The Writer and The Café

Chapter Fourteen

The ticking of the clock on the wall was starting to make Alfred's anxiety worse than it was at the moment. His plane for New York left in a few hours and he was still sitting in his apartment waiting for Arthur. Just then there was a loud knock on the door and Alfred went over to it with a bright smile as he opened it. The smile dropped seeing who it was and he groaned knowing he had no choice.

"Hello mon ami. Arthur couldn't make it from work and sent me in his stead," Francis said with a pout seeing the frown on Alfred's face.

Alfred shook his head and felt heart broken as he handed Francis the heavy package that he had wrapped to hide. "Just give this to Arthur okay?" He said sadly as he grabbed his duffle bag and locked the door behind him. "Take care dude."

Walking down the stairs he stood by the road waiting for his cab to pull up and felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking at the owner of said hand he saw Francis looking confused before shock spread across his face.

"Mon ami you're not leaving right now are you? Does Arthur know because he has seemed very happy lately." Alfred just shook his head with a sad smile as he watched a cab pull up and park in front of the apartments. "No. I couldn't bring myself to tell him will you please?" He asked as he placed his bag in the trunk of the cab and looked at the man he came to befriend.

Getting in the car Alfred went to wave goodbye to his friend but saw he was gone, sprinting back down the road towards the café. With a deep sigh he watched the buildings fly by as the car drove to the airport for his flight home. As his arms wrapped around his waist Alfred tried to stay calm wishing he could have held Arthur in his arms one last time.

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Arthur smiled at a customer as they walked out the door and it immediately dropped seeing Francis run in with a frantic look. "Arthur," he said breathlessly as he handed the brit the package before leaning into the counter for support. "Alfred is leaving."

With a sigh Arthur nodded as he ripped the paper to look at what the package was, knowing Alfred had to leave soon back for the states, and was shocked to find a manuscript by his favorite author. Opening the first few pages he saw the dedication page and felt tears fill his eyes seeing the words.

'To my brit who makes my favorite cup of ice water.'

"Arthur I mean he is leaving now! Going to the airport," the Frenchman said frantically. Arthur's head shot up and he wiped the tears from his eyes trying to focus on Francis words. Grabbing his phone and wallet he ran outside, grabbing a cab, telling the driver where to go.

Dialing Alfred's number it went to voice mail immediately, and he cursed angrily before hanging up. Arthur felt hurt that Alfred was trying to leave without telling him and he looked down at the manuscript in his lap having realized Alfred was the author.

"Bloody git."

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Alfred stood in the long line wanting to give the woman at the desk his bag and groaned softly to himself. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and turned it on, pouting when he saw so many angry messages from Arthur. With a deep breath Alfred slipped the phone back into his pocket and knew it would hurt him to have to say goodbye to Arthur.

Once he got to the front of the line he finally handed his bags over and slipped the tags on them before he made his way to his gate. Before Alfred could get there he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around seeing and exhausted looking Arthur that was glaring up at him.

"I swear I should kill you," he said trying to stay angry but Alfred could easily see the hurt in his eyes. Arthur pulled away for a moment before retracting his arm and swinging it across Alfred's cheek. The loud crack across his cheek shock Alfred more than the sting of pain and he looked at the brit in shock.

"Bloody hell Alfred I ought to show you a thing or two," he said as tears filled his eyes. Arthur took a step back and shook his head as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

Biting his lip Alfred took a step forward and pulled Arthur into his chest as his arms snaked around him. "Please don't cry Arthur. I wasn't going to be gone long," he said as he nuzzled into his hair trying to comfort him.

Arthur shook his head as he tried to pull away but felt his body give in to Alfred. "And why didn't you tell me? Why run off and leave just this, I want a explination," he said as he pushed the manuscript into the Americans broad chest.

As he looked down into his chest Alfred saw the manuscript and bit his lip embarrassed. "Well I didn't like the feeling as if I was lying to you and thought you should know the truth," he said softly as he heard over the intercom that his flight was now on the tarmac.

Alfred cursed softly as he looked back to Arthur and cupped his cheeks with his hands. "Darlin', I'll be back soon so please wait for me," he said as he leaned down and locked his lips with his. Arthur leaned into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Alfred's shoulders as they kissed. Eventually they pulled away and Alfred turned around and headed to his gate.

Arthur watched him sprint to his plane and pouted as he clung to the book in his arms. "Please come back to me soon love," he said softly before turning around and leaving the airport.

A/N

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