Pirate!France x Princess!Reader - Love Bound - P2

     “Oi, amour, wake up.” You heard a thick French accent whisper into your ear. Groaning, you just rolled back over.

     You heard a soft chuckle. It sounded oddly familiar. “_____, if you don’t get up, I might leave without you.”

     Giving a soft, “Hmm?”, you rolled back over to meet whoever interrupted your sleep. Once you rubbed the sleep out of your eyes, you opened them. They immediately met ocean blue eyes. They stared lovingly into your (e/c) ones. Your heart stopped. You knew those eyes.

     “Fr-… Francis??” You asked, still not believing your own eyes. He chuckled.

     “Zhe one and only. ‘ow ‘ave you be-“ He was cut off by you quickly scrambling out of bed to throw yourself at him. He easily caught you, being stronger from the years of rope pulling and barrel hauling. You tightly wrapped your arms around his neck, having to stand on your tiptoes to do so. Francis snaked his arms around your waist, and held you just as tight.

     “I missed you so much…” You said, your voice just above a whisper.

     You could hear the smile in his voice. “I missed you too, _____. Every day. Every minute. Every second.” He nuzzled his face deeper into your neck, breathing in your scent. You freely let a few tears stream down your cheeks. Oh, how you had waiting for this day to come.

     Francis pulled away. He cupped your cheeks in his hands to get a full look at your face. You did the same to him. His ocean blue eyes were just as kind and loving. His skin was a little more tan, but still fairly white. His blonde hair was still shoulder length and wavy. You noted how it shined a pale silvery yellow in the moonlight.

     “Goodness, chérie. Your cheeks are so t’in.” He whispered, leaning in to place his forehead on yours as he caressed your hollow cheeks.

     You mentally rolled your eyes at how Lizzy was right. You found sudden interest in Francis’s white, frilly shirt. “Yeah… Ever since you left, I never really had an appetite…” You said, trailing off.

     He only smiled. “I guess I’ll ‘ave to fix zhat, won’t I?” His smile quickly went away. “Look at me.” He said, his voice soft and caring. You slowly made eye contact with him. His eyes were sparkling with love.

     “Je t'aime. I loved you every second I was wit’ you, and every second I was wit’out you.” He slowly started to lean in. “I missed you so much, chérie.” His lips quickly connected with yours, eagerly kissing you.  You kissed back just as eager. The kiss was filled with longing and love. Francis, again, was the first to pull away.

     “You need to pack your zhings. We need to leave before zhe sun rises.” He said, his voice low. You nodded, and turned around to grab a suitcase that you had hid under your bed. You quickly placed it on your bed, and went into your small wardrobe to pull out your dresses. You laid one of your plainer ones on the bed, since you needed to change. Hands flying, you folded up your dresses and anything else you would wear and stuffed them into the suitcase. Francis just watched you with a grin on his face. You then grabbed the dress you had laid out, and changed out of your nightgown… Behind the dividers, of course. Putting your nightgown into the suitcase, you then turned around and grabbed your sketch pad, pencils, extra sketch pad, paints, brushes, and other random things.

     “Not going to take your corsets?” Francis said with a smirk on his face.

     “Hell no.” You spat. He just laughed. Not his usual "honhonhon" laugh, but a genuine laugh. You smiled back at him as you closed your suitcase.

     “Ready?” He said, walking up next to you, and then grabbing the suitcase.

     You shook your head. “Almost.” Francis gave you a questioning look, but you just turned around and headed for your desk. Grabbing a piece of paper and pencil, you began to scribble things down on it. After a few minutes, you put down the pencil next to the paper, and got up.

     You turned back to Francis. “Alright. Let’s go.” You smiled up at Francis, and he just smiled back.

     “Zhis way,” He said, grabbing your suitcase, and then heading for the balcony. The night air was pure still; not a sound to be heard besides the soft lapping of the ocean’s waves. The moon was full, lighting your way through the night. As you both approached the balcony, you noticed a rope with a grappling hook attached to the railing. Francis stopped in front of it, grabbed something out of his pocket, and then turned around to face you, holding out a pair of gloves.

     “You’ll want zhese.” You grabbed the gloves, and slipped them on. Francis grabbed another pair from his pockets for himself.

     “I’ll go first, and then wave to you when it’s clear, alright?” He whispered, his face a few inches from your face. You silently nodded, and he leaned in to give you a quick peck on your lips. Turning back around, suitcase in tow, he swung his leg over to the other side of the railing, and then the other leg. He perilously swayed backwards, but then grabbed onto the railing, steading himself. You watched with wide dilated eyes, ready to reach out for him if he started to fall. Francis noticed how tense you were, and winked at you. You gave him a, “This is no time for games” glare, but it just ended with a small giggle. It was impossible to stay mad at Francis.

     Grabbing the rope with one hand, Francis slowly lowered himself down. You watched as Francis carefully loosened his grip, fell a few feet, and then tightened it, causing him to slow down. This continued for a good 5 minutes. You guessed you were probably a good few hundred feet above the ground, and if not, more.

     You could barely see Francis now, being so far below you. You saw him drop the last few feet to the ground, and then look around. Placing the suitcase down, he scouted the area. After a minute, he came back to the end of the rope, and then waved up to you. You took a deep breath. This is it… my freedom…

     You slowly and carefully swung one leg over the railing, and then the next. Holding onto the railing with an iron grip, your mind screamed the words, don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t look down.

     Glancing down, you reached for the rope, and grabbed it. The rope was thick and sturdy, and the gloves helped you keep a good hold on it. Lowering yourself down, you gripped the rope with both hands. Taking another deep breath, you lightly loosened your grip on the rope. You felt yourself start to slide downwards, and out of panic, you tightened your grip. You (again) took a deep breath, trying to calm your ever so pumping heart.

     Come on, _____. You can do this! I thought you weren’t scared of heights anymore!

     Only staring at the castle wall in front of you, you ever so slowly started to make your decent. Letting your mind wander, you realized that the whole ordeal seemed like a dream. Just last night you were painting the sunset like you always do. And now you were escaping out of your prison with Francis. Part of you wondered if it really was a dream.

     You gritted your teeth as your hands started to hurt. Looking up and then glancing down, you figured you were only about halfway down. How Francis did it with only one hand, and a suitcase, you had no idea.

     After three more minutes, you almost jumped out of your skin when you heard Francis’s voice. “You can jump down now, chérie.” Looking down, you found you were only about 6 feet from the ground. Sighing in relief, you let go of the rope, and landed on your feet. You cringed as you stretched your hands, but sighed as they started to relax.

     “Come on. Zhe sun is rising.” Francis then grabbed your hand, and started pulling you with him towards the docks. Lifting your gaze back up, you looked towards the horizon and saw that Francis was right. Bright orange and yellow beams of light jutted upwards, signaling that the sun was coming. The cool dawn air was pin-drop silence, with only the sound of yours a Francis’s footsteps on the gravel road. Turning your head so that you were now facing forwards, you glanced around at your surroundings. You barely remembered what the town below the castle ever looked like. You watched as Francis pulled you past the old bakery, then hotel, the meat stall… you once again questioned if this was a dream.

     Until someone ruined that idea.

     “The Princess! She’s getting away! Get her!” Both you and Francis glanced back in alarm. You faintly saw about five shadows quickly start to make their way towards you.

     Francis grinned a grin you would probably see on the Mad Hatter. “Time to run.” He quickly turned around, and with you in tow, started running, still hand in hand. You grabbed your dress with your free hand, bundling it up so you wouldn’t trip on it. Catching Francis’s Mad Hatter attitude, you also grinned, and even started laughing as you both quickly out ran the heavily armored guards. Francis smiled at your behavior, and catching your gaze, he shot you his winning smile and a wink. You just smiled widely back, until two guards ran out of an alley way a few meters in front of you. Both skidding to a stop on the gravel street, Francis pulled you into another alleyway. You stumbled after him, a smile still plastered on your face.

     Twisting and turning, you quickly lost track of where you were. And it didn’t help that it was almost pitch black. You heard the yells of the guards echo throughout the alleyways, confusing you and Francis. Stopping at a four way street, you both glanced wildly around. Francis’s blonde wavy hair stuck to his face, and his bright blue eyes were wide with excitement. Your hair was also disheveled and in a tangled mess.

     In seconds, Francis had decided to go right. You were both out of breath, but with the adrenaline pumping, you both were full of energy. At the next crossroad, Francis didn’t even pause. He just turned left, heading towards the sea. Just as you were about to hit the docks, you heard heavy thumping and rapid footsteps behind you. Francis must have heard it too, because he sped up. Matching his pace, you risked a glance back.

     Two guards on white horses were rapidly catching up with you. Glancing towards Francis, wide and scared (e/c) eyes met blue.

     He just smiled, and turned back ahead. And that’s when you saw it. A trip rope. It was thick and barely noticeably in the dim light, perfectly blending in with the brown wood of the dock. It was tied to one post on the left side of the dock, to the right side. Both you and Francis jumped over the rope, and then slowed down to look back. You watched with a smile as you saw the two horses jump over the rope. But the guards, not knowing the rope was there, didn’t expect the jump. Both guards, heavy with iron armor, tumbled to the dock, hitting it with a dull thud. Both horses slammed on the breaks, wondering why their riders abandoned them.

     Looking back ahead, Francis slowed down as he took a turn down the docks. Through the mist of the early morning, you saw you were headed towards a huge pirate ship, with the same flag as you saw the night before. Just as you were approaching it, you saw a ladder get flung over the edge. Stopping in front of it, Francis motioned for you to go first.

     “Ladies first.” He said in between breaths. You just rolled your eyes, and grabbed onto one of the rungs of the rope ladder. As quickly as your exhausted body could carry you, you climbed up, and soon felt the weight of Francis also climbing up. Taking a glance at the docks, you saw guards still running towards you, but still too far to do anything. Reaching the top of the ship, you hauled yourself over the edge, and then collapsed onto the ship’s deck, fatigue taking over you. Francis did the same, landing next to you with a dull thunk.

     As you tried to regain the lost air, you heard people scurrying around and commands being yelled.

     “Is the Captain back?”

     “Is that the Princess?”

     “She’s pretty…”

     “I wouldn’t touch her or even go near her if I were you…”

     “Men! Let down the sails! Gilbert, get to the steering wheel! Hurry, men, hurry!”

     “Oi. Francias. Get up.” You opened your eyes when you heard a Spanish accent call your Lover’s name. Beside you lied Francis, with a tanned man with a dark brown mop of hair stood over him. Francis opened his eyes, and smiled up at the Spaniard. Once he helped Francis up, he turned to you.

      “Good morning, Princessa. I’m Antonio or Toni for short, Francias’s friend and crew member.” He winked an emerald green eye at you before holding out his hand to help you up. You hesitantly took it, letting Toni pull you up. Once you were up on your feet, you took a good look around. Crew members were everywhere; releasing the sails, pulling the anchor up, making sure everything was in order, and whatever else a pirate crew does. A man with platinum blonde hair and red eyes walked up to Francis.

     “Velcome back, Franzis. Is zhis zhe frau?” He asked with a thick Germ- I mean Prussian accent. Francis nodded as the albino walked up to you, and held out his hand.

     “Hallo, frau. Mein name ist Gilbert Zhe Aweshum. Yours?” He said with a smirk. You slowly accepted his hand, and he brought it up to his mouth, kissing your knuckles. But apparently Francis didn’t like that.

     “Oi, paws off,” He said, knocking Gilbert’s hand away from yours, and then kissed your temple while wrapping his arm around your waist. “She’s mine.” He leaned his head against yours, smirking at the jealous Prussian. You giggled.

     Gilbert just rolled his eyes. “Vhatever.” Toni and Gilbert then turned away, going off to do whatever they had to do. Releasing yourself from Francis’s embrace, you turned toward the ship’s railing, looking out over the sea.. The sun was now a little ways up over the ocean, illuminating the sky and water around it orange. You sighed contently as you felt Francis once again wrap his arms around your waist, locking his fingers together so you wouldn’t be able to pry him away. He rested his chin on your shoulder, his blonde hair tickling your exposed back. You felt the salty wind whip at your dress and hair, cooling off your still over heated body. Looking back to the docks, you saw about 20 guards gathered around where the pirate ship had been docked, not knowing what to do. As you noticed they were staring at you, you smirked.

     You cupped your mouth with your hands. “Hey!” You yelled, getting all of their attention.

     You then flipped the finger. “See you never, bitches!”

     Francis frowned, but you could hear the laughter in his voice. “Well, zhat’s not very Princess like.”

     You smiled. “I’m not a Princess. I’m a pirate.”

     Francis let go of you, and then cupped your cheeks with his hands, forcing you to look at him.

     “Oui, but you’re still my Princess.” He then leaned in, placing his lips on yours in a sweet, loving kiss.

…Meanwhile, back at the castle…

     Knock, knock, knock.

     “_____, breakfast is here!” Lizzy said before opening the door. Walking inside, she closed the door behind her.

     “Good morn-“ Lizzy stopped short when she realized she was talking to an empty room. She frowned, and walked over to the desk, and set the tray of food down. That’s when she noticed the note.

                                   Dear Lizzy,

         You were right. He came. My Prince Charming came. And guess what? He’s still the same as always. Anyway, time is short. I just wanted to thank you for looking after me for these past two years. You were always positive, always making sure I was fed and happy, always sneaking in books and paints and paper for me. I don’t know if I could have asked for a better friend. You were always there when I needed you, and never made me wear my corsets, even if nobody else saw me. You did everything for me. And for that, I thank you. Maybe I’ll come back to England one day, and we’ll meet again.

         Now go and run down the halls, screaming, “The Princess escaped, the Princess escaped!” at the top of your lungs.

         Thank you again, Lizzy. May we meet again.

                                                                                                                ~Love, _____.

     Lizzy wiped away a few tears that had fallen. She smiled.

     “Of course, my Lady...” Clearing her face of any signs of crying, she steeled herself. Putting the note into her apron’s pocket, she quickly ran to the door, swung it open, and then ran down the castle’s halls, screaming, “The Princess escaped! The Princess escaped!”