jusqu’ici tout va bien

amenaza:

It’s Arthur’s birthday and the only thing he’s asked for is a packet of jammie dodgers. It’s not that he wants to be modest, or come across as a better person (no, he is already good enough, he is much more than that), he’s simply happy enough sitting in the galley chatting away and munching on sweets. And that’s the reason why Martin takes wrist as soon as they land and Douglas has gone off to Carolyn’s office and puts it on his forehead.

It’s almost comical the way Arthur’s eyes widen, except they’re unfocused, and pupil-less, and entirely too frightened to make him laugh. He still does, because he’s Martin Crieff and being awkward is what he does best. Until Arthur presses the tips of his fingers curiously against his Captain’s left eyebrow and soon his other hand joins him. He smoothes his palms against the freckled forehead (he wouldn’t be able to tell, of course he wouldn’t. It doesn’t mean he deserves it) and inspect every curl resting there, messing with the careful parting, twisting with wonder before sliding down and pressing slightly harder against sharp cheekbones, then carefully —Oh, so carefully, like a child poking a scab but not wanting it to hurt— he traces the outline of Martin’s eyes. Once, twice, until he’s sure he won’t forget it. He thinks the lower lashes seem wetter the more he repeats the action, so he stops and moves onto the nose, the lips. He almost utters a stray brilliant! when the sharp, long tip descends into the most peculiar Cupid’s Bow, and a nearly square bottom lip. Chapped, bitten, but welcoming. He doesn’t want to let go, and running his thumbs along the taller man’s jaw, with the ever-scratchy stubble (ginger, Martin is ginger. I wish I knew what ginger is like) and the shells of his ears before letting them fall to his shoulders.

And then Martin hugs him like there’s no tomorrow. Happy Birthday.

Skip, is everybody so… sharp? Why am I different?

You’re not different. I have a weird face.

It’s beautiful. I’m sure it is.

Shut up, Arthur.

…Thank you.