Free The Butcher and the Beast by Sean Michael Page B

seeping for the first day.
    Tom slid into the room with the tray of food on the fourth day as Stephen was again mending his clothes. “Is the cap’n gonna wake?”
    “Eventually, I am sure.”
    Tom looked about nervously. “I’m afeared there’s mutiny afoot.”
    “Mutiny. I’ll skin any man who even thinks of it,” growled John from the bed.
    Stephen arched an eyebrow. “Mutiny? Why?”
    “Cap’n’s been below. There’s…there’s somes that’s talkin’, there is. Somes that are saying we oughta slit the doctor’s gullet and leave you on an island.” The lad looked nervous. “I’m not wanting you marooned, Cap’n.”
    The low growl got louder and John sat up, hardly swaying at all. “No one’s marooning me, Tom Simpson.” John came to the door, stroking the lad’s cheek almost tenderly.
    The lad nuzzled into the touch, nodding. “Yes, Captain. Thank you.” Those eyes looked up at the man, worshiping. “It’s Blackie and the Turk, sir, doing the talking.”
    “Now why am I not surprised? Get me my uniform, Tom. It’s high time they remembered who captains this ship.”
    “Aye, sir.” The boy hurried about and Stephen found a perch against the wall, staying quiet, still.
    John pulled his clothes off and sat heavily, letting Tom dress him, fingers reaching out now and then to caress the boy. The amount of…contact upon this vessel was unreal.
    It wasn’t long at all before John was dressed in what had to be a stripped uniform of Her Majesty’s Royal British Navy. Tom was on his knees, helping John get on his boots. Now and then the boy would lean his cheek against John’s crotch and rub.
    John hummed, hand stroking Tom’s hair. “Another time, Tom. Once the matters at hand are taken care of.” John looked right at Stephen.
    Filthy beast! Madman! He looked away, refusing to be drawn into the lure.
    “Doctor? If you value your life, you’d best come with me and agree that you are a part of the crew now. They’ll be happy to have a butcher aboard. We suffer from plenty of injuries in the course of our…duties. If you don’t stand with me, I cannot guarantee your safety.” John was standing now, hand on the boy’s shoulder.
    Oh. Oh, dear. It was the devil’s own choice. Stephen could not stay and yet if he did not agree to… “Might I have a jacket? My shirt is…rent.”
    John laughed. “Rent? I tore it. No jacket. The crew is aware of my proclivities.”
    “Beast.” He managed, barely, not to stamp his foot upon the floor. John hummed, seeming to be pleased at the insult. “I will stand with you, if you swear you will not give me to your men.”
    “I will not give you to my men. I don’t like spoiled goods.”
    “I will hold you to your word, Captain.” Stephen stood, straightening his clothes.
    “I assure you that in this matter, I speak true. Tom here will speak to that.”
    The lad nodded, eyes friendly, warm. Aside from John, Tom was the only other person he’d seen much of since he’d been taken, the lad not seeming as rough as the other men. “The cap’n always does as he says. Always.”
    “Well, then. I suppose I must trust in that.”
    “You don’t have much in the way of choice, do you, Butcher?” Unless he was mistaken that sounded like sympathy in John’s voice.
    “A man always has a choice, Captain.”
    “Well then, you’ve made yours. Let us go and end this mutiny before it begins.” John moved confidently out the door.
    Stephen took the cutlass that had been taken from him by John, sliding it down the leg of his trousers. In case. Just in case.
    They climbed up to the deck, many of the pirate sailors they passed ceasing their activities to follow. They came to a stop only when John stood by the wheel of the ship. Stephen stayed close to Tom, keeping his chin held high.
    The captain didn’t play coy. “Blackie! Turk! Front and center!” The two men scrambled to stand beneath the stairs to the wheel deck, looking up at John. “I understand