As the weekly dinners became routine, Alfred found himself loosening up a bit from the nervous fan feeling he'd had around Francis, and Francis grew accustomed to Alfred helping him in the kitchen. The boy was not very skilled, naturally, but with instruction and practice he picked up how to do things very easily, and Francis quite enjoyed his assistance and company while he cooked. But he did not allow Alfred to help with desserts, Except to devour them once they were complete.

"Okay, okay. But tell me, seriously, who's your favorite super hero? And don't gimme some crap that you picked by costume, I want raw character analysis." Alfred asked as Francis handed him a potato to peel, which he got to doing right away. Francis pursed his lips.

"Hm." He started to wash some apples in the sink, inhaling through his nose slowly, trying to think through what he knew about comic characters and marvel movies and the like in order to give Alfred a good answer. "I'm not as avid a superhero fan as you, cher, but that is still a rather difficult question. I think I'll have to go with The Hulk." He bobbed his head, but then he noticed Alfred was waiting for explanation. "I assume you have seen the 2003 Hulk movie? Well, that was one of the first super hero movies I ever saw. And when I watched how badly he wanted to love, but he couldn't because of what he was, my heart broke for him. I am ashamed to admit I wept over Bruce Banner's tragic love life and story back before they even did as excellent a job with casting as they did for Avengers."

Alfred nodded in approval. "So you're a sad character story kinda guy. I get it, angsty stuff can be cool. I like a good combo of sad backstory, awesome personality, and cool powers or gear, myself. Which is why I don't have one, but three favorite super heroes. Captain America, Iron Man, and Deadpool. And I like to think that when I become a super hero— yes, I said when, don't doubt me —I'll be an even blend of those three. That's the goal." Francis laughed softly.

"I have faith in you, and I certainly think you're quite like your favorites. Sweet and adorable and unselfish and strong like Steve, cocky and petty and smarter than people credit you for like Tony, and obnoxious and crude and childish but with a kind heart like Wade." He told Alfred, who swooned slightly in shock that Francis knew all their names. Not to mention that all the complimenting had him swelling with pride. The dreamy look in the American's eyes confused Francis, who hadn't realized the purest form of flattery in Alfred's mind was to be compared to his heroes, but he was not put off in the slightest by it and winked at the boy before turning his attention back to the apples. Time to cut them.

"Are you ever gonna ask me which one of your videos was my favorite?" Francis looked up at Alfred, who was gazing at him with a red face but unshy eyes. He wasn't glancing away like he usually did when talking about things like this. Francis smirked.

"I can't say I had exactly planned on it, but I won't deny that I am curious. You seem a bit reserved when it comes to sex and sexuality. Tell me, mon petit, what one of my jobs did you enjoy the most?" He inquired, side-eyeing Alfred, as he began to add the apple pieces into the dish he was making. Alfred's lips were pressed firmly together, and he tilted his head to the side, as if glancing through his mental library for the right volume.

" 'European Man Likes Dick – Shower Sex With A Foreigner'." Alfred answered, reciting the title carefully from his memory to make sure he got it just right, before letting out an awkward laugh. "It was the second video that you're in that I saw." Francis remembered that one, and he kept working on dinner, making a reflective sort of face.

"That was a nice work day, I recall. I quite like having sex in the shower. It's so nice." He commented, causing Alfred's tinged cheeks to darken further.

"I wouldn't know, but I'll take your word for it." He replied, scratching the back of his head. Francis clasped a hand over his heart. His other hand continued cooking, shifting a spatula around a pan, but he gaped at Alfred with an exaggerated, dramatic expression. He was shocked (though admittedly acting more so than he actually was) and he pitied the poor boy for having yet to have experienced shower sex. Or at least he was shooting him a pitying look.

"Oh mon dieu, mon cher, you simply must try it." Alfred was informed, Francis waggling a finger at him like he was being scolded. Alfred nodded while chuckling, eyes finally dipping down to the floor like always. This topic never failed to fluster the American.

"I'll be sure to keep that in mind, thanks." He gave Francis the peeled potato, and Francis quickly chopped and added it in with the other food he was cooking.

"Dinner is almost ready, petit lapin, you can have a seat if you'd like, and I'll bring everything over in just a little bit longer." Alfred nodded, and went to the table, eager for another of Francis' ever impressive meals.

-later-

"So you're spending your time with someone who performs in pornography?" Arthur asked critically, sipping his to-go cup of tea as he walked with his friend from Starbucks to their English lecture. Alfred made a face.

"Stop sounding all judge-y about it. He's really cool. Besides, Mr. Snooty, you shouldn't look down on people just because of how you feel about their career choices." Arthur scoffed at Alfred's defensive reply.

"I never said anything about not approving of him or your having dinner together, but pardon me for asking, I suppose." He laughed condescendingly, tightening his hold on his books. "I just can't imagine you have much in common with him. I mean, you only just came out as pansexual, what, three months ago? And you've never dated let alone had sex with a man. What do you even talk about?"Arthur questioned with an arched brow. Alfred frowned.

"Food. And movies. And superheroes. And our dreams. And books and our interests and how our week's have been and stuff. And yeah, sex, sometimes. Not everyone is as much of a stick in the mud as you, y'know." Alfred told Arthur, elbowing him lazily in the side, as he fiddled with the straps of his backpack. Arthur smirked wickedly.

"You like him. Oh my god, you bloody like him. How old is he? Does he know you're only in your second year of college? Does he know you're into him?" Alfred shook his head furiously.

"I do not, dude. He's just fun to hangout with. He's 24, and he knows I'm 19 and that I'm in college, so, I'm sure he's connected the dots that I'm not a freshman or almost done yet. And he doesn't know I'm into him, because I'm not into him. We're friends." He responded, still tugging at his backpack straps. Arthur was cracking up.

"Friends? Like how we're friends? Alfred, please, you're not the type to be friends with people you've masturbated to." He wiped at the tears forming in the corners of his eyes from laughing as he spoke. "Mate, admit it, you have a crush on him." Alfred punched his shoulder.

"Shut up, we're gonna be late for class."

||| IM SO SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE! Being student is hard work, and procrastination is hella seductive. But I'm back! And I totally appreciate the nice reviews and the love for my work. It warms my gay little heart that people enjoy my otp like I do! Thanks for reading ! xoxo