Fanfiction: Horatio Hornblower (G)
Title: D is for Discussion
Pairing/Characters: William Bush, Archie Kennedy; Bush/Côtard, Horatio/Archie
Rating: G
Fandom: Horatio Hornblower
Word Count: 491
Spoilers: For Mutiny, Retribution, and Loyalty.
Summary: William reported to Archie when he returned from his shore leave, since Horatio was off ship at the time.
Notes/Warnings: Written as a sequel to C is for Côtard, Y is for Yearning, E is for Eager, A is for After, L is for Leave, I is for Inn, T is for Tangle, M is for Morning, R is for Return, and F is for Fear. No beta.
D is for Discussion
William reported to Archie when he returned from his shore leave, since Horatio was off ship at the time. The formalities dispensed with, Kennedy asked, "How did it go with Major Côtard?"
"Not as bad as I'd feared it would," he admitted with a wry smile. "Though not as well as I would've liked."
The second lieutenant gave him a sympathetic look. "If you'd like to talk with someone, you know I'll always listen."
"Perhaps once you are relieved," he replied, grateful for Archie's understanding and support.
Kennedy nodded his red-gold head. "It shouldn't be much longer."
"Thank you." Nodding, Bush went belowdecks to return his dunnage to the lieutenants' berth.
He noticed that Archie's sea chest had been returned to the berth now that Côtard was no longer traveling with them. William had just finished putting what dunnage he'd taken with him on his leave back in his own sea chest when his fellow lieutenant entered their berth. "Did you want to talk now?"
"Yes, now is fine." He closed his sea chest and perched on it, facing his friend.
Smiling, the second lieutenant perched on his sea chest. "I'm listening."
William proceeded to describe his encounter with the Frenchman. Archie winced more than once as the older man related his story, but the younger man remained quiet. Finally, he finished with, "I know I hurt André with my words, but I could not lie to him."
"You're as bad as 'Ratio in some ways," Kennedy commented after a few moments' silence. Bush stared at him, puzzled. "You cannot quantify or analyze emotions, so poor 'Ratio had no idea how to deal with them."
The first lieutenant considered that for a moment or two. "I take it that you showed him how to deal with them?"
"We dealt with them together," the second lieutenant answered with soft smile.
William arched a brown eyebrow. "So how am I as 'bad' as Horatio? I don't analyze or quantify things like he does."
"No, you don't analyze at all," Archie explained, leaning forward a little, as if trying to add weight to his words. "You're a good sailor, but you rarely think beyond that, do you?"
Bush had to admit that his friend was right. He had never been the sort to sit and ponder the world's secrets. He only wished to sail the sea and give his life to her. That was part of the problem, though. If he pursued this relationship with André, the sea would no longer be the only love of his life. Would he be able to love both?
He jumped when he felt Archie's hand cover his clasped ones. Lifting his head, William's pale blue eyes met the other man's piercing blue ones. "I'm sure you'll make the right decision in the end. Let me say this: love will always enrich our lives."
"Thank you, Archie." His voice was little more than a whisper.
"You're welcome, William."
End
Pairing/Characters: William Bush, Archie Kennedy; Bush/Côtard, Horatio/Archie
Rating: G
Fandom: Horatio Hornblower
Word Count: 491
Spoilers: For Mutiny, Retribution, and Loyalty.
Summary: William reported to Archie when he returned from his shore leave, since Horatio was off ship at the time.
Notes/Warnings: Written as a sequel to C is for Côtard, Y is for Yearning, E is for Eager, A is for After, L is for Leave, I is for Inn, T is for Tangle, M is for Morning, R is for Return, and F is for Fear. No beta.
D is for Discussion
William reported to Archie when he returned from his shore leave, since Horatio was off ship at the time. The formalities dispensed with, Kennedy asked, "How did it go with Major Côtard?"
"Not as bad as I'd feared it would," he admitted with a wry smile. "Though not as well as I would've liked."
The second lieutenant gave him a sympathetic look. "If you'd like to talk with someone, you know I'll always listen."
"Perhaps once you are relieved," he replied, grateful for Archie's understanding and support.
Kennedy nodded his red-gold head. "It shouldn't be much longer."
"Thank you." Nodding, Bush went belowdecks to return his dunnage to the lieutenants' berth.
He noticed that Archie's sea chest had been returned to the berth now that Côtard was no longer traveling with them. William had just finished putting what dunnage he'd taken with him on his leave back in his own sea chest when his fellow lieutenant entered their berth. "Did you want to talk now?"
"Yes, now is fine." He closed his sea chest and perched on it, facing his friend.
Smiling, the second lieutenant perched on his sea chest. "I'm listening."
William proceeded to describe his encounter with the Frenchman. Archie winced more than once as the older man related his story, but the younger man remained quiet. Finally, he finished with, "I know I hurt André with my words, but I could not lie to him."
"You're as bad as 'Ratio in some ways," Kennedy commented after a few moments' silence. Bush stared at him, puzzled. "You cannot quantify or analyze emotions, so poor 'Ratio had no idea how to deal with them."
The first lieutenant considered that for a moment or two. "I take it that you showed him how to deal with them?"
"We dealt with them together," the second lieutenant answered with soft smile.
William arched a brown eyebrow. "So how am I as 'bad' as Horatio? I don't analyze or quantify things like he does."
"No, you don't analyze at all," Archie explained, leaning forward a little, as if trying to add weight to his words. "You're a good sailor, but you rarely think beyond that, do you?"
Bush had to admit that his friend was right. He had never been the sort to sit and ponder the world's secrets. He only wished to sail the sea and give his life to her. That was part of the problem, though. If he pursued this relationship with André, the sea would no longer be the only love of his life. Would he be able to love both?
He jumped when he felt Archie's hand cover his clasped ones. Lifting his head, William's pale blue eyes met the other man's piercing blue ones. "I'm sure you'll make the right decision in the end. Let me say this: love will always enrich our lives."
"Thank you, Archie." His voice was little more than a whisper.
"You're welcome, William."
End