Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:03:13 -0400
From: Chris Johns <chris-johns@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Mudlark Pt.1

I have been kicking this story around for a while. I don't think I have
quite got it right and the people I have run it by agree with me. It lacks
something and I can't find the missing ingredient so I am posting it anyway
in the hope that some of you at least will enjoy it. I know that Tom and
Peter are good guys but I don't think I have got it across what they are
really like. Once it is written a story is quite difficult to change
substantially which is what I feel this one needs. The main accusation
appears to be that there is no depth of character to either of them, so
tell me what I'm not getting. It is complete in two parts and I'll post
them almost simultaneously.

Usual rules apply Everyone

				The Mudlark
				 Chapter 1

The tug was drifting lazily on the tide, Tom Anderson, her skipper, was in
no hurry, he was due to berth a cargo ship from the Americas that was not
even in sight yet down river from him. The afternoon was pleasant with a
warm sun shining off the river and partly blinding him, he pulled his cap
lower over his eyes and turned to look down river where his main interest
lay at that time. The Port Authority had called him up from Gravesend, they
were short of tugs that afternoon, not unusual since the end of the war.

Tom thought back just a few months to the end of the war in Europe, it was
still raging in the Pacific where the Japanese were fighting for every foot
of ground and every tiny island.

Six years he had shipped out on merchantmen to run the gauntlet of German U
boats, in the Atlantic mainly, but in a few Russian convoys as well and two
to Malta. He had been sunk on the second Malta convoy and was so pleased it
wasn't a Russian one. Six hours in the water before he was picked up was a
bit uncomfortable but at least he hadn't frozen to death.

A staunchly patriotic Englishman, Tom had secretly admired the U Boat Crews
for their bravery. He thought it must be horrendous to be depth charged and
then have their tiny ship crushed by the water pressure, taking them all to
the bottom of the ocean.

Out of his reverie Tom ran his binoculars over the river bank.  He could
see some of the Mudlarks scavenging at the water's edge. A man of few words
but a deeply compassionate man, Tom bled for these young orphans scratching
a living out of the flotsam and jetsam of the River Thames. The binoculars
were Zeiss, he had relieved a German Officer of them when his ship had
rescued him. The best in the world Tom thought and indulged himself with
them by following the antics of one of the boys on the shore, zooming in
very close so that he would recognise him if he ever saw him in real life,
of course a very unlikely possibility. The boy looked to be older than the
rest but he was dressed the same, short trousers, old and ragged, a shirt
that looked as though it had seen better days, no shoes or socks. Tom bet
himself that was the sum total of the boy's possessions. He was a single
man and only 26, but he just knew that if he had been married and could
adopt he would have a house full of these little urchins to look after.

He held a Masters Ticket and had saved hard all through the war which had
resulted in his purchase of his little tug. His thoughts however were not
altogether altruistic, Tom was a boy lover, the really young ones he would
like to kiss and cuddle, the older ones he would like to make love to.

Just then he heard the horn and saw the ship he was waiting for round the
bend in the river. An hour later the SS Atlanta was tied up at a
discharging jetty and Tom had secured his tug alongside the jetty further
forward at the request of the dock master.

"Captain, we would appreciate if you could remain overnight we have an
early docking requirement in the morning."

No problem for Tom. She was a dirty little Thames tug, but down below she
was a picture. From a poor family, Tom had learned to appreciate fine
things and his little tug mirrored that in its private quarters.  That
night Tom was sat drinking in a dockside bar. His crew had taken the river
ferry and gone home for the night but Tom was content with his own
company. A couple of pints of good English bitter and he was ready for
bed. As he got up to leave he spotted the little urchin by the door and
realised it was the one he had been following with his binoculars that
afternoon. He was at the door, looking at all the patrons, Tom realised he
was probably looking for a likely mark for the night.

"Come here boy, sit with me, would you like a drink?"

The boy was obviously very unsure he hesitated far too long for a boy on
the make.

"I have no agenda boy, I saw you on the shore this afternoon, I'm curious
as to your way of life."

The boy looked at Tom quickly before dropping his eyes.

"I'm here to please you Sir, for tuppence I could suck you, for sixpence I
would let you fuck me."

Tom was gutted, what was this boy doing offering his body like this.

"Why would you want to do that boy?"

Tears showed in the boy's eyes and fell, cutting a clean track down his
dirty cheeks.

"I have four little ones, pickings have been meagre on the river Sir, and
they are hungry."

"Why would that worry you then?"

The boy looked sadly at Tom.

"They are mere babies and have no parents, I try to look after them."

Tom looked at the boy trying to fathom whether this was a con or a genuine
youngster looking out for younger ones. He looked like any other urchin who
scavenged on the water front, small, thin, so dirty that it was difficult
to imagine that he would warrant anything other than the title of
nondescript. Even the eyes, the mirror to the soul, Tom thought, were
clouded and lifeless.

"What would you say if I told you to bring them to me and we would all eat
on my boat, and then they could sleep in comfort?"

The boy looked wide eyed at Tom and said, "You wouldn't tease me Sir would
you?"

"No boy, you can all have some good food and a comfortable night."

The boy dropped to his knees and kissed Tom's hand.

"Thank you Sir, thank you, thank you, thank you."

His tears were testament to this being for real and the relief showed on
his face when he looked at Tom again.

The little ones all crawled from different hide holes as Tom and the boy
emerged from the bar.

Back at his boat and with five urchins, under the bright lights Tom
realised that to a man they were filthy. They were also frightened half to
death, he had to change that so he took hold of the smallest who looked no
more than six or seven and scooped him into his arms cuddling him.

"There is a bathroom with unlimited hot water, go and clean yourselves up,
when you come back we will eat."

Twenty minutes later five boys with shiny faces were sat at the mess table
as Tom served them a hot meal, wolfed down at an incredible rate.

"Hungry boys, would you like some more?"

Tom was smiling knowing what they would say. They all did and Tom sat
watching them as they gulped down vast quantities of hot stew. Tom looked
at his original find, "Tell me about these four, and tell me your name."

The boy looked directly at Tom and said,

"I am Peter, these boys are all orphans from the bombing and I look after
them."

"I think you are very brave Peter. Would you like to put the boys to bed in
the crew quarters and then come and sleep with me?"

"Do you want to fuck me then Sir?"

Tom winced and was almost distraught that this boy had to consider giving
his body away to feed the other orphans.

"No Peter, my bed is the only one left and I'd like you to get a good
night's sleep."

Tom stretched out and Peter curled up close to him wrapping himself round
Tom's hard body. The feeling was wonderful and Tom slept like a baby,
waking occasionally to stroke the boy at his side. Both of them were naked
but Tom could feel that the boy remained flaccid all night. The next
morning Tom didn't know what to do. Peter was still curled up close to him
with a typical teen morning glory. When he woke Tom stroked his feline like
hide and said.

"What will you do today Peter?"

"Scavenge again I guess, what choice do we have?"

"Last night, you offered me your body, how often have you done that?"

Tom saw the tears as Peter replied, "Never Sir, but I was desperate
yesterday, some of the babes haven't eaten for days.

"You could all stay on board today, keep out of the way while we work and
come back to Gravesend with me"

Peter's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Very quietly with eyes wide and
almost burning Tom with their intensity he said,

"Do you mean that Sir, really mean that?"

"Yes Peter, no problem."

"You can fuck me all day Sir if you are going to look after my boys."

Tom stroked this caring little boy.

"How old are you Peter?"

"I'm sixteen Sir."

"Well, sixteen year old Peter, I think you are a wonderful boy to care
about these others so much. One day I might well make love to you, but only
because you genuinely want it rather than doing it to secure your friends
well being."

A gentle kiss on the nose and then it was time to feed the hungry hoard.

Tom looked at them as they ate and he bled a little. The state didn't care,
or maybe didn't have the resources to care after this draining war against
Mr. Hitler, but if they didn't, he could. His little house at Gravesend
would be crowded with five boys in it but he could build some bunk beds in
the second bedroom and sleep the four little ones, Peter would have to
share his big bed with him. His next thought was clothes. There was still
clothes rationing so he would have to scrounge some from anywhere he
could. The Salvation Army would be a good place to start. But, time for
that later, for now food for the little ones and then work.

"Peter I'll leave you down below with the boys to help them clear up. When
you are finished stay in the saloon here and you can play games, there is a
cupboard full of cards and games there." Tom said pointing at a cabinet on
the bulkhead. "When we finish working we go down river and tonight we will
sleep in the house. Tomorrow I have no work so we can sort out beds and
clothes for you all."

Peter looked in wonder at this man who was going to look after them.

"How long will you look after us Sir?"

"As long as the state will let me I guess. If I can legalise the position
of the four little ones we can send them off to school. You, if you would
like can come and work for me as a deckhand, I'm one crew short at the
moment so you could fit in just nice. Of course we'll need to feed you up a
bit first."

Tom was smiling as he ruffled the hair of the skinny little urchin he had
cuddled all night.

Too much for Peter, he had been living rough since the blitz started in
1941 when he was only eleven years old and a new orphan thanks to
Mr. Hitler. He had been tenacious enough about education to sneak into
public libraries and read, sometimes all day. The result was an intelligent
lad but small and undernourished for his age. He burst into tears of relief
and happiness, the strain of looking after his little brood slowing off him
in seconds at Tom's words. Tom gave him a cuddle before going on deck to
find his crew already singling up ready to leave. Their first berthing was
a half hour out when Tom slipped his lines and went to escort her in,
gently nudging her onto her berth before going to collect his next one.
The Port of London was busier than it had ever been with ships, mainly from
North America, bringing in everything the country needed to recover from a
draining war. No convoys now so the ships came in singly but
frequently. Mid afternoon and the tide stopped any more up river
traffic. Tom headed down river tying up at his usual spot late
afternoon. The crew were still smiling at their skipper as he went ashore
followed by his little brood. A nearly six foot tall seaman in big boots
and duffle coat with a cap rakishly sat on a mop of dark brown hair, next
to him a teenage boy too small and skinny for his age grey from head to toe
and four little ones behind. It would take several baths and some serious
scrubbing to see the real colouring of these waifs.

Mrs. Males was Tom's next door neighbour and part time housekeeper. Seeing
him arrive home followed by four little boys and a big one, all as scruffy
as it was possible to be she went to see what was going on. Tom told her
his story and she looked the boys over carefully. The four little ones were
all about the same size and Tom found out their names now they were more
relaxed.

"Our baby is Harry, Sir, he is seven, this one is William and he is nine,
Henry is nine as well. This little fellow is Harry's brother and he is ten,
a bit small I know, but he looked after Harry for more than two years and
nearly starved to death so that Harry could feed more regularly, his name
is Fred and he was the main reason I tried to sell myself to you last
night, Fred was getting ill because he badly needed food."  Peter looked at
the two adults. Tom wrapped an arm round his shoulder and said,
"Mrs. Males, this young man has been looking after these other four. They
were Mudlarks but now I'm going to look after them with Peter."

Peter's chest swelled at Tom's comment, lumping them together as men.

"You two are both too young to have four sons but I don't suppose the boys
mind." Mrs. Males said with a big smile across her motherly face. "I think
my Sam might have been about the same size as these little ones when he
passed on Tom, let me go back to the house and see what clothes I have left
of his.

Tom looked away, he remembered Sam from before the war, a nice little lad
who had died of some childhood illness. That was when Mrs. Males had
started mothering him, just the right time really, Tom's parents had died
in one of the first bombing raids and Tom had taken on the house from them,
not that he had lived in it much after war broke out, he was almost always
at sea but Mrs. Males looked after it and when he returned it was neat and
tidy, just the way his mother had kept it.

Half an hour after arriving home Tom and Peter were almost hysterical with
laughter as they finished bathing the little ones and cladding them in new
clothes, well second hand new clothes. They all looked amazing now that
their rags were gone.

"What about me Tom, isn't there anything that will fit me?"

Peter looked all forlorn, now the only ragged one in the room.

"Let me settle the little ones down with their food and then you and I can
bath and look for something else for you to wear."

They stripped in Tom's bedroom and walked down to the bathroom with towels
round them. Tom washed Peter and vice versa, the water was black by the
time they finished but Peter looked a lot less grey and the lifeless eyes
of yesterday were a deep green and had begun to sparkle as this little lad
came alive again.

 "You are going to be a stunning young man Peter when we put some meat on
your bones."

Tom leant in and kissed the boy gently on both cheeks before they dried
each other and Tom found some of his pre-war clothes in a trunk. They were
still way too big for Peter but Tom cinched his waist with a belt so at
least he could wear them.

"We'll just have to get some size on you boy so that they'll fit you."

What Tom was actually going to do was see what the Salvation had the next
day. Mrs. Bates had whisked all the old clothes away and washed anything
that wasn't totally beyond repair.

Lots of bedding on the floor and the little ones curled up for the night in
Tom's second bedroom. They were quite content, much better sleeping
quarters than they were used to. Peter and Tom went to bed in Tom's room
and climbed in naked again.

"Is it all right if I snuggle up to you again tonight Sir?"

Tom pulled the boy into his arms and stroked his small bony body.

"Any time you like Peter, and I think you ought to call me Tom on land and
Skipper on the boat."

Peter looked up at Tom with love in his eyes.

"Thank you Tom, I think I was very lucky when you saw me yesterday."

With that, he buried his face in Tom's chest and quietly cried himself to
sleep with Tom caressing his body softly.

The next day was a busy one but by bed time four little ones had beds to
sleep in and Peter had two sets of clothes that fit him.

Mrs. Males was going to look after the four little ones the next day while
Tom and Peter went to work and Peter started to learn about tugs and their
operation.

Another night together at the house and Tom needed more than a cuddle from
Peter. He knew he could get it but that was because Peter would allow
anything as long as he looked after the babes. What he wanted was for Peter
to want sex with him.

It must have been two months after he first picked up all the boys that Tom
felt at ease. The little ones were all in his and Mrs. Males care legally
so they could go to school, get rationed food and clothing. Peter was
legally able to make his own decisions but also had his ration books. He
had filled out nicely and with all the hard work as a deck hand he began to
look very buff.

Tom marvelled at him. He was a good worker, always happy. When they weren't
out on the tug he looked out for the four little ones helping them with
school work teaching them things they didn't learn at school, he even
bathed them at night and made them clean their teeth before he tucked them
in to bed giving each one a kiss. Some nights he would read to them if he
had managed to pick up a comic or one of the slim paperback books that were
all that was available outside of the libraries.

"I bet none of them had elder brothers that loved them like you do
Peter. You're a good lad."

"Thank you Tom, and you're a good man. I love you very much, is that
alright."

Tom was pleased, and smiling across at his new deck hand said, "That's more
than alright Peter, I love you too."

"I mean I properly love you Tom, like a woman loves a man."

Tom's face lit up, not a man to easily get flustered, but Peter's
declaration surprised him "Oh crikey Peter, I've loved you like that almost
from the first time I saw you."

Looking very serious he replied, "In that case will you make love to me
tonight, properly make love to me Tom. I know it will hurt the first time,
other Mudlarks told me after they sold their bodies to buy food but I don't
mind."

"Come here boy, sit in my lap."

Peter snuggled into Tom as contented as he ever expected to be. Tom hugged
him and kissed the top of his head.

"I'm never going to hurt you Peter, we'll make love but it doesn't have to
be invasive."

"I love you so much Tom I want to satisfy you completely. You are such a
good man, look what you have done for my babies."

"We'll see Peter, we'll see."

Tom caressed the body of this little wonder boy through his shirt and
stroked his inner thighs, sliding his hand high on the boy's legs attracted
by the softness of the skin. He wondered what he had done to deserve
someone this special.

His sex drive had never been particularly high so although he wanted to
make love to Peter properly he loved him too much to subject him to anal
intercourse yet, perhaps when he grew a little more. What Tom was going to
do though was play with Peter and make him orgasm, he didn't think the boy
had since coming here, at least, not in comfort.

Usual bedtime, Peter snuggled up to Tom and was surprised when Tom rolled
him on to his back.

"I'm going to see if we like some gentle boy/boy love making Peter, is that
alright?"

"Oh yes Tom." Was the more than enthusiastic reply.

Tom started by doing something he had wanted to do so much since they first
met, he kissed Peter on the lips. A big sigh as he pulled away was
testament to the rightness of that action. A longer, more passionate kiss
followed that and the comment.

"I love you Peter, I love you very much."

Tom started gently caressing Peter's body then.

"Thank you Tom, I love you as well, I never expected to be loved again."

The caressing and gentle tears went hand in glove for the next eon of time
until Tom started to stroke Peter's very hard erection and pretty little
ball sac. Crying was quickly replaced by gasping. The gasping became
moaning when Tom took the boy cock in his mouth and started sucking it
gently. Not for long though. A very horny little sixteen year old very
quickly deposited several months hoard of sperm down Tom's throat.

When Peter had calmed down Tom cuddled him again and said, "Where did that
lot come from youngster, I thought you were never going to stop pumping me
full of boy juice."

Peter giggled and rolled up onto Tom's chest before planting an, `I love
you very much kiss' on his lips.

"I don't know, I guess you are such a sexy man and what you did to me was
wonderful. I don't think I would have been that good when I offered myself
to you."

Both laughed before Peter continued, "Can I try now though Tom, I would
like to satisfy you."

He did and he was right, he wasn't very good but what he lacked in skill he
made up for in the love that flowed from his small body.

Two contented men slept the sleep of the just again and only woke when the
little ones all crashed into Tom's room demanding breakfast. Lots of
giggles and six happy males departed for school and work with a seventh
happy person looking on.

Mrs. Males had lost direction to her life after Sam died and Tom went off
to sea. Now she had it back six fold. Tom was a little old to mother and
perhaps Peter who had so obviously bonded with Tom, but the four little
ones were a different cup of tea. She had plenty of room in her heart to
cuddle and love these orphans who wanted very little, just someone to
care. Well they had it in good measure, Peter who had looked after them
when the world had forgotten them, Tom when the burden became almost too
much for him and now a house mother who so patently loved them. If the Lord
was good to her she would see them all into adulthood.

Before Tom knew it they were celebrating Peter's eighteenth birthday. Some
things were still rationed so his birthday party had sparse fare but Peter
could have cared less. He had Tom and Mrs. Males to look after him and his
four babes, who were now not so much babes. They had all filled out with
the good wholesome food they were eating and Fred, the eldest of the four,
and the smallest because of his sacrifice for his younger brother had shot
up like a weed and was now the tallest as well as the eldest. The love
Peter had for them shone from his eyes and his bonus on top of that was the
respect and friendship of Tom's crew. He had worked hard for Tom mainly
because of the love and gratitude he had for this man, now as a true adult
he wondered where his life would take him. He couldn't imagine it without
the four boys and Tom, and he had no ambition to leave for pastures new.

What Peter did want though was to satisfy Tom in a way he never had. They
made love frequently and it was wonderful. At every opportunity Tom showed
him how much he loved him, but he had never done the one thing Peter knew
he yearned for, he had never penetrated Peter. The excuse was always the
same when he broached the subject.

"Let's put a little more meat on you lad, I will hurt you too much if I do
it while you are still so small."

Now that excuse had worn thin, Peter was a strong young man from all the
honest toil on board the tug and he had grown up as well as out becoming a
man in every sense of the word. Tom had managed to get him off National
Service because of his job so he wasn't going into the army, it was time to
take the initiative if Tom wouldn't.

It was amazing that Tom had resisted his desires so long, Peter was now
about five feet eight inches tall and weighed a good ten to eleven
stone. The weight he had put on in two years was all muscle making him a
very attractive lad. The grey hair and skin had given way to a shock of
light brown hair and the green eyes sparkled with life, the almost
permanent smile set off the rest of the picture perfectly. Peter could not
have been happier.


Final part very soon.