(Untitled)

[stoicsidekick]

Clear winter days always felt more frigid to Bush than cloudy ones. Perhaps it was the contrast of the sharp light against the ice, perhaps it was that one always expected more warmth from the sun, even with snow on the ground. But the sailor barely noticed the cold, not even the winds whipping around him as he stood so close to the ocean. His

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[strandedseaman]

In their years of friendship, William Bush had always been to Horatio a quiet friend, unlike Archie in every outward way possible, but to Horatio's heart just as dear. It wasn't unusual to find him standing alone at the edge of the ocean, or even to see his face schooled to stillness, but there was something in the set of his shoulders that put Horatio immediately ill at ease.

Few things upset his friend, and fewer still upset him so much as to make themselves visible in his bearing, and Horatio wondered if perhaps he ought just turn around and give William his privacy. But if there was anything he might do to help...

"William?" he said at last, when he could no longer bear the wondering.

[stoicsidekick]

William turned, his expression difficult to read as he saw Horatio standing there. He swallowed and said nothing for a moment. This was a conversation that he did not particularly wished to have. Hornblower and Kennedy, they had been thick and thieves long before William had met either of them. Now, selfishly, he found he did not want to share his grief.

Still, Bush didn't bother mincing words. "He's gone," he said simply, the words coming out more gruffly than he had meant them to.

[strandedseaman]

Horatio felt ill the moment William turned around. Even without consciously understanding the expression - or lack thereof - on William's face, there was something in him that recognised it, remembered it from the months following the morning he and Ray had awoken to find themselves alone.

He flinched when William confirmed what was only just beginning to crystallize in his mind. "You're sure?" he whispered.

[stoicsidekick]

Bush nodded once and turned back to look at the sea again. It was easier to stay impassive that way. "It's as if he was never there," he confirmed quietly, though after a beat he added, "I looked as well." Always the meticulous sailor.

[jdick]

There was something wrong with William, Joe could tell that much as he approached, not because of anything he was doing, but because he wasn't doing anything at all. He'd always been stoic in the time they'd known each other, but Joe had also gotten to know the other man well. Would call him one of his best friends, loved him even. And something was weird.

"William," he said as he approached, his own jacket wrapped tightly around himself, a black wool hat pulled down over his ears.

[stoicsidekick]

Bush raised his brows slightly as he turned towards Joe, expression somewhat guarded after being broken from his reverie. "Afternoon." Then, dryly, he added, "For God's sake, man, it isn't that cold."

He didn't offer explanation, though it was clear something was wrong.

[jdick]

"Cold enough," Joe answered, drawing to a stop beside William and for a moment just looking at him. Just looking and trying to see if he could figure out what the fuck was going on. "Don't make me play guessing games, just tell me, okay?" he asked after a moment, giving up. On this fucking island it could be almost anything.

[stoicsidekick]

He snorted quietly, but then looked down again, clasping his hands tightly behind his back. William wasn't much for guessing games, either.

"Archie's gone," he admitted, making the words come out steadily.

[cryptogam]

The two Navy lieutenants - for he did not know Lt. Hornblower well - were one of Stephen's few tangible connections to home, and he was very fond of both men, though it came to mind that he had not seen Lt. Kennedy in quite some time. He had come to the beach to see if any seals or penguins might be seen, but when he spotted Lt. Bush on the shore, clearly upset, and overheard the all-too-familiar words of the burial sermon, he knew the worst must have happened.

"Lieutenant," he said quietly, his cold hands thrust deep into his coat pockets, "I am sorry, heartily sorry for your loss."

[stoicsidekick]

"Doctor." Bush turned to Stephen and nodded in thanks, for behind the stoic set of his shoulders he was thankful for the condolences. He looked down at the hat in his hands, aware that he had been caught in the private - and slightly absurd, he knew - funeral prayer, but looked up again after a beat. "I appreciate your words."

[cryptogam]

Stephen nodded, shivering a little, and wrapping his new red scarf more firmly around his neck. There was naught else he could say; having suffered a similar loss himself, he knew that the usual cant about possible return to the island or seeing them again someday would fall on deaf ears. And Lt. Kennedy was dead, back in their own world, so there was no chance Bush would see him again in any case.

"You would do well to get out of the cold, sir; I would not wish for you to catch chill. Perhaps we might return to the kitchen, and I shall brew some coffee. I do believe it would do you good." Creature comforts could do wonders for a mind stricken by grief, he had found.

[stoicsidekick]

Bush almost protested, annoyance that the doctor insisting on meddling rising sharply, but the bile was gone as soon as it had appeared. Maturin was right, and anyway, the thought of a mug of coffee was now endlessly assuring.

He nodded in acquiescence. "Thank you, sir."

[island_anne]

It was fortunate he had not ended up far from home, for had he been any further Anne could not have made the journey to offer what comfort she could. As it was she walked slowly across the sand, bundled as warmly as she could manage, until she arrived at his side. He would never have asked it of her, particularly in her current condition, but as soon as she heard she knew she had to come.

[stoicsidekick]

Bush felt himself relax just slightly as the redhead came to stand beside him. She had a calming presence about her, oddly comforting. The silence that stretched between them was in no way strained, but Bush finally felt it was only polite to break it.

"Miss Shirley. Afternoon," he greeted quietly.

[island_anne]

"I just wish it were a better one," she said, resting one hand lightly on his arm, partly for her own support and partly for his. "If there's anything at all you need, please do let us know."

[stoicsidekick]

"Thank you." He smiled for politeness' sake, but he meant it. "There is nothing I can think of, but I shall let you know. Do not worry yourself over it too much, you or Miss Ariel."

[unextrordinary]

My hands are shoved deep in my pockets, and I'm wearing my jeans and ratty blue sweater, coat and everything. The clothes I came in, funny how that happens. That you just come back to where you started, and I noticed William there on the shore as well. The hairs on the back of my neck prick up and it's the feeling that says something's not right, but I don't know, it's not right, not knowable, but I can't help but ask.

"Hi," I say, the word quiet as I approach.

[stoicsidekick]

"Miss Murry." Bush's expression softened just slightly as he saw her. He nodded politely in greeting and replaced his hat on his head. "How are you faring this afternoon?"

His face was drawn, the words of the familiar prayer still lingering on his lips.

[unextrordinary]

"All right, cold I guess," I shrug because it's the truth and well, yeah, that's just it. It's the simple truth.

"Are you, um, are you okay?"

[stoicsidekick]

He thought about lying. It would be easy to dismiss the question, tell her that he was perfectly fine. But it didn't feel right. He could not merely dismiss Archie's disappearance like that, no matter how much he would have liked to.

William gave a quiet sigh. "I've had better," he admitted.