The Other Shoe by Cortese (NC-17)

[fairestcat]

Fandom: HORATIO HORNBLOWER
Pairing: Horatio/OFC Archie/OFC H/A implied
Author on LJ: cortese
Author Website: http://www.io.com/~cortese/stories/
Why this must be read:

I couldn't do a month of reccing Hornblower without reccing something by Cortese. She is without a doubt one of the most talented and consistent writers in the fandom.

This short piece is one of my favorites of hers. The story where Horatio finally gets a clue and realizes his attraction for Archie is a very popular one in Hornblower fandom. Horatio's a nice guy really, but in matters of interpersonal relations he's impressively clueless. This is particularly true when it comes to matters of the heart. You practically have to hit the boy upside the head with most of a bloody ship to get him to notice that he's falling in love with Archie.

In The Other Shoe Cortese sends Archie and Horatio on shore leave after they receive the news of their transfer to the Indefatigable and sends Horatio a clue by four in the form of three happy go-lucky girls who pick up a couple of handsome sailors for a good time.

The Other Shoe