Here's something stupid I wrote.
Alfred pulled into the IHOP parking lot at exactly 2:06 a.m., his police cruiser drawing little attention in the desolate night streets. He sat in the car for a few minutes, sitting back and watching as a familiar forest green Oldsmobile passed under the green traffic lights before slowly pulling into the spot next to his, the headlights shutting off and strengthening the darkness.
He smiled, opening the cruiser door and exiting into the chilly spring night. The air was still and refreshing as he inhaled deeply, stretching his sore back muscles. The other driver exited as well, closing the Oldsmobile's door with an echoing thump before locking the vehicle. "Pleasure to see you here, officer," the other man said, his smile like a crescent moon in the dim light that flooded softly from the shuttered windows of the restaurant.
"And you, too, citizen. Do you often eat this late at night?" he asked, trying to keep a straight face as the man with yellow blond hair approached him, his green eyes shining merrily.
"Only on Wednesdays; and I always have lovely company. I wonder where he is now…" The blond's eyes narrowed in false suspicion, making a show of looking around the nearly empty parking lot.
Alfred straightened, chuckling and slipping his hand into the man's for a quick squeeze. "Aw, Arthur. You know I'm always there when you need me most. I'm not your hero for nothing."
Arthur's smile widened as they made their way into the quiet of the restaurant. It was open twenty-four hours and out of the way from the main trafficked roads, and on Wednesdays at this time, their favorite waiter worked nights and he didn't mind if they held hands over the table and giggled happily as they ate.
The waiter, Feliciano, met them at the host booth, smiling brightly if not looking a bit tired. "Hello you two!" he greeted cheerfully, picking up two menus and silverware rolls. "How have you been? I hope there hasn't been any trouble for you, Officer Alfred?"
"Nah, things have been quiet this week. People seem to feel like behavin' lately." Feliciano chirped out one of his usual responses about how he was glad everyone was healthy and safe, depositing their menus and silverware into a booth seat away from the windows and ceiling vent that Arthur particularly hated at night. "So how was your day, beautiful?" Alfred asked as their hands folded into one another's over their menus.
Arthur scoffed. "Uneventful, as per usual. Unlike you, I'm not looking for something to ruin my day with." He smirked when Alfred stuck out his tongue in response. "And how about your shift so far, love? Not even a traffic violation to keep you amused so late at night?"
"Just some same old, same old. Also, thanks for meeting me out here tonight. You're probably tired from work, huh?" He reached across the table to brush his thumb across the apple of Arthur's cheek. "You didn't have to come see me."
"I wouldn't miss it," Arthur mumbled, flushing as he pulled Alfred's hand from his face as Feliciano came to their table with glasses of water and their usual drinks. "Do you guys know what you'd like? The usual?" he asked, pulling out his memo pad, unaffected by the PDA between the two men.
Arthur shook his head. "I'm not hungry tonight. Another tea would suit just fine." Alfred shot him a worried glance. "I'm fine. Simply tired is all."
The officer nodded. "The usual for me, then." Feliciano nodded and pocketed his memo pad before skipping off to the kitchen. "You gunna be okay? I'm sorry I keep making you come see me on lunch… these night shifts are killer."
An amused laughed bubbled from Arthur's throat. "Don't fret, love. It's only for a few more months. Although… I miss you at home."
Alfred gave a sad smile. "I miss you, too. That's why I'm so glad you're here now."
In the dim lighting Arthur looked perfect. His blond hair was messy and golden in the orange lights; his green sweater was pulled over his wrists as he sniffed – his nose red from the spring allergens. Alfred wished more than anything that instead of sitting in the quaint little IHOP at two in the morning, they could be at home, bundled under the blankets because he accidentally set the thermostat down too far.
Feliciano came back with another cup of tea and promises that Alfred's food would be out soon. The couple thanked him before focusing back on each other. They only had these small moments together and Alfred knew under normal circumstances that relationships would falter under such stress.
But as Arthur smiled him over the lip of his cup, Alfred knew that he would never let anything tear Arthur away from him.