The first shudder that passes through Horatio is the simple shiver of mourning, a man wracked by the news of a loved one terribly injured. The second shiver brings his eyes flickering closed again, lips pressed firm together to prevent a sob escaping them as the first wracking of guilt settled into his tired limbs.
Men had died and the Hotspur had been dismasted on his watch.
He doesn't deserve the comfort of the fingers smoothing against his hair. He doesn't deserve the gentle offer of relief on the other man's lips.
"It was... m-my command, sir."
Taking too deep a breath hurts. His eyes squeeze firmer shut for a moment, fingers tight and unhappy around James's fingers.
(He doesn't deserve the small comfort of the man sitting beside him and caring for his hurts. He can't bring himself to let go yet.)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2017-06-04 03:44 pm (UTC)The first shudder that passes through Horatio is the simple shiver of mourning, a man wracked by the news of a loved one terribly injured. The second shiver brings his eyes flickering closed again, lips pressed firm together to prevent a sob escaping them as the first wracking of guilt settled into his tired limbs.
Men had died and the Hotspur had been dismasted on his watch.
He doesn't deserve the comfort of the fingers smoothing against his hair. He doesn't deserve the gentle offer of relief on the other man's lips.
"It was... m-my command, sir."
Taking too deep a breath hurts. His eyes squeeze firmer shut for a moment, fingers tight and unhappy around James's fingers.
(He doesn't deserve the small comfort of the man sitting beside him and caring for his hurts. He can't bring himself to let go yet.)