For what seemed like the longest time, Francis sat there staring at the suit he was about to wear for the night. It was Arthur's office party, and he was of course the plus one that Arthur decided on taking with him for the event. He was usually a social butterfly so attending these kinds of arrangements wasn't new to him. He mostly enjoyed being around a lot of people and being the center of attention. He loved to speak to people and be given the opportunity to maybe show-off a little bit as he did feel like he was the lucky one that got to spend the night with this grumpy old man that was, a catch in his own right.

Arthur was quite the opposite though. He wasn't the type that enjoyed these kinds of events, and it was a bit to his disadvantage and advantage at the same time that Francis was adept at social events. He admitted to Francis a few days before the event that he felt like he would be bringing him to an event that he belongs to and though his social skills would bring great points for Arthur's reputation, he would also run the risk of being the odd one out at his own territory. Nonetheless, Francis still felt very flattered and honored that Arthur chose him for the plus one. He was happy to be that for him.

So why did he feel this way? What was this hesitation that was starting to bubble up from within him? He continued to stare at the suit and found himself sighing a bit, as if getting ready to do a job. Why? He was supposed to be excited! He's supposed to be getting ready, all-smiles by now. What was this slow burning in the pit of his stomach? It didn't feel like nerves at all. He never got nervous for social events.

Was he nervous?

He frowned. Surely not!

"Get yourself together, Francis…" his voice trailed off. Nervous? He frowned at the thought. He knew that wasn't a thing that he did, but the more that he thought about it, the more he resonated with the word.

If he was nervous as he suspected that he was, what could he possibly be nervous about? Was he nervous about talking to people and having to socialize all night/ No. He didn't feel that was the case. People were pretty easy to navigate especially at social situations as everybody usually strays away from overly serious topics. Everything usually rolls effortlessly, especially when there was alcohol involved.

Was he nervous that he wouldn't look good enough or something? Absolutely not! If there was one thing that Francis knew how to do, it was to be the show of the night. The look has to be right, the suit perfect, the hair groomed and looking like coiled gold. He always knew how to turn up at his absolute physical best.

So, what was he nervous about?

RIIIIIIIIIING!

He jumped up as a loud ring broke the silence brought upon by his thoughts. He looked at his phone that was now buzzing violently as it rang. He saw Arthur's name on his screen as the phone rang. Arthur was calling him. So early?

He picked the little thing up in his hands and answered the call with a soft, distracted sounding voice.

"Hello, cher…" he greeted softly.

Arthur's voice was clearly worried and maybe a little bit irritated as he answered "Hello frog. Are you ready yet? Do I have to be the one to fetch you?" he did sound worried right? The question was whether it was worry for Francis or worry of making it to the event on time.

Francis frowned and looked at his watch to check the time, wondering why Arthur was calling him so early before he saw the time. It was already half-past 8 and the event starts in 45 minutes. His eyes widened. He had been stalling for about an hour now, apparently. He checked the wall clock with the hopes that maybe his phone and his watch were just broken or maybe were in some weird daylight savings mode or something. Nope. Same time. Has he been just sitting here for the last hour doing nothing?

"Non! No, of course not. I'll pick you up now. Be there in 15 minutes. I love you." He said in a flurry, a small amount of his composure slipping off as his speech sped up. Arthur must have caught onto this as he suddenly asked, nicer than before.

"Everything alright over there, Francis?"

"Oui."

He answered a little too fast, already making a move to brush his teeth and get his deodorant and his cologne. Luckily, he has already showered today. 'I'll be there. I'm alright. I love you."

Arthur sighed and mumbled "Just get here in one piece, alright?" he reminded, like an exasperated mother. "See you soon."

Francis tossed his phone onto the bed and proceeded to get ready. As he finished brushing his teeth and fixing up his suit, he began to tame his golden curls and prepared to fetch Arthur.

It was a quiet car ride for him. No music on the speakers as he drove to Arthur's place. Traffic was pretty tame and there wasn't much that would slow down his trip so he would most likely arrive the time that he promised Arthur he would be there.

He could feel his chest ache somewhere in there as he drove.

He definitely was nervous. He frowned.

Of what?

He felt something kicking his stomach, in the silence as he thought about it. He said "I love you" twice. Twice, and he got nothing back. Not even a half-assed "I love you too". Not even an awkward "You too".

He felt that kick of warmth bubble-up from his stomach and rise upwards, past his stomach and going straight for the throat, where he felt his airways tighten. He tried to push the warmth back by swallowing down, but some of it travelled even higher up and he could feel it move to his face and finally rested beneath his eyes.

He felt his lips quiver and tears travelling down his cheek. He gently wiped it off as he could barely see where he was driving to.

Yes. He was nervous. He was nervous that this wouldn't be enough. That despite looking his best and acting his best and flitting effortlessly through the crowd like he normally does, that people will see that act of confidence that he puts up and that they would sense how…

How unhappy he was. How unsatisfied he was. How he was looking for something that he wasn't getting. That he was with Arthur but more often than not, he felt as though they aren't actually together. That he and Arthur may sit or stand side-by-side tonight in front of the crowd, but they might see how there was this unspoken, intangible distance between them.

He was nervous that they would see him the way he was starting to see himself. An extra. A prop.

He was nervous that they would see right through him.

Please let him be enough. Even just for tonight.

His phone rang. This time, he didn't answer and kept driving.