Always first by Mylodon - Hornblower

[mylodon]

TITLE: Always first
AUTHOR: mylodon
PAIRING: Horatio and Archie
RATING: PG
CHALLENGE PROMPT:First Times
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I don't own these two, but they are the best toys in the box to play with.

Comments

[amari_z]

This is absolutely lovely--so much told with such economy. I especially love how you tied the end back to the beginning.

[mylodon]

Aw, thanks.

The tieing the end to the start was purely coincidental and i didn't notice until I was about to post. Weird, eh?

[trusea]

Ow. It's so beautiful it hurts :(

If only he could bring himself to broach the subject then he might find total absolution in your words, in your arms. Perhaps that is why he cannot face it.

That is so Horatio. Poor silly lad, he almost seems to like beating up himself mentally.

And reading angsty H/A fic while watching the FA Cup final certainly makes an intesting experience...

[mylodon]

Thank you. Will send you Horatio to ease the pain. :)

he almost seems to like beating up himself mentally
I think you're absolutely right; he almost takes a bizarre pleasure in it.

The Cup Final was dire, apart from one or two runs by Rooney. The crciket was much more fun, as was the rugby that was on later. Footie just pales in comparison to the other two.

[sibilantwretch]

But this had been nothing - the first time you realised that you truly felt terror was when he told you what he had done; standing up to a madman with what was probably a loaded gun in his hands.

I have NEVER understood the smile Archie gives him right after that. I mean, he's glad Horatio's alive, naturally, but he almost looks proud. If it was me, I'd be asking him what the HELL he thought he was doing. But whatever, that smile is awesome, so it's a fair trade.

Now that I've rambled, let me tell you how awesome this is. Because, seriously, I think I may be dead from the awesome. That last paragraph especially was just KILLING.

[mylodon]

He does look proud; all sort of 'Look what my boyfriend did'. I wonder (and here's where i forget that this is TV and assume it's real) whether life on board ship was such a matter of small chances, of near misses and constant flirtations with death that there'd be no room for recriminations. You make a split second decision and live or die by it; and Archie must be familiar with Horatio and his seeming death wish. The awesome smile = I'm glad you survived.

I'm glad you liked this, not least because I'm the worst judge of my work. I thought this was one of my weaker pieces. :P

[sibilantwretch]

Hmm, that's a good point. I'll bet Horatio got a spanking when they were alone, nevertheless *g*

[mylodon]

Undoubtedly. :P

[oxbridge]

Very moving, took me right back to all the Hornblower scenes - especially the last one (sniffs), beautifully written. So much angst first thing on a Sunday morning, will go and find some pretty Archie pictures to cheer myself up.

[mylodon]

Oh, thank you. My, you were up early!

This was hard work to write - I always find sad and serious a real challenge.

[calavarna]

Lovely, lovely, LOVELY! Very moving and heart-breaking. Well done you!

[mylodon]

Aw thank you. *blushes*

See, we can think of the boys and just the boys, when the occasion demands.