Drabblish: Torn

[honorat]

By Honorat Selonnet
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: William Turner, Sr. belongs to Disney. (pouts)

Summary: For the “Aches” challenge at Black Pearl Sails. Cameo appearance by Bootstrap Bill. Companion piece to “Waiting.” There are always more sides to a story.

* * * * *


Someday, he imagines, coming home will tear him completely in two.

In the moonlight, he brushes the silver traces of tears on her cheek with trembling fingertips—tears she never sheds when she thinks he is awake.

He cannot hold her close enough to ease the ache of his love.

Tomorrow he will wave farewell to her and to their son who worships him but does not know him—does not know his father is a pirate. He will set sail returning to the Black Pearl. To the man to whom he has been more of a father than to his own son. He tells himself he does this for them. But he knows he cannot help himself. The sea calls with her siren song.

He can never sail far enough to escape the ache of his own integrity.

Comments

[sparky-darky.livejournal.com]

Beautifully written. Your writing flows so well, and this almost mirrors "Waiting" in the emotion, though Bill's emotions are directed more inwards than his wife's-- knowing that it is yourself causing the pain is almost more heartbreaking than her pain at having to almost compete with the Black Pearl. I like stories which explore the idea of 'sea-longing', and you have captured it in much more eloquent but economical words. Bill's story is actually such a tragic one, and it is lovely to someone acknowledging this.

[honorat.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you enjoyed this. The mirroring began accidentally; then when I noticed it, I played with it. You're right that causing pain can be worse than experiencing it, because it is accompanied by guilt. The tension between two opposing duties is so much more agonizing than the pull between right and wrong. I'm always fascinated by stories about Bill Turner for that reason.

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

To the man to whom he has been more of a father than to his own son.

This is an interesting take on Bill's relationship with Jack, and not one I see very often (if more than once or twice in fandom, actually). Nicely written.

[honorat.livejournal.com]

Yes, the question is at what point in Jack's career did he meet Bootstrap? I've read both the versions where Bootstrap is a pirate before Jack is and where Jack signs on Bootstrap. Both are interesting, but I wanted to play with the idea of conflicting loyalties here. Thanks for commenting.

[torn-eledhwen.livejournal.com]

Heart-wrenching. Beautifully done.

[honorat.livejournal.com]

Thank you for letting me know the emotion is coming through in this. I do find Will's entire family story very tragic.

[jenthegypsy.livejournal.com]

It's nice to get a glimpse into the torn heart of Bootstrap. Ironic, isn't it, when you think that as Bill acted father to a young Jack, Jack, in turn, has his hand at influencing a young Will. Nicely done.

[honorat.livejournal.com]

Things do come full circle, don't they. I was drawn to the idea of a man racked between two right courses, two responsibilities, and his own conflicting desires. Thank you very much.

[hendercats.livejournal.com]

Oh, the other side of the coin! Very nice. Again, hard to pick out a favorite phrase because it is all so well connected that one bit seems to bring all the rest along. Do love that he can't help himself - rather how I see Bill, too.

[honorat.livejournal.com]

I'm rather fond of exploring all the sides of coins. I'm afraid I could never write an out and out villain. People are just too complex. For a character who never appears in a movie, and about whom we hear so little, Bootstrap Bill captures the imagination. A good man. A pirate. What is his role in the mutiny? Why does he provoke Barbossa? Why does he abandon his family? Why does Will not know what his father does? So many questions. It's fun to speculate on the answers. Thank you for the comment.