PIRATES parts 1-11

To this spec: i got the idea after I watched one of these old pirate-films. If you think this is too strange and you don't like it, just tell me. Of course, if you want me to continue, you can tell me, too *g*
But I have to warn you, I'll have to work hard for school in the next time so it might take a while to post more parts

Spoilers: Umm, not really, but I'd say to TotBT to be save
Disclaimer: characters belong to Anne Rice, don't want to infringe on anyone's copyright and so on
Warning: this spec contains m/m situations, so don't read if you don't like slash
this has no historical background, everything about french-spanish wars was made up by me (perhaps there really was one, I have no idea)

PIRATES
by Meshalana, March 1999

*****
part 1
*****

Lestat stood at the rail of his ship, behind him the burning remnants of a spanish vessel. Kneeling in front of him was the captain, bleeding from several wounds. His hands were bound behind his back, and two sailors held him down.
"So," Lestat said coldly, "you know I kill every spanish officer who falls into my hands. And believe me, I can make it a very slow and painful death for you. Do you want to talk now, or do I have to hurt you?"
"Damn french pirate," the prisoner spat out, staring resentfully at his blond captor. One of the sailors slapped him across his face, hard enough that blood trickled down his chin.
"You will call me 'captain Lestat'," the pirate said as he drew out his knife. He bent down and pressed it against the throat of the spaniard. "And if you don't talk now, I will start by cutting off your fingers. Now tell me, where is the gold?"
"There is no gold on this ship!" the captain cried out. "I swear by my honor, monsieur, we have no gold!"
"There is no honor in the word of a spaniard!" Lestat's voice shook with hate and resentment. He brought his face near to the fearful eyes of his prisoner.
"A last time, now. Tell me, what was your intention if you don't transport gold? An intrigue perhaps of that bastard of a governor, Pointe du Lac?"
The spanish captain was trembling, his strength leaving him as the blood coloured his clothes red. He coughed and finally gave up his resistance.
"I was to bring the nephew of the governor to his residence. The governor is his only relative, and he wanted him at his court. That was my only order, I have no gold on my ship!"
Lestat stared a moment into his face, then stood up.
"Kill him," he said without even the hint of an emotion.
"No," the spaniard cried, "you can't kill me, I told you all I know!"
"And I promised you a painless death," Lestat smiled. "That is more than you deserve, traitor!" His voice dripped with repulsion, and he gestured for the sailors to finish it. They quickly cut his throat, his scream apruptly ended. Then they threw him overboard.

Lestat descended the stairs, his hate reaching a new heigth as he pondered the name 'Pointe du Lac'. The governor was a callous man, exploiting his people and ruling without mercy. But the reason why Lestat and with him most french people hated him was his betrayal. He had once been a french captain but had betrayed his country in the french-spanish war by defecting with his ship and many secrets, and thus decided the war for spain. There was also a more personal factor to Lestat's hate since the governor Santino de Pointe du Lac was to blame for the destruction of Lestat's castle and his turn to piracy.
Yes, Lestat did truly hate him, and now he had a new enemy to focus on. That was a great stroke of luck, to get his hands on the governor's nephew. He had half a mind to kill him right then and there, but his current financial situation did not allow such an act. He would have to keep that man alive, the ransom he could demand would be badly needed for supplies and repairs.

Lestat's anger flared at these thoughts and he roughly pulled open the door to his cabin.
He was startled at the scene that was displayed inside.
A ravenhaired young man stood with his back against the wall, surrounded by four of Lestat's men. One, a well-built young sailor with curly brown hair threatened him with a dagger.
"David!" Lestat said sharply. "What are you doing? He is my prisoner, don't dare to harm him!"
"But captain, he is a Pointe du Lac!"
David pronounced the name with such hate that the governor's nephew winced.
Lestat's gaze was drawn to the slender figure of his young prisoner. His heart beat faster as he became aware of his beauty, his gaze changing to open appraisal. The young man had shoulderlong black hair, silky strands that shimmered in the light and seemed to call for Lestat's touch. His skin was pale and his eyes were of a green that sparkled with anger and well-hidden fear. It only made Lestat want him all the more, he wanted to rub himself against that pliant white skin, feel those luscious lips caress his body, make this enticing creature moan his name in abandon.

Lestat smiled when he saw the consequences of his gaze. His prisoner was blushed, his head lowered in shame when he felt Lestat's eyes undressing him.
"Go!" Lestat ordered the sailors. His voice was calm, yet conveyed the air of a person who was used to give commands and be obeyed. His people quickly left the cabin, David shooting the young man a last resentful look.
When he heard the sound of the door being shut Lestat made some steps forward, slow and purposefully seductive.
"What's your name, my beautiful one?" Lestat asked, watching how the blush deepened.
"Louis -- Louis de Pointe du Lac," he said shakily, mesmerized by the sensual movements of his captor drawing nearer.
"Louis, then," Lestat whispered.
He came to a halt in front of him.
"Very beautiful, almost as beautiful as you."
He lowered his voice and leaned against the wall, caging Louis in between his arms. When his captive gasped at the sudden violation of his personal space, Lestat bent down to his hair and inhaled his scent.
"Mmm," he sighed, "do you taste as good as you smell?"
Louis was shocked, looking up in confusion and fear of something he was not able to name. Then he felt Lestat's lips on his own, hard and yet so soft, his body being crushed by the sudden onslaught. He felt a hand entangle itself in his hair, gripping his head in an escapeless grip, another hand wound around his waist, pressing against his back. Then the sensation of a tongue parting his lips by force, plunging deep into his mouth, exploring him, tasting him, conquering him.
He moaned, unable to think, helpless at the mass of emotions awoken when Lestat's tongue touched his own, burning hot and wet and tasting so strange, so utterly male and so good...

Lestat was delighted. This was better than he had imagined, it was undescribable to feel these tender lips, the silky tongue of this beautiful creature. And the taste of him nearly drove him crazy, the sweet salty stickiness of Louis's mouth -- and then the soft moan and the shudders that ran through the body of his captive, revealing more to Lestat than Louis would like.
All the while Louis's hands were trying to shove Lestat away, more out of instinct than a conscious effort, and it only served to make Lestat press still harder against him. Louis was unable to move, every part of his body controlled by this blond pirate. He only came back to his senses when he felt Lestat's hand leaving his back and running up and down his thigh. With a last desperate effort Louis managed to yank his head back, struggling hard to keep Lestat away.
"How -- how can you dare?" His voice sounded far more frightened than he would have liked.
"You are a man, I -- you -- this is wrong! It's repulsive!"
Lestat smiled at him. This young man was so gorgeous, even when in inner turmoil -- no, gorgeous wasn't the right word, it was real, rare beauty which manifested itself right before him. Those soft lips, bruised by his force, still moist from his kiss, his fast heartbeat, the heat his body was emanating -- oh, he wanted him. And he always got what he wanted.
"My beautiful Louis, you are my prisoner now," he said amusedly. "You are at my mercy, I can do to you whatever I want. And believe me," he raised Louis's chin to look into his eyes, "there are many things I would like to do to you."
Louis's eyes widened, he desperately tried to suppress the shiver that ran through his body, but Lestat's soft laughter told him that he was not successful.
"And somehow I think you wouldn't find it that repulsive at all," Lestat smiled, his fingers caressing Louis's cheek.
"That is not true!" Louis denied. He pushed Lestat's hand away. "Don't ever do that again, or I will --"
"What? Louis, I already told you. You are mine. If I wanted to, I could kill you." His voice was icy and threatening, but he softened when he saw the fear in Louis's eyes.
"But I don't want to right now. In fact, it's been far to long since I've had somebody like you."
He ran his hands through Louis's hair and his prisoner suffered it this time, not daring to move away.
"Until your uncle pays the ransom, you will stay in my cabin. And," he whispered into Louis's ear, his hand lingering on the young man's hip, "sleep in my bed."

Louis stiffened, searching for words, but then realized that his captor had already left. He couldn't believe what had happened, what this self-centered, impudent pirate had done. Did this man have no honor? How could he even consider such a thought? Surely he had to know that Louis would rather die than -- than -- yield to his wishes.
And yet -- he could still feel his warm body, thhe hard muscles under the velvety skin, see his eyes, as blue as the ocean... and when he licked over his sore lips he discovered that he even tasted of Lestat. For a moment he savoured that taste that reminded him of the salty sea, the wind and the burning sun, but when he discovered what he was doing he felt disgusted.

He paced through the cabin, desperately trying to get his thoughts of this pirate. He looked around, but the room was very functional and held nothing which could distract him. There was a table with a half-full bottle of wine, cupboards with lots of maps which he did not understand and a big bed. It looked very comfortable, with many cushions, a silken coverlet and thick blankets.
He blushed when he thought of Lestat's words. Tonight he was to sleep in this bed, together with -- no, better not think of that now.
Instead he tried to open the door, but outside there were two armed guards who told him to stay inside and closed the door again.

*****
part 2
*****

Two hours later the sun had set, and the black sky was covered with stars.
Lestat felt tired and exhausted, but at least they were now back on the right course and the wounded sailors were cared for. The battle with the spanish vessel had been far easier than he had feared, but nevertheless it had left a mass of tasks at his hands. Everything he wanted to do now was to get some rest and maybe have some fun with his pretty prisoner.
He descended the stairs to his cabin, thinking about the things he'd like to do to this young man who had kept him dreaming all the time. This way he would have his fun, revenge at the governor and the ransom.
Finally he reached the door which was guarded by two sailors as he had commanded. He sent them away and then opened the door.
Beautiful Louis was deeply asleep, curled on the bed, an empty bottle next to him.
Lestat smiled; to seduce a drunken Louis would be even easier. Then he stopped in his thoughts, baffled by the power this man had over him. What had given him the idea that he had to seduce him? He was his prisoner, if he wanted him, he could take him whenever he liked. He cursed himself, how could he forget that Louis was the nephew of Santino? How could he forget what his uncle had done to his castle, his family? All of a sudden the memories of that fatal night came back to him, the night in which he had returned home to find his castle destroyed, his family killed. Since that day every minute of his life had been dedicated to revenge, and now finally his chance had come. Was there a better way to hurt Santino than to rape his nephew?

He smiled cruelly and sat down next to Louis. As he watched him for some minutes he felt the tension increasing; Louis's beauty was so very bewitching... how did he manage to look absolutely innocent and yet arouse that heated desire in him?
Then Louis moaned softly in a dream and he lost control. He threw himself on Louis, kissing him and savagely tearing at his clothes.

Louis was apruptly woken, his startled yelp muffled by Lestat's mouth. He instinctively began to struggle and when he realized what was going to happen gathered all his strength to shove Lestat away. Although he was not successful, it was enough to make Lestat realize that his victim was wake now. He left his mouth to mock him, laughing at his feeble attempts to defend himself.
"I've heard you moan when I kissed you, Louis," he said coldly. "So don't try to tell me you don't want this."
"That was my first kiss, you bastard!" Louis cried furiously, tears streaming down his cheeks. "And now you're trying to rape me!" His entire body was trembling in terror, his desparation only enhanced by the humiliating helplessness of his situation.
Lestat laughed, not able to believe the words he had heard.
"How old are you, Louis? 20? Surely you don't want to tell me you haven't kissed before?"
"Damn you, Lestat, I was to become a priest! I lived in a monastery since I was five and my parents died!"
Lestat smiled, delighted at these news.
"Ah, but Louis, you could have told me this before! Of course I'll be much gentler if this is the first time you make love!"
"Love?" Louis shrieked. "Love has nothing to do with it, you just want my body to have your revenge!" His sobbing was almost hysterical now with the alcohol adding to his confusion.
Lestat gathered him in his arms, feeling both pity for him and the urge to tell this seemingly innocent creature the truth about his uncle.
He just had to tell him, he couldn't help himself. He spoke of Santino's betrayal, of the many deaths he had caused, the suffering of his own people and finally Lestat told Louis the reason for his hate. He did not want to, since it betrayed his vulnerability, but once started he wasn't able to stop and so it poured all out of him, his pain at the loss of his castle and his family and the one wish for revenge.
While he spoke Louis calmed down, and when Lestat was finished he was very pale and quiet. Suddenly a tear ran down his cheek, then a second and a third until he was weeping again.
"Now I've lost everything," he murmured brokenly. "My uncle, my faith and my honor, that was all I had left, and now you took that away from me, too."
Then he turned to Lestat. "Kill me, take your revenge," he pleaded, his voice heartbreaking, soft with the exhaustion of crying."Please, Monsieur, I beg you, I can't live with that knowledge!"

Lestat was overcome with guilt, he had not meant to cause so much pain to his beautiful prisoner. Louis was obviously innocent, hadn't even known of Santino's cruel actions. He had wanted to become a priest, for god's sake! Lestat was angry at himself. How could he be so callous? By trying to rape Louis he behaved exactly like Santino. He had become too caught up in his revenge, his hate for Santino had dominated his every action until he had become this monster which would purposefully hurt Louis.
He wrapped his arms around him, trying to soothe his desperate sobbing.
"My poor, beautiful Louis," Lestat whispered, holding him tight against his chest. "I am sorry, I did not want to hurt you so much. Nothing of it is your fault; you aren't to blame for anything." He made Louis look at him, smiling apologetically. Then he got lost in those big green eyes. Unshed tears made them shimmer like gems, lit by an inner fire and yet still carrying the innocence of a child. Lestat sighed softly, captivated by the emotions displayed on the face before him.
First there was pain and desparation, but when Lestat's words came through to him the desperation left and there was only a deep, all-encompassing sadness. Then his eyes showed only confusion when he saw Lestat's gaze and finally, when their faces came nearer and nearer, a deep, heartwrenching yearning. Then Louis closed his eyes and their lips connected.

*****
part 3
*****
Lestat moaned softly when he once again felt those soft lips. His tongue darted out and licked over them, tasting wine and salty tears. Louis shivered under that intimate touch but allowed Lestat nevertheless to slip his tongue into his mouth, kissing him back tentatively. He felt very selfconscious when Lestat pressed him gently back onto the bed and began to unbutton his shirt. He wanted to beg Lestat to stop but could not since their kiss was growing more passionate with every passing second. Then Lestat's hands found his nipples, making him moan into Lestat's mouth as a wave of utter pleasure ran through his body. He could feel Lestat's erection pressed against his thigh and knew that his had to be as obvious. Yet he was still afraid, and when Lestat left his mouth to instead lick and suck at his nipples he tried to speak but found that all that was coming out of his mouth was the moaned name of his captor.

Lestat smiled against his chest; how he had longed for that sound! He felt Louis's hands slowly running over his shoulders, gripping fistfulls of his hair as he rubbed his leg against the bulge in Louis's pants.
Then his hand travelled downwards, opening Louis's belt.
"No! Don't, Lestat! Stop!" Louis's voice was sounding strangely throaty, shaking with the effort to control his desire. Lestat looked up, his eyes a deep, smoldering blue, giving away his passion.
"Stop what, Louis?" he purred. He bent down to lightly kiss his neck.
"Stop this?"
"Yes!" Louis demanded, his hands shoving at Lestat's shoulders.
Lestat smiled as he grabbed his wrists and held them down.
"Or stop this?" His mouth closed over Louis's nipple. He heard his soft outcry when he gently bit into it, his tongue soothing it afterwards.
"Stop!" Louis moaned, writhing under Lestat, very near to losing control and surrendering to the pirate.
Lestat's mouth moved to his other nipple, repeating the procedure of biting and licking while he let go of Louis's hands and unbuttoned the pants, quickly stripping him.
"Or do you want me to stop this?" he whispered as he finally bent down to take Louis into his mouth.
Louis gasped when he felt the heat of Lestat's mouth engulfing him, his tongue slowly stroking him, increasing the explosions of pleasure in his body to height after height. Then Lestat left him to instead bite and suck the tender skin of his thigh until he could see a soft bruise.
Louis groaned in frustration, his heart racing in his chest.
"Don't stop," he pleaded softly. His silky voice was husky with unsatisfied desire, sounding incredibly sexy to Lestat.
"What did you say, Louis?" Lestat teased. "I can't hear you."
His fingertips brushed Louis's erection in pretended coincidence, making him shiver and moan in desperate need.
"Please!" he begged, "please, Lestat!"
"Please what, Louis?" Lestat ran his thumbs in circles over the inside of Louis's thighs.
"Anything! Anything you want," Louis moaned.
Lestat smiled and reached over to open a drawer, taking something out.
Then he returned to Louis's lips, claiming that luscious mouth as his once again.
Louis eagerly returned the kiss. He rubbed his body against Lestat's, longing for the heat of his body. But there still was a layer of cloth between them. Louis clutched at it, no longer caring how he might appear. All he knew was that he wanted to be close to this man, so close that they were no longer two seperate beings but just one.
Then he felt Lestat get up, standing next to the bed and quickly undressing himself. All the while Louis lay naked on the bed, very aware of Lestat's gaze. He was blushed, yet aflame with desire. And when he felt Lestat back on him, the warm, soft skin covering his entire body, he knew that he wouldn't object to anything Lestat wanted.
Lestat's lips were once again caressing his nipples when he felt a finger entering him, coating him with something slippery. He gasped and pressed his body hard against Lestat's when there was a second finger added to stretch him out.
Then they were gone and he felt Lestat move in between his parted legs.
"Relax, Louis, I don't want to hurt you."
The warm breath on his skin made him shiver and he closed his eyes in delight when he felt Lestat's tongue in his mouth again.
Then there was a sudden pain as Lestat slowly entered him. He held his breath, tears springing to his eyes which were quickly kissed away by Lestat.
When Lestat was fully settled into him he stopped, giving Louis time to adapt. Finally Louis made a soft, pleasured sigh and slightly moved his hips. Unbelievable feelings spread through his body at the sweet, aching sensation of being possessed by Lestat.
And when Lestat began to gently thrust into him again he gave up every remnants of control. He writhed under him, winding his legs around Lestat's body to feel him even closer, deeper into him. His moans were muffled by Lestat's mouth which returned to his again and again between kissing and biting his neck, adorning him with lovebites.
He surrendered to Lestat's rythm, following the lead of his experienced body to step after step of increasing pleasure until his body was throbbing with need. The height of their passion had carried them out of the cabin, leaving them in a place where only the heat of their love-making, the sounds and scents of pleasure and desire existed.
Then, with a last, almost violent thrust Louis felt Lestat climax, filling him with a warmth that soothed his burning flesh.
He opened his mouth to scream, to call Lestat's name, but the ecstasy that flooded his body was too much to voice.
Instead he found himself some minutes later lieing on the bed, his hands pressed against Lestat's sweaty back, gasping for breath. Eventually he calmed. He felt Lestat's hands lazily caress his exhausted body; he felt so deliciously tired, perfectly at peace.
"Lestat," he murmured, "that was..." He searched for words, for a phrase which could convey his feelings. Finally he smiled and simply whispered: "That was wonderful. I love you." He was a little anxious at this revelation, but it was the truth. He had never been in love before, and certainly never thought he would say this to a man, but this feeling had to be love, there was no other possibility. He wanted to be close to him, lie in his arms like this forever and never ever let him go.
Then there was a soft whisper, raising the hair on his neck.
"I love you, too, my beautiful Louis." Lestat kissed very gently his closed eyelids and smoothed the hair out of his eyes.
"My beautiful, beautiful Louis," Lestat sighed.
Louis smiled dreamily. That Lestat loved him, too -- it was almost too good to be true. If he would allow him to stay with him? He would ask him tomorrow, he decided. Right now he just wanted to sleep, he was so tired, but it had been a long day for him. Everything that had happened -- he should feel ashamed, he had met Lestat only some hours ago and now he was sharing his bed! But it just felt so right -- it seemed the best thing he had done for a very long time.
I love him, he thought sleepily, and he loves me. That is the only thing that counts.
He laid his head on Lestat's chest, right over the place where his heart beat and let himself be lulled into sleep by it.

*****
part 4
*****

Many hours later Lestat woke.
It was still very early, the cabin was filled with the magical peace and the soft half-darkness of the time right before sunrise. But something was wrong...
As he turned around he found green eyes staring at him intently.
"Louis? Is something wrong?" he asked softly.
"Yes!"
Louis's voice sounded angry, confused, desperate and very guilty.
"Everything is wrong! I -- you -- we'll both land in hell! How -- how could I let you do this? It's a ssin!"
"Oh Louis! It's not a sin, it's called love!"
Lestat watched him but when his words showed no success he sighed and continued.
"Do you really think it is a sin just because I am a man? You think that God know's everything, right? Then he has to know how much I love you! Don't you think that it would be much more of a sin if you went to a female prostitute and just used her for sex, without any love? Because we made love, Louis! Or did you lie to me? You told me that you loved me! Was that a lie?"
He knew that he now sounded desperate himself, but to lose Louis now, after he had just realized that he loved him...
He looked at Louis, waiting for the answer which would undoubtedly break his heart.
And then a wonder happened.
"No," Louis whispered slowly. "It wasn't a lie. I love you. I don't know why... I don't know you..."
He shook his head in confusion.
"Well, at least I am now absolutely unfit to become a priest," he then smiled. "I never wanted to be one, I just hadn't... the right kind of faith, you know?"
He looked at Lestat who nodded in understanding, still a little dazed by the sudden confirmation of love.
"But it was the wish of my parents, so... And then I suddenly was to come to the court of my uncle whom I've never seen... And now I'm lieing in your bed!"
He laughed, then shook his head and closed his eyes, thinking about what had happened to him. Finally he opened them again and asked: "Do you really love me?"
"Oh God, YES!" Lestat declared, smiling in relief.
"Can I... stay with you?"
The green eyes studied him in anxiety.
"YES,YES,YES!" Lestat laughed happily as he pulled Louis down.
"Of course you can stay with me! You stupid little idiot!" He kissed him thoroughly. "How could you make me suffer so much? I thought you hated me for what we did!" He kissed him again, pinning him to the mattress when Louis started to wiggle.
"So you did enjoy it, huh? You liked what I did?"
"Yes," Louis answered, still feeling a little shy. Then Lestat began a new attack on his body with Louis fighting him playfully. They were rolling around on the bed, both breathless with laughter, until Louis somehow managed to get on top of Lestat. Without thinking he kissed him, his hands running over his arms and chest. Lestat gasped into his mouth when he touched a hard nipple. Louis remembered how it had felt when Lestat did this to him and bent down to his chest, gently sucking a nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue. Lestat bucked up under him; he was moaning in pleasure, his hands wound into Louis's hair. Then Louis's mouth moved on over his chest, licking at his sweatcovered skin to taste Lestat. He was moaning himself at the sensual feeling of his lover's naked body gliding against his own, his hands slowly discovering every inch of him. When he reached the hair between his legs he stopped, but then decided to go on since he had gone so far. Unsure of how to do this right he took him into his hands, wondering how strange it felt to touch another man like this. But Lestat did obviously enjoy it, and so he continued his caresses, his hands lead by Lestat's moans and gasps until he had found just the right spots and Lestat came into his hands, coating them with sticky fluids.
He smiled at the exquisite sight of Lestat lieing spent on the bed. But when he tried to move away from him he was tugged back.
"Hey, where are you going?" Lestat asked hoarsely.
"Just searching for a towel," Louis said, feeling embarassed again. Lestat grinned.
"We don't need a towel. I'm going to use this..." With these words he pinned him down, his mouth working a new mark onto Louis's flesh.
"Ahh... what do you mean... god, that feels good... you want -- again?" Louis managed to choke out. <
Lestat nodded, barely able to conceal his laughter. "And again... and again..."
Louis groaned in surrender, his head falling back onto the bed.
"Close your eyes, Louis!" Lestat whispered. "I want you to just... feel..."
Then he began a new sensual assault on Louis, showing him pleasure he would have never thought possible.

The cabin was once again filled with the sounds of passion. Even the person who stood in the dark in front of the door was able to hear every moan, every heated word clearly. It listened as the volume increased and finally came to its climax with two cries.
It smiled evilly, then turned around and left.

*****
part5
*****

Later that morning Lestat was woken by a rather incredulous looking David who shook him violently to get him awake.
"David! What's wrong with you?" Lestat demanded angrily.
He had had such nice ideas for this morning. In his mind there was the picture of him feeding Louis, stealing kisses between every piece of food... trying out how he tasted with some honey on him... of course making love to him again, and more than once!...
"Lestat!" He was brought back into reality by David's impatient call.
Louis stirred, he softly sighed "'Stat" and buried his face in his hair.
Lestat growled at David. "Calm down or you will wake him!"
"I don't care!" David said in exasperation. "And I don't know how you can care about a Pointe du Lac, but that doesn't matter now! There are four ships, Lestat! They are chasing us, and they are faster than we are!"
Lestat sighed. It looked like he could forget about his plans.
"Okay, David, just give me some minutes to get dressed."
David nodded, staring curiously at the naked Louis as Lestat disentangled himself from his embrace and rose.
Lestat eyed him suspiciously, he did not like that look.
"Anything else you want to tell me?" he asked sharply.
No, no," David assured. "I'd just like to know what you want to do with him."
"He'll stay with me," Lestat answered. He kissed Louis's cheek affectionately as he covered him with the blanket.
"And what about the ransom? You know we need the money!"
"We'll just board another spanish ship," Lestat told him. He knew that it was not that easy, but somehow he would manage to get some money. He could attack some unarmed small freighter, or he could cooperate with Marius, another famous pirate. Together they would be able to board one of Santino's gold-transporters. Yes, there were many options for him...
Nevertheless this conversation was beginning to get on his nerves, and he did not want David to gaze at the so vulnerably asleep Louis.
"And now, please..." He gestured towards the door.
David obeyed and left the room. Lestat sighed, he would never find some peace on this damn ship. The steersman was a half-blind idiot, the cook knew only three different meals and David's constant nagging and complaining -- if he hadn't been sent by Marius he would have thrown him overboard long since.
At least he now had Louis. He smiled when he remembered the last night -- Louis truly was a gift. He couldn't understand it himself, but there was something between them -- as if they were meant to be together. Truly in love. He had felt it when he had first seen him, something that touched him deep inside and made his heart flutter.
Then David shouted from outside.
Lestat growled.
"One more minute!" he said angrily. He picked his clothes up, they still lay in a heap next to the bed. When he was finished with dressing he took a rose out of a vase and laid it on Louis's cushion. He felt bad about leaving him now, it would have been so sweet to feel him wake in his arms.
But there was no time for this now. He was the captain, and he had to care for his crew.
So he left his cabin and went to the rail where David was waiting.
Just one glance and he knew why they were slower than the four ships.
He turned to David, anger sparkling in his eyes.
"Do you see that sail, David? Right above your head? Why isn't it set?"
David swallowed, for once looking nervous.
"But -- you said -- last week you said the ship would break apart if we set all sails..."
Lestat groaned.
"And you want to be a sailor? Oh David, if it weren't for Marius -- last week we were loaded with weapons. That was why we had to stay slow. Tell me, what do we have loaded today?"
"Oh," David said uncomfortably. "Nothing, just some food..."
"Right. Could you now PLEASE set the damn sail, before those spanish bastards come within shoot-range?"
David left without another word, calling out to some sailors who quickly climbed into the rigging.
Lestat felt the ship speed up when the new sail caught the wind.
That was it, he had had enough of David.
He'd leave him to Marius tonight, once they arrived on the island where the pirate's secret hide-out was situated. Until then the spanish vessels would have given up their pursue and they could safely take a rest.

"Lestat?" a soft voice called. He turned around and saw Louis coming up to him. He couldn't help but smile at the picture he presented, he looked deliciously sleepy and untidy. He wore no shirt under his coat and Lestat could catch a glimpse of that pale, soft skin. He felt reminded of the last night, the way this skin felt against his body, the taste of his sweat... what a sensual creature Louis was. Always so very seductive, and not even aware of it!
"Good morning, Louis," he whispered when he stood in front of him.
Louis smiled. "Good morning, Lestat."
"No Good-Morning-Kiss, Louis?"
Louis obediently kissed his cheek.
"That wasn't quite what I had in mind, Louis," Lestat grinned. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close, his hands sneaking under his coat to to glide over the warm skin of his back. Then he kissed him softly, yet very deep, showing his desire to Louis who was shyly responding.
Lestat moaned when Louis began to sensually explore his mouth. That intimate touch nearly drove him crazy, both forgetting everything else, lost in each other.
Then he heard David call his name.
Now he was really mad, how could he dare to interrupt him? He broke the kiss and turned around, holding the breathless and very embarassed Louis tightly around his waist.
David looked embarassed, too, but there was also another emotion Lestat couldn't quite identify: Jelousy? Hate? Lust?
But he did not care, enough was enough.
"WHAT, David?" he asked, dangerously calm.
"Uh... the steersman wants to know... ehm... the new course..."
"5° northwest," he answered friendly. "And David?"
"Yes?" David seemed very relieved that he wasn't being scolded gain.
"Go into your cabin and stay there until we reach the island!" Lestat nearly shouted, no longer able to control his temper.
David's eyes widened, he quickly retreated below deck, but not without another meaningful look at Louis.
Lestat took a deep breath. Ten more hours and he would finally get rid of him.
Then he felt Louis struggling to escape his possessive embrace. He turned him around to look into his eyes and found him blushed, not daring to look at him.
"What's wrong, Louis? That little idiot won't be able to interrupt us anymore."
"Yes, but... you kissed me in front of him. In front of everybody on this ship! Now they all know..."
"Know what, Louis? That you are my lover?"
He felt a soft shudder pass through Louis's body as he heard Lestat claiming him as his.
"But that's what you are now. Aren't you my lover, Louis? As much as I am yours?"
"Yes," Louis whispered softly, his lips trembling as he stood there, spellbound by Lestat's words.
Lestat smiled, gently stroking his cheek.
"You don't have to worry about David or the crew. After all I'm the captain of this ship, I can do whatever I want."
His fingers travelled downwards, from his cheek over his jaw to his neck. There they stayed, tracing the bruises he had left there.
"Did I hurt you last night, Louis?" he asked, suddenly concerned.
"No, not much. In the beginning, perhaps, a little. But," he gave him a loving smile, "it was worth it."
Impulsively Lestat bent forward and pressed a gentle kiss to Louis's lips, teasingly soft and promising.
"Go back into the cabin, beautiful one, I will get us some breakfast. I won't take long, I am... 'hungry'."
He smiled seductively.
"I am hungry, too. I haven't had a decent meal since yesterday morning."
Lestat groaned. "So innocent...," he sighed. Nevertheless he ushered him towards the stairs and went to the kitchen.

*****
part 6
*****

Louis descended the stairs to Lestat's cabin.
He felt very happy, now that Lestat had called him his lover. This was what he wanted to be, he realized with a sudden shock. He just wanted to stay on this ship and sleep in Lestat's bed and forget about his past and Santino.
He sat down on a chair to think. There had been many changes in his life in the last time. First he was to become a priest, then Santino wanted him at his court and now he was the lover of Lestat, the infamous 'Brat Prince' of the pirates. He sighed, he knew that Lestat wanted him to stay, but he still wasn't sure about his crew. Although Lestat was the captain and told him that everybody would obey him, he had nevertheless felt their stares when Lestat kissed him on deck.
And David -- he frowned. Those strange looks he gave him, and the way he had treated him before Lestat came in... he did not understand it. If he truly hated him for being a Pointe du Lac, then why did he look at him that way? For that emotion in his eyes hadn't been hatred, at least not alone.
His musing was suddenly interrupted by strange sounds above him, shouting, the clash of metal against metal, feet trampling over wooden planks.
He went to the door to see what was happening when suddenly it opened and David came in.
"What happened? Where is Lestat?" Louis asked. Then his eyes grew wide and he backed away until he touched a wall. David smiled, following him with a dagger in his hand.
"Lestat is my prisoner. I am the captain now." His smile grew wider. "And you are my prisoner as well."
He took a step forward, raising the dagger to Louis's throat, his other hand gripping his hair.
"And if you want Lestat to live," he said, bringing his face nearer to Louis's fearfull eyes, "you should do anything I say."
He kissed him then, pushing his tongue into Louis's mouth and feeling him shudder with helpless disgust.
He drew back and smiled. It was a sick smile, a smile that showed callousness and cruelty and increased Louis's fear near to the point of panic.
"What have you done with Lestat?" Louis demanded. Tears were running down his cheeks, and he was barely able to contain his sobs.
"Why... why do you do this, David?"
"Why? Because I can, because I have the power! Now I am the captain and no longer this so-called 'Brat'!" he hissed. "Yes Louis, I am the enemy! I am sent by Lord Santino!"
Louis gasped.
"I don't believe you!" he denied. "You hate Santino, you would never work for him!"
"You know nothing about me, Louis! Santino and I had a little... misunderstanding about a certain amount of money in the past, but that subject is cleared now." He laughed. "And soon I'll get even more money, once he arrives here. But until then..." he leered at Louis, "I'm going to have some fun."
"No, that can't be true! My uncle would kill you if you did so much as touch me!"
"Ah, but your uncle isn't here now, is he? And besides," he roughly threw him onto the bed, "what makes you think that he would care for the whore of his enemy? If he was here now, Lord Santino would kill you with his own hands!"
David laughed as he saw Louis wince at his cruel words. Then he grabbed his wrists and tied them to the end of the bed. Louis was struggling hard, trying to shake him off, but David was much stronger than him and held him down without any effort.
"Stop fighting me, Louis," he said as he caressed his face almost lovingly. "I'll let Lestat live if you submit."

Louis's eyes were wide, his thoughts a mess of confusion and panic. But his fear for Lestat overweighted everything else, and so he finally forced himself to lie quiscent on the bed, his eyes closed against the sight of David.
Then he felt his hands on his body, ripping the clothes away. David pinched his nipples and bit into them until he heard Louis yelp in pain, he unbuttoned his own pants and undressed quickly. Louis was trembling violently, softly sobbing when David moved back onto him again and parted his legs.
How beautiful he was, David thought, so absolutely helpless. To think that this was Lestat's lover who had been caressed by his hands, who had heard words of love whispered into his ears, who had been sleeping in his arms...
He hated him. And he wanted him. He wanted to possess this body, to hurt him and to know that the body he was violating had belonged to Lestat. And he wanted Lestat to know what he had done...
Louis's chest was heaving , the soft sounds of his crying making David focus on his victim again. His gaze travelled up and down the slender body, discovering bruises on his neck and one on his thigh. Lovebites, he thought hatefully. So Lestat thought that this man belonged to him, was his possession, not to be touched by anybody else? He would show him how much he cared about his possessions...
He bent down and pressed his mouth over the old bruise on Louis's thigh. Louis whimpered in humiliation when David began sucking, using his teeth to form a new bruise right over Lestat's. As his thumb was caressing that spot his other hand was on Louis's hip, pressing him into the mattress to keep him from moving. Slowly he moved back on top of Louis, finding himself very aroused by Louis's fear and helplessness.
Then he entered him, taking him with one hard thrust. Louis cried out in pain, he yanked at his bonds and threw his head to the side but David did not stop. He pushed only harder into him until Louis's soft flesh was torn and blood trickled down his thighs.
Louis was dazed with pain, his whole body shuddered under David's force. His wrists were bruised by the unyielding grip of his bonds, his cheeks streaked with tears.
Finally he felt David climax inside of him with a last hurting thrust; he tasted his own blood as he bit on his lip to keep from screaming. A tortured sob escaped his lips, "Lestat..." he moaned softly, broken. The pain was too much for him and he lost consciousness, gratefully accepting the darkness which clouded everything else.

*****
part 7
*****

Lestat struggled against the chains, but it was no use.
Nevertheless he continued this senseless fight since it kept him from thinking about Louis. He had no idea what had happened to him, but he was very afraid that he might have got hurt.
He yanked once more at the chains, thinking about what he would do with David if he hurt Louis. Then he paused, leaning back against the wall to wich he was chained.
He was prisoned in a small room near the hold. It was cold in there, and occasionally droplets of bitter water landed on his face. One candle stood on a table in the middle of the room. It's flickering fire was the only source of light Lestat would get, and in some minutes when it had burnt down even this small amount of hope would have left him.
He sighed softly. How he wished to hold Louis in his arms now! Feel the fast beating of his heart against his chest, breathe in the scent of his hair, feel the sweet softness of his kisses, the gentleness of his caresses...
He swore aloud, again fighting against the chains, not caring about the pain in his wrists.
Then he heard footsteps coming nearer. The door opened and David came in, accompagnied by four sailors.
Sailors which once swore loyalty to him, Lestat thought with bitterness. He stared hatefully at David but refused to be the first to speak.
David smiled.
"Still the incarnation of arrogance, 'Brat Prince'? Ah, but we will change that."
He did not wait for an answer.
"Unchain him, but be careful," he ordered the sailors.
Lestat tried not to wince when they freed his sore wrists from their bonds.
"Now you're going to see your pretty Louis," David said. "Don't you think I'm nice to you, hmm? Giving you some time with your lover?"
He chuckled like it was some joke when he lead them out of the room and to the dark stairway.
Lestat was surrounded by the sailors, one in front of him, one at each arm and one whom he recognized as Khayman behind him.
Khayman... that even Khayman should have betrayed him... it made him want to weep. Old Khayman, the oldest pirate on this ship, he had always been there for Lestat, always known answers to his problems, and now he had betrayed him, too! He could hear him, the 'tock tock' the piece of wood made he had to use instead of the leg he had lost in some long-ago battle -- then suddenly there was a touch! Something was being stuffed into his pocket!
He stiffened but could not turn around. What did this mean? Did this mean that he still had some allies on this ship? That there still was hope for him and Louis?
He began to feel better as he continued to think about this while they crossed the deck and descended the stairs to his cabin.
When they reached the door David stopped. An evil smile played on his lips.
"You," he gestured towards the sailors, "guard the door. Make sure nobody gets out until I come back."
Then he returned his attention to Lestat.
"I'll give you some time alone with your 'lover'. But don't worry, I'll return later. In the meantime, have some fun!"
Chuckling again, he climbed the stairs and left Lestat in front of the door.

Lestat was irritated by this strange behaviour, but his relief about finally seeing Louis again was greater than his suspicions. So he opened the door and went inside.
Then he saw Louis.
"No! Louis!" he heard himself scream.
No! No, please God, no! he repeated in his mind again and again. That could not be true! He saw Louis bound to the bed, pale, not moving! He lay there like dead!
"Louis, please, please, no!" he whimpered, his eyes wide, staring at the horrible sight of his lover. Slowly he went nearer, choked by sobs and tears which blurred his vision.
'Oh God, no! That isn't fair! Not him! He can't be dead!' the thoughts screamed in his head.
Shaking he stood in front of the bed. Then he saw Louis's chest moving under shallow breaths. He collapsed onto the bed, weak with relief. Louis was alive! He wasn't dead, his beloved still lived!
He gave himself over to crying, wrapping his arms around Louis's slender body and resting his head on his chest. Through the sound of his own sobs he could hear Louis's heartbeat, the soft thuds like a beautiful, reassuring music of life.
Finally, after some minutes, he had calmed down. Tentatively he lifted his head, blinking a few times to clear his eyes. Then he began a slow examination of Louis's body, first freeing his wrists from their bonds. They were swollen and bruised, but at least he felt the faint pulsing of blood. He pressed a gentle kiss to each of them, then wrapped his arms around the lithe body and lifted him into his lap. He had never known such agony before, the feeling of Louis's unconscious, bruised body in his arms an almost physical pain. He winced when he found red welts and scratches covering Louis's chest and sides. Then, as his hands travelled downwards, he discovered the dried blood between his legs.
"Oh God, Louis, no!" he moaned, burying his head in Louis's hair.
"How could he do this to you? I'm so sorry, so sorry..." His tortured sobs shook his whole body, he tightened his embrace and cradled Louis's head against his chest.
"It's all my fault, Louis, it's my fault!"
Tears streamed down his face, mingling with those on Louis's cheeks.
"If I had just let you leave... how could he... why? Oh God, why Louis?"
Why his Louis, he asked himself again and again. Louis, who was so frail, like a delicate, beautiful blossom, who was never anything but gentle, who was still so very innocent? And who had trusted him with all his heart...
"And I didn't help you, Louis. I didn't protect you like I promised," he whispered through his tears.
It was all his fault. He should have sensed that there was something wrong with David.
David... the thought of David violating his lover's body... he did not realize that he was growling until he felt Louis stir. The long lashes fluttered and then opened to reveal two green orbs, confused and dazed with fear.

The moment he felt the arms surrounding him Louis panicked.
Desperately he tried to free himself, moaning in pain when his wrists were captured in an unyielding grip. Finally he stopped, defeated, whimpering pleas, humiliated by his own helplessness.
"Louis, hush, it's me, you're safe!" Lestat tried to soothe him, struggling with tears at his lover's pain. He released his wrists but held him close, breathing the words into his ear again and again until Louis softly, still unsure, whispered his name.
"Yes, it's me, Louis, it's me, I'm here," he assured, releasing him from the embrace.
Louis hastily crawled into the opposite corner of the bed where he curled up into a tight ball, trembling with fear like a hunted animal.

*****
part 8
*****

Lestat closed his eyes. It was too much for him, seeing his lover so obviously in pain but not able to help him, not even allowed to touch him.
Then he heard his name again, just one moment before he felt something warm and soft against his body. When he opened his eyes he saw Louis back in his arms, clinging to him, trying to get as close to him as possible.
"Louis, I'm so sorry!" Lestat whispered, unsure if the sound of his voice might scare this so deeply hurt creature away.
"Don't be," Louis said softly. He shook his head. Although his voice was strained and there were still tears in his eyes he was now aware of his surroundings, he now knew that he was with the one person he could absolutely trust.
"It wasn't your fault, Lestat. You couldn't have prevented him from -- from -- doing this to me." He bit on his bottom lip and lowered his head. Then it broke out of him in pained sobs.
"It -- it hurt so much, the pain -- and he didn't stop, I thought I would die... and I was so afraid of never seeing you again... please don't leave me! Please don't ever, ever leave me again!"
"Never, Louis, never!" Lestat assured passionately. "I'll never again allow somebody to hurt you; I swear, Louis, I'll kill everybody who tries."
He tightened his embrace around Louis who gratefully accepted, spending his tears in the comfort of Lestat's arms. Lestat gently stroked his back.
"I'm going to kill him very slowly, Louis," he growled. "It will take days for him to die!"
Louis stiffened, his sobs ceased.
"Don't, Lestat," he whispered, "don't delude yourself into these fantasies! You know that we won't be able to fight him!"
"No, Louis, there always is a chance. Somehow it must be possible..."
Then he remembered the piece of paper in his pocket.

He laughed when he had finished reading it.
"What is this?" Louis asked.
"Our chance, cheri!" Lestat smiled and then read it out loud.

Lestat,
there are still loyal men on this ship.
We will help you, but we need a feint.
Challenge David to a duel, we will
try to get the ship back under our
control.
Khayman

"Ah, good old Khayman! I knew it, he would never betray me!"
"What? Lestat, you can't do this! It's far too dangerous!"
Louis tried to grab Lestat's shoulder but shrank back when his wrists brushed the rough material of his coat.
"Don't worry, Louis, I'm the best fencer on this ship. And I promise you, mon amour, he will have a painful death!"
Louis smiled softly, trying to share the enthusiasm of his optimistic lover.
"Just be careful, okay?" he whispered.
"Ae, mon coeur, whatever you wish!"
Slowly Lestat raised a hand and ran his fingers over Louis's cheek. Covering Lestat's hand with his own Louis turned into the touch, smiling shyly. Lestat softly gasped; the trust Louis showed him made his heart beat faster. He so badly wanted to kiss him, to show to Louis the feelings he wasn't able to express otherwise. But he did not dare it, not after what David had done to him. That Louis still trusted him was a wonder in itself, and he did not want to frighten him.
But oh -- these lips were enticing...
And then Louis smiled and tugged Lestat's head down so that their lips met. His eyes closed he wrapped his arms around Lestat's neck, feeling a warm tongue glide into his mouth to kiss him softly, gently, making him feel so very special...
He did not realize that he was crying until he felt Lestat leave his lips to kiss the tears away.
"Sorry," he murmured, only to be silenced again by this warm mouth which then moved on to caress his face with tiny kisses to his eyes, his nose, his cheeks, his temples, leaving him on the verge of crying again at the feeling of being safe, being loved...

Suddenly they heard somebody coming down the stairs.
Startled Louis grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around his body, just in time before the door opened and David came in.
Lestat balled his hands into fists, his face was a mask of cold fury and deep, bitter hatred.
"David," he hissed. All rational thoughts were forgotten at the sight of the person who had not only started a mutiny on his ship but had also done the horrible and unforgivable act of hurting his lover, of raping him!
He would have jumped up and lunged at David's throat if it had not been for Louis.
Louis had somehow sensed Lestat's thoughts and wrapped his arms around the pirate's waist, as much to prevent his impetous lover from any rash actions as in search of the protection of his arms. He bowed his head, his black hair a veil in front of his face. He could not look at David, not now. To see that mocking smile on his face...
He trembled slightly, and Lestat, feeling this, finally regained his composure. Still glaring furiously at David he returned the embrace, feeling Louis's fast heartbeat against his chest.
David laughed. "How touching, how very touching! You two are so cute! But Lestat, you really surprise me! You still want him, although I had him, too? You know, he isn't that good in bed."
Louis winced at the memory those words caused. He pressed himself tightly against Lestat who shook with anger and hatred.
"You bastard! How can you dare to say this, you sick, disgusting --"
"Watch your tongue, Lestat! You now know what I can do to your little lover. Perhaps you'd like to watch the next time? I'm sure Rodrigo and Pedro here," he nodded towards the sailors who stood at the door, watching the scene with big grins, "would like to... try it with him, too."
Louis burst into terrified sobs.
"Please, please don't!" he begged helplessly.
"Shh, it's okay, Louis, I won't let him hurt you," Lestat tried to calm him.
David laughed. "Ah, I could show you how much I actually can hurt him without you being able to do anything about it, but I think we've had enough fun today, hmm Louis?"
"I despise you!" Lestat whispered as Louis's slender body shuddered under the force of his sobs.
"Hush, love, I promised I would protect you!"
Gently he kissed Louis's forehead and then moved out of his embrace. He stood up and slowly went to David who eyed him suspiciously.
"I challenge you to a duel," he said in a clear, calm voice, standing straight and unwavering in front of David.
"I am Lestat de Lioncourt, the infamous 'Brat Prince', the most feared pirate of the seven seas, and I challenge you!"

*****
part 9
*****

Almost immediately after Lestat's challenge was spoken shouts could be heard on the whole ship. "A challenge, a challenge!" Pedro had cried, running out of the cabin to inform every sailor.
David stood dumbfounded in front of Lestat who watched him with a triumphant grin. Then David scornfully, nervously laughed.
"What gives you the ridiculous idea that I would accept a challenge?"
Lestat smiled. "That's the law among pirates, David. It's my right to challenge you, ask your friend Rodrigo there!"
"Yeah, Captain, he's right, you'll have to accept this challenge. Otherwise everybody would think you a coward!"
David sneered. "Do you think I would be afraid of this weakling? I have absolutely no problem with killing him if he wants me to! All right, Lestat, I accept."
In spite of his arrogance Lestat was able to sense his uncertainty, his nervousness which he tried to hide by turning around and striding towards the door. There he stopped and said: "Now come on, Lestat. It was your idea, let's end this now!"
Lestat wanted nothing more than to see him die as soon as possible, but when his gaze fell on Louis he stopped. Louis was still sitting on the bed, staring at them with wide eyes, trembling, his naked body covered only by the blanket.
"What's wrong, Lestat? Suddenly afraid of me?" David tried to provoke him.
Lestat sighed. "If you would be so kind to give Louis some minutes to get dressed?"
David opened his mouth but then decided to shrug indifferently and leave the cabin with Rodrigo, closing the door behind him.

Lestat went to Louis and knelt down in front of him, wrapping his arms around his waist. Louis was shivering, he tried to hold back his tears but then slid down of the bed and into Lestat's arms.
"It's okay, Louis, cry if you want," Lestat whispered as he gently stroked his hair.
The gentleness Lestat showed him only increased Louis's desparation. How could he still love him, after what David had done to him? He felt so dirty, so unworthy... and the worst was that everything was his fault. If David had not been jealous of him, there would have been no mutiny...
"How can you still want to touch me?" he sobbed. "David was right, I'm just a whore. Everything is my fault, without me none of this would have happened..."
"Hush Louis, you know that that's not right! You are not a whore, don't believe him! Nothing is your fault, David is the only one to blame! He hurt you, and he will pay for it! I love you, Louis, this doesn't change anything about my feelings, I'll never stop loving you, do you hear me? Never, Louis!"
Louis raised his tearstained face and looked at him hesitantly, not quite able to believe him.
Gently smiling Lestat bent down and kissed his lips, they were salty with tears and yet tasted so sweetly of Louis. Then he began to kiss the tears from his face and whisper endearments and promises into his ear until Louis relaxed a little. He continued to soothe his pain until Louis seemed to feel better.
"We'll have to talk about this later, Louis. I'll kill him, that I promise you, and then we'll have all time in the world to talk about this. But right now you have to get dressed, mon amour, all right?"
Louis nodded, wiping the remaining tears from his eyes.
"But what shall I wear?" he inquired softly. "I... I can't wear that." He gestured towards the heap of clothes David had torn from his body earlier.
"You could wear some of my clothes, they'll be a little too big, but it's better than nothing."
He opened a drawer and brought Louis a pair of black trousers and a white shirt. It was nothing out of the ordinary, just plain, simple clothes, but they were comfortable and soft on Louis's bruised skin.
Louis quickly dressed; he tried to act as if everything was normal, but his movements were stiff as his body was still aching.
Then he sniffed at the sleeve of his shirt.
"It smells of you," he whispered, smiling at Lestat.
Lestat felt the familiar pressure in his chest, his heart suddenly so full of love it threatened to burst.
He took Louis into his arms, held the soft body so close he could feel the beating of his heart, his warmth...
"I love you so much," he sighed into the soft black hair. Louis looked up, the long, black lashes revealing the gentle light of his green eyes, filled with love and admiration.
"I love you, too," he breathed, his lips almost touching Lestat's. "I need you, Lestat, you mean everything to me. Please be careful, don't let him kill you, please, I can't live without you!"
"Louis... " A breathless whisper, barely audible, then their lips connected for a long, deep kiss, both trying to get as close as possible, the desparation of this short moment increasing the intensity of every feeling to the point of intoxication.
Suddenly they heard somebody clearing his throat. Lestat left his right arm around Louis's waist as he turned around, finding Khayman standing in the door.
"Everybody is waiting for you, Lestat," he smiled. "Come on, here is my sabre, go and kill that bastard!"
Lestat nodded, after a last kiss to Louis he took the sabre, pausing at the door.
"As soon as David is dead, the ship will be ours again," Khayman told him. "Everybody is on deck to watch the duel, it was quite easy to free those who are on our side. They are armed and ready to fight. His death will be the sign."
Lestat smiled and rested his hand on Khayman's shoulder.
"Thank you, my friend," he said, then turned serious again. "Take care of Louis, will you? You are the only one I can entrust him to."
"I will," Khayman promised. "Now go and win your ship back."
With a last loving look to Louis Lestat went through the door and mounted the stairs.

Louis looked at the door through which his lover had vanished.
"No need to be afraid, little one," he heard Khayman say. "He's the born fighter, for him the sabre is like a part of his body."
Louis smiled at him, grateful for the cheering up, yet feeling a little insecure alone with this old pirate. He was intimidated by the sight of him; covered with scars, daggers dangling from his belt, wearing a scarf with the death's head and using a wooden leg he looked like the absolute personification of a pirate.

Khayman was studying Louis as well. He hadn't seen him before, he had been under deck when Louis and Lestat had had that famous kiss on deck. Every sailor had been talking about this afterwards, they had been dazzled by Louis's beauty and, in rather crude images, talked about what they would like to do with him.
Khayman's opinion of Louis had been prejudiced, that he realized now. He had thought that he was nothing but the spoilt son of some treacherous nobleman, vain and superficial. And since he was a relative of the governor, he had been sure that it had been a trap for Lestat, that Louis had been sent to seduce the pirate.
But now with Louis right in front of him he changed his mind. Incredibly beautiful, yes, that he was. Milk-white skin, soft lips the colour of rose petals, eyes which reminded him of emeralds, covered by long lashes... and the way he moved, he possessed the perfect, unconscious grace of a dancer.
But his physical beauty wasn't the cause, he had heard David boasting in front of the sailors about his 'encounter' with Louis. David had described everything rather explicitly, mocking Louis's fear and pain. Everybody had laughed when he told them that Louis had submitted voluntarily to save his lover's life.
That had been what made him change his mind, this selflessness which was a proof of real love; that and the shy looks he gave him. There was nothing about him which was spoilt or superficial, no, he seemed absolutely unaware of his beauty, the enticing innocence of those who hadn't really started to live yet.
No wonder that Lestat had fallen in love with him. And now that he knew that Louis loved Lestat as well, would give everything for him, he would do everything to protect them. God knew Lestat deserved that happiness.
"Come on, little one," he said. "Let's watch your lover's victory."

*****
part 10
*****

Louis and Khayman went on deck. There the duel had already begun, the air was filled with the shouts of the sailors who had gathered in a wide circle, building an arena for the fight.
In the middle of that circle Lestat and David were slowly moving around each other, holding their distance, searching for weak spots.

Khayman held Louis close as he forced his way through the crowd until he had a good view of the duel. Louis was tense in his arms, his eyes only seeing the two opponents. He tried to compare them, their strength and stamina, but he had never seen any of them fight before, not even Lestat. To him they seemed equal in all respects, David a little stronger built, Lestat quicker, more agile.
Louis prayed that it would be agility that decided the duel.

Then suddenly David jumped forward, his sabre striking at Lestat. But Lestat effortlessly avoided the blow and stepped aside.
Louis gasped and gripped Khayman's arm.
"Shh, it's okay, Louis, they are only testing each other," Khayman whispered into his ear. "Don't worry about Lestat, he's much better with the sabre than David is, and both know it. Look how nervous David is..."
Louis returned his gaze to the fight. To him David did not look particularly nervous, but then, he knew nothing about fencing.

The two opponents were again circling eachother, their sabres on guard. Then Lestat raised his weapon and advanced on David, his blows coming down on him in rapid succession. But David was able to parry each thrust, although the exertion left him panting.
"Already exhausted, David?" Lestat taunted, grinning.
"Well, your pretty Louis has kept me quite busy..."
David laughed when he saw the hatred in Lestat's eyes, then suddenly brought his sword up to strike at his arm. Seeing the blow coming, Lestat quickly jumped to the side, but David changed his intention and pulled his sabre down, dealing Lestat a cut across his chest.
"Lestat!" Louis shouted as blood trickled out of the cut and coloured his shirt red. Khayman tightened his grip on him, fearing that Louis might run to his lover.
But Lestat had already recovered from the shock. Now even angrier than before he started a new attack, his sabre moving in circles and complex figures faster and faster until he had the retreating David cornered.
Both were covered with sweat, gasping for breath when Lestat tried a new lunge and raised his sabre, David blocking his attack with his blade above their heads. Lestat looked straight into his eyes and smiled, then, with a sudden turn of his wrist, he manged to fling David's sabre away and stab him through his shoulder.
David cried out in pain; he fell to his knees as Lestat pulled the blade out of the wound. Then Lestat pressed the weapon against his throat.
"Do you surrender?" he asked in triumph. When David did not answer he pressed harder until a drop of red blood ran down his throat.
"Yes," David gasped. "I surrender!"
Lestat smiled but left the blade in it's position, looking at Khayman.
Khayman nodded, then yelled "Now!"
Suddenly the circle of sailors was surrounded by other pirates with raised swords and sabres.
"Drop you weapons," Lestat shouted. "I won't kill you if you surrender!"
The treacherous sailors looked at each other in confusion, but with their leader as a prisoner and weapons pointed at them they knew that surrender was the only chance to save their lifes. They let their weapoons fall to the ground and showed no protest when they were bound and led under deck.

Lestat returned his attention to his prisoner. His raised his blade, cutting deeper into David's skin and forcing him to look into his eyes.
"So you like to hurt someone who is weaker than you are?" he asked coldly.
"Bastard!" David hissed. The sabre cut deeper into his throat.
"Watch your tongue, David!"
Lestat's voice was a low, menacing growl.
"Mutiny, David! You know what's the punishment, don't you?"
David refused to answer, but his sudden paleness gave him away.
"Take Louis to my cabin, Khayman," Lestat commanded.
Louis who had been weak with relief in Khayman's arms was confused.
"What ... but I ...," he tried to protest, but Khayman stopped him and pushed him gently back towards the stairs.
"Come with me, Louis, this isn't for you," he said softly.
"No... no, I don't want to go!"
Louis felt treated like a little child. Angrily he tried to free his arm from Khayman's grip, but the old pirate was stronger than he looked, and so Louis was tugged back into Lestat's cabin.

There he sat down on the bed and refused to look at Khayman. Khayman sighed and seated himself at his side.
"Now Louis, believe me, you don't want to see this!"
"But what... what is he doing?" Louis asked reluctantly, his natural curiousity overcoming his irritation.
"Well, the law among us pirates is quite... strict, and mutiny is the worst thing you can do, so..."
"So -- what?" Louis demanded.
"All right, I'll tell you. The punishment is first flogging, then death by the plank."
"The plank?" Louis creased his brows.
Khayman chuckled. "Where have you lived those 20 years, Louis? It means that he will have to walk to the end of a plank and then jump into the water... where the sharks are already waiting!"
"Oh!" Louis said softly. "You're right,I... I don't think I want to see this, although he... he..."
Louis swallowed, wrapping his arms around his body. Khayman reached over to stroke his back, clumsily trying to comfort him.
Then they heard the sound of a lash and a piercing scream. Louis gasped; he covered his ears with his hands when the screams came again and again. They grew louder and shriller with increasing pain, and Louis began to sob and fled into Khayman's arms.
"Hush, it's okay, child," Khayman tried to calm him. "It's his own fault, he deserves it after what he did..."
"I -- I know," Louis cried, "but please, please stop it,please, I can't bear it, please..."
He was trembling, crushing himself against the old pirate's chest to block the terrible sounds from above.
Khayman gently stroked his hair and sighed.
"All right, little one, all right, I'll try to make them stop the flogging."
Louis smiled gratefully at him through his tears as the old pirate stood up and went to the door.

Khayman groaned when he climbed the stairs for the hundredth time, as it seemed to him. Perhaps he really was too old for the life of a pirate. Yes, perhaps he should retire... open an inn on the island...
Then he finally reached the deck.
The other pirates had gathered in front of the mast to which David was tied. His back was torn, covered with weals and cuts from which blood was running down.
Lestat stood next to him, a blood covered whip in his hands. He raised it and then let it come down on David's back with brutal force.

******
part 11
******

David screamed when the whip bit into his back once more; another crimson trail oozed out of the wound.
Lestat raised the whip and continued, whipping him again and again. But his hatred and rage did not diminish, they were increasing with each stroke of the whip and each scream from David.
He dimly heard someone calling his name, but he did not stop, he could not. He saw again that scene -- Louis lieing on the bed, unconscious, hurt -- and felt his own helpless rage. And now he was no longer helpless, now he could finally take his revenge, hurt the monster which had raped his lover.
He growled and again increased the force of his strokes.

Then a hand gripped his arm and tried to stop him.
He whirled around and raised the whip, intending to punish the person who dared to interrupt him, but then realized that it was Khayman.
"What do you want, Khayman?" he asked. "I told you to stay with Louis."
Khayman sighed and released his arm.
"Louis sends me," he answered. "He begs you to stop this, and -- it would be really better if you stopped, because Louis is on the verge of breaking down. He can't bear this... even after what David did to him..."
Then his eyes travelled to the bleeding, nearly unconscious body of David and he winced.
"And... I really think that should be enough..."
"It will never be enough for what he did to Louis," Lestat growled. But he had calmed down a little and could see that Khayman was indeed right, if he continued the whipping David would never survive it. And as much as he desired that death, he knew that every pirate on this ship wanted the plank.
He threw the whip away in frustration and gave commands to prepare the plank, at least the sharks would have a nice day.

One of the sailors poured a bucket of water into David's face; he came back to consciousness and managed to stay on his feet when he was untied from the mast.
The rows of pirates had parted before him, leaving open a path to the plank. Desperately he searched for a way to escape this but he knew that there was no way out; this was how it would eventuate then, finally his intrigues had come to a fatal end. Slowly, trying not to cry out in pain he went to the plank where he turned around.
"So Louis sent the old idiot to stop you," he hissed. "I wonder what that means. Maybe your pretty little whore enjoyed it when I fucked him? Perhaps I was better than you, perhaps he likes it the hard way? You should try it some day, Lestat, he really does scream nicely..."
"Shut up!" Lestat yelled.
One of the pirates took a spear and made David enter the plank.
David laughed. "You should have seen him, your innocent young lover, letting me tie him to the bed, submitting voluntarily... I really think he liked it, but -- perhaps he was already used to it? Ahh, now I understand, he was your prisoner, absolutely at your mercy... you raped him, right? And he liked it... but perhaps he liked it more with me? Because he moaned my name when I took him..."
"SHUT UP!" Lestat screamed in rage. "I won't let you talk about Louis in this way! You'll die now, and I hope it will be painful!"

David was again threatened by the spear so that he had to walk to the end of the plank. There he stopped and spoke a last time.
"He is mine now, Lestat, and you know it. Whenever you touch him he will think of the way I touched him; whenever you fuck him he will think of me fucking him... I'll always stand between you, he'll never be your's again!"
He was laughing, uttering harsh sounds full of spite and venom, ignoring the pain this caused. Then the spear came again and left him no other choice but jumping off the plank and into the water. When he hit the surface his laughter was ended; the sharks had already been baited with blood and now did not lose any time and tore him quickly apart.

"Stand between us?" Lestat whispered softly, shocked. "That can't be true! No, it's over now, nobody will ever again harm Louis!"

"Lestat" he heard another person cry. He knew that voice, that was...
"Louis?" he asked, finding him standing on the other side of the deck.
Oh God, no! If Louis had heard everything David had said... he hated that bastard even more now, even in his death he could still hurt Louis.
"It's all right, Louis, he's dead now!" he assured as Louis ran to him. Louis embraced him, crushing himself against the muscular body of Lestat and again began to weep.
"I -- I didn't, Lestat, it's not true," he sobbed, "I didn't like it, I hated it, hated him, please believe me, I'm so sorry, I only did it because he would kill you if I didn't... I really didn't want it, and I never, never moaned his name..."
"I know, Louis, I don't believe a word of it," Lestat told him gently. "All lies, Louis, but he's dead now, he'll never again be able to hurt you!"
Louis was softly crying in his arms, all his pain reawakened by David's vengeful words.

Khayman was watching them sympatheticly; he gestured for Lestat to take Louis down into their cabin, whispering that he would take care of the... things on deck.
Lestat smiled at him, grateful for the help of his old friend, and lead Louis down the stairs.

Louis offered no resistance when Lestat made him lie down on the bed, but he refused to let go of him so Lestat finally lay down next to him.
Louis snuggled up to him, his head buried in his shoulder, and after some minutes he began to speak.
"But David was right about one thing," he said softly. "I'll never be yours again, I'm tarnished, tainted! He'll always stand between us! Whenever you look at me you'll think of him touching me, and... whenever you fuck me I'll think of him fucking me," he repeated in bitterness.
"No! Louis, don't say such things!" Lestat said appalled. "You are not... tainted, Louis, I love you, I always will, no matter what happens! He'll only stand between us if you give him that power. He's dead, Louis, don't let him hurt us even after his death! I know that it's hard, that it's painful, but you have to overcome him, it's possible, Louis!"
Louis looked uncertain, but he was still trusting in Lestat and nodded slowly.
"If... if you say so..." he whispered.
"Don't you love me, Louis?" Lestat asked gently.
"Of course I love you!" Louis exclaimed surprised.
"Then everything will be all right again!" Lestat smiled, then his smile grew seductive.
"And by the way, I don't want to fuck you, I want to make love to you!"
Louis tried to smile back, but he felt a little afraid.
"I -- I don't know if I can..."
His voice broke and he closed his eyes, ashamed.
"Hush, Louis, I did not mean it that way. We have all the time in the world, it's okay, Louis!"
Lestat felt ashamed himself, now he had scared Louis. This was so typical for him, always talking before thinking -- of course that was the last thing Louis would want now.
"But... I don't want to disappoint you!" Louis said in a little voice.
Lestat sighed. "Believe me, that really wasn't my intention. I only wanted to tell you that... that I would never treat you like David did. Because I only feel love when I look at you. What we did, that wasn't simply sex, Louis, it was love, and it will always be this way. And Louis --", he raised his chin, "I could live without sex, but I can't live without you!"
Ah well, that was a lie, but Louis did not need to know that. Nevertheless it was true, he would wait until Louis had recovered, of course he understood him. And he loved him, that was true as well. He would treat him with nothing but tenderness as long as his beloved still felt that pain and fear.

Louis looked at him in surprise and, at the love he found in his lover's eyes, burst into tears again.
"I love you, Lestat, I love you!" he sobbed, and Lestat held him close, tears runing down his cheeks as well. They laid together like this until Louis's tears finally stopped and they fell asleep in each others arms.

PIRATES parts 12-17

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