Fic: Oceans, part 19
May. 26th, 2010 08:10 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
hazeltea.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
indeedsir_backupPairing: Bertie/Jeeves
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not profit from the lovely works of Wodehouse.
part 18: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/826139.html#cutid1
part 17: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/813370.html#cutid1
part 16 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/804475.html#cutid1
part 15 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/750867.html#cutid1
part 14 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/743385.html#cutid1
part 13 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/741218.html#cutid1
part 12 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/727612.html#cutid1
part 11 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/723716.html#cutid1
part 10 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/722065.html#cutid1
part 9 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/715646.html#cutid1
part 8 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/709635.html#cutid1
part 7 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/707880.html#cutid1
part 6 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/704354.html#cutid1
part 5 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/701596.html#cutid1
part 4 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/695505.html#cutid1
part 3 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/693063.html#cutid1
part 2 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/689461.html#cutid1
part 1 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/687730.html#cutid1
There was barely a glint of cool, blue dawn through the cottage windows when I awoke, early even for my own routine. Mr. Wooster huddled beside me, wrapped snugly in the soft, faded quilt covering the old iron bed which we shared. I took a moment to enjoy the serene moment, wrapping my arms around him and listening to the unfamiliar, wild sounds of a dozen types of birds calling mingled with the scuffling of small wildlife. We would never be so bold in England as to share a bed so near the ground and an open window, no matter how desolate the grounds were. It was an odd, soothing feeling which I wished to commit to my memory.
At last, I carefully eased out of bed, and dressed in only my shirtsleeves and trousers. Mr. Wooster had insisted that I not bring my uniform, and not serve him as I might at home. It was, after all, my annual holiday. Even so, I felt naked as I arranged the breakfast tray in such attire. I might not serve him as I do at home, but I found that I could not bear the thought of Mr. Wooster not having his morning tea, at the very least, while I was with him.
He would not be awake for several hours, so I gathered my tackle and padded onto the small wooden dock outside the kitchen door. The lake was gloriously clear and cool, and so large that not another cottage was in sight. Far in the distance, I could see another dock, with a small boat tethered to it, but that was all. Scarcely a mile away, a sizable village thrived, yet one would never suspect that from such serene surroundings. It was as unlike London as could be, and I hummed to myself as I cast out the first line into the water. Within minutes, there was a persistent tug on the line, and I reeled in a sizable trench. Its olive green scales were almost black in the faint dawn, its flesh, firm and slick. Into the bucket he went, a fine luncheon he would make broiled over the hearth.
A creak on the dock behind me made me startle. Mr. Wooster leaned against the frame of the kitchen door, a wistful grin playing across his face. Had I lost track of the time? No, it was still early, too early for him to be awake. Worried, I rose.
“No, no, Jeeves.” He hastened to say, waving his hand to indicate that I not be disturbed.
“Carry on, old thing, don’t mind me. “ His smile widened, and a fond look lingered in his eyes.
“Sir, your tea…” I was halfway through the door before he stopped me with a hand on my chest.
“It can wait, and you can take your meal with me when you’re done.” He assured me. His gaze roved over me once more, and shifted to the bucket. “Jeeves, have you taken a pet?” He paced towards the end of the dock and peered down at the trench.
“I regret not, sir. That is to be our luncheon today.” I suddenly worried that he would not take that news well.
“Ah, yes, I see.” He replied. “Why is it swimming about, then?”
“One does not kill and clean the fish until it is time to prepare it, sir. It preserves the freshness and quality of the flesh.”
“How does one kill it, Jeeves? I imagined it would be quite dead once it was caught, out of the water, as it were.” He touched the surface of the water, and the fish jumped, causing a small puddle to form around the base of the pail.
“It is done quite mercifully, sir, with a sudden blow to the head.” I assured him.
He stood up straight, and stretched his back. “Well, you certainly know everything there is to know about it, Jeeves. I must say, I’ll stay inside when you do it, though. Poor chap looks a bit too much like Oofy Prosser for me to watch with a clean conscience.”
“Very good, sir.” I replied, betraying just a shade of amusement. He was silent for a few moments, and I was aware that his eyes were on me intently.
“I quite fancy you like this, you know.” He said, sitting beside me on the edge of the planks. “Your uniform is quite the thing most of the time, of course, but to see you like this is a treat." His fingers caressed my skin where I had rolled up my shirtsleeves, and he deftly undid three buttons at my collar. “I’ve a strong, handsome man, catching my dinner and providing for me.”
His eyes were soft and smoldering as he regarded me. Never before had it occurred to me that he might romanticize my humble origins as I did his nobility. I let him nuzzle the skin exposed at my throat. How odd, to feel his mouth on me in full sunlight!
“I say.” He leaned back to meet my eyes. “Fancy a dip before breakfast, old thing?”
“Sir?” Already, he had shed his robe, and was experimentally dipping his toe in the water.
“It’s warm enough, and the water seems clear and clean as a glacier.”
I frowned. “I must apologize, sir, but I had not thought to pack our bathing attire.”
“Pah! That is, to say, pshaw, and all that rot.” He exclaimed. I watched in a sort of fascinated horror as he shed the remainder of his silken pajamas . “You mustn’t be shy with me, Jeeves.” And with that, he dove in. A momentary panic overtook me in the split second before he surfaced again. Anxiety overcame me, I could not let him swim alone, not after all we’d been through. Barely thinking, I shed my own clothing and dove in after him. The water wasn’t very deep near the edge, If I stood on my toes I could just feel the smooth rock at my feet. Several yards out, the bottom vanished, leaving a wide expanse of crystalline, calm water.
It took me a moment to realize that I was enjoying myself. Mr. Wooster laughed, as he treaded water beside me. In my worries, I had forgotten that he was a strong swimmer, having rowed for Oxford and spent many irrepressible summer days at the Drones Club swimming pool. Of course he was, I scolded myself. It was the only way he could have survived what had happened.
“Sir, there is a chance we might be seen.” I warned him.
“I doubt it, unless you’re worried about the fish.” He replied. “Even if someone does come along, we aren’t likely to know them all the way out here. Besides, we’re in France, Jeeves, no one will throw us in chokey for a swim.”
I relented. The play of the sunlight on the water, the feeling of floating in the cool lake, and the simple companionship was far too agreeable to argue with. Mr. Wooster admired the speed and grace with which I dove to retrieve a hunk of quartz which he had admired through the water. He demonstrated ridiculous twirls and flips which he insisted were of the sort that the water ballet practiced in New York. We swam together to a large tree some way off, and then back again, savoring the warm sun above us and the cool current beneath.
At last, I helped him back onto the shore, where we basked in the sun, staring up at the sky. It was a bit too cool to remain, and so I suggested a warm bath before our tea. As I filled the ancient iron tub with water from the pump and heater, I wondered just how I had ever done without him on my holidays.
The warm water coursed over my pruned fingertips. He had done it, this wonderful man. He had given the water back to me, without fear. I waited for Mr. Wooster to be settled before climbing in beside him. His arms closed around me, and I closed my eyes, the feel of his skin against me and the warmth surrounding us, perfect bliss.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not profit from the lovely works of Wodehouse.
part 18: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/826139.html#cutid1
part 17: http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/813370.html#cutid1
part 16 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/804475.html#cutid1
part 15 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/750867.html#cutid1
part 14 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/743385.html#cutid1
part 13 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/741218.html#cutid1
part 12 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/727612.html#cutid1
part 11 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/723716.html#cutid1
part 10 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/722065.html#cutid1
part 9 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/715646.html#cutid1
part 8 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/709635.html#cutid1
part 7 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/707880.html#cutid1
part 6 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/704354.html#cutid1
part 5 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/701596.html#cutid1
part 4 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/695505.html#cutid1
part 3 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/693063.html#cutid1
part 2 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/689461.html#cutid1
part 1 http://community.livejournal.com/indeedsir/687730.html#cutid1
There was barely a glint of cool, blue dawn through the cottage windows when I awoke, early even for my own routine. Mr. Wooster huddled beside me, wrapped snugly in the soft, faded quilt covering the old iron bed which we shared. I took a moment to enjoy the serene moment, wrapping my arms around him and listening to the unfamiliar, wild sounds of a dozen types of birds calling mingled with the scuffling of small wildlife. We would never be so bold in England as to share a bed so near the ground and an open window, no matter how desolate the grounds were. It was an odd, soothing feeling which I wished to commit to my memory.
At last, I carefully eased out of bed, and dressed in only my shirtsleeves and trousers. Mr. Wooster had insisted that I not bring my uniform, and not serve him as I might at home. It was, after all, my annual holiday. Even so, I felt naked as I arranged the breakfast tray in such attire. I might not serve him as I do at home, but I found that I could not bear the thought of Mr. Wooster not having his morning tea, at the very least, while I was with him.
He would not be awake for several hours, so I gathered my tackle and padded onto the small wooden dock outside the kitchen door. The lake was gloriously clear and cool, and so large that not another cottage was in sight. Far in the distance, I could see another dock, with a small boat tethered to it, but that was all. Scarcely a mile away, a sizable village thrived, yet one would never suspect that from such serene surroundings. It was as unlike London as could be, and I hummed to myself as I cast out the first line into the water. Within minutes, there was a persistent tug on the line, and I reeled in a sizable trench. Its olive green scales were almost black in the faint dawn, its flesh, firm and slick. Into the bucket he went, a fine luncheon he would make broiled over the hearth.
A creak on the dock behind me made me startle. Mr. Wooster leaned against the frame of the kitchen door, a wistful grin playing across his face. Had I lost track of the time? No, it was still early, too early for him to be awake. Worried, I rose.
“No, no, Jeeves.” He hastened to say, waving his hand to indicate that I not be disturbed.
“Carry on, old thing, don’t mind me. “ His smile widened, and a fond look lingered in his eyes.
“Sir, your tea…” I was halfway through the door before he stopped me with a hand on my chest.
“It can wait, and you can take your meal with me when you’re done.” He assured me. His gaze roved over me once more, and shifted to the bucket. “Jeeves, have you taken a pet?” He paced towards the end of the dock and peered down at the trench.
“I regret not, sir. That is to be our luncheon today.” I suddenly worried that he would not take that news well.
“Ah, yes, I see.” He replied. “Why is it swimming about, then?”
“One does not kill and clean the fish until it is time to prepare it, sir. It preserves the freshness and quality of the flesh.”
“How does one kill it, Jeeves? I imagined it would be quite dead once it was caught, out of the water, as it were.” He touched the surface of the water, and the fish jumped, causing a small puddle to form around the base of the pail.
“It is done quite mercifully, sir, with a sudden blow to the head.” I assured him.
He stood up straight, and stretched his back. “Well, you certainly know everything there is to know about it, Jeeves. I must say, I’ll stay inside when you do it, though. Poor chap looks a bit too much like Oofy Prosser for me to watch with a clean conscience.”
“Very good, sir.” I replied, betraying just a shade of amusement. He was silent for a few moments, and I was aware that his eyes were on me intently.
“I quite fancy you like this, you know.” He said, sitting beside me on the edge of the planks. “Your uniform is quite the thing most of the time, of course, but to see you like this is a treat." His fingers caressed my skin where I had rolled up my shirtsleeves, and he deftly undid three buttons at my collar. “I’ve a strong, handsome man, catching my dinner and providing for me.”
His eyes were soft and smoldering as he regarded me. Never before had it occurred to me that he might romanticize my humble origins as I did his nobility. I let him nuzzle the skin exposed at my throat. How odd, to feel his mouth on me in full sunlight!
“I say.” He leaned back to meet my eyes. “Fancy a dip before breakfast, old thing?”
“Sir?” Already, he had shed his robe, and was experimentally dipping his toe in the water.
“It’s warm enough, and the water seems clear and clean as a glacier.”
I frowned. “I must apologize, sir, but I had not thought to pack our bathing attire.”
“Pah! That is, to say, pshaw, and all that rot.” He exclaimed. I watched in a sort of fascinated horror as he shed the remainder of his silken pajamas . “You mustn’t be shy with me, Jeeves.” And with that, he dove in. A momentary panic overtook me in the split second before he surfaced again. Anxiety overcame me, I could not let him swim alone, not after all we’d been through. Barely thinking, I shed my own clothing and dove in after him. The water wasn’t very deep near the edge, If I stood on my toes I could just feel the smooth rock at my feet. Several yards out, the bottom vanished, leaving a wide expanse of crystalline, calm water.
It took me a moment to realize that I was enjoying myself. Mr. Wooster laughed, as he treaded water beside me. In my worries, I had forgotten that he was a strong swimmer, having rowed for Oxford and spent many irrepressible summer days at the Drones Club swimming pool. Of course he was, I scolded myself. It was the only way he could have survived what had happened.
“Sir, there is a chance we might be seen.” I warned him.
“I doubt it, unless you’re worried about the fish.” He replied. “Even if someone does come along, we aren’t likely to know them all the way out here. Besides, we’re in France, Jeeves, no one will throw us in chokey for a swim.”
I relented. The play of the sunlight on the water, the feeling of floating in the cool lake, and the simple companionship was far too agreeable to argue with. Mr. Wooster admired the speed and grace with which I dove to retrieve a hunk of quartz which he had admired through the water. He demonstrated ridiculous twirls and flips which he insisted were of the sort that the water ballet practiced in New York. We swam together to a large tree some way off, and then back again, savoring the warm sun above us and the cool current beneath.
At last, I helped him back onto the shore, where we basked in the sun, staring up at the sky. It was a bit too cool to remain, and so I suggested a warm bath before our tea. As I filled the ancient iron tub with water from the pump and heater, I wondered just how I had ever done without him on my holidays.
The warm water coursed over my pruned fingertips. He had done it, this wonderful man. He had given the water back to me, without fear. I waited for Mr. Wooster to be settled before climbing in beside him. His arms closed around me, and I closed my eyes, the feel of his skin against me and the warmth surrounding us, perfect bliss.
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no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 03:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 04:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 04:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 03:18 am (UTC)Can I have some domestice/fishing Jeeves too please? This icon's hot but it's only pixels. :( Lolol
no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 04:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 04:22 am (UTC)Anyway, I guess I can share with you since you're so cool. XD
no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 05:33 am (UTC)This story always makes me feel warm and happy inside.
no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 06:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 09:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 06:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 01:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 06:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 06:41 pm (UTC)Beautiful story, wonderful chapter.
no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 06:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-27 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 02:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 07:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 08:47 am (UTC)I wish I had a Jeeves to catch my dinner.
no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 07:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-31 02:27 pm (UTC)<3
<3 <3
<3
<3 <3
<3
<3 <3 <3
<3