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

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.

From:

whisted

It's just like everything else has been with Archie. It's the same gentle easing, the same clear line the young man doesn't want to cross. It's what makes Archie so incredibly easy to trust.

And trust is the foundation of eventually swerving back fully to the shallows, twisting in a lazy sort of circle before he brushes contentedly in against Archie's side for a moment's rest.

From:

jollyboat

Archie wants to touch him, but cautiously refrains just in case. He grins upon feeling Horatio brush against him, but stays carefully still to try to make sure he doesn't startle the selkie.

He isn't certain Horatio can hear him entirely, but he speaks down to the water all the same. Hopefully the obvious adoration on his face and in his voice isn't too much of a hindrance.

"You don't have to stay all the way over here the whole time if you don't want to," he tells him, "I want you to have fun."

From:

whisted

Horatio's head bobs properly up over the lapping little waves, head slightly cocked in an attitude of listening. For all he's a quiet young man, he's less of a quiet pinniped--at least in as much as it's far more difficult to moderate his volume.

The bark is, at least, hopefully clearly pleased. So is the roll Horatio takes through the water as he begins a lazy circle around Archie.

Swimming is fun, but sharing something with the man he loves certainly is as well.

From:

jollyboat

Archie can't help the entirely joyful laugh as Horatio circles about him. It's got him moving out more properly into the loch, starting to tread water so he can more properly swim with the selkie.

It's not quite meeting halfway, but hopefully it's enough.

From:

whisted

It's more than enough. It's another step of openness, of trust. And it's truly lovely to swim in close again, nudging comfortably against Archie's side again before bolting into a wider circle.

There's something incredibly comforting about swimming free for a moment and then sweeping back in, enjoying the warm lovely presence of Archie in the water.

From:

jollyboat

"You really are-- beautiful, Horatio."

Archie can't help the worshipful murmur that escapes his lips as he watches him swim. It helps keep three other words from falling instead-- Words he isn't sure the selkie will want to hear just yet, if ever.

From:

whisted

The actual words don't matter. It's the warmth in Archie's voice and the look in Archie's eye that has Horatio drifting to a stop briefly year the young man.

It takes a bit of a squirm to push himself briefly further out of the water to bump his nose against the sailor's. There's a soft 'whmph' of air before he flops back into the loch.

It's close to the words neither of them have quite said, really.

From:

jollyboat

That earns a sharp, entirely affectionate exhale from Archie. Has him shifting to cautiously reach a hand out, wanting to brush lightly against Horatio.

There's so much that has been gently allowed by the selkie. He's so afraid of crossing the line that must exist somewhere.