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heyboss

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From:

greatoldjohn

The little mouse that had been sitting on his shoulder now transforms mid leap onto the bed into a nice big yellow-orange fluffer who's immediately purring.

From:

lestercraft

And Arthur moves to the bed with him, taking the bottle but only so he can sit down and immediately press against Sheehan's side, giving him a soft kiss as he does.

"I'm glad you're alright, doctor."

From:

heyboss

His cat!

Arthur's attentions are wanted, but he does curl up around the cat for a moment, glad that he's around. Then Arthur is getting that kiss returned so he can settle finally, eyes closed.

It's the safest he's felt in a while.

"I'm alright," he assures him. "I'll be better as time goes on."

From:

greatoldjohn

Cat will wait till kiss is done to curl up on his lap and purr.

From:

lestercraft

He settles the bottle between his legs, for now, so he can wrap an arm around Sheehan's shoulders, holding Sheehan tight against him and shifting slightly so he can press his leg against John as well to fondly steal some of those purrs. Finding one of his hands with his free one so he can squeeze him again and rub his thumb across the pads of his palm. Seeing if he's trembling at all.

"It's alright to be rough now," he says gently. "That was... i-it was a bad one, all round."

From:

heyboss

"It was."

His hand is shaking, but he doesn't try to hide it from Arthur anymore. He just uses his other hand to pet John.

"I think everyone will need a few days after this. At least...I hope they will."

From:

greatoldjohn

Going by my own experience, it just seemed to want to fuck with people.

And the monsters were... grotesque.

There's a little cat chirp from John.

I love you both.

That experience had him wanting to say it again. To both of them.

From:

lestercraft

"We can certainly hope, but back home this was the sort of thing we'd regularly have to just- power on through, and hope we came out the other side more or less intact," he hums. "Unfortunately I don't hold out much hope for people taking the time to rest for longer than they need to lick their physical wounds."

From:

heyboss

"Mm, it is you two I am most worried about," he admits. "You should not power through this. And you don't have to. Either of you. Because at home, I will make you talk about it."

He's mostly teasing, though, feeling warm and light from the drink.

From:

greatoldjohn

The cat is going to duck around his arm to put his paws on Sheehan's chest as he looks up at him, tail swaying.

Once I knew it wasn't real, it stopped bothering me and just made me angry.

From:

lestercraft

"I suppose that means here, we'll have to make you talk about things as well, you know," he comments dryly, pressing a kiss to Sheehan's temple. "Get into the habit early, as it were."

Christ, what's Parker going to think, seeing him actually talk about his feelings, his past?

From:

heyboss

"Good, anger is normal. But remember, anger is a secondary emotion. It's usually covering up something else."

But John is getting some good pets for that answer. He leans against Arthur slightly, though he sways a bit too much when he closes his eyes.

"I talk about all sorts of things," he remarks, his free hand reaching for the bourbon again.

From:

greatoldjohn

He's a big enough cat that he can learn up and burrow against Sheehan's jaw and purr.

I was angry because it felt like a shitty trick that cheapened people's pain. Not just the ones who were seeing things, but the people they were seeing.

From:

lestercraft

There's a fond warmth in Arthur's chest at the sight of John burying his face under Sheehan's chin, purring like a damn car engine, that John will be able to feel as a quiet, steady chord progression.

When Sheehan goes for the bottle, though, Arthur puts his hand on his, trapping the bottle for a moment.

"Were you going to tell me what happened with John, before?" And his voice is only soft compassion. "I know you didn't mean to. That you were stressed and got startled."

From:

heyboss

He pauses, looking to John and then back at Arthur. "I assumed John had told you. To spare me having to say it," he admits, immediately choking on the words.

From:

greatoldjohn

I did! And because I knew Arthur telling you it was all right might help more.

John's still in place, still purring, rubbing his face against Sheehan's jaw.

From:

lestercraft

His arm shifts on Sheehan's shoulder to comb softly through his hair. "He did, and I am glad for it. But that just means I know John is alright. We're both worried about you. I don't even know how long it's been since you've used a gun, but- regardless. It's still terrifying, to shoot someone you care about."

From:

heyboss

"I shot Jedao once. In a memory, but I was my younger self." He pushes himself up and rubs the back of his neck, setting John to the side.

"It's always - that. I'd only shot one person up close before I came here."

From:

greatoldjohn

The cat is going to circle a little before hopping over to curl up against his thigh.

Do you want to talk about it?

From:

lestercraft

"You're allowed to need time as well, doctor," he assures quietly, pressing another kiss to his temple. "We're here for you."

From:

heyboss

He looks down to his hands, trembling as they are.

"I'm alright. There isn't anything to say about it. I am not good with a gun. Never have been."

From:

greatoldjohn

You know what trembling hands need? A cat under them. He pads over and arches up greedily. Put those to work, mister.

Here.

And Sheehan will feel a couple more spells filter in. One to resist being hurt... and another to move quickly.

From:

lestercraft

"A convincing argument if ever there was one," he mumbles.

And he takes one of Sheehan's hands himself to gently massage again.

"Parker made me get a gun license, you know," he says, with quiet and inordinate fondness. "When he finally convinced me to join the business officially. Said it was a vital tool of the trade." He lowers his voice a little for it, channeling the Boston accent, and he can't help but chuckle. "I'd learned how to use a dummy rifle in the Brigade, of course, but, er. Well, my first time actually using it, I locked up - if Parker hadn't nearly broken my knee getting me to duck I'd probably be short a few things north of my chin."

From:

heyboss

Sheehan laughs because holy shit that accent is terrible, but also the thought of Arthur struggling with the gun makes him smile.

"I was a crack shot at basic," he explains, relaxing with the cat in one hand and Arthur massaging the other. "But when it came to actually using it against someone - hated it. Like I said, the only time I fired at someone up close was - we were in the desert. It was hot, so fucking hot that the boys were dropping like flies.

"And they rushed us. I fired nearly point blank, and the heat made the hit so clean that it went straight through him. I swear I saw him turn around and watch the bullet go through the other side."