Fic: Sparkling Stars IV: Storm (1/1)
Title: Sparkling Stars XIV: Storm (1/1)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Quinton McHale, Lester Gruber, Christy/Virgil, Willy Moss, Fuji Kobiaji, Joseph 'Happy' Haines, Chuck Parker, Harrison 'Tinker' Bell
Fandom: McHale's Navy
Genres: AU, Historical, Hurt/Comfort
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Thunderstorms make Virgil extremely nervous.
Date Of Completion: November 27, 2022
Date Of Posting: May 23, 2023
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 1621
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
The entire series can be found here.
The human heart,
Fierce and wild
With intervals
Of meek 'n' mild.
Storms can cleanse
Bright and new,
With loving light
Like me and you.
Allard DuKane
"The Stormy Heart"
1942 C.E.
Storms in the tropics could be a wild show. The lightning was always brighter and more jagged, the thunder louder, the rain heavier and more fierce.
Quinton McHale had lived through many such storms. When he noticed the clouds gathering on the horizon, he warned his men, "We're in for a nasty one, fellas."
They were out on patrol and Gruber quipped, "Shall we batten down the hatches, Skip?"
"You can batten down what you like, but once the storm hits, it'll be blown away." McHale calculated how long they had before the storm hit. "Head fir the barn, Christy. As Gruber said, we need to batten down the hatches back at camp."
"Aye, aye, Skipper."
Christy hoped they would beat the storm. Their little PT boat could be tossed around and even capsize if the waves got violent enough. He felt uneasy at the thought.
He glanced quickly over his shoulder at Virgil. His lover was nervous about thunderstorms. How much of that was the natural anxiety factor of an FH carrier and how much was just part of his personality? It could be both. Whatever the case, Virgil was going to be skittish.
The PT-73 managed to dock safely back at the Island and the crew moored her firmly to the dock. McHale urged his men to hurry and secure items against the approaching storm.
"Bring in all the tables and chairs, otherwise kiss 'em goodbye," said McHale. "Tie down all the blinds, cover the doorways and stay away from the windows."
"Right, Skip!" said Willy as he ran to the communications shack.
Fuji had seen the signs of the approaching storm and had secured the cook shack. He helped with preparations for the other huts as the wind picked up and thunder rumbled in the distance, ominous in its portent.
"Wow, looks beautiful out there," said Happy as he came in the rec hut.
"You gettin' a show?" asked Gruber.
"Yeah, come on and see!"
"As soon as we finish battening down the hatches."
Happy grinned. He helped and then the crew trekked outside except for Virgil. Christy paused in the doorway of the recreation hut.
"Hey, Virg, you coming?"
"I .."
Christy held out his hand. "Come on."
Virgil took his hand and let himself be led down to the dock. Christy could feel a slight trembling in his friend's hand.
Lightning arced across the horizon, followed seconds later by thunder. The wind threatened to blow off their sailor caps as the waves by the dock grew more tempestuous.
McHale double-checked the mooring lines. All he needed was for the 73 to break loose from her moorings and be blown hither and yon.
"Enjoy the show, fellas! It's nice to watch while it's that far away. When it hits, it won't be as pretty."
Christy squeezed Virgil's hand as they stood in back, and Virgil made the effort to appreciate Nature's show.
Christy had to admit the storm was impressive. He had never seen such savage lightning. Every crack tingled down to his toes. The lightning blazed across the sky, angry yet beautiful. He glanced at Virgil and saw his lover watching, a little wary but not as jumpy. Christy returned his attention to the spectacle.
Eventually McHale said, "Let's go eat while we still have electricity."
Supper was light and after clean-up, they gathered in the recreation hut. McHale estimated that the storm was fifteen minutes away. Everyone gathered around the table and played poker. Willy turned the radio on but after ten minutes of increasing static, he shut it off.
If they had windowpanes, they would have been rattling. The wind bowed in the blankets that covered the doorways. Whenever lightning flashed, Virgil flinched but no one but Christy noticed. The poker game was serving as a distraction for everyone.
Everyone jumped as a loud crack of thunder sounded extremely close. Chuck lost his cards while Tinker nearly fell out of his chair.
"Wow!" Happy yelped.
"That scared me out of two years growth," Tinker joked.
The lights flickered on and off. "We might as well turn in. We're gonna lose the lights," McHale said.
"Might as well. I'm losing," said Gruber.
The men laughed and picked up the ponchos they had brought in.
"We're still gonna get soaked," Tinker grumbled.
"Race ya!" Willy said as he raced out the door. "Last one has to secure the blanket on our quarters' door!"
The men whooped and took Willy up on the challenge. Shaking his head fondly, McHale put on his poncho and secured the rec hut door
& & & & & &
The men stripped down to their boxer shorts and climbed into their bunks. Christy climbed up onto the top bunk with Virgil tumbling into the lower. He checked his stash of slave ribbons he was keeping under his pillow tonight. Leaning over the edge of his bunk, he said to Virgil, "Good night."
"Good night."
Christy settled into bed, pulling up the sheets despite the tropical heat. The thunder and lightning was going to make it difficult to fall asleep, but he was going to try. Sack time was treasured by every enlisted man.
& & & & & &
Christy awoke, wondering how long he had slept. The storm was still raging so it couldn't be a long stretch of time. He jumped slightly as a brilliant flash of lightning lit up the room. He heard a sound from the bunk below him.
He slid the ribbons out from under the pillow and climbed down the ladder. "Scoot over," he said to Virgil after putting a blanket over the bunk. Christy spooned behind him. Virgil was shaking and Christy grasped his icy hands. Virgil flinched at another lightning strike.
"S...sorry."
"It's okay, sweetheart."
"B...but..."
Christy gently caressed his companion's bare shoulder. "The men won't think less of you for being afraid." He kissed behind Virgil's ear. "Everybody has their quirks. Yours is thunderstorms."
"Lightning, mostly."
Christy reached around and rubbed Virgil's cold hands. His friend was still shaking and another flash of lightning drew whimpers from him.
Christy reached back to the ladder and took a slave ribbon from one of the rungs. Slave ribbons were made from soft material so the slave didn't suffer rope burns. This particular ribbon was wider than most. Its dark-blue color was just what Christy wanted.
He kissed Virgil's shoulder. "I'm going to bind your eyes."
Despite his trembling Virgil stilled.
"Hey, don't worry. I think the blindfold will help. Are you okay with this?"
Virgil was silent, his breathing agitated. Covering his eyes always made him feel nervous, but these were special circumstances. He took a deep breath.
"Yes "
Christy very slowly placed the ribbon around Virgil's eyes and tied the knot firmly enough so that the blindfold would stay in place. Lightning flashed.
"Better?"
"Y...yes."
"Good " Christy nuzzled Virgil's ear. "I'm right here. Try and get some sleep."
Virgil shyly reached for his lover's hand and brought it around to his stomach. Christy slid his other hand around and locked them over his companion's navel
Virgil's shaking was less now and Christy relaxed as well even as the storm continued. Taking care of Virgil was always a pleasant task. He nuzzled Virgil's ear and Virgil sighed happily.
& & & & & &
By dawn the storm had passed. When Christy awoke he was greeted by bright rays of sunshine pouring through the slats of the blinds in the window.
Everybody was still in their bunks, trying to catch up on sleep that they had understandably missed last night.
Virgil's even breathing indicated that he was still asleep. Christy could smell the scent of Ivory soap Virgil frequently used when showering.
Christy was happy. He had friends he could count on and respected; he was contributing to the war effort in a meaningful way, and he was lying in bed with his beautiful Virgil, who was sleeping peacefully in his arms.
He stayed in bed for another half hour, then eased out after kissing Virgil's shoulder. He gently removed the ribbon and stumbled outside after putting on his shoes.
"Crap."
The courtyard was littered with tree branches and brush. Christy groaned.
"Well, guess we know what we're doing after breakfast," said Gruber as he came up behind the blond.
"The 73!"
A low-lying mist was obscuring the dock. Christy and Gruber ran down to the pier, dodging the storm-tossed detritus. They let out sighs of relief as they saw the PT boat gently bobbing at her moorings.
"Whew, that's a lucky break," said Christy.
"No kiddin'." Gruber ran a hand through his hair. "It would be pretty inconvenient to fight Japanese Zeros from a gig."
"I could still shoot 'em down," said a new voice.
"Oh, listen to Me. Modesty," Gruber said.
Virgil smiled as he rubbed his eyes. Of course he looked fuckin' gorgeous, Christy thought. He was always pleased that Virgil felt confident enough to joke about his sharpshooting skills.
"Better get a move on, gents, or you'll have to wait in line at the showers." Gruber shuffled off.
Virgil put a hand on Christy's arm. "Thank you, Christy."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." Virgil fingered his dogtags. "The lightning was...."
"I know." Christy put a hand over Virgil's. "Want to take a shower now?"
"Can we take it together?"
"Wow, you're saucy this morning."
"Tomato saucy?"
"Sleep makes you silly." Christy gently kissed Virgil on the lips.
Virgil kissed back. When they broke their embrace, Christy slipped an arm around his lover's shoulders. They walked back to camp, ready to face the storm-cleansed day.
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