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Dec. 18th, 2005 01:34 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
catlover2x.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
nickngreg
Title: Pirates
Pairing: Nick/Greg, Ricardo/Archie
Rating: NC-17 in some chapters and I'm too lazy to rate each one
Disclaimer: Most characters are property of CBS et al, and I don't own them or make money off them. Although I wouldn't mind taking to the high seas and plundering them. OK, not all of them. OK, Greg. So don't sue, here be monsters. Got no booty.
AU: Completely and wildly AU, doesn't even take place in this century.
Dedicated to
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif){kind=small}
kahlualeia who shares my love of Georgette HeyerBeta and semi-collab by
fred_bear aka jennybel75, who held my hand, encouraged me and did research.Chapter 1 here: here
Chapter 2/35
“Lt! Are you awake? I think they are coming for us,” Archie’s urgent whisper sounded in the darkness of their prison.
Sure enough, the hatch banged open and fading daylight slanted down into the darkness. The tall African man, Ricardo, descended and came to a halt before Gregory’s cell. He unlocked the door and stooped to release the chains binding the Lt’s wrists, muttering disapprovingly. Gregory’s arms were so numb he could not control them as they dropped to his sides, and he was unable to suppress a gasp of pain as his wound reopened and started bleeding again. Ricardo assisted him to rise and supported his weight as he forced Gregory to climb to the deck. He released Gregory once they had gained the deck, but seized him again as he swayed as if to fall. “Easy there, lad.” Surveying the Lt’s valiant efforts to remain standing, he said, “I see I shall need to assist you.”
Gregory attempted to deny his aid, but the black man stooped again and simply hoisted Gregory over his shoulder, bearing him to a small cabin accompanied by the cheers of the few men on deck. Bowing playfully to the sailors, he kicked the door shut behind him, lowering the Lt to the narrow bunk. “Stay there, I must check out your wound,” he murmured as he poured water into a basin and located some linen cloth.
Gregory was startled as the man turned back to him and ripped his shirt in half, pulling it off his body, but he was too dizzy to protest more than feebly. Ricardo soaked some linen and cleaned the wound in Gregory’s shoulder, following with the application of some liquor which made the Lt gasp at the burning sting.
Ricardo then ripped strips from the cloth and making a pad, bound it in place. “We must hope that will stop the bleeding, but for now the captain has requested the favour of your presence at his evening meal.” He stood back to admire his handiwork and chuckled. “I’m positive the captain would enjoy your attire such as it is, but we must observe the civilities that befit such august company.” He turned to a chest, and opening it, rooted through it, coming up with a shirt of pale blue. He went to assist the Lt but ended by dressing the young man himself, moving his wounded arm gently as he pulled the loose fitting shirt over the bandages. He didn’t tie the shirt, leaving it draped open from the collar.
Gregory winced as Ricardo brushed against his head. “What, another injury?” Gregory shook his head defiantly, but Ricardo’s gentle fingers sought out the lump on his skull and held a cool, dampened cloth against it. Gregory sighed quietly in relief at the cessation of some of his pain.
Ricardo pulled him to his feet and turning him around, bound his hands loosely behind his back. “My apologies, standing orders.” He took the Lt by the uninjured arm and led him into another cabin.
This cabin was larger, obviously the captain’s quarters, furnished with oak paneling and snug cabinets for storage, a rather larger bed than was found in the other cabin, piled with cushions and luxurious coverlets. There was a round table, set as if for a formal dinner with china, crystal and food.
Gregory’s mouth watered. He’d not eaten nor drunk since having been taken captive and his attention was taken with the display. He, therefore, did not attend as Ricardo conducted a rapid conversation with the captain in Spanish.
His notice was reclaimed as Ricardo announced him simply as “the Lieutenant from that ship” and then introduced his own captain. The black haired man stood at the table as Ricardo announced proudly, “This is Sir Nicholas Stokes.”
“Lt Gregory Sanders, at your service, sir.”
“Are you really?” The captain laughed behind his moustache and goatee. “Whether you are or nay, that would surely be at my discretion, not yours.”
Ricardo led the Lt to a chair and assisted him to sit. “I shall be leaving you then, Captain.” He strode to the door and winked at Sir Nicholas as he left, shutting it silently behind him.
“What may I offer you, little one?” Sir Nicholas asked.
“Why do you call me that, I am as tall as you, possibly taller,” queried Gregory with no little irritation. His youth irked him when others constantly drew attention to it.
“I referred not to your stature,” the captain demurred, but refrained from making any other answer.
“What is this ship?” Gregory asked.
“She is my ship, she is the Sol Desafiante. I welcome you to my humble cabin.” The captain waved his hand ironically. “May I offer you some drink or food?”
“No, I thank you,” Gregory returned politely.
“I understand your desire to… resist me at all cost, but will it truly aid your men if your deprivation results in leaving them without a leader?” Sir Nicholas raised a goblet to his lips and drank audibly, tauntingly. “You believe that starving yourself is an effective way to defy me?”
The Lt considered. It did sound a bit ridiculous, put that way. He had been offered nothing to eat since his capture. He’d been kept chained since being imprisoned and so had been unable to drink any of the water tantalizingly left in his cell.
“Please…” Finally Lt Sanders was no longer able to withstand the terrible thirst parching his throat and accentuating the odor of his prison, which seemed to linger in his nostrils.
“Of course,” the captain responded. “What may I serve you?”
“Water, please,” Lt Sanders responded meekly.
“Have they given you no water?” The captain frowned. “I instructed my men to place water where you could reach it.” He poured water into a tankard and approached the Lt, holding it so that Gregory was able to control the rate at which he drank. Gregory drank thirstily and cursed himself for the contented sigh that escaped his lips as he emptied the mug.
“I could not reach the water with my hands chained to my cell,” Gregory stated.
“More?” Gregory looked up into the captain’s eyes, which showed no more laughter, only concern and a tiny bit of something that looked like anger. Gregory discerned the anger was not directed at him and answered, “Yes, please.”
The captain held the vessel so Gregory could drink again, but removed it before he’d drained little more than half.
“Not too much at once, paloma. You must have something to eat, now that you have condescended to accept my hospitality.”
“May I have some bread, please?”
“But of course,” the captain said. He picked up a loaf, tearing off small pieces, feeding them to the Lt slowly.
Finally Gregory had had his fill, unable to eat much after his privation and injury. He refused any additional food and requested more water instead.
“I’ll have to assist you to a bucket if you continue swilling down the water,” the captain teased, relishing the flush of embarrassment that coloured the young man’s creamy skin.
Finally Gregory could dissemble no longer and cried out in distress, “Why do you taunt me? I am your prisoner, constrained to your favour; I can do naught without your leave.” He shut his eyes, ashamed of his display of impotent emotion.
“Nay, little one, I meant nothing by it, I did not intend to demean you,” the captain said in caressing tones. “It has been so long since I entertained a creature as… captivating as yourself and I forget myself, living amongst ruffians. Pray accept my apologies.”
“No, it is I who should apologize. You could have had me killed and I owe you my life, such as it is,” Gregory said miserably.
“I may hold you to that sentiment one day,” the captain responded oddly. “However you wrong me, it is really not my habit to roam the seas, murdering all and sundry.”
“You killed many men on my ship today. The captain and all officers superior to me, what merited that?” cried Gregory.
“Your ship fired on me, if you recall. I’d really no intention of engaging but I never refuse a challenge,” the captain laughed, swinging a leg over the arm of his chair. “I cannot permit myself to be captured without venturing any response whatsoever, now can I? It would not be reasonable.”
“I did not know… I did not realize that my captain fired on you first, perhaps he had reason?”
“If he did, we shall never know it if you are not privy to it.” The captain shrugged. “It really does not interest me as much as you do.”
“What do you plan to do with my men?”
“They will make their choices.”
“Choices? From a pirate?”
Something changed in the face of the captain; a look of bitter contempt hardened his features. Gregory winced at the harsh tone of his voice when next he spoke. “I offer respect to those who respect me and mine. Your men may be sold at market as plunder. Some may choose to remain, some may be released. It all depends on you.”
“I? What have I to say in the matter?” Gregory demanded.
“I would have your acquiescence in a small matter,” the captain replied coyly. “But we shan’t discuss it now. Ricardo informs me that he cleaned and bandaged your wounds.”
“Yes, I thank you,” Gregory responded quietly. The dull throbbing in his head had faded briefly with the water and bread, but now was now escalating once again. He feared a loss of his control, desperate not to appear helpless before this strong, laughing man.
“You look tired, little one. Was this your first battle?”
“No, it was not. No.” Gregory shook his head slightly in an effort to clear the gathering cobwebs which were rendering him stupid. His head swam in the warmth of the cabin and the flames of the candles merged in his clouded vision, surrounding Sir Nicholas in a glow, bathing his sun-kissed skin and smiling face with golden light.
“You blaze like the sun,” he blurted suddenly.
For the first time, Sir Nicholas seemed taken aback, surprised by this sudden flight from the hitherto sensible and down-to-earth young man. He smiled as the Lt swayed slightly in his chair, finally coming to rest against his bound arms in order to gain the support of the chair-back.
Sir Nicholas arose and stalked slowly toward the confused young man. “It is fascinating you should choose to liken me to the sun. The sun is my crest, this ship is named for the sun and some have called me… the sun, del Sol.”
He loomed over the young Lt, reaching a hand to cup the Lt’s chin, raising his head to stare into drowsy lidded eyes. He trailed a finger over Gregory’s adam’s apple, down his neck, coming to rest in the little hollow between his collarbones. “Do you like the shirt?”
“I beg your pardon?” Gregory muttered, fighting to retain his swimming senses.
“The shirt, it is silk. Have you ever worn a silk shirt before?” The captain murmured, his breath hot on Gregory’s ear. He slid his hand under the shirt, caressing warm skin no less soft than the luxurious silk. His hand searched for and found the furled bud of a nipple and he stroked his thumb over it. He looked into the Lt’s face as he felt a shift in the young man’s posture.
Gregory’s head had slumped to his chest and he sagged in the chair, losing the fight with his overtaxed senses and fatigue. The captain’s hand stilled, then shifted to Gregory’s hair, stroking it softly. He smiled down at the beautiful young man, his captive, before calling to Ricardo.
Sol Desafiante Defiant Sun
paloma. dove
del Sol the sun
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-12-18 09:53 am (UTC)May the wind be with you in writing more and sharing with us your humble readers.
Gregory's fight to survive the dinner is intriguing and perhaps someone should remind him always to choose the lesser of two weevils.
/A
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Date: 2005-12-18 01:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-18 05:05 pm (UTC)Now that's my kind of math.
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Date: 2005-12-18 05:48 pm (UTC)I'm so looking forward to reading more!
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Date: 2005-12-18 07:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 12:07 am (UTC)Really though, I can feel myself growing addicted to this already. You're awesome and I love you.
C!!!
Date: 2005-12-19 06:42 am (UTC)And I swear I'll leave a glowing novel review ASAP, but I couldn't leave the second chapter reviewless. You're such a goddess for taking on a project like this. I swore to my folks that I'd try and wrap up my fic projects by the New Year (my resolution, not theirs. Why did I do it? Tell me why, C, because I simply don't understand.) so I'm trying to balance gift making, fics, and RL together and it's busy but wonderful. Wonderful like you, because I. Miss. You. So. Much.
But not to worry. When the holidays bid their farewell, you'll be getting more e-mails for then you'll know what to do with.
Until later, oh Goddess of History. (Because the language is this has me drooling!) I love you! Just FYI. ^_^
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Date: 2005-12-19 06:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 06:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 06:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 06:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 06:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 07:00 am (UTC)Re: C!!!
Date: 2005-12-19 07:03 am (UTC)Sweetie! I have missed you horribly too! Not only writing this but so much work! Hey, Kahlua is coming to see me on Christmas Day and we are going to see BBM if it's playing and talk about Beyond. We'll be channeling you!
I'm so glad you stumbled across this, I should have e'd and said, hey! I'm posting it! Hopefully you'll think David is snarky enuf when he shows up. I also am trying to balance a lot of things and sadly, I think a lot of Christmas fics will be late. :-(
Goddess of History! Snork! Thank you, I'm glad you like the language. I have to say it took a toll on my everyday speak, I sound just like Pirates now and often when I'm writing, I need a little review to keep myself in this century. (Oh btw, this is the one I was telling you about with the more genteel smut.) XOXOXOX fan+friend
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Date: 2005-12-19 07:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 07:35 am (UTC)=
LOVE!!!!!!!!
This melt brain. Brain melt. Pirate love.
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Date: 2005-12-19 07:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 07:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 07:40 am (UTC)Yes, yes i have the pirate love.. pirate love.
(.. found you?)
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Date: 2005-12-19 07:42 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 07:44 am (UTC)i love the pirates. Shiver my timbers, yarrr!!
(THIRTY FIVE PARTS?!?!?!)
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Date: 2005-12-19 07:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-12-19 09:41 pm (UTC)That's a beautiful thought, actually. I'm saving it. I'd be more than glad if you did write a sequel, by the way. Not silly at all. :)
That's partially why I used Brit spellings.
Y'see, I don't notice these things. I'm Canadian. We mostly use Brit spelling anyway. Clever touch though. Definitely something I'd never have thought of.
Oh, and you needn't worry about losing me. I love your style and your concepts and you could write *gasp* het and still have me follow it everywhere. XD Now I have to go read chapter 3! ^^
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Date: 2005-12-20 08:47 am (UTC)I love the idea of Nicky and Greg meeting over and over in different lives. They seem really right for each other, which all pairings don't always. Not that they don't have their issued.
I am so glad I won't lose you. YOu won't lose me either, I posted the link to your fics in my LJ so I can read them. And don't worry, I don't think I could write a *gasp* het *gag* so you don't have to worry. <3