Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Do you trust me?” The question rattled in Billy’s ears as the breath was driven from his lungs. His eyes flitted down to the sword protruding from his gut, blood already gushing down around the handle. “With my life." His answer echoed in his mind as his eyes tracked up the arm holding the sword to Silver, anguish and regret pooling up in the tears gathered in his eyes. 

“I’m sorry,” Silver whispered, his voice wavering as Billy stumbled, the pain from the wound and the sudden blood loss making his world spin. Billy’s hand scrambled at Silver’s shoulder in an attempt to stay upright, confusion and betrayal knocking him even more off balance than his impending doom. “I’m sorry,” Silver repeated, his hand leaving the sword in favor of grabbing Billy under both arms, stumbling himself under balancing Billy’s weight with his crutch, “I had no choice, there was no other way.”

The full weight of the situation came crashing down around Billy’s ears, reducing the clamoring shouts and Silver’s voice to white noise. When Silver had assured Billy that he had an airtight plan to get Madi back from Rogers unharmed, Billy had every faith in him. He knew that Silver would do nothing to jeopardize her life and would take no risks with her safety: he loved her too much. Billy had thought Silver loved him too. But the sword in his lower abdomen and the encroaching darkness suggested otherwise. Clearly, if he did, it wasn’t enough.

Billy felt himself slip from Silver's grasp and his vision nearly whited out from pain when his fall was broken by someone behind him. “What have you done?” a voice roared over Billy’s head, De Groot, his mind provided. It appeared that Billy wasn’t the only one unaware of Silver’s intentions. 

The sound of someone landing heavily on their knees sounded to his left and a moment later warm, familiar hands were ghosting along his arm. Billy lolled his head to the side, his head feeling as heavy as a cannonball. Ben was staring at Billy’s side in horror, one hand reaching towards it before being batted away by Howell with a low warning. With a gulp, Ben’s eyes darted back up to Billy’s face, unshed tears welling in his wide eyes when he saw Billy’s gaze on him. Grabbing Billy’s hand and enveloping it in both of his, he begged “Stay with me, Billy, please stay with me.” Billy wasn’t entirely sure it was up to him, as much as he wanted to promise Ben he wasn’t going anywhere. 

“I’m sorry.” At the sound of Silver’s voice, Billy forced his gaze away from Ben to take in the sight of Silver staring down at him with a broken expression, tear tracks down his face. The sight made something in Billy snap.

“I trusted you,” Billy forced out between pained breaths, hurt and betrayal in his eyes. The effort of speaking stole the last of his strength and Billy collapsed back against Howell, oblivion stealing over him. The last thing he heard before he knew no more was Howell’s voice state grimly, “He’s dead.” Billy’s last thought was that he might be right.

Chapter Text

Two Weeks Previous

Billy strided towards the beach, his men trailing in a mass in his wake. Ben kept step beside him, his face grim as he said “According to Philps, the Ships in the harbor got two of ours, The Walrus included.” 

“Fuck. Even Flint isn’t this stupid, why the fuck did he go into the harbor after I gave express instructions not to?”

“He must not have gotten them.”

Billy nodded agreement as they crested the dune and the beach came into full view. Billy felt a twinge of disappointment when he spotted Flint, alive and well, standing on the beach watching a rescue boat come in. Madi was standing at his side. Billy didn’t know why, but something about seeing him stand so close to her felt wrong. Billy shoved the feeling away and let out a sharp whistle, Flint and Madi turning to face him. 

Flint’s face was thunderous as he started to meet Billy half way. “They obstructed the harbor!”

“I know,” Billy responded, voice grim.

“Two ships they sunk! It must have taken them days to arrange!”

“I know, I-” Billy started to explain but Flint didn’t give him the chance to.

“Then why the fuck didn’t you warn us?!” Flint exploded, stepping closer to Billy, both Dooley, standing beside Flint, and Ben putting out hands to prevent Flint from getting any closer.

“I did warn you!” Billy shouted back, towering over Flint, the captain’s anger bleed way to confused frustration as he squinted up at him. “There were three ships, not two. He bought them cheap out of Abaco. He scutted them six days ago. The moment I learned of it, I sent word to Mr. Featherstone. He was supposed to send word to you not to enter the harbor.” Explanation finished, Billy let out a breath, glancing around at the scattering of men behind Flint.

“Then Mr. Featherstone has fucked us all.”

“Yes, I know that too,” Billy agreed with a nod and resignation. He maintained Flint’s gaze for a long moment before stepping away, eyes scanning the beach. “Is this all that’s left?”

“Teach and The Revenge are unaccounted for. I saw them sailing north away from the harbor under pursuit.” Flint said as Billy searched for the distinct figure of Silver, his heart seizing in his chest when he could find no sign of him. The worst case scenario leapt to mind and Billy swallowed harshly at the thought. “The rest… are presumed dead or captured," Flint finished, his voice solemn. 

Billy turned slowly towards Flint, dread building in his gut. "And Silver? Which is he?" Flint stared ahead for several long seconds before slowly turning his head to look at Billy, not saying a word. He didn’t need to. Billy’s eyes widened as grief washed over him, followed closely by anger as Flint slowly turned away again. He swallowed both down, walking over to Flint and once he composed himself, said “There’ll be debts to repay after today. And there’ll be plenty of time to do it.” Billy wasn't entirely sure if it was a reassurance or a threat, or a mix of both, all he knew was that it was a promise. “But right now we need to get off the sand,” he continued, turning and heading back the way they came. 

Ben fell in step beside him, brushing his shoulder against Billy’s in silent support. Things between him and Silver was… had been... complicated. Billy had wondered if one day, once their war was won and Nassau was truly theirs again, maybe he and Silver would be able to uncomplicate things. Now, however, it seemed they would never get that chance. Billy blew out a breath as he let his hand bump against Ben’s, so quick and subtle that if noticed at all it would be passed off as an accident. While things had been complicated with Silver, nothing felt complicated when it came to Ben. But that didn’t mean that it was anyone else’s business. It certainly wasn’t Flint’s. Billy squared his shoulders and kept walking.