Chapter Text
Alfred sighs, the smile slowly fading from his face.
"I was so happy that day... I couldn't believe she said yes."
He stops for a second, considering what to say next.
"We went on our first date about a week later."
.........................................................................................
Alfred is pacing anxiously around in circles on the street. He'd never been to this part of town before, and he didn't tend to do great in unfamiliar environments.
Cars crawl past him on the road, struggling to get home as quickly as possible in the Friday evening traffic.
I'm doing this for her. What matters is that she's happy. Keep calm.
He gazes into the bouqet of roses he's holding and breathes in their scent. It gives him a headache. Perfect.
"Hi Alfred!" a voice calls from behind him.
He whips around in surprise, almost dropping the roses in the process.
Holy shit...
She was wearing a green shirt patterned with cartoon leaves, a long black maxi skirt, black heels and her staple golden heart necklace. Her makeup was smoky and gorgeous. Her smile was, somehow, even more perfect. Standing under a street lamp, it was like she was a singer on stage about to break everybody's heart with her voice. Alfred couldn't believe his luck.
"You alright there, Al?" Janice giggled with that cheeky grin of hers.
He was staring. Again.
"Yeah! Yeah, never better!" he says breathlessly, grinning like a madman.
He stumbles forward and offers her the roses, which she accepts with an "aww, you shouldn't have!", which absolutely baffles him. She's a stunning woman who agreed to go out with him; nevermind roses, she deserves diamonds! He tells her as much and she giggles once more.
Wow... she's perfect.
"So, where would you like to go?" he asks.
"Hmm...Ah. I know a place" she says with a grin.
She marches off and he scurries after her like a dutiful puppy.
.......................................................................................................................
Alfred stops to wipe a tear off his face.
"Heh, sorry officer. Didn't realize I started again."
Jimmy just smiles.
"You don't need to apologise, Alfred. We all cry."
Alfred nods briefly before, seemingly absentmindedly, glances at his watch. He freezes.
"Oh God, I've been talking for half an hour!"
He turns to look at Jimmy, panic in his eyes.
"I-I am so sorry officer, you probably need to get b-back to work or-"
He falters as Jimmy gently places a hand on his shaking shoulder.
"Alfred. It's okay. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."
Alfred calms slightly, though still looks a tad unconvinced.
Jimmy looks down at his feet before he adds;
"And I'm sorry, Alfred."
"Huh?"
"I shouldn't have questioned you like that earlier..."
He looks up.
"I saw you running away from Janice... and I saw you crying. I wanted to help... but you sorta looked like you were going to run away. So that's why I panicked and went extra policey... And I'm sorry for doing that. I shouldn't have used that to make you talk..."
Alfred looks away, looking embarrassed.
"I promise I still want to help. And I want to listen."
Alfred looks back and sees Jimmy looking at him, his face full of anxiety.
"It's alright offi- Jimmy. It's alright, Jimmy."
Relief washes the mans face. "Really? You're not mad?"
Alfred shakes his head and smiles. Jimmy understands him.
"No. I'm not mad at you. To be honest I'm glad you made me stay... you're a good listener. And I needed this... OOF!"
He's momentarily startled by a sudden, but gentle, hug from the man next to him. He hugs him back, grateful beyond words for this lovely person.
After a minute they slowly break apart, smiling at each other.
"Friends?"
"Yeah. Friends."
They sit in comfortable silence for a moment, both grinning like idiots.
"So..." Jimmy starts. "Where did you both go?"
"The park."