Cure for Hangovers and Heartache

Last night had ended rather... anticlimactically. Francis had ended up staying at the bar for another hour and drinking even more as he tried to sort out everything that had happened. Needless to say that ended up with his now horrid hangover and his early-morning shift really didn't help at all.

But, for some reason he had managed to get to the hospital on time- He wasn't quite sure why, alright maybe he was but he automatically went to make Arthur's tea and had it ready at seven on the dot.

Even if his head was throbbing and he knew he looked terrible.

Francis made his way over to the doctor's office with two mugs, holding them carefully as he knocked on the door, licking his lips nervously. He could at least think clearly now, if not with a little pain, but he still had no idea what was going to happen now. It made him feel rather... out of his element.

Very, out of his element.

Arthur haven't even thought to return home after his drinking, hell anywhere but the hospital seemed hostile to his hazed mind and he had curled up on the floor with a pillow (the beds were occupied by a Dane and the Dutchman) with his doctor's jacket over him as a blanket. It was definitely a bad idea when he woke up the next morning with a sore head and crick in his neck.

Cleaning himself up somewhat in one of the numerous bathrooms at around 5am, he promptly had gotten to work on patients. It was the only thing that could keep his mind after last night and every time he drifted, his face would heat up and he'd have to leave for a drink of water and to splash some cold water in his face.

Since Arthur never really looked fantastic, no one would notice a difference and he was so focused on Emily's case that he muttered a "come in" when he heard the knock without even thinking even though he knew if he had been paying attention he would've known it was going to be Francis.

Francis managed to nudge open the door with a twist of the handle and his foot. He smiled slightly at the Brit as he walked inside, heading over to Arthur's desk and setting down a mug of tea quietly. "Good morning Kirkland," he said softly, pulling his hand back to hold his mug securely.

"I... assume you got home alright?" he questioned. The whole thing felt so awkward, even he felt a little tense and unsure. Should he ask Arthur about the kiss? Or about his offer that he made? It would be a stretch, that's the only thing he could manage to figure out but...

It would be worth a shot, wouldn't it?

His head snapped up when he heard the accent and his fingers dropped the pen as he made to half get to his feet, only to stop when the tea was placed in front of him. He frowned up at Francis, waiting for hte complaint that he was lazy but nothing came but soft words of... was that concern?

Taking the tea, he sipped it. It was decent, which in itself was a miracle. "No, I slept here," he said, "I've got my pillow, didn't want to go home, felt wrong and-" he merely sipped again, meeting Francis' eyes for a moment.

He felt his breath hitch in his throat. "Look- whatever happened last night..."

Frowning slightly, Francis didn't hurry to retreat like he normally did in the mornings he didn't feel like being yelled at, but leaned slightly on the desk with his hip. "I actually- wanted to speak with you about that as well-" he said quietly, sipping his own black coffee and sighing.

"I did... mean what I said last night, it wasn't just... the alcohol talking," he admitted, chin still behind the mug. "And... well I hope I wasn't out of line with kissing you but-"

It took him a moment to swallow down the nervousness that had suddenly decided to reappear in his throat. "I... enjoyed it- very much."

"Enjoyed-" The word felt dry on Arthur's mouth. Francis had actually enjoyed his incompetent kissing? His drunken ramblings and confessions... Well that was certainly not what he was expecting to hear from the Frenchman, and he found that it wasn't entire unwanted. Enjoyed it... Arthur had rather liked it himself, strange and new as it was.

He put down his tea up, intertwining his fingers and resting his chin on them. "I... liked it myself- though it was very out of line... you should know better. A-And don't think that this'll get you a payraise."

Francis stared at Arthur, brow furrowing as he registered what the Brit just told him. He set his coffee cup down and leaned on the desk, using his palms to hold him up. "Arth- Kirkland- I... was not expecting anything of the sort. I would never... resort to that for money I..."

He broke their eye contant, looking down at his hands and trying to find the words that he knew he wanted to say. He was just having a bit of trouble. "It was outside of work..." he started slowly. "If we kept it there... Wouldn't it be alright?" he asked quietly.

Before Arthur could help himself, the tips of his fingers gently nudged against Francis'. He left them rest for a few moment, feeling his face burn bright before moving the hand (brushing against the Frenchman's more) and grabbing his teamug. He cleared his throat in what he hoped was a refined manner.

"I... Don't see why we couldn't... keep it outside the office." he swallowed, "I-In fact... I'd love to- do it- again... some time... in the near future..." his voice dwindled near the end rather pathetically.

Leaning down on his elbows, Francis wrapped his hands around Arthur's on the mug, smiling warmly at him at eye level. "Shh..." he hushed softly. "Maybe tomorrow then?" he asked.

The way Arthur spoke definately revealed his more sheltered nature, Francis was almost afraid he would break him if he went too far- did too much. And it was an odd feeling, to worry about someone like this. He supposed it might just be the hangover headache making him react strangely, but his thumbs gently stroked Arthur's hand, and he couldn't stop smiling.

"Or... when do you get off of work?"

"A-Ah- well I'm supposed to be done at seven, but I'm usually here till..." Arthur paused to think when he left the hospital, it was always past midnight at least because it was always completely silent in the parking lot save for the few paramedics and smokers outside. He shook his head, "Doesn't matter- I never really leave anyway- you know that."

Looking down at the soft touch, Arthur felt himself smiling a little. "B-But I suppose we could agree on something..." After a small breath, Arthur glanced at him and leaned forward a bit.

"I'd like that," Francis said quietly, lips parting slightly as he watched Arthur carefully, seeing the slight movement towards him. At least he wasn't as embarassed as before but- this classified as work didn't it? Should he try or would Arthur just scold him again.

He leaned forward anyway, hands squeezing as he smiled softly in return and chuckled. "Whenever you are free really... I can make time I think," he offered. "All I 'ave to do is feed Ver and well... she can wait until I get home."

Arthur flushed a little. "T-Tonight... In the cafeteria... We'll have coffee and I'll work on my patient files." how had that extra thing jumped in there? Patient files? On a date? And the cafeteria certainly wasn't the nicest of places (and certainly not a place for a date). This time, the flush wasn't just of embarrassment but of shame.

He pressed his lips to Francis' cheek awkwardly. "I-If that sounds alright to you."

It only takes Francis a few moments to realize that Arthur's actually asking him on a date. To the cafeteria. While doing work. And he still smiles ear to ear, chuckling quietly. "I can't wait," he said quietly, honestly- because for some reason it doesn't matter that they'd still be at work, or even if Arthur wasn't going to stop working.

He still had a date with the prudish Englishman, and Arthur had even kissed his cheek.

Turning his head slightly, Francis gave the Brit a chaste kiss before pulling back. "Of course it is alright."

The Brit flushed a little, pressed their lips together longer. Promptly sitting down, he cleared his throat, going back to scribbling on the papers, his hands shaking a little. His head was bowed so the Frenchman couldn't see the giant and idiotic smile on his lips.

"Now go do your rounds for the day Mr. Bonnefoy."

Francis smiled warmly again, standing up and picking up his coffee- Where had his headache gone? "Of course Doctor Kirkland," he said evenly, turning and starting towards the door, glancing back only for a second.

"I greatly look forward to tonight cher," he said quietly, winking before quickly slipping out of the door, closing it behind him and starting down the hallway, whistling to himself.