Leave It All Behind

You peeked around the corner to watch the handsome gentleman read yet again another fairytale book. He was always so quiet. His name is Arthur Kirkland, you recalled. From what you remember when you settled his library card. He had recently moved here from England and was looking to get away from it all. Although, you didn't know what could be so bad about living in England. The sights the sounds, and yes even the food. Call you crazy, but you love English food. He had the most gorgeous emerald green eyes and wild yet tame blonde hair. Even his thick eyebrows were cute in their own way, it gave him character. Then he looked up and to your direction. You blushed and quickly turned to your computer screen, and your face went redder when you realized that he was heading towards you. You tried to act like you were concentrating very hard on your work, -which was playing solitaire-. "Excuse me, Miss _ isn't it?" You nodded.

"I do believe that even in America it is impolite to stare."

"I-I'm sorry…You're right it's very impolite."

He chuckled, "You're not sorry, I can see it clearly in your eyes."

"Uh-uhm…"

"How about you come out to dinner with me and you can be considered polite for staring."

You couldn't help but giggle at this, causing people to give you dirty looks. You blushed even redder if that was even possible and handed him your number and address. "I get off at 7 tonight." You replied. "Then I'll stay until then."

"Oh, you really don't have too."

"I want too." He said kindly and before he walked away he turned and said, "Don't worry about staring at me." He winked and went back to reading his book. You tried and failed to regain your composure and turned back to your work.

Right before your shift was over, he checked out the book he was reading and escorted you out to our cars and you led him to your house. You offered him a seat on the couch and some peppermint tea while you went to go change your outfit. He nodded and sat with the posture of a gentleman and sat with elegance as he sipped his tea. Polite or not, just the fact that he acted so regal was sexy!

You changed into a modest knee length (your fav. color) dress.

When you came down the stairs to see him, he was blushing bright red. He had never seen such a gorgeous woman before. You had transformed from this normally very hot librarian, into this sexy fox of a woman! You blushed at his slack jawed expression.

And you couldn't help but say, "You know it's very impolite to gawk at others."

He tried to regain his regal demeanor but his eyes were still bright and wide with sheer shock. He stood, "You are a very handsome young lady love." He took your hand and led you out the door and into his car.

You were surprised to see him take you to his house instead of a restaurant. When you gave him an inquiring look he blushed admitting sheepishly, "I forgot my pocket book at home."

"Oh…I figured you were going to make me some English food." You said.

"Trust me…you wouldn't want that." He said sadly.

"Actually I would love some." You said putting a hand on his shoulder.

He winced but then gave a sad smile, "Would you really?"

You nodded. Then he asked quickly, "Have you ever tried it?"

You laughed, "Trust me, you won't hear me complain."

His eyes lit up and glimmered with joy. "Well then darling, let's go whip something up for us shall we?"

You grinned as he turned off his car and took you into his house. He made you some English food and you ate it, finding it to be the most wonderfully made food you had ever tasted. It was simple and delicate. You talked with him about a great many things. And you slowly came to find that you felt as if you had known him your whole life.

Before you knew it, it was late into the night. "My golly, it's 2:00!" Arthur exclaimed. "Oh my dear _, I am so sorry for taking up all of your time."

"No, not at all, I've had such an amazing night."

Arthur smiled and then asked, "Well since it's so late, would you like to spend the night?"

You grinned, "That's very sweet of you, but I don't want to over stay my welcome."

"Over stay all you wish love, I don't get much company."

"Then yes, thank you Artie."

He set up some blankets and pillows and then said, "I'm going to take a shower before you take my bed."

"Thanks Arthur, but this is your house, and you made such a wonderful meal. You deserve your own bed."

"Oh no love, if it weren't for you I wouldn't have made that meal nor would I have had such a delightful night."

You smiled, "You can't mena that."

"But I do." He nodded, "Everyone I've ever known has always hated my cooking. Well except for my step-brother but anyways…"

"You know, you're the most sensitive, kind hearted man I've ever met." You told him.

He couldn't help the feelings that stirred within him. He took your upper arms with a gentle, firm hold, giving you a tender kiss on the lips. It was more than a peck, less than an intimate open mouth, but it was so secure and open, it was as if he had the world's love and blanketed your lips with it.

"Oh…wow." You mused.

"Um! I-I'm sorry!" Then he rushed to his bathroom.

His flustered face was so adorable, how it had went beet red. You sat there stunned, thinking about it, and that kiss. You put a couple of fingers to your lips and brushed the lips tenderly so you didn't remove the lingering feeling that he left on your lips.

A kiss on the first date, what did you do to deserve such amazingly good karma! After a couple of minutes you went into the bedroom to see if he was out yet. The first thing you saw was his abnormally strong shouldered back.

He turned around, eyes down cast as he put on a t-shirt for bed, which if you had given more thought on it would've been hot since you've only ever seen him in formal attire had you not seen the bruises that covered his torso. You felt bile rise up in your thought as you gazed at him. Tears burned at your eyes. He looked up and he paled, knowing you had seen his predicament.

"What the hell happened to you?" You exclaimed.

He avoided looking at you but you could tell he was upset and fearful of the subject. "It's nothing, really."

"No, no it's not Arthur! You need medical attention or something!"

Knowing this wasn't going to go anywhere like this, he sat down on the bed facing you, and took your hands comfortingly in his, "Listen _, it's fine. I …Remember when I told you I had to get away from it all?"

You nodded, and stroked your hands a bit with his thumbs try to soothe both of your guys' emotions. "I…Jeez, how do I tell you this…This may be hard for you to believe but…I was in an abusive relationship for a couple of years. I finally broke off my engagement with her and fled here."

"Why stay with her for that long?"

"Oh it wasn't bad from the beginning but I thought I was in love with her and there was some good times till her true colors showed and then…well even then I thought everything would turn out if I asked her to marry me. So…yeah…obviously it didn't. Her name was Natalia a very beautiful but very scary person. Anyways I didn't break away after my first try because her brother may not be as scary as her, but he's big! Like big as in you-break-my-sister's-heart-and-I'll-slap-you-once-and-you're-dead. Kind of big."

"Oh gawd, Arthur, I had no idea."

He shrugs, "It doesn't matter."

"Yes it does Arthur, you deserve happiness just as much as she does."

He smiled, "You are a very kind and supportive person, _."

You smiled, "That's what caring is about silly."

He chuckled, "Well thanks, it means a lot."

"Anyways I fled here to leave it all behind and forget my past and so far…" He gazed deeply into your beautiful (e/c) eyes, tucking away a lock of your (h/c) behind your ear, "My life has made a turn for the better."

"Arthur, I know we haven't known each other long, since we officially met today, but I feel we've known each other since forever and I care about you and I don't want you to ever allow yourself to be in that kind of relationship again. Can you promise me that?"

He nodded, "Alright but you've got to do something for me."'

"Anything." You promised.

"Be my girlfriend."

You grin widened, "Always."

He leaned in and the two of you passionately kissed.