rlly gay trash duo writers au thing that i wrote for kai's bdaY
“Alright, let’s just…” Arthur turns on his heel, papers whapping against his palm, “Take it from the top, I suppose.”
“You really want to go through that again?” Ludwig asks, peering up at him over slipping glasses.
“Not...particularly,” Arthur admits, biting his lip, “But you did offer to help.”
“That was before I realized how much of a masochist you were,” Ludwig counters, reclining away from his desk, “Also admittedly before I realized the only thing I know about romance comes from bargain novels people hide in their drawers.”
Arthur squints, “We’re on an even playing field then. Not to mention that horrid night we spent watching Lifetime movies for drabble fodder-”
“I thought you said we weren’t allowed to speak about that.”
“Not around polite company, no,” he shrugs, leaning against the back of the couch, “Just--it’s just about five to ten minutes of dialogue. If we can sit through an hour or so of that garbage we can--do this.”
Arthur brandishes a rolled up manuscript towards his face, “Yes, we can, so long as you take this seriously this time.”
Ludwig snorts, “I’m always serious.”
“You started laughing behind your hand about halfway through,” Arthur says, eyebrow cocked, “Don’t think I didn’t notice. You’re a horrible date.”
“Clearly you just wrote me incorrectly,” Ludwig rounds, “There really isn’t a way your main character could repress a laugh a good ways into that. Especially if you keep the lead that...flamboyant.”
“He’s supposed to be charming. Charming!” Arthur snaps, going a bit pink, “I’ll have you know I did quite a bit of research on that personality--”
“Like staring at Monsieur Barista from the farthest most table?”
Ludwig hums in agreement. “Honestly who else is this supposed to be? A coffee shop setting. A barista with ‘long, blonde locks’ and a ‘charming bit of scruff’ who flatters everyone he so much as looks at that day? Don’t tell me it’s your self insert.”
“No I--Listen-” Arthur jabs a finger at him, sputtering, “You--let’s just--just walk through this, goddamn you.”
Ludwig shrugs, and reaches out for a manuscript copy, “Don’t forget to be charmant this time.”
A finger flickers out for a moment in Ludwig’s general direction. “Same to you--ahem. As I was saying--”
“I enter the coffee shop, a messenger bag filled with books bouncing against my thigh. My favorite seat is open, a small table off to the side, allowing me to drink tea in a coffee shop without looking like a complete jackass.” Ludwig says.
“There’s nothing wrong with--nevermind,” Arthur waves a hand, “I make eye contact with you for a brief second before you look away, staring pointedly at the floor. There’s no need for me to ask your order, though it flusters you every time I remember it.”
“Probably because I’m horrendously embarrassed that all I ever order is Earl Grey,” Ludwig murmurs, “Either way, I thank you quickly..erm, flushing as our hands brush. We stop for a moment, our eyes lock over the...steam...rising from my tea mug.”
Arthur pulls a pen from behind his ear, “Is the tea bit too much? You’re looking at me like it’s too much.”
“Okay,” he hmphs and jots rapidly, “Okay--go on then, continue--”
“Er...I jerk away, spilling the tea on my hand--”
Arthur mutters between the pen in his teeth, “One second--alright, and then I...grab your hand to pull you back.”
“You’re getting exceedingly closer to me, by the way.”
“Hm?” the pen shifts, “Anyway--you blink up at me through pained tears--”
Ludwig stammers, “Did--why are you holding my hand--”
“Quietly, I ask you if you’ve hurt yourself, if you’d like a bandaid--”
“Arthur--you’re squeezing a bit--”
“It would be a shame if your hands were burned, after all, I say, and you look on in surprise as I lower my li--”