xp_logs | Haller & Arthur

Backdated. Haller and Arthur touchbase on the porch and compare notes on current events - Kevin's integration for Jim and the Rush case for Arthur. Felix has no current business but getting attention.

The porch was a great place for Jim to engage in his new favorite past-time: chain-smoking while staring blankly into space. There was something comforting about being able to narrow his awareness to nothing more than the warmth of smoke filling his lungs. It was like a mildly carcinogenic form of meditation.

His stupor was interrupted by the distinctive tap-tap of claws on wood. An instant later a familiar nose pushed itself under his elbow. Despite his exhaustion, Jim smiled and set his cigarette on the ash-tray before giving Felix the desired ear-scratch.

"Hey, buddy. Where's your dad?"

A question answered immediately by the sound of squeaking wood as said dad slumped against the wood railing, leaning backwards over the rail as if he were trying to will his spine into rubber. Arthur stared skyward.

"Here, there, everywhere," the blonde stated with a sigh. "Got an active case." His head turned toward Jim, "Yet I'm not the only one who's been busy."

The smile became slightly pained. "I don't know if I'd call it busy, just . . . vigilant. Kevin's fine, he's just starting from square one in a lot of ways. Mostly I'm not used to hosting in my space." Which had been the case for weeks now, but Jim could hardly begrudge Kevin that; the younger man had spent his whole life in what was essentially solitary confinement. Now that he was at the mansion it didn't feel right to pass him from one lonely room to another. At least, not yet. Jim gave Felix's neck a final ruffle and sat back. "The case is something to do with overdoses, right? Making any headway?"

Arthur propped himself out of precariousness, settling his weight onto his elbows against the rail. "Sue's sciencing, Sam's sneaking, someone made Kick worse. Just got a major break, but looking for the whodunit." He delivered any other details like as if he was being deposed on the current state of the economy. He was about that successful. "I am way more curious about this Kevin," and Arthur's voice perked up noticeably, "You don't often bring a man home, so that must have been some consult."

Jim snorted. "He showed up after the consult. It's alternate dimension stuff. His mother was another version of Moira, but they um. They didn't get along." A screaming understatement. The telepath forced a smile. "Anyway, at worst this makes us even. Aren't you the one who came home with Beatrice around this time last year?"

"She's," and Arthur leaned on that just a little, "on her own path. Wait – where did you put Davey's lego dioramas?"

"Closet, mostly." Felix had turned his attention to Arthur and was now gently thudding his tail against Jim's knee. He sighed. "Not sure how he's taking this. He hasn't been out since Kevin showed up. Jack's been present, but none of the others have. I think it's because I'm always the one he needs. I feel a little . . ." Jim cut himself off with a grimace. "It doesn't matter. We'll work it out."

The blond's eyes narrowed.

"Of course it matters," Arthur said while pulling himself up. This was a conversation that demanded better posture. "I've got all sorts of feelings up here," was delivered with a helpful tap to one temple, "lots of practice feeling things lately, and a shame to let that sort of perspective go to waste. Hit me."

Jim sank back into his chair, his own posture relaxing just slightly. "I think I feel restricted being around another person all the time. It's not Kevin's fault," he added, meaning it, "I guess my system just doesn't know how to handle it right now. We're not settled."

"You don't know him, not . . ." came quickly, but Arthur bit his lip. In thought or something else. "Kevin sounds like a full time gig, especially for someone you just met. There's always my couch if you need to unwind." He offered the kind of smile that hoped sympathy was enough to fill what was needed.

The other man hesitated, and for a moment it seemed as if he would take Arthur up on the offer. Then, reluctantly, he shook his head.

"I don't think Kevin's there yet, but thanks for the offer. I appreciate it." Jim rolled his head against the headrest to return Arthur's smile with one of his own. "I always appreciate you. And all the feelings you have up there."

This got a chuckle. "Happy to use them for something good, even if it sounds Kevin may need time to settle in." Arthur leaned over to scruff Felix and paused, struck by an idea. "Did his dimension have dogs?"

Jim raised an eyebrow. "I think so, though I doubt he ever saw one."

"What."

The telepath grimaced. "He didn't have a very enriching home-life. You might want to be careful about what you touch of his. Or touching him. He seems to have some low-level psi powers himself, and, well . . ." Jim gestured to his head. "I got some feelings myself out of him. Anyway, why do you ask?"

Arthur held up both hands, which were, to his subsequent point, gloved. "Super happy to let our travelers keep their secrets. Still, if I were to suddenly find myself tossed into another universe, the first thing I would want to do is find a pup. Unless," and this was delivered with a hint of disbelief, "this Kevin is a cat person." He shelved that thought with a smile. "Still, Felix is a cotton ball and a little gentleman. Might be good therapy."

The line of tension between Jim's eyebrows relaxed. Frowns didn't persist around Arthur for very long. He leaned forward to scratch the golden near the base of his tail. "How about it? Want to live your best emotional support-animal dream?" He glanced up at Arthur and returned the smile. "Thanks. I was getting a little wrapped up in myself there. Sometimes I need a perspective check."

"Guy must have had it rough," Arthur mused. "You're so good at looking out for people. Feelings, though. He's an empath too?"

"Hard to say. So far it seems like he can share, but not initiate. We can try some things out when he's in better shape." Felix's hind legs stomped beneath the scratching. Jim gave the dog a final pat and leaned back again. "Sorry, I'm not trying to be cryptic. I'm just not entirely clear on all the details myself -- and I don't want to violate his privacy any more than necessary. I need to remember to ask what he is and isn't willing to share." He didn't want to cause any further incidents like Kevin's outburst with Emily. Fortunately if there was one person he trusted to understand the importance of privacy, it was Arthur.

The blond seemed to take a minute to consider this. "No dogs," Arthur mumbled as his mental wheels turned. There was the soft sound of two fingers drumming a light pitter patter. "Sounds like we need a plan. Kevin needs a lot, but who else can help with that? You need to take time for yourself. There's bigger questions, sure, like what he wants and how he likes his eggs and all that, but we've got a house of enthusiastic helpers here. Might as well use it."

Relaxing had been a mistake; fatigue settled on Jim like a weight. The counselor exhaled and let his head settle against the back of the chair, eyes closing.

"I think I've been working this problem for too long," he confessed. "Mental exhaustion. Can we just . . . vibe?"

Arthur was almost pretty sure someone couldn't hear a smile, but that didn't stop him from affixing the full weight of a grin on Jim as he let silence fill in the gap of an answer. He put a gentle hand on the other man's knee and squeezed affectionately before settling onto a nearby chair.

Felix, naturally, had already had the two of them beat. The dog had curled himself into a lying position, and was already asleep.