Crushing Hearts [Repost] (1/1)

Arthur chuckled at Avdey's response. "Hey, as long as you know yourself well enough to admit it."

He grinned at Cyrin. "There are rules, I'm sure he's a lawful brawler."

Cyrin's question made his blush, just a little. "Whichever works, though I'd prefer you, if you want a completely honest answer."

The movers had the desk out and in the back of the truck, and were working on the bed.

Arthur just grinned at Avdey's antics. Cyrin's huffiness made him laugh though. "I mean, why follow the rules when there's no ref to call it, right?"

He just gave Cyrin a softer smile at his question. "Anything, really, so long as I can be around you." His voice went just a bit soft, reminding Cyrin that they had been tender with each other. No point in acting like strangers just cuz Avdey was around.

He had to chuckle at Avdey's assertion. "What makes you say that?"

Arthur grinned at their banter, and raised an eyebrow at Cyrin the more Avdey talked. "OH, ok. Sounds like I need to make a move then." He winked at Cyrin, not even bothering to hide his intentions from Avdey.

Well. The obvious flirtatious ones, anyway.

The movers had the bed loaded up by the point, and were making sure the apartment was clean on their way out. Arthur had paid for the whole thing, loading, cleaning, unloading, and the drive, so they were earning their paycheck.

Arthur watches the interaction, his eyebrows slowly rising. He decided to just let it stand, though it would make for a good topic to get into conversation with Cyrin later about.
More chances to set the hook.

The movers were done, and Arthur tipped his head towards the trucks. "Think they're all ready to head back. I'll, uh… I'll see you both there."

They got back to the apartment, and Arthur guided the movers through the building as they moved the desk, and then the bed into the elevator and up into the apartment.

He turned to Cyrin once they got the bed moved up. "Where do you want these pieces? Decided which room you're claiming as your bedroom, and where you want the desk?"

Arthur directs the movers, and they set the desk facing out the window, the bed across the opposite wall.

He glances at Avdey. "I mean, his fear, his prerogative. I like the windows, but he doesn't have to." He'd noticed Cyrin's fear the first time he saw the apartment, and had added it to the list.

The movers moved the bed, and Arthur stood there, since he wasn't really a part of the conversation.

Arthur gives him a friendly nod goodbye, before glancing at Cyrin. "Speaking of dinner, you gonna take me up on my offer?"

Arthur smiled. "Well, that's what I had in mind. Of course, the best burger joint is the next town over. Or we could just Mc'D's, here. Your call."
He did want Cyrin to go with him, so maybe giving him options would help him make up his mind for once.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Sure, but since you never have an opinion, it's a little difficult to plan something you like without asking you questions. So either communicate more, or quit whining when I ask you what you want. I'm trying to do right by you, Cyrin, and I can't do that without offering you options. Unless you really want me to call the shots outright. I don't think you want that. That's not how friendships work, it's not how relationships work, and I-…" He trailed off, realizing what he'd just said, what he'd just admitted to wanting… and closed his mouth. He turned and headed out the door.
"C'mon. Let's get you that burger." He didn't say much else all the way down the elevator and then to the parking lot, where he unlocked his car.

Arthur opened the door and started to get into the car, but Cyrin's words stopped him. He watched Cyrin talk, listening, and his brow furrowed a bit.
"Preferring not make decisions is indecision, by definition. And you just said that if you don't like something, you'll tell me, but you didn't We did movies and video games the other night and you never said a word about not liking it. So how can I believe you would actually tell me if you didn't like something?" His voice went from frustrated, to this soft pleading, like what he was saying was very important to him. "Cyrin, I want to make you happy, whether you're a people pleaser or not or whatever else. I want to do the things you enjoy, and put a smile on your face, and that's not going to happen if I just do what I want. And on top of that, planning something, only for you to tell me halfway through that you don't like the thing, is a great way for both of us to end up frustrated and upset. I just…"
He paused, thinking, his eyes beginning to water. "I care about you, probably more than I have any right to… so it's important to me."

Sixclaw growled internally at Cyrin's snippy response, but Arthur pulled off the reaction he wanted.
He stepped back as if Cyrin had physically slapped him, before getting in the car, completely silent. He didn't look at Cyrin, didn't say anything, didn't let his face relax from the upset, hurt look.

He considered the admission that the night had been enjoyable cuz they'd been together, and he softened a bit. Just a little.

He drove carefully, not acting angry, just… sad. Defeated.
He finally very quietly said "You just, what?"

Arthur was quiet for a moment more, before very slowly reaching over and resting his hand on Cyrin's leg, near his knee. A comforting touch, just establishing contact and that things were ok.
"It's ok… I'm sorry I snapped." He hadn't, really, but at least a little bit, this conversation had been tense on account of him. "As long as you had fun and enjoyed yourself, enjoyed your… time with me… then it's all good. I just want to make you happy, Cyrin. You deserve that."
He paused, thinking, before going on. "I'll just have to be sure to get you in the moment a lot then." And here, he finally looked over and gave Cyrin a smile. "Sound good?"

“You didn’t snap. I was being a smartass.” He looks at Arthur’s hand, smiling slightly. He hesitates, looking at Arthur, gently setting his hand on Arthur’s. He sighs, “I did. I enjoyed myself. More than I have for a while.” He laughs softly.

He smiles, “Sounds good.” He keeps his hand lightly over Arthur’s in the case he wanted to pull away, watching him.

Cyrin seemed relaxed, at least, and they were in agreement, so Arthur considered the… fight? disagreement? whatever it was, settled.

He didn't move his hand.

They got to the burger place, a spot with the pretentious name Steak on a Bun. The preposterous claim was half the draw. They had delisicious burgers, greasy, heavy, smothered in cheese and ketchup and any other topping you wanted, with thick cut fries, tall sodas, and milkshakes so big you could share a medium with another person and have enough to have leftovers.

"Oh, absolutely." Arthur grins at him. "This place is so good, but yes. You're exactly right. Watch your step or you'll slide across the floor."
They walked in, and a waitress pointed them to a booth. "Be right there to get your orders, boys!"

Arthur scooted in, and slid a menu towards Cyrin. "I don't know if you know what you want already. I certainly do. This place serves exactly what you'd expect."