"Arthur Inkwell here. I've no earthly idea how this thing is supposed to work, but leave me a message if you're so inclined. I'll retrieve it at some point or another!"
[ this comes after Alec and Henry. which means he'll hear, after a few moments, the rapid thud thud thud thud thud of Sprezzatura sprinting up the stairs to the motel lobby, right before she flings the door open for him ]
[ The door flies open, and Arthur is surprised by the suddenness. He spares another moment after that to just look her over, looking for signs of injury from the her oni's escapades in her bodies.
She seems to have been healed, thank the Twelve.
And with that in mind he suddenly surges forward to fling his arms around her and pull her close. ]
[ He will heft her up, then! Take her fully in his arms and lift her feet from the floor to hold her. I hope no one else is going to try to leave the dorm because they're gonna be here a minute. ]
[ what did he just say? who knows! she's buried her face as deeply against his neck as she can, one hand firm at the back of his neck. she even wraps her legs around his waist, but this time there is nothing sexy about it. ]
[ now that she's up, she does not want to come down again. also, her legs are so unsteady from sprinting up the stairs that she isn't sure she can confidently walk.
she looks at him, really looks. he's completely healed. ]
[ the gesture soothes. her hair is silky and smells nice.
she is nevertheless aching. if you're going to say this always happens to you, that everything you want always slips out of your fingers--well maybe not, but fuck, quite a lot of it does ]
All that work... [ an utter waste. she closes her fingers against his back and heaves a much larger, heavier sigh. ] I never wanted it to be like this. Never to put you in harm's way.
[ hears herself make this sound like a whine, but also kind of a wheeze, because this hug is tight. we'll ... it is out in the world now, and she can't take it back!
how did this happen? Theo first, and now Arthur and Herlock. her heart feels far too big for her chest. she turns it over in her mind: I love you. it's such a glorious sound. ]
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She seems to have been healed, thank the Twelve.
And with that in mind he suddenly surges forward to fling his arms around her and pull her close. ]
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Oh, my sky. I'm so glad to see you.
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I couldn't stop her—I couldn't—
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No. Please don't. You cannot blame yourself. I won't hear it.
Twelve forfend, I was so worried about you.
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[ it's childish, but she pushes her face down even harder when he tries to draw away. don't look. just... don't. ]
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Sprezzatura... my love, look at me. Please.
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she lifts her face. looks like she hasn't been sleeping well again. ]
I will be fine.
[ a gentle self-correction ]
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All things with time. May I come in?
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You may.
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[ He's being polite about it!! But he will carry her into the dorm if she wants. ]
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she looks at him, really looks. he's completely healed. ]
Dream... rescued you.
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... He did. I have since learned all I have to do is call for him and he'll hear me.
[ So you know. LESSON LEARNED. ]
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lowers her face down again with a little sigh. tiny sigh. her face buries in his hair ]
I never thought to tell you. I'm sorry, zaychik.
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[ Now that they're in the common room proper, he finds a couch to deposit them both on. ]
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murmuring, ] Arthur... Arthur... Blood is gone, isn't it.
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It is. I think I would have destroyed it eventually, regardless. I'm sorry.
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she is nevertheless aching. if you're going to say this always happens to you, that everything you want always slips out of your fingers--well maybe not, but fuck, quite a lot of it does ]
All that work... [ an utter waste. she closes her fingers against his back and heaves a much larger, heavier sigh. ] I never wanted it to be like this. Never to put you in harm's way.
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I know that, too. I don't think for one moment that you meant for any of this to happen.
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I could feel...... [ the noose tightening ] I could myself fixating on it. Thank you for taking it, Arthur.
[ again, she's squishing her face into his neck ]
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[ He draws his fingers through her hair again. She truly is so precious to him. He hopes she knows that. He— ]
I love you, Sprezzatura.
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she releases a breath into the cut of his collar. and suddenly, Arthus is being hugged, squeezed very tight. tail and all. ]
I love you.
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I'm so glad you're alright.
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how did this happen? Theo first, and now Arthur and Herlock. her heart feels far too big for her chest. she turns it over in her mind: I love you. it's such a glorious sound. ]
I love you, Arthur. I love you...
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