In the heart of a small town, lies a quaint little area with many shops to see. A small coffee shop, a small bakery, a small book store, a small newspaper stand, but the smallest of all was the little shop that sat right in the middle. "Fernandez's flowers." This shop could be packed some days, and empty the next. Swamped with orders one day, and then have no income another. Those quiet days, were the ones that Arthur Kirkland liked best. When he could sit around, talk to his boss Antonio, and just do nothing. That was what today was looking like. It was a rather dull day, grey clouds rolling in the sky, people hurrying to get home, and no one even paying any mind to the tiny flower shop. Arthur had his broom and was just sweeping up the floor a bit as Antonio spoke on the phone. After he was done, if there was still no business, Antonio would let him leave early for the day. How nice! It wasn't that he didn't want to work. It was just..he wanted a different job in the shop. His job was to deliver the flowers. He would visit funerals, retirement homes, hospital, all dreadfully gloomy. He hated when the receiver of flowers cried and hugged him. He didn't buy them the flowers, just delivered them is all. Why was he the one being shown so much affection?
However, he kept this job and for good reason. Despite the fact that it was so small, it was rather popular. Antonio always made the best bouquets and even gave away a free vase for every ten dollars or more purchase. Quite the generous offer. Since Arthur was the only other employee, he was paid quite well. That was what made working here worth it. Plus, he and Antonio were good friends. Sometimes at the end of the day, Arthur invited the Spaniard over to his house to dine with him. Better then dining alone. Arthur loved by himself in a rather large house, that was inherited by his father. He had intended to someday fill the house with a big family, but so far no one showed much interest in the bushy-eyebrowed man. Every day was just as lonely as the previous one.
"Arthur!" He heard Antonio call. Ah, apparently he was through with his phone call. "I need you to make a delivery for me." He said as he began to gather a bouquet. So much for a no work day. Arthur set aside his broom and grabbed his hat. Antonio wrote down the address and handed the bouquet to Arthur. "It's the big hospital a few blocks away." He said. Arthur grimaced. He hated visiting hospitals the most. Filled to max capacity with sick people waiting to hug him and gush over how happy they are to receive the flowers. "The name is Mr. Francis Bonnefoy, from Roderich Edelstein. I have a note from him here." He said, handing him a card as well with a message written on it from Roderich. Ah, well that was good. He didn't mean to be sexist, but the males were always less clingy than the females and were more likely to just say thank you and leave it at that.
He took the flowers and walked outside. Waiting for him, was the company bicycle. Antonio didn't want to use trucks, for the sake of conserving energy. Arthur thought it was just inconvenient for him, seeing as how some of the locations were ridiculously far. But he didn't have any right to argue. He placed the bouquet into the basket of the bike and sped away, Antonio waving him goodbye from the doorway. As Arthur rode towards the hospital, which wasn't too far away, he glanced up at the sky. The clouds were even bigger than before and it was starting to get chilly. That was a warning, he could tell. That this was going to be a very gloomy visit. Francis was probably a dying young child, or a beloved husband dying of cancer, or something of that nature. Well whoever he was, Arthur wasn't looking forward to it.
Once he got to the hospital, he parked his bike and locked it into the bike rack. Antonio would have a fit if it was stolen. Not like anyone would want the old thing. It was a bright blue and the basket was white with green cursive letters saying "Fernandez's flowers," on it. It was an eyesore honestly and he was embarrassed to ride around on it. He grabbed the flowers and his hat from the basket. The hat was dark blue with the same green cursive writing on it. It was dreadfully ugly, but he was required to wear the company hat. He entered the hospital and grimaced slightly at the smell of it. In the waiting room were a few patients, one with some bloody cloth held to his head, one with a garbage bag he was currently vomiting into, a screaming toddler with a nasty rash on her face on her mother's lap, and a man in the wheelchair who looked pretty...dead. Arthur shuddered and approached the front desk.
"Excuse me," Arthur said, getting her attention. "I'm here to deliver some flowers to Mr. Francis Bonnefoy." He stated. He was given the room number and directions and with that, he made his way off. He entered the elevator and just as he got in, another family squeezed in. Apparently, they were there to see someone too...but why in the bloody hell was there so many members of the family?! He was practically squeezed in the back. The family went a floor higher than him, so he ended up missing the stop. When they got off, he had to wait once more for the elevator to move. When he finally arrived at his floor, some of the flowers he noticed, had been crushed. Just great. If his costumer complained, he was sure to be yelled at.
He stormed down the hall, in no mood to deal with any more foolishness. After a bit of searching, he located the room in question. He let himself in and called out, "delivery," to alert the patient of his presence. The room he had entered was a bit plain. A hospital bed by a large window. A television on the wall in front of the bed. A curtain ready to surround the bed just in case. Some medical equipment off to the side. A small door leading to a restroom. Not much to really look at. Sitting on the bed was the patient in question. The blanket went up to his chest and his head was facing the window. He wore a pair of silk purple pajamas that he probably brought from home. His hair was blonde, curly, and abnormally long for a male. Arthur called out again to see if the man was awake. Francis turned his head to face him and Arthur was able to better see his face. He had some stubble on his chin, big blue eyes, and was just a tad bit pale. Francis smiled and sat up.
"Hello there." He said, a French accent very obvious in his voice. He pointed at the flowers. "Are those for me?" He asked. Arthur glanced at the bundle before looking at Francis.
"Yes. There from Mr. Roderick Edelstein." He responded. Francis scoffed in return. Apparently, he didn't like the sender. He held out his arms and Arthur placed the flowers in them. Francis scanned them and thankfully didn't say anything about the crushed ones. He glanced at the note.
"Seems he wants to know when I'll be well again. Wants me to come back to work as soon as possible." He tossed the note on the side table, annoyed. "He doesn't care about how I'm doing. He only cares about how his business is doing." He glanced up at Arthur, who was watching him. He would normally have left by now, but it was his job to make the customer happy. "I work at a restaurant," Francis said. "I am the head chief and Roderich always says that I practically run the place." He sighs. "His compliments are nice. But I wish he would actually care about how I'M doing." Arthur didn't say anything. Just shifted about a little awkwardly. He wasn't very good at interacting with others. Francis frowned and turned towards the window again. "But then again, I probably don't interest you much either. Sorry. I've wasted your time."
Arthur had to muffle a sigh. "No no. I do care." He lied. "Why don't you tell me why your here. Are you alright?" He asked. His usual script.
"Well...I have a heart condition." Francis answered, making Arthur raise an eyebrow. "I was born with a weak heart, so ever since I was little I've been ill. I'm a bit weak and often become sick. And then I seem to have attacks sometimes, where my chest just starts...burning. I was fine up until a month ago. Then I suddenly had a relapse in the middle of the restaurant's kitchen. Where I couldn't breathe all of a sudden and my chest was hurting me. I couldn't stop crying. The doctors aren't too sure what's wrong with me right now. But I hope to well soon and be let out." He looked up at Arthur. "Please sit." He said, patting the edge of the bed. "Tell me a little about yourself."
Arthur glanced at the door. "I..I really shouldn't." He said. "I should be leaving right now honestly." Francis frowned. When Arthur turned to walk away, Francis grabbed ahold of his sleeve.
"Please don't go." He pleaded. "It's so lonely here. No ever comes to visit! I'm always all alone. You seem like a nice man. Please stay?" He asked. Arthur hesitated once more and Francis put on some puppy eyes. "Oh please? I won't bore you, I promise. Just stay?" Arthur finally sighed and sat on the bed, exciting him. "Good! Thank you so much!"
Arthur shook his head. "Alright. What do you want to talk about?" He asked. After that Francis's was off like a motorboat. It was like he hadn't had company in years. He began to speak about everything and anything. Cooking, music, women, men, you name it, he spoke of it. He simply adored Arthur's component and whenever he got up to leave, Francis would look like he was close to tears. So Arthur ended up staying for a while and learned things he hadn't previously cared about. The man's age, history, family, and friends. Occasionally, Francis would ask questions about Arthur, but he didn't answer many.
Eventually, a nurse came in. "Francis. Visiting time is over." She told him before walking away. Francis sighed.
"Looks like our time together is over," Francis said sadly. Arthur stood and tried not to seem too eager.
"Looks like your right Francis." He said. "Sorry but I must be going." Before he could leave, he felt a hand grasp his cuff again. He looked down and had to bit his lip. Francis was gazing up at him. He had a face of just..pure sadness and yet hope.
"Will you come back?" He asked. "It doesn't have to be tomorrow, but just..someday?" He asked hopefully. Arthur stared at him. What was with this man? They didn't even know each other and he was despite to speak with him once more.
"Sure whatever," Arthur said, brushing him off. But Francis wasn't letting him off that easily.
"Promise me." He insisted. "Promise me that you'll come back." Arthur had reached the end of his patience and brushed Francis off.
"I don't like persistent people." He said coldly. "If I come back, then I come back. If I don't then I don't. Please just leave it at that." Francis let his hand retract and looked a bit hurt. He let his eyes fall to his lap.
"I see. I'm sorry." He said quietly. Arthur watched him. He hadn't meant to hurt the man. He shook a head and turned around.
"Honestly..".He muttered before leaving the room. Francis once again was left alone. He stared out the window like he had been doing before. He was so lonely. It hurt so much. He placed a hand on his chest and felt his heart beat. It hurt. Is chest was starting to squeeze up on him a bit. He felt sick. He wanted...He wanted the nice man to come back. He didn't want to be left alone like he always was. He wanted to be around people. He let his head lie back on the pillow. "I'll be waiting." He whispered, before closing his eyes and sleeping.