Will's eyes widened as he stepped into the inn. Is was a burst of sound, stench, heat and laughter. Jack and Mr gibbons, who jack had raised from a pig pen, barely paused. Will looked around at the blurs of colours as drunk parole danced past. The music was tribal and upbeat. Entrancing voices echoing off the walls. On the left was a busy bar, next to which was a full stage. A couple of musicians playing instruments Will recognised, and ones he didn't.

He recognised Benj standing between a man and woman. The woman was petite, with a scarlet red dress and wild hair. She was singing loudly and grinding her body against Benj's in a way which made Will want to avert his eyes. Behind Benj was a tall dark skinned man. Benj was pressed tightly to his chest. All three of them dancing pressed together. Will watched Benj twirl, a laugh echoing from the man's lips as his voice joined the Woman's. There was something comfortable between the three people. Something which Will was annoyed by. Annoyed, and slightly envious off.

Jack tapped his shoulder, startling Will from his thoughts. "Keep and eye out". Will nodded and leant against a wooden beam, watching the crowd. His mind instantly turning back to Benj with confusion. Why was he annoyed? The man was nothing more than a damned pirate. A sea monster with human form. Benj's voice drifted round the room, mingling with the woman's. It was beautiful but held a slightly inhuman quality that confused senses. Will couldn't take his eyes of him, no matter how much he wanted to.

Nearby, Jack looked up. He glanced at Will's face, then followed his gaze to the stage. He snorted and gave a dry chuckled. He took a swig of his rum and smiled in amusement.

As the song drifted to a close, Will watched as Benj gave a bow to the audience. His long hair was messy and there was a warm flush to his face. The crowd cheered as the Benj and his two companions hopped off the stage. Another song struck up and the trio was lost within the bustle. Will found himself instinctively craning his neck to spot the sight of the pirate. Before spotting them near the bar. Will blinked in surprise.

The tall dark skinned man had Benj pulled flush against him. Both their lips caught together in a furious make out. The woman visible laughed as they parted. Will blinked again as she pulled Benj down to kiss him as well. Together in a messy tangle of limbs, all three of them stumbled behind the bar and out of sight behind a door, presumably up to the second floor.

"Can he do that?" Will asked Jack.

Jack, who was trying to chat up a woman caked in makeup, huffed in annoyance. "Can he do what Laddie? Pirate remember".

"But he kissed a man", Will gaped. Mr gibbons, who was a broad man with a greying beard, laughed and clapped Will on the shoulder.

"Relax laddie. Benj's doing no harm. Always a flirt that boy. Could charm the socks off of a kraken I always say", his laughter faded as his face turned serious. "A word of advice lad. Don't go preaching about unnatural relationships around here. None of us care and you're more likely to get yourself killed offending people like that". He patted Will heavily on the shoulder again and walked off. Leaving Will standing there trying to absorb everything.

——

Benj woke to sunlight shining on his face. He groaned and held up a hand to block it. He was pleasantly warm and aching in places that he did not normally ache in. It was a welcome feeling that had his muscles feel soft like jelly. Jeannette and Issac had really taken care of him last night. It was very enjoyable and half of him wanted to go again. But the sun was rising and he had to meet Jack at the docks.

With a grunt, he managed to push himself into a sitting position. Issac was on his left, long muscled arms wrapped around his waist. The man was snoring softly. Benj took a minute to laugh at his noises, before untangling the other's arms. Jeannette was on his right, lying on her stomach. The sheets had fallen down, exposing the expanse of her back. Her face was hidden by the wild curls of her hair and she grumbled as Benj climbed over her and out of bed. Issac immediately rolled into the warm space Benj had left behind, arms now encircling his wife. She snorted nasally and grumbled sleepily.

Benj moaned as he stretched his body. All of their clothes were lying discarded on the floor. All mixed together around the couple's bedroom. Benj walked over them and towards the dresser were a bowl of clear water was set out. He took a cloth and cleaned himself up before gathering up some clothes for the day. He pulled on his trousers but stole Issac's shirt. It was a pale grey and came down just past his arse. Benj tucked the baggy material into his trousers and threaded his belt through the loops. There was a sleepy noise as he picked up his swords. Both his cutlass and the sword he had stolen from Will's forge. He looked up to see Issac leaning on his elbows warning him.

"Are you going? So soon?" The man muttered, voice deep and raspy from sleep.

Benj crossed over to him with a smile. "Yeah. Sorry Issy. Jack wanted me at the docks at dawn". He sat on the edge of the mattress, taking care not to wake Jeannette.

"Pirates and their adventures", Issac yawned. "I'll tell Jeannette you said goodbye. We wish you well. Don't get yourself killed without telling us. She'd throw a fit".

Benj laughed quietly. "Sure Issy. See you two later alright". Benj lent down and gave the other man a slow deep kiss.

"Our home is always open to you", Issac reminded as Benj pulled away. "Maybe try finding a proper lover this time alright? As much as we enjoy you joining us, we want you to be happy to".

Benj stood up and picked up his coat. He swung it on and gave the man a smirk. "I'm a pirate Issy. All I need is rum, treasure and the open sea. That's what makes me happy".

Issac laughed and waved a hand. "Go on with you then pirate". Benj blew the couple a kiss as he skipped out of the door. He thudded down the stairs and out of the inn. The streets were dark  and littered with the occasional passed out drunk from the night before. Benj jumped over them and sprinted down to the docks. The golden light of the sun just beginning to light up the shadows as it rose over the hills.

Jack was stood next to a long line of people on the jetty. Will was leaning against a barrel, looking tired. The familiar figure of Mr Gibbons was standing at Jack's side. All of them looked up as Benj slowed to a stop. "Morning", he greeted, raking a hand through his long hair.

Jack raised and eyebrow at the new shirt. "Good night Benj?"

Benj grinned widely. "Great night. Mr Gibbons, nice seeing you. This the crew?"

"Aye", Mr Gibbons nodded. He gestured to the group. "Do you think this will be enough?"

"Should be. Captain?" Benj asked.

Jack clapped his hands together. "Right you sorry lot. This is my first mate, Benjamin Bennet. Better known as Benj or Ben Jim. I'm sure you've heard of him". A few of the men were eyeing Benj warily. Benj gave them a sharp toothed grin.

Jack continued. "If you cant handle sailing with him, then you can go. But trust me, you'd much rather want him on your boat, than in the water".

"And what's in it for us?" A female voice shouted. Jack turned and stalked to the end of the line where a thin figure stood. They had a hat on, obscuring their face. Jack pulled it off and a brown skinned, fierce eyed woman glared at him. Benj sniggered as Jack stepped back nervously.

"Anna-Maria", he greeted. The sharp sound of a slap sounded as Jack's head snapped to the side. Benj snorted, trying to hide his smirk.

"I suppose you didn't deserve that one either", Will asked with a raised brow.

"Oh no", Benj grinned. He rested a arm on Will's shoulder, leaning on him. He didn't notice Will's wide eyes, too busy laughing at Jack . "That one he did deserve".

"You stole my boat", Anna-Maria snarled. She turned her glare to Benj and the man raised his hands up defensively.

"I didn't steal it. That was all Jack mate. Nothing to do with me. I just swam". Jack shot him a look but Anna-Maria appeared to believe him. She turned her anger back to Jack.

"Wait!" Jack helped as she prepared to slap him again. "I can get you a new boat".

"A better boat", Will added.

"A better boat".

"What boat?" She snapped.

"That boat", Will grinned and pointed to where the interceptor was anchored.

"Yes that boat. Wait, that boat?" Jack said, then cowered under Anna-Maria's glare. "We just need to borrow it first".

"Fine", she grunted. "All aboard!" The crew began to file down to the rowboats.

"Good job Jack", Benj teased. Jack groaned, muttering things about how you should never trust a woman. Next to him, Will and Benj laughed.

Unedited