Chapter 15
They zipped up the bag that was now double the size it first had been. Alfred and Matthew has added a few things like sweaters, blankets, and stuffed animals to remind Arthur of them while he was away. The three of them were rather silent.
"You're just taking a trip. It's just a trip." Matthew spoke unconvinced by the words himself.
"I'll come back." He reassured. They walked downstairs, Mr. Kirkland and Gilbert were waiting to say their goodbyes as well. Mr. Kirkland gave Arthur a strong hug, he looked into his eyes and said.
"Don't let them break you son. You have a home and a family here. And we'll be here when you get back." Arthur hugged him. There was a knock on the door that made everyone's heart sink. Arthur looked at Alfred hugging him tightly once more.
"I love you." Alfred whispered softly.
"I love you." Arthur responded. Another knock. Matthew opened the door.
"'Allo again." Francis greeted. Arthur's heart began racing at the sight of Francis. "Arthur! Are you ready mon amour?" He asked. Arthur looked away from his eyes.
"Don't call me that." He mumbled. Walking towards him. Francis only continued to smile as Arthur passed. He turned to face Alfred.
"'e'll fall in love with me. This place will become nothing more than a blurry memory to 'im" Francis spoke harshly. Alfred didn't say anything he merely glared at the French man. With that he closed the door and Arthur was gone. Francis turned toward Arthur who resorted to shifting the dirt under his shoe. "I don't know 'ow you lived like this. W'at a filthy place." Francis spoke flipping his hair.
"I've been in worse." Arthur replied sharply. "At least here I enjoy the company." Francis scoffed at him.
"Dozens of filthy, animals. Nevertheless mon amour, our carriage awaits." Francis gestured to a nice, sleek black car that had just pulled up to the house. The driver got out and opened the door for the two of them to step in. Arthur took one last look at the house before entering the car, Francis following. Arthur sat with his bag on his lap and strap still around him. His grip on the bag tightened as the car drove away.
"Why are you 'olding onto that bag?" Francis asked.
"Why not? It's my stuff." Arthur replied not looking at him.
"What is in it?" Francis asked.
"I said, my stuff." Arthur repeated. Francis laughed.
"You were always so stubborn." Francis tucked a piece of hair behind Arthur's ear. "You can't build a relationship on lies mon amour. That is why we will work out. So just tell me what is in the bag." It wasn't like Arthur had anything to hide. But he didn't like Francis touching him.
"Why don't you look for yourself." He replied removing the bag and tossing it at Francis. Who opened the bag to inspect it. He chuckled lightly. It was filled with clothes, a blanket and a few stuffed animals, it was childish to Francis. However tucked in the folds of the blanket was a letter. Arthur was looking out the window not paying any attention. Francis put the letter in his coat pocket.
"It wasn't so 'ard to say clothes and teddy bears was it?" Francis asked. Arthur didn't like being near him, the air felt heavy. Every word out of his mouth was a conceals threat.
"No. I suppose it wasn't." Arthur replied. Francis placed the bag by his feet, leaving Arthur feeling even more vulnerable than before. Francis sighed.
"'Ou created quite a panic back 'ome." Francis informed. "Why did you run Arthur? I 'ad everything worked out." Francis pouted.
"You knew what they were doing to me. I had to leave." Arthur replied emotionless.
"If 'ou 'ad just waited a few more days." Francis grabbed Arthur's hand. Instinctively Athur pulled it away.
"Don't touch me!" He spat. Fear crept into his voice.
"Y'our scared of moi?" Francis looked at Arthur hurt. "Mon amour, Pourquoi?" Arthur laughed.
"You're really asking why? After what you did." Arthur pulled his arm close to him.
"That was a mistake." Francis excused.
"I tried to push you off me.I begged you to sto." Arthur's voice cracked from the lump in his throat.
"I'm so sorry Arthur." Francis defense. Silence fell on them. It would be a rather long ride to an international airport. Arthur had stayed up all night, and began to doze off. When he would catch himself he would jerk back away. Arthur didn't want to be off guard this close to Francis. "If you are tired, you should sleep." Francis spoke.
"Like bloody hell I'd do that." Arthur reclined fighting back a yawn. Arthur wanted badly to be warped in Alfred's arms. Hearing his steady heartbeat. The sweet smell of his hair. Arthur smiled to himself. Thinking about him. Francis looked out the window.
"W'at makes 'im better." Francis grumbled.
"He actually cares." Arthur replied. "About what I want, even if it's not the same as what he wants." Arthur said sternly. Athur looked out the window, they were passing the motel. "He's kind, selfless, and caring. He is an amazing brother and a hard worker. And even if he's worked to the bone after a long day he still comes home to Matthew with a smile." Arthur praised a warm feeling growing in his chest. He smiled slightly thinking about the two brothers. Francis looked at Arthur, never had he seen him like this. Not even on the best days. Francis decided not to say anything. He was beginning to doubt that he would be able to convince Arthur. A short time later that had reached the airport and boarded Francis' private plane. Arthur was exhausted at this point.
"Arthur you." Francis reaches for Arthur but stopped himself. "You should sleep. I'll stay on the other side." Francis promised. Arthur looked at him for a moment.
"Can I have my bag back?" Arthur asked, Francis handed it back to him and walked to the opposite side of the plane. Arthur was surprised that Francis actually did it. Arthur tossed his bag down and took out the blanket Alfred had given him. He wrapped himself in it and sat down eager to sleep. Francis watched Arthur from the other side of the plane. After a few minutes and he was sure Arthur was sleeping, he pulled a letter from his pocket. He opened it and immediately knew it was from Alfred.
Hey babe,
I thought I should write you something. Incase things get hard while you're gone. I'm sorry that I couldn't do anything to keep you here. You shouldn't have to be forced to go somewhere you don't want to, for someone else. But that's kind of sad so don't think about that. Yeah?
Francis scoffed "idiot." He continued reading.
Anytime you feel lonely just use your wizards' magic to transport yourself back to the top of that mountain. I'll be waiting with my trusty dragon with a huge basket of the only the freshest best apples for you and F.M.B.
Francis reread the passage a few times. It seemed like he was talking absolute gibberish. And who was F.M.B. He continued.
When you get back I promise to do whatever it takes to make you smile. Even if I have to stay up with you all night every night. And drag the Vargas' boys to the store just so I can see you at work. Even if I have to be old people, drinking tea and reading books. Haha. I do whatever it takes. I promise you Arthur. Matthew is sleeping so he can't write on this letter but he gave me one to put in here too. Stay strong ok? I love you Arti.
-Alfred
Francis folded the letter and found Matthew's.
Dear Arthur,
I'm going to miss you. But you have to stay strong ok. Alfred, Gilbert, Mr. K, and I are your family. We won't give up on you. Ever since the accident I had never seen Alfred as happy as you make him. He tries to hide it but I know. You gave both of us a family again. I'll be damned if I don't try to do something to keep it. I can't lose you too. Even if it gets hard. Please come back home to us. Oh geez I'm starting to tear up. Haha. I would have the pets sign too but that would take me hours.
There was a rip in the page as if it was taken out of his hand. The writing skipped over that portion and began again under it.
Sorry about the rip, Katelin got to the paper. Be safe over there.
With love,
Matthew
Francis places both letters into the envelope and in his pocket. He checked to see if Arthur was still sleeping. The letters made it sound like Arthur was going to prison or war. Arthur's parents were horrible but he wasn't going with them. Arthur was staying with him in France, where he would be safe. Still he couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of guilt. It seemed that Arthur was not the only one who felt that he had found a new home. Francis heard Arthur stir and looked up.
"Arthur?" Francis stood up and walked closer. Arthur was mumbling something, his brow was furrowed and he was starting to cry. Francis assumes it was a nightmare. "Mon amor. Arthur." Francis shook him slightly to wake him up.
"I'm sorry….please..don't." Arthur cried softly. Francis sighed, trying again to wake up Arthur. This time he succeeded. Arthur woke with a slight jump. "Ah!" He screamed kicking Francis away. Francis fell back on his butt. "LIAR! You told me you would stay away!"
"You were having a nightmare. Would you rather I have left you?" Francis asked. Arthur fell silent. Asleep, awake, it didn't matter he was living in a nightmare. Arthur day down again not looking at Francis. "Are you ok?" Francis asked. Arthur didn't answer. "You were crying." Still no answer. Francis got up and sat next to Arthur. "Where you-?" He reached time comfort Arthur.
"Don't touch me." Arthur spat. "Just leave me alone." Arthur sounded vulnerable. "Please." Francis sighed before returning to his spot on the other side of the plane. Arthur wasn't one to have others comfort him. Francis called a stuartist over and asked for tea for Arthur. She nodded her head and brought a cup for Arthur. He looked at the cup cautiously taking it.
"Did he put anything in it?" Arthur asked quietly.
"No sir, I made it myself and brought it straight to you." She informed him. Arthur looked at the cup worried "I'm sorry." She left after that. Arthur took a sip of the tea. Earl grey. It didn't taste any different. He continued to sip the tea thinking about what Alfred might be doing. He wished he asked for a letter he could read if he missed them. Arthur grabbed his bag and pulled out a stuffed polar bear. It was Matthew's. Arthur remembered Alfred telling him how he ended up with the bear.
"We all went to the zoo looking at all sorts of animals. Mattie fell in love with the polar bear and would not budge. It was actually kinda funny. My dad and him made a deal that if he got him his own polar bear that he would go look at other animals too." The memory made Arthur smile. Eventually he fell asleep again. This time however he didn't have a nightmare, he had a dream. That he was back in Alfred's house petting Jerry. Alfred was on the couch and Matthew was next to him. The we're playing board games, laughing. It was a wonderful dream.