Work Text:
“The universe was made just to be seen by your eyes.”
“Come again?”
“I said,” Parker says, “that the universe was made just to be seen by your eyes.”
Arthur remains silent. For a while they just stand, their backs pressed against the wall, staring at the stars above.
“How do you say things like that so easily?” Arthur finally asks, blinking away the tears that have somehow appeared in his eyes.
“It’s easy to say what’s true.”
Arthur smiles. Having just met him an hour ago, this man was still a stranger to him. And to be honest, Arthur has not made the best of impressions. Today had easily been one of the worst days of his life until the moment Parker put his hand on his shoulder. And as they were staring at the night sky full of stars, he decided to believe Parker's words.
*
“You do look good in a bow tie!”
Arthur looks down in embarrassment. Parker’s hand on his cheek makes him look back up.
“Look at me, detective,” Parker smiles. His eyes are sparkling the way they always seem to be when he looks at Arthur. “You are beautiful.”
Arthur laughs.
He laughs way more often since he has met Parker.
“Now come on, detective, there is a case for us to solve!” Parker exclaims, clutching Arthur’s hand in his, making him follow.
And Arthur goes with him.
*
Parker is warm.
He is safe.
After years and years wasted, Arthur feels like he has finally found what is right. What is true.
“I love you,” he whispers, caressing Parker’s hair. He finally, finally knows what those words mean.
Parker is asleep.
*
They head to the office together, behaving in public but kissing right after the door closes. Arthur smiles. His life is not perfect, for sure, but at least he is finally content. He has come to terms with himself. And he could have never done that without Parker.
*
There is a knock on the door – a book marked with a strange symbol is delivered. Arthur shrugs and opens it.
***
“Arthur!”
Someone is calling him. Arthur mumbles something intelligible.
“Arthur! Wake up!”
He opens his eyes and there is nothing.
“John?”
“Fucking finally. Did you have a nightmare again? You were squirming like a little kid in a haunted house.”
In his heart, a thousand needles shift around as he realizes. There is no more love left for him in the world and there will probably never again be. There is just all this weird stuff that has been happening lately, the voice in his head, and the dark.
“Arthur? Are you crying?”
He will never see the universe by his own eyes ever again.