"Haaaaah."
Francis lets out a long drawn out sigh and collapses on Alfred's chair at the kitchen table, dropping his head into his hands. He's the very picture of exasperation, which Mathew finds irritating at the least. Mathew doesn't think he's said anything to warrant this reaction. While it's frustrating, everything he's said about Alfred is true. Francis runs a hand through his hair and gives Mathew a tired look.
"Mathieu, a person like that wouldn't even be human."
Mathew carefully maintains his small smile, but inside, he's frowning. Its true that Alfred is stupidly handsome, funny, athletic and charismatic, and overflowing with a number of other good points, to the point where even Mathew thinks it's inhuman, but hearing someone else confirm it is still frustrating. It feels like Francis is telling Mathew he'll never be on Alfred's level. Francis is studying Mathew's practiced smile, and once again Mathew feels like Francis is seeing right through him.
"Et tu?" Francis asks gently. "What about you?".
Mathew almost snorts at that question, but manages to hold it back at the last minute.
"No, I'm not like Alfred. I'm normal."
The thought of him being anywhere near Alfred's level is amusing to say the least. Mathew isn't one to downplay his own merits, he knows he has a few close friends, he's been told that he's nice and friendly, and easy to get along with, but Mathew's also a realist. He doesn't have nearly as many friends and acquaintances as Alfred, he's not as charismatic or skilled. Francis is staring at Mathew with a shocked expression.
"Mon dieu, You two really are twins."
Mathew isn't sure what Francis is trying to imply with this statement, and instead focuses on returning the mostly thawed fries to the freezer. His eye is throbbing more painfully than when it was first hit, and Mathew can already tell he won't be able to properly open it for days. He hopes Alfred's lips takes at least the same amount of time to heal. Francis takes advantage of Mathew's lack of response to add another observation.
"Both of you 'ave no sense of self. It's a shame Art'ur will not allow 'imself to be more honest with you."
Francis shakes his head regretfully, and Mathew's heart twists at the thought of Arthur, still doting on Alfred in the other room. Mathew knows Arthur probably hasn't noticed he's even gone. Francis stands up with another sigh and dusts out the wrinkles on his pants. He takes a few steps closer to Mathew, and Mathew stiffens instinctively.
"A word of advice?"
Francis finally offers what Mathew is too afraid to ask for, and despite himself, Mathew's heart speeds up. Francis reaches past Mathew and opens the freezer, digging around as casually as if it was his own freezer. When he speaks, his tone is lighter than the words.
"Tell Alfred what you've told me."
Mathew cant help feeling disappointed. It's foolish, he knows, to expect Francis to have an answer to a question Mathew won't even let himself ask. It's natural that Francis can't give him advice for his relationship with Arthur. Mathew hasn't told anyone his feelings, expect Alfred just recently. How could Francis know?
Francis emerges from Alfred's freezer with a bag of Frozen peas that Mathew didn't even know Alfred owns, and Mathew notices the sly, sidelong look Francis is giving him too late. By the time he slips his small smile back onto his face, Francis has already seen his true feelings. Francis smirks.
"Your relationship with Art'ur will only get better after you mend your relationship with Alfred."
Mathew flushes as he registers the words, his mask completely crumbling away. Of course Francis knew all. He always was able to read body language and emotions better than anyone else Mathew knew. Mathew doesn't have to worry about Francis seeing his face, because the Frenchman is already moving, striding towards to the kitchen doorway.
Mathew's thoughts are racing through his head. How does his relationship with his brother have anything to do with his relationship with Arthur? Was it because Mathew always tries to give way to Alfred? But that's not because of how Mathew feels towards Alfred, but because of his feeling for Arthur. Because Alfred makes Arthur happy. And what does Francis mean by saying Mathew has to "mend" their relationship? Of course, the brothers have their differences, and have squabbles like any siblings, but even so Mathew doesn't think their relationship is broken.
Mathew doesn't get the chance to figure it out. Francis stops just outside the kitchen doorway, and there's something sly in his voice as he speaks over the rustligg of the frozen bag of peas.
" 'ere. This is for your lip."
It takes Mathew a moment to understand, but when he does, he whips around. Alfred is standing there, quietly accepting the frozen peas from Francis and applying them to his lip, but he's not looking at Francis. Mathew knows this because he isn't looking at Francis either. His eyes are locked with Alfred's, and Mathew sees something in Alfred's eyes that reminds him shockingly of himself. It's an expression Mathew cant explain, but one he can define the feeling behind well. It's a look Mathew is sure shows in his eyes when he looks at Alfred from across the room sometimes.
Francis isn't even trying to hide his smirk as he claps Alfred on the shoulder and stage whispers a "Bonne chance" to Alfred before sauntering off. Suddenly Mathew finds himself facing Alfred alone, with the knowledge that Alfred's heard everything Mathew's said about him. Suddenly Mathew feels very small.
Alfred's eyes are shinning in a way that makes him look close to tears, and his voice also sounds thick when he speaks.
"Mattie, that.. do you really think that?"
Mathew doesn't understand why Alfred looks so close to tears. Mathew hasn't insulted him, not really, maybe one or two complaints among hundreds of complements. He should be happy, so why?
"Yes."
Mathew wants to know what Alfred's thinking, why he looks like this. Mathew wonders if knowing will make the sharp pain in his chest go way. Altered shakes his head, but doesn't cry.
"That's not me, Mattie. It's you."
What's him? Mathew doesn't understand.
"Al?"
"The one who's strong, and never gives up, the one who can make friends with anyone, the one people can't help but Iike, the one everyone wants to be... All those things you said..."
Ah, Alfred is talking about what Mathew had said to Francis. The barrage of good traits so overwhelming that Francis had claimed to be "Inhuman". Mathew doesn't understand why Alfred isn't happy with his words. Mathew hasn't lied, and he's said these words so any times before to Alfred. Why is this time different?Why is Alfred's eyes shinning with unshed tears?
Alfred seems to know that Mathew doesn't understand, and tosses the frozen peas on the table, ignoring the split lip. He takes a step forward, and almost instinctively, Mathew takes a step back. Alfred catches his arm to stop him, holding Mathew with a strength that Mathew envies. He tries to read Alfred's eyes, but the emotions he sees there doesn't make sense. Jealously? Why? Alfred tells him clearly.
"That person, the one you described, that isn't me, Mathew."
Alfred's eyes are wide and earnest. Mathew suddenly feels scared.
"It's you."
