Arthur in his right mind? An ugly, bitter laugh bubbles up in the back of his throat. But, oh God, Parker's being nice to him. Sympathetic to him. If he knew. If he really knew... Parker would put a fist through his face, too, and he'd still deserve it.

He comes to a rest on the floor with his hands splayed palm up in his lap and looks into Parker's face with bleary eyes. He can see what Arthur saw in this man, he really can. That gentle tone makes him ache to reach out. He can't. He... can't.

"It's complicated. He... I...I had it coming. Don't blame him for it. I had it coming..."