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[heyboss]

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[lestercraft]

Let's not pretend you're unintelligent, Alexei. You know that's not true.

[His tone isn't snide, just a simple comment.]

You can't control the Barge, that much is true. None of us can control who the Admiral chooses to contact, or what happens to the ship during floods and such. But you can control your reaction, how you think about it, even if how you feel is still fucking raw. And if the only thing you can see here is the same prison you clearly came from before, then you aren't giving yourself the opportunity to see proof that that's not true.

[heyboss]

[Sheehan sits back and only adds one small detail.]

This place is designed to elicit change. As delicately as a hammer, sure, but change nonetheless.

[reargunner]

This place can fuck itself.

[He gets up suddenly, putting the cup down on the coffee table and straightening up with an unsteady breath out.]

Thanks for the tea.

[But he's going. Straight out of the door before his hands start shaking too badly.]

[lestercraft]

Alexei.

[He's not going to move, not going to pressure him into staying, but he does want to reach out first. At least to remove the doubt he's fucked this up forever with them.]

You're more than welcome to come back, whenever you feel like it. Just- let us know. Alright?

[heyboss]

Exactly. [He also doesn't get up, doesn't try to stop him.]

Thanks for coming by.

[reargunner]

[He pauses briefly at the door, swallowing a breath before speaking.]

A gilded cage is still a prison. Nothing's gonna convince me otherwise.

[Then he's out of the door, because it's not a debate he's willing to have with anyone, even Abel. At least he doesn't slam it shut behind him.]

[lestercraft]

[And then the silhouette is gone through the window, Arthur sighs quietly, and goes to sit with Sheehan.]

Sorry, love. I pushed him too hard there.

[heyboss]

[He takes his hand when he sits.]

It's alright. It's hard sometimes to know what sets him off. I don't even think he knows sometimes.

But he's a good kid and I trust our friendship.

Besides, how many times have you wanted to storm out on me, hm?

[lestercraft]

[He gives a soft chuckle, and lets his head rest on Sheehan's shoulder.]

Fair enough. And still - for my first conversation with him, it certainly could have gone far worse.

[heyboss]

[He curls an arm around Arthur and presses a kiss to his head.]

It really could have.

Now. Let's go back to bed?

[lestercraft]

[He gives a soft huff at the kiss, and leans up to kiss his husband back properly.]

I'll be right there. Just going to put these back in the kitchen for now.

[heyboss]

[He stands up and feels the stress and exhaustion of the day weighing at his body. He feels old.]

Thanks, detective.

[He watches him a moment after that kiss, but ultimately trudges back to their bedroom for bed.]

[lestercraft]

[And Arthur is only a minute; just long enough to pour the cups out and toss the teabags. The rest is John's problem.

Because instead he's going straight back to bed so he can cuddle his husband and steal his warmth back all over again.]

[heyboss]

[Sheehan's already half asleep by the time Arthur joins him, but he does wake up enough to wrap his arms around him to hold him close.]