This Is The Man We Are To Believe Is So Selfish?

Francis was not really certain how much more of this he would be able to take. First there was Gilbert. Francis had half a mind just to stay at the inn, except Gilbert would likely crow victory at that point and Francis would not have that. Next there was Maddox. He was certain the other was not really crazy, just that he wanted everyone to think so, but Francis did not really want to risk it. For all he really was concerned, the man was insane.

Finally there was Arthur. Which was why he was not going to wait for that Kiku to talk to Alfred, he was going to do it himself. It was not hard, Alfred was where Alfred could get to any time he managed to slip out of Arthur's view. In his house.

Francis let himself in. It was not hard, there was no front door. At least, not yet.

"Francis!" Alfred waved him forward with his free hand. His other hand was currently holding a large plank of wood, so Francis did not really think it was necessary. "I mean... 'dad'."

"You do not have to push yourself," Francis laughed slightly, or tried to. It did not last long.

"Should have shown up a few minutes ago, you missed Ludwig." Alfred dropped the rotted piece of wood and threw his arms up into the air. "He's gonna take the job and help me fix my house!"

"Wonderful!" Maybe last week Francis would have really been happy for the boy. Just because Arthur took him and ran off did not mean he had not felt any sort of pride in hearing what the other had accomplished so far in his life. They had been this close to being a family... not that Francis minded. What would be the point in regretting it now? He had had Matthew and that had been wonderful. "Alfred? Can we talk?"

Alfred blinked a few times, arms falling back to his sides. "Uh... yeah. Of course! What d'ya need?"

I don't have a problem with annoying Arthur – I practically lived for it for many years. But I never deliberately tortured him. I never put him in harm's way and I never ever made him sick, even though it is really easy for him to do that to himself. So I can't. I can't do this and I can't let you do this.

"I think Arthur's sick," is what he said instead. Alfred blinked.

"Really? I hadn't noticed anything..."

Probably because it was all in Arthur's mind and it got worse when the prodigal son was not around. Francis kept himself from rolling his eyes and applied pressure on the bridge of his nose to abate the other thoughts which ran rampant in his mind. "I just don't think... maybe you should just tell him what you have in mind."

"No!" Alfred scoffed, actually rolling his eyes. "I can't do that! He'd stop my plan faster then the Vash could stop a terrorist threat!"

"You signed a contract with Ludwig, right?"

"Nah, man," Alfred looked at him strangely. "It's with Ludwig and Gilbert. I get to meet up with the both of them a bit later and do so."

"Well, once the contract is signed, he wouldn't really be able to stop you, could he?" Francis continued. Like he did not know contracts. Both sides could break it off, but Arthur was unlikely to force that much. Arthur was just going to have to deal with the fact Alfred did not want to stay in the same house with his 'mother' forever. Francis dealt well with letting Matthew go off into the world.

"I... guess," Alfred frowned. "What's your point."

"Just tell him then. All right?"

Alfred did not seem very convinced. Did Alfred not believe that Francis was telling the truth? Or was it the typical behavior of someone who knew what he had to do, but just did not want to do it.

"You'll keep it up until then though, right? I want to be able to get out of the house to sign it."

Really Arthur, you bring most of your troubles on yourself.

"Of course, mon fils."

And here I am, digging you out of another one. Francis believed Arthur owed him. And he would tell him so.

After it was all over with. After.


Notes:

And happy birthday everyone, I am updating everyday until next Tuesday. Why? Because I want to. And there is supposed to be storms up here. If I try getting seven updates in this next week, I may only get four if I loose power. Plus, even if that never happens, I think I can have an update for every day for a week.