"Arthur Kirkland. Will you marry me?" Arthur stared wide-eyed at the well-dressed, blond kneeling before him. With a ring. In a crowded restaurant. On Valentine's day, of all fucking days. His breath caught in his throat as the sudden realization of this situation hit him. He glanced around, noticing dozens of eyes drawn to the proposal. Some showed signs of disgust, while most were nothing but smiles. A couple of women gave their dates longing sighs as the entire room awaited an answer.

Arthur's answer.

Arthur returned his attention to Francis. His best friend, the man he was in love with, who was beginning to look very nervous. A look which rarely appeared on the overconfident Frenchman's face. His smile began to falter, and his eyes quickly darted around the room before settling back on Arthur.

"Francis..." Arthur felt trembles running throughout every cell in his body. This must be a mistake. A joke. Francis couldn't possibly be proposing for real. Gilbert must have put him up to it. Arthur would kill Gilbert when he got the chance. Francis was beautiful, a talented artist, popular with the ladies and men. While Arthur had nothing going for him. True, he and Francis had been best friends since high school, and had shared the occasional fling or date, but how could this be real? Arthur gave Francis a questioning glare, "I'm dreaming."

Francis stared back at Arthur, neatly trimmed brows raised in what looked like surprise. "Dreaming? No, Arthur, you're not." Francis slowly rose to his feet. Closing the distance between them, Francis placed a hand on Arthur's arm. "I'm sorry, if you're not ready I understand-"

"What?" Arthur interrupted, this time his own messy brows shot up. "This isn't fake?"

"Fake? Of course not, Arthur... a-are you crying?"

Arthur didn't even notice the tears until Francis pointed them out. By then, it was too late to suppress and deny them. He swiftly used his sleeve to dry his eyes, before looking back at his worried friend. "And you've... I suppose you've thought this through, have you?"Arthur paused to rub his eyes with the other sleeve and sniffle, "You want me? Out of everyone in the whole world who would drop their trousers for you in a heartbeat? Me? Even with my boys?"

"Of course, Love." Francis brought a calm hand to Arthur's cheek, and used his thumb to wipe away a rogue tear. "I would like to adopt them too, if you'll do the same with my Michelle."

Arthur leaned into the hand with a trembling chuckle. "Alfred would love to be the older brother for once..." Arthur glanced back towards Francis, who was watching him with a loving grin.

"So. May I ask you again?" Francis teased, "or are you going to leave me, and the rest of the restaurant, in suspense?"

Arthur gasped, burying his face in his hands to hide from embarrassment. He nodded quickly, but couldn't see the smile Francis gave him.

"Arthur Kirkland. Will you marry me?"

Arthur glanced up from his hands, then wrapped his arms around Francis' waist, nuzzling into Francis' shoulder. "Yes, damnit." His answer was almost drowned out by the cheers and clapping coming from the other tables as they celebrated for the newly engaged couple.