Francis-Belle dialogue -Complete translation:
*Good Afternoon, Monsieur Bonnefoy's Photographic Studio, how can I help you?*
"Belle? It's Francis. Listen, I won't be here tonigh, 'cuz-"
*Because you're an idiot. Or you had something better to do.. I say the second! Have you got a woman? What's her name?*
"Don't be ridiculous, I'm with Arthur!"
*So what? If there's Arthur, you can't be lucky?*
"Maybe I'm also lucky to be with him..."
*... François, you're hiding me something. I'm a woman, I can feel you lying.*
"Not at all, I'm hiding you nothing!"
*Where are you now?*
"In London, where do you think I am?"
*One never knows with you. Say, what I have to tell to the girls?*
"Tell 'em they can have the day off. You too, if you want. I won't be there anyway."
*Thank you, but Mr. Bonnefoy Photographic Studio just CAN'T close! And if I don't work, I go back to mix choxolat in Belgium... And no, thanks. I'm happy where I am. Plus, there's a strike tomorrow and my mates are popping in. Seen this all, There's no reason for me to get bored at home!*
"You're always the same! But when do you study? Say, I left my agenda at home, are we busy this week-end?"
*Ah-ah! You must be kidding me, Francis! there's always something to do here, you're the only one who never works! And yes, darling, we still have to take some pics for Mr. Karpusi.*
"Ah,yes... Aaand, I'll think about it once I'm there, okay? There are only 2 pics left... For when are they supposed to be ready?"
*Bof, he wants them for Wednesday, but remember he asked for an album with guys, too, and we have only girl models!*
"What, I'm a girl, too?"
*I often wonder..*
"Bastard. We'll find a solution, I promise. And, Belle? Can I call you later? I need some advice..."
*I knew you were hiding me something! Call me when you want, boss! But don't forget... I wanna meet her!*
Work, work, work
Francis' warm breath lingered on Arthur's lips, leaving only a light ticklish sensation on the kissed skin. The angles of his mouth were slowly turning upwards in a gentle smile, while his eyelids had just found the courage to part, when Arthur's hand violently pushed him backwards.
His wide, bewildered eyes showed a confused vortex of fear and shock, glistening in shifting from his face to his hands, like an animal in cage face to face with his guardian. He moved back to the door as for to escape, when Francis reassuringly raised his open bare hands in front of his chest, nodding his head slowly and never losing contact with his eyes. "It's fine, Arthur. Everything's fine. Calm down, please, just calm down."
"Calm down! YOU calm down! What's wrong with you!" Arthur shouted back, slightly trembling for he still couldn't figure out what was going on and yet, he still wasn't sure whether he could ever handle the situation himself. "Francis, what the fucking FUCK do you think you're doing?" He cried loudly, trying to find an answer to his confusion, but Francis just kept on staring at him straight in the eyes, repeating the same "Calm down, Arthur. There's nothing wrong going on, calm down." like a whispered chant.
Even though his frantic breathing hadn't turned more regular, Arthur got off of the car anyway, feeling the need for fresh air in his lungs. Francis' worried eyes followed him, the sparkle of hope glowing in them dying a little as Arthur slammed the door closed. He walked to the back of the car, as far as he could from those blue globes which spied on him from behind the opaque windows. There, he sucked in a good mouthful of fresh air, letting the coldness enter his body and refresh his mind. He exhaled, keeping his eyes closed to concentrate on the toxic steam leaving his body. Somehow, he felt purer and cleaner now. When his eyes peeked again from behind his eyelashes, they caught only a glimpse of the enormous space covered with cars and trucks in front of them, when the thought of what happened before crept on his mind again.
He licked his lips, sucked them, let them slowly emerge again glistening on leaning on the back of his vehicle. Balancing on his knees, he slipped down to sit on the cold asphalt of the parking lot, gazing into nothingness. Soon, the look on his face turned blank as he let his chin rest on his bent knees, embraced protectively by his arms.
'What shall I do? What will WE do? Ain't we friends? Damn it! Fucking damn it! This is just so wrong, so very wrong! We just can't ki..." In his mind, he couldn't even form the right word to describe the itchy sensation that too close contact had left on his lips. Yet, his imagination didn't stop playing the same scene over and over again. The glimmering of his bright eyes, the golden strands of his hair caressing his cheeks, the thumping of his heart against his ribs, the hot humidity of his breathing, that warm, wet, gentle touch under his nose. That seemed so perfect. So perfectly wrong.
He took his head in his hands in sucking in another deep breath. He wanted to understand, he needed to understand to work out a solution. A solution to what? What's the problem, Arthur? What's the problem now? Yet, the more he tried to figure out what to do, the more hopeless he felt. One minute he imagined himself shutting the door in Francis' face, the other he could see him apologizing and them both keeping on with their usual lives. Still, something in both this solutions was wrong, something made his insides cringe and twist and gasp for fresh air, because deep down he knew that both of those would cause his and Francis' unhappiness. He inhaled again, shaking his head slightly. The idea of being unhappy didn't scare him too much, but being without Francis... He was part of his life, he was the best part of his life and he just couldn't let him go. Why did he have to make such a mess? Oxygen entered his lungs again, as he stared at the empty grey sky looking for an answer. What am I supposed to do?
Soon, he felt the light vibration sent from a door closing running though his back. An unsure sigh, light footsteps, Francis in his visual. He took his hand out of his pocket and waved it at him tentatively. Arthur replied with the same wave, before tilting his head to the side to catch a better glance of him sitting down by his side. They stayed there in silence contemplating the vast empty ocean in front of them, lulled by the noise of cars moving, luggage rolling, people chatting, trains leaving. In their eyes, that world looked like a bad movie, playing itself all over again nonsensically, making noise but keeping in silence at the same time, as all its noise were nothing but a murmur in the background. Arthur placed his chin on his forearm and quietly spoke to Francis.
"We have to go..." His voice was distant, a melody lost in the memories of a past already forgotten. Francis' eyes glanced at him, before he closed them to inhale deeply and recover enough strength to stand up. Offering his hand to his friend, Arthur at first refused by looking the other way, but as Francis' hand didn't move from his place, he stretched his arm out to reach for his. Somehow, that brief contact made the idea of parting from him disappear. They had to keep on together. He was sure of that. But how?
Once they were the one in front of the other, Francis' eyes could eventually explore that face that hid itself behind those sandy bangs, those emerald puddles that tried to run away instead of creating a bridge connecting them. When Francis moved in, feeling quite uneasy at the slight distance that was dividing them two, Arthur's body stiffened, alarmed. His mind was still trying to make up a possible excuse for him to keep on with a perfectly normal life, knowing perfectly it was just impossible.
"Ludwig's waiting for us." Arthur reminded mechanically, as to warn him not to come any closer, before shifting to the side and quickly reaching the door-handle to sit into his right seat.
Francis sighed. His swollen lip was hurting from all the munching of the last minutes, when he thought of how stupid it had been to run to Arthur and just... kiss him. He couldn't bring himself to the point of believing his own action. He really needed to be cured. Whoever would be so idiotic to ruin a friendship like that? Stupid Francis. Stupid Francis for not knowing what the hell to do now. You started, you should know how to keep on! But even sitting next to him trying to find the right way to explain himself hadn't turned out the way he expected. Strangely, he didn't want to apologize, because, after all, he had liked that one kiss. He had liked the smoothness of Arthur's lips, their thinness, their pinkness, everything of them. He almost wished to touch them again.
He shook his head. What the fuck is wrong with you? It's your best friend, damn it! Stop fantasizing about him, you idiot! Still, the more he wished to stop thinking about him, the more he felt strangely attracted. A crave he hadn't felt in a long time and that he couldn't repress any way. Swallowing, he took enough bravery to march on and get in the car.
When he was sat next to him with his belt buckled, Arthur looked at him with piteous, sorry eyes. Taking in a deep breath, he asked quietly. "Francis... I don't know what's wrong with you now, but... Let's talk about it later, okay?"
Francis nodded. It was too a hell of a situation to disagree. Eventually, Arthur started the engine and they drove on in silence into the highway. Francis was peeking at him from the corner of his eyes, whereas Arthur's were fixed on the dark road, releasing the tension only through the hard grip he was keeping on the steeling wheel. Taking out his mobile, the Frenchman decided to call his secretary, just to advise her of his impossibility to be at work later that day and innerly pleading for someone to talk to.
*Bonjour, Studio Photographique de Monsieur Bonnefoy. Comment pourrais-je vous aider?*
"Belle? C'est François. Écoute, je ne serai pas là ce soir. J'ai raté mon dernier train, car-"
*Parce que t'es un idiot. Ou t'avais quelque autre chose à faire.. Je dis la seconde. T'as trouvé une femme? Comment elle s'appelle?*
"Sois pas ridicule, j'suis ici avec Arthur!"
*Et quoi? S'il y a Arthur, tu ne peux pas avoir de la chance?*
"Peut-être que j'aille de la chance quand-même avec lui."
*... François, tu me cache quelque chose. J'suis une femme, je le sens!*
"Pas du tout, j'te cache rien!"
*Où es-tu maintenant?*
"À Londres! Où tu penses je suis?"
*On ne sait jamais avec toi. Et alors, qu'est-ce que je dois faire avec les filles?*
"Dis-leur qu'elles peuvent avoir la journée livre. Toi aussi, si tu veux. J'serais pas là en tout cas."
*Merci, mais Le Studio Photographique de Monsieur Bonnefoy DOIT rester ouvert. Si je ne travaille pas, je retourne à mélanger chocolat en Belgique... Et non, merci. J'suis contente où je suis. Puis, demain il y a une grève et mes copains passe me voir. Vu tout ça, j'ai pas de raisons pour m'ennuyer chez moi!*
"T'es toujours la même! Mais quand t'étudies? Dis, j'ai oublié mon agenda, on est engagé ce weekend?"
*Ah-ah! Tu te moques de moi, François! On a toujours à faire ici, c'est toi qui ne travaille jamais! Et oui, chérie, il y a encore certains photos à faire pour Monsieur Karpusi.*
"Ah, oui... Eeet, je vais y penser quand j'suis là, d'accord? On manque juste deux photos... Pour quand il les a commandées?"
*Bof, il les veut pour Mercredi, mais rappelle qu'il a demandé aussi des mecs pour son album et on n'a que des mannequines!*
"Quoi, j'suis une fille aussi?"
*Certaines fois je me demande..*
"Bâtarde. On trouvera une solution, j'te promets. Et, Belle? J'te peux appeler plus tard? J'ai besoin d'un conseille..."
*Je savais qu'il y avait quelque chose dessous! Appelle-moi quand tu veux, chef! Mais n'oublie pas... Je veux la connaitre!*
Francis smiled at the display of his mobile, where the illuminated screen showed a smiling young Belgian who had just cut off the line with a laugh.
"Belle?" Arthur asked curiously. The talk distracted them both, fortunately, and made the general atmosphere more relaxed. Also, the warm blow exiting the air conditioner was giving his contribution to the cosiness of the small vehicle, which was even better.
"Yep." Francis answered with a nod in putting away his mobile. Arthur nodded too. He didn't know the girl too much, since she'd been working for Francis for less than 6 months, but her reputation was enough to picture her at a nice young woman.
"How's she doing?" He tried to keep the conversation alive, hating the silence as much as having got only half of what the two had told each other.
"She's fine. Studying at University, taking good marks, working for me,... She's gorgeous, creative and active. I'm glad she's no more in that rehab centre." Francis always tried to skip this part when with her friends, but now he needed a topic and Arthur seemed enough interested in Belle's life, that it was the only way to keep on with the conversation. "Yep, I'm so very glad she's no more on the street."
"She used to live in Belgium, right?" Arthur already knew the answer, having she told him part of his previous experiences herself, but since the Police Station seemed so far away, having something to discuss was appreciated as much as needed.
"When she was little, she did. Her parents were actually from Amsterdam, but she was brought up in Belgium by her grandma."
"I still don't get why she would leave Bruxelles for Paris. I mean, what's the point in leaving the capital of the UE?"
"She didn't have a good relationship with her grandma, to be honest. So, being a kid without parents and living with a granny who didn't get her a single bit, brought her to leave everything behind as soon as she fell in love with one of those punk that put in their veins every kind of shit."
"Oh... I didn't know... Sorry for her. Really."
"Shit happens, she usually says."
"Couldn't she just go back home once it was all finished?"
"Arthur... She was pregnant. And believe me, staying away from home was for the best."
"Oh. ...Well, what happened then?"
"She lost the baby. And the father, along with all her money. The only thing left to her was that drug addiction she'd never wished for."
"At least she hasn't got any STD..."
"God, you can't say what a work was to put her back in place. I took her in because I needed help with some documents and a friend of mine suggested I should give those rehab programs a try... And she proved to be such a good worker, that there's no way I'm firing her in the next months. But the start was traumatic for both..."
"I can imagine..."
"But now we're together. As workers, I mean. And oh, she's so good at photography, you should see her! She's a bomb when working with chemicals! And when she speaks about school... She sounds so happy! By the way, she would like to meet you."
Arthur blinked. "Meet me? Why?"
"Dunno. Probably, you left a good impression last time you came by."
"I spilled wine all over her blouse... God, I was so mortified... And it was our first dinner together! At any rate, you haven't sent me the laundry bill yet, remember it, please."
"I will, don't worry. We could meet her this week-end. Because you're coming over, aren't you?"
It seemed all so similar to their usual conversation, Arthur thought. But somehow, it was all so different. Francis' voice hid a certain expectation, an anxious question he couldn't express with words, but he managed to conceal not revealing part of his thoughts. Arthur, he knew perfectly well, wasn't being sarcastic at all, finding in every little hint of that speech a possible remark to the final question he had to ask him sooner or later. But now, it just wasn't the right moment. Yet, those eyes were looking at him with a different gleam in them, a glistening of hope mixed with desire, wish, crave for the time of his life.
"I suppose I will, yes. But first, we have to find a way to let you get back home."
Francis smiled. He knew perfectly well which way to take. "Just give me the phone and you'll see."
Arthur simply smiled, both to the answer and to the parking lot welcoming them as they got to Scotland Yard. He turned the key in the hole, glancing at Francis, who wasn't moving out of the car at all. Blinking questioningly, he received an encouraging tilt of his head. He sighed annoyingly, glaring at him.
"We'll discuss that... thing later, Francis." But as Francis' eyebrows raised in a murmured plea, he added. "Work, now. And think of some clever explanation or you're not seeing me ever again." With that, he exited the car to stomp to the entrance, trying to make his thread more serious than it actually was. Francis watched him walking away, took the keys and followed him closing the car, thinking over some clever explanation different from the usual 'I've always loved you'. Arthur would've killed him for his dumbness and moreover, that wasn't true... Right?
As soon as he entered the building, a receptionist intercepted him with a wave of her hand and accompanied him to Arthur's office on the first floor. Francis knew her too well, as Arthur's been speaking over and over of her refined, perfect way of filling up forms.
"Miss Zwingli, it's a pleasure to meet you again. How are you?"
"Good afternoon, Mr. Bonnefoy. Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Kind of stressed, but it must be the season changing. What about you? Everything's fine there in... Paris? I always forget where you live..." She confessed with a sincere smile. She was a fine girl, after all. Sometimes too conservative in her ideas, but a pleasurable company for everyone. That was the main reason for her position at the reception desk, as she never sent anyone to Hell without a smile on her cute face.
"That's right and yes, I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. And what about your brother?"
"Neh, he's always the same. But he's been sued only twice this month! I'm so proud of him! Just think that Mr. Beilschmidt and him bet that if this year ends without him being sent to prison for more than a month, they will offer beer to every bobby working here!"
Francis' eyes smiled at her sweetness. She was really a nice girl. They kept on their conversation in entering the elevator, when he noticed the pile of documents she was carrying around. "Would you like me to help you carry some?"
Lily blinked, never losing her brightness, before replying with a light nod. "Don't worry, it's just paper. Come now, we're almost there. You're lucky Mr. Beilschmidt knows you, or else you would have to wait outside like a good dog."
"I do consider me lucky, Miss Zwingli. Mr. Beilschmidt is surely one of my best acquaintances and to be honest, I've always admired him for his discipline and care. And now, thank you for your help, I would've ended up lost in this labyrinth of cement." He was lying, he knew that, but lying for the best, if this even made sense. Not thinking too much over it, he held out his hand to shake Lily's. "Have a splendid day, Miss."
"Thank you, Mr. Bonnefoy. It's always nice to have someone so smart to talk to! Too often these peasants seem to enjoy making fun of us policewoman, whereas you are always so kind. Thank you and have a nice stay." With the same fake smile, the young girl disappeared behind the corner, determined to bring those forms to their right owner.
Francis let his circumstantial smile drop, took a deep breath and knock to the door, waiting patiently until he heard a voice inviting him to enter. As he walked in, he was welcomed by Arthur's nod and Ludwig's hand waving.
"So here's our host for today. Good afternoon, Mr. Bonnefoy. Are you going to leave our Arthur in peace and let him work?" Ludwig always had the best manners to talk to people. He wasn't a bad guy, he just didn't like people wasting their time. And that Frenchie was a possible threat to Arthur's work. He had been, he could still be.
"Don't worry, I'm leaving in a minute." He remarked quietly, looking at the German with a certain air of superiority. He didn't like him a single bit, not the way he spoke, not the way he dressed, not the way he sat, so close to Arthur, nearer than him. "Arthur, you left these in the car." He said with a smile, tingling the keys in his hands before launching them to the desk. Before exiting the office, he informed quietly. "I'm having a coffee. What about you?"
Arthur took the keys in his hands and turned to place them into the pockets of his coat. "No, thanks, I'll have some later. Go on without me, please. There's a room around the corner where you can have some, just ask if you can't find it. And take my cup if you want, there's my name on it, but wash it in the sink, okay?"
"Perfect. I'll ask Lily if she's up for a pause, then. Bye, have fun scribbling on those forms!" He waved his hand in leaving the room, happy noticing Arthur had given him so much attention, without glancing at Ludwig even once. In turning the corner, yet, he stopped to think over it. Why should he care about Ludwig? He was nothing more than Arthur's boss, why shouldn't he look at him or speak to him, anyway? The thought troubled him for a while, until he saw Lily at the end of the corridor and invited her to join him.
"That guy's annoying." Ludwig stated once Francis had left. What a nuisance! Can't he just leave Arthur alone?
"He's French, annoying by definition." Arthur answered calmly, checking the signatures of a couple of documents, not really paying attention to what he was being said.
"I still don't get why you are friends." The German asked with a certain curiosity. That French had always been a problem in his eyes, obliging Arthur to care even less for his own self. Sometimes he even accused him to be the reason for Arthur's divorce and consequent unhappiness, but the thought never left his mind. One couldn't say how Arthur would react to such accusation.
"Neither do I, Ludwig. Yet, we are." He replied quietly, adding another paper to the "Done" pile of forms. He found Ludwig's interest for his relationship with Francis quite bothersome, but he couldn't say a thing. Still, he tried his best to keep a straight face and dodge his questions. Why would he want to answer them anyway?
"Wasn't he supposed to have already vanished?" He asked with a certain malice. Actually, he only knew he was staying with Arthur till that morning, that's why he had given him half the day off, but having him around the Station... He so wanted him to fade away.
"That's not out fault for the Eurostar to be leaving always so soon, Ludwig." Arthur replied mechanically, taking another form in his hand, sighing. What a bad handwriting! This, until Ludwig informed perplexed.
"But Arthur, the Eurostar isn't going anywhere today."
Arthur raised his gaze to stare at Ludwig as he had just given his the most terrible news in the world. "What?"
"The Channel's closed today. Even the ferries aren't moving!"
"The Channel's.. closed?"
"Yes, the guys at Pas-de-Calais decided it was too risky to keep the tunnel open with such a bad whether. French cowards, scared by a stupid storm! By the way, I sent Vash to your place to check if it was all fine. He said something about a lamp-post, but I can't remember rightly..."
Arthur looked at him utterly shocked. "But we heard the train for Paris leaving!"
"Are you sure it was the right train?" Thinking of it, Arthur had only heard a train leaving, but never checked if that was the right one. Raising his gaze, he met Ludwig's eyes, lucid for the jolly confusion he was feeling inside.
"No..."
"Anyway, I heard you can convert your train ticket with a flight. Quite convenient, isn't it? That's what our bobbies in Dover told me, at least..."
"Ah-ah..." So Francis had just ran back to him for nothing? But then... Why the kiss? Why? If he just needed a lift, he could've called him. There was no point in troubling himself with that. Coming back, calling him, maybe saying he was sorry... Everything would've been fine anyway, then why the kiss? Francis, why are you so stupid?
"Arthur, are you listening to me?"
"Yes, Ludwig." Arthur stood up, took the forms he had checked and walked to the door without even glancing at him. "I'm taking this stuff to the archive. See you."
"Ja... See you." Ludwig said, following Arthur with half-curious half-worried eyes before standing up himself as he heard a shrill cry outside the room. "What's happening?" As he dashed outside the office, he almost trampled over Arthur's body, which had ended up on the floor as walking out of the room he had run into Francis and his coffee. There was anger in his eyes. So much rage and hate, that he feared to come closer his green-eyed employee.
-End Ch. 15