WWI-verse Anarchist AU

[ay_my_lord]

*Horatio has a room in a lodging-house not far from the castle; he shares the house with three other men on his floor and an extended family on the floor above him. his belongings, he has largely left in Wittenberg, on the (perhaps vain) hope that the war will soon be over and he will be able to return within a few months' time at most.

with his fellow-lodgers at work, though, he has the narrow front room to himself--or rather, in this case, to himself and Hamlet. he is pouring out tea for them, his spectacles slipping down his nose* I'm glad you came to call today. I'd been hoping I'd hear from you soon--it's been awkward trying to get back to the castle without a wedding invitation.

Comments

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

I will, too. *stroking his back, slow and rhythmic, as though calming an animal* Can I help you?

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

You are. That's why I came -- that's why I came to see you.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Good. That's all that I want--to help you, no matter what that means.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

*a short, broken laugh, as he shudders all through himself* God, I'm so scared.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

But you're not alone. Remember that, all right? You're not alone.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

That's when it's the worst -- when I think that none of them know, or they all do and don't care, and I'm alone, there's no one else, no one else who can do what I have to do and no way out -- it terrifies me --

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

But you've got me. *soft* You've got Laertes.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

I do. Thank you. *whispered soft* I love you.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

I love you, too. You can always come to me if you need anything. You know that, right?

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

*leaning against him still* I know if everyone turned against me, you'd still be on my side.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Of course I would. *kisses his cheek* Of course I would.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

Why?

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Because you're my friend--and you're hurting.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

Am I still worrying you?

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Yes. I wish you didn't have to ask--that you just knew that I would be with you, no matter what.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

I don't understand it. I can know it, and yet not understand it -- I can trust you, but still ask why. I wish you knew that. *weakly* It's all right. Keep worrying about me; I'm not going to be able to worry about myself.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*and wants to ask 'why not,' but Hamlet's already in such a state--Horatio just keeps holding him* It will be all right.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

And if it isn't ... if it isn't, will you ... *hesitates -- he doesn't quite know what he means to ask*

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*even if he's trying to be reassuring, there's also a firm, sure sincerity when he says* Anything you want.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

If I die ... *quiet* You won't forget me. You won't let anyone make you forget, you'll ... you'll still be on my side.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Of course I ... please, let's not talk about that. You're not going to die for a long time. Maybe not until after I die--and then you'll have to remember me. *if there's anything worth remembering about Horatio*

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

*laughs, weakly* I'm not that strong. I'd follow you.

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

Shh. It's not going to be for a long time.

[willnotbenow.livejournal.com]

*quiets, then, but he can't stop thinking*

[ay-my-lord.livejournal.com]

*kisses the bridge of his nose* Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?