Cormack Owle
67. The Captain and the Engineer: Shaken Foundation
After witnessing Aiden and Charlotte together on the street, Vincent went straight home. He locked himself in his flat with the lights off, sat on his bed, and immediately sank into a depression. When Damien came knocking fifteen minutes later Vincent simply rolled over on his side and pretended not to be home.
The entire next day was a repeat of the evening before. He spent his day sitting on his bed while staring at the wall. No books. No music. No herb. No tea. Nothing. He wasn't even hungry. And as the day shifted towards evening, his depression was layered on with a deep, growing brood. Even the weather seemed to reflect his mood with dark skies, heavy rain, and loud thunder that had intensified as the day dragged on.
Earlier in the day, there had been a knock at the door. He'd ignored it and thankfully whoever it was got the message and left shortly afterwards. He was not ready to face anyone yet.
The following day, Sunday, was meant to be a special and important one. With his uncle's long-awaited return there was going to be a huge family feast in celebration! Vincent had been looking forward to tonight very much! But even that felt ruined for him now. Yet, he felt obligated to attend. Besides, he'd not eaten in nearly two days. Perhaps the lure of Mrs. Faris' incredible cooking would encourage his hunger.
So, after dragging ass all morning, Vincent finally bathed and started getting himself ready for a celebratory evening with his family. He still did not feel ready to be in anyone's company. He was growing more and more uncertain about his decision to attend by the minute. Besides, what if Charlotte had invited Aiden? He didn't think he could handle that. BUT WHY?!
And then the memory came of the night when Aiden had walked Vincent home from the tavern. Aiden had smiled so sweetly just for him all because Vincent thought it was cute that he had dimples at the corner of his mouth. Then another memory came of Aiden as he grinned so hugely and cheered Leon's Claw on as the ship climbed the skies during their moonlit flight together. He liked it when Aiden was happy. That's how he should always be.
'So, you DO know how to laugh after all! Don't worry, Captain, I won't tell anyone.'
Aiden had said that after he'd made Vincent laugh for the first time in three years! And how many times since then? Aiden always managed to get him to smile and laugh so easily! Aiden made him feel safe to come out of his shell. He'd always been there for Vincent since the very beginning. Memories began to play back as he remembered all those wonderful times he'd shared together with Aiden.
The memories were still playing in his mind a minute later as Vincent sat on the edge of his bed and dragged over his boots. He was moving slowly and had a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he began to pull the first one on. He was just thinking about how Aiden looked so perfect as he stood there in the fading sunlight; how his hand extended out to Vincent and spoke such beautiful words that never failed to make his heart flutter with joy whenever he thought about it: "Fly with me, Vincent."
"Oh shit..."
Vincent's head snapped up with wide eyes. He dropped his boot to the floor with a loud thunk. He didn't even care he'd dropped it on his foot! All that he cared about...all he could think about...was Aiden.
A soft chuckle escaped him as a touch of giddiness bubbled up inside of him. He began to realize that maybe he HAD started growing feelings for Aiden after all. Was...was this really happening?! And as he sat there, it began to sink in that yes, this was really a thing! Yet, seconds later that giddy, elated feeling came crashing down around him as in its place a deep feeling of dread began to fill him. He began to rub his face anxiously.
"Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit."
How did this happen?! Hell, WHEN did this happen?! What was he supposed to do?! The last thing he fucking wanted was this! He'd gone and allowed himself to fall in love once before and look where that got him: a broken heart, an empty house, and years of crippling depression! He didn't want to risk falling in love again!
What if he wasn't able to work through these feelings after all? What if, after the ball, Aiden decided to stay here to be with Charlotte? Not only would he be losing someone he apparently had feelings for but that also meant he would lose his best engineer! And what if Damien found out? Something told him Damien wouldn't be so receptive to the idea of Aiden potentially becoming such an important figure in Vincent's life...
In the end, Vincent gathered up what little courage he had left and finished pulling on his boots and set off for the Dubois Manor. By now, he desperately did not want to go tonight, but he respected and loved his uncle too much to miss such an important occasion. And while Vincent was upset with the situation with his cousin, he did love Charlotte very much. Deep down, he wanted her to be happy. If Aiden chose her as his intended then what right did he have to come between their happiness?
Upon his arrival at his family's home, Vincent was relieved to discover that Aiden was not going to be making an appearance at tonight's gathering after all. With that weight off his shoulders, Vincent was able to put on a more genuine smile and welcome his uncle home in celebration. He tried his best to stay in the moment and enjoy this time with his family. He avoided spending too much time around Charlotte, though he'd managed to give her a hug and smile pleasantly upon greeting her as if nothing were bothering him.
Vincent stayed the night in his old bedroom. But instead of sleeping, he found himself staring up at the ceiling for hours upon hours. What was he going to do? How was he going to handle this? Unfortunately, the answers did not come to him.
After the Sun rose the following morning, Vincent, feeling grumpy from not getting any sleep, headed downstairs for a quick breakfast of leftovers from last night's dinner. Meanwhile the kitchen staff began to make breakfast for the rest of the family who were mostly not yet awake but would be soon.
An hour later, upon Vincent's departure he was walking the hallway towards the entrance hall while the rest of the family began to gather for breakfast. That's when he overheard his aunt coming down the adjacent hallway with the family butler, Mr. Faris.
"...will surely be very busy the next couple of days. Speaking of which, we will be having company this afternoon. Mr. Anderson will be coming back over to practice with Charlotte again. I am certain he will be staying for dinner."
"Very good, Ma'am."
"Mm, there is still so much to do before we- Oh, Vincent!"
Vincent didn't have a chance to duck and circle back before his aunt and Mr. Faris came around the corner. Aunt Jennifer smiled before she turned and said, "Thank you, Mr. Faris. That will be all for now." And once they were alone she turned to look up at her nephew and straightened his tie with a satisfied smile before smoothing it out for him.
"You know we're about to have breakfast, yes? Are you sure you don't want a bite to eat before you go?"
"No, thank you. I've already eaten."
"Hm. Your friend will be coming by this afternoon."
"So I've heard."
"Will you be joining him?"
"Not tonight, Auntie. I already have plans."
"Hm...Are you well? You know you can always talk to me, right?"
"Of course. But I'm fine. Everything's fine. I promise."
While he gazed back at her with what he thought was a convincing smile she gazed right back up at him with a look that showed that she, the woman who had raised him as her own son, knew he wasn't quite telling the whole truth. He was so sure she was going to call him out on his bullshit! But instead, she simply patted his chest in a motherly sort of way and nodded.
"Very well, then. I will see you on Wednesday. I love you."
"I love you, too. I'll see you then."
Vincent kissed her forehead then made his departure straight back to his flat. He had two days until the masquerade. Two days to get his shit together. Two days until Aiden and Charlotte would be going to the ball together...
Upon his arrival home Vincent was surprised to discover a piece of paper folded up and wedged into the crack in his door. He blinked and took the paper out before letting himself inside and opening the folded letter to see what was written inside:
Vincent,
I came by yesterday but we seem to keep missing each other! It feels like a month since I last saw you. I am eager to see you again. I hope you are well. Let me know when you want to meet before the ball.
Yours truly,
Aiden
Aiden had come to see him? Maybe he had been the mysterious knocker! This note wasn't here yesterday evening so he must have come back again while Vincent was out. They did seem to keep missing each other, didn't they? But perhaps that was for the best. But unable to help himself, Vincent smiled softly as he read over Aiden's scribbled note once again.
'It feels like a month since I last saw you. I am eager to see you again.'
Was Aiden missing him too? He needed to respond to this and let Aiden know he'd be over Wednesday to help him get ready for the masquerade. But until then he had a lot to think about...
---
NEXT PART: (Soon to come!)
To select another chapter (or even start from the beginning), here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (LGBTQ+) series. It is a slow burn and is rated YOUNG ADULT!***
Special thank you to my husband Vin for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
He also made the pose so EXTRA thank you....and for also noticing that I originally had Vincent putting on the wrong shoe. X'D
DISCORD SERVER: That's right! The Captain and the Engineer has a Discord Server! If you would like to join and chat with other crewmates and see what's new and happening before it gets posted to Flickr, click the link!
FACEBOOK PAGE: The Captain and the Engineer has a FACEBOOK PAGE! Please come Like, Follow, and join the crew! Thank you so much for all your support!
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558531406088
67. The Captain and the Engineer: Shaken Foundation
After witnessing Aiden and Charlotte together on the street, Vincent went straight home. He locked himself in his flat with the lights off, sat on his bed, and immediately sank into a depression. When Damien came knocking fifteen minutes later Vincent simply rolled over on his side and pretended not to be home.
The entire next day was a repeat of the evening before. He spent his day sitting on his bed while staring at the wall. No books. No music. No herb. No tea. Nothing. He wasn't even hungry. And as the day shifted towards evening, his depression was layered on with a deep, growing brood. Even the weather seemed to reflect his mood with dark skies, heavy rain, and loud thunder that had intensified as the day dragged on.
Earlier in the day, there had been a knock at the door. He'd ignored it and thankfully whoever it was got the message and left shortly afterwards. He was not ready to face anyone yet.
The following day, Sunday, was meant to be a special and important one. With his uncle's long-awaited return there was going to be a huge family feast in celebration! Vincent had been looking forward to tonight very much! But even that felt ruined for him now. Yet, he felt obligated to attend. Besides, he'd not eaten in nearly two days. Perhaps the lure of Mrs. Faris' incredible cooking would encourage his hunger.
So, after dragging ass all morning, Vincent finally bathed and started getting himself ready for a celebratory evening with his family. He still did not feel ready to be in anyone's company. He was growing more and more uncertain about his decision to attend by the minute. Besides, what if Charlotte had invited Aiden? He didn't think he could handle that. BUT WHY?!
And then the memory came of the night when Aiden had walked Vincent home from the tavern. Aiden had smiled so sweetly just for him all because Vincent thought it was cute that he had dimples at the corner of his mouth. Then another memory came of Aiden as he grinned so hugely and cheered Leon's Claw on as the ship climbed the skies during their moonlit flight together. He liked it when Aiden was happy. That's how he should always be.
'So, you DO know how to laugh after all! Don't worry, Captain, I won't tell anyone.'
Aiden had said that after he'd made Vincent laugh for the first time in three years! And how many times since then? Aiden always managed to get him to smile and laugh so easily! Aiden made him feel safe to come out of his shell. He'd always been there for Vincent since the very beginning. Memories began to play back as he remembered all those wonderful times he'd shared together with Aiden.
The memories were still playing in his mind a minute later as Vincent sat on the edge of his bed and dragged over his boots. He was moving slowly and had a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he began to pull the first one on. He was just thinking about how Aiden looked so perfect as he stood there in the fading sunlight; how his hand extended out to Vincent and spoke such beautiful words that never failed to make his heart flutter with joy whenever he thought about it: "Fly with me, Vincent."
"Oh shit..."
Vincent's head snapped up with wide eyes. He dropped his boot to the floor with a loud thunk. He didn't even care he'd dropped it on his foot! All that he cared about...all he could think about...was Aiden.
A soft chuckle escaped him as a touch of giddiness bubbled up inside of him. He began to realize that maybe he HAD started growing feelings for Aiden after all. Was...was this really happening?! And as he sat there, it began to sink in that yes, this was really a thing! Yet, seconds later that giddy, elated feeling came crashing down around him as in its place a deep feeling of dread began to fill him. He began to rub his face anxiously.
"Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit."
How did this happen?! Hell, WHEN did this happen?! What was he supposed to do?! The last thing he fucking wanted was this! He'd gone and allowed himself to fall in love once before and look where that got him: a broken heart, an empty house, and years of crippling depression! He didn't want to risk falling in love again!
What if he wasn't able to work through these feelings after all? What if, after the ball, Aiden decided to stay here to be with Charlotte? Not only would he be losing someone he apparently had feelings for but that also meant he would lose his best engineer! And what if Damien found out? Something told him Damien wouldn't be so receptive to the idea of Aiden potentially becoming such an important figure in Vincent's life...
In the end, Vincent gathered up what little courage he had left and finished pulling on his boots and set off for the Dubois Manor. By now, he desperately did not want to go tonight, but he respected and loved his uncle too much to miss such an important occasion. And while Vincent was upset with the situation with his cousin, he did love Charlotte very much. Deep down, he wanted her to be happy. If Aiden chose her as his intended then what right did he have to come between their happiness?
Upon his arrival at his family's home, Vincent was relieved to discover that Aiden was not going to be making an appearance at tonight's gathering after all. With that weight off his shoulders, Vincent was able to put on a more genuine smile and welcome his uncle home in celebration. He tried his best to stay in the moment and enjoy this time with his family. He avoided spending too much time around Charlotte, though he'd managed to give her a hug and smile pleasantly upon greeting her as if nothing were bothering him.
Vincent stayed the night in his old bedroom. But instead of sleeping, he found himself staring up at the ceiling for hours upon hours. What was he going to do? How was he going to handle this? Unfortunately, the answers did not come to him.
After the Sun rose the following morning, Vincent, feeling grumpy from not getting any sleep, headed downstairs for a quick breakfast of leftovers from last night's dinner. Meanwhile the kitchen staff began to make breakfast for the rest of the family who were mostly not yet awake but would be soon.
An hour later, upon Vincent's departure he was walking the hallway towards the entrance hall while the rest of the family began to gather for breakfast. That's when he overheard his aunt coming down the adjacent hallway with the family butler, Mr. Faris.
"...will surely be very busy the next couple of days. Speaking of which, we will be having company this afternoon. Mr. Anderson will be coming back over to practice with Charlotte again. I am certain he will be staying for dinner."
"Very good, Ma'am."
"Mm, there is still so much to do before we- Oh, Vincent!"
Vincent didn't have a chance to duck and circle back before his aunt and Mr. Faris came around the corner. Aunt Jennifer smiled before she turned and said, "Thank you, Mr. Faris. That will be all for now." And once they were alone she turned to look up at her nephew and straightened his tie with a satisfied smile before smoothing it out for him.
"You know we're about to have breakfast, yes? Are you sure you don't want a bite to eat before you go?"
"No, thank you. I've already eaten."
"Hm. Your friend will be coming by this afternoon."
"So I've heard."
"Will you be joining him?"
"Not tonight, Auntie. I already have plans."
"Hm...Are you well? You know you can always talk to me, right?"
"Of course. But I'm fine. Everything's fine. I promise."
While he gazed back at her with what he thought was a convincing smile she gazed right back up at him with a look that showed that she, the woman who had raised him as her own son, knew he wasn't quite telling the whole truth. He was so sure she was going to call him out on his bullshit! But instead, she simply patted his chest in a motherly sort of way and nodded.
"Very well, then. I will see you on Wednesday. I love you."
"I love you, too. I'll see you then."
Vincent kissed her forehead then made his departure straight back to his flat. He had two days until the masquerade. Two days to get his shit together. Two days until Aiden and Charlotte would be going to the ball together...
Upon his arrival home Vincent was surprised to discover a piece of paper folded up and wedged into the crack in his door. He blinked and took the paper out before letting himself inside and opening the folded letter to see what was written inside:
Vincent,
I came by yesterday but we seem to keep missing each other! It feels like a month since I last saw you. I am eager to see you again. I hope you are well. Let me know when you want to meet before the ball.
Yours truly,
Aiden
Aiden had come to see him? Maybe he had been the mysterious knocker! This note wasn't here yesterday evening so he must have come back again while Vincent was out. They did seem to keep missing each other, didn't they? But perhaps that was for the best. But unable to help himself, Vincent smiled softly as he read over Aiden's scribbled note once again.
'It feels like a month since I last saw you. I am eager to see you again.'
Was Aiden missing him too? He needed to respond to this and let Aiden know he'd be over Wednesday to help him get ready for the masquerade. But until then he had a lot to think about...
---
NEXT PART: (Soon to come!)
To select another chapter (or even start from the beginning), here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (LGBTQ+) series. It is a slow burn and is rated YOUNG ADULT!***
Special thank you to my husband Vin for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain!
He also made the pose so EXTRA thank you....and for also noticing that I originally had Vincent putting on the wrong shoe. X'D
DISCORD SERVER: That's right! The Captain and the Engineer has a Discord Server! If you would like to join and chat with other crewmates and see what's new and happening before it gets posted to Flickr, click the link!
FACEBOOK PAGE: The Captain and the Engineer has a FACEBOOK PAGE! Please come Like, Follow, and join the crew! Thank you so much for all your support!
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558531406088