Hornblower and Bush--they even sound like the title of a porn film

[kindkit]

I've finished reading Lieutenant Hornblower, widely considered the slashiest of the Hornblower novels. This isn't surprising, since it's told from the POV of Hornblower's deeply enamored friend William Bush, he of the hand-caressing and stealth!snuggling.



As I've been reading the Hornblower books, I've been startled by the omnipresence of slash tropes. On reflection, I shouldn't have been, because one of the origins of male/male slash is precisely this sort of story--the kind with intense male bonding that is ostensibly not erotic. Slash just puts the denied, subtextual eroticism into the text.

So here are some of the choice slashy moments from Lieutenant Hornblower for your delectation.

1) Hand Porn

This is Bush watching Hornblower (who is his subordinate in rank at this point, but much better at math-related skills) plotting the ship's position:

Bush watched as Hornblower's capable fingers worked the parallel rulers across the chart; Hornblower had long bony hands with something of beauty about them, and it was actually fascinating to watch them doing work at which they were so supremely competent.

2) The Plot Requires Me To See You Naked

Just a few pages after the hand porn, Hornblower takes an on-deck shower in seawater pumped in by the men. Bush watches the whole time.

Bush, looking at Hornblower revolving under the sparkling stream, was conscious of a prickling under his shirt in his heavy uniform coat, and actually had the feeling that it might be pleasurable to indulge in that sort of shower bath, however injurious it might be to the health.

3) Hurt/Comfort

Bush is seriously wounded during a battle and has collapsed on deck.

Hands were lifting his head. The sunshine was agonising as it poured into his eyes, and he closed his eyelids tight to keep it out.

"Bush! Bush!" That was Hornblower's voice, pleading and tender. "Bush, please, speak to me."

Two gentle hands were holding his face between them. Bush could just separate his eyelids sufficiently to see Hornblower bending over him, but to speak called for more strength than he possessed. He could only shake his head a little, smiling because of the sense of comfort and security conveyed by Hornblower's hands.

4) More Hurt/Comfort

Bush is in hospital, and despite being flirted with by a doctor who admires his "classic torso," he feels miserable until Hornblower arrives.

"How are you, sir?" asked Hornblower.

They shook hands, each reflecting the pleasure of the other's greeting.

"All the better for seeing you," said Bush, and meant it.

And Hornblower has brought a fruit basket!

"Pawpaws," he said. "Mangoes. A pineapple. That's only the second pineapple I've ever seen."

"Thank you. Very kind of you," said Bush. But it was utterly beyond possibility that he could give the least hint of the feelings that the gift evoked in him, that after lying lonely for these days in the hospital he should find that someone cared about him--that in any case someone should give him so much as a thought. The words he spoke were limping and quite inadequate, and only a sensitive and sympathetic mind could guess at the feelings which the words concealed rather than expressed.

5) Tantalizing Omissions

Bush, in the midst of some professional frustrations, gets leave and prize money.

A hundred pounds to spend, a couple of days' leave granted by Captain Cogshill, and Hornblower at a loose end at the same time--those two days were a lurid period, during which Hornblower and Bush contrived to spend each of them a hundred pounds in the dubious delights of Kingston. Two wild days and two wild nights, and then Bush went back on board the Renown, shaken and limp, only too glad to get out to sea and recover.

I don't understand why there aren't a thousand fanfics about this "lurid period," especially since going out on a tear is actually quite unlike either of them. Something about each other's company must bring out the wildness. . .


6) Drunken Expressions of Devotion

After a celebratory dinner in which Bush is pleased, rather than annoyed, to learn that Hornblower has been promoted (even though Bush has more seniority):

"We can't send you back to the hospital today," said Hornblower. "You'd better sleep in your own cot tonight. Let me take you there."

That was very agreeable; Bush put both arms round Hornblower's shoulders and walked with dragging feet. It did not matter that his feet dragged and his legs would not function while he had this support; Hornblower was the best man in the world and Bush could announce it by singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" while lurching along the alleyway.

7) Angst

Hornblower has been transferred to another ship.

They shook hands and parted; it says much for Bush's feelings towards Hornblower that in the grey dawn next morning he rolled out of his cot and went up on deck to watch the Retribution, ghostlike under his topsails, and with the lead going in the chains, steal out round the point, wafted along by the land breeze. Bush watched her go; life in the service meant many partings.

8) Gosh, I Guess We'll Have to Share a Bed

Okay, there isn't really any bed-sharing. But there would have been if Forester had kept to historical likelihood (I believe bed sharing was still not very remarkable this early in the nineteenth century) instead of implausibly making Hornblower's lodging-house have an extra bed on hand. I'm not sure if Forester's choice indicates lack of research or worry that Bush and Hornblower might look, you know, queer. (Dear Mr. Forester: you're too late.)


9) Basically Married

There's a long section towards the end of the book, not really quotable since it relies on cumulative effect, in which Bush worries endlessly about Hornblower even though his own situation is pretty bad. And throughout the book he's always analyzing Hornblower, trying to determine what he's thinking and feeling (since Hornblower tries to conceal everything). By the end Bush has gotten good at Hownblower-deciphering, in a very gentle and loving way: "The dignified Hornblower . . . was ashamed of ever appearing human . . . Bush could be fond of him even while he laughed at him, and could respect him even while he knew of his weaknesses." *happysigh* (And in one of the other books, Hornblower muses that Bush is "better than a wife.")


I want fic SO BAD. But almost all the Hornblower fic I've been able to find is TV-verse and has Archie bloody Kennedy in it.

Comments

[black_hound]

You are more than welcome! I am always happy to help enable the HH/WB love.