[For Horatio]

[usethecompany]

Archie had never had a girl at port to come home to. He had had his fair share of youthful indiscretions, claimed the sun was caught by one Ophelia's hair, the stars held within Cordelia's eyes and other silly nonsense that had been completely and utterly true and heartfelt at the time. But never anything even approaching a proper courtship.

Comments

[strandedseaman]

Had it been anyone else, Horatio would not have strode to the door with applesauce down his front, but as he knew Archie would only mock him later when his own treacherous husband told him of the incident, Horatio swung the door wide.

"Hello Archie," he said quite solemnly, applesauce dripping from shirtsleeve to his booted foot. "We're just having an afternoon snack."

[usethecompany]

Archie paused mid-step, eyes widening with an impish gleam as he took in Horatio's attired.

"Are we?" he asked innocently, continuing to the door. "Looks more like arts & crafts."

[strandedseaman]

"I wonder that I missed you at all when you first left the island," said Horatio, stepping aside to allow Archie through the door once he'd reached it.

He watched him as he passed. Archie was usually in good spirits, or if not, determined to make light of something, but today he seemed particularly buoyant. "You're in a good mood."

[usethecompany]

He made a sour face at Horatio which barely lived longer than the span of a second and moved to greet Edward with a wide smile. "Hello little man," he cooed. "Have you been giving your unusually observant father a hard day today?"