It had been a frantic race to the airports in time for the flights. Packing, booking, money collecting, taxi hunting... it was not the best start to the holiday but they were all too excited to care. What was the worst that could happen anyway?
"Everyone, I'm so sorry, but our computers are down right now, so just bear with us, please."
Francis and Gilbert exchanged exasperated expressions as the crowds around them dispersed. They placed their bags against the wall and sat there with annoyance was they waited for their hotel rooms to be sorted out.
Meanwhile, Arthur and Elizaveta had just been given their room. Due to the tickets being booked prior, there was only one king sized bed. Neither of the two seem to mind, for Arthur had already mentioned about sleeping on the sofa in his usual act of chivalry. However, neither could resist running into the room and leaping straight onto the bed with cries of glee.
The lift doors opened and Gilbert and Francis barely managed to pull themselves away from the hen party group inside. They had to kill time somehow! Francis licked his lips in delight and could still taste the lipstick left behind.
"Your fiancé is one lucky guy," he winked at the crowds as the doors closed behind them. Gilbert laughed and tugged on the pretty pink boa left around his friend's shoulders. He had already began drinking and had a large glass in his hands from the bar downstairs.
Together, they found their room and took a look around. It barely held much interest for them as they were planning on spending most of their time out in the clubs. Gilbert was shifting on the spot and placed down his glass as Francis spotted yet another bar in the corner of the main room. "Time to get a big-boy drink."
"I'll have a vodka and a Scotch," Gilbert said as he walked over towards the bed. He grinned and instantly took off his trousers and tossed them onto the bed before stretched out. "This is where I'm passing out!" He called back to Francis before moving over to the bathroom.
"I really wish you waited until I've finished in here."
Elizaveta only laughed at his embarrassment. He had been by the sink, trying to trim his eyebrows, when she walked in to get a shower. Elizaveta was not the kind of woman to shy away from men because of her breasts and simply stepped into the shower while he turned red and spluttered.
"You won't do anything."
Arthur couldn't argue with her there. He had no interest in women and had strict rules about how he should behaviour around one but it was the fear of what she could, and would, do if he did that kept his eyes locked down on the mirror where he couldn't see the shower.
When he finished, he placed the razor back into the wash-bag and turned to leave when the door handle shook. He paused in alarm and then it opened. A silver-haired man was standing there, looking just as surprised as he did. Then his eyes travelled over to the shower behind Arthur.
Elizaveta screamed loudly.
Francis blinked and looked up from the cocktails he was making. He heard the screaming and shook his head. Gilbert must have been very drunk to scream that high. "Did we ever tell you that you scream like a girl?"
Arthur reacted quickly and sprayed the aftershave into Gilbert's eyes. Gilbert screamed and stumbled back in pain, knocking over a table with a vase on it. "My eyes!" He screamed again as he tried to find his way back to his friend in his fleeting blindness. "It burns!"
Only he ended up tripping into the bathroom and bumping his head on the wall as he went. "My head! My head and my eyes are burning!" He tried to lean into the shower to wash water in his eyes but Arthur leapt onto his back and locked his arm around his neck to pull Gilbert away.
Elizaveta slipped out of the shower and pulled on her dressing gown. She tightened her hand into a fist and firmly punched Gilbert squarely in the nose. Gilbert stumbled away, yelling in pain, and cursing out for Francis. He fell out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. "My nose! My nose now!"
Francis raised his eyebrows as he heard the commotion. He walked away from the bar and over towards the bedroom to see Gilbert thrashing around on the bed while two people continued to beat the shit out of him. When the scruffy haired male picked up the lamp on the bedside table, Francis quickly rushed over to intervene.
"Take it easy! Calm down!"
Big mistake. Francis barely dodged the lamp that was thrown at him. When he straightened up, he found himself leapt upon by the male. In a moment of panic, Francis choked on the feather boa in his mouth and tripped back onto the bed.
Gilbert and Francis yelled and tried to fight back against the stronger, frantic, two on top of them. The fighting only ceased when Elizaveta noticed Arthur strangling Francis with a fluffy pink boa. Her hand pulled away from the pillow she had forced over Gilbert and then tugged the boa out of Arthur's hands. "It's okay! It's okay! They're gay!"
"What?!" Arthur looked down at the two beneath him. That thought did not make him feel any better.
"WHAT?!" Gilbert cried out as he rubbed his sore face.
"No, no!" Francis quickly freed himself of the boa before it could cause his death and tried to smile at the two in his calmest way possible, "This is not what it looks like!" Though, he didn't seem to mind too much. They both were very cute. He often had the odd fantasy of this (being straddled in this manner by a hot stranger in a hotel room) but didn't remember it being this sore. "We just... We all got booked in the same room. Let's just go downstairs. I smell an upgrade!"
"You guys aren't gay?" Elizaveta asked quietly.
Francis chuckled. "He isn't, but I can go either way ~" He winked up at Arthur.
Elizaveta and Arthur moved off them so quickly that Francis had to laugh.
That 'cute' male soon turned out to be a very grumpy Englishman, Francis found out. Ever since Arthur and Elizaveta had calmed down, he and Arthur had been arguing non-stop about what to do. Now, walking side by side, they were still arguing as they reached the reception's desk. Arthur snapped at him to stay back so Francis, shrugging, went to stand a short distance away with Gilbert and Elizaveta.
When Arthur approached the desk, there was a dark and intimidating aura around him. Francis instantly felt a pang of pity for the one standing behind the desk when Arthur smiled darkly. "Lovino," Arthur began without letting the man speak, "You and I have a problem. I think we both know how this game works. I complain, and you tell me there's nothing you can do, but we both know that's a big, fat lie, so why don't you just save us both the trouble and type in those special codes that you know you're gonna type in eventually and find me two rooms that are so nice that it turns my night right back around?"
"He's awfully hostile, even for a Brit," Francis grumbled without bothering to keep his voice down. Elizaveta didn't even bother to argue with him on that.
Lovino winced and quickly raised a book to shield himself from the Englishman. He stammered as he replied, "I-i'm going t-to d-do exactly what y-you're telling m-me to do," he was scared stiff by this man and yet tried to glare at him to show he wasn't that scared. "Th-there are penthouse suites. You c-c-can't get any higher than that without going on the roof, and you're not allowed on the roof, because people jump..."
Arthur returned to the trio and raised up the room cards. "Penthouse suites," he said in a happy tone. Elizaveta cheered happily as she took theirs. Francis and Gilbert were reluctantly surprised and thrilled with this huge change. But not to be outdone, Francis smirked at Arthur. "Now I shall show you what a real man can do."
Arthur glared at Francis' back as the Frenchman walked over to the desk. Francis wasn't shocked at the flinch he received when Lovino looked at him. He smiled pleasantly and turned on the charm, "Hi, I think you just met my friend back there."
Lovino nodded and instantly scowled at him.
Francis was not put off and continued on in the sweet manner, "I want to apologise for him. He's English, he cannot help himself from being how he is. One minute they're charming and eager and the next... Well..." He winked at Lovino. "You know what I mean."
The receptionist nodded though he barely understood what Francis was talking about and listened as the Frenchman talked on. "Look, I don't want to push here but I know that a man in your position is capable of producing certain amenities."
Arthur and Elizaveta frowned when Francis walked back to them with a smug expression and several ticket offers in his hand. "V.I.P." Gilbert cheered loudly, forgetting about his many bruises, as the other two exchanged looks of regrets.
Feeling daring, Francis shifted over in his seat in the limo till he was barely an inch away from the grumpy Englishman and gave him a charming smile. "So, you're from New York, we're from New York ~"
"…." Arthur didn't even look at Francis as he shifted away. Just having the Frenchman that close was enough to make him uncomfortable. "Driver, we're going to Le Cirque, please!" And the sooner they got there, the better.
His smile dropping slightly, Francis felt a nudge in his ribs. Gilbert was by his side, motioning his hand towards the female. He instantly knew what that meant. Closing the space between him and Arthur again, Francis placed his arm over the top of the seat and moved close to Arthur's ear. A sly smile on his lips as he whispered, "I don't bring my friend all the way out to Vegas so he could get his behind kicked." He ignored the mutters from Gilbert as he pressed on. "So the least you could do is help me show him a good time, oui?"
Elizaveta clicked her tongue between her teeth and glared at the two strangers. "Your friend wouldn't know a good time if it sat on his face."
Arthur slammed his hand down on Francis' to stop it moving across his thigh. Enough was enough. There was only so much he could put up with. "Driver, we'll get out here!" He called out. The limo parked beside the pavement. "Use a condom, boys," Arthur remarked coolly as he and Elizaveta got out of the car and then slammed the door closed behind them.
Gilbert huffed in defeat but Francis wasn't going to let the Brit get away from him that easily. He opened up the sun roof and stood up on the seat. "One drink!" he called out, "I'm a pretty fun guy! You can ask around!"
Without knowing why, Arthur stopped in his tracks and looked back at Francis. Meeting that smile with an icy look, Arthur replied, "Thanks, but we have dinner reservations. And we have to map out our assault on the strip." He turned his back on Francis again and walked off with Elizaveta a few steps ahead of him.
Francis laughed at that statement. "You have a plan to make plans?" What else could he expect from an uptight Englishman?!
The laughter pierced through Arthur's patience and he rounded on Francis again. "Excuse me?!"
Francis tapped his cheek and surveyed Arthur who looked uncomfortable under his gaze. The smile grew. "I bet you look really good with your hair down."
"…. My hair is short."
"One drink, mon lapin. I dare you."
"…." Ignoring the protests of Elizaveta behind him, Arthur stormed back into the limo. He'll show that bloody git he knew how to have a good time! Sighing, Elizaveta followed after him. Someone had to make sure he didn't do anything stupid.
She soon regretted her decision. The drinks were good, and the music was alright for a typical nightclub, but she was stuck with the loud mouth German speaking idiot who was trying to charm a couple of girls who were leaning against the balcony near their table. She mindlessly looked through her phone while listening to the terrible pick-up lines he was trying to use.
"Did I invent hip-hop? No. But I was there."
A few tables down from them, Francis had ordered a couple of drinks for him and Arthur. He couldn't stop smiling at the fact that he had persuaded him to have a couple of drinks but, of course, no one could resist his charms for very long. He waited until Arthur down a shot before taking a sip himself. "So, Arthur," the name rolling nicely off his tongue with his heavy accent, "What brings you to Sin City?"
Arthur waved a hand in the air as he reached out for the bottle again. "You know, just being spontaneous, cutting loose, like everyone else. What about yourself?"
Francis leant back in his seat and looked over across the nightlife in the city from the balcony. He hardly doubted Arthur was the kind to travel all the way to Vegas in attempt to have a good time like many normal people would. "I'm here on business; big business. I'm... I'm a pretty important guy in my field."
"Really?" Arthur said sarcastically, not believing that crap for a minute. Yeah, because he would believe that Francis was the kind to be an important guy in any business.
"…No," Francis admitted, moving back to the table to pick up his glass. "I just got fired…. So... A votre sante!" He raised his glass.
Arthur watched him for a minute before smirking and raising his own glass. "I just got dumped. So cheers!"
Francis shook his head. A typical love story gone bad, mon dieu, he would have felt bad for Arthur if he honestly cared much for him. Not to be outdone, he bluntly added, "Did I mention that I got fired by my boss-slash-father?" Ah, there was the touch of bitterness in his voice at that. Maybe the drink was loosening his tongue already.
The Brit snorted and drained another shot. What a woeful story indeed – or not. "Did I mention that I threw a surprise birthday party for my fiancé and the surprise was that he dumped me in front of all of our closest friends while they hid in the closet?"
"…." Wow. That would have hurt. Maybe he was outdone there. He smiled apologetically. "Okay, you win." But since they were now being honest, Francis raised his hand to capture a barmaid's attention. "Excusez-moi, but we're going to need another bottle."
"I saved a baby today. I'm not a hero, though."
"…." Elizaveta had placed her phone away. Sadly, the damn idiot she was with wasn't going to quit until someone gave him some praise and attention. The two girls by the balcony were only just now beginning to smile at him, though it was more out of amusement than interest.
"You know what I mean? I'm not a –"
"He's married," Elizaveta said sweetly to the two ladies. Ha! That would shut him up!
Gilbert's smile went. But he smirked seconds later. He motioned over to her and grinned at the ladies. "This is my lesbian sister." He laughed. That was the perfect comeback, if he said so himself. "Keseses, tell them about your softball game."
Frowning at him, Elizaveta collected up her handbag and left but not before clipping Gilbert about the head when she passed him.
After the bar, Francis persuaded a tipsy Arthur to go with him to the casino next door. It was hosted out in the night air so the cold wind helped keep sober. He had been surprised at just how much Arthur had drunk; it was more surprising that Arthur was still on his feet. But the biggest surprise was how much more fun Arthur suddenly seemed to be.
The Brit cheered loudly and picked up the dice. "What do you say we bet 10-to-1, with £125 on the hard eight?"
Francis chuckled and shook his head. "I wouldn't bet on me winning." He had some of the worst luck in the world. "You roll, mon lapin ~"
Arthur grinned and shook the dice in his fist then tossed them across the table. "Go 44!"
Francis blinked as the dice rolled with the fours facing up. How the…?
It took a good hour at the casino before Arthur declared he had won enough to hit another night club. The break from drinking had sobered him down but it wouldn't last as Francis found himself being pulled over to another club. By now, the moon was high and everyone was getting into the mood of the late night Vegas fever. Red light lit up the room and crowds of people were dancing and drinking to the terrible music.
Unable to control himself, Francis had got into the drinking habit now. Though it was clear Arthur hadn't finished showing off just yet. Francis watched with caution had Arthur ran over with a knife and a bottle in his hand.
"This is my party trick!" The tipsy Brit yelled out louder than he intended to. In one swift movement, Arthur had uncorked the bottle by bringing the knife along the slender neck of the bottle.
Francis cheered. "Stupéfiant! But watch this!" He took the bottle from the loud Brit and tipped it out over the pyramid of wineglasses. Arthur gasped in delight at the waterfall effect the champagne had.
Arthur was standing upon the tables, swaying terribly while the crowd cheered on his actions. "To everyone who's ever been dumped," a loud cheer rose from the crowds, "and to everyone who has ever been fired," Francis cheered loudly with them, "When I say, "Screw!" you say, "You!"!"
"Screw!"
"You!"
"Screw!"
"You!"
"You know, you were right about me…"
"Oui, mon lapin." Francis sighed, the strong slur in his voice was nothing compared to the Brit's. The music was beginning to give him a huge headache now but being able to have his arm around Arthur made up for that. "It's like you're trying to come in first but its somebody else's race."
Arthur raised his empty glass to his lips, taking an imaginary slip before leaning closer to Francis. "You never felt good enough, so you took yourself out of the game…"
Francis nodded; taking another gulp of… he didn't even know anymore. It had a sharp kick to it and that was all that mattered. "I think I just got to the point where I wasn't even trying," he admitted.
"Why should you try?" Arthur frowned. "I work 80 hours a week and I don't even know why."
Francis looked down at the drunk in his arms. Arthur was looking directly back up at him. "… I'm not usually this honest." He smiled faintly.
"…I'm usually not this fun." Arthur laughed as he poked Francis in the ribs. "The best part is…We can really talk."
"Really connect ~"
"Yeah, 'cause you're like the last person on the planet I'd ever sleep with!" Arthur laughed again and raised his empty glass in cheers.
"Ever!" Francis agreed, clinking his glass and Arthur's together.
Everything was a huge blur afterwards.
Elizaveta screamed loudly as she fell into the pool with Gilbert latched around her waist. An elderly gentleman was smiling with a strong white background behind him. Arthur yelled in delight from the sunroof of the car. Francis was dancing upon the bar counter. More drinks were passed around. Water was splashed everywhere. Gilbert was dancing around in a bra he had found. Lights were flashing. The wind was whipping through their hair. Arthur and Francis tangled up in each other's arms as they fought to dominate the kiss on the way to the hotel room.
