Conceal

"I know it upsets you Andrew but you'll have to accept it. It's his choice you know."

Andrew Gillette frowned, crossing his navy clad arms defiantly across his chest and turning his head to the side. Accept it, like it wasn't a violation of Article XXIX, like it wasn't him, that sneering asshole that seemed to think he could charm everyone and their mothers. Not that he hadn't succeeded in that, oh no. Just look at the man before him, a seasoned officer condoning a relationship between a pirate and a Commodore.

Said seasoned officer, Theodore Groves, sighed deeply, placing his hands on his hips. "Come now Drew, is the pouting really necessary?"

"'m not pouting…" Gillette muttered, glaring with as much hate as he could muster at the other man. Groves simply smiled, placing a comforting hand on his friends shoulder.

"Talk to him. You do know he needs your approval as much as you need his. This is a difficult step for him to make. I trust you to do the right thing." And with that he left the angry officer to his thoughts.

--

He supposed he should have knocked instead of bursting in unannounced, a bad habit of his that was now, as it seemed, being punished. Sparrow was sitting on the Commodore's lap – his lap, Gillette thought with a groan- engaging in activities most unbecoming of a Naval man but surely celebrated of a pirate. His sudden entrance stopped the two immediately, Norrington hastily pushing Jack off his person and trying his hardest to suppress the flush on his cheeks. Jack, for his part, couldn't look less pleased with himself, waggling his fingers and flashing a warm smile at Gillette in greeting.

"Gillette love, wot a delightful surprise. Had y' come in a little past ya 'ould have had a real treat." The pirate said gleefully, earning him a smack from lover. Norrington gave Sparrow a stern look, affection leaking through as a smile threatened to break onto his face. Jack raised an eyebrow knowingly, winking in the most indiscrete way possible before ambling for the door. Gillette felt cold fury in his chest at the silent exchange, glaring at Sparrow as he left.

"Don't let ol' Jack keep y' from y' Navy talk. Most improper, an all that." He said as he left, putting on his most put out expression. Gillette watched the door close behind him before advancing on the Commodore's desk. James straightened himself best he could though the flush and various wrinkles in cloth were still overly evident. Andrew caught himself smoothing the other's neck cloth, a flush rising on his own cheeks as he dropped his hands. James regarded him closely for a moment before opening his mouth.

"Andrew, I-"

"James, it's alright." Gillette's sudden response surprised even him. He found the words pouring out of him. "I know you love him and he better pray to God he loves you because I won't stand for anything less. I hate him, I won't lie, but I won't keep you from finding your own happiness James…" he took a deep breath, "Wherever… with whomever it may be."

The smile that touched James's face was enough to stop all the words still on Gillette's tongue.

"Thank you Andrew. That means more to me then anything else."

Gillette forced a smile onto his face as the two began to chat amiably of the most recent set of orders. From the other side of the desk, concealed from James's sight, the nails digging in his tightly clenched fist drew blood.