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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 14, 2012 15:55:38 GMT -5
Francis could feel Arthur's body slackening, and it was as if Francis himself felt the tiredness the way Arthur felt it deep in his bones.
"Come on, I'll help you to bed."
He tried to pull Arthur to his feet, planning to help him walk back to his room. But the pirate couldn't seem to even stand on his own. Francis had no other choice.
With a grunt, Francis lifted Arthur into his arms. He was slow as he carried Arthur back to bed.
"You've become heavy," teased Francis, trying for a little levity.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 14, 2012 16:01:02 GMT -5
Arthur sniffs, quietely. He mumbles.
"Not my fault I look like a mummy..."
He suddenly thinks of something, and grips the front of Francis' shirt in a slight panic.
"D-Don't let the children see me like this -- please--" He remarks, trying his best to hide against the other.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 14, 2012 16:15:47 GMT -5
"Shh," said Francis, slowly making his way down the hall. His room was on the other side, in the opposite wing. "They're not going to see you. They're playing hide-and-seek."
It was so natural, so instinctive for Francis to kiss Arthur's hair in assurance. He was silent after that, just focusing on holding Arthur close and steadily plodding toward his room. They reached it in a manner of minutes, and Francis was relieved to see it empty.
He deposited Arthur on the bed with great care before checking Arthur's bandages. Once he had replaced the worn ones and made sure the others were still holding up, he tucked Arthur in and closed the curtains.
"Is there anything you need?" he asked, walking to the door. "Tea?"
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 14, 2012 16:22:55 GMT -5
Arthur seems to fall into a half doze either way, surrounded by Francis' warmth. As he moves away to the door and he looks back, the pirate blinks for a few moments.
He gives a nod to the tea, before pausing. He blushes.
"You." He murmurs.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 14, 2012 16:59:11 GMT -5
This time, when Francis smiled, he allowed Arthur to see it. "I will be back," was all Francis said before he left for the kitchen.
As he prepared tea, he was shaken out of his ruminations when the children all burst in, shrieking and laughing. They clamored for snacks and sweets, and Francis didn't have to heart to refuse them. He spent a few more minutes baking them some bite-sized fruit tarts and chocolate madeleines.
After accepting their whole-hearted thanks and hugs, he left them happily munching on the pastries to bring Arthur his promised tea. When he returned to his room, he set the tea tray on the nightstand before perching on the edge of his bed.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 14, 2012 17:06:27 GMT -5
Arthur, unfortunately, had dozed off before Francis could return with the tea. His eyes had fluttered closed, breathing having softened, and a hand is above the covers, outstretched, as though in wait for Francis. He murmurs somethhing in his sleep, but otherwise, he's looking more peaceful than he ever had done in a long time.
He'd certainly be sleeping the best he'd slept in in a long time.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 15, 2012 18:10:04 GMT -5
Something in Francis' chest lightened when he found Arthur sleeping soundly. It must have been a long time since the pirate had any rest. Francis gazed at Arthur for a moment longer, stroking his hand. As much as Francis would love to stay and curl up beside Arthur, he knew he couldn't. He hadn't finished what he had set out to do.
With a regretful sigh, Francis stood and dressed himself in another plain outfit. Four children were still out in the city, possibly injured, and Francis couldn't afford to let them fend for themselves any longer. After he was dressed and armed, he kissed Arthur goodbye and found the children still in the kitchen.
He made them promise to behave and to refrain from disturbing Arthur, making sure that they all understood that they must not leave the manor yet.
"It's not safe," explained Francis. "It was a bad man who set the inn on fire. If he finds you, or that you are here, he might hurt you. So please - stay here and stay safe."
Francis in turn promised to bring back their missing friends. After he bid them goodbye, he hurried out the back door. There was still so much of the city for him to search.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 16, 2012 14:39:26 GMT -5
Arthur awakes upon it returning to daylight, having slept better than he had in a long, long time. It was now as he tried to sit up did the aching from his injuries truly kick in, and he groans as he does so. He sighs to himself, looks about, and spots the tea on the bedside table.
He is awfully, awfully disappointed that it is stone cold.
Debating how to get ahold of another one, he wonders where Francis is. Unwantingly, memories slink back to him and with that, an anxiety. He looks about, slinking back and hiding under the covers.
He doesn't want to deal with any more.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 16, 2012 19:35:44 GMT -5
It was late evening by the time Francis arrived back home, with only one girl in tow. It had taken him hours and hours to search every nook and cranny of the city for the four children, and when he found little Maud, she had confirmed, through her tears, that the last she had seen of Elizabeth the Younger and Oliver was when she escaped the burning inn. They had been behind her as they ran. As for Harry...there was no sign of him anywhere.
Though Francis knew he should feel relieved that he had found at least one more child, he could only feel the crushing weight of disappointment. He hated to think it, but reason pointed out that Lizzie, Oliver, and Harry were - were gone. It hurt, and it hurt even more because it would devastate Arthur.
As soon as Francis cleaned Maud up and fed her well, Francis knew he could no longer stall. He trudged to his room, dusty, grimy, glum, bone-tired, and in no state to greet Arthur. But when he tentatively knocked and entered his room, he offered Arthur a smile.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2012 11:30:21 GMT -5
Arthur had ended spending most of the day dozing -- after he had called for the Butler and requested tea, of course. He'd needed it and it served as an escape, though he wouldn't really want to admit that. By the time Francis enters the room again, he's pretty well rested and is sitting up in bed, wide eyed. He glances at Francis for a moment, before holding out his hands. He doesn't care what state Francis is in. He just wants a hug though.
He's anxious, though, but he won't admit that.
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