Arthur Would Not Be Happy
Francis was beginning to feel the effects of this town. Certainly he had missed his friends Antonio and Gilbert, he had also missed seeing many of the other people in this town, but from an overall view...
How does this town hate me? Let me count the ways!
Number one was Arthur. Except that would be insinuating that Arthur was number one at something. Number one was the lack of dates he could get in this town. The exact number? Zero. The biggest problem about a place where everyone practically knew everyone. No ability to be able to meet new people, whether for a single night or for weeks on end.
Number two was his job. This was not the sort of place he would want to do his job in. He really did not want to give legal advice or draft wills for the people here. Especially since so many of them would not listen and probably die because of some freak accident shortly thereafter. A little too much for his mind to handle, thank you very much.
Number three was Arthur.
And definitely not last, but the last one Francis was going to think about right now, was Gilbert.
"Nasty bruise there... Gilbert?"
France nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "I'm not certain if I can keep this up. Antonio is taking his sweet time about asking me."
"And you think being nice to Lovino might help your case?" Alfred laughed, though his words had been quiet. Good enough, because if Lovino heard that he would probably throw the both of them out. For someone who was about to get married, he certainly spent a lot of time at work.
Then again, his cooking was much better than he remembered it being. Then again it had been many years. Francis certainly hoped Lovino had improved, if even just a little bit.
"I can only hope so." Francis smirked. "Lovino hasn't changed much... He can easily be swayed in favour of something. Plus Gilbert has had plenty of time to remove himself from Lovino's favour~"
"Ain't that the truth! Not that Lovino has many people he favours. Antonio just barely managed it." Alfred shrugged. "I'm happy for them though. It's wonderful when something works out."
"Just because two people get married does not mean it will work out." Alfred winced and Francis rethought his words. "I'm not being bitter, I've just seen a lot of those situations. Though I suppose there can always be an exception to the rule."
"Harsh, man," Alfred sighed, "but leading up to what I wanted to ask you."
"Ooh, you want to ask me something?" Francis teased.
Alfred did not seem affected, staring at him for a few moments before he spoke. "I want to move out." Right away Francis knew where this was going.
"But Arthur won't let you, hm?"
"He doesn't know yet." Double trouble, Francis thought sarcastically. "And I want to keep it that way for a bit, so I can make certain it will even happen. I don't want to go through the drama only to end up where I started. Which is what I want to ask you. Will you help me keep him from finding out?"
Francis laughed. "We talk to each other a total of maybe a word when we see each other, which is as limited as either of us can make it! All right, Alfred, I'll bite. What are you really asking?"
"I think it's mother's instinct," Alfred rolled his eyes. "He's all clingy now, more than usual. I can barely go out without him ferreting out where I'm going."
"And you think moi can distract him?" Francis rose an eyebrow. "Why don't you ask your uncles?" Even while not referring to Roy and Brian by name Francis felt as if someone was standing right behind him. He turned in his chair slightly just to have the excuse to look over his shoulder. Nope, neither were there.
Right now.
"Because Arthur would just ignore them," Alfred insisted. Francis was inclined to agree with him, after any amount of exposure to either of those two the best way to go was with ignoring them. "Please, Francis?"
Maybe he was going to say yet because it gave him a reason to bother Arthur, or maybe it was to make up for the fact he had not been able to raise Alfred like he had intended to when he had seen Arthur with the boy. Whatever it was...
"Only if you agree to call me papa in front of him."
Arthur was going to be so pissed. The thought made Francis grin.
Notes:
Yep, Francis is a lawyer. Which also did not help his and Arthur's marriage.
And he and Alfred seem to get along! It is because Alfred does not mind someone not liking Arthur as long as they do not shove it in his face. After all, Arthur can be a nightmare to deal with, Alfred understands that well. So does Francis. Of course, Francis can be a nightmare to deal with. Matthew understands that well. And so does Arthur. It is just a large pretzel shaped diagram of the four. Of which Matthew usually turns out to be the innocent bystander. Except when he is not.
