Arthur Kirkland walked into his college chemistry lab with the confidence of a king. He was not going to get another shitty lab partner like he did in high school, because in college, everyone wanted a good grade on their tests and labs. Everyone wanted to pass. Or at least that was what he thought until he met Francis Bonnefoy.
To Arthur, it seemed as if Francis only came to college to fall in love. He didn't care about grades as he swished his golden curls around or dazzled people with his dancing blue eyes. He even tried to mesmerize Arthur with them when Arthur was forced to be lab partners with him on the first day of chemistry.
"Now, this person will be your assigned partner for the rest of the semester," the teacher informed them all, much to Arthur's dismay. "Get used to it. Life isn't always a walk in the park. I assigned you with the person to whom you will all be least compatible with."
Arthur raised his hand and waited until he was called up on to say, "Sir, why the hell would you do this to us? This is madness!"
"I did this to teach you all a lesson," the teacher said. "And because I thought it would be fun. Now, get to it."
Francis kept distracting Arthur the whole semester as he tried at every chance to catch Arthur's emerald eyes with his own blue ones. He tried to entice him at every given opportunity, almost succeeding a few times. There was even a time when the two nearly kissed in a rare moment of vulnerability for Arthur before the British student came to his senses and reminded himsself that they had a project due the next day.
The final day of the semester, Arthur was more than happy to be rid of Francis, hoping to never have to put up with him again. He couldn't stand the way the French male's eyes looked at him as if he knew every little thing about him, or how he always knew how to calm him down and defuse stressful situations. Arthur couldn't stand how Francis made his heart race and wanted to be rid of him so he could focus on his studies again.
Yet when the next semester of college came around and Arthur was rid of Francis, he found it even more difficult to focus, seeing as how Francis was suddenly all he could ever think about. He blamed that blasted teacher. It was all his fault that he was now under the spell of Francis Bonnefoy. It was his fault that Francis was always the last thing he thought about before going to sleep at night.
Little did Arthur know that Francis was having the same problem as him…
When Arthur couldn't take it anymore, he finally called up Francis. "Listen, could we meet somewhere for lunch?" he asked his old lab partner. "I have a few things I would like to discuss with you."
"But of course," Francis quickly agreed. "I also wish to discuss some things with you as well, mon ami."
Arthur felt himself being lured in by Francis's accent and the use of French in everyday conversation. "Right. I'll see you at the Java House around the corner from the campus at noon?"
"Oui, I shall see you then, Arthur," Francis said. "Adieu." He then hung up with a soft click.
Arthur stood there for a few moments before realizing that Francis had already hung up. His heart was racing madly in his chest. Had he really made a lunch date with Francis Bonnefoy?! What had this world come to?!
.
Two Years Later
Arthur sat across the table from his boyfriend of two years, Francis. He still couldn't believe they were actually together, yet he couldn't imagine his life without that blasted Frenchman. They had been the most frustratingly wonderful two years of his life, and he hoped that there were many more in store for them.
"I bet you're wondering why I asked you to come to this particular place tonight," Francis said. He gestured to the eatery around them. It was the same Java House that they had met up in two years before, where they had confessed how much they needed the other to be able to function properly. "It's because this is where our love story began."
"That's sweet," Arthur said before taking a sip of his coffee.
"And it's where I want it to continue," Francis went on before getting down on one knee. He opened a small ring box and presented to Arthur a white-gold band with a few diamonds encrusted into it. "Arthur Kirkland, I can't live without you. Will you do me the honor of marrying me?"
Arthur inhaled deeply and choked on the air for a moment before quickly accepting the ring. "Yes," he softly said. "Yes!" He knelt down and cupped Francis's face in his hands, kissing it all over before resting a lingering kiss on his lover's lips. "I love you, Francis Bonnefoy."
"And I love you, Arthur Kirkland," Francis told him. "You complete me."
All around them, the entire Java House burst into applause and cheers, but neither man noticed as their worlds seemed to just shrink down to only the two of them as they gazed into each other's eyes, feeling at peace.
.
One Year Later
At their wedding reception, Arthur and Francis mingled with every guest invited, including old teachers. They finally came across their old chemistry teacher who had paired them together three years ago in his class.
"Are you surprised?" Arthur asked him, smiling.
"This is exactly what I was hoping for with you two," the teacher replied with a smile. "A scientific rule is that opposites attract, is it not? You two were one of my many science experiments, and one of the only ones that actually made it. Congratulations. And thank you for inviting me to the wedding. It was marvellous."
"Wait, we were an experiment of yours?" Arthur asked. "But how did you know that we were…?"
"It was pretty obvious with Francis over here, and with you it was kind of a leap of faith," the teacher admitted. "And I'm very proud of my results. You two were by far my favorite experiment."
"Thank you, sir," Francis said. "Please enjoy your night."
"I believe I shall," the teacher said. "Again, thank you for inviting me."
"It is our pleasure," Francis said before sweeping Arthur away. "Did you hear that? We were an experiment all along. He was hoping for this outcome with us for years!"
Arthur began to laugh. "It's funny, though, isn't it? We played right into his hands, didn't we?" He smiled up at Francis. "And I'm glad. I'm glad I got to be part of that experiment, because otherwise I wouldn't be the happiest man in the world today."
Francis smiled. "That's true. Neither would I.'
.
Three Years Later
Arthur held one of their screaming twin sons. "Francis, do you have Mathieu?" he called out to his husband. "He seems to have run off! I have Alfred!" He put a hand over the toddler's mouth and the small child bit him, wailing louder.
Francis walked in, holding a completely calm Mathieu. "What seems to be the problem with Al?" he asked Arthur. "Does he not want to go for a car ride with Papa?"
At that, Alfred stopped screaming and cocked his head to the side. "Car?" he asked, blue eyes widening.
"Oh, now you stop," Arthur grumbled. "Let Daddy put your shoes on now, or you won't be able to go for a car ride with Papa."
"I wanna go!" Alfred wailed, starting to break out into hysterics again.
"Francis, please trade me," Arthur softly said before Francis took Alfred from his lap and placed Mathieu there instead. Arthur bounced their other son, who giggled happily, which made Arthur smile.
It amazed him how complete polar opposites their sons were. Mathieu was always very calm and quiet and always listened, whereas Alfred was always loud and very independent. Though both were extremely bright and creative, Alfred always had the crazy ideas while Mathieu's were more logical.
Francis smiled as he finished fastening Alfred's shoes. "Alright, boys. Who is ready to go on a car ride with Papa?"
Both boys eagerly clapped their hands excitedly and yelled, "Me! Me!"
Francis scooped both of them up. "Then off we go!" He walked to the door, followed by Arthur. "Well, looks like we'll be seeing you later." His lips met Arthur's in a rushed goodbye kiss that still seemed to sweep Arthur off his feet. "I love you," he said on his way out the door.
Arthur smiled as he stood in the doorway and waved them off. "Drive safely."
