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"Hurry up, Arthur! I can hardly wait!!” Amelia called, dragging her boyfriend by the hand.
Arthur stumbled after her. “Slow down, Amelia,” He cautioned. “Are you that eager to see your sister? I suppose it has been a while since you last visited her.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m totally excited to see Maddie!” Amelia replied. “But also, that plane flight was super long, dude! I gotta pee really bad!!”
As the couple made it to the apartment complex, they knocked on the door and waited.
Eventually, Maddie creaked the door open, and shyly peeked her head out. “Uwah. A-Amelia, you made it-!”
“MADDIE OMG!!” Amelia cheered, throwing herself onto her sister. She hugged her tightly, suffocating her. “I missed you soooooo much! Have you lost weight? I love your pigtails! Wow, nice apartment! How much is your rent? Hey are you guys hungry? Can we order McDonald’s!?” She rambled, pushing herself into the apartment.
“Amelia!” Arthur snapped.
Maddie laughed nervously. “I-it’s alright. Please come in…” She held the door open.
Arthur thanked her before entering. “Lovely home. I’ve heard so much about you, Madeline,” He smiled, extending a hand toward her. “Arthur Kirkland, at your service. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Maddie became flustered as she reached to shake his hand. She couldn’t believe how proper and sophisticated Amelia’s boyfriend was. He was the total opposite of her. “J-just Maddie is fine!!” She yelped. “It’s nice to meet you, Arthur…”
Amelia wandered through the apartment like a curious child. As she entered the kitchen, she gasped. “OMG! There’s a guy in here!!”
Looking up from the meal he was preparing, Francis smiled at Amelia. “Bonjour. You must be Mademoiselle Amelia.” He grinned, sliding over to greet her. With an arrogant smirk on his face, he leaned a hand on the wall as he loomed over her. “I’m Francis Bonnefoy. Ah, you’re just as radiant as your sister.” He grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. “I can see beauty runs in the family.”
Amelia laughed. “Wow, you really do have a French accent! That’s so funny, haha!” She giggled. “Are you making dinner, Francis? I’m starving!”
Nodding, the Frenchman flipped back his blonde hair. “Oui. I’m making soupe à l'oignon. It’s a specialty dish of mine.” He winked.
“Hell yeah! Dude, say it in English! French onion soup!”
“Amelia?” Arthur called, wandering into the kitchen along with Maddie. “I hope you aren’t causing a ruckus, love. Remember what we said about being good guests and having manners?”
Suddenly, Arthur froze.
Francis froze.
Maddie was the first to notice the odd tension. Looking back and forth between the boys, she nervously spoke up. “Um. Th-this is my boyfriend Francis…” She whispered. “Francis, this is my sister Amelia. And her boyfriend-“
“Arthur…” Francis hissed between clenched teeth.
“Francis…” Arthur growled, folding his arms.
Amelia gasped, freaking out at the situation. “Hold up! You guys know each other!?”
“Unfortunately,” Arthur sighed. “The old frog and I were classmates in university.”
Maddie’s eyes widened. Then she smiled, chucking at the amusing twist of fate. “That’s kind of cute.”
“No it’s not!” Francis snapped. “This idiot ruined one of my parties by getting drunk and scaring everyone off! I still haven’t forgiven him, British bastard!”
“Me? Scaring people off?” Arthur exclaimed. “I believe the drama was always caused by you and your ninny friends Antonio and Gilbert! You blokes were nothing but trouble!”
“Hey, hey! Don’t fight!” Amelia begged, jumping between them. “Maybe we should all sit down and relax.”
Maddie was surprised her sister was being responsible. “Great idea. Let’s move to the living room.”
“Yeah!” Amelia smiled. “But first, where’s the bathroom? I’m gonna pee my pants, dude!”
The boys were left alone in the living room as Maddie led Amelia to the bathroom. They sat across from each other on opposite couches. Quiet. And seething with rage.
“That girl is far too pretty for you,” Francis suddenly spoke up. “There’s no way a girl like that would ever get along with a boring and bland guy like you!”
“Oy, what’s that supposed to mean?” Arthur hissed.
“It means you’re boring and bland! Like your food!”
“Bullocks! Fucking jog on, mate!” Arthur snapped. “And you can’t expect me to believe you and Maddie are a good couple. Amelia describes her as gentle and shy. That's quite the opposite of you, since you’re a good-for-nothing narcissist playboy!”
“Oh please, that was years ago!” Francis defended. “Since meeting Maddie, I have no need for that lifestyle anymore. It’s so wonderful, being in love. It’s the most amazing feeling in the world.”
Arthur turned red. Crossing his arms stubbornly, he wasn’t as confident at expressing his feelings like Francis was. “Wanker…” He growled.
“Black sheep!” Francis shot back.
“Damn frog!”
“British bastard!”
Eventually, the sisters came back into the room. Maddie was timidly carrying her polar bear plushie, hugging it to her chest.
“I-is everything alright in here?” She asked, taking a seat next to Francis.
“You boys aren’t arguing, are you!?” Amelia asked, sitting at Arthur’s side.
“Nothing to worry about, sweetheart,” Arthur lied. “My, that’s a rather adorable stuffed animal, Maddie. Is it a polar bear?”
Nodding, Maddie buried her face into the plushie. “Yes… this is Mister Kumajiro…” She replied. “Francis bought him for me. It was the first gift he ever gave me…”
“Gift?” Arthur asked.
Francis smirked. “Yes, because unlike you, I know how to treat a lady,” He hissed. “Our first date was to the finest restaurant in town. Afterwards, we toured the city at night and went shopping. It was a magical evening.” He confidently put his arm around his girlfriend, who squealed with embarrassment and hid her face.
Amelia had never seen her sister so flustered. She smiled, realizing Maddie must really be happy. However, seeing Amelia gaze at the couple like that made Arthur jealous. He began to wonder if his girlfriend was envious of their relationship.
“Ahem,” Arthur cleared his throat. “Why don’t you tell them about our first date, Amelia?”
“Yeah! We went to a café! I got coffee and a bagel and Arthur got tea and scones,” Amelia laughed. “Oh my god, it took Arthur AGGESSS to get the guts to ask me out! He was so embarrassed and awkward, like he had never had a girlfriend before, haha!”
Amelia loved that about Arthur. How he was pathetic and nerdy with hardly any dating experience. She was simply gushing over how cute her boyfriend was. But now Arthur became embarrassed in front of his rival.
“Th-that’s not true!” He exclaimed. “We had been on dates before that, love. What about when we went to the pub? And that baseball game?”
“Huh? Arthur, those were just for work. We went in a group!” Amelia giggled. “Dude, you didn’t think that was a date, did you!?”
Francis burst out laughing. “HONHONHON! Of course he tried to take you to the pub on a first date! I expect he got wildly drunk and annoying too!”
“Yeah, something like that!” Amelia shrugged. “But I think he’s cute when he’s drunk, haha!”
Then Francis got a devious smile on his face. “I have a wonderful idea,” He grinned. “Why don’t we have some wine with dinner? We can open the new chardonnay we bought.”
Maddie smiled. “That’s a great idea, daddy.”
France kissed her on the cheek before walking off with his arm around her “Anything for you, mon chéri.”
Arthur waited until the other couple was gone before speaking up. “D-did she just call him daddy??”
~
They had a feast of soup, baked salmon, steamed vegetables, and homemade bread that Francis had all prepared himself. The couples chatted over the meal, talking about work and travel. Thankfully, the extroverts seemed to carry the conversation.
“Ahh, I’m stuffed! That was soooooo delicious, Francis! I can’t believe you made it all yourself!” Amelia exclaimed.
Francis chuckled. “Just wait until you see what’s for dessert. It’ll have you begging for more.”
Amelia’s face lit up. “No way! Did you make a fancy French dessert too!? Like Crème brûlée? Or eclairs? Or oreos!?”
Then Maddie stood up. “Actually. I made dessert,” She replied. “I made maple cookies. I-it’s a new recipe I'm trying out, so I hope you like them…” She said nervously. “I’ll go get them now- ah!” She gasped, stumbling over her own feet.
Arthur had been coming back from the bathroom and bumped into her around the corner.
“Uwah! I’m sorry!!” Maddie gasped.
Arthur was drunk. Not wasted. But still was visibly buzzed. His blonde hair was messier and his tie was loosened. He rubbed his face tiredly before grabbing Maddie’s hand.
“Hey Amelia, I've had enough of stupid Francis…” He slurred. “What do you say we get going? We can go back to the hotel and- hic! - spend some time with just the two of us?”
Arthur ended up pinning Maddie to the wall, unintentionally. The result was the shy girl squealing, and freezing up.
Francis immediately jumped up to save her. But somehow, Amelia rushed in before him.
“Arthur, you’re drunk!!” She complained, yanking her boyfriend away. “Here, drink some water.”
Arthur went off on a drunken rant. “Back home I can hold my liquor better than anyone! Oy! Do you hear me!? What’s a wee bit of French grape juice to a brilliant Englishman like myself!? I’m not bloody Sherlock, mate, but I still know a thing or two!”
“See what I mean!!” Francis accused. “He’s all weird and annoying and stupid!!”
Amelia was able to help her boyfriend back to the couch. She sat him down and gave him a fresh water.
“Here, dude. Lay down!”
“Ameliaaaa…” Arthur whined, curling up on the couch. He rested his head on her lap. “I’m sorry I’ve gone all daft and knackered. I’m not as confident and poised as Francis…” He rambled. “And I can’t cook.”
“Shh, it’s ok! Chill out, Arthur!” Amelia laughed. “I don’t care if you’re a socially awkward nerd virgin who can’t cook! That’s what I like about you!”
“Y-you do?” Arthur whimpered. “Oh dollface… Now you’re getting me all flustered…” He covered his face in embarrassment.
Amelia loved embarrassing him. Giggling, she leaned down to kiss him.
“M-maybe we should give them a moment…” Maddie realized. “Ah!” She gasped, as Francis suddenly yanked her back into the kitchen. Her eyes sparkled as he pulled her into his chest. “Wh-what’s going on? Why are you hugging me all of a sudden?”
Francis sighed. “Is it so wrong to shower my beloved with affection? You should tell your partner you love them at least a hundred times a day!” He proclaimed. Then he fell silent. “Maddie? You don’t think I’m a good-for-nothing narcissist playboy, do you?”
Maddie shook her head. “No, not at all!” She replied. “Francis, you're the kindest, most talented person I know!”
“Yes, yes, I am amazing,” Francis agreed. “But I don’t have the same manners and intelligence as Arthur. I don’t want you to be embarrassed because of me.”
Feeling her heart skip a beat, Maddie went up on her tiptoes to kiss him.
Francis’s eyes went wide as he touched his cheek.
“I love you the way you are,” She continued. “You’re right. When you’re in love, you should tell your partner a hundred times a day.”
As his face lit up, Francis couldn’t hold back. He lifted his girlfriend up and kissed her. As their lips never lost contact, he placed her on the kitchen counter. And continued making out with her.
As Arthur seemed like he was sufficiently sobered up, Amelia helped him stand. Clinging to her, the couple made their way back into the kitchen in search of the others.
“Hey Maddie! We might start heading home soon!” Amelia called. “Maddie-” She froze. “OMG!!”
They found Francis and Maddie making out in the kitchen.
“U-uwahh…!” Maddie pulled away, in embarrassment. She quickly slid off the kitchen counter, hiding behind her boyfriend in humiliation. “S-sorry!!”
“HAHAHA! Don’t apologize! This is your apartment, after all!” Amelia burst out laughing. “Arthur and I are just like that at our place. Actually, he really has a thing for shower sex!”
“AMELIA!!!” Arthur cried.
Perhaps it was true. The two couples were certainly an odd match. Amelia and Francis were more extroverted. They loved food, friends, and parties. Meanwhile, Maddie and Arthur were the quieter, and perhaps smarter ones. They were quick to embarrassment and didn’t handle affection very well.
Nonetheless, each person had fallen in love with the one who complimented them perfectly.
“Nghh… My head is pounding. I swear I'm never going to drink again…” Arthur groaned.
“Haha! You say that every time, you know,” Amelia laughed. “Hey! Before we go, could we try those maple cookies you made, Maddie? I totally wanna see the sweet treats my little sister made!”
Maddie perked up. “Of course!”
The four gathered around the table once more to indulge in dessert. They had adorable little sugar cookies in the shape of autumn leaves with hints of maple. Amelia loved sugar. But the only thing she loved more was her sister.
“These are so yummy, Maddie! You did a great job!!” She praised, stuffing her face more and more. “Munchmunchmunchmunch-”
Maddie giggled. “You’re welcome to take some home, if you’d like,” She offered. “I’m really glad you came to visit, Amelia.”
Arthur smiled. He watched as his messy girlfriend devoured cookie after cookie. He wanted her to be happy like this all the time. “Why don’t you two come to the movies with us tomorrow?” He offered. “Amelia and I are going to see that new superhero movie. It’s supposed to be rather good.”
“Really?” Maddie asked. “Hehe. Amelia’s always loved superheroes.”
“I’m a fan of cinematography myself. But I must say, I'm surprised you invited us, Arthur,” Francis chuckled. “Don’t you think the two of us will be arguing non-stop?”
Arthur rolled his eyes. “Only if the film is boring,” He teased. “But Amelia has a habit of choosing rather good ones.”
As she finished the last of the cookies, Amelia threw her arms into the air. “Hell yeah!!” She cheered. “We’ll do double date night ROUND TWO! We can see the movie and then go to the ice cream place right next to it! OMG! We can each split an ice cream sundae! It’s half priced for couples!!”
“That’s a brilliant idea, dear,” Arthur smiled.
“Sounds magnifique to me,” Francis agreed.
Maddie giggled. She was happy to be surrounded by the people she loved. In the past, people tended to confuse her and Amelia. But now, they had grown into people as different as night and day.
But no matter what, they loved each other.