It was humid and raining on the first day of Arthur's Sophomore year, and the thickness of the air made the Alpha uncharacteristically nervous as he meandered sleepily through the hall toward first period, his body far too used to sleeping in over the summer.
He startled as a thin arm wormed its way over his shoulders and he very nearly decked Francis in his pretty little face. He flared up immediately, pushing Francis away and straightening his uniform with a sniff.
"Can't we start the year off without you invading my personal space?"
He felt a nice little first-day tirade bubbling up, but his words died on his lips as he took in the grinning Alpha, who caught onto his confusion immediately and began to pose dramatically.
"What in God's name is all over your chin? Did you forget to wash off oatmeal this morning?"
Francis cackled. "You are even more jealous than I expected, mon ami. I'll bet you thought I could not get more handsome." He stroked the wispy blonde hairs on his chin with reverence.
"Well, I would have thought anything covering up that face of yours would be an improvement, but I was wrong. It looks like you cleaned your razor with your face after shaving your—"
Arthur was stopped by Francis's palm, straight as an arrow, smacking into his arm as the Alpha looked at something over Arthur's shoulder. He continued to hit him as he spoke in an excited whisper.
"Look—at—who—it—is!"
Arthur turned around lazily, scowling after being interrupted during his insult, to see their good friend Matthew Williams coming toward them, accompanied by…by another, slightly shorter, slightly curvier Matthew Williams.
Matthew smiled as Francis slithered up to him, greeting him with a firm hug before immediately diving toward his companion, lifting the poor boy's hand and giving it a feather-light kiss. Arthur rolled his eyes as the boy—Alfred, he recalled, Matthew's brother is named Alfred— went red as a tomato.
He was unsurprised by Matthew's indignant squawk and immediate—but harmless—pummeling of a laughing Francis. Alfred's face was still red, his mouth slack, as his sky-blue eyes slid over to Arthur. He smiled as the Alpha helplessly shrugged, stepping forward to intervene.
He gripped Francis's forearm, pulling him back roughly.
"Good morning Matthew. I hope your summer was pleasant?"
Matthew seemed to frown for a half-second before nodding, staring at where Arthur had Francis in his too-tight grip.
"Ah, yeah, it was good. Um, Arthur, this is my brother Alfred. Alfred, this is Arthur Kirkland."
Alfred grinned wide, his mouth full of metal. "Hya!"
Arthur did not dare extend his hand for a friendly shake, noting Matthew's continued glare toward Francis, who was chatting with a passerby, unfazed.
"Um, Alfred's got first period in the English building. Arthur, you're in Drama with me, right?"
Arthur nodded. Francis' exclamation of Ah, the theatre! Went ignored.
"Can you tell Mr. Karpusi I'll be there as soon as possible?" He gripped the strap of his backpack, finally looking away from Francis.
Alfred groaned. "Mattie, go to class, dude! I told you, I know where I'm going!"
Matthew shook his head slightly, taking his brother's hand. "Mr. Karpusi won't mind, right, Arthur? I'll see you in a bit."
Arthur nodded his agreement, letting go of Francis at last. Francis was quick to turn, and he laughed joyfully when he saw Matthew watching him over his shoulder, sending him a one-finger salute before turning away.
He knew he'd be late if he properly lectured Francis, so he pinched him hard instead, delighting in the pained yelp the other Alpha emitted as he leapt away.
"Honestly Francis. That Omega is still a child!"