On his way to the room, Arthur couldn't help but feel the slightest bit nervous. Going to speak with a sick man whom he'd never met before and provide him some company for how many hours a week, yeah, it wasn't exactly the most comforting ordeal. Social awkwardness followed the Brit all throughout childhood and unfortunately followed him to adulthood.

Luckily, the halls of the LTC unit weren't that crowded. Arthur assumed it was because a majority of the patients were bedridden. This was the Long Term Care area anyways. They had to be in critical conditions to not venture out on their own.

With a bustle of thought, Arthur made it to Francis's room; 2113. It was closed off with a singular door. There was a card underneath the room number that gave off the same information as the card.

Patient: Francis Bonnefoy
Room 2113 — LTC Unit
Doctor: Dr. Vargas

This was it. Why was he so nervous about doing this? It wasn't like he was planning on getting significantly close to the guy. He was simply here to let time pass and make him feel the least bit productive. Plus, he was only providing company, not initiating any type of relationship.

Furrowing his brows together, the Brit took a breath before raising a fist to gently knock on the door. Once knocking three times, he turned the door handle and pushed it open. Cool air immediately caressed his face.

"Hello? Mr. Bonnefoy? I do hope I'm not intruding on anything." Arthur spoke softly, unsure if the patient was asleep or trying to sleep or doing whatever patients did at hospitals.

Stepping in, Arthur saw Francis sitting upright on his bed.

Francis had the typical white hospital gown, it showing his prominent collar bones. Golden blonde hair draped over his shoulders, giving off a little shine from the sunlight peeking in through the window. His skin was beautifully white, although Arthur could probably hint it was more white than usual due to being in such a drab place. A light stubble played across his chin, giving off the feel that he was just a bit older than Arthur, but not by much.

Sapphire eyes blinked, blanketed in a faint confusion yet soft joy upon seeing the entering Brit.

"Are you my visitor today?" Francis questioned. Arthur blinked, a bit taken aback by the other's gentle French accent. "The nurse did say someone was here to see me. Although, sir, I doubt we have met before so I have no idea why you have come to visit me."

Arthur froze where he was for a second before clearing his throat, walking over to the seat beside Francis's bedside.

The man seemed rather polite, which pleased Arthur. He didn't know what he would've done if he was paired with a noisy, rude patient.

"Erm, yes, I am your visitor." Arthur responded, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I'm a volunteer here at this hospital and they told me you don't get many visitors... So, I'm here to provide you some friendly company."

Francis blinked at that, quirking a thin brow. A small smile upturned the corners of his lips as he looked over Arthur. The Brit's awkwardness did show off clearly, only making Francis grow even more interested in his visitor.

"Ah, visiting the lonely souls are a volunteer's job. How pitiful is that." The Frenchman joked, letting out a soft chuckle. "It is nice to talk to someone, though. It does get quite boring." He tilted his head a bit, letting some of his blonde hair to sway just a tad. "May I ask for my visitor's name? You already know mine, so I would love to learn yours."

"Arthur Kirkland." Arthur said, putting on a little smile. "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Bonnefoy."

"Oh, please don't use such a formal tone with me. 'Francis' is fine. Going by looks, we are hardly that much older or younger than one another. 20?"

"I'm 19 about to turn 20."

"And I am 21."

Francis chuckled, grinning sweetly over at Arthur. The problem of initiating conversation and keeping one up was, obviously, not a problem. The patient was rather talkative or at least brought up points and topics that got them to talk. Lucky for Arthur who lacked just that.

This wouldn't be too bad, Arthur thought to himself. Talking with this guy. It's not like he's being forced to do anything more with him. Just simple conversation for an hour or so to keep him company. It seemed like a fairly easy task–

"Are you British?" Arthur broke out of his thoughts at the other's inquiry.

"Erm, yes. Yes, I am British. That could be clearly known by my proper accent."

Francis nodded, making a soft 'ah' sound. It wasn't an interested 'ah' or one that signified he had been wondering it for a long time. It mirrored the sound of someone who expected the answer with a slight judgmental aura.

Arthur frowned just a bit, "Why do you ask? Is there something wrong with being British?"

"Non, non. Nothing wrong." The Frenchman stated with a somewhat prideful smile. "It was simply something I was assuming by your odd accent and the exceedingly strong aroma of tea and something burnt."

A little twitch crossed over Arthur's facade as he listened to what the other said. He may have spoken too quickly upon his judgement on the other.

With a scoff, Arthur retorted, "Cheeky, are we now? Then I suppose you are from the French descent? That's clearly obvious by your snobbish remarks and hideous personality."

This earned a light laugh from Francis. He put a hand to his mouth as he did so, the slight action making Arthur purse his lips in irritation.

"Ah, and there is the stereotypical quick to anger temperament." The Frenchman cooed, a little smirk complimenting a quick wink. "I was only prodding fun at you. Your face really does heat up when you're teased, non?"

Arthur hadn't even realized the change in color in his face until Francis pointed it out. Rather awkwardly, he raised his hand to his face and started to rub it in a rather stupid attempt to wipe the light flush of pink off. Blushing or showing any odd emotion that didn't correlate to complete sincerity or gentlemanlike characteristics was highly frowned upon.

"Piss off."

"Wish I could. But, you see, I'm stuck in here God only knows how long."

"Then belt up, will you? No one asked for you to point out every bloody thing about me, Mr. Bonnefoy."

"Francis, please."

Francis enjoyed teasing the Brit. Sure, it was pretty rude of him to do so considering the man was volunteering to spend time with him and he'd been very lonely the past week or so. However, it simply couldn't be helped. He enjoyed messing around, and Arthur was a rather interesting person to poke fun at.

Fun didn't come so easily in a hospital room. That is, if you consider giving empty flirtatious remarks to the nurses. The responses to that were often giggles, glares, or witty comments. There was only so much you can do with those before it got boring. Francis was pleased to have someone else to socialize with.

They stayed silent for a few moments, simply shooting stares at one another— Francis with an amused gaze and Arthur with a cold glare.

Arthur opened his mouth to shoot another angry response but was cut short when the hospital room door opened.

A rather small looking man came in with brown almost auburn hair. He bore a bright smile and hazel eyes. Arthur honestly couldn't tell if that smile and happy aura around him was fake like the lady's downstairs or not.

"Good afternoon, Francis! How are you feeling today?" The man questioned in a cheery tone and a distinctive Italian accent. His eyes trailed to Arthur, a little gasp escaping his lips. "Oh! You have a visitor today? How wonderful!"

Arthur gave a weary smile, "Hello, yes, I'm Arthur. I'm a new volunteer here."

He raised his hand to give a small polite wave but was suddenly stunned with surprise when the Italian grabbed his hand and shook it jubilantly.

"Hi! It's so nice to meet you! We've been needing new volunteers here! I'm Dr. Vargas; Francis's doctor! Oh, it's a pleasure to see you here, Arthur!"

Arthur felt himself stiffen a bit at the other's extroverted attitude, forcing himself to let out an awkward laugh to mask his discomfort. Francis took note of the other's unease to close social interaction and laughed with him, but in a more teasing and mocking way.

"Bonjour, Feliciano." Francis greeted, using an informal way of addressing his doctor. "I am doing okay. I'm doing even better now that Arthur came to visit. It certainly brightened up my day."

He flashed a genuine smile at Arthur and was given frown in return. It was true though. He really did like Arthur's visit and was excited for the future ones to come.

Dr. Vargas let out a little chuckle, "Aw, that's great!" He turned to Arthur, "Well, I can't wait to see you come by again. It's so nice of you to do this. Not many people volunteer here so seeing someone actually wanting to makes everyone happy— the patients and the workers!"

Great. Now there really wasn't any way of turning back. Arthur knew he couldn't just stop seeing Francis after his annoying visit. That would be incredibly rude and he did not want to be known as a heartless man. Besides, a part of him was curious to continue visiting. Francis was still a stranger to him and he wondered who exactly Francis was. Why was he here? Why didn't anyone visit him? Why was he such a arsehole? All those questions.

"Oh! Francis," Dr. Vargas said, turning once again to the Frenchman, "Ludwig will be dropping by to give you your afternoon meal and medicine for you to take, okay?"

Francis nodded with a sigh, a look of distaste coming over his facade. "Okay... Just, please, bring something sweet with the meal. The food in this hospital is so bland it makes me want to cry."

Dr. Vargas chuckled, "I'll bring that up with Antonio. Him and my brother are working the cafeteria today, lucky for you."

A grin washed over the faint distaste on Francis's face at that. Wonderful. Dr. Vargas's brother and that Spanish cook always conjured up the best of foods. It was rare to find anything good in this god forsaken place but those two's food always made his taste buds dance.

"Arthur, I'd politely ask if you were to leave when Francis eats his meal and takes his medicine." Dr. Vargas said with the same smile. "I always like to give our patients privacy when taking their medicine, just out of consideration."

Arthur nodded, standing up from where he was sitting.

"That is quite alright, sir. I best be going now, anyways. I have to pick up my brother from school." The Brit said with a polite nod to Dr. Vargas.

He walked to the door before turning back to Francis.

"I'll see you again tomorrow."

Francis beamed happily at that, his eyes gleaming. "I'll be waiting."

Arthur cracked the slightest smile at that before pushing the door open and slipping out of the room.

This couldn't be too bad. The Frenchman did run his temper and was quite rude without a thought, but Arthur couldn't deny the interest he had on the other. He wasn't like everyone else. He wasn't exceedingly polite and careful with his words to pretend to be nice even if he disliked the other person. Francis seemed genuine in everything he said and did and, even though it could be quite irritating, it was said with confidence and the truth he believed.

Arthur respected that in a person. He hated people who were constantly putting a fake attitude and saying things they didn't completely mean. There was an extent to that, like if you were genuinely trying to protect someone's feelings or sensitivities, but not with every damn thing. Someone's hair is messy? Tell them, don't just say it's pretty. Some did bad on a test? Point it out, tell them they should strive better. Simple as that.

But that was Arthur's mindset. Not many had the same perspective. Henceforth, why Francis intrigued him so much.

"Wait, Arthur," the Brit halted in his steps when he heard Dr. Vargas call to him from across the hallway.

"Yes?"

The Italian caught up with him, slightly out of breath despite the room being only a few yards away.

"About Francis, since you'll be seeing him and being a consecutive visitor, I suppose I should let you know some things about him."

Arthur raised a brow before giving a slow, single nod for the doctor to continue.

"Well, you see, with Francis's condition, he can be rather... fragile. His body isn't as strong as an average human's and at times it's weaker than how it already is. So, I would like to advise you to not work him up too much or do anything that could get his heart rate up or blood pressure running. He's been pretty good at controlling all that and keeping himself calm but still. Just thought I'd let you know out of precaution."

Oh... so Francis was one of those patients. He wasn't contagious, he simply had a weak body. Weak by what? Arthur still didn't know the details nor was he wanting to pry further into it.

Instead, he simply smiled softly, "Alright. Thank you for telling me. I'll make sure to be aware of that."

Genuinely, Arthur pitied Francis just a tad. To just lie around in bed all day and doing nothing because your body restricted it. It sounded awful and dreadfully torturous. However, how much different was that then to how he had been the past month or so?

Arthur would wake up, lie or sit around, only moving to drive and pick Alfred up from school. That was all. He had the freedom to venture and do more in a day yet he continued to do nothing and be alone. It opened his eyes to see how much he'd taken advantage of his freedom. Did Francis wish have that freedom? Obviously. Arthur wondered if Francis desired to go out again, even if it was to pick up some lousy teenager in high school. That would be more travel then he'd ever do in a week.

Shaking those deep thoughts out of his mind, Arthur made his way back to his car to go pick up Alfred.

Tomorrow he'd go back to see Francis. Maybe he'd bring him something. Maybe he'd find something at the house to show him. The room was rather bland and Arthur wanted to entertain the poor man some way that didn't need him to get up and risk anything.

"Ha," Arthur whispered to himself with a little smile, "Tomorrow it is then."

A/N:

I can't wait till I get deeper into this story. It's gonna be emotional and deep and meaningful and hnnn.

How are you guys liking it so far?

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