A new uniform
Fandom: Hornblower
Pairing: HH/AK
Rating: PG
Note: For the contrelamontre 'new' challenge. Set during HH4, when Horatio gets a lovely new uniform. I haven't written improv for months, and this isn't great, but all practice is good.
“Archie?”
“Yes, Horatio?”
“Do you have to be so... unsubtle?”
“Sorry?”
Horatio blushed. “I mean in the manner of your behaviour.”
Archie looked at him blankly.
“It would be much easier if you would keep your predilictions hidden.”
“Are we talking about Major Edrington?” Archie grinned, “Because if we are, then-”
“Archie! No. I mean, yes. I mean, I am very flattered that you appreciate my uniform, but I do find it rather uncomfortable when you stare at my rear in front of the rest of the officers. Then you follow that up by flirting outragously with a military officer you hardly know!”
“I was not staring or flirting. I was admiring the cut of your breeches and making polite conversation with his Lordship.”
“You are a terrible liar, Mr Kennedy, and one who apparently has never read any of the King’s regulations.”
“And you Mr. Hornblower have never been averse to risk taking in other areas.”
“This is different!”
“Why exactly? There are risks, there are rewards Horatio. As with all things in life.”
“I do not intend to end my life at the end of a noose. That is one risk too great. Perhaps you are content with dishonour in the pursuit of pleasure, but I am not.”
With that Horatio walked out of the storeroom. Archie sighed and leaned against the wall. Horatio was right, as always. He had acted without thought and tried to justify himself with impudence. But was it just pleasure? Was that all this was to Horatio? Was there any room in such a man for love, or was all subsumed to duty? Archie gave in; there was no point in trying to fathom Horatio’s thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Muzillac...
“What was her name, Horatio?”
Horatio looked genuinely surprised. “Mariette.”
“Pretty name.”
“Risks and rewards, I believe you said. Except I persuaded her to take too great a risk for too little a reward.”
“You did not kidnap her. She followed you of her own accord.”
“Because of what I promised her.”
“No, because you are Horatio Hornblower, sir.”
“I do not understand.”
“Because you were born to be followed.” Archie took his hand and kissed it. “Even unto the gates of Hell.”
“I believe that you and I are beyond the gates of Hell. But I would not wish to take others with me.”
“I do not think you are dragging others into damnation, whether they are French or English. Love and respect, Horatio, that is why you are followed.”
“Love?”
“Yes, Mr Hornblower, and though I may swing for it, I do love you.”
Pairing: HH/AK
Rating: PG
Note: For the contrelamontre 'new' challenge. Set during HH4, when Horatio gets a lovely new uniform. I haven't written improv for months, and this isn't great, but all practice is good.
“Archie?”
“Yes, Horatio?”
“Do you have to be so... unsubtle?”
“Sorry?”
Horatio blushed. “I mean in the manner of your behaviour.”
Archie looked at him blankly.
“It would be much easier if you would keep your predilictions hidden.”
“Are we talking about Major Edrington?” Archie grinned, “Because if we are, then-”
“Archie! No. I mean, yes. I mean, I am very flattered that you appreciate my uniform, but I do find it rather uncomfortable when you stare at my rear in front of the rest of the officers. Then you follow that up by flirting outragously with a military officer you hardly know!”
“I was not staring or flirting. I was admiring the cut of your breeches and making polite conversation with his Lordship.”
“You are a terrible liar, Mr Kennedy, and one who apparently has never read any of the King’s regulations.”
“And you Mr. Hornblower have never been averse to risk taking in other areas.”
“This is different!”
“Why exactly? There are risks, there are rewards Horatio. As with all things in life.”
“I do not intend to end my life at the end of a noose. That is one risk too great. Perhaps you are content with dishonour in the pursuit of pleasure, but I am not.”
With that Horatio walked out of the storeroom. Archie sighed and leaned against the wall. Horatio was right, as always. He had acted without thought and tried to justify himself with impudence. But was it just pleasure? Was that all this was to Horatio? Was there any room in such a man for love, or was all subsumed to duty? Archie gave in; there was no point in trying to fathom Horatio’s thoughts.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After Muzillac...
“What was her name, Horatio?”
Horatio looked genuinely surprised. “Mariette.”
“Pretty name.”
“Risks and rewards, I believe you said. Except I persuaded her to take too great a risk for too little a reward.”
“You did not kidnap her. She followed you of her own accord.”
“Because of what I promised her.”
“No, because you are Horatio Hornblower, sir.”
“I do not understand.”
“Because you were born to be followed.” Archie took his hand and kissed it. “Even unto the gates of Hell.”
“I believe that you and I are beyond the gates of Hell. But I would not wish to take others with me.”
“I do not think you are dragging others into damnation, whether they are French or English. Love and respect, Horatio, that is why you are followed.”
“Love?”
“Yes, Mr Hornblower, and though I may swing for it, I do love you.”