#fitzstan

In the spring of 1845, Stanley signed up for the Franklin expedition as the surgeon aboard HMS Erebus. He was picked on the recommendation of Fitzjames, based on their shared experience during the Opium War when he operated on the latter to remove a bullet in his arm. In his letters, James Fitzjames described Stanley as "rather inclined to be good-looking, but fat, with jet-black hair, very white hands, which are always abominably clean, and the shirt-sleeves tucked up; giving one unpleasant ideas that he would not mind cutting one's leg off - 'if not sooner'." Nonetheless, Fitzjames said that he was "very good-natured and obliging, and very attentive to our mess." (x)

medical check ups on HMS Erebus are a deeply unserious event

ITS GIFT EXCHANGE DAY YIPPEE heres my first and biggest gift fic, for bilgewater01 who set me a challenge and i took it very seriously /silly

Dr Stanley knows full well that Commander Fitzjames doesn’t want him or see him as a potential lover. He can live with that. But being James’ doctor and a close friend means he can’t avoid finding out when James ends up choosing someone else either.