#aidanarcher

Aidan would stick with him for a while, but he couldn't put his finger on the root cause. He had come to terms with Luke the moment he had stepped foot in his life again. What was done was done. He would like to think he had the willpower to stick with his plans.

Lips part, about to tell Fletcher he had done nothing wrong, that if he wants to be with her that's what he should do, but the rest... He didn't have to be an angel to realise what was in front of him was a man fighting his feelings.

"Oi. First of all, okay, don't project your shit onto me. Look at me. You wanna say shit like that be brave about it. I'm a lawyer I've met with people tougher than you." That was meant as a tease. Halfway. "Secondly, Luke's a kid in my eyes. Third of all, you're as transparent as an empty bottle of vodka." Aidan reached to pat Fletcher's arm. "I know... us leavin' an' comin' back was unpredictable an'... it must've been hell for you, brother. But don't punish yourself now for no damn reason. If you think people would die t'have Luke in their life why aren't you willin' t'be honest for it? Huh? If you really wanna be with your wife an' jus' be friends with Luke then you be with her proudly an' try. You didn't know if Luke would ever come back. Don't feel guilty for movin' on. If you don't wanna be with her figure that out slowly. Man I came out here t'ask for your help, not give you a lecture. I think you should've said yes t'that drink." Ha.

Fletcher was shaking his head. This was just too much at once, and the only blame he could see was Aidan himself. If he wanted a calm and serious conversation it could have been done some other time. An invitation offered then and there to see him some other time. Not that Fletcher would have shown up, but there was a way of going about things. A human pace. This was, however, the correct way to shut down a conversation.

Be brave about it? He could damn sure look him in the eyes then.

“Ya don’t fuckin’ know me. I don’t care what ya fuckin’ are. Don’t act like ya know shit. N’don’t fuckin’ pretend," he pointed to the house, "that that person in your house is beneath ya like that. Ya got years. Just a few fuckin’ years. That ain’t shit. What ya even do with em? Huh? Hide in your house starin’ out the window? Did ya do anything? What, Aidan? What ya do that’s so fuckin’ important? Fuckin’ tell me shit, brother."

"That depends. Are ya happy? You love her? Wanna be with her?" If so, then there was no reason to kick his ass. He simply went after happiness, which everyone had a right to do. If not, then yeah, maybe Aidan would have to slap him upside the head. Causing yourself all this trouble and pain would be plain stupid, Aidan could try to rattle his brain back into place and reconnect those wires.

Oh, Christ. This was worse. He would rather five fingers across the face. How long had Aidan been planning this? The man looked like he'd had his hand on the knob the moment they crossed the street. This was just too much too quickly. No easing in. No lube whatsoever before this fuck.

Fletcher cleared his throat, still refusing to make eye contact.

Fletcher looked rather dumbfounded. Bewildered. Maybe a little amused, if not outright concerned.

"Nah, don't, but there it is." Aidan had never done this before. Hadn't once sought him out after returning from Wherever with the rest of the family pack. So, stood to reason Fletcher was on alert, and that question didn't help matters. Easily taken as a pending threat.

In fact, Fletcher was going to take a step back.

His body would be stiff to the touch, but maybe that was expected. Muscles in desperate need of relief, aching from constant clinch.

"Luke didn't mention he was meeting you. How'd that happen?"

Much less walking and more standing awkwardly on the sidewalk, but if Aidan wanted to move, Fletcher would follow.

Aidan gave him a confused look. "Why are you walking backwards?" Is he scared or something? "Want a drink? I've got a bottle of whiskey open." The discomfort wasn't felt by him. He's a bystander, after all. He's Switzerland. "Or I'll jus' take two minutes of your time."

His steps had been away from the angel, but Aidan could interpret as he liked. He had no intention of going into that house, though. Obvious enough when he didn't make a move up the driveway.