The demand was the equivalent of Gold slamming his palm down on a big red button labeled "DO NOT PRESS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES" as all of Archie's personal issues slammed into him at once on top of all the other stress he'd been going through leading up to this moment.
Never in his life had he ever wanted to scream at someone, potentially even choke them. Archie would have sold his soul a dozen times over for just a chance to be part of a family, made any level of sacrifices to have someone know his worst traits and care about him in spite of that but also want to help make him better. Gold was being offered everything Archie could've possibly wanted and refused to grab that chance with both hands.
Why did everyone else get a chance at a real happy ending and he always had to be the one to put them back together when they fucked up their own lives yet never receive even a fraction of those blessings, much less a "thank you"?! What was so wrong with Jiminy and Archie that they didn't deserve what people who murdered without remorse got to have despite doing everything he could to make up for his past mistakes?!
The room was far too small for this. There was nowhere to retreat to and calm down the surge of rage and pain. His emotions were overwhelming his ability to be a professional and right now they didn't need him flying off the handle with a potential threat waiting in the wings.
With jerky movements and blinking rapidly against the burning in his eyes, Archie stood up. "I'm going for a walk. Pongo, you want to come with me or do you want to keep an eye on the room for now?"
The Dalmatian looked between the two humans, torn on what to do. Both men were in pain, but there was nothing he could really do for either. After a moment of thought, he sat up on the bed but didn't hop down. If Archie needed to go somewhere dogs weren't allowed, it'd be best if he stayed here to make sure Marian didn't show up.
Archie nodded in understanding before walking over to the in-room safe and shoving the scroll inside. He changed the code, keeping his body between the display and Gold so only he knew the combination. He didn't think Gold would take the scroll and leave him and Pongo out here with no way home, but he didn't want the damn thing on him in case Marian chose to visit him instead.
"I'll see about getting a second key from the front desk when I come back."
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Never in his life had he ever wanted to scream at someone, potentially even choke them. Archie would have sold his soul a dozen times over for just a chance to be part of a family, made any level of sacrifices to have someone know his worst traits and care about him in spite of that but also want to help make him better. Gold was being offered everything Archie could've possibly wanted and refused to grab that chance with both hands.
Why did everyone else get a chance at a real happy ending and he always had to be the one to put them back together when they fucked up their own lives yet never receive even a fraction of those blessings, much less a "thank you"?! What was so wrong with Jiminy and Archie that they didn't deserve what people who murdered without remorse got to have despite doing everything he could to make up for his past mistakes?!
The room was far too small for this. There was nowhere to retreat to and calm down the surge of rage and pain. His emotions were overwhelming his ability to be a professional and right now they didn't need him flying off the handle with a potential threat waiting in the wings.
With jerky movements and blinking rapidly against the burning in his eyes, Archie stood up. "I'm going for a walk. Pongo, you want to come with me or do you want to keep an eye on the room for now?"
The Dalmatian looked between the two humans, torn on what to do. Both men were in pain, but there was nothing he could really do for either. After a moment of thought, he sat up on the bed but didn't hop down. If Archie needed to go somewhere dogs weren't allowed, it'd be best if he stayed here to make sure Marian didn't show up.
Archie nodded in understanding before walking over to the in-room safe and shoving the scroll inside. He changed the code, keeping his body between the display and Gold so only he knew the combination. He didn't think Gold would take the scroll and leave him and Pongo out here with no way home, but he didn't want the damn thing on him in case Marian chose to visit him instead.
"I'll see about getting a second key from the front desk when I come back."