The chorus of birds announced the coming of dawn and though it was still dark out the edges of the world had begun to glow softly.
"Leaving without a proper goodbye kiss?"
Norrington, already coiffed and dressed, turned from the easterly window overlooking the dormant volcano in the distance; Beckett was still abed, soft and tousled from sleep.
"You act as though we will never see each other again."
"You are going out to sea, James, and it is always proper to kiss one's lover goodbye in such a situation."
Norrington smiled ruefully as Cutler stretched beneath the sheets.
"We are hardly lovers."
Beckett sat up in bed and slid to the edge, the sheets pooled about his thighs and he waited expectantly.
"Semantics, James, now come and kiss me."
"Whatever for?"
"Because it is not yet dawn! And because I want you to."
James reluctantly moved to the bed and leaning down, placed a peck on Cutler's forehead next to his smallpox scar. Suddenly, Beckett's fingers were gripping his Admiral's epaulets.
"Do not dare toy with me, James. I said a proper kiss and I shall have one; if not for goodbye, then for luck."
Such intensity on the Lord's face and Norrington knew he could not refuse, but such a romantic gesture with a man seemed impossible. Already Beckett was urging him down and James closed his eyes. His lips slanted over Cutler's and nothing happened. Beckett moved first and darted the moist tip of his pink tongue against James' lower lip.
An image swam to mind in Norrington's head and he decided to use it fully to his advantage. He imagined that this morning was one in many after his marriage to Elizabeth. Though James had never tasted Miss Swann's lips, Beckett's were fleshy enough to pass for a woman's and his stubble became the crumbs clinging to Elizabeth's face after breakfast in bed.
He imagined tasting cinnamon and toast as he slid his tongue against Cutler's and James threaded his fingers through Beckett's curls and his large palm cradled the back of the Lord's head. The soft sounds of wet, hot kisses filled the room as dawn chased the lingering shadows under the bed and into the armories.
Cutler Beckett, breathless and aching, held onto James' shoulders even as the Admiral pulled away. The Lord was pleased to see that Norrington's lips were swollen and his eyes glazed. Blinking, James released the back of Beckett's head and straightened, causing the Lord's palms to flutter down from his shoulders to his hands.
"Who were you thinking of?"
Cutler delivered a light squeeze to James' hands and Norrington responded honestly, as he always did.
"Miss Swann."
Beckett laughed heartily and gave his Admiral's hands a final squeeze before reluctantly releasing them.
"I am at once delighted and outraged!"
James Norrington straightened his uniform and plucked his hat from the side table.
"Good bye, My Lord. And good luck."
The Admiral gave a bow that was as much that of a courtier as it was of a rogue and with a waggish swish of coat skirts departed the company of Cutler Beckett.
Flopping backwards into the bed, Cutler bit his thumb as his other hand drifted down towards his hard cock. He pictured both his reluctant James Norrington and a feisty Elizabeth Swann as he slowly stroked himself to completion.
For Lord Beckett it was never enough to merely conquer, he must also seduce.
