splix: (sharpe by hominysnark)
splix ([personal profile] splix) wrote2010-10-19 04:16 pm
Entry tags:

Fic: Scar

Title: Scar
Author: Alex
Pairing/Character(s): Sharpe, William Lawford
Rating: PG-13
Warning: None
Word count: 440
Notes: Written for the [livejournal.com profile] sharpe_thinking prompt table, prompt #13
Spoilers for Sharpe's Tiger





*

Sharpe lay on his stomach, his head pillowed on his torn coat. He’d given sleep up as a loss; the stench of the cell was suffocating, the night was hot and stagnant, and his back throbbed where the jetti had laid open the still-healing scars from his flogging. Mercifully, Hakeswill had ceased his litany of muttering from the cell across the corridor and had fallen asleep a few hours ago, and Major McCandless slumbered uneasily, tossing and turning in the grip of a fever. Only Sharpe and Lawford were still awake.

Sharpe lifted his head and scowled at the young lieutenant, who sat leaning against the wall, fretfully plaiting a few lengths of dirty straw. “You should sleep, sir. You’ll be no good to us exhausted if we get a chance to get out of here.” He bit his lip, knowing he’d spoken too harshly. Lawford had been patient with his familiarity while they’d maintained their cover, but Sharpe had no reason for such presumption now.

“Can’t seem to sleep, Sharpe.”

“I reckon it’s a bit nasty for you. Not used to filth like this, right?” Sharpe tried to stifle his disdain for officers who had it soft.

Lawford tilted his face upward. Even in the slanting moonlight, his handsome face was shadowed with fatigue and anxiety. “Oh, it’s not pleasant, to be sure, but I’ll survive.”

Sharpe sat up with a groan. “No point in worrying, sir. We finished our mission, best we could. Not your fault they killed the poor bugger. Your uncle’s here –“ He indicated McCandless with a wave. “Nowt to do now but wait.”

“Your back, Sharpe. It was just beginning to heal.”

“It’s not so bad.” As long as he didn’t move. “You’re not fretting over that, are you? It weren’t your fault, sir.”

“I should have confessed right away. But I thought...I couldn’t let them kill you, Richard.” Lawford’s voice trembled.

“You saved my life, sir. Thanks for that.” Sharpe reached out, mindful of his wounds, and gave Lawford’s hand an awkward pat.

“I hate to see you in pain.” Lawford grasped Sharpe’s hand.

A pleasant warmth settled in Sharpe’s belly. He moved closer, slipping his free hand behind Lawford’s head. His back flared with pain, but he disregarded it, pulling William Lawford into a brief, soft kiss.

Lawford gasped and darted a swift look at his sleeping uncle. “Sharpe!”

“Want me to stop, sir?” Sharpe gently disentangled his hand from the lieutenant’s grasp and laid it on the inside of Lawford’s thigh.

“God help me.” Lawford shut his eyes and bit his lower lip. “No. Don’t stop, Richard. Please don’t stop.”



End.


Photobucket
Photo courtesy of The Mighty Bean

My table is here.

[identity profile] govi20.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
This was such a very lovely surprise first thing in the morning. It's so telling and I so much like the unspoken tenderness between the two men. Rough, tough Sharpe picking up Lawford's feelings of guilt and reaching out to him. A lovely read.

“Want me to stop, sir?” Sharpe gently disentangled his hand from the young lieutenant’s grasp and laid it on the inside of Lawford’s thigh. And did I say hot? Yes, very much so..

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:42 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, thank you, dear! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. I want to get back to writing more Sharpe. You're so sweet to comment - I really appreciate it. :D

[identity profile] govi20.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:48 am (UTC)(link)
You don't know how much I love your Sharpe and I sure hope there'll be more!

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
*hugs* I'm getting my fanfic mojo back. :D

Your icon is making me all fluttery. My word.

[identity profile] govi20.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 05:30 am (UTC)(link)
Youknow the deal; take it if you want it!

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
You're too good to me. *smish* It's too sexy to resist. Thank you!!

[identity profile] vjezkova.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 04:58 am (UTC)(link)
This is really beautiful! The scene is so natural and I like the way you show Richard and Lawford.

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 05:06 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! I'm delighted that you enjoyed it. :)

[identity profile] vjezkova.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
Like Govi, I hope that you will provide more Sharpe! *always in love*:-)

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
Richard Sharpe is endlessly diverting. I definitely hope to. Thank you! :D

[identity profile] peersrogue.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 08:28 am (UTC)(link)
Lovely - lucky William to have Sharpe with him. Thank you so much - love reading Sharpe fics and this one was delicious.

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 03:17 pm (UTC)(link)
William IS lucky, isn't he! I'm so happy you liked it. Thank you for letting me know. :)

[identity profile] mooms.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 12:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Lovely little Sharpe fic, which cheered me up just when I needed it. Thank you so much!

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw, I'm glad it cheered you, honey! *hug* Feel better.

[identity profile] ms-ivory.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 12:44 pm (UTC)(link)
I watched Sharpe's Siege the other day and now this delicious read... I'm falling in love with Richard Sharpe all over again, thanks for that, dear!

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 03:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, you're most welcome! I'm so happy you liked it. :D

[identity profile] kimberlite.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Lovely! I still need to actually watch more of Sharpe but this is definitely tempting. :)

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 03:19 pm (UTC)(link)
You have a crazy backlog, but I think I need to coerce you into watching at least one when next we hang out, eh? Thank you!

A Happy Coincidence

[identity profile] ode-to-joy.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I had just finished listening to Sharpe's Tiger while at work the other night. This is an enjoyable addendum to what I heard.

Re: A Happy Coincidence

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-20 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm glad you liked it! Is that the Sean-narrated Sharpe's Tiger? God, it's a swoonworthy listen, isn't it?

Re: A Happy Coincidence

[identity profile] ode-to-joy.livejournal.com 2010-10-21 04:51 am (UTC)(link)
No, I bought the off-brand cd and it has Pee-Wee Herman as the narrator. :(



Just kidding! I bought both the SB narrated ones before I found out how generous The Mighty Bean was with audio files. Swoonworthy they are!

As a btw, when you and sweet Kimberlite get around to watching the series, I'd appreciate it if you could clue me in on some of the dialogue (as to what is being said). Good night sweet Alex.

Re: A Happy Coincidence

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-10-21 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I've seen them all - if you need dialogue clearing, I'll be happy to help. :D

And you scared me for a second there. Hee!
Edited 2010-10-21 14:06 (UTC)

[identity profile] ingrid44.livejournal.com 2010-11-19 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
Thank you - a lovely Sharp fic. Loved how Richard reached out to William, to reassure and well as to comfort. And the picture at the end! :D

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-11-19 03:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you! I'm very glad you liked it. Isn't that a lovely pic? So handsome, our Richard. :D

[identity profile] caras-galadhon.livejournal.com 2010-11-20 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
*cackles* God help Lawford indeed. ^_~ Are you sure this didn't happen in the book? Because I'm pretty sure it did. *G* I especially love how you illustrated Sharpe's odd acceptance of the bad end of things that characterizes him early on in his military career ("Nowt to do now but wait."), which he leaves behind later on. Great portrait of the young man, and the slashiness didn't hurt either. *snicker*

[identity profile] splix.livejournal.com 2010-11-22 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Are you sure this didn't happen in the book? Because I'm pretty sure it did.

One of those excised scenes, I think. :D

Yes! I think he was nervy, to be sure, but maybe not as sure of himself as he was later...still used to the army doing his thinking for him, as Cornwell said in the book. :D

Thanks so much for this! And for the lovely fruit plate. Mmm. Fruit. :D