"Thank you, Mr. Kirkland! Have a nice day!"
"To you as well, Tino!"
The Brit sighed contently, sipping his coffee. He usually had tea in the morning, but he was feeling he would change it up for a day. He was in a rather good mood this morning. He woke up without a pain, he didn't have work today, he could skip wearing a tie and buttoning his shirt up all the way, and his French neighbor was out on holiday for the week.
On top of all that, the intimidating owner of that coffee shop was sick, so his boyfriend took over for the day, talk about luck.
"Beautiful…" He smiled to himself, sipping his drink as he walked down the street.
He heard a commotion up ahead, and pounding footsteps, he looked up to see what the fuss was about. A young man shoved his way through a crowd of people.
"Sorry! Excuse me! I'm going to be late!" He cried, looking over his shoulder.
Arthur chuckled, about to sip his drink again. It was knocked out of his hand before he could bring it to his lips.
"Oh shit! Sorry, I spilled your coffee! Dude, let me buy you another one!"
Arthur looked up, this kid was so lucky he was in a good mood today.
"No, it's quite alright, I'll just-"
"No buts! I was trying to find a coffee shop anyway, there are like, none in this town!" He groaned.
"It's just down the roa-"
"Great! My name is Alfred F. Jones, now let me buy you a drink!" The American grinned, holding out his hand.
Arthur smirked, he'll humor the kid for today.
"… My name is Arthur Kirkland." The Brit said softly, shaking the boy's hand.
"Awesome, come on! I'm gonna be late for work!" Alfred grinned, gripping the brit's hand and pulling him along.
"Oi! You bloody yank! Slow down!"
"Sorry! I really can't be late again! What kinda drink did ya get?"
The American spotted the sign, and ran in, dragging Arthur behind him.
"Mr. Kirkland? You're back already?" The small Finnish man asked.
"Hey! I spilt his drink, so make him another one, on me, and I'll just have a black coffee please, and thank you!" Alfred stated, slapping his credit card on the counter.
"O-oh, alright." He smiled, turning around.
"You know, for being in Britain, you sure are a loud American, huh?" Arthur huffed, yanking his hand back.
"Eh, I just moved here a month ago. I'm really sorry for dragging ya. My boss'll fire me if I'm late again." Alfred sighed.
"Oh, great… Since you're buying me a drink, might as well tell me about yourself. Where do you work, lad?"
Arthur looked this kid over, arching an eyebrow. He had slightly messy ash blonde hair with a cowlick, wire frame glasses, a wrinkled white button up and black waistcoat with black jeans, and a small backpack. He was also carrying a small binder I his hand.
He seemed to brighten up at this, grinning once more. "I'm a photographer! I work for Code Bieldschmidt!"
Arthur was honestly surprised, that company was one of the top rated in the world. A kid like this is not what he expected to be working for such a prestigious company.
"Sounds interesting, I edit literature. A few Code Bieldschidt copies have come in, perhaps I have seen your work, what do you photograph?" Arthur was genuinely interested now, this American might be worth more than he appears.
"I do architecture and sometimes landscapes. Boss seems to like my photos of people, so whenever one of our more famous photographers are out, I'll do fashion, portrait, event, and family photos." Alfred seemed quite proud of himself.
"You need to show me some of your work, I am very interested now, do you have any with you?" Arthur smiled softly, making Alfred light up even more.
"I always have a binder full with me, just I case I can book a shoot! I'll get it right n-"
"Your drinks are done!" Tino smiled happily, placing the two cups on the counter, sliding Alfred's card back to him.
"Oh, thank you! Sorry, I have to go now, it was great meeting you!"
"Wait, perhaps we could meet up after your done? I would really like to see your work." Arthur asked, sipping his coffee.
"Yeah! For sure, dude! Here's my card and the binder, just call the cell number on there, see ya 'round!" The American smiled, digging in his pocket and setting a small card on the counter along with the binder.
"Wait! You trust me with your photos!?" He exclaimed.
"Brits are perfect gentlemen, right? I totally trust you'll call me!" Alfred beamed, dashing out of the shop.
Arthur picked up the card and binder, moving to sit at a table, not wanting to risk getting his coffee knocked out of his hand once more. He examined the card;
Code Bieldschmidt
'We have the most awesome photos!'
Alfred F. Jones- Architecture and generalist
At the bottom were two numbers, one of them being Alfred's personal cell phone number. Arthur was contemplating actually calling. He had just met the man, though his work intrigued Arthur. As well as the fact that he was not exactly keen on stealing the man's photography.
His mood had told him just to call, what is the worst that could happen anyway? He would blind him with his camera's flash and kill him?
Highly doubted outcome.
Arthur chuckled, shoving the card in his pocket, and finishing off his coffee. He did rather enjoy coffee, but not like tea. He couldn't have coffee everyday, it was more of a treat to him.
Arthur got up and brushed off his pants out of habit, picked up the binder and walked to the door.
"Oh, ! I forgot earlier, Berwald said that the summer season tea is starting tomorrow. He just wanted to let you know." Tino called out.
"Oh! Tell him I'm looking forward to it! Tell him to get well for me!" Arthur grinned, waving at the Fin.
Just another check on his good list today. Arthur had no true plans for today. The rain decided to give London a break for once, and it was rather warm. Summer indeed is beginning.
Perhaps he'd stop by a bookstore and have a nice read out by the park or lake, as well as have a look through the photos he was entrusted with. That seems like the best option out of what else there is to do. Usually he just tried to get out on his days off for his frog of a neighbor bothered him.
Arthur walked, skipping the bookstore and just deciding on staying in the library to read a book in the silence of the loft. If only the place had tea.
That would make a perfect place to be.
Arthur chose one of his favorites, Suit of Spades, and plopped down in a chair. It wasn't for a few hours, about dusk, that he decided to have a look through the photos. He set the book aside. Arthur looked through the photos, crediting the man a lot more than before. He even recognized a few cover illustrations for novels he's edited.
Arthur decided it was probably best to call the photographer before it is too dark. He placed the book back on the shelf, tucking the binder under his arm, and went outside to make his call. Copying the number on the card into his keypad, he clicked the call button.
"Alfred F. Jones speaking."
"Ah, hello Alfred, it is me, Arthur, the man from earlier today?"
"Woah! I thought ya'd never call! Dude, we can totally meet up now, I've been bored to death, I finished my shots about an hour ago."
"Ah, I apologize, do you know where the London Library is?"
"Yeah, are we meeting there?"
"Preferably, I'm already here."
"What!? Oh, hold o- Excuse me! How fast can I get to London Library if I run? Alright, thanks!"
"Alfred…?"
"On my way! Apparently I'll be there in like, five minutes if I keep up the pace."
The call ended, and Arthur shrugged, leaning against the wall, waiting for the American. A while later, the familiar sight of a sprinting Alfred turned the corner, and he stopped in front of Alfred, catching his breath.
"Bloody hell, where were you coming from!?"
"Burger King…" He panted.
"Oh."
Alfred stood up straight, his breathing still slightly rapid, and he smiled.
"How about we go get something to eat and we can talk a bit?" Alfred smiled softly.
"Sounds good, where to?"
"Mc'Donalds!"
Yes, recall what Arthur had said about this American being more than what he appeared?
Scratch that.
"Oh, sorry… That's not professional whatsoever. Please, where would ya like to go?" Alfred caught himself.
"Sorry?" Arthur choked on his breath.
"I apologize, I shouldn't assume everyone likes burgers. Do ya wanna go to like, er, a fancy place or somethin?"
The Brit laughed lightly, rolling his eyes. "No, we do not need to go anywhere fancy, why not just stay here?"
"Alright, if you insist. I can't show you the photos I took today, not until they're published or trashed. So you can only see my past works, alright?" Alfred smiled, walking into the large building with the Brit.
"Seems alright to me." Arthur smiled, nodding his head.
Alfred grinned, passing Arthur another black binder. He opened it up, and instantly recognized a few more off the first page.
"Amazing, I've seen some of these on billboards and advertisements… That is quite impressive, Alfred."
"Ah, thanks…" Alfred smiled, scratching the back of his head.
He passed it back along with the first binder and they spoke about Alfred's career.
"So how come you moved to England? It certainly cannot be just for photos." Arthur asked.
"Yeah, kinda, actually. Boss sent me to photograph British land and architecture, as well as multiple parts of France and Germany. It would be such a hassle to move around to three different countries, and the whole trip would be about a year and a half, so I figured I should just move." Alfred sighed, shrugging.
"You do not seem too pleased with the change." Arthur stated, leaning back in his chair.
"Well… It's great over here and all, but America is my home, you know? It just kinda sucks. I've been all over the world, and nothin' is even similar to America." He mumbled, staring off into space. "Though, ya guys do amuse me over here."
"I apologize. It must be horrible to move to a place so much different that your home, where did you live in America?"
Alfred grinned again.
"Well, I lived pretty much everywhere! I was born in New York, so I legally lived there. But I spent months at a time in every state! Every one of them had something special about it. Arizona's sunsets, Florida's oceans, Kansas's ladscapes, you name it!"
"Oh? I've always been wanting to see how New York is, got any pictures?"
"Oh! Of course! Here." Alfred grinned like a child, passing Arthur another small binder.
It was covered in stars and red and white stripes, along with a few other American trademarks. He opened it up, noticing there were dividers with each of the fifty state's names on them. He opened up to New York, and his jaw nearly dropped.
Some was of the buildings, some was of the land across the state, and even people.
"These are amazing!" Arthur gaped.
"Ah, thanks! I try to take extra good pictures in America. That's actually my personal folder. Boss doesn't know about those pictures."
"Are you serious? Alfred, these could be on book covers, billboards, hell, street art!"
"Sh!"
The two looked over, an angry elderly woman was shushing them.
"My apologies." Arthur whispered.
"Yeah, sorry." Alfred smiled nervously.
They laughed lightly, and Arthur spoke up.
"This would be a marvelous book to have published as well. If you would like, I could see if my printers would be interested." Arthur offered.
"Oh, nah. Thanks though." Alfred shrugged.
"Hm? Why would you pass up an opportunity like that?"
"I like having these for myself, y'know? I'd publish my other stuff, but a lot of it is already owned by the company. I believe the last three or four pages of the first binder are the ones that are not owned by the company. Boss trashed them but I keep them anyways."
"Well, I would actually very much enjoy having an interview with you, if you do not mind? The company I work for is always looking for people to talk to. We release a new ad booklet every month with a new interview, and I'm in charge of taking them and editing them."
"Seriously? That would be awesome, I could do that." The American grinned, his eyes lighting up at the chance.
"Yes, we could even add a few of those unlicensed photos, and a photo of yourself if you would like. We will go into details of where you are from and how old you are during the interview itself." Arthur nodded.
"That would be great! That would be really cool, my first interview!"
"Shush!"
"Ah, perhaps that is a sign we should end our meeting." Arthur sighed.
"Huh? I haven't learned anythin' about ya though." Alfred smirked, sliding his binders back into his bag.
"Then perhaps that's your sign to meet up with me again."
"What's up with you and signs, dude? Just tell me if it's alright to call ya." Alfred chuckled.
"Ah, yes you already have my number from when I contacted you. Feel free to call at any time tomorrow, I am off of work once again."
"Ah, really!? Me too! Y'know, unless Boss surprises me with a new location… But I totally wanna hang out with ya!"
"Sush!" The same woman hissed.
"Sorry…" Alfred mumbled.
Arthur chuckled. "Just call me anytime after seven tomorrow, I will be glad to have an interview, and tell you more about myself."
"Awesome, thanks, dude!"
"Sush!"
"Oh my g- Sorry!"