I've fallen out of favour.

[pointofspecificity]

[Locked to acleandive. Falling!Verse.]



[Arthur lives in a small, ranch-style house in LA, a residence he prefers to keep quiet about, and which only a select few people are aware of. It sits in the middle of a peaceful street, one where everyone keeps their business to themselves, and it’s the perfect place to retreat to when he wants to lock himself away, to keep the rest of the world out.

It’s been a busy few works, one thing or another cropping up and taking precedence, so he takes advantage of the quiet calm, the abrupt way that everything appears to have come to a halt, because he knows a storm will surely follow eventually and he doesn’t want to miss the chance.

An array of Chinese food is laid out across the glass coffee table in the living room, a half-empty bottle of wine in the middle, and black cushions are piled up at one end of the white sofa, an old and tatty patchwork blanket draped over his lap where he curls up with his eyes trained on the TV. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but to Arthur there really isn’t anything else like a quiet night in alone with a DVD and a book to follow, especially when the only alternatives are things he can never do in reality.

But he can’t help the wandering thoughts, wondering what Mal might be doing on this slow Friday night – he did contemplate calling her earlier in the evening, to see if he could go over or if she wanted to go out somewhere. The only thing that stopped him was the knowledge he would have to stand by and watch her, with him, and secretly wish she wasn’t. Sometimes he hates himself for thinking it, for wanting her to himself, and other times he hates Dom, for having what he can only dream of.

By this point he isn’t sure what it is he’s even watching and remembers, painfully, why he prefers to keep busy, to avoid sitting alone with nothing and no one to distract him from his own thoughts.]

Comments

[pointofspecificity]

No, Mal, I really don't mind. [He knows it's probably cross a line somewhere, but he doesn't stop to care, placing both hands against her face, thumbs carefully wiping away what's left of the tears.] I never did like to see an angel cry, it's heart-breaking.

[He gestures to the cooling food scattered over the coffee table, the bottle of wine.] Have you eaten?

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[Shaking her head and offering him a weak but genuine smile.] I am not hungry, but please, you must carry on with your evening and don't let me spoil it so.

[pointofspecificity]

Oh, Mal. [Sighing, he brushes the back of his hand gently against her cheek briefly.] You couldn't ruin anything if you tried. I'm a lot more concerned about you than I am my night alone.

[He carefully pulls out of her reach, scooping up everything from the table in his arms and disappearing into the kitchen to put the food into the fridge, fetching a clean wine glass when he returns that he fills up and hands to her.] We need to do something to cheer you up.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[She takes the wine glass and craddles it to her, watching him with wide doe-eyes. Shaking her head, she leans back, blanket still tugged around her small body.] I am fine.

[pointofspecificity]

I wish you were. [He picks up one of the cushions, sits down in its place.] Have you considered a vacation?

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[She turns, like she's on a string drawn in to Arthur and shakes her head.] I would not wish to go anywhere alone.

[pointofspecificity]

There must be someone willing to go with you, a friend, a relation. [He frowns in thought, looks down at the cushion where he picks at a loose thread.] I could go with you, if you wanted - if there was no one else.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

Would - [Looking at him curiously.] Would you?

[pointofspecificity]

[Looking up, he seems surprised, shrugs to cover up how big of a deal it is to him that she would even consider it.] Of course I would. If you're sure. You need a break and if company is the only thing stopping you, I'd like to help.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[Nodding a little.] Can we look into it, mon ange?

[pointofspecificity]

Sure. Is there anywhere special you want to go? [He glances over at the clock that sits on top of the mantel piece above the fire and realises it's not quite as late as he thought, then reaches down beside the couch and retrieves a laptop.] I'm paying, so you might want to take advantage.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

I cannot ask you to part with your own money to entertain my fancy.

[pointofspecificity]

You're not asking, I'm offering. [He says it with a firm nod, as if it's final.] Besides, it's not about the money, Mal, you really need a break.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

[Tugging at her blanket between her fingers.] If you're sure?

[pointofspecificity]

[He puts aside the laptop, decides the details can wait for a change, and rests back against the soft, turns at an angle to see her better.] Of course I am. [He takes her hand, brushes his fingers soothingly over the top.] Your state of mind means more to me than anything.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

You're so very kind, my lamb. [Smiling at him a little now.] Where would I be without you?

[pointofspecificity]

I dread to think. [He half smiles, half laughs, wearing an expression similar to that of someone mentally rolling their eyes.] Your husband doesn't know what he's missing.

Is there anything you need? You can take control of the TV, if you want, or we could do something to take your mind off everything. Unless you need to sleep? There's clean sheets on the bed.

[acleandive.livejournal.com]

If only all men were as kind and considerate as you. [Instead of moving she simply leans into the space beside him, shoulder brushing his.] I just need my very dear friend.