The Silver Razor: Renown

[anteros_lmc]

Title: The Silver Razor
Author: Anteros
Characters: Archie Kennedy, Horatio Hornblower, William bush
Rating: R
Notes: I'm quietly claiming this from the following_sea Crack & Kink meme, because I like it and rather enjoyed writing it :)

It was so quiet that Bush had assumed the wardroom to be empty. He was therefore surprised to find Kennedy standing in his shirt sleeves at the far end of the long table, finger pressed to his lips in a gesture of silence. Bush raised an eyebrow in query, Kennedy replied by pointing down at the wooden chair placed in front him facing away from the door. It was only then that Bush noticed the tangle of unbound black curls draped over the back of the chair, one hand hanging loosely over the arm, long fingers almost brushing the floor. The figure in the chair didn't move as Bush quietly entered the room.

Seating himself by the side of the table he could just see Hornblower's profile. Head tilted back, thick curls straggling over open collar, stock discarded. Eyes closed and lips slightly parted. Something in his complete repose captivated Bush and held his gaze. He had never seen Hornblower so relaxed. Come to that, he had never seen him so completely still, motionless. Bush placed his log book on the table and opened it determinedly.

Kennedy was equally informally attired, shirt open at the neck, sleeves rolled up to the elbow, flannel draped over his shoulder. Beside him on the table was an enamel basin containing brush and soap, a pitcher and a straight razor. The razor was clearly old but its handle, rather than bone or even ivory, was made of finely wrought silver, worn smooth in places by continual use. Bush suspected that Kennedy's razor was worth more than the entire contents of his own sea chest.

Kennedy caught Hornblower's chin and ran his fingers over the dark stubble. Bush felt, more than heard, a faint rasp. Hornblower closed his mouth, lips curving into a smile. Bush shifted uncomfortably. Still holding Hornblower's chin between thumb and forefinger, Kennedy lifted the brush from the basin and worked a thick lather over his friend's jaw. Picking up the silver razor Kennedy balanced it precisely and momentarily on one finger. It see-sawed for a second and was still. Bush knew he was observing a small ritual. With a quick movement of his wrist, a sight to fast to follow, Kennedy flipped the silver handle into his palm and the straight blade slid in a single smooth movement down Hornblower's cheek. Bush, startled by the suddenness of the movement, almost flinched. Hornblower's limp fingers flexed at the cold touch of the blade but his lips twitched into the same languid smile again. He clearly trusted his barber. Kennedy removed both soap and stubble with quick sure strokes.

Hornblower was lost to the world, Kennedy absorbed in his task, Bush might not have existed. He was aware once again of the uncomfortable feeling of exclusion he had experienced before in the presence of these two men. Discomfort that stemmed not from the exclusivity, but from the fact he had noticed it. It troubled him, but he was unsure he wanted to question why.

A soft metallic snick indicated that Kennedy had closed the silver razor and was wiping the remaining soap from Hornblower's chin. He ran the back of his hand slowly down Hornblower's cheek, over his chin and along the line of his jaw. A caress? No. Checking in case he's missed a spot, Bush assured himself. Any good barber would do the same. Hornblower's eyes remained shut, lids flickering slightly, oblivious to the presence of the third man. Finally Kennedy ran his thumb slowly over his top lip. Hornblower caught Kennedy's hand, pressing his fingers hard against his lips in a long kiss. Kennedy looked up at William Bush and smiled.

Comments

[muddlingalong.livejournal.com]

How on earth did I miss this? So sweet, Archie getting to take care of Horatio. And the kiss at the end, I can't quite decide if I want Horatio to be asleep or not.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

You missed this because I wrote it anonymously for the following_sea Kink & Crack meme. But I'm rather fond of it so I went back and quietly added it to my journal when no one was looking. Ssshh, don't tell ;)

So glad you enjoyed it, it's just a little thing but I rather like it too.

And the kiss at the end, I can't quite decide if I want Horatio to be asleep or not.
Your choice ;)

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Oh my goodness, this is lovely. And poor Bush, trying to deny what he's seeing until he can't possibly any more.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm rather fond of this little thing :} I must look out the other fic I started about the origins and fate of the razor and see if I can finish it.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I would love to read about that!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

I started writing it for eglantine_br as she used the razor in one of her stories which then made her wonder how it had come to Archie in the first place. I'll finish it eventually I hope!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I am very tempted to incorporate it into mine as well. Archie's Silver Razor seems to be a much better bit of fanon than, say, Draco Malfoy's leather trousers!

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Feel free to borrow the Silver Razor anytime.

seems to be a much better bit of fanon than, say, Draco Malfoy's leather trousers!
*cough* I may have given Archie a pair of leather trousers too....see The Wrong Trousers ;)

[rosiespark.livejournal.com]

How did I miss this?! It's lovely. I particularly like the Bush as unwilling voyeur vibe. And the smile at the end is perfect Renown-era Archie.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Hello stranger! Lovely to see you round these parts again. Glad you enjoyed this. It was just a little thing for the FS Kink and Crack meme but I'm rather attached to it.

And the smile at the end is perfect Renown-era Archie.
Thank you! I still think you set the standard for writing Renown era Archie :)