For now, the weather’s holding, but it’ll probably turn to snow tonight. Most of the crew are excited about getting in; the Diamond is registered out of Boston, so a lot of them are coming home. Technically, Blake is one of that number, but he doesn’t share the excitement. There hasn’t been anything here for him for years. He goes through the motions of tying up lines, furling sails, doing his part to bring the ship in, but he doesn’t have the heart for the other men’s laughter and teasing. They’re mostly packed already and go piling off the ship, joking and jostling each other, while Blake ducks back below decks to finally pack his bag. This is the first time he’s been home for Christmas since he was sixteen, and he’s not looking forward to facing it. Too many memories of those easier years, when Dad was still alive, and when things weren’t so damn complicated with his best friend. When Blake hadn’t realized yet that he wanted things Tom would never be willing to entertain.
