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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 17, 2012 11:53:50 GMT -5
Francis fell into Arthur's arms, despite his unkempt state. He took a few moments to close his eyes and breathe deeply, comforted by the warmth and scent of Arthur against him. It was so tempting to fall asleep now, immerse himself in Arthur and nothing else, and try to forget the tragedy...
He sighed and opened his eyes, turning to face Arthur. He knew he had to meet Arthur's eyes when he delivered the news.
"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I only found Maud." He couldn't find the heart to elaborate.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2012 12:08:47 GMT -5
Arthur holds the other against him, the warmth a relief after spending all day -- while in his bed, not quite with Francis.
He doesn't look at Francis as soon as he apologises, almost imagining that doing so would make the news easier. But it doesn't. Arthur noticeably tenses as he holds Francis. He's quiet.
"It's okay."
His voice breaks, and he buries his head against Francis' shoulder.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 17, 2012 12:37:04 GMT -5
Francis trembled, feeling the loss weighing down on him, suffocating him. His grip on Arthur tightened for a moment as he took a deep, shuddering breath. When he composed himself somewhat, he drew back.
"No, it's not." His voice was so low that it was barely audible.
He pulled away and sat up. After a moment in which he hesitated, he decided to remove his muddied clothes and leave them on the floor. He couldn't find the energy to do anything else, to think anything else, and so lay back on his bed beside Arthur.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2012 13:41:42 GMT -5
Arthur watched the other as he undressed, before returning to gazing straight forward, then down at his hands. He mumbles.
"Not your fault."
He gazes down, before his voice cracks again.
"I-I want to see t-them -- where a-are the rest of the kids--"
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 17, 2012 13:47:03 GMT -5
Francis placed his hand on Arthur's tentatively, giving Arthur time to pull away.
"They're sleeping."
He had found them all in one room, piled in front of the hearth, clutching at each other. As Maud had dressed in the room Francis gave her, Francis had put the other children in their respective rooms. They were all tired.
"I think it's best if we wait until tomorrow to see them."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2012 13:54:47 GMT -5
Arthur sniffs again, and practically crawls atop of Francis, hiding away. He's trembling, his voice wobbling dangerously.
"T-They c-can't be gone --- I-I could've saved t-them, I c-could've saved them---"
He hides against Francis, and cries.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 17, 2012 15:57:42 GMT -5
Francis knew that Arthur's tears were for an altogether different reason: grief, not guilt. This was something Francis could not assuage with firm words and embraces, because this was all Arthur's, and Arthur had a the right to this.
All Francis could do was remain with Arthur and hold him until he spent himself. When Arthur finally ran out of tears, Francis shifted to lay Arthur on the bed and tucked the pirate into his arms.
"We'll see them tomorrow, bright and early. I'll make breakfast for all of you, and when they go downstairs to the kitchen to find you, it will be the loveliest surprise they will have." Francis stroked his hair. "But for now, you have to sleep, hmm?"
Knowing that it worked before, Francis decided to ease Arthur to sleep with a lullaby again. He began to sing.
"Une chanson douce que me chantait ma maman, en suçant mon pouce j'écoutais en m'endormant..."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 17, 2012 16:33:07 GMT -5
Again, as always, the spell is cast and Arthur's eyelids slowly start to flutter close, hands tiredly reaching up and clinging to the other. He sniffles, but his eyes close and his head lolls against Francis' chest, managing to be lulled into at least, a false sense of security and promise that everything would be just fine...
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on May 17, 2012 17:07:41 GMT -5
Francis finished the song after Arthur had drifted off, but he lay awake for a long time. He couldn't seem to shut off his thoughts long enough to fall asleep, and when he finally did, his slumber was fitful. He tossed and turned, seeing Lizzie, Oliver, and Harry in his dreams, seeing the inn...
When he finally awoke, it was barely dawn, and he felt more exhausted than before. He decided to just lie there, wrapped around Arthur, trying to still his thoughts.
The manor was quiet, and the servants would only be beginning to stir. The children wouldn't be awake for another few hours at least...Francis thought it would be best to wait until Arthur was awake to start breakfast.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on May 19, 2012 18:11:55 GMT -5
Arthur awoke around mid-morning, eyes fluttering softly open. He blinks a few times, trying to adjust to his surroundings, before automatically curling against the warmth of the body beside him. He allows himself a slight yawn.
"hn..." He remarks. It isn't quite the best good morning in the world, but it's a start.
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