"Dammit Arthur! What's your problem?" you shout running from your boyfriend's house, tears streaming down your face. You ran down the road crying until you reached your favorite park. It was shady because of all the tall trees, but at night it was somewhat scary. You loved this because the tall rose bushes that lined the paths gave you a hiding spot where you could cry in peace. Kneeling in the shadows, you fiddle with the soft petals of the crimson flowers on the bushes that surrounded you. The tears continued to sting your eyes even while you tried to calm down. You always came here when Arthur had done something particularly mean, you felt safe among the roses. Unfortunately you were not the only one who had become attached to this place, the familiar skipping stride of a certain Frenchman echoed along the path as he hummed happily. You curled up in an attempt to hide but your quiet sobs gave you away.
"Bonjour? Is anyone there?" the handsome blonde man asked, looking for the source of the noise. His clear blue eyes surveyed the shadows, and in the dying rays of the sunset, he spotted you. "Aww, mon ami, don't hide! Whatever iz it zhat 'as vous so upset?" he asks. You look up at him tearfully,
"A-Arthur again."
"Aww," he huffs, "what 'as zhat Angleterre done to make vous this miserable?"
"H-he says awful things, he doesn't appreciate anything I do. I try- I try so hard, I guess I wasn't good enough…" You burst into another noisy crying spell, leaning on Francis's shoulder.
"Please mon ami! You're going to stain my gorgeous clothing with all this crying," Francis says jokingly, lifting your chin with his slender fingers. You sadly laugh, the ghost of a smile touching your lips. Your ever-faithful friend puts on his irresistible sad-pouting face, "Smile for me please, _." The corners of your mouth briefly attempt to form a smile but your tears return you to the depths of your sadness. Francis embraces you and whispers his consolations to you, rubbing small circles on your back while you sob on his shoulder.
Finally you recompose yourself a give Francis a real hug. "Thank you, I'm sorry if I did ruin your… cloak," you say, unsure of what to call his lavish clothing, now stained with your tears.
"Oh, do not mention it ma Cherie!" he says, kissing your cheek. You momentarily touch the spot on your cheek his lips had been moments ago. When was the last time you had been subjected to any sweet, gentle human contact? 4 months? 5? When had your relationship with Arthur gone down the drain? All you could do to react to this tender action was smile and blush and play with the edge of your skirt. "Ohonhonhon! ~ I got you to smile did I? Well then vous shall be simply overjoyed by this!" With that, he kissed you again, this time on the lips. His hands gently cupped the sides of your face as he greedily kissed you. Blushing fiercely, you kissed him back. He tucked a few strands of your hair behind your ears, sliding his hands behind your head in order to deepen the kiss. You break away and stare up into those loving crystal orbs. "You're so sweet ma Cherie, a smile suits you better," Francis says. You smile again, this time on purpose,
"Je t'amie, Francis."
"I love you to, my petite fleur," he whispers, kissing you again.