Breathe Anew

Apologized

You may thank P. for getting me to type this. I apologize (just like the title ahaha) for being so late on updating EVERYTHING. I just haven't been motivated. Sorry.

Disclaimer: At least the end is getting closer and closer.

Characters: Francis, Alfred, Arthur, Matthew, Gilbert

Breathe Anew

Apologized

Arthur was a nervous mess. It felt as though it was an extremely long time since he had the entire family over for Sunday dinner. Recent events hadn't made it proper for him to even think of having a family meal and when his own love life was in shambles, he wouldn't well do it.

Thankfully, all of that was now behind him. After he returned from Matthew's place, he found Francis in the kitchen making lunch and tea. Now, even though there wasn't anything unusual about that, the fact there were two cups and two dishes out made everything tip over for him. He felt the tears prickling his eyes and he wanted simply to run to Francis' arms and tell him that he was sorry, but instead, he just stood there, in the entrance of their kitchen, looking in on this scene of familiarity.

He couldn't remember how long he stood there, but at some point, Francis turned around, he saw him and the next thing Arthur knew, he was sobbing in Francis' chest, while the older man simply held him like he had so many times before.

Amidst his tears, Arthur apologized over and over for being the greatest jerk that ever walked the planet and he just wanted for things to go back to normal for them. Arthur wouldn't blame Francis if he said no, if he left him, if he slapped him again or if he did all of the above and then some, but Francis simply continued holding on to him, bringing him to a couch where they sat for many minutes, until Arthur calmed down enough for them to talk like civilized people.

And they talked.

Everything that happened over the past year or so, ever since the accident up until that very second, they talked about it. Arthur explained his motives and why he did it, but he also added he now realised that he was too harsh on not only Gilbert, but on Francis as well.

Francis let him speak, until he was sure Arthur was done and then he took the younger man's hands in his larger ones and told him he was glad Arthur realised all of this on his own.

Arthur told him where went earlier and Francis was pleased. They discussed about the issue a bit longer and moved on to what to serve at next week's dinner. They finally started to slowly melt the ice of their winter, after so long.

This was why, almost exactly a week later, Arthur was pacing in his living room as Francis got the last of dinner ready and he wondered for the fifty-fourth time who would come first; Alfred or Matthew and Gilbert. Matthew was usually on time, but Gilbert wasn't and maybe because of everything that happened, they decided to be late on purpose or maybe they went to pick up Alfred, but he was always late, but maybe Alfred was picking them up and what if Mat—

The doorbell rang.

He would have dropped a dish had he been holding one.

He quickly made his way to the door and opened it to find Alfred. For some reason, he let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

"Hey bro."

"Hey yourself. How are you doing?"

"Not bad, not bad. Are the others here yet?" Arthur shook his head. as they went to sit in the kitchen. At least, now he had a distraction of some sorts.

Arthur waited another twenty-five minutes before Matthew and Gilbert arrived. He was nothing but nerves and it would have been almost comical if it wasn't for the fact that he really wanted for his family to return to a happy place. Their greetings were awkward and he was more than pleased when Francis brought out the hors-d'oeuvres.

He ended up talking mostly to Alfred, while Gilbert and Francis spoke amongst themselves and Matthew switched between the two groups. Arthur wanted to wait until they were seated, before telling them what he was carefully rehearsing in his head, at all hours of the day. However, the closer they got to dinner time, the bigger the butterflies in his stomach grew.

At long last, they were seated and the drinks were poured. The food looked succulent as ever and Arthur knew that it was now or never, but j as he opened his mouth to say something, the words died at his lips, as they fought to get out. He tried two more times, but nothing came out.

Francis noticed his struggle and put a comforting hand to his knee, from underneath the table. Arthur turned his head quickly in his direction and Francis gave him a comforting smile. He could do this. He had to do this. For all of their sakes.

"I…. I would like to tell you something…" He finally started. If anything, it got their attention. Francis nodded his head in encouragement and he took a deep breath.

"I have something I would like to tell all of you… I… I would like to apologize for the way… for the way I've acted recently." He paused.

"I know it took me a long time to come to this point, but I'm truly sorry. I had no right to treat you the way I did. I'm sorry; I jumped to conclusions, wrongly accused, mistreated, ignored and hurt you all in some way… but most of all, I'm sorry I failed you as a brother, when you probably needed me the most." He looked at both of his younger brothers and gave them apologetic smiles.

"Don't sweat it, Artie." Alfred brushed it off as nothing, but Arthur knew that it was his younger brother's way of accepting his apology. Matthew, on the other hand, got up and hugged him close. Arthur was startled at first, but after a moment passed, he returned the gesture, glad this much had gone well.

"And lastly, I want to apologize to you, Gilbert. It was wrong of me to accuse you the way I did and to think you would purposely put Matthew's life in danger. If anything, I should be thankful to you for taking such good care of him. I… I've done some pretty horrible things to you and if you want, I would like to start over…" All eyes went from him to Gilbert and he could feel his heart rate speed up, as Gilbert silently got up and stared at him for a moment.

"Hi, I'm Gilbert Beilschmidt. I'm currently dating your brother, Matthew; it's a pleasure to meet you." Gilbert stuck his hand out and for the first time, since they knew each other, Arthur sincerely smiled at him and shook the offered hand. It was a new beginning for all of them.

OWARI 19

TO BE CONTINUED

And that concludes another chapter!

Two chapters left OMG!

I do accept anonymous reviews.

Started writing: February 23rd 2011, 2:38am

Finished writing: February 24th 2011, 3:21pm

Started typing: March 29th 2011, 5:44pm

Finished typing: March 29th 2011, 6:23pm