A laugh bubbles out of him as his cheeks go bright red.
"Christ, was that what did it? I only had the sword out so I didn't accidentally shoot you, doctor, I was hardly going out of my way to impress." He hides his face in his mug but it doesn't quite cover his bashful smile. "You needed help. What else was I supposed to do?"
"I think I'm short a few pieces if you're after the whole knight affair, doctor." But the blush hasn't really gone down, as he lowers his cup anyway. "I've made most of my way through life on wits and grace alone."
"We can't all be dashing, unfortunately. I suppose I'll leave that to the other men. Not that I - actually pursue that. Norton was very - confusing about the whole thing."
He waves a hand. "Ah, I don't think it matters at this point. And I wish I could say I was surprised that he went to you."
Dashing again - Arthur sits up a little straighter, more or less without thinking, with a prim little smile.
"Knowing Folgate's type, frankly I'm shocked he didn't come to me sooner about it," he comments back easily. "Apparently he must think quite highly of you to give you even that brief opportunity to break the news for yourself."
"God." He can't roll his own but the energy is there as he takes a drink. "Is there anyone else I ought to be worried about coming out of the woodwork to helpfully inform me?"
"I intend on it." He inspects the cup again. "I told her about Andrew, too. The entire story. I realized I hadn't - said a damn thing about him to her."
"Any progress at all is still progress made, doctor," he points out, more sincerely. "I..."
He glances down, thumb idly rubbing the side of his cup. "I'm aware of the difficulties that poses." And then a short huff: "I hardly need to tell you it's something I still struggle with myself."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 12:11 am (UTC)"Christ, was that what did it? I only had the sword out so I didn't accidentally shoot you, doctor, I was hardly going out of my way to impress." He hides his face in his mug but it doesn't quite cover his bashful smile. "You needed help. What else was I supposed to do?"
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 12:19 am (UTC)And God, it's lovely to see that smile and know that he doesn't have to hide anything now. Making him blush is actually...very funny.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 12:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 12:51 am (UTC)He waves a hand. "Ah, I don't think it matters at this point. And I wish I could say I was surprised that he went to you."
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 01:00 am (UTC)"Knowing Folgate's type, frankly I'm shocked he didn't come to me sooner about it," he comments back easily. "Apparently he must think quite highly of you to give you even that brief opportunity to break the news for yourself."
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 01:02 am (UTC)And he rolls his eyes. "I'm not actually upset with him. He really can't help it."
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 01:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 01:12 am (UTC)Which seems important.
"Una won't say anything to you until I let her know that you've already been told."
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 01:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 01:58 am (UTC)He leans back, annoyed with himself at that fact.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 02:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 02:28 am (UTC)He shakes his head. "I'm going to - do better about that, I think. At least with you. And Una."
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 02:40 am (UTC)He glances down, thumb idly rubbing the side of his cup. "I'm aware of the difficulties that poses." And then a short huff: "I hardly need to tell you it's something I still struggle with myself."
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 02:43 am (UTC)And he stands by that decision.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-27 03:11 am (UTC)"If there's... anything you did want to ask, doctor. I- I can't guarantee I'll be- able to answer, but. You deserve the truth."