This isn't weird.

Team Arthur

Indigo stumbled a bit as Tess dragged him out of the apartment. She was a full head taller than he was, and uniquely capable of keeping him off balance in more ways than one. Once the door was closed, he straightened up and gave her a long look. "What are you doing?"

"Giving them some alone time!" Tess replied impatiently.

"Why?"

"You know why. Arthur is good for Millie. With any luck, he'll get your asshole roommate out of her head."

Indigo bristled. "Ben really does love her, you know."

"Really? Then where the fuck is he?" Tess made a show of looking out over the parking lot.

"Okay, what happened, Tess?" Indigo sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Ben hasn't told me anything, but he's clearly distraught."

Tess pursed her lips skeptically. "Okay, I'll catch you up. But let's talk in your car just to be safe. I don't want to risk her overhearing the recap."

A short while later, when Tess had finished recounting the story, Indigo sat in stunned silence. "He really said those things?" he asked in disbelief.

"Millie wouldn't make up something like that."

"No, of course not." Indigo sank back in his seat, staring forward with a thoughtful expression. "Something is very wrong with him."

"That's what I've been saying!" Tess exclaimed in exasperation. "He's a fucking jackass. I swear to god, I'm going to punch him in the throat next time I see him..."

"Please don't. That would be very awkward for me."

"I'll make sure you're not in the room."

"I appreciate that. But, Tess–- Ben is not an asshole. He is one of the most obnoxiously good people I have ever met. When I say something is wrong with him, I mean something is wrong. His behavior this past year has been completely out of character."

Tess scoffed. "Say, do you think it might have something to do with the daily fucking binge drinking?"

"I think it started before that. I noticed he had been erratic and irritable for months before he really started drinking," Indigo replied, his brow furrowed. "At the time I thought he was just sexually frustrated, but... whatever is going on with him, I think the drinking is a symptom, not the cause."

Tess heaved an agitated sigh. "Look, I get that he's your friend and all but I am not here for your excuses for his bullshit. He really fucking hurt my friend, and I don't really care about the why. I just want him to leave her the fuck alone and let her be happy with someone who can actually treat her right."

"I understand. You're Team Arthur. Noted." He flashed her the faintest hint of a crooked grin.

"Fuck yeah, I am," she laughed, her shoulders relaxing as the tension finally broke.

"Very well. Maybe we should talk about something else now," Indigo suggested.

"Or maybe we shouldn't talk at all," Tess countered slyly, and climbed into the back seat.

"Or that," he agreed, and followed her.