crack_van | Water Under the Bridge, by Juxian Tang (NC-17)

Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa, I'm late. But since I don't even have a driver's licence, the ride on the van was doomed to be kinda bumpy.

Fandom: HORATIO HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio Hornblower/William Bush, William Bush/OMC
Author on LJ:

juxiantang
Author Website: Juxian Tang's Fiction
Why this must be read:

Hurt/Comfort fics are abundant in HH, as the canon completely supports them, at least in the case of Horatio/Archie. This story offers a slight twist to the norm, while Horatio is still the one offering comfort, instead of Kennedy it is now Bush with the past of abuse and torment, which returns to haunt him.

The concept does not seem as plausible as with the case of Archie abuse. Bush, as he first appears in the HH mini series is confident, decisive and very much in control, in contrast to Archie's vulnerability. But the premise of this post-Retribution fic is set up so well, the back story revealed gradually to the reader, that it's easy to suspend your doubts as the plot develops. A great long read, the original character in the role of the villain, is both fascinating and loathsome, and just as interesting as Horatio and William. The plot starts with a languid pace as the scene is set and reaches nail-chewing suspense halfway through, while the sheer intensity of the longing that William feels for Horatio makes my knees weak. I think I might go lie down for a minute.

Water Under the Bridge