Fic: You and me in a Boat
TITLE You and me in a boat
AUTHOR mylodon
RATING PG
WORD COUNT 498
PAIRING, IF ANY H/A
SPOILER WARNING None
DISCLAIMER Wish I owned them. I don't.
SUMMARY/NOTES For boats challenge
“You and me in a boat, Horatio. Just us and the sea and the waves. What more could a man want?” Archie sighed, leaned back and admired the view, both in and out of the little craft.
“Apart from dry land?” Horatio pulled at his oar, looking increasingly sullen.
“You’ll get dry land soon enough. Then the work will begin in earnest. That’s why I’m making the most of some rest.” The sea, as still as a bathing pond, was warm, and inviting, but they had - alas - business to fulfil.
“You had better make the most of it. It will be your turn at the oars soon enough.” That thought seemed to lighten the sullenness.”I wonder why Captain Pellew has us anchored so far from shore?”
“Leading his men not into temptation. Too many bumboats likely to pester us if we get too close. He trusts us to rise above such things, not being base common and popular.”
There had to be more to the story, of course. The boat they’d been given was smaller than any ship’s craft they were used to, having been brought aboard by a scientist, a friend of Lady Pellew’s, who was being transported to the far reaches of the Med. So two could take turns to row, and two only need carry out the commission.
“Hence this particular boat. I hope it doesn’t get choppy or we’ll never get back again. We’d have to spend the night ashore,” Archie added, with a wicked smile.
“Get that out of your head right now. And get these oars into your hands.” Horatio waited until they’d settled themselves again before continuing. “Do your thoughts ever rise above your britches?”
“Rarely, where you’re concerned.” Archie set to at rowing, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, strong arms executing the strokes with ease. Horatio’s thoughts suddenly plummeted below his waistline, too.
“I think you’re wrong. About the bumboats. And that scientist’s no scientist.”
“Sorry?” Archie slowed his stroke, distracted by Horatio’s words, as Horatio had been distracted by his physique.
“I believe we are dabbling in the muddy waters of espionage, and whatever we have to pick up from shore is linked to it.”
“You’re making up stories again. It’ll turn out to be something completely everyday and boring.” Archie set to at the oars again, with gusto. “This works up a fine thirst. I hope there will be time to visit a tavern before we have to return. Purely for preventative, medical purposes, of course.”
“Of course,” Horatio said, with a grin.
He looked out at the horizon, where a black cloud - no bigger than a man’s hand - had appeared. Maybe they’d get their night ashore, and a nice, comfy bed to share. Maybe they’d find themselves in a hotbed of intrigue. Maybe they’d simply pick up the item of equipment and be on their way. It mattered not, so long as it was him, and Archie, together. In a boat to sail the waters of life.
AUTHOR mylodon
RATING PG
WORD COUNT 498
PAIRING, IF ANY H/A
SPOILER WARNING None
DISCLAIMER Wish I owned them. I don't.
SUMMARY/NOTES For boats challenge
“You and me in a boat, Horatio. Just us and the sea and the waves. What more could a man want?” Archie sighed, leaned back and admired the view, both in and out of the little craft.
“Apart from dry land?” Horatio pulled at his oar, looking increasingly sullen.
“You’ll get dry land soon enough. Then the work will begin in earnest. That’s why I’m making the most of some rest.” The sea, as still as a bathing pond, was warm, and inviting, but they had - alas - business to fulfil.
“You had better make the most of it. It will be your turn at the oars soon enough.” That thought seemed to lighten the sullenness.”I wonder why Captain Pellew has us anchored so far from shore?”
“Leading his men not into temptation. Too many bumboats likely to pester us if we get too close. He trusts us to rise above such things, not being base common and popular.”
There had to be more to the story, of course. The boat they’d been given was smaller than any ship’s craft they were used to, having been brought aboard by a scientist, a friend of Lady Pellew’s, who was being transported to the far reaches of the Med. So two could take turns to row, and two only need carry out the commission.
“Hence this particular boat. I hope it doesn’t get choppy or we’ll never get back again. We’d have to spend the night ashore,” Archie added, with a wicked smile.
“Get that out of your head right now. And get these oars into your hands.” Horatio waited until they’d settled themselves again before continuing. “Do your thoughts ever rise above your britches?”
“Rarely, where you’re concerned.” Archie set to at rowing, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, strong arms executing the strokes with ease. Horatio’s thoughts suddenly plummeted below his waistline, too.
“I think you’re wrong. About the bumboats. And that scientist’s no scientist.”
“Sorry?” Archie slowed his stroke, distracted by Horatio’s words, as Horatio had been distracted by his physique.
“I believe we are dabbling in the muddy waters of espionage, and whatever we have to pick up from shore is linked to it.”
“You’re making up stories again. It’ll turn out to be something completely everyday and boring.” Archie set to at the oars again, with gusto. “This works up a fine thirst. I hope there will be time to visit a tavern before we have to return. Purely for preventative, medical purposes, of course.”
“Of course,” Horatio said, with a grin.
He looked out at the horizon, where a black cloud - no bigger than a man’s hand - had appeared. Maybe they’d get their night ashore, and a nice, comfy bed to share. Maybe they’d find themselves in a hotbed of intrigue. Maybe they’d simply pick up the item of equipment and be on their way. It mattered not, so long as it was him, and Archie, together. In a boat to sail the waters of life.