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tanacawyr.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2004-07-07 10:28 am
tanacawyr.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-07-07 10:28 am
Entry tags:
One Time Too Many by Hildegard Holmes (NC-17)
Fandom: HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/Archie implied, Horatio/OMC
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read: Almost as common as the post-"Retribution" fixit is the post-"Retribution" wallow, where Archie's death is accepted as canon, and the effect on Horatio is demonstrated. Both types can be self-indulgent when done incorrectly, but here, it's done right. Honestly, this particular story is as grueling as anything I've ever read.
Horatio finds a particularly painful hairshirt for himself, and it all brings thoughts of Archie to mind. A reader may quibble with Horatio's choice, but the beauty of the writing and the excellent characterization make it worth a read. I've rarely found a story that gets across Horatio's attitude about sex so well. A warning, though -- don't read this if you're in a down mood. It's not a happy story.
Archie was more than just a pet project to rescue from Spanish imprisonment. And then he became something else, so much more to you than a warm body to touch during all those months a sea.
He wanted to be more than that to you - and it took you so long to accept the comfort of his touch. A gentleman, or so you thought, does not seek or find pleasure in the touch of a fellow officer. One must purge oneself from bodily urges and desires; only animals enjoy it, not gentlemen. You were above the pleasures of the flesh, you had been told.
Archie wouldn't take any of that nonsense. He was thankful for your help against Simpson back in the Justinian. He was grateful beyond words for all the things you did for him during your time together at the Spanish prison.
"You brought me back to life, Horatio, that's what you did" he used to say. His health was back, that much was certain - and most of his lost self-confidence as well - but new wonderful feelings had grown inside Archie Kennedy's heart. Love, that's what he felt for you. Of course, you were completely shocked by his words. That men occasionally "helped" each other wasn't unheard of, but a man telling another man about his feelings, talking about love, that was simply unbelievable.
Disgust changed to mild tolerance after a while, and it wasn't long before you found yourself craving for his simple company, for the joy of his conversation, you said to yourself, not for having him close to you.
One Time Too Many
Pairing: Horatio/Archie implied, Horatio/OMC
Author on LJ: unknown
Author Website: unknown
Why this must be read: Almost as common as the post-"Retribution" fixit is the post-"Retribution" wallow, where Archie's death is accepted as canon, and the effect on Horatio is demonstrated. Both types can be self-indulgent when done incorrectly, but here, it's done right. Honestly, this particular story is as grueling as anything I've ever read.
Horatio finds a particularly painful hairshirt for himself, and it all brings thoughts of Archie to mind. A reader may quibble with Horatio's choice, but the beauty of the writing and the excellent characterization make it worth a read. I've rarely found a story that gets across Horatio's attitude about sex so well. A warning, though -- don't read this if you're in a down mood. It's not a happy story.
Archie was more than just a pet project to rescue from Spanish imprisonment. And then he became something else, so much more to you than a warm body to touch during all those months a sea.
He wanted to be more than that to you - and it took you so long to accept the comfort of his touch. A gentleman, or so you thought, does not seek or find pleasure in the touch of a fellow officer. One must purge oneself from bodily urges and desires; only animals enjoy it, not gentlemen. You were above the pleasures of the flesh, you had been told.
Archie wouldn't take any of that nonsense. He was thankful for your help against Simpson back in the Justinian. He was grateful beyond words for all the things you did for him during your time together at the Spanish prison.
"You brought me back to life, Horatio, that's what you did" he used to say. His health was back, that much was certain - and most of his lost self-confidence as well - but new wonderful feelings had grown inside Archie Kennedy's heart. Love, that's what he felt for you. Of course, you were completely shocked by his words. That men occasionally "helped" each other wasn't unheard of, but a man telling another man about his feelings, talking about love, that was simply unbelievable.
Disgust changed to mild tolerance after a while, and it wasn't long before you found yourself craving for his simple company, for the joy of his conversation, you said to yourself, not for having him close to you.
One Time Too Many