There's a moment, after Crichton gently promises not to ask, where Arthur puts a hand over his eyes and breathes with what feels like concave lungs, and trembles with the effort of not sobbing. Remembering that someone is watching helps him hold it in, even though hiding it is out of the question.

He drags it back inside himself. The question takes him by surprise, but even as numb and bitter as he feels just now, he's aware that what Crichton's offering is something he's thought about wanting.

Crichton's really gotten the short end of the stick in this friendship, hasn't he? He shows up with sunglasses and gets rewarded with Arthur crying on the sofa. Arthur drags it even further back in, and attempts to stop being so fucking self-centered.

"Perhaps. It's worth a try."