|
|
Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 5, 2012 19:58:19 GMT -5
Francis wasn't quite sure how he ended up with an armful of Arthur, and he didn't care. Arthur's heart was breaking in front of him and all Francis could do was offer what comfort he could. The warning voice in his head grew louder: Francis was going to hurt himself much worse the closer he became to Arthur.
But Arthur needed him. This was his weakness.
"It's all right," murmured Francis. "It's all right to cry. It's all right to feel this way right now. We know that once we tire ourselves crying, it will be time to summon our courage again and help those who need it."
He couldn't help tightening his arms around the pirate. "We will find a way to deal with this, all right? We will heal, and then we will track down the survivors and keep them safe."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 5, 2012 20:03:20 GMT -5
He sniffles and trembles in his arms, but miracously, surrounded by those arms and enveloped in the other's scent, he calms, until he's simply sniffling. He's still trembling slightly, and he shifts, sniffing.
"F-Francis--"
He still doesn't seem to get half of the problem here. He still doen't get that Arthur caused it.The blame couldn't be put off him, because if that person hadn't seen Arthur then they wouldn't have set the fire.
He whimpers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 5, 2012 20:32:55 GMT -5
Francis felt somewhat relieved when Arthur's sobs subsided. He continued to coo soothing words in Arthur's ear, hoping that the pirate would calm down enough to let Francis guide him back to the bed.
"I'm here," repeated Francis reassuringly. "I promised to stay with you, didn't I?"
Slowly, Francis peeled himself from Arthur, but kept his hold on Arthur's hand. "Come on, let's get you to bed. It's much more comfortable there than the floor. I worry that you might make your injuries worse."
He shifted to stand, then lifted Arthur high enough to settle him into the bed. Francis devoted his attention to tucking Arthur in and fitting the numerous fluffy pillows around Arthur snugly, mindful of his burns.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 6, 2012 14:43:39 GMT -5
Arthur spends a few moments in a daze, being tucked into soft, covers that were still warm from Francis' bodyheat, and smelled strongly of him.... until he winced, and suddenly started to struggle to sit up. He was still too scared and emotionally berefted to be able to let himself relax.
"T-Tea--" He whimpers, and he finds himself glancing at the liquor cabinet.
|
|
|
|
Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 6, 2012 14:51:28 GMT -5
Francis hurried to sit beside Arthur and push him back down on the bed. The bandage on Arthur's upper left arm had shifted due to too much movement; Francis fixed it quickly.
"Hush." He kept his touch light as he guided Arthur's gaze from the liquor cabinet. "I'll fetch some tea for you. Just...please stay there."
Francis' smile was encouraging as he gradually rose from the bed. He hated having to leave Arthur where he couldn't monitor him, but Francis didn't have the tea on hand.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 6, 2012 15:50:27 GMT -5
Arthur's eyes widen in panic, he quicly reaches out and latches onto Francis' arms, gazing up at him. Frick, it hurt. It hurt to even look at him. But he needed him. Gosh he needed him so badly right now even if he was a 'fall back'.
Before he knew it he was blurting everything out, voice feeble.
"I-I went t-to the inn t-too see the children and a-and then I left, a-and... t-then I got to the ship a-and I'd forgotten t-to g-give a necklace I got made f-for.... f-for Elizabeth so s-so I wentt b-back, but o-on my way back people w-were running, t-then I came back a-and the i-inn was on fire t-there was n-no sign of anyone t-there a-annd I r-ran in a-and the slums set a-alight -- god s-someone m-must've seen m-me come out a-and a-and---f-francis--"
His tears overtake him, shaking violently. He hangs his head
|
|
|
|
Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 6, 2012 16:04:58 GMT -5
As the words sunk in, Francis could suddenly imagine flashes from Arthur's account: the inn rooms, filled with laughing children; Arthur fingering the necklace on the ship; the inn on fire...
Francis couldn't breathe. The children, trapped by the flames - Francis took a deep, shaky breath. Now was not the time to be consumed by his imagination. Slowly, Francis inched toward Arthur, touching his hair.
"It's not your fault," said Francis again. The fact must be drilled into Arthur. "They all survived. They are strong children, clever and resourceful. They have to be."
Francis returned to sit on the bed. "But right now, you need to heal."
|
|
|
|
Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 6, 2012 16:25:33 GMT -5
Arthur's too lost on him though, and he gazes off at the bedcover.
"Tea...." He mumbles, before suddenly freezing. He reaches into his trouser pockets, and pulled out the small necklace. It had a pendant of a bird on it.
His shoulders tense, and he's sobbing silently to himself, as he curls over and holds the necklace to his face.
It was all his fault.
|
|
|
|
Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 6, 2012 16:32:38 GMT -5
Francis sighed, feeling lost. He honestly was not sure how to go about this; he had already tried to pull Arthur out of his misery once and failed, lost Arthur in in the end. Now Arthur needed Francis to do it again for him. What more will Francis lose if he did?
Francis pulled Arthur's fists from his face and stroked his clenched, white knuckles. He hated to do it, but Francis had to ease the necklace out of Arthur's grasp. It was weighing Arthur with too much guilt and memories.
"What else, Arthur?" he whispered. "What do you need me for?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 6, 2012 16:46:48 GMT -5
He gazes at the other, absollutely refusing to let go of the necklace and lose it. He couldn't lose anything else too. He just couldn't.
He looks to Francis, eyes softening when he finally, finally calls him by his first name. His heart mometarily stops, stuttering and expanding.
He sniffs, eyes slightly bloodshot.
"....F-Francis..." He whimpers, pitifully.
|
|
