[i][/i]Faolan was taken so aback by the sudden personal contact with Lucien that he didn't know how to react. He raised his arms as if avoiding the lad, and stood still there for a moment, before awkwardly patting the Frenchman on the shoulder. He felt his cheeks becoming hot with embarrassment and his eyes darted around to make sure they were still alone. Luckily, they were. 

Once Lucien let go, he realized he was holding his breath, and let it out slowly once they were apart again. It had been a long time since anyone had attempted touch in a nonviolent manner towards him, he was a little put off by it, although it wasn't entirely unwelcome...

He tried to stamp these confusing thoughts from his mind as Lucien continued to speak. [i][color=a36209]Apologizing again...[/color][/i] he thought, and almost voiced it, but when he saw the young man wiping tears from his eyes, he couldn't bring himself to scold him again. He looked around, not wanting to stare, and said quietly, [color=a36209]"Well, I didn't mean to upset ya' or anything..."[/color]

[color=burlywood]"No, no, I'm not upset,"[/color] Lucien responded, his eyes glistening in the afternoon light, [color=burlywood]"I'm...happy."[/color] He smiled up at Faolan despite the tears.

There was a moment of awkward silence, and someone walked out of the house on the opposite side of the street as them. [color=a36209]"C'mon, we're burnin' daylight."[/color] He nodded toward the direction of the docks, and began to slowly walk that way, hoping that Lucien would follow.

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Follow he did, and the two made their way to the docks. Unfortunately for Faolan, there was little in the way of work to be had for this day. He was advised to try the next dawn, and was given a couple of names to try. Down, but not out, the two returned to the house, taking the long way to see as much of town as possible. 

Over the next three or four days, the three men of the household adopted a daily routine. Faolan found some odd work at the docks unloading shipments and doing short transports. The pay wasn't high, but it was better than nothing. In addition, he took a night job at a sailor's pub, which had better pay but a worse smell. He would take dead fish and rotten fruit over the bodily excretions of sailors any day. 

Lucien spent most of his time at the church with Father Cyril, studying. Now that Faolan had a job, he couldn't take Lucien out with him except to run short errands. The two saw little of each other during this time, but the three of them were always together and awake for supper. 

On the fourth day of their stay with the priest, Faolan had fallen asleep on the couch after his return from his dock work. This sleep was usually good, if short, but this time he found himself awakening early to the sound of Lucien and the priest talking. At first, he tried to ignore it and fall asleep again, but the subject of their conversation prevented him from finding a restful sleep...