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[rule_britannia]

To anyone who might have heard about my brother Phineas' unfortunate accident and subsequent stay in hospital, mother has informed me that he's perfectly fine now. I'm sure all of those whose lives he has touched with his generosity and gentleness of spirit will be very relieved.

[The sarcasm, it's dripping off the page]

This year is turning out to be rather interesting already, I must say. Magical Languages looks as if it's going to be... enlightening.




Also, I found a copy of Spellman's Syllabary stuck between two chairs in the common room. There's no name in it. I believe I may keep it if no one claims it, so if it's yours, do speak up.

Comments

[rule_britannia]

Yeah, I suppose he has..

[He offers the hat back, his free arm curled around himself]

As I said.. I think it's admirable, what you're doing for him.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Bro takes the hat back, putting back on his head firmly.]

You can tell me that when I've actually fucking succeeded at something.

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur clasps his hands behind his back, but it only lasts a moment before he's folding them in front of him]

The way I see it, you've succeeded in several things already.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[As much as he appreciates hearing that, Bro just shakes his head quietly.]

Not the important things.

[rule_britannia]

[He rubs the back of his neck and frowns]

You don't think.. that giving a little boy someone to look up to is important? That giving Dirk a home was important? Please pardon my bluntness, sir, but they are important..

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Bro just shakes his head once more, not even looking at Arthur anymore. He knows he's dumping way too damn much on the kid, but Arthur just doesn't understand.]

None of that matters if I don't win the custody fight.

[rule_britannia]

He... did mention that to me.

[The boy sighs quietly. This conversation doesn't feel as if it should come this easily]

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Bro is quiet for a long time as he just thinks about it. About the consequences of not winning. Of the fact that it could all end so much worse if he's deemed an unfit parent... the thought is sickening and he wants to just throw up right there.]

He doesn't know the half of it.

[rule_britannia]

I don't expect you to tell me the details, professor, but..

[He straightens up slightly]

I bloody wish my father would look at me with the same expression you have when you talk about Dirk, and I don't think there's anyone better qualified to have custody of him. He has faith in you, sir, and--

[Pause. Does it matter? He's going to say it anyway, a little timidly]

So do I.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Even as sick and upset as he feels, at Arthur's words, he can't help but smile slightly. He's not used to compliments like that... not at all. It makes him feel slightly less like a failure than he does normally. It's a pretty good feeling.

He takes a few steps towards Arthur and after some hesitation, he places his hand on Arthur's shoulder.]

Thanks, k-... man. [Because he's so far from a kid right now.] Your father's a fucking idiot if he doesn't do any of that stuff. He's lucky to have you...

[There's slightly more hesitation, because he's not used to doing this to people who aren't his family- and hell, he's still getting used to that, to an extent- but after a few seconds, he pulls Arthur in for a hug.]

[rule_britannia]

[His eyes flick down to the hand on his shoulder, and there's a faint wariness as he glances back up at Bro, but what the professor says has him flushing scarlet and he ducks his head, one hand pressed to his face.

Being hugged - and more to the point being hugged by a teacher - definitely isn't something he expects and his back jolts rod-straight, a hissing breath drawn in through his teeth, but he doesn't jerk away, and after a moment, he pats Bro's back lightly]

I'm used to my father, sir.. He's always been that way. And you're quite welcome.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[At once Bro is scared he's done something wrong. The reaction from Arthur is a little... not what he expected at all. But he doesn't pull away since Arthur doesn't. It's only when he feels the pat and Arthur speaks that he does pull away. He feels kind of bad, like... Like he's made a mistake or something.]

Uh... I'm sorry if that was... a bad thing to do or whatever. I'm not- I... I mean, if I crossed some weird line or something, I'm sorry.

[rule_britannia]

What?

[At first he doesn't understand, then he blinks and his eyes widen slightly]

O-oh. No, it's not.. I just.. don't get that kind of thing much. Except from mother, and my cousin Victoria.

[He grins awkwardly]

I won't tell if you don't, sir.

[plushaeusrumpified]

[Bro lets out a laugh at the last thing that Arthur says.]

Ok, deal. You just seemed a little... scared or something, so I thought I'd screwed up. You wanna try for something a little more casual?

[He raises his fist. It's time for a fistbump, bro.]

[rule_britannia]

[And he doesn't miss a beat, bumping his fist against Bro's]

Scared? I.. Hmn. No, I wasn't scared.

[It just so happens that the only adult males who ever lay a hand on him are William and Phineas, and that's rarely pleasant]

[plushaeusrumpified]

[A part of him expected Arthur to not even know what a fistbump even was, so he's surprised when Arthur does it so casually. Once again, Arthur fails to disappoint him.]

Well, that's good.

[He goes quiet for a few seconds, not really quite sure where to go from there. His mind wanders back to their discussion about Arthur's dad and he starts thinking about that more.]

Y'know... if you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask.

[rule_britannia]

Anything?

[Professor Strider is just full of surprises it seems, and after a moment of thought he smiles, then laughs softly]

I'll be sure to remember that. I suppose I should make it worth my while for keeping an eye on your nephew.

[Not that keeping an eye on Dirk is that arduous of a task, and he doesn't mean to take advantage of it. He smiles again and pushes his hands into his pockets]

Did you have an idea in mind?