High Blue Day
Dec. 15th, 2009 04:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anteros_lmcTitle: High Blue Day
Author: Anteros
Characters: Archie Kennedy / Horatio Hornblower, William Bush
Rating: PG
Notes: Hey look, another one! Fic number two. A "what if" fic this time. For everyone who was kind enough to comment on fic number one. Thank you so much. Part of this is heavily influenced by another piece I read recently but I can't remember where I read it or who it was by. So if something seems familiar and it's yours please do let me know so I can credit where credit is due.
I
Caution had become second nature to them over the years. They knew the risks and penalties, what they stood to loose and what to gain. Darkness was a prerequisite and silence. Shore leave afforded occasional windows and the glow of the hearth and light enough to see. And they gazed. Revelling in seeing and being seen. Once there had been a high blue day on a secluded cliff top with nothing but the warm air between their bodies and their skin and the clear sky above.
Rank now afforded them a modicum of privacy and opportunity which they seized when they dared. When the need for touch, or comfort, or reassurance or release became too strong. But of course the stakes were higher. The twenty-ninth article did not respect rank. And never had the stakes been higher than on this damnable ship Renown, where the reliable hierarchy of naval rank that stretched from Portsmouth to Port Royal had collapsed into chaos. In the disordered world of Renown warrant outranked commission and captain fomented insubordination among ratings.
They each responded to the hellish chaos in their own way. Archie with frequent loss of temper and an increasingly bitter tongue. Horatio coiling in on himself like an over wound spring. Desperation and longing made them reckless at times. Mr Bush knew, of that Archie was certain. Bush observed. He had not seen but he had caught too many glances between them, even if he could not read them. And Archie could not read him. At first Archie had distrusted him, but truth be told, Archie trusted no one but Horatio. He had no reason or inclination to. But Bush? Well, maybe. There was a guarded stoicism in him that he had come to recognise and respect.
Hobbs was watching too of course, his eyes all over the ship. Watching for something, anything. But Archie had evaded more cunning predators than Hobbs in the dark hold of the past and this time he would not be caught. Not again, not ever.
II
Because if they were caught Archie knew full well what price they would pay.
A sodomy court martial would be enough of a rarity and a threat to require that an example be set. The Admiralty would make a spectacle of their disgrace with a public trial before the fleet, on the open deck of the largest ship at their convenience. If they had the misfortune to be tried in England, at Hamoaze or Plymouth, it might even be a first rate with all the ranking brass the Admiralty could muster and perhaps a lord or an honourable among them. On the remoter foreign stations, where naval justice was more arbitrary, a fifth rate and a random assortment of captains would more likely be their lot.
The prosecution would be blunt. When? Where? Who saw? What exactly was seen? Whose yard was in whose arse? Had there been emission? Was there proof and witnesses that the unnatural connection had taken place?
And what defence could they offer? Their years of loyal, brave and dutiful service? The calumny of the witnesses? Their good name as gentleman? The Admiralty would care little for such paltry depositions.
Then there would be the ignominy of submitting to an invasive examination by one, or maybe more, ships surgeons. Looking for evidence of the capital offense. Justinian had taught Archie to bend to survive. Even if it meant bending his arse and biting his tongue till it bled. But Horatio would not bend. Would not thole such an intrusion. Horatio would break.
And if they were found guilty? Then they would hang. Where did you hang a lieutenant? Warrant officers swung from the starboard main yardarm, captains from the starboard fore yardarm. Lieutenants? Archie didn’t know. He didn’t care. He didn’t want to hang. Didn’t want Horatio to hang.
If God and the Admiralty granted them pardon and they escaped the twenty-ninth article they would certainly be dismissed for contravening the second. Guilty of uncleanness and scandalous actions in derogation of God's honour. Their rank would save them from the lash but not from disgrace. Stripped of rank, insignia and jacket on the quarterdeck. Cashiered, mulcted and sentenced to the Marshalsea to atone for their unnatural crimes.
The Southwark gaol couldn’t be much worse than the hell holes Archie had already endured in France and Spain. But how would Horatio survive incarceration in that squalid bedlam without chance of gentlemanly parole or hourable pardon?
How would Horatio survive without his honour, without the service? The service was all Horatio had and Horatio was all Archie had. And so caution had become second nature and darkness a prerequisite and silence.
III
But it wasn’t dark now. It was morning, broad day light, and Horatio was holding him in his arms and repeating his name over and over and over. What in God’s name was he doing? What was he thinking? Had he gone mad? The men were staring at them across the deck, but no one was calling up the marines. They were just staring. Matthews was there watching but Archie couldn’t read the expression on his face.
He could feel the damp wool of Horatio’s jacket rough under his cheek. Horatio smelled as he always did; of salt and sweat and something else, something that was just Horatio. Archie breathed him in and felt a slight familiar tremor of anticipation. There were other smells too, gunpowder and the wet rusty smell of blood.
Then Horatio was shouting, still holding him, and shouting. Something about Clive. His voice sounded distorted and distant as though Archie had been standing too close to the canons. Archie didn’t remember canon fire though. He did remember a sharp blow to his chest that had taken his breath away for a second. There hadn’t been a moment to think on it as the battle raged around him.
Horatio was repeating his name again. He felt his hand in his hair. Horatio was stroking his hair, smoothing it back from his face. He must have taken leave of his senses. Archie tried to lift his head to look at him, ask what he was doing. They would see, they would know. Why give it all away now? He didn’t want to hang. Didn’t want Horatio to hang. His mouth flooded with an acrid iron tang and he felt something warm spill from his lips. Horatio’s arms tightened around him and suddenly Archie didn’t care any more.
IV
He loved the freedom of light and air. In the dark of his cabin or the black of the middle watch Archie would spin bright dreams of lying in Horatio’s arms on a high blue day, with nothing but the warm air between their bodies and their skin and the clear sky above.
And now here they were, some version of the dream a reality. The sun was rising, warm against his back, the sky blue overhead and Horatio’s arms around him. His lover holding him and whispering his name. Over and over and over. Not caring who saw, who heard. Archie closed his eyes.
References
(Is it completely and utterly pretentious to quote references for a fanfic?! Please, do tell :)
1. Title from a poem by Kenneth White.
2. Courts martial details from historical sources quoted in Burg, B. R., (2007), Boys at Sea: Sodomy, Indecency, and Court Martial in Nelson's Navy, Palgrave Macmillan.
Author: Anteros
Characters: Archie Kennedy / Horatio Hornblower, William Bush
Rating: PG
Notes: Hey look, another one! Fic number two. A "what if" fic this time. For everyone who was kind enough to comment on fic number one. Thank you so much. Part of this is heavily influenced by another piece I read recently but I can't remember where I read it or who it was by. So if something seems familiar and it's yours please do let me know so I can credit where credit is due.
I
Caution had become second nature to them over the years. They knew the risks and penalties, what they stood to loose and what to gain. Darkness was a prerequisite and silence. Shore leave afforded occasional windows and the glow of the hearth and light enough to see. And they gazed. Revelling in seeing and being seen. Once there had been a high blue day on a secluded cliff top with nothing but the warm air between their bodies and their skin and the clear sky above.
Rank now afforded them a modicum of privacy and opportunity which they seized when they dared. When the need for touch, or comfort, or reassurance or release became too strong. But of course the stakes were higher. The twenty-ninth article did not respect rank. And never had the stakes been higher than on this damnable ship Renown, where the reliable hierarchy of naval rank that stretched from Portsmouth to Port Royal had collapsed into chaos. In the disordered world of Renown warrant outranked commission and captain fomented insubordination among ratings.
They each responded to the hellish chaos in their own way. Archie with frequent loss of temper and an increasingly bitter tongue. Horatio coiling in on himself like an over wound spring. Desperation and longing made them reckless at times. Mr Bush knew, of that Archie was certain. Bush observed. He had not seen but he had caught too many glances between them, even if he could not read them. And Archie could not read him. At first Archie had distrusted him, but truth be told, Archie trusted no one but Horatio. He had no reason or inclination to. But Bush? Well, maybe. There was a guarded stoicism in him that he had come to recognise and respect.
Hobbs was watching too of course, his eyes all over the ship. Watching for something, anything. But Archie had evaded more cunning predators than Hobbs in the dark hold of the past and this time he would not be caught. Not again, not ever.
II
Because if they were caught Archie knew full well what price they would pay.
A sodomy court martial would be enough of a rarity and a threat to require that an example be set. The Admiralty would make a spectacle of their disgrace with a public trial before the fleet, on the open deck of the largest ship at their convenience. If they had the misfortune to be tried in England, at Hamoaze or Plymouth, it might even be a first rate with all the ranking brass the Admiralty could muster and perhaps a lord or an honourable among them. On the remoter foreign stations, where naval justice was more arbitrary, a fifth rate and a random assortment of captains would more likely be their lot.
The prosecution would be blunt. When? Where? Who saw? What exactly was seen? Whose yard was in whose arse? Had there been emission? Was there proof and witnesses that the unnatural connection had taken place?
And what defence could they offer? Their years of loyal, brave and dutiful service? The calumny of the witnesses? Their good name as gentleman? The Admiralty would care little for such paltry depositions.
Then there would be the ignominy of submitting to an invasive examination by one, or maybe more, ships surgeons. Looking for evidence of the capital offense. Justinian had taught Archie to bend to survive. Even if it meant bending his arse and biting his tongue till it bled. But Horatio would not bend. Would not thole such an intrusion. Horatio would break.
And if they were found guilty? Then they would hang. Where did you hang a lieutenant? Warrant officers swung from the starboard main yardarm, captains from the starboard fore yardarm. Lieutenants? Archie didn’t know. He didn’t care. He didn’t want to hang. Didn’t want Horatio to hang.
If God and the Admiralty granted them pardon and they escaped the twenty-ninth article they would certainly be dismissed for contravening the second. Guilty of uncleanness and scandalous actions in derogation of God's honour. Their rank would save them from the lash but not from disgrace. Stripped of rank, insignia and jacket on the quarterdeck. Cashiered, mulcted and sentenced to the Marshalsea to atone for their unnatural crimes.
The Southwark gaol couldn’t be much worse than the hell holes Archie had already endured in France and Spain. But how would Horatio survive incarceration in that squalid bedlam without chance of gentlemanly parole or hourable pardon?
How would Horatio survive without his honour, without the service? The service was all Horatio had and Horatio was all Archie had. And so caution had become second nature and darkness a prerequisite and silence.
III
But it wasn’t dark now. It was morning, broad day light, and Horatio was holding him in his arms and repeating his name over and over and over. What in God’s name was he doing? What was he thinking? Had he gone mad? The men were staring at them across the deck, but no one was calling up the marines. They were just staring. Matthews was there watching but Archie couldn’t read the expression on his face.
He could feel the damp wool of Horatio’s jacket rough under his cheek. Horatio smelled as he always did; of salt and sweat and something else, something that was just Horatio. Archie breathed him in and felt a slight familiar tremor of anticipation. There were other smells too, gunpowder and the wet rusty smell of blood.
Then Horatio was shouting, still holding him, and shouting. Something about Clive. His voice sounded distorted and distant as though Archie had been standing too close to the canons. Archie didn’t remember canon fire though. He did remember a sharp blow to his chest that had taken his breath away for a second. There hadn’t been a moment to think on it as the battle raged around him.
Horatio was repeating his name again. He felt his hand in his hair. Horatio was stroking his hair, smoothing it back from his face. He must have taken leave of his senses. Archie tried to lift his head to look at him, ask what he was doing. They would see, they would know. Why give it all away now? He didn’t want to hang. Didn’t want Horatio to hang. His mouth flooded with an acrid iron tang and he felt something warm spill from his lips. Horatio’s arms tightened around him and suddenly Archie didn’t care any more.
IV
He loved the freedom of light and air. In the dark of his cabin or the black of the middle watch Archie would spin bright dreams of lying in Horatio’s arms on a high blue day, with nothing but the warm air between their bodies and their skin and the clear sky above.
And now here they were, some version of the dream a reality. The sun was rising, warm against his back, the sky blue overhead and Horatio’s arms around him. His lover holding him and whispering his name. Over and over and over. Not caring who saw, who heard. Archie closed his eyes.
References
(Is it completely and utterly pretentious to quote references for a fanfic?! Please, do tell :)
1. Title from a poem by Kenneth White.
2. Courts martial details from historical sources quoted in Burg, B. R., (2007), Boys at Sea: Sodomy, Indecency, and Court Martial in Nelson's Navy, Palgrave Macmillan.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-12-15 08:34 pm (UTC)And no, I don't think references are pretentious, I was thinking 'where did she find that out?' the whole time. And I love, love love things that take up from poetry or other arts.
anyway. I am geeking out at the word 'thole'; middle english and naval terminology all at once!
Horatio coiled like a too-tight spring: perfect. And I love the assessment of Bush and Hobbs.
Regarding part III: God, woman, you have to read the books. We're not kidding when we say that CSF was the original fangirl. :D
So much to love here. Part IV, what is that in reference to, or is it a happy-ending AU?
no subject
Date: 2009-12-15 09:51 pm (UTC)love things that take up from poetry or other arts.
Me too! Adored your "You construct intricate rituals which allow you to touch the skin of other men" That was so perfect. May have another short fic based on a poem in the offing. Will see how it goes.
'thole'; middle english
It's still in occasional use in my part of the world!
I was a bit unsure about Bush, I know he has many devoted followers and I really don't have a handle on his character yet.
is it a happy-ending AU?
Sadly no, it's pretty much movie canon. (Apart from the hair stroking, I added that. Is that allowed? ;) When Horatio discovers Archie has been shot he kneels on the deck in front to him and puts his arms round him. Now I reckon Archie must have been a bit out of it by that stage so this is something of a confused hallucination on his part. Thought I'd let the poor guy have a moment in the sun before he goes off to die nobly. *sniff*
One last thing, I'm curious, what is it about part III that makes you think about the books?
no subject
Date: 2009-12-15 10:36 pm (UTC)*claps*
It's still in occasional use in my part of the world!
I gather you're English, but curious to know where that's in use. (I was brought up in the northeast but I'm a Londoner at heart).
Sadly no, it's pretty much movie canon.
Ah ok, my mistake. The cut to part IV had me thinking it was another scene altogether, where they were finally getting some space, but now I get it it works. so. well.
One last thing, I'm curious, what is it about part III that makes you think about the books?
And stop you finding out for yourself?
Oh, ok then. XD
*spoiler below*
Ok, in Lieutenant Hornblower, after battle:
Bush! Bush!' That was Hornblower's voice, pleading and tender. 'Bush, please, speak to me.'
Two gentle hands were holding his face between them. Bush could just separate his eyelids sufficiently to see Hornblower bending over him, but to speak called for more strength than he possessed. He could only shake his head a little, smiling because of the sense of comfort and security conveyed by Hornblower's hands.
[quotes cobbled together from different net sources: I have a cat on my lap and can't get to the full text]
:D:D:D
no subject
Date: 2009-12-15 11:51 pm (UTC)You need to go a little further north. I'm Scottish, Hebridean to be precise. Which is where the poem comes in, its title is "A High Blue Day on Scalpay". I'm giving myself away here :}
but curious to know where that's in use.
You hear it in Glasgow and elsewhere in central Scotland from time to time.
The cut to part IV had me thinking it was another scene altogether
Hmmm, wonder if I should take that cut out. You think?
Thank you for the little spoiler. You're right. I do have to read these books don't I? And I see what you mean about CSF being a fangirl ;)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-16 03:26 pm (UTC)Re the books what I've done is read the ones set after the movie series ended. I tried to read the first one and hated it but I've enjoyed the later ones, although I've not read them all yet.
Oh and I'm Scottish too. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-16 04:33 pm (UTC)...what I've done is read the ones set after the movie series ended
Hmmm, that's certainly one way to get around the notable absence of Archie! Although I suspect thehappyreturn would be most disappointed if a skipped some of the books ;)
Oh and I'm Scottish too. :)
:D I have a draft fic knocking around somewhere involving Archie musing on Clan Kennedy history. I'll let you know if I ever finish it. Don't hold your breath though!
no subject
Date: 2009-12-16 05:07 pm (UTC)Well I thought so. :) I found Horatio in Mr Midshipman Hornblower really unlikable. I have to say I find book Bush disappointing, he doesn't have the aura of cool that McGann brings to the role for me, mainly as we only see him through Horatio's eyes and Horatio's a tad self-obsessed. On the whole though I like Horatio in the later books as he has the same dorktastic quality that ITV!Horatio had.
One day I plan to go to Culzean to snicker and squee.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-16 06:03 pm (UTC)Really? I find that hard to believe ;)
One day I plan to go to Culzean to snicker and squee.
I can highly recommend it, its beautiful. I've been to the gardens quite a few times recently but it's a while since I've been into the castle itself. I seem it remember it being very elegant with some incredible stucco ceilings. If you go off season you can visit the gardens for next to nothing. Go and squee!
no subject
Date: 2009-12-16 09:51 pm (UTC)Archie's view on Bush is something I definitely and whole-heartedly agree with and his assesment of Horatio handling the trials etc.
I found it really eerie that Archie was contemplating where he'd hang from.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-16 10:05 pm (UTC)I did make myself rather miserable writing it but your icon has cheered me up no end :)
Wasn't sure about the bit about Bush. I don't think I've got my head round his character at all. Too full of Archie ;)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-16 10:12 pm (UTC)I love that icon (its my only Hornblower one), I admit I'm a bit of a Bush/Archie shipper - there's just far too much chemistry between those two.
I have to say that watching the season 3 DVD's will probably give you a good idea of what Bush is like, although they don't have Archie in them. The other option is to watch season two and just switch it off before the end :)
no subject
Date: 2011-12-29 01:44 am (UTC)I do see what you were saying, earlier!
AND THEN YOU DID THAT.
*runs off to cry*
no subject
Date: 2011-12-29 01:52 am (UTC)If you want an antidote though try Tawny :)
no subject
Date: 2011-12-29 01:57 am (UTC)Also, y'know, Archie's death is REMARKABLY Eponine-like, and I've been weeping over that one since 1986. (From Orchestra J.)
Running off to antidote now!
no subject
Date: 2011-12-29 02:01 am (UTC)Excellent. I thoroughly approve of LKUs, though I have never managed to write one myself. I'll look forward to yours once its brewed!
Hope you enjoy the antidote. I'm off to bed now. Silly o'clock here :}