(Untitled)

[stoicsidekick]

Though the thundering has lessened and the sheets of rain had slowed, it was still pouring steadily outside with no particular sign of stopping. And though the rain was a welcome relief from the oppressive heat of the island, it did reach a point of dullness and dampness after a time

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[prone_to_dying]

Archie yawned a little until a thought occured to him. A bad habit that. Thinking when he ought to either enjoy the slow, steady fall of rain since the thunder was gone or let William drift off. Then again, sleep was highly over-rated. "Did you ever name your boat?"

[stoicsidekick]

"Mm..." William considered the question, eyes still closed. "Suppose I didn't. Still waiting for your suggestion," he pointed out with a small nudge.

[prone_to_dying]

"Hm," Archie said, stretching ever so slightly. "The H.M.S. Pinafore."

[stoicsidekick]

William opened his eyes, startled, and turned his head to stare at the man in his arms rather, well, like he had suddenly grown a second head.

"The what?"

[prone_to_dying]

"It's from an opera by Gilbert and Sullivan," Archie said with a small lazy smile. He was sort of used to William looking at him as if he were insane.

[stoicsidekick]

This did not particularly decrease William's confusion. "An opera by bloody well who?" queried, an amused and even good-natured softness behind the exaserbated question.

[prone_to_dying]

"Gilbert and Sullivan. They have a lot of other operas too which are all on record in the compound. I suppose I could sing 'Three Little Maids From School' for you."

[stoicsidekick]

Oh good God, but Archie would never cease to amaze him. "You'll..." William shook his head and snorted with amusement. "As much as I appreciate the offer, I'm not sure what I think of the sound of that, Mr. Kennedy."

[prone_to_dying]

Archie beamed and then kissed William's cheek. "It would have been squeaky. The song is meant for three women."

[stoicsidekick]

"So I gathered," William noted dryly and took a moment to kiss Archie properly. "Now what do they have to do with a bloody pinafore anyway, mm?"

[prone_to_dying]

Archie extended that moment for as long as he could before grinning. "It's the name of their ship. Well, the ship in another opera. The ladies are actually from The Mikado."

[stoicsidekick]

"Everything is clear now," William said with a roll of his eyes. "And here I thought Shakespeare was more than enough." He pulled Archie closer, wrapping both his arms around him. "Any other suggestions by chance?"

[prone_to_dying]

Archie frowned thoughtfully, thinking over various Shakespearian plays. "What about Prospero?"

[stoicsidekick]

Well, it certainly had a better ring to it than Pinafore. "That I might agree to. What does it mean?"

[prone_to_dying]

The younger lieutenant eyed William with mild irritation and a great deal of affection. "I read you all of The Tempest and you don't even remember the name of the exiled Duke?"

[stoicsidekick]

William blinked and cocked his head to the side. "Ah yes, of course. How d'you expect me to keep them all straight?" he asked, though his tone is rueful. He squeezed Archie gently and considered the name. Prospero was stranded on an island, wasn't he? Trapped away from home, but made a home of his own.

"I think I like it."