Cop!EnglandXOutcast!Reader - A Better Life 6

*Reader's POV*

I never thought that I would ever smile so much in my life ever since the day I lost my mother. It's been great staying with Arthur. Really, it has. Being with him was by far greater than living with my shithead father. And whenever I'm around him, it just makes me feel safe. And not just because he's a cop, but because I know he cares and that he's a really nice and kind person. I guess he kind of became someone special to me. I knew eventually I would apologize for how I treated him when we first met. I had to, after all he's done for me.

Aside from Arthur, Alfred has been a great help too. He's been staying here at Arthur's for a few days now, and he's always so cheerful. I learned more about him and I guess you could say we were great friends already. At times Arthur was upset with him, but to me we were all just trying to have a good time. Maybe things were looking up for me. Maybe I just needed to give life a chance.

"(f/n), you feeling okay?" Arthur shook my shoulder. "What's been on your mind lately? You keep smiling and no one knows why."

"Huh?" I looked at him, confused. "I was smiling? I didn't notice. I was just thinking about how great these past few days were, that's all."

He let out a short chuckle and just smiled back at me.

"Arthur! Heeyy!!" I nudged his arm. "What's so funny?"

"It's nothing at all. Don't worry about it," he kept grinning as he stood up from the bench. "Care to join me for some coffee?"

"Yeah, sure. But um..." I paused as my heart began to race. I stared down at the ground and tried to figure out why I was behaving like this.

"Is something the matter?" Arthur stepped towards me. "I'm sorry if I did anything to upset you."

"No. You're fine it's just...." I paused and changed what I wanted to say. "I bet I can beat you to the street!" And off I ran. Without even thinking of what would happen next.

*England's POV*

Well, she certainly is something. I really have been wondering what goes on in that mind of hers. She's cheered up a lot in such a short period of time. I'm very glad she's having fun now instead of being her usual gloomy self. I don't know what Alfred has been telling her whenever I'm not around, but whatever it is, I don't really mind it.

I slowly walked after (f/n), catching up with her at the intersection. My hands were casually resting in my pockets as the distance between us grew shorter and shorter with each step. She was leaning up against the lightpole, looking far into the city of London. The wind was gaining speed and I peered up to take a look at the sky, which was now getting blanketed with gray clouds.

"I see you took your precious time getting here," she laughed. "You're no fun!"

"Well I'm sorry I don't meet your expectations, love," I teased, just to see how she'd react. I couldn't help from laughing when she gave me a blank expression trying to process what she just heard. "Come. Let's get that coffee now, shall we?" I asked as I offered her my hand.

"What are you doing?" She held up her hand as if deciding whether or not she should take it.

"Why, being a gentleman of course, silly," I grinned. "It's okay I don't bite. You of all people should know that."

*Reader's POV*

What is he trying to do?! Is this some sort of joke? I don't understand what is going on... I didn't really decide what I wanted to do so I just stood there. I didn't even notice the street crossing signalled to us that it was safe to cross.

"Time's up!" Arthur took my hand and escorted me across the street. Once on the other side he let go. "Wasn't so bad, now was it?"

"N-not really?" I replied shyly. "Oh, look I see a coffeshop just over there. How about I just meet you there? Okay, bye." I ran off again, stopping just in front of the door.

I scanned the window, noticing a "Now Hiring" sign posted from the inside. Well, this isn't the first time I came across a sign like this this whole week. But so far it's the only one I've been most interested in. As Arthur met up with me, he must've noticed what I was looking at.

"You should apply," he now had his hand on my shoulder now. "It's a nice place. One of my favorites, actually."

"Oh, I don't know....I was just looking at it," but he already entered without me. I walked in after him, finding him grabbing the attention of an employee standing behind the counter.

"Excuse me, miss? I have a friend who is interested in working here. Would you mind consider hiring her for me?" he questioned.

"Who is she?" the woman asked.

"She's actually right over there," he motioned over towards me, and I just turned around and began walking back towards the door.

"Hey, wait miss!" I heard her shout.

I slowly revolved back around on my heels and looked over to her. "Yes ma'am?"

"Come over here, young lady," she insisted with the gesture of her hand.

I made my way over to the counter and stood next to Arthur, glaring at him shortly before faking a smile and facing the woman. She studied me carefully before asking me for my name and age.

"I...I'm eighteen. And my name is (f/n)," I told her.

"Hm, do me a favor and go run these over to that couple over there, okay?" she handed me a tray with two lattes and a variety of scones and biscuits.

"No problem..." I took the tray and carried over to the table she sent me off to. "Two lattes and some treats for the two of you. Have a splendid afternoon!"

I professionally returned to the woman and waited for her to say something. Behind me I heard the couple murmuring something about me, and as much as it angered me I kept my cool and payed attention to the more important stuff.

"That was a brilliant job you did there! Well Mr. Kirkland, I think you brought me a keeper! She's hired," the woman smiled.

"Wait, you two know each other?" I wondered.

"Of course! He comes here every morning before work! I'm the owner of the shop. And your new boss. But no need for formalities here. You can just call me Eva!" she held out her hand. "It's nice to meet you. You seem like such a sweet young lady."

"She's such a sweetheart. Trust me, you'll love her," Arthur budged in. "You won't regret this."

"I'm sure I won't. (F/n) if you could come with me to the back for a moment," Eva stepped over to the side of the counter where there was a small waist-high door for access to behind the counter and opened it for me.

"Sure thing," I went through and followed her into a back room where she entered some things into a computer and printed out a sheet of paper.

"Training will start on Sunday, and this will be your work schedule for the month. I hope you don't mind starting out with minimum wage, you'll have to earn a raise. There's a few other girls working here as well that you'll eventually meet. I think Freya is in today, and you'll meet Amelia sometime next week," she gave me the paper and grinned. "Don't worry, you'll love it here. Oh! I forgot to mention our one male coworker. His name is Luca. You know, he's been looking for a cutie if you catch my drift."

"Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'll have to pass. I don't think I'm his type," I fake laughed.

"Nuh uh! You like someone else, don't you? Who's the lucky man?" she grabbed both my hands and peered into my eyes.

"N-no one! I'm just not looking for a relationship that's all..." I looked out the door and saw Arthur patiently waiting by the counter for me. I frowned, feeling bad that he had to wait so long for me to return to his side for some coffee.

"Well how about we go get what you and Arthur came here for, huh? I hate to keep customers waiting," she led me back out and I stepped over to the other side of the counter.

For the next half an hour Arthur and I sat at a table by the window, sipping tea and talking about my new job. We were interrupted one time by Eva, who brought Freya over and introduced her to me. She seemed friendly, and was probably a couple years older than I was. She had long brunette hair and hazel eyes. Then I remembered something I forgot to ask Eva.

"Is there a certain outfit I have to wear while I work here?" I bit my lip, really hoping I could just dress casually.

"Hey, you see what I'm wearing?" Freya asked. "Does this look like a uniform to you?" She smiled at me.

"No, it just looks like a pair of jeans and a nice matching top to me," I returned the smile.

"Well, I should be getting back to work. See you Sunday, okay?" she joyfully went on with her job, and not long after Eva joined her.

*Walking back to England's place*

I slightly regretted not choosing to bring a suitable sweater with me before Arthur and I had left the house. The wind was building speed even more than it had been before, and it was beginning to drizzle with cold rain drops. I've sat out in the rain before, but I was growing out of that habit since I was adapting to a new lifestyle. I inched a little closer to Arthur's side, stealing a little bit of his body heat from him to warm up.

"What a nice day to be walking home, isn't it?" Arthur asked with sarcasm in his tone.

"Definitely," I agreed. "Think it'll get worse?"

"Most likely. I didn't bring along my umbrella either, so we should pick up the pace," he was looking up into the sky.

"Well this'll be fun..." I joked.

We both sped up a little to shorten the time it would take to get back to his home. Hopefully we wouldn't get too wet before we arrived. By the looks of it, it wasn't likely we'd remain dry for much longer. The rain drops began falling like arrows ready to pierce the earth and within minutes it was pouring.

It didn't take long to get us to break into a sprint. We knew that we would be completely drenched in water and dripping as soon as we stepped into his house. We were already almost covered in water, being showered with the clear liquid. At that moment I thought "to hell with it" and decided to have some fun.

"Hey, we're getting close. I bet I can beat you there!!" I smirked.

"Is that a challenge I hear? Then I accept and you're on!" he raced ahead of me.

"Not if I can help it!" I pressed my feet to go faster and within seconds I past him up. "Haha! Who's in the lead now?"

Tiny beads of coldness pelted my skin as I ran forward. I was having fun, and I was hoping Arthur was enjoying this too. All I could hear was my footsteps along the sidewalk and the sound of the rain hitting the ground around me.

"What do you say we watch a movie when we get home Arthur?" I asked, assuming he was still behind me. That's when I heard no response. "Arthur?"

I slowed to a stop and turned around, not seeing him anywhere in sight. Where'd he go? I swear he was right behind me... I called out his name a few times with no luck finding him. I walked back to the nearest corner and peered around the walls, seeing if he was just hiding from me, but still no Arthur anywhere. It was strange how he just disappeared like that. Panting for air, I twisted around, suddenly feeling a large amount of water splash me in the face. I heard Arthur's laugh in front of me.

"Arthur!! What the hell?! I'm so getting you for this!" I wiped the water off my face and chased him the rest of the way down the street.

"Who's winning now?" he laughed.

"That wasn't fair, come on!"

I pursued him the entire way back to his house in the pouring rain, more soaked than I could ever imagine. I had little droplets of water rolling down my face as I slowed down and snuck around. I was going to get back at Arthur somehow. We were now right in front of his house, and I stood up from behind a car as he pulled out his keys. As soon as he opened the door I charged at him, holding a plastic cup full of water that I had found sitting next to someone's car.

"Hey Arthur!!" I shouted when I was about to fling all the water at him. He turned to see me with perfect timing, but unfortunately for me I tripped over a crack in the sidewalk. I screamed as I now flew towards him, soon finding myself on top of him in the front room.

Instead of him being angry like I had expected, he was actually laughing. I was laughing. We were just two people having fun. That was all. And we were laughing on the floor in a small puddle of water that was dripping off of us. I slid off to the side and sat up, Arthur leaning up on his arm from where he was previously tackled. Our laughing calmed and we were both smiling at each other.

"And you told me I was no fun," Arthur pointed out.

"Okay, well obviously I was wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong," I admitted.

There was a moment of silence between us. This was probably the most fun I've had in a long time. It surprised me how much I changed since the day we met. At first I hated him, but now....now it's different. I actually met someone that I cared about and that I enjoyed having in my life. This was great. I wonder how many more days I'll have like this.

In the time we were quiet, we both wore grins upon our faces. We were watching each other having fun. And it seemed like in this fraction of time, like something was ignited. It wasn't something bad, but rather something that would change things between us in a good way. We sat only inches apart, and slowly, but surely, I knew what I really wanted. It was only then that Arthur took his free hand and placed it gently over my cheek. He leaned in closer and I too, began to do the same.

"Hey Arthur I was looking for a stain remover because I spilled some ketchup on your carpet can you tell me where it-" Alfred stepped into the room and saw the two of us and froze.