A knock broke into my reverie. My cock gave a little leap at the thought of Andrew returning so soon. I made myself as presentable as possible, "Enter."
It was the XO, Executive Officer Lieutenant Bryce Withers, reporting heavy weather approaching. "Secure the open portholes and hatches," I ordered.
"Aye, aye, sir," was his automatic response but then he hesitated and took a good whiff of the air. Withers gave a half smile and actually winked at me before departing.
I dressed and went up to the bridge to ensure all was well. From the bridge I could see the approaching storm. Great bolts of lightening and the distant rumbles of thunder came from clouds dumping sheets of rain into the ocean. I directed a slight course change to port to give us more sea room. Shortly after the rain pelted down on the ship as we caught the edge of the storm.
I had an idea to aid morale a bit. Using the 1MC I announced to the crew, "To help cool everyone down, those not standing wash have permission to get into the rain on the fantail." I could hear muted cheers from below. "Skivvy's acceptable wear. Each division off duty will have 15 minutes. Lieutenant Okassa will announce each rotation." I turned to the lieutenant jg standing behind me and told him to get to it.
The young officer consulted the duty rooster and sent the first group up. The men burst forth and stood soaking in the downfall.
I relocated so I could see the fantail. Prior to Andrew I would have admired the playfulness of the men, glad they were able to cool off and relax. Post Andrew me, I stood watching the fit bodies glistening with moisture, enjoying the sight of their skivvies getting wetter and clinging more tightly to their crotches.
Okassa called for the second rotation. The men left the fantail less quickly than they came but they left in a much lighter mood. One of them caught sight of me and called up, "Thanks, Captain!" The others joined in. I waved back.
"Good call, captain." I jumped a little at the unexpected voice beside me. "Sorry, Captain. Guess you were absorbed." Withers gave a chuckle.
"Yeah, Bowser," using his Annapolis nickname, "I guess I was gathering cobwebs as my mother used to say."
"Nice to be out in the fresh air," he replied. "Might make it easier to sleep." I nodded acknowledgement. "That and a really good cum."
"What did you say?"
"A really good orgasm makes it so much easier to fall asleep, I think. Don't you find that, Captain?"
I stared at him. Was there another, deeper meaning to what he said?
Withers was watching the men roughhousing below. "Now, there's a pretty sight." He directed my attention with a nod.
Some of the men had taken to pantsing the others. Not hard to do when they were only wearing skivvies. Several of the men were now nude.
"Yes, sir, very pretty sight," he repeated. "Kinda makes you wish..."
I waited for him to continue and when he didn't, "Well, Withers, what does it make you wish?"
He chuckled nervously, "Well, that that could be the uniform of the day on a regular basis."
"What are you trying to tell me, Withers?"
More nervous laughter. A pause. Then, "I saw young Baskins come out of your cabin, you were in your underwear, and then I smelled... well, that smell when I went in."
"That smell? What smell is that?" I wanted him to say it rather than me saying it.
Nervous chuckle. Pause. "You know, sir, ..." I shook my head. "The smell of... well, the smell of ..." his voice dropped to a barely audible whisper, "cum, sir."
"Interesting. And from these observations what conclusion did you draw? And do be careful, Lieutenant." I kept my voice flat but firm.
"Oh, sir, no, sir, I wasn't trying to... I was... I meant... Fuck, sir, I was trying, I am trying to let you know..."
Yes, let me know...?"
"Fuck, sir, ... I can be... I am... available, sir." He was blushing and not making eye contact. And having said something which could end his naval career well he should feel uncomfortable.
I said very gently, quietly, "Bowser, are you aware of what you just said, and what the ramifications of what you just said, said to me your superior officer, could be?"
Okassa called for the next rotation. I acknowledged the men's thanks as they went below. I watched the next group come up, Andrew Baskins among them.
Withers muttered repeatedly, "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck..."
I took him by the shoulders, "Look at me. ... Look at me, lieutenant." He met my gaze reluctantly. I paused, took at deep breathe, "Fortunately for you, or unfortunately for both of us, you drew a correct conclusion from your observations."
He started breathing again, "Oh, thank god."
"Are you telling me you are gay?"
"No, sir, no. Not at all... You know I'm married, sir." I nodded. "I... I just... well, I like sex with men once in awhile. I thought, well I could, we could... satisfy that need together. 'Cause I thought that is what you and Baskins do."
"Truth be told, what happened between Baskins and me tonight was my first time... with a man."
"Really, sir? And did you... well, was it go... What did you... I mean, what happened... Did you enjoy it, sir?"