Arthur stuck to his promise. Every single day, he came to the hospital to visit Francis, just as he said that he would. Sometimes he brought flowers for him, sometimes he brought something from a bakery, and sometimes he didn't bring anything at all. To his relief, Francis seemed to be slowly gaining his strength back. The color began to return to his cheeks, and his voice began to return to normal once more as well. He was defiantly looking a lot better than before. Francis insisted that it was Arthur's visits that were making him better, but Arthur usually disregarded his comments.

When Arthur would come, usually Francis was sitting up in his bed, waiting for him. When Arthur entered the room, Francis would light up, and immediately offer a seat on the bed and ask about his day. Arthur didn't have very much to say most of the time, but Francis still seemed to hang on his every word, as though he hadn't seen the outside world in a long long time. Then again, perhaps he hadn't. When Arthur asked him, Francis told him that he had been in the hospital for the past two months. Two months without proper contact with other people huh? That sounded dreadful. No wonder he was always so happy to see Arthur.

This routine went on for about a month. And when that hot summer month passed, Francis was looking much better. His skin was a healthy, fleshy color, and a bit more fat began to form on his face. This was a rather promising sign, and Arthur couldn't be happier.

One day, at the end of that month, Arthur came to his room once again, to see Francis sitting at the edge of the bed, his slippers on his feet, and patiently waiting for him. He wasn't wearing his pajamas, rather he had on a blue shirt, provided by the hospital, and a pair of jeans. "I say chap, what are you doing?" Arthur asked, a bit amused. Francis smiled, happy to see Arthur.

"It's such a nice day outside. I thought that perhaps the two of us could go for a walk." He suggested. Arthur raised an eyebrow, a bit unsure.

"I don't know Francis. Do you think that's really such a good idea?" Arthur asked. "It's a tad warm outside today isn't it?"

"A bit perhaps. But it should not be so bad. There was a storm the other night so it shouldn't be as hot as it could be." Francis told him. "Please Arthur? It has been so long since the doctors have let me go outside. A doctor came in and told me I was doing much better, so he said it was fine if I wanted to go out for a bit, so long as I was careful. So I decided to wait for you so we could go together." He said. He stood up, and Arthur quickly stepped forward in case he fell. But Francis was fine. He stood steadily on his feet with an eager smile on his face.

"Well...alright, Francis. But you need to promise me that you'll tell me when you aren't feeling well alright? That way we can go back to the hospital."

"I promise," Francis assured him, stepping closer and grabbing onto Arthur's arm. "Come, let's go now. I've been waiting much too long for this!"

"I mean, don't you need anything with you?" Arthur asked. "A wheelchair or an IV of some sort?" Francis merely scoffed in response.

"I do not. Please Arthur, just trust me. I am doing much better. I do not need any extra support. Now stop your fussing. You're going to give yourself worry lines." He squinted and leaned forward a bit, looking at Arthur's forehead, before laughing and leaning back. "Oh. It would appear that I am too late." Arthur quickly slapped a hand to his own forehead with a gasp of indignation.

"You knave! I do not have wrinkles!" He scolded. Right? Francis just shook his head a bit and tugged at Arthur's arm.

"Come on now. You can fuss all you want after we get back okay? I don't want to be here any longer then I have to be. Let's get going." With a bit of reluctance, Arthur walked along with him out the door of his room and down the hallway. They were met by a doctor, who confirmed Francis's dismissal for the time being and instructed Arthur to bring Francis back if anything happened or if he started feeling unwell. Together, they went down the elevator, through the lobby (Where the receptionist gave them a kind smile) and out the front doors to the hospital parking lot. Francis led Arthur to the lawn next to the hospital, and the began walking together.

"Look there." Francis suddenly said, stopping them. He pointed upwards, back at the hospital. Arthur followed his finger to see he was pointing at a certain window. "That's my room right there. It feels very interesting looking at my room from the outside."

"You truly have not been out since you were admitted?"

"Well, they have let me sit outside, but only on the bench in front of the hospital. And even then, I couldn't think. There was always a nurse watching over me and making sure I didn't faint or something." He said with a roll of his eyes. "They really do baby me too much." Arthur decided it was best not to point out that Francis was indeed rather ill and did require said supervision. Instead, he kept it to himself. The two continued to walk together, admiring just how blue the sky was, despite the clouds that still dotted the sky. The air smelt slightly of rain and cleanliness. It was definitely a pleasant change when comparing it to the stiff and unnatural scent from the hospital.

"Perhaps you were right. The fresh air should do you fairly good." Arthur mused. He smiled a bit and chuckled.

"Oh? What is so funny?" Francis asked.

"Oh, it's nothing. Just...remembering something from my childhood."

"Is that so? Why don't you tell me about it?" Francis was more than willing to hear him out. It had been so long since he had such a friendly conversation. He truly did consider Arthur to be a friend, and he wanted to speak to him like one.

"Well..." He began. "When I was a boy, I was actually rather sickly. I couldn't go out much to play with friends, and I was always falling ill. My mother often told me that the fresh air would do me good and tried to encourage me to go outside when I could. But I had been such a grumpy little fellow back then and would always refuse. It took me ages to get over my childhood illness, and I can't help but wonder if that was why."

Francis laughed a bit. "Really? Well, I am glad that you are better now."

"Yes, so am I. I don't think it was until my high school years when I could finally get along like a normal child. I missed out on quite a bit, and it was rather difficult making friends again. But I managed."

Francis smiled. "I wish I could say the same." He admitted. "I was actually homeschooled during my elementary school years in France since I was in the hospital so often. But then in middle school, I went to school with all the other children, and then moved here to London after my high school years to pursue my career."

"I see. You had difficulty making friends as well didn't you?" Arthur asked. Francis wagged his finger in return.

"No. Actually, when I got to school, I was well-liked and accepted into the crowd. And I was rather popular in high school too. But I lost all communication with my friends when I moved here. So that is why I am alone right now. I said I couldn't say the same, because I could not fully understand how you felt, you little loner." Francis teased, making Arthur scoff and turn his head. "Do not be upset with me. I am sorry." Francis chuckled.

"You really do just say whatever comes to mind don't you?" Arthur sighed.

"I suppose." Francis shrugged. "Come, why don't we sit down for a moment. I am a bit tired." He said, leading Arthur over to a small bench near the door. Without even realizing it, they had done a full lap around the hospital and were now back at the entrance. They sat down together, and Francis let his head fall back as he continued to talk. "But I was thinking. You took longer to recover, because of your attitude."

"My attitude?"

"Yes. I was back to school in middle school, and I was very healthy. But you did not recover until high school. You did not want the fresh air, and I imagine you treated your illness like a death sentence didn't you?" Arthur's silence spoke many words. "It is all a matter of attitude. If you don't make the most out of everything and at least try to smile, then you will not get well any faster. That's why it took you so long to get well again."

"Perhaps." Arthur sighed. Why was he talking about this sort of thing with a man he had only met a little over a month ago? It didn't feel abnormal. But it wasn't something he would normally do. He wasn't even this friendly with Antonio when he had first started working at the flower shop.

"How are you now?" Francis asked him. "Are you in good health?"

"Yes for the most part," Arthur answered. "I still get a bit ill from time to time. I'm a bit more susceptible to illness than others, but I haven't had anything major happen." He scratched his chin a moment. "Well actually, I did get pneumonia a few years ago when I wasn't careful enough. But other then that, I've been right as rain."

"Good." Francis nodded, casually putting his arm around Arthur as he sat up again. Arthur didn't bother to move away. "You know, I am very glad that you came today. It is always so lonely when you are not here."

"Well I did promise to come, didn't I? I wouldn't break my promises." Francis smiled widely at him.

"You know I-" Francis was interrupted by a sudden vibration of Arthur's phone.

"Ah. My apologies. I'll take this." Arthur said. He pulled out his phone and answered it. Antonio was on the other end, asking him to come by. Several people had come in at once and he couldn't handle the store himself. "I'll be there right away," Arthur answered, before hanging up. "I'm sorry. I must be going now." Arthur sighed. "My boss needs me."

"I understand. Don't worry about it." Francis said, waving it off. He stood from the bench and helped Arthur up as well.

"Shall I see you inside?"

"No no. Don't worry about me. You just take care of what you need to take care of." Francis assured him. "Will I see you back here tomorrow?"

"Of course." Arthur returned.

"I'm glad." Francis smiled at him. And before he realized it, Arthur had smiled as well. It had been a long time since someone had made him smile in such a way. But of course, friends smiled at friends. It wasn't a big deal right? "Well, I will see you then okay?" Arthur nodded and turned his cheek. For the past week or so, Francis had started kissing his cheek when he said goodbye. It was his own personal way of sending him off. Arthur didn't mind it as much as he used to really. As he turned, a sudden thought came to him. Since Francis was well, would he be let out of the hospital soon? That might be good.

"Say," Arthur said, turning his head back. "Are you-" He didn't get a chance to say much more before Francis's lips connected with his own. Both were frozen for only a second before Arthur pushed him away.

"W-What was that all about?" He demanded, his fist up against his lips.

"That wasn't my fault! You turned your head back too soon!" Francis insisted, his face scarlet, and his own fingers over his lips. His eyes turned to the floor a moment, and he smiled. "You know, you aren't too bad of a kisser.." He teased.

"Sod off!" Arthur yelled, giving him a push. "You did that on purpose didn't you?" Francis frowned again.

"I told you I did not! That was your fault!"

"My fault? Like I'd ever want to kiss you!" Arthur shouted back. "I knew letting you get all affectionate like that was a mistake you pervert!"

"I was not a pervert!"

"That what was that comment about being a good kisser? Did you think that would be funny?"

"It was a joke!"

"And a right good joke that was!" He said sarcastically. "Just forget it!" He shook his head and turned around to storm off.

"You jerk!" Francis shouted after him, making Arthur scowl as he grabbed his bicycle from the bike rack. He grit his teeth and got onto the bike without looking back. But he could feel the heat in his cheeks burn even warmer when he thought back to what had just happened, and his lips began to tingle. Such a jerk Francis was!

Francis meanwhile watched as Arthur sped away. Well! He had better not show his face back here tomorrow! He folded his arms and huffed. But...why couldn't he stop blushing? It wasn't like he wanted to kiss him. But Arthur's lips, while a bit small and rather dry, were very...nice. He shook his head, a bit ashamed at the way he was thinking. He should not have done that. He was such a silly man. He sighed and turned to enter the hospital again. "If he does show up tomorrow...maybe we can just forget about what happened. And be friends again too. I hope so."