The friend is the man who knows all about you...

[rule_britannia]

WHO: Arthur Kirkland, Greg Lestrade
TONE: Let's go with friendly.
RATING: G
WHEN: Sunday 12th August
WHERE: London
WHAT: Arthur meets up with Greg to get away from his family for a while.
STATUS: Ongoing.

It was Sunday morning, and amidst the bustling London morning a teenager with scruffy blond hair and thick eyebrows hurried out of a hotel, a backpack slung over one shoulder. Never hurt to be prepared. He looked back, scowled, and rubbed his arm, before descending the steps towards the street and glancing down to check his watch.

"Half eight," he muttered to himself. "Bloody hellish time. Why did I agree to this?"

Another twinge in his arm reminded him, and he frowned again, moving down to the pavement and putting himself out of sight of the front of the hotel to wait for Greg. Everything had already been cleared with his mother, who was just glad he had some friends that he wanted to spend time with, and he'd managed to avoid his brothers' questionings with only a punch on the arm for his trouble.

He perched on a wall outside the hotel and watched the people passing by as he waited, kicking his heels against the dusty brick.

Comments

[di_intraining]

[It wasn't hard to spot the mop of unruly hair and those infamous bushy eyebrows. Greg jogged up to the hotel, a warm smile on his face at the sight of his friend. That doesn't hide the cuts or the bruise on his face, but it sure does make him look less intimidating.]

Hullo, it's good to see you again Arthur. How was the Cup?

[rule_britannia]

[He hops off the wall when he spots the other boy and grins, though the expression immediately falters as he notices the cuts and the bruise]

Never mind the bloody Cup, what happened to your face?

[Arthur is the best at subtlety. Shush]

[di_intraining]

Had a boxing match with Maxim yesterday. Got a little roughed up, but I'm fine. It's just a little cuts and bruises, nothing too serious.

[There may also be a teensy, teensy smirk on his face.]

Don't worry, I got to sock him a few. Can't say that didn't feel good, after the little stunts he pulled off on me.

[rule_britannia]

You jus--

[He trails off, frowns, and shakes his head, grabbing the other boy's arm and steering him away from the front of the hotel, muttering about 'brothers' and several other unpleasant things under his breath]

What did he do? I would have never thought of you as the fighting sort.

[di_intraining]

Well, we had a little chat over the journals, and he insisted that boxing was just another bar room brawl. I objected, and he offered to have a match after I took him around London.

[The smile on his face quickly turns into a frown, as he remembers yesterday's shenanigans.]

My God, it's like babysitting my sisters, but at least they listen some times. Can you believe the man came dressed in a ridiculous miniskirt, after I asked him to put on a pair of pants? Christ.

[rule_britannia]

[One thick eyebrow rises slightly and he lets go of Greg's arm to push his hands into his pockets]

A 'bar room brawl'? Clearly, Maxim simply doesn't understand the rules and subtleties that govern the gentleman's sport that is boxing.

[He sounds almost imperious as he says it, but he quickly loses that attitude at the second piece of information]

... A miniskirt. You have to be pulling my leg.

[di_intraining]

[Is this a face of someone who'd lie to you over such things?]

Come to think of it, I should've expected he'd pull that sort of nonsense. He was never the sort for rules.

[rule_britannia]

Yes, but Greg, come on. There are 'rules' and then there is 'wearing a miniskirt' and he undoubtedly crossed that line.

[Arthur smiles good-naturedly regardless, relaxing in his friend's presence and the relief of being away from his family]

[di_intraining]

[He sighs and returns Arthur's smile somewhat.]

I was just pissed at him for deliberately doing something I specifically asked him not to.

Anyway, let's get out of here. I know a cafe around these parts. You hungry for some breakfast?

[rule_britannia]

I'd say you should have known better but we can never really know what to expect from Maxim.

[The smile fades, but there's still a small upturn of his lips]

Starved. Lead the way.

[di_intraining]

Right. This way.

[It doesn't take long, but soon enough Greg leads him to a small cafe tucked away from the busy streets. Speaking to the waitress for a table for two, they're lead to a tucked in booth; there's very few people about, so the restaurant is fairly quiet, with the occasional sounds from the kitchen every now and then.

Greg passes the menu over to Arthur.]

Try the fry-up; it's pretty good.

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur doesn't mind the walk, though he doesn't appreciate the lack of concern that groups of commuters seem to have for his personal space.

When they reach the cafe and sit down he tucks his bag up under his seat, leaning against the table]

I'll take that recommendation. What are you having?

[There's a pause, and he pats his pocket, pulling out a ten pound note]

Ah-hah! I knew I had some of this weird Muggle money.

[di_intraining]

I had breakfast back home already, it's fine. And this one's on me, so you can keep the cash.

[rule_britannia]

.. Really?

[He rubs his fingers over the paper money, then shrugs and pushes it back into his pocket]

Thanks. I promised Victoria I'd buy her some chocolate anyway.

[di_intraining]

It's fine. Not often I get to treat my friends anyway.

[At the mention of the Ravenclaw girl, Lestrade huffed slightly.]

You let your cousin run rings around you too much.

[rule_britannia]

On the contrary, Greg, I let her think she's running rings around me.

[He smiles, and lifts one shoulder in a faint shrug]

She was my only friend for a long time. I'll admit I have a soft spot for her.

[di_intraining]

Really? Well you sure had me fooled.

She's nice. I just wish she'd stop teasing me all the time.

[rule_britannia]

[He smiles a bit, resting his elbow on the table]

Don't tell her that, you'll just make her worse.

[di_intraining]

Mum's the word.

[A waitress comes by for the order, flashing a grin at Greg's direction. Greg himself greets her with some familiarity, before directing her back towards Arthur. He really isn't going to be ordering anything.]

[rule_britannia]

[He looks a little surprised at that, but he gives his order - taking Greg's advice - then turns back to the other boy with one slightly raised eyebrow once she's gone]

Just wanted to spend time with me, Greg? I'm touched.

[di_intraining]

[He ducks his head a little.]

I err...I actually work here. I don't really know her, she's just new here.

And yeah, I wanted to catch up with you, before school starts and then I'll be drowning in homework. You know I'm not the brightest of the lot Arthur. I'll probably have to put in double time this year for OWLs.

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur glances back over his shoulder again, but he can't see the waitress anymore so he sits back with another shrug. A quiet sigh leaves him, and he leans on the table, hands clasped in front of him]

You know I'll give you a hand where I can, I know OWLs are no picnic.

[di_intraining]

Yeah. It's just...

[A deep sigh escapes him as he crosses his arms.]

I dunno. I'm just a little tired of depending on others to help me out. I can't remember a time when I wasn't asking you for help for school work.

[rule_britannia]

I can stop helping you, if you'd prefer.

[di_intraining]

[He glumly glances away.]

That's the thing. I know I need the help; I'm barely passing History of Magic. But sometimes I wonder whether I'm really cut out for all of this, this wizard thing.