"Do you honestly believe that?" Toris asked softly as he sipped his tea. He couldn't believe what was truly going on. Something about it didn't make any sense and yet Alfred was hell bent on saying it was all true. Neither of them truly knew Sadik, The only thing they could say for sure was that he could not be trusted, he was just like Arthur. It was truly amazing though to think that the skeptical and calculating Alfred F. Jones could possibly fall for what was obviously a trick, or was it?
"Look at what we know." Alfred whispered not wanting to wake anyone up. He was tired but he could not sleep. He had continuously checked on Matthew after Kiku went to bed. "He is blonde and so are we. He has blue eyes and so do I. He has long wavy hair and so does Mattie. He knew our mother, raised her even, he constantly tells me how much he loved her…"
Toris sighed. "Yet your mother had blue eyes as well right?" Alfred nodded. "You love Matthew right?" Again the other nodded. "Yet would you fuck him." A deadly glare but he glared right back. He had to prove a point. "Francis raised your mother but it doesn't mean he felt romantically toward her. Anyone with half a brain can see he loves Arthur."
"Toris is right Alfred. You can't deny those facts as well as what Sadik had told you." Vash said as he stirred his tea. Both Toris and himself were up discussing about Alfred when he came to join them. At first he had been angry at them for wanting to help pay the bills that Vash had been to an interview for a nice job that would pay by the hour making decent money. It was for a Swiss company that needed a translator. It would take a huge load off of Alfred's back but the stubborn bastard had smacked him upside his head and told him to keep the money for his sister and himself. "There is no telling what that bastard is truly thinking or if he can truly be trusted."
Alfred leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily. "I'm going to confront him anyway. I want to hear it from him, to know if he is truly the bastard that fathered us!" he growled out. Why couldn't they see he needed to know? He fucked that man and if he was his father…
"We understand we truly do but if you do something rash…Arthur will not take it lightly. Alfred…" Toris placed his hand on Alfred's in a supportive way. "We are thinking of you and your brother when we say to just let it go."
"I can't. I have to know for sure…" he grit his teeth and buried his face into his hands. "I have to know…if I indeed was fucked by my own father!" he bit his lip, trying hard not to shout and alert the others.
Vash shook his head. "And if he is your father what then?" he wanted to know if there was some sort of plan or if it was simply for closure. Alfred was hard to read, hard to guess.
Alfred remained silent. He had not thought that far ahead. He had not thought of what he would actually do if it was indeed true. Just the thought alone made him want to vomit. If Francis was indeed his father what then? They catch up on father and son activities like play catch? He balled his fist tightly. No, he would beat the bastard until he bleed and then some. Though, when it came down to it, could he actually harm him?
"Alfred…calm down." Toris placed his hand on Alfred's causing him to jump at the touch and draw his hand away. His breathing picked up and he began to tremble. Blue eyes dulled slightly as they shot from person to person in the room. The others began to panic. Alfred wasn't seeing them. He was seeing those from his line of work, so few names to match the faces and too many faces to match names. He took a step back and hugged himself. Everyone could see that it was getting worse. Alfred's anxiety and fear was catching up to him and it wouldn't be long before he was exposed and Mattie found out. There wasn't much more he could take before losing it completely. The others could see it clearly, three years of bottling everything inside of him was now starting to over flow.
It took some time, but Alfred was able to calm himself down enough to think straight. Arthur expected him there that night. Mattie was in no condition to do much. He would need help. He turned his blue eyes to his friends and before he could utter a single word they smiled softly and spoke.
"We will watch over him Alfred. It's the least we can do for you." Vash said softly.
Loviano and Feliciano nodded in unison. They had kept quiet about the whole situation, unsure of how to answer or react. "We a hope you do what you can." Lovi said in the kindest voice he could muster. "Alfredo, know a we got you back." Feli encouraged as he smiled.
Toris smiled softly. He knew Alfred trusted him most with the care of his brother. "We swear nothing will happen to him." He placed his hand on Alfred's shoulder as a sign of reassurance.
Alfred nearly broke down in tears as he looked to his friends. Each brought together by hell and bonded through their common goal of protecting those that followed them. Long ago they had all agreed that if something should happen to any of them in that hell, that the others would do all they could to help the other's siblings. For them, it was a safe bet that they would be true to their word and foster their family members and treat them well. It had been Toris who suggested it and the others found nothing they could argue about it, save that Alfred wasn't sure if he wanted to leave Matthew with them for the soul fact that his bills were too much. It would drive them into debt like himself. He instead agreed to take in the others but if it came down to it, Matthew would go to Kiku to care for.
He sighed heavily. His relationship with Kiku was strained now. He wasn't sure what his best friend would do if it came down to it. Would Kiku keep his promise and care for Matthew if something were truly to happen to him? It scared the shit out of him to think of what would happen to his twin if he weren't around.
"You a need to a talk to him." Feli said as he touched Alfred's hand lightly. The blonde looked at him with uncertainty. "You a not know what happen. What a if he say is true?" He had to remain hopeful for Alfred's sake. He had spent very little time with Kiku but he knew his heart was in a good place and that he was truly and deeply in love with Alfred. He could see it in the way he looked at him and the way he spoke of him and to him.
Lovi nodded his head. "What a if the bastardo was telling the truth huh? What if he never a touch you? You a say you self you were drugged, who a is to say he a did what you say? Has he a ever lie to you before?" he knew the truth. Arthur had told them to drug the boy and it was to be by Feliciano's hand.
Blue eyes narrowed with uncertainty. "And what if he was lying?" Alfred couldn't recall the last time he had, Kiku was fairly honest but then again he had promised him that he would never set foot in that hell. He had earned his distrust then and to wake up to see him there…it was too much for him.
"Then it a up to you to decide." Feli smiled at him, hopeful and wishing Alfred could see what was truly going on. Kiku was in love with him and he was too blind to see it.
He sighed and laid his head on his arms. "I honestly don't know. I can't really bring myself to trust him after what happened. Even if he didn't do anything, he still betrayed me by purchasing me for the night and…"
"He wanted to pay your debt…" Toris said softly not looking at him and staring at his hot cup of black tea with lemon and honey. He could feel Alfred's eyes as they bore into him for more information. He would get nothing from him, nothing more then what was said. It was he who had denied Kiku that right, knowing the true reason Alfred would never agree to the purchase of his contract even if Arthur did.
"Do you fucking know what they would do?!" he growled lowly, his eyes narrowing in anger. "If he were to do that then I would lose the protection I have on Mattie! As long as I am under contract to that bastard Mattie is under his protection and under that he is under my protection from him! IE, he protects Mattie and in no way can place him under contract or even lay one vile disgustingly deformed finger on him!" Alfred's grip on his glass of apple juice tightened and it began to crack.
"Well I stopped him now didn't I?" Toris raised his voice slightly. He already knew all of that because Alfred had told him. He knew parts of Alfred's contract but not fully. Hell he couldn't even remember most of his but somehow Alfred had been able to memorize his and it was a few hundred pages long. "It's the simple fact he came to me to ask the price. It's the fact he wanted to and was willing to, Alfred." Couldn't he see what was so clearly there for him?
Alfred lowered his head unsure of how to react to this. Kiku had betrayed him, had gone behind his back and paid for him, took advantage of him even but…the bastard had gone and tried to pay his debt and buy his contract. He couldn't understand him and there was no way he was willing to. The grandfather clock in the hall near the living room began to chime. It was now six in the morning and he stood up to start breakfast. He didn't care for the other's disapproving looks. There was nothing that would change what had happened. Kiku had betrayed him.
Once the cooking got under way, the smell of crisp bacon and fresh eggs welcomed the pitter patter of feet as they ran down for their morning meal. Raivis was one of the last down, opting to help Lili down the stairs. Over the course of time, they had become close friends and he rarely ever left her side. As for Eduard, he became too attached to Kiku's computer and so was given it as Kiku just went and bought the next upgrade anyway, much to his excitement. Mei and Mao were happy to have a younger sister in Lili and started staying the night in Alfred's home just chatting the nights away with the young girl much toVash's relief. As for Im Young Soo and Kaoru, they became good friends with both Eduard, Matthew and the Vargas Brothers. Kiku and Vash seemed to hit it off well enough and Mathias just refused to leave anymore and Alfred could swear he just started moving his shit into one of the rooms upstairs. Even if he did, Alfred couldn't care he was welcome in their odd family. As his blue eyes looked fondly upon his family, he couldn't help but feel contempt in knowing that Matthew had others to talk to and rely on. He had seen it when Matthew had his episode, how they all pulled together to help in some way or another. It made him so happy that he was nearly ready to burst with joy. He closed his eyes and sighed happily. If something were to happen to him, Matthew would be in good hands.
All was well, until Alfred caught Kiku staring at him. It was a look somewhere between I'm so sorry and we really need to talk now that I'm not cowering in fear of a thunderstorm. Alfred gave him another look one that said he was forgiven but his trust was not going to be as easy to fix. He could tell the Japanese man wanted more than anything to walk over and talk to him but knew better then to do so. He knew it had to wait and something else was wrong. For some reason, Kiku was avoiding Matthew. This hurt Alfred deeply because Kiku was the one who was to care for Matthew should something happen and even though all the others were there, no one but Kiku knew him well enough and had the money to afford his bills.
Yao walked in and set a large basket of fresh fruits on the table. It was over flowing with pomegranates, apples, strawberries, grapes both white and purple, pineapples, and passion fruit, when he received a questioning look from his once lover, Yao just laughed. "It was sent from a company wishing for business. I have no use for it all so I thought you and your family would like it." Truthfully, Yao had seen it the night before and so thought of the odd family living on his estate.
The blonde smiled softly and tilt his head to the side. "You mean our family." He looked back down at his half sliced chives and continued his chopping unknowing of the effect those words had on the elder man. Even with all his adoptions, Yao had always felt so distanced from them but here and now, looking around and replaying the child's words in his mind he allowed his tears to fall. "Our family…" he repeated softly. Somehow, Alfred just knew how to turn him into a puddle of mush and he leaned on the counter for support as his tears of joy flowed down his cheeks. He had a family now, a true honest to god family and it was all thanks to a child he had spent the night with on a whim.
Crash! Alfred's heart skipped beat as his eyes shot to the last place he had seen Mattie. He wasn't there. He scanned the crowed of his family to no avail. Without thinking he moved around the counter. "Matthew!" he screamed his brother's name over and over again searching for his brother frantically. A thousand possibilities shot through his head as his panic increased with every second he could not find those blue-violet eyes.
A hand was placed on his shoulder. Without thinking he quickly turned around and smacked his hand hard across a cheek. Panting as if he had been running for hours, he quickly recoiled until he hit the wall. 'Oh no…' he thought to himself. 'I just struck a husband…' His whole body began to shake as he hugged himself, trying to keep steady. 'I'm going to lose him…I'll never see Mattie again! I killed him…I killed my brother!' he repeated it over and over again. "…d." someone said something…who? "…red." It was a familiar voice breaking through the suffering chants her repeated over and over. "ALFRED!" his eyes shot up from the floor and stared into those of the ever lovely blue-violet's he had so desperately searched for. Forgetting everything for the time, Alfred ran over and wrapped his arms around his twin; just to be sure he was truly there. He was warm…he was alive. Pulling away to look at his brother's face he saw the pigmentation of a forming bruise. "Oh my god Mattie are you okay?" he asked panicking as an elder brother would. Concern soon faded to anger as he stared at the mark. Someone had hit his brother! Someone had laid their hand on his beloved twin and when he found that person he would make them pay dearly! "Mattie, who the hell hit you?!"
Tears began to form in those blue-violet eyes. "Alfred…what's going on? Tell me!" he held him tightly. "Alfred don't shut me out anymore, whatever's going on you can tell me!" Matthew pulled away to look at him.
"I don't care about that right now! Who the hell hit you?!" he cried out, looking around at the others for the guilty party. All eyes laid on him with shock and confusion.
Matthew narrowed his eyes. "You honestly don't know?" he whispered. Alfred turned to him, glaring, wanting to know. "I-It was you."
It all hit at once, like a house had fallen on top of him. The hand was not a husband's; the cheek was not a husband's. It was Mattie. The whole time it was Mattie! He had struck his brother out of fear and marred his skin with a horrifying bruise. He had hurt the one dearest to him. His blue eyes wandered down to his hands. The very hands that have offended his brother. The very hands he had sworn to use to protect him.
The younger twin moved closer to his brother. Something was wrong with him. Something was horribly wrong and he didn't know what to do to help him. "Alfie…"
The said twin backed up quickly, backing away and hitting a stand and knocking a flower vase to the ground. The shattering sound reminded him of the sound a rum bottle made when it struck the wall near one's head. Another wave of panic rushed threw him. He couldn't stay. No, he just couldn't because their eyes weighed so heavily upon him. They bore down on him mercilessly as his rugged breath quickened in pace and he glanced a quick look at the door.
Mattie knew that look. Alfred was going to bolt for the door and escape to god knows where. He wouldn't let it happen. Not again. Alfred spent too much time away from him and it was starting to show. They were distant now, further then he would have ever liked it. Eyes narrowing when he saw his brother's leg muscles tense. "Alfred, don't!" As if signaled, the elder blonde bolted out the door.
Anger and rage filled the younger blonde. Why was it that Alfred always ran from him? Why couldn't he tell him the fucking truth?! What the hell was so wrong with that? As if a light went off in his head, he turned to the one person who would know the truth. The one person who seemed to be closer to his brother then he himself. He would get his answers, one way or another he would get his answers.
~/-*-\~
His legs pushed off the asphalt with force great enough to push him forward. It was cold and the ground was slippery from the mid winter rain, something that often happened on the island. He just wanted to forget that he had harmed his brother, even out of fear and delusion. The look in his eyes…the look his brother gave him. He couldn't get it out of his mind no matter what he thought about. Everything seemed to lead back to his brother. In the end, it was all about his brother, everything for Mattie.
He fought the tears as he made his way past Sadik's pit. It was really no surprise that the bastard was outside, smoking god knows what before he licked his lips when their eyes made contact. Alfred froze momentarily, looking at him with a heated gaze, before quickly moving on to the one place he hated most. Without so much as a thought he was in the door and up the stairs running past the now empty room and down the hall to his room. If there was any time he had wished that the door had a lock this was it. He didn't want to be bothered by anyone.
Sighing he turned to his bed to see the ripped tatters of the once lovely wedding dress that Ivan had given to him. Slowly, he made his way to the dress he had hoped to see Belle dressed in, walking down the aisle toward her brother who was in full health. The music playing in the background as she slowly made her way up the aisle; make up slightly running due to her tears of sheer joy, Matthew silently whispering sweet nothings to console her. He had wished such would be true, with all his heart he had allowed himself to hope that there would be a happy ending if not for him then most defiantly for Matthew. For all he has done for him, Alfred still could not find it in him to be selfish even for a moment.
"I can never tell you…" he said softly. "God Matthew…if you ever knew…" he banished the thought, finding it too tragic to think of. If Matthew ever knew, what would he say? Mattie never spoke fondly of those who worked in the red light district. He called them diseased ridden money grubbing sluts willing to spread their legs for a fraction a real job would pay. Alfred snickered. What if Mattie knew that one of those diseased ridden sluts was his brother? What would he say then?
He sat back in the chair and looked up at the ceiling. What was he to do if he saw Francis? If he hit him, Arthur was sure to make him pay for it. He wouldn't admit to it but he cared about Francis a lot. Their history together was vague to him but he knew they were somehow connected to his mother. Yet, what if Francis was trying to keep Arthur from knowing that he was the Father of Aiyana's children? His heart ached and the tears began to fall. What if Francis abandoned his sons just for the sake of being with Arthur? God knows he wanted the bastard. He thought about it more and all he could think of was that he knew nothing and it only enraged him more. If Francis was their father, he would be sure to make him pay for it dearly, for abandoning his sons to fend for themselves.
Suddenly, he was jostled from his thoughts as the door clicked open. He turned quickly, fearing it was Arthur coming to punish him for giving up the other Class Ones. His heart raced wondering just what kind of punishment it would be. A beating or forcing him into another bout of sex.
His eyes locked on wavy blonde hair and vibrant blue eyes. "Bonjour."
~/-*-\~
Kiku sat in his room thinking about what was going on. Alfred had been so terrified that he had hit his brother. The look in his eyes seemed to be horrified at what had occurred. Alfred was losing it mentally. His charade was faltered now and Matthew was beginning to see inside. All his years of concealing and hiding his emotions were beginning to shine through. The fear and worry were eating away at him, tearing him apart from the inside out.
He sighed and threw himself back on the bed. "Nani?" he asked hearing someone enter the room. He didn't want to be bothered. He was too busy trying to figure out what was going on and how to help his beloved Alfred.
"Kiku…" Instantly he shot up from the bed and looked at the door. There stood Alfred, leaning on the door frame eyes closed and head pointed down. "We need to talk." Kiku quickly moved to him but he dared not to touch him.
"Hai, so desu ka?" he asked moving him to the bed. "What do you want to talk about?" he asked wondering if Matthew had seen him come home. "Your brother is so worried about you. Why did you run? I'm sure if you explain it to him he would understand."
Alfred shook his head. "No, he won't. Mattie would never understand…" he turned his blue eyes to him and Kiku nearly lost it. "Mattie will never understand, I wish there was a way but he wouldn't…"
"Talk to him, tell him from the start that you did it for him." He smiled a caressed the blonde's cheek. "Alfred, you need to stop shutting him out." He knew Alfred had to, if he was going to make things work out in the end. Matthew needed to know. The longer it took for him to tell him the worse it would be in the end. It was then Alfred did something he had not expected. Alfred straddled him, pressing his body against his own. "Alfred…" he looked up at him questionably.
The blonde looked him in his eyes and smiled. "Then tell me, how do I go about and tell him?" his hand cupped Kiku's face and he tilt into it, holding his hand on the one cupping his cheek. "I need your help Kiku, I'm so lost…"
The Japanese son stared into those lovely blue eyes he had loved for so many years. Alfred needed him and he felt so wonderful knowing that. Here was the love of his life, straddling him and looking so fucking beautiful. Yet, he sighed wishing it was all true. From the moment he walked in the door he knew the truth. Anyone else would have been fooled but Kiku had known them the longest.
Without warning, he kicked his leg up and laid Alfred on the bed with him on top staring down at him. The look in his eyes faltered for a mere second showing fear before reverting to just what Alfred would do. "What the hell?!" he growled out. Kiku sighed and held him tightly. "Are you saying you're not in the mood?" He wasn't sure how long the other would hold out, but he knew it wouldn't be long.
Softly, he ran his hand lightly down the soft body in a loving way. His eyes forever locked on the extravagant blue that was displayed. They were close, so close to the lovely eyes he was so fond of. "Mmmhm, you look nice today." He commented. "I wonder, how responsive is your body?" he pressed his lips to Alfred's neck causing him to shutter and gasp. He chuckled lightly and cupped the blonde's cheek with his hand. "It seems you want it, shall I oblige?"
The blonde seemed lost. He was unable to decide as his eyes shot from side to side looking at two sides of an argument. By the look on his face, neither side seemed appealing. Kiku snorted and moved to sit up; he never intended to go far. Alfred would kill him if he did. Even now he ran a great risk of being exposed and driving the stake further between them. Yet, unexpectedly, a pair of arms shot up and wrapped around his neck, pulling him into a sloppy kiss. The manner of it was cautious and unknown, marking the kiss as inexperienced and somewhat experimental. It was as if it were the first time he was kissing a man. Kiku's fear spiked and he pulled away quickly, throwing the other down on the bed once more before backing away quickly. "Damn it!" he growled out. He narrowed his eyes at the confused blonde on the bed; a cute blush on his face complimented the slight irritated look he held.
"Wasn't that what you wanted?!" the other barked before crossing his arms. It was clear Alfred was after something and Kiku knew what it was. He wasn't stupid.
He shook his head and plopped down in the chair next to the desk. "It wasn't supposed to go that far! I was only messing with you." God if he found out Kiku was a dead man. "I can't believe you would go as far as to do this, I thought I was your friend!" he buried his head in his hands. No one would believe it.
Blue eyes widened in surprise. All this time he had thought he fooled him. "When did you…" he couldn't think of how he slipped up, of how he somehow managed to faulted his almost perfect replication. He had it nailed! The hair, the eyes, the attitude…When had the charade been up?
Kiku sighed and looked at his reflection in the mirror. "He would never be like that to me. Your brother…he, he isn't like that." It was hushed, yet the pain was still there. He could see the longing the other held. He could see the want, the passion, the love he wished to share but wasn't able to. "I'm going to forget all this happened." He turned to the other with serious eyes. "I ask you to please keep this from your brother. No matter what you say it will be my fault."
Alfred nodded as he stood up and walked to the door. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I just want to know what's wrong with him." Tears began to prick his eyes. "He looked so terrified…like he had just killed someone…I know he worries about me and I do care but…" he gave a forced smile as he let the tears fall from his face. "He doesn't seem to care that I worry about him too."
Sighing, the Japanese man stood up and wrapped his arms around the younger blonde. It seemed as though everything was let loose then. It was as if the damn had shattered as the smaller male shook from his cries. Softly, he cooed kind words to him, reassuring the blonde that everything would be okay. "Come on Mattie, calm down. You know Alfred cares."
"I know…" he sobbed. "But he could show it…I fucking hit the only woman I have ever loved because she bad mouthed him!" he buried is head into the chest of the other, finding that there was comfort in the confession. "I'll never get her back…"
Smiling, Kiku curled his finger under the other's chin, forcing him to look into his eyes. "Alfred saw to remedying that. He asked me to help and so I have. Belle is going to be over soon, so I suggest you look like yourself and not Alfred." Never before had he seen the young blonde's eyes light up so. He thanked him a thousand times as he ran from the room and into his own.
Turning to lay on the bed once more, he let himself drop. "Alfred…you owe me big time for this." She had been difficult on the phone, screaming and shouting like he had been the one to offend her. Though, after he explained what happened after she left, she seemed forgiving and agreed that he did not seem himself. She was all too willing to blame it on the episode and said she would come as soon as possible. He smiled softly, knowing that he never expected anything in return but the sheer happiness in his beloved's eyes when he watched his brother smile. The only way to truly make Alfred happy was to make Matthew happy.
~/-*-\~
Francis walked into the room smiling happily, like he always had. "'ow 'ave you been mon ami?" he asked walking closer to the blonde who seemed to just glare at him. He couldn't recall offending him, and on the last day Alfred seemed comforted by his reassuring words. Of all those who lived in the world, he held a deep connection with Alfred. One that reminded him much of the one he had for Arthur. Alfred was a kind soul, one many people would take advantage of. He wasn't one to watch people suffer, but instead take the suffering on himself.
Oblivious to the dark intentions of the other he moved closer with that ever cheerful grin of his. "I must say you are in for quite a treat! Art'ur has suc' fun planned for you!" He was upset to say the least. Arthur had never gone so far for him before. He was jealous of the young blonde. Arthur had out done himself and the eager childish expression was one he had not seen since Aiyana was alive.
Rage and anger consumed him he struggled to keep his cool. Yet, it was a losing battle. Alfred could only see the man as the foul bastard that abandoned his mother and them. The vile beast that refused to care for the lives he brought into the world! How dare he show his face! How dare he have the balls to he slept with his own flesh and blood! Without thinking, Alfred ran at Francis placing a well deserved punch to his jaw. The blonde heard the audible snap of his teeth closing shut as the pain in his hand swelled. The elder, taken by utter surprise, stumbled back until gravity won and he collapsed to the floor. Alfred stood over him, tears threatening to fall.
Blue eyes locked on the other as he looked up at him, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth, eyes searching for an explanation. "W'at was t'at about?!" the Frenchman screamed loudly, unsure of what he had done to offend the child. It was true he had not expected him to act so violently. Alfred wasn't that kind of person unless truly provoked. Francis could think of nothing that he had done that lead to this kind of behavior in the boy. Never before had he seen such a look of true hate!
"You don't know?!" Alfred's voice shock as he spoke. "Why would you know?! You were probably drunk off your ass!" he fought the tears as he took a step back. The hit was bruising; it would be some time before it would heal completely. He was fucked because Arthur was going to ream his ass for it. He didn't care at the moment. He had to address the issue at hand. "I can't believe it…with you…of all fucking people…it was with you…" he moved toward the elder, gripping him by the collar and pulled him to his feet. Blue eyes locked with blue eyes in a raging storm where neither one willing to give way. "How dare you abandon us!"
Francis let him rant and rave. The more the boy spoke the more he was able to piece the puzzle together no matter how slowly it was. Alfred was angry but about what he couldn't say. "W'at are you ranting on about? Mon ami please, tell moi so I may 'elp you." He reached his hand to caress the blonde's cheek, and action he came to know calmed him. Yet, Alfred released him and moved away holding himself. Something was truly wrong.
"If you had been there for us…" he whispered. "I wouldn't have become this…" he looked up at the other pathetically, not even a kicked puppy could match his sorrow. "Did you even care what happened to us?" he stepped forward. "WHAT DID WE DO TO DESERVE YOUR HATE?! WHY DID YOU ABANDON US?!" he screamed painfully fueled by his inner turmoil. "What did we do? Tell me…" he narrowed his eyes in rage. "TELL ME!" there was no sound. Not an utter of a single word and that angered him even more. His rage won out and he pushed the man roughly nearly knocking him on his ass again. "TELL ME FATHER!"
Francis' eyes widened like a deer in headlights before it was hit. The breath was latterly knocked out of his lungs and he collapsed to the floor staring absently at the younger male. So that was the reason for his sudden outburst. That was what this was all about and he couldn't blame him. He himself hated his father for killing his mother, for abandoning him because he was a bastard son. Unable to think of anything to say, he began to laugh awkwardly.
Alfred felt ready to kill the wicked brute right then and there for having the balls to laugh in his face! Was their life that much of a fucking joke? His own father was laughing at him so it had to be. Nothing seemed to make any sense and his confusion didn't help. He was losing it big time and he wasn't sure if Francis would live much longer. If he wanted to laugh, he would give him something to laugh about!
Seeing the anger in the other's face, he reframed from laughing and grew serious. "W'ere 'ave you 'eard such nonsense?" he asked. There was no possible way that Alfred could have come up with this on his own. Someone was behind this and he would find out whom. It wasn't funny and whoever was doing this was going to pay dearly for it, it was a promise.
"Sadik said…"
It all made sense now. "SADIK?!" he howled. "SADIK IS THE CAUSE OF EVERYT'ING!" Francis stood up and gripped Alfred's arm. "If it had not been for Sadik your mother would be alive to this day!" his voice cracked and he had to look away from the boy. Yes, it was all Sadik's doing. It was because of him Aiyana was murdered. Sadik…when had Alfred met Sadik? He turned to the blonde with sorrowful eyes. "Sadik…you didn't…" The guilt ridden look said it all. His heart ached with pity as he held him tightly in his arms. "Oh Alfred!"
The younger blonde struggled to free himself. "Let go of me!" he screamed, not wanting the sickening hands all over him. Francis held him tightly, just as he had the day Aiyana was taken from world. After all, it had been Alfred that was in her arms when the shot rang through the cold night. The more he struggled, the more tears that shed from the elder's eyes. "Hush, please…" the other refused and tried his best to brake free. He held the other's face with his hands forcing him to look him in the eyes. "Alfred, I am not your father…"
Alfred broke free and stepped back. "Liar! I see the resemblance! Your wavy hair matched Mattie's and your eyes are the same as mine!" He stormed forward, fueled by the growing rage with in him. "You raped her! You forced yourself on my mother and she gave birth to your bastard!" his broken voice echoed off the walls without any remorse.
The Frenchman lost his calm then. "HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE ME OF SUC' A VILE ACT!" he bellowed. He would never have laid a hand on his precious Aiyana! How dare her son accuse him of such a wicked and coldhearted deed! Yet, it pained him all the same. The fact that one of her sons could hate him so much based on a cowards words alone.
"How could you sleep with me?! Your own flesh and blood?!" he weakly gripped Francis' frilly lace shirt and stared at him pitifully. "Didn't you care…why didn't you love us?"
"I SWARE TO YOU ON ART'UR'S LIFE I AM NOT YOUR FAT'ER!" The boy shook in his arms, like the baby he had held after his mother's untimely death. Fear, confusion, betrayal, loneliness and sorrow all greeted the young boy, plaguing his very soul with the knowledge that what was spoken was the undying truth. Francis gave him a kind look and caressed his cheek, wishing to god Alfred had been his. "Mon ami, I never did stop even for an instant in loving you bot'." he whispered softly. "After your mot'er…" he paused trying not to hurt the other anymore then he already was. "We tried to raise you, Art'ur and I…but 'e couldn't 'andle it. You reminded 'im so muc' of Aiyana, 'e began to drink 'eavily." He ran his hand threw the child's hair, soothing him if only slightly. "'e began to turn violent. Moi came 'ome one day to find 'im in a drunken rage. "e tras'ed t'e nursery and…" Francis fell to his knees before him. "T'ere ware bruises around your neck…'e 'ad tried but even in 'is drunken rage 'e couldn't…" he turned to the floor and stared at his hands as if they were foreign to him. "I took you two away, I 'ad to be sure 'e could not 'arm you again…I left you in t'e orp'anage t'inking adorable twins would not last t'ere long. I truly t'ought you would be taken by a kind couple w'o would truly love you…Moi was wrong! Moi was so 'orribly wrong! For years I would walk past and see you playing wit' your brot'er, protecting 'im and I could do not'ing to 'elp!" his body shook violently with his sobs as Alfred stood wide eyed listening to his confession. "One day, moi 'eard t'e commotion and 'eard your brot'er screaming your name…" his eyes burned with hate and anger. "Moi ran in to see t'at bitc' wit' 'er 'ands around your neck…I 'ad to stop 'er, I 'ad to make 'er stop…"
Alfred took a step back. "No…" he whispered as he recalled the memory. "It was you…" Francis looked up and smiled. "You were the angel that saved me…"
"I never stopped caring for you two. Not a single day." He whispered. "W'en Art'er kidnapped you and told me of 'is plans…I begged 'im not to." He chuckled with ill humor. "'e is so stubborn." His eyes turned back to Alfred with filled with pity. "I only asked for you because after w'at 'e did to you…I knew you would never want to love anot'er. I took you only for t'e sake of saving you. I wanted you to know t'at amour could feel true as if a gift from god 'imself. I wanted you to know amour, to know t'at it can feel wonderful. T'ere is such a t'ing as passion, as romance, as amour. I wanted you to know t'at. A world wit' out amour…" he buried his face in his hands crying into them years of withheld feelings. "Is a world Art'ur lives in. My beloved is so blinded by 'is rage and 'ate 'e can't see t'at t'ere is someone w'o loves 'im…"
Unrequited love. Now it was Alfred's turn to pity Francis. The man loved Arthur with all his heart and soul but never will he get any of it back. Arthur didn't care for Francis, not as long as Alfred was around. It was his fault, because of his existence that the perfect couple could not be together. He had seen Arthur when Francis went off to France. He was always so bitter and hateful when he wasn't passed out from excessive drinking. The Brit would never openly admit to it, but he cared deeply for the handzy Frenchman.
"I could accept t'ere love. Aiyana was a good woman and s'e loved 'im so…but w'at 'e 'as done to you…" he felt warm arms wrap around him. Shocked, he looked up to find the child holding him tightly, just as he had done earlier to him. "Alfred?"
"Merci." He whispered. Francis was not lying; he could see it in the elder's eyes that his words were true. Francis had asked for nothing and had not once lied to him, Sadik had asked so much and all he spewed from his mouth were lies. "Merci."
He smiled as Francis returned the hug, accepting the apology. He could not be angry at the boy. He didn't know the truth and no one was willing to speak it. The death of Aiyana was no accident and it was far from natural. The murderer was a man that he would never name because he would try once more to claim what was never his. The twins belonged solely to Aiyana.
~/-*-\~
Francis had left the room shortly after their talk. He was worried about Arthur seeing the bruise and what he would do to Alfred when he found out, so he left to apply make-up. He wouldn't say anymore, his vow to Aiyana remained heavy in his heart. 'No one is to know…' her panicking voice still so emanate in his mind. 'Francis, please! Don't tell anyone, especially Arthur! I don't want him to suffer for it!' Tears softly fell from his eyes as his body grew weak. He cupped his hand over his mouth and cried softly into it. "Aiyana…'e s'ould know…for t'em 'e s'ould know…" he bit his lip and moved to the hidden picture he had of her. It was the only picture that survived Arthur's ransacking. Cold tears dropped onto her perfectly frozen smile. "Your Alfred is suc' a strong c'ild, just like you. 'e 'as your spirit, your grace, your c'arm…" he looked about his room. It was here she had come to him. Here where she had told him everything, here that changed their lives forever when he made a vow to the child he saved so many years ago.
~/-*-\~
Alfred banished the whole ordeal from his mind and wondered solely about what the so called "Fun" was going to be. Whenever Arthur mentioned fun it usually ended up with him strapped to something, legs spread and being physically and verbally abused. He sighed heavily and made his way to the kitchen after finding his throat soar and dry. Yelling at Francis had not helped him any.
The blonde moved down the empty hall with not a sound to be heard. It was eerie but none the less welcomed by the loud hustle and bustle of his life. He hoped to find some dried green tea leaves and a fresh lemon and with luck a bit of honey. That would ease the throbbing in his throat and hopefully cover the signs of his cough. Luckily the medicine was doing the trick, for now. By his guess it was a simple cold and that he would pull through it, like he always did.
There was some shuffling in the room and he froze, hand on the doorknob. His heartbeat raced and he held his breath not wishing to make a single sound. It could be Arthur behind the door, an angry drunken druggie Arthur who had a taste for blood. His body shook of all people he didn't want to see him, not until he was meant to. There came more shuffling and finally faint voices. "I'm scared…"
"I know you're scared but if we do what he asks we'll have warm beds to sleep in and full bellies."
"I told you both that I can handle it. Don't worry about me because I can do it without you two." Third voice said with little emotion. "You guys don't have to get dragged into this…"
"All for one remember? No secrets, no lies, no shame all for one." The second voice said softly.
Fists slammed against the table. "Emil is too fucking young! He shouldn't be doing this Tino."
"Calm down Lukas, he's eighteen and he chose this." The one he guessed was Tino responded.
Alfred steeled himself up. There were three brothers in that room, the youngest being eighteen, all the new recruits that would face the life of a Class One. He would have to meet them sooner or later and he much preferred it when Arthur wasn't around, that way their emotions were free. Taking a deep breath he opened the door and looked to the three men before him. Three pairs of eyes stared at him as he made his way inside the room. They were questioning him, just as Vash and the others once had. He gave a warm hearted smile to them before bowing. "Hello, I'm Alfred F. Jones, it's a pleasure to meet you." He extended his hand to them but none made a move toward him.
"What are you here? Are you like the Frenchman or that fucker Arthur?" The one wearing a blue hat spat out, the one he guessed was Lukas. He was the eldest of the three that much he could see.
"I'm like neither. I hold a contract with Arthur." He moved to the fridge and pulled out the white grape juice. "I take it you are the new group." His voice faltered as he looked to the youngest of them. Eighteen, at eighteen Alfred was placed in the middle of a gang of cops just shortly after his unveiling as a Class One.
By the looks on their faces they were surprised to say the least. "How long?" he heard Emil ask. Alfred held the cup steady in his hand and smiled to the other, trying to reassure him that it didn't bother him as much as it truly did. "Three years." There was an audible gasp.
The middle of them, the one who had to be Tino stepped forward. "You look so young…how old are you if you don't mind me asking…" he was clearly curious and not out to offend the other. "I understand if you don't want to say…it's your own business and we don't know each other…"
"I gave you my name so you know me." He giggled slightly and sipped his juice. "I'm nineteen."
"Sixteen?!" Lukas shouted before clasping his hands over his mouth. That was the first time he had spoken so loudly. Up until now Alfred figured all he would get was an angry whisper out of the guy.
Tino shrunk back to his chair and looked down at the ground. "Actually I was fifteen…" his mind wandered slightly off track before turning to them. "It's the past, no need to dwell on it in the future." He sat at another table in the large kitchen, not wanting to intrude on their comfort zone.
The middle, Tino looked up and smiled softly. "I'm Tino by the way…" he said softly, brushing his blonde hair back.
"I'm Emil." The youngest said softly before looking to the eldest who was frowning.
Giving in to his brothers he sighed. "I'm Lukas."
"It's a pleasure." The blonde looked to them before speaking. "If you don't mind me asking, did you sign the contract yet and consummated it?" he was hopping there was still time to try and talk them out of it. He hoped they were still within Arthur's grace period, the time Francis convinced Arthur of giving the new ones. During the first 48 hours, they could mull over the contract and pull out at anytime within the grace period. Alfred unfortunately had no such luck with said grace. He only had three minutes to decide his fate, yet his choice would have ended the same.
All shook their heads, showing that they were indeed within their grace period. No sooner had he seen their heads move side to side did he speak quickly. "Get out of here while you still can. It's not worth it. No matter what he promises, no matter what it is your running from I tell you now that you don't want to look like this…" he lift up the fabric to show them his large bruise. He saw them wince at the sight of it. "The contracts have holes, no matter how you read them."
Lukas held Emil close. "We have no choice. We have nowhere to go, no money for food or clothes…" he shook as he fought the tears. "Mother tried her best but she left so little for us…" he sat down and covered his face with his hand, hiding the fact he was crying. "Five years that's all she could give us, I tried my best to find a job but…"
"No one wants to hire a dropout." Lukas' head shot up as if the very words were taken from him. "It's hard being an older brother." Alfred chuckled light heartedly and stared in his juice. "It doesn't take brains to see how much an older brother cares for those who follow." His blue eyes looked to them. "If you need a place to stay go down Cherry Road, turn left on Pleasure Street and head straight on until you reach an Asian style house with a bright red roof. Tell them you know Alfred and go to the smaller house. There is room, warmth, clothes and food there…"
Tino looked to his brothers wondering if such a place truly did exist. The elder of them seemed hesitant but the want for such a place grew with in him. "And what's the price?" he asked, nothing was free.
"Nothing. Just to go to school and find a job. Care for all of those who reside in the house, the rest is free for all of you." He said softly. Matthew was going to kill him for that, but it was better than allowing Arthur to have them.
Before he could answer, the door creaked open allowing a mumbling Arthur to enter. The other's noticed Alfred's body tense greatly as he lowered his gaze submissively. It was almost a total change in behavior. It frightened all of them to see how he went from supposedly care free to a frightened pup being scolded.
It took the elder of them no time in spotting his beloved. It almost seemed like too much having him there so early, hell he wasn't even ready yet. He shrugged his shoulders. It didn't matter, after today everything would be perfect. Nothing would stand in his way of gaining his beloved. He strolled over to the boy, wrapping his arms around him lovingly as he buried his face in the soft blonde hair. He stayed there for some time, allowing the hair to tickle his nose. He was content; things seemed so perfect at that moment that life its self seemed to stop. Alfred, god bless the child, placed his hand on his. He tightened his hold wishing to be as one with the boy as he could. His heart was nearly bursting with the want to take him to the unprepared room and get on with their plans. Yet he couldn't abandon his want, his need to show Alfred just how much he truly loved him. He was perfect. From the day he was born, from the day he first held him as a babe, from the day he gave him his name; Arthur had always viewed Alfred as perfect in every possible way. He wanted him to smile at him, to laugh so light heartedly like the day so long ago when he held chocolate ice cream in his hand. He wanted that for himself, wanted that joyful child as his own. Alfred, his one and only, the boy he would never give up even for all the money in the world.
Alfred said nothing but lowered his gaze to the floor. His eyes showed that he was lost in thought. His lips were slightly parted and his hand held tightly to the arm that wrapped around his shoulders. Arthur was once easy to read, like an open book. Yet, now, he was even harder to read, ever harder to understand. It frightened him. To no godforsaken end it freighted him. What would Arthur do if he knew about Sadik? How would Matthew suffer for it? He tightened his jaw. Whatever the punishment, he would endure. If he was chained to the wall being beaten with a whip he would take it for the sake of his brother.
Arthur pulled away and knelt before the boy. His emerald eyes gazing lovingly up at the sapphires he so loved. "Lad, at eight tonight, be in the Grande Hall. I shall meet you there." He cupped the other's cheek and gave him a reassuring smile. "Do you understand poppet?" he watched as his love nodded his head slowly, showing that he did indeed understand. His blood shot through him like a rocket when Alfred cupped his cheek back. "Love?"
"Thank you." He whispered lowly. "For those three days." He retracted his hand and moved it back to his lap like a good boy. He was well trained and well taught by Arthur. He had destroyed the child from the inside out but there were still so many walls left standing.
"You're welcome lad." He said softly as he stood up and exited the room but not before turning around and bowing lowly to the boy. "Eight o'clock tonight."
A/N
GAAAAHHHHH! I know it's so late but this chapter was giving me hell to write and I am telling you I don't much like it. I wanted the whole Francis Alfred scene to be a tearjerker but I don't think it worked out well but here it is. So Francis is not Alfred and Matthew's father, someone else is but who? Sadik lied to him and Alfred was foolish enough to believe it.
Shout out to my Partner 91RedRoses, my dear I know you wanted to help me but as Alfred believes, Family comes first among all things. So I thank you for so much.
More sorrow and sap to come in this three part chapter, yes something big is to come, secrets reviled and hearts broken. The climax of the story but far from the end. This two year journey has be wonderful and I do love my fans old and new for supporting me.
Please review honestly to this so I can better write the next parts. UK/US next chapter, Alfred's punishment.
Good-bye for now my loves, until the next update.