Chapter XXII: Coming at Midnight
A/N: This chapter was a long time coming. Took a bit to write, and CowgirlBookworm helped immensely. Along with quite a bit of Daemyra fanfiction. This is my first bit at trying to write this sort of thing I hope it went over well. There is some spice in this chapter, if you want to skip Cecily's pov and Harry's second pov. Looking forward to seeing what you all think! SSD
Very late at night…
Ada could tell that Rigel was brimming with the energy of being able to see Will again for the first time in months. She wished that she had a tail like him, as it was wagging a mile a minute. Ada could not keep the smile off her face.
The Lethbridges had sent their train car, 4 40 Thieves to help with multiple things, and it seemed that Harold was going to visit Cecily for the first time since May.
The few times Ada had seen him since talking to him on the bridge with Lights, he had seemed uneasy and nervous. During the train ride he'd absently pet Rigel or try to sleep.
After quite a few delays they got into Washington much later than any of them would have liked. Mercifully there had been food for everyone, even Rigel. His whole back end was wriggling as the train came to a stop. They were soon out the door in his excitement.
"Ada over here! Argh, bloody dog!"
In her joy at hearing her husband, she had loosened her grip on Rigel's leash. In his own joy at seeing his master again, Rigel took off like a shot down the platform, taking Will out at the knees and began licking his face!
The younger man who appeared to be the same age as Harold began laughing uncontrollably at the sight. Everyone else soon joined in, along with her.
After many pets, Will finally was able to push the ecstatic dog off of him, he gave her a roguish grin that showed exactly what he had on his mind.
"I'm not kissing you until you wipe all of that slobber off your face," she warned.
"Well then I guess I'll just have to chase you till I catch you," Will smirked, eyes burning before beginning to chase her!
Rigel quickly joined in on Will chasing her. Both Harold and the other young man who'd been waiting with her husband were looking at him like he'd lost his mind, given how wide their eyes were.
Soon Will caught her arm. He used his leverage to twirl Ada around as she squealed.
Once he put her back on the platform, Will began peppering her face with kisses with Rigel twining around them.
"Sir, are you well? You aren't acting like yourself at all," the younger man asked as he directed the 40 Thieves.
"Roland, when you get married, you'll understand that your wife will lift your spirits immediately upon seeing her," Will nuzzled into her hair.
Finally realizing who was present Ada inquired, "Lieutenant Lethbridge, has he really been such a grouch?"
"Yes ma'am. Though my sister has quite a few less polite things to say than grouch," Roland grinned at Will who growled, "Your sister needs to have her mouth cleaned out with soap!"
"Then so would every sailor and marine in both fleets!"
"They aren't young ladies," her husband replied.
"You're assuming my sister was ever much of a lady to begin with," Roland laughed.
"Her mouth could be kept busy doing other things," Lowe muttered under his breath as he walked on Ada's other side. She elbowed him which led to a yelp.
Harry quickly changed into waistcoat, shirt, and trousers, leaving his uniform on the bed. He was soon out the door; Roland was waiting for him.
"Your telegram wasn't entirely clear. Could you tell me what exactly is going on with Cecily," Harry begged when he caught up to Roland.
"She's been having nightmares of the sinking. And won't tell me, our aunt, or our father any of the specifics. To avoid sleeping, Cecily drank obscene amounts of coffee. I caught not sleeping after nearly 3 days. I've banned her from drinking anything that might keep her up at night. The night before I sent the telegram Cecily got into Antin's moonshine. If you want to know what she said, I suggest you ask her yourself," Roland paled at the memory.
"You think I can get it out of her," he asked.
Roland shifted his feet, averting his eyes. "You're courting her. She'll trust you with things she won't tell me now," he sounded pained. "Just please help Cecily."
They were soon at the door to Cecily's room. Roland knocked lightly on the door calling out, "Cecily, are you awake?" When there was no answer, Roland came in, Harry following close behind.
Her bed was rumpled as if it had been attempted to be slept in.
They soon found her in the attached bathroom, cowering on the floor and shaking. Her hair was stringy and damp as if she'd recently taken a bath.
His old friend looked to him mouthing, "Help please!"
Moving slowly forward, "Cecily, enaid I'm here to help you. Roland got ahold of me." Harry knelt down to the hard tile floor. It was uncomfortable, but it was for her.
Cecily flinched, squeezed her eyes shut muttering, "He can't be there, he's on the Oceanic. It's just a dream, just a dream!"
Tamping down his own emotions, he pulled Cecily's hands towards his face, "Do dreams forget to shave?"
She felt his face, her eyes welled up in tears, then just fell into his shoulder weeping.
Harry gave Roland a "I've got this, get out" look. His friend soon left.
After some time of just cuddling on the floor he asked, "I hear you've been having nightmares."
"Oh they aren't that bad. But they do keep me up at night," she mumbled wetly into his shoulder.
"You're crying into my shoulder," he stated looking into her green eyes before continuing, "If you share the nightmare, it won't be as scary."
Soon Cecily began shaking as she whispered, "I'm trapped in the ship. I don't know where I am. That damned song is playing, then I'm drowning. Once I wake up, I can't fall back asleep. I've woken up screaming." The crying into his shoulder resumed.
Sniffling, she asked, "Have you had any? Nightmares that is?"
Harry blanched," Some, not as bad as yours. I can at least sleep."
He decided that they'd been on the bathroom floor long enough. Harry got to his feet, picked Cecily up at the shoulders and below the knees to carry her to her bed. As he was laying her down, Cecily's fingers grasped his shirt, "Please don't leave. I don't want to think you were a dream when I wake up!" Her eyes were begging him.
Pulling up the covers on the other side so that he could sleep on top of them, Harry toed off his shoes, "I hope I don't get shot!"
The following morning…
There were few better sights to see than Ada in one of his robes. Well, there was one, her without any clothes on Will smirked as he went through what she brought. Rigel had been nosing through the trunks, but not trying to take anything out. He'd trained the black lab well.
Regrettably it was time for Ada to get dressed. He briefly considered hiding her clothes but there were too many for Will to do that effectively. He decided on trying to hide her corset.
"Don't even think about it," Ada must have already left the bathroom.
"I'm thinking about a lot of things," he smirked looking her over.
"Give it here. You can help!"
Once he'd finished, something in one of the trunks caught his eye.
An all too familiar piece of plaid was in there. Ada had brought his kilt over with her!
Taking a deep breath, Will asked in as casual a tone as he could manage, "Ada, why did you bring my kilt?"
"The question you should be asking me is why wouldn't I bring your kilt? You look good enough to eat in it!" Ada batted her eyes at him.
Once they were in the hallway he hissed in an undertone, "I am not wearing that!"
"What aren't you wearing," it was Max, the cheerful former scout. Malcolm was with him and grinning.
"None of your damn business," he growled back.
Max looked towards Ada who replied, "I brought his kilt along and he's in a snit about it."
Malcolm's grin evaporated from his face and began pointedly looking straight ahead.
Max's grin on the other hand turned smug. "You shouldn't get too upset sir. It's not like you're the only person with one," he drawled.
Feeling in the mood to prod Malcolm Will said, "I have an idea of who that might be. Malcolm, do you have any idea?" The younger man ignored him.
"Of course he does! He has one of his own. Antin did make us get the right one whatever the hell that means," Max smirked.
"Confound it all Max, can't ye keep your bleeding mouth shut," Malcolm snarled dropping his American and proving his Scottish ancestry for all to hear.
The younger Scotsman lifted Max up by his collar and began growling at him in Gaelic, saying things that were not suited for polite conversation or being in the presence of women.
"What's he saying Will," Ada inquired.
"You don't want to know. I could tell Malcolm was Scottish almost immediately after I met him from the way he talked, despite the American accent," Will explained.
Malcolm yelled at his friend the entire way to the dining room only quieting shortly before entering. Turner had already left for work, but Lowe and Cecily were there and making cow eyes at each other.
Will was in too good a mood to say anything but he'd definitely noticed that Harold hadn't returned to his room.
Once they'd sat down, Cecily noticed who had arrived. Upon seeing Ada, all of the blood drained from her face. Clearly she thought that Ada was going to be angry at her.
"I just want to make this clear: I am not nor have I ever done anything with your husband," Cecily wasn't quite looking at either of them, clearly embarrassed.
"I'm told you can barely stand him," Ada drawled.
"He makes a nuisance of himself about 90% of the time," Cecily relaxed a mite.
"Only 90%? I'll have to work harder. Any plans for stargazing tonight," Will asked.
"Not sure yet, I'm sure something will come up," she replied cheekily.
Mina soon walked in. As she sat down, she spoke to her niece and Lowe, "You two are lucky I was able to calm my brother down. I reminded him of a similar event involving him and your mother Cecily. You and Harry were wearing far more clothes than they were!"
Cecily exchanged a look with her brother who'd entered the room without a sound, and shared violent shudders.
Roland looked up from his food, glanced at him and Ada, then made a comment in what he assumed was Welsh. Whatever it was made Cecily drop her fork and Lowe choke on his water.
Mina on the other hand chuckled, "You two should take notes. You as well Roland. Sailors know how to please a lady the best."
"They do don't they? Sailors as husbands are wonderful things indeed," Ada winked at Cecily saying, "I'm sure you'll find out for yourself sometime soon if you stick with Harry there."
"I intend to," Cecily smiled squeezing her suitor's hand who squeezed back.
"He can always ask Will for lessons if he needs them," he choked when Ada said that.
Further conversation in that vein was cut off when Albert Lethbridge entered the room. He gave Harry a light whack to the back of his head.
"The next time I see you two like that, you two better have rings on your fingers!"
Nighttime
I could get into major trouble for this! Cecily thought as she prowled towards the kitchen and prayed that the passage was open.
Upon arriving in the passage, she let out a noisy breath and ran her tongue across her teeth. Cecily picked up her pace and held the candle in front of her.
She kept her feet moving so as to not lose her nerve. Cecily didn't want to mess this up. She wanted Harry to enjoy this.
It was a quick trip from the kitchen to Harry's room. Taking a deep breath Cecily began to work the opening mechanism.
Once it was open enough, to her surprise, Harry helped open it wide enough for her to slip into his room.
"Cecily what are you doing here? It's the middle of the night," Harry muttered. She almost didn't hear him over the storm outside.
"I wanted to see you. And thank you for last night," Cecily fought the flush.
"And how are you planning on doing that," he grinned.
Now or never
"I'm told this is easier to do when you're sitting down, so could you sit in that chair please," Cecily motioned to the relevant piece of furniture.
"What exactly are you up to," Harry asked as he sat down.
Cecily slowly walked forward and once she was close to Harry she sank to her knees to begin stroking him. His eyes went wide as she went for his pajama bottoms.
"I apologize if I mess this up, I haven't done this before, I will not bite you," Cecily licked the side of his cock before diving in.
The taste wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Harry must have bathed before thinking he would be going to sleep.
Licking him was like licking an ice cream cone only far noisier. Harry was trying to suppress his groans by biting on a glove of his. It wasn't working as well as he would like.
All of the sudden, Cecily felt her hair fall into her face. Had she done something wrong? How had that ribbon come loose? It was one of the knots Roland had taught her so it wouldn't come free in a hurry.
"Did you think a knot like that would deter me," Harry said silkily as he carded his fingers through her hair, "You're doing a good job."
Cecily hummed in response, which led to him cursing under his breath.
Soon he was panting heavily and cursing even more before he pushed her away right before he finished.
"How's that for a thank you," she asked whilst wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Harry didn't know where Cecily had gotten the idea for that but he wasn't about to complain!
She was in the bathroom, likely rinsing her mouth out.
How in the hell did I find a girl like her he thought before saying when she came out, "I'd ask where you learned to do something like that, but I have a feeling the answer would scar me."
Cecily turned the color of a tomato, which he could see in a flash of lightning.
"You did well. I was quite… surprised. In a good way," he reassured her.
"You liked it," she seemed to regain some confidence.
"I certainly did. And I know of something you might like as well," he grinned.
She paled. He quickly said, "Not that. Other things."
"Oh. I see. I think I could get on board with something of that nature," Cecily replied moving closer to him to put her arms around his neck.
Smiling, Harry leaning into kiss her. Cecily smiled into their kiss as well, letting out a low moan when he brought his tongue into play.
While he kissed her, Harry guided Cecily towards his bed. Feeling that she was as calm as she was going to get, he slowly began to lay her down.
Once she was on the bed he whispered, "If at any moment, you want me to stop you tell me and I will. I won't get mad at you."
Cecily nodded and made herself comfortable. Harry liked the look of her in a bed of his.
He arranged her legs to his liking. As he dragged his fingers up and down them, her breath hitched in anticipation.
"Now you're going to have to be quiet. There are others here that I doubt severely would appreciate noises," Harry chuckled.
"I'll try, but no promises," Cecily grinned.
Catching her eye, she gave him the nod to go ahead.
Harry slowly worked her nightgown up, "Hand me a pillow, will you?"
Cecily tossed him one asking, "What are you going to do?"
"Aros i weld," he felt a smirk grow on his face. She was going to enjoy this and so was he.
Cecily gasped when his fingers began playing around her center. She was wet, so that was good.
She squealed as he put one of his fingers inside her. Thankfully, there was some thunder to cover it up.
I hope.
Harry inserted a second finger and continued his rubbing. Cecily keened when he hit a particular spot. Filing that away for future reference, he rubbed over that spot again, she keened even louder. A part of him was pleased that he was the reason for these noises coming out of her, but there was the fact that they weren't alone over here.
Thinking of something else to do, he removed his fingers from her. Cecily blinked owlishly at him asking, "Why did you stop?"
"I'm not stopping. I'm going to do something more," Harry grinned before he dived in and gave a long lick to her entire cunt. Her entire back bowed up off the bed and Cecily let out a loud enough cry that he knew the others would hear it.
As he went about his business with his tongue and fingers Cecily kept on being noisy. Her fingers scratched at his arms before going to his hair. Which she pulled at. Hard.
"Easy love, I like my hair where it is," Harry hummed. He was enjoying his feasting. Cecily enjoyed his feasting on her.
Soon she tensed then shattered with a piercing cry. He kept on licking till she stopped shaking. Thankfully there was a handkerchief nearby for him to wipe his face with.
"So did you like it," Harry smirked feeling pleased with himself.
Cecily nodded, not quite capable of speaking yet. She had a smile on her face though. "I don't think I can move just yet."
As they rested for a bit, some only too familiar noises began across the hall. Harry did not need to say whose room it was.
"I'm going to kill that Scotsman. He's doing that on purpose," Cecily growled.
"That'll have to wait till morning when you can move again. I'll carry you back to your room. You can't be found here and it'll get me away from them," Harry got up from his bed, picked Cecily up threshold style.
He carried her through the passage. She kept on kissing his ear and neck. His neck was ticklish and Harry didn't want to drop her.
By the time they'd gotten to her room, Cecily had fallen asleep in his arms. Harry managed to open the door without waking her, laid her gently in bed, brought the covers up, and kissed her one last time. It caused her to mutter.
He only hoped that things were quiet again on his of the house. Harry wasn't holding out much hope.
The following morning Michael Turner was ready to spit fire. He never slept well during thunderstorms whilst on land so he was already awake from that. On top of it all, he'd had to deal with two over amorous couples being noisy.
Now he wasn't as irked with Cecily and Harry. They fell into the category of being young and stupid. Everyone fell into that category at one point or another. Though Cecily had a pair of lungs on her that he'd heard few other places!
Will and Ada on the other hand… Michael knew that the noise from them was intentional. They were louder than he thought they would be. Louder than the younger pair even! Damn his fellow Scotsman, he needed his sleep!
Will walked into the common area like a peacock on parade.
"You look disgustingly alert for someone who was up all night. What do you have to say for yourself," he groused.
"It's not my fault. Ada insisted on it. I was being a good husband. Where's Lowe? I want to speak to him," Will asked, eyes alight.
"He was up before you and gone. I think we're the last up for breakfast. Figure it would be too much for you to not say anything to them at breakfast," Turner asked.
"Oh no, we have plenty planned for them. They aren't getting off the hook that easily," Will replied with barely suppressed glee.
It was then that Michael noticed that his superior's shirt shifted. He asked, "How'd you get that bruise on your neck, shaving?"
He got a dirty look in return. "I'm just following an order from Mr. Lightoller sir. He told me to tease you since he wouldn't be able to."
There was no further retorting once Ada entered the room. Will had a soppy smile on his face. Michael grinned, this man was a complete fool for his wife.
He politely said, "Good morning" as if he hadn't heard the couple railing each other the night before!
They got down to the dining area in good time. He turned out to be wrong about them being last. Cecily, her aunt, and Lucy were not there yet.
"Harold I was wondering, did you happen to bring the cat from the Oceanic with you? I heard such yowling from your room." Will was beginning early.
"I did not bring any animals with me," Lowe replied through gritted teeth.
"That's confusing then. All the moaning I heard, I thought you were having nightmares," Ada teased the younger Welshman.
"To my knowledge Harry you didn't have any nightmares did you," Cecily asked sweetly as she walked into the room with Lucy and her aunt.
Michael looked up. All three were wearing trousers as they occasionally did. Both he and Will were used to it.
However, this was Lowe's first time seeing Cecily in such attire. He immediately moved his chair closer to the table and placed his napkin across his lap hastily.
Wanting to get a bit of revenge for his part in his sleepless night Turner said in a low voice, "You'll need to learn to better control your reaction to her wearing trousers. She really likes wearing them."
Ada was now speaking to Cecily, "I still don't think he slept as well as the night before." Leaning across the table she continued, "It's so nice to have them right next to you, isn't it?"
The younger couple turned crimson.
"I always feel so much better when Erik is near me. Though I have to admit, we haven't managed sleeping next to each other yet. How is it Cecily," Lucy asked.
"It's quite nice. I haven't fallen asleep so easily or slept so deeply in a long time," Cecily and Lowe were looking at only each other when she said that.
"You weren't sleeping much last night," Will drawled.
"What were you doing then," Lucy asked all innocence.
"I was thanking Harry for helping me the night before," Cecily answered quickly, drinking some orange juice.
"You were likely on your knees in relief," Will chuckled "Ow!" Ada swatted him.
"Harry was probably kneeling at one point or another himself," Ada giggled before jumping slightly and smacking her unrepentant husband again.
"Why would you be on your knees to thank him," Lucy was looking right at her friend who was turning an even darker shade of red.
"Ask Erik the next time you see him. I'm sure he'd love to explain. If not, I will do it." Mina's smile was diabolical.
Food was soon served and both of the couples who'd been occupied the night before devoured what was in front of them.
Mina handled both her niece and her nephew that very same morning after Harold returned to New York and the Oceanic. The Murdochs went out to explore the town.
Cecily had needed the long discussion on the Lethbridge family tendency towards being noisy in the bedroom and the need for her to work on it in the future.
Then she came across Roland and Ghislaine flirting outrageously and noisily during a game of pool. They weren't just flirting either. Apparently, her soon-to-be-niece wanted to hide from her mother and wedding planning and had decided to sneak over and see Roland. Mina gave him the shorter version of the discussion on the family tendency and went on her way.
By the time she'd reached her brother's office, Mina was grinning. Upon entering she said, "You're going to be wanting some whiskey in that coffee!"
"It's 11:30 in the morning, why would I want to do that now?"
"I had to have the family tendency towards noise discussion with both Roland and Cecily this morning."
Albert bypassed the whiskey and went straight for the moonshine. "I was expecting Roland but Cecily? You gave her suggestions on what to do, didn't you," he accused.
"It could be worse you know," Mina took the cup of coffee that was now being ignored.
"Far worse, but at least they're both happy. I assume you've had the noise conversation, what with four boys," Albert poured half a finger of shine.
"Only with three of them so far. Randall hasn't needed it yet. I only have the chat when I catch them or I think they need it. I swear Matthew doesn't know the definition of quiet!" Mina chuckled at a few memories of her third son's antics.
"What was Ghislaine doing here anyway? I thought there was some wedding planning going on today with her mother," her brother inquired.
"After only an hour and a half it was driving her mad. So she snuck over here to shoot some pool with Roland. Among other things…" Mina wiggled her eyebrows.
A few days later…
Charles was smirking as he went in search of Lowe. The letter from Will that the younger man had given to him had sealed his fate!
He found the Welshman in the officer's mess alone.
"First off Harold, I want to thank you for bringing me that letter from Will. I haven't heard from my friend since May. However, a particular thing he mentioned caught my eye. Were you and Cecily deliberately antagonizing him the entire time or was it pure lust that led to you two not being able to keep your hands off each other," he grinned.
Making sure there was no one else around, Harry then replied, "I had no idea she would be that… noisy. And no, antagonizing Will was not the plan. Cecily was thanking me for helping her with her nightmares about April. And for God's sake he was louder than us!"
"That's quite the thank you! Ada and Will are going be driving her mad!" Charles laughed.
"Her room is at the other end of the house and Turner requested and got a different room!" Harold's ears were pinking.
"Well done Will, give them all hell!"
Charles thought of that betting pool Turner had started. He would be chipping in a bit, and mentioning it to Sylvie when he got back so she could chip in as well.
A/N 2: So… What do you all think? This is my first time out of the gate with something like this. I can and will improve with practice! SSD