The Sole Prince

It all fits together. [part 1]

Eventually, morning creeps into the hut, a beam of sunlight shining into James' eyes. He blinks awake slowly, late morning air flowing into his lungs, soon released with a sigh.

"You're awake." A low voice grumbles from beside him, lasting vibrations of the two words slinking down James' body like a cool mist. "Good morning, James."

"Good morning, Sage," the smaller man mumbles out, adjusting his position on the bed only a tad. He'd never want to move too far from the man underneath him. He just wants to get more comfortable, that's all. James lets out a sigh, slightly scratching Sage's chest with his fingertips. "How are you feeling today?"

"Better," Sage says with a soft smile. "Your kisses must have healed me. I might just have to steal some more." James rotates his head to be able to look at Sage, the larger man moving his right hand quickly to caress the smaller man's face, thumb resting on cheekbone, fingertips sliding underneath ear, reaching into the wisps of James' hair. As if a tide is controlling them, their lips meet gently. The scruff of Sage's beard scratches the area around James' mouth, and he loves it, unable to imagine anything better. The smaller man's hand naturally moves up the other man's chest, creeping to the top of his right pec, to the outline of his collarbone. James puts some pressure into the action, massaging the combination of bone and muscle. Now that the older man's arm is free from underneath James, he moves it upwards confidently, placing it into the crook of James' waist. James melts into the touch. He's still shirtless from yesterday, though, in the presence of Sage, he's yet to feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. It's a foreign experience, really; James likes being seen by Sage in this light. He thoroughly enjoys looking at the other man's chest, so he figures the same might go for Sage. And doing something that Sage might enjoy could possibly be the most enticing reward known to man. Yet, the feel of Sage's hand on James's skin, no layer of fabric blocking the contact, is, too, the strong motivator

It's difficult to find a good position on the tiny cot, especially with Sage's injuries, but the two men are dedicated. Besides, the feeling of the other's lips on their own can make even the worst beds feel as if they are lined with the highest thread count linens known to man.

"I should find the doctor to check on you," James says quietly, tapping his fingers on Sage's collarbone.

"Or you could stay here with me," Sage replies with a quirked smile, lightly pulling James back towards him, his hand still on the other man's waist.

"I'd love to," James says, spinning around to escape Sage's hold with a flourish. "But your wellbeing is more important. At least to me it is. I'll be right back," he says, walking to the entrance of the hut before looking down at his chest. "And, I'm still shirtless."

"I think my jacket, the one thing you didn't use as a bandage, is over there somewhere," Sage says, pointing over to a corner of the room. "It'll be a little big, but it'll get the job done."

James walks over to the black lump on the floor, picking up the coat. It has a few—that's being kind—bloodstains on it, but, like Sage said, it'll do the job. Maybe it'll even intimidate a few people on the walk. James puts the coat on quickly, the bottom of the jacket only an inch or so up from the floor. He turns around to face the man still on the bed, who's looking back at him.

And then there's something.

Something in the glisten of Sage's eyes as the sun hits his face that reflects back to James. Something about his defined abs that shine with a haze of sweat in the morning light. Something about Sage's soft yet eager smile painted onto his face. Something in the way that, despite the fact Sage is a pirate captain, the epitome of power, James can command his complete attention. Something that whispers in James's mind: I'm his.