[He was expecting a trap. This isn't a trap. Still, he shifts a bit because it's not exactly a comfortable topic. And not one that's he's shared with Tess herself. Not in words, at least.]
Yeah. Course I do. I ain't that kinda man, Arthur.
I like her. I like her a lot. She tough. She's smart. She doesn't take shit from anyone. But she...she wants good in her life, too. Soft shit she never could have before. And I want her to have that, too.
[He taps the glass against the table, clearing his throat awkwardly.]
[He doesn't want to embarrass him, but Tess had reacted so intensely to even the suggestion that she might have 'caught feelings' that he had to ask. And it appears that their answers lie very far apart.
Arthur wouldn't have minded it if he were that kinda man. Not that Arthur is, exactly, but he's been with women he didn't love before. It only ever brought him more grief, but it means he'd understand if it was that kind of an arrangement.
But it isn't. He takes a drink and swills the liquor around his mouth before swallowing.]
She deserves that. If she's askin' you about those things, tellin' you about 'em, then I can only be happy for her. But I don't -
[He rubs a hand over his mouth.]
I don't know that she's aware of the extent of your feelings. Or, better yet, her own.
[Love is not on his mind. But caring is. Like is. Affection is. All of those emotions lie very close to his heart, but he knows he's private about them normally. Arthur is different. Arthur's, well, to say he's a friend would cheapen it.
He'll tell him anything.
Still, there's truth to what he says and he adds it onto the pile of nonsense he has to talk to Tess about.
Shit.
He sighs, pulling himself up.]
You think the next time you drop by, maybe you just take me fishin'?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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[He pauses a moment, then carefully asks him:]
What's so complicated about it?
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Not something I like.
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Hmm. Ask you a question, and don't lie to me?
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Course.
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You got feelings for her? I ain't talkin' marriage, but more'n friendship?
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Yeah. Course I do. I ain't that kinda man, Arthur.
I like her. I like her a lot. She tough. She's smart. She doesn't take shit from anyone. But she...she wants good in her life, too. Soft shit she never could have before. And I want her to have that, too.
[He taps the glass against the table, clearing his throat awkwardly.]
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[He doesn't want to embarrass him, but Tess had reacted so intensely to even the suggestion that she might have 'caught feelings' that he had to ask. And it appears that their answers lie very far apart.
Arthur wouldn't have minded it if he were that kinda man. Not that Arthur is, exactly, but he's been with women he didn't love before. It only ever brought him more grief, but it means he'd understand if it was that kind of an arrangement.
But it isn't. He takes a drink and swills the liquor around his mouth before swallowing.]
She deserves that. If she's askin' you about those things, tellin' you about 'em, then I can only be happy for her. But I don't -
[He rubs a hand over his mouth.]
I don't know that she's aware of the extent of your feelings. Or, better yet, her own.
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[Love is not on his mind. But caring is. Like is. Affection is. All of those emotions lie very close to his heart, but he knows he's private about them normally. Arthur is different. Arthur's, well, to say he's a friend would cheapen it.
He'll tell him anything.
Still, there's truth to what he says and he adds it onto the pile of nonsense he has to talk to Tess about.
Shit.
He sighs, pulling himself up.]
You think the next time you drop by, maybe you just take me fishin'?
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How 'bout you shoot me a message after you have that talk with Tess, and I'll still take you fishing?
[He gets up as well, knocks his drink back, and lands a heavy hand on Jake's shoulder.]
You're a good fellow, Jake.
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Yeah. Alright.
[He reaches up and puts a hand over his, just briefly.]
Stay outta trouble.
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[He gives him a crooked smile as he turns to go.]
Been tryin' my whole life.