for point_forgotten

[chesstotem]

Their flight landed in Honolulu in mid-afternoon, so by the time they got their bags, hailed a cab and got to their hotel to check in, it was practically time for dinner. Fortunately, their hotel had a nice restaurant right off the lobby. Ariadne spent the meal watching Arthur closely, hoping he was feeling a little more relaxed. Ever since that projection had managed to shoot her in that dream, he'd been plagued with nightmares and had been really tense.

This trip had been his idea, and Ariadne hoped it would help. "We can go to the beach right away tomorrow, if you want," she suggested.

Comments

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

“I just…I don’t feel like it right now.” He knew it was no excuse, but that was honestly how he felt. “I’m so sorry.” He reached out and touched her face.

[chesstotem]

She pulled away from his touch, but nodded. "Okay. That's fine, I just... wish you'd said so earlier." She wiped again at her face, and made a beeline for the bathroom. "I'll be right back..."

She closed the door and locked it behind her, then perched on the toilet seat to cry for a few minutes.

Eventually, she got control of herself, and took off the rest of the lingerie, exchanging it for a simple pair of cotton panties and the oldest night shirt she owned - so old, what had once been a white t-shirt had turned gray. She also put on the chain - the one she'd put Arthur's ring on. She slipped it under the shirt, and stared at her reflection in the mirror, hoping the blotchiness on her face would go away quickly.

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

When she left to go to the bathroom, Arthur sat on the edge of the bed, face in his hands. He fucked up.

[chesstotem]

Eventually, she came out of the bathroom, having washed her face and brushed her teeth, and looking a little more composed. "I'm going to watch some TV in the other room," she informed him, her voice calm.

And that's exactly what she did - curled up on the couch, feet tucked underneath her, and flipped on the TV.

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

He didn’t know whether she wanted him to join her or not, but eventually he decided the latter and went to brush his teeth before getting into bed.

[chesstotem]

She told herself it didn't matter, if he didn't join her, but she honestly wasn't sure what to think.

She felt hurt, and she wasn't sure why. It was just embarrassment, she hoped, and the feeling would go away soon.

She spent over an hour flipping through stations on TV, but nothing caught her interest and finally, she turned it off and carefully climbed into bed next to Arthur - not sure if she should snuggle close like she usually would, if he would want that - or if she even wanted that.

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

He felt her get into bed so he turned onto his side, facing her in the dark. “Can I hold you?” He asked softly.

[chesstotem]

She thought about it for a moment - really thought about it - and finally nodded. "Yeah." She always liked having him close, and besides, it really wasn't his fault he wasn't in the mood.

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

He wrapped an arm around her waist and brought her in close to his body.

[chesstotem]

She relaxed in his arms, like she always did, and kissed his cheek. "I'm sorry I got upset," she murmured. "You didn't do anything wrong."

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

“It’s okay, trust me. You don’t have to apologize,” he told her.

[chesstotem]

"I do," she insisted. "You need to know I won't get upset or act like a big baby just because you're not in the mood. Just like I know you would never get mad at me if I'm not in the mood."

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

He blinked a couple of times and looked away. “I’m feel like I’m letting you down.”

[chesstotem]

"No," she said hastily. "It's no big deal. Tomorrow, or the next night, or some other time you'll want me. And I'll be here when you do. I'm just sorry my surprise didn't please you."

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

“It’s not that it didn’t please me, it’s just…” He trailed off, not sure how to finish his sentence.

[chesstotem]

"It's all right. Forget it." Ariadne gave him a soft kiss, then tucked her head under his chin and closed her eyes.

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

"I love you," he muttered, closing his own eyes.

[chesstotem]

"I love you, too," she replied. "In the morning, we'll look up some sightseeing around the city, yeah?"

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

“Yeah,” he said, yawning. It didn’t take long until he fell asleep.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne was tired, but didn't sleep as well as she usually did with Arthur near. She woke up early, and slid out of bed to make coffee and start looking for some things they could do in the city today.

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

Arthur didn’t wake up when she got out of bed or to the smell of coffee. He just turned over onto his other side and kept sleeping.

[chesstotem]

Ariadne let him sleep, busying herself with compiling a list of things they might want to do.

Eventually, she wandered back into the bedroom. "Arthur?"

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

He didn’t wake up when she said his name, only moved around again.

[chesstotem]

She perched on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through his hair affectionately. "Arthur?"

[point-forgotten.livejournal.com]

"Hmm?" Slowly, his eyes opened.