Oooh! You wrote this before I took up commenting as a part-time occupation. Words cannot express how utterly I love this! I've always loved the idea that coming back to the Black Pearl had to be difficult in some ways for Jack. And you capture the tension and dynamics of that whole situation so beautifully.

I love how Jack is always at his most annoying when he's at his most vulnerable. Pretending to have ulterior motives to save face. It works 'cause he doesn't have to pretend too hard.

He hadn’t permitted himself to look at things too closely when he was here with Barbossa a fortnight past Poor Jack. This whole story gives me horrible little twinges of sympathy.

Runs his hand over the leather of the bindings. As a bibliophile myself, this was so very moving. I love just touching my books, and this really adds so much to Jack's character.

She makes her face hard, but he can see her eyes
Instead, she stills
a little snort that starts out derisive, but doesn’t end that way
I love all of these little lines where Anamaria wavers between two different reactions. Perfect. I love how you portray their relationship. And that kiss that is not like the lecherous lear at the beginning is so wonderful.
Thank you for an excellent read. I feel all emotionally wrought up and ready to go write!