He was halfway through his hoovering duties when Douglas burst into the cabin, and he paused, suddenly unsure about what he was supposed to do. The other man didn't offer any explanation, just slumped into one of the seats and drew a weary hand over his face.
"Douglas?" he tried, but got no answer. A moment later Skip entered the cabin, clearly looking for the first officer, and Arthur heaved a sigh of relief. Skip would know how to handle this, whatever it was.
"I think you've just succeeded in baffling Carolyn," Martin murmured, half teasing, half serious.
Arthur waited for a scathing reply that never came, then decided some tea and sympathy was definitely required. So he dashed to the galley and made two cups, because that was what he was good at, and he loved helping.
"It's not that I don't appreciate the effort, Douglas," he heard Skip saying as he stepped back into the cabin. "But I don't want you to feel like you owe me anything."
"I think I do, actually."
"Look, this thing between us doesn't change anything. We're still – oh, here you are, Arthur."
"Yep," he nodded somewhat apologetically. "I bring tea."
"I suppose I could use a cup," Douglas shrugged noncommittally, and Arthur couldn't help but beam at him.
"Sorry to interrupt, guys, but am I allowed to ask what's the matter?"
"The supreme commander seems to think that any attempt at 'protecting' him is beneath his dignity," the older man said flatly, and Martin promptly huffed in annoyance.
"That's not what I meant. Stop twisting my words."
"You know, Skip, you sound a bit like Minty when she argued with her Dad. Surely it's brilliant to have someone looking after us, isn't it?"
The two men exchanged a panicked look, and he hastened to apologize. "I know, I know, I'm a clot. Should've kept my mouth shut."
"Actually, Arthur, you're anything but," Skip acknowledged slowly. "Douglas, I think we should tell him."
"Ooh, is it a secret? I love secrets."
"Go ahead, then," the first officer conceded after a moment, and Martin shot him a lopsided smile.
"Arthur, the reason for Douglas' unaccountable paternal attitude is that we've just discovered he's indeed my real father."
"Oh."
His friends stared expectantly at him as the whole extent of the revelation started to sink in. "Oh," he exhaled again, and broke into a grin. "Now that's the most brilliant thing I've ever heard!"
He just couldn't wait to tell Mum.