sunny-kingsmenâ:
Arthur tenses as Vivi hugs onto him, his expression one of shock and then⌠it melts back down, further than before, heâs so right on the edge of shattering like glass in her arms. Her tight grip pops his poor spine but it was almost comforting, like she could somehow hold him together. But this was an opportunity he might as well take. Itâs just a dream, after all, itâs not real. Couldnât he be afforded a little bit of comfort in his own dream? Trembling arms wrap back around her carefully and he closes his eyes. Them being so close, she can hear that his breath is shaking as if heâs already cryingâ even if he isnât just yet.
Theyâre talking to him, apologizing, and he canât stop it anymore. A soft cry escapes under his breath and his own grip on Vivi tightens a bit, head lowering as tears start to fall down his face. Itâs just too much. He wants to hold her here, Lewis too if heâd come closerâ he wants to hold them both and never let go and tell them just how sorry he really was, how much he wanted to make things better. But he canât. They wouldnât understand, itâs just a dream. Just a dream that would fade and slip through his fingers, just like the real things. How cruel.
Vivi pulls away before heâs ready for her to leave him but he doesnât try to stop her, retracting his own hands so he can try to wipe away the tears that were still falling. Pointless, but he had to try. Had to save face, for them. He doesnât look at them, either of them, eyes pointed off to the ground somewhere else, anywhere else. âDonât apologize, not your fault I⌠I shouldnât have d-dumped that on you guys.â Another weak laugh wrenches itself from his throat. Why does it hurt so badly? He pulls away from Vivi, oh so gently.
âItâs nice to meet you both.â
The two of them exchanged another look, feeling a helpless weight on both their shoulders. It was very clear that the guy was upset, with him crying out and clinging to her. she patted his back even when they parted, until he removed himself entirely from her grip. But then his gaze stayed away, and he tried to pretend it didnât bother him. It definitely still did, plain as day on his tired face.
âUm. Itâs okay. I mean.... I guess the âusâs here arenât very nice and might play a prank on you like that? You donât have to apologize for assuming weâd be like them, then.â Vivi tilted her head. Honestly that just seemed cruel by her standards. So they had to be different here, if this guy could assume she and Lewis would do something like that. It sat in her stomach like a little weight. She flapped her fingers to expel it.
âYeah.â Lewis agreed. âBut.... it is nice to meet you, too. What. Um. What was your name again?â He fumbled his fingers. âSorry if thatâs awkward. Iâm just still processing, I think. Do you need anything, also? Maybe we could sit down and give you a few minutes to process everything....?â










