Conphen!Verse AU : Amber Heart : Part 1
Prompt: The story starts when your protagonist returns to a childhood home. Another character is a letter carrier who is the most attractive person your protagonist has ever met.
AN: I was playing with a random scenario generator, and this one prompt caught hold of my mind and wouldn't let go ;D So I'm throwing all the cliches their way and hoping I manage to make the boys react in a non-cliched manner… woo!
Stephen Hart blinks, his blood running cold.
"What do you mean? Professor Nicholas Cutter offered me a position as his lab assistant the moment I returned!" He barely keeps his voice steady, glaring at the receptionist.
"I understand, sir, but as he never properly cleared it with the offices…." The woman explained, looking bored.
"Bloody bureaucracy, is what it is!"
"I must apologize, Mr. Hart, but there is nothing I can do."
That is okay. Truly. He can find a job on his own.
x_X_X
"C'mon, Dunc, it will be just for a few days! I promise!" Connor pleads, turning his best 'puppydog' look on his 'friend'. Duncan appears to be apologetic, but shakes his head.
"Sorry, Conn, but I can't."
"But I have no where else I can go! Please?!"
"Why don't you go home?" Duncan suggested.
A thousand retorts run through Connor's mind, but Duncan has already closed the door in his face. He sighs. He had believed Tom and Duncan to be his friends.
Go home… as if it is that easy! Crawl home with my tail between my legs, a failure! My parents will be more than pleased that I return, however, I know they will point out where I failed in this endeavor many times on purpose, so that I do not try again to be independent.
Connor snorts, rolling his eyes.
They are right of course, I never had a chance. Maybe home is the right place for me…
x_X_X
Connor Temple's family is one of prestige and great wealth in a small town that is home to many that are similar to(but obviously less influential than, say his parents firmly) the Temple family. The town is small and not only close-minded, but also very unwelcoming to outsiders.
By the next day, it is public knowledge that Connor has just returned from trying to make his own way into the world, without his parents' money or help, having been left with no options otherwise. He avoids the neighbors for the next week whilst waiting for the rumor mills to die down.
x_X_X
Stephen Hart's family used to live in the town, but they moved when he was 10. Having lost all prospects of employment at the prestigious university despite attempts to rectify the bureaucratic mistake, the man - a scientist and tracker - finds himself with very few options.
The town he was born in, Stephen discovers, is in need of a courier, as the previous, an older gentleman, died recently. The courier's office head recognizes him as the child who used to help out around town 19 years ago, and he's almost immediately employed.
However, no one else in the town recognizes Stephen, and they believe he is a newcomer, so on the most part they ignore him, only retrieving the letters he brings after he has moved on to the next home, or, if they must take letters from him, no eye contact is made, nor words exchanged.
Connor Temple doesn't recognize Stephen either, though they had met once or twice as children.
And then, one day, he goes to retrieve the post at the same moment Stephen is delivering it to the house… and he can't help but stare openly at tanned skin and dark blonde hair, at pale blue eyes that dazzle, at muscles more implied than obvious, belying his strength. He has a square jawline, a tapering chin, and there are laugh lines that set off the coolness of his eyes and tell of good humor. Connor thinks Stephen is the most attractive man he has ever seen, more than just handsome, and he wonders what the man is like, something urging him to get to know this stranger. He goes with the impulse of saying —
x_x_x
"Hello!" Stephen Hart looks up at the enthusiastic greeting, the first one he has received since he was employed as courier in this town. His gaze focuses on the young man's utterly beautiful large, expressive chocolate brown eyes, swirling with a hint of amber, gets lost in them. Then his gaze moves to his lips, a naturally bright color and with an adorable cupid's bow... and he wonders what it would feel like to kiss them. Stephen goggles the man's pale skin, likely prone to blushing, the narrow shoulders, the waistcoat and dress shirt that are nearly too tight on the man's wiry frame…. he suddenly realizes he's staring at this stranger, and blinks. The man has thick, dark hair, is about his age (if a year or two younger), and is currently flushing adorably.
"Hi." Stephen says, expecting scorn to show on this young man's face at his vernacular. Instead, he gets a warm smile.
"Erm, are there any letters for me?" His voice is soft and warm, and Stephen has to give himself a mental shake.
"What's your name?" Stephen asks. He generally just looks for the address on the post and on the homes, but as he inquired specifically after ones addressed to him alone…
"Connor. Connor Temple." Stephen nearly drops his courier's bag in surprise. He's talking to the son of the wealthiest family in the area. He's been wanting to kiss the lips of the son of the wealthiest family in the area. Stephen gives a mental groan, and puts on a perfect poker face, determined not to give anything away.
Connor looks at the courier, watching in confusion as the man's handsome, expressive face closes down.
What have I said wrong? Connor thinks worriedly, wracking his brain for any possible blunder.
"What's yours?" He asks, slipping into the same manner of speech he'd grown accustomed to while trying his hand at being independent. The courier gives him a strange look.
"Stephen Hart." He says, and then Stephen clears his throat, looking through the bag for letters addressed to Connor Temple. "There's one letter for you. Sir," he says, and the word feels strange on his tongue. Connor sighs, knowing what he's done. By saying his last name, he ruined any chances of being treated normally by Stephen. "And several others addressed to your family."
Connor quietly takes the letters, feeling disappointed as he looks at the other.
"Thanks." He mutters, turning away from Stephen. "Have a nice day." He says, hollowly.
Stephen's shoulders slump and he stands there as the door is closed. He thought that was how Connor would be used to being treated - would want to be treated. He hadn't considered that maybe the other's in the same boat as he, so to speak.
"Damnit."
As Stephen walks towards the next house, a smile forms on his face.
Tommorow's a new day. On the morrow he'll apologize...
TBC in Part 2