Tag: plotbunnie

“Oh you want attention? Then come to me.” | icb Edward is making a puppy meme sensual in Horatio’s general direction

{ Things Said To Puppies } 

The look that Horatio cast upon his captain in that moment was nigh identical to the expression he utilized to quell the shenanigans of Patrick Styles. As if that alone were not indication enough that he was thoroughly unamused by the older man’s particular remark, the fact that his ultimate response was to completely ignore him might as well have screamed his displeasure to the heavens, considering he had not once in the entirety of his career beneath the man shown him anything but the highest of regard and respect. 

In truth, he didn’t really know what to make of it – but he did know that a remark framed in a manner such as that was by no means professional, which meant he hardly need concern himself with reprimand for refusing to comment on it. That he was wise enough to understand it was by no means an order was likely to his benefit, but at present he was admittedly rather incensed by the implication he was childish enough to require extra attention from his captain.

Stepping up to Matthews, he leaned in and inquired idly if there were any bets in place among the senior officers he ought to know of. Quietly, he was informed of several – none of which might explain such an unfortunate comment from the captain. Worried he had done something wrong now that he had been assured that his gullibility wasn’t being toyed with, Horatio hummed thoughtfully. 

Thanking the man for the information, he chose to carry out his rounds, his posture stiffer than usual as a result of his internal examination of himself, attempting now to discern where he had erred so tremendously as to give off such a lamentable impression to Captain Pellew to warrant matters coming to this. 

The end of his watch rang out, and Horatio found he was no closer to an answer than before. He was more irate and alarmed however, enough so that rather like a cat that had spurned the hand of it’s owner in a fit of pique, he found himself pacing before the captain’s cabin rather than retreating to the lieutenant’s berth as he ought. 

Finally, the need to understand won out and he knocked, entering promptly on command and sealing the door behind him. Rather than bear reprimand for earlier, Horatio headed it all off by speaking without preamble. 

“Forgive my interruption sir, this should not take much of your time,” He spoke quickly, the alarm in him threatening to make him visibly emotional, and that he could not abide. “I have spent the watch attempting, and failing, to find where I have erred in my duties to the point that my value in your eyes has plummeted so completely. As such, I believe it might be best if when we next make port, I be transferred to another ship. The Indy deserves the best officers available to the fleet, and you need to believe in them completely if this ship is to function the way she is accustomed to.” He raised his chin, refusing to shake apart his own resolve, though his hands trembled behind his back, “You can no more afford an officer you need to coddle than you can afford a sailor who does not pull his weight. I only ask that you allow me to continue my duties unhindered until we reach Portsmouth.” 

‘ how did you get that black eye? ’ | Edward to Horatio

{ Hurt Prompts }

Head still aching, Horatio responded promptly on sheer reflex – trained by that tone in particular to be swift. “Magic.” Although, no sooner did the answer fall from his lips did it occur to him how horrendously sarcastic the truth actually sounded. 

Grimacing slightly, Horatio relented to be a little more forthcoming, if only to ascertain his captain did not think he had just sassed him directly to his face. “What I mean sir, is a spell gone somewhat awry resulted in some backlash. It’s nothing to be concerned over, I simply lost my grip on the incantation.” He did not like confessing to incompetence of any kind, but it was better that than disrespecting Captain Pellew, or having him think that he would!

🛑 stop my muse from doing something reckless | William to Horatio – STOP SACRIFICING YOURSELF SON

{ Random Act Prompts }

“William?” Horatio queried, staring in astonishment as the man all but spread himself before the door to stop him from leaving the cabin, “What’s gotten into you?” He supposed he knew well enough – his lieutenant had been against this idea from the start, but still. 

“Oh go on,” He sighed, exasperated, “This is hardly the means of managing matters man, come now. Step aside and join me if it will satisfy you, but please do not think you can stop me with antics like these.”

⚓ keep my muse anchored (anxiety, nightmare, etc.) | Edward to Horatio

{ Random Act Prompts }

Horatio was barely able to contain himself – if it were not for Captain Pellew’s firm hand on his shoulder, he doubtless would have voiced something regrettable and downright devastating for his career. It rankled at him, the way these men spoke so dismissively of the hard efforts of common sailors, how they so blithely overlooked the fact that many of those upon whom they relied at sea to survive had been forced into the service to begin with and they ought to count themselves lucky for loyalty won rather than arrogantly certain it was their bloody due simply for the good nature of their births. 

Any cow could give birth, that hardly made it’s calf any worse or better than the rest. It all came down to luck and breeding in the end, whether or not it was healthy and fat for the slaughter it was set to, and it was no different for nobility, as far as he was concerned at this point. Setting his hands behind his back, he gripped his wrist tight enough to bruise and painted a smile upon his face, knowing that even his deep wealth of respect for Captain Pellew was not enough for him to stomach this ‘esteemed’ company a moment longer.

Thankfully, he was as of yet nobody of importance. Merely a lieutenant recently distinguished in battle – hardly consequential enough to cause any sort of stir by excusing himself early. Which he did, promptly and without fanfare, nor any particular heed to the fact his Captain’s grip tightened in a warning fashion when he started. 

Drawing himself away from the man, he nodded his farewells on the way out, knowing that with his position, Captain Pellew would not be able to follow him for some time. By which point, Horatio did hope the fury in both of them would have worn off enough to keep their shared quarters from becoming tense with argument.

Pity Bracegirdle caught that blasted cold – he’s far more suited to this nonsense than I am, Horatio mused bitterly as he stalked back to the inn.  

🔥 for an angry and relieved hug | Edward to Horatio

{ Random Act Prompts }

“Sir?” Horatio had barely managed more inquiry than this before he found himself forcibly hauled up from where he sat and captured in an embrace that stole his breath away. ( Partly due to how tight it was, all truth told! )

Coughing slightly to mask his confusion, he returned the act automatically, though in truth his own grip was markedly less fierce. He wasn’t certain what had prompted this, though he was quite glad of the fact he had been awaiting the man in his cabin as commanded as he could only imagine what the men might think of such a sight!

The embrace did not immediately let up – and the longer it went on, the more Horatio found himself relaxing into it almost on sheer reflex. It wasn’t as though he had any fear of his captain, so much as it was altogether unexpected. And – if he were completely honest with himself – after the stress of all that had taken place on that damnable island, it was a comfort he sorely needed. He had, in fact, only just pulled himself together, and he did fear he might start crying again if this didn’t let up soon. 

Barely refraining from pressing his forehead into the man’s shoulder and taking this support for what it was, Horatio found himself asking quietly, “Are you alright?” As though it were not he who needed this – for surely, something had to have driven Pellew to take such a drastic measure in the first place, and it wasn’t as though he had seen Horatio crying! ( Thank heaven for small mercies. ) 

🔥 for an angry and relieved hug | William to Horatio

{ Random Act Prompts }

The suddenness of his lieutenant’s embrace took him by surprise enough that for a moment, Horatio simply stood stock still and stunned. Upon recovery, his arms rose and wrapped around the other man reassuringly. In retrospect, he supposed he had rather pushed the limits of probability with his latest venture – the price of loss had been too great to calculate against at the time, and while his success now meant triumph for all aboard the Hotspur, he was not so ignorant as to be blind to the dangers he had undertaken in order to ascertain said victory. 

Nor that the cost of failure would surely have meant his life.

Sighing, he patted the older man’s back after a moment, before fearing growing too accustomed to the hold and stepping back, establishing a proper arms length between them as he offered a grim and understanding smile. “Forgive me, William,” He offered quietly, knowing he would doubtless get an earful once they were out of earshot of the men, “We’ll talk it over in my cabin.” An indication that he would hear the man out – but a reminder that all frustration aside, dressing him down before the crew would not, and could not, be tolerated. 

“You’re a terrible patient.” | William to Horatio ( doctor’s boy doesn’t follow his own rules :/ )

{ Wounded Starters } 

Brushing off his first lieutenant’s well meaning hands for the third time Horatio found his patience had at last hit a breaking point. “Because I know a man’s limits as surely as I know my own threshold, Mister Bush! Attend to the guns if you please – it is a head wound, she’ll bleed heavily from but a scratch, which is nothing in comparison to what’ll become of you should you leave those men in my favor again sir!” 

“It’s cold outside” | Billy to Graham

{ The Meme }

A tired smile crossed his features as the heavy wool of the blanket encompassed him, seeming at first to trap the cold in closer. He shuddered in rejection of this, eyes finally blinking open properly as he brought the blanket close around himself and held it with one hand, rubbing his arm with the other to introduce some friction and get the heat forming faster. 

“This isn’t yours is it?” He asked after a moment, not wanting to deprive the man of his blanket, even if it wasn’t technically needed at the moment. 

“Why are you sleeping in the middle of the floor?” | Billy to Charles

{ Things Said To Puppies }

Propping himself up with a grunt, the explanation for that was perfectly simple. “There was a lizard.” She’d crawled up on him when he’d laid down to figure out what was making the scratching noises under his bed – there’d been two of them, but the other one had wandered off and the one resting on him had been perfectly content where she was thanks to the way the sun fell upon them at the time. Eventually, he’d just fallen asleep – it wasn’t like he was needed anywhere urgently today.