whisted | for jollyboat: anywhere you go

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

jollyboat

They’d actually been given a long enough leave for him to go home to Scotland. Horatio had actually agreed to come with him for a little while. Archie is absolutely over the moon for the fact that it’s an opportunity they get to have.

So there’s a hopeful sort of smile on his face as he turns to Horatio early one morning.

“‘nna go— swimming?”

From:

whisted

Scotland tastes different. The Atlantic and the North Sea smell the same when he lifts his head toward the wind, but the air over the land simply tastes different as they vanish into the lands where Archie was raised.

Perhaps it's that distraction that has the selkie blinking at the question. Surely Archie knows that, after long stretches with legs and collars and hiding his skin, the best thing in the world is always a long swim. Surely he isn't asking about a need.

"...just us?"

It must be about the strange step they haven't taken. It must be the odd intimacy of the fact Archie actually wanted to see him as himself.

From:

jollyboat

The slight confusion in Horatio's expression has Archie blushing just slightly. The nod is more instinctive than anything else-- what's more genuinely meant are the words that escape his lips.

"I mean-- 'f you'd like. I can just show you th'way to the loch if you need some time alone, though."

But he'd like it to be together.

From:

whisted

Even the nod brings a hair of contentment back into Horatio's features, but the words relax him entirely into his calm quiet again.

"I'd... like."

It would be new, and likely a bit strange--but then, kissing Archie had been as well, and that was one of the loveliest things Horatio knew now.

From:

jollyboat

That can't help but earn a grin from Archie.

"'m glad," he says, just in case it wasn't obvious, "Let me know if you-- change your mind, though, mm?"

It's important that Horatio feel like he has the space to.

From:

whisted

The wrinkle of his nose is a very human gesture, one he'd picked up slowly on the ship from some of the younger midshipmen. It's just that it's such a strangely reassuring thing, every time Archie doubles down on the knowledge that neither of them is trying to claim or control.

Still slightly wrinkled, Horatio leans to bump his nose against the sailor's, a low rumbling noise in his throat as answer before he moves to carefully pull his skin out of his bag.

"Or if you change yours?"

From:

jollyboat

That can't help but earn an even brighter grin from Archie. That has him brushing a quick kiss against Horatio's cheek as he moves to go get ready, himself.

"Or if I change mine."

From:

whisted

Another low pleased noise is the best Horatio can do for the moment. Most of his attention, after all, has to go to curling his skin in snugly under his clothes. The warmth is always a hint distracting, so securing the pelt is the best defense against accidentally exposing the furry bulk.

At least, until they're alone on the loch. Then it wouldn't be such a bad thing to furl things out properly, pawing over his own skin with a protective air.

From:

jollyboat

Maybe, once they're more properly alone on the way to the loch, Horatio will let Archie hold his hand. It'd be a nice thing to have as they make their way to the waters.

More important, though, is getting settled once they get there. Archie won't be able to help the glance over as Horatio unfurls his skin, his hands safely tucked away.

Hopefully he's allowed a bit of curiosity, "D'you all have-- different patterns? So you're able to tell-- who's who?"

From:

whisted

It takes a beat to properly hear the questions. Most of the time he'd managed to steal away from the Navy had been sporadic bursts and stolen moments--a hurried tumbling into his skin so he could taste home at least long enough to feel properly like himself. The luxury of actually checking over his skin is lovely to pour himself into--and easy to have, apparently, even with Archie watching.

It isn't that it feels like Archie isn't there. It's simply that Archie feels so natural beside him that this feels exactly as comfortable as when he'd been able to do it on his own.

"...mostly." His fingers trace over the stippling in his own fur, subtle even at this distance. "But it's more... hearing. And smelling."

From:

jollyboat

"Yeah?"

That's clearly fascinating. That's clearly something that Archie's genuinely interested in.

"Are greetings and-- smells specific to-- each selkie? Or is it more by-- herd?"

From:

whisted

"Each of us. It's... our voice."

Flecks of dirt and sand will be easily lost in the waves, but Horatio picks at the bits now. After so long keeping the pelt hidden, it's utterly relaxing to simply enjoy being free.

"First thing you learn is how to tell when your mum's calling for you. Before you start swimming, even with everyone else."

From:

jollyboat

Well. That can't help but earn an entirely fond smile Horatio's way. It doesn't matter if he doesn't actually see it.

"Makes sense. And that sounds-- really nice."

From:

whisted

Selkies are fairly well attuned to being watched by human eyes. What's new--and terribly nice--is the sensation of being smiled at by Archie specifically. It prickles in a much nicer way at the back of his neck as he finishes fussing over his skin.

"So you listen, and then-- when you're close enough, you can scent the rest of the way."

Off come shoes and shirt before he looks up to Archie properly again. This is an intimate moment. Surely they're allowed to share intimate thoughts.

"I think it's why I... like sleeping against your neck. Helps me know your scent."

From:

jollyboat

"Yeah?"

Archie can't help the happy blush, at that statement.

"'s a-- good scent, I hope?"

From:

whisted

"It's you."

And, really, that's all that matters. The intricacies of Archie's distinct scent had been neutral until Archie had become special--and then the scent had become special as well.

Both shoulders lift before Horatio reaches for his skin again. "Look-- away?"

From:

jollyboat

"Of course," he replies, turning before the words are even properly out of his mouth, "Y'sure you-- want me to stay?"

From:

whisted

"Mmhm."

This is part of the intimacy. This is part of the trust that had been building between them since Archie first handed back his skin.

It's very easy to mold back into himself. The warm sensation of Archie not so far off doesn't disrupt the change at all--because he's been himself around Archie, at the end of the day.

Which means that, before long, there's a fairly calm fur seal gently nudging against the back of Archie's knee.

From:

jollyboat

"--Oh."

He can't help but sound awed at the sight; shifting to get a better look while trying to maintain a comfortable distance between the two of them. He sets his hands carefully against the ground to try to keep himself from reaching out.

"You look-- incredible, 'ratio."

From:

whisted

The soft sound from the selkie is similar to the little noises Horatio often makes in moments of sleepy contentment. The resonance is deeper, but Archie will likely recognize it all the same.

And then comes the inelegant struggle of squirming himself toward the loch.

From:

jollyboat

Thankfully they're not too far off from the loch. It means that it won't be too far of a slog for Horatio to reach the water.

Archie will follow a little more tentatively, shrugging out of his shirt, shoes, and stockings so he won't come out quite so damp.

From:

whisted

He pauses just a moment in the shallows. This isn't home, after all; it's important to take a moment to simply feel the motion of the water and the faint vibrations of other inhabitants.

Then there's a much more graceful shifting and a flick of a long tail, and for a while Horatio vanishes under the waves.

He's quite far out when he bobs up again. If it's possible for a seal to look gleeful, he certainly does.

From:

jollyboat

Archie won't go quite so far into the waters. He'll linger for now at the shallows, getting himself used to the water's temperature and keeping his attention far more focused on trying to follow Horatio with his eyes.

He can't help but beam entirely brightly when he spots him again, waving with a gleeful look of his own.

From:

whisted

Archie really does look happy here. That's something to watch for a moment, to remember if they're ever parted.

His tail flips up as he dives down again, almost like a wave in response. The first few moments have to be simply zipping through the deepest parts of the loch.

Then, slowly, Horatio begins circling closer back to the shallows. It's an imperfect way for the man to watch him swim, but it's likely the best they can manage.

From:

jollyboat

Archie will shift in deeper into the waters as Horatio makes his way around the loch, just out to where he'll almost need to start swimming. He wants the selkie to be able to properly enjoy himself, after all.

Absolutely can't help but smile brightly as Horatio circles a little closer.