Hold on to Us
Chapter 8
A/N: I just wanted to apologize for the late update. I've had a lot going on in my life. Moving...trying to find my own apartment, work, and my computer has gone out. Right now I'm actually doing this from my phone. So I apologize for any mistakes. Thank you for your patience.
It only took s few seconds of being out in the cold December air for Francis to turn back into his house, pick out a fluffy scarf and put on his boots. It we only after he was bundled up head to toe that he could make his way to the park where'd he meet his friends. From there, it was decided that would walk as group to the arcade for games and pizza.
The wind made it worse with its protests, whipping at his pale cheeks, leaving them and his nose painted bright pink. By the time he reached the park, he was sure his blood had froze to ice. It would have been better if they had all simply met up at the arcade instead. Who's dumb idea was it anyway?
He walked over to the swing set, claiming a swing for himself. Not that he had much competition to battle with. All the younger kids had been kept captive by their parents in their homes wit warm cups of cocoa and large bowls of soup. The park was basically deserted besides for the few brave, yet crazy souls who would not let the cold interrupt their exercise routine.
Francis waited for a good five minutes, kicking his legs back and forth before anyone else showed up.
Lovino spotted Francis before Francis did. It wasn't hard to see his figure on the swings, the ends that stuck out from his hat, swaying with the back and forth motion of the swing.
Francis didn't notice him until he was a few feet away, but when he did, he smiled, waving wildly. It would have embarrassed Lovino had others been around, but with it being just the two of them, he lifted his hand and waved back.
"Hey loser," He mumbled, sitting in the swing next to Francis. "We still waiting for Antonio and Arthur?"
Francis planted his feet on the ground to stop himself and nodded.
"Yeah," He said, smiling. "I like your scarf."
Lovino reddened, glancing down to remember what he had on. He didn't think the scarf was anything special. It was a simple scarf with an assortment of different sized black, grey, and blue stripes.
"Uh, thanks."
"You're welcome.
Absentmindedly, Lovino pulled the scarf a little tighter around his neck. It was a pretty warm scarf. He wouldn't admit that Francis complimenting it made him like it a little more now.
"I hope that Antonio will be more like himself today." Lovino looked over to at Francis, watching the other boy draw small circles into the ground with his toe. The smile he had greeted Lovino with was gone. "He's been so strange lately. Have you noticed?"
"Well duh..." Lovino said softly. "He just found out about the cancer. She's my aunt, and I'm upset it about it too."
Francis looked over, brows coming together as he gave Lovino a confused look. His pale fingers gripped the cold metal handles of the swings tighter.
"Wait. What are you talking about?"
Lovino blinked.
"Antonio's mom? Her cancer came back."
"What?" Francis' voice rose. He didn't understand. "She was cancer free a few years ago. How could it have come back?" Francis didn't even know it was possible for cancer to come back.
"Yeah, didn't...didn't Antonio tell you?"
Francis flushed. No he hadn't.
Lovino took the lack of response that Francis had known nothing. Lovino reddened as bright as Francis. He had assumed that Antonio would have told Francis, his boyfriend. He felt awkward now, sitting here on the swing with Francis silently thinking to his side.
"He didn't tell me either." Lovino said quickly. "I overheard his parents talking to nonno."
It made Francis feel a little better, but not much. He looked down touching the tip of his boots together. He just didn't beer stand why Antonio didn't trust him enough to tell him.
"But why wouldn't he tell me?" Francis asked softly. Were they not like brothers and even closer than that now that they were together?
"Hey guys."
Lovino and Francis both glanced up to see Arthur walking towards them.
"Antonio will be here soon. He came with me, but had to stop at the restrooms."
"You should have made sure he was alright. He needs that now more than ever!" Francis said.
"Yes I know Francis." Arthur huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "But he doesn't want us to baby him just because his mom's cancer came back again."
Francis faced darkened further. He pushed off the swing, walking over to Arthur. If he had looked upset before, the deepening frown lines only made him look even more upset.
"Wait, did Lovino tell you that?"
"No..." Arthur said slowly. "Antonio told me?"
"Antonio told you before me then! Before he even told his own boyfriend?"
"What did I tell him?" Antonio chirped appearing at Arthur's side. He smiled at Francis, reaching out to give him a hug. He tried to kiss his cheek but Francis shook himself out of Antonio's warm embrace.
"Antonio," He said firmly, looking the young Spanish boy directly into his green eyes. "Why didn't you tell me what was going on with mama?"
Paling, Antonio's expression fell and he looked over nervously over at Arthur for an explanation and some help.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Antonio stuttered.
Francis raised his hands, taking a step forward to Antonio.
"Don't try to think of another excuse or lie! Lovino told me! And Arthur told me that you told him. How is that that you trust him more than me?"
Antonio quickly shook his head, reaching for Francis' hand. He held it between his two hands, gently stroking the top.
"No! No, that's not true." He urged, hoping to make Francis understand. "It's just... I was scared."
Francis looked down at their hands. Antonio's were just s little bigger than his and he was wearing mittens so it made Francis' gloveless hands feel nice and warm. But it was the only warmth he felt at the moment.
"But why would you be scared to tell me and not Arthur?"
Antonio tried to think of what to say, but in truth he didn't know. He never meant to tell Arthur either. It just happened, slipping out before he could muzzle and control his words and emotions.
Lovino felt uncomfortable, watching them. He felt like he was on the outside, observing something terrible happening. Part of him, deep down...
Deep down.
Very deep.
That part of him wished and silently cheered for the argument to go on. Not to undermine how Antonio was probably feeling, but if it was him, he would have been honest with Francis from the beginning. He wouldn't let Francis feel like this.
Antonio did not intend for this either though.
"I don't know, Francis. I'm sorry. Don't be upset." He said softly. He tried again to smile. He took off one of his gloves and reached up to push hair from Francis cheek, and then ran his hand down to his cheek.
Francis shrunk away. He wrapped his arms over his chest, tucking his hands beneath them as he looked off.
"How can I not be? It's not just that I'm your boyfriend, I've been friends with you forever. I've always been here! Always!"
"And I know that Francis. I know! I told you. I don't know why I told Arthur first."
Arthur frowned, stepping in.
"It doesn't matter Francis. He's going through a hard time, and you're just matching it worse. Stop being such an arse."
Francis narrowed his eyes at Arthur, seething.
"I wasn't talking to you!" Francis hissed, shoving Arthur.
"I was talking to my boyfriend. My boyfriend."
Arthur shrugged, and laughed. "Well you're doing a shoddy job. I'd hate to have a boyfriend like you."
Francis lunged at Arthur, tackling him to the ground with his force and weight. He hit at Arthur's chest, but Arthur had practice from wrestling with his siblings. He grabbed Francis's arm, and wrestled his way to the top.
Both Antonio and Lovino fell immediately into action, trying to get the two boys off each other.
"Francis don't!" Antonio pleaded.
"Don't be an asshole, Arthur!" Lovino grunted
Before they could get the two separated, Francis managed to get Arthur across his bottom lip, splitting it at the corner. It wasn
't anything too bad though. As he rose to his feet, Arthur could taste the taste of iron from the blood on the tip of his tongue.
Francis escaped without any major bruises. His hat had merely been pulled off, leaving his hair a frazzled blond mess. Otherwise, he was without any visible harm.
"I don't want you guys to fight." Antonio said, taking both of their hands. "I'm sorry about not telling you Francis. I didn't do it on purpose, so why can't we move on? I'm really hungry and I want to have fun with my boyfriend and best friends."
Arthur brushed himself off, glaring at Francis, wondering why Antonio was still with the idiot.
"Whatever, Francis started it anyways."
"No you did! You were trying to steal my boyfriend!"
"Francis!"
Francis jumper, turning towards Lovino.
"No one is trying to steal your Antonio. Now let's all go and head for the arcade so we can eat. Or I'll have to take you all down." Lovino softened his voice, playing a hand gently on Francis' shoulder. "Okay?"
Francis shivered feeling Lovino's thumb brush over the bare part of his neck that his hat no longer shielded, right at the nape. He wasn't sure if it was the hang or gust of ice cold wind that did it.
"Okay."
Antonio let out a sigh of relief, hugging Francis tight.
"Thank you, amor! I'm sorry." He pulled back and planted a kiss directly on Francis' lips, freezing everything in time, even though it was such a brief kiss.
Francis' eyes widened, jumping out of their sockets in sheer surprise. He had been waiting for their first kiss, but had not expected it right there and the in front of their friends. And before he could react or enjoy it, it was over. Antonio pulled away with that idiotic smile on his face.
"You two make me sick." Lovino mumbled, putting a cage around his jealousy, rolling his eyes towards the clouds.
"What I wanted to say." Arthur added under his breath.
Antonio and Francis didn't hear their comments, too busy giggling at each otherX the anger and worry in the two seemed to melt just enough with the kiss.
Something Lovino and Arthur could both use at the time...
"Please stop making weird faces at each other." Lovino groaned, as the four of them left the park and headed for the arcade.
