PART [VII]

Sliding himself onto his seat, Francis starts his car after buckling his seatbelt and turning the radio on. He changes the channel until he hears some classical music, and Francis leans back into the comfortable leather seat, driving smoothly. He's meeting Arthur today.

The young man gave him the details yesterday, and Francis remembers the first thought that went through his head as he saw the address of the cafe. One, why was it so fucking far, and two, oh, I know why it's so fucking far.

Both Francis an Arthur can't risk people they know finding out about their littler rendezvous. Or even just disturbing them.

Hearing his GPS finally say the words 'Take a left at the next turn to your destination', Francis feels his heart sink and he takes to the nearest parking lot to park his car.

He only leaves his car after checking his already silky-looking hair and perfectly trimmed stubble, and puts both his keys and wallet in his back pocket. He brings a scarf just in case he becomes cold.

The cafe is just around the corner, and Francis walks in, hearing the little ding from the bell that is hit gently by the glass door. Looking around, his eyes automatically shift to the short-haired blonde practically being swallowed by a soft one-person couch, and he can't help but chuckle in amusement and sit in front of Arthur, who is busy using his phone.

"Hey," Francis says, waving his hand in front of Arthur to make him look up.

He silently enjoys the pink flush that coats Arthur's slightly freckled cheeks by himself.

"Hey," Arthur graces Francis with a soft smile and puts his phone in his front jean pocket, "Was it hard to find? The cafe, I mean."

"Not a bit," Francis picks up the menu to give it a casual glance, "Harder for you, since you're not driving."

Shrugging, Arthur laughs lightly, "It's fine, I've been here before, once."

The laughter stops and the two look at each other for a few seconds before Francis takes the bullet and says, "So. What did you want to talk to me about?" He acts as if he doesn't know anything.

"... Straight to it, right?"

"Straight to it."

Arthur runs a hand through his hair and takes in a deep breath, "I thought it was a bad idea to even... you know, dwell on the idea that we should even talk about this. One to one, but... I need to get this... out of my system?" Arthur beats around the bush.

"... 'You do remember what happened'-is that what you want to say?" Francis replies.

"I was going to ask why you lied about that. But I can kind of think of three thousand billion good enough reasons why you would, to be honest," he admits.

Francis purses his lips, and instead of replying to the other, he raises his hand to order himself a cappuccino; he can feel Arthur's eyes stuck onto him as he orders, but he keeps his posture.

"Can you at least be honest with me now? Like... completely?" Arthur adds bitterly, "We both know nothing is going to happen."

"You sure you want honesty from me?" Francis asks, happy that his cappuccino arrives quick and steamy hot. He gives it a few gentle blows before taking a sip.

Arthur is quiet, but he nods his approval, and laces his own fingers together to show that he was alright with listening.

"I'm going to be blunt about this, Arthur," Francis can already feel how bad this is going to be, "And I really honestly hope you don't get offended or... shocked or anything. I don't know," even Francis is embarrassed now and he can't meet Arthur's eyes.

"You're so young. You're so young. Way too young for me, and that's the main problem here, you haven't even hit the twenty mark, and yes, I know you're legal, but just because we can doesn't mean we should."

Francis can practically feel the desperation oozing out of Arthur's pores, and he decides to ignore it before his chest begins to hurt.

"I... I wouldn't mind having a small relationship with you," Francis sees Arthur's face light up only slightly, and he continues, "Relationship as in... I do think we have this thing, and we kind of click with each other, as you said that night," Francis mutters.

"I didn't think we would end up to that point, as I wasn't too... Well, I didn't pay you much attention, I would say," he sees Arthur wince, "Okay, well more than the usual attention I'd pay for another one of Matthew's friends, but... after that night, then yea. Yea, I paid more attention."

Arthur finally breaks his silence, and pipes up, "To what?"

"Huh?"

"Paid more attention to what?"

Francis is taken aback by the question, and he actually shuts up for a few seconds. "Uh. What you do, really," he scratches his head lightly, "When you come over, or just... the little things you do. And I fucking hate how I have feelings-inappropriate feelings that I shouldn't have as a father," he stops, craves a cigarette for a short moment.

"... I don't... I don't blame you at all. I know it's just you having a little phase. A daddy kink, I suppose," he laughs, "But Arthur, I'm an adult. I have responsibilities."

Holding up a hand, Arthur stops Francis from continuing, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but can I say something?"

"Yes. Of course."

The teen reaches for his drink and takes a sip and a sigh before saying, "It's not a phase, Mr. Bonnefoy," his eyes are glued to his beverage, "I thought it was wrong too. But ever since the day you drove me back home and actually talked to me I really wanted to-yea. And I do not have a daddy kink," he laughs too, "I haven't fantasized about calling you 'daddy' as we're fucking, because that's fucking weird."

"... Fantasizing about us having sex is pretty weird too, isn't it?" he adds causally, and watches Francis's cheeks redden, almost admitting that he'd done the same.

Why are teenagers so much more confident in what they had to say?

No responsibilities. Right.

"Yes, I know I'm young and all that... So I know this isn't going to work. I'm just... I feel like there's tension between us now? Like, we used to be friends, and I really liked that and I'm sorry that I've made this thing happen just because I was a stupid drunk," Arthur mutters.

"I'm here to say I'm sorry," his voice goes soft.

"Don't be. It's alright. We all make mistakes, we can just learn from them," Francis reassures.

Arthur turns coy and begins to flirt, "It wasn't a mistake for me. I'd do it again in a second, but consent is important to me."

"Uh uh uh, stop right there, mister," Francis holds up a finger.

"Sorry, couldn't help it," a laugh leaves Arthur's lips and he breathes out in relief, "... Thank you for coming out to meet me though. I can finally fully give up on-this," he motions to the little gap between the two of them.

Francis feels a disappointed dagger stab him through the chest for a short second.

Instead of agreeing, Francis goes with, "I mean, Matthew would kill the both of us."

The two laugh in harmony, the tension and awkwardness finally evaporating between them.

"That's definitely true," Arthur says breathlessly from laughing too hard, and looks at Francis, "... Shame."

Shame.

"Anyways!" Francis stops himself from revealing too much and finishes his drink, "Want to hang out with an old guy or do you have plans?"

"... Actually, I was wondering..."

"Mhm?"

Arthur's cheeks are pink, "Um. I know I said I was going to give up completely, and, and I am, but I feel like... uh... you owe me?"

"What?"

"Yea. You owe me at least one date. At least one," Arthur's voice is so soft that Francis can barely hear what he's saying.

Arthur's hand reaches up to cover his cheek. He looks away.

"... What, what would you like to do then?"

Francis watches Arthur's head snap to face him with those bright green eyes and a beaming smile.

He's doomed.


They don't mention Matthew once during their date. Their fingers are locked and Arthur slowly memorizes the small and almost unnoticeable calluses on Francis's fingers. He must've been writing a lot. Something put pressure there.

They talk about Arthur's plans for university. They talk about Francis's plans for his own cafe which will open in a few years time. They talk about themselves, and the two are finally able to learn about each other.

It's a warm feeling.

However, with the night creeping upon them, the coldness sets, and Francis moves closer to Arthur unconsciously, "Oh, it's getting chilly," he chuckles at an inner thought and adds, "Netflix and chill."

Rolling his eyes with an exasperated sigh, Arthur sarcastically says, "Definitely."

"What! I thought the kids were into that stuff! Memes, right?"

"Don't even say that fucking word again, oh my god," Arthur wheezes.

Francis grins and gives him a reassuring nudge before walking closer to the carpark where he parked his car earlier in the late morning.

Francis knows he really shouldn't be keeping his hand touching Arthur's own, but he stays still and pliant for Arthur.

He stupidly feels the want to take a photo of their hands to commemorate this day.

The day still has to end, and the two finally pull away when Francis leaves to sit in the drivers seat, and Arthur next to him.

They're silent.

"Thank you," Arthur says once they arrive at the front of how house, and begins to unbuckle himself, "I know it was a weird... request, but honestly, thank you," he mumbles softly, and leans over to give Francis's cheek a goodbye kiss.

"... Goodnight, Arthur."

"... Would it be bad if I asked you to come in?"

"I... don't think that'd be a good idea, sweetheart," Francis can't help but add the last fucking word.

"Good point. Goodnight, Francis."

"Goodnight, Arthur."


Francis doesn't see Arthur off to university, and he day he receives Matthew's text saying 'he just left! hope he has a good flight x' he realizes it's the last he'll ever see Arthur.

He instantly regrets everything.

thank you for being patient x

uni has finally started and i have been busy so i apologize x

hopefully i can post more often though

reviews and kudos are greatly appreciated

-greyfortress xx