Francis' blood was curdling. Arthur was escorting the culprit away and Francis followed shortly after him. He wanted to ask the British man a million questions, but his mouth stayed glued shut. 

His legs were on autopilot and his head kept daydreaming. Daydreaming about his dream partner clinging to his arm. He glanced down and noticed… 

"Think that's the pirate?" Hooke asked as Hunter grabbed the Frenchman into the alleyway, out of his daydream and into the real world, throwing the man off what he was discovering. Francis' nose touched Hunter as he felt the hot breath of who he was working for. 

"Not really... But my partner seems to think it is, so it could be."

"Partner?" 

"Yeah, he's a part of my crew," Francis lied, he noticed that their hands were clenched tightly around the handles of their swords and softly relaxed after the comment. 

"Keep us posted... We will be watching you." 

Francis nodded slowly, as the 2 pirates spun around on their heels and walked away. Francis turned towards the hash light and squinted his eyes as his legs made his body warmed by the sun's presence. 

Arthur and the suspect were nowhere in sight and Francis trotted quickly through the small town. There were many small crowds here and there, with small smiles on their faces and money in their hands.

He felt a tight grip around his hand and it caused his body to jump in shock.

"Do I need to hold your hand wanker without you getting lost?" Arthur hissed.

"It's nice of you to be thinking about me~" Francis replied and pure disgust flashed in the Englishman's eyes. "Gross."

"Not gross! Beautiful! It shows you care about me~!" Francis teased as he puckered his lips. 

"Whatever," Arthur rolled his eyes and began walking. The male's fingers began to knot themselves around his and only smirked at the small action. "Still holding my hand-" Francis teased and only received a hiss. 

Arthur let go of it and flashed Francis a glare. "I knew that... Frog!" And that's when he picked up his speed and started to zoom away.

Francis shook his head and let out a small laugh. "Sure, you did." He noticed the flustered gentleman and only purred. "Awwwww, is someone embarrassed that they were holding hands with their best friend?"

"One, you're not my best friend. Two, you're wasting time, git," Arthur growled and they both took off, their legs a blur and their breaths leaving both their mouths were heavy and quick.

~.~

"This building is hideous, who approved the plans for this place-?" Francis asked, his eyes glaring at the awful shape. He felt like complaining more; however, he stayed quiet. 

"Joan and I planned it," Arthur frowned as he glanced at the building. "There isn't anything wrong with it." 

Francis didn't speak as he held back laughter, he didn't want to come off as a jerk and he only coughed. They entered the small building as a warm voice broke through his thoughts. 

"Hi Francis—!" 

"Hey Joanie~ " Francis placed a nickname and got a soft blush as a response. Francis was heading straight towards her until Arthur grabbed the back of his pirate robes. 

"Stop it, you look like a petty man who hits on poor, unexpecting females." 

"No, then I'd be hitting on you — " the words that left his mouth had consequences. A disgusted look emerged onto Arthur's face. "Pfft, you wish." 

Arthur held the door for Francis as they arrived at the closed office. "Why thank you~"

"You're lucky I am a gentleman," he sneered and closed the door behind him. 

"This way." 

Arthur led Francis to a black door at the end of his office and opened the locked door. It was a small room with a table and 2 chairs on opposite sides. The subject in question was handcuffed to the table and Arthur replied, "wait here."

He opened another door and went into the room. Francis stood bored in front of the glass as Francis crossed his arms and let out a sigh. He felt a small hand on his shoulder and turned around, Joan seemed to giggle. "There's a back way in."

"Really?" Francis went towards her  and got down on his knees. "Please, cure me from my boredom."  She giggled again and pointed her finger.

"Another door through the front door. There's a backdoor into the investigation room."

Francis stood up, took Joan's hand and kissed it softly and left towards the shorter, angrier male's room as Joan stood in front of the glass, her mouth turning into a small frown.

The more he was in here alone, he realized that Arthur's detective room was after all a mess like the rest of the building. There were maps and papers all over the place. Francis grabbed a sheet of paper and read it, his eyes skimming the letter softly. 

~~~~~~~

Hello.

It has recently come to my attention that you owe me. You owe me a shit ton of money that you promised me. Now. Where is it?

Alistair

7/15/2013 

~~~~~~~

It's with unfortunate events that your brother, Alistair Kirkland, has passed away.

It seems like his throat had been slit when trying to rob a prostitute. It's unfortunate, sorry for your loss.

3/15/2014

~~~~~~~~

Francis placed the piece of paper down and glanced towards a brown door leading back to the front room. Which led to another part of the investigation room. Francis took a deep breath and turned the knob. There was a long, dragged on hallway and at the end, a black door. His anxiety boiled as he stood there, should he go in there…? 

Adrenaline filled his veins and he tore open the door. "Bonjour~!" Franics called and Arthur turned towards him. Francis threw his arms up dramatically and bowed.

Arthur growled, while the handcuffed man had a smile on his face.

"Meet Antonio Fernández Carriedo," Arthur replied. "This man probably isn't the pirate we are looking for. Too dumb."

"Hey-! That's kind of harsh..." Antonio replied and Arthur glanced at him with narrowed eyes.

"Okay... Here's what he said..." Arthur handed Francis the notebook and Francis skimmed it and glanced at Antonio. "You were trying to steal tomatoes?"

He shook his head ecstatically. "My good friend Romano's little brother wanted to make pasta-"

"Okay, okay. You can shut up now." Arthur replied. He sighed. "See? He is just a myth. It was just some pirates..."

"Maybe... But I believe -"

Arthur crossed his arms and sighed. "Why do you care so much, anyways?"

Francis stepped forward and was in Arthur's face. "That pirate can hurt lives, detective." He left out the part where it would benefit him and plastered a small smile on his rosy lips. 

Arthur didn't seem to say anything, even as Francis stepped away. Francis stepped towards the door he had entered with and entered the small hallway and what felt like forever, he made his way back into Arthur's office. There was a piece of paper on a stack of papers that was cursive and told about when the ship's arrived. Francis shoved it in his pocket and was about to leave, until he heard Arthur reply.

"Leaving so soon?" It sounded as if there was joy in his voice.

"You're coming with me. I need to make you fabulous for your date."

"W-what... What?!?" Arthur screeched in surprise.

"Come onnnnnnnnn.... It'll be fun, trust me."

Arthur glanced at him in silence and replied. "I don't have a date."

"We're asking her after I fabulousize you. So, come on! Your style is so tacky so ALLOW me to fancy you up~." Francis grabbed Arthur's hand and was surprised about how tight Arthur's grip was. 

Francis smiled softly and threw open the door. 

"You're totally going to look good in purple and blue~!" 

"I don't want to look like you, a giant jerk," Arthur yawned as his hand was yanked on for that comment. A small smile painted itself for the first time on Arthur's face and Francis only gave a small chuckle. 

"You're lucky I know where the nearest fabric store is!"