My Captain
by Jaya

My Captain

by Jaya

He sat quietly watching the commanding figure on the deck below, eyes following each graceful movements of his Captain's body, enjoying the time to just watch. Together, there were always more physical needs in mind. A soft sigh. The ship would be stopping soon; the prisoners had been in the hold for nearly a week since their defeat. It had been a lucky victory; the wind and the tide had been with them, if things had been the other way they could just have easily have lost. The fickle nature of the sea and battles which were held upon her. But it would be soon; he'd seen the glint in the Captain's eyes of late and knew what it meant.

Acceptance had been given a long time ago, though whether he liked it or not was entirely a different matter. A private one. The sadistic side of the man he respected and loved was as much apart of who he was as the rest of him. "He will come back to me." A small smile upon his lips.

Eyes almost sadly - resignation in their depths - watched the Captain as he disappeared down into the dark mouth of the hold and he turned away with a soft sigh. Yes, he would wait, it was not for him to go below. Even from where he sat he could smell the fear, and the stench of unwashed bodies, that the stiff, salty wind brought it right to him. It brought back memories, standing up he walked to the railing staring out at the endless sea, the chain of islands - their destination - visible in the distance.

They were pirates despite the deceptive flag that flew over their ship: terror was their weapon. Whether the truth of their deeds was rumor or fact - that was a different story all together. But in the end it didn't matter to those in the hold, perhaps in time it would, when the prisoners were given their chance. However for now, they were most likely reliving each fascinatingly gruesome story and detail they'd heard in the ports or as children. Trembling as they huddled, reeking in their own byproducts, full of fear.

Fear, like a smell tainted with blood and unwashed bodies, seasoned lightly with sea salt and brine. The creak of a boat in motion beneath them, raising and falling like a virgin's chest in passion, up one swell and down the other side. Racing through the perilous nest of the ocean's cradle, where the enclosed world that encompassed them gave them no idea. Only the waves on the sides and the calling of the crew against the back drop of their ragged breathing. Prisoners, in the belly of a pirate ship their position more dangerous then that of the ship left to nature's whims; for they were at the beck and call of man's passions, desires, and hatred.

Nature strikes where she will without discrimination, or hatred, simply following the intricate patterns that govern her. Men are ruled by greed, lust, hatred, their emotions and not their minds. A rational mind would not cut men down till decks run with blood coloring the ocean about the wallowing ship. A reasonable being would not subjugate another human being like an animal, nor would he send those who could not be of use to the bottom of the sea without a backwards glance. In this, nature is by far the more human of the two but in the end it makes no difference. For it was now man's wishes and will that had rule over their lives, and nature who had dominance over them all above that.

A shaft of light penetrated the belly like the sharp blade of knife performing a c-section, blinding those within, as they turned away from it. Some attempting to hide behind others, knowing the brave die first, at least the brave who didn't fall in the battle. Commanding voice, prisoners are lifted and held as the swaying lantern light moves across their faces, most bruised and bloody, defiant or submissive all together. Hard eyes scrutinize each of them in turn like a farmer picking out his livestock, who will be condemned?

Nervous eyes gaze from one to the other, always returning to the lethal figure who moved with sureness born of control, contempt written on his face. He was in control of the situation and he knew it, even the men around him bowed before him, never meeting his gaze. A flurry of movement, one prisoner dares to break free, falling beneath the half seen blow from a hard hand. Startled cry escapes as the deck rises up to meet him. Dark fingers tangle in blond blood-stained hair, he squats down jerking the prisoner's head back, amusement half up-turned lip.

Captured from another ship, in time they would be integrated into the mismatched mongrel of a crew. Others would die, some proven untruthworthy but sea and time would tell those who would stay and those who would go. However now wasn't the time for picking out the weeds, dominance had to be established first, a clear line of power had to be drawn in the sand. A demonstration that would stick in their minds, remembered and feared till the true were left and the rotten felled.

"This one."

Whimper, relentless fingers tugging the blond head back further before letting go. Relief on some faces, sounded in soft sighs barely audible, dismay in others. Guilty at their own safety now that another has been picked from among them, the Captain's cold gaze no longer on them.

"No!"

Steps pause, harsh eyes turn back picking out the speaker from among the restless shadows cast by the swaying lantern light and the shifting ship beneath them. Breaths are held, no longer feeling any measure of safety at this turn of events. They were like animals ruled by their instincts, their need for self-preservation. Each of them ready to give another up to save their own skins, it was a disgusting spectacle.

Two choices, it was a pity to kill the two who might prove the best but it was too late now, his eyes devoured the speaker waiting for the next words. They were not disappointing, a soft throaty chuckle escaped him as they were uttered. So the strong would fall and the pitiful would survive, the dice had been thrown but where would they land?

"Take me."

A wave of a finger, speaker is drawn forward into the half circle of light. Defiance in his eyes, gaze meet prisoner and condemned, love is said without being spoken. Harsh laughter, true mirth softens the hard lines but it does nothing to take the sentence of death from the Captain's eyes. He studies the speaker as the smile fades away, their eyes meeting and understanding passes between them but it means nothing. An imperceptible shake of his dark head, memories cloud sea-green depths for a moment.

The beast liked the courage, the fire in those eyes, it was satisfied with the choice despite the concessions. It was not weakness, simply a better option presenting itself insteahd, after all the more flexible a plan the more likely it was to work out. Any of the prisoners would do, what was wrong with finding pleasure in beauty and strength at the same time? The animalistic side of him preferred it and he gave into its whims and desires.

No response is given: a simple motion and a quick response, the request is granted. No time for good byes, the cry of dismay is ignored. Dragged apart. The trap door falls shut breaking eye contact between prisoners; the captain's orders are followed in the setting sun. Buckets of cold seawater are poured across his head, auburn hair plastered against his skull, bound hands unable to brush it back from his face. Brown eyes glare at the bronze figure of the captain as he takes command, ruler of his ship, king of the high seas - a pirate. Fierce pride, faithfully loyal to friends, but deadly to foes in what shape or form they may appear, from a merchant or any other vessel's worse nightmare. Mercy cannot be afforded, to show mercy is to be shown as weak in the eyes of those who follow your orders, those are the seeds of one's downfall. To walk to the tight rope between tyrant and friends; never straying too far into one or the other.

Silence hung over the deck as the ship sailed slowly into the cove, beach alight with evening fire. A dinghy touching down on the dark side of its mother, the routine was known and preparations would be made without being asked. All hands were busy, the captain's among them, it did not pay to be too aloof, respect was earned in more than one way but some lessons had to be learned the hard way. The harsher the lesson, the easier it was for the pupil to recall and remember. Fear, not always the best weapon of choice though often effective enough, it was a place to start, the trick was to turn fear into respect.

Rational thoughts however are for rational people, who live a rational life, such a thing was unknown to many as the wood was gathered and the fire built. The shadows lengthened. The prisoners were brought on deck, the ship anchored close to shore as the water was deep enough to keep her within a few meters of the land. A magical place that where the water and the land meet and in-between, neither wet nor dry, but it did not speak of magic this night. Instead it held a foreboding that none did not feel.

Auburn hair had dried a fine shade of burnt sienna now, skin pale with a touch of sunburn, he stood naked upon the shore. Crew gathered on the deck, to keep order of the prisoners lined up along the railing and to watch. Only a few looking away, knowing what was coming, remembering all too well their own time. Some a different ritual beneath a different Captain but most knew the nature of the beast that lurked among them. A animal that could haunt their own souls as well as those of others, the creature known not simply by one name, found in all hearts of the weak and the strong alike.

Hard, green eyes turned expectantly towards the deck, surveying those gathered, resting on one, with a hint of a smile before looking away. Feet planted firmly in the day-warmed sand, strong calves, narrow hips, a body hardened by life and constant use seasoned with a sensual grace that spoke volumes even now. It would have said more, were it not usurped by the harsh lines of his mouth, the hint of animalistic lust in those sea-green eyes. His dark skin now a tone of burnished gold and fire from the dying embers of the sun, and the roar of the fire that burned between them giving him an almost ethereal quality that was wholly wrong for the setting.

The corners of the Captain's mouth twitched up in what was more of a smirking leer then a smile, so quick to change - like lightning upon the water. His eyes surveyed lean freckled skin, the well-toned muscles of an active seaman, topped with amber hair: defiance, pride, hatred and resentment all wrapped into one. It all came together to create quite an attractive package, one that spoke of challenge but eventual victory; he held the upper hand. Despite the spirit that longed for freedom and love, neither of which it would find in this moment - perhaps ever. The animal did not care and it was wholly in control now, the softer side subdued in the face of its flip side.

His last wish had been granted, though Sian wondered to what end; when it was over he would not be there to protect and to serve. He had performed his final act in that capacity. His eyes returned the stare appraising as he was appraised, he had begged and been given his wish, now he would not give the man standing across the fire any more pleasure in the matter. Sian knew he wanted a show, to put fear into the hearts of others, he'd seen it done before, been on the receiving end of that fear.

There was little that he could do to stop it but to try was better then to simply give in, at least in his mind. His eyes whispered the challenge, as they faced each other waiting to see who would make the first move. Sian wasn't ready for it when it came, as he found himself hitting the hand staring up at the rust-colored sky above, a streak of gold like an arrow piercing its soft underbelly, ripping it apart spilling the crimson blood which tinged the world beneath. It was a fitting image. Defeated with a swift blow, one he hardly had time to realize, and it sapped his strength as if he were the day and the Captain the night come to take possession of his light.

He tried to roll away but not fast enough, an iron hand pinning his wrist into the sand, the scorching warmth of the fire on the other side. Sian threw the best weapon he had, a handful of sand, but it was anticipated; he let out a soft whimper as his arm was pinned into the sand. His hand landing at the end of the fire knocking loose a few coals scattering them perilously close to his naked flesh.

It was desperation that sent his hand questing for coals just out of his reach; still the thought persisted, if he could just reach far enough. Where would he go though, there was a crushing weight that came with defeat as expert hands made use of the rope that had been left to bind his hands together.

Hot, everything was hot. The sun, the sand, the fire... him. Hands strayed roughly along his body, he struggled and it got him nowhere. Sian didn't hear the soft sounds of fear from the deck of the boat, nor the angry cry, the scuffle that followed, though for a moment rampant lustful eyes were lifted from him. They did not remain gone for long, red colored his vision as deceptively light hands left a pirate's brand on his chest with the end of a burning branch. Despite his promise, he could not keep silent through it as a strangled sound escaped his lips.

The world seemed still, nothing moved, not the leaves on the trees, only the sea against the sand, and the unwanted touch. Sian gasped as his body was turned, he tried to kick but his legs wouldn't work right, instead he tasted sand in his mouth, fought to be able to breathe when it clogged up his nose. His mind was focused on the pain from the burn, till a keener more, subtle pain took possession of him like the blade of that knife that slide all too easily through his skin. But more the cock buried within his body, as the knife was tossed the sand, and hands of steel drew him up.

A name, gasped, not quite heared. It went unoticed.

Sound of flesh against flesh, steady and rhythmic like the rise and fall of the waves upon the sand, the involuntary sounds from Sian's lips, pleasure from the others. He struggled, within himself the strength to fight physically drained by the pain and pleasure he despised. Release come like a blow, a gift and a curse this violence tainted passion, craved and hated all at once - craved - bodily for one and mentally as he felt the weight of the animal lift from him.

A hand in his hair, almost gentle as it turned his head lifting it from the sand, lips brushed ghostly across his forehead. A whispered apology like the wind, almost unheard and unanswered as he was released. The animal had been sated for a time, the example had been set but others would drive the fact home but none as primal as the first. Dark hands gathered his clothes once more, drawing them on as he turned and walked across the warm sand to the boat, leaving his demonstration where he lay still in the sand with a smile.

Alone to row the dinghy back to the boat, that was the way it always was. Sooner than later he reached the side of the ship, to haul himself up without any effort, feet landing lightly on the deck. It was good to be home again, it felt wrong to be on land. What he wanted the most right then would wait though, wait till they were alone in the cabin. The strong would be spared, after all the decision came to him as he looked upon each member of his crew.

A moment, he to stood where they were, remembering his own introduction into this new life. How long ago it seemed. It would be understood.

His eyes turned towards the two crew members restraining his first choice. When he spoke, his voice could be heard by all, "Go to him, I want no lover's vendetta here, your lives are Nature's to do with as she will." Thus said he unlocked the chains about the blond's wrists, he was thrown into the ocean. The water closed in over his head till he broke it, coming up for air being born from the ocean's depth, her sweet depth like the womb's embrace. Love gave strength to a weakened body and he swam from captivity to freedom or to doom, there was no hesitation, no backward glance. He wished them well, the beast's darker tendencies gone. For now.

The captain turned away, calling out orders: the ship was to sail as last sliver of sun disappeared into the gaping maw of the ocean, he walked to the cabin. Inside black hair and blue eyes waited him. He gathered his lover into his arms as the blood red sunlight streamed through the windows lit them both.

"You're mine again, my Captain."

They kissed, a deep slow and heart-felt kiss. Beneath them the ship began to move away from the island and her captives. One laying in the sand, the other stumbling up the beach towards him, Nature was calm upon the sea and the pirate ship, which glided across her as night fell.