for jollyboat: anywhere you go

[whisted]

He doesn't quite fit.

Horatio had known, of course, that he wouldn't. Even if he had managed to make his way onto a ship years ago, everyone would have known he was odd. Perhaps it's for the best that he's clearly just a bit skittish, just a bit uncertain of himself unlike the other young men his age. Perhaps that would distract the human mind from looking to see just why, exactly, this one didn't seem to be quite entirely right.

It was, nonetheless, one thing to know and another thing to live. Being bundled in heavy unfamiliar fabric is surprisingly uncomfortable. The uniform is far more restrictive than the clothing he had forced himself to become accustomed to while hovering around the port. The sensation of being on a boat, despite the familiarity of the sea, is throwing his stomach through something of a loop. He can't shift and change direction. He can't twist along with the waves, comfortable and easy, or cut through below the discomfort of breakers tugging in the wrong direction. It's unnatural, here on a warped version of the surface. It's twisting something uncomfortable in his shoulders, almost dizzying as he tries to find his feet under him.

This is what he wanted, and it doesn't quite fit.

For the most part, feeling his skin in the sack slung over his shoulders is reassuring. His fingers can worry against the familiar softness with each odd rush of discomfort. This, after all, is the back-up plan. This is the fail-safe if everything falls completely to pieces and he needs to throw himself simply back into the sea. This is the piece of himself which will always fit properly, no matter where he is.

That's why it's resting at the top of his sack as he scrambles up properly into the ship. That's why, in the bluster of humanity, the young selkie doesn't notice that his skin has spilled out onto the deck.

Comments

it’s a fave tbh

[jollyboat]

Well. At least he doesn’t have to worry about any scars to the mermaids’ consciences. That helps.

What helps more is realizing how easily he means what he says next.

“‘s— good. He needed to be— gone.”

strong fave ;;

[whisted]

Archie has been free for some time now. This still feels like a new release.

"He did." Another rush of soft whispering noises from below, and Horatio hazards a brief flash of his own long teeth. "They heard what I told them about him, and... they said the same thing."

ye ;;

[jollyboat]

Oh. That earns a briefly uncomfortable shift. He trusts Horatio implicitly, but the statement can't help but make him wonder.

"What-- did you tell about him?"

[whisted]

"That he was worse than the rest."

The men who trapped mermaids in their nets and dragged them from the sea. The men who stuck wax in their ears to bring themselves close to sirens and steal their songs. The men who took skins and hid them so that a selkie always trailed behind them like a ghost.

"That he wouldn't even let-- other men be free."

The hiss from the mermaids surely needs no interpreting.

[jollyboat]

Oh. That's not so bad as he thought it might be. That has Archie relaxing considerably.

"'s-- definitely true."

[whisted]

They're secluded enough. They're as safe as they ever are on the ship.

It's an easy decision for Horatio to duck his head, nudging against Archie's shoulder with an almost animalistic gesture of devotion.

The mermaids seem much more pleased by that.

[jollyboat]

Honestly, Archie is much more pleased by that, as well. It earns a far happier hum from the young man as he ducks his own head to bump lightly against Horatio's. It's a brief gesture, but an entirely fond one.

"--Thank you."

[whisted]

That deserves the flicker of a smile. The brief expression is magnified as the mermaids chitter softly below, clicking their tongues and calling in soft voices like the gurgling of water swirling around the sink of an oar.

Horatio lets his face wrinkle, much more relaxed and mobile with signs of home clinging to the ship.

"They said to tell them. If you ever need more help."

consider: mermaids killin sawyer well before archie gets the chance to be a dumb

[jollyboat]

Archie can't help the soft gratitude on his expression, at that. His nod is directed down more properly at the mermaids.

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you."

consider archie being the one to ask them for help

[whisted]

The next rush of language gets a huff from Horatio, his own voice briefly lost in a low little noise not meant for a human throat. The peal of laughter from below is likely recognizable, as is the light blowing of kisses before the mermaids sink away again.

"...well."

There's something hopeful lingering at the edged of Horatio's features.

he might tbh. would the boyf be mad at him, tho?

[jollyboat]

He can't help the brief wave before the mermaids descend. His hand drops after a moment to lightly catch at Horatio's shirt.

"That was nice."

not terribly or for very long

[whisted]

"It was."

Pulling Archie slowly and carefully into his world is more than nice, really. It's so much building proof that things really will slot into place for them.

"Thank you for talking to them."

that’s a good then :>

[jollyboat]

“Thanks for introducing me.”

He grins softly one last time, before he has to start to let go. They’ve lingered too long.

<3!

[whisted]

The sigh on Horatio's lips as Archie pulls back sounds utterly human. Part of it, of course, is settling back into being this self--something more solidly in the human world than introducing his shipmate to mermaids.

"The rest of their pod will be jealous."

:>

[jollyboat]

He hates having to pull away. He has to accept, however, that it’s something he has to do.

He does still linger a little closer than is strictly necessary, at least.

“I imagine they don’t— often get to meet a human.”

[whisted]

"Meet?"

There isn't a delicate way to explain that most humans that saw mermaids met Simpson's fate.

"No. Not often."

[jollyboat]

"'ll count myself as lucky as well, then."

Because he can certainly imagine mermaid and human encounters going much the way they had with Simpson.

[whisted]

After a beat, Horatio's lips squirrel briefly up to one side.

"They'll tell the others, though."

Even when Horatio wasn't there, clutching Archie safe against the rail. Even when there was little to no risk of the young man falling in of his own accord.

The mermaids would tell one another about the boy with the smile like sunshine who had been taken under the clear protection of the selkie. That ought to be enough to keep the maidens chatty but shy of properly singing.

[jollyboat]

“You think they’ll— let me talk to them, too?”

He’d like that.

[whisted]

"I do."

Every single one he had spoken to since meeting Archie had been fascinated by the idea of the other young man.

"You're..."

There isn't a good word in the language of men. Everything comes off too possessive and greedy.

"...part of this, now."

[jollyboat]

It's the perfect thing to say, if the bright smile that makes its way across Archie's face is any indication.

"That's-- wonderful."

What a gift, to be considered even a small part of the sea and all her secrets.

[whisted]

This isn't the time or place to laugh, but something bubbles up contentedly into the hum that ultimately escapes his throat.

"...it is."

Even moreso because Archie thinks that it is.