friends with benefits. A relationship with benefited all of them.

"Were due to play in a few", Jeannette smiled. Issac pulled Benj back into another long kiss and she swatted her husband on the arm. "Issac, dear, stop hogging him. Share already".

Issac laughed as Benj pulled away. "Hush Jean. You both know that there's plenty of me to go around", Benj smirked. In the background, the music changed to something familiar. Jeannette stopped to listen, peeking up.

"I know this one, come on Benj! Sing with me beautiful". She pulled Benj through the crowd and onto the stage. The musicians all smiling as the trio all climbed up. Benj grinned at them, Issac a familiar and solid presence at his back. The tall man picked up a guitar from where it had been leaning against the wall. Jeannette was already twirling in a blur of red skirts and long hair. Benj pulled his flute from his pocket and began to play. His bare feet pounding a beat along to the drums on the wooden floor.

Cheers rose as drunken patrons watched the stage. The dance floor was rapidly filling up with couples. Jeannette's voice echoed round the room as she sung. Her body moving hypnotically as she danced. Benj danced with her, flute a high tone within the sounds. The thuds of pounding feet and the echoes of voices were loud and Benj was laughing at the joy of it all.

Unedited