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

Archie can't help the somewhat trembling laugh, at that. The beaming smile that touches his lips.

Whispering "thank you" is much safer than saying "I love you," instead.

From:

whisted

That's good. That's something shared. That's an expression of where they've found themselves now, safe and happy and actually laughing when they're together.

The knowledge sits in Horatio's chest, warm as anything, as he dives to swim briefly into the deepest regions of the loch. The cooler water feels just a bit more like home.

Then, for better or worse, the selkie will drag himself back to shore, nudging clumsily along on his belly toward the rocks where his clothes had been shed.

From:

jollyboat

Archie will dip his head below to swim properly for a bit, half-attempting to keep an eye on Horatio and half just enjoying himself.

He'll pop his head fretfully to glance Horatio's way as he starts pulling himself out. He'll avert his gaze and wait a few long moments before following after.

"'ll right?"

From:

whisted

It only takes a cursory glance to confirm that Archie isn't looking. There's no need to fuss and hide as he wriggles out of his skin, stretched contentedly for a moment as the sun hits his more human flesh.

Most of his clothes has been lazily pulled on again when Archie joins him, skin neatly tucked back into a tight square.

"All right, Archie."

From:

jollyboat

"'s good," he says as he settles to a seat somewhat nearby him, "Looked like you were having fun."

Which is the most important thing.

From:

whisted

"I was."

Nothing hits the spot quite like a good swim. Still not fully folded into human clothing, Horatio moves to sprawl comfortably beside Archie, head tucking comfortably up against the young man's thigh.

"Were you?"

From:

jollyboat

"Definitely."

And he's going to smile down affectionately at Horatio when he sprawls, fingers dropping to trace lightly against his arm.

"'s really nice."

From:

whisted

That's enough encouragement to curl closer, nuzzling his cheek in contentedly against Archie's lap.

"Glad we could-- together."

Just like they could do this together, if only for a little while.

From:

jollyboat

"Me, too."

And he especially loves being able to cuddle like this, together, too.

"I like-- doing things with you."

Likes feeling like a part of Horatio's world, too.

From:

whisted

Cuddling up in bed when they share a room is lovely. This--out in the sun, completely free--is just even better.

His vocalization hasn't quite settled again. He usually doesn't have to speak so soon after returning to shore. The first sound in his throat is a low happy half-growl, pleased as the toothy grin he flashes up at Archie.

"--I-- like you."

From:

jollyboat

That pleased sound has Archie sighing happily, his shoulders relaxing into something entirely comfortable. It's a peacefulness Horatio has started to see since they've settled together, but this is a whole new level, now.

His hand will shift to catch lightly at Horatio's, wanting to squeeze affectionately.

"I-- like you, too," he says, voice entirely adoring, "Very much."

More than just like, even.

From:

whisted

Archie is happy. Archie is comfortably relaxed, grinning and slumping and catching hold of his hand.

It takes a beat to get his own fingers properly tangled around the young man's. It takes another to get his arms to follow his direction, tugging their twined fingers to his lips for a light kiss.

"--forever."

From:

jollyboat

Archie can’t help but let loose another soft, pleased huff; a sound he’s picked up from Horatio.

“—Really?”

It’s easy to believe in a soft moment like this, but it’s still a surprise.

From:

whisted

"Really."

It's easy to be certain, with Archie. It's easy to trace back over their time together to get to this moment and feel absolutely sure.

"If that's what you want too."

From:

jollyboat

“I do.”

It’s an entirely devoted murmur as he carefully lifts their joined hands to now press a kiss against Horatio’s fingers.

“For-forever, then. ‘f we both want it.”

From:

whisted

A soft, pleased huff, and Horatio shifts up with an inelegant little surge, lips pressing in contentedly against Archie's for a few moments.

"--hm."

That feels a little better, somehow.

From:

jollyboat

He can’t help but beam brightly at the kiss. Can’t help but catch lightly at Horatio again for another soft kiss.

“You’re— very special t’me, ‘ratio.”

From:

whisted

They've come this far. They've come to the point where Horatio doesn't even feel the need to clutch slightly at his skin while they sprawl together like this.

Perhaps it's the wild in him, but Horatio barely sees the need for hesitation.

"You're my special person too."

From:

jollyboat

It's reassuring, to know Horatio feels that way. It has Archie sighing in happy acceptance.

"'m glad."

He suspects he'll always be grateful that they found one another.

From:

whisted

Time, then, to flop down against Archie's lap again, contented and cuddled and genuinely basking in the sun.

"Just wish there could be... more of this."

More of being happy without anyone judging them. That's something he's not particularly liked about the world of humanity.

From:

jollyboat

One of Archie's hands rests to settle lightly in Horatio's hair. It's a tentative gesture, given his own history with the gesture, but it's such a happy and peaceful moment. It seems like another way to be able to connect gently with someone he cares so much for.

"Me, too," he says with a hint of a sigh, "It'd make things-- much nicer.

Much safer, too.

From:

whisted

"Still."

Trusting Archie is like breathing. The fingers against his hair are easy to nuzzle into, eyes half-closing in utter contentment.

"Glad-- we have this."

From:

jollyboat

“So’m I.”

And he’s also very gently continuing to rest his hand against Horatio’s hair comfortably, fingers lightly caressing the soft locks.

“Maybe someday things will be— more like this more often.”

Maybe they’ll survive the navy and reach that happy ending.

From:

whisted

His eyes drift entirely shut for a moment. The sun, the lovely ache of shifting for the swim, and the sensation of Archie's fingers in his hair are wonderfully lulling.

That reality pulls his eyes open again rather abruptly, head tilting more to get a better look at Archie again.

"Maybe someday we'll... live here?"

From:

jollyboat

He can't help but smile affectionately down at Horatio again, at that.

"This'll all belong to my brother, someday," he answers with a hint of a sigh, "But-- maybe we'll find some place closer to the ocean. A little-- village on th'shore, or something."

Somewhere safe.