"f-Francis" Arthur's voice was choked and cracked and dry from the dust and exhaustion from trying to outrun the trembling building. The ceiling creaked ominously, and a bit more rubble slid to the bottom of the pile swallowing Arthurs lower half. A wooden support beam had fallen on his torso, followed by the cascade of rocks. He wouldn't be getting out alive.
Francis paused trying to dig his partner out. "What?"
"You've never kissed me above the neck before. Whenever we… it was always my shoulder or my hand or something else." He stopped briefly to cough. "Maybe, before you leave you could… my cheek, or forehead. I know it's stupid and unrequited, but, it would m-mean a lot t-to me."
Arthur had been Francis' partner in crime for a very long time. Occasionally Arthur had lost his temper and threatened to walk out on Francis, so he used sex as a means of keeping the infatuated blonde by his side. Arthur had fallen for Francis early on, and Francis knew it; he used it to his advantage, and Arthur knew it.
He was always careful, always cautious, always meticulous, and very extremely aware that if he got attached to Arthur, it would give his enemies a means to control him. It was all in the name of self-preservation. He could not give in to his feelings because it would put them both in danger. It was better for all concerned if he just forgot he ever felt attracted to the Brit in the first place.
But when their latest plan, a $90 million heist, had backfired, the very foundations of the mansion they were supposed to rob were shaking, and Arthur was buried under a pile of crumbled rock, Francis could not deny his feelings for his friend.
A pile of splintered wood and broken ceramic tile fell from the upper story of the building into a dusty heap on the floor to their right. The building was becoming more and more unstable by the second.
"Francis, never mind, get out of here!" Francis snapped out of his thoughts and began frantically digging with his hands at the rocks crushing Arthur. The man laughed bitterly. "Ha, I'm not going anywhere. The bones are broken, what makes you think I can get out of here with my life intact?"
"Shut up! We'll get out of here or go down together!" the building shook again, violently. Arthur gave a sad smile, gently reaching for Francis' hands to stop him trying to free him. He let their eyes meet.
"Good-bye, Francis."
Francis shook one hand loos from the grip and caressed a small scratch of Arthur's face with his hand. Without thinking, without stopping to consider what would happen next, without even thinking of his safety or getting out of harm's way, the Frenchman leaned forward and pressed his lips against Arthurs. The Brit blushed slightly, eyes wide, one hand still gripping his partner's hand.
"I'm staying right here."
-:-
"…The Braginski mansion collapsed yesterday after being struck with explosives by two criminals. They have been identified as Francis Bonnefoy and Arthur Kirkland. Both have been long sought-after by the police department and criminal justice organization for multiple robberies and numerous counts of murder, attempted murder and property damage. It is rumored that the bodies were found underneath a pile of rock rubble and broken wood holding hands. Their bodies will be laid to rest by a cousin of Francis Bonnefoy, who wishes to remain unnamed, and a cousin of Arthur Kirkland, who also wishes to remain anonymous. Further information on this topic can be found on our website and on tonight's news. Now, concerning the upcoming….."