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kelseaaa · 4 years

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Alone with the Sunrise

Part Two: I’m Only Sleeping

Masterlist

Pairing: Lieutenant Oliver Cochrane x f!MC (Abigail Bellamy)

Word Count: 2.4k

Warnings: angsty angst and feels

Series Summary: What really happens when Abigail goes back through the time portal after their fight against the Admiral? And how will Oliver and the pirate crew handle it? This is a follow up series to my first Oliver fic: Together with the Sundown.

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Tagging: @jaxsmutsuo, @krishu213, @greedy-choices, @imrookieramsey, @choicesficwriterscreations please let me know if you would like to be tagged or removed :)

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~Five Days Later~

“Are you sure you’ll be alright?”

Oliver sighed. Charlie had asked him this same question countless times over the past several days. He grew weary of the question over time.

The journey back to Port Monarque and Tiburon had been hell. At first, he thought he was sleeping. That he was in some terrible nightmare and soon he would wake up and realize it wasn’t real. That she wasn’t gone. But he was awake. In fact, he had hardly slept since the moment Edward came to his door and uttered the worst words imaginable.

“She’s gone, Lieutenant.”

He was good at masking his emotions. Never one to overshare and remain stoic in the face of uncertainty. Only one person had ever really broken that facade. But she was gone.

“I’ll be fine,” Oliver replied, his gaze never wavering from the tiny island they were docked at. The island where they first met. Where he had realized that there was more to life than the Navy. Where love blossomed and burned.

Oliver knew the Quartermaster wasn’t convinced, but he was thankful when she didn’t push further. He was just so tired.

Charlie dipped her chin then left him be, making her way over to the rest of the crew who were gathering their things. It was time for his crew and the Poseidon’s Revenge’s crew to go their separate ways.

After leaving the disappearing island, The Intrepid set course back to Port Monarque to tie up loose ends. When they had arrived, the Admiral’s crew had just beat them back. However, with the crew's stories, along with Oliver’s, they were able to convince the Governor’s men about the truth involving the Admiral. They skipped a few details - such as the magical island and the time portal - which aided their story.

Oliver didn’t think anyone would believe them. People trusted his father, some even idolizing him - Oliver included at some point in his life - but now here they were, pulling into Tiburon. They were moving on. The plan now was to drop off the pirate crew so they may find other means of travel. They had already stocked up The Intrepid with supplies to last them on their next journey.

Before they left Port Monarque, several of the Admiral’s old crew had asked to join Oliver. He had agreed, ensuring that none of them would speak a word about the pirates he was harboring, which they all obliged much to Oliver’s relief.

Oliver was broken from his thoughts when someone cleared their throat behind him. He turned his head only to be greeted by the Poseidon’s Revenge’s captain.

“Lieutenant. A word?”

Oliver sighed then turned his body around to face the man. Oliver stood tall, his shoulders pushed back and chin tilted slightly in the air. Instead of answering verbally, Oliver nodded his head.

“I wish to thank you,” Edward began. “For your assistance with all this and for the use of your vessel.”

Oliver should have been more grateful but right now, he was broken. A shell of a man. “Think nothing of it,” was his only response before slowly turning back to gaze off the side of the ship again. He waited for the man behind him to leave. Waited to hear the sound of retreating footsteps so he could be left alone to think and brood. But it didn’t happen.

“I’m sorry… About Abigail.”

Oliver’s throat tightened at the sound of her name. He hadn’t heard it since that first day. The day he woke up into this nightmare. Oliver wanted to scream. He wanted to jump from the deck and sink to the bottom of the ocean. He wanted to disappear.

Edward continued. “She was a peculiar woman.”

Oliver almost smiled as he remembered their first night aboard his ship. He had said the same thing right to her face and she nearly died of hysterics. How he missed her laugh…

“I pray you find peace, Oliver.”

Oliver couldn’t take it anymore. He turned around to face the captain one more time. He eyed him cautiously, looking for any crack or fissure that would give any sign of deceit. When he found none, he merely held out his hand.

“Thank you, Captain,” the Lieutenant replied. Edward inspected the man's hand, then, without reluctance, grasped it.

No more words were exchanged. Edward took his leave, joining his crew on the top deck. From his place atop the quarterdeck, Oliver watched as the pirate crew made their way off the ship and down the gangplank. When the little pirate girl waved at him, he waved back. And when Adelia pulled Officer Alvarez into a passionate kiss, Oliver’s lips quirked slightly into a smile. Soon the Poseidon’s Revenge’s crew were all gone, disappearing into the crowd of the tiny port island.

The sun was still low, barely coming up from the ocean. Dawn approached them and Oliver knew they needed to set off if they were going to make it to their next stop in a timely manner. He made his way from the ship rail, stopping to talk to his navigator, then walked down the steps to the top deck.

“Everyone is accounted for, sir,” Officer Doyle informed his Lieutenant as the crewmen began to weigh anchor.

Oliver dipped his chin in acknowledgement. “I’ll be in my quarters, should you need me.”

Once inside his cabin, Oliver removed his hat, placing it on his desk. Making his way out onto his private balcony, he closed his eyes and gripped the rail. He momentarily reveled in the feel of the sun's first rays hitting his skin and for a moment there was peace.

Then it hit him. The truth. The reality.

He was truly alone.

And with that acknowledgement, he did the only thing he hadn’t done in the past few days.

He wept.

~~~~~

~Two Weeks Later~

The first few days at sea had been rough. A nasty storm threatened The Intrepid multiple times. Waves crashed against the hull and the rain, cold as ice, pelted the crew that worked mercilessly on the deck. The sails were torn and battered and there were times - countless times - Oliver thought they wouldn’t make it. But then the sun came out and they assessed that the damage wasn’t all that bad. The crew were able to repair the ripped sails and they continued on to their destination.

Oliver stood next to the helm, hands firmly tucked behind his back as he looked out over his crew. Beside him, Officer Alvarez gripped the wheel, steering them into an old, familiar port. An odd sensation of comfort mixed with dread washed over him. Being here again made him feel strong yet somehow vulnerable. But when the call to drop anchor rang out across the ship and the crew got ready to dock, those thoughts and emotions were swept away and out of his mind.

As if he could sense it, Office Alvarez looked over his shoulder to his commanding officer. A curious look on his face. “Alright, sir?” the officer asked.

Oliver glanced at him, doing his best to hide the annoyance on his face. He was so damn tired of that question and wished people would stop asking. “I’m fine. Now get us docked.”

And with that, Oliver took his leave of the helm and made his way down to greet the Harbormaster.

“Lieutenant Cochrane,” the Harbormaster greeted once the ship was docked. “We received word to expect you. Though it seems you were delayed.”

Oliver kept his face neutral as he spoke. “We were caught in a storm and blew off course by about a day.”

The Harbormaster nodded his head before sending his men to inspect and take inventory of The Intrepid. Oliver got to work signing the docking forms and soon all his personal items were being unloaded off the ship.

“How long can we expect you here?” the Harbormaster asked as Oliver watched over his things getting loaded into his carriage.

“I’m not sure,” Oliver replied earnestly. He truly wasn’t sure how long he would be here. He wasn’t sure if he could even return to the sea. Return to the heartache and emptiness that it now held.

“Very well,” the Harbormaster replied before departing back to the docks.

Oliver let out a sigh before turning back towards his carriage. He looked to his Coachman, an older gentleman with salt and pepper hair, a thick mustache and soft, blue eyes. “Greetings, Thomas,” Oliver addressed his Coachman with a faint smile.

Thomas smiled a small, congenial smile. “‘Ello, Lieutenant. Ready to head out?”

With a nod, Oliver stepped into the carriage. Before closing the door, he looked back out at the vessel where he resided for the past several years. The one place where, at one point in time, he found solace. But now all he found was pain. He closed the door of his carriage and soon they were off.

~~~~~

The journey inland took a full day, but soon Oliver’s stagecoach was pulling into the bustling city streets. He gazed out the window, taking in his surroundings. There were more buildings than when he was here last. The market streets were packed with people shopping during the early hours. There were children running around, playing games and ignoring the adult world around them.

They continued further, the busy markets turning into quiet, ornate buildings. White columns and sturdy, marble homes lined the road now. Soon, his carriage stopped in front of one of them. A minute later the carriage door swung open and Oliver stepped out onto the cobblestone. He stretched his sore limbs, reaching his arms behind his back to pull at his muscles.

Oliver’s eyes glanced up to the bronze nameplate that was hung just beside the door and let out a weary sigh. Years had passed since he had walked these halls. And now, without his father around, the large, empty building seemed more daunting than anything.

He turned around and watched Thomas remove the last bit of Oliver’s belongings out of the carriage, gently placing the trunk and garment bags on the ground. The old man looked up and gave Oliver a warm, hopeful smile before speaking. “How does it feel to be back, Lieutenant?”

Oliver’s gaze went back to the familiar building. “Strange,” he replied honestly.

There was a twinge in his chest. Either longing or regret, he wasn’t sure. Then he heard footsteps and soon Thomas was at his side. Oliver glanced over to the man who he’d known for most his life. This sense of familiarity was nice, welcomed even. The Coachman wore a wry smile before clasping his hand to Oliver’s shoulder.

“Welcome home, sir.”

~~~~~

~Seven Months Later~

Life back in London was tiresome.

When Oliver first arrived back, news quickly spread of his father’s disgraceful acts. Many people came up to him on the streets as he strolled around town. All asking him if the rumors were true, prying into his business. Soon, people would show up at his home, all hours of the day and night. There were job opportunities, business deals and - worst of all - marriage proposals. It all made Oliver sick and soon, he refused to leave home.

Eventually, and after weeks of harassment and getting his staff to personally man his front door, the people stopped coming. Things grew quiet and, once again, Oliver was alone.

He told himself he should move on. That he should stop wallowing in his own self pity and do something for himself. But try as he might, he just couldn’t shake her from his thoughts.

Then, one evening, Oliver awoke in the middle of the night to the thunderous sound of rain beating against his window. His room was bathed in light as lightning struck and soon followed by the bellowing sound of thunder.

Oliver let out a tired sigh while rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He was used to the rain. Used to the storms that he would sail through on the sea. But he knew there was no going back to sleep now. Something was gnawing at the back of his mind that he couldn’t quite brush off.

He sat at the edge of his bed and lit a candlestick. He pulled on his robe, covering up his nude body, and made his way downstairs. All of the staff had gone home for the night, leaving Oliver alone in the Cochrane manor. He walked into the parlor and sat his candle down before turning to the fireplace. Soon, the room was aglow with the fire light.

Oliver sat down in one of the velvet accent chairs and cradled his head in his hands. Something about tonight made him feel… strange. Something felt off and he wasn’t sure why. He was tired, he felt it in his bones, but he knew that right now he needed to be in that spot.

The lieutenant sighed and sat back in his seat. He closed his eyes, willing his body to relax and grow weary. He was just… so… tired.

Boom!

Another crash of lightning, but he didn’t flinch. Instead he welcomed the sound of the storm.

Boom! Boom!

Several more, and still, Oliver remained unfazed.

But then...

Knock! Knock!

That wasn’t the sound of the tormenting thunder outside. That was the sound of someone knocking on a door. Someone knocking on his front door.

Oliver bolted up from his seat. His heart rising dangerously high in his throat. It was late, way too late for any sane person to be at his door right now.

“Maybe a beggar.” He thought to himself.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Oliver tightened the ties around his robe, then slowly - ever so slowly - made his way towards his front door. He tried to peer out the window but the rain and the evening sky made it impossible to make out the shadowy figure standing on his stoop.

But then that strange feeling he had disappeared. And for a brief moment he felt something else. A feeling that he hadn’t felt for months.

Hope.

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!

The person outside his door slammed their first several more times. But following the knocking came a voice.

“Oliver! Please, are you there?”

That voice…

His knees nearly gave out on him. With a sharp inhale, Oliver quickly unlocked his door before swinging it wide open. His heart stopped. His eyes blew wide. His mouth opened and closed, floundering like a fish out of water. He tried to speak, but nothing came out.

This was a dream. Surely he was still in his bed, fast asleep and this wasn’t real. It couldn’t be real.

But then the person on his doorstep finally spoke.

“I… I love you, too, Oliver.”

And Oliver realized that this was truly and utterly real.

~~~~~

#oliver cochrane #oliver x mc #lieutenant oliver #distant shores #alone with the sunrise #fic #my writing

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