Francis studied the painting in the main corridor of Tamaki's mansion. The two young girls playing in a forest on a swing was simple. He stepped closer and leaned to look at the dots forming the bigger picture.
Tamaki stepped next to him, seemingly out of nowhere, "You like art?" He smiled as he spoke in Francis' and his native language, a warm feeling spreading though out him as the familiar words rolled off tongue.
Francis looked at him and raised his brow, "Like?" He stood up straight and looked at the portrait before him, "I adore it. When I was still studying in France I would actually try to visit the Louvre one or twice a week." He chuckled and looked down, "Even if that meant skipping class." He shrugged, "Got in trouble more times than I can count for it too."
"It's understandable if it's for something you love." Tamaki smiled and paused, looking at the large picture, "It's a real Monet." His eyes sparkled as he looked at Francis, who seemed lost in thought.
Francis looked at him, surprise in his eyes, "It is? I mean, I thought it was, but, how?" His eyes took in the painting again, "This must have been a fortune to get, and even If you got it on the black market, still would cost more than a million."
"It was. I had to convince my father to let me get it." Tamaki's lips formed into a watery smile, "I reminds me of my mother. She loved Monet. Taught me all about him too, along with the piano."
Francis smiled, "She sounds like a lovely woman." He wanted to ask where she was, but he refrained. He saw the pain in his eyes when he talked of her, and he saw how torn he was, and didn't want to pry, but Tamaki spoke.
"She was." He nodded softly, "She still lives in France actually."
Francis looked at him, curiosity getting the best of him, "She doesn't live here?"
Tamaki didn't look at him, "It's a complicated situation. My dad doesn't live here either. This is the guest house." Tamaki laughed, "I guess it's better that way, you won't have to meet him, or my grandmother. That would be a conversation I would much rather save you from."
Before Francis could comprehend what he was saying and ask why, Tamaki was walking away.
"Are you hungry? Let's go to the kitchen, I can introduce your to the staff in there. They're awfully nice." He said, not looking back.
Francis stared at his blonde head from behind, pausing for a moment and thinking of the information Tamaki let out, and wondering what could have happened between his family to have such a sad reaction when talking about them.
Francis glanced back up at the painting, the soft evening light beginning to touch the edges from the window gave it a calm feeling. A sudden feeling of melancholy flooded him before he turned away and followed the younger man, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway.
A/N: Sooo love France, love France as a character, love serious France, love love love. Tamaki is a perfect human in every form and he needs to be protected all the time.
Yes yes
