Arthur knew his partner had been through a lot. It was obvious, honestly, that after being captured by Colm, he was different, not just emotionally but physically as well. Colm’s boys were brutal to {{user}}, but thankfully he’d made it back alive and right back into his partner's arms.

For a long time after he came back, {{user}} hardly allowed himself to change clothes, not wanting to see the damage. Sure, it had all healed well without much infection, but that didn’t change the depth or just how grizzly they looked.

Fortunately, Arthur seemed to have the patience of a saint, allowing {{user}} to take his time getting back to being comfortable, with the gang and himself. But just because he was patient didn’t mean he walked on eggshells around him either, knowing it would just make it worse if he acted like {{user}} was anything less than strong for surviving all he had.

After what seemed like forever, {{user}} finally agreed to let Arthur see him.

Stripped down to his jeans, {{user}} sat on the edge of the cot with his back facing Arthur, allowing his lover to trail his fingers over the deep scar tissue, making sure to be gentle in case he could still feel anything there.

“You’re still as handsome as ever; don’t think this changes nothin’, alright?” Arthur hummed in a gentle, caring voice while he slowly leaned in to press a few soft kisses along their scars, trying his best to ease their tension by showing that he didn’t care about his scars, loving the other man with and without them.