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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 23, 2012 16:34:05 GMT -5
The moment he detected Arthur's sob, Francis sank to the floor and wrapped his arms around Arthur and Alice. The children, who had settled in their seats, stared. They hopped off their chairs in sync and threw their arms around the growing heap.
One of the younger girls, Margaret, reached out and patted Arthur's cheek.
"Don't cry," she said earnestly. "Just ask Francis for some medicine and you won't feel so bad after."
Francis couldn't help but chuckle quietly into Arthur's back, against which his face was pressed.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 23, 2012 17:09:21 GMT -5
The tears roll down his cheeks, and Arthur spends a moment blinking them away as his posture stills. He sighs to himself, before pulling himself away. He manages a slightly teary smile.
"I'll... I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
He slowly stands up, wades from the group of children surrounding him, and exits out of the door.
Alice watches him go, before looking down to the necklace that Arthur had placed in her hand. She blinks. It had a pendant of a bird on it.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 23, 2012 17:19:21 GMT -5
Francis decided to let Arthur be. As touching as it had been to see him reunite with the children, Francis knew that Arthur was still dealing with his guilt and needed some for everything to sink in. Sighing, he turned back to the armful of children Arthur left him with.
"Sweetlings, leave him for now," he implored. Carefully he untangled himself from the children, but not without ruffling their hair and patting their heads. "Breakfast, my dears. You must all be so hungry! I made sure Cook prepared something special."
The butler signaled for the rest of the fare to be brought in and placed on the table. The sight of so much food spurred the children back to their seats, heartily grabbing plates and generous helpings. Francis couldn't even bring himself to chastise them about manners. He joined them, albeit with more class, but worry about Arthur nagged at him throughout.
When the children were full, he sent them to play. He told the butler to leave a plate for Arthur and left to look for the pirate. He found Arthur in one of the sunnier bedrooms that he had converted into a nursery on short notice. The baby, who was now awake, was in Arthur's arms, and Arthur was rocking him gently.
Francis sighed and leaned against the doorway, unable to tear his eyes away from the lovely scene.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 23, 2012 17:35:37 GMT -5
Arthur was softly singing to the child; who's eyelids were half closed, gently drifting off into sleep. He had a tender expression.
"What do you do with a drunken sailor... early in the morning..."
He cradles him gently, and as the baby yawns, Arthur's shoulders sag little. His eyes close and he sighs.
"I'm glad you're okay, Charlie. You don't know anything that's going on but I'm glad you got out of that fire. If you had gone with... with some of the others I wouln't know what to do. You have so much to look for, for much hope and a bright, bright future, especially now.. now you're in the hands of someone who can properly care for you. If you hadn't made it then I don't know what I'd do, especially with Alice.... I'm just glad, Charlie."
He pauses, turns his head and notices Francis, before his face runs beetroot red. He turns aroud and silently moves to put Charlie back in his coat, wanting to hide from being caught like that. Darn it.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 23, 2012 17:42:24 GMT -5
Francis realized too late that tears that welled in his eyes and spilled down his cheek. Arthur's words were just so warm, so loving, so...hopeful. Francis wished he hadn't intruded.
"No, please." He hurried over to Arthur, wiping his eyes. "Don't. I'll - I'll leave. Just...stay with Charlie."
He kissed both Arthur and Charlie on the forehead before turning to leave. Hopefully, Arthur wouldn't feel embarrassed again.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 24, 2012 16:36:31 GMT -5
Arthur could only stand there, more than a little bemused and bewildered on how to respond now. He's still holding Charlie in his arms, though he's woken up a little more due to Arthur trying to put him away so suddenly. He looks down at him as the baby mumbles and a fist rests against his chest, before he sighs.
He moves over to Francis, gently kisses him on the forehead, before moving away to let him leave, looking back down at Charlie. He needs time alone, but he guess he did appreciate Francis coming up to check on him.
He returns to cradling the child in his arms, and finally, finally, he smiles to himself.
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