Denial, Chapter 17: Amid A Crowd of Stars
Title: Denial, Chapter 17: Amid A crowd of Stars
Author: darkentwisted
Characters/Pairings: Carter/Much, Stranger
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Angst, Slash.
Words: 1,779
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial' and is set during "Walkabout"
Betaed by the incredible robinfanatic and wastingyourgum.
Summary: Carter has a new lesson in store for Much. Title is taken from the last line of "When you are Old" by William Butler Yeats
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Denial, Chapter 17: Amid a Crowd of Stars
by darkentwisted
Much walked up the stairs, his breath catching on the night air. He looked out along the deck and toward the dark ocean. Carter was nowhere to be seen. He looked toward the latrines--perhaps he had gotten seasick or was suffering from bad food. His master seemed well before he fell asleep. The squire frowned as he frantically searched for his lover. He tried not to but his mind went there. He was almost in near panic. What if a rogue wave hit the ship? What if he fell overboard? What if...?
"Ahoy there!"
The familiar voice reached his ears, cutting his panic and making him smile in relief. But where was it coming from?
"Up here, Much!" Carter stifled a laugh as he held the lantern closer to his face.
"What, pray tell, are you doing up there, Master?"
Carter grinned, "Come on up and find out, my squire."
Much frowned at the rope ladder leading high up to the small bucket perched on the main mast. He was used to climbing trees in the forest but stayed away from crow's nests on ships. Deep water and high perches on a swaying ship did not bode well for him. Climbing in the dark was an added thrill he didn't welcome. "Could you not just come down, Master?"
Carter laughed warmly. "I would rather you come up."
Much groaned loudly, muttering to himself, "The things I do for this man." He started up the rope ladder then paused clutching the ropes when both the ship and his stomach lurched. When he could move again, he looked up at the expectant face of the man he loved and found new strength as he finished the journey.
Carter's strong hands gripped his biceps as he hoisted his squire into the crow's nest beside him. "Glad you could join me."
"Like I had a choice." Much started then looked out at the view around them. "Oh my!"
Only the light of the stars lit the ocean around them. The soft sound of the waves slapping the ship was the only noise that reached them and the only sensation of movement was the wind in the sails.
They were alone on top of the world and he felt familiar hands encircle his waist. He leaned into his lover's shoulder. "What happened to the crewman on watch?"
"He was grateful for the night off," the knight supplied as he snuggled in close.
"You intend to spend all night up here?" Much caught his lover's eyes questioningly in the starlight.
"No." Carter chuckled nuzzling his squire's neck, "I intend to spend all night up here with you."
Much smiled then turned his face to his lover's as their lips connected. "I thought we agreed it wasn't about the sex."
"Maybe I lied just a little," Carter parried back as his hands explored under the other man's tunic.
"Master, should we?" Much started to pull away. He wanted this and it had been so long since their last night at Poitiers. He longed for more that the few stolen touches they'd shared and the taste of Carter's lips was intoxicating.
"We have each other and the stars up here. Everyone else except the yeoman on the bridge is asleep." He looked down at the wheelhouse. "I think it is a safe bet he isn't looking up." Carter grinned wickedly, "Even if he did, I know yeoman Brooks. He would probably enjoy the show." He embraced his lover tighter as they both looked out across the vast expanse of dark sea and endless sky. "Besides I have an ulterior motive for having you up here."
"Oh you do?" Much puzzled in amusement at the fact that his master now had one hand splayed under his tunic and the other under the lacings of his leggings.
"No harm in doing two things at once, Squire," the knight tutted. "These are our lesson plan tonight," he nodded his head to the sky.
"The stars?"
"You will never be lost once you learn the stars, Much," Carter mused as he took in his lover's scent, nudging him closer. "They will always lead you home." He removed his hand from under his squire's tunic and pointed at the sky. "There, the north star, Polaris. Always a fixed point and the brightest star in the sky. Follow it and you will find your latitude."
Much had heard King Richard's court astrologer speak of the stars. At night the former servant would gaze at up them as Djaq would weave stories about the constellations for the gang. It had never garnered his attention this way before. He felt his lover's chest rise and fall against his back. "My friend Djaq mentioned they all have names."
"Yes, like that one there, Ursa Minor, Little bear. Polaris is the last star of its tail." Carter pointed to another group of stars. "There is its companion, Ursa Major, the great bear."
Much grinned fondly, "Sounds like Little John."
"Oh yes..." Carter smiled softly at his lover's musings, "I remember him."
Much smiled back. "And that one?" he pointed at another group.
Carter squinted at the direction of his squire's finger. "Andromeda, the chained lady."
"Like Djaq, when we found her," Much mused sadly. "Only then we thought she was a boy."
"And there...Libra, the scales... balance and justice." Carter wondered where his servant's mind really was going this evening. It wasn't anywhere near the ocean they were on now, of this he was sure.
"Will Scarlett." Much's voice took on a reverent tone as he spoke. "He is a fine young man, always so calm and reasoned. He could nigh build anything he sets his mind to."
Carter felt the sadness in his friend. "Last one. That one...there, Orion the Hunter, with his bow."
Much's voice trembled as he turned to the knight, "I don't have to say it, do I?"
Carter smiled at his lover and pulled him close against the breeze. "You miss them...I understand. Lesson over?"
"Just hold me," Much said quietly.
"Oh, I intend to do just that." Carter wrapped his arms protectively around his squire and held him as he cried. He waited for the moment of melancholy to pass, then pulled Much away and stared into his eyes. "We will see our friends again. I promise you."
Much looked away. "We shouldn't tempt fate." He levelled his eyes at the knight. "We are going off to war again, Carter. We can't afford to make promises we can't keep to each other."
Carter reassured him with a hand to his chin, "If I have to carry you through the desert on my back through the savage hordes, you will see England again."
"All right, but I will hold you to it!" Much mused as he turned again and leaned back in his lover's arms.
The knight's hand once again found its way under the lacings of Much's leggings as his other hand moved over sensitive nipples made firm in the night air.
The squire's breathing quickened thanks to Carter's talented hands. "I'm beginning to enjoy my education." His breath hitched as he spoke. He gently reached behind his back and fumbled at the lacings on Carter's leggings, determined to make his master's breathing as laboured as his own. Much's hand found its mark. He smiled as his master shuddered at his touch.
Carter tried to regain some composure as he quickened his own ministrations. "As I said squire, lesson plans are over for the evening. Time for break."
"Oh...is it now?" Much had his entire weight against his partner as he tried to foccus on the stars above them. The heavens were about to bear silent witness to their love that evening.
"Yesss..." Carter hissed softly into his lover's hair, "You have no idea how much I love you."
Much smiled as his eyes glazed in the salt air. "More than all the stars in the heavens?"
Carter stifled a moan. "More than I could ever count in a lifetime, my love." The squire's attentions were taking effect and Carter was almost beyond coherent thought.
"Th-that's a lot." The squire brought his lips hungrily to his lover's. "Oh...Carter!" Much cried out his master's name as he was pushed over the edge, his vision suddenly adding new stars to the ones he was already looking at. He spilled over his lover's hand as the knight moaned softly in his ear. It took a while for both men to breathe quietly again and massive effort to stay upright on jellied knees against the constantly swaying ship.
There was little doubt in Carter's mind who would break the silence.
"If you taught me letters this way, my master, I might learn them faster," Much mused, turning in his lover's arms to face him. "And I might enjoy them more." The odd turn of his head was met with Carter's soft laughter as he kissed him.
"I would be frightened at the words we would come up with," the knight reasoned.
Much looked out at the sea and stars again. "How long is third watch?"
"Till dawn...ahh," Carter found himself turned around against his lover, who was now running his own hands under the knight's tunic and braies.
"We have to stay up all night?" Much frowned at the news as he nuzzled the crusader's neck.
Carter grinned slyly, plucking the purple frond from his partner's doublet and running it under his chin. "Don't think of it that way, my squire. We get to sleep in while the others are all on deck." He leaned his head back and echoed his friend's nod. "No one is to disturb a night watchman when he sleeps. Now, thanks to my brilliant plan, I intend to do that with my lover well into midday."
Much smirked as his hand once again found his partner's length, still sensitive from his earlier ministrations, and his eager mouth met his lover's. "Either way, I don't think we are going to get much rest today."
>>>---------------------------->
In the wheelhouse, the young yeoman sat back and enjoyed the show. He preferred being on graveyard shift. There was always something exciting going on in the crow's nest and tonight he really wasn't disappointed. He sat back with his foot braced against the large wheel in front of him and toasted the two lovers silently with his flask. "I really need to introduce myself properly to those guys," he mused as he watched the stars.
Enough with the lavender pr0n! Back to more serious issues with wasting your gum! Chapter 18 this way.
Author: darkentwisted
Characters/Pairings: Carter/Much, Stranger
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Angst, Slash.
Words: 1,779
Disclaimer: BBC & TA own; we just want to play in their universe
Notes: This continues the 'Round-Robin' fic 'Denial' and is set during "Walkabout"
Betaed by the incredible robinfanatic and wastingyourgum.
Summary: Carter has a new lesson in store for Much. Title is taken from the last line of "When you are Old" by William Butler Yeats
Want to play? Come join us! Check out the Rules and join in the Round Robin fun!
Previous Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
Denial, Chapter 17: Amid a Crowd of Stars
by darkentwisted
Much walked up the stairs, his breath catching on the night air. He looked out along the deck and toward the dark ocean. Carter was nowhere to be seen. He looked toward the latrines--perhaps he had gotten seasick or was suffering from bad food. His master seemed well before he fell asleep. The squire frowned as he frantically searched for his lover. He tried not to but his mind went there. He was almost in near panic. What if a rogue wave hit the ship? What if he fell overboard? What if...?
"Ahoy there!"
The familiar voice reached his ears, cutting his panic and making him smile in relief. But where was it coming from?
"Up here, Much!" Carter stifled a laugh as he held the lantern closer to his face.
"What, pray tell, are you doing up there, Master?"
Carter grinned, "Come on up and find out, my squire."
Much frowned at the rope ladder leading high up to the small bucket perched on the main mast. He was used to climbing trees in the forest but stayed away from crow's nests on ships. Deep water and high perches on a swaying ship did not bode well for him. Climbing in the dark was an added thrill he didn't welcome. "Could you not just come down, Master?"
Carter laughed warmly. "I would rather you come up."
Much groaned loudly, muttering to himself, "The things I do for this man." He started up the rope ladder then paused clutching the ropes when both the ship and his stomach lurched. When he could move again, he looked up at the expectant face of the man he loved and found new strength as he finished the journey.
Carter's strong hands gripped his biceps as he hoisted his squire into the crow's nest beside him. "Glad you could join me."
"Like I had a choice." Much started then looked out at the view around them. "Oh my!"
Only the light of the stars lit the ocean around them. The soft sound of the waves slapping the ship was the only noise that reached them and the only sensation of movement was the wind in the sails.
They were alone on top of the world and he felt familiar hands encircle his waist. He leaned into his lover's shoulder. "What happened to the crewman on watch?"
"He was grateful for the night off," the knight supplied as he snuggled in close.
"You intend to spend all night up here?" Much caught his lover's eyes questioningly in the starlight.
"No." Carter chuckled nuzzling his squire's neck, "I intend to spend all night up here with you."
Much smiled then turned his face to his lover's as their lips connected. "I thought we agreed it wasn't about the sex."
"Maybe I lied just a little," Carter parried back as his hands explored under the other man's tunic.
"Master, should we?" Much started to pull away. He wanted this and it had been so long since their last night at Poitiers. He longed for more that the few stolen touches they'd shared and the taste of Carter's lips was intoxicating.
"We have each other and the stars up here. Everyone else except the yeoman on the bridge is asleep." He looked down at the wheelhouse. "I think it is a safe bet he isn't looking up." Carter grinned wickedly, "Even if he did, I know yeoman Brooks. He would probably enjoy the show." He embraced his lover tighter as they both looked out across the vast expanse of dark sea and endless sky. "Besides I have an ulterior motive for having you up here."
"Oh you do?" Much puzzled in amusement at the fact that his master now had one hand splayed under his tunic and the other under the lacings of his leggings.
"No harm in doing two things at once, Squire," the knight tutted. "These are our lesson plan tonight," he nodded his head to the sky.
"The stars?"
"You will never be lost once you learn the stars, Much," Carter mused as he took in his lover's scent, nudging him closer. "They will always lead you home." He removed his hand from under his squire's tunic and pointed at the sky. "There, the north star, Polaris. Always a fixed point and the brightest star in the sky. Follow it and you will find your latitude."
Much had heard King Richard's court astrologer speak of the stars. At night the former servant would gaze at up them as Djaq would weave stories about the constellations for the gang. It had never garnered his attention this way before. He felt his lover's chest rise and fall against his back. "My friend Djaq mentioned they all have names."
"Yes, like that one there, Ursa Minor, Little bear. Polaris is the last star of its tail." Carter pointed to another group of stars. "There is its companion, Ursa Major, the great bear."
Much grinned fondly, "Sounds like Little John."
"Oh yes..." Carter smiled softly at his lover's musings, "I remember him."
Much smiled back. "And that one?" he pointed at another group.
Carter squinted at the direction of his squire's finger. "Andromeda, the chained lady."
"Like Djaq, when we found her," Much mused sadly. "Only then we thought she was a boy."
"And there...Libra, the scales... balance and justice." Carter wondered where his servant's mind really was going this evening. It wasn't anywhere near the ocean they were on now, of this he was sure.
"Will Scarlett." Much's voice took on a reverent tone as he spoke. "He is a fine young man, always so calm and reasoned. He could nigh build anything he sets his mind to."
Carter felt the sadness in his friend. "Last one. That one...there, Orion the Hunter, with his bow."
Much's voice trembled as he turned to the knight, "I don't have to say it, do I?"
Carter smiled at his lover and pulled him close against the breeze. "You miss them...I understand. Lesson over?"
"Just hold me," Much said quietly.
"Oh, I intend to do just that." Carter wrapped his arms protectively around his squire and held him as he cried. He waited for the moment of melancholy to pass, then pulled Much away and stared into his eyes. "We will see our friends again. I promise you."
Much looked away. "We shouldn't tempt fate." He levelled his eyes at the knight. "We are going off to war again, Carter. We can't afford to make promises we can't keep to each other."
Carter reassured him with a hand to his chin, "If I have to carry you through the desert on my back through the savage hordes, you will see England again."
"All right, but I will hold you to it!" Much mused as he turned again and leaned back in his lover's arms.
The knight's hand once again found its way under the lacings of Much's leggings as his other hand moved over sensitive nipples made firm in the night air.
The squire's breathing quickened thanks to Carter's talented hands. "I'm beginning to enjoy my education." His breath hitched as he spoke. He gently reached behind his back and fumbled at the lacings on Carter's leggings, determined to make his master's breathing as laboured as his own. Much's hand found its mark. He smiled as his master shuddered at his touch.
Carter tried to regain some composure as he quickened his own ministrations. "As I said squire, lesson plans are over for the evening. Time for break."
"Oh...is it now?" Much had his entire weight against his partner as he tried to foccus on the stars above them. The heavens were about to bear silent witness to their love that evening.
"Yesss..." Carter hissed softly into his lover's hair, "You have no idea how much I love you."
Much smiled as his eyes glazed in the salt air. "More than all the stars in the heavens?"
Carter stifled a moan. "More than I could ever count in a lifetime, my love." The squire's attentions were taking effect and Carter was almost beyond coherent thought.
"Th-that's a lot." The squire brought his lips hungrily to his lover's. "Oh...Carter!" Much cried out his master's name as he was pushed over the edge, his vision suddenly adding new stars to the ones he was already looking at. He spilled over his lover's hand as the knight moaned softly in his ear. It took a while for both men to breathe quietly again and massive effort to stay upright on jellied knees against the constantly swaying ship.
There was little doubt in Carter's mind who would break the silence.
"If you taught me letters this way, my master, I might learn them faster," Much mused, turning in his lover's arms to face him. "And I might enjoy them more." The odd turn of his head was met with Carter's soft laughter as he kissed him.
"I would be frightened at the words we would come up with," the knight reasoned.
Much looked out at the sea and stars again. "How long is third watch?"
"Till dawn...ahh," Carter found himself turned around against his lover, who was now running his own hands under the knight's tunic and braies.
"We have to stay up all night?" Much frowned at the news as he nuzzled the crusader's neck.
Carter grinned slyly, plucking the purple frond from his partner's doublet and running it under his chin. "Don't think of it that way, my squire. We get to sleep in while the others are all on deck." He leaned his head back and echoed his friend's nod. "No one is to disturb a night watchman when he sleeps. Now, thanks to my brilliant plan, I intend to do that with my lover well into midday."
Much smirked as his hand once again found his partner's length, still sensitive from his earlier ministrations, and his eager mouth met his lover's. "Either way, I don't think we are going to get much rest today."
>>>---------------------------->
In the wheelhouse, the young yeoman sat back and enjoyed the show. He preferred being on graveyard shift. There was always something exciting going on in the crow's nest and tonight he really wasn't disappointed. He sat back with his foot braced against the large wheel in front of him and toasted the two lovers silently with his flask. "I really need to introduce myself properly to those guys," he mused as he watched the stars.
Enough with the lavender pr0n! Back to more serious issues with wasting your gum! Chapter 18 this way.