Hornblower, Reflective by atropos_too (R)

[quigonejinn.livejournal.com]

Fandom: HORATIO HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Hornblower/William Bush. Sort of.
Author on LJ: atropos_too

Why this must be read: Yes, I know, that's a weasel answering for Pairing, but this is a difficult fic to categorize. There's a hint of romance in it, but no sexual action aside from Hornblower with his hand around himself. The primary movement comes from the motion of the sea. Everything in this story comes from the sea -- the glorious setting, the glorious descriptions, Hornblower's isolation as a captain, the joy he eventually finds.

atropos_too writes with a control and sensitivity that are rarely found in fiction, let alone fanfiction.

Writing this good is better than porn.

It is bitterly, searchingly cold. His breath smokes on the pillow. The sheets, washed only in salt water for the last five months, can never be fully dried; they suck up the damp air of the cabin.

Link.