[Again, he makes a face. The expression is one of distinct unease this time as he subs his cigarette out against the deck and takes the offered hand. He does use the railing behind him as an additional aid to get up, reasoning that Sheehan probably can't take his full weight if he pulls on him.]
I've never spoken to Arthur. You know that, right.
[He thinks about it for a minute, knowing that the other man isn't going to rush him over it. Right now, going back to his own cabin with the lingering concern that it's going to happen again is a very real worry. Going to Ethan doesn't seem right when he's still in a state and the other man will probably get upset or overly fretful and might just... set him off again.
Alexei rubs a hand over his face and groans lightly against his palm before his arm drops.]
[Walking feels... weird. Like he's off-balance. He uses the wall to keep himself steady as soon as he can reliably touch one, brushing his hand against it while he walks along.]
Yeah. [He leans one shoulder against the wall beside the elevator, nodding slightly and trying his very best to look like there's nothing wrong with him to any other casual passerby.]
I... get that. More than you might know. [A small half-smile.] But if you love him like I do Abel, I bet he drives you up the wall sometimes too.
[There's a brief hesitation, where Alexei makes a face and cringes slightly at his presence being announced, then he shoves his hands into his pockets and steps in past Sheehan.
He can own a room when he walks into it when the occasion suits. Now isn't one of those occasions.]
[Arthur was sitting on the couch, but he's already rising when Sheehan opens the door. If he was at all sleepy before, the only indication now is the fact he's wearing a plain t-shirt and pyjama bottoms under a robe. It's frankly the most underdressed anyone's ever seen him.
That and there's two cups of some sweet-smelling tea on the table, both untouched.
Arthur looks briefly surprised at the unexpected guest, but he quickly gives Alexei a light smile.]
Nice to finally meet you, Alexei. Did you want a drink at all- tea, coffee? Or something stronger?
[Sheehan takes off his shoes when he walks in and closes the door behind him. He's glad, as he always is, to see Arthur, and reaches over to squeeze his hand briefly in a show of appreciation.]
[Though entirely unintended, there's the immediate sense of having intruded. It's late, this is somebody's home, and--
He looks over his shoulder quickly when he hears the door click shut.
Arthur gets a quick scan. An up-down shift of his eyes as he takes in details. He doesn't venture to step away from his position near the door.]
No, thanks. [His native Russian accent bleeds lightly into his words. He takes a breath that's an obvious effort to steady himself.] This might just be a bad idea.
[Sheehan gets a warm squeeze back, but Alexei's obvious discomfort makes Arthur slip his fingers free again. He can see how their guests looks halfway to bolting, and he'd rather not undo all of Sheehan's hard work in getting him to this point.]
Nonsense. [There's bite to the English accent, but it's playful, almost teasing.] You woke us up, your prize is being bothered by us whether you like it or not now. So you can take your drink and some leftovers if you're hungry, and you can hide in the spare bedroom until you're done being embarrassed.
[With a gesture to the hall across the room and a wry little grin.]
[He feels himself bristle, an irritated flush lightly colouring across the tops of his cheeks, and he drops his head slightly to pinch the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger.]
Why does this feel like I'm not gonna be given a fucking choice in the matter whether I want to be here or not.
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I've never spoken to Arthur. You know that, right.
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Huh, well, you don't need to meet him now. I just meant that he's awake, so we won't be waking him up if we sit in the front room and drink tea.
[He shoves his hands in his pockets once Alexei is standing.]
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Alexei rubs a hand over his face and groans lightly against his palm before his arm drops.]
Okay.
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[He gestures for him to follow, through the door to the interior of the ship and towards the elevator.]
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[Walking feels... weird. Like he's off-balance. He uses the wall to keep himself steady as soon as he can reliably touch one, brushing his hand against it while he walks along.]
Did Arthur know where you'd gone?
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[He hangs back with him, making sure that he can walk and offering an arm if he needs it.]
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'M okay. Just feeling a bit spaced out.
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[He pushes the button for them.]
Arthur can be a little - protective of me sometimes.
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I... get that. More than you might know. [A small half-smile.] But if you love him like I do Abel, I bet he drives you up the wall sometimes too.
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I do love him. But I don't think I get frustrated with him. It takes a lot for a person to frustrate me.
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Pity... Makes things more fun sometimes. Not always, though.
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[He chuckles.]
Well, you and Abel are still young. And your relationship dynamics are much different than ours.
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Yeah... I figure our 'relationship dynamics' are different to most people's.
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Maybe not as many as you think?
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Yeah, maybe. The background is fucked but the issues outside of it... not so different.
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There are some things that are just universal.
[They reach the door and he unlocks it, calling through.]
It's me. I have Alexei with me. [He leans back on the door and gestures for Alexei to come in.]
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He can own a room when he walks into it when the occasion suits. Now isn't one of those occasions.]
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That and there's two cups of some sweet-smelling tea on the table, both untouched.
Arthur looks briefly surprised at the unexpected guest, but he quickly gives Alexei a light smile.]
Nice to finally meet you, Alexei. Did you want a drink at all- tea, coffee? Or something stronger?
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Whatever you want.
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He looks over his shoulder quickly when he hears the door click shut.
Arthur gets a quick scan. An up-down shift of his eyes as he takes in details. He doesn't venture to step away from his position near the door.]
No, thanks. [His native Russian accent bleeds lightly into his words. He takes a breath that's an obvious effort to steady himself.] This might just be a bad idea.
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Nonsense. [There's bite to the English accent, but it's playful, almost teasing.] You woke us up, your prize is being bothered by us whether you like it or not now. So you can take your drink and some leftovers if you're hungry, and you can hide in the spare bedroom until you're done being embarrassed.
[With a gesture to the hall across the room and a wry little grin.]
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You don't need to be social. You're not an intrusion. I would not have invited you here otherwise.
But it would make me feel better if you stayed.
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Why does this feel like I'm not gonna be given a fucking choice in the matter whether I want to be here or not.
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[But that grin is still cheeky, rather than smug, and he steps back to move to the kitchen.]
I'll get you some tea. Christ knows you don't need coffee right now.
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[He steps back, giving him all the space he wants.]
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