WARNING! This chapter is steamy!

Starships

Chapter Nine

By Pixiedust291

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Alfred kept his distance from Arthur at first. He didn't even talk of laugh much. What he did say was almost business like. The sudden change in mood confused Arthur to the point of frustration. There was no word from the planets about the ransom and apparently they had run put of beer, which was a big deal for some of the crew. Alfred sounded sad. Arthur wondered as first if he was imagining it. "Do you need anything?" he asked.

"Um... No, but I do need to use the restroom." Such a stupid thing, and yet it embarrassed Arthur to no end that he could not do it himself. He had no idea where it was, and so he had to ask permission like some kind of child. He felt Alfred take his arm and lead him further into the room. His hand caressed Arthur's back.

"I'm sorry that I've been such lousy company this evening."

Arthur smiled "Don't be sorry. You are still better company then my men."

Finally he laughed, it sounded so genuine. He was obviously pleased with his answer. "I'm glad you think so." He took one of Arthur's hands and put it on the wall. When Arthur moved his hand he realized it was a doorway. "Will you need any help?" Alfred was teasing now, but Arthur was happy he seemed to be shaking free of his melancholy.

"I can manage you nosy git." Again, Alfred laughed.

"Suit yourself, limey."

Arthur was able to get in the bathroom and close the door. He fumbled his way to the toilet, where he had to sit, because he couldn't see to aim. He was able to get his pants undone but getting them back up proved to be quite difficult with bound hands. Over Arthur's dead body was he going to ask Alfred for help, the situation was already embarrassing enough. With firm determination he eventually prevailed. When he was done he began fumbling for the sink. He felt something- he guessed it was a faucet. He tried to grab it and it slipped through his fingers. A second later a loud clatter of shattering glass echoed through the small room.

"Hey, are you alright in there?" Alfred called from just outside.

He wanted so badly to say yes, but with glass on the floor he was forced to tell the truth. "No!" Arthur growled in frustration. He was sure there was now broken glass all over the floor, and of course he was barefoot.

"Can I come in?"

Arthur sighed. At least his pants were done up. "Yes." He heard the door open, and he stood perfectly still, wishing he wasn't so ashamed of something he couldn't help. "I'm sorry, I broke something."

"Just a glass," Alfred answered dismissively. "Hold still while I clean it up."

"I'm sorry."

Arthur felt fingers brush his cheek "It is just a glass Captain Kirkland. Nothing special, unlike some other things." He heard the pieces of glass tinkle against each other and then clank into something metal. Still, Arthur didn't move. "Ok, all done." He felt the American grab his hand "Come on, take it slowly though."

As Arthur turned he grumbled "I was just trying to find the sink." He then felt Alfred approach him. First a hand on his waist, then the solidness of him pressed against his back. He felt so warm and so protective. Alfred pushed him forward until Arthur felt the counter against the tops of his thighs. Alfred reached around him and Arthur heard water begin to run. Alfred took his hands and guided them to the stream, which was warm. Then the American's hands left for the briefest second Arthur wondered what was going on, but then Alfred's hands returned and began to move against his. He felt soap and smelled the instantiations scent of lilac. He felt like a child, standing there while someone else washed his hands. And yet at the same time, the gesture was incredibly intimate. The closeness of their bodies and Alfred's chin resting on his shoulders. Arthur was overcome with the desire to stay in this very position forever.

"Your tail is moving to the side again." Alfred's tone was conversational "Why does it keep doing that?"

Arthur gulped. There was no reason to hide it "It's a sign of submission... sexual submission."

He anticipated the man's reaction, but all he got was a kiss to his cheek and an "Oh," as his response. Alfred turned off the water and put a towel in Arthur's hands, though he still did not move away. "We have been searching your ship."

"Really? I thought you had probably blown it up."

"We need some sort of ship to transport the prisoners back," Alfred explained "But that is beside the point of why I brought this up. Do you need me to get anything for you?"

"I would bloody love to get out of these pants." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. Alfred laughed. One of his hands slid down Arthur's stomach, but stopped short of his waistband.

"I think we both know how much I would like to help you with that."

"I only meant-"

"I know," he chuckled "I don't blame you. I would give you a pair of mine but I'm afraid they would be too big in the leg. I'll bring back some from your room."

"You know where it is?"

"We have your ships mainframe under out control. Location programs will tell me."

Arthur nodded "Thank you."

"Is there anything else?"

Arthur nibbled on his lower lip. There was something else, and although he felt foolish for asking it, he also suspected the American would understand. Arthur turned to face him, even though he still couldn't see him. The space was tiny, and now he could feel their stomachs touch as their legs intertwined. Arthur's bound hands were wedged between their bodies. "I would like to be able to shave."

Yet again, Alfred laughed softly. A finger brushed Arthur's cheek. "It is true, you are a bit scruffy."

"It itches and it drives me insane."

"I have a razor," Alfred offered "If you do not mind me doing it for you." Arthur was thankful for the offer. He did not want to imagine trying to do it himself. Alfred pushed him gently backward against the counter. "Sit here."

The countertop was a little more then a foot wide. Arthur scooted back as far as he could, leaning against the wall behind him. It felt smooth and cold against his bare back so Arthur was fairly certain it was a mirror. Immediately to Arthur's left he heard the water gush forth. It splashed as Alfred allowed the sink to fill partway. A cabinet opened and closed. Then the water turned off. Alfred gripped Arthur's knees, pushing them roughly apart and wedging himself between them. The sudden erotic aspect added to the simple act of shaving they were about to do made Arthur tremble. He did not try to hide his awakening arousal. Arthur's bound hands were in his lap, and Alfred groin pushed against them. The American had an obvious and very impressive erection. Without thinking Arthur brushed his knuckles over the bulge. He realized all too soon his mistake as Alfred moaned and pushed further into the touch. It made Arthur gasp. Alfred hooked his hand under Arthur's left knee, pushing it up toward his shoulder so that he could grind more easily against him. Warm lips brushed Arthur's throat. "You have no idea how tempting you are," Alfred said breathlessly "I wish I had helped you out of those pants."

The thought of it made Arthur shiver. Alfred kissed his neck, pushing against him again. Arthur's heart raced. The kisses felt so good. The pressure and erection between his spread knees was divine. He raised his other knee to match the one he held, allowing his bottom to slide toward him, and his groin to brush harder against him. The American's withheld erection felt hard against his buttocks and he moaned. Alfred's right hand began to caress Arthur's nipple. The Brit tried not to whimper. Alfred moaned again, this time from frustration. "You have no idea what you do to me," he whispered. He pulled away and let go of Arthur's knee. The beautiful pressure was gone. Arthur wanted to scream. He didn't want it to stop. He wished he could relive that moment over and over again. Alfred stayed between his knees, but eased off on the pushing so hard against him. "Are you ready?" he asked.

"Yes! God yes!" Arthur practically screamed.

There was a long silence and then with barely controlled amusement Alfred said "I...was talking about the shaving."

Color exploded on Arthur face and he wanted nothing more then to dive into a black hole. "I-I knew that!" he said defensively, even as the American burst out laughing. "Oh, shut it!"

Still laughing Alfred managed to brokenly say "Look...up... a bit." His finger nudged Arthur's chin, and then he began to massage a cool, moist substance into Arthur's stubble. The clean, cold, masculine smell of the shaving lotion was surprisingly familiar- and then Arthur realized it was the same oceanic smell he had come to associate with the American. Arthur found himself relaxing despite everything. He sat there, blind to everything, his hands bound, completely helpless as Alfred attended him. The slow, gentile rhythm of the razor over his skin was strangely hypnotic, punctuated by the splash of water as he rinsed the blade clean. Alfred didn't speak, but he titled Arthur's head every which way with his fingers. His hands were gentile and Arthur never once felt a nick.

He was aware of every single touch. Arthur didn't know if Alfred noticed this but every time he went to rinse the razor his left hand would come to rest of Arthur's thigh. It made Arthur's heart skip a beat each and every time. He became hyper-sensitive of the American's groin brushing against his as he moved. They were both still hard, and both of them knew it. He wondered what Alfred looked like. He was clean shaven, of that Arthur was sure. He had never felt any stubble or hair any of the times they had kissed, which pleased him. He hated facial hear. The man's hair was also long enough to brush his cheeks but Arthur doubted it was any length longer then his ears. Other then that he knew nothing. Nothing except the frightening pleasure of his touch.

"Finsihed," Alfred said, much too soon for Arthur's preference. He patted Arthur's face dry with a towel, wiping away the last traces of the lotion. "Better?"

"Much, thank you." Alfred ran a fingertip down his cheek. He felt the American's other hand resting on his thigh. Gods, it felt good.

Alfred cupped Arthur's face in his hands "Every time I see you, I want you more. Maybe it would be better if I left you alone with your men." His thumb brushed over Arthur's lips. He released a held breath "I must be an idiot like you say," he said "I hunger for you as if I'm a dying man. Even though I know being with you, Captain Kirkland, would be the end of your military career."

Alfred started to pull away and Arthur felt a torrent of dread crashed down on him. He hooked his feet behind the American's legs, holding him between his knees. His bound hands went upward, searching for his face. When he found it, he grasped it, and then pressed his mouth against Alfred's in a bone melting kiss. He felt Alfred's hand clench on his thigh. It was so unbelievably easy to let himself fall over the edge. When they parted Arthur smiled. "Arthur."

"What?"

"My name, it's Arthur."

For a heartbeat, Alfred didn't react at all. Arthur sat there, his heart pounding in his ears and chest, feeling a if he could barely breath. Then he felt the American lean close. He felt warm breath against his lips. "Arthur," Alfred said, and Arthur could hear the smile in his voice. "I like it. It suits you." Alfred kissed him. He wasn't aggressive. His lips were soft. His mouth was warm. The tip of his tongue teased against Arthur's lips. Arthur forgot his hands were bound. He tried to pull them apart. He wanted to touch the other man and put his arms around him. He wanted to pull their bodies flush against one another. His arms were wedged tightly between them. Alfred wrapped one of his arms around him. The other cupped the back of his head, pulling lightly on Arthur's hair. He parted his lips, much to Alfred's relish. Arthur let him deepen the kiss. Arthur let Alfred's tongue brush his, and felt as though he lost all control of himself. Any resolve he might have had to stop this before it went to far disappeared in one frantic heartbeat. Arthur melted against him, whimpering. He felt the change when it triggered in Alfred too.

Alfred became more aggressive. He growled as he kissed Arthur harder. He couldn't seem to decide what to do with his hands. They were everywhere, pulling his hair, stoking his back, teasing his nipples. It made Arthur dizzy. Alfred broke their kiss suddenly, although he didn't let go. Arthur could hear him breathing hard, and it almost seemed as though Arthur could feel him looking at him. "You have no idea how crazy I am for you," he nearly panted "I don't know what to do first."

"Please," Arthur gasped. He didn't know what he was begging for and he didn't care. "Please, Alfred."

Alfred groaned and rocked his hips forward, making Arthur hiss in pleasure "That's the first time you have said my name." He pulled away, but only enough to reach down and touch the tie at Arthur's wrists "Arthur, do I dare cut you free?"

Arthur opened his mouth to answer when the door nearly slammed open and a loud energetic voice reverberated off the walles "Buon giorno captain!"

"Fuck!" Alfred hissed harshly and Arthur felt the man's head fall to his left shoulder. Arthur also heard soft booted footsteps as the voice drew closer.

"Captain? Captain? Oh! Captain there you are." The door to the bathroom was still open. Arthur wished more then anything he could see the man that was currently interrupting them so that he might strangle him. From his accent he was obviously Italian. "Oh, and I see you have a handsome fella with you." His voice was too cheery "Complimenti Americano!"

A dark laugh escaped Alfred and made Arthur shiver. "Yes, thank you Feliciano." Alfred said curtly "Now what is it?"

Feliciano's voice went down a level in cheeriness "Oh, well... you told me to inform you when the planets contacted us about the ransoms. Well, they just did."

Alfred groaned "Thank you Feliciano. That will be all."

Arthur heard the hurried frantic steps as the soft booted feet nearly ran out of the room. Arthur could only assume being agressive with the crew was not something Alfred did often. Alfred took several steadying breaths "I really... really hate your planet right now."

Arthur couldn't help but smile "If it make you feel better, I hate them too." He thought back to the Italian "You called that man Feliciano. As in, the partner of the man named Ludwig, who is German?"

"One and the same." Alfred said distractedly with a long sigh.

Arthur titled his head to one side "A German and an Italian. Seems like they would make a truly confusing couple?"

Alfred chuckled "No more so then an American and a Brittan." Alfred lifted his head and kissed Arthur one last time before he moved away. "Duty calls, even for pirates. Now the interesting thing will be getting report from Honda about the ransoms... while having this obvious erection." His tone sounded both embarrassed and comical. He helped Arthur out of the bathroom and walked him to his bed when he sat the man down "Stay here. I will be back as fast as I can." He kissed him again "Believe me."

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A/N: Ten review in less than a few hours. So, as stated below, here is the new chapter.

New chapters will be uploaded every Friday/Saturday and per every ten reviews.