Yet another tumblr prompt request fill for my 50 Followers Event on my fanfic archive blog! This particular request was sent in by my good friend Fillie, and she wanted Kindergarten teacher!Alfred and single parent!Arthur. And yes, I am indeed one of those people who believes Peter is totally their lovechild. Deal with it.


Mr. Jones

GarryxMrChairFan


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A/N: Jeanne-Marie - Monaco

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Mr. Jones

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The incessant buzzing of his alarm pulled him from sleep with its droning tone, and Arthur groaned as he rolled over, the light from his window falling just across his pillow where his face was and shining in his eyes. He blinked groggily before throwing out a hand to the stupid clock, silencing the annoying sound, and rubbing a hand over his face. He listened to the quick patter of small feet against the wood flooring getting louder as they approached, and he smiled as a small form launched itself at him from the floor.

"First day of school! First day of school!" Blue eyes were suddenly in his face as the boy looked down at him with a large grin. "C'mon, dad! Get up!"

Arthur huffed good-naturedly, running his fingers through the boy's hair, similar to his own, and gently nudging him over so he could sit up. "Alright, poppet. Excited, are we?"

He nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah!"

Arthur smiled. "Then go get dressed and I'll be down to make breakfast shortly."

The boy scrunched his nose, giving him a look. "You're not going to actually cook, are you?"

Arthur rolled his eyes as he stood, heading for the bathroom. "Just for that, I'll make sure to plug in the toaster!"

"No, that's alright!" He was up and running out of the room. "I'll get the cereal!"

"No running in the house, Peter!" Arthur called after him, sighing fondly as he took a quick shower and brushed his teeth. He walked back to his room, pulling out a pair of jeans and a button-down, putting his waistcoat on over it, and sliding into his shoes before heading downstairs where Peter was waiting at the table, his legs swinging back and forth.

Peter smiled at him as he walked in, dropping a kiss to the boy's head. "We're nearly out of milk," he informed, looking at the carton.

Arthur nodded and went to the stove, grabbing a package of scones from the cabinets above and returning with them and a bowl of jam. "Alright. I'll make sure to stop at the store later today. Anything else we need?"

Peter pursed his lips as he thought about it, tapping his chin. "Not that I can think of."

"Okay." Arthur and Peter ate quickly in silence, Arthur glancing through the morning paper as Peter scurried off to get his things when finished. Arthur set the paper aside once he was thoroughly fed up with the report on the economy and took their dishes to the sink to rinse them. After drying his hands, he made his way back upstairs to Peter's room, watching as the boy put his new supplies into his new bag.

"Ready, poppet?" he asked, and Peter nodded at him with a grin. "Come on, then. We're meeting the frog and Jeanne-Marie there before class starts."

Peter made another face at the mention of Arthur's least favorite coworker who also happened to be his best friend and, often, his babysitter, and Arthur was proud. "Why? Isn't she in second grade?"

Arthur shook his head with a roll of his eyes as he helped Peter into his jacket, putting on his own before grabbing his keys and following his son out the door. "Yes, but you know how he is— can't do anything by himself, the git."

Peter nodded in solemn understanding, climbing into the front seat of their car as Arthur slid in behind the wheel. He started the car and pulled out of the driveway, and they made light chat as he drove the ten minutes to the school Peter was now attending. It was his first day of kindergarten, and Arthur was nervous about him being out of his sight for more than five minutes at a time. Peter, however, was absolutely thrilled.

After locking the car, Arthur took Peter's outstretched hand and led him into the building, students from all grades milling about in the cafeterias and courtyard before the first bell. Peter smiled and pointed things out as they walked through the halls, questioning everything around him with innocent curiosity, and Arthur did his best to answer as they finally came to the hall where Peter's class was located.

At one of the rooms, Arthur could see the figures of two people, and he rolled his eyes again as he approached his coworker and coworker's daughter.

The smirk was there immediately. "Ah, chère! There you are! I was wondering if you got lost."

Arthur sneered. "As if. My sense of direction is fine, thank you."

"Except when you're pissed," Peter piped up cheerfully.

Arthur turned a stern look to his son, who looked down remorsefully while Francis simply chuckled. He shook his head, deciding Peter understood he was in trouble and the frog was not worth a response, instead turning his attention to the young girl at the Frenchman's side.

Her hair was to her waist now, styled into one long, big braid with clips to hold her bangs out of her face. A set of thin glasses sat upon her nose, and she was observing them calmly from her father's side.

Arthur smiled at her, and she returned it pleasantly. "How are you, dear?"

"I'm well," she responded, her voice quiet. "Papa bought me several new dresses. Do you like?" She let go of her father's hand to twirl around.

Arthur nodded. "It's lovely, dear. He spoils you rotten."

Francis beamed proudly. "Of course, chère. Anything for her." He paused, looking down at his watch before back up at Arthur. "School will be starting shortly. I need to take her down the hall a bit." Francis grabbed his daughter's hand, turning on his heel. "I'll meet you at Peter's class."

"Alright," Arthur replied, turning to take Peter's hand again. "Shall we?" He smiled as Peter nodded and glanced up at the numbers above the doors, looking for the room number he'd been told was his son's class. Locating it just adjacent from them, he guided Peter across the hall and to the open door, walking in behind the boy who was looking around with wide eyes.

Arthur glanced around himself, taking in the scene of other children milling about, sitting at tables or sprawled on the carpeted floor and messing with toys and crayons, all of them giggling and talking and just generally being kids. He smiled softly, watching a couple of the kids approach him and Peter.

"Hey! You wanna play with the Legos with us?" One of the boys was looking at Peter with a wide grin, holding out a handful of the building blocks.

Peter looked up at him, his eyes wide and pleading. He chuckled. "It's your class, poppet. Go make some friends." He gently nudged the boy forward, and Peter grinned as he ran off with the other boys.

"Looks like the little man's gonna be a big hit," said a voice behind him, and Arthur turned quickly, his heart stuttering from the unexpected presence.

The man was young, tall with broad shoulders, dressed in slacks and a button-down rolled to his elbows. His blond hair framed his tanned face, one strand bouncing above his head, slim glasses resting on his sharp nose in front of blue eyes the color of the summer sky. His smile was white and bright, and Arthur found himself momentarily frozen in place, simply staring in admiration.

It took him a moment to realize the man had his hand out, and Arthur felt himself flush as he shook himself internally and gripped his hand, thankful he hadn't started sweating yet. "O-Oh, yes. I'm glad to see he seems comfortable already."

The young man laughed, releasing Arthur's hand much too quickly and not quickly enough. "He's a natural friend-maker," he said happily. "I don't think there's anything to worry about, Mister…?"

"Kirkland," Arthur automatically supplied. "Arthur Kirkland."

"Alfred Jones," he replied. "I'm the new kindergarten teacher. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kirkland."

"Likewise," Arthur's voice was small as he stared at Alfred's smile, feeling it doing things to his stomach and other places that it really shouldn't be doing those things. He felt too warm, and he was totally okay with that, "but please, just Arthur."

"Sure thing, Artie." Alfred grinned again and Arthur stood dumbfounded, feeling his pulse race. "So, this your first time with a kid in school?"

Arthur stared again for a moment before blinking and nodding. "Um, y-yes. Peter's an only child."

"Wife didn't want any more?"

Arthur looked away, searching for Peter in the midst of the other kids. "She wasn't my wife, and she didn't even want him." He gestured to the messy blond hair of the boy now bossing a few of the other kids around, leading them through some game.

Alfred looked towards Peter as well. "Oh, I'm sorry, man. That sucks. He seems like a pretty cool little guy."

Arthur shrugged. "He's everything to me," he murmured quietly. "I'm glad to have him."

Blue eyes behind thin lenses looked back at him, shimmering warmly as a small smile spread across full lips. "He looks just like you," he commented. "Even the wild eyebrows." He chuckled.

Arthur snorted and rolled his eyes, crossing his arms indignantly as his face flushed further. "They are perfectly normal," he insisted, definitely not whined.

Alfred just smiled at him cheekily. "Perfectly adorable," he corrected with a wink and laughed when Arthur looked away pointedly.

At that moment, a knock came to the door and Arthur and Alfred turned to look at Francis standing there, looking both bemused and knowing from the door, a smirk on his lips. "I hadn't realized there were two of them," he commented, eyeing Alfred.

Arthur frowned while Alfred laughed again. "What?"

"He means Mattie, my brother," Alfred clarified, shoving his hands into his pockets. "He's one of the new second grade teachers down the hall."

"Yes, and my daughter is in his class," Francis informed. "Quite a looker, much like yourself." He winked at Alfred.

Alfred just rolled his eyes, and Arthur denied that surge of jealous anger in his veins. He'd just bloody met the young man, and he was Peter's teacher. It was so wrong on so many levels.

Arthur forced himself to walk towards the door, away from the fantastic specimen of man that was Alfred, shoving Francis out the door. "Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, Alfred, but I'm afraid we must be going."

"Sure, Mr. Kirkland," Alfred said, watching with a grin. "I look forward to having Peter in class."

Arthur smiled back at him. "Of course. Oh, and as much as I despise him, Francis may be picking up Peter from time to time. My work schedule flexes quite a bit."

"Not a problem." Alfred waved as Arthur made his way to Francis down the hall. "See ya, Artie!"

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Later that night, when Arthur was tucking Peter into bed, the boy looked up at him with a smile.

"Did you have fun today, Peter?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Yeah, lots!" the boy exclaimed, gesturing with his hands. "We played with the Legos for a while, then I led everyone to victory in a battle against the aliens, then Mr. Jones had us introduce ourselves by playing another game and he even gave out sweets when he asked if anyone knew the alphabet and I was the only one who knew it all!"

Arthur smiled. "Well, it sounds like quite a day."

Peter nodded. "Yeah. He's pretty cool. He even let me eat his fries at lunch!"

Arthur raised an eyebrow, standing to press a kiss to Peter's temple. "Well, how nice. He sounds like a fun teacher." He pulled the comforter up to Peter's chin, smiling at him. "Now, it's time for you to sleep. Love you, poppet."

"Love you too, dad," Peter said sleepily. "Oh, Mr. Jones said to tell you he'd like to get together for lunch sometime. He wants to introduce you to his brother."

Arthur stood frozen for a moment before coming back to himself. "W-Well, we'll have to see." He walked quickly to the door, turning out the light. "Goodnight, poppet."

"Dad?" Peter's voice was muffled under the covers.

"Yes?"

"I think he likes you."

Arthur breathed in and out twice. "Oh."

"He'd make a pretty cool dad."

The silence stretched for a moment as Arthur tried to calm his racing heart. "Y-Yes," he agreed, his voice hoarse. He cleared his throat. "Yes, I think he would, too."

Peter peeked out of the covers to look at him, his blue eyes— summer blue, Arthur realized— watching his father with mischief. "I like Mr. Jones."

Arthur smiled in defeat, grabbing the door handle and pulling it closed. "I like Mr. Jones too, poppet. I like him very much."