"I'm looking forward to hearing from you two, you better not disappoint me." Professor Mukuro said with a chuckle.
The duo stood next to their covered canvases waiting for their professor to commence.
The dark man rose from his desk and motioned for Fran to follow him into his office.
Once inside the studious student was instructed to uncover his work.
The piece was entirely done in a pale azure with some tones of other blues here and there. The portrait itself was far abstract, but it carried some elegance in its lines. At in a certain light you could almost see the young emperor's profile but it was much too intense to grab a firm grasp of it.
"Wonderful work as per usual." The professor looked pleased. "Please explain your approach."
"Ah well under his annoying dic- er pompous act, Bel is very different. After getting to know him a little I felt like this was his true color." Fran explained promptly. Although he had sort of half assed the assignment there was some truth to his statement. Under the rather irritating mask Bel wore, there was his true self, his more selfless blue-eyed true self. "And I think his true color is his best quality."
"Perfect." The professor crossed his arms. "You know Francis. I've been looking for an assistant to help me with this exhibit I'm doing. The job is yours if you want it. You'd might be able to get a couple of your pieces into the show yourself. Great way to get some connections."
"I would like that very much professor." Fran said immediately, genuinely excited for the offer.
"Very well then I'll stay in touch." Mukuro said waving him off, "You may leave, send young Belphegor in."
"I should have let you go first, I'm not quite looking forward to your piece as much as I was Francis's." Mukuro chuckled as Bel brought his canvas in.
"Yeah yeah, well I actually really tried to make this not hideous alright?" The young heir snapped at the older man as he uncovered his piece.
It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great either. It was almost sort of decent. For Bel it was pretty damn good. The only thing that bothered the professor was that it didn't seem to have anything to do with Fran.
Bel had painted a playing card. The king of spades to be exact.
"Don't get me wrong, this is actually pretty amazing for you, but I'm not sure if you understood the concept of the assignment."
From the look of it Bel wasn't sure he had understood the concept either.
"Yeah I know, this isn't really a quality, but this all that I could come up with. I'm not entirely sure why the dumb- er- the frog- FRAN 'inspired' me to paint a playing card but it happened so there." Bel explained.
Mukuro looked less than convinced.
"You know I learned a lot of things about Fran, he's not a complete prick, he actually has some sense of humor, he's an amazing artist, and he's a really nerdy but impressive street magician during the weekends. I tried to find his most appealing quality but all his damned qualities are amazing, because you know what? The kid is a perfectionist!"
His professor stared at the blond for a moment before smiling. "Alright alright, you pass."
The blond gave him a bit of a dumbfounded look but then regained his composure. "Thank you professor."
"I'm glad you were able to take something away from this assignment young Belphegor."
Bel wasn't really sure what that meant, but he nodded and exited.
"Hey Bel wants to go for gelato tomorrow after class do you want to come along?" Fran asked Mammon as he walked into the room.
"Sounds like a plan." The purple haired roommate of his turned in his chair greeting the younger with a sly smile. "Say Fran I couldn't help but to notice that you've become rather chummy with his royal highness. Not necessarily a bad thing, it brings out a charming side of you."
Fran looked at him with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"
"There was a wall there before and it's slowly coming down, you're less formal when you speak and to be frank you've seem to have gotten that stick out of your ass." Mammon was someone one could trust to be honest no matter how brutal the truth was, something Fran related to and like about Mammon. His roommate reassured him. "Don't worry this is a good thing."
In the meantime the green haired teen considered this theory of Mammon's. It was true he had become less of his masked self. And it was nice and all but he wouldn't say he's completely loosened up. It was still school and he was here to study not make friends. That didn't mean he wasn't allowed to make friends, it just wasn't top priority.
"Yeah, you're right," Fran sighed after he finished processing, "I guess when I first got here school the only thing that mattered, making friends wasn't something I was interested in, but it's nice, the feeling of having people to talk to."
"Yes about that, I've been meaning to ask, out of curiosity nothing more but Fran what do you honestly think of Bel?"
At first Fran didn't think much of the question. "He's different than I expected, I was wrong to think he was a bad person."
"I meant more along the lines of do you like him?" Mammon understood that the boy was a bit slower when it came to these things but now surely he would know what he was talking about.
"Yes?"
"You know what I mean Fran."
The boy thought about it. "Of course not! Why would I?" He made a face at the implication. "Why would you ask?"
"Relax. Jesus that stick went right back up there the second I asked you a personal question." Mammon's eyes glinted with concern for the younger. "Don't mind me; it was just a hypothetical question."
"Oh.." Fran's face of confusion broke into a smile. "Okay, so ice cream tomorrow yes?"
Mammon returned the smile. "Yes."
"This is where I leave you." Mammon turned to face them while continuing down the street walking backwards. "Thanks for the gelato, I'll see you guys later."
Fran and Bel waved him off as he left.
He had wanted to continue to join the two for another hour or so but he had forgotten something for a class and had to return to campus.
"What did you want to do again?" The emperor asked the younger.
"I want to draw."
Bel raised an eyebrow at the boy, who simply motioned for him to follow.
"The fountains?"
Fran didn't answer Bel as he led the way through the crowds of people in the beautiful plaza.
"I like to come here and draw." Fran explained as they sat on the edge of one of the fountains. "People are far more interesting when they're natural and unposed. When someone poses for a painting or a drawing, they're stiff and awkward, that's no fun to draw."
"So you sit in a corner and draw them without them knowing?" Bel laughed. "Fran that's so creepy, but it's so like you."
Fran hummed as he sketched away.
"It's really nice here." Bel stretched admiring the scenery.
"You have a really nice jawline." Fran pointed out casually.
"Is that a compliment?" The blond asked observingly.
"Sure."
"Is that really what stands out to you the most? My jawline?" Bel asked as if that was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.
"No you have really nice elbows too." Fran teased.
"Elbows?" The blond inspected his elbows.
"You occasionally have a nice smile." Fran continued unconsciously.
"Really?" Bel said flattered at first. "Occasionally?"
There was no response from the younger, he was now lost in his own little world of sketches. Wondering what it was about Bel that displeased him, when he came to the conclusion that nothing about the blond displeased him.
Suddenly he closed his sketchbook, and stood.
"What-"
"I think I left the stove on." Fran said abruptly before taking off faster than Bel could form a complete sentence.
After his morbid calculation Fran knew that he was in some deep- pardon his language, shit.
He closed the door of his room behind him and locked it. As if locking it could keep his feelings on the other side. He sighed in relief when he noticed that Mammon wasn't back yet.
Not that he couldn't trust his roommate; he would eventually want to talk to him about this matter but not just quite yet. Fran was still processing the situation and he knew he couldn't handle an 'I told you so' so soon.
What kind of messed up fuckery did he get himself into?
He ran his hand through his hair before plopping into his bed.
"Oh boy." He thought out loud. "I'm in trouble now aren't I?"
Wait wait wait. Everything would be fine. Fran could handle himself right? Bel would never know and everything would be okay. It's not like Fran WANTED a relationship with the guy, right? He just wanted... He just wanted... What DID he want? To be together? No. To hug, to kiss, to show affection? Gross. To be liked back? No... To be thought of... As important to him, to Bel. That's what he wanted.
Would that be okay?
He sighed again, more in frustration this time.
Why did this even happen? How? Why would he like Bel? The thought was ridiculous.
He was so fake and flaunting. So spoiled, and egocentrical. How was that attractive? Fran didn't even want to think of the word attractive, he refused to acknowledge that he found the blond attractive. There was no 'attraction' between him and the blond, no way. Fran didn't even want to think that he 'liked' the young heir. He was trying to find a way of putting it together without it feeling awful.
He didn't like Bel, he couldn't. He was just at peace around him, he felt good in his company, he looked to be in his company, but why? He liked being in Mammon's company, even occasionally in Chika's. So what was so special about Bel?
There was a connection he had with the heir that didn't exist with others. Not something he could name but something in the ever expanding universe tied him to this person, and Fran wasn't okay with it.
Why? Why wasn't he okay with it?
Yes the blond had to be the most obnoxious human being that Fran had ever come across. But it was an act, knowing that made the young teen feel a bit more at ease, but where was this going?
Obviously they couldn't be together. They were both male. And yeah Bel was known for being er... 'friendly' with anyone male or female, but Fran was going places. He knew he was, and that was the sole reason for his coming here. Nothing would ever change that, especially his petty feelings. He was not here to be the emperor's whore.
So Fran would have to end this here. But now how was he going to do that?
"Belphegor."
The eerie voice echoed through the grand hall. The blond shut the heavy door behind him and grinned widely.
"So you're the one who called for me?" He set down his suitcase, "what was so important that you had me dragged out of class during lecture?"
The mysterious man stepped out of the shadows and closer to the blond.
"What? No how are you doing or how have you been Malcom?" The man smirked.
"I highly doubt you came over to catch up."
"You've become smarter since I last saw you Belphegor." The old man sighed. "You know this is all for your own good, you finish school this year. Then You will take on your responsibilities as emperor of Rome as you promised. I just want to make sure you're prepared for that."
"Yes of course." Bel bowed his head politely. "You know Malcolm you come off as far more creepy than you might be aware." He added with a playful smile.
The older man smiled and his dark essence lifted. "You have to be in this kind of job, the only way to be taken seriously." He patted the blond on the back and summoned a servant to take his belongings to the guest room. "Anyway boy I called you here to give you a heads up, I shouldn't be telling you this but the Council wants to meet with you."
"The Council? When?"
"Ah Lucius is coming over tomorrow to set a date. In the meantime I'll prepare you to face them. Those men will eat you alive if you're not prepared." Malcolm explained as they walked to his office.
"What do you suppose they'll want talk about?" Bel concurred as he took a seat.
"They haven't disclosed that to me yet, but let's just assume about everything."
Bel shrugged, "Well let's get started then."
"Francis, I would like you to meet Tsunayoshi here, he's the headmaster of our sister school in Japan." Mukuro chuckled as he introduced the young teen to the not much older looking headmaster. "He did the pieces based on Carol's work."
"Oh really? Wow!" The brunette said bashfully while shaking Fran's hand. "You are very talented, those pieces were beautiful, I got the Through the Looking Glass references, very creative approach you had there."
"Thank you." Fran nodded his head politely. "It means a lot to me."
"Oh it's my pleasure now if you please excuse me I think the dean of students is coming this way, my apologies but I find him absolutely terrifying, I'll see you two around."
Fran turned to his professor. "Thank you for allowing me the opportunity take part in this exhibit." Thanks to Mukuro, he had been able to get two of his pieces into the show.
"Don't thank me, it was your hard work that got you in-"
"Voi Rokudo!"
The professor twitched as the loud tall man strolled up to the two. This was the first time Fran had ever seen the man up close. From afar he was a very proud looking and elegant man, but from up close he had the most intimidating aura.
"The headmaster wants to know when you're going to start serving the alcohol." The man continued in his blaring voice.
"Squalo this is a school event, there are minors here, we don't have any alcohol." Mukuro stated plainly.
"Do you want to tell him that?" The man gave him an 'are you serious' face.
"I think there's some wine in the kitchen." Mukuro excused himself to Fran and the two men left him.
Fran began to search for Mammon, he had promised that he would try to come but he was still working on his final project. So wandered a bit, eying the exhibit for the fourth or third time. Stopping to gawk at all the pieces done by his master every now and then. Rokudo Mukuro was an extremely talented man. Fran felt very lucky being his assistant.
His train of thought was interrupted when he made eye contact with a familiar face. Well he assumed eye contact because the blond was definitely looking at him.
He turned quickly and began to weave in and out of the crowd hoping that blond wouldn't notice. This happened three more times until it developed into a game of cat and mouse. Where the cat was finally able to corner the mouse into a hidden corridor.
"Fran what are you doing?" The young heir asked as he walked up to him. It was open to the night, but there was no moon out so the lighting was dim. He couldn't really see the younger very well.
Fran hesitated to answer, but being the person he was he answered honestly. "I... Don't know really, I just… can't be around you." Fran began to walk away.
"What?" Bel knew he had been avoiding him but this wasn't a reasonable answer in his opinion. He grabbed the boy's arm to stop him from leaving.
He shrugged looking out the large balcony, away from the elder. "I'm not really sure but I can't."
"Are you mad at me?" This had been Bel's theory so far. Not that he thought Fran had a reason to upset, but he knew there was a lot he didn't quite understand about the younger yet.
"No...?" At this, it occurred to Bel that maybe Fran was just as confused as he was.
"Are you bothered by me?"
"Um I don't think so, would you let go?" He tried to pull away from his grasp.
"Are you going to run off?"
"Yes." Fran's bluntness really irked Bel a bit sometimes.
"Then no. I'm trying to talk to you." He said a bit irritated.
"Well then talk." The boy seemed really impatient.
Should Bel just tell him? The boy seemed distracted, but he would tell him anyway. "I'm leaving," He began, "for a week, I was going to see if you and Mammon wanted to get gelato or something but I couldn't find you all week, I leave tomorrow so I guess we'll have to go when I get back, I just wanted to tell you- Fran seriously are you alright?"
"I think I'm going to be sick." This was true, but not exactly the main reason Fran was in such a hurry to leave.
Fran finally looked up at the blond, almost if asking to be excused. He looked pained and after concluding that he wasn't going to be let go he leaned forward a bit. Bel couldn't tell if it was because he was losing his balance or because he gave up trying to leave. But then it got stranger, he closed his eyes and sighed bring his face closer to Bel's- was he going to-
"F-Fran do you?" Like me? He finished in his head but couldn't bring himself to say. Fran would have cut him off anyway.
He sprang away from him as if only now becoming aware of his actions. "No, I don't know- no. Let me leave please." He seemed panicked which threw Bel off and he let go of his arm.
And in a second he was gone.
I feel like this chapter went from disinteresting, to way good, to cheesy :\ I promise it'll get better.
Also again sorry for the late update... I will be done with finals soon.
Note from the best proofreader evar: I didn't really go over this chapter as well as I usually do, so if I didn't catch something it's all Iole's fault ;) With love, WorksMoreHoursThanYou~
She says that but she's been watching Coffee Prince for the last 6 hours...
Anyway enjoy:)