Poetry in Motion

15

Arthur couldn't help but dwell on wondering if Imelda acted this way within her own home; fearful of the darkness and shadows which clung about the room. He didn't remember her acting this way when he stayed around hers. But then, he supposed there was a difference between accepting being in darkness, like they were then, and being suddenly thrusted, enshrouded by it, like now, and even when they were in the tunnel when the train halted.

One thing Arthur did know, however, was that he did not wish for her to return home, scared and alone. All he could imagine was her being in her barely furnished apartment, looking around with wide frightened eyes, wondering and thinking over all sorts of no good. Yes, if she stayed here Arthur was rather sure she may still do the same, but at least she wouldn't be alone. At least he was here, to try and cheer her up and distract her.

Only, still standing with her cuddling onto him, Arthur was trying to think of ways of doing just that. He was honestly being truthful over his earlier thoughts; he had wanted to kiss Imelda for the longest time. Since more or less the first time she started being nice to him, the time when they truly started getting to know each other. There was a disjointed element to Imelda that seemed to go whenever she was around him. Arthur could relate to that, how could he not? He was more than aware to how his dispositions changed around her.

He was still nervous, shy even at times. But that's only because socialising and being actually close to someone, who wasn't a family member, was entirely new. He still half feared he'd say or do something, and she'd run a mile. He didn't want to frighten her. But then, she had come to know enough about him, that Arthur was surprised that alone hadn't caused her to disappear from his life.

He was aware that all the heavy responsibilities, the issues and burdens he had were a constant weight, it dragged him down the best of times, how would someone else react to them too? Yet, Imelda seemed to take it all in her stride. Didn't seem the least bit fazed really. Worried, concerned, yes, Arthur had seen those looks and understood they came from a good place. Not condescending, patronising faux sincerity. He had even seen scared, when he accidentally shouted at the time when he pushed her. But they had made up, and she didn't seem to grudge him for it.

Despite all of this, Arthur still stood with wide eyes looking to the window for some inspiration to pluck up the nerves to ask Imelda to stay here for the night. The darkness of the neighbouring apartment block gave little inspiration or aid. In fact, from what Arthur could see, most of the block was in darkness. The power grids in this city were failing like the rest of it. Even in the distance he could spy the better parts of the city fully illuminated. It was just down here that darkness permeated, took control and never lifted.

Honestly, he wasn't wholly sure what came over him previously. He was lost in the moment, and she had looked so content, so happy and it was because of him. Arthur didn't want the go to of persuasion to be kissing her again, swaying her with emotional blackmail seemed like a dick move, and Arthur wasn't like that. He wasn't one of those people. He didn't want to put Imelda in a position where she felt like she had little choice but to stay here, with him. He couldn't curb such a spirit as she had by doing that, it was that which had made him fall for her in the first place.

It wasn't like this was the first time she stayed over. Only last time she had passed out from exhaustion. She hadn't meant to stay, it just happened. Arthur hadn't vocalised a desire, a want for her to be here. This time, so much had happened in such a short space of time he was hugely aware that surely now their dynamic would change? After the kiss they shared, sudden, passionate and full of so many emotions; how could they go back to just being casual friends?

But Arthur had noted a rise in contact, little touches to his hand, his arm, Imelda may have crossed that threshold even before he kissed her. A blurred line where friendship had grown into something else and neither of them may have fully been aware, until this moment happened. And Arthur definitely didn't regret it. He would like to kiss her again, just not when she was clearly wanting comfort for being suddenly in the dark.