Atlas page 28

Brice tried to stay calm when he came into the infirmary and found J.B. putting a pistol together. He didn't seem to notice Brice's anger as he eagerly told his father about how he had adjusted the gun to work with his dampened eyesight. Brice didn't know if the boy was incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. He seemed to be coping with the loss of his eye very well. Apparently the doctor had given him exercises to do to help acclimate his depth perception. They both looked at the door when Sarah came in. She seemingly ignored Brice as she went about showing J.B. an eye patch she made for him. Brice decided to go see the other children when Sarah caught up with him in the hall.

"He seems well."

"We're going to see mama Jahil - she might have something for all our wounds." Brice said. "Sarah I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"Apology accepted."

"Do you forgive me?" He asked.

"Give it time." Sarah answered.

"Fair enough."

"Are you taking Bree to the trading post before we head to—"

"No." He answered quickly. "She's coming with us and hopefully while we're docked I can… well I have no idea what I'm going to do. This girl has gone her whole life without me and after threatening to kill her I have to convince her I'm not a complete asshole."

"Yeah, that's gonna be really hard." Sarah said sarcastically. Brice snorted.

"Any actual advice? What did you do when you messed things up with Jim?"

"I left him alone. When ever we had a fight that's all he really wanted. Time, space…dinner. Boys are easy." She shrugged. "You piss off a woman… you have a better chance of inventing time travel, going back and preventing the incident rather than getting her to forgive you."

"Great." Brice sighed.

"I'd start with letting her out of the cage. Stop threatening her. Maybe ask her when her birthday is. Y'know, make up for lost time. Baby steps." Sarah said before she patted Brice on the shoulder. "I'm glad you changed your mind about her."

"Your son successfully pulled my head out my own ass and then proceeded to hand it to me. He's tough."

"It's because he cares about you. If he didn't he wouldn't get nearly as flustered." Brice let her words sink in as he headed to his cabin. He tried to hide his surprise when he found Jim coming out of the bathroom. He had showered and shaved his beard. Brice did a double take. But he quickly busied himself on his desk to keep his wits about him.

"Your son is in the infirmary tweaking the sight on his pistol." He said absently. Jim stopped short and lifted an eyebrow.

"You walked in on him masturbating?" He asked confused.

"No! What?" Brice asked as he looked at Jim. "No, an actual pistol. That one with the blue barrel that his customized."

"Oh!" Jim chuckled to himself. "I heard 'tweaking' and 'pistol' and my mind went…" He gestured like his thoughts actually took flight out of his head.

"Your mind goes to two places: Fucking and fighting. I'm rubbing off on you." Brice said to himself. He bit his bottom lip when he realized how that sounded. He jumped when Jim burst into laughter. He didn't think what he said would get such a reaction. And it had been so long since he heard Jim genuinely laugh that it surprised him. He turned his head and caught sight of Jim's beautiful smile. Afterwards he was ready to drop to his knees and promise anything if Jim would look at him with that smile on his face. But before Jim was done with his chuckle he turned back to his desk - he thought maybe he shouldn't jump the gun. Their entire relationship was a series of one of them going to fast at one point or another and not talking about their problems. Their child was barely a day conscious and there was still the matter of Bree.

"Oh my God… it's like we're made for each other." Jim sighed.

"Darling I've always known that." Brice was surprised again when Jim embraced him from behind.

"Always?" He asked as he splayed his hands on Brice's abdomen and rested his chin on his uninjured shoulder.

"Yes. Even when you drive me crazy by being… you." Brice said. "Even when you were trying to get back 'home' - fighting me at every turn I knew. I knew we were destined to be together. Not to this extent - I was totally expecting to be dead by now—

"God, don't say that." Jim said and reaffirmed his hold on Brice. "I couldn't stand this universe without you in it." He sighed.

"Really? Cause two days ago you were threatening to leave me and take our kids with you if I refused my little bastard in the brig."

"It would've broken my heart if I had to. I'm so glad you're giving her a chance. I promise you won't regret it." Jim said. Brice sighed.

"Yes, I have few regrets in life. One very large one is Bree's parentage. I might never be able to fix that."

"Accepting her is a step in the right direction." Jim said as he turned Brice around to face him. He ran his fingers through the hair at Brice's temples and took a long look up and down his face before looking him in the eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too—!" Brice barely got his reply out before Jim kissed him. It had been a while since they got the chance to be intimate. Brice had been consumed with training to defeat Sean and then afterwards he was guilt ridden over J.B.'s injury and his subsequent soul searching over what to do about Bree. Jim had been equally distracted, keeping the kids and the ship in order. It was only as Jim was unbuttoning his shirt that he thought to even ask where their children were.

"Whose watching Etta?" Brice asked once Jim pulled away.

"Celena." Jim answered quickly. Brice still saw them all as babies - the fact that his oldest was nearly seventeen and capable of watching his youngest made his head spin for a second. Thoughts of the children were wiped from his mind when Jim bit his neck. So hard he knew it would leave a mark. He chuckled when Jim sucked the area afterwards. It had been years since Jim had left a hickey on him. It seemed he was feeling particularly playful tonight. His spirits lifted by all the recently good news. He reached down and grabbed Brice's butt. He let out a little noise like he was impressed. Reluctantly Brice pulled away from him.

"Gimme five minutes." He said before he trotted to the bathroom. He stripped quickly and hopped in the shower. Over the spray of the water he could hear Jim moving about the cabin. He also heard him talking to someone before the door closed with a distinctive thud. Brice finished getting cleaned up and let his skin air dry as he brushed his teeth. He hadn't been this excited for sex in a long time. Sure being with Jim had never lost it's spark but there was something different tonight. There was nothing hanging over them or weighing on his mind. He just wanted to be with his husband. He spotted the hickey in the mirror and practically ran out to Jim. He found him in bed already. His erection tenting the sheets as they hung low around his hips. He just smiled easily at Brice and held out his hand to help him into bed. Jim guided him over until he was straddling his hips before he sat up.

"Ready now?" Jim asked as he retrieved the lube from under the pillow.

"God yes." Brice said. He leaned forward and kissed Jim as he eased his slick fingers inside.

"Have I told you… how much I love that tongue stud?" Jim asked. He smiled to himself when he nipped at Brice's bottom lip. He also gave his ass a firm smack and Brice just keened.

"Hm? Not recently." He purred and stuck out his tongue so Jim could see it. Jim closed his lips around his long appendage and made a lewd wet noise as he sucked it. "Ah!" He gasped when Jim slid inside him. Jim gripped his hip to keep him still and firmly in place. When Brice tried to ease up and slow down Jim just pushed him down until he was all the way inside. "Oh! God!" Jim could feel Brice shaking. His body twitched around him. Brice doubled over and caught himself - his arms wobbled under his weight as he panted over Jim. He leaned up and brushed their lips together. The gentle gesture a stark contrast to how hard he jammed his hips into Brice.

"Ohh God - how are you still so tight?" Jim growled. He grunted the last word are he thrust into Brice particularly hard. Brice open his mouth but barely any sound came out. Jim was right on his spot and it felt so good to have him. Jim spanked him again but smoothed his hand over Brice's stinging skin afterwards. "Nearly twenty years of taking me and you… still… squeeze so damn tight."

"Is… is that a complaint?" Brice hissed out. He could barely think enough to form words. He dug his nails into Jim's shoulders and tried to get control of his body but it was hard when everything in him screamed to give in and ride Jim until he couldn't scream anymore.

"No sir." Jim sighed. "I'm amazed."

"Th-that I stay so snug around that ridiculously fah— fat cock of yours— oh shit…" Brice stammered. Jim chuckled when he realized he was getting off on his own dirty talk. That the sheer mention of Jim's dick had him absently grinding himself against his husband. Jim eased his grip and let Brice work. Taking his time to lick up the side of his neck and pinch his nipples. Brice bit his bottom lip and shuddered. "Baby…" Jim pushed himself up and Brice shifted with him. Brice put his good arm around Jim's shoulders to keep his balance. Jim kissed him as he eased him onto his back. Now that he had a better angle he continued to thrust into Brice who just writhed beneath him.

Jim watched him intently and when Brice noticed he stared right back. Every now and then he tossed his head back to moan but then he'd turn his eyes back to Jim. When he pushed harder Brice raked his nails down his arm. Little sparks of pain mixing so beautifully with the pleasure. "Damn, I'm really close." He moaned.

"Me too… don't let up." Brice panted. He reached up and grabbed Jim's hair. He groaned when Brice pulled it little. "Come on."

"Yes!" Jim sped up. He knew he wouldn't last long especially when Brice came and called his name.

"Jim! Don't stop! Don't stop!" He screamed and arched. The injuries he got in his duel with Sean aching dully as he ejaculated all over his abdomen. "Ah!" Jim held him in place as he came deep inside Brice. His grip on his hair tightened and Jim rutted into him almost involuntarily.

"Mmm…" He purred before collapsed on Brice's chest. His grip on Jim's hair eased and he began to stroke it slowly. Jim caught himself dozing off and moved over to the side so Brice's wouldn't be trapped beneath him. He kissed his wrapped up shoulder as he gazed up at Brice. "You do so much to keep your promises to me."

"I'd do anything for you." Brice said. "Anytime. Always."

"I'm gonna hold you to that."

Epilogue

Brice enjoyed the sound of wood beneath his boots, the feel of the wind against his skin. It was odd to not adjust to the sway of the ship but if he closed his eyes it felt like he was still there. He smiled when he imagined he heard her let a groan from somewhere deep in the hull. After nearly two hundred years she still had settling to do. Those eerie sounds was how she spoke to him. After so long he knew the good ones from the bad. She survived just as he had - bullet holes, fires, canon blasts, water pipe bursts, carrying too much cargo and sometimes the opposite. There had been hard times when there was nothing to put in the storage cellar - living hand to mouth with his loyal crew. There had been great times - parties when there was surplus and getting to reward their loyalty.

Brice put his hands out in front of him and almost felt the helm handles in his palm. The old bullet wound in his shoulder limited his time behind the wheel but he got in some hours when ever he could so in moments like this he could remember what it was like to have the most indestructible pirate ship in the universe. When he opened his eyes he almost saw red sails and the crows nest. The sunsets on Satira were always beautiful but nothing compared to twilight in the Etherium. Watching massive stars revolve around planets - the peace and quiet when it was there. The noise and chaos was welcomed too.

"Feeling home sick?" Jim asked as he slowly walked down the dock to him. A distinctive limp in his right leg. Yet another battle wound that hindered his ability to surf for more than an hour.

"How can I - it's only a hundred feet that way." Brice said as he nodded to the home they built on the shore. He liked the way they designed the kitchen - open and plenty of space to move around. Opening out into the dinning room that was two steps up from the beach. The main living area was a massive room where Brice spent most of his time crafting whatever he felt like making that day. Baskets, jewelry, painting, watching porn on his net-tablet - being retired he had the time to do anything. Jim's garage was just out the side door. Their bedroom was an exact replica of their former cabin aboard the Atlas.

"This is just where we live, baby." Jim said. "If you miss the ship y'know Celena could be here in—"

"No. I'm fine." Brice assured him. He really was but Jim never believed him when he said it. Retirement wasn't nearly as boring as he thought it was. Mama Jahil had passed away ten years ago but her village still welcomed Brice and Jim with open arms and they were only a short walk away. Every now and then they'd go visit Wren and Zila on Hitar - eat at Smithy's restaurant or go see Thomas at his tech store. Cal and the twins had been killed in a fire fight shortly after Brice retired. Apparently someone tried Celena's status when she took over the Atlas and the battle had taken half Brice's old crew. Luckily Jake and Zelda inherited their father's loyalty and stepped up to fill the ranks.

Sarah's death had been particularly hard for Jim and the kids. Especially since she was barely seventy when she suddenly passed in her sleep. The coroner report revealed it was a heart attack. Jim took comfort in the fact that she more than likely felt no pain. He sent a letter to the Dopplers that Sarah had died and how - they never received a reply. And to this day Jim's only regret was not reconnecting with them - never getting a chance to make things right with Amelia after all these years. Instead of laying Sarah to rest on the rainy little planet where all former crew were interned he opted to have her cremated and kept her ashes in an urn on their mantle. Every now and then Brice would hear Jim talking to it. It was the catalyst for Jim's desire to relinquish the Atlas to Celena. And Brice couldn't deny his request when he found a new part of his body aching everyday. Piracy was for the young.

Brice was being truthful when he told Jim he never expected to reach this age. He'd be 65 in a few weeks. None of the other men in his family had made it past 40. "I miss the kids." He confessed. "Even Bree and that jackass she married."

"You don't like Evan?" Jim asked. "He's so nice to you."

"He calls me sir. I was a pioneer in the pirating world. I was a Captain for 30 years! I didn't kill all those people and steal all that shit to be called 'Sir'."

"You want your son-in-law to call you 'Captain'?" Jim asked. Brice shrugged. "Mm… then what will I call you when you're riding me?"

"Sir." Brice answered and Jim laughed. "I guess I miss the time more than anything. In my head Celena is still five - standing on the spokes of the wheel while I steer."

"I know. I keep expecting to turn around and feel Eli tugging on my pant leg - J.B.'s sticky little hand clutching mine."

"I've gained ten pounds from not chasing Etta around the deck." Brice chuckled. He couldn't help the tears it brought to his eyes. His baby was nearly twenty-five, with triple-d breasts and three confirmed kills - turns out Etta was a natural. The Atlas, the kids, his crew - they had been his whole world for so long it was hard to believe that part of his life was over. Jim wrapped his arms around him and gave him firm squeeze.

"You wear it well." Jim said. Brice chuckled and wiped his face. "They'll be here for your birthday soon. Messing up the house, telling us stories we wish they wouldn't, leaving their stolen stuff here - making us wonder why we ever missed them."

"Of course." He smiled as he turned to Jim. He notice the pensive look in Jim's eyes and cupped his cheek. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just thinking. Just wondering how I got here. How I got this amazing life with you." Jim answered.

"Great misfortune. A massive cosmic misfire." Brice said. "I was trapped on my own ship because of a mutiny and you got captured while trying to save some people. Our combined luck is nothing short of amazing."

"It is." Jim agreed.

"I… I haven't asked you… because I never wanted to know the answer but…" Brice stammered. He gathered his thoughts as he combed his fingers through the gray hair at Jim's temples. "I was always so sure you really wanted to stay with me that I never gave any thought to taking you home but do you regret not going back to that life?"

"Never." Jim answered. "You've given me more than you think. If I had gone back, if I somehow skirted a court martial I'd be enslaved to the fleet - stuck in my life no matter what. You've given me everything. The ability to chart my own course. A level of love and devotion I never thought possible. Freedom. True freedom - that's all I ever wanted." He ran his fingers through Brice's platinum hair and looked into his eyes. "I regret nothing."

"Good." Brice said before he leaned up and kissed him. "You are all I wanted." They looked up when the sun dipped below the horizon and the stars became more vibrant against the darkening sky. Brice shifted to make the wood creak and sighed as he rested his head on Jim's shoulder. Jim held Brice tight and listened to the sound of the waves as they gently lapped in beneath the dock.

"I know exactly how I got here… I wouldn't change a thing."

A/N: That it! That's The End of Atlas! Thanks so much for reading and faving through the years. I loved writing this story and reading all your great reviews.

Atlas
2010 - 2016