Midway through full steam ahead lament, he only caught the last bit of what Jon was saying on the very peripheral; sound of other man’s voice fighting its way between the cracks and crevices of a busy mind. It’s not that Robb purposely didn’t always pick up what lover was putting down - Jon was simply a complicated read. Morse code meets Navajo cryptology circa World War II and unless you happened to have the most up-to-date key you were, as they say, pretty well shite out of luck, mate.
It’s what he didn’t say that made all the difference in the world. Robb thought he’d gotten fairly proficient these last few months, ability to cipher between the lines of crumpled forehead or upper lip sucked into delectable gob easy as picking up the daily gossip rag for latest star-studded celebrity tattle. Keep him well fed, well sexed, enough Tetley in the pantry to sink the Titanic, creature comforts form of dog-eared books and cozy throws scattered about the house and inexhaustible supply of cuddles given freely whenever handsome chin threatened a wibble. Well-tested and proven to work. Like a good pair of Wellingtons. Kept the wearer’s feet dry and mood buoyant while mucking about quaint country setting.
So much for that, he sighed, gathering himself up into semblance of a bloke actually looking forward to retracing steps he’d assumed were now all neatly sorted.
Alas, Jon Snow was far too perplexingly obstinate (read: flawed) a character for the words “neatly” or “sorted” to ever roll smoothly off the tongue.
“Then I reckon you’ll need to explain it to me.” Upright and now sitting cross-legged, Robb was tempted to unbuckle Jon’s restraints - the wrists, at least - but decided the better of it. He’ll only think me trying to lead the bloody show again if I do. And for now, Jon had center stage to air grievances and whatever else might be stuck in his craw.
“From the beginning, if you please.” Knees knocked against better half’s side, fingertips attempted to bridge the gap by brushing back and forth along beefy forearm, “My ears are big and my mind is open, so say what you mean so I don’t end up kipping on the sofa tonight.”