Christophe Mallery

“I am longing to be with you, and by the sea, where we can talk together freely and build our castles in the air.”

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Fighting Lessons | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe watched, with an amused winkle in his eye, as the teen before him experimentally jabbed the air with this blade. The blonde was quite proud of his choice in weapon. It was the perfect extension of Sebastian's fluid arm. With proper training, the first mate believed the new recruit could be a force to be reckoned with.

"First and foremost, you must learn how to stand." Christophe nodded to himself. "If your footing is off you'll be overpowered." The words rolled of his tongue. He had given basic fighting lessons to some of the other crew members, but it was really nothing more than how to hold a sword and not injure yourself. He was ecstatic to finally be indulging in proper swordsmanship. If all went well, he'd have a partner to spar with.

Stepping closer to Sebastian, he picked up his beloved saber, expertly wrapping his long fingers around the hilt. "We'll begin with the front on guard position." Christophe stood at the teen's side and demonstrated the stance. Right leg forward, slightly bent, left leg behind, knee relaxed. His dominant arm was straight and held the blade so the hilt was only a few inches above his hips. His other hand hovered closely beside his right one, poised to deflect any other attacks. "It's simple. Just put your weight on your back leg."

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Fighting Lessons | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe watched the teen pick up a blade. He could tell just by his stance that Sebastian was unsure of himself. “I haven’t the faintest idea how to go about this,” the brunette laughed nervously as he placed the sword back down.

"Most of the crew doesn't know how to pick a blade." The Frenchman reassured. He stepped closed to Sebastian, turning toward the mattress to get a better look at the weapons. "They take the first sword they see and throw it around. It's a wonder we didn't lose anyone in the last battle." He sighed deeply. "No one respects the art of swordsmanship."

He chewed the inside of his lip. Christophe would brush his fingers over a weapon, glance over at Sebastian, then decide on another. It was of utmost importance that the teen left the room with a sturdy blade and the knowledge of how to use it. The blonde had seen plenty of gory deaths, but seeing his companion wounded was enough to make him sick. He'd sometimes recall the sight of the teen holding his side, hot, thick crimson bubbling through his fingers. Christophe swore to himself that he would never allow the boy to be so severely injured again. 

After a minute or so, the Frenchman picked up a cutlass. He'd stolen it from a Navy ship a few years back. It was strong and its' blade was sharpened to a lethal edge. The bell guard was polished gold. "Try this." He said, handing the blade to Sebastian. His fingers brushed the boy's. He hand to snatch his hand back to keep from blushing.  

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Fighting Lessons | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe pulled open the door to reveal a familiar face framed by curling, chocolate locks.

"Sebastian!" He smiled brightly. He slipped an arm around the boy's shoulders and walked him in. Almost immediately, he wished to pull his hand back, but if he did, the teen might suspect something. Suspect that the Frenchman craved more contact. "I hope you're ready, lad. We've many things to go over."

Before their meeting, Christophe had had a few drinks. Not enough to send him over the edge. He just needed a slight buzz to keep his temper at bay. He'd struggled with his alcohol abuse for years. Since he first joined Andromeda's Curse.

He stopped beside the bed. "First things first, you need to pick a sword."

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Fighting Lessons | Christophe/Sebastian

Christophe had been busy preparing for the past few hours. His room had been scrubbed down multiple times since his sobriety incident, but he'd tidied it up extensively himself. The bottles were pushed back on their shelves and the loose coins were tucked away in drawers. Placed thoughtfully on his bed was his collection of swords.

Rapiers, smallswords, and cutlasses littered the mattress. His blade of choice was a saber. When he was still living in France, his parents had had a custom sword smithed for his thirteenth birthday. It's hilt was ornate and golden leafed, the blade long and sharp. Whenever Andromeda's Curse ported Christophe would make a point to have the saber sharpened and shined.

The first mate had arranged for Sebastian's fighting lesson to be tonight. He spoke with the quarter master and had the teen's look out shift be given to another crew member. 

A few weeks had passed since their conversation in the crow's nest. Christophe had made a point of talking to the boy whenever he had time. It was all part of his weak attempt to sort through his emotions. He'd finally come to the conclusion that he had in fact been attracted to the Englishman. Because of the alcohol.

Only because of the alcohol. 

It wasn't like he'd laid in in bed thinking of Sebastian's slender frame and warm hands. He surely didn't devote his few and far between dreams to fantasies of the two of them enveloped by passion. And he most certainly wasn't looking forward to spending some time alone with the teen.

Before his mind was allowed to wander, there was a knock. With a deep breath, nervous breath, Christophe walked over and opened the door.

[sebastianonthesea]

Night Watch | Christophe/ Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe pulled at the sleeves of his clothes. The air around him was especially cool tonight, and he wanted to shield himself more from the brisk wind.

"I'm sure you'll be fine." He smiled. "We all have to be novices at some point or another." 

The blonde slouched farther down the mast. He patted the soles of his shoes against the base of the guardrail and reached for his bottle of wine. His fingers brushed the chilled glass before quickly snatching them back. It was difficult for him not to give in to his desire to drink. After his first night with Sebastian, though, he was able to put off the habit until he was alone. Or at least away from the sinful temptation sitting beside him.

He turned slightly toward the brunette. "As first mate, it's my job to ensure the safety of my crew. If that means giving you private lessens, I'll be more than happy to."

[sebastianonthesea]

Night Watch | Christophe/ Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Though he chuckled when Sebastian pantomimed a sword fight, Christophe couldn't believe that the teen had never handled a weapon before. The Frenchman was practically born with a sword in his hand. He took lessons throughout his entire childhood and practiced his strikes everyday. Being good with a blade was essential to surviving on a pirate's ship, and Christophe was know as a savant.

"Never?" He gasped, genuinely intrigued. Pushing himself closer to the boy, he looked into his icy blue eyes to see if he was joking. Sebastian wasn't, to the blonde's horror. "That won't do. You can't call yourself a pirate without knowing your way about a sword."

Christophe was much more relaxed now. He was talking about something he knew more than his fair share of. He was passionate about the art of the dual, and he liked nothing more than having a good drink whilst sparing.

"Once your side has healed enough," the Frenchman continued, settling back down so he wasn't so close to his companion. "I shall teach you to fight."

[sebastianonthesea]

Night Watch | Christophe/ Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe chuckled, not so much because he found the comment funny but more as an attempt to lift the mood.

"It is lovely. I love the stars. They are like paintings in the sky." He rested the back of his skull against the mast, peering up at the celestial art above him. The Frenchman wanted to focus on anything but the teen beside him. They were so close he could feel the heat radiating off his warm body.

Something occurred to him suddenly. He turned to face Sebastian, blonde hair blowing gently in the wind. "That was your first battle, mon ami. How did you fair?" 

Swordplay was always one of Christophe's passions. He loved to learn and teach the ways of the blade. He saw it like a dance; a pouncing tiger and a fleeting swan. "Are you fast with your cutlass? Or do you prefer slower, more powerful blows?"

He could feel himself becoming excited. He wanted to hear how his new "friend" (He wasn't sure what his relationship with the teen was) worked with his blade.

[sebastianonthesea]

Night Watch | Christophe/ Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

"We all slip up from time to time." Christophe shrugged. He took a slow, careful sip of his drink, just enough to quench the thirst he'd built up from climbing. If the events that transpired between the two of them were truly caused by the alcohol, he wanted as little to do with the poison as he could. After much thought, though, he was beginning to question whether that reasoning really held up.

The sky was dark and littered with shimmering stars. The first mate hadn't been up in the crow's nest is quite some time, and he was just now remembering the beauty of it. He could see Sebastian out of the corner of his eye. He was stiff, avoiding looking at him. Christophe couldn't blame him. He knew about his own temper. He could just never seem to control the rage when he was sober.

"Drink?" He offered, though immediately thought it a bad idea. Why couldn't he do anything without liquor being involved? He hated himself for it, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop. Ashamed, he set the bottle between them incase the other boy actually trusted him enough to take a sip.  

[sebastianonthesea]

Night Watch | Christophe/ Sebastian

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

It had been a long, stressful day for the first mate aboard Andromeda's Curse. He had realized a flaw in the was was supposed to be the ship's route, and thus had to spend the entire day reworking it with the Captain. Finally, as the sun was setting, he was freed from the confines for his superior's room and he wanted nothing more than a few good drinks and a hot meal.

The mess hall was crowded and loud, as it usually was at this time of day. Normally, Christophe would have joined in on the rambunctious singing and wild tales, but today he craved calm, sparse company. He retrieved his meal and bottle of liquor from the chef and promptly left. The frenchman wanted to be out in the open and as far away from cramped spaces as he could get while still on a ship. The crow's nest seemed to be the perfect place.

By the time he'd reached the upper deck, he'd already polished off the last crumbs of his food and nearly half the bottle of port wine. His breath was sweet from the alcohol and his mind was pleasantly dull.

He saw the lookout posted in his spot far above the ship; the spot Christophe wanted to himself. He fully planned on relieving the man from his duties once he climbed up but after setting his plate and bottle on the deck and beginning his climb, he was suddenly able to pick out the face above him.

Sebastian.

The brunette who had haunted his dreams since his first day on board. The teen who had given him emotional whiplash from all the anger and lust he stirred. The Englishman who Christophe was starting to become accustomed to, and at the same time, would never be used to. And wouldn't fate have it that of all the crew members, Sebastian would be the one with the night watch.

It was too late now. Christophe was now completely up the latter, mind just foggy enough to allow him to plop down beside to boy instead of running away. The alcohol couldn't keep his skin from burning up where the male's skin touched his, though.

"How's your wound?" He asked, acting as if that was the sole reason he's scaled the mast. Hopefully, if he acted as confident as he thought he was, Sebastian wouldn't call his bluff. 

[sebastianonthesea]

Battle Wounds | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

"Look out it is, then." Christophe grinned, shy as it was. "I'll be sure the quarter master knows I want you in the crow's nest."

He couldn't justify spending more time with Sebastian, even though some part of him wanted to. Other men needed assistance and he had to meet with Captain Paine. "I suppose I'll see you later, then." He pursed his lips and nodded. "Au revoir." After a short way, the first mate turned on his heal and walked speedily away.

Yes, he definitely needed a drink.

[sebastianonthesea]

Battle Wounds | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

"That's good to hear." Christophe nodded awkwardly. He was disappointed to see Sebastian pull his shirt back on (A thought he immediately shoved into the darkest part of his mind), but that quickly dissipated when he saw the teen wince in pain.

Instinctively, he shot a hand forward, holding the other's arm to stop any further injury. He was also closer now. His chest nearly brushed his companion's. His face turned scarlet and he quickly backed away, though not as far as he had before. "Careful now. Just because it'll heal doesn't mean you should ignore it." 

Christophe coughed into his fist. He noticed Sebastian's blood on his hand and immediately wiped it on his trousers. "You'll do lighter work. No way around it. Maybe kitchen duty. Or a look out." 

[sebastianonthesea]

Battle Wounds | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

"In this line of work, you get used to it." Christophe murmured, wrapping the bandages around Sebastian's waist. The blonde's fingers had to trace the teen's skin to dress his wound properly. His wrists and palms brushed against the brunette's torso more than he would have liked.

Once he finished, he leaned forward and tore the bandage with his teeth, tucking in the end so it wouldn't move. His cheek brushed warm, smooth skin in the process, causing his head to swim in even more confusing thoughts. 

Christophe practically jumped away from his patient once he'd finished covering the injury. "There. Good as new. I'll be sure to tell the quarter master not to give you strenuous work for the next few weeks." He paused, not knowing what to say. He wanted to run off but his feet wouldn't budge. Instead, he stayed in his spot, looking into Sebastian's deep, blue eyes. There were so many things he wanted to say, things that were fighting to fall past his lips, but he managed to compose himself and simply ask, "How you holding up?"

[sebastianonthesea]

Battle Wounds | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe poured the last of the liquor onto Sebastian's wound. He lightly pulled at the skin surrounding the opening to ensure there was no dirt left inside. "More often than you'd think." He looked up at the teen's face. "I've got to keep the crew alive. That's my job."

Once satisfied that the cut was thoroughly cleaned, Christophe took the roll of bandages and began to pull at the fabric. "Hold this." He said, placing the end of the dress over the wound so he could wrap the wrest around the man's torso.

[sebastianonthesea]

Battle Wounds | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe took the bottle of liquor, turning his attention fully to Sebastian. The teen was now bare chested, and the Frenchman felt strangely inclined to stroke the exposed, pale skin. He bit the inside of his lip. He couldn't blame the boy for these thoughts. He was completely aware of his surroundings, of his actions, and he couldn't stop fantasizing about the Englishman. He'd need a few drinks later.

"No, it's not bad." He comforted. He stepped closer, running a finger around the clean edge of the cut. The self control it took to keep his thoughts medical was almost absurd. "I'm going to clean it now, alright? It will hurt, mon ami. Brace yourself."

Without any hesitation, Christophe began to pour the clear alcohol over the wound, watching as the thinning blood dripped to the wood planks below.

[sebastianonthesea]

Battle Wounds | Christophe/Sebastian

[sebastianonthesea]

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

"I suppose it does."

Christophe didn't flinch at the blood. He had tended to wounds much worse than this and he had long since lost any unsettling feelings toward injuries. The cut wasn't as deep as it looked. It wouldn't take too long to heal.

The frenchman, however, wasn't maying much attention to crimson gash. His eyes were focused on the pale skin around the slice. On the smooth, porcelain flesh that was smeared ruby. He had to suck in air through his teeth to keep from doing something he'd regret.

He wasn't sure why these thoughts kept occurring to him.

"We should disinfect that," Christophe whispered, now fully assessing the injury before him. "Then wrap it up." 

He called over another crew member to get him a bottle of liquor. "Anything strong." The blonde requested. He then turned back to Sebastian, sighed, then spoke again. "You'll need to take your shirt off."

[sebastianonthesea]

Battle Wounds | Christophe/Sebastian

Read More

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe smirked. He'd needed a good bloodbath to rid his sober body of its' violent urges. His body felt lighter than it had in months. He felt good.

Sword sheathed and hair tied back in a loose ribbon, the first mate began his duties in helping with the aftermath. Most of the men had begun to gather in the mess hall, so the Frenchman descended to the cavernous room. He was instantly greeted by a chorus of cheers. People clasped his shoulders and congratulated him on his swordsmanship. It was only after a battle that his men felt no fear in approaching the sober man. It was the only time his liquor free mind was devoid of rage.

He walked to where a group of injured men sat. Christophe looked over their wounds, bandaging them, consoling them. He was about to grab himself a pint of ale when he saw a lone boy leaning against the far wall.

Sebastian.

Christophe hadn't had much contact with the teen since their argument, but from across the room he could see a crimson stain seeping through his shirt. The Frenchman took a roll of dressings and approached the brunette.

His heart began to flutter and his stomach tightened. Dangerous thoughts began to flood his mind, but he pushed them away. He was sober. Those thoughts weren't allowed to entice him. He was just going to do his job, then leave. Nothing odd. Nothing heated.

His heart skipped a beat.

"You survived your first battled." Christophe's voice was soft, gentle, careful. "You're hurt, though. Let me help." He tired to separate his past with the boy from the current situation, but he couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of excitement from being in Sebastian's presence once again. 

[sebastianonthesea]

Shoving Off | Christophe/Sebastian

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

"A drunken mistake?" Christophe could feel every syllable on his tongue. He wanted to refuse the excuse. The first mate lived most of his life drunk, and he had never done anything like that before. But he didn’t want to think too hard about the previous night. He just needed an excuse. "Yes. Yes, that’s exactly what it was."

Christophe looked at the floor, pulling nervously at his shirt. “We were just drunk. Drunk and out of sorts.” He looked up at Sebastian. He nodded quickly as he ran his fingers through his hair. “Last night was just one big mistake.”

[sebastianonthesea]

Sebastian felt as if he could breathe again as he heard his weak excuse echoed back to him. He stood back to his full height and fixed his shirt nervously. “A mistake perhaps we should never acknowledge again?” Sebastian tested, unsure of where to go from there. He’d gone from fearing for his life to feeling such overwhelming relief he could sing but he knew now was not the time for such lightness.

[cocaptainchristophe-blog]

Christophe nodded curtly. "It never happened." He swallowed. Walking carefully over to the door, he opened it, gesturing for the boy to leave. "I suppose we should go back then."