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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 10, 2011 20:33:47 GMT -5
Francis was on the verge of panic as he stared helplessly at Arthur weeping outright. It struck him, at that moment, that Arthur was more or less the same lost, wounded soul with grappling with fear, innocence, and trust that Francis had rescued all those months ago.
Francis hoped that the same manner of comfort that he had once used would work again. He lay behind Arthur, pulling the pirate against himself, and held him loosely but reassuringly.
"Oh, my dear heart," he murmured, pressing his lips to Arthur's hair, "there's no need for that now. No need for drink and no need for tears. Nothing will hurt you, I promise."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 10, 2011 20:44:36 GMT -5
Arthur continues to cry, but as Francis holds him close, and kisses him softly on the head, he seems to sniffle and quieten down a little. He stares ahead, before a hand gently reaches to go over Francis' own, almost entranced by it.
Before he manages that, he starts to hiccough badly. Rather than get even more upset, this seems to do the opposite effect and distracts him, upon which he just whines at his own misfortune. He struggles a little, finding the hiccough a little painful due to how much he ached from earlier
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 10, 2011 21:01:02 GMT -5
Something in Francis fluttered pleasantly when he felt Arthur's hand over his. Careful not to move it, Francis used his other hand to rub Arthur's chest, trying to ease the hiccups. When it didn't stop, he reached over the nightstand, beyond the bottle, where a glass of water and a pitcher was usually kept.
He poured Arthur a glass and watched the hiccups subside, still massaging Arthur's chest soothingly. Hesitantly, he reached out, slow, giving Arthur enough time to back away, and brushed Arthur's tears away with his thumb. His thumb remained there, just stroking as he gazed at the other man.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 10, 2011 21:10:22 GMT -5
And, it actually works like a charm. Arthur quietens down completely, eyes blinking tiredly at their hands and at the wall opposite.
It's at this that Arthur suddenly starts to giggle, a hand patting at the hand on his chest. He wiggles, slightly.
"....ti...ticklshes....."
He's starting to close off, his eyes drooping. It's like he can't even remember what he was like not two minutes ago.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 11, 2011 12:49:57 GMT -5
Francis wasn't sure what did him in - the childish giggle, the drooping eyelids, or the sweet flush on Arthur's face - but he reached forward and embraced Arthur.
"Why don't you go to sleep now?" He smiled softly. "I promise you, you will feel better."
Francis moved them both to lie more comfortably, though he did not let go. He could feel the other's limbs beginning to slacken and his breathing become more steady. To ease Arthur to sleep, Francis began to sing softly under his breath, repeating the lullaby his mother used to sing him a long time ago.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 11, 2011 13:02:56 GMT -5
There's a small sniffle, a quiet whimper, but Arthur seems to do as Francis asks, consciously or not. He seems to relax back into Francis' embrace, eyes closing completely.
Arthur's asleep within two minutes, clinging lightly to Francis' arms, an innocent look on his expression. It was one of the only times one would find it.
He certainly wouldn't have it with the banging headache in the morning, though.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 11, 2011 13:13:58 GMT -5
It wasn't long before Francis fell asleep as well, still holding Arthur in his arms. Unlike his earlier bout of unconsciousness, Francis slept deeply, even better than he had for months since Arthur had last left.
When he woke up, he found himself face-to-face with the pirate, and his heart seemed to flip and expand all at once. Francis smiled sleepily, half-sure that he was still in a dream.
He didn't speak, having no desire to ruin the quiet moment yet. He simply smiled and stroked Arthur's back, breathing lightly. He knew that Arthur would be assaulted with a horrid headache, and so quietly pressed the bell by his bed for his butler.
Francis instructed him to bring some remedies for the headache and more water, a request that was fulfilled with speed and silence.
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 11, 2011 13:23:26 GMT -5
Arthur wakes not too long after the Butler had come through with supplies, his eyes slowly cracking open. The first thing he can tell is the light, which to him feels like he's being blinded. His head is thumping violently. Whimpering a little with the pain, he rolls away, eyes still closed.
A moment later and there's a thud as he rolls off the bed and lands on the floor. All he can do his grunt, eyes now open wide, and stare a bit numbly at the floor before him. Doesn't help he banged his head on the side table on the way down.
He doesn't seem to notice this.
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Post by Francis Bonnefoy on Dec 11, 2011 13:39:31 GMT -5
The thud of Arthur hitting the floor startled Francis and he scrambled over to see Arthur wrapped in the sheets, cocoon-like, on the floor. He buried his head in a pillow to stifle a laugh.
"Careful there," he said when he lifted his head. He hopped off the bed and tried to carry Arthur, blankets and all, and placed him gently back on the bed.
"Here." He handed Arthur a glass of water first. "Just lie down for a while. It will fade away eventually."
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Post by Cpt. Arthur Kirkland on Dec 11, 2011 13:46:31 GMT -5
Arthur just grunted again, but it wasn't till Francis put the water under his nose did he gaze at it dumbly for a few moments, before he blinked and suddenly came to life, struggling out of his blankets and ignoring the water. He looks up at Francis, seemingly acting as though his headache wasn't there.
"... Time. What is it? What time is it?" He sounds urgent.
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