(Ally's Notes: I almost cried here...)

Stranger: He smiled softly stepping out with him only to look at the sky with a bit of dread. "Shit...what time is it?" fumbling for his watch looking around worriedly.

You: "Sixish. Why?" He asked with a slight tilt of the head. He glanced up at the sky. He thought it was pretty, like a painting. The sun was at just the right angle. He wanted to bathe in it's warmth for a while longer.

Stranger: "Fuck he's going to kill m-" cut off feeling his heart sink as a black car came up, absent mindedly he seemed to put himself between it and Arthure as some suited guy got out. He could feel his face going pale staring up at him "I can ex-" "You didn't show up, we were worried about you." "..." Don't say anything, please if there was any merciful god above he'd be able to get out of this without Arthur knowing.

You: "What's happening Francis?" Arthur said as he glanced at him, only to glare pins and needles at the suited man. His... His friend seemed to shake behind him. So there was no way that this man could be good. He fished for his pen out of his bag, just in case. He looked to Francis again, his eyes demanding an explanation.

Stranger: "Don't worry about it Arthure" he muttered quickly to him as he looked back up to the man. "I got held up finishing a few things, all the late nights have had me a bit hard to focus in class and I had to make up work I didn't get done in time for it." Arthur would know that was utter bullshit but the other hopefully didn't. "I don't want excuses." The man looked over Francis's shoulder smirking a bit. "Friend of yours? You know we could always use an extra set o-" "He's not interested." Francis replied quickly putting himself even more firmly between them, glaring at the man now getting extremely defensive at that suggestion.

You: Arthur looked between the two of them. What the heck was happening?! "How is it that you imedietly know I will refuse?" Arthur asked Francis with a glare. This was starting to get on his nerves. He hated to be left in the dark.

Stranger: "Precisely Francis, don't speak for others." the man smirked pushing him aside towards the car. The frenchman looked to Arthur with a desperate pleading gaze shaking his head frantically over the others shoulder, mouthing what looked like the word 'run' The man came over towards Arthur towering over him. "Like I was saying, we could always use the extra help."

You: He frowned, watching the man above him. His confidence dropped as he connected the dots. He held up a hand up like he was going to sneeze, before running off. He'd have a lot to ask Francis later. Like: what the fuck did he do for a living?!

Stranger: Francis let out a heavy sigh of releife as Arthur got the hell out of dodge, now he'd only have this problem to deal with. The man made no effort to go after him, only shrugging it off.

You: Arthur was still inflamed. After going home yesterday, he made dinner, accidentally burning it to the point they had to order pizza. And now he would have to wait until Monday... Ugh! Things like this were hard to hold in! That's it! He went down to the library and went to a computer. Time to find Francis... Or at least where he lived.

Stranger: Nothing came up, not an address, not directly anyways. The only thing that came up was an old news article about the encounter that had happened that Francis told him about. As he had told him mother gravely injured and died of complications on the way to the hospital, a young Francis surviving with a few major injuries, father arrested on site. The address given of where it happened, it was from five years ago but for as much as people talked about Francis it was like he didn't even exist. It was on the outskirts of town, not at all where anyone would imagine the golden boy to live.

You: Arthur looked up and printed out some directions on how to get there. Thank you google maps! He checked up a book while he was there before heading off towards where Francis lived. If he wasn't there then... He'd wait for him to be! He was a bit paranoid of that man in black. He felt like he was around every corner... Watching him. Waiting for him to join what ever they needed and extra pair of hands for... Whatever It was that Francis couldn't get out of.

Stranger: He came up to the house, that frankly, looked a bit run down. It wasn't exactly a shady end of town but it DEFIANTELY wasn't where anyone who knew Francis at school would ever picture him living. As Arthur knocked the sound of shuffling could be heard inside, the door barely cracking open and sure enough there was Francis staring at him like he saw a ghost before sighing out heavily opening the door a bit more standing up against the doorframe. "...you found me here huh?"

You: "It was easier then a detective novel." Arthur said with a frown. He motioned to the door. "You gonna let me in?" He asked As he shifted his weight and crumbled up the paper with the directions on it. He stuffed it in his pocket, book in his other hand. Besides that, he had nothing else on him. Empty handed.

Stranger: He looked to him sighing softly. He'd expected the other to say no yesterday, thats why he offered. He never really...no he never had anyone over at all. period. The end. He stepped aside so the other could come in. "Sorry the place is a bit of a mess..." it wasn't a total wreck just a bit unoraganized, a few things laying on the floor here and there. No sense cleaning up a place that would just get trashed again. "Didn't know I'd be having company." He looked as disleveled as the place, like he'd just woke up.

You: "I have a younger brother," he murmured as he entered and looked around, "our house is always a mess." He found a chair and promptly sat in it. Well it was good that he wasn't expecting anyone. That means they had all the time in the world. "Just get up?" He asked as he noticed that his golden mane was knotted and and messy. Like he had yet to brush it.

Stranger: "Could say that..." the knock had actually awoken him he'd only gotten in a few hours ago. "You um, want anything, food, drink?" He was about as far away from that confident flirtatious boy he was at school as one could ever be.

You: "No thank you. I do have a question though." He said as he put the book into his lap, his hands on top of it. It was a non-threatening pose but it got the point across that he wasn't kidding around. "What the bloody hell do you do for a living Francis?"

Stranger: "I might have an an-" cut off by that question sighing heavily turning his back to him heading towards the kitchen to get himself something on that comment. "thats something that I'd...rather not talk about Arthure" calling back to him.

You: "It doesn't matter if you don't want to talk about it. I almost got sucked into the bloody thing you git!" Arthur said as his glare followed him across the room. He wasn't about to let him run away from the question."Now tell me what it is or I will follow you next time you go."

Stranger: "Arthure for god sake you don't know what yuo're sticking yuor nose into!" He came back out sighing heavily, a bottle of cheap wine held by its neck between his fingers. 16, on his own, and he still found ways to get it. "...I'm in the film business alright? Its just...stressful, and you don't need to have that weight on you." Someone was dancing around the answer again.

You: "When you say film, do you mean actor? Because I've never seen you in any movies." The suspicion was clear in his voice. "Or do you work behind set? I can check if you are lying. My mother is pretty high in the business world, it would just take a few calls." That was a huge bluff. It was true about his mother being high in business but it was highly unlikely that she would pick up a phone call from him. Instead, it would get to her assistant, who would say to call back later. Hopefully, he wasn't called out of his bluff.

Stranger: "I, uh..." he was nearly sweating bullets at this point. Taking a long drink from the bottle he held hoping to get rid of how nervous he seemed. Fuck, way to go Francis, he knew his name didn't show up anywhere to be mentioned, he made sure to keep his head down low thankyou very much. Why the hell did he say film...even if it was half true. "well its not exactly that its more a uh...modeling job..." Yeah that sounded about as half convincing as 'film business' and that wasn't too terribly believable to begin with. "I get enough attention at school as it is, y'know, that got out and I wouldn't get a moments peace."

You: "Then why would you be, one fearful and two, not seen anywhere in magazines. Also, why did they ask me to come help?. I'm not the most attractive person in the world." He said with a sigh as he watched him drink for a moment. "If I can see through your mask, don't you think I can see when you are lying?" Seriously, Francis needed to toughen up and just tell the truth! These circles were driving him up the wall. And with the blonde drinking right in front of him, he couldn't help but get more and more irritated.

Stranger: "I-..." Another long nervous drink. Once again he'd been half telling the truth on that. He had no problem admitting to either of them it was the other half that he had problem fessing up to. "I'm not...exactly lying. Arthure please I am begging you don't go getting involved in this." He replied quickly keeping his gaze away from him. "And...if you don't mind my saying so, you're better looking then you give yourself credit for..." he normally wouldn't be quite THAT direct but he was trying hard to change the subject.

You: 'I'm not exactly lying' he says. Well what else could be a job that required acting or modeling... What was he hiding? He crossed his legs and thought for a moment. He doesn't have to go daily but whenever he does, it lasts all night... By the look of his current physical condition, it was a hard and stimulating work. One that's not suited for a boy his age. One that he didn't want Arthur to get involved in. He folded his arms and placed a hand on his chin. All these detective stories had given him practice. He started eliminating jobs in his mind. Taking his false personality into account, he was a pretty boy who liked to flirt... Oh my god. Was he-? No! He couldn't be. His eyes widened as he got out of his daze and looked to Francis.

"You aren't a..." He paused to swallow and take a shaky breath "whore are you?"

Stranger: "Tch..." keeping his gaze away gritting his teeth tightly, pulling his hair around his shoulder over that scar, it was a bad habit he developed when he was trying to think of a way out of a situation. Come to think about it, it was a damn good thing people didn't go trying to see past his mask, because it wasn't until Arthur started prying that he realized just how fucking bad he was at lying. "Its not exactly that..." but really, six one half a dozen another, it wasn't like he was put out to public or anything, they didn't want to get caught with their underaged little gem after all. A long sigh escaping him his gaze going to the floor. "I...told you i was in film and modling just...I'd rather not talk about the details what with. Please Arthure if...if this ever got out I..."

You: "You would lose your job and the people employing you would get arrested." Arthur said plainly. There was nothing wrong with that in his opinion. "Why are you working with such people?! " he asked, having the urge to stand up. This wasn't right. No one this age should be subjected to such things.

Stranger: More like the least of my problems would be becoming a laughing stock, they'd have a lawsuit that they'd buy off the judge on and in a matter of weeks my corpse would be found in a ditch somewhere Arthure. I had no family, I had nowhere to go, and...and the last thing I wanted was to get put into the foster system or something like that..." Looking back, that was big mistake number one. Big mistake number two...was going along with what ever deal came his way and thats how he ended up in this fucked up mess. He'd been just a kid and terrified, of being put through another family gone wrong, of being pushed person to person, of father getting out of jail, alot of things that any eleven year old would be afraid of, and in his ignorance, agree to just about anything so he wouldn't have to deal with it. By the time he realized just what he'd gotten himself into, it was too late to get out."

You: He bit down on his lip. He had no way of getting out of this did he? He ran through the situations that all ended terribly. "Have you tried faking your death?" He asked as he stood up and began to pace. Back and forth... He was trying to brew more ideas as that one was so week.

Stranger: "Thats the thing it makes living your life there after kind of hard to live." Nodding towards a tall pile of journals, notebooks, sketchpads...the same kind of thing he was always carrying at school. "I do want to do something with my life other than..." scowling a bit. "other than..." he grimaced, he knew there was no sense dancing around it, Arthur already knew he just...really...REALLY hated admitting to it. "other than child porn star prodigy..." blanching a bit...well there explained the mounted self loathing. "Kind of hard to do when you're suppose to be dead." another long drink, at this rate he was going to polish off that whole bottle on his own.

You: "Then become someone else. Or maybe... No that wouldn't work..." He said quietly as he continued to pace. There had to be a way out. He stopped for a moment. Why was he doing this? Maybe Francis wanted to stay there... No... Why would anyone want to stay in that business?

Stranger: He sat the bottle down on the table slumping into a seat on the couch sprawling out. "I've tried it all. I already use a fake stage name so people don't trace it back to me..." laughing out a weak broken laugh. "Theres nothing we can do about it, the best we can do is just make sure you keep from getting involved in it." Sighing heavily turning looking to him. "and...well you can be sure I won't be pissing you off anytime soon now that you know all of this."

You: "You seem to have a knack for doing it anyways." He said with a sigh. He took the bottle from him and found a trash can, tossing the thing. He sat across from him and the silence filled the air. It was an uncomfortable silence but a silence none the less. "What are you going to do once you get out of school?" He asked quietly. He had never really been this nosy, he just... Needed to change the subject.

Stranger: "ass that was still good do yo know how much that cost me?" he scowled kinda kicking him in the side but not hard enough it would hurt, more just like one friend harassing another. Sitting up slowly sighing heavily. "Try to get published, thats what i've been hoping for but so far nothings really hit off." he mumbled looking to Arthur with a small smile."what about you?"

You: "I don't care if that was expensive. You shouldn't be drinking at your age." He sent him a challenging glare before raising an eyebrow. "And I plan to go to college. Then maybe join my mom. I guess..." He shrugged.

Stranger: "Hey when you're in my situation you do /alot/ of things that someone my age shouldn't be doing." he snorted resting his head up against his shoulder. He was a bit tipsy already but considering he'd gone through about 2/3rds a full bottle on his own in less than ten minutes...no surprise there. He wasn't trying anything he just seemed to get a bit snuggly when he was like this. "Y'know Arthure, you're odd, in a really cute kinda way..."

You: His brows creased as he blushed slightly. He didn't bother responding to that, simply nodding, hoping that kind of answer would suffice. He looked away from him before letting out a deep sigh. Why were people in the world so screwed up? And why was it that Arthur seemed to find a way to meet, and anger all of them? He shifted a bit, uneasy because of the unwanted head on his shoulder.

Stranger: "non I mean it. Like..." chuckling softly only nustling up closer to him but finally just settling down sitting next to him. "Everyone at work wants to fcuk me, everyone at school wants to fuck with me...hell half the teachers probably want t' fuck with me..." a weak chuckle escaping him burying his face in against Arthur's shoulder nuzzling against him before staring off over his shoulder like the back of the couch was the most intersting thing ever, a glazed over look, just half drunk rambling at this point. "Then theres you, you're about the only person who looks at me and sees more than a pretty face, or a nice ass...its...odd. I know it shouldn't be but after five years of that being all you're good for...having someone actually give a shit...its odd." smiling a bit closing his eyes as he curled up a bit sighing softly. "P-promise you won't stop being so odd?"

You: He leaned away from him slightly. "Um..." This was making him really uncomfortable. He's never had anyone this close to him before and it was a little unnerving. He swallowed and looked at him. "I-I can't really promise to something I don't believe myself." shifting a bit, he continued. " I mean, I don't think I'm odd." He said quietly. "And no one can promise to stay the same." Finishing talking with a hesitant breath, he bit his lip.

Stranger: "Then at least...promise to try not to see me the way they do?" his arms shifting up around his neck smiling an exhausted distant smile.

You: A chill went down his spine. Not one of those lovely shivers of pleasure. But one of fear and nerves. This was getting really awkward, really fast. "Um sure. Can you back up please?" He asked as he tried to lean away further but found an armrest in the way.

Stranger: "Hmn?" not really noticing he was unnerving the other, the combination of people in general expecting him to act a certain way, ontop of being a little more than half drunk blending together into an awkward mix. "How come?"

You: "B-because it's uncomfortable!" He said before trying to push him off with his covered arm. His was beginning to turn his nervousness into anger.

Stranger: He was able to push him off no problem. Falling back lowering his gaze "srry..." he mumbled out keeping his gaze away sounding more like a dejected kicked puppy than anything. "didn't mean to upset you..."

You: Great. Was he trying to make him feel guilty? Because it was working. Arthur frowned as he mentally swore to hit Francis with every bottle he finds in his hands from here on out. He folded his arms, hugging himself as he suddenly realized how cold it was in here.

Stranger: "I guess I uh...guess im a bit drunk huh?" he laughed a bit shaking his head slowly, resting his head on the opposite arm rest. "Oh hey that reminds me, you busy next weekend night?"

You: Arthur frowned. "Why?" He asked slowly, preparing for an answer that might not be to his liking. Why else in the world would he be asking such a thing? He watched him closely, waiting for an answer.

Stranger: "Mghnn...Gil, he's having a party that weekend, was wondering if you wanted to go." he chuckled softly, humming out as he nustled up into his own folded arms.

You: "A party?" Arthur asked as he thought about it. He hadn't been to a party since fifth grade. At least not one that wasn't. Related to his mother's work. "I don't even know who this 'Gil' person is."

Stranger: "Gilbert? He's a good kid. A bit full of himself, you've probably seen him around, albino, german accent...can't miss him."

You: "Knowing his name doesn't justify me knowing him." The words came out flatly. He sat agenist the arm rest and pulled his legs up so he could hug his legs. He rested his chin on his knees as he watched him.

Stranger: "guess thats true..." he mumbled sitting back up again, thankfully the man seemed to just get really stir crazy when he was drunk, that and really sullen, then again that might have just been the fact he looked utterly exhausted when Arthur came in, in the first place.

You: Arthur had just witnessed an illegal act, though he wasn't planning to tell anyone. When was the last time he had done anything crazy like that? He couldn't remember a time. He thought for a moment. An opportunity was in front of him, what should he do with it? He moved a hand to his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. What was his mother doing next Saturday?

"I guess I'll go... As long as I'm not alone..." He said as his phone hung loosely from his hand.

Stranger: "Don't you worry one bit, you won't be mon lapin..." already forgetting the 'please get off' nustling right up next to him again.

You: Arthur glared at him for a second, as if he was trying to force him away with his gaze. He shook his head slightly when it didn't work. "Please don't make me ask again." He said quietly.

Stranger: "Don't..." he seemed to be trying to figure out what it was he asked him before, nuzling against his shoulder letting out a soft whimper. "Don't you ask to be with me too..." sliding off of him again as he started to pass out. "i think...your the one person I couldn't say no to..." way beyond really knowing what he was saying at this point.

You: Arthur blushed and pushed him away. "Get away git!" He yelled. Why would he say that?! He shuddered at the thought.

Stranger: He grabbed onto a half flattened out throw pillow curling his body up around it nuzzling up into it; he was just... really... really affectionate when he was this far gone, just muttering nonsense as he drifted between being awake and not.