Naming Drabble #1

[order_of_chaos]

Have remembered I hadn't posted this to my journal, and so am doing so.

Author: order_of_chaos
Title: Names
Pairing: Sparrington

“Jamie.”

“Don’t call me that,” he snapped reflexively.

For a moment, James thought the pirate would ignore the request. Sparrow’s expression flickered, abruptly intent as he swayed closer - too close - and his dark eyes looked straight though him. Perceptive, yes - far too much so. His face should have revealed nothing.

“And why not, luv?” As if he knew - and how could he? - that this time it had nothing to do with the pirate at all.

His own gaze skittered away, falling on some random part of the stone floor. “I...” he swallowed around the knot in his throat that threatened to choke him. “I do not desire to discuss that with you, Mr Sparrow.” There. Just the right note of coldness. And waited, precariously off balance, for the pirate to insist on an answer, or his correct title, or just to tear old wounds further open by using the damn name anyway. Instead, silence stretched between them, disconcertingly tranquil, until James finally suspended his scrutiny of the floor to sneak a wary glance at Sparrow and met unexpected compassion in eyes dark as the night sea.

“May I call ye James, then?” Jack asked finally.

Less than a minute ago, he would have said no.