Fourteenth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

[He's been here a year now.

An entire year.

And it doesn't feel any more like home than it did the day he arrived. If anything, his obligations feel even sharper than they did then. Because he has been away from them. Even if no one would know he'd been gone, he knew.]

Person or thing, either way--

What would you most like to see here?

Hornblower

Comments

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[So much for "when you're hungry."

But he's laughing even as he gets to his feet and follows after the other.]

Of course. Just tell me what you need.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Archie is there to load him down with bags of food to be cooked. Well, not that much. There's only three of them. But they're both carrying two bags each when they leave.

It's not a long walk to the transporter, and the sight of the beach, on this day, gives Archie pause. He halts, eyes out to sea, not even seeing the Britannia at anchor.]

Horatio?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio looks over at his friend, follows his gaze, and his voice drops slightly.]

What is it, Archie?

[action]

[simplestgift]

[Archie glances over at Horatio, holding him with his eyes as if taking a picture with them, then smiles.]

I'm glad you're here.

[Because he remembers exactly how lonely he'd been one year ago earlier today. One year ago this moment, Luceti had suddenly become home.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio... actually smiles. He has his doubts about this place. Being here, being away from what he knows. But this-- this.

This he is sure of.]

I'm glad to be here with you.

[Just here? No. But with Archie? Always.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

I was here four months. A year since I hadn't seen you in four months, and I still remember the four months as being longer than the year.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[He's still smiling a little.]

I'm sorry I made you wait that long.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[On the beach, he can remember his heart in his mouth, wondering if Captain Hornblower was the same man as Lieutenant Hornblower. He remembers a sudden, crushing embrace as he proved himself alive beyond doubt. He remembers talking Horatio's ear off, dragging him around town and feeding him. He remembers the emptying hopelessness that he would ever see this man again. He sees him now.]

Hush, Horatio. I'm only glad you're here.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

And with no intention to go anywhere.

[He settles a hand on Archie's shoulder, applying a faint, reassuring pressure.

He couldn't imagine bearing this place alone.]