#hozer

Like a mad lad I’ve done it again (unintentionally this time) and wrote something best posted on ao3 than strictly on tumblr. 

Title: Take Me To The Orlop

Prompt 6: Fire and Ice

Character(s): Cornelius Hickey, Solomon Tozer, William Gibson

Pairing: Cornelius Hickey/Solomon Tozer (Hozer) 

Rating: G

Pairing: Tozer/Hickey

Words: 375

Mostly fluff, but vague mentions of past cannibalism (as you do). Inspired by @henrylevesconte‘s happily ever after au. 

“I reckon it’s almost Christmas,” says Solomon as they watch the sun sink beneath the watery horizon. He’s barefoot and clean-shaven, sunburnt on the nose. “Either way, it’s winter. Or what counts as winter in these parts.”

Cornelius hasn’t thought of such things in some time. Ever since they found that whaler, wretched and starving as they were, he’d known they were free. Never again to worry about money, or lack thereof, never again to be harassed and humiliated by captains or employers or queens, never again to face the daily war between your soul and your stomach. They left England behind when they came to the Sandwich Islands, and he never had much reason to mind.

“Yeah, ’suppose it is.” It seems inconsequential, as useless as their bulky European coats in their winterless Eden. But it only takes a look at Solomon’s eyes to see that he disagrees—there’s longing in them, plain as anything, and a smile tugs at Cornelius’s lips. “What d’you say we make a celebration of it?”

“I’d like that.” He doesn’t have to look to know his lover is smiling too.

Of the men, he imagines all but sour-faced Des Voeux will be enthusiastic about the prospect. For now, the warm and indolent days are balm to the damage their long ordeal has caused, but, lazy as they may be, no man is content to be idle forever. He suspects some of the men will grow disenchanted with their island paradise and seek passage back to England before long. Perhaps the flurry of activity will sate them for a few months more.

And then there is Solomon, almost buoyant in his excitement. He rarely smiled before they came here, and even still, it is a rare sight. A soldier’s habit. If this is what it takes to bring a light to his eyes, Cornelius knows he will do this much and more.

As dark falls, extinguishing the last colors of sunlight glinting off the sea, he takes Solomon by the hand and guides him back to the small shelter of canvas and driftwood they sleep in.