I've missed you too. [His voice breaks again in the middle of the statement, but he doesn't care. There's no need for formality with Archie, for trying to present a blank front. It's Archie.
Finally, he chuckles at hearing about a room ready for him. He wonders if he was expected. If Archie had known that he was coming. But he'd ask later. He'd worry about everything later.
For now, he finally lets go, takes a deep breath, and smiles. He struggles with words for several seconds. Nothing sounds right, but it will do. What he actually says doesn't matter. His expression, looking at Archie, says it all. All the emotions and memories and doubts and reliefs.
[action]
Finally, he chuckles at hearing about a room ready for him. He wonders if he was expected. If Archie had known that he was coming. But he'd ask later. He'd worry about everything later.
For now, he finally lets go, takes a deep breath, and smiles. He struggles with words for several seconds. Nothing sounds right, but it will do. What he actually says doesn't matter. His expression, looking at Archie, says it all. All the emotions and memories and doubts and reliefs.
For once, Horatio Hornblower is an open book.]
I'd like that.