It had taken a while for Aiden to fall asleep after that strange moment on the top deck with the captain. He’d laid there in his hammock, going through everything in his head again. Vincent had been fine until his hometown had been brought up. Honestly, why did he care so much? Yeah, he liked the captain but they were barely even friends. When he finally fell asleep, he shut his eyes with a slight crease in his brow.
The next day came like any other and upon seeing Vincent at breakfast, the captain acted as if the conversation last night hadn’t happened at all. Vincent was finishing tea and some breakfast when Aiden came to the kitchen. They exchanged their usual morning greetings before Vincent left to get ready for their arrival to the capital.
An hour later, the capitol was in sight and Aiden was amazed by the size of it! He’d heard it was huge but wow! Aiden stood near Vincent, holding onto the ship tight as the captain pulled Leon’s Claw into port.
Business went on as usual as it did on the docks with Vincent and Damien working on deck while Aiden did his post-flight inspection, securing everything in the engine room for their extended stay. Afterwards, he went to assist Damien and soon enough, everything was done!
Damien had family in town and was going to be staying with them. However, as he stood on the gangplank*, he scowled at Vincent who stood with a slightly amused look on his face. "Vincent, are you SURE you don’t want me to come over?" Vincent smirked and rolled his eyes before taking Damien’s bag and pushing it into his arms. "I’m sure. I’ll be fine. I’ll see you tomorrow night." It took a bit more convincing but soon Damien was off heading for his family’s home in town.
Vincent turned and saw Aiden sitting nearby on a barrel eating one of those red apples he enjoyed so much. Aiden smirked a bit and said, "Insistent, isn’t he?" Vincent gave a small shrug and glanced over his shoulder and watched as Damien disappeared into the crowd. "Eh, he’ll be fine. He’s always such a worrywart." He looked back at Aiden and gazed into his eyes for a long moment. "And you’re going to be fine on Leon’s Claw?" Aiden grinned cheekily at Vincent. "I’ll be fine. Careful, Captain. I think Damien’s worrywart is starting to spread." Vincent gave a slight chuckle and slid his hands into his pockets. "Right. Well then, I’m off. If there is an emergency, here’s my address. The dock master knows you are staying here."
Aiden took the small slip of paper with the captain’s address, his fingers accidentally brushing his. He felt a familiar warmth and tingly feeling spread through his fingers as their skin made contact. "Thank you, Captain." "You’re welcome. Have a good day and see you soon, Aiden." "Good day, Captain." With that, Vincent collected his luggage before taking his leave.
The first thing Aiden did as soon as the captain departed was to grab his money bag, lock up the ship, and hurry towards the post office. Sure enough there was a letter from Papa! Aiden was so excited to receive the letter and quickly raced back to Leon’s Claw to read it! He felt overwhelmed seeing his father’s handwriting and could hear his voice speaking as he read the words, updating his son about life at home and how he was spending more time in Ms. Moore’s company. It seemed like his father may find love again after all!
Aiden spent the rest of the day out on the docks. He got to see a huge airship make port and watch from a close distance as it did! It had been an experience just to see it done so masterfully! The crew worked together so perfectly! Though as he watched, he began to think about how he really did adore Leon’s Claw, as small as it was. It really had started to become home. It was a little hard to imagine living on another airship.
Aiden had made a good amount of money working on Leon’s Claw; more than he’d ever made in his life! So he decided he was going to treat himself to a nice dinner. However, he had no idea really where he’d want to eat or what to eat! So he pulled on his nicest shirt and made himself look decent and headed out! While wandering through town, he was so distracted by everything that he found himself not really grabbing anything to eat. Finally, it was dark and he saw a sign for meat pies at a tavern! Okay, that sounded really, really good! Meat pies and mead! As Aiden pushed open the door and looked around, he saw a very familiar shape…
"Captain!"
"No… nope… no ship’s business… off duty… nope… can’t make me."
Aiden stood there, the door open behind him as he stood in surprise. There was Vincent but he was obviously very, very drunk! His eyes were glassy and his skin was a little flushed and he seemed to sway slightly on the bench he sat on. He was staring at Aiden but seemed to have trouble keeping focus before turning and reaching for yet another mug of rum. He was dressed down far more than Aiden had ever seen him even aboard the ship. He looked like any other man wandering around town. Even his eyepatch was plain. Yet even as plainly as he was dressed, he was still very handsome as ever.
Aiden blinked, taken aback by the sight of Vincent like this! The captain didn’t seem like the kind of person to drink so heavily or to make a public nuisance of himself! He glanced around the tavern and saw that the few patrons that were there were ignoring them and the man behind the counter just kind of shook his head with a small sigh. Aiden looked back at Vincent as he moved around to stand in front of him, having shut the door behind him.
"Captain, how many have you had?" Aiden asked as he peered into the pitcher of strong alcohol. "Um…" Vincent glanced at the mugs then lifted the fifth mug to his lips and said, "Thaaaaaat many." He drained it, chugging that whole half-pint down in one go! "Now….now this many!" he proclaimed loudly, slurring as he did before setting the mug down heavily on the table. "And many more!" He gave a nod and sudden loud belch before rubbing his stomach. "Pardon me!" And he reached over for the jug and began to lift it with some struggle and pour himself more to drink, but he missed and it poured on the table instead before finally getting some into the mug.
Aiden stared but quickly recovered as he reached for the pitcher and halted the captain’s progress. "Captain-" "No….no, Aiden….off duty…Vincent now.. Let me…have…have my drink! I de-deserve this. I’ve earned it! Hey!" Vincent slurred as Aiden grabbed the pitcher from him. He huffed at Aiden and seized the mug that had half a drink in it before Aiden took that from him too. "Brat."
Aiden blinked in surprise then let out a disbelieving laugh. Did he seriously just call him that?! He glanced towards the man behind the bar who didn’t look overly pleased by Vincent’s intoxicated behavior as Vincent glanced over and called, "Barman…Bernard, more rum!"
"I think you’ve had enough," Aiden told him firmly, setting the pitcher down out of Vincent’s reach. "Up you get. Come on, Captain." "Aiden, no," Vincent whined but found himself too intoxicated to really fight him on it and was hauled to his feet carefully by Aiden. Aiden glanced at the man behind the bar and asked, "Is he paid up?" "Aye," came the gruff voice. "He’s paid up ahead of time. Does so every time." The man behind the bar gave a small shrug dismissively. Every time? Aiden wondered.
It was clear just how drunk Vincent was because he was very unsteady on his feet and had to cling to the edge of the table to keep from falling. He tried to reach for the pitcher but Aiden boldly wrapped his arm around the captain’s waist. "Come along, Captain." "But Aiden, I wanna drink!" Vincent complained loudly. "And…and…off duty…not Captain."
Aiden began to lead Vincent out of the tavern with a small struggle once he got directions to Vincent’s home from the man behind the bar. As he did, he heard the man behind the bar say to one of the patrons, "We’re used to him. He does this every time he comes home; never forgave himself after-" And the door closed behind him so he missed that last part. Damn it!
Aiden had an idea where the captain’s home was but he’d never been there. "Where is your home? That way, right?" he asked as they turned the corner around the tavern. Vincent glanced down the small road leading away from the tavern and said, "That way….I think….Maybe." "I hope you’re right."
As they began to head down the way, Aiden’s arm tightened around Vincent’s waist and held him right against his side. As he did, he could smell Vincent’s personal scent through the alcohol and how pleasant it felt to have someone in his arm. It felt…nice. Really nice. A soft smile perked his lips as his mind went blissfully blank in the sensation.
"Y-ya know… You should smile more… You got cute dimples riiiiiight there…."
Aiden’s face went bright red and heat filled his cheeks as he felt Vincent’s fingertip gently brush the small dimple at the corner of his lips. He looked away slightly and licked his lips nervously. "I-um…I.. Nuh uh!" He felt Vincent’s hand press to his chest and his other hand come up and drape over his left shoulder. "Aw Aiden! You doooo! Do it ag-again! It’s…it’s cute!"
Aiden felt his blushing spread down his neck and under his collar as he glanced back at Vincent and saw how lovely his face looked in the moonlight as he gazed up at him so hopefully. He paused their steps and for a moment, he began to smile softly just for Vincent.
"Happy now?" Aiden asked, unable to stop that cute, small smile. Vincent’s hand left Aiden’s chest and brushed his fingers against the small dimple at the corner of his mouth before nodding silently and lowering his hand to Aiden’s muscled chest once more.
For a long moment, Aiden stared into Vincent’s eye, feeling himself getting a little lost in it as they stood there, Vincent in his arm and touching his chest and shoulder like so. This felt so nice. He could feel his heart speed up just a touch, beating harder than before.
Vincent stared back up at Aiden, leaning just a touch closer as he gazed up into his eyes. His lips parted slightly almost as if he were about to say something which made Aiden feel nervous. Then suddenly a powerful wave of nausea hit and Vincent doubled over and began to throw up at Aiden’s feet! Aiden gasped in surprise, holding onto Vincent so he didn’t fall over while still trying to avoid the mess!
"Oh God," Vincent groaned as he wiped at his mouth a few seconds later, Aiden pulling him around the mess on the ground. "Okay, time to get you home. Come on, Captain." Vincent gave a small nod and leaned against Aiden’s side miserably, arms around Aiden’s waist as he was held around his shoulders. From there, he was guided gently along a new street as they headed towards his home.
Vocabulary:
Gangplank: a moveable wooden board that allows people to walk on and off a ship at a pier
Next Part: www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/50954048817/in/datepo…
To read the rest of the story, here’s the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
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This two-part scene was taken in Second Life at Victorian London – Time Portal in the Meat Pie Shop and behind it in the alleyway leading away from the street!
You can check out this AMAZING roleplay-type parcel and even rent from there! Its so realistic! Seriously! The details here are incredible!
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***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (BL/yaoi/gay) series. It is a slow burn and rated PG13!***
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Special thank you to Vin Raven-Mysterious for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
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DISCORD SERVER: That’s right! The Captain and the Engineer has a Discord Server! If you would like to join and chat with other crewmates and see what’s new and happening before it gets posted to Flickr, click the link!
discord.gg/qBa769TAC4
***NEW!!!!***
The Captain and the Engineer now has a FACEBOOK PAGE! Please come Like, Follow, and join the crew! Thank you so much for all your support!
FACEBOOK PAGE:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558531406088
Posted by Cormack Owle on 2021-02-08 02:54:06
Tagged: , Time , Portal , London , GlamAffair , EndlessPainTattoos , Maitreya , MaitreyaFlat , PixelBoxDesign , Deadboy.Ink , Gloom , Spectacledchic , RavenBell , Toksik , TrueDamage , StrayDog , Dura , Signature , Gianni , Lelutka , Lake , Skyler , Volver , Contraption , Swallow , Modern , Goth , Gothic , Piercing , Fantasy , Series , Yaoi , BL , Boyxboy , emotional , malexmale , captain , engineer , LBGT , LBGTQ+ , gay , BoyLove , Story , Game , Handsome , eyepatch , Steampunk , victorian , Man , Men , Queer , Beer , Ale , Tavern , Blush , drunk , freckles
