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'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.

[rule_britannia]

[It's not like Arthur to be this friendly with just anyone, but he and Greg have known each other for years now, and he gives a crooked, understanding smile]

Come on, you put yourself down too much.

[di_intraining]

Maybe.

[Maybe it's time for a topic change...Greg clears his throat quickly and sits back up.]

Anyway, how was the Cup? Did you enjoy yourself?

[rule_britannia]

As much as I could have, I suppose.

[Letting the subject change slide, he grins]

It's about the only time William and Phineas are too distracted to notice me. To be honest it was rather nice.

[di_intraining]

That's a nice plus. A good Quiddtch game without your beastly brothers breathing down your neck. Doesn't sound like anything can go wrong.

[rule_britannia]

David was there, he usually keeps them off my back without getting involved himself.

Mm.. Alfred showed up, too.

[di_intraining]

Hmm.

[Silence for a few seconds, and then...]

Did he say anything to you then?

[rule_britannia]

Well, yes.. I bumped into him. We talked.

[Awkward, awkward expression right here]

[di_intraining]

[Does Greg feel the awkwardness too.]

And?

[rule_britannia]

And.. nothing. I managed not to turn my wand on him, and there was much rejoicing.

[di_intraining]

So he was less of a prick then usual.

[rule_britannia]

Much less than usual. I don't get it. It's as if he's actually trying to get me to like him.

[His ears turn a little red as he says that - damn the Kirkland propensity towards blushing]

[di_intraining]

[Lestrade's not feeling exactly comfortable about the subject either, to be honest. ]

Do you think he's serious then? That...that he likes you?

[rule_britannia]

[Cue Arthur putting his head in his hands. He groans quietly]

This is so unnecessarily complicated.

[di_intraining]

[He wasn't even directly involved in this, but he felt for his friend all the same. Reaching over, he gave Arthur a pat on the shoulder.]

At least he's no longer annoying you on purpose. That's a blessing in itself.