His hand reached forward of its own volition and brushed the tear from the young man's cheek.

Hornblower's eyes widened in shock, the tears momentarily forgotten. Then he leaned into the caress, his eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment.

Pellew was overcome. His arms came around the young lieutenant, and he pulled him into an embrace before he truly realized what he was doing.

Hornblower gave him no time to do so. He slid his elegant fingers across the gold laced coat and pressed his lips to Pellew's neck. He was rewarded with a low moan that the other man could not stop. He pulled briefly back, just far enough to kiss his captain full on the lips.

Pellew could hardly believe this was happening, but he did nothing to stop it. He knew better, and had long since relegated his interest in Mr. Hornblower to the realm of fantasy, but for now, he didn't care. He returned the kiss hungrily, learning the taste of every inch of the beautiful young man's mouth. He buried his hands in those dark brown curls, reveling in the feel of them as they cascaded over his fingers. Hornblower had pulled their bodies tightly together, and Pellew could feel him hardening, even as he was. The young, beautiful body moved wantonly against his, the hands roving across his back. It seemed he could feel their heat even through the heavy coat that covered it.

His hands travelled down the soft skin of the lieutenant's neck and pushed at the uniform coat, wanting to feel the firm flesh underneath.

Hornblower pulled back, a wicked smile turning up that sensuous mouth. He let go of his captain and dropped his arms to let the offending piece of clothing slide to the deck. "Is that better, sir?" His voice was low and ran up Pellew's spine like fire.

Pellew could only nod. His voice seemed to have deserted him. He cleared his throat. "Ah, yes, Mr. Hornblower, that will do." He couldn't believe his own formal, stilted words, but nothing else came to him.

The grin never left Hornblower's face as he moved forward to put his hands under the lapels of the other man's coat. It, too, slithered to the checkered canvas that covered the deck. He ran his hands down the strong arms to free them from the sleeves and pressed himself against his captain's chest again. Pellew's arms went around him as he plundered that sweet mouth yet again. Their hips ground together, sending bolts of arousal through both of them. Pellew was trembling as he pulled the white shirt from the waistband of Hornblower's breeches, to fill his hands with the warm flesh of his back. He filled his mouth with the softness of the young man's neck, licking and nibbling his way along the strong jaw. He put a soft finger to those enticing lips as the sweet music of his moans filled the cabin. "That will never do, sir," he said softly. "The watch on deck has quite enough to occupy them, don't you think?" Pellew habitually kept his cabin skylight open in good weather, and well he knew how sound carried through it.

"I'm sorry sir," Hornblower answered softly, his fingers kneading his captain's backside. "I shouldn't wish to disturb them, of course."

"I see you have no such compunctions about disturbing me," Pellew murmured into his neck between kisses. "I fear you will drive me to distraction if you continue that."

Hornblower had managed to slide his hands inside the breeches and was using them to best advantage. Pellew was dizzy with the assault. He felt teeth at his neckcloth, undoing the knot that held it. Well, Mr. Hornblower's skill at marlinspike seamanship was indisputable, came the incongruous thought. He felt the length of the lieutenant's body slide down his, and--
 
A hand shook his shoulder, and he started awake, aware of the darkness, and his cot, swinging to the roll of the ship. "Yes, what is it," he asked sleepily.

His cabin servant held a lantern, and his coat.  "Mr Bracegirdle's respects, and you asked to be called when the French fleet was sighted," he said.

Damn the French, and damn Bracegirdle in the bargain! "My compliments to Mr. Bracegirdle and I'll be on deck directly," Pellew growled. He sat up and was disgusted to feel the hardness that had followed him from sleep. "That will be all, Porter," he said. He buried his face in his hands as the cabin door closed.
 

THE END