The sounds of sea waves and ocean wind. Occasional chatter in the background. Arthur stands at the bow of a boat, his breathing shallow. His left arm reaches up, crossing over his chest, palm settling over his heart. Arthur crosses his right arm over it, momentarily squeezing his left shoulder before shifting, hugging his arms around himself instead. His left hand- John's hand- gently grips Arthur's right elbow, while Arthur holds the left elbow with his right hand.
John: ...You're tense. Are you thinking about-
Arthur makes a soft, dismissive sound. He sighs.
Arthur: We haven't exactly had such good luck with boats in the past, have we? I mean- Kellin, and the dreamlands, and... After the island...
John: I know, Arthur.
Arthur: I just-... I know I thought this would be a good idea, to get away after everything, but I'm starting to think that it wasn't.
John: Arthur-
Arthur: And that- that we never should have gotten on board because now we're trapped, John, I-
John: Arthur. Calm down. Breathe.
Arthur stops, takes a deep breath. He lets it out, then takes another.
Arthur: ...I'm sorry.
John: You don't have to be.
There's a brief pause. The sound of waves continues. A child laughs in the near distance. A gull cries in the air.
John: It's a sunny day. There isn't a cloud in the sky, and the water is clear. The waves, while plenty, are gentle, rocking the boat just slightly. You're balancing quite well, by the way.
Arthur huffs lightly. John continues.
John: There are gulls in the air, flying by now and then. Every so often, one perches on the deck nearby- until a child comes to disturb it, or it simply decides to leave. The children are running around happily: laughing, playing with each other. Their parents supervise off to the side, making sure nobody gets into too much trouble.
Arthur sighs wistfully.
John: ...And I'm holding you. We're standing in the sun, at the bow of the boat, and I'm holding you. Isn't that romantic?
Arthur chuckles. His voice is lighter now.
Arthur: I suppose it is.
John: You "suppose"?
Arthur: It is, it is. It's very romantic.
John: I'd say we look just like that scene from the Titanic.
Arthur pauses, freshly tense.
Arthur: The-. The Titanic?
John: Yes, Arthur, the f-
Arthur: You mean the ship that went down?