Mathew doesn't respond to Alfred's text. Alfred can't help but frown as he dials the phone, but he doesn't call the number that Arthur gave him right away. Instead he calls a different number saved in his phone. The phone only rings once before its answered.
"Allo?"
Alfred winces at the tiredness in his father's tone. Francis sounds exhausted, and Alfred wonders if this is related to why Mathew came. He doesn't know the details of the situation, he hadn't wanted to eavesdrop, and Arthur hadn't wanted to explain, but he knows enough to understand that Mathew had wanted help, and it had something to do with Francis, and that's why Arthur had refused. He hopes Francis can clear it up.
"Hey Pa!"
Alfred greets him cheerfully.
"Alfred?" Francis sounds surprised.
"I was talking to Mattie and then I thought of you and decided to call!"
It's not technically a lie, since all that did happen, and when Francis responds Alfred is glad he left out the details. Francis sounds tired, in a way that even makes Alfred want to go make some coffee, but he also sounds genuinely happy that Alfred called.
"I'm glad you did. We haven't talked in a long time. Are you good, mon Cher?"
Alfred laughs at Francis's use of the pet name and grins as he responds.
"Haven't broken any bones or anything lately, so pretty good!"
Alfred almost forgets why he called as he gives Francis a quick rundown of his life recently. Then Francis asks a question, trying to seem casual, but there's a strain in his voice and the question comes out timid.
"And your Father? Is he..?"
Alfred remembers the stone look on Arthur's face and the despairing look on Matthew's face, and his smile falters for a moment and he catches himself before Francis can hear it in his tone.
"Oh, you know him, same old, bushy brows, grumpiness, tea, the usual."
Alfred doesn't tell Francis about what happened earlier. He has a feeling Francis shouldn't know. He thinks back to Matthew's visit. Usually his brother would make time for him when he visited, even if he came for Arthur, Mathew would make time for Alfred after. This time, Mathew had made it clear he'd wanted to speak only to Arthur, and as the older brother Alfred had no choice but to give them space.
But Mathew hadn't spoken to Alfred at all, and the hopeless and miserable look on Matthew's face as he left worries Alfred. He's worried that Arthur said something sharp and hurtful to Mathew, and like always, his brother just silently accepted it. He's also worried because Arthur had made it clear that the issue included Francis, and Mathew is the sensitive type, Alfred knows his half-brother wouldn't fly over to Arthur's house to talk about Francis unless it was important.
It's this feeling on unease that makes Alfred's tone gentler than usual as he tries to respond casually.
"And you? How're you doing Papa?"
There's a moment of silence and Alfred figures out what's wrong. The Francis he knows is more lively and excitable, usually it wouldn't even take a prompt to hear about his day, and if it did the response would be instant. When Francis does respond a moment later, he gives a generic "Comme çi, comme ça, you know how it is sometimes." and a chill runs down Alfred's back and stays there.
When Alfred casually inquires into Francis's whereabouts, he's surprised to hear that Mathew has taken him to Paris, and though Francis says he's not sick, Alfred can't shake the feeling that something is wrong. He recognizes the address from when they used to vacation as a family every year, and they'd rent the same place. It's strange that Francis is there alone with Mathew in a place usually visited with family.
Alfred wonders if that's why Francis sounds so tired. When he finally ends the call, (Francis had said he was tired) Alfred is certain he needs to call Antonio.
He dials the number Arthur gave him.
