Antonio stood at the entrance of his apartment complex, running his fingers over the cold glass of his phone's screen as he grinned down at the object, his cheeks sporting a fresh red coat. The words that lay on it were simple:
I'll be there in five minutes
But they left him overwhelmed with happiness and with a dizzying desire for the person who'd sent them. Antonio had told Arthur to meet him outside his apartment complex, so he could take him somewhere special.
Arthur arrived promptly, dolled up in the outfit he'd been made to wear for work that day, waving casually to Antonio as he stepped into the other man's line of sight.
"So, where are you taking me?" Arthur signed.
Antonio threw him a lascivious glare, as if to say, how dare you, before he signed, "It's a surprise," and grabbed Arthur's hand.
The blond made no attempt to protest against being suddenly dragged down the road, being at the complete mercy of Antonio's hand. He simply followed the Spaniard's every footstep, and when they stopped for whatever reason, Arthur took a moment to look around. They passed several crowded areas; clusters of shops and restaurants lit up with flashy signs, flocks of people from across the globe taking silly pictures in the most tourist-y spots, hotels, bars, market places, street performers...
Next came a few narrow alleyways, and a bit of hopping quickly through the roads, and when Antonio finally stopped for the last time, motioning for Arthur to look around. Deep in the belly of the urban jungle known to the world as Madrid, there lay a wonderfully peaceful and picturesque place...A garden.
The place appeared to be empty, save for a few proud peacocks who strutted gamely about the cream paths on the ground, striped with the grey of the shadows of the trees, and huge, masterfully crafted statues and fountains. The setting yellow sun gave a gentle glimmer to sharply-trimmed grass, neat hedges, and the petals of colourful flowers that grew in little circles around the area.
"Beautiful," Arthur signed, completely in awe. When he remembered that Antonio was still stood with him, he considered adding, but not as beautiful as you, but quickly decided against it. Too cliché, he thought.
Antonio offered his hand to Arthur, mouthing, "Shall we?" as he smiled softly.
There was no hesitation from Arthur as he gently knotted fingers with his partner.
Squeezing Arthur's hand tightly, Antonio bit down hard on his lip, certain that his face would freeze into a smile if he performed the action again today. An evening stroll with the man who held him gently and told him he was beautiful and comforted him when memories of his painful past took over his mind...There was nothing in the world that could make him happier at that moment.
In spite of the pair passing more pretty little clusters of sunlit flowers, green grass, and various other things, Arthur found that he only wanted to look at one particular pretty thing. Antonio's sweet smiling face...
When they stumbled across a bench together, Arthur took that as the perfect opportunity to get Antonio to stop, so they could sit together. Antonio decided that he'd sit on Arthur's lap, taking both of his hands.
"Did you like your surprise?" Antonio mouthed cheekily.
'Like' was the most inappropriate word in the world for describing Arthur's feelings at that moment. "It's perfect. This is the one of the two best things I've seen in my life," he mouthed.
"Oh? And what's the other?" Antonio mouthed.
Burning passion possessed Arthur completely as he replied, "You," and began a kiss with Antonio.
It didn't take long for the brunet to kiss back, allowing Arthur to slip his tongue inside his mouth, letting him transform the chaste little gesture into something deeper.
When the need for air became too great, and he broke away from the kiss, Arthur mouthed, "I need you," to Antonio as the pair resumed their kiss once more, alabaster skin melting into olive as the two became more tightly knitted together.
When the evening was over, and the two began the trek back to Antonio's apartment, Arthur suddenly remembered what day it was.
Thursday.
He had but one week left before he had to fly back to England. Before he had to leave Antonio behind...
