Written for day 26 of the Sharethelovemonth
Thanks MyLadyDay for beta'ing
Warnings: explicit sexual content, reference character death, referenced loss of limbs
Shanks opened the door and entered his house, where he was greeted by the maid, who bowed her head. The butler took Shanks' top hat and cane and inclined his head in greeting as well.
Shanks smiled at them before walking to the living room, where Benn and Makino were waiting for him. Benn was reading the newspaper, and Makino some novella.
When he entered, they looked up and smiled at him.
"Good evening," he greeted them. He moved to Makino, kissing her on the cheek and handing her a small box.
"Why, thank you." She opened the box and looked inside. "You really shouldn't have to."
"You say that every time," he replied sheepishly.
"Because you shouldn't." She took the necklace out of the box and placed it around her neck. "It's gorgeous, though."
"It matches the earrings from last week," Shanks said cheerfully, before taking a seat on the couch next to Benn. "So, how was your day?"
Makino shook her head and smiled. "It was fine, thank you. How was your work?"
"Good." As he started telling her about his day, Shanks placed one arm on the back of the couch behind Benn, who had folded the paper and turned a little to look at him.
Benn and Makino had moved in with him a while ago, after a fire destroyed their house and they had lost everything. Shanks lived in this house alone – aside from the staff – since his wife Monet had died in an accident in which he had lost his left arm.
He didn't mind them living with him. Makino had taken over the household, being in charge of the staff, who got hired and who got fired. And Benn…
Well.
The maid brought them wine as dinner had already been served. Shanks had been on a business dinner, so he wasn't hungry anyway.
Makino rose from her chair after she had finished her wine. "Alright, boys, I'm off to bed. Good night. And thank you for the necklace." She gave Shanks a kiss on his cheek. "Don't stay up too late," she added with a wink before she left.
Shanks sighed as Benn wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close. He turned around to kiss Benn, ending up draped on top of him – not that he minded.
They had started their affair a few months ago with Makino's blessing and support. Benn had married her out of convenience. She knew from the start that Benn was not attracted to women, but he had provided a good home for her, until they lost it in the fire.
Shanks had mourned Monet for the appropriate mourning time of one year, in which he wore black gloves, hatband and cravat. After that, he had turned to grey, until he gradually moved back to wearing brighter colours.
The affair with Benn hadn't been planned. Shanks had slowly started to realise that while he had abstained from going into public places during his mourning period, Benn had always been there for him, causing Shanks to develop feelings for him.
While Makino was well informed about their relationship and even approved of it, Shanks couldn't help but feel guilty every time she went to bed alone, so he spoiled her where he could, for instance with jewellery. She had her own wing in the house, which was filled with clothes and pretty things Shanks picked up for her.
She and Benn never had children – as far as Shanks knew, they had never consummated their marriage – but Shanks had promised that if she would ever get the desire to be a mother, he would gladly offer his services if she wished – as he was attracted to women while Benn wasn't.
Though, Shanks was pretty sure her needs were taken care of elsewhere.
Shanks moaned into Benn's mouth when hands grabbed his ass. He pulled back a little for a moment to use his teeth to take off the glove on his left hand, so he could intertwine his fingers with Benn's hair.
He had met Benn through his wife, or rather, through his wife who knew Makino, who took her husband Benn with her when Monet had invited them over for dinner once. Shanks and Benn had immediately hit it off, much to the delight of Makino – Monet hadn't seemed to care either way.
It didn't take long for Benn to become his best friend and confidant, and their bond only became stronger when Monet died and Shanks lost his arm. Benn had comforted him, instead of letting him immerse himself in his work, and been his rock when he needed him most.
He had known for a long time that Benn was attracted to men, but had never considered himself a candidate until that point. Fortunately, Benn's feelings had been mutual.
They had started their relationship a few months ago, but of course, they had to keep it secret. Sodomy was a crime punishable by death – though there were only few convictions, and usually, the sentences were reduced to a few years in prison. Not to mention the fact that Benn was married, so there would be a scandal.
At this moment, however, Shanks couldn't care less about the law as Benn moved to place him on his back on the couch, never stopping kissing him. The staff had already left for the night, fortunately, but lived in the same house, so they couldn't go too far. The staff was good at their jobs, but there were only a few people Shanks trusted to know their little secret.
Realising they were still in the living room, Shanks tapped Benn's shoulder, and reluctantly, Benn moved back a bit.
"You know, we should really listen to your wife," Shanks said with a smirk, "and go to bed."
Benn's expression mirrored Shanks' as he moved off him and extended his hand to help Shanks up.
In the bedroom they shared, Benn helped Shanks take off his cutaway morning coat. Standing behind him, Benn placed kisses in his neck, and Shanks sighed pleased.
His vest and shirt were next to go, before Shanks was spun around and pulled against Benn. Their lips met again as Shanks made quick work of Benn's clothes.
Benn's hands roamed Shanks' chest, but hesitated for a second before touching the stump that was left of Shanks' left arm. The wound had healed, but some days, it could be sensitive.
Shanks closed his eyes and leaned into the touch. He didn't mind Benn touching him there – though Benn was the only one allowed – but it brought back unpleasant memories.
Memories to the day when he last saw Monet. They had been in the factory Shanks owned, when something went wrong, and the factory exploded. Monet hadn't been the only one who died. Several of Shanks' workers had, too.
The police had found out the machinery had been tampered with, but they never found the culprit. Monet's body was discovered, but she had been barely recognisable, not even allowing Shanks to take one last picture of her.
Shanks had let her headstone be engraved with a broken column, symbolising her young life cut short.
Benn pulled Shanks close and kissed him again. Slowly, the thoughts faded, and Shanks was pulled back to the present.
Gently, he caressed Benn's cheek when Benn looked at him with a worried frown and smiled at him. "I'm fine, really. Now, let's get you out of that southern necessity."
Benn snorted. "There are no ladies present, you know. You can say trousers."
"Such language!" Shanks called out mock-indignantly and laughed as he was pushed onto the bed with Benn on top of him. His laughter soon turned to moaning when Benn started kissing his neck again.
Shanks had experience with trying to open Benn's trousers with one hand, and it wasn't easy, so he opted for sliding his hand down the back and squeezing Benn's ass.
He flipped them over so he was on top, while Benn made work of the rest of his clothes.
Shanks moved so he was sitting between Benn's legs and moved his head down, taking his erection in his mouth.
Benn let out a pleased grunt and caressed Shanks' hair.
Shanks enjoyed the touch as he breathed out slowly through his nose and let his tongue run along the shaft.
They had been together like this several times already, but Shanks didn't think it would ever bore him. Benn understood him like no one else, and they had gone through a lot together. Comforting each other like this felt natural, no matter what the law said about it.
Shanks sat up a little and made his way to the nightstand where they kept a bottle of oil. In the meantime, Benn moved further up on the bed, watching his movements.
When Shanks had obtained his treasure, he turned around and smirked triumphantly.
Benn smiled back warmly, making Shanks want to kiss him all over, so he did.
He jumped back on the bed, where he was received with open arms. Benn pulled him close, kissing his lips passionately.
Shanks coated his fingers with oil and moved them between Benn's legs without looking. With his one arm occupied, Shanks had to rely on Benn to keep him upright.
Benn's large hands held him, but not just to stabilise him. He let out a sound between a moan and a huff when Shanks entered him, and relaxed his body to make the access easier.
Benn had been the first man Shanks had slept with, though Benn had had some experience before Shanks, which was a good thing, because Shanks wouldn't have thought about using oil. Well, not the first time.
Benn held him close as Shanks added another finger. They had never stopped kissing.
Shanks had barely added a third finger when Benn grunted, "It's fine. I'm ready."
Shanks gave him a reprimanding look. "Remember what you did when I said that?"
"It was your first time."
Shanks smiled and kissed Benn's hair, as his hand was still occupied preparing Benn. "Still, I want you to enjoy it." With a smirk, he curled his fingers.
Benn let out a curse that would make even sailors blush, and his hips jerked up. He let go of Shanks, who would have fallen forward, had he not shifted his weight to his knees.
Benn opened his eyes, panting, and scowled when he saw Shanks' triumphant face.
"Now you're ready," he said huskily. He could have sworn that Benn pouted, which was such a ridiculous idea that he started laughing.
"Just get on with it," Benn huffed, but he smiled anyway.
Shanks pulled his fingers out and used his hand to lean on when he leaned in to kiss Benn again, groaning when Benn coated his erection with oil.
Benn helped him position himself, one hand on Shanks' hip and the other just below his armpit on the other side. With his thumb, he rubbed gently at Shanks' nipple.
Shanks was breathing heavily as he slowly slid inside of Benn. When he was fully sheathed, Benn pulled him close again. Shanks waited a moment to give Benn the time to adjust to him, nuzzling in his hair.
When Benn's hip jerked slightly, Shanks took it as his cue to start moving. He leaned on his elbow, while Benn steadied him by placing his hands on his hips again.
There was no need to talk, as their bodies did that for them. Shanks leaned in to kiss Benn again, feeling his breath against his skin. Benn moved his hand between their bodies and started to masturbate while Shanks continued with his thrusts.
It was over too soon. Shanks collapsed on top of Benn, sweaty and still panting. He could feel Benn's cum cool off between their bodies. He kissed Benn one more time, before he pulled out and rolled off him.
"That was really great," he said and turned his head towards Benn. However, instead of looking satisfied like usual, Benn looked sad. Shanks sat up a little. "Are you okay? Didn't you like it?"
"Of course I did." Benn sighed and closed his eyes. "It's just… We can't keep doing this."
"You're the one who seduced me tonight," Shanks protested.
Benn smiled wistfully and reached out to caress Shanks' cheek. "And how could I not?"
"Then why so melancholic?" Shanks kissed him again.
Benn pulled him close.
Shanks was still slightly worried, but he waited patiently until Benn spoke again, stroking his hair.
"Sooner or later, you'll have to get remarried again," Benn said softly. "You already would have, if you had had children."
"I don't have kids, though. And a one armed man is hardly appealing, is he?" Shanks tried to put him at ease.
"I beg to differ, though." Benn kissed him, pinning him against the bed.
"You're acting weird," Shanks said when Benn released him. "Tell me what happened."
Benn seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then sighed. "A man stopped by today, looking for you. He has a daughter, who is a widow with two young children."
He didn't have to elaborate for Shanks to understand what he meant. Still, he said stubbornly, "So? That doesn't mean I'll marry her."
Benn sighed again, holding him tightly as if Shanks was thinking about escaping. "Of course you will," he muttered.
"And why's that?" Shanks said challengingly.
"Because you are a good man. She has two daughters she needs to support. She needs help. And even if you wouldn't marry her, you'd marry the next. Makino and I can't keep living here forever, either. And not every woman would be as understanding as Makino is," Benn added softly.
Shanks remained silent. He knew Benn was right, even if he wished he wasn't. Society would never allow him to be happy with Benn.
For now, though, he didn't want to think about that. Instead, he freed himself from Benn's hold and straddled him. "Well then," he said with a grin, "we can't let the oil go to waste, can we?"