by Charley Hart

FEEDBACK to Charley

"Bugger lunar tables," Archie said as he crumpled the paper and tossed it aside. Then, picking up the wad, he opened it and tore it into small pieces. The minor act of destruction was comforting. He would never master the arcane science of navigation. It was the calculations that defeated him. Horatio was good at them, but Horatio was away. Thinking about that only added to the gloom that had settled over him since yesterday, when they had parted.  It will only be for a few weeks, he thought, chiding himself for his melancholy. He should be reconciling himself, as eventually their careers would force them into a more permanent separation, in spite of Horatio's assurances to the contrary. Archie's heart ached contemplating the future.

And then there was the matter of the letter. Horatio had been given an envelope from Lord Edrington the day before, which he had not hesitated to open and read in Archie's presence. He had assumed, as Archie had, that there would be a message for him as well. It was full of subtle innuendo -- nothing prying eyes would be able to decrypt, but obvious to a lover. And all for Horatio. Not even a "please give him my love" for Archie. Nothing.

Today was Archie's birthday. He told himself that it was just another date on the calendar. But it was one he had begun to look forward to for the first time in his life, since Horatio always remembered. No one else ever had, not even his parents. But Horatio was away.

Archie pushed aside his books and lay down on his bed, hoping that sleep would come soon. He would awake tomorrow to a new day. A day without Horatio, a day without a letter, but at least it wouldn't be his birthday.

Just as his eyelids had begun to grow heavy, a knock brought him back to full alertness. Cursing under his breath, he replied with an exasperated "Yes?"

The ruddy face of Midshipman Henderson peered around the doorway. "Captain wants you, sir."

Archie grimaced. He knew what this was all about, and he wasn't looking forward to it. One of the men had complained of cruel treatment at the hands of Lieutenant Dawson, an event that Archie had witnessed. The Captain would expect him to give his account; in fact, he had already told him to be prepared for such. Dawson was his friend, but he had gone further than he should have. Archie had mulled over what he might say, looking for some way of keeping Dawson out of trouble without outright lying.

His only attempt at preparation was to splash a bit of cold water on his face and smooth out his coat.

"Ah, Lieutenant Kennedy, I was expecting you. Come in." Pellew sat at his desk, perusing a report.

"Sir."

Pellew glanced up at the disheartened tone in Archie's voice. He pushed his work aside, frowning. "Is something troubling you?"

"About Dawson, sir," he began. "I think perhaps he was justified. I realize that --"

"Never mind about that," Pellew interrupted. "I had a talk with both men, and the matter is settled."

"Oh." Archie blinked. "I thought you had summoned me to hear --"

"No, not at all," Pellew interrupted again. He had neatly stacked his paperwork, wiped the nib of his pen, and had gone over to the sideboard beside his desk. "It has to do with your uniform."

Archie shot him a puzzled look. It wasn't like the Captain to call him to account on some minor infraction of dress regulations. He looked down at himself. Nothing seemed to be amiss. "Is something wrong with my uniform?"

"Yes," Pellew said, handing him one of the two glasses of brandy he'd just poured. "You are wearing it."

Archie smiled a tiny smile. "And -- you would rather I not?"

"I would very much rather you'd not."

The smiled broadened. Archie took a few quick sips from the glass, set it on Pellew's desk, and began removing his coat and shirt. The still, cold air against his skin made him shiver. Pellew's keen gaze lingered on him as he slipped the shirt over his head.

"Stop there," Pellew ordered. He rose and stalked towards the door.

Archie heard the click of the lock as it slid into place. And then the Captain's arms were enveloping him from behind, giving both his nipples a sharp pinch, followed by a soft kiss on one side of his neck, and then another, on the other side.

The potent blend of alcohol, fleeting pain, and pleasure sent a tremor through Archie's limbs. Pellew continued covering his neck and shoulders with kisses, punctuated occasionally with a nip from his teeth. Exclamations of surprise and moans of pure joy alternated as he yielded to the confident handling, arching his back. He felt Pellew's hand pull the ribbon from his hair, and the resultant soft brush of the blonde tresses as they fell to his shoulders. He reveled in the Captain's aroma, the musky scent of his body and the whiff of brandy on his breath. He wanted to go deeper into the warmth of those strong arms.

Pellew stroked the satiny skin of Archie's bare chest. "I dreamed of this last night," he murmured softly as he tugged at Archie's trousers. "These are in my way."

Archie closed his eyes, delighting in envisioning scenes of what might happen next as he forced his shoes off and twisted slightly in the Captain's arms. "Edward, I cannot take anything off with you holding me," he moaned, his lips pressed against Pellew's temple.

Pellew responded by embracing him more firmly. "You should never say that you cannot do a thing until you've tried," he reproved affectionately.

Laughing softly, Archie struggled to kick his shoes off and slip the trousers over his hips. They were huddled so tightly together that there was barely room for the fabric to pass between them. He squirmed as Pellew made a sensual game of trying to prevent him from doing the very thing he had ordered him to do. The more he was restrained -- a sudden vise-like grip around his wrist, a hand grasping his long hair -- the more his cock throbbed with anticipation. As the trousers puddled untidily about his ankles, Archie felt the Captain's hard erection pressing against his buttocks.

Archie wanted to turn in Pellew's arms, to feel his own cock against Edward's. But the Captain continued to hold him with one arm around his chest, while his other hand worked its way into Archie's hair, carding it with his fingers. Pellew kept up this sweet torment until Archie was panting with excitement, his erection weeping. He was unable to keep his hands off himself, and reaching for his cock, began pumping.

"I did not give you permission to touch that, Mr. Kennedy," Pellew growled harshly, giving Archie's left nipple another pinch. "Remove your hand immediately."

The tone of command and the sweet, burning ache in his chest only deepened Archie's growing hunger, but he obeyed instantly. The sound of his ragged breathing seemed to fill the cabin. "Please …" he gasped.

Pellew's lips were close to Archie's ear. Archie could feel the exciting tickle of his warm breath as he whispered, "You had but to ask, love." He felt himself being turned, and those willing lips locking with his own in a deep kiss. Pellew's hand remained tangled in his hair, holding him steady as his tongue sought out the depths of Archie's hot, eager mouth. Archie pressed against his groin, his cock begging. He moaned softly into the Captain's mouth as he felt himself building towards climax.

Feeling Archie's urgency, Pellew released him and slowly dropped to his knees, laving the length of Archie's chest with his tongue. The thought of Edward's mouth on his straining cock was delicious, but …

"You don't have to do that," Archie forced himself to say.

Pellew looked up only long enough to give him a little wink. "I am no longer a novice."

Archie expelled an audible gasp as Pellew demonstrated. He could barely restrain the drive to thrust too hard into such a welcoming throat. But Pellew seemed more than able to take whatever Archie needed to give. He had cupped Archie's buttocks with both hands, pulling him forward, inviting him to fuck his mouth to his heart's content. On the edge of release, Archie moved one of those hands closer to the crack of his arse, tugging until he had manipulated one of the fingers near the hole. "Touch me there, Edward. Please touch me."

Keeping up the exquisite sucking and licking, Pellew ran his fingers lightly down the crack, brushing over the entrance. He could hear Archie pleading for more, and gently he inserted his middle finger. He prayed no one would hear Archie's shouts of pleasure as he bucked forward into Edward's mouth and then backwards against his finger. But the entire deck must have heard his climaxing shout, made all the sweeter to Archie as he realized that Edward had never released his cock, that he had drunk all Archie gave him.

Weak-kneed, Archie sank to the floor beside his lover, wrapping him in his arms.

Pellew, still fully clothed, returned the embrace, reveling in the extraordinary splendour of Archie's nakedness. "Shall we move to the bed?" he said softly, kissing Archie once more, letting him taste his own juices.

Archie could only nod, as he was led to the Captain's bed. He stretched out on the fine sheets, cool against his hot skin. It might not rival the luxurious accommodations of The Royal Arms, but it was very, very pleasant. Through contented, cat-like eyes, he watched Pellew shuck off his own clothing and toss each piece carelessly over the back of the chair. Pellew's eyes never left Archie's prone form, and the smile never left Pellew's face.

Dreamily, Archie wondered what else was in store.

The Captain climbed in beside him, sliding his arm around Archie's shoulders and pulling him into another embrace. "You seem in much better humour than when you arrived," he teased.

Archie decided not to burden him with his list of woes, finding it much more pleasurable to nuzzle against the Captain's neck, warm and satisfied. He felt a flash of guilt that Pellew had been hard for him and had gotten no satisfaction himself. He could feel it, even now, against his naked thigh. "Let me please you like that," he whispered, moving gently against him with his leg.

Edward smiled enigmatically. "Not that like," he said. "There is something else I want from you."

"Anything," Archie breathed, and he meant it. He was lying on his back, his eyes closed, as Edward kissed every inch of his face and stroked his hair with his free hand. "This?" he asked, wrapping his arm around Edward's neck and pulling him down for a passionate kiss. He loved the taste of the Captain's mouth and the feel of the powerful chest heaving against his own.

"Mmm. Yes, that … " Pellew said. "And something else."

Archie smiled seductively, catching Pellew's erection between his thighs and swiveling his hips. "This?" he offered.

"Ohhh. Oh yes, Archie, yes." Pellew was playing with Archie's hair again, twirling the long locks around his fingers. He brushed his unshaven cheek against Archie's, sending a shiver down Archie's spine. He always found that little bit of abrasion exciting. "That, and …."

"And?"

"Fuck me."

Archie felt every nerve in his body catch fire. He had never heard the Captain employ that particular command before. And never had he been so willing to obey. Edward had released him and turned on his side, his back to Archie. "Are you certain?" Archie asked quietly.

"I will thank you not to question my orders, Mr. Kennedy," Pellew returned, using the same harsh tone that had fanned Archie's lust earlier.

Archie almost moaned aloud in response. "Aye … aye … sir," he purred, sliding down to lave the puckered hole with his tongue. Pellew gasped audibly and shuddered with delight. Archie ventured more boldly, forcing his tongue as deep within the cavity as he could. He had never done that, even for Horatio, and he loved it. The earthy taste had his cock dripping almost instantly. He slicked the juices over the head and shaft with his hand, keeping up the tonguing until his lover was near weeping with pleasure. The he parted the sinewy legs slightly and licked Pellew's balls, burying his face in the dark moistness, his most secret unspoken pleasure. The scent always drove him mad, like a bacchante drunk on divine wine. He heard his name pass the Captain's lips over and over, like a litany … "Archie … Archie … yes, my love …"

Archie shifted, moving Edward's knees up a little, and settled into a position he hoped would be comfortable for both of them. He positioned his cock, knowing his less experienced partner would require a gentler approach than his own body was demanding. But Pellew pressed back against him, urging him to throw caution aside, and given that invitation, Archie could not hold back. "Edward," he groaned, as the tight channel enveloped him and sent waves of pure pleasure from his groin to his extremities. "My Edward."

Pellew reached out for the bedpost, needing something to hold on to as he thrust his powerful thighs back in an effort to impale himself more deeply on the rock-hard shaft.

Archie had never felt so wanted, so hungered for. His arm wound around Pellew's chest, his fingers delighting in the thatch of fur overlaying corded muscles. It was as if his hand could not touch this man enough, his mouth could not taste him enough, his cock could not fuck him hard enough. Pellew's desire fed his own arousal until he felt like he was drowning, all of his senses urged to the breaking point until he exploded inside his lover.

The wooden bedpost groaned and cracked as Edward came with his hand still around it. His other hand had been clenching the sheet, and the sound of the fabric ripping was overwhelmed by his savage cry of climax.

Archie realized that the sight of Edward Pellew in the throes of an orgasm would have brought him off even if hadn't been responsible for it. He clung to him tightly as the sweet sensations coursed through his body, sighing wistfully as they slowly ebbed away and reality gently returned. Raising himself on one elbow, he surveyed the destruction of the bed. "My God …" he breathed.

Pellew rolled over, greeting him with an unabashed smile. "Happy birthday, dearest Archie."

****

"You never finished this," Pellew said, handing Archie the glass of brandy as he pulled on his shoes.

Archie took it, although he already felt more than a little intoxicated.

"Oh, and there's something else that slipped my mind." Pellew shuffled through the stack of papers on his desk, drawing out an envelope. "For you," he said, handing it to Archie. "Mr. Bracegirdle missed it yesterday as it had been accidentally slipped inside a report."

Archie turned it over and saw the Edrington crest.

"You are welcome to open it and read it now, if you'd like."

Archie blushed. If it was anything like the one Horatio had received … "I will wait, but thank you."

Pellew hid a knowing smile as Archie turned to go. "There is one more thing … " He waited until he had Archie's full attention again. "Horatio regretted that he could not be here on your birthday. But he did leave something with me, which he asked that I give to you today."

Archie's face registered surprise, as he and Horatio had never exchanged gifts, only good wishes.

"Close your eyes," Pellew said.

Archie was amused at the childish pretense and held out his hands, smiling. He was quite unprepared for the hand to be captured and the ferocious kiss that Edward gave him. It seemed to last forever, broken only by the physical necessity of breathing.

Archie did not doubt that he would sleep peacefully tonight. He looked wistfully into Edward's loving eyes. "Do I have to wait an entire year for another kiss like that?"

"My birthday is in April," the Captain replied.

THE END

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