No, His Best Man For Something Else
(Duh Antonio, He Knows What You're Talking About)
Francis had not thought that the day after nearly dying would be so annoying.
Matthew was concerned, but he had managed to assure him that he was fine. Alfred was an absolute treasure, Francis did not know why his responsibility still came as such a surprise. Maddox actually did not do anything strange to him, which was a relief, not that Maddox had stayed in the house for very long. All of these things were fine.
It was Arthur who was annoying. That kiss from last night, it had happened, right? It was not something he had dreamed, Francis knew that to be a fact. Yet the other did not make any notice of him, ignored him ever so completely that Francis was beginning to think it really did not happen.
At the same time, he was beginning to think this was exactly what Arthur had planned. Just to annoy him. The sooner he was out of here the better it would be.
"Are you sure you want to go so soon? Not that you can't..." Alfred seemed to be trying to say something, but without actually saying it. Francis did not know what it was the other wanted to say, but if he was trying to keep it quiet because of who was in the room, it could wait until later.
"There is nothing to worry about, non? Plus, I have my Matthieu with me. Thank you for everything, Alfred."
"It's my job!"
Francis did not doubt it, but reaffirmed his words anyway. It seemed not a moment too soon when he and Matthew had finally gotten out of the house. He leaned sideways into Matthew, who immediately threw his arms up around him. "Are you sure you're all right, papa?"
"For the last time, yes. I'm just somewhat tired still, please stop worrying."
Matthew nodded and went quiet. Francis sighed, rubbing at his throat slightly. It was not a very pleasant memory to have. He and Gilbert would have to have a night spent just drinking to make up for it, maybe forget about the entire thing.
"Francis~!"
Both of them stopped in mid step and turned toward the Spanish sounding voice. "Antonio?" Francis asked, wondering what could have him now so excited. Then again, Antonio always seemed too excited. Well, at least he had not heard about yesterday. Francis sort of wanted to be able to keep that from him. He would have liked to keep it from Matthew as well, but at the same time he was glad that Alfred called him. "What's up?"
"Will you be my best man?"
The question was so sudden, so out of the blue, and finally one of the furthest things from Francis' mind that he found himself just gaping at him. At least, until Matthew dug his elbow into his side. "Pardon?"
"For... my wedding?" Antonio tried again, as if Francis was stupid. Which, of course, he had to protest.
"Of course I will!"
"Ah! Mon ami, I knew you would!"
They were hugging now and Francis was a bit more aware of how tired he was by the fact he was not feeling as victorious as he thought he would have felt in this situation. After he got some more sleep, things would be different. Francis had no doubt he could shove this in Gilbert's face now.
Though would the man take it too personally because of what had just happened? Dammit. Antonio was now rambling about something involving Marcus, Lovino, the wedding, and Feliks, but for the most part Francis had tuned him out, simply waving as the man ran off.
He was distracted by a snicker. He turned towards his son. "Quoi?"
"I just..." Matthew was trying to hide his mouth without being obvious about it, so his right hand had come up to block sight of the smile on his face. "Your friends are absolutely insane, eh! And not in the college drugged out way, like mine used to be! Ha ha ha!"
The entire picture there reminded him of Arthur. And just like that any thought of a good mood was gone. With a sigh, he draped his arm over Matthew's shoulder. "It comes with the territory... Being raised here ruins people, I think. Which is why you were lucky enough to be raised in Montreal! Though I suppose living in Hearth after being raised sane is okay... Though your poor papa will never know the case, truly."
"Being raised here makes people insane, eh? I'm not so sure about that..."
Francis gave him a grin, his mind now focusing on the fact he knew he had to go and see Gilbert soon. To make certain the other was okay. Funny, that. But Gilbert was always the emotional one out of the three of them!
Actually, even to Francis that sounded like a lie.
Notes:
Alfred was trying to keep Francis there because he was trying to get 'mom' to be a bit more open to him. To no avail, however, as Arthur decided to take full advantage of the fact he was sick to simply sit in a corner, drink tea, and do a crossword. Arthur is so silly sometimes.
