"Yes, I know Francis," Arthur, a dashingly handsome man with an English accent to die for said down the phone. Or at least that's what he thought. In truth he had his flaws that took away from said dashingness, his too large almost black eyebrows dominated his face and that he wasn't the tallest man. However, he considered these traits (or at least the eyebrows anyway) to be his unique selling point. His only complaint was that his straw blond hair refused to lie flat, regardless of how he tried.
"Fine," Arthur sighed after a long pause from the man on the phone. "I'll go with you to this damn dinner tomorrow night but you are not setting me up with anyone."
Loud protests came through the speakers and Arthur was forced to hold the phone away from his ear, much to the curiosity of passersby.
"No! No and if you dare take someone along then I swear I will gut you!" Arthur growled into the phone and after a groan of complaint and sigh followed by a reluctant agreement from the other end he hung up.
Glaring at his phone, he quickly popped it into his pocket and started making his way through the crowded street. He hated how crowded New York gets around Valentines. It was only a week until the dreaded "Day of Love" and Arthur was already starting to feel nauseas with all the couples flaunting their love for each other.
You see Arthur lives in a world that he despises, a world that is divided by two types of people. Idealists and Rationals. See this is where the problem lies. Arthur is a Rational living in a world in which over ninety eight percent of its inhabitants were Idealists. Idealists run the world and whatever they deemed essential they made a priority; he along with his fellow Rationals had to suffer through it. This is also where the two groups varied greatly. Idealists for all intents and purposes love the idea of love and everything it encompasses. For them true love is real and tangible. It's something you would throw your life on the line to protect. Love at first sight was also a common occurrence with new couples formed hourly thanks to the phenomena. For them love is precious and must be honoured above all else. Most importantly though, Idealists believe in soul mates and without one your life is incomplete.
Rationals on the other hand are virtually the opposite. True love doesn't happen in their world. Love at first sight and other everyday occurrences for Idealists just don't exist for them. They value logic and reason above all and are more interested in things and the world around them than finding love. Instead of sacrificing themselves for their loved ones, they would much more likely dedicate themselves to a life that Idealists dismiss as irrelevant. Despite this, it's due to the small minority that their world has advanced so far scientifically. Yes, Idealists had contributed to the world, but the Rationals had moulded it into what it was now. However all of this isn't to say that Rationals don't feel love and don't eventually find someone. They do. A Rational's love is fleeting and slow to start. They are cautious in their approach to relationships and value the more physical aspects more than an Idealist would. Once a Rational's love is won after a long period of time it can be unwavering yet not as cuddly as an average relationship between Idealists. Yet in spite of all this a Rational is also more likely to jump between relationships as they don't believe in a one true love.
Sighing, Arthur stopped to glance across the street and let a small smile grace his face. Just opposite sat a small cafe with what Arthur deemed the "best tea on this side of the Atlantic." After waiting for the traffic light to turn red, he quickened his pace to lessen his wait and after a quick glance at his watch. He needed to as he was already running late for work that could wait until after he had his morning brew. Joining the long queue once inside Arthur fell back into a semblance of normality. His earlier phone call from his childhood friend and one of the few Idealists he knew, had jarred him. Being a Rational in an Idealist world was hard, being a Rational who had just turned twenty five and was not pursuing true love was even harder. He was bombarded with questions almost daily from co-workers, acquaintances and sometimes even strangers as to why he was still single. When he told them he was a Rational he always got the same response; that he "would grow out of it." Honestly Arthur had had enough. The only thing that kept him sane was his tea, his cat Biscuit and his books. Well occasionally the odd trip home helped when he needed other sane people to talk to.
Almost ten minutes had past and Arthur was still in the line and starting to get antsy. Normally it took five minutes to get his tea and be on his merry way. This was getting absurd, but being the English gentleman he was he waited, albeit impatiently. Eventually his turn came and he was confronted with the reason for the delay. Behind the counter and scrambling for the cups, utensils and lids was a bumbling American with shiny golden hair, bright azure eyes hidden behind thin frames and a bobbing piece of hair that stuck straight up at the front of his hair. He stood staring at Arthur, a small cup in one hand and a dirty spoon in the other as the coffee machine erupted in steam. Everything forgotten as he daren't pull his eyes away from the Brit's emerald ones. His jaw slack and eyes wide in shock.
"Umm, I think you should check that machine," Arthur said hesitantly, breaking the American from his stupor to point at the coffee machine behind them.
The American however ignored that, instead desperately choosing to run his hands through his hair and stammer incoherently at him.
"Excuse me... but are you ok?" Arthur tried, now fully aware of the stares and knowing looks that were now directed his way.
"Yea, uh yea I'm uh, I'm better than ok," the man finally answered breathlessly. "Do you know how long I dreamt about meeting you?"
"I don't underst..." Arthur was cut off when the American suddenly cut in.
"Hi, I'm Alfred and I think you're my soul mate," Alfred said with a million watt grin, his hand held out to Arthur.
Arthur could only stare at in shock, his expression almost matching the exact one Alfred had worn a mere few seconds ago. Only Arthur's was riddled with horror.
"No!" was Arthur's only response and he quickly spun on his heel and pushed past the other customers. Leaving a stunned Alfred and near exploding coffee machine behind him.
"Wait!" Alfred called after him and clumsily made to follow.
Arthur could hear shouts and people begging him to wait, he wasn't having any of it. He needed to get as far away as possible.
Once he was finally out in the open he quickly looked around and saw Alfred pleading with his manager through the shop's glass doors and to Arthur's utter dismay, the brunette woman only smiled joyfully and let the man continue. Gritting his teeth, Arthur practically raced across the street between cars and cyclists. The sounds of horns blaring only hindered his progress once he heard Alfred shouting at him again. He was running out of time, he not only had to lose this man and escape the annoyance of letting an Idealist down easily only to have them cry all over his new suit, but he also had to get to work. Then find a new place that made good tea. Oh this day wasn't going well for him.
Eventually after what felt like a marathon through dozens of alleys and down streets Arthur was free. The American was gone and he could carry on with his day. However he was now over an hour late and drenched in sweat with no time to go home and shower. Swearing under his breath he hailed a taxi and set about figuring out a good explanation as to why he was late for his boss.
Yes, today was already a disaster and it wasn't even nine thirty.
The next day wasn't any better as he stared at the restaurant he was supposed to be meeting Francis in. He took a final drag of his cigarette and extinguished it on the smoking pedestal and made his way inside. Walking up to the greeter, he looked around. The place was lavishly decorated with plush red carpets with low lighting, mahogany tables and candles on every table. Expensive paintings hung on every wall and Arthur was reluctant to admit that the Frenchman had exquisite taste in restaurants.
"Party under the name Bonnefoy," he said quickly to the greeter and was led off down a path between the tables to one set out for four with a blond man with shoulder length hair waiting for him.
"Nice to see you actually made it," Francis greeted with a small smirk.
"I doubt I had much of a choice," Arthur retorted and sat himself down beside him, taking more time to check the restaurant.
Francis copied the action with his own crystal blue eyes.
He and Arthur had somehow grown to a strange friendship. They had grown up together after his family moved from Paris to England and despite the world they live in, Francis was the odd one being an Idealist in a Rational community. Despite their very obvious differences the handsome Frenchman with the perfectly trimmed beard and elite fashion taste had become Arthur's go-to person in a lot of matters and vice versa. Arthur couldn't function without Francis and Francis couldn't function without Arthur. Idealists were far too confusing to Arthur without help and Francis needed an honest person in his life to keep him on track. Once leaving their community Francis to his dismay found that the "nice-ness" of Idealists was draining and he much preferred direct honesty in some cases.
"Your trousers are ridiculous," Arthur commented when he finally set eyes on the Frenchman's lavender silk accompanied by a deep purple jacket and speckled light shirt.
"I had a feeling they were but they match his eyes," Francis replied wistfully.
"Right but I must ask, why did you insist I come along to this damn dinner? I thought you Idealists had this love and dating thing covered?" Arthur demanded.
"He's not an Idealist. I wanted you to come because I think the two of you would get along well together," Francis replied calmly.
"And you want to whisk him away on a romantic weekend soon where it's just the two of you."
"Don't be absurd Arthur! I am not a closet pervert like you are!" Francis gasped and stared at his friend.
Arthur snorted at his friend's remark.
"Yes, and that's the one part of the Rational lifestyle you don't partake in," Arthur remarked sarcastically and finally set his eye on the other side of the table. It was set for two more people.
Francis could only stare at him in shock. Yes he had a past of sleeping around but he loved each and every one of his partners. His only problem was that he only ever fell for Rationals and they never wanted anything more than sex. He was just happy to make them happy even if it meant losing them in the future. Now he wanted to change that, he wanted something for the rest of his life.
"Why may I ask is the table set for four?" Arthur's question cut through Francis' thoughts like a hot knife.
"Oh, Mathieu has to take his brother tonight. Apparently he was heartbroken yesterday and refused to leave the house since yesterday morning." Francis explained quickly, taking careful note of how high Arthur's brow raised in suspicion. "And non, I have no intention of setting him up with you."
Arthur didn't have time to reply when the sudden sound of voices came from just behind them. One was begging to leave and the other promising mountains of food and games if he stayed. The voice begging to leave sounded far too familiar as Francis stood to greet them, rushing over to the other side of the table to pull out their seats.
"It's ok Francis," came a quiet voice as the man sat himself down.
Arthur was now staring at his lap as he heard the other plop himself down opposite him. The obviously American man muttering cries of protest and demands of food as he did.
"Don't mind Alfred," the quiet man, Arthur assumed Mathieu, said. "He met his soul mate at his new job yesterday morning and the guy just ran off."
It was then Arthur braved looking up and was once again face to face with the very same Alfred from the cafe. The only difference was that this time he was the one staring in shock while Alfred was sadly looking down into his lap. He cast a quick look at the other man opposite Francis and was surprised to see a slightly paler version of Alfred with longer hair, a longer hair curl and pale almost purple eyes smiling apologetically back at him. Twins, Arthur thought and even more trouble for him.
"That is so tragic, Alfred," Francis soothed, "I'm sure he will be back in tomorrow or another day, the fates are magical like that. He might have been surprised or even a Rational. It sounds exactly like something Arthur here would do."
"Yea dude you're right," Alfred said after a long pause and spared a teary glance at the Frenchman, still somehow avoiding looking at Arthur, well that was until he shut his eyes in a smile and finally turned to face the Brit sitting opposite him. "Hi I'm..." Alfred fell silent as he opened his eyes and stared at Arthur.
Silence was now ringing in their ears until Arthur suddenly slammed his hands on the table and stood up.
"No I am not doing this!" he exclaimed loudly and pushed his chair away to get as far from the table as he physically could in as little time.
Realisation dawned on both the Frenchman and his date's face as the events started unfolding in front of them. Arthur was Alfred's soul mate and he had run away. As things clicked in Francis' mind he could faintly hear Arthur's struggle to get away and Alfred's desperate pleas to make him stop. Matthew (his date's correct name without the French spin) could only stare at the proceedings in shock until Francis stood and called to Arthur, successfully stopping the Brit in his tracks.
"Arthur, if you do not sit down at this table now I will tell everyone what happened during Budapest."
His warning hit Arthur like a ton of bricks and he slammed to a stop to glare back at the blond.
"You wouldn't dare."
"Oui, I would mon ami, now sit, back, down."
That was all the warning Arthur needed. Shrugging off the attention and pleading stare Alfred still had on him he sat back down and tried to ignore the whispers of the other diners.
Correction, he thought, today was the worst day of his life.
So... this wouldn't get out of my head until I wrote it...
Ok little bit of background this is actually inspired by real life events, relationships I have been in and a bit of psychology which I will explain in the next chapter cause I don't want to scare people off...
Anyways that's all for this chapter and I will (hopefully) see all you dudes in the next chapter!
Also thanks for reading and don't be afraid to drop a review if you want ^^ I'll be more than happy to answer any questions.
Scarlet out!