Chapter 7

A bowl of fried rice lays half eaten on the kitchen counter. Arthur sits in an armchair, his head resting in his propped up arm. He had gone past the point of having his mind full of all that confuses him, rather he couldn't really find the effort to
attempt to decipher all that had just happened.

He must have caught Francis in a rare bad mood, and Arthur has since discovered that Francis is not one to mess with at these times. Even though Arthur was being provoked, he wishes he is able to travel back in time and take back what he had said. He
knows he had really upset Francis, although it was probably more what his words had lead them to do that was upsetting.

Arthur doesn't know why Francis had kissed him. And while fighting of all times. Arthur isn't completely ignorant to social behaviour; he knows at least that kissing someone usually means that you love them. But that doesn't make sense; Francis had just
told him he hates him. Then again, Arthur tells him he hates him most of the time and truthfully, he is realising that something about Francis makes him feel warm inside and makes his stomach flutter, making him want to experience just more of Francis
in general.

The extent of the silence enveloping their flat isn't truly appreciated until the shrill call of the doorbell awakens Arthur from his staring into space and startles him into standing up abruptly. He glances at the clock - quarter to ten - and vaguely
wonders who would be calling around at that hour. Arthur hurries to the door so as to not keep anyone waiting, and unlocks it only to find two unexpected guests.

Alfred and Matthew stand on the doorstep looking sheepish and tired. They're carrying large bags on their backs and are wearing creased but cosy clothing. Alfred puts up his hand in a hesitant wave.

"Hey, Art. Sorry to pop in so unexpectedly and cause a nuisance but we've, uh... kinda just been kicked out of our apartment."

Arthur looks between the two of them and grimaces. "Oh. Great. Good job. I suppose I can only guess that you two are now currently homeless and are hoping to lodge at our place." He groans. "Yeah you're right, this is going to be
a bloody nuisance."

~o0O0o~

The two first-years perch on the sofa with cups of coffee while attempting to explain their situation to Arthur. They had already brought in their bags and so Arthur already guessing as to how everything will end up playing out.

Matthew starts, twirling lock of wheat-blonde wavy hair around his fingertips, a nervous habit. "So… basically our landlord decided that he wants to sell all of the apartments in our complex instead of renting them out, and evicted the lot of us."

"Piece of shit." Alfred growls under his breath.

"I'm not even sure if he's allowed to do that to be honest, but it doesn't exactly change the fact we kinda have nowhere to stay for the moment - our family is all in North America and it's the middle of semester. So… I'm so sorry Arthur but would
it be at all possible to stay with you for a while; we'll keep out of your way and help with cleaning and everything!"

Arthur sighs. Things have been strange enough lately without these idiots begging for his help, but it's not like he can say no to some friends in need. "It'll be packed in here but I'm too soft to say no. You better pay your rent by washing up and
not causing havoc though, bear in mind we're going to want to be studying for finals."

"Yeah sure, Artie, it'll be like we're not even here. Thanks a bunch, you really saved our necks! We owe you big time."

"Whatever, just behave. And I'll have to check with Fra-" His voice cracks at his name slightly. "Francis." He realises checking with Francis with involve them interacting, and he averts his eyes as he finds himself getting stupidly
nervous.

Arthur catches a slight questioning look from Alfred, who only goes on to ask where Francis is.

"Oh, he's just in his room, I'll get him now." Arthur lifts himself up from his chair, not really wanting to get Francis, but walking over to his room anyway.

He knocks on the door, and after receiving no response he goes in. Expecting to see Francis sulking on his computer and listening to music, Arthur is surprised to see him asleep on his bed. His eyes are suspiciously red and blotchy, but Arthur supposes
it could just be allergies. The dish of Chinese Arthur had brought in earlier is on the desk and is mostly eaten; he feels pleased that Francis had seemingly appreciated the meal. The man himself is curled on top on his quilt and is still wearing
all of his clothes from the day, so Arthur figures it is only sensible that he at least takes of his shoes and pulls some blankets over him. Arthur takes one last look at Francis' peaceful sleeping face and tousled hair fanned over the pillow before
leaving and shutting the door behind him.

He returns to Alfred and Matthew, who are lighting chatting between each other, to tell them that Francis is asleep. "Don't worry, he probably won't mind you staying here. Make yourself at home. Anyway, we should find you two somewhere to sleep."

They spend some time looking for spare pillows and duvets as well as camping mats since there is only one sofa big enough to sleep a person. This causes a heated battle of a coin flip between Matthew and Alfred to decide on who would get ownership of
the sofa. Alfred wails in defeat as the coin lands on tails, while a smug Matthew claims the sofa as his own.

"Unfair." Alfred pouts, collapsing onto the camping mats.

"Completely fair. It's only unfair when you don't win, isn't it."

Arthur has known Alfred for a very long time, they were friends throughout most of school and before, and happen to now be attending the same university. Of course, Matthew had been with Alfred almost everywhere he went, usually enjoying his solitude
in his shadow as the quiet twin, so he and Arthur are well acquainted. Arthur never usually has a problem with their company and sees no real reason not to help them out in their crisis, especially after knowing them for so long.

Arthur sticks around the living room as the two men (though technically still teens) attempt to get comfortable in the not-so-massive space. He does hope that Francis will actually be okay with them being there; they've only met briefly before and Arthur
now knows that Francis isn't always accepting of everything. He is a lot more complex than Arthur had originally anticipated, he can no longer really predict what Francis might do, exactly.

It'll be fine, he assures himself. I'll be fine and Francis will be fine and everything will be fine. But somehow Arthur finds himself worrying about Francis more than anything else. He hadn't intended on getting so close to him but it's probably
too late now, unless Francis really had decided that he hates him.

Arthur had been entertaining himself by reading a book, To Kill A Mockingbird to be exact, while in the company of his two guests when the click of a door made him look up. Francis is standing in the entrance to his bedroom, looking sleepy, miserable,
and understandably confused. He looks to Arthur with an unreadable expression, down to Alfred and Matthew who are just beginning to nod off in their makeshift beds, and back up to Arthur. Francis looks as though he is about to question why there are
two extra people suddenly sleeping in their flat but then seems to give up, not really caring enough to bother. He shuffles off to the bathroom, and then disappears back into his bedroom a few minutes later.

The silent encounter with Francis was odd but Arthur doesn't ponder on it. He is glad the Frenchman seemed okay enough but still feels regretful for not talking to or apologising to him during his brief appearance.

Arthur puts down his book and tidies up any remaining mugs and plates scattered around the flat. It is coming on midnight when he switches off the main lights while heading into his room, and a quiet voice calls out, "Arthur?"

Arthur looks back to beneath the sofa, able to make out a dark blob of a figure that moves to stand.

"What is it, Alfred?"

They look to the gently snoring form of Matthew on the sofa for a moment. Alfred moves around to furniture to get closer to Arthur. They speak in a quiet tone so as to not wake anyone up.

"Thank you Arthur, for letting us stay I mean. We'll try to find somewhere to rent as quickly as we can but it might take a bit of time."

"Don't worry about it Al, it's not like it's your fault. I'm happy to help."

"So, uhh. I was also wondering how you and Francis are. Like, I don't really know but weren't you two really chummy? It seems kinda tense around here; he didn't even ask about Mattie and I when he went to the bathroom. Is everything okay?"

Arthur is startled. Since when has Alfred been so observant? And he didn't even realise he was awake when Francis came in.

He chuckles. "Don't worry Alfred. We're fine, it's just… I don't even know."

"Have you got into a lover's fight?"

"What? No, we're not like that! Well…" Arthur hesitates, "at least that's what I thought. I don't really know, everything is rather confusing at the moment."

"Seriously, bro? This sounds like some proper romantic tension going on here. You probably wouldn't know since you're so inexperienced in love and everything but I've actually been known as the 'Matchmaker' in the past," Alfred exclaims proudly
(though quietly still), "I'm a professional in observing these situations."

Arthur snorts. "Possibly the only thing you're not oblivious about." he mutters under his breath. "But anyway, we don't need any help; it's not like I actually like him in that way."

"Whatever you say. Just remember to be honest with feelings and don't be afraid of other people, usually they're thinking the same thing as you."

Arthur was going to respond but Alfred had already slid back into his bed with a quick,

"Night night."

He sighs, and replies, "Goodnight Alfred, Matthew... Francis."

Arthur pulls his door closed behind him, hearing the click of the latch. He begins getting changed and wonders why Alfred is so convinced that something is going on between him and Francis. Does it really look like that to everyone else? Yes, they have
adopted a rather domestic lifestyle together but that is only for convenience. Well, he thinks, it doesn't matter what other people think. Our relationship won't be any different unless something were to actually happen between us.

Alfred's 'advice' comes to mind - to be honest with yourself. Arthur is perfectly honest with himself, the damn Yank, he's just not really familiar with the phenomenon of love. But with all the fuss about it, Arthur can't seem to identify exactly whether
love is something he feels or not.

He clambers into bed, sighing with happiness at remembering there's no class tomorrow. It'll at least give them time for Matthew and Alfred to sort out their situation a little and settle into their temporary home. At least they'll give he and Francis
some extra company, Arthur doesn't even want to think about having to keep up awkward conversation with Francis with no one to fill in the silence. Despite how irritating Alfred can be, his loudness can be nice.

Arthur turns out the lights and does his best to forget about his confrontation with Francis, singing songs in his head until tiredness takes over.


Yoo, hopefully this chapter was okay. I actually feel alright about this one, but idk. Yes, Eagle 1 and Mattress are now on the scene whoo! I think this fic will be getting a good few more chapters, though it won't go on forever cri. I'm too unimaginative
for that. I've been putting a fair bit of research and thought into ideas for my next fic and wow am I excited. But it'll be COMPLETELY different to this and probably not as organised in my uploading whoops, but whatever. It won't come for a while
though I'm afraid. (*´ω`*). Anyway, I'm babbling. Byebye!