FIC: Tea and brandy

[splix]

Title: Tea and Brandy
Author: Alex
Pairing/Character(s): Sharpe/Harper.
Rating: PG
Written for the sharpe_thinking prompt table, prompt #18, and for the seans_50 final challenge.





*


The arm that supported Sharpe’s head was brawny, covered in malodorous wool that scraped roughly against his face, but as gentle as a woman cradling an infant. A tin cup was put to his lips.

---There we are, sir. Bit of tea and brandy. Sure we’ll have you sorted in no time.

Sharpe sipped and coughed. The cough ripped into his torn body like another bullet. He curled up and writhed in misery.

---There now. There, there. Hush now, sir. I know it must hurt like the very devil, but you’ve had worse scrapes, I reckon. That old sawbones patched you up as best as he could, so. You’ll be killing Frenchies again in a trice. A wee bit more, sir. Come on, now.

Sharpe tried again. This time the hot liquid trickled down his throat like a blessing, warming his throat and chest.

---Ah, that’s grand, sir. Knew you could do it. I told that old bastard that it’d take more than a couple of Frenchy bullets to do in Richard Sharpe.

Large, blunt fingertips grazed Sharpe’s cheek.

---I told him you’d pull through, so I did. Don’t let me down, now.

Dimly, Sharpe wondered why Harper’s voice trembled so, then decided it didn’t matter. The ragged, burning edges of agony were beginning to blur to a dull throb, and the scratchy wool of Harper’s jacket felt like swan’s-down. It felt good to lean into Harper’s warmth.

Lulled by tea, brandy, and laudanum, he did not see the strained anxiety in Harper’s eyes, nor heard the shaking whispered prayers, nor felt the cold cloth placed upon his brow, tenderly, as if it were the most precious of crowns.


End.





My table is here

Comments

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful...I can almost see Patrick there, bending over Richard. Thank you!

[splix.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I'm so pleased it was vivid. :)

[vjezkova.livejournal.com]

Very....mmmmm...:-)

[splix.livejournal.com]

:D

[j-flattermann.livejournal.com]

Breathtaking. Amazing how little words needed to create such an intense atmosphere. Wow.

[splix.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked it! Thank you.

[mooms.livejournal.com]

Oh, quite wonderful. I love the way that the care and tenderness come through and you have Patrick's voice so perfectly!

[splix.livejournal.com]

Bless you! They're such a lovely pair. Thank you very, very much! :D

[micehell]

Oh, that's nice, h/c with the emphasis on the comfort. Sweet without being saccharine, especially the idea that even if Sharpe is unaware of every aspect of why Harper takes such care of him, he so readily accepts it.

Which certainly makes the potentially unrequited feel at the end less bitter than sweet for the poor woobie reader... though considering Sharpe's history with lovers dying, why am I wanting them together, anyway? ;)

[splix.livejournal.com]

Poor Sharpe has had so little real affection in his life, canonically. I know you've read some of the books; he seems to crave it and push it away at the same time. Harper's steadfast devotion is exactly what he needs. And I pictured this at the earlier end of their relationship, so even if it's unrequited now [nice catch] it won't be later.

And Harper lives, which - bonus! :D

Thanks so much for the great feedback.

[isiscolo.livejournal.com]

Yum. Both the words and that lovely picture.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Isn't that a nice pic? One of my favorites. :)

[kimberlite.livejournal.com]

*dolphin noises* I love how intimate this is, how Harper's care and love show in each word and action. Beautiful. :)

[splix.livejournal.com]

"dolphin noises" is cracking me up. :D Thank you so much, sweetie! *smoosh*

[alex-quine.livejournal.com]

Filled with emotion, spoken and unspoken on both sides, Richard because he cannot speak, his mind groping towards understanding through sensation, the torn flesh, the rough wool, the hot liquid - and Pat because he dare not, for himself as much as for Sharpe, voice what he feels and what he fears. Very powerful. thanks for sharing.

[splix.livejournal.com]

What *lovely* comments. Thank you very much indeed.

[peersrogue.livejournal.com]

Magical and tender. Lovely caring moment between them.
"as if it were the most precious of crowns." I can picture it. Lovely, many thanks xxx

[splix.livejournal.com]

I'm so very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to let me know. :)

[hurinhouse.livejournal.com]

your language here is very tangible and harper's voice so spot on. thank you for sharing.

[splix.livejournal.com]

The pleasure's all mine! I'm so glad you liked it.

And thanks for friending! Friended you back. :)

[meb28.livejournal.com]

Very nice! You can really feel the bond between Sharpe and Harper and this was very vivid. Excellent job!

[splix.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm glad it felt vivid to you.

[govi20.livejournal.com]

So very lovely and touching. I could hear Patrick, I swear I really could! That was great my dear!

[splix.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so glad you liked it! I see you're using your lovely hurt/comfort icon. :D

[govi20.livejournal.com]

Yes, seemed the most appropriate with your lovely fic.

[splix.livejournal.com]

That's so sweet. :D *hug*

[kittylass.livejournal.com]

So heartwarming, how Harper takes care of him. There is the truest affection there. Thank you.

[splix.livejournal.com]

I'm just delighted that you enjoyed it. Thank you much. :)

[caras-galadhon.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's absolutely lovely. Harper's such a strength, and yet his worry and concern come through so strongly, here. Since Sharpe doesn't see any of those things -- with good reason -- it made me wonder how often he wilfully doesn't see Harper's worries, preferring instead to think of him as a rock. ^_^ This is a really tender, sweet scene, and a great read.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Bless you, what lovely comments. :D I hope Sharpe can see Patrick's woes at least some of the time, but I do suspect he can be oblivious, at least in his younger days. I'm so, so glad you liked it, and thank you for saying so!

[stormatdusk.livejournal.com]

Absolutely lovely. The pov is perfect. Such a wonderfully crafted piece.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you so much. I'm so happy you enjoyed it. :)

[enemyfrigate.livejournal.com]

Lovely.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! :)

[slashfairy.livejournal.com]

I'm a nurse, and I've held people that way (Thank GOD never on the battlefield, though certainly after surgery for gunshot wounds), and I can feel/sense this all so clearly.

Well done.

[splix.livejournal.com]

That must be a powerful experience. I'm so happy it resonated. Thank you for letting me know.

[mrkinch.livejournal.com]

*grins foolishly*Beautiful.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Oh, thank you! :D

[foxrafer.livejournal.com]

This is so moving. Just gorgeous. Harper's worry, his tender care, it's all so beautiful.

[splix.livejournal.com]

Aw, what lovely things to say. Thank you so much. :)

[ingrid44.livejournal.com]

Wonder if Sharpe realizes the prize he has in Harper? That man has cared for him so often, cleaning up after him, that you want to ask "why?"

[splix.livejournal.com]

I think he did wind up appreciating him - took a while, but he finally figured it all out. :)