"It's simple if you look at todays work." Francis said sitting down with Matthew. Matthew had found the paper and the pair were sitting at a desk as Francis explained. Alfred and Arthur sat awkwardly in silence listening to them. Alfred didn't even dare look in Arthur's direction in fear something would happen. Arthur felt equally as awkward with Alfred. He couldn't 'fall' for a student. It would be terribly unprofessional. Especially as this was his first teaching job, he also knew Roderich wouldn't react to kindly if he knew. Francis could sense the tension, frustrated he had been interrupted. He didn't know when he would get another chance to have Arthur alone. But he would have to make sure he made one. He explained the work to Matthew. He could tell by the way Matthew was acting, he knew all of this stuff already. He was choosing to help his brother, which was sweet in a way. Francis knew Matthew cared for his brother dearly, he would never hurt anyone. Arthur decided to break the awkward silence between him and Alfred.
"I've got the school trip finally organised." Arthur said. Alfred looked to him excited and relieved on the change of subject.
"Really? Where are we going?" He asked.
"We are going to the National Theatre to watch a performance of Comedy of Errors." Arthur said. Alfred's eyes widened, he was really going all out for this trip. They weren't just going to be watching some amateur production. They were going to watch an all singing, all dancing, professional play.
"Really sir?" He asked. Arthur nodded to him.
"Yes, I found another teacher to go with us." He smiled. Alfred immediately felt a stone in his stomach. He knew the staff in this school. He desperately hoped it wasn't who he thought it was. Matthew smiled and nodded putting his work back in his bag.
"Merci." Matthew said softly as he stood up.
"Anytime Matthew. I'm always here to help." He smiled standing up. "With anything that troubles you." He added. Alfred shook his head, Francis always sounded perverted. It wasn't directed at his brother, it was just how things were.
"Mr Bonnefoy will be coming with us to make up numbers." Arthur said. Matthew could see Alfred pale. "We were just about to talk about the trip, weren't we." Arthur smiled to Francis. Francis nodded and walked round to his side.
"Oui. Now we must be getting back to that meeting." Francis said, moving to shoo Alfred and Matthew off. Alfred was not going anywhere. Luckily the bell rang signalling the end of lunch.
"I'm sorry, I'll have to give you a rain check." Arthur said rushing out. "I've got to set up for my next class. Send me an email of when it will suit you." He called running out the door.
"Okay." Francis called after him, now rather annoyed. He looked to the two student's that were looking at him. Alfred very quickly made his exit, leaving Matthew. Francis waited for Matthew to run off, but he just stayed there. His violet eyes looking up at Francis expectantly. "Haven't you got another class?" Matthew nodded.
"French." He said softly. Francis chuckled, how could he forget.
"Well you might as well sit down." He smiled walking back to his desk. Matthew nodded and sat down at his desk, in front of Francis.
"Sir... are you coming with us on the drama trip?" Matthew asked unsure. Francis suspected this. He nodded.
"Oui. Mr Kirkland asked me if I was able to come with you, and I said yes." He said confidently. Leaning forwards, resting his head on his hands. "Now Matthew... what should we learn about today?" Matthew looked away blushing.
"Erm..." He stuttered.
"You didn't really need help with your homework did you?" Francis asked. Matthew looked down.
"No sir." He said softly. Francis smiled at his honestly, gently lifting Matthews chin.
"Why did you come and ask for help, when I could of helped you now?" He asked calmly and slightly seductively. Matthew blushed, he couldn't look away from him. He decided he better be honest... as he always was. "We were worried you were going to do something to Mr Kirkland." He said in a quiet voice. Francis' expression didn't change, he knew that was the reason. He was surprised Matthew would admit something like that to him. He got up and moved round the desks, crouching down so he was level with Matthew.
"Don't worry about Mr Kirkland." He said softly, his hand caressing Matthew cheek. Francis' heart skipped a beat as Matthew leaned into his hand, that cute blush returning. "He will be perfectly safe. He's got a good head on his shoulders." He comforted Matthew. Moving his other hand to rest on Matthew's hands. "Don't you worry yourself about him."
"But everyone says..." Matthew bit back tears. "Everyone says you... take advantage of people." Matthew half shouted. This statement didn't surprise Francis, but it did hurt him a lot more than he would of thought. Matthew looked up to him, tears falling from his trembling violet eyes. "Tell me your not like that." He seemed to plead. Francis quickly pulled Matthew into a hug, patting him on the back, letting him cry it out. Matthew did, he didn't care what Francis thought of him. The idea that the only teacher he felt safe with was taking advantage of other people against their will frightened him. Francis held the trembling student, normally he never saw this level of upset in Matthew. Sure sometimes he would be a bit down about things, but nothing effected him this much.
"Matthew... there is something you need to understand." He said softly. "I know I can seem flirty and suggestive at times, but that is just who I am." He patted the boys back. "I never really do anything unless the other agrees." Matthew sniffed, pulling back from him, looking him in the eye.
"Are you going to seduce Mr Kirkland?" He asked in a serious voice. Francis knew he couldn't answer. He just hugged Matthew, whispering in his ear.
"I will only make a move if he loves no other." That was all he could say, though he was going to try to stop him falling for Alfred as much as possible. But he knew he could never ruin true love. Matthew paused, thinking over the words. He was sure there was a feeling between them. They just had to act on them.
"Okay..." Matthew said unsure. Knowing it wasn't a definite no. But it was also not a clear yes. It will have to do.
"Now... what should we do today?" Francis asked.
"Love." Matthew said simply. Francis was taken a back. He needed some quick definition. "Explain about love." Francis sighed. It was going to be an... interesting lesson.
School had finished and Alfred walked to the Drama department. Normally he would be perfectly fine with going to the department. He would have no troubles on his way. But this time was different. He hadn't been able to focus all of last lesson because of that stupid French teacher. He kept thinking about how much he hated him for trying to take advantage of Mr Kirkland. Okay he had to admit it now... he was jealous. Not jealous because of Mr Bonnefoy himself, but because he was a teacher. As a teacher he could flirt and... touch Mr Kirkland as much as he wanted. Mr Kirkland could if he wanted do the same back. But could he? No. Alfred F. Jones was a student, despite being an adult, he couldn't do anything. He didn't even know Mr. Kirkland's first name. Let alone be able to say how he felt. If anyone found out, they might relocate him. Though he doubted that considering how many perverts there were in this school. He had to be careful. He also wasn't completely sure about Mr Kirkland's feelings towards him. For all he knew, he was just a really enthusiastic student who wanted to do well. Alfred mentally hit himself, he needed to calm down. Nothing had happened. Well not yet anyway. Unless he could somehow beat Bonnefoy to the punch. If he could make Mr Kirkland love him instead... he stopped himself right there. He was not going to stoop to their level. He was going to take things as they came, and be mature about it. He knocked softly on the door to the Drama Office.
"Come in." Came the reply. Alfred took a deep breath and opened the door. Alfred stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The office was neat and tidy with Arthur sitting behind the desk. "Alfred." He smiled, but saw the stress in the students eyes. "Are you alright?" He asked.
"Why did you go with Mr Bonnefoy!?" Alfred shouted catching himself and Arthur off guard. He quickly realised what he had said. "Sorry sir...I didn't mean to..."
"Alfred why don't you take a seat." Arthur suggested calmly. He was surprised at the student's outburst. Alfred sat down quickly, his eyes on the floor. Arthur took a breath and walked over and sat next to him. "Are you alright Alfred?" He asked calmly, resting an arm on his shoulder. Alfred continued to state at the floor.
"No." Came the mumbled answer. Arthur took a deep breath.
"You want to talk about it?" He asked.
"Maybe." Alfred mumbled. Arthur smiled softly. Alfred's blue eyes looked up to meet his emerald ones.
"Do you like Mr Bonnefoy?" He asked bluntly. Arthur was surprised. What had gotten into Alfred today. He was perfectly fine at lunch if not a little nervous, then going after him after he left. Bursting on on him and Francis when they were just going to... Arthur paused. Linking together everything. The warnings, what had been going on. The reputation of the language department. It was starting to make sense. Alfred didn't want him to be taken advantage of by Francis. Arthur himself didn't want to believe he was in such danger. He couldn't understand... he found Alfred's blue eyes staring at him, pleading for an answer.
"I try not to get involved with people I work with." That was his honest answer. He could see the disappointment in Alfred's eyes. Did Alfred... Arthur couldn't stop himself from wrapping his arms around the student, holding him close. Feeling that he never wanted to let go. Alfred sat dumbfounded. He wasn't sure what Arthur meant by his answer, but he wasn't going to miss this chance. Alfred quickly hugged Arthur, his hug becoming more desperate. He didn't want Mr Bonnefoy to have him. He would fight tooth and claw to keep Arthur. While he planned, Arthur was trying to steady his racing heart.