Spark

[anteros_lmc]

Title: Spark
Author: Anteros
Characters: Archie Kennedy / Horatio Hornblower
Rating: PG (have decided this is my default rating ;)
Notes: A short fic for the solstice. A light for the longest night. And almost angst free, how about that?!


I

Middle watch. South west of Ushant, wind south south west, breeze fresh, heavy cloud, visibility poor.

---

II

Archie had ambiguous feelings about the dark. He loved the light and the sun but the darkness had saved both his neck and his arse on more occasions than he cared to remember. Whether crouched alone, in the pitch black of Justinian's orlop, barely holding breath and fear in check; or standing, nerves taught, on the deck of the Indefatigable, fleeing at the last into the darkness and the fogbanks of Ushant from the superior guns of a French téméraire.

His worst fears and nightmares still lurked in the darkness, coiled writhing and waiting; rough hands, spilt blood, spent seed, soiled youth. And then there was the darkness of the pit. So black even memory couldn't penetrate it.

But now the darkness also harbored brighter dreams. Dreams of long limbs, long fingers, long lashes, long nights on shore and on a rough cot in a dark cell. Long dark nights twined together.

---

III

He could just make out a pale shape approaching the quarterdeck companion. Footsteps, the soft snick of a lantern shutter and Horatio stood before him in a dim pool of light. He was shivering and didn't look entirely awake.

"Mr Kennedy."

"Lieutenant Horblower, sir." Archie tilted his head to acknowledge his superior.

"How stands the watch?"

"All quiet sir."

"Report please Mr Kennedy."

"Wind south south west veering to the south, cloud lifting, visibility poor but clearing from the east. Nothing to report sir."

"Thank you Archie. Lord it's cold, you'd better get below. Go and get warm."

Hornblower placed his hand momentarily on Kennedy's shoulder. Archie felt the weight of it there. Horatio smiled, imperceptibly, more a movement of his eyes than his lips. But Archie caught it, a kindling of light in the brown depths. The ember of a spark caught and reflected back through the dark from the clearest blue.

"The watch is yours Lieutenant Hornblower sir."

"Thank you Mr Kennedy, dismissed."

Archie took the lantern from Horatio and turned to descend the companion. Reaching the deck he shuttered off the lamp. The amber spark remained, glowing in the darkness on the edge of thought.

---

Apologies if Archie appears to be giving Horatio the shipping forecast rather then a watch report, I didn't have a decent example of the latter to hand! ;)

Comments

[princess-s.livejournal.com]

These little one shots and quiet moments are brilliant to read. So much can be conveyed without having to go in depth and it gives us an insight and perspective that we might otherwise have overlooked.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Aww thanks sweetie :)

[esmerelda-t.livejournal.com]

Another wonderful piece, I especially loved the imagery of the last line.

Something else I liked, and noticed in another one your fics, is the way Archie refers to his 'arse'. There's something blase and almost comical about it, but for me it points very much towards what is one of Archie's basic character components, he's a pragmatist and that makes him a survivor.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

*blush* thanks m'dear!

I hope you're not suggesting that I'm obsessed with Archie's arse?? :P

C'mon, the guy's a sailor, what else is he going to call it ? ;)

something blase and almost comical...he's a pragmatist and that makes him a survivor
_Definitely_ couldn't have put it better myself!

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

Ruddy Norah, why didn't I come and read this earlier?

His worst fears and nightmares still lurked in the darkness, coiled writhing and waiting; rough hands, spilt blood, spent seed, soiled youth.

Brilliant.

Welcome to the fandom - you'll be a real ornament to it.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you _so_ much for stopping by to read. Glad you liked it, I'm a complete novice at this fanfic business. Still trying to find my sea legs!

Welcome to the fandom
Aww thanks, everyone has been very encouraging.

- you'll be a real ornament to it.
Like the fairy on top of the christmas tree? *grins appreciatively*

[eglantine-br.livejournal.com]

Writing now-- I always like when Archie is doing sailory stuff. It is quite hot, actually. The contrast between their words and their thoughts is-- intriguing.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Yes I agree absolutely. Archie hardly ever seems to have the opportunity to do proper sailory stuff, and I am as guilty as anyone in that! I think Making The Most Of It is one of the few times I have written Archie actually doing his job. I do have another sailory plot bunny, but lord only knows if I'll ever have a chance to write it.

[mylodon.livejournal.com]

There's something about short snippets of prose which is beguiling. Always leave them wanting more, as they say. Economy of words is a great gift.

*hugs*

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Though I suspect the brevity of this ficlet was more a result of economy of time, rather than economy of words :}

Also, I do believe this is the first one of my fics that you ever commented on! :) *hugs*

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

well, I have very good taste!

[donnaimmaculata.livejournal.com]

I know I've read this before, but obviously never commented. And I do know that I'd read it before, because this line has always stuck with me:

rough hands, spilt blood, spent seed, soiled youth

This is a perfect. Like one of those six-word novels.

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

Thank you my dear! You really are too kind :)