Once Upon a Time: a fragment
Written for Britt.
"But, Archie--" Horatio blinked. "We've hardly time for that."
Archie paused, tilting his head and widening his eyes innocently. "Hardly time? How can you say such a thing? We've all the time in the world, I promise. All the time." He smiled. "You'll like it. Come with me."
With a sigh, Horatio gave in. "Very well. If they leave without us, it's your fault." He frowned to himself, and added, "Or if they sentence us to whipping at the grates. Or continuous watch. Or--"
"My fault!" said Archie happily, walking away. "Gladly. Only hurry up."
~~~
Archie kicked hard off the ground, and went flying into the air, laughing at Horatio, who was hopping from foot to foot.
"Archie, you've been doing this more than an hour."
"You're so fussy! Hush a moment." He dragged himself to stop with his toes, and got off the swing. "Here. You've got to understand what I'm doing, all right? You're serious, and I don't want to be to-day. It's a lovely day. It's springtime. You see? It's a happy day. Now, get on and swing for me."
Horatio grimaced. "I'll be sick."
"Be sick. It'll be a good sort of sick."
So Horatio obeyed.
Archie stood back and watched him, with his eyes wide in delight as Horatio let go of the ropes momentarily and put his face in his hands, only to very quickly grab hold of them again.
"You're beautiful like that."
"What, looking sick?"
"Yes." Archie grinned.
Horatio brought the swing to a stop, scuffing up dirt, and stood unsteadily. "You're mad."
"Good sort of mad, isn't it?"
In the face of Archie's hopeful smile and swing-swept hair, Horatio conceded. "Yes, yes, a very good sort of mad."
Archie kissed his cheek. "Thank you. Now we'd best get back, or your predictions will come true. And heaven knows I wouldn't like to see you whipped for my fancy, Horatio."
Horatio waited behind half a moment, and touched the ropes of the swing delicately. Then, in tones of utter heartfelt feeling, he pronounced:
"Ugh."
Archie grinned secretly.
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