TLV: IC Inbox

[lestercraft]

"This is Arthur Lester. I'm not available right now, but do leave a message and I'll find the time. A-a voice message, please."

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[OOC: Please note Arthur is blind, so audio format is strongly ICly preferred, but by God don't let that stop you]

Comments

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[lestercraft]

Arthur's brow furrows, as John talks, but he doesn't pull back, or even pull his touch away. His grip slides down, to John's wrist and stays there, giving him a light pat before it turns into another squeeze.

"Okay," he says quietly, as uncertain as it is, but he doesn't pull away. "So... I-I hear you. That... the lighthouse was... it wasn't the best we've handled things. We- we both fucked up there."

His jaw tightens, drawing a silent breath when he opens his mouth again, but - no words come, and he lets it go as a sigh. "I-I-I don't know what to say right now."

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[greatoldjohn]

He relaxes, just a little, at Arthur's touch. But it's obvious he's still-

Having Ashton do the same thing, and then having Misty act as if Not Saying Anything made everything better-

It all added up to needing to address it, needing to look at his mistake and admit it to Arthur. He breathes out slowly and finally meets Arthur's eyes.

"You don't have to say anything. A-and it's obvious now that I did kill Parker, given... well, given that he came back. But," he swallows, hard, "I realized that while I've apologized for... being cruel, I never apologized for lying to you. Or for... giving into my fear instead of believing in you and hurting you for it. And no matter how far we are past that, you-"

He clears his throat.

"You deserve to hear those apologies. And you deserve to know the truth."

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[lestercraft]

"John, it's alright."

It's without hesitation, looking back up to meet John's eyes again. "I forgive you. You brought Parker back, and that's all the apology I need."

The words come readily, and genuinely at that. It's still so much to try and sort through, but at the very least - John needs to know that above all else. Perhaps that might have broken something between them before, and even if right now that's still a bit battering, they'll get through it.

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[greatoldjohn]

He swallows, audibly. Visibly. But he nods. He had to. A-and maybe "deserve" wasn't true on a cosmic scale, for anyone or anything...

Between them? It absolutely was. And he wants Arthur to know that.

"I don't- I don't want to knowingly keep secrets between us. I just-"

He swallows.

"I hate this. But I wanted you to know."

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[lestercraft]

"I know." He reaches up to cup John's face, brushing his thumb along his cheekbone. "And I'm- I-I'm proud of you, for facing up to that fear. No matter how much you were worried a-and hated it."

He gives him a soft, worried smile. "No deliberate secrets. We can do that."

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[greatoldjohn]

John leans into the touch, like a flower into a beam of sunlight, and while there's still a bit of tension in his frame, there's a stream of sweet, flowing cello notes that slides between them almost like a warm breeze. Now, and only now, does he reach for himself, put his hand around Arthur and tug him closer.

"...Arthur."

His his his his.

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[lestercraft]

There's a soft, bright laugh from Arthur as he's tugged in, and he tucks himself neatly under John's chin.

"There we go, you lummox. Feeling better?"

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[greatoldjohn]

"Mmmhmm."

So much better. A cello melody flows smooth and warm along a bed of golden affection, finally unfettered from his concern.

Quieter-

"Thank you, Arthur."

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[lestercraft]

And it's harmonised with an easy, almost jazzy piano, perking up the simple cello with Arthur's pleased warmth.

"Always, John."

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[greatoldjohn]

"Can I-" a pause before, "can we just-"

He just wants a little time with him. Just a little.

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[lestercraft]

"Of course. Let me just--"

He pulls himself out from his little tuck against John - so he can shift around and climb into his lap properly, back against John's chest and reclining comfortably.

"There." A deeply satisfied little hum, accompanied by a faintly smug swell of piano. His turn to be in the damn lap today.

Re: After his talk with Ashton

[greatoldjohn]

Yes, which is a very nice way for things to be. He'll feel as well as hear the low happy rumble against his back and the notes of the cello happily toddling along through an unscripted melody. It will come with a nuzzle to his hair and a kiss to the top.