Chapter Text
It was Thursday afternoon, and light rain misted over the tops of the trees, pattering over the roof of the guest house where Arthur had woken from his nap, and Linus had joined him in bed. In the late afternoon that was swiftly shifting to evening, it was already beginning to get dark.
Arthur and Linus walked back to the main house in the rain. Linus forgot his umbrella, but neither of them minded. It was time for Lucy's session with Arthur, and Linus planned on helping Chauncey with tomorrow's presentation on famous bellhops throughout history. Arthur stopped by the kitchen to thank Zoe for her help that day, and Phee was there making dinner with her. Everyone was so pleased to see him after he had spontaneously taken the afternoon off teaching; it felt as if he had been away on vacation. He hugged everyone as they came to greet him, and he thanked them for the beautiful get-well card they'd made for him.
He idly wondered what Linus and Zoe had told the children when they wanted to make him the card. He wasn't ill, but he certainly hadn't been well.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Lucy was curious about Arthur's nightmares. He had been surprised enough to learn that Linus had nightmares sometimes. But Arthur? He knew he seemed unassailable to the boy.
And not for the first time, Arthur wondered what Lucy saw when he'd woken up and gone to get help. Perhaps Arthur should broach the subject.
But when asked, Lucy had only shrugged and said he'd already been awake, that he'd gotten up to use the bathroom, and noticed Arthur tossing and turning in the bed. Lucy had approached him and said his name, but Arthur hadn't responded to him. Then he'd gone to get help.
Arthur wasn't sure he was telling the whole truth, but it wasn't something he wanted to confront him about. Instead, he complimented Lucy again on his clever thinking and for asking for help.
Even as he said the words, Arthur's heart ached. He was going to have to get comfortable requesting help, himself.
"Why won't Linus move into your room?" Lucy asked again. He'd asked the question frequently over the past two weeks.
"Because both of our lives are taking on big changes right now. Changes take time and they're overwhelming. Sometimes people need a lot of time alone to process change. It makes it so that the change is easier and more comfortable in the long run."
Lucy was frowning, trying to understand. "I still think grownups are dumb," he finally said at length, and Arthur smiled.
"That's probably true. Sometimes it would be nice if everything was less complicated."
"And whose fault is that?"
Arthur laughed aloud. "Someday you'll understand better, though I don't know if that's a blessing."
"It doesn't sound like one."
"I suppose it depends on your perspective," Arthur replied with a smile. "Now, can you remind me of what we were discussing yesterday?"
~~~~~
After he and Lucy finished their session, the boy ran off to work on his Macbeth script with Sal, which they were writing for Lucy's birthday next week.
Arthur sat in his armchair, turning his head to gaze out the window. It was still raining, a cool foggy drizzle that made everything look soft and silvery. The sound of the rain hitting the window was gentle and soothing.
Closing his eyes to meditate, he opened his senses to the whole of the house. He heard the click-clack of Sal's typewriter and the animated narrative of Lucy's voice that carried over it. He heard Chauncey's cheerful warble and Linus' soft tones as they discussed Chauncey's project. If Arthur really focused, he could very distantly hear the clatter of pots and pans and plates in the kitchen where Zoe and Phee prepared dinner. Arthur assumed Theodore was under the couch with his hoard. On a fine day Talia would be out working in her garden, but she wouldn't be out in this rain unless there was some garden emergency.
With curiosity, Arthur followed his cord of connection to the island, which was now much stronger and thicker due to its intertwining with Linus' cord, and found Talia's. It seemed she was in the living room with Theodore. Arthur smiled as he became aware of the sound of them talking to each other. Perhaps he should join them.
Soon. He had a few minutes yet, and he needed to address some of his own concerns with himself.
He needed to be healthy for the children. Part of that meant that they needed to see him taking care of himself when he struggled. They had seen some of that when Linus left, but seeing it after Linus returned might be confusing for them, especially the younger children. They also needed, he realized with a sigh, to see him asking for help and being interdependent with Linus. They had of course seen Arthur's friendship with Zoe over the years, but as two magical beings, it was different. Of course, the children didn't know he was magical, but Arthur and Zoe had known each other for so many years that many of the ways they communicated went unsaid. It was in a glance, an eyebrow twitch, a curve of the lips, a sigh, a stifled laugh. It was in body language, the color of the flowers in her hair, the movement of her wings. It was in the rising temperature of the room when Arthur became emotional.
The children needed to see Arthur and Linus supporting one another. They needed to see Arthur taking steps to getting his needs met. And Arthur was realizing that those needs included finding an expert to help him process what his nightmares were bringing up. When Arthur thought about what Lucy saw, or might have seen, he felt frozen in fear. He needed Lucy to feel safe, and he needed to make sure the environment of the home remained that way. He hadn't lost control of his fire since he was a child, but the nightmare brought it all back in terrifying clarity. He had never actually harmed anyone, but the idea had always terrified him, especially when he had been treated as if he were a monster biding his time until he could burn down the world. He couldn't take any chances. He needed help, and the sooner the better.
But how? Back in the city, when he had gone to university, he'd gone to therapy with a centaur. Arthur needed to find a counselor who was also a magical being, but Arthur would be shocked if Marsyas Village contained such a person. And he certainly couldn't travel all the way to the city every week.
Maybe he could look her up, the centaur. He could call and talk to her. Get her advice. Maybe she would know someone closer to him who could make something work. Now he just had to remember her full name. If all else failed, perhaps she would be willing to do telephone sessions with him.
Even as he thought it, he realized that would never work. Not with the phone in the kitchen and people coming and going. Arthur sighed. Well, he could try calling to ask her advice at any rate.
Arthur's sit-bones were growing numb, so he rose to his feet and stretched deeply. Tomorrow was Friday. Perhaps he could make the phone call during the lunch hour.
~~~~~
Arthur was downstairs in front of a merry fire in the hearth, playing a game of cards with Talia and Theodore, when Phee came to inform them dinner was ready.
Arthur missed Zoe. He missed spending evenings with her, sipping tea and processing the day together. He had that with Linus now, and he wouldn't trade it. But not having time to decompress with Zoe was starting to bother him.
Perhaps he could make a habit of cleaning up after dinner with her, as he had done the night before. He would miss listening to Linus reading to the children, but it might be good for them to have Linus' full attention. And Arthur and Linus would still put them to bed together after they said goodnight to Zoe.
During dinner, Linus rested his hand on Arthur's knee as Arthur thanked everyone for the card and for their care. After they ate and the children were clearing the table and putting their plates in the sink, Arthur leaned against Linus' side and spoke low in his ear.
"I realized I haven't had enough time with Zoe," Arthur began, and Linus was already nodding at him. "I'd like to start helping her after dinner while you're reading to the children, if that's okay. It makes me sad to think of missing your reading time, but it's what makes the most sense to me unfortunately."
"Of course," said Linus. "Zoe time is important."
Arthur couldn't contain his smile.
Of course she overheard. "You bet it is," she said with a smirk. "It's always Zoe time. What are you talking about, anyway?"
~~~~~
Linus followed the children into the living room as Arthur got out some towels to dry the dishes Zoe washed. He overheard the children asking why Arthur wasn't joining them and Linus explaining that he was cleaning the kitchen with Zoe.
"Would you like some tea?" Arthur asked her.
Her eyes sparkled as she glanced over at him, and Arthur noticed her flowers peeking at him, white petals against her white hair. "Sure."
Arthur set the kettle to boil and pulled out their mugs and tea things. "I realized that I miss our evening chats."
"I've missed them too," Zoe said warmly.
He prepared the tea and placed her mug next to her, bumping his arm into hers affectionately. She was smiling.
"How have you been?" he asked.
She glanced at him. "I'm fine. You're the one with all the drama lately."
Arthur huffed, smiling, as he began drying dishes. "It's not drama." His forehead pinched as he rubbed at the edge of a glass. "Is it?"
She nudged him with her elbow. "I'm only teasing. I know you're going through a lot right now, and you're holding it together as best as you can. Which is very well."
Arthur found himself holding his breath. "Do you think it's enough?" he asked quietly. She wouldn't have heard him over the running water if she didn't have a sprite's sense of hearing. Even so, she switched off the faucet and gazed at him in concern.
"Don't be hard on yourself. You know you're doing your best. No one could possibly ask more from you."
"But is it enough?" he asked again, giving her a worried stare.
She stilled, looking at him evenly. "Listen to yourself. You sound like a human."
Arthur ducked his head and stared at his hands, feeling shame burn through him. He felt her damp hand rest on his arm, gently. "You're always talking about self-compassion, Arthur. You don't sound like you're feeling it."
"I'm trying."
"Then you know the answer. 'Enough' is for the likes of DICOMY, who have measurable bars of progress and artificial delineations between one thing and another, when they're really the same thing seen from different angles. Are you enough for DICOMY? Of course not. You'll never be enough for DICOMY. But are you good enough for the people who love you? Arthur, you know the answer to that."
Arthur's face was pink, his lips curving into a small smile. He wasn't quite able to meet her eyes, but he felt warmth trickle into his heart, melting the fear that had taken up space.
"We've all chosen you," she went on, leaning forward, trying to convince him. "I chose you. Linus chose you."
His lips tilted into a lopsided smile. "The children didn't."
"But you chose them, which is more than anyone else has ever done for them. And you know they've chosen you by now. You saw the card they made for you today. They love you."
Arthur sighed and finally looked at her softly. "I didn't mean to come in here and start complaining…"
"You know I don't mind. Complain all you want. And you know if I have something to say about it, I'll say what needs to be said."
Arthur gusted out a quiet chuckle. "I do. It's one of the many things I love about you."
Zoe laughed and went back to washing. "You're not so bad yourself."
They cleaned together in companionable silence for a while.
"Are you by chance going into town tomorrow?" he asked her.
She glanced at him. "No, since we're going on Saturday I didn't see the point. Why?"
Arthur was remembering some pink socks with hearts he'd seen at the general store. "I saw something I'd like to pick up when I was with Linus. I didn't want him to see me buy them. But I'll try to nab them on Saturday myself then, since we'll probably have to split up anyway."
Zoe arched an eyebrow. "Do I want to know?"
Arthur laughed. "Probably not."
The dishes were done washing, and they each sipped their tea before beginning to put the dishes away.
"How are things with Helen, by the way?" Arthur asked when his back was to her.
"They're still fine," Zoe replied, amusement heavy in her tone.
"You're the worst gossip."
Zoe laughed. "You want me to gossip about myself?"
He grinned at her. "Yes! I'm simply brimming over with curiosity."
She laughed again. "You're hopeless."
"Endlessly."
They finished wiping down the counters and table, finally sitting together to finish their tea. Arthur thought back to the afternoon, and began fidgeting with the handle of his mug.
"When I was at university I used to see a therapist who was also a magical being."
Zoe looked up at him with surprise.
"I'd like to call her and see if she knows any magical counselors closer to me who would work with me. I appreciate that you all love and choose me, but…" He shook his head, staring at his cup. "I'm not enough, not as I currently am right now."
"Arthur." Zoe's voice held gentle reproof. He avoided her gaze. "Arthur. You're suffering. By all means, get the help you need. But give yourself some grace. Just as you would, and have, for any of us."
He felt a flush creep up from his neck. He still couldn't look at her, but a shiver ran through him from the cold sweat that followed. He knew she was right. He knew that being hard on himself just made everything worse, and made healing take twice as long. And what kind of an example did that set for the children? But knowing and feeling able to act on that knowledge were two different things. Still, he needed to try. For the children, yes, but also for that little boy in the cellar.
Finally he managed a nod and raised his gaze, offering a grateful smile. Zoe's smile matched his and she patted his hand.
"Is it alright if I don't stay late tonight?" she asked.
Arthur nodded. "Of course. You've done so much today already. I hope you sleep well tonight."
"Thank you. I will." She patted his hand again and got up to wash out her cup. "I'll be off, then. I'll say goodnight to the children on my way out."
"Goodnight, Zoe. Thank you for everything."
~~~~~
Arthur finished his tea and made his way out to the living room. Zoe had already said her goodbyes to Linus and the children, and Linus was still not finished reading the chapter. Arthur paused and leaned against the doorway, watching.
Linus sat up on the couch, his spine tilted forward slightly in a straight line, resting the book he held on his knees. The children formed a fidgeting but attentive semi-circle on the floor around him, listening raptly to Linus' voice. Arthur couldn't even remember what he had been reading to them, but the seriousness in his expression and earnest tone made Arthur's heart flutter warmly. The lamplight was gentle on the side of his face, and Arthur was absorbed by the dark fan of his eyelashes, the movement of his lips, the shy twist of his ankle that showed he still wasn't one-hundred percent comfortable being the center of attention. How Arthur loved him.
Then Linus' gaze rose to the doorway and caught sight of Arthur there, and his reading faltered while his eyes filled with love.
The children turned and followed his gaze, and suddenly they were all shouting for Arthur to come and join them. Even Sal waved him over, and Theodore hopped up and down, chirping. Arthur was helpless to keep his grin from his face, and he knew he was reddening again. He approached them and Linus held his hand up for Arthur to take as he waded through the children to sit next to him on the couch. Arthur curled up against him contentedly, leaning on his arm.
It took him a moment to realize they were all staring at him. "Well?" he said. "Don't stop on my account."
And Linus continued reading.
~~~~~
Arthur found that all of the children had questions for him as he and Linus tucked them in. They had all asked, in their various ways, why he hadn't been feeling well and why he had to take a nap. Chauncey worried whether he had something contagious, and Arthur assured him that he would have warned them if he was. Lucy and Sal had less questions than the others, since they had known he had had a nightmare, and Lucy had already had Arthur's undivided attention during their session and had asked all the questions he had already.
Arthur didn't want to tell all of them about his nightmares, but since Sal and Lucy already knew, and he didn't want them to think they had to keep secrets from the other children, he only told them the barest amount of information. He emphasized that he was focusing on taking care of himself, and that if he needed more time for that, that Zoe and Linus would be there for them as surely as Arthur would.
Reassuring the children had the added benefit of reassuring Arthur himself. Of course the three of them together would be enough to take care of the children. Maybe Arthur didn't feel he was enough by himself, but any adult would struggle with taking care of six children on their own. But there were three of them now. And I wasn't alone in the first place, he chided himself.
Linus stood next to him as he reassured the children one by one, his hand resting on Arthur's shoulder in a show of solidarity as they knelt by bedsides, hoards, or stood near Sal's desk. When Arthur would glance over, Linus would meet his eyes and smile, nodding, reinforcing his statements in his usual solid, forthright way. Silently, Arthur marveled at the change he sensed in the children's emotions by the time the two men left their rooms together. Relief that Arthur was okay, and comfort from Linus' firmly grounded constancy.
They made their way downstairs together, and Arthur offered to make tea for Linus. As they waited in the kitchen for the water to boil, Arthur was still preoccupied. He took a breath to speak, and realized he hadn't yet told Linus his thoughts about seeking therapy.
As he did so, Linus grew rapt and still, nodding earnestly and reaching for his hand. It was sweet, really, and Arthur smiled at him. "I thought about telling the children about it, but I'd rather wait until I know for sure I can find someone to help me. I think it's important to know it's okay to seek outside help sometimes. That everyone needs an expert for one thing or another from time to time."
"Oh," said Linus.
Arthur eyed him sharply at the tone in his voice, an eyebrow arching before he could control it. He quickly turned away to pour the hot water. He attempted a casual air, as he could feel Linus thinking and didn't want to put him on the spot. Presently he sensed Linus approaching to hover near his arm.
"I never thought of it that way," Linus said.
"Oh? What's that?"
Linus gave him a look that told Arthur he knew he was pretending ignorance, and a wide grin spread across Arthur's face. The man was learning him. Well. Soon he would have no secrets at all, not that he wanted them. He would also have no place to hide. It was slightly frightening, in a thrilling kind of way.
"That therapy could be like… calling in an expert for something. Like hiring a plumber to fix your pipes. Or an electrician to rewire your house."
Arthur nodded and led them to the kitchen table. Linus looked up at him.
"Here or living room?" Arthur asked.
Linus' eyes darted away in thought. "The living room is more comfortable but the kitchen is more private." Arthur waited. "Kitchen."
As they sank into chairs next to each other diagonally and took up their tea, the second cup that evening for Arthur, he waited for Linus to finish turning his thoughts over in his mind. He wasn't sure what to expect from him, but he knew something was coming.
"I've never had therapy." Linus finally said, frowning at the wall across from the table. "I thought it was only for…" He trailed off, waving a hand.
Arthur didn't fill in the gaps, and let Linus work through his thoughts some more. He could see the tips of his ears turning pink, and a flush was beginning to rise to his cheeks.
"Might be nice," he muttered after a while. "Someone. To talk about…"
Arthur finally took pity on him, and wrapped his fingers around Linus' hand. "The files?"
Linus' gaze darted to meet Arthur's. He seemed slightly startled, but he eventually nodded.
Arthur considered his words carefully, afraid of inadvertently embarrassing him. "I can see how that could be really helpful. I know you said you've been journaling."
"Yes, and… it helps." Linus turned his hand in Arthur's so they could weave their fingers together. He idly touched Arthur's fingers with his other hand, almost as if he was petting his fingernails, and stared at them absently. "But some feedback would be nice. Do you think a magical person would…"
Arthur chewed on his bottom lip. "To be honest, a human who is sympathetic to magical people might be better. Otherwise…"
"No, that makes sense," said Linus. "Might be difficult for them to hear some of the stories."
Arthur nodded. "If you like," he began slowly, "I could also ask the centaur if they know of any human counselors who might be suitable for you."
Linus stared at him hopefully. "Really?"
Arthur nodded, but frowned as he considered the logistics. "I'm not sure we could find someone nearby… but we can try."
Linus nodded. They sipped their tea in a moment of silence.
"Why don't you have a phone in your office?" Linus asked after a moment.
Arthur startled slightly. "I— I've never needed one."
Linus nodded. "It might be useful to have a second phone line installed in the guest house. If you needed to use it, I could make sure you had privacy. I could use it to make inquiries for my project as well."
That made so much sense. Arthur felt embarrassed that the thought hadn't occurred to him. But would they be able to afford it, with DICOMY's funds? What did new phone lines cost, anyway?
"Let me handle it," Linus said, interrupting his thoughts.
Arthur realized his mind had begun racing, and Linus' tone calmed him. So did the way Linus was holding his hand cradled between both of his. He lifted his gaze to smile at the soft expression on Linus' face.
"Dear Linus. How I—"
But Linus was tugging his hand, leaning forward and holding the side of Arthur's face and kissing him. Before long Arthur completely forgot what he was going to say, and he let it go.
~~~~~
After they had tea, they danced a little together in the kitchen, one of Linus' records playing at low volume. They were silent, but moved as one, both of them very much feeling close to the other in every way. Linus had lit the centerpiece candles on the table and turned off the overhead light, casting the room in quiet, flickering shadow. Despite his nap, Arthur felt his eyelids growing heavy as they swayed together.
"Do you need me to sleep with you tonight?" Linus whispered against his ear, and a shiver ran its course through Arthur's body.
"I—" he began breathlessly, but found himself unable to finish his sentence. Yes, he wanted Linus to sleep with him. But did he need him to? And did Linus want to sleep with him tonight, or was he only making a sacrifice for Arthur's sake?
He felt Linus shift against him, lightly grasping his arms in his soft hands, pulling him back to gaze up at him. His hands stroked up and down Arthur's arms.
"Don't worry about what I want. I'm offering, and I'll be happy either way. Take as long as you need to figure out what you… need. Okay?"
Arthur nodded as Linus pulled him close again and their swaying resumed. He let his eyes flutter closed and visualized his bedroom and how it would feel to climb into bed alone that night. It didn't take long to realize he was afraid of falling asleep again, of reexperiencing his nightmare.
"Arthur, your heart is racing," Linus murmured, and Arthur felt the palm of his hand against his breastbone.
Nodding, Arthur smiled sadly and pulled back to look at Linus again. He swallowed his reluctance and guilt and forced himself to accept Linus' offer. It was what he wanted and needed.
"Since you so generously offered…" Arthur began in a somewhat formal tone, but stopped himself and huffed when he saw Linus' raised eyebrow. He sighed and softened his manner of speaking. "Yes, Linus. I do need— I would take the offer of your company tonight."
Linus nodded and stepped closer, circling Arthur in his arms and leaning his head on his chest. "Thank you."
Arthur held him in return. He felt vaguely uncertain. "For what?" he asked after a moment.
Linus chuckled. "Usually this conversation goes the other way around."
Somehow, that was enough to make Arthur understand, and he laughed, holding him more tightly.
After a moment of quiet, Arthur smiled down at him suddenly. "So. You're teaching the children tomorrow morning. After their presentations."
"Er… yes."
"How are you feeling? Ready?"
Linus chuckled, beginning to look slightly pale and damp. "Truth be told, I'm nervous."
Arthur's smile softened. "You're going to be wonderful."
Linus sighed an overwhelmed sigh and arched an eyebrow at Arthur. "You think everything is wonderful."
"Everything connected to you, naturally."
"You're biased."
"Of course I am. Because I think you're wonderful."
Linus' blush brought the color back to his cheeks prettily. "Oh, stop."
"Never."
Then Arthur was gifted with the sight of Linus' wide smile, which he hid immediately by pressing his forehead to Arthur's chest and groaning. Arthur chuckled silently, his heart floating.
The next song that began to play was the one they had danced to on Linus' last night before he left. The first time they'd danced together, while Arthur had sung in his ear. A complicated ache fluttered in Arthur's chest, and he lifted a hand to cup the back of Linus' head.
"Do you remember this?" Arthur whispered.
"How could I forget?" Amusement was heavy in Linus' tone, and Arthur smiled.
"I thought my heart was going to fail me when you accepted my invitation to dance." Arthur curved his neck back so he could see Linus' face, and he smiled down at him.
Linus was blushing. "Mine too."
"I'm so very glad you did. What a wonderful memory."
Linus' smile widened as he tilted his chin up to meet his gaze. "Sometimes I still can't believe my luck."
Their breath mingled, and Linus' was cool and sweet. Arthur cradled his jaw in his fingers as he leaned down for a kiss. They kissed slowly and deeply, Arthur's hand dropping to rest on Linus' chest and smoothing across it. Quickly Arthur undid one of Linus' buttons and tilted into his neck to nuzzle and kiss him there, breathing hotly, and Arthur could feel Linus sway dizzily in his arms.
"We shouldn't try to do this tonight," Linus breathed as Arthur opened another button and dipped lower to lick his chest.
Linus shivered and Arthur sighed, leaning his forehead on Linus' shoulder. Of course he was right. After a pause to compose himself and catch his breath, Arthur straightened and kissed Linus more chastely.
"What would you say to turning in?" Arthur asked as their song ended.
"We could do that," Linus said with a smile. "Cuddle someplace more comfortable."
"Yes. Come, I'll walk you to the guest house so you can pack a change of clothes for tomorrow."
"Oh, good idea."
Linus also packed his pajamas and toothbrush so he could get ready for bed in the main house. They walked back with their hands intertwined, and shut the lights off one by one as they made their way upstairs to Arthur's bedroom.
~~~~~
Arthur tried not to stare at Linus too overtly as he puttered around the room getting ready for bed. Arthur wanted him there and it was also strange having him there. The bathroom wasn't big enough for them both to change their clothes at the same time, so they took turns. Arthur had to force himself not to sit on the edge of the bed and watch the bathroom door for Linus to come out.
Soon they were both crawling into bed from opposite sides, both of their bedside lamps on dim. Arthur finally let himself stare as much as he wanted.
"Do you usually read in bed?" Linus asked.
Arthur slid closer to the middle so he could reach for Linus. "Sometimes. If I'm not too tired. Do you?"
Linus smiled, his eyes going gentle as Arthur came closer. "The same."
"I don't think I'll read tonight."
"No."
"Then let's…" Arthur trailed off, turning to shut off his lamp, and Linus did the same.
In the dark, Arthur moved to reach for Linus again, his fingers finding the soft, warm nap of his pajamas. He heard Linus sigh and felt him shift lower to lay on his side against the pillow. His hands held Arthur's shoulders and waist, pulling him close so that they lay flush. Arthur felt himself surrounded by softness and warmth, utterly safe, suddenly overwhelmed with gratitude. Linus' hand slid up his back and he felt Linus' breath on his cheek, light and minty from his toothpaste, and then his lips found Arthur's in the dark.
Sleepiness was already pulling on Arthur's consciousness as he lay there in Linus' arms, kissing and being kissed. They kissed lazily, slowly, without any urgency or escalation. They sighed together and slid fingers through hair, along arms and waists, down one another's backs.
"This is a revelation," Linus whispered against his lips after a few moments. Arthur hummed a questioning sound, and he felt Linus shake his head slightly between kisses. "Just… being able to do this. With you."
It was so dark that when Arthur closed his eyes, everything looked the same. "Yes," he whispered, sighing in agreement. He realized that his earlier trepidation about going to bed had mostly evaporated, chased away by Linus' presence. The night before seemed like so long ago now, and he realized he hadn't even considered whether he needed to sleep with the light on again. He was in Linus' arms. He felt so heavy and sleepy, and he rested his head against Linus' chest, and felt Linus' arms fold over his back, a hand inserting into his hair, lips brushing over his forehead. Arthur hooked a leg over Linus'. They breathed together until their breaths became long and their limbs relaxed heavily in sleep.
Sometime in the darkest parts of night, the darkest parts of Arthur's mind reared up to haunt him, but they fizzled and slipped away when Linus' lips were pressed to his ear, whispering to him. "Hush now; you're safe. I'm here. You're safe."