sunburned | (no subject)

"We may yet," Laurence said somewhat hopefully. He had seen the ships already sailing island waters. Surely they must have come from somewhere or someone and surely he would be able to get one eventually.

"While I, on the other hand, appear to have decided to become a clerk," he says, with a little sigh and a definite roll of his eyes. "Though I don't suppose I should be much use to Helen otherwise. The only animals I've a fair understanding of are dragons and there's only one of those."

"But if you were to be pressed aboard a ship I'm sure your employer would relieve you of your clerical duties for at least a time," he said, smiling as he spoke.

"Are you proposing rescuing me from Helen?" teases Granby, grin broadening again. "I'm sure she could be negotiated with."

Laurence took a sip of his beer, his eyes happy over the rim of the glass. "Have you need of rescue, then?"

"If you have need of a damsel, I suppose I could play the part," says Granby, rolling his eyes, but still grinning, reaching for his own glass. "And a man with my hand always needs rescuing."

Laurence laughed, more at the first part of Granby's speech than the second, though he wasn't certain he was meant to. "If you truly do have need of rescue then I hope I am always able to help."

"Who else do I have?" asks Granby and in that sentiment, at least, he is genuine. "We've always muddled through before."

"That we have." Laurence put his hand quite carefully atop Granby's. "Thank you for that."

It's only a small touch, a casual touch and one totally acceptable between friends but it still quickens Granby's pulse a tiny little bit. He glances at their hands and then back to Laurence.

"What else am I to do?" he asks, smiling. "I've got to make up for being such a terrible scrub at the beginning."

"You have more than made up for anything in the past," he replied, well aware that he himself was not entirely without blame in those early days. Neither of them had necessarily been at their best. And now here they both were. Laurence blushed a little. "I hope I have as well."

He nods, his thumb grazing against the length of Laurence's, the barest shift of movement. He notes the blush.

"A hundred times over."

Laurence smiled at that, his blush deepening. He let the contact remain for another moment or two before pulling his hand back and taking another drink. "Thank you, John."

He's grinning himself, flushed under the sunburn, and he rubs the back of his neck before he reaches for his drink.

"You're welcome, Will," he says. "I'd have stayed with you and Temeraire forever, if Iskierka hadn't come along when she did."

"I am certain Temeraire would have found that arrangement entirely to his liking," Laurence said with a fond smile, still missing the dragon desperately, but willing and able to talk of such things. "Though I would not have had you forgo rank simply to remain in my crew."

"He didn't like to share me overmuch, did he?" says Granby, remembering the conversation that they'd had around the time that Iskierka had hatched.

"I wouldn't have been doing it just for you," he says, quietly. "That would have been only a part of it."

"What would have been the rest?" Laurence was not intentionally trying to be intrusive, but was honestly interested in what Granby's answer to the question would be.

"Temeraire himself, for a start," says Granby, who could never have turned down an opportunity at serving with that dragon. "And the other fellows. And the things we did, Laurence. I wouldn't have missed any of it for the world." He gave a wry smile and adjusted the edge of his bandage. "Even with all the being knocked about the head."

"You do seem to have something of a knack for it," Laurence admitted, smiling fondly as he spoke. It was well-known that the other man did not often have the best of fortune. "God willing, you will have a better string of luck here."

"And some," he says, gesturing to the waitress for another drink as he finishes the first. "I'd like to not lose anymore limbs, if it's alright by whoever decides."

"I do hope so as well. A crewman without a hand is one thing, but the loss of anything more may prove to be a bit of a problem. " Laurence gestured for another drink for himself as well, though his first was not yet done. At this rate they might be there for a while.

"Aye. I'd be no use to anyone," he says, grinning. "And how would you press me into service then?"

"Well, I suppose we would just have to find some other use for you," he answered, realizing only in hindsight how that might have sounded. At least he had not blushed.

Laurence might not blush but Granby does, flushing under his sunburn and choking on the swallow of beer he'd just taken.

"Well," he says, finally. "I imagine we would."

As Granby flushed, Laurence could not help but mirror it with one of his own. He had not intended for the statement to be taken in such a manner, but there was apparently no going back now. He concentrated rather determinedly on his drink in a bid for more time in which to answer. "Yes. I-- I suppose so."