Angsty fluffy feels galore in here! And a pinch of badass Canada! Also a reminder that all Celtics except Arthur belong to Simply a Writer! I also discourage senseless beating of stray dogs.
A few days had passed. Gil had hogged Matt his entire stay leaving Al slightly broody. Arthur sat holed up in his burrow. He had cast a charm over the door to make the others steer away from it. He had his earphones in and lay curled up in the nest. His emotions had caused the collar to act up again only this time he shrunk a foot or two along with his nose and feet shifting. It didn't help that Francis's last command wouldn't let him leave.
With all the crowding, Matt was feeling claustrophobic. "Gil, lemme go..."
Al wasn't even in the room though. Gil loosens his grip.
Arthur sat stewing in thoughts. France didn't want the collar off... He liked controlling him like this... He'd be stuck like this forever...
Matt got up and made to leave. He was feeling better-ish. He needed air. Francis was currently on the phone to Scotland, arguing viciously.
Arthur's eyes glanced over to the scissors still in the far corner. Maybe he could dock his ears? He could go outside again. Just a quick pinch and it was over. Like a piercing right? He's had loads of those, this should be no problem. His hand reached out.
Arthur's hands grasped the handle. The blades surrounded one ear. Arthur's hands shook.
Arthur tossed away the blades crying, curling up.
Francis sniffed having just hung up the phone, then called out. "Arthur?"
Arthur couldn't hear Francis through his earphones. But his charm didn't stop his own noise.
He frowned at the quiet sobbing. "Arthur? Arthur, come here!"
Still couldn't hear him. He'd have to hunt the tiny Brit down. He waited for a moment then just sighed and followed the noise.
It came from a fairly sized storage closet. He frowned and pulled it open.
Arthur lay inside curled up on his nest of blankets. The hoody swimming off him now.
He gasped and leaned in. "Arthur?"
Arthur saw the light and looked up. He looked wrecked, tired and stressed. Arthur pulled out his earphones.
"What happened... where have you been?!"
"In here.."
He reached in carefully. "I was worried sick..."
Arthur sniffs rubbing his eyes. Francis pulled him into his arms carefully. Arthur sat in his lap. Curled up like a child.
He just held him, rocking gently. Arthur gripped his shirt. He just cooed, stroking his hair. Arthur snuggles in. He just stayed until he was ready to leave. Arthur clung to him.
"Is something wrong...?"
The rabbit shrugs. Everything really.
He sighed. "I'm sorry..."
Arthur pressed into his neck. He planted a kiss on his hair. Arthur grew a couple of inches.
He froze, a little shocked. "Arthur?"
The Brit looks up. He was puzzled and concerned.
Arthur hides in his chest. "It wasn't my fault..." He whispers.
Francis just hugged tighter, holding him safe. "I still love you..."
He grew a bit more.
So it was him... He kissed him sweetly. Arthur leans into it. Gripping his shirt.
He got stronger, lips dancing desperately. Arthur's ears tilt back and he pressed into him.
Francis was trying to put so much into this kiss... Apologies, love, fear and desperation all clashed together.
Arthur grew a bit again, hugging his neck.
He wanted him back to full size... He rubbed his hip gently. Arthur moans moving closer. He quickly shut the door, leaving them in the dark, pressed against one another.
Arthur grips his hair. He moaned, opening his mouth. The rabbit moves inside dancing with his tongue. He cupped the back of his head, holding him close as he battled for dominance.
Arthur shifts his legs around him.
His other hand slipped down his back, finding his tail. Arthur shivers clinching his legs. He grinned and sucked on his tongue, teasing his tail.
Arthur moans moving up a bit. Francis released his mouth, panting. "Do you want to?"
Arthur hugs him close. He just wanted to be near him for now he didn't care how.
Francis got the feeling he didn't... he shrugged and hugged him lovingly. "It's okay..."
Arthur clung to him. "'M sorry.." he whispered.
"Shh... it's okay," Francis cooed.
He nuzzled in pressing his nose against his neck. Francis just stayed with him.
Arthur cried lightly for a while before falling asleep. Francis sat with him for a moment longer before carefully carrying him up to his bedroom. Arthur stayed close clinging to him. Francis tried to put him down. Arthur whines though.
He sighed and lay down with him. Arthur snuggles close.
Francis closed his eyes, petting his ears. The rabbit loosened up a little. He was comfy, so he decided to stay. He kissed his brow. Arthur sighed softly.
Downstairs, Matt was pacing irritably. Gil walks in watching him. He saw him but ignored him.
"What's wrong?"
Matt shook his head. Gil leans on the door frame watching. He looked like a penned animal.
Gil frowns.
He was too pale... "I want Al..."
"I think he went out back." Gil puts a hand on his arm and leads him out. Al was up in a tree. Eyes closed and soaking up sun.
Matt strode straight over and pulled him into a hug, just needing his brother. Al squawks nearly falling off. But hugs back when he saw who it was.
He burrowed into his shoulder, letting the familiar scent soothe him. Al rubs his back looking at Gil. Gil shrugs and sits near the tree. Matt just clung. He felt isolated. He needed the boarder...
Al picks him up and carefully moved to the ground setting Matt back in his lap. They both could stand to be outside for a while.
He finally leaned back, just breathing. Al watches him. Gil watches them both. He was slowly regaining color. Al rubs his back
He had felt so claustrophobic indoors... he needed the air. Al just sat back enjoying the sun holding him.
After a while, he spoke. "...Anyone seen the others?"
"I haven't seen Arthur for a while. Francis went upstairs a while ago to find him." Gil answered.
He just nodded. "I guess... we should have been helping, but I just made myself a bother..."
"No you didn't Matt." Al says. "It probably would have made it worse if you weren't here."
"I didn't help anything..."
"I meant they would have worried more not being able to help."
He shrugged. "They wouldn't have known..."
"I doubt that."
He sighed. Either way, he hadn't done a thing to help anything.
Al sighs. He hated when Matt got into funks like this. "You want to go find them?"
He shook his head. "They'll be busy..."
Al looks at Gil. The albino stands up to go see what they were doing. Matt just curled up. Al holds him.
Gil walks upstairs looking for the other blonds. The bedroom door was open and he peaks in. Francis lay awake with the rabbit snoozing in his arms.
Gil walks in watching Arthur. "He ok?"
Francis looked up sharply, relaxing when saw who it was. "He'll be fine..." He was still a little undersized but bigger than when he fell asleep.
Gil sits on the side of the bed. "I think you should go spend some time with Matt later."
He frowned slightly. "Is he alright? Did his weather turn again?"
"No he's fine, just in one of those funks thinking he just caused more problems than solutions."
Francis sighed. "Merde... I would see him now, but..." Arthur was still clinging.
"Take him with you? They're out under the tree."
He sighed and shifted, getting up awkwardly. Arthur clung to him Gil came back out with him. Francis went outside, finding Matt on his back staring bleakly at the sky. Al looks up at them.
Francis frowned. "Is he okay...?"
Al looks at Matt. "Just needs time outside."
He sighed and sat under the tree. Arthur shifts, the smell of the plants coming to him. Gil sits nearby too. They just watch the cloud spotting Canadian...
Arthur blinks awake. He's surprised to find himself outside.
Francis looked down. "Hello..."
He looks up. "Hi.."
"Feeling better now?"
He nods looking around. Matt looked blank. Arthur sees him and frowns. He moves closer to him. Fran let him go, watching curiously.
Arthur sat next to him touching his hair. He didn't respond. He was just blank. Arthur pulls him into his arms nudging his temple with his nose.
Still blanking... Francis frowned.
Arthur continues to nudge. Al frowns watching. Matt ignored him for a while before just pushing him off and getting up to leave. Arthur frowns, ears drooping.
He strode off to the bottom of the garden. Francis hugged Arthur. Al sighs sitting back. Arthur leans on Francis running his hand through the grass. Being outside had soothed him somewhat.
Francis just hugged him, shooting Gil a fretful look. Gil was watching Matt sadly. So was Al.
"What are we meant to do with him...?" Francis asked.
Al sighs. "I don't know.."
Great... if Al didn't know, odds were there was nothing to be done... Arthur turns to Matt. He stared at the sky again.
Arthur frowns nuzzling into France.
He kissed the top of his head. Arthur sighs. His hand continues to touch the grass. This was truly problematic...
Arthur gazed off into the trees. They were heavy, dancing slowly in the light breeze. His ear twitched. Something rustled in the bushes. No one else noticed but it was close to Matt.
He turns toward it curious. It rustled again and Matt turned, frowning.
Arthur sits up ears perked. It was too big to be harmless... Matt stepped back nervously. Al looks up. Arthur leans forward trying to smell it. It smelled damp, musty... like a wet dog that never quite dried.
His eyes widen. He runs toward Matthew.
Francis was shocked. "Arthur?!" Matt had no clue, but he was scared. Something was there... Arthur grabs him and pulls him up and away.
Matthew stumbled back, confused. Arthur trembled as the same dog from before slunk out of the bushes snarling at him. Matt took it all in and grabbed Arthur, pushing him behind him.
Gil moves to get up but Al holds him back. Matt watched the dog cautiously. It growled and circled around them. Matt kept himself between Arthur and it. It turned and lunged. Arthur grips Matthew's shirt.
Matt jumped back, kicking out at it. It yelps falling sideways. He backed up, pushing Arthur towards Al. Al grabs him as the dog got up snarling at Matt.
Matt made sure the others were protected, planning on using the mutt as a stress reliever. It ran at him again. He swung in a knee; breaking a couple of its ribs.
It staggered. Al holds Arthur in his lap and winced at the sound. Matt looked like he was enjoying it...
Al frowns. He didn't like hurting animals if he could help it. He knew Matt was the same way most of the time. He must really be ticked off..
Matt kicked the poor thing until it limped off, whimpering and bleeding. Arthur still trembled softly. Al watched Matt as he rubs his back. Matt just stood, panting. Francis frowned.
Al hands Arthur to Francis and walks over squeezing his shoulder. Francis hugged him close immediately. Matt turned sharply, eyes glazed with a coat of bloodlust and hate.
Al sighs. "Why don't you take a run in the woods?" He says quietly. "Hunt, run. Get your energy out."
He sighed, nodding as he turned away. "See you later..."
Al pats his shoulder and watches him leave. Gil looks at them confused. Only Francis and Arthur knew about their spirits. Al walks back to the tree and sits down.
Francis sighed as he came back. "I assume he needs some time outside?"
"Been cooped up too long.. You ok Artie?"
"Yes."
"Who wants to have lunch out here today?"
"I'd like that." Arthur says. Al and Gil agree as well.
Francis hummed. "I..." he stopped as his phone rang. "Hang on..." Arthur looks at him and then settled in the grass.
He pulled out his phone and answered, frowning. Arthur watched from the corner of his eye as he fiddled with a flower.
His frown just deepened. "No, not right now... no. I'm busy."
Arthur glanced over. Francis looked angry. His ears tilt back and grips the flower.
"Look... just shut up! I'm too busy to entertain you, now fuck off!" he hung up sharply.
Arthur shrunk back slightly. Al and Gil watch Francis. Francis rolled back into the grass, sighing heavily. Arthur watched him. Everyone seems off today.. He thought lowering his ears.
Francis sat up again. "Lunch." Arthur looked up at him.
"I could help." Al says.
He nodded. "Come on then."
The two went inside leaving Arthur and Gilbert alone. Arthur sighs curling up. He hugs his knees with one hand and paws the dirt with the other.
They went inside, Francis pulling out odds and sodds. Al helps out, debating on whether to ask about that call.
He looked so focused, he had to be pissed off. Al decided against it. He just helped with making lunch.
Soon they had a meal sorted. Al picked up two plates and heads out the door. Francis brought the other two.
Al sits on the ground handing Gil one plate. Arthur looked up at Francis. Francis handed Arthur a plate and sat down.
Arthur set it in his lap thanking him. He eats but felt slightly put off by the mood in the air. Francis picked at his halfheartedly. Arthur sighs mentally. Was it cause of him again?
Francis put his plate down. "...Your sister's coming over..."
Arthur looks up confused. "Why?"
"She saw the video... Iain told her you were here..."
...Should he be worried about the Scott or happy he might get hurt?
"She should be here tonight..."
Arthur nods. Why was Francis so sad though?
He lay back again. He was worried that she would kick up a fuss...
Arthur watched him for a moment before taking his hand. He continued to eat with the other. Francis squeezed tight, just breathing. Arthur rubs his thumb over his knuckles.
"Arthur... are you okay with this...?"
He shrugs. "I'm half wanting her to go pound Iain for me." He squeezed his hand. "But I'm insisting on staying here if she brings it up."
He nodded. "I don't want her harassing you..."
Arthur sets his plate aside and lays next to him. "I'll just have to tell her off then." Al smiles softly.
Francis smiled slightly and pulled him into his arms. "Just let me know and I'll send her home.." Arthur smiles and hugged him.
Francis held him close, nuzzling between his ears. Arthur hums. Al climbs back up in the tree and Gil takes the dishes in. He figured he'd wait for Matt to come back then head home. Francis just lay there, letting the contact soothe him.