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]

[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.]