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After a long awaited month, James was finally home safe, and you couldn’t be more happier. Every time he went out to sea to deal with pirates you always worried. How could you not though? James was a talented man, yes. Of course he was! A Commodore of the Royal Navy. A man who climbed the ranks so easily like it was a ladder.
As the two of you sat at the table in your shared home. Yet you couldn’t help but notice how James seemed…well quite off. He barely ate dinner, and it was his favorite meal. One you had asked about prior to him leaving for the sea. Of course he was skeptical on why you’d ask for his favorite foods, but nevertheless he did answer the question. Much to your approval.
“James?”
Lifting his head he looked up, “Yes, love?”
“Are you not hungry? You haven’t touched much of your food, it’s your favorite, no?”
James smiled slightly, not lifting up like normal. “Yes, it’s my favorite. I just…quite frankly I do not feel hungry at the moment.” He admitted.
“Oh. I was hoping that you would’ve had an appetite.” You admitted, looking down at your own plate. “I made it myself.” You murmured under your breath.
James raised his eyebrows, immediately feeling guilty. “My dear, the food is delicious! Don’t get me wrong.” He sighed. “I’m unsure as to why I don’t feel an appetite as much as usual.”
“Is something on your mind?” You offered, setting the fork down.
“No, not really. Just usual business.” He allowed himself to relax, resting his elbow on the table while he let the palm of his hand rest on his chin. “I got paperwork I need to get done, but that’s normal.”
“Mmm…” You hummed softly, truly thinking would could be eating at James, or why he wasn’t eating dinner. “Are you sick?”
“I don’t feel like I am.”
“Well you’ve been at sea for a month, James. When did your appetite start to dim down?”
“Probably about a few hours before we arrived at Port Royal. I wouldn’t think I’m sea sick, I’ve been sailing my whole life.”
“No, it wouldn’t be sea sickness, it would be like actual sickness. Like coughing, runny nose, fatigue, nausea.” Raising every finger as you listed off some things.
“Well, let’s just pray that I am not getting sick. But, I truly do apologize for not eating dinner, as much as it surprised me you made it I feel guilty for not enjoying it.”
“Don’t worry about it, James. I’m just glad you took small bites if not anything.” A smile graced your lips, almost a teasing one. “But you promise it’s not my cooking.”
James couldn’t help but smile brighter, laughing softly. “I promise, I enjoy your cooking. You know that.”
“I do. I just like to tease you.” Standing up you offered your hand for him to take. “Shall we retire?”
“Yes.” James took your offered hand and allowed himself to be led upstairs and to the bedroom. Already having undressed from most of his uniform. Only wearing a white shirt and comfortable trousers. His wig had long been discarded the moment he returned home. As much as the wig tied it together he dreaded the damn thing. Especially when his hair was tied up into a loose bun. While he could shave, he’d prefer not too.
As he walked over to his side of the bed he laid down, a groan leaving his lips as he felt the bed dip from your weight as you settled in next to him. Shifting, his arms wrapped around you, keeping you close.
By the time the sun rose over the horizon, James quietly got out of the bed, not without giving you a kiss to your forehead. As he usually did whenever he had to get up early in the morning.
As he walked to the bathroom to get ready he quietly shut the door behind him and looked in the mirror, he looked exhausted— hell he felt exhausted. He slept well, or he thought he did but it seemed that it wasn’t enough. Standing in front of the mirror for a while he just completely zoned out. The moment he heard a knock he jumped.
“James?” Your voice spoke out. “Are you alright?”
He looked at himself then stepped to reach for the doorknob as he opened the door, seeing your worried face. “Yes, darling. I’m alright.” It was a lie. He didn’t feel like he was okay, but the last thing he wanted to do was worry you, especially after last night with him not having his usual appetite.
Your eyes furrowed, “Are you sure? You look very pale.” Lifting your hand you moved it to touch his forehead, feeling he was warm. A lot more than usual. “You’re very hot, James.”
He couldn’t help but smile, “I’m well aware of how attractive I am to you, my dear.” That earned him a playful smack to his arm as he laughed, slightly coughing as he held up his hands in a placating gesture. “Now, now, no need to get physical.” He teased playfully.
“I’m being serious, James. You’re honestly worrying me. First your lack of appetite, now you look pale and you coughed.” You listed, crossing your arms over your chest as your eyes scanned him. As if looking at him hard enough would have you find out what was wrong with him.
“My dear, I promise to you I am alright.” He spoke, rubbing your arm to reassure you. “Now, I must get ready, I have a lot of paperwork I’d like to get done immediately.”
You sighed, stepping closer and wrapping your arms around his waist. “Okay, but you’ll tell me if you aren’t feeling good?”
His arms wrapped around you in return, kissing your forehead softly. “Yes, I would. But I promise I am doing alright. Probably just jet lagged from being at sea for months. It is quite hard to sleep in peace when you’re navigating dangerous waters after all.”
Lifting your head to look at him you smiled slightly, “Then when you’re done would you accompany me to breakfast? I’d like to see you eat something.”
James smiled, though he knew damn well his appetite had still lacked. “Yes, I’ll eat something if it makes you happy.” He kissed your head one final time, watching you go back to bed. As he turned and closed the door behind him he felt nervous.
His anxiety started to eat at him. He doubted he was getting sick, why would he anyways? Nothing changed about his schedule. None of his men were sick, but his throat was itchy, his appetite gone. Sighing he forced himself to get dressed and cleaned up.
When he came into the dining room he saw you sitting down, eating breakfast. He smiled at you, giving another kiss to your forehead before he moved to sit down across from you.
“I should be home sometime in the evening.” James started, “So hopefully by then I will have some appetite for dinner.” He reached and grabbed some fruit, deciding if anything he’d eat something small.
“I hope you get an appetite, James. I get worried when you don’t eat.” Watching him eat fruit, you felt satisfied that he did eat something even if it was small, and honestly fruit was probably the best thing he could eat. It was healthy, and could help with lifting whatever vitamin he was lacking. “Just make sure you drink plenty of water while you work?”
“I know. I apologize that my appetite has been amiss. Hopefully soon it will return now that I am back on land.”
You simply nodded, “I hope you don’t go back out to sea so quickly. I would hate to see you leave suddenly again for another dreadful month. It gets boring without you home.”
James smiled, his eyes twinkling with mirth, “I have no doubt that my absence makes you truly miserable.” He reached for another strawberry, picking the leaves off with gentle fingers as he set it aside.
“It does.” Your eyes drifted down to watch his fingers move, “Besides, I’m sure your fingers have gotten rusty since you’ve been away.” As you held James’ gaze you couldn’t help but smirk.
“I can assure you, they haven’t.”
Your eyebrow raised, and being bold you decided to test the waters. “Well I’d be the judge of that, James.” His name from your lips made him shiver, and you noticed his fingers twitching as he brought the strawberry to his mouth to eat it.
“Besides, swordplay is much more in the control of the arm, meanwhile the skill in the fingers is drastically different.” You continued, “When was the last time your talented fingers had been at work?”
James took a deep breath, steadying his voice before he spoke. “Quite long ago, probably before I had left for sea. So, last month.”
“Mm, that seems to be enough time to be rusty, James.”
“Then I will happily show you that I’m not rusty as you claim.” He watched as you stood up, slowly walking over to him as he shifted back in his chair to allow you to sit down on his lap. His arm wrapped around your waist, kissing you softly. “But, I fear that will have to wait.”
“Aww, I was looking forward to it.”
“Don’t worry,” He reassured, his hand rubbing up and down your back. “When I come home I’ll be sure to get my hands dirty.” He grinned, leaning in and kissing you softly. “Now, as much as I’d love to have you sit in my lap all day. I must head to work.” As you gave him a pout he smiled, “I know you don’t want me to go. I promise to get the things I need to get done as soon as possible.” He kissed you again, gently moving as you stood up. He ate a couple pieces of more fruit before wiping his hands and mouth with a napkin.
“I’ll see you later tonight, alright?” Giving you one final kiss he waved as he turned to leave his home to head back to Fort Charles.
Upon arriving he spoke to some of his men before heading to his office and settling down to figure out what other threats have been lurking in the Caribbean. No doubt they’d be something. There was always something. An hour passed, James felt alright, just reading through documents. Yet, ever so slowly he started to feel really exhausted.
It wasn’t like him to be this exhausted, or feel nauseous for that matter. He paused, gently setting his quill down as he looked around, standing up from his desk he walked to where his garbage can was at and immediately started to get sick. The absolute vile and disgusting taste lingered in his throat as well as the burning pain, his eyes furrowed in agony as the tears built up and slowly fell down his cheeks. Damn this pain, and of course his partner would be right. He was getting sick.
But of course he had to be stubborn.
Situating himself he sat down on the floor next to the garbage can. His eyes scanned his office, he didn’t have any water, but he did notice the tissues as he slowly sat up and grabbed them. Wiping his mouth he rested his head against the wall, eyes filling with tears as his throat was burning so badly. He was so tired, he was sure he wouldn’t even make it out of his office and to find someone. He had to try at least? Maybe one of his lieutenants was somewhere nearby.
Slowly standing up, he opened the door. Keeping close to the wall as he dragged his body along as he heard some officers address him. He almost didn’t hear them until he felt a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.
“Commodore? Are you alright?”
James shook his head, not trusting his words. He looked at the officer, before he lifted his hand and pointed to the ring on his finger. Hoping his officer would get the hint.
It took them a bit, but soon they understood. “Your partner!? Yes of course, I’ll send word for them to come right away.”
All James could do was nod slowly, motioning back to his office as he walked back into it. He grabbed the garbage can with his already filled vile before he sat down in his chair and just waited. He slouched, eyes closed as he hugged the can close to his chest.
Not long after, maybe ten minutes of frantic footsteps were heard as the door opened. “James!!” Your voice called out in clear worry as your hands met his, looking into the garbage can you noticed the already vomit. “Oh dear, James.” Raising your hand to rest on his forehead, your suspicion was made clear, he was having a fever.
“Oh, sweetheart.” You looked at the officer, “Tell his lieutenants he will be on bed rest for a week, if anything transpires that would need his assistance, acquire Lieutenant Gillette to be the support in James’ absence.” You ordered, and the officer nodded before lending that information to Gillette.
Hearing your name get called you looked down, “I’m so tired.” He murmured, “I feel…horrible.”
“Oh I know, honey. We should get you home, can you walk?”
James looked down, before he held the bucket tighter. “I’ll need assistance.”
“Of course. Come on, you can take the bucket with you.” Helping him stand you rested your hand on his back while the other wrapped around his waist to guide him slowly out of his office then the fort.
As got sick again in the middle of town, you helped him get settled as you saw eyes on you both. Yet you didn’t care for that as you rubbed his back. “Just let it out, James.” You reassured him as you saw the tears fall down his cheeks.
“It burns…”
“Oh I know….” You rubbed his back, bending down to his level since he was slouched over the bucket as you wiped his mouth with a handkerchief. “We’re almost home, honey. Just one more street. Then you can rest and we can get you out of your beautiful uniform.” Seeing him smile faintly at that made you smile.
Gripping the bucket again he slowly stood and again with the help of you managed to walk. Thankfully he didn’t get sick again the rest of the way home. But the moment he sat down on the bed he slouched watching you walk around your shared bedroom to get things to help with his sickness. The moment he finally watched you walk up to him he lifted his head slightly upward allowing you to untangle his cravat and set it aside. It honestly felt quite nice now that it was removed.
As you cupped his face he leaned into the touch, his eyes closing as he felt so exhausted. “My love.” He murmured quietly. “I want to get undressed.”
“I know.” You slowly took off his hat, setting it aside before slowly removing his white powdered wig, following his coat as you set it next to him on the bed. Bending down on one knee in front of him you continued to take off his uniform. “Would you like some water, James?” The quiet hum allowed you to know he meant yes.
Setting everything aside once he was in the lightest parts of his uniform, your hands found the buttons of his shirt and slowly unbuttoned them all until he was finally nude. Helping him lay back down in the bed you ran your hand through his hair, “Are you comfortable?” Seeing him nod as he cuddled into the blankets his eyes focused on you. “I’ll get your water, James.” You reassured him, “And I’ll join you in bed. If you’d like that.”
“Very much, yes.”
You leaned down, kissing the crown of his forehead. “I love you.”
He smiled, “I love you too.”
Standing up from the bed you turned and went downstairs to get a cup of water. Perhaps in the morning you’d get some medicine to help cure or ease some of the pains he was most likely feeling. Returning back to the bedroom you quietly closed the door and walked on his side of the bed. Looking closely you noticed that he had indeed fallen asleep. Setting the cup on the bedside table you walked around the bed and got on your side slowly as you didn’t want to interrupt his peaceful sleeping. You were glad he was getting sleep as he needed it to help feel better. If even a small amount.
As you laid down, your fingers found his back and slowly traced over the scars that littered his back from all of the many battles he endured. Slowly as you traced over one he shivered, soon a tired yet audible giggle left his lips. You paused the tracing, smiling slightly as you watched him slowly turn on his side. His eyes opened to meet yours.
“Sorry.” You apologized as you giggled.
“It’s quite alright.” He lifted his arm, allowing you to scoot closer and rest his head on his pec. “It just tickles.”
“Oh I could tell. Although I do feel bad for waking you up.”
“It’s alright, my dear.” He reassured, his fingers playing with your hair. “I feel so exhausted though.” Allowing his eyes to close he ran his free hand over his face.
“I got your water, James. If you want some.” You offered, sitting up next to him.
“Yes, I’d love that.”
You grabbed it, offering it to him as you examined his body. While he still looked pale and still warm to the touch he seemed to be doing better. Although you knew he’d be on and off with feeling better and then feeling worse. Your hand moved up to push aside some of his hair, letting out a soft hum as he drank the water slowly. “Even when you’re most likely feeling physically bad you somehow can make yourself look very attractive.” As James' eyes flicked up to meet yours you smiled.
Lowering the cup to rest on his leg he raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t expect my charms to be withheld while I’m sick.” Turning he set the cup aside and then laid back in the bed. “In fact I feel absolutely more miserable than ever.”
Pushing away more of his hair you hummed. “Well you have the week off. Andrew will take care of things while you’re away. So you don’t have to wake up so early in the damn morning to leave.”
James smiled, “I’m afraid I would wake up because I’m so used to my schedule. But, I promise I won’t leave. I don’t think I have the energy to even get out of bed.” He shivered as he felt your hand on his chest. His own hand came up to wrap around your wrist while his thumb rubbed your skin. “Now…”
“I know. I’m not trying to turn you on. But please allow me to massage your body?” You pleaded, watching his expression turn to a wary one. “I promise it’s just to massage your body, James. I wouldn’t force you to have intercourse if you don’t want it. Especially in your condition.”
James hummed in reply, removing his hands from your wrists. “Very well then, go ahead.”
Your hands followed his shoulders, slowly making their way down before returning back up and deeper into his neck. The moans of pleasure that left his lips made you well aware you were doing a good job. His head rested back against the pillow as he allowed his body to slightly go limp as he felt the tensions in his body disappear the more you worked on it. “My dear…” The pet name slipped out like a moan as you moved to one of his shoulders.
Allowing a little smile to be on your lips you moved your hands slowly down his back. And the way his back arched upward made you laugh. “James? Is this turning you on?”
“Maybe. But can you blame me? I hadn’t had a massage in a good while. It’s been a month.”
“It has, yes. But I’m glad my hands are talented enough to make you feel better.”
He laughed at that, “In more ways than one.”
After a couple more minutes of having his shoulders massaged. He moved to lay on his chest so you could massage his back. The half hour that passed James felt like he was on cloud nine. “My muscles feel better.” He murmured into the pillow. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, James. You should try to get some more rest.” Your hand gently combed through his hair before dropping it as he slowly flipped over on his stomach. He looked at you, a clear conflicted look in his eye. “What’s wrong?”
“I just, I’d love to kiss you. But I know my breath probably smells horrendous from earlier. But, I just want to show you how much I appreciate all your effort to make me feel comfortable and relaxed while I’m going through this sickness. I know I didn’t tell you the truth, I was feeling the side effects.”
You listened to him, before soon cupping his cheek and kissing him softly on his other. “Oh James, don’t worry about it honey. I knew something was wrong but I wasn’t gonna push the issue, besides, you’re a stubborn man.”
He smiled, leaning his head against yours. “That I cannot deny.”
As you both retired and got comfortable in bed, James laid on his side and you snuggled up against him. It sadly didn’t take long, an hour at most, before he woke up and started getting sick again. It immediately jolted you awake as you rubbed his back, helping him get the bile out. “Oh James.” Your voice was hoarse and a tad deeper from just waking up. “You’re okay.” You reassured him.
“It’s painful. It burns.”
“I know. You’re gonna get worse before you get better.” Your hand continued to rub circles on his back, gently reassuring him that he’ll be okay. At his request for a napkin and cold rag you went to get them and helped wipe his mouth before soon using the cold rag to wipe away the sweat. “I think it would be good for you to sweat the way through this sickness, James.” The look he gave you made it clear he didn’t want to hear any potential advice. “James.” You murmured his name as you continued to wipe his face and then neck, sitting down next to him you sighed. “Anywhere else?”
He shook his head slowly, soon his eyes motioning to the water before returning to look back at you. Which, with understanding you grabbed the cup and helped him drink some as he looked just exhausted. Eventually, whenever James felt relieved that he wasn’t going to get sick anymore. He laid back in bed and curled up slightly. You laid next to him, gently massaging his scalp and playing with his hair to soothe him back into sleep.
The rest of the upcoming days was about the same. One day he’d feel absolutely miserable, the third he felt genuinely fine before returning back to that miserable state. Before he was slowly breaking out of the fever. Of course it started off small with what he did to show that he was getting better. One thing you noticed immediately was him getting out of bed more often, he had been laying in bed sleeping majority of the time but when he started to get out you knew he was getting better. The next thing was when you had found him outside on his balcony, sitting on the bench overlooking the horizon.
Ironically when you woke up not seeing him next to you in bed you’d have thought he left for work. But upon searching, you found him sitting and enjoying the fresh air. Which was a surprise even to you due to the air not feeling muggy like it usually was in the Caribbean heat.
Lastly the third thing, which was probably in all honesty the best thing. He was finally eating. Besides the soup you made which helped to soothe his throat. He started to eat more solids, fruit, bread, and meat. You watched when he did, nodding in approval that he was getting better.
The sixth day of him healing you found him in the kitchen, walking up behind him you wrapped your arms around his waist. “Someone has been feeling better?”
James chuckled, rubbing his hand up and down yours as he took it before turning to face you. “Yes, I have been feeling so much better. And you were right—I was going to get worse before I got better. But I appreciate all the help.”
“Of course, in sickness and in health. Right James?” Smiling and the intention of the words as his eyes widened and his face turned flush with red.
“Yes.” He stammered slightly, clearly out of nerves at realizing the meaning. A grunt left his lips as he felt you hug him tighter—in which he always returned.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better, James. I love you.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” He looked around before smiling as he got an idea. “Since I have one more day off, I’d like to relax on the couch.” As he watched your head lift up all he could do was smile.
“You do owe me something. I’m sure you remember you planned on showing me if you were rusty or not.” You grinned, soon teasing him before quickly walking away to the living room to get a fire going in the fireplace.