literature

The WildFlowers: I Think I Need You

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The last five years, and everything that had happened between them had finally lead Harper to this point in her life. It had been a rough journey, full of things she couldn’t have possibly expected, but looking back, it was worth it. She did what she had always dreamed of doing, finding Neverland.

But of course this came with a price, leaving her home, and losing her family. She could never go back home. But now where could she go? As she took one last walk down the main street of King Charles Harbour, the thought struck her like a bolt of lightning. She had orders to leave Neverland, but where would she go? For such a beautiful summer evening, she sure felt cold and lonely. Would it be better to go back to Ireland, or would it be worth trying to stay here. Everyone warmed up to Harper and her crew over the years. Everyone except James.

She kept her eyes out over the horizon, at the end of the street she saw the pier and of course, the open ocean. The wind breathed a sigh through the trees all around the harbour, and she sighed too.

“Oi Harper!” A voice called out from further up the street, she saw someone poke their head from around the corner of the Vigilante. “Ya gonna have a last drink or no?”
She recognized the voice, and the accent; Neifion.

“I did know you were havin’ a party for us Nef!”

Neifion walked down the street to meet Harper, the wind blowing through his red silk shirt and long chestnut hair.

“I’m not taking credit for it. All your mates are in here, and we need a captain to toast.”

Harper folded her arms in front of her, “I appreciate it, I’m just not feelin’ in a very festive mood right now.”

When Neifion caught up to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders, “Well then come on in and drink ‘til you’re in a festive mood.”

“Alright fine.”

“Let’s go, we’re waitin’ for ya!” Neifion gave her a little push to quicken her pace the two trotted up to the front doors of the Vigilante, already they could hear cheers and laughter emanating from the pub.

Neifion proudly marched in with his arms opened wide,

“Ladies and gentlemen, our guest of honour has been found! I give you Captain Harper Milligan!”

There was an eruption of cheers as Harper walked into the pub. Odd to think that just five years ago they were all sneers and dirty looks, but now the people were happy to see her. She noticed her crew members seated around tables and drinking with men from the other ships. She was particularly surprised to see her quartermaster, Dougie, engaged in quite a cheerful conversation with Isaac and Timothy of the Wolf.

She barely had time to order a drink, or even sit down before people flocked her, left and right bidding her a safe voyage home and thanking her and her crew for their service, and performances over the years. Abigail was practically in tears when she came up to hug Harper and say her goodbyes.

“You should be so proud of yourself, dear. You all went through so much to come here.”

“yeah, I just don’t know what we’re going to be going back to.”

“Is the war still going on in Ireland?”

Harper shrugged, “I don’t even know if Ireland is still there.”

Abigail gave Harper a tight hug and a kiss on the cheek, “I’m sure you’ll all be fine, love. We’ll be thinking of you.”

Ashton stepped forward next and extended his hand, “It was a pleasure, Miss Milligan.”

Harper smiled and shook his hand, “Thank you Captain Griffin. I really do appreciate it. I learned a lot from you. I learned a lot from everyone here.”

“And there’s still more, but you’re on the right path. You have the makings of a great leader Miss... Captain Milligan. My apologies from before.”

Harper could only smile and whisper a quiet ‘thank you’. The acceptance she had longed for was finally here and she tried her hardest to hold back tears. Ashton could this in her eyes and gave her a quick hug.

“Have ya seen James at all?” she asked.

Ashton glanced around the pub before shaking his head, “No, I haven’t. Looking for him?”

“I just didn’t know if he was here or not...”

“Captain Milligan!” Neifion was calling out from across the pub.

“Damn you, what now?” She shouted. She looked around and saw Neifion standing in the back corner of the pub where her and her crew mates would perform. He was waving his arm frantically, signaling her to come over.

Harper pushed her way through the crowd of people and stepped up to the platform next to Neifion and the talking in the pub quickly died down.

“Well?”

“ ‘Well’, what?”

“We don’t get a speech?”

Cheers, whistles and claps circulated around the pub.

She gave Neifion a shove, “You’re a bastard.”

“Let’s go Milligan!”

Harper ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath before looking out at the sea of eyes all watching her.

“Well shit, I don’t know what to say,” she laughed. “First of all, may the crew of Edgar Jex all stand up?”

Several men, and Devin, stood up from various tables around the pub.

“Five years ago, these brave sailors lost everything, their homes, their jobs, and their families. With no place left we could turn to, instead, these fifteen strangers banded together, and turned to each other for a common goal; to find Neverland. The few that had heard of our plans thought we were all mad, but when we set sail that day, none of us knew what to expect, or even if we were going to make it out alive. But you know what? We made it. Five years ago, we did the impossible, and for that mates, I thank you all.”

Harper began to clap for her crew and soon everyone else followed with the men of Edgar Jex all proudly smiling.

“Ya know,” Harper started again and the crowd hushed, “When I lost my family that day, the only thing I could think of was that I was going to be alone for the rest of my life, but then when I came here, and got to know all you fine people, I realized how similar we were to each other. In one way or another we’re all alone, we all came here looking for something better, and here we are. From all walks of life, from all over the world, someone, somewhere meant for us to all find each other. I had always believed that the people who enter your life do so for a reason. Even if we weren’t meant to stay here, we certainly were meant to come here with all you fine Neverlanders. You are truly the best people in the world, I will always remember you all. Thank you.”

Before a second round of cheers started, Harper held up her hand, “I’m not done yet,” she laughed, “Before I leave! There’s something very important I need to take care of. Now Admiral Yale hear has failed on numerous occasions to out-drink me, despite his constant boasting. So Admiral, one last time?” Harper held out her hand and smiled.

Neifion gave her hand a firm shake and got down in her face, “You’re on ginger witch.”
The closest table quickly cleared and the pub divided between those on Harper’s side, and those on Neifion’s.

Devin hurried over with two pint sized mugs of a dark ale, “You got this Harper,” she said.

“Ya scared?”

“Ha! I ain’t scared a’ no lit’le girl.”

“Well you’re about to get beat by one,” and quick as a flash the mug was to Harper’s lips and she was quickly chugging.

The contest, like the many before, was over in just under twenty seconds with Harper slamming her glass down on the oak table while Neifion was still ‘oh so close’ to finishing.

“Póg mo thóin ya Welsh bastard!” Harper yelled.

Once Neifion was finished he too, slammed his glass down and smiled at Harper. He held his hand out and pulled her over into a hug, “I gonna miss you, ya crazy bitch.”

“I can say the same ta’ you.”

After the excitement had ended, many of the people went back to their tables and conversations.

“Nef, ya haven’t seen James anywhere have ya?”

Neifion shook his head, “No. I haven’t seen him all night. Did you need him?”

Harper shrugged, “I mean, I just wanted to say ‘good-bye’.”

“Have ya checked the ship?”

“No, not yet.”

“If anything, I’m sure he’s down there. It’s not too late, so I know he’s still up. When do you head out tomorrow?”

“I’m gonna try to leave as early as I can.”

Neifion nodded, “Well, in case I miss ya tomorrow, it was a pleasure havin’ ya around. Fair winds, and hopefully our paths cross again sometime.”

“Thank you. Same to you, Admiral. I’m gonna go find James now.”

She gave Neifion one last quick hug before pushing her way through the crowded pub out to the front door.

It was nice to be out in the fresh air and Harper took a deep breath once outside. She took one last look down the main street before heading towards the docks.
As she passed by the pier she noticed a tall, thin figure standing in the far corner, looking out over the ocean. Long curls of hair wisped about in the breeze and thin plumes of smoke floated above their head. Harper squeezed the pouch that hung from her belt,
Wonder if that’s him?” she thought.

She began walking across the pier and closer to the figure in the corner. She slid around the tables and chairs, there was no use in trying to be quiet, since the heels of her boots knocked loudly against the wooden boards. Harper kept her voice at a respectable tone,

“Pardon me, sir...”

The figure turned around and sure enough, it was James. The wind was blowing his long hair across his face and he was holding a cigar to his lips.

“Milligan?” his voice was deep and he sounded slightly irritated.

Harper felt her breath escape her and she paused for a moment before finding herself again.

“I just wanted to say ‘good-bye’ before I had to leave tomorrow.”

“Alright.” James simply turned away, turning his focus back to the ocean again.

“Look, I know we didn’t get off on a good start at all, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to part ways on a bad note either. I’m sorry for any trouble I caused ya, James. I...” she stopped for a moment to find her words, “I learned a lot from you, I really did. Things that I never would have known hadn’t I come here. So, along with saying good-bye, I also want to say thank you as well. I know you probably hate me, but I can’t change what happened, I can’t forget what I learned from you. I’m not looking for your approval, I don’t need anyone else’s approval, as long as I make myself happy, to hell with anyone else. You taught me that. The first day I came here and fought with ya back in the pub was the first time I ever did anything like that. I truly think that I’ve become a better person because of you. And nothing will ever change that. So you might hate me, and I might hate you, but regardless of personal feelings... thank you.”

James removed the cigar from his mouth and looked back over his shoulder at Harper, it was clear he couldn’t quite believe what he was hearing from her.

Harper felt around for the pouch on her belt and pulled it open to take out the necklace inside.

“My grandmother gave it to me when I was a little girl. She said it’s worn by someone who lost someone important, as a way to remember them. I want to leave this here with you. Especially being that you lost your aunt so recently.”

Before James could say anything, Harper took the necklace and lifted it around James’ neck. She had to stand on her tip-toes to clip it behind his neck, and once she did, snuck in a quick hug before stepping away from him.

“Good-bye James Hook. I can’t say I’ll ever forget you.” And with that, she turned to leave, not waiting for James to respond.

He looked down and lifted the necklace up with this hook to see it better. On a silver chain was a single, tiny Forget-Me-Not flower encased a piece of glass.

James felt his shoulders drop and he looked up at Harper, who was already half way down the pier. He tossed his cigar over the railing and walked briskly to catch up with her,
“Harper, wait!”

Harper turned around, a bit shocked that he actually came after her.
For the first time that James could remember, his words escaped him, and the two stared at each other for a few moments.

“What is it?”

“You’re not leaving now, are you?”

“No, I’m leaving tomorrow morning...”

“No, I mean... what are you doing right now?”

Harper laughed nervously, “I was just going back to the pub for a bit...”
“Did you want to take a walk?” James felt like he was no longer in control of what he was saying.

Harper shrugged, “Sure? Where to though?”

“I don’t know. Just on the shore or something.”

“Alright...” The two smiled at each other and James lead the way to the staircase off the boardwalk and down onto the beach. Lanterns lit up the shoreline, but only to an extent. Once they had reached the water it had gotten significantly darker.

The two walked together, side by side, in silence for only a short while until in the dim light, Harper saw a large sea shell in the surf and trotted over to pick it up. As soon as she stood up, she placed the shell to her ear and a smile spread across her face.

“What are you doing?”

“You can hear the ocean in it.”

“Yeah, and you can hear the ocean by standing right next to it too.”

“No, this is different, here, listen.” Harper reached up and clapped the shell over James’ ear, and sure enough he heard a hollow roar from deep inside.

He pulled the shell away from his ear and looked at it, “Interesting...”

“You’ve never listened to the ocean in a seashell before?”

He shook his head, “No, I haven’t. I didn’t grow up near the ocean, you saw. Windsor’s in the country.”

“Well, where I’m from in Waterford, we had plenty of ocean!”

“Are all shells like this?”

“The big ones are.” Harper couldn’t help but smile, she couldn’t believe that someone like James had never heard of this before.

James scanned the beach for another shell to try this with and it didn’t take long to find one. It was a spiral shell, just like the one Harper had found, but this was a lot more colourful, with vibrant bands of purple and green running along it. He picked it up and snuck up behind Harper, wanting to surprise her. However, when he placed the shell against her here, there was a wet ‘squish’ and Harper jumped and let out a scream, causing James to drop the shell in the sand.

“What? What is it?”

The two of them looked down and sure enough, a giant slug poured out from the shell, flipped itself over and crawled into the waves.

James and Harper both looked up at each other now. James narrowed his eyes and smiled,

“Bet that didn’t sound like the ocean, did it?”

Harper gave James a shove, “You did that on purpose!”

“I did not! I didn’t know it was still alive!”

“You’re such an arse!” Harper reached down into the surf and splashed the side of James’ leg.

Just as James was about to splash her back, something caught her attention and she darted out of the way.

“What is it now?”

He could see her picking something up out of the sand, but couldn’t see exactly what. He trotted up next to her and peeked over her shoulder.

“It’s a sand dollar!” she exclaimed. She turned around and looked up and James, “You
do know about these, right?”

James shook his head, “What about them.”

Harper rolled her eyes and sigh, “Here, I’ll show you.”

She lead James back up the shore and to the lanterns that lined the beach. She set the sand dollar on the fence and began to explain,

“You probably wouldn’t know this, you’re Protestant. But the sand dollars are a reminder of how Jesus died for us. There’s four holes here, for the nails in his hands and feet, and this fifth one here where he was stabbed with the spear. The flower on the top is the Easter Lily,” she turned the sand dollar over, “and the back is a Christmas poinsettia. Now watch this.” She broke the sand dollar in half and five little pieces shaped like doves fell out onto the fence,
“And then inside are the Doves of Peace. There’s a whole poem that goes along with it, my grandmum taught it to me when I was younger, but I don’t remember it now.”
She took one of the doves in one hand, then grabbed James’ hand with the other and slipped the dove inside, closing his fingers around it.

“I’ll keep this one.” She said, holding the little bird in her hand. She then took the other three and buried them in the sand next to the wooden fence post.

“There. Now we’re forever linked to this spot.”  When she stood back up, she noticed James was staring at the little dove in his hand.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

James snapped out of his trance and looked up at her, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a lot on my mind right now.”

Harper nodded and leaned her back against the fence, “Me too.”

The two stood there, neither of them saying a word to each other, but every now and then, sneaking a glance at the other. Eventually Harper caught James looking at her and smiled,

“What?”

“What?”

“You’re lookin’ at me.”

“No I’m not.” Right away James could fell his face warm up around his cheeks and he tried to turn his head away.

“Yes you were, you were lookin’ at me.”

“Well you were looking at me.”

Harper tried to act shocked, but she could feel her skin, from her bust up to her cheeks get red and she too, tried to look away to hide it.

James waited a moment before glancing back over and saw that Harper now wasn’t even trying to hide the fact she was staring at him. Their eyes locked on each other’s and James slid over closer to Harper. She only came up to his shoulder and had to crane her neck back to look up at him. Her eyes bounced from his eyes, his lips, his chest, and back to his eyes again.

Still holding the dove in her hand, she placed her free hand on James’ stomach and leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. By now his heart was racing so fast he could practically hear it. He wrapped his arms around Harper, pulling her in even tighter, and letting his chin rest on the top of her head. He closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing but he couldn’t get his hear to slow down.

He felt Harper’s hand curl up into a fist, clutching to his waistcoat.

“I hear your heart beating,” she said.

“I bet you do.”

Harper smiled and looked up at him and he felt her rub his side. They were already so close.

The wind picked up, blowing some of Harper’s hair across her face. James used his hook to brush it aside and as he did, he started to lower his head.

They both closed their eyes and James lowered his head further. He still couldn’t feel anything and lowered his head down as far as he could before he paused,

“Where are you?”

Harper opened her eyes and laughed, “You missed?”

“I guess I did!”

They both smiled at each other.

By now Harper’s heart was beating so fast it felt like her corset was the only thing holding it in.

“You’re were gonna do it, weren’t ya?” she asked.

“You were gonna do it too.”

Harper reached up and touched James’ cheek and let her fingers drift lower down to his neck.

James closed his eyes, tilted his head slightly and finally kissed her.
Their lips only separated because they both smiled, but when their eyes opened, their smiles began to fade.

“We should go now,” James whispered, brushed Harper’s face again with his hook. Harper didn’t say anything, she only nodded. As the two walked back to the pier together, Harper’s had slid down and held onto James’ hook; both of them each kept hold to their little doves.

James walked Harper back to her ship’s slip and the two stood there for a moment before saying anything, both of them had to return from their high they were still on.

“Well, James Hook, I guess this is farewell.” Harper rubbed the side of James’ sleeve.

He nodded, “I guess so.”

“Well, good bye...”

James stopped her before she could finish, “Don’t say ‘good-bye’. Good-bye means going away. I’ll see you another time.”

Harper smiled, “I like that. I’ll see you again then.”

The two shared one last sad smile before Harper turned around and walked down the dock to her ship, clutching the little dove to her chest as tears finally began to well in her eyes. Once inside her cabin she placed the dove on her night stand and collapsed on her bed. She squeezed her pillow as tightly as she could, closing her eyes and wishing it were someone else.

James too quietly walked back to the Wolf. Since everyone was still at the pub, he had some quiet time to himself. Once in the cabin he threw himself down on his bed and stared up at the ceiling. For five years he wanted this woman to leave and now the day had come and he wasn’t so sure. He rested the little dove on his chest and watched it rise and fall with each breath, and twitch with every beat of his heart.

He couldn’t go back on his word, yet at the same time, he answered to no one but himself, he could do whatever he wanted. He gently closed his hand around the little dove, resting it on his chest, and closed his eyes. He knew she was leaving early tomorrow morning. If she was gone, she’s gone, however, if he was able to catch her before she left, maybe it was meant to be.
For Valentine's day, I wanted to get this scene out. It's the turning point for James and Harper in their "relationship" where they hit that 'I think I might like you' stage. What happens afterwards, wait until Valentine's Day to check it out.

I've had this scene in my head for quite a while, and I actually really like the way James and Harper both kind of turn into derpy teenagers around each other after hating each other for 5 years. Eventually I'll get this story straightened out and posted on dA, but for now, enjoy this.
© 2013 - 2024 TaranJHook
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PeterSassyPan's avatar
wow., this is really good., thanks for sharing *hugs*