ext_15535 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
widget285.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2004-04-04 07:49 pm
widget285.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-04-04 07:49 pm
Entry tags:
Full Fathom Five by Anais (NC-17)
Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/Archie
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
minkboylove
Author Website: ...a big bunch of nerd porn
Why this must be read:
I am perhaps fudging here a bit by reccing this story since technically it is a WIP. I justify the decision on two counts: first; it is structured in a such a way that it functions as a very satisfying stand alone story that can be enjoyed on its own merits, independent of what may follow; second, because it is such an exquisite piece of writing that to *not* rec this story would be a gross disservice to the fandom.
The story is set during the events of the movie "The Duel," and shows those events from Kennedy's perspective. Anais has a genuine knack for working from and building on canon, even as she teases out the subtleties and contradictions that lie in the cracks. Rather than gloss over these discrepancies, she succeeds in incorporating them into the story in completely original and wholly credible ways. The back story that she develops for Kennedy, in particular, is unlike any other in the fandom and yet it is entirely consistent with canon and it allows her to shine a new and unexpected light on the character. Indeed, Anais does a remarkable job at fleshing out the minor characters giving them a depth and texture rarely seen. Her Clayton is particularly compelling: tragic, noble and deeply flawed, but also very human. Knowing his future simply makes the character more sympathetic and his interactions more poignant.
This sensitivity to characterization is matched by a real feel for the language and culture of the time. It's always a delight to read a story by someone who has done the research and can convincingly convey the flavor of the time and place. The story is not a happy one, given that it is set within "The Duel," but there is a lovely balance of angst and sweetness and some lovely moments of genuine humor that give it a true richness. This is a story that is well worth reading again and again.
Archie shivered and wondered if Horatio's feet were cold. Winter was coming and the cold would bite ever deeper - sometimes so that the spray froze on one's clothes on watch and Archie often heard the ice on his greatcoat crack when he removed it to bundle himself warmly into his hammock.
On the other side of Horatio, Clayton moaned in his sleep and coughed. Horatio stirred and stretched at the sound and his foot moved, hitting Archie in the side of the head.
"Ow!" Archie said, softly.
Horatio's eyes fluttered open. "Hmm?"
"You're too damn tall for the navy, Hornblower," Archie grumbled, affectionately. "Kindly remove your toes from my ear."
"Sorry!" Horatio whispered, not realising that Archie was teasing. He made to move his foot, but Archie grabbed hold of his toes.
"No...since you're determined I should have it, I intend to keep it," Archie said, holding Horatio's foot fast and feeling the stocking slide under his fingers. It was a poor fit since most stockings these days seemed cut for macaronis who padded their calves to ridiculous proportions and not for the likes of slender, well shaped legs like Horatio's. He could see that Horatio was laughing and trying not to so as not to disturb the other middies, which only whet Archie's appetite for mischief all the more.
"On the contrary," Archie said, squeezing Horatio's toes and watching him struggle to suppress his mirth. "I thank you for it. There's no man in His Majesty's navy who wouldn't be glad to have a third foot on his person."
Full Fathom Five
Pairing: Horatio/Archie
Author on LJ:
minkboyloveAuthor Website: ...a big bunch of nerd porn
Why this must be read:
I am perhaps fudging here a bit by reccing this story since technically it is a WIP. I justify the decision on two counts: first; it is structured in a such a way that it functions as a very satisfying stand alone story that can be enjoyed on its own merits, independent of what may follow; second, because it is such an exquisite piece of writing that to *not* rec this story would be a gross disservice to the fandom.
The story is set during the events of the movie "The Duel," and shows those events from Kennedy's perspective. Anais has a genuine knack for working from and building on canon, even as she teases out the subtleties and contradictions that lie in the cracks. Rather than gloss over these discrepancies, she succeeds in incorporating them into the story in completely original and wholly credible ways. The back story that she develops for Kennedy, in particular, is unlike any other in the fandom and yet it is entirely consistent with canon and it allows her to shine a new and unexpected light on the character. Indeed, Anais does a remarkable job at fleshing out the minor characters giving them a depth and texture rarely seen. Her Clayton is particularly compelling: tragic, noble and deeply flawed, but also very human. Knowing his future simply makes the character more sympathetic and his interactions more poignant.
This sensitivity to characterization is matched by a real feel for the language and culture of the time. It's always a delight to read a story by someone who has done the research and can convincingly convey the flavor of the time and place. The story is not a happy one, given that it is set within "The Duel," but there is a lovely balance of angst and sweetness and some lovely moments of genuine humor that give it a true richness. This is a story that is well worth reading again and again.
Archie shivered and wondered if Horatio's feet were cold. Winter was coming and the cold would bite ever deeper - sometimes so that the spray froze on one's clothes on watch and Archie often heard the ice on his greatcoat crack when he removed it to bundle himself warmly into his hammock.
On the other side of Horatio, Clayton moaned in his sleep and coughed. Horatio stirred and stretched at the sound and his foot moved, hitting Archie in the side of the head.
"Ow!" Archie said, softly.
Horatio's eyes fluttered open. "Hmm?"
"You're too damn tall for the navy, Hornblower," Archie grumbled, affectionately. "Kindly remove your toes from my ear."
"Sorry!" Horatio whispered, not realising that Archie was teasing. He made to move his foot, but Archie grabbed hold of his toes.
"No...since you're determined I should have it, I intend to keep it," Archie said, holding Horatio's foot fast and feeling the stocking slide under his fingers. It was a poor fit since most stockings these days seemed cut for macaronis who padded their calves to ridiculous proportions and not for the likes of slender, well shaped legs like Horatio's. He could see that Horatio was laughing and trying not to so as not to disturb the other middies, which only whet Archie's appetite for mischief all the more.
"On the contrary," Archie said, squeezing Horatio's toes and watching him struggle to suppress his mirth. "I thank you for it. There's no man in His Majesty's navy who wouldn't be glad to have a third foot on his person."
Full Fathom Five
I think one page is about 500 words
no subject