CHAPTER THREE:

Much to my surprise, Alfred and I grew even closer through a mutual experience: being outcasts. He told me that the children at his school were terrible to him, poking fun at his animated manner of speech, at his pesky cowlick atop his head, and at the choices he made in his friendships. I didn't think this story was believable, as he was a very personable individual. He proved it to me in January as I bore witness to many verbal attacks thrown at him and myself, the majority thrown at me consisting of derision of my eyebrows.

Even with those morons abusing him, Alfred brushed it off and grinned. Every time he beamed at me, I smiled back. I was more than a little proud of him for being so brave. In fact, he was so chivalrous that he not only protected himself from those aggressors, he guarded me intensely, preventing any sort of harm from coming my way. For that, I was especially grateful.

After school finished for the week, we would often go to the secluded alley that our circle of friends frequented. On the rare occasion, Alfred and I would have the entire alley to ourselves. I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I enjoyed those few times we would be able to sit and chat without Francis bursting in with yet another harebrained statement or Madeline sitting awkwardly and making the state of affairs uncomfortable.

"Arthur?" Alfred asked me, kicking rocks around as he did so.

"What is it?" I answered.

"I was just wondering...are you hurt by what those other boys say to you?" He paused in his little game and looked at me, honest concern in his gaze.

"No. No Alfred, I assure you, I am not." I directly denied the question, knowing full well that I would be considered pathetic for admitting the truth. Those statements made by my classmates did leave an aching sting. I knew there was nothing I could do to the brow on my forehead. I was born with it, but it seemed to be a feeble excuse to pardon me from the victimization.

"Oh, come, Artie, I know that's not the truth." Alfred placed a box next to me and sat, looking in my eyes to pry for what he wanted. It was a feat he performed with excellent execution, and it worked all too well on me.

"You asked the question, you received your answer." I turned away, crossing my arms defiantly.

"I feel as though I'm not getting the correct information." Alfred persisted, moving closer.

"Would you care to explain why exactly you persevere?" I snapped, thoroughly annoyed with him.

"It's because I care, Arthur."

The statement made an impact on me. It may have seemed to be such a trivial thing, this statement, but at last I had assurance that someone worried about me, that someone fretted over my emotions.

"You do know that I'm going to bother you until you give in, right?" Alfred spoke as he childishly poked my back repeatedly.

I knew in my mind what he was saying was total truth, so I decided to face it and come forward with my answer. "Alright, quit pestering me! It does hurt when others ridicule my brow. It is something I cannot change; why rub it in even further?" I voiced my emotions to him. Alfred may be one of the most infuriating people on the earth, but he is a fantastic listener.

"Your brow does not to define you, Artie. You are a wonderful person. Those boys are too shallow to see it as I do. I'm thankful that I have had the opportunity to befriend you." Alfred smiled empathetically. Those words and that smile made me feel incredible, but another sign of vulnerability would be admission.

"You sound like my mother, Alfred!" I joked. What, a little teasing never hurts anyone, does it?

"Did you understand the intent behind my message?" After his words, I wanted nothing more than to take my own back. I seemed foolish!

"Of course I did, and I would like to thank you."

He grinned that endearing little grin and embraced me. In actuality, I wished to fully return the embrace, but my instincts forbade me from doing such. Instead I sat, stiff as a fencepost, as his muscular arms encircled me.

I wasn't entirely sure at the moment how to define the feeling I experienced. It was a mixture of elation, want, but most prominently, confusion.

I was not sure what to do about my feelings, so there I sat, completely still in what could have been a very heartfelt hold between best friends.

"Well, since you're going to be unresponsive, I'm afraid I have to go home. My mother needs help around the house." Alfred chuckled lightheartedly, rolling his eyes.

"Have a pleasant afternoon, Alfred. Oh, and thank you." I told him goodbye, unflinching and somewhat emotionless in my delivery.

"You're welcome. I am here if you need me at all." Alfred smiled and ran off towards home. I remained there in the alley, contemplating my emotions.

First, I thought about Alfred.

Well, he's a pleasure for the eyes. He's muscular, tall, mildly handsome, and comes from a fine family. I'd say he will be a quite desirable bachelor for a fortunate lady one day…that is, when he grows up…I thought. These thoughts lead me to consider his personality.

God, I don't think that boy will ever grow up. But I think I enjoy it when he acts like a child. There's something about it that's almost... I realized what I was thinking. Stop it, Arthur, no! He isn't adorable! Don't tell yourself that. Anyway, back to the original thoughts. Well, Alfred may be the most irritating human being on the surface of the planet earth, but there's something about that infuriating frustration that is so…charming.

My eyes widened.

My entire body stiffened.

I knew exactly what this emotion was.

But the problem was that I couldn't confirm it.

Sadly, the only person whom I was completely confident would have the answer had an alarming knack of exasperating me: Francis. I knew there were no other feasible options, so the only possible way to assure myself that my prediction was correct would be to visit him.

Groaning, I composed myself and walked down the road to my…friend's house.

Francis' Point of View

It was most definitely a surprise to see Arthur at my door. I never expected him to want to visit me! Though I couldn't say it was quite as pleasant as hoped for…

"Francis. We need to talk." Arthur stormed into my house, furious about something. As far as I could tell, I had not done anything recently that would annoy him (though it was something I took pleasure in).

"What do you need, mon ami?" I pulled two chairs from my dining table, directly across from each other. As we sat to speak, I swear, his jade glare burned fire into my eyes.

"I truly don't want to do this, but I know you, and you're my only viable option." He spoke in a low and deadly serious tone. It worried me some, to think of what he was talking about.

"Your tone is frightening, Arthur. What exactly do you require of me?" I leaned back slightly in my seat for comfort reasons. He leaned forward, that angry frown still formed on his (huge) brow.

"I'm not intending to plan a murder, Francis!" he sneered. I was relieved at his statement, though it was a bit rude in its delivery.

"It's just…I've felt this strange emotion. I have no way of telling what it is….well, actually, I think I know exactly what it is, but I know that you would be able to clarify." Arthur confessed. His wording was undoubtedly confusing, but I went along to the best of my ability.

"Oh? Well, can you describe it to me?"

"See, I think of h-this person a lot. H-They infiltrate my brain and it's impossible to get them out." Arthur looked down at his lap while addressing me. I had never seen him so…unsure and nervous. It created anxiety in the environment, which I disliked.

"Hmm. Could you elaborate, Arthur? Describe the person." I propped my head on my elbow, knowing where this was going to lead, but wanted to hear the words come from his mouth.

"Well, the person is the most maddening human known to man. But there's a strange quality about them that is so…delightful. I can't narrow down how exactly it affects me, but it does have an effect. This person is also not themost stunning person on the globe, but in my eyes no other person compares. The person is very childish, but I find it to be sweet. God, Francis, what on earth are my feelings doing to me?" Arthur squirmed uncomfortably in his chair. The words I heard told me exactly what was troubling him; it was as clear as the day.

"Ohohon, Arthur, you are in love!" I laughed. The expression of shock on his face was truly priceless!

"L-love?! Oh God, no, this can't be true…" Arthur stood up and paced, mumbling under his breath.

"So, who is the lucky lady?" I queried. Well, if I was going to help him, I had to know who she was!

His face turned a shade of blood red as he raced out of the house. This confused me, why would he come here to ask me about amour, then run out of my house as if a ghost is chasing him? I wanted to know who the (unfortunate) girl was…

Walking to the living room, I took a seat on the loveseat to contemplate the situation.

"What happened with Arthur?"

I hadn't even noticed that Madeline was in the room. She strode over to me and took her place to my left.

"It appears, ma chéri, that Arthur is in love," I told her. Still, she was not mollified.

"What was wrong with him? Why did he storm away?" she asked.

"He didn't know he was in love, and he won't give me his love's identity," I sighed. Madeline leaned against my shoulder, making my pulse beat rapidly.

"Why does love have to be so complicated, Francis? Can't you just tell someone you love them?" Madeline looked at me with innocent eyes.

Some people are so naïve and oblivious that it hurts you.

"Madeline, no one wants experience the heartbreak of unrequited love. Some people will be brave and confess, but the heartbreak you feel at the inevitable refutation can be unbearable," I explained. Madeline nodded and continued to quietly lean on my side.

What she was unaware of was that the explanation was given from personal experience.

Arthur's Point of View

I spent weeks in isolation, pacing and pondering the information I was given. I had never really loved someone before, with the exception of my family.

Well think about it for a minute, Arthur. Why exactly do you love him so much?

He's charming, I find him attractive, adorable, and kind. Oh My God, I really am in love with him.

I wasn't sure how to take this news. It was fantastic that I had finally fallen in love, but with another male? Alfred?! No no no, this couldn't be possible. Marriage existed between a man and a woman, and that applied to love, too.

Still, that did not gratify my emotions. I was urged to confess, but I doubted that Alfred would ever return my feelings.

For a few weeks after my isolation ended, I observed all of Alfred's behavior towards me to search for clues to any signs of affection.

From the casual embraces to the kind words to the slinging me over his shoulder like a potato sack, I was fully convinced that he felt some level of emotions towards me.

So that was when I decided to admit my troubles to him.

I was aware that it might be a stupid plan, but love makes you do insane things, doesn't it? And I was in love, so why not take advantage of it while I could?

I burst into Alfred's house later that night, my confidence teeming. He looked visibly taken aback by my unexpected visit, but I didn't even care. The look of astonishment turned to his normal vicarious smile as he walked over to greet me.

"Alfred, there's something I need to tell you." I walked closer to him, his brow upturned in confusion.

"Alright, but let's move to the living room, it's too cold in here." He skipped into the living room and sat on the couch.

I composed myself, mustered my nerve, and confessed what I wanted to say.

"I love you."

He shook his head, asking me to repeat myself.

"I love you, Alfred. I'm in love with you."

I did not expect what occurred next.

He backed away, his face contorted into a mixture of anger and pure disgust.

"That is repulsive. I'm surprised at you, Arthur! Leave my house, I do not want to talk to you again!" he yelled at me, still maintaining his disgusted face.

My heart tore itself into pieces. I ran out of the house, the door slamming behind me amplifying the final sound.

Running home felt as if it took an eternity. I wanted to feel strong, not like a vulnerable child. But the tears wouldn't stop themselves. I tried my hardest, but his reply was so cruel and unexpected that I felt horrible pain, and my crying was uncontrollable.

When I reached home, all I could bring myself to do was curl into a fetal position and sleep. I didn't cry anymore, but I couldn't bear to remind myself of my stupid mistake.

A/N: Hello! I apologize for the lateness and the fast pace of the story, but it' happening for a reason, I promise! But now I've given you hints to the pairings! Thank you for reading, and tune in next time for the fourth installment of "Vicissitude!"