Chapter Text
Morning, beautiful and bright as always, rainbows glistening in the sky and many a joyful citizen to have a chat with.
On this particular morning, Constable Morland danced his way down the street, cheerfully greeting the people he swore to protect and happily waving to the other bobbies, knowing that when lunch rolls around he’ll be in the station with them, having a jolly good drink and singing with the rest of his squad.
Each bobby squad had different schedules for when they were set to go on patrol. Marland and his squad had a schedule between the hours of 9am to 1pm, during the day, and 8pm to 3am during the evening. Patrolling the upper quarters of the Parade district, with the exception of a good party...
Or chasing your true love he thought dreamily.
It’s true, he’d seen Arthur around the Parade District before and immediately thought the smaller man was adorable, dorky, akward yet the sort of chap who could win at a game of wits over fists so to speak. Something about him intrigued the Constable, and the night that the downer attacked...
Well he knew it was his time to shine!
Saving Arthur, he made his introduction, and the rest was set in stone! Any bobby at the station would be able to recite to you the Biography of Arthur Earnest Hastings, consisting of 3 key points. Arthur worked as a redactor, Arthur enjoyed reading and was quite fond of classical music as well as the flavour ‘Chocolate’ unless it was chocolate joy, and finally, Arthur’s name, it seems, would never leave Constable Morland’s lips.
Such a situation would be annoying to most people if their beat friends wouldn’t shut up about something, but in this case, the bobbies found it pleasant, this Arthur fellow had taken their squad by storm, everyone felt rather fond of the man despite the lack of introduction. They’d find that they would nod to him in the streets, one member of the squad always had eyes on him when he was out and about to make sure he wasn’t the victim of yet another downer attack, Arthur being none the wiser of it all. The town began to talk, It’s not often that bobbies bond with the people on the streets, they get rather intimidated by the large frames of the men and their right to carry weapons. But on the rare occasion that love can blossom between them, it becomes the talk of the town.
And after that night of dancing, Morland and Arthur found themselves subjects of town speculation and gossip, seemed the whole town was whispering about this latest scandal.
Not that Morland was aware of it all anyway.
He quickly rounded a street corner, reaching the door to a flourist. He knocked gently before entering, after all, he didn’t want the poor store owner to have the fright of his life seeing a bobby come through the door unannounced. This was a silent code, whenever a bobby entered a shop to purchase, a small knock was to be made before entering, otherwise the store owner might feel as if they were being searched or an arrest is about to be made. A knock was a friendly gesture, it put the people at ease.
The Constable entered, a sweet aroma filled the air, as if he stood before a field of fresh flowers and.. liquorice! His smile widened.
“Lovely Morning, isn’t it Mrs Falker!” He chirped, walking to the younger ladie’s counter. He was by the sink in the back of the shop, cutting the stems of a fresh batch of petunias.
“Oh dear! Constable sorry I didn’t hear you come in!” She skipped to the counter, “here to pick up that order?” She smiled to him.
“Right on, Mrs Falker,got a good evening planned for them!”
She passed him the bouquet of roses, he paid her and sniffed the flowers. His world became brighter.
Deborah Falker’s husband was a doctor, he had created the perfect serum. When injected into flowers, they would give off not only a richer scent, but they would produce joy gas too! As her sign says, “Making your home a happier place!”, an absolutely must-buy for every social gathering or romantic occasion.
No wonder she was the best flourist around.
“So,” she began, “who is the lucky lady Constable!” She giggled,
Morland smiled at her proclaiming, “He is really something alright!”
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Saturdays, Arthur decides, are the best days of the week. No work, no responsibilities, and almost definitely no social obligations.
He sat in his quiet room, pen to paper begging his letter.
‘Dear Ollie,
My first week back has been rather eventful, i’d be lying to say im not terrified..
But i’d be lying to say im not somewhat happy either!
I thought that I’d return to The Parade as a villan, or that i’d be hated.. I ended up a bloody hero!
In fact the whole town threw me a bloody party!
I have made some friends im proud to say, a lovely old lady named Mrs Addington, and a few new co-workers...
I know that half of these people wouldn’t even blink in my direction if they were off their joy, but everyone is just so.. kind here!
I can’t believe im only finding this out!
I did meet someone else though.. a bobby.
I don’t know what to say really, there’s something about him that-‘
His thoughts were disturbed by a knock at the door, he scrambled to hide the piece of paper before heading downstairs to answer it.
There he stood, a very cheerful Constable Morland, hands clasped behind his back and smiling. Arthur didn’t notice the small crowd that began to gather, cooing and practically jumping for joy at whatever was behind the constable’s back. Even a few bobbies joined them in watching.
“Good, er... Good morning Mr Hastings!” The bobby had briefly lost his composure, but quickly regained it. Arthur could feel the butterflies in his stomach rise.
“H-hello” Arthur’s voice came out as more of a yelp, he could tell the Constable had business with him...
He just wasn’t sure what type.
The Constable had a queasy feeling, nervous and beginning to let beads of sweat drip from his brow, he quickly looked down at his feet before he lost all composure and embarrassed himself.
He quickly got on one knee and held up the flowers to Arthur, the scent blowing in his face and his world lighting up before his eyes. Glee filling him to the brim.
“I want you- I want you to have these, Mr Hastings...
Being around you these last few days, it’s.. it’s been a pleasure! It really has, I can’t think of any other way to tell you how fond of you I’ve become!”
Arthur was smiling madly, a kid on Christmas morning... if either of those existed anymore anyway. Pink rising in his cheeks he suddenly felt lost for words and his face changed to that of surprise, his mouth hanging open desperately searching for words. He took the roses and held them close to his chest, as the Constable rose from his position, now starting directly into Arthur’s eyes.
Then he felt it, the eyes staring at him, the ‘ooh’s and ‘ahh’s from the smitten crowd. He suddenly became very self concious.
Straightening up, Arthur moved his smaller frame to make room in the door way, he cleared his throat.
“C-care to come in? F-for... for tea?” He smiled slightly.
How could the bobby refuse?
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These visits continued every Saturday and Sunday, flowers making their way to Arthur’s doorstep, followed by an ecstatic bobby and happy onlookers catching glimpses at their exchanges, they always made sure to walk by Arthur’s house at certain times of the day, it made for good gossip!
Sometimes the flowers would make it to Arthur’s office, followed by chocolates. How was he getting these? Arthur puzzled, but his heart kept leaping with each new gift.
They walked to Arthur’s home together every evening, Arthur taught himself to cook in anticipation of their nightly dinners.
He found himself with many interesting subjects and topics to write in his letters to Ollie, detailing his week to the man. Each Saturday night he would head to the hatch and leave a note on the access door, just as he had promised Ollie.
Arthur was happy, Constable Morland had truly set him at ease, and his life was much better for it.
He wasn’t so alone after all!
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Arthur had indeed finished his letter to Ollie on that day,
‘I don’t know what to say really, there’s something about him that I like.
It might be his charming voice or how spectacularly silly he acts when he’s nervous..
But he’s simply a joy to be around! I never want to let go of his company, I just don’t know why i feel this way..
Anyway, I know I’ve been rambling, please do come visit sometime Ollie, you’re welcome at my door anyday!
Yours truly,
- AEH’