Fixing his suit for the fifth time in the last ten minutes, Arthur looked in the mirror before sighing. After running his hand through his messy blond locks he sat down as he waited for the doorbell to ring. Sure it wasn't eight yet, but he wanted to be ready.
Francis knocked on the door. He was on time, which was rare for him. Usually he was fashionably late, which was usual in France, but he knew that was different in England. The door opened, and he smiled, seeing the formal wear. "You look nice."
"As do you." Arthur stated, quickly raking Francis' body. Just as he predicted, the suit was most likely tailored for him since it hugged his body in all the right ways. "So, where are you taking me to make up for ten years with no contact, hm?"
Holding his hand out, Francis smiled. "It is a surprise. And even the most expensive restaurant would not make up for the ten years apart. I hope the rest of our relationship will do that." After all, he was happiest when they had been dating all those years ago.
After a second the Brit took Francis' hand before locking his door behind them. "What made you move back to England?" He asked slowly, unsure of just what to talk about as they walked hand in hand.
"I missed it here. And my parents forced me to go to France, so I left as soon as I had enough money." He had hated his parents for years because right after they found out that he was dating a man, they wanted to move. But of course he had never told Arthur the reason, not wanting him to worry.
Unsure what to say, Arthur got into the others car and jokingly asked. "So do I need to shut my eyes?" If it was a 'secret' then wouldn't Francis like to keep it as such? But knowing how he was as a teenager, it would be just as likely he was taking him home for a night of shameless shagging despite just meeting up again.
"If you want. It is not necessary." Because he probably wouldn't know where they were going anyways. It was a nice place that he had found a while back. Small enough to be intimate, big enough to have a really good chef.
"What happened to you in France? Did they find a way to give you common courtesy?" Arthur joked, feeling somewhat uncomfortable. Not only had Francis left after they had planned to run away together, but he had become incredibly formal and mature. Not that it was a bad thing, it was just strange to be around the man he used to be madly in love with- and obviously still harbored some feelings for.
Shrugging, Francis didn't actually answer. After all, in France hadn't been the best time of his life. His parents were catholic, so they didn't really like their only son being gay. "How did you start working at a restaurant? I always thought you would be more the teacher type."
"Plans change." And so did people. Now that this was happening, Arthur wasn't sure if it would work. After all, ten years was a long time. Sure he never forgot about the Frenchman or dated anyone else, but it was still a formidable absence. "What are you doing for a career?"
Glancing away from the road, Francis smiled. "Just an office job. Nothing special. But it pays the bills." He pulled into the parking lot, finding a spot. "We're here. I hope you like it." And after, a nice walk in a nearby park.
"Where is here exactly?" Arthur asked as he looked around the quaint neighborhood. It was very cozy and there were a few trees planted every twenty feet in the sidewalk. "Please say you aren't taking me out for French food. I didn't like it back then and I surely don't like it now." Mostly because it made him think of how Francis went to France instead of running to London with him, but also because he didn't find it very appetizing.
Laughing, Francis shook his head. "No, it is just a small restaurant I found and thought you would like. Not French." After being forced to go back to France, he didn't really like much of French culture anymore. When he was dating Arthur, he had constantly spoken French and things like that.
Narrowing his eyes, Arthur shrugged. "I guess that's ok then. As long as it's not French." Really, the Briton had no idea just how to act around Francis now that they were older. All he could do was revert back to criticizing the same things as he used to when he was sixteen and see what sort of response he got from it. So far it was obvious that something had changed the other man in France that made him different than usual.
They got out of the car and walked up to the front door. Francis went up to the front desk and told them he had a reservation. "Come on, Arthur. You will like it here." They followed to the table, and ordered their drinks. "So, are you still into embroidery?" The Parisian asked, laughing.
Lightly hitting Francis' arm, Arthur frowned. "And what's wrong with that? It gives me something to do when I come home from work and cozy up with a pot of tea." He felt the need to explain himself as they sat down across from each other. "No offense, but aren't you finding this strange? I mean, not very many people go out with a person after seeing them again once. Do you... Do you still have feelings for me?" He wasn't quite sure himself, but he was pretty sure there was something deep in his heart that he held on to after the Frenchman left.
"Hm, yes, I suppose you could say that." Francis pondered, hand on his chin. "You were the only person I have gotten that close to. In a psychological sense, of course, because we had never actually gone all the way when we were younger." Not to say that he hadn't loved other people, it was just that he loved Arthur longest. And this time would be no different from that, they would keep loving each other for years to come. They had to.
Arthur forced himself not to blush by busying himself with brushing off his suit. "Hm, I would have to say it's the same for me. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been hiding under a rock for the last ten years! I just... Never felt as close." God, now he sounded like a girl who was trying to tell a boy that she had a crush on him after they broke up.
Giving a smile, Francis took a drink of his wine. "Well, it seems it was a good thing we met again, non?" Inside, he reprimanded himself for using the French word. He had tried so hard to lose his accent, but it seemed impossible. Well, maybe Arthur didn't notice.
"I suppose. As good as meeting a Frenchman in England can be." Arthur took a sip of his own wine as well. It wasn't his favourite drink, but judging by the atmosphere it was more appropriate than a glass of whiskey. "Did... You think of me while in France?"
Looking away, Francis tried to hid the far away look that came into his eyes. "Yes. Almost every day."
Feeling something drop into his abdomen Arthur swallowed harshly as he pressed. "R-Really?" So what if he sounded love-struck? He was when they were young and he was slowly falling for the enigmatic blond again. He loosened his tie as he looked at the pained expression on Francis' face.
Thankfully, their food arrived. Francis sighed. Saved by the bell. Once the lady left, he smiled over at his date. "This looks delicious. I hope you will save room for dessert. They have an amazing cheese cake here." He picked up his fork, glad for the distraction.
Arthur just nodded with a small frown. "I suppose." So if Francis truly cared about him, why couldn't they have just run away? It wasn't like his parent's could have stopped him very easily anyways. The Parisian man could have gotten away easily. Though, he did have a good point that if they would have run away together, most likely their lives would have been ruined despite having each other.
They continued eating, making fairly polite conversation, nothing as close to home as before the food had arrived. Francis didn't have any more slip ups, with speaking French, so everything was fine. "So how long have you been working at the restaurant?"
"About two years now. I used to work at a publishing house when I finished school." Arthur replied as he took another bite of his meal. "What did you do in France?"
"Anything I could. I tried working as much as possible so I would get enough money to come back here." He never would have admitted it back then, but he had always held out a hope that he would once again run into Arthur. But it hadn't happened, so he had settled, but now they were together again, so it didn't matter.
Nodding, they continued to eat in a comfortable silence until they were both done their dinner and the desert that followed. Putting on his suit jacket he shed earlier, Arthur followed outside after Francis paid. "What's next for your plans?"
Laughing, Francis pointed to the park near the restaurant. "I thought we could go for a walk." It was the perfect timing, just as the sun was falling from the skyline, leaving behind a beautiful collage of colours. "You still like walks in the forest, don't you?"
"I haven't gone walking for a while, but I still enjoy it." It seemed strange that Francis would remember something so insignificant like that, but it also made sense if he had been thinking of him the entire time he was in France. Putting his hand out shyly, he looked away. "Shall we?"
Grasping the hand in his own, Francis smiled. "Yes, we shall." They started walking through the path, surrounded by flowers that were going to sleep. Suddenly, the Parisian stopped and reached into his pocket. "Before I forget, I have something to give you."
Tilting his head to the side, Arthur furrowed his eyebrows. "You already treated me to dinner, you don't need to give me anything else." If he didn't feel bad for all of this already, he was surely now when it seemed Francis had a gift for him.
He laughed, pulling it out. It was a simple, normal pencil. "I think I can afford it."
"A pencil?" He asked, taking it in the hand that wasn't still holding onto Francis' other one. "Why are you giving me a pencil?" It was a bit difficult to see it in the waning light of the park, but it seemed to be a normal, run of the mill pencil.
Francis smiled, knowing Arthur never would have known. "Don't you remember? That is the first time we spoke. We were in class, and you asked me for a pencil." He had made sure to get the same kind as then. Luckily, the one he had given him had been new, so he didn't have to sharpen this one.
Arthur raised his eyebrow as he laughed. "Trust you to remember something so insignificant." Still, he couldn't help but squeeze his hand lightly as he placed it in his pocket. "Thank you though. I appreciate the thought." He hadn't had much time to think about their days of being teens, but it helped him remember just how madly in love they were.
Squeezing his hand, Francis winked. Then, slowly, he leaned forward, waiting to see if Arthur wouldn't pull away. When he didn't, the Parisian went the rest of the way, kissing him lightly on the lips. "I have missed you." He said softly.
Licking his lips unconsciously, Arthur stared into Francis' deep blue eyes. "I've missed you too, frog." Without waiting for a response Arthur leaned forward again and kissed the Parisian back. It felt nice and comfortable to do it for some reason, which is why he moved closer and grabbed on lightly to Francis' suit.
They kissed for a few more seconds, before Francis pulled away. "That is probably not the best idea here. If I remember correctly, the general opinion on two men kissing in a park is not the best." Although it wasn't much better in France, either.
Nodding, Arthur just moved back while keeping a hold of Francis' hand. "I wouldn't want to ruin either of our reputations. Say, have you seen some of the gay men around here? They are all very nice and understanding."
"I am friends with two. Ironically enough, neither of them are from England, either." One from Germany, and one from Spain. It wasn't a big deal, though, because they were still good friends. "Do you know many of the gay men?"
"Not too many, but one has told me about pretty much all of them." The little Italian was so outgoing he could probably make friends with anyone, whether they were straight, gay or bi. "Where do you live in England now?" Arthur asked, wanting to know more about Francis after not talking for so long. It was obvious some things would change drastically about his character but hopefully in a good way.
Shrugging, Francis looked up at the sky to see that it was darkening. "Near the edge of town. It's nice, because it's only about ten minutes from my work." They kept walking as it came closer to night. Once they came to the end of the park, he turned around and grinned. "Well, should I drop you off at home?"
"Sounds good." Arthur murmured, looking up as well to the stars. "Do you want to stay over? I wouldn't want you to get in an accident from being too tired..."
Laughing, Francis shook his head. "Maybe next time."
Arthur nodded with a blush on his cheeks. "I understand." Really he didn't even know himself why he asked Francis, other than that he wanted to see if Francis would accept. It would be too awkward after just meeting up again to have sex, so he was somewhat glad nothing was going to happen. "Do you have somewhere you need to be tomorrow or do you have time to stay out?"
"I can stay out. No more curfew, like when we were kids." Francis laughed, remembering how harsh his father had been on that. "What did you have in mind?"
"If you have a blanket or something, I just thought we could sit outside and look at the stars together. I-I have nothing I need to do tomorrow and I want to keep talking with you." Arthur blushed lightly, looking to a grove of trees beside them instead of at Francis' face.
Smiling, Francis thought if he actually did have a blanket. "I don't think there could be anything better than that. Just let me go see if I have something." He may have to settle for using his jacket, but hopefully he would have something.
Watching Francis bring a blanket back, he automatically reached out for his free hand. "I don't mind where we go." As long as they had more time together to remember just what it was like to have the other, then Arthur would be happy.
Finding a place that they could see the stars, Francis put down the blanket. "After you, my dear." He laughed, obviously making a joke. This would almost be like back when they were younger, and couldn't spend enough time together, even if they were together for the whole day.
Sitting down, he waited for Francis to do the same before slowly sliding up to him. "Do... Do you mind?" He asked slowly. When Francis shook his head, he leaned against his side, feeling as if they were going back in the past. It would be nice to have an actual relationship with Francis again. It never really felt like it properly ended and now they had a perfect chance to try again.
The stars were just starting to twinkle into existence, showing the constellations. "This is beautiful, isn't it?" And he wasn't talking only about the sky, but about the man on his arm.
"Hmm." He agreed, looking from the sky to Francis for a moment before being caught. "My offer still stands. I have a guest room for you to use." It would be nice to wake up and see that this wasn't a dream. So far, today had been just that.
Laughing, Francis didn't respond. After all, he wanted this to be a relationship that lasted, not one that they just jumped into bed. And, even though he said guest room, they both knew what would happen if he slept over. "So do you want to go out next weekend? Are you free?"
"I work on Friday again but Saturday and Sunday I'm free." Arthur answered as they both looked to the sky. It was somewhat comforting that they both saw the same things when they were a channel apart, but now they were together again for another chance.
Nodding, Francis stayed silent so they could just be together. It felt so nice, laying there under the stars, feeling like the only two on the earth. If that were true, then there was no reason for them to ever be apart, but of course that wasn't the case.
Not thinking about it, Arthur just nestled in against Francis' side. Normally he wouldn't want to show so much affection to the Parisian, but he felt strangely compelled to be as close as possible as they gazed up into the endless sky.
They deserve some fluff... while it lasts *evil laugh*
Today, I had to bake with my grandma. It was horrible! My grandpa was out back carving, I would much rather be doing that. When will she realize that I don't like the girly stuff? See you next week!
