{"id":1178,"date":"2011-02-20T16:17:57","date_gmt":"2011-02-20T21:17:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/?p=1178"},"modified":"2014-05-07T16:25:32","modified_gmt":"2014-05-07T20:25:32","slug":"the-perks-to-running-a-clean-ship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/the-perks-to-running-a-clean-ship\/","title":{"rendered":"The Perks to Running a Clean Ship"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\">by Miyoko<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">(mirrors <a href=\"http:\/\/s2b2.livejournal.com\/168624.html\">http:\/\/s2b2.livejournal.com\/168624.html<\/a>)<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">When Clarence awoke, the first thing he registered was that his body itched terribly. He tried to roll over, to get away from the sensation, but he found his way blocked by a wall of some kind. There was a wall on the other side as well, and then one above him, just centimeters away from his nose.<\/p>\n<p>As anyone would do, he panicked. Shouting, he threw all of his strength against the wood that formed the ceiling of the box\u2014coffin?\u2014and never had he felt more relieved than when the lid gave way, sliding to the side and allowing sweet, fresh air to touch his face and fill his lungs.<\/p>\n<p>It was only when he scrambled out of it that he realized he had been contained in a heavy shipping crate. How the bloody hell he had come to be there, lying in hay and wearing nothing at all, he hadn\u2019t the slightest clue.<\/p>\n<p><a name=\"cutid1\"><\/a>Rubbing his forearm nervously, he took stock of his surroundings. There were piles of crates everywhere, though none of them looked the same as the one he had been in, nor did any of them have air holes punched into the top, so it seemed safe to assume that he was alone. But for how long?<\/p>\n<p>A door clanged open, somewhere across the large room and Clarence panicked for a moment. He needed to hide, but he wasn\u2019t going to get back into that crate, not for a million pounds. Instead he ducked into a small shadowed space between two larger crates.<\/p>\n<p>He couldn\u2019t hear any footsteps, but that barely meant anything. The floor was metal of some kind. His captor \u2013 captors?\u2014might merely be the type to tread lightly.<\/p>\n<p>A man appeared in the clearing in which the open crate sat. He was tall and finely dressed. He wore a large coat, cut in the military style of the airship captain. An airship, Clarence realized. That explained the floor.<\/p>\n<p>The man crouched down beside the crate, his expression twisted first into one of confusion and then quiet fury. He muttered a curse under his breath, got to his feet and looked around.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m well aware that you\u2019re in here Irwin,\u201d the captain called. \u201cThere\u2019s no use in trying to deceive me any longer. I want to know what you\u2019ve been hiding.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He waited for a moment, standing very still. Clarence held his breath, listening for any sign of another person. There was none.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCome out,\u201d the captain said, in a tone that sounded almost reasonable. \u201cWe\u2019ve much to discuss.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>All of the sudden he whipped around, a gun appearing in his hand as if by magic. He fired a shot down a corridor, the end of which Clarence couldn\u2019t see. He heard the bullet impact, the cracking of wood a sure sign that no one had been hit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe wasn\u2019t supposed to wake up yet,\u201d a voice yelled, high and whining. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean you any harm, Captain, I swear it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Feeling indignant and a little sick at the same time, Clarence leaned against the crate at his back. How long had he been unconscious?<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI run a clean ship, Irwin,\u201d the captain said, still pointing his gun down the pathway. \u201cThat means no smuggling of any kind. Now come out here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There was a moan from Irwin, which echoed around the cavernous room. \u201cPlease, Captain, I didn\u2019t&#8211; I didn\u2019t&#8211;\u201c<\/p>\n<p>A thud cut off any further sound and Clarence watched as the captain raised one elegant eyebrow, a faint smile turning up the corners of his lips.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGood work, Basil,\u201d he said, pocketing his gun. \u201cThough I had hoped he might remain conscious long enough to tell us who he was keeping in that crate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A third man came into view, dragging an unconscious Irwin into the clearing. He was frowning and had a billy club tucked under one arm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMy apologies, Captain. I suppose we\u2019ll just have to work that bit out for ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Clarence recognized an opening if he ever saw one. He coughed, taking a step out of the shadows, his dignity be damned.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that would be me,\u201d he said, voice shaking a bit despite himself. \u201cClarence Foster.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>~<\/p>\n<p>Those were the circumstances that led up to him sitting on the bunk in the captain\u2019s private quarters, wrapped up in the man\u2019s own warm greatcoat and clutching a cup of tea. The captain\u2014Jedediah Price\u2014had just handed him his cuppa when the first mate, knocked at the door announcing that Irwin had regained consciousness.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ll be back shortly,\u201d he had said, squeezing Clarence\u2019s shoulder. \u201cHe won\u2019t take long to deal with.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There was fire in Jedediah\u2019s eyes and Clarence swallowed nervously, nodding. He wasn\u2019t sure that he wanted to know what \u2018dealing with\u2019 precisely entailed. As the door closed, leaving him alone, he tucked up his legs, arranging the coat to cover himself, and leaned back against the wall.<\/p>\n<p>He was on a ship en route to London, which was good if a bit worrisome. His home was in London, which begged the question of how long he had been missing and where exactly the ship was coming from. His sister must be worried to death about him. What in the world had he been taken for? And how?<\/p>\n<p>The wall behind him vibrated slightly with the thrum of the engines . It was just soothing enough to make him realize how bloody exhausted he felt. For having been asleep for heaven knew how long, it was remarkable how tired he was.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019ll be feeling that way for at least another day,\u201d a voice said. Clarence startled, knocking over his tea cup. A hand saved it from spilling its contents just in time. The captain had returned. Clarence hadn\u2019t even heard the door open.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEasy now.\u201d Jedediah pressed the warm cup back into Clarence\u2019s hand. \u201cThat\u2019ll be whatever the chemist gave you to stop you from waking. \u201cAfter some persuasion, Irwin admitted that he had been keeping you drugged.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut what for?\u201d Clarence asked, confusion washing over him anew. \u201cI\u2019ve done nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou bear a considerable resemblance to a young Lord Aldington, apparently, whom the rascal intended to ransom. He had you stored away on the ship before he realized his mistake.\u201d<br \/>\nClarence absorbed this news numbly, taking in a long draft of his tea. He tasted the burn of hard liquor against his throat and was surprised into a cough.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m terribly sorry that you\u2019ve gotten mixed up in this,\u201d Jedediah continued, looking truly chagrined. \u201cI\u2019ll see you home myself, once Irwin has been taken to the Yard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow long?\u201d Clarence asked. He drained the rest of his tea and placed the cup aside.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSorry?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow long ago was I taken from my home?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAh,\u201d the captain shifted, uncomfortable. \u201cNearly two weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd how is it that I have survived?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In response, Jedediah took Clarence\u2019s wrist and turned his arm over. A scattering of needle marks littered the inside of his forearm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDaily injections to keep you healthy,\u201d he said, stroking his thumb over the marks. For several moments, neither man spoke. Clarence\u2019s mind was reeling from all that he had learned. At least, he mused, he had not come off worse. The entire ordeal would have been more traumatic for his family, who had no idea of his survival, whereas he had slept through most of it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s terribly embarrassing,\u201d Jedediah said, finally. \u201cThat this should happen under my command. Again, I apologize. I should have realized-\u201c<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo.\u201d Clarence slid his hand into the captain\u2019s own and gave it a squeeze. \u201cYou\u2019ve been very kind.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jedediah smiled.<\/p>\n<p>~<\/p>\n<p>It had only been for Basil\u2019s insistence that Jedediah had been convinced not to kill the smuggling rat in front of him. It was a very poor man indeed that found abduction acceptable and perhaps even poorer that felt no shame in taking advantage of his superior\u2019s trust.<\/p>\n<p>In the end he had been satisfied with dumping Irwin\u2019s body in that crate and nailing down the lid. Let him scream when he woke up and get small taste of his own cruelty. Basil would let him out in a couple of hours, but not without first implying that he would be stuck in there for the five more days of travel it would take to arrive in London.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, Jedediah had a somewhat traumatized, naked, handsome young man sitting on his bunk and he hadn\u2019t the slightest idea how to move forward. It took several minutes of contemplation and a hurried consultation with Basil before he had a plan of action.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe hasn\u2019t had anything solid in his stomach for a couple of weeks, Ambrose,\u201d he told the man in charge of the mess. \u201cCould you find something light for him?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI always knew that Irwin was a nasty one,\u201d Ambrose replied, nodding as he dumped some flakes and milk into the saucepan on the stove.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI should\u2019ve known it as well,\u201d Jedediah agreed, feeling bothered by it. The cook shook his head and waved a spoon in Jedediah\u2019s direction, reading his mood instantly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow don\u2019t you go blaming yourself for it, Jed.\u201d He fixed Jedediah with a stern look. \u201cThere\u2019s no one to blame but that rascal, and the way I hear it he\u2019s getting his comeuppance. You just focus on looking after that boy he took.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes sir,\u201d Jedediah replied, giving his friend a somewhat eccentric bow before accepting the bowl of\u2014whatever it was Ambrose had made up.<\/p>\n<p>When he returned to his quarters, he found Clarence curled up on the bunk. The crew, all intent upon showing their dedication to Jedediah, had done a rather uncoordinated job of providing him with clothing. The clothes were of various colors and ill-fitting, but did a decent enough job of covering him up.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou look like a pirate,\u201d he announced, as Clarence sat up. He passed the man the bowl and spoon, even as Clarence looked down at his borrowed clothes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI do,\u201d he mused. \u201cWell, I must say I like it better than being a student.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOh?\u201d Jedediah settled on the edge of the bed, watching his charge. \u201cWhat did you study?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMedicine,\u201d Clarence replied around his spoon. \u201cIt was dreadfully boring.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell I can\u2019t encourage you to take up piracy,\u201d Jedediah said, stifling a laugh. \u201cYou\u2019ve seen how I deal with illegal types on this ship. Though you do cut a rather dashing figure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThank you.\u201d There was a blush dusting Clarence\u2019s cheeks. He avoided Jedediah\u2019s eyes by watching his food intently. \u201cAnd my compliments to the cook.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On the second day, in the evening, Clarence was up and about. Jedediah was pleased that he had recovered so quickly, but slightly less pleased to find that Clarence was inclined to chat with the crew when the men in question ought to have been working.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPerhaps it\u2019s time you get back to bed for a bit,\u201d he suggested, gently steering the young man away from the rather conflicted looking mechanic. Clearly it had been a conversation of some interest, but the secondary steering mechanism wasn\u2019t going to fix itself.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been in bed all morning,\u201d Clarence protested. \u201cAnd then again, after lunch. Your bed really isn\u2019t interesting enough to warrant so many hours of my attention.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWell you can\u2019t keep distracting the men.\u201d Jedediah opened the door to his quarters and ushered Clarence inside. \u201cThey have work to do.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd what about you?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have work to do as well,\u201d Jedediah admitted. \u201cBut I do feel as though I\u2019m somewhat responsible for you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve been talking with the crew about you.\u201d Clarence sat up straight, posture he had indubitably learned at the dinner table. He held eye contact with Jedediah. \u201cThey all speak very highly of you.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would hope so.\u201d Jedediah knew that he was blushing somewhat. Very few people had ever stared at him with such intensity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey also say that you believe my abduction to be your fault and that they\u2019ve never seen you so preoccupied.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Embarrassingly, that much was true. Jedediah forced himself to look away. He had been rather preoccupied by Clarence\u2019s presence. Ever since he had first laid eyes on him he had found himself somewhat unsettlingly fascinated by the young man. He was resilient and strong, not letting the incident phase him in the least. Jedediah could barely imagine him studying medicine. He seemed far too active and adventurous for such a future.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI do not blame you for what has befallen me,\u201d Clarence said in a clear tone. He leaned forward from his place on the edge of the bed and took one of Jedediah\u2019s hands in his own. Jedediah shifted, unsure where this was going. \u201cIn fact I believe I might have to thank you for showing me this\u2014this life that is so much more interesting than dusty old books and dusty old lecturers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn fact,\u201d he said again, lifting his eyes. Jedediah\u2019s knees felt oddly weak. \u201cI am very glad I met you, Captain Price.\u201d He pressed his lips to the back of Jedediah\u2019s hand and then gave him a smirk.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNow do you think, perhaps, you can find some way to keep me interested in this bed?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>~<\/p>\n<p>He knew that it was a ridiculous thing to say the moment that it left his mouth, but Clarence couldn\u2019t help putting the proposal out there. There had been signs, if he wasn\u2019t much mistaken. Jedediah\u2019s eyes had lingered upon him for a bit longer than was strictly proper, when he sat upon the man\u2019s bunk dressed only in that oversized coat, for example. Clarence couldn\u2019t help but wonder if the captain\u2019s feelings of responsibility translated into feelings of attraction or affection.<\/p>\n<p>His conversations with the crew had only confirmed his suspicions. Rules of propriety were more lax in the air, away from the stifling atmosphere in civilized society below. He watched as Jedediah\u2019s expression shifted the instant he understood Clarence\u2019s intentions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou can\u2019t possibly mean\u2014\u201c he began, making a move as though to stand. Clarence held fast, his fingers tightening around Jedediah\u2019s wrist.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019d like you inside of me,\u201d he said bluntly, and was rewarded by the sight of the man blushing. \u201cI\u2019m sure you know better than I how it\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jedediah\u2019s tongue flicked out, wetting his lips and teasing Clarence with a glimpse of pink. He nearly had the man convinced; it would just take one more push.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease, Captain?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A choked breath of laughter caught in Jedediah\u2019s throat and Clarence took it to be consent. He leaned up, gripping the taller man\u2019s shoulders and pressing their lips together. Intending it initially to be a quick exploration of what might follow, Clarence was surprised when Jedediah deepened the kiss, refusing to let him pull away until they were both breathless.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Brilliant,&#8221; the captain said, running a hand through Clarence&#8217;s hair when they finally parted.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We can beat it.&#8221; Clarence leaned forward to prove his words, but the hand on his shoulder kept him at bay.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I was referring to you, actually,&#8221; Jedediah clarified. &#8220;After all of that&#8217;s happened you don&#8217;t seem to have been affected in the least.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I assure you, I am quite <i>affected<\/i>.&#8221; Taking hold of the hand on his shoulder, Clarence pressed Jedediah&#8217;s fingers against the crotch of his trousers, forcing him to feel the hardness beneath the thick cloth.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;And impatient, as well,&#8221; Jedediah laughed. He pulled his wrist free and began to unbutton Clarence&#8217;s trousers. Quick hands pushed his braces aside and tugged the buttons of his shirt through their button holes. It didn&#8217;t take long before Jedediah was pulling him entirely out of his clothes. Clarence lay back on the thin sheet of Jedediah&#8217;s bunk.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You next, sir,&#8221; he said, nodding toward the only layers that remained between them. Jedediah stood and complied, stripping out of his clothing with remarkable efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I thought I was the one giving orders,&#8221; he said, when finally naked. He knelt on the bunk, hands braced on either side of Clarence&#8217;s chest.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I thought you might appreciate a bit of guidance.&#8221; Clarence lunged up to press a kiss to Jedediah&#8217;s shoulder, then made his way up to the lobe of his ear, which he pulled gently between his teeth. &#8220;Captain.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Jedediah responded with a groan, lowering himself to lean on his elbows in order to bring their groins into contact. He thrust against Clarence&#8217;s hip, pressing kisses to his cheeks and lips.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Do you like that, sir?&#8221; Clarence asked, bringing his hands up to rub across Jedediah&#8217;s nipples before they drifted lower, capturing his hips and drawing him closer. &#8220;When I call you by your rank?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Don&#8217;t be cheeky,&#8221; Jedediah ordered. He moved out of Clarence&#8217;s grip, backing down to straddle his thighs. &#8220;It doesn&#8217;t suit you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I think you&#8217;ll find you&#8217;re mistaken there.&#8221; Clarence arched up against the touch that teased his cock. &#8220;It suits me rather well.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You talk too much,&#8221; said Jedediah. He ran his fingers along the crevice of Clarence&#8217;s hip, exploring him. Fingers dipped through the path of curls that spread down around his groin and explored the space around his balls, now deliberately avoiding touching his cock, Clarence was sure.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;P-please, sir&#8230;&#8221; The man was being too much of a tease. Clarence writhed, snatching at Jedediah&#8217;s shoulder to gain the leverage to sit up. He caught the captain&#8217;s lips in another kiss, but was pushed away after only a handful of seconds. &#8220;I want&#8211;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I know what you want,&#8221; Jedediah said, smiling into the crook of Clarence&#8217;s neck. His hands rested tantalizingly on his hips, thumbs very near to where Clarence wanted them to be.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Then why don&#8217;t you&#8211;&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No more talking, Clarence.&#8221; Jedediah kissed him again, a long suffocating kiss that grew hotter with every stroke of tongue. &#8220;Captain&#8217;s orders.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Clarence nodded, swallowing dryly as he lay back down against the bunk. Jedediah\u2019s hands were hot against him, running over his abs and thighs, smoothing over his biceps as he leaned up to capture Clarence\u2019s lips again. He moved away for an instant, and Clarence wanted to speak out\u2014but he had been given an order. In this game of theirs it would feel wrong to disobey.<\/p>\n<p>Jedediah\u2019s hands returned, pushing his legs apart. One pressed against the wall that lined the edge of the bunk while the other hung over the edge, bending at the knee. Jedediah moved to straddle the leg handing over the edge so, half standing and half kneeling on the bed he was both balanced and able to torture Clarence with his hands.<\/p>\n<p>It wasn\u2019t torture precisely, but in the instant that he had been gone, Jedediah had procured a lubricant of some sort. The lubricant slipped down across Clarence\u2019s balls, caught at his opening by Jedediah\u2019s waiting fingers. Those fingers swiped and prodded at his ass hole, but refused to slip in.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHave you ever had another man inside of you?\u201d Jedediah asked. \u201cDo you know what it feels like?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Clarence whined in his throat, wanting to know and trying to push back and get those fingers inside of him.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou may speak.\u201d The slick fingers trailed over his balls, massaging them gently. \u201cAnswer the question.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNo. I haven\u2019t ever\u2014not someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAh, but you\u2019ve tried it yourself, with your own fingers?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYes,\u201d Clarence replied, but the word devolved into a gasp as Jedediah pressed in past the tight ring of muscle.<\/p>\n<p>He had tried it with other things too, sometimes, whatever he could find that seemed clean and safe, so that it wouldn\u2019t break off inside of him or get stuck. A boy at school had shown him how good that could feel, but he hadn\u2019t known the least of it.<\/p>\n<p>The sensation was better than his own hands had been able to give him. The way Jedediah\u2019s fingers crooked and jerked, twisting and stretching him out as the other hand massaged a place on his hip, expertly relaxing him. The fingers inside him paused and Jedediah\u2019s voice rolled over him smoothly. It took a moment to realize what he had said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSay it again.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He didn\u2019t have to ask what.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCaptain, please sir\u2014\u201c he didn\u2019t get any further before Jedediah moved to kneel completely between his legs again. The fingers were pulled swiftly away and Jedediah\u2019s cock lined up against his entrance. He edged back, desperate to fill the sudden void.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEasy lad,\u201d Jedediah intoned, sliding forward slowly . The process seemed to take ages, but Clarence felt wonderfully full when the captain finally came to a rest.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou know, I\u2019m beginning to think I might have to thank Irwin for being such a bloody idiot as to bring you on board my ship.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As he spoke, Jedediah remained still. Only one hand moved, drifting along Clarence&#8217;s outer thigh. It was maddening. He tried to shift, to give himself some sort of relief, but the hand on his leg clamped down, stopping him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;No more talking,&#8221; Clarence bit out, linking his fingers with the ones pressed against his body. &#8220;Just <i>move<\/i> will you?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>He was startled, though gratified, when Jedediah did so. It was more of a rhythm than Clarence had ever managed to work up on his own, touching that place inside of him on every thrust and making him squirm and buck. Jedediah\u2019s hand came down on his cock, squeezing it and then moving to pull him off, long fingers curled into a perfect ring that drags on every stroke, driving him mad.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cJed&#8211;\u201c Clarence gasped, clutching for anything to keep him anchored and ending up with his hand curled over Jedediah\u2019s bicep. His name became a chant, punctuating each thrust. \u201cJed, Jed&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When Jedediah came he froze, curled over Clarence\u2019s body. His hand didn\u2019t move, but Clarence moved for him, thrusting up and into it, feeling the heat flooding his ass and the heat of the captain\u2019s breath on his chest. The overwhelming sensation pushed him over the edge and he came, spilling between their bodies.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou\u2019ve ruined me,\u201d Jedediah announced with a groan, carefully pulling out and lowering himself onto his side, an arm curled across Clarence\u2019s chest, despite the mess there. Clarence hummed, pressing fingers against the man\u2019s hip.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow do you mean&#8230;\u201d He turned his head to the side, enjoying the cadence of the warm breath against his cheek. \u201cCaptain?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCheeky.\u201d Jedediah pressed a kiss to Clarence\u2019s cheek and then another. Clarence got the impression that he didn\u2019t really mind. \u201cI mean that I will be thinking of you every time I hear my men address me and I have you to blame for it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve no complaints, should you like to think of me often.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For several minutes they lay like that, exchanging breaths and slow kisses. Clarence felt as though, for the first time since he had woken in that crate, his world had finally settled back into something he could control and comprehend.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHave you, by chance, a doctor on the crew?\u201d Clarence asked, not daring to look the captain in the face as he spoke. Instead he looked to the low ceiling of the room, tracing the curve of metal with his eyes.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHave I hurt you?\u201d Jedediah\u2019s brows drew together in concern, but Clarence gave him a smile and shook his head.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you are to be thinking of me often, I should hate to leave you without comfort on this ship of yours,\u201d he said. \u201cBut I would need time to settle my affairs and relieve my family of their worry.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll remain in London for a fortnight,\u201d Jedediah said immediately. He smiled into the crook of Clarence\u2019s neck. \u201cAnd we shall be happy to have you aboard, Doctor.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Clarence\u2019s arms came up around the man, pulling him impossibly nearer and smiling at the captain\u2019s admission. The prize was indeed worth the pain.<\/p>\n<span class=\"simplefavorite-button has-count preset\" data-postid=\"1178\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"4\" style=\"background-color:#ffffff;border-color:#000000;color:#000000;\"><i class=\"sf-icon-love\" style=\"color:#000000;\"><\/i>Love<span class=\"simplefavorite-button-count\" style=\"color:#000000;\">4<\/span><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When Clarence awoke, the first thing he registered was that his body itched terribly. He tried to roll over, to get away from the sensation, but he found his way blocked by a wall of some kind. There was a wall on the other side as well, and then one above him, just centimeters away from his nose.<\/p>\n<p>As anyone would do, he panicked. Shouting, he threw all of his strength against the wood that formed the ceiling of the box\u2014coffin?\u2014and never had he felt more relieved than when the lid gave way, sliding to the side and allowing sweet, fresh air to touch his face and fill his lungs.<\/p>\n<p>It was only when he scrambled out of it that he realized he had been contained in a heavy shipping crate. How the bloody hell he had come to be there, lying in hay and wearing nothing at all, he hadn\u2019t the slightest clue.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[176,425],"tags":[177],"class_list":["post-1178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-issue29","category-text","tag-miyoko"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1178"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1178\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3803,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1178\/revisions\/3803"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}