This is a really bittersweat chapter. Starts with fluff, leads to angst, then ends in fluff. D: Mlergh. I had Drama practice until 6 today... I BLEED FOR JU. I wrote this on a drama night! Unheard of! Anyway... Funny news, we discovered we have our own Bad Touch Trio. I'm Prussia because I'm taking German, my friend is France because she's taking French and my other friend, Em-chan, is Spain because she's taking Spanish. We're just awesome like that.
Disclaimer: I'm too awesome for this...
WARNINGS: Angst everywhere, FLUFF, scones, hints of child abuse
"Daddy..."
"Mnnm..."
"Daddy, wake up."
"Five more min-es..."
"D-Daddy! I-I have to use the potty..."
"I'm up! I'm up! Okay... Was the problem?"
Matthew was shyly clutching at the edge of his t-shirt, looking embarrassed.
"I have to p-potty an I don know where it is..."
Arthur chuckled and nodded, slipping out of bed. It was strangely emptier than last night... Alfred was still fast asleep, wrapped snug in the blankets, using them as a cocoon. Francis wasn't there. Ah. What mischief was the French man up to?
"It's just down the hall here. Come on."
"Yes Daddy."
Arthur was a little unsettled as he lead Matthew by the hand to the bathroom. It was odd, the instant attachment the twins had made towards himself and Francis. Like baby ducklings imprinting on their mother.
"Why do you boys call me that?"
"Because you're our Daddy and Papa is our Papa."
Arthur sighed and rubbed his face, it was too early for this. Why argue this with the children? He and Francis were, in all intents and purposes, the boys' parents now.
"Here's the bathroom. If you boys need anything, don't be afraid to ask okay?"
"Okay Daddy.
Arthur shut the bathroom door after Matthew and decided to find Francis. Where would he even go? His neighbors weren't supposed to be here until later. It was then that the most heavenly smell reached Arthur's nose. The clanking of pots and pans and general cooking noises reached his ears as well. Francis was cooking breakfast?
"Bonjour mon lapin! Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah..."
Arthur stood at the top of the three small steps that led down to the dinning room and kitchen area, leaning against the archway. He could see Francis twirling about in the kitchen through the window separating the dinning area and the cooking area. Arthur pulled up a stool and gazed into the kitchen. Francis made cooking look fun. Arthur burned everything. To death.
"What are you doing?"
"Making breakfast."
"Why?"
"Because you cannot cook, mon cher."
"How do you know that?"
"It is not your fault. It is a fact that all Englishmen have no sense of taste."
Arthur huffed and turned in his seat, facing away from Francis. He didn't notice Francis leaning through the window to give him a peck on the cheek. Francis chuckled and Arthur turned a new shade of red. He slapped a hand over his cheek and was about to yell at Francis when a cry interrupted them.
"Daddy? Papa? MATTIE? Where did you go?"
"Al! I'm right here!"
Arthur was the first to spring into action, Francis hot on his heels. They rushed to bedroom riddled with worry for their new sons. They ran in to a heart-wrenching scene. Matthew was crying, holding his brother's hand as Alfred thrashed in the blankets, trapped.
"Papa! Somethin's wrong with Al!"
"MATTIE! Where are you? Come back! Momma?"
Arthur ran to the bed and cradled Alfred in his arms, Francis doing the same with Matthew. Tears were already making themselves known in Arthur's eyes.
"Daddy's here Alfred. Hush, now. It's safe."
"Daddy? Make it stop Daddy! Make it stop! They're gonna- They're gonna!"
Arthur rocked back and forth, tears falling with full force. Why? Why this poor and innocent child? What had he done in this world to deserve this? This fear and torture? Children needed warmth and love, not terror.
"N-no! Not the needle again! NO! NO! I'LL BE A GOOD BOY! I PROMISE!"
"H-He's back at that place. A-Al always had it bad th-th-there cause he tried to be m-my hero."
Arthur felt chills roll down his spine. It didn't seem like he was talking about their godparent's house. What had these children been through? What monsters lurked in their past? Arthur was almost afraid to find out.
"D-Daddy has you now Alfred, please don't cry."
"Mattieu... What place are you talking about?"
"NO! NO! NO! I DON WANNA! NO! WHY MOMMA? WHY?"
"A bad place Papa. A bad bad place. Momma would take us there afore she left."
It was getting harder for Arthur to hold Alfred as he jerked with every scream. He could no longer whisper words of comfort only openly sob as he held his little boy. Francis was barely able to continue questioning Matthew from the tears streaming down his own face and the lump in his throat.
"Why would she do that, mon petit?"
"Momma said it was for food, but she never fed us anyway."
Why? It was the only thing either adult could think of. Why? Why, why, why? What the hell did these children do to make their life such hell? Alfred was calming down. He was no longer screaming and thrashing, he was shaking but silent.
"A-Alfred? Are you okay, son?"
"D-Daddy...?"
Arthur cradled Alfred's head to his chest as sunny blue eyes blinked open. Francis and Matthew joined them in a tight embrace. They clung to each other like they would never let go.
"Daddy? Papa?"
"Y-yes Alfred?"
"Can we have waffles for breakfas?"
Tension in the room dissolved at the simple request. They would find out what happened to the twins, but right now they needed to be loved. It was their job to shower these boys in unconditional love now.
"Of course Alfred. Would you like waffles too Matthew?"
"Y-yes please."
"An bacon! Bacon is so yummy!"
"Bleh. I wan pancakes. Bacon is icky."
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
Lighthearted laughter filled the air. Soft sunlight spilled through the open window as the new family relaxed again.
"I agree with Mattieu. Bacon is very icky."
"Yes, because scones are what are really yummy."
"Non! None of your nasty British food!"
"What are you talking about, frog? Scones are delicious!"
The twins watched them argue back and forth, toothy grins on their faces to match the ones on their parent's faces.
"Les have it all! Big breakfas today!"
Francis smirked and Arthur smirked back. They did have guests coming over after all...
"Yes. Let's have a big breakfast."
D: Did that make you cry? I cried. And I wrote it! Mleh. Personally, I like Bacon...
Song for this chapter: "Le Festin" by Camille from the movie Ratatouille
Something to cheer you up: I wore Pierre today. Pierre is this little bird France has. I made a headband with him on it. I get all kind of weird looks... But it's worth it. I also made my eyeshadow the French flag. Tomorrow I'll have Gilbird and the German flag. Ja. :D
Tschüs~!
