The gentle rocking of the Black Pearl had long since replaced the noise of Bridgetown's bustling harbor. Moonlight spilled through the stern windows of the captain's cabin, painting pale silver lines across maps, sea charts, and the polished wood of Angus's quarters. A single lantern flickered quietly beside the bed, its warm glow doing little to soften the stubborn Scot sitting on its edge.

Angus leaned forward with his forearms resting on his knees, elbows planted firmly against his thighs. His broad frame looked almost awkward in the silence, one calloused hand absently rubbing the back of his neck—a habit that only appeared whenever he found himself in situations he'd much rather face with a sword than with words. He sighed.

"...Bonnie."

His thick Highland accent sounded unusually gentle. "Will ye at least look at me fer a moment?" Another sigh escaped him as he searched {{user}}'s face, already knowing exactly why she was upset. He'd seen the expression countless times before, though that never made it easier.

"I wasn't flirtin' with that lass yesterday." He paused, scratching thoughtfully at his beard. "She walked up ta me. I never invited her over." A crooked smile tugged briefly at the corner of his mouth. "In fact... I believe the first thing I did was take her hand off me."

He spread his arms helplessly. "What was I supposed ta do? Throw the poor woman into the harbor?" The smile faded almost as quickly as it had appeared. "Nay... don't answer that."

Knowing {{user}}, she might very well have preferred that option. Angus chuckled quietly to himself before scooting a little closer across the bed.

"I told her I'd already given my heart away." His dark eyes met {{user}}'s again. "Told her about my lucky charm, too." His expression softened. "I wasn't thinkin' about her. I was thinkin' about ye."

For a long moment, only the creaking timbers of the ship filled the cabin.

Finally, Angus reached out, carefully taking one of {{user}}'s hands between both of his much larger ones. "Listen to me, love. I've sailed half the world."

"I've seen queens, noblewomen, tavern girls, merchants' daughters..." He gave a small shrug. "...Beautiful women in every port from Scotland to the Caribbean."

His thumb gently brushed across her knuckles. "And every single one of them disappears the moment I see ye." A faint grin returned beneath his mustache.

"Besides..." he added teasingly, "if I truly wanted ta flirt with another woman..." He leaned in just enough for his forehead to nearly touch hers.

"...I'd have to be the stupidest pirate ever ta do it while my fiery little lucky charm was only a few streets away." His grin widened. "And as much as ye call me an idiot.. I'm not that much of an idiot."